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 Selections
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The newsletter of the Sarasota County Library System |
~ June 2009 ~ Volume 4, Issue 3 | |
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Read Selections online each month or sign up here to have it delivered to you by email.
If you have difficulty reading the newsletter in your email, read this issue here. |
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In this Issue:
This month's issue is brought to you by the Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library.
**Please note: Selections is not published in July but will return in August.
Featured Database:
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Heritage Quest
reviewed by Mary Louise Fischer, Library Supervisor
Heritage Quest provides libraries with a “unique and growing collection of research materials for genealogists and historians” with coverage back to 1700. The database offers official U.S. Census material from 1790 through 1930 with complete original images. Other sections include the Periodical Source Index (PERSI), Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application Files, the Freedman’s Bank records (1865-1874) and the U.S. Serial Set.
The database is easy to use and offers users helpful features such as printing census pages in larger text and providing research tips and a guide for those who are searching for ancestor information. Using ancestors from my mother’s side, I found information in the 1900 census on my great-grandfather. I went into the Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application Files and attempted to look up an ancestor who fought in the War of Independence. I had his last name and state but was unsure of his first name. There was information on someone matching the description, and it was fascinating to read about him.
One section that may not be as familiar to users is the U.S. Serial Set, or the United States Congressional Serial Set, which began publication with the 15th Congress, 1st Session in 1817. This database includes Private Relief Actions, Memorials and Petitions and content from the American State Papers--the predecessor to the Serial Set. The documents in the collection date from 1789 through 1969. The Serial Set contains House and Senate Documents and Reports.
Find Heritage Quest 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 computers outside the library. |
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Events:
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Writing Contests for Children and Teens
The Friends of the Fruitville Library is sponsoring the Sarasota County Library System Summer Short Story and Poetry Writing Contest for kids and teens. Details for submitting your work are posted on the library web site at the following URL: sclibs.net/teens/writingcontests09.aspx.
Judges will select three winners from each age group: ages 7 to 10, 11 to 13 and 14 to 17. Winners will be awarded Visa gift cards up to $100. Join us at the Selby Library Intellectual Freedom Festival starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8, where contest results will be announced. Those unable to attend will be notified later via email and may pick up prizes at the Sarasota County Library of their choice the following week. Read the poems and stories online and vote for your favorites Aug. 2 through Aug. 6. | |
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National Library News:
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Fiscal Year 2009 Omnibus Increases Funding for Libraries:
Bill contains increase to Grants to State Library Agencies program
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Library Association (ALA) says the FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which recently passed the Senate and was signed into law by President Obama, is a victory for libraries.
The $410 billion spending bill, which includes the nine unfinished appropriations bills from last year, contains $171.5 million for the Grants to State Library Agencies program within the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). This funding level is an increase of more than $10 million from last year and also allows for full implementation of a 2003 law to provide a more equitable distribution of state formula grants.
ALA President Jim Rettig said this additional state funding will provide much-needed assistance to our nation’s libraries, which are experiencing a spike in usage during the recession.
“Last year, libraries hosted more than 1.3 billion visits and are now averaging 175 million visits a month,” Rettig said.
“As Americans deal with the weakened economy, they are turning to their libraries more and more – not just for no-fee access to the Internet and free books, CDs and DVDs – but also for assistance with online job searching, resume building, 21st century job skills training and e-government. We want to thank Congress and the White House for recognizing the need to fund libraries at the full level of the LSTA, especially during this time when Americans need their libraries more than ever.”
Rettig credited many members of Congress with working to ensure this funding was secured, especially thanking U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, a Rhode Island Democrat, whose leadership was essential to reaching this funding level.
“Libraries have always been a place where the community can come together, a source of common ground,” Reed said.“Today, more and more job seekers are turning to libraries for assistance in their search.I have long advocated for this funding level, because it is the amount necessary to reach a key goal included in the 2003 reauthorization of the Museum and Library Services Act that I authored to double the minimum State allotment. This additional funding will help libraries respond to the growing demand for free access to all types of services and new technology.”
The spending bill also included $607 million for the Library of Congress, which includes $29 million to complete the transition of the Digital Talking Books program for the blind.
For more information on how libraries are helping Americans during the recession, go to www.ala.org/economynews.
