Selections

The newsletter of the Sarasota County Library System

~ January 2009 ~ Volume 3, Issue 9

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In this Issue:

• Events
• Reference Questions
  of the Month
• Featured Database
• Featured Story
• Featured Internet Sites
• National Library News
• Local Library News
• Community Connection
• Your Feedback
• Volunteer News
• Staff Picks

This month's issue is brought
to you
by the staff of Elsie Quirk Library.

Reference Questions of the Month:

How do honeybees tell how far they've travelled, before doing their waggle dance to tell their nestmates? It was discovered that bees have a visual odometer using the color green. When travelling from the next, the foraging honeybee, keeps track of the optic flow (image motion) of everything it perceives as green. Honeybees flying down a green checkered tunnel--an environment offering more optical sensations than occur normally in nature--will think they have flown farther than they actually have. Sources: Tautz J, Zhang S, Spaethe J, Brockmann A, Si A, et al. (2004) Honeybee Odometry: Performance in Varying Natural Terrain. PLoS Biol 2(7): e211 doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.0020211 Chittka L, and Tautz J. (2003) The Spectral Input to Honeybee Visual Odometry. Journal of Experimental Biology 206: 2393-7 doi:10.1242/jeb.00436 For more information about honeybees search SUNCAT for the subject "honeybee."

Where are a horse's blind spots? How big are they? A horse cannot see immediately in front of its forehead and nose, nor directly behind its tail. Humans have 180 degree binocular vision, while horses have about 350 degrees on monocular vision. To see things in a binocular view, horses look down their noses--much like people with bifocals. They have about 65 degrees of binocular vision. While humans have 20/20 vision, horses are rated at 20/33. But, dogs are worse at 20/50, and cats even worse than dogs at 20/75. Sources: Herning, J. (2000) Your Horse's Amazing Eyes on Equisearch.com Equine Vision on Wikipedia.com  For more on horses, search SUNCAT for the subject "horses."

Events:

One Mystery, One Community Comes to Sarasota Libraries Mystery fans will have plenty to talk about to kick-off the new year as One Mystery, One Community debuts at all eight Sarasota County libraries. One Mystery, One Community follows the very popular theme of One Book, One Community in that library patrons are encouraged to read the same book and then attend events including book discussion groups, author lectures and more.    The inaugural selection for One Mystery, One Community is “Hurricane Punch” by Tampa’s own Tim Dorsey. Dorsey’s lovable, under-medicated dispenser of truth, justice, and trivia Serge Storms is back with a vengeance, just as his cherished home state of Florida is about to take a beating from a conga line of hurricanes bearing down on the peninsula. As Serge and his burnout buddy Coleman go storm-chasing, bodies begin turning up at a disturbing rate. It looks like a serial killer is on the loose - another serial killer - which highly offends Serge's moral sensibilities. He vows he'll stop at nothing to unmask his thrill-killing rival and set things right. Reviewer Mary Ann Smyth said, “It's hard not to laugh out loud while reading Dorsey's ninth novel. The humor is almost continuous and the one-liners are priceless. Serge's knowledge of the history of the Florida Keys is fascinating. While guffawing, it is hard not to realize that Tim Dorsey is a first-rate writer, his characterizations right on the money. Could he be drawing from reality? His concern for the ecology of the state is obvious. I join my voice with his. Hurricane Punch is a wonderful read.” Dorsey is scheduled to discuss “Hurricane Punch” on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 6 p.m. at Selby Public Library in Sarasota and on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 2 p.m. at Venice Public Library in Venice. “We usually think of reading as a solitary pursuit, but One Mystery, One Community demonstrates the value in a communal sharing of our opinions and insights about books and our lives as Floridians”, said Greg Carlson, Jacaranda Public Library manager. Copies of “Hurricane Punch” in paperback, large print, and audio versions are available for loan through the Sarasota County Library System. For more information contact the Sarasota county Call Center at 941-861-5000 and ask about One Mystery, One Community. back up to "In this Issue"  Walter Farley Literary Landmark 20th Anniversary Celebration A celebration to recognize the 20th anniversary of the Walter Farley Literary Landmark will begin at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, January 31, at Venice Public Library. The Farley family will be the featured guest. Remarks will also be made by the Friends of the Library, as well as library staff. Musician Elizabeth Loyer will provide harp music before and after the event. Refreshments will be provided. Movie expert, Jim Orville, will introduce the 30th anniversary version of "The Black Stallion," which will be shown at 2:15 p.m. in the library meeting room. The event will also be the kickoff for an all ages Read-A-Thon. Read any of Walter or Steven Farley’s books from February 1 to April 1, 2009, and enter a drawing for tickets to see the Arabian Nights show in Orlando, Florida. Watch for more details about the read-a-thon on the library website, sclibs.net.    For more information about Walter Farley’s “The Black Stallion”, visit the official site at www.theblackstallion.com. Walter Farley Literary Landmark – 20 years at Venice Public Library Author Walter Farley wrote 34 books, including the popular "Black Stallion" series. First published in 1941, his work has entertained and inspired three generations of readers. Walter Farley and his wife Rosemary were among the founders of the Friends of the Venice Public Library. The Friends are pleased to have sponsored and supported the Walter Farley Literary Landmark since 1989.  To see a list of other national literary landmarks, visit the FOLUSA website:  www.folusa.org/outreach/literary-landmarks.php.

