November-December 2017

Letter from the Library Director

Dear Reader, The LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library is a dynamic resource for our community that inspires a love of reading and a life of learning. We invite you explore all that our libraries have to offer through this newsletter.  Here are a few facts about our libraries: ·All seven libraries have over 602,520 books ·There are 132,223 library card holders ·The Seed Library gives out 10,000 seed packets each season ·The libraries check out over 942,074 books a year You will find that the library is a wonderful place for learning that will keep you coming back for years to come! Sincerely, Cay Hohmeister Director, LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library System

News and Events

Main Library Serves as Comfort Station During Hurricane Irma 

To help citizens recover from Hurricane Irma, Leon County opened the the downtown LeRoy Collins Leon County Main Library as a comfort station to provide snacks, air conditioning, public computer access, a place to charge a tablet or phone, check out materials and much more without needing a library card.

Days before Irma brought high winds and rain, Leon County staged needed supplies at the Main Library in anticipation of a severe storm. With school scheduled to remain closed, the Main Library comfort station was used as a resource for hundreds of families and other members of the community impacted by Irma. Information on services and ways to recover was offered by non-profit organizations.

The Leon County Main Library was staffed by County librarians and volunteers to help meet the needs of the community. The Leon County Main Library also served as a comfort station during Hurricane Hermine in 2016. 

Letter from the County Administrator

Thank you for subscribing to our Leon County Library Newsletter. The County’s public library system is a much-loved and valued community resource. Leon County is committed to providing citizens with services. Our libraries are so much more than buildings, and they have continued to evolve to meet the needs of the young and the young at heart. I invite you explore all that the library has to offer using this newsletter as a resource. Sincerely, Vincent S. Long, Leon County Administrator

Upcoming Releases

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Getaway by Jeff Kinney  Typhoon Fury by Clive Cussler   The People vs Alex Cross by James Patterson   Artemis by Andy Weir   The Fallen by David Baldacci   Twisted Prey by John Sandford   Midnight Line by Lee Child   Hardcore 24 by Janet Evanovich   The Magic Misfits by Neil Patrick Harris   All of these books and more are available for check-out soon! Please click here to see our entire collection, place holds, and more.

Did you know?

You can download digital comics with your library card!

Comics Plus: Library Edition brings unlimited access to thousands of digital graphic novels and comics to library patrons on any Web-connected device.

• View titles through your Web browser on any computer, tablet or smartphone with an Internet connection.
• Check out and read titles through iOS and Android Mobile Apps.
• Browse by genre, publisher, and comic — then instantly check out your favorites.
• Access comics whenever you want them — no holds or waiting.

All this can be found at https://www.rbdigital.com/leroycollinsflplan/service/comicsplus.

Library Branch Update

Jane G. Sauls Fort Braden Branch Library

Deborah Thomas, Library Branch Manager

Two FAMU nursing students visited the Jane G. Sauls Fort Braden Branch Library and asked questions about Fort Braden for a school assignment. They wanted know about city hall, the health department, the police station and the post office. Not only did we help the students find answers to their questions, we explained that Fort Braden is a community within Leon County, just a little more remote and with a longer history.  

The Jane G. Sauls Fort Braden Branch Library is an oasis in the outskirts of Leon County. It was built in 2004 in order to provide citizens access to library services in this area.The library offers a selection of DVDs, which are very popular, and a handy selection of popular fiction and non-fiction books for all ages. Both children and adults use our materials and services to fuel their budding ideas and projects.  Public computers and photocopiers help those who need to scan and email job applications or other essential documents.  We also have a monthly book club, Lego Club and storytime for children. During the summer, we offer fun and informative programs for the entire family. 

The library, named after former County Commissioner Jane G. Sauls, is an important resource for citizens to learn something new and connect with other patrons. Patrons know the Fort Braden Branch Library as a place where everybody knows your name. Even if we don’t know your name, we remember what you like to read. 

