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The newsletter of the Sarasota County Library System    

 

 

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National Library News:

Video Round Table Announces 2008 Notable Videos for Adults

The American Library Association (ALA) Video Round Table Notable Videos Committee has compiled its 2008 list of Notable Videos for Adults, a list of 15 outstanding programs released on video within the past two years and suitable for all libraries serving adults. Its purpose is to call attention to recent video releases that make a significant contribution to the world of video recordings.   The selections were made during the ALA Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The list of selected titles include the following available from Sarasota County Libraries: After Innocence: Tells the dramatic and compelling story of seven men who were exonerated after being imprisoned for decades and released after DNA evidence proved their innocence.    Been Rich All My Life: Meet the Silver Belles, five tap dancers who performed in 1930s Harlem at the famed Apollo and Cotton Club. Together again, they're dancing to standing ovations and sharing stories of the Harlem Renaissance.   A Crude Awakening: A rock-solid argument that the era of cheap oil is in the past. Goes deep into the uncomfortable realities of a world that is both addicted to fossil fuels and blissfully unaware of the looming "peak oil" crisis. Debunks the conventional wisdom that oil production will continue to climb, and instead stares bleakly at a planet facing economic meltdown and conflict over its most valuable resource.   Favela Rising: Documents how former drug-trafficker, Anderson Sá and the Grupo Cultural AfroReggae are working to unite a Rio slum, or favela, against a violent drug industry and police oppression.   Hacking Democracy: Takes a nonpartisn, clear-eyed look at the secrecy, cronyism and incompetence of elections in present-day America as it captures a citizen's movement intent on taking back elections and democracy itself.   The Heart of the Game: This passionate and inspirational documentary goes up close and personal to capture the Roosevelt Roughriders girls' basketball team during six turbulent seasons, taking us far beyond the court to the unbridled desire to make history.   Iraq in Fragments: Offers a series of intimate, passionately felt portraits: A fatherless 11-year-old is apprenticed to the domineering owner of a Baghdad garage; Sadr followers in two Shiite cities rally for regional elections while enforcing Islamic law at the point of a gun; and a family of Kurdish farmers welcomes the U.S. presence, which has allowed them a measure of freedom previously denied. American director James Longley spent more than two years filming in Iraq to create this stunningly photographed, poetically rendered documentary of the war-torn country as seen through the eyes of Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds.   Jesus Camp: A first-ever look into an intense training ground that recruits born-again Christian children to become an active part of America's political future. Follow these children at summer camp in Devil's Lake, North Dakota, as they hone their 'prophetic gifts.'   Maxed Out: Explores the American style of debt and how the financial industry works.   When the Levees Broke: Four acts document distinct perspectives on the pivotal events that preceded and followed Katrina's passage through New Orleans, a catastrophe during which the divide between race and class lines has never been more pronounced. For the complete list, visit the Video Round Table's website: http://www.ala.org/ala/vrt/vrt.htm.

Local Library News:

Sarasota County Facilities Host Free AARP Tax Help Sites Free tax help for quick filing of federal individual income tax returns will begin Feb. 4 at some Sarasota County libraries and other locations. Low to moderate income individuals and families earning up to $50,000 in household income and eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit are encouraged to bring their tax documents to one of twelve sites in Sarasota, Venice, Englewood and North Port. No appointment is required to visit a trained IRS-certified tax-aide volunteer.   The EITC allows eligible residents to receive refunds from the federal government to help with unplanned expenses, invest in skills training or start a business. The AARP Tax Aide E-file sites allow residents to electronically file their tax returns so they can receive any refund sooner. There is an ongoing need for volunteers, especially those who are computer-literate, to staff designated AARP tax aide sites throughout Sarasota County during the tax season. Those who would like to volunteer to assist with this project should visit the national AARP Tax Aide website, http://www.AARPSarasota.org or http://www.friendshipvolunteer.com.   For more information contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000.   The schedule for tax help at Sarasota County's Libraries and other facilities is offered below:   Fruitville Library 100 Coburn Road, Sarasota Mon. –Thur. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 4 – April 15   Gulf Gate Library 7112 Curtiss Ave., Sarasota Mon. 4 to 8 p.m. / Sat. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 4 – April 15   Selby Public Library 1331 First Street, Sarasota Mon. and Tue., 3 to 7 p.m. Wed. and Thur., 1 to 5 p.m. Feb. 4 – April 15    Jacaranda Public Library 4143 Woodmere Blvd., Venice Mon. and Wed., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 4 – April 15   North Port Library 13800 Tamiami Trail, North Port Thur. and Sat., 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 7 – April 15   Venice Community Center 326 S. Nokomis Ave., Venice Wed. and Fri., 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thur. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 6 – April 15

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Featured Stories:

