The Brainstormers

One cold, rainy, windy Saturday in March the Friends of the Port O’Connor Library Board of Directors spent the morning “Brainstorming” ideas and priorities for our new library/learning center. Jeanette Larson, Library Consultant extraordinaire, facilitated the session and we came up with some thought-provoking and creative suggestions. Everyone expressed what they would like to see in our state-of-the-art facility and came up with over thirty musts and/or wishes. Here are the top ten: multipurpose room(s) w/dividers to break up space, storage, coastal décor, Twin Fountain walk-in clinic-like aquarium, big covered porch, flexible spaces with glass partitions or moveable walls, concrete flooring, coffee vending machine, computer stations, and comfy seating for different ages. Of course, there were many more great and provocative ideas and the brainstorming time was well spent and helped to focus on specifics rather than generalities as we move ahead.
A reminder to the community of two important events coming up for “Friends!” We will host a booth at the Crawfish Fest, Saturday, May 2 where once again the fun spinning wheel will be in full spin and a chance for everyone to play and win a prize. T-shirts and coffee mugs will be available for sale. Also our Annual Membership Meeting will be held at the Baptist Church on Saturday, June 27. “Friends” invites all to attend to support our goal of building a new library facility. Renewed and new memberships will be accepted. See y’all then!

Paula McCauley making her druthers known.

Friends of POC Library Host GLO Speakers

On Thursday, April 9, Friends of the Port O’Connor Library hosted speakers from Texas General Land Office at the Port O’Connor Branch Library. GLO Administrative Assistant Debra Case gave a presentation to explain the responsibilities of the state agency. Senior Response Officer Robb Muil and Response Officer Candidate Tony Belton offered additional information and also answered audience questions.

The crowd was interested to learn that although the local office deals primarily with oil spill prevention and response, they provide several other services to the community. Mrs. Case discussed another local program, Adopt-A-Beach, which will take place on Saturday, April 18, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Port O’Connor has two locations: Boggy Nature Park and Kingfisher Beach. Mr. Muil noted that if well-meaning island visitors pick up trash, they should collect from the surf area rather than the dunes.

Guests were intrigued to learn about some lesser known programs of the Texas General Land Office, notably the Veterans Land Board. This feature of their office offers land loans to Veterans and assistance for burials in state Veterans cemeteries. GLO also provides long-term care options for Veterans at eight homes across the state. In addition, GLO manages the Permanent School Fund, mineral rights, state archives, and recently, the Alamo.

GLO representatives Case, Muil, and Belton were open to discussing several questions from the audience. Friends of the Port O’Connor Library and Texas General Land Office plan to host a children’s program later in the year.
-Roxanne Ochoa