July 29, 2005

FEL recognizes loyal volunteers

The Friends of Evergreen Library recently distributed certificates of appreciation to several volunteers, recognizing their significant contributions to FEL.

Joyce Bundesen
Highly organized Joyce Bundesen has a logical, methodical mind that can focus on both the big picture and the minutia. Her forte is keeping track of a large number of things at once.

Among those who received certificates of appreciation recognizing significant contributions to FEL were Ernest Guzman and (seated from left) Cherrie Rediger, Joyce Bundesen and Irene Moreno. Other recipients not pictured include Sterling Bundesen and Felipe Juarez.

She has organized the Evergreen branch’s book display and sales area and provided volunteer staffing second to none. She has also taken part in almost all of FEL’s big book sales, even when she couldn’t be there for the actual event.

Sterling Bundesen
Without Sterling Bundesen’s key assistance just when he’s needed the most, FEL may have been bewildered about what to do and how to best do it.

As FEL’s “secret weapon” on special projects, Sterling offers much needed help with book sales, completing the strenuous chores of setup and takedown, driving around the area in his pickup truck and willingly completing countless other key tasks. He has also demonstrated his woodworking skills to build the display shelving in the former Evergreen branch lobby.

Ernest Guzman
Ernest Guzman is among the more “famous” helpers and advocates for the Friends of Evergreen Library. With a wide span of interests and responsibilities, he is the guy who can “tie things together” and get things done.

Some of Ernest’s key accomplishments relating directly to the Friends group include serving as the chair for the San Jose Public Library Commission from 1998 to 2001, as a member of the steering committee for Library Bond Measure “O” in 2001 and as co-chair of the Facilities Master Plan Task Force for the San Jose Public Library Commission in 1998 and 1999.

He was also the vice president of the board of directors for the Main San Jose Friends Group and a member of the state board of directors for the Friends of the California Library in 1995. Most recently, he was a member of the Public Art Task Force for the Evergreen branch library in 2003 and 2004.

Felipe Juarez
Felipe often plays the role of the “man-behind-the-scenes.” He has found time beyond his regular duties as a library employee to help both the Hillsdale Branch Library Friends and the Evergreen Friends group.

Receiving, sorting and helping to display donated and discarded books are some of the ways Felipe helps on an ongoing basis. Without being asked, he has stepped up to the plate to help put together some of the large, open-to-the-community book sales. He is, and he remains the “go-to” guy when something special is needed by the Friends.

Although Felipe now serves as the vice president and treasurer of the Hillview Branch Friends, he also remains a devoted and active member of the Evergreen community in which he resides. He’s involved in KONA, an arm of the Strong Neighborhood Initiative and, and was recently appointed a District 7 representative to the Evergreen Visioning Project task force.

Irene Moreno
Irene Moreno is a quiet, unassuming, selfless worker who continues to support San Jose branch libraries without fanfare or wanting to be the center of attention. She does not complain or try to “run” things, but on the way home from a full day’s work, she stops at the library to make sure things in the lobby are in good order. Since the Evergreen branch closed, she has transferred her time to the Tully branch library.

Cherrie Rediger
Cherrie Rediger’s strong organizational skills enable her to successfully handle being a mom, a student and an active volunteer all at the same time.

For the Friends, those skills helped to develop the “classification” system for library book sales. Patrons greatly appreciate the ability to more quickly find books relating to their special interests, be it sci-fi, romance, historical, children’s’ fiction, sports, computers, etc.

She always trying to fit in the “big book sales” events, constantly making sure the stock of books for sale are fresh and changing to catch the eye of the buying public.

This article was condensed from the recognition presentation delivered by Dr. Rodger E. Cryer, president of the Friends of Evergreen Branch Library, Inc., at the FEL recognition tea on July 20.