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!

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."