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Featured Database:

What Do I Read Next? So you’ve read all of Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters and you’re looking for something similar, but just can’t seem to find it? Try the Sarasota County Libraries database “What do I read next?” This terrific database finds the title of a book you’ve previously enjoyed, then gives you a list of multiple topics, themes and character types found in that book. Check off which ones you want to find in a NEW book, and voila! A list of books to your exact specifications! You can access this electronic information resource from the library computers, or from your home computer with your library card.  Go to the www.sclibs.net website and click on Electronic Information Resources. Scroll down to Literature Resources and click on What Do I Read Next?  You can search by a specific author, title, or series. Or you can just browse for a good book, search by genre, character, setting or time period. You can also just consult a list of top picks and award winners. This is a wonderful, free resource....It’s like having your own personal librarian! Find this and other databases on the library website's Electronic Information Resources page: sclibs.net/resources.aspx. A Sarasota County Library card is required to access databases from outside the library. Read database descriptions from previous issues of Selections here and in the newsletter archives.

Featured Story:

Lemon Bay Fest: Englewood History with Zest! The seventh annual “Lemon Bay Fest: Englewood History with Zest!” will be celebrated February 7 to 14. This event is a weeklong celebration of Englewood’s past, featuring boat tours and a series of informative Englewood history programs, concluding with a day-long Cracker Fair followed by Saturday Nite Live on Dearborn Street. The purpose of this event is to preserve the history of the Englewood community for future generations and celebrate our rich heritage. This annual event is embraced by the entire Englewood Community with several community organizations partnering with the Elsie Quirk Library and the Lemon Bay Historical Society. Last year we extended the reach of our celebration into Charlotte County. The Englewood-Charlotte Public Library will be hosting several Lemon Bay Fest events at their facility and a craft and story program on Englewood Beach. Elsie Quirk Library will kick off this history week with programs featuring native Florida animals and hardships the pioneer families would have encountered on their homesteads. On Saturday, Feb. 7, at10 a.m. Master Gardener Yard Advisor Betty Volpe will share her knowledge of venomous/non-venomous Florida snakes. On Monday, Feb. 9, at 10 a.m. a Crowley Museum and Nature Center representative will present a program on the hardships that the women of the 19th century had to endure. Also on Monday, Feb. 9, at 4 p.m. bring your lawn chair or blanket for our outdoor program “Panthers in Paradise.” You don’t want to miss the opportunity to see a real live Florida Panther and learn new facts about their personalities and habitat. There will be many other history programs and activities taking place throughout this exciting week! The festivities will conclude on Saturday, Feb.14, with the “Cracker Fair” on Dearborn Street. Join us at 11 a.m. for a special program: “Florida’s Delicious History.” Andrew Huse from the Florida Humanities Council will take us on a romp through modern Florida’s cuisine, with a look back at union soup houses, African-American jook joints, shady speakeasies, drive-in burger stands, barbecue pits, fish fries and palaces of luxurious leisure. From the rarefied cuisine of the super-rich to the humble home-style foods of city and hamlet, food habits queasy and quirky, timeless and trendy will be explored. Don’t forget to bring your homemade lemon dessert to the “Cracker Fair.” Enter your favorite lemon cake, cookie or pie into the Lemon Dessert Contest and win a cash prize! Live entertainment begins at 1 p.m., along with other activities for the whole family: carnival games, crafts, antique automobiles, food vendors, raffles and more. After the “Cracker Fair” continue the fun by joining Dearborn Street merchants as they celebrate “Saturday Nite Live” from 6 to 9 p.m. Merchants stay open for your shopping and dining pleasure while live entertainment provides a festive atmosphere. For a full list of Lemon Bay Fest activities, visit our new webpage at www.lemonbayfest.com and click on "Programs." You may also visit the Sarasota County Library webpage at www.sclibs.net or call the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000 and ask about the Lemon Bay Fest at the Elsie Quirk Library. Mark your calendars and make plans to attend Lemon Bay Fest, Feb. 7-14!

