A great event...

I went to a wonderful event last Friday...the opening of the Bradford Co. Public Library. The new building, much needed, is 20,000 sq.ft. What a difference from the 4,000 sq.ft. building that the county had. This new building is a great asset to the Bradford County community.

The building is beautiful. Plenty of room for books, magazines, videos and their new DVD collection. It has an expanded children's area with computers for little fingers, and a room where programs can be held.

There are additional computers for public use and a classroom that will be used by Santa Fe Community College. That will be a nice partnership.

Pictures as soon as I get some.

Floridians Value Their Public Libraries

Florida residents really enjoy reading...102 million items were borrowed from public libraries in fiscal year 2005-2006. Fifty one percent of Florida residents have library cards; that's more than 9.2 million people.

Library staff can help you find what you are looking for. Over 24 million questions were asked and answered by library staff. These are questions about finding information that you need, such as information on health or jobs, or information for student reports. Over one half million of those questions were answered online, either by email or through Ask a Librarian, an online chat service with a librarian available Sunday through Thursday 10am to midnight, and Friday and Saturday 10 to 5pm.

What is your library worth to you?

How much monetary benefit do you get from the library? How much money do you save by borrowing a book from the library instead of buying it?

The State Library of Florida has provided us with on online calculator that helps you calculate the value of library items that you borrow. It is based on one devised by the State of Maine and modified a bit for Florida use.

Plug in some numbers and see how much the library is worth to you.

Did you know...?

There are other things that you might not know about libraries.

• Florida's public libraries return $6.54 for every $1.00 invested. Florida's libraries contribute to the state's economy through jobs created and a positive impact on Florida's gross regional product. (From Taxpayer Return on Investment Report, January 2005)

Bradford Co. Public Library closing for move

Bradford Co. Public Library and its bookmobile will be closed from September 30 to October 26 as they move into their new library building. Library users are encouraged to use Union Co. Public Library in Lake Butler, Emily Taber Public Library in Macclenny, or the New River Bookmobile. Check library and bookmobile schedules.

Photo--interior of the new building without furnishings.

Don't forget....

Several September activities to remember...

September is Library Card Sign Up Month...the most important school supply.

Free admission to Florida State Parks in September with your library card.

Despite the lack of rain, it is still hurricane season. Have your disaster plan ready. Use this online tool to create a plan. It's available from Florida Division of Emergency Management.

Last but not least...take a minute or two and answer our brief survey. We'll use the results of what you tell us to improve.

Answer our survey.

Help us to find out what we are doing right and not so right. Answer our brief survey.

It's only eight questions and easy to answer. We'll use the results to see what needs improvement.