Selections

The newsletter of the Sarasota County Library System

~ June 2008 ~ Volume 3, Issue 3

Read Selections online each month or sign up here to have it delivered to you by email.

In this Issue:

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

This month's issue is brought to you
by the staff of
the
Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library.

Featured Internet Sites:

http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/ tracer-bullets/tbs.html The Library of Congress Science Tracer Bullets Online contains research guides that help you locate information on science and technology. With brief introductions to topics, lists of resources and strategies for finding more in print and online, they help you to stay "on target." http://solutionsforyourlife.ufl.edu This is the site for Extension Services statewide. Extension is a partnership between state, federal and county governments to provide scientific knowledge and expertise to the public. UF/IFAS Extension encompasses thousands of Extension faculty members, scientists, educators, administrative staff and volunteers, all working to provide solutions for your life. http://bookgroupbuzz. booklistonline.com If you are a hardcore bibliophile, we recommend the Book Group Buzz blog presented by the American Library Association's Booklist Online. "Book group tips, reading lists, and lively talk of literary news from the experts" are sure to inform and enliven your book discussions. Book Group Buzz is a great destination for thoughtful postings and links to the best author websites, book club resources and reading guides.

Local Library News:

Eighth Annual Poetry and Pizza in the Park a Success! Seventeen Sarasota County students in grades 6 through 12 were honored for their poetry on the evening of Thursday, May 1 at the Eighth Annual Poetry and Pizza in the Park held at Woodmere Park in Venice. Students awarded first, second and third place for original poems received a certificate of recognition and bookstore gift cards. The event was organized by the Sarasota County Libraries’ Young Adult Librarians, some of whom were judges for the event. Students stepped up to the mike under a perfect breeze and softly fluttering streamers tied to tents to read their poems to family and friends while enjoying pizza and soft drinks. Booker Middle School, Booker High School, Cardinal Mooney, Sarasota Military Academy, Student Leadership Academy of North Port and Heron Creek Middle School in North Port were represented at this year’s event. Two Poetry and Pizza in the Park contestants placed in River Of Words’ annual contest. River of Words is a non-profit organization “dedicated to connecting kids to their…imaginations through poetry and art.” The contest is a project of U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Haas (1995-1997) and is conducted in affiliation with the Library of Congress Center for the Book.  Alex Dodson, an eighth grade student at Booker Middle School, and Jack Conlon, a 10th grade student at Sarasota Military Academy, were both recognized at The Library of Congress in Washington D. C. with other poetry winners from around the world. They are the only two student poets selected from Florida. At the conclusion of the students’ poetry reading at Poetry & Pizza in the Park, Joanna Hapner, Booker Middle School creative writing teacher and poetry advocate, invited all students and parents to recite “free form” poetry. Read the winning poems in the Planet Teen section of the website: http://www.sclibs.net/teens/pnp2008.aspx.

Selby Foundation Grant Awarded to Library System Community Health Improvement Partnership (CHIP) Centers are a free public service providing local health and wellness information. For the past few years, Jacaranda and Venice Public Libraries, Senior Friendship Center, Laurel Civic Association and the Venice YMCA have operated Centers in the Laurel/Osprey/Venice/Nokomis corridor. CHIP has aspired to establish Centers in north Sarasota County and is on the cusp of achieving that end. Thanks to a $50,000 grant from the William G. Selby and Marie Selby Foundation to the Sarasota County Library System, CHIP Centers will adopt an innovative approach to delivering health and wellness information and connecting people with tools to create a healthier community. The grant will support the purchase of 11 touch-screen interactive health information kiosks for all eight system libraries and three Sarasota County Health Department clinics. Research shows that kiosks offer several advantages over print-only information centers, including privacy/anonymity, real-time content updating and centralized access to a variety of health topics and subject matter. Searchers will choose from pre-selected headings such as diseases and conditions, healthcare coverage, smoking cessation and caregiver support. The same kiosk content will be available at the CHIP web site, http://www.chip4health.org, for home computer access. Grant coordinators expect to launch the kiosk service later this summer.

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Staff Picks:

This month the staff of the
Frances T. Bourne
Jacaranda Library share their reading picks with you.

National Library News:

