Festival of Reading – Fantastic Florida

Festival of Reading
Fantastic Florida!

Lake County Library System is proud to present the 6th Annual Festival of Reading Fantastic Florida! In 2009, the events will take place March 25th – March 28th. All the events listed are free except the Brunch with Karen Hawkins at the Leesburg Public Library.

Wednesday, March 25
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Umatilla Public Library
Local Author’s Day offers an opportunity to meet and speak with Central Florida authors. Including Colleen Avelli, Annette Bruce, Jeffrey Lamb, Eddie Lucas, Joan Jacquart, Mark Miller, Bill Pearce, Michael Suib and Nancy Butler-Ross.
11 a.m. Lady Lake Public Library
Bruce Hunt ~ A Celebration in Images
Freelance writer, photographer and author of Florida Then and Now was the winner of the 2007 Florida Book Awards Silver Medal for Nonfiction. Bruce found the original locations of, and re-shot, 130 historic Florida photographs spanning a hundred years from the 1870s to the 1970s.

2 p.m. East Lake County Library
Bob Grenier ~ Lake County History
This event will include a special presentation by the East Lake Historical Society and Mr. Grenier, author of The Gallant Captain Melton Haines.

3 p.m. Leesburg Public Library
Dr. Kevin Kremer ~ Snow in Sarasota
Kevin Kremer is the children’s author of A Kremer Christmas, Miracle Santa’s our Substitute Teacher, When it Snows in Sarasota, The Knight, the Wizard & the Lady Pig.

3 p.m. Tavares Civic Center – hosted by the City of Tavares Public Library.
Bill Belleville ~ Sprawl & Our Natural Landscape
In his book Losing It All to Sprawl, Belleville accounts for the impacts — social, political, natural, personal — that a community in the crosshairs of unsustainable growth ultimately must bear.

7 p.m. Cagan Crossings Community Library
Bill Belleville ~ In Marjorie’s Wake
Bill will speak on his newly released PBS film on Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings In Marjorie’s Wake: Rediscovering Rawlings, a River and Time. In the film, he recreates a river journey that the Pulitzer prize-winning author once made on the St. Johns in 1933.

Thursday, March 26
10:30 a.m. Leesburg Public Library
Karen Hawkins ~ Brunch with the Goddess
Karen is the USA Today and New York Times bestselling author of a dozen historical romance novels. Menu: quiches; fruit salad; blueberry muffins; cheese biscuits; coffee, tea & more. For tickets call (352) 728-9790. $15

2 p.m. W.T. Bland Public Library
Vic DiGenti ~ Let’s Make A Scene
Learn to write compelling scenes and you’ll have a compelling book says author Vic DiGenti, author of the Windrusher series. You will have the opportunity to write your own scene using the principles you learned.

4:30 p.m. Fruitland Park Library
Vic DiGenti ~ Windrusher and the Trail of Fire
Separated from his caretakers and relocated to a rural cat rescue agency, Precious Friends Cat Sanctuary, Windrusher learns his destiny is linked to a mythical cat from legendary times. Teens are welcome!

7 p.m. City of Tavares Public Library
Mary Anna Evans ~ Can You Dig It?
Mary Anna’s latest award-winning archaeological mystery is on Amazon’s bestseller lists, including the list of Hot New Mystery Releases. Library Journal gave the book a starred review. Find out what’s coming in 2009…Floodgates!

7 p.m. Cagan Crossings Community Library
James O. Born, Bob Morris, Elaine Viets ~ Mixing Laughs with Murder
Listen to the diverse voices of three best-selling Florida mystery writers. Born has become the go-to guy for action-packed procedurals brimming with well-developed components of the thriller. Viets has been everything from a salesclerk to a survey taker to research her books. Morris features a former Miami Dolphin in a series of mysteries located around the Caribbean.

Friday, March 27
10:30 a.m. W.T. Bland Public Library
Tim Dorsey ~ Nuclear Jellyfish
New York Times bestselling author Tim Dorsey returns with his eleventh book in the Serge Storms series. Chat with Tim about Serge and Coleman on their Nuclear Jellyfish reign of terror, trivia and souvenirs!

2 p.m. Clermont Woman’s Club -hosted by Cooper Memorial Library.
Dr. Kristin Congdon ~ Florida Folk Art & History
discusses the preservation of folk arts and the role of arts education in the community. Quilting Sisters Guild will host an exhibit.

2 p.m. Leesburg Public Library
James O. Born, Tim Dorsey, Mary Anna Evans, Bob Morris, Elaine Viets
Florida Masters of Mystery
Meet five of Florida’s greatest mystery writers. Explore intriguing stories, stunning environments, unique investigative tools, and cunning puzzles.

