Welcome, Arroyo Grande Staffers!

You've probably noticed some new faces at our library due to construction at the Arroyo Grande Library. Please drop in and say hello to Regional Librarian Margaret Kensinger-Klopfer, Youth Librarian Sallie Tonascia, Teen/Adult Librarian Kate McMillen, and SLAs Bret Bowers and Nancy Sierra. All of them will be working in the library at different times during the week and would love to get to know the Nipomo community better while the Arroyo Grande Library is closed.

JANUARY friends window features DANA ADOBE

In January, you'll step back into the early history of the region when you visit the Friends' window near the library's service desk. We're proud to showcase the DANA Adobe at Historic Rancho Nipomo.

The Dana Adobe is the oldest home in Nipomo, built in 1839 by Captain William Goodwin Dana and his wife, Maria Josefa Carrillo de Dana. In 1835 Capt. Dana moved a herd of 500 cattle from Sepse (in Ventura County) to Rancho Nipomo. The herd would grow to 5,000 head by the 1850s.

The exhibit shares information about the Chumash, Spanish, Meixican, and California Territorial periods as well as the natural environment. Rancho Nipomo once comprised about 48,800 acres. Today, the Dana Adobe at Historic Rancho Nipomo manages 137 acres, including nearly 5 miles of hiking trails.

Please check out the display, where you can discover local history, and visit the Dana Adobe at 671 Oakglen Avenue in Nipomo. To learn more about the Dana Adobe, guided tours, cultural events, and other programs, visit www.danaadobe.org.

COZY UP to some good books this winter!

It's time for the Winter Reading Challenge! Grab a book and get your favorite pen ready--this year the challenge features a fun game of BINGO!

Starting January 2, readers of all ages are invited to track their cozy winter reading on a BINGO card for fun and prizes. Just stop by the library and pick up a card, or download one from the SLO County Public Libraries website, and play along.

How it works: Complete five book-related activities in a row--across, vertically, or diagonally--on the BINGO card. Present your card at the libary between Jan. 2 and Feb. 14 for a prize.

This is optional, but avid players can keep going for Blackout BINGO (all squares completed) for an entry in the grand rpize drawing. Prize drawing winners will be announced the last week of February, and all prizes must be claimed in person at the library.

See more info at catalog.slolibrary.org/winter-reading-challenge

The Friends in 2025: the YEAR in Review

The Friends of the Nipomo Library closed out the year with our annual membership meeting on Dec. 10, which preceded that month's regular board meeting.

It was an extremely successful 2025, topped off by our largest donation to Nipomo Library in years--nearly $80,000 for the sunshade, outdoor chairs and benches, and children's area furnishing. We recapped our fundraising efforts and use of our window near the service desk, which features thrice-yearly silent auctions and other local nonprofits and school groups ranging from the Nipomo Native Garden to the 4-H Club. We also seated our 2026 Board of Directors.

To download our complete 2025 Annual Report, click here or refer to the end of our December newsletter.

and the winner is...

Jennifer Ciccone, Friends member and volunteer extraordinaire, was the winner of our Membership Month gift basket featured in our February window. All Friends members who joined or renewed their membership from October 2024 to February 2025, our annual membership drive month, were entered into a drawing for the gift basket, which featured an array of goodies that would appeal to the most voracious reader. Congratulations, Jennifer! And here's a reminder to all of our members, current and prospective, to renew your memberships every year -- you could be holding a similar gift basket in 2026!