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Featured Internet Sites:
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You may never find the time to understand time in all its complexity, but this month’s thematic selections provide places to start:
www.longnow.org/projects/clock/
Clock of the Long Now. The embodiment of the Long Now Foundation’s interest in fostering long-term thinking and responsibility in a 10,000 year framework.
www.spacearchive.info/utc.htm
Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). The international time scale used in aviation, astronomy, meteorology and other scientific disciplines. It is also known as Greenwich Mean Time and “Zulu.”
www.hawking.org.uk
Official web site of physics superstar professor Stephen Hawking, author of “A Brief History of Time.” Click the “lectures” tab, select “public lectures” and read “The Beginning of Time” for a dose of his genius.
www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/
exhibits/geologictime.php
Tour geologic epochs and examine corresponding fossil records courtesy of the University of California Museum of Paleontology. | |
Local Library News:
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Floating Collections in Sarasota County Libraries
In these days of dwindling budgets, reduced staff and lessening resources, libraries across the state are looking for ways to operate more efficiently while maintaining reasonable levels of service to patrons. The staff of the Sarasota County Library System presented one way that has proven successful at the 2009 Florida Library Association Conference in Orlando.
Library General Manager Sarabeth Kalajian and her staff made a presentation detailing their successful implementation of the floating library collection. The premise of a floating collection is that items checked out of one library can be returned to another library and will reside at that library until requested by a patron at another library. Previously, items returned to one of Sarasota County’s eight libraries were shipped back to their home libraries by the county at a considerable expense.
Reasons for floating include that it's less expensive (in terms of fuel, labor and time), reduces risk of injury to staff and improves access to collections by patrons.
“We absolutely saved money by going to a floating collection system,” said Kalajian. She also noted that the increased lifespan of materials resulting from them not being handled as much would show added savings in replacement costs. “From every perspective--the libraries, the staff and most importantly from our customers’ perspective--this project has proven to be a complete success.”
Sarasota County, with a service population 387,461 has eight libraries in its system with a collection of items totaling about 1 million. One of the busiest library systems in the state, it hosts nearly 2.8 million visitors annually.
For more information contact the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000 and ask about the Sarasota County Library System floating collection or visit www.sclibs.net/floating.aspx.
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Community Connection:
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Summer Reading and Community Partners
The Youth Department recently partnered with several new businesses that are providing incentive awards for our Summer Reading Program 2009: Be Creative @ Your Library. IHOP of Venice provided us with bookmarks with coupons that can be redeemed for a free meal. AMF Venice Bowling Lanes is providing both the Jacaranda Library and the Venice Library with coupons for free bowling games, as well as 10 certificates for a free Bowling Party for 6 children, chosen by weekly drawings. They will also provide a special party for children who attend the Fantasy Book Club throughout the summer at the Jacaranda Library. Julie Jaworski/Creative Memories is providing some special scrapbooking items for children who attend the Create a Scrapbook Workshop on July 18.
In addition, Annette Duda from The Green Ally Company, has become another business partner of the Youth Department. Annette was a recent guest at our Baby Rhyme & Sign Time program during Sustainability Month in April, introducing parents to many green and sustainable products for their babies and young children. She demonstrated products from Bossy Baby in Sarasota. Clothing is vintage and organic and is excellent for children who have allergies to certain kinds of material. For more information go to www.thegreenally.com.
As a result of the partnership with the Venice Theatre, the Youth Department has been able to arrange a Field Trip to the Dress Rehearsal of Theatre Fest 2009 on July 16 for young readers who use both the Jacaranda Library and the Venice Library. Education Director Sandy Davisson will conduct a backstage tour for children who participate in the Summer Reading Program. Adult family members will accompany the children on this special field trip. The Venice Theatre is also providing both the Jacaranda Library and the Venice Library two certificates for two complimentary tickets to their upcoming performance of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” Children who have completed their summer reading logs will have the opportunity to have their names drawn for this special incentive.
In addition, we have further developed our partnership with the ENOCH Homeschooling Group, through Debbie Amsbaugh, as well as Taylor Ranch Elementary School and Garden Elementary School. We will host a student art display from Taylor Ranch in our display cases throughout the summer.
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Reference Question of the Month:
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Most hummingbirds found north of Mexico are migratory, spending the summer and winter in completely different areas. The champion migrant is the Rufous Hummingbird, occasionally found in Florida. Just how far do hummingbirds travel?
According to the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Sarasota County Extension, some hummingbirds must travel a minimum of 2700 miles one way from the northern edge of their nesting range in Alaska to the northern edge of their wintering range in Mexico. This distance equals 49 million body lengths, one of the longest migrations in proportion to size of any creature.
The Sarasota Extension Service is part of a national university network that “brings the university to the people” in the areas of 4-H youth development, sustainable agriculture and natural resources, family and consumer sciences, integrated pest management, horticulture and sustainability.
Through Extension you can learn how to design and plant a Florida-friendly yard, identify plants, insects and snakes, grow your own food, plan a nutritious menu for your family, improve your lawn and garden, save energy and water, set up a butterfly garden, manage your family’s financial resources and get thousands of publications on everything from ants to zinnias on an award-winning website, sarasota.extension.ufl.edu.