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Featured Internet Sites:

January is National Hobby Month! Take this month to explore a new hobby you’ve always wanted to try or to discuss the hobbies of your friends and family. There are many new hobbies to explore: from birdwatching, to gardening to tying knots to kite flying. Use the websites listed below to explore some new opportunites! American Birding Association This nonprofit organization "aims to inspire all people to enjoy and protect wild birds." The site offers membership information, listings of educational programs and publications, an online newsletter, an overview of the organization's conservation programs and links to birding resources. Highlights include the organization's code of birding ethics. www.americanbirding.org/ The Drachen Foundation  This organization is "devoted to the increase and diffusion of knowledge of kites worldwide." The "About Kites" section of the website features kite basics (types of kites and how and in what winds they fly), discussion of kite building materials and kite history resources that describe "the Eastern and Western origins of kites, and highlight significant events during kiting's long history." Also includes reports from research projects, description of archive collections and related material. www.drachen.org Home Gardening This site provides "ecologically sound, science-based practices" for gardening and lawn care. Features illustrated growing guides for specific flowers and vegetables, a tutorial on designing flower gardens, lawn care tips and techniques and fact sheets on gardening techniques, avoiding pests and diseases and lawns. From Cornell University. www.gardening.cornell.edu/ homegardening/ Ian's Shoelace Site "How many possible ways are there to lace an average shoe?" The author presents nearly two dozen methods he considers "worthy of devoting the time required to create instructions." Includes illustrations and information about shoelace knots, aiglet ("the plastic or metal sleeves at the ends of shoelaces") repair and shoelace length formulas. www.fieggen.com/shoelace/ ARRL: The National Association for Amateur Radio Organization for U.S. amateur radio. Includes news, tips on getting started, directories of clubs and suppliers, exam and events schedules, technical advice and regulatory information, including Federal Communication Commission (FCC) rules. www.arrl.org/ Scrapbooking Material about making scrapbooks and related crafts. Features articles on topics such as scrapbooking basics (supplies, inspirations, and layouts), why people make scrapbooks and mother-daughter scrapbooking. Also includes a link to a digital scrapbooking community forum with a gallery of designs. From the Kaboose Family Network. scrapbooking.kaboose.com

National Library News:

