Gulf Beaches Public Library

Friends Wine and Cheese Party

2008-10-20T10:47:00.000-07:00

Become a Gulf Beaches Public Library Friend

It takes good books to make a good library. It takes great "Friends" to make a great library. Share the satisfaction of supporting our Library. Together we will strive to make our excellent library better. Join Us!!

Wine and Cheese Party Friday, October 17th, check out the video!

Happy Birthday Marina!

2008-08-06T09:47:00.000-07:00

If you’ve ever looked for a book that the library says is in and you found it, then you know how important correctly shelved materials are to the user-friendly library. Marina has been with Gulf Beaches Library almost a year now and we appreciate her as our number one shelver!

Marina is enjoying birthday cake with staff members.

Two Locals @ the Computers

2008-08-04T08:46:00.000-07:00

Bob Terry and Walter Lee enjoy using the computers each day at Gulf Beaches Public Library.

Splash of Spanish @ the Library

2008-07-21T13:48:00.000-07:00

Want to practice your Spanish? Just want to learn a few phrases? Join us at 6:00 pm on Tuesday night for the next six weeks!

Nani's Polynesian Show

2008-07-08T07:58:00.000-07:00

July 1: Nani's Polynesian Show.

Polynesian dancer and exotic animal trainer Nani danced and performed other silly island stuff for the youth at Gulf Beaches Public Library.

Summer Programs @ Gulf Beaches Library

2008-06-20T13:37:00.000-07:00

Big Summer Read

Tuesdays @ 2:00 pm. Come early to have your reading log stamped & to get a good seat!

See Miss Travis in the Children's Department!

Cook Well! Eat Well! & Live Long!

2008-03-25T08:09:00.000-07:00

Join us for a cooking Demonstration, Friday April 18, 10-12 noon.

Chief Neil Greensterin will give tips on how to eat and cook healthly.

Free! See Harriet to register.

Celebrating St. Patrick's Day

2008-03-24T07:57:00.001-07:00

Barbara Millar with Staff!

First Annual Food for Thought

2008-03-03T09:21:00.000-08:00

A Benefit for Gulf Beaches Public Library!
We thank everyone who helped make our first Food for Thought such a great success!!!
Saturday Night February 16th!

Halloween Cuties @ the Library

2007-11-01T08:56:00.000-07:00

Jada and Ashley enjoying the singing and the puppet show in their Halloween costumes at Storyhour, October 30th.

Baby & Me Storyhour for infants to 3 meets every Tuesday at 10:30 am. Call "Miss Travis" for details.

In the Swing...

2007-10-23T11:01:00.000-07:00

Jean, Harriet & Therese
...celebrate Gatsby Gala at Gulf Beaches Public Library. Each year the National Endowment for the Arts selects a different novel to celebrate an event called the Big Red. This year it was
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Spring Newsletter 2007

2007-03-19T08:52:00.000-07:00

Bravo to the Volunteers

Gulf Beaches Library enters the spring season with appreciation for all who have dedicated their time and effort to help make this library so wonderful.
Special thanks Charlie Oestreich for teaching two classes. His Photo-Shop class has received an enthusiastic response proving that digital photography has really come of age. The Word Processing class always fills a deep community need for learning computer skills. Cheers to Charlie for his service to the community.
(Picture of Jean Mehosky enjoying our new rocking chair donated by Barbara Millar.)
Applause to Beverly Bailey for her continuing support of the library. Her beautiful bookmarks have adorned the Circulation desk for years generating income for the library. Good job Bev.
Accolades to the people at AARP that dedicate their time and skill with free tax help here each year. Thank you AARP.
Salutations to Tim Dorsey, an acclaimed local author who has continued to speak at Gulf Beaches Library gratis. He continues to draw a large crowd that thoroughly enjoys his presentations. We are already looking forward to next year. Thank you, Mr. Dorsey.
We like to think that King Arthur himself would be proud of the “Round Table” of books at the library. Each month there’s a different theme. In celebration of St. Patrick’s day Irish authors fill the table. For the brave readers we have Ulysses by James Joyce. Romantics should try Maeve Binchy. Certainly, Ireland never lacked writers.

Thanks to the staff who make this a labor of love monthly and to all the
volunteers who give their time during the busy season putting books and movies away. Invaluable!
Thanks also to the homework tutors. A wonderful and most needed program.
And finally, thanks goes to the Friends of Gulf Beaches Library. Their dedication and support for the library is fully appreciated by all. AND, please don’t forget to support them by attending their March 24th Spring Book Sale! ~Stan Silverstein, Circulation Manager ~

AUTHORS @ YourLibrary

R. Wayne Ayers, the author of Florida’s Grand Hotels from the Gilded Age, will give a presentation March 28th at 4:00 pm. Ayers will focus on the lifestyles that tourists of the Gilded Age enjoyed at the hotels, featuring the grand hotels built by Henry M. Flagler and Henry B. Plant, and the magnificence of the hotels’ architecture. He will cover eight hotel buildings, six of which are still major tourist/historical venues.
Ayers’ presentation will wrap up the Author Series featuring local authors at Gulf Beaches Library. Tim Dorsey, a New York Times bestselling author and former Tampa Tribune reporter, kicked off the Series and his book tour for his new book Hurricane Punch on January 24th.
Marian Coe gave a lively presentation of her latest book, Between Us, on February 28th. Ms. Coe is the award-winning author of nine books and a former feature writer with the St. Petersburg Times.
Mystery writer, Diane Sawyer, will give a workshop, How to Write a Mystery Series, Wednesday, March 27th at 4:00 pm.
Join the growing number of patrons who are getting to know the authors!

