Celebrating 30 Years of Citizens Alliance for Progress (CAP)

On February 15th, the Tarpon Springs Public Library celebrated the 30th anniversary of Citizens Alliance for Progress (CAP) with a presentation by David Archie, Tarpon Springs Mayor and CAP Executive Director.

Mayor Archie gave a multimedia presentation on CAP's history in Tarpon Springs and discussed the variety of services that Citizens Alliance for Progress provides to the community.

Get Ready For Spring Cleaning!

Springtime is coming, and for many of us it means Spring Cleaning. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

Books No Longer Needed
The Tarpon Springs Public Library will be happy to accept donations of books and recent magazines. Items may be added to the library's collection or sold in the Friends of the Library's sale area in the front corner of the library, or during one of their big seasonal book sales.

Garage Sale at the Tarpon Spring Recreation Center
Rent a table for $5 and sell off all your accumulated clutter. Garage Sale is Saturday, March 24, from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. The Rec Center is located at 400 S. Walton Ave., Tarpon Springs. Phone is (727) 942-5628.

Recycling Resources
Check to see what, how, and where you can recycle things you wish to remove from your home at the Pinellas County Recycling website: www.pinellascounty.org/utilities/recycle.htm

Books on De-Cluttering
Check out books from the library for tips on how to get organized. Click HERE to find some books on de-cluttering your space.

Sell Things on eBay
Check out books from the library on how to sell items on eBay. Click HERE to see what the Tarpon Springs Library has on this subject.

It's Tax Time Again

AARP Tax Aide helps seniors and low-to-moderate income taxpayers to do their taxes at no cost. These trained volunteers will be providing tax preparation at the library again this year every Monday and Tuesday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm beginning February 6.

Assistance is given on a first-come-first-served basis. The AARP volunteers have no affiliation with the library and cannot be contacted by phone.

Happy 15th Birthday To Us!

The Tarpon Springs Public Library opened its doors at its current Lemon Street location on January 13, 1997.

Even though there has been a library in Tarpon Springs for about 100 years, we still think this milestone is a cause for celebration.

We are planning some fun activities in the near future to honor this event. Come celebrate with us!

Lower Your Energy Costs

UF/IFAS Pinellas County Extension has teamed up with Pinellas County libraries to offer a new energy conservation program called the Kill-a-Watt campaign. The goal is to help residents lower their home energy use -- and save money on electric bills -- by being more aware of energy consumption. Kill-a-Watt EZ Power Meters are now available for 14-day check-out at all Pinellas County public libraries. These devices monitor how much energy is used by the electronic devices in your home, allowing you to know which appliances are costing the most to operate or keep plugged in.

OverDrive E-Books Now on Kindle!

The Tarpon Springs Public Library is excited to announce that its eBook collection is now compatible with the world’s bestselling eBook reader, the Amazon® Kindle. Patrons can now download popular and classic eBooks to a Kindle device or any mobile device running the free Kindle app, such as iPhone®, iPad®, Android™, and more.

The library also offers eBooks and audiobooks for use on a PC or Mac computer and popular mobile devices such as a Smartphone, MP3 player, and eBook reader like the Barnes & Noble® Nook™ and Sony® Reader.

Kindle users can browse our collection of bestselling and classic eBooks from a PC or Mac computer, check out titles using a library card, and select “Get for Kindle” to deliver eBooks to their Kindle device or any device running the free Kindle app. Users who enjoy eBooks on Kindle will benefit from Amazon’s Whispersync technology that synchronizes notes, highlights and last page read between their Kindle and free Kindle apps.

To get started, visit http://pplc.lib.overdrive.com

Download songs that are yours to keep!

The Tarpon Springs Public Library is now offering free downloadable music provided through the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative (PPLC). This new service is available countywide to PPLC library card holders.

Visit Freegal for thousands of recordings from the Sony Music Entertainment catalog. Log in to Freegal Music with your valid PPLC library card number and PIN (usually the last 4 digits of your phone number) and begin downloading. You can download up to three songs a week to your iPod, MP3Player, iPad and more. Your counter will set back to zero each Monday morning. Then, you can download three more tunes during the new week.

Click here to get started

Click here for Freegal Helpful Hints and FAQs

Sunset Beach Concert Series

Looking for something to do this summer that is fun and free? Some Tarpon Springs residents say there is nothing better than listening to live music on the beach, watching the sun set and the moon rise, while couples stroll, children play, families enjoy picnics and the stars come out.

Concerts at Sunset Beach are scheduled once a month around the full moon, making for beautiful night skies. All concert times are 7:00 to 9:00 pm on Thursdays, unless rescheduled due to inclement weather. [map/directions]

A free shuttle bus is available for transportation between Tarpon Springs High School and Sunset Beach. Pets and alcoholic beverages are not allowed. A variety of concession items are available for sale at each concert. Here's the best part...admission is FREE! Special thanks to sponsor Sun Toyota!

