Summer is underway...

The calendar might not say it is summer yet (June 21 is the first day of summer) but the libraries are busy with summer programs.

Union County Public Library and our multitype cooperative (NEFLIN) sponsored a snow day. Watch their video. (Our filter, Websense, blocks this site[YouTube] from access by library computers. Please watch their short video from home.)

Emily Taber Public Library has hosted programs featuring a storyteller and a puppeteer. Read their blog and see their photos.

And you can find out about programs at Bradford Co. Public Library here.

This is the week!

Libraries in Florida and in our three counties have been preparing for several months...and now is the time summer programs start to appear.

Florida uses a statewide theme for summer programs (this year : Read All About It) and each library develops the local programs as they want. The State Library provides us with program guides and incentives for children. The incentives this year are paper book bags , a popular item year after year, and of course bookmarks.

I've mentioned before the importance of keeping children reading during the summer. Most children need a grown-up to take them to the library. They either live too far away to walk or ride their bikes to the library or parents have safety concerns if children are on their own.

Check out the program schedule. (A print copy is also available at each library too.) The libraries have many great programs planned, new books bought, and they are ready to read.

Listen to a book.

Do you remember long trips in the family car during summer vacation?

What did you do to pass the time while traveling? Games, counting cars, spotting license plates? Or did you read a book?

Reading a book is still an option as are other time tested ways to pass the time in the car. Some vehicles even have DVD players now.

Another way to make time pass quickly is to listen to a book. Your public library has many books on audio cassette or compact disk...something for everyone...all ages and tastes.

For families traveling together there are many books that both children and parents will enjoy. Classics such as Black Beauty to current books such as the Harry Potter series are available.

The libraries have many book and audio combinations that are good for young children. The stories are shorter and children can turn the pages of the books and look at the pictures as they listen to the story.

For adults traveling without children a wide range of fiction and non-fiction audios will get you to your destination (or work) quickly. All recorded books are read by professional readers (many times they are actors) who have a knack for reading with many voices. One reader, but you would think there are many people recording...not so...the readers are just so talented.

R is for Reading

Five things to do to encourage your child to read:

5. Read with a purpose...read directions for a craft activity or a recipe.

4. Encourage your child to read aloud to you...have your child share an interesting part of a book or read a joke to you.

3. Encourage older children to read to younger brothers and sisters.

2. Read aloud to your child.

1. Take your child to the library regularly.

Summer programs for children

What do children do during the summer vacation? Go to the library, of course!

The libraries have a busy schedule of programs for school age children. Some programs will feature performers such as magicians or storytellers; others might feature animals or include a craft activity. All will include many good stories and books for children.

Take a look at the schedules on the program calendar or on our webpage. Children have received copies of the schedule at schools or you can pick up a schedule at the library.

We are all--parents, teachers and libraries--involved in keeping children reading during the summer.

Tracing Your Family Tree

Do you remember the book Roots?

Genealogy research became more popular with the publication of this book by Alex Haley in 1976. Do you remember the TV miniseries in 1977 based on the book...it was very popular and genealogy research became a new quest for many Americans. (The libraries have both the book and the video of Roots.)

I've added the link to a new online database. (Funds for the subscription are from a grant from the Florida State Legislature.) This new online source of information is Ancestry Library Edition linked from our main web page. There is no remote access from home (the company does not sell remote access) so you must use library computers to search the database.

You will find information from the 1930 U.S. Federal census, ship and passenger immigration records, and even United Kingdom census information. There is more information and the database is updated daily. The searching is easy and you can print information, email it to yourself or others, or save your information to a disk.

The libraries have many books on genealogy, some you can check out, some to use only in the library. Look in the 929 section or ask a staff member for help.

Children's Programs (continued)

Some summer program schedules are ready, check the online calendar for June and July. More programs will be posted as soon as the schedule is finalized.