7 p.m. W.T. Bland Public Library
Author Reception
The first annual reception to celebrate the accomplishments of Florida’s outstanding authors is presented free to the public. Enjoy a relaxed evening, with coffee bar and hors d’ oeuvres provided by the American Culinary Federation, Gulf to Lakes Chefs and Cooks Association. Authors will include: Bill Belleville, James O. Born, Kristin Congdon, Stephen G. Craft, Vic DiGenti, Tim Dorsey, Mary Anna Evans, Janeen Mason, Bob Morris, Cynthia Thomason, Elaine Viets and more. Music by Fred Harvey. Book-signing and sales will run concurrently. The event is free but tickets are requested and are available at all Lake County Library System libraries. Call 352-735-7180 ext. 5 for information.

Saturday, March 28
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Clermont Woman’s Club – hosted by the Cooper Memorial Library
From Idea to Sale ~ Fiction Writing Seminar
Author Cynthia Thomason joins Literary Agent Lucienne Diver, The Knight Agency and Helen Rosburg, Editor of Medallion Press for a workshop on the business and the joy of novel writing. These experts will discuss the joys and pitfalls of producing a full-length manuscript, starting with that first germ of an idea and following through with the writing the novel, procuring an agent, and celebrating the sale. The event is free but reservations are requested 352-394-4265.

10:30a.m. Blackwater Inn
Cynthia Barnett ~ Mirage: Florida and the Vanishing Water of the Eastern U.S.
This book won the Gold medal for best nonfiction in the Florida Book Awards. Join us for complimentary coffee and refreshments overlooking the beautiful St. Johns River. Event is hosted by the Astor County Library

10:30 a.m. Leesburg Public Library
Janeen Mason and 10th Annual Bookmark Design Contest Awards
Janeen is an author/illustrator of eight children’s picture books with two more titles due for release in 2009. Her artwork can also be found on posters, puzzles, notecards and apparel. The artist will speak and present the awards to the 2009 winners. Winning designs will be available at the event.

11 a.m. Paisley County Library
Stephen G. Craft ~ Embry-Riddle at War, the first study of a civilian aviation school during World War II, examines the evolution of a civilian company contributing to the war effort and the crucial part Florida played.

2 p.m. Leesburg Public Library
Dr. Gary Mormino, ~ Land of Sunshine, State of Dreams: A Social History of Modern Florida,
The author explains the explosive growth in Florida and its impact. This book was the Choice Outstanding Academic Book in 2007.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. East Lake County Library
Bluegrass Festival
October Mountain Washboard Band, Blue Mountain Grass, Sunshine Gospel Travelers, Dulcimer Ensemble, Jonathon Hodges, Irish Fiddler. The Friends of the East Lake County Library will have their Spring Book/Bake sale, raffle and yard sale. Free activities for children.

Authors @ the Library Presents Gary Corsair, Author of The Groveland Four

In honor of Black History Month Mr. Corsair will make special appearances at the following Lake County Libraries.

Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at The Puryear Bldg. in Groveland, sponsored by the Marion Baysinger Memorial County Library.

Thursday, February 19, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. at the MLK Center in Mount Dora, sponsored by the W.t. Bland Public Library.

Tuesday, Febrauary, 24, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at the Lady Lake Community Bldg., sponsored by the Lady Lake Public Library.

Mr. Corsair will discuss the complexities of an important, yet often overlooked chapter of Florida’s tumulous race relations in the late 1940s and early 1950s.
The Groveland rape case made international headlines and forced America to deal with the disturbing reality of “guilty until proven guilty” when a white teenage bride accused four African American men of kidnapping and raping her.
Corsair examines the far-reaching impact of the “legal lynching”, which led to the Supreme Court ruling that rape was no longer a death-penalty offense.
In dozens of presentations to school children, Corsair examines an injustice rivalring Scottsboro, and in the process teaches powerful lessons of acceptance and tolerance.

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Art of the Book Exhibit

2009 Festival of Reading
Art of the Book Exhibit
Lake County Historical Museum
February 2nd through March 27th
Free admission

The public is invited to attend a special reception for Award winning author/illustrator Janeen Mason who will be our featured artist for the 2009 Festival of Reading “Fantastic Florida”. This exhibit, “The Art of the Book” is collaboration with the Lake County Historical Museum and the Lake County Library System. The reception will be held on February 2nd from 3 until 5 p.m. in the Historical Museum, located on the first floor of the Lake County Historic Courthouse, 317 W. Main St., Tavares. The exhibit will run through March 27th with free admission.

This is a once in a lifetime chance for Lake County residents to view a kaleidoscopic array of the aquatic and the astronomical. Mason’s paintings are from the popular children’s books “Ocean Commotion: Sea Turtles” and “Going around the Sun: Some Planetary Fun.”