Check the schedule and learn more at the Music on the Beach website.

State Aid to Public Libraries Funded at $21.3 Million – Library Supporters Did It Again!!!

The Florida Senate and House Budget Chairs approved funding State Aid to Public Libraries at $21.3 million, which is actually an increase of $100,000 over the current year!

Thank you very much to all of you who contacted state legislators and leaders in support of State Aid! The thousands of e-mails, phone calls, and letters they received from library supporters across Florida really made a difference. This is the third year in a row that library supporters have helped to maintain funding for State Aid to Public Libraries.

An easy way to thank legislators for including this funding in their budget and Governor Scott, who supported State Aid in his budget earlier this year, is through the Florida Library Association's CapWiz service at http://capwiz.com/ala/fl using the “Take Action” button.

Thank you once again!

Trauma-Informed Care Resources Available

The City of Tarpon Springs has begun an initiative to address trauma and reduce its impact on the community.

Trauma can result from experiences of violence; physical, sexual, and institutional abuse; neglect; and disasters that induce powerlessness, fear, recurrent hopelessness, and a constant state of alertness. Unresolved trauma becomes a societal issue when victims' lives spiral into situations of substance abuse, incarceration, or homelessness.

Trauma-Informed care is based on the understanding that the impact of violent experiences and damaging relationships affects the survivor's physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and economic well-being.

Trauma-Informed resources are now available to the community:

• The Behavioral Health Education and Training Academy has prepared an extensive webliography of online resources.
• The Tarpon Springs Library has prepared a brochure containing an annotated bibliography of recommended books in the library and selected websites on preventing or helping children with difficult or traumatic experiences.
  

Enhance Your Web Surfing

PC Magazine has released its special report on their Top 100 Web Sites of 2010. The sites are divided into several areas of interest: Apps, Fun, Info, News, Shopping, Social, and Tech. They list both the classic sites that many of us already use, as well as some undiscovered gems.

Audré Mossberg Honored

Mrs. Audré Mossberg was honored on February 3, 2011, for her contributions through more than 30 years of outstanding volunteer service and dedication to the community of Tarpon Springs.

A plaque which recognizes Mrs. Mossberg now hangs in the Friends of the Library Room in the Tarpon Springs Public Library.

Snapshot: A Day in the Life of Florida Libraries

On Tuesday, January 25, 2011, Tarpon Springs Public Library and the other Pinellas Public Library Cooperative libraries participated in Snapshot: A Day in the Life of Florida Libraries. This statewide project illustrated the importance of libraries for Florida's citizens through the collection of stories, statistics and photographs. We joined libraries across the state in conducting special events, collecting statistics and comments, and taking pictures showing how Floridians are utilizing their libraries that day. The information and photos will soon be posted online where everyone can see and share the joy and fun of libraries throughout Florida. Stay tuned!

Tax Preparation Assistance

Volunteers from AARP Tax-Aide will be at the Tarpon Springs Public Library to help people on a first-come, first-served basis every Monday and Tuesday, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, beginning February 1st, through Tuesday, April 12th.


POSTSCRIPT:
If you were unable to meet with the tax preparers and you need some last-minute assistance, you may call AARP to find the nearest location for Tax-Aide.

AARP St. Petersburg Office: 866-595-7678
AARP National Office: 888-OUR-AARP (888-687-2277)

Printing IRS Tax Forms

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service recently announced that they will discontinue mailing individual tax packages to taxpayers. These tax packages contained the forms, schedules, and instructions for filing paper tax returns.

Click the button above that also appears on the library home page to search for and print IRS tax forms and publications that are not available in the library's selection of forms. Please note that due to the late December passage of tax legislation, the printing and distribution of updated tax forms has been delayed. The library will make forms available as soon as they arrive.

The library reference staff are available to assist persons in printing specific forms, but cannot offer any advice whatsoever. All tax materials printed from the IRS web site at the library cost 10 cents per page.

Taxpayer Return on Investment in Florida Public Libraries

For every tax dollar received, Florida public libraries provide $8.32 in value.

This significant finding is from the recently released study, Taxpayer Return on Investment in Florida Public Libraries, by the Florida Department of State’s Division of Library and Information Services. Other key findings revealed in this study highlight how Florida libraries support a strong economy. For every $3,491 of public support to libraries in Florida, a job is created. For every dollar of public support to libraries, wages or income increases by $22.97 and the value of all goods and services produced in Florida increases by $10.57.

At the State Library and Archives of Florida’s website (dlis.dos.state.fl.us/bld/roi), data can be viewed by county and the full 212-page report can be downloaded.

State Library Funding Restored to $21.2 Million!

State Aid to Public Libraries funding was restored to $21.2 million thanks to the dedicated efforts of thousands of library supporters across Florida!