Children's Book on Male Penguins Raising Chick Tops ALA's 2007 List of Most Challenged Books For a second consecutive year, Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell’s award-winning "And Tango Makes Three," a children’s book about two male penguins caring for an orphaned egg, tops the list of the American Library Association’s (ALA) 10 Most Challenged Books of 2007. Three books are new to the list “Olive’s Ocean,” by Kevin Henkes; “The Golden Compass,” by Philip Pullman; and “TTYL,” by Lauren Myracle. “Free access to information is a core American value that should be protected,” said Judith F. Krug, director of the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom. “Not every book is right for each reader, but an individual’s interpretation of a book should not take away my right to select reading materials for my family or myself." For more than 15 years, the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) has received reports on book challenges. A challenge is defined as a formal, written complaint, filed with a library or school, requesting that materials be removed because of content or appropriateness. In 2007 the OIF received 420 reports on efforts to abolish materials from school curriculum and library bookshelves. Public libraries, schools and school libraries report challenges to OIF, but a majority of challenges go unreported. The "10 Most Challenged Books of 2007" reflect a range of themes. The list below includes the reasons reported to the OIF for challenging the titles: 1. “And Tango Makes Three” by Justin Richardson/Peter Parnell Reasons: Anti-Ethnic, Sexism, Homosexuality, Anti-Family, Religious Viewpoint, Unsuited to Age Group 2. “The Chocolate War” by Robert Cormier Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Violence 3. “Olive’s Ocean” by Kevin Henkes Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language 4. “The Golden Compass” by Philip Pullman Reasons: Religious Viewpoint 5. “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by Mark Twain Reasons: Racism 6. “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language 7. “TTYL” by Lauren Myracle Reasons: Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group 8. “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou Reasons: Sexually Explicit 9. “It’s Perfectly Normal” by Robie Harris Reasons: Sex Education, Sexually Explicit 10. “The Perks of Being A Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky Reasons: Homosexuality, Sexually Explicit, Offensive Language, Unsuited to Age Group Off the list this year, are two books by author Toni Morrison. "The Bluest Eye" and "Beloved," both challenged for sexual content and offensive language. For more information on book challenges and censorship, please visit the ALA Office of Intellectual Freedom’s Banned Books Web site at http://www.ala.org/bbooks. The Office for Intellectual Freedom is charged with implementing ALA policies concerning the concept of intellectual freedom as embodied in the Library Bill of Rights, the Association’s basic policy on free access to libraries and library materials. The goal of the office is to educate librarians and the general public about the nature and importance of intellectual freedom in libraries.

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Community Connection:

Dairy Queen Partnership The Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Public Library’s Youth Department has partnered with Dairy Queen Grill and Chill of Venice (DQ) for a special Summer Read-A-Thon incentive program. The Read-a-Thon begins on June 2 and continues until August 8 (10 weeks). When participants read five out of seven days for four weeks, they will receive a DQ certificate for a free dipped cone. Participants who read for eight weeks will receive a DQ certificate for a free Blizzard.

Newcomers Day at North Port Library New North Port residents will have an opportunity to meet their neighbors and connect with their community on Saturday, June 21 at the first Newcomer Day at North Port Library. The North Port Library is partnering with the City of North Port and the North Port Area Chamber of Commerce to welcome new residents to North Port with a morning of information all new residents can use. New residents--or even established residents--will find information about schools, health and social services, utilities, gardening, transportation, government, jobs, churches, local organizations, local attractions and much more. They’ll also have the opportunity to meet their City Commissioners, North Port school officials and representatives from local organizations. Newcomer Day is from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 21 at the North Port Library, 13800 S. Tamiami Trail. For more information, call the North Port Library at 941-861-1310.

Events:

Upcoming Events at Jacaranda Library Registration for the Summer Read-A-Thon began on May 23. Our continued goal is to encourage children to read daily throughout the summer months and begin the school year with the tools to succeed. Pre-readers through entering fifth-grade students may participate. Pre-readers will receive a yellow reading log, and independent readers will receive an orange reading log.  Bring the reading log to the youth desk each week to be stamped and entered into the weekly drawing for two $10 Books-a-Million gift cards. It has been called revolutionary, dynamic and hypnotic, and it’s coming for the first time to Jacaranda Library this June. ZUMBA, the Latin-inspired exercise routine, combines fast and slow movements with resistance training and contagious rhythms. Hour-long classes are held in 35 countries where ZUMBA enthusiasts are hooked on burning calories and fat while toning and sculpting their bodies. A ZUMBA certified instructor will give the first of four classes to Young Adults in the main meeting room starting Monday, June 9 at 3 p.m.   June is the month for getting outside and having fun. But, we need to remember that a state that flourishes, such as Florida, also has many dangers. Jeff Weber, Environmental Specialist, will tell us how to enjoy “Living with the Florida Environment” and to avoid the Florida dangers. Weber will bring native flora and fauna for patrons to observe on Monday, June 9 at 2 p.m. After enjoying the Florida outdoors you might need some time indoors. You might want to spend some time reading. "Read What?" you may be asking yourself. Billy Weir, a former English teacher and current staff member of Sarasota County Libraries, will offer a personal view on how to choose what to read with particular attention to imaginative literature on Tuesday, June 10 at 10 a.m. On the south wall of the Reference Department at Jacaranda Library hangs a community chess board for the ongoing game between Greg Carlson, Library Manager, and the community. The community has a week to suggest its next move, and anyone can make a suggestion by writing their move in the designated binder at the reference desk. Votes are tallied on Mondays, and the most popular community move is chosen. Greg responds with his move Tuesday morning. Even if you don’t want to play, you can just watch the game and cheer the combatants. Did you know the Jacaranda Library has three exhibit areas for art and other interesting objects? The exhibit spaces consist of approximately 80 feet of wall space in the meeting room with gallery lighting, six glass cases in the library’s main hallway with overhead lighting and three circular display cases in the reference area. The exhibits change every month and currently are booked into 2010. In May, the library offered a beautiful collection of homemade jewelry in the circular display, gorgeous hand-carved birds in the hallway exhibit and color travel photography in the meeting room. Expect paintings and photography in the meeting room and handmade dolls in the hallway during June.