Janeen Mason is an illustrator or author/illustrator of eight children’s picture books with two more titles due for release in 2009. She was appointed by Senate President Ken Pruitt to serve as a member of the Florida Arts Council – a fifteen member council which advises the Secretary of State on matters pertaining to Arts and Culture in Florida. In 2007 she received two major awards: The U.S. Maritime Literature Award for her book titled “Ocean Commotion: Sea Turtles!”, and, a Lifetime Achievement in the Arts Award. www.JaneenMason.com

Kudos for Janeen’s work include “…bright double paged illustrations in brilliant shades of blue, Mason draws attention to the astonishing science of turtle migration and survival.” ~ Booklist
“…and the illustrations are gorgeous” ~ Publisher’s Weekly “…with swirls and skewed perspectives, the illustrations immerse the reader in the marine environment.” ~ Kirkus

For additional information please refer to our website www.mylakelibrary.org or call 352-253-6167.

Stacked in the Lake Libraries

What is the public perception of librarians – smart, helpful, polite? We help people find books and information in a welcoming environment rich in resources. And yet young and old still think of the stereotypical librarian with a bun, glasses, sensible shoes and pursed lips uttering “SHHH” to the noisy masses. A perception we all strive to change. Therefore it came as a bit of a surprise when a concern was expressed in the Orlando Sentinel, November 25, 2008. The Ticked Off column featured the following:

Ticked off! @ the stacked in the Lake library stacks

“The Lake County librarians wear revealing shirts. In a public office, they should be stricter on attire.” Of course this comment generated many immediate responses to the Orlando Sentinel website. Here are samples of the responses.

· AAARRRRGGHH from Tampa, FL says “Hey, I’m going to the Lake County library!”

· Pamela from Titusville, FL responds “You can join my husband. He’s on his way there now.”

· Pinkerton on the case from Orlando, FL adds “Hey, I can wear my tops how I like to. 1958 just called – they need you back!”

· I like Tonka from West Palm Beach, FL requests “Can someone post directions to the Lake County library? I wanna go check out some *** books.”

· And not to be outdone, Pamela from Titusville, FL responds “Straight out Highway 50 past Highway 27. Keep going straight until you see the sign that says “Downtown Clermont” Turn right and it’s on the left. You can find my husband there trying to pretend he doesn’t know how to check out books.”

The response to this brief statement was remarkable, much more than to your average well thought out library campaign. And as hard as we looked for that culprit with the risqué shirt, we could not find the guilty librarian. Professional attire is expected of anyone dealing with the public but perhaps librarians, influenced by thousands of years of knowledge and infinite imagination, should change the public perception and go with what works.

Library Groundbreaking

The public is invited to attend the Groundbreaking Ceremony this Monday (June 30), at 9 a.m., at the site of the new Cooper Memorial Library at Lake-Sumter Community College’s South Lake Campus. The facility is a partnership project of LSCC, the Lake County Board of County Commissioners, the Friends of the Cooper Memorial Library and the University of Central Florida.

The new building will keep the name of the Cooper Memorial Library, in commemoration of the area’s first facility. Organized in 1906, the Clermont library dropped its 50-cents-per-family fee and become public in 1911. Its book collection moved to three different locations before Alice Cooper, president of the library board, offered to lease a building site.  The 720 square foot structure, completed in 1914, was named after the Cooper family when it donated the land to the board in 1938. Sixty-six years later, the library needed more space, so it changed its address in 1980, and again in 2005.

The new 50,000 square foot facility, featuring wireless computer access, should serve the community and th  two schools for years to come.  LSCC and UCF students will not only benefit from the start-of-the-art reference and resource addition to the campus’ two current buildings, but also a bookstore, restaurant, three general and two computer classrooms, and a number of small and large group-study rooms with technology for practicing presentations. The community will enjoy full library services, including general access to computers, a 6,000 square foot children’s section and a separate area for teenagers.

New Library Groundbreaking!

Please join us for the groundbreaking for the new Cooper Memorial Library at LSCC on Monday, June 30, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. This will take place at the South Lake Campus of Lake Sumter Community College in Clermont, Florida located at 1250 N. Hancock Road

Cagan Crossings Community Library Grand Opening

The Lake County Library System is hosting a grand-opening ceremony for the new Cagan Crossings Community Library on Monday, Feb. 11, at 2 p.m.

The new facility is located at 16729 Cagan Oaks in the Four Corners community.

The event will include entertainment by musician Fred Harvey and refreshments provided by the Friends of the Library. Library tours, games for children, face painting, balloon art and more will continue after the ceremony until 7 p.m. Judith Ring, Director of the Florida Division of Library & Information Services, Welton Cadwell, Chairman of the Lake County Board of County Commissioners and others will join County staff to welcome the community to the new County library.

