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President's Letter
Claude Robinson: A Life Well Lived
Another Thanksgiving has come and gone. I’ve glutted on football, food, friends, and family and thanked my lucky stars for all of them...even football, now that the Lions are repaying more than 65 years of fan frustration with a healthy dose of hopefulness.
But, someone came to mind recently who doesn’t normally invade my Thanksgiving reveries. In fact, I barely knew him. But, his remarkable legacy of giving back to his community gave him rock star status for many of us.
His name was Claude Robinson, and he passed away in early January of this year at the age of 98, figuring he had done just about all he could to make the world a better place for all of us.
Claude was born in Detroit back when flappers were still cutting rugs on the dance floor. He earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from Wayne State University, which eventually led to his becoming president of American Seating’s Transportation Product Group.
Along the way he shared 65 years with his wife Marion, a beloved educator in the Forest Hills School System. He was an aviation officer in the Army Air Corps during World War II and, after his retirement in 1969, fought just as hard on the Cascade Township Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals to enhance the quality of life in the community.
Oh, and did I mention his philanthropy? Thanks to him the Cascade Township Recreation Park now has the Marion and Claude Robinson Children’s Playground, a universally accessible children’s park. When I approached him several years ago to see if he would make a small donation toward the purchase and installation of an aquarium in our library, he offered to pay for it all...and did!
Even after leaving this beautiful but struggling planet in January, we still felt his presence in the form of a generous bequest to the Friends in his final will. Claude was someone who cared about the community in general and the library in particular.
It might seem strange to be saying thanks nearly a year after his passing. But, the older I get, the more I realize that it’s never too late to express gratitude for a life well lived.
Thanks, Claude, from all of your Friends at the library!
--Joe David
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Benefits of a Friend's Membership
When you become a Friend, you help support an important part of the social fabric of your community. Plus, you earn "Early Bird" privileges at most book sales, which means you gain entry to the sales in advance of non-members to have first shot at the books of greatest interest to you.
And, we will notify you of any scheduled book sales or special events. So, you'll never miss out on an opportunity.
Volunteer Corner
34 Cascade Friends Volunteers Earn 'Points of Light' Awards at KDL Luncheon
Thirty-four volunteers from the Friends of the Cascade Library were awarded 2024 “Points of Light” medals and certificates at the annual KDL Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon on November 8 in recognition of the generous sharing of their time and talents in support of the library.
“Points of Light” (POL) is an international organization founded by President George H.W. Bush in 1990 to recognize the contributions to society of volunteers and the organizations that support them.
While the POL awards have been around for many years, this was the first time KDL volunteers were recognized thanks to the efforts of KDL Volunteer Coordinator Deb Schultz who worked with each branch to accumulate the necessary information.
“We all know that volunteers aren’t doing what they do for personal recognition,” said Joe David, president of the Cascade Friends group. “But, Deb wanted them to know how much they are appreciated, and this was a great way to do it.”
There are three levels of POL awards based on each person’s total number of volunteer hours: Bronze (100-249 hours), Silver (250-499 hours), and Gold (500+ hours). Here are the award winners from the Cascade Friends:
- Bronze - Terry Barton, Kathy Chan, Marti Chardon, Elna Coetzee, Mary Drumheller, Judy Gillen, Michael Gillen, Laurel Ingram, Veronica Jones, Judy Kozlik, Lily Krieger, Linda Lampert, Barb Marcus, Alice Morrill, Barb Reid, Beth Van Over, Walt Wolf, Ron Wong, and Thomas Zubal.
- Silver - Mary Crosby-Davies, Judy Davis, Ellen Gray, Nancy Harper, Mary Kay Koff, Kathy Sullivan, and Judy Vana.
- Gold -Joe David, Linda David, Stephanie Doody, Mary Ann Lane, Jean LeMire, Marge Ohlman, Gail Rapp, and Linda Woods.
“Congratulations to each of our award winners and to the other amazing volunteers who didn’t make this list,” David said. “We’re fortunate to have each and every one of them and want them to know it.”
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Volunteers received a 'Points of Light' pin recognizing their contributions to the library.
Your Donations at Work
'Eerie Excitement at the Library'
A lot of kids (and adults) crinkle their noses, get wide-eyed, and cover their mouths in shocked awe when placed in the same room with some of nature’s less glamorous creatures. And yet, at the same time they’re drawn to them with the enviable curiosity of youth.
That was the case on October 26 when a special event sponsored by the Friends—"Eerie Excitement at the Library”—attracted 467 parents and excited kids to enjoy games, a scavenger hunt and the opportunity to interact with a lot of creepy, crawly creatures that are native to Michigan.
