The youth collection is housed in the Betty Service Children’s Room, named after Sarasota County’s first Library Director. The welcoming atmosphere is enhanced by needlepoint pictures of several Beatrix Potter characters. The Gulf Gate youth staff’s mission is to encourage and promote the use of library materials so that children can prepare themselves for the challenges of the twenty-first century. Two glass cases are available for both children and teens to display their collections and projects of special interest. The youth staff invites patrons to schedule a time for their exhibits. Youth Services and Programs The Gulf Gate youth services staff offers assistance to children and young adults helping locate information in books through SUNCAT the online catalog. Guiding them through a search on the Internet and updating curriculum support materials. Young Adult Services and Programs A Young Adult aAea holds attractive displays of both contemporary and classic novels as well as magazines of interest to teens. The Young Adult Section features titles of interest to teens: Books are grouped by genre including romance, horror, science fiction and fantasy. In addition to magazines for teens, a bulletin board features notices of community events of interest to middle and high school students. A growing audio book collection and popular CDs are in constant use Internet access is available. Teens may also search for information online through two databanks, NewsBank and UMI ProQuest Direct. The library’s reference section staff processes Interlibrary Loan requests for books not available in our Sarasota County libraries; our circulation staff can place holds on titles requested from our Gulf Gate Library collection or any other Sarasota County library. The library’s reference section staff processes interlibrary loan requests for books not available in our Sarasota County libraries. Our circulation staff can place holds on titles requested from our Gulf Gate Library collection or any other Sarasota County library. Youth Section staff members are also available to give story programs and book talks to community agencies and groups working with children and teens. Groups wishing to tour the library are encouraged to call to schedule a visit. During the Summer, the Youth staff runs an extensive reading program for children ages 3-11. Program schedules will be available in late May. Special programs are also on tap for teens, so be sure to check for updates in the Young Adult area.