The new 19,000-square-foot library features separate children and teen areas, a cafe, training lab, 31 public-access computers, free wireless Internet access and a 160-seat community room, which will provide space for local functions and events. The collection has increased to more than 43,000 items, including 5,000 items new for opening day. Programs such as storytime, scrapbooking, movies and SCRABBLE will continue and additional programs and events will be developed. Library cards from Lake County Library System will be accepted at Cagan Crossings as with all System libraries. Library patrons do not need to reside in the area to use the new facility. In addition, Osceola County residents , thanks to an operating agreement between Lake and Osceola Counties will have full access to all library services and programs. Residents from Orange, Seminole and Polk counties, can check out materials from the new library using the free Reciprocal Borrowing program.

For information on upcoming programs, call (352) 253-6167 or log on to www.lakeline.lib.fl.us.

Adult Literacy Program and New Tutor Training.

The Lake County Library System is proud to offer a FREE Adult Literacy Program for adults interested in improving their English literacy skills.

The Adult Literacy Program is designed to provide literacy services to adults who need help to improve their conversation, reading, writing, or comprehension skills. Through the Adult Literacy Program, trained volunteer tutors meet weekly with adult learners at their local library for one-to-one sessions and small group classes at no cost to the learner. The adult learner, with the guidance of the tutor, identifies his/her learning goals and sets the pace to achieving them.

The US Department of Education recently released the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy Survey results, which reported that roughly 1 in 6 adults have below basic literacy skills and that American business spends $16.6 billion each year on employees who lack basic skills in reading, writing, and math. As I am sure you are aware, when our workforce does not have the basic skills needed to successfully complete job duties or communicate with the public, we all suffer. We feel that the adult literacy program benefits the employees, the employer, as well as the entire community.

Currently we have 91 trained volunteer tutors and 512 adult learners, many on a waiting list, enrolled in the program. Since January 2007 the volunteer tutors have generously donated over 4,200 hours in literacy instruction and lesson preparation. Without these dedicated volunteers the program would not be able to provide a free literacy program to Lake County adults interested in improving their English skills.

So, if you are over the age of 18 and looking to get involved in your community and you are able to donate a minimum of 2-3 hours per week to assist an adult learner, this is your opportunity!

Sign up today for hte next new tutor training, which will be held on February 23rd from 9am – 3 pm and February 25th and 27th from 5:30 pm – 9 pm at the Leesburg Public Library. Attendance at all three sessions is required for new tutors.

Contact your local library or call 352-253-6183 to register. Seats are limited.

See our website for more information at:

http://www.lakeline.lib.fl.us/programs_and_services/family_literacy

_program/adultlit.aspx

Romancing the Book.

In 2008 the Festival of Reading events will take place March 29 – April 5. This year, the libraries have selected a Romancing the Book theme and will feature several members of the Romance Writers of America.

Our Friends of the Libraries, book clubs and writers’ groups are involved in the program as are community organizations and we encourage everyone to read participating authors’ works. We make sure copies of the books are included in our catalog and we link to each author’s Festival events for the convenience of fans.

We are honored to announce the list of 2008 Romance authors. To date they include the following: Lyn Armstrong, Nancy Cane (Cohen), Dara Edmondson, Leigh Greenwood, Angela Hunt, Pam Labud, Julie Leto, Sandra Madden, Lisa Manuel, Connie Mason, Terry Odell, Janice Sims, Elizabeth Sinclair, Roxanne St. Claire, Cynthia Thomason, C. L. Wilson and Heather Waters. We will also feature three outstanding Mystery authors from HarperCollins Publishers, Katherine Hall Page, Jo Dereske and Claire Matturo.

The schedule of author events and programs will be available in the upcoming months at www.lakeline.lib.fl.us/festivalofreading.

Safe Internet Use Bookmarks

The American Library Association, the Illinois Library Association, and myspace.com have joined together to create 3 bookmarks of interest to parents and teens about using the Internet. The bookmarks are: Social Networking : Tips for Parents, Dealing with Cyberbullies : Tips for Kids, and Safe Blogging : Tips for Teens.

The Social Networking bookmark includes the following major points for parents:

Be reasonable and try to set reasonable expectations.

Be open with your children.

Talk with your children.

Consider requiring that all online activity take place in a central area of the home, not in a child’s bedroom.

Try to get your children to share their blogs or online profiles with you.

Each point also includes additional information for parents.

The bookmarks also refer readers to the following sites: www.ConnectSafely.org and www.GetNetWise.org. These NetSafe bookmarks are available as print-ready PDF files at www.ila.org/netsafe. They can also be purchased as a very reasonble cost.

All three bookmarks will be available for distribution at all member and branch libraries in the Lake County Library System shortly.