July - August 2018

From the Director

Keeping up with books in your favorite series  Many of us enjoy reading books in a series—it’s like spending time with family or old friends. The authors introduce new themes, plots, places and characters to join or challenge the familiar characters we know and enjoy.  There are book series to suit every reader, like mysteries, spy novels, family sagas, science fiction, historical fiction and comedies. Think of Jack Reacher, Stephanie Plum, Harry Bosch, Harry Potter, NYPD Red, Twilight Saga, Madeline and Encyclopedia Brown. I’m sure that you have your own favorites. The library catalog has records for 14,000 authors whose work includes series.  The library’s online catalog can help you keep track of your favorite series or find a new one. In the catalog, select “Series” from the drop-down menu and type in the name of the series. If you aren’t sure, select “Author,” “Title” or “All Fields” and type in the author’s name or the title of one of the books. Look for “Series” in the information displayed about the books, and click on the link for a list of the books in that series. Below is an example of what you will see when you search for the series link in this record of the novel "A Great Reckoning" by Louise Penny.  A great reckoning / Louise Penny. Author: Penny, Louise author. Format: Books Call Number: F PEN Publication Date: 2016 Series: Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series ; bk. 12.  You can also see if the book is available in Large Print, as an audiobook or downloadable e-book or e-audiobook. You can even check to see if it has been made into a movie.  Ask a librarian at any of our libraries for help finding the next title in a series that interests you. You may want to catch up on previous books in the series. We can help with that, too! Once we know what you like to read, we can suggest other authors and series.    Cay Hohmeister Director, LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library System

Mobile Hotspots coming to the Library

Beginning on July 5, the library will offer free WiFi hotspot devices! The hotspots can be checked out for two weeks at a time and will provide up to 500mb of data a day. The hotspots come with a charger and easy to follow instructions. Visit the Main Library or any of the six branches to check one out!

Upcoming Events

This summer is full of fun activities for readers of all ages. Come out and join us for family fun at a County library! At the Main Library, children's programs take place every Monday and Teen programs take place every Thursday!  Branch libraries host programs weekly.  You can even check out book clubs for adults at the Main Library and each of the branch libraries.    Click here to see the full schedule!

Fall Seed Library Kicks off August 4! The Fall 2018 Seed Library kicks off at 11:00 on Saturday, August 4 at the Woodville Branch Library, 8000 Old Woodville Rd. Experts from Leon County Cooperative Extension will be on hand to give tips on gardening, demonstrate techniques, and answer any questions to make sure that your family garden will be ready for a fall harvest.  Ten varieties of vegetable and herb seeds will be available at all branches beginning August 4. Patrons can check out 3 packets a month. Supply is limited so get your seeds fast. Happy gardening!

Upcoming Releases

Here's a sneak peek at what's coming soon! The Other Woman by Daniel Silva Spymaster by Brad Thor Cottage by the Sea by Debbie Macomber The Fall of Gondolin by J.R.R. Tolkien Paradox by Catherine Coulter Thrawn: Alliances by Timothy Zahn Dork Diaries 13: Tales from a Not So Happy Birthday by Rachel Renee Russell Depth of Winter by Craig Johnson Browse our entire collection at www.LeonCountyLibrary.org for more great picks. In most cases you can place a hold before the book comes out!

Did you know?

See what books you have checked out with your “Checkout History” 

Keep track of books you have read by turning on your Checkout History in your library account. To get there, access your library account through our website www.leoncountylibrary.org, go to "Personal Information," then "Preferences", and check the two boxes “Record My Checkout History, and Select this option to display previously checked out items." After you click “Update," you will see your Checkout History under “Checkouts and Renewals."

Adult Services/Tech Media

Explore Graphic Novels This Summer We invite you to explore our graphic novel collection this summer. Graphic novels are books that use an engaging combination of text and image to tell a story. They can be fiction or non-fiction. The topics tackled by graphic novel authors include drama, politics, adventure, science fiction, biography, romance and more. This format has existed since at least the 1920s but the term “graphic novel” was not used until the 1960s. Graphic novels are becoming increasingly popular and many titles now have a huge following. The library has a growing collection of graphic novel titles for tweens, teens and adults. Popular titles include Watchmen, Maus, Sandman, Ghost World and A Contract with God. The Main Library also hosts monthly graphic novel book clubs for both adults and teens/tweens. The adult club is held on the last Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. and the teen/tween club is held the same day at 6 p.m. Interested in graphic novels but not sure where to get started? Ask our staff and we will happily introduce you to this exciting format.