Thank you very much to everyone who contacted state legislators and leadership to support this cause, including the Mayor and Board of Commissioners of Tarpon Springs.

Please join us in expressing gratitude for this funding to your legislative delegation, the Governor, House Speaker and Senate President, and House and Senate TED (Transportation & Economic Development) Chairs.

The Governor's Office - Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com
Larry Cretul, Speaker of the House - larry.cretul@myfloridahouse.gov
Jeff Atwater, Senate President - atwater.jeff.web@flsenate.gov
Rep. David Rivera - David.rivera@myfloridahouse.gov
Senator JD Alexander - alexander.jd.web@flsenate.gov
Rep. Rich Glorioso - rich.glorioso@myfloridahouse.gov
Senator Mike Fasano - fasano.mike.web@flsenate.gov

Florida State Legislative Directory - http://capwiz.com/ala/fl/directory/statedir.tt?state=FL&lvl=state

Florida Library Association's electronic form to thank legislators - http://capwiz.com/ala/fl/home/

Concerned About The Flu?

Get the latest information from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services by clicking below.

Historic Photograph Donated to the Library

In honor of the Kaminis family, Jan Kaminis Platt donated a beautiful framed photograph of the Tarpon Springs sponge docks in 1934. It is from the Burgert Brothers Photographic Collection of the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library system. The photograph is currently on display in the fiction section of our library. Please stop by and enjoy.

Please Update Your Browser Settings

The Tarpon Springs Library website has a new address:
http://tarponspringslibrary.org

It's the same site; it just lives on a new server. If you have any of our web pages saved to your bookmarks or favorites in your browser, please update them to the new addresses.

We Need You!

The library is always looking for volunteers to assist in a variety of ways. Most volunteers work in four-hour shifts once or twice a week and are given tasks that best match a person's strongest skills with the current needs of the library.

Do you enjoy helping people? Do you like to work with your hands? Do you have a knack for organizing? Do you enjoy teaching? Any of these talents can be put to use in a rewarding way that serves the community. Some of the ways you can help include:

• checking out and shelving materials
• assisting with programs and computer classes
• helping in the Youth Services Department
• processing new materials
• cleaning and repairing items
• providing genealogy assistance
• working on special projects

For more information, contact Barbara Aglieri, Volunteer Coordinator, at (727) 943-4922, ext. 21.

New Library Catalog

PALS is here! The Pinellas Automated Library System (PALS) is the new county-wide catalog system that unites all public libraries in Pinellas County. Patrons may now browse and request materials from the rich resources of all participating libraries. Borrowing policies are also now uniform throughout the county.

To check your account, you must enter your library card number and use the last four digits of your phone number as the password. Once logged on, you may change your password if you wish.

Because this is a new endeavor, we welcome all comments and suggestions for future improvements.

How Much Is The Library Worth To You?

Find out how much money you SAVE by using the library. Visit the Library Services Personal Savings Calculator to add up the value of the services your library provides.

This service is provided by the State Library and Archives of Florida.

Happy Holidays

On December 15, library staff and volunteers participated in the Tarpon Springs Christmas Parade. Some rode on the float, while others on foot distributed free books to children along the parade route.

Get Hooked On Reading

Which book first got you hooked on reading?

FirstBook.org, an organization that gives away books to children, asked people to tell them what book got them hooked on reading. Over 100,000 people responded which generated a list of the top 50 books that got people hooked on reading.

FirstBook's website also features author and celebrity favorites, staff favorites, and a mechanism to contribute to their organization in order to further their mission: "to provide children in need with brand new books of their very own."

Downloadable Audiobooks Are Here

Download digital audiobooks to your home computer using OverDrive. Browse titles from this site, and check out and download 24/7 to your PC. Transfer titles to your MP3 player, or burn many onto CD for listening on-the-go.

Another Use For Your Library Card

You can now present your Pinellas County Public Library card when ordering at any Pinellas County Waffle House to receive 10% off your bill. Yet another reason why reading is rewarding!



Valid at any Pinellas County Waffle House location. Not valid with any other coupon or promotion.

City Celebration on February 17th

The City of Tarpon Springs commemorated the 120th anniversary of its incorporation and the 10th anniversary of the Library's relocation to Lemon Street with a city celebration on February 17th with free food, fun, and giveaways. The Department of Cultural and Civic Services also conducted historic walking tours of the downtown area.

New Library Director Appointed

Effective January 30, 2007, Cari Rupkalvis has been appointed as the new director of Tarpon Springs Library. Ms. Rupkalvis has served in the acting capacity as library director since June of 2006. She has a master's degree in library and information science from the University of South Florida and a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has been with the Tarpon Springs Library since May of 1997 and most recently served as head of adult services.

Time's 50 Coolest Websites

Time.com has published its top 50 picks for this year's cool websites for entertainment, shopping, news, travel, staying connected, and wasting time. Also check out its related list of 25 Sites We Can't Live Without.