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Beach Library seeks landscaping volunteers

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Upcoming Events

Preschool Story Hour on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at 10:30 a.m. The children and families will meet in the Living Room on the second floor as the Community Room is fully occupied during this time.

Going Further With Your IPad on Thursday, Oct. 25, 10:30 a.m.

Shell Crafts

The shell crafts class this past Saturday went very well. Both instructors and participants found the time well worth the effort. You can see examples of the animal creations on the top shelf of the Shells display on the second floor.

An opportunity for another shell crafts class will be held next month on Saturday, Nov. 17. Please pre-register.

It’s a Pleasure

Hearing the comments from residents and users of the library over the past month has been an energizing experience. Thank you for noticing the planning done over the past 10 years as well as the little touches that make the Beach Library the special place it is.

We are busy with details in the renovation underway, and that continues the spirit of what is present in the expansion. I am happy that once construction is completed around Christmas that each area can be arranged just as it was planned to be.

Volunteers

If you like being outdoors and close to nature, consider assisting in landscaping one day one hour a week here at the library. Please see me to discuss possibilities.

Election

Three openings on the Library Board are a part of this November’s election. Please look at the long-range plans of the library and what library services can offer and choose those candidates that will further the growth of the library. Of particular merit is looking at the motivation of those who are running for the Board. The term of office is four years and that requires motivation and dedication.

The history of the Beach Library shows many Board members who have offered a great deal of talent and insight and hard work through the years. There have been regular discussions throughout the years on a variety of issues. The Beach Bulletin of April 26, 1956, page 3, highlighted plans for a Library Open House made during a meeting when the Directors met at the home of the Board President. The same Bulletin a decade later, on February 3, 1966, featured “Just two days until the Beach Library Auction” on the front page. The Nov. 18, 1976 issue of Bulletin on page 11 celebrates the 21st birthday of the founding of the library as well as the newly elected members of the Board who “mingled with the ‘old timers’ who over the years have worked with dedication and enthusiasm establishing an obviously superior library…”

The Facts

One male candidate running for the Board last week said 2012 would be the first time voters would be able to vote for the Library Board. Without looking at past history or being involved in the intricacies of the library, one might say stuff like that.

The Beach Library Board, begun with the founding of the Library in 1955, was reorganized according to a law passed by the Florida legislature in the 1975 session. Prior to that, the Governor appointed the members of the Board. So for the first 20 years there were no elections but activities were done in accord with community support and momentum. And, from then on, many in the community were aware of the Board discussions and decisions. It is also not fair to judge the past by today’s political climate. Previously, it had never been raised as an issue. It has always been a volunteer position with people stepping forward as the need arose and when openings were unfilled, the Governor going through a long process appointed an elector.

Forecast

It’s always interesting to what is happening in the publishing world. Veronis Suhler Stevenson has just released a report on book spending for the past year. During that time in the United States we spent $17,070 million on new print books, $1,503 million on used print books, $421,000 on audio books, and 1,942 million on digital platforms. The total overall was $20,936 million.

Book Festivals

We hear about challenges in the publishing world. Yet it appears there is hunger for books as much as ever. Consider this month alone: The Wordstock Festival in Portland, Oregon, the Southern Festival of Books in Nashville, Tennessee, The Boston Book Festival in Boston, Massachusetts, Texas Bok Festival in Austin, Texas and the Miami Book Fair International in our own Miami. It’s a great time to be exposed to the variety and depth available in publishing today.

Audio to Explore

Cutting For Stone by Abraham Verghese (Audio VER) is a story moving from India to Ethiopia to an inner-city hospital in New York City over a number of generations. He successfully weaves the practice of medicine into the narrative. The story was one chosen by the Book Discussion Group in January 2012.

Hours

A recorder gives the hours we are open if you call in when we are closed. Open hours are Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Friday 9 to 5; and Saturday 9 to 2. Upon grand-opening, further hours will be added.