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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.

New Resource for Genealogical & Historical Research

Earlier this month, the Middle Ages met the Information Age when the 11th-century Domesday Book was made available online. The Domesday Book is a record of people and lands ruled by William the Conquerer using information gathered from a survey of England conducted in the year 1085. It is the oldest record held by Britain's National Archives and one of its most valuable documents.

Click here to learn about, search, and download images from the online Domesday Book.

iBorrow is Here

After hours? Don’t have time to stop by the library? No problem! You can now scan the shelves of dozens of Florida libraries without ever leaving the chair in front of your computer. Just logon to a new online service called “iBorrow” and check out the books or other materials you need. Your order will be delivered to your local library in a few days for pick-up.

By logging on to www.iborrow.org, you can search the collections of 45 different participating libraries across the state of Florida to request materials that are not available from the local library catalog.

iBorrow replaces Alleycat resource sharing and is a service of the Tampa Bay Library Consortium. Funding is made possible by federal Library and Technology Act (LSTA) grants, as administered by the State Library of Florida.

New U.S. Poet Laureate Announced

The Library of Congress has announced that Donald Hall has been named the next Poet Laureate of the United States. This distinguished author of 15 poetry books will assume his new post in the fall. Read more about it here.

Great Kits for Children

Thanks to a grant from Target, the Youth Services Department has obtained new reading kits consisting of books with corresponding soft toys. Cataloger Diana Angeliades, pictured at right, has enjoyed the challenge of preparing the kits for circulation.

Examples of the mixed materials kits are:

• Babar Goes to School
• Green Eggs and Ham
• Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type