Faith Niles, the branch manager for the Cardiff-by-the-Sea Branch Library for 20 years, retired Jan. 31. We are going to miss Faith very much but she has earned her time to “put her feet up,” read and knit. We welcomed new Branch Manager Terry Parks early in January and will be happy to work closely with him to continue the great service that has always been the mark of our library. Earlier this year, Vivian Abrams also retired from her position as a Tech II and we are very sorry to lose Phil Shopoff, a Tech I, to Encinitas but we wish him well.

For the past several months, Reference Librarian Gabriel Aguirre has worked with the California Surf Museum to bring a collection of surfing photographs to our library. The museum and Headline Graphics put together some wonderful photos, which are displayed throughout the library and the display case is filled with surfing memorabilia until March 1. Don’t miss it. Cardiff-by-the-Sea boasts native son Rob Machado and our library has an extensive collection of books and DVDs on surfing, many of which were presented by the Dane Olson Family. After the untimely death of Dane, his family wanted to have him remembered in a community he loved, where he lived and worked. Under the direction of Gabe, this fine collection has grown.

After you have enjoyed the photos and let your mind wander back through surfing history, pick up a scholarship application. For the past two years, Friends of the Cardiff-by-the-Sea Library have awarded four $1,000 scholarships — two to graduating seniors and two to continuing college students living in the 92007, 92023 and 92024 zip codes. The applications are available in the library, in the Book Nook and at www.friendscardifflibrary.org. Click on scholarships.

We look forward with excitement to the opening of the Encinitas Library on Feb. 23 and our Friends will be partnering with the Encinitas Friends in the “Big Read” in March when people across the city will be reading “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee.

On Feb. 25, Cardiff-by-the-Sea Library will have copies of the book and they will be free to the first 20 people to ask and $2 until they are gone.

To celebrate 94 years of the library serving this community, the Friends will hold a sale offering books at half-off marked prices in the Book Nook, 2081 Newcastle from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 15. Plan to stock up on springtime reading. If you have time on your hands, call Helen at (760) 635-1000 to volunteer in the Book Nook.

On the same day, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the city of Encinitas will hold the Cardiff Specific Plan workshop at Cardiff Elementary, 1888 Montgomery Ave.

Also, mark March 10 on your calendars, that’s the date of the Cardiff 101 Chamber of Commerce Board’s installation.

Music, music, music will

fill the air at the library’s

First Wednesday programs. Information is available in the library, the Book Nook and at www.friendscardifflibrary.org. Click on events. Seating is limited so come early.

The 101 Artists’ Colony will hang the beautiful banners very shortly both in Cardiff-by-the-Sea and along Restaurant Row. There are some beauties this year, including one of our library. A live auction of the banners will take place May 15 in the Cardiff Town Center, so make your bid and take some home.