Visit the Jane G. Sauls Fort Braden Branch Library at 16327 Blountstown Hwy. or call (850) 606-2900. 

Kids Corner

International Games Week - International Games Week from October 29 through November 4, will be celebrated with board and video games at the Main Library. Each day from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., experience a new game or play an old favorite. The Oculus Rift + Touch is available every Wednesday afternoon from 4 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. at the Main Library. 

Life Sized Candy Land - Life Sized Candy Land will be an added feature to the 2017 Winter Festival Celebration of Lights. On Saturday, December 2 from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 3 from 1 p.m. until 5:30 p.m., the lights will be displayed in the Main Library Program Room. Patrons of all ages can play the life sized Candy Land board games for treats, hot chocolate and photos. 

Second Saturday Science Lab -  The Second Saturday Science Lab features hands on activities and lectures for middle and high school students. This event is hosted by the Tallahassee Scientific Society. For more information, call the Youth Services Desk at (850) 606-2708.

Teen Advisory Board - The Teen Advisory Board is planning great events for our community. Teens can join this new group on third Thursdays from  4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Main Library.

Teen Comic Book Club - The Teen Comic Book Club meets the last Wednesday of each month in the Magnolia Room at the Main Library November’s theme is “Star Wars!” 

Baby, Story, and Family Time - Baby, Story, and Family Time will continue throughout the month.  Please join us for a great time of singing, reading books, and more at Main or any branch library.  

Lego Club - Lego Clubs for all ages will continue through the holidays. The Main Library offers this program each Saturday at 2 p.m.

Adult Services/Tech Media

Featured Genre: Urban Fiction

The LeRoy Collins Leon County Library has a robust selection of urban fiction books in print, audio CD and downloadable electronic audio and ebook formats.

So, what is urban fiction? It’s a genre that focuses on African American and Latino characters embedded in inner-city environments. 

This writing provides a voice for under-represented communities and makes for an exciting read. Urban fiction emerged in the 1970s with authors such as Robert Beck (writing under the name Iceberg Slim) and Donald Goines. Early urban fiction authors found themselves on the outside of the mainstream publishing world and often resorted to self-publishing and selling their books in places such as basketball courts and hair salons. Mainstream publishing houses have more recently embraced urban fiction, resulting in an explosion of titles and available formats.

Whether you are new to the genre or are familiar with several books, County librarians are happy to introduce you to the urban fiction titles in our collection. Notable urban fiction authors include K’wan Foye, Ashley & JaQuavis, and Nikki Turner to name just a few. We also offer a helpful urban fiction pamphlet with reading suggestions or you can search “urban fiction” in our online catalog to discover your next read. The Dr. B.L. Perry, Jr. Branch Library even has an urban fiction-themed book club that meets the third Tuesday of each month. Come to the library and check out an urban fiction author today!

Behind the Scenes

Seed Library Program 

Twice a year, in the spring and in the fall, the LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library provides a Seed Library to our patrons. Since the program's inception, we have prepared over 50,000 seed packets of various vegetables and herbs containing over 500,000 seeds. This special  program provides patrons with free seeds to plant vegetable gardens and grow healthy food. Gardening experts from Leon County Cooperative Extension share tips and instructions about starting your own garden, site selection, irrigation, as well as preparing seasonal recipes. 

Community volunteers come in over a period of 3-5 weeks to help us prepare the seeds for checkout. Over 100 volunteer hours were needed to fully prep the 2017 Fall Seed Library. The photos above show National Honor Society students helping prepare the seed packets and the Fall 2017 Seed Library launch at the Eastside Branch on July 29.

The Seed Library Kick-Off is held twice a year, at the beginning of the spring and fall planting seasons. Seeds are available to checkout 3 per card per month to our patrons while supplies last. Each seed packet has planting/growing instructions on the back making the process as easy as possible. 

• News and Events
• Upcoming Releases
• Did you know?
• Kids Corner
• Adult Services/Tech Media
• Behind the Scenes

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