Happy New Year!

In the U.S., New Year's Day is becoming a time to relax and recover from the previous holidays. Morning hours can include watching the spectacular Rose Bowl Parade on television and later seeing the game.

Americans generally ignore the good luck shenanigans that are popular in other countries. But a large percentage of us still think we can cook and eat our way to a prosperous new year.

Corned beef and cabbage is one lucky choice because cabbage leaves signify money in this and other cultures. Many people think pork should be included in the New Year's meal. For hundreds of years, the hog has signified prosperity. Black-eyed peas, hog jowls or ham are lucky foods in some areas as is rice.

Making New Year's resolutions is an admirable New Year's Day activity. One to include this year are more visits and use of your public library.

The new year brings another series of programs for adults at libraries in the three county area.

Computer classes for adults start in January at Union Co. Public Library. Basic classes on learning to use a computer and some intermediate classes will be offered.
In addition, as part of this series of classes, we will teach a series on using Learning Express, an online program that can help you brush up on job and interview skills. Assistance will also be offered on filling out government forms online.

The class series for adults repeats in February in Baker County, and in March in Bradford County. Check your library for a schedule or look (and register) online under Library Events on our webpage.


http://www.newriver.lib.fl.us/

Read Kiddo Read

James Patterson has long been known for his books for adults.  He's a prolific and popular author.

Now, James Patterson has a website 'dedicated to making kids readers for life."  What started out as a project to encourage his child to read, is expanded now as a source for reading information for parents, teachers and librarians.

ReadKiddoRead provides information on good books grouped by ages. Books are suggested, a synopsis given, and other books with similar themes are listed.  Also included are reading guides, tips to encourage reading, and a section aimed at getting boys to read.

Happy Holidays

All libraries and bookmobiles will be closed on December 24-25 in observance of the Christmas holidays.  Libraries will reopen on Monday, December 28 with regular hours.

The 3/50 project.

Have you heard about the 3/50 project?  This is an effort to support local businesses.

The idea is to pick 3 local businesses, spend $50 a month at each, and help your local economy.  Not a bad idea!

See more information here: 

Computer Classes

A few more photos from our Basic Email computer class.

Classes end on December 10 and will resume in Union County in January. Check Library Events for a schedule.

Computer classes

Some members of Basic Email class at Bradford Co. Library.   Classes in Bradford end on December 10 and will resume in Union County in January.  Check Library Events for a schedule.

Picturing America

Now that Emily Taber Public Library has opened their new addition, they have a nice display space for new books. 

The first display is their Picturing America collection,  books that  reflect our American history and culture.

The libraries in Baker, Bradford and Union Counties are three of 4000 libraries across the United States selected by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association to receive free hardcover editions of 17 classic books as part of We the People Bookshelf grant program. The theme of this year’s bookshelf is Picturing America.   These books were chosen to further the study and understanding of American history and culture.

Some of the titles included are: The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, The Birchbark House, The Captain’s Dog: My Journey with the Lewis and Clark Tribe; Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez (in both English and Spanish), Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation, Democracy in America , and 1776: The Illustrated Edition.

The collection is on display now at the library and all books are available for checkout.