Aesop to Hip Hop   In celebration of Black History Month, Kwabena Dinizulu, critically acclaimed performance artist, poet and storyteller, will perform at the North Sarasota Library on Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. Kwabena has performed nationwide including at Florida’s Zora Neale Hurston Festival, The National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta and Disney World in Orlando. In “Aesop to Hip Hop,” Kwabena uses fables, folk tales, poetry and proverbs to create a presentation that addresses cultural diversity. All ages are invited to attend, but Kwabena’s program will be enjoyed by children especially.              back to top

Community Connection:

Cancer Screening at North Sarasota Library

On January 29, 2008, the Sarasota-Bradenton Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi in partnership with the Dattoli Cancer Foundation offered free prostate cancer screenings at the North Sarasota Library. Admittedly, the library seems an odd place to go for a prostate cancer screening.  However, African American men are twice as likely as other men to die of prostate cancer. Older men are more likely to develop prostate cancer. The earlier prostate cancer is detected the better the chances of survival. By offering screening in the African American community in a non-threatening venue, it was hoped more men would participate. In 2006 Kappa Alpha Psi and Dattoli offered the first cancer screening at the library and 24 men participated. In 2008, 112 men came to the library and were tested.     If you would like more information about prostate cancer, check out these titles: Prostate Cancer: A Patient’s Guide to Treatment by Arthur Centeno, M.D. and Gary Onik, M.D.   The First Year--Prostate Cancer, an Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed by Christopher Lukas.   Prostate and Cancer: A Family Guide to Diagnosis, Treatment and Survival by Sheldon Marks, M.D.     The Librarians' Internet Index recommends these Internet sites for general information on prostate cancer: Prostate Cancer Foundation: http://www.prostatecancerfoundation.org/   Prostate Cancer Screening: A Decision Guide: http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/prostate/publications/decisionguide/

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Featured Database:

Health and Wellness Resource Center

Gale’s Health and Wellness Resource Center is an easy to use database that provides both traditional and alternative medical information. It’s simple to navigate homepage allows you to search by keyword or browse through current health news. The database provides information from books, magazines and even video, in both English and Spanish.   If you have ever wondered what those herbal remedies really are and how they are used, then this is the database for you. For example, did you know green tea may help to prevent cavities?     You'll find Health and Wellness Resource Center on the Electronic Information Resources page of the library's website: http://www.sclibs.net/resources.aspx            back to top

Featured Internet Sites:

Translation Websites

If you’re a budding linguist or occasionally need to translate foreign words, WordReference (http://www.wordreference.com) might quickly become one of your favorite websites.   It’s as easy as entering a word and selecting a dictionary. You have a choice of translating English to Spanish, Spanish to English, English to French, French to English, English to Italian, Italian to English or just looking up definitions in English dictionaries. Verbs have a link to complete conjugations. WordReference also provides links to other dictionaries: Diccionario Español (Spanish monolingual), Spanish Synonyms, Spanish-French and Spanish-Portuguese, and now you can test the new English to Portuguese dictionary. Perhaps even more helpful—and definitely more fun—than the dictionaries are the word forums, promoted as “the Internet's premier language forums.” If you have a question about language usage, first search the hundreds of thousands of previous questions. If you still are not sure, then you can pose the question yourself. The forums are especially helpful for translating slang that isn’t in the dictionaries. Native speakers from around the world will be happy to assist you.  If you find yourself in frequent need of quick translation assistance, you might want to install a WordReference Toolbar for Internet Explorer.         back to top

Book Reviews:

Staff Picks

Check out a variety of topics and items from BookNews.  You can even sign up to get free newlsetters in your email as they are updated monthly!   Check out this month's featured STAFF PICKS!         back to top

Library Events Calendar:

Click on the Library Calendar link from the Library's Home page

You can limit what shows on the calendar by individual library, by audience and by type of event. Just click on the dropdown boxes.            back to top

Reference Questions of the Month:

The origin of "Sarasota"?

Q. What is the origin of the toponym "Sarasota"? A. According to Florida Place Names (REF 975.9003 MOR) the origin of “Sarasota” is “shrouded in dispute and legend.”   One legend suggests the place was named by the Spanish as “a place for dancing.” However, there are no modern Spanish words that support that translation. A more exciting story attributes the name to a beautiful and tragic daughter of the explorer Hernando De Soto, one Sara de Sota.   Places in the Sun: The History and Romance of Florida Place-Names (REF 975.9 BLO), while agreeing the name is shrouded in mystery, suggests that it is most likely a Calusa Indian name. The name is quite old, appearing on maps published in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, e.g. Puerto de Saxasote, Porte Sarasota, Boca Sarasota, etc.         back to top

Volunteer Spotlight:

Volunteers Make the Difference

The North Sarasota Library is looking for a few good volunteers! If you have free time and are interested in supporting the library and the community, please call the North Sarasota Library at 861-1360 and ask for Diane Rhoades.             back to top