SLLC welcomes new Community Services Supervisor Rebecca Bernal

The Shafter Library & Learning Center is pleased to welcome the new community services supervisor, Rebecca Bernal. The position has been redesignated from SLLC manager because in addition to leading the team at the SLLC, Bernal will be involved in planning and organizing the city's downtown events. Her first day was Sept. 23.

Bernal is returning to work in Shafter after a few years with the Wonderful Company's College Prep Academy in Delano and Lost Hills. She graduated from Shafter High School and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in economics at UCLA. While in college, she was a peer learning facilitator for the Academic Advancement Program, leading small group discussions to support students in their economics courses. During the summers, she returned to Shafter for an internship in the City Services Department.

"After I graduated, I returned to Shafter and became a substitute teacher, working for the Kern High School District, primarily here at Shafter High, as well as at Wasco High School. Sorry!" she says, laughing about teaching at Shafter High's archrival.

Most recently, she was a manager for the GEAR UP program at Wonderful College Prep Academy. "My position allowed me to lead our teams in Delano and Lost Hills as we followed a cohort of current 9th and 10th grade students and helped prepare students and their families for postsecondary education." GEAR UP is an acronym for Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs, a federally funded program.

Bernal was intrigued when she learned of the Community Services Supervisor job opening. "I decided to apply to this position because it was the perfect opportunity to utilize the program management skills I gained from my previous position and tie it into my knowledge about our community. Growing up in Shafter, as well as my internship with the city, has given me personal insight into how the city government operates and the resources available to our community. I'm excited to be able to utilize those skills, as well as some of my economics background, as we continue to improve our efforts at expanding community resources."

Bernal knows the SLLC well and believes it's an invaluable part of the city's resources and culture. "I think the SLLC is incredibly special to our community. It's important to invest in our community and allow everyone to receive enriching educational opportunities. The SLLC has evolved a great deal from when I was a student. One of the projects in the junior high summer program I participated in was to design the Learning Center! I also remember utilizing this space as we prepared for AP exams in high school."

"I am most excited to be back in Shafter and to work alongside a great team," she says in her usual enthusiastic manner. "There are a lot of new projects in the works, and I am excited to be able to brainstorm and continue reviewing community feedback on how we can best improve."

In her free time, Bernal enjoys reading thrillers and dystopian novels, but she also loves a good rom-com (romantic comedy). "Unfortunately, I have not been as on top of my reading as I would like to be, so I hope to receive some great recommendations from the librarians here at the SLLC!"

Lions Club donates flag retirement box to SLLC

By David Franz

The Lions Club of Shafter has purchased a flag retirement box and is lending it to the SLLC so that we can help educate the public about how to retire U.S. flags. We are honored by this opportunity and happy to help residents learn about respect for the flag and what it represents.

The U.S. Flag Code states that when an American flag is worn, torn, faded or badly soiled, it should be retired with dignity. Proper disposal ensures our national symbol is treated with respect even at the end of its service. After the flags are collected, the Lions Club will be working with veterans groups to handle their retirement.

Friends of Library offering postcards and stickers of "Greetings from Shafter" mural

By Katie Wiebe, Friends of Shafter Library president

The Friends of the Shafter Library are very excited that we now have postcards and stickers of our vintage postcard mural available for purchase at the Shafter Library and Learning Center! The "Greetings from Shafter" postcards are 5.25" x 4" and the stickers are 3.5" x 2". We are also offering a "My Hometown" postcard featuring Shafter landmarks (5.5" x 8.5") drawn by Deanna Nelson.

These items can be purchased at the library desk for $1 each, or six for $5.

When the Friends of the Shafter Library group began to think about a mural for the GAF classroom wall that faces the parking lot, we knew we wanted to create something that we could use on promotional items to raise funds and spread the word about our wonderful Shafter community, and of course, our beloved library. Similar vintage postcard designs are popular across the country and are often used to promote cities and to build pride of place in those locations. We thought this would be the perfect inspiration for our mural project.

Happily, local muralist Lorena Castillo was up for the challenge and created a stunning mural that celebrates our town and the wonderful things going on here. Our postcard mural has provided countless photo opportunities for those in Shafter. It is also a welcoming and inviting sight to those who drive by the library.