Experts from the Outdoor Discovery Center (ODC) provided an education for the kids on owls, snakes and other slinky critters that most had only encountered in children’s books up until then.
ODC uses an inquiry-based style of programming that allows children to learn about and experience nature and culture in a hands-on manner.
The event got high grades from most in attendance, with one parent saying, “This is why this library is the best. You are always doing things to connect with the community.”
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An expert from Outdoor Discovery gives kids some hands-on 'Eerie Excitement' at the library.
Book Sale
Used Book Sale December 7-8; Christmas Book Trees Available
The next used book sale is scheduled for December 7 and 8 in the Cascade Library’s Wisner Center, with the members-only “Early Bird” sale from 9:30 to 10:30 am on Saturday. Doors will open to the public from 10:30 am until 4 pm on Saturday and from 1 to 3 pm on Sunday.
A broad assortment of book categories will be available, including biography, cooking, fiction, nonfiction, religion, home & garden, leisure, romance, large print, and more. There will be a limited inventory of CDs and DVDs available, as well.
With the Christmas holidays fast approaching, the friends will be offering something a little different at this sale, according to Sales Chairperson Kathy Sullivan.
“Like people, books wear down with time,” she said. “Often, we are left with no better option than to recycle the books when they are no longer fit for resale,” she said. “But, we’ve given some of them a second lease on life recently by using them to build ‘Christmas Book Trees’ that we will offer at the book sale.”
Sullivan said there will be 10 of the special holiday book trees on display throughout the Wisner Center, and all will be available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis.
Book prices will remain the same: Adult books - $1.00 for hardbacks, $0.50 for paperbacks, $10 per bag; Children's Books - $0.50 for hardbacks. $0.25 for paperbacks.
“If you’re a member, remember to bring your membership card to speed up entry into the “Early Bird” sale,” Sullivan said. “And, if you’re not currently a member but would like to go to the early sale, memberships will be available at the door.”
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Kathy Sullivan holds one of the Christmas Book Trees that will be for sale in December.
Bookstore
'Chapter Two' Bookstore Expansion Is Part of Library Refresh Plans in Early 2025
There have been a lot of enhancements to the outside of the Cascade library this year, including the resurfacing of the parking lot and the opening of Friendship Park. Now, it’s the inside of the library’s turn.
After years of planning and designing, the library will get a refresh beginning February 17, with targeted completion by June. Obviously, the work will cause some disruption in normal operations, but library staff have worked diligently to find workarounds that will allow them to still provide a high level of service.
“Space limitations are going to require that we reduce the amount of programming we do,” explained Lulu Brown, branch manager. “But, I hope our patrons will agree that it was worth a temporary inconvenience when they see the final product in the spring.”
One change that has the Friends of the Library excited about the future is the planned expansion of the “Chapter Two” bookstore, which is one of the primary outlets for their sale of used books to patrons.
“We are very fortunate and grateful to have the space we do now,” said Friends President Joe David. “But, we’re going to be able to offer so much more to library patrons once the space in the bookstore is doubled during the refresh.”
David said that several volunteers responsible for bookstore operations are considering a variety of options for the use of the additional space, including a significantly larger array of books, better seating, an information kiosk, and display shelves for items other than books.
“As always, the library staff is bending over backwards to help the Friends by setting up some shelving in the Wisner Center as a temporary “bookstore” during the refresh so that we can continue offering used books for sale,” said David. “I guess you could think if it as a three-month book sale.”
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This is an artist's rendering of the planned expansion of the 'Chapter Two' bookstore.
Memorials
Little Free Library Serves as a Memorial to Niki Zimmerman in Friendship Park
On the boundary of Friendship Park, just outside the entry to the future children’s Storytime room, you will find a new addition to the park’s community-friendly features. It’s a Little Free Library, which was primarily funded by donations from members of the Quail Crest Book Club as a memorial to a young mother who died tragically, leaving an eight-year-old son.
The book club wanted to do something to memorialize the mother—Nicole “Niki” Zimmerman—for her son. So, the Friends shared some options with them, and the Little Free Library (LFL) was their choice.
The Friends and library staff will share in the care and feeding of the LFL, which will include a healthy quantity of children’s books aimed at eight-year-olds, according to Joe David, Friends president.
“We already had plans to install a LFL in the park,” he said. “So, when we heard about the book club’s generosity and desire to honor Niki and her son, we thought dedicating the LFL to her was the perfect way to do so.” A plaque will soon be added to the side of the LFL as a memorial to Niki.
Little Free Libraries got their start in Wisconsin in 2009 and have become a global book-sharing movement. The idea behind them is to help, primarily children, understand the importance of reusing items while also increasing their access to books. Parents are encouraged to drop off books, giving other children the chance to enjoy them.
