Morro Bay Library Upcoming Events
An opportunity for the public to meet the new librarian at the Morro Bay Library, Dani Porter, will be provided by the Morro Bay Friends of the Library on Thursday, June 10, from 4 to 6 pm at the Library at 625 Harbor Street. Refreshments will be served.
Porter assumed her duties on April 8, succeeding Jude Sanner Long, who retired in December after nearly 35 years as assistant and branch manager of the library.
Porter says Long is "truly irreplaceable."
"After nearly 35 years as Morro Bay Library’s manager, Jude created and nurtured an exceptional library environment, collection, staff, volunteer program, and Friends of the Library group, as well as community relationships which continue to thrive today," she said. "Jude also provided us with the infrastructure for future growth with the coming addition of the Library’s John Kim Room for library collections, programs, and services."
With a background in casino marketing and public relations, advertising agencies, and non-profit fundraising, Porter said she is excited at the new opportunity to work cooperatively on behalf of the community and county to support a full-range of library services. "I'm looking forward to returning to my public library roots, and expanding my knowledge of front-line library management at the Morro Bay Library, while growing our branch library services," she said.
To date, Porter has met many in the community through the Morro Bay Chamber of Commerce's membership mixer, the American Association of University Women's garden tour, the Art Center-Morro Bay’s unveiling, the Saturday Farmers Market and the Cruisin’ Morro Bay Car Show. "I look forward to getting out to more events to see everything Morro Bay has to offer," she said.
Porter received a bachelor in arts degree in public relations from California State University, Long Beach, and a masters degree in library and information science from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.
She previously worked for the San Diego Zoo’s development and membership department as prospect research and stewardship manager, as an adult services librarian for the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District, as director of development for the university libraries at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, as community relations librarian for the Orange County Public Library in Santa Ana and as community projects librarian and webmaster for the Iberia Parish Library in New Iberia, Louisiana.
In 2003, Porter was named one of the Library Journal’s Movers & Shakers, and during 2003-2004 served as president of Louisiana State’s School of Library and Information Science’s Alumni Association. Porter is active within the library profession, having served on a variety of committees for the American, California, and Nevada library associations.
Porter, a native of South Lake Tahoe, enjoys traveling, film festivals, and most water sports and now makes her home in Cayucos.
To RSVP, go to the Friends of the Library website.
Want to Share or Learn About a Special Book?
Friends of the Library Has Just the Order for You
Ever read a wonderful book and wish you could talk about it with someone and share the joy that only a book holds? Or ever have someone tell you about a good book and after falling in love with it, you shudder that otherwise you would might never have discovered it?
If either of those situations clicks with you, then the Morro Bay Friends of the Library have just the right book discussions coming up. Participants can either tell about books that have impressed them or just listen and find out about books that may impress you.
Normally, there are assigned books that the regular discussion groups review and discuss on those Wednesdays. But no books were assigned this month, so anyone can come and share their own individual choices this time.
The Friends have a range of offerings for anyone who likes the idea of discussing books they just read, who just wants to learn more about a book before reading it or who wants to meet and hear local authors describe their books and experiences behind them. The regular Friends schedule calls for:
Discussion groups to meet regularly each Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon.
—On the first and third Wednesdays, the basic readers discussion group meets to discuss certain assigned books that participants have planned to read and then discuss.
—The second Wednesdays are "Inspirational Wednesdays," which are devoted to reviewing and discussing thought-provoking books from leading authors who are guides to change, growth and self-acceptance. It presents an opportunity for readers to reflect and enjoy the opportunity of discussing books that can help change our world for the better.
—On the fourth and fifth Wednesdays, the Friends host local authors or artists who share their talents through readings, conversations, special presentations, demonstrations, and/or workshops.
Friends holds regular book sales to raise funds for the library. The next one is on Saturday, May 8, at the Library. Members only will be admitted to the sale from 9 to 10 a.m. with the public sale from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. A $3 per bag sale will be from 1 to 2 p.m.
Friends also provide volunteers to support library services and operations, publish a newsletter distributed throughout the community four times a year and build and maintain awareness of library needs and services throughout the community. For more information contact Karen Robert.
The programs are all free and open to everyone. More information on book lists, discussion dates, and/or the events schedule is available at Friends of the Library.org.
Pipevine Swallowtail image on banner by Jerry Kirkhart |