Upcoming Events at All Sarasota County Libraries Use the calendar on the library's website, http://sclibs.net, to find events at any library in the Sarasota County Library System. The calendar link is on the library's homepage; look for "Calendar/Programs" on the far left side of the page.  Visit the calendar directly at http://sclibs.net/Calendar.aspx.

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Featured Database:

A Sarasota County Library card is required to access the databases from outside the library.

Daughters of the American Revolution Donates to Library The Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Public Library annually publicizes the American History Essay Contest sponsored by the Myakka Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). This year, DAR chapter members were so taken with Youth Librarian Nancy Velazquez’s promotional display that they invited her to be a contest judge. In addition, her display prompted Pine View sixth-grader Jonathan Andrew James to submit an essay. Jonathan’s essay won the Chapter Award in February and the State Award in March. In recognition of the library and Nancy’s efforts, the Myakka Chapter donated $150 to the Youth Department towards the purchase of history books. Youth Librarian Nancy Velazquez and her display Visit the Myakka Chapter of the DAR on their website: http://fssdarchapters.org/myakka/.

The Friends Provide a Brightboard for the Library  The Friends of Jacaranda Library recently purchased a Brightboard—a mobile digital sign system on a pedestal–for Jacaranda Library’s staff and patrons. Programs, movie matinees, Friends’ bookstore promotions and other library-related announcements display in rotation on a large LCD monitor. Information is easily changed and updated on a standard computer. The Brightboard is portable and can be moved as promotional needs warrant. Stop and see how the Friends of the Jacaranda Library are promoting sustainability and supporting public awareness with this innovative, paperless sign system. A typical Brightboard in a library setting Find out more about the Friends of the Jacaranda Library and read their newsletter at http://www.sclibs.net/Libraries/jacarandafriends.aspx.

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Reference Questions of the Month:

I own a signed piece of art. How do I know if the signature is valid? Jacaranda Library has a useful reference source for just this sort of question: "American Artists II: Signatures and Monograms from 1800, A Comprehensive Directory" edited by John Castagno. It’s located in the Jacaranda Library’s reference section at call number 702.78 CAS. This source contains photocopied signatures to compare for authenticity, as well as examples of alternative surname signatures, illegible signatures, monograms and initials.

How do I control spider populations in and around my home? Spiders are not classified as insects but as arachnids and require special kinds of chemicals for their extermination. But first, non-chemical control of spiders is usually effective in reducing spider populations, according to the University of Florida IFAS Extension’s web site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG206. Outside lights should not be left burning. Trash, lumber piles, bricks, weeds and outside structures should be kept clean, as they are good breeding places for spiders. Inside living areas, vacuum cleaning, including using vacuum attachments for the walls, also helps keep spiders at bay.

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Your Feedback:

Do you have suggestions for subjects or stories for future issues? Would you like to share your opinion about Selections? Do you have questions about something you've read in Selections? If you have suggestions for or comments about what you would like to see in upcoming issues of Selections or on any aspect of the newsletter, e-mail* them to librarywebmaster@scgov.net. (Please mention "Selections" in the e-mail subject.) You can also send comments about and suggestions for Selections through the "Your Comments" page of the library website: http://sclibs.net/comments.aspx. Please note: Selections traditionally takes the month of July off. The next issue of Selections will appear in your e-mail inbox in August. See you then! * 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.

Volunteer News:

Bruce Wilson: A Dedicated Volunteer Bruce Wilson holds the record for most individual volunteer hours at Jacaranda Public Library: 4,598 hours! During 14 years of volunteering, Bruce has maintained the honors paperback collection, introduced Tuesday matinee movies, coordinated donations of labels and box tops redeemed by local schools and tackled sundry other duties in support of customer service excellence. “Bruce is irrepressible—quick with a greeting and good word for everyone. His contributions to the library go far beyond just the tasks he performs,” said Greg Carlson, library manager. Bruce considers volunteer work a hobby and finds his duties at Jacaranda Library very fulfilling. He enjoys helping others and volunteering meets that need. Another favorite pastime for Bruce is a few good hands of rummy with friends. His words of wisdom to others would be that warm feelings of friendship and hard work make for a good day.  Bruce was featured on WEDU’s popular local program “A Gulf Coast Journal with Jack Perkins,” but being a media star hasn’t gone to his head. He still has a penchant for affectionate “pestering” to keep staff members on their toes! Thank you, Bruce, for your thousands of service hours and even more smiles shared along the way! Bruce Wilson accepts an award from Jacaranda staff members Angie Hunek and Marcy Caldwell for years of dedicated volunteer service.

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