All of these services are made possible through the work of 18 county and state employees, 10 grant-funded employees, 350 volunteers, and hundreds of local and statewide collaborative partners, like Sarasota County libraries.
Call 941-861-5000 and ask for Extension Services to find out what UF/IFAS Sarasota County Extension has to offer. | |
Featured Stories:
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On Monday, May 11, Jacaranda staff began encouraging library patrons to use the library's self-check stations.
To check-out at the Jacaranda Library, after you have made all your selections go to either of two self-check stations (located along the purple wall across from the front entrance) or to the station located near the youth department’s “wave” entrance. A library staff member or volunteer will give you a personal introduction to the process so you can check-out on your own during your next visit. Printed instructions are available at each station as a reminder. We will continue other services at the circulation desk including new or updated library cards, fine/fee payment and return receipts.
We are grateful for the public’s cooperation as we transition to self-check. Try self-check at the Jacaranda Library or at your own local library--it's fun and easy!
The Venice Lions Club awarded The Friends of the Jacaranda Public Library, Inc., a $1,500 grant to purchase computer screen enhancement software and American Printing House for the Blind books on visual impairment for the library’s circulating collection. Friends Board President Jane Forbush and reference librarian Tamar Wolfe accepted the grant check at a Lions Club dinner and ceremony on June 4.
"The Venice Lions Club has been a consistent champion of library services for people who are blind or visually impaired,” said library manager Greg Carlson. “We are grateful for the membership’s continuing support”.
Jacaranda Library’s public computer in the low vision area recently debuted OpenBook®, a program for converting print publications into speech via flatbed scanner, optical character recognition (OCR) technology and a synthesized voice. The system opens new access to the library’s book, magazine and newspaper holdings.
For more information about services for people with disabilities at Jacaranda Public Library call the Sarasota County Call Center at 941-861-5000 and ask for Mary Louise Fischer at the Jacaranda Library.
In February, the Youth Department set up its new AWE (Early Learning Station). This all-in-one computer station allows children from ages 2 through 10 to explore and learn from a wide variety of educational titles in all areas of the curriculum, with more than 45 educational software packages. Included are “Reader Rabbit Toddler,” “Millie’s Math House,” “Green Eggs and Ham,” “My Amazing Human Body” and “My First Amazing History” among others. The setup allows for independent and group learning as well as interaction with parents and adult caregivers.
Thank you, Friends of the Jacaranda Library, for supplying our young patrons with such a special and well used gift!
The Jacaranda youth department received a whale of a donation in May. A vacationing family won a stuffed Shamu killer whale while at Sea World amusement park. Shipping the cuddly cetacean back home was prohibitively expensive, so the family gave Shamu to the library for the enjoyment of future visitors. Our marine specialist Sheila Kaufer found Shamu’s seams too weak for active play, so she suspended him from the ceiling where he is free to swim above his fans. Say hello to our newest addition as you pass under the wave wall in the youth section.
Shamu swimming in the wave at Jacaranda Library, photographed from the boat of Jacaranda Library "marine specialist" Sheila Kaufer.
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Volunteer Spotlight:
Bob Douglas, Tech Coach and Volunteer
Jacaranda Library welcomed a new AARP volunteer in April, Bob Douglas. As a technology coach Bob assists customers using public computers, library catalog stations, self-check machines, printers/copiers, CHIP Healthy Living kiosk and e-government services. The federal Reinvestment and Recovery Act, popularly known as the "stimulus package," provided the funding for Bob’s placement at Jacaranda.
Reference librarian Tamar Wolfe is familiarizing Bob with library technology and otherwise coordinating his training. She relayed the following anecdote to demonstrate how Bob extends the personal touch and expertise of busy reference staff members:
“We had one gentleman who came in daily asking for help with email. We kept feeling we had answered his question. The next day he was back asking for help again. On Bob’s third day of working with us this patron came in. Bob sat with him and give him full attention. Since that day this gentleman is in using his email, feeling more confident about his computer abilities. It only took fifteen minutes, but those were precious minutes for the customer.”
“I’ve enjoyed learning new skills—it has been great,” Bob said of his Jacaranda experience. He added that his Monday, Wednesday and Friday shifts at the library from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. have quickly become a positive and rewarding routine.
AARP and library administration seek to provide other libraries with technology coaches. If and when those positions are filled, Bob will provide peer training as part of new volunteer orientation. Jacaranda staff and customers feel privileged to pilot the technology coach concept.
