Category Archives: News

MAY CLASS HAS BEEN CANCELLED. AT THIS TIME, ALL OTHER CLASSES WILL BE OFFERED AS SCHEDULED.

LP LIBRARY’S LANDSCAPE DESIGN AND MAINTENANCE SERIES

Would you like to design and maintain an attractive landscape using the right plants and
materials while conserving natural resources and saving time? The Lake Placid Library,
located at 205 W. Interlake Blvd., will be hosting its fourth year of summer seminars
offered by Environmental Horticulturist Dee Dee Jacobson from the Highlands County
Extension Office and the University of Florida’s Master Gardener Program.

The four monthly sessions of Florida Friendly Landscaping will offer practical
information and tips to make landscapes a source of enjoyment and satisfaction. The
first seminar, entitled “Landscape Design: Your Backyard as a Living Room,” will take
place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 19. Participants will learn basic design concepts using
Florida friendly principles and ecology saving measures. These four sessions will help
the public save time and money by using the proper pruning techniques for healthier
plant material as well as utilizing those cuttings for propagation. In addition to talking
about plants with low maintenance and low water requirements, Jacobson will give
mulching and composting suggestions for effective landscaping.

The remaining three installments of these informative seminars are scheduled at 10 a.m.
on the following Saturdays: June16 –Pruning and Propagation Concepts to Remember;
July 21 –Plant Material to Consider in Your Landscape; August 18 –Composting and
Mulching to Save You Time.

All four classes will be offered to the public at no cost. Seating is limited. If you are
interested in attending the seminars, contact the Lake Placid Library to pre-register at
699-3705.

We will soon be launching Mobile PAC, an app for all smartphones and tablets. Mobile PAC will allow users to search the catalog, view their account, renew items, place holds, check library hours, access databases and access our downloadable e-Book and audiobook services. When patrons access Polaris, their smartphone or tablet will automatically recognize they are using a smart phone and will allow them to switch to the mobile view.

The Heartland Library Cooperative is in the process of subscribing to a new state-of-the-art e-book service from Baker & Taylor called axis360. The new service will focus primarily on current and high demand titles and will include some bestsellers, when they are available. Watch our website for news and updates on this new service.

The talk by Diane Madsen has been cancelled.

MEET FLORIDA MYSTERY WRITER DIANE GILBERT MADSEN AT DESOTO COUNTY LIBRARY APRIL 25TH

Mystery writer Diane Gilbert Madsen, author of the DD McGil Mystery Series including “Hunting for Hemingway” and “A Cadger’s Curse,” will speak and autograph books at the DeSoto County Library, 125 N. Hillsborough Ave in Arcadia on April 25th. Diane will talk about her mystery series and relate some interesting stories about writer Ernest Hemingway. “Hunting for Hemingway” won an Honorable Mention at the New York Festival of Books. It is based on a real incident from the life of Ernest Hemingway when his first wife lost all his works-in-progress in 1922. Fast-forward to the present day when a Hemingway scholar claims to have recovered these lost works – potentially worth millions—and puts them up for auction. The scholar is murdered and the unexamined manuscripts cannot be found — Were they stolen, or was their entire existence a hoax?
Diane lives on a 5-acre wildlife preserve in Englewood, FL with her husband Tom and 2 Japanese Chin dogs. She holds a Masters Degree in English and is the former Director of Economic Development for the State of Illinois and owner of her own consulting business.

Join us at 3 PM in the library conference room to meet Diane, and check out her website at:

The eBooks found at these sites don’t require checkout with a library card.

During Florida Heritage Month, March 15th – April 15th, the Department of State encourages a better understanding of and appreciation for Florida’s history and culture among the people of our state. This month-long tribute is designed to heighten awareness of our state’s rich cultural heritage, celebrating its historical sites, museums, libraries, and the visual and performing arts, which flourish in the state of Florida.

Residents and visitors will have special opportunities to experience and celebrate the wealth of historical sites, cultural activities, and literary programs throughout the state. This will encourage an understanding and appreciation of Florida’s commitment to supporting historic preservation, arts and culture, and libraries as important fiscal tools that create economic vitality, quality of life, and community pride. We hope your community plans to celebrate Florida’s spirit by participating in the events happening in your area.

Are you interested in finding the right e-reader to access our digital collection of e-books? Library staff are frequently asked for their recommendation of the best e-readers to use with our Overdrive collection. We don’t make recommendations but there are several websites that have created comparison charts so you can pick the best e-reader for your reading purposes. E-readers allow you to store and carry around your favorite books, saving money, space and the environment. You decide on the one for you.

The exciting duo of Sonny Daye and Perley Rousseau will appear at the Sebring Library, Monday, March 5, 4 PM. The husband and wife team have spent the last several years developing and perfecting their unique blend of Jazz, Bossa Nova, American Songbook Standards, and International Cabaret which has become their musical signature.

This free concert is sponsored by the Sebring Friends of the Library. We thank them for their support.

“Honest straight-up music with no pretense. Sonny and Perley work their
gifts and make their magic in front of and behind the micrphone.”
The Poughkeepsie Journal

“A Jazz group that can really swing…stellar piano work..! Fresh,
soaring and strong vocals striking memories of Sarah Vaughn or Carmen McRae.”
The Daily Freeman Preview

“Perley is a SUPERSONGSTRESS. She has a beautiful, smoky-low to middle-upper register voice,
wonderful intonation, and stage presence. The sky is her limit.”
Swingtime Magazine

Celebrate Black History Month at the Okeechobee County Library. Local author Brenda Scott will be reading her poetry and signing books at the library on February 18th at 2:00 PM. Attendees are encouraged to read their own poetry to the audience.

Library Lovers’ Month is a month-long celebration of school, public, and private libraries of all types. This is a time for everyone, especially library support groups, to recognize the value of libraries and to work to assure that the Nation’s libraries will continue to serve.