A Land Remembered, by Patrick D. Smith, is perhaps the most beloved work of Florida literature. Published in 1984, the novel chronicles three generations of the MacIvey family, who come to Florida in 1858, rising from poor Crackers struggling to eke out a living in the swamp to cattle, citrus, and land magnates. Smith researched […]
Mary Beth Isaacson
It’s Dr. Seuss Day! at the Avon Park Library
It’s Dr. Seuss Day! Join us for storytime, then stay for The Cat in the Hat movie at 11:00, Saturday, March 3 at 10:30 am This event is made possible by the Friends of the Avon Park Library.
When the Sky Goes Dark: The 2017 Eclipse By Mary Beth Isaacson
Why is the August 21, 2017 eclipse so special? For one thing, it’s a total eclipse, meaning that the sun will be completely obscured by the moon. This is the rarest type of solar eclipse, occurring once every 18 months. There are several eclipses every year, but most of the time the sun is only […]
Libraries: Not Just About Books!
Americans love their libraries. Our country is home to over 17,000 public libraries—more than Starbucks coffee shops or McDonald’s burger joints! Many communities have neither a Starbucks nor a McDonalds, but they do have a public library. In 2016, 10.6 million Floridians had library cards, which they used to borrow 116 million items over the […]
Graphic Novels: Not Just for Kids!
Did you read comic books when you were a kid? Generations of readers have grown up with Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, and other beloved characters. Superman was first introduced in Action Comics #1, published in 1938 at the start of the Golden Age of Comic Books. Though initially targeted at children, vintage comics have become highly […]
April Is National Poetry Month
Did you know that National Poetry Month is about to begin? It’s one of the largest literary events in the world, celebrated by millions of readers. National Poetry Month was created in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets, a month-long festival to highlight the importance of poetry in our culture. Poetry is one of […]
Library Lovers Unite: Join the Friends of the Library! by Mary Beth Isaacson
Here in Highlands County, we consider all of our library patrons to be friends. Your libraries strive to provide an engaging and enriching experience for all members of our community. We couldn’t achieve this goal without the support of our Friends of the Library groups. The Friends of the Library unite enthusiastic library supporters, who […]
Celebrate Dragon Appreciation Day at Your Library! By Mary Beth Isaacson
Do you like dragons? Did you know that there’s an official “holiday” to celebrate these popular mythical creatures? It’s true—Saturday, January 16th is Appreciate a Dragon Day. Started in 2004 by Christian fantasy author Donita K. Paul, this is the perfect day to enjoy some dragon books and movies. Dragons, or dragon-like creatures, are a […]
I’m Thankful for My Library—Are You? by Mary Beth Isaacson
It was probably no surprise to anyone that I became a librarian. Every week without fail, from age five to twenty-seven, I visited the Hudson Branch of the Pasco County Library Cooperative. I always had at least 10 books checked out at any given time. When I got my first library card, I was so […]
Happiness Is Having a Library Card: Get Yours Today! By Mary Beth Isaacson
Are you cool? If you’re one of the 10.5 million Floridians who have a library card, you are! September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month, and it’s the perfect time to join your Highlands County Libraries. Library customers have access to over 450,000 books and movies, technology, and innovative educational software, not to mention the […]