ALA: Obama's Concern Over Closures Demonstrates Understanding of Libraries' Role in Economy WASHINGTON – The American Library Association (ALA) today applauds President-elect Barack Obama for recognizing the effect library closings have on communities during a meeting with the National Governors Association. Obama, discussing potential budget shortfalls for the 41 states represented during the meeting, cited library closures as one of the drastic measures already being taken to balance state budgets. Emily Sheketoff, Executive Director of the ALA Washington Office, said it is critical for governors and members of Congress to understand how public libraries can help get the economy back on its feet, and President-elect Obama’s comments today served as a reminder of the importance of keeping libraries open during this time of economic hardship. “Public libraries stand ready to help communities recover from this economic tailspin,” Sheketoff said. “Governors and mayors need to make sure that the funding for these multi-purpose economic engines is in place.” Currently, 73 percent of all libraries nationwide report that they are they are the only provider of free Internet access in their communities. In rural areas, the role of the public library is even more critical, as 83 percent of libraries are the only free Internet provider. Sheketoff said libraries also help Americans get jobs by providing services such as skills assessment, resume preparation, information technology training, small-business development classes and much more.

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Local Library News:

First Born to Read, Born to Ride Poker Run The first Poker Run to benefit Born to Read was a sensational success! It was a beautiful day and those who rode enjoyed the route and were happy to contribute to a good cause. The Florida Sunbeemers gave Born to Read a check for $3,248.37. That's a great response for the first event. Next year let's make it even bigger and better! Enjoy a slideshow of pictures from Born to Read, Born to Ride or view pictures from the event on Flickr:

Many thanks to those involved with planning and participating in this event. Our sponsors made a huge contribution and we are grateful for their support: 

Hap’s Cycle Sales Budweiser One-Eyed Jacks Venice Kiwanis Club The Crow’s Nest Precision Cycle Hap’s Insurance Brett and  Kristin Steffen Wayne C. Hall, Attorney D and A Research Institute Snook Haven Restaurant Practice Random Acts of Kindness Friends of John & Sarabeth K. (Sertoma Club)

Readers Win and Winners Read Lee Wetherington Homes Fishman & Associates Restaurant Equipment Sharky’s on the Pier Kalajian Fund for Children’s Literacy For Art D. Who Loved Books, Bikes & Poker Boone, Boone, Boone, Koda & Frook, P.A. MCS Business Technology Venice Library Frosted Mug Jimco Maintenance Inc.

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Reading with the Dogs:

Community Connection:

Suncoast Humane Society - Read with the Dogs The pet therapy team from Suncoast Humane Society visits libraries regularly as part of the Read with the Dogs program. Dogs on the pet therapy team have been trained by the Delta Society. The handler and the dog must enjoy working with children, and the dogs must be comfortable with children and enjoy petting and hugs.The dogs seem to understand the importance of what they can contribute, because as soon as they don their Pet Therapy Team vests, they are on their best behavior and lay quietly while a child reads. They are patient and understanding listeners and offer the children an opportunity to develop their reading skills. The children are less intimidated and are more confident readers. School-age children and younger children if accompanied by an adult are welcome to participate.  North Port Library – 1st Tuesday of the month, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Venice Public Library – 2nd Tuesday of the month, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Elsie Quirk Library – 2nd Tuesday of the month, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library – 3rd Tuesday of the month, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. The Humane Society of Sarasota County provides Read with the Dogs at the following libraries:  Gulf Gate Library – Every Wednesday, 4 to 5 p.m, January to April and September to November; 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. during the months of June and July North Sarasota – 3rd Tuesday of the month, 6 to 7 p.m. Selby Library – 4th Tuesday of the month, 4 to 5 p.m.

Your Feedback:

Would you like to suggest the library purchase a book, movie or CD for the collection? Suggestions are always welcome and much appreciated! Submit suggestions through the library website's "Suggestions and Comments" page: www.sclibs.net/comments.aspx.   ** Important Notice Regarding privacy and e-mail.SB 80 effective July 1, 2006: Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public-records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead contact this office by phone or in writing.

Staff Picks:

Read more about all of this month's picks here.

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"There is not such a cradle of democracy upon the earth as the Free Public Library, this republic of letters, where neither rank, office, nor wealth receives the slightest consideration."
— Andrew Carnegie