Cape Coral Friends of the Library Work. The Friends of the Cape Coal Library are on the right track. They recognize the thirst of our numerous bibliophiles and are willing to work hard to feed this appetite, not only twice a year at our fall and spring book sales, but all year long at the first dibs book sale shelves at the library. Our fall book sale this year is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 7, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 8, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. If you are a member of the friends, you are invited to the pre-sale on Thursday, Nov. 6, from 5-7 p.m. for the first pick of the thousands of books available. The on-going book shelf sale at the library house the most gently used donated books, at very reasonable prices and are sold on an honor system. Patrons are willing to recycle their books as ferociously as they are to buy them. The journey of donated books starts at the library where they are picked up by volunteers, sorted, some placed on the honor system shelves and the rest divided into categories to be boxed for storage until the next book sale. The very enthusiastic and supportive response from the community to the spring book sale netted $8,000, and first dibs is averaging $150 a week. We expect much more from our fall sale this month and all the proceeds go to support our library. The friends do not sit on their hands the rest of the year. The volunteers support the summer reading program, the annual reading festival, children and adult library programs, and purchase equipment and supplies for our library.

Everyone is welcome to join the Friends, enjoy the socialization, pitch in for a worthy cause and have fun. We meet bi-monthly on Saturday mornings with a 9;30 a.m. coffee and social hour, a short business meeting and varied and interesting progress. The friends hold a holiday luncheon in December and a spring luncheon in May. enthusiastic volunteers are the backbone of the Friends. With the economy in dire straits and reductions in Lee County Library funding, our dedicated and faithful volunteers are even more important. Sincere thanks are expressed to all who have diligently participated throughout the years for the Friends mission to promote the resources and services of the library, sponsor programs and generate financial support.

Art gallery exhibits

Gregg Elmann is one of the featured artists during the month of November. Elmann studied art under Lamaxie Glover noted for his sculpture for three years. He painted and did murals while serving in the U.S. Army. Presently a member of the Cape Coral Art League he shows only his original pieces. Half of all his proceeds go to Cape Coral’s Grace Church “Imagine Campaign.”

Karey Osborn has show in the gallery before, one of the public’s favorite artists. her dolls speak a universal language. she touches the hearts and imagination of collectors of all ages through her handcrafted “kids and critters.” Her dolls have found all across America as well as across the world in Australia, South America, Switzerland and Iceland.

Christmas is coming and we all know children who would treasure one of her whimsical dolls.

November programs

Learn English or a foreign language. The Lee County Library System has two new electronic resources to help its patrons learn languages. Both are available on computers in the library or from other computers with internet access. An LCLS library card is required to access the programs off site and free account must be created for each. For additional directions or to access other programs, go the library’s Web site at www.lee-county.com/library or contact Telephone Reference at 239-476-4636.

English Cafe will not be held at some locations in November and December. Contact the library about future sessions.

Give an owl a home: Burrowing Owl Awareness Day, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1. Learn how to build “starter burrows” for Cape Coral’s burrowing owls. Learn all about our official city bird and how to help them survive. Welcome a friend to your lawn, learn how to start and maintain owl burrows. More presented by Cape Coral Fiends of Wildlife.

Chess 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Rise to the chess challenge and join the fun. Everyone is welcome. Bring a personal chess set. Pre-register.

Craft corner, Knitting, crocheting and cross-stitching, 3:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 24. Bring ideas to light and needle a handmade treasure. Materials will be provided, or bring a project to work on. Registration requested.

Craft corner, scrap booking crop, 6 p.m. Monday, Monday, 24, for an open crop. Bring supplies: papers, photos, and embellishments. Registration requested.

Craft corner, book thongs, 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10. Registration requested.

Book discussion, the soloist by Steve Lopez, 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19.

Reception for design a bookmark contest winners, 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21. Help the library in honoring Bookmark Contest participants and view their entries at the library.

Fantastic Friday holiday craft and story program, 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21. Holiday craft program for all ages. Students, parents and families welcome. Registration requested.

Wii Gaming — Sports Spectacular 2 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m., Nov. 7. For ages 8-12. Registration required. Space is limited to 24. Sign ups are required on-line or in person at the library.

PS2 Gaming Guitar Hero 111 Legends of Rock, 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14. For ages 8-12.

Twilight: Before the movie, 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19. Registration required. Come in costume if you like.

Welcome storytime. A library program of picture book sharing, finger plays, songs, and other activities. Storytime helps children increase listening and group cooperative skills while they hear stories for their age group. Group size is limited for most storytime. (No storytime during Thanksgiving week). Storytime options include:

Baby/parent rhyme time, (birth to 24 months with an adult) Saturdays at 10 a.m. Features baby action rhymes for parent and baby. Rhyme times lasts about 20 minutes.

Toddler storytime (ages 2 with an adult) 9:30 a.m. Thursdays. Two year olds with their caregivers, participate in song, finger plays, and short stories. Toddler storytime lasts approximately 30 minutes.

Preschool storytime (ages 3, 4 and 5) Wednesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m. Preschoolers attend this story time independently while parents or caregivers wait nearby in the library building. This includes activities that require more participation and a longer attention span. Each preschool storytime lasts about 30 minutes.

Family storytime, Tuesdays at 9;30 a.m. (no storytime on Nov. 11) Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:15 a.m. This program is for the whole family and lasts about 30 minutes.

Kids read down fines. Take care of library fines by reading. children and teens can earn a $2 coupon for every 15 minutes of reading during the allotted time in the designated area of the library. For ages 18 and under. Mondays, 6:30 o,n,, Nov. 3, 24; Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. Nov. 13, 20. Registration required.

Programs in other languages. Desavuno Literario, 10a.m. sabad. 8 de Nvembre. Serequiere inscrincion previa.

The Cape Coral-Lee County Library, 921 S.W. 30th Terrace. Voice 542-3033; TTY 542-4429, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Closed sunday.