Friends Newsletter

Welcome Back to Gulf Beaches
A very special welcome to our northern guests this
Autumn! As we all know, in Florida, Fall is less
dramatic and summer tends to linger. Indeed, it isn’t until the arrival of our Snowbirds that the change of season dawns on us.
Many of you will notice that our librarian Maggie Cinnella has left and returned to her home in New Mexico. We will miss her, but please take time to meet our new librarian Harriet Thompkins who gives a brief introduction inside this issue.
Travis Sherman is our new weekend librarian. We hope you get to know her and share with her your suggestions for our audio book collection.
The Library staff has some interesting programs planned this year, so don’t neglect to pick up our colorful calendars monthly.

Tim Dorsey, a Florida author, will kick-off the tour of of his new book "Hurricane Punch" 4 pm on Wednesday January 24, 2007. (Picture)

Stanley Silverstein
Circulation Supervisor


Hi Old Friend: Yes its our old friend Malcolm, that crazy guy who just loves this library. This year you can’t keep him away from those computers and here’s why:
· Reserves and renews
his books online.
· Books flights online.
· Prints out his boarding passes.
· Buys toys for the grandkids.
· Researches his stocks.
· E files the income tax
return.
· Applies for a passport
· Reads and sends Email
· Scans the web.
And that’s not all! He can still drop by the library, relax in a comfortable chair and read today’s paper, scan a magazine, check out a book, DVD or audiotape.
And, oh yes, visit with a staff that always makes Malcolm feel right at home.

Don McGarigle
Friends Chairman


Meet Our New Assistant Director/Reference

The new Assistant Director/Reference Librarian, Harriet Thompkins, brings fresh energy and enthusiasm to the staff at Gulf Beaches Public Library.
“It is wonderful to work with people of all ages with all sorts of interests. I look forward to a tremendous future here”.
Formerly a librarian at the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative for eleven years, Harriet worked as the Outreach and Answer Center Librarian in Clearwater
Harriet received her Masters of Library Science degree from USF and is particularly experienced in reference work. She reports that she is enjoying her new position.
Harriet grew up on Florida’s Space Coast (Cocoa Beach) where she watched rockets go up from her back porch. She made history by becoming the first black female Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) in the United States Coast Guard Reserves in 1996.
Harriet produces and hosts Montage, an award-winning TV show, on Access Pinellas and has published two books: Journey of a Black Woman: Poems in 2000 and Celebration of Life: A Ten-Step Guide in 2005. She also produced an inspirational CD, Joyful Moments.
Harriet is a graduate of the 2005-2006 Florida Sunshine State Library Leadership Institute.
She loves to read (What a surprise!) to write, and to travel across the country, working with family at reunions and gospel music showcases


Book Review Column

In the novel, The Civil War: A Narrative, by Shelby Foote, you will be literally transported back in time.
Written in the vernacular tongue of the past, you will relive the events that lead to the American Civil War. You will experience the intense emotions felt during the battles. You will learn the real deals the U.S. government made after the biggest and bloodiest battles ever fought on U.S. soil, and the ultimate outcome they produced.
Nothing like you ever learned in public school!
This book taught me a lot and changed the way I now feel about my country. A “must read” for history buffs by one of the greatest historians of our time. Try it, you’ll like it.

Cheryl Bartel
Library Patron

Homework Center

Gulf Beaches is pleased to announce the establishment of a free Homework Center to support students in grades 1 through 5. The library will connect young students to mentors who will help them improve their literacy and study skills.
The Center will be staffed by two volunteer retired certified elementary school teachers who will guide students to resources and materials they will need to successfully complete their school assignments and projects.
The mission of the Center is to provide a safe, quiet, and comfortable environment where students can come for homework support.
We encourage parents to attend the Center with their children. Children nine and under actually must be accompanied at all times by a responsible party. Parents of all the students will be required to sign their children in and out.
In order to keep an ideal study environment, Students will be asked to use quiet voices and to treat each other with courtesy and respect. In addition, the library cannot assume responsibility for any personal belongings left unattended.
The Homework Center will begin on Tuesday, October 3 from 3:30-5:00 pm and continue every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoon. Right now, students can sign up for more than one day per week if there are spaces available.
For more information about the Homework Center and to sign up for the program, stop by the library and ask for Crystal or call 391-2828 ext. 202.


Reading Kits

If you are looking for ways to improve your children’s reading, grammar, math or language skills, then try out our new educational book and CD Reading Kits presented by Sara Jordan. Sara is a teacher and creator of award winning music who loves to use music to help students learn in school. Here’s a list of
new additions:
· Funky Phonics: Learn to Read v Grammar Grooves
· Songs and Activities for Early Learners
· Addition Unplugged
· Subtraction Unplugged
· Multiplication Unplugged
· Division Unplugged
· Thematic Songs for Learning Language

If it’s just a fun read you’re looking for, check out following
Reading Kits:

1) Older Mother Goose
2) Polar Lands
3) The Littlest Dinosaurs
4) Baby’s First Step in French
5) Baby’s First Step in Spanish
6) Teach Me Italian

For more information about these kits or for those who might have a title that you’d like to add to the collection, please visit us or call our Youth Services Librarian,
Crystal Mui at 391-2828.

Gulf Beaches Public Library
200 Municipal Drive
Madeira Beach FL 33708
Phone: (727) 391-2828
Friends Membership: New Application
or Renewal
Name____________________________________________
Street____________________________________________
City ________________________________ Zip_________
Phone _______________________________ Date________
Annual Dues: Individual $10.00
Valued Patron/Family $20.00
Business/Sponsor $50.00
Lifetime Membership $100.00
Benefactor Donation $ Thank You!

Please make your check payable to:
Friends of Gulf Beaches Public Library
200 Municipal Dr., Madeira Beach FL 33708