~Harriet Thompkins, Reference Librarian ~

Audiobooks

Have you been walking right past the audiobooks on that spinner near the circulation desk? Well, here are some very good reasons to stop and maybe check one out:
· Spider Mountain by P. T. Deutermann will keep you from falling asleep at the wheel.
· Road rage a problem? Nothing but idiots on the road? Take your mind off the other drivers with an appealing reading of The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir, by Bill Bryson.
· Kite Runner by Khaled Hossein, will open up another world to you. That drab Florida scenery suddenly won’t seem so drab anymore.
· Ruby Dee delivers Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God with the thick, rich dialect it deserves. Some words should be heard, not be imprisoned on a page.
· Did you read and love To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee or White Fang by Jack London? Stick them in the player the next time you’re driving the kids to soccer, and you can all enjoy these classics together. Have the kids check out their own audiobooks from the Children’s Department.
Need a few more reasons to listen to an audiobook? Driving in your car. When there’s nothing on TV. You need your hands free to knit but you’re right in the middle of the latest Dean Koontz. It’s two o’clock in the morning…?
So...why not stop and give one a try? ~Travis Sherman, Reference Librarian ~

Annual Summer Children’s Program

Once again our library offers an exciting Summer Reading Program to entertain and delight elementary school age children during school vacation each year. The 2006 Summer Program was a big success with 505 visitors in attendance. If you missed all the fun last year, don’t worry. You can join us this summer!
This year, the programs will take place Tuesdays at 2:00 pm.
June 5 — Music & Singing with Allan Lieberman
June 12 — Florida Folktale Storytelling with Katie Adams
June 19 — Puppet Show with American Red Cross about Safety
June 26 — Magic Show with Mark the Balloon Guy
July 3 — Reading with Reptiles — Meet Banana Boy
July 10 — Mad Science: Spin, Pop, Boom Special Event
July 17 — Movie Day: Snacks & Drinks
July 24 — Amazing Balloon Hats. Registration is required for this last event only.

While here, don’t forget to check out the children’s magazines:
Click (for ages 3 to 7)
Spider (for ages 3 to 6)
Cricket (for ages 9 to 14)
Kids Discovery (6 to 14)

Homework ??

The after school program for elementary age children is now available five days per week from 3:30—5:00 pm. Carol Brady, Denise Adis, and Jan Macfarlane are all certified elementary school teachers, retired.

For more information call Crystal Mui, the Youth Services Librarian, at 391-2828 ext. 202.

A New Sign is Coming

Sometimes an idea can just pop into your head…. And it’s a good idea. Later you’ll wonder why you never had that thought before. This happens to me quite often, but for various reasons I can’t always follow through. This time, however, WE made it happen. A sign for the library! Yes, a sign to announce to all who pass that we are here. A sign large enough to read from across the street.
Of course, the words “Gulf Beaches Public Library” have always appeared in small black letters at the entrance and that’s good enough for patrons already headed this way. However, if you’re driving by, the library could easily go unnoticed. Each day there are new patrons who register for library cards that either reside on or visit the beaches and are unaware that this wonderful library is right in their back-yard.
And so the Friends of your Library have generously donated funds just for that reason. With their help we’ve commissioned an attractive sign to stand among the trees near the curb to welcome and lead future patrons through our glass doors. Watch for it!

~Jan Horah, Director ~

The FRIENDS
CORNER

The Friends of
Gulf Beaches Library will host their

Spring Book Sale

Saturday
March 28th
8AM to 3PM

Be sure to come early and get your pick of books, magazines,
paperbacks, puzzles, audio books and videos.

Gulf Beaches Public Library

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

One-Hour Internet Classes

2006-11-27T07:54:00.000-08:00

Introduction to the Internet: Wednesday, April 11, 14, 2007 at 12:00 Noon
What is the Internet and why should you care? The Internet is a amazing place. In this session we will discuss the history and how it got that way. We will visit some interesting sites and explore what people are doing on the Internet.

Learn Web-Based Email for Beginners: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 at 12:00 Noon
What is email and why it it the most popular Internet use? We will discuss the basic of an email including how to write, read, and send an email.

Demonstration classes only. However, before participating in these classes, patrons should know how to use the mouse.

For more information, contact the reference librarian at 727-391-2828 x201

Friends Newsletter

2006-11-09T12:18:00.000-08:00

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