Kyle McKinnon is the artist of the month at Beach library
Weekly Activities
>Preschool Story Hour for children on Wednesday, June 10, at 10:30 a.m.
>Cardmaking session on Thursday, June 11, at 10:30 a.m.
>Book Discussion Group meets Tuesday, June 16, at 10:00 a.m.
Activity Details
Greetings cards or cards to be used for special occasions are the focus on June 11. Caroline Vasterline will make the time easy and each participant will create a unique card as she offers step-by-step instructions and materials. Pre-registration and $3 materials fee are due before the class.
The Book Discussion group discusses “Run” by Ann Patchett. In the past decade Patchett has been busy writing. Her first novel, published in 1992, was “Patron Saint of Liars,” followed in 1994 with “Taft” and “The Magician’s Assistant” in 1997. The novel that changed her career from known to well-known was “Bel Canto” (2001). She spent nine years writing non-fiction articles for Seventeen Magazine prior to any novels being published and has continued to write articles for New York Times Magazine, The Washington Post, Oprah Magazine, GQ, Gourmet and Vogue, and in 2007 published the non-fiction book “Truth & Beauty” (362.196 PAT). In 2008 the novel “What Now?” appeared. All her novels are found under PAT.
Upcoming Events
Make special note that Michele Albion, first curator of the Edison and Ford Estates, will be here on June 18 to discuss the Florida life of Edison.
Healthy Backs are the focus on June 19 as Dr. Bennett shares helpful ideas.
Artist of the Month
Weaving takes center stage this month as it becomes the focus in each of the displays in the Conference Room, Senior Zone display case, and display at the top of the stairs on the second floor. All are creations of Kyle McKinnon. Born with Cone Dystrophy, a macular degenerative eye disease that has left him legally blind, he has let this steer his course a bit but not his ability or interests. Taught by his mother Bonnie, he weaves a wide variety of items including wall hangings, wind chimes, baskets and a variety of everyday items like wastebaskets and containers.
Kyle starts with a round or square base, determines the shape and size, and weaves away. He dyes his own reeds and creates his own designs in the baskets.
The Conference Room features some of his wall creations and wind chimes (and even a bird house). One large creation, titled “Hard Rider,” focuses on the male of humanity, while “Pretty Woman” focuses on the female. The large piece “Bobo” illustrates an elephant (notice, the flopping ears).
The Senior Zone display case highlights a wide variety of woven baskets and the case upstairs conveys both the history of weaving and illustrations of the process.
The Future
It’s an interesting view when one raises the question as to what the future holds. We hold it a question particularly poignant for the library but no doubt a question that every organization should be asking (and answering) for itself.
Technology has moved into all facets of life and, at the Beach Library, we recognize it has become a significant influence on our daily business. We find too that the needs of our patrons are changing. We have a long range plan in action and have both a 5 year perspective in mind, as well as a long view to the extent feasible. By keeping both a current plan in mind and a longer range perspective, preparing for the future is a more manageable task.
We were pleased with the many taxpayers who participated in the library survey a few years ago as it helped us clearly plan for and evaluate the needs in terms of future expansion. As you are likely aware, we have been hoping to have a library expansion project underway. With the economic slowdown and freeze in bank lending, our timeframe has been expanded but our conviction and awareness of community needs has not lessened.
Return on Investment
We work very hard to utilize tax dollars and donations to the fullest extent possible. That involves both clarity as to what the future holds as well as service to our users today and tomorrow. The “Taxpayer Return on Investment in Florida Public Libraries,” conducted through the University of Pittsburgh, University of North Carolina at Chapel-Hill and Florida State University, noted that public libraries return $6.54 for every $1.00 invested from all sources. That’s a wonderful return when you think about it.
If you go to our homepage at www.fmb.lib.fl.us you can click on the calculator toward the bottom of the page to find out how much value you receive from using the library.
We know that some do not use the library. A resident who’s been on the Beach for 11 years signed up for a card last week in amazement at the resources available and in disbelief that 11 years had passed without checking in at the library. We find this surprising too but also recognize the importance of being here when we are needed. Some use us multiple times a week, others once or twice a month, or a few even just coming in for special projects several times a year.
Keeping To the Facts
The Board of Directors recognize how much we try to stretch each dollar and they are energetic in seeing that this continues. I feel comfortable saying that the Beach Library contributes a lot to this community and does so at minimal cost. Sometimes though, misinformation creeps in. Last week it was reported in the press, in an argument made for looking at the millage the Town charges, that it charges less than other government units, with specific mention of Sanibel, the Fire District and the Library. The quote was that the library charges just over 2 mills in terms of taxation. While I don’t need to speak for other government units, for the library that is not accurate. The library charges close to _ mill (to be exact, .5199). We have been not only conservative in how money is spent but frugal in seeing that we are able to respond to expanding usage of the library.
Just as many of us are doing in our personal budgets, many government units are working on proposals to reduce general fund operating expenses. The Budget Committee has begun work with our view of reducing operating expenses. Our intention is to move forward with construction, lest anyone fear this good will not happen, as soon as the bank has money to loan as we recognize the need and importance of responding to increased usage, taxpayer intentions previously expressed, and continued efforts to conserve wherever possible.
Library Hours
Don’t remember library hours? Call for information. When we are closed, a recorder gives the hours of operation, either on 765-8162 or on 765-8163. Except for holidays, which would be mentioned on the recorder, we are open Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. We look forward to seeing you.