The Encino-Tarzana Branch Library received a $4,000 cash donation from the Tarzana-Encino Rotary Club on January 12, 2008, at a ceremony that took place at the Library.

The donation was presented by Alan Cyrlin, Rotary Club President (2nd from left), to Melissa Potter, Branch Manager, Encino-Tarzana Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library (left). Fontayne Holmes, City Librarian and head of the entire LAPL system, attended (3rd from left) along with Barbara Y. Leff, President of Friends of Encino- Tarzana Library (2nd from right), and Jose Martinez, Field Deputy, Tarzana and West Hills, of Councilman Dennis Zine (right).

"I've spent many hours studying and doing research in our public libraries," Cyrlin said, "so it is an honor to give something back." Cyrlin, an attorney, practices intellectual property law.

The donation will be used by the Library to purchase new audio books. The donation was made in honor of Clare and June Short (in front row below), who have been active members of the community for over 60 years. The Shorts have spearheaded many philanthropic efforts locally and internationally.

Cyrlin noted that the Club voted to earmark the donation to the Library's audio book collection after discovering that there was a critical need for new high quality audio books. "One of our members is married to someone who is visually impaired and relies on audio books in the library's collection," Cyrlin added. The audio books will be available as a free loan to anyone with a library card.

In addition to the $4,000 donation, members of the Club will be donating new books that are needed, such as Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice..

Rotary is an organization of business and professional leaders providing humanitarian service, encouraging high ethical standards in all vocations, and helping to build goodwill and peace throughout the world. For over 60 years, the Tarzana-Encino Rotary Club has spearheaded projects providing aid to tens of thousands of people locally and internationally. Contact info: Alan Cyrlin at admintarzanaencinorotary@gmail.com. The Club meets every Tuesday at 6:30 P.M.