Thank you, Bob! |
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In Memoriam:
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Jacaranda Library dedicated a bronze plaque and planted a red maple tree in honor of former reference librarian Tania Angeloff, who died after a prolonged battle with cancer. The Friends of Jacaranda Public Library donated the memorial on behalf of Friends members, staff and volunteers.
Tania was a gifted public servant whose humor and intelligence delighted colleagues and customers, first at Jacaranda and later at Fruitville Library. Husband George and daughter Alexandra eulogized Tania as a supportive and loving wife and mother at the dedication ceremony. We all miss Tania’s passion for family, professionalism and great good friendship.
The tree and plaque are located at the trailhead of the library’s native plant walk.
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Your Feedback:
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You Were Caught Reading
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Do you have your own summer reading program? What are you planning to read this summer?
Send in the title and author of what you're planning to read, and in the August Selections, we'll publish the list.
(Only you will know if you actually read what you planned to read!)
Submit your titles through the library website's "Suggestions and Comments" page: sclibs.net/comments.aspx or send email to librarywebmaster@scgov.net.
Please be sure to write "Planned Summer Reading" somewhere in your message. |
| ** 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. |
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Mark your calendars!
The Intellectual Freedom Festival is
Saturday, August 8, 2009, from 5 to 11 p.m. at Selby Library.
More details at sclibs.net/IFF/main.aspx.
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Staff Picks:
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(Click the book covers to search SUNCAT, the library catalog.)
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Greg's Pick:
“The English Major”
by Jim Harrison
Cliff, a sixty-something man, divorced and robbed of his farm by a late-blooming real estate shark of an ex-wife, takes a road trip across America, armed with a childhood puzzle of the United States and a mission to rename all the states and state birds to overcome the banal names men have given them. Cliff's adventures take him through a whirlwind affair with a former student from his high school-teacher days twenty-some years before, to a "snake farm" in Arizona owned by an old classmate; and to the high-octane existence of his son, a big-time movie producer in San Francisco.
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Jenny's Pick:
"Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War” by Nathaniel Philbrick
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Stephanie's Pick:
"The Faithful Spy"
by Alex Berenson |
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Greg's Pick:
"The Rings of Saturn"
by Winfried Georg Sebald (trans. by Michael Hulse)
A fictional account of a walking tour through England's East Anglia, whose sights and sounds conjure up images of Britain's imperial past. They range from the slave trade to the Battle of Britain. By the author of “The Emigrants.”
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Tamar's Pick:
"A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius" by Dave Eggers
This is catalogued fiction, but is actually the autobiography of Eggers time immediately after the death of his parents when he became "both an orphan and a single mother." It is the Jacaranda Evening Book Club selection for June and has come highly recommended from a member of that club.
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Mary Louise's Pick:
"Station X: The Codebreakers of Bletchley Park” by Michael Smith
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Jenny's Pick:
"Rat: How the World's Most Notorious Rodent Clawed Its Way to the Top" by Jerry Langton
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Kathy's Pick:
"Lost Boy, Lost Girl" by Peter Straub
A woman commits suicide for no apparent reason. Then, a week later, her son, fifteen-year-old Mark Underhill, vanishes. His uncle, novelist Timothy Underhill, searches his hometown of Millhaven for clues that might help unravel this horrible dual mystery. He soon learns that a pedophilic murderer is on the loose in the vicinity, and that shortly before his mother's suicide, Mark had become obsessed with an abandoned house where he imagined the killer might have taken refuge. No mere empty building, the house whispers from attic to basement with the echoes of a long-hidden true-life horror story, and Tim Underhill comes to fear that in investigating its unspeakable history, Mark stumbled across its last and greatest secret: a ghostly lost girl who may have coaxed the needy, suggestible boy into her mysterious domain. While this book is typically catalogued as adult fiction, it can be recommended to high school students because of its fifteen-year-old protagonist, an abandoned house, a killer on the loose, and its general creepiness. What’s not to like for a teenaged boy?
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Tamar's Pick:
"The Last Town on Earth”
by Thomas Mullen
This is the June selection for the Jacaranda Book Club. This tale of a town which has decided to self-quarantine could not be more topical. It is the end of World War I, and a town in Washington state has had enough of war and the plague. They set guards to ward off anyone who might breach their borders. And the first one to challenge this breach, and die, turns out to be a member of the United States Army.
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Stephanie's Pick:
"Cemetery Dance"
by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
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Mary Louise's Pick:
"The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows |
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Tamar's Pick:
"Dean R. Koontz: A New Collection" by Dean R. Koontz
Few people remember that Dean Koontz's first best seller was considered a psychological thriller rather than horror. This collection contains that book of which the author states, "I am now embarrassed by the Freudian overtones." |
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Summer afternoon - Summer afternoon . . . the two most beautiful words in the English language. ~Henry James |
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