Today, there are more than 150,000 of them licensed with non-profit organization Little Free Library in 115 countries, with millions of books exchanged each year.
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This Little Free Library will make free books available to children in Niki Zimmerman's memory.
Book Discussions
Next Up for the Friends Discussion Group: 'The Personal Librarian'
The Friends Book Discussion Group will meet for the final time in 2024 on December 18 at 10 am in the Wisner Center to discuss a novel by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray called “The Personal Librarian.”
An online summary describes it as an exciting historical fiction novel that dives into the extraordinary life of Belle da Costa Greene, the personal librarian to J.P. Morgan, during the early twentieth century.
“This gripping tale offers readers a captivating narrative and raises important questions about feminism, social justice, and the power dynamics that women--especially women of color--face in a male-dominated society.
“The story follows Belle, a white-passing Black woman who hides her racial identity to navigate the prejudice of the early 1900s. As she climbs the ranks in Morgan’s powerful circle, Belle becomes an indispensable figure in the world of art and literature, curating one of the most prestigious libraries of her time. However, as her career flourishes, Belle must constantly grapple with the limitations imposed on her as a Black woman, facing overt and subtle discrimination.”
The discussion group will start up again after the holidays on January 15 with “The Women” by best-selling author Kristin Hannah. The book is about a memorable heroine whose idealism and courage under fire will come to define the 1960s when the world is changing in so many ways, especially for a young woman.
No pre-registration is required for these book discussion events.
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Join others on December 18 to discuss 'The Personal Librarian.'
Board of Directors
The Board has an Opening for a Communications Chairperson
There is an opening on the Friends board of directors for a Communication Chairperson. Would you consider filling it?
The pay is lousy ($0 per year), but the work is very rewarding, as you would work in tandem with a talented and very committed group of volunteers to ensure that key audiences know what’s going on with the Friends and how to take advantage of what we have to offer.
“We are blessed with so many dedicated volunteers who fill key roles in our organization,” explained Joe David, Friends president. “But, we have one gaping hole without someone to oversee our communications.”
David added that professional experience or training in communications is not a prerequisite for the position. “Organization, timeliness and the ability to write a clear sentence are more important than experience,” he said.
The Communications Chair is expected to attend a monthly two-hour board meeting (except for August and December) and, of course, ensure that appropriate communications are prepared, approved and distributed on time.
“There are a few basic things that would be required in support of special events and programs,” David said. “But anything beyond that would be at the discretion of the chairperson based on capacity and personal skill sets. In other words, we’re flexible.”
Anyone interested in finding out more about the Communication Chairperson position should either send an email to Joe David at joed1947@gmail.com or give him a call at 616-490-1742.
Have you considered serving as a volunteer on the Friends board of directors?
Coming Events
Upcoming Events Sponsored by the Friends
With the holidays upon us, chances are your calendar is going to fill up fast. So, get it out now and plug in the dates and times for these upcoming events that are sponsored by your Friends of the Cascade Library:
December 2: Winter Reading Challenge
Our annual Winter Reading Challenge begins. Read a book from any six categories to earn a free collectable mug. For more information check out kdl.org/snow. You can download the tracking log or stop into the library to get one.
December 2: Kids and Teens Craft Show
Listen to live music while you shop for gifts for everyone and stop by to see Santa to ask for that perfect gift.
December 10: Gingerbread Lane
Stop in the library beginning at 10 am to get everything you need to make your own gingerbread house.
December 16-19: Teen Cram Night
Teens can come into the library between 5:30-7:30pm for a distraction-free space and snacks to study for those exams.
January 25: Lunar New Year Dance
Plan to arrive at 12 pm. The Lotus Boyz, who were featured at John Ball Zoo's Lantern Festival, will be performing a traditional Lunar New Year dance inside the main library.
February 10: African Drums
Come and learn about traditional drums from the African cultures, starting at 6:30 pm.
Take the annual 'Winter Reading Challenge' - Win a mug and expand your horizons.
Membership
Is It Time to Renew Your Membership?
Our active membership has continued a gradual increase in recent months thanks, in large part, to the efforts of Judy Gillen, Friends membership chairperson. There are currently 411 active members, including 113 lifetime members of the Friends.
If you’re currently a Friends member, thank-you for your support. If you’re not or if your membership is about to expire, now is a good time to make sure you have an active membership for our next book sale in December so that you have access to our “Early Bird” members-only sale.
Membership dues are very low: $5 for seniors and students, $10 for adults (under age 60), $15 for a family, and $100 for a lifetime membership. You can purchase or renew a membership either on our website or at the circulation desk the next time you’re in the library.
Your membership expiration date is on your card. Make sure it's active for the December 7-8 sale.