Branch Update

.The Northeast Branch Library

When you visit the Leon County Northeast Branch Library, you will find an active facility with a wealth of resources and a diverse group of patrons and visitors. Our friendly and helpful staff of 15 will be ready to greet you as soon as you walk through the doors. Over 30 active teen and adult volunteers assist the library staff in keeping the work flowing and the library in order. The library staff and volunteers are truly People Focused. Performance Driven. 

The Northeast Branch Library is the largest branch of the LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library System. It features a large program room, a comfortable conference room, 25 public internet computers, two tutor rooms, teen area, large area for children’s materials, and dedicated reading rooms for adults and families. The Northeast Branch Library houses a wonderful collection of print and media materials for patrons of all ages.  When you come in to browse, you will find a variety of interesting book displays, art collection displays, community information, and a FriendShop area where donated books and other materials can be purchased. 

Programs for children include BabyTime on Wednesday mornings at 10:30 a.m.; StoryTime on Thursday mornings at 10:15 a.m.; and LEGO Club every second Saturday of the month at 12:00 noon. Each program is carefully designed to introduce language and listening skills to babies and young children through rhymes, songs, and short stories. Special programs for children are presented in the summer months.

Each month there are two book club meetings for adults. The Fiction/Nonfiction Book Club meets every first Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. and everyone reads the same book. This successful club is 15 years old! Every book has been an enjoyable and worthwhile selection. In July, the club will read The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben. The Mystery Book Club meets every third Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. and its mystery-loving readers all read different books of the same genre. In July, the theme is “Private Eye July” and they will read mystery books with an amateur detective as the main character. New participants are always welcome at Book Club meetings.

The Northeast Branch Library enjoys a unique partnership with Leon County Senior Outreach. The Library provides space for many interesting classes for seniors, including Yoga, Senior Fitness, Drawing, Watercolor Painting, and various Lifelong Learning classes. Another valued partner is Literacy Volunteers of Leon County. An ESOL Conversation Class is currently meeting at the Northeast Branch Library every Wednesday morning in the Conference Room. Tutoring pairs meet regularly in the tutor rooms for weekly lessons.

The Northeast Branch Library first opened in 1994 in a storefront of the Northampton Shopping Center on Kerry Forest Parkway. The current building, its second location, was completed in the year 2000. To celebrate the opening of the new library, a large quilt designed by the Ronald McDonald McQuilters was commissioned to beautify the space. It remains a beloved, special feature of the library. The most recent changes occurred in 2010 when the library underwent a 5,000 sq. foot expansion and redesign.

The Northeast Branch Library is a gathering place for a community of readers. It serves patrons of all ages, from toddlers who are just beginning to recognize words to seniors who have been lifetime readers and just can’t be without a book. The Northeast Branch is also an enjoyable destination for individuals and a meeting place for clubs and groups in the community who need a place to get together.  The staff feels privileged to assist patrons of all ages, from all walks of life, who use this wonderful County resource. 

Come visit! The Northeast Branch Library is located at 5513 Thomasville Road.

Muriel Llewellyn, Branch Manager, Northeast Branch Library

Driven to Serve

In each newsletter we include a story from one of our staff about how they enriched their own and our patrons' well-being by going the extra mile.  

While helping a patron with a job application, I was able to help her complete and send in the application with an uploaded resume.  A short time later the patron came in to say that she got the job and thanked me profusely!  Every day we help patrons overcome obstacles they face with technology which many times leads to helping them in other areas.

Sally Witter, Library Services Specialist, Main Library

• Upcoming Events
• Upcoming Releases
• Did you know?
• Adult Services/Tech Media
• Branch Update
• Driven to Serve

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