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

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 called Peace4Tarpon 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!