President's Message | April 2025

Dear Friends,

I'd like to give kudos this month to two FAL activities:

1. FAL sponsored a garden in front of the Bay Farm Library. We contributed funds to buy plants, mulch and fertilizer. On a recent Saturday morning, FAL board members and supporters alike worked the soil to place the plants, thus creating a beautiful area around the Bay Farm Library. A small amount of work remains to place boulders and plant identification markers. I am looking forward to seeing the garden flourish as the plants grow and eventually replace the weeds and bare soil. Thanks to the Bay Farm Library staff, led by Rosemary van Lare and Matt Hagedorn for a great proposal and to all of the volunteers who contributed their gardening expertise.
2. The Friends Cafe is receiving positive buzz! The Mercury News featured eight library cafes in a recent story, and the Friends Cafe included in the article. To our knowledge, we are the only all-volunteer library cafe. The Cafe Team is doing an outstanding job testing new products and attracting new customers. Stop by to say hi, enjoy the offerings and take in the festive springtime decorations.

Mark your calendars for FAL's next book sale, May 14-17 in the Stafford Room of the Alameda Free Library. We continue to receive generous book donations and are delighted to rehome them to book sale customers to raise money for the Alameda Free Library. The FAL Board and book sale team look forward to seeing everyone at the May sale.