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Friends

OF THE

St. Petersburg Main Library

J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 7 • 3745 9th Ave. North, St. Petersburg, FL 33713 • Visit www.splibraries.org

Saturday Afternoon Events Include Antiques Appraisals, Local Authors and Appalachian Music Bringing informative programs YOUR short story (published or to the public with their monthly unpublished) and be prepared Saturday events is one of the goals (psychologically) for a of the Friends of the Main Library. critique. The story should Here is the program lineup for begin with the sentence: “She 2017: (or he) walked away without How often have you wondered so much as a backward if the Chinese vase your Aunt glance.” Max word count 2500.

Bessie gave you for a wedding Prizes awarded. I nterested gift was really from the Ming Our annual Antiques Evaluation Show will be par ticipants please contact Saturday, January 14th from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. dynasty, or the value of the silver Lor raine Franckle ljrmd@ tea service with tray that has been an agent, negotiating for royalties, tampabay.rr.com. Deadline for entry on display in your china cabinet for or how to rekindle the inspirational is April 17, 2017. twenty years? On January 14th, we spark! So far, we have confirmed Diane Our events for May and June are are holding our annual ANTIQUES Sawyer. I am awaiting confirmation pending, but we promise you locally EVALUATION SHOW from 10:30 from three others. If you would like to known, exciting speakers. a.m. to 3:00 p.m. We will have participate, contact Lorraine Franckle certified dealers specializing in books, at ljrmd@tampabay.rr.com.

SH O RT STO RY oriental art and objects, Americana, Bringing a bit of levity and the C O N TEST jewelry, crystal, toys/dolls, clothing/ history of Appalachian music to the textiles, and just about anything you library, the MOONSHINE HOLLER READ YOUR OWN SHORT can pull from your closet. Tickets are will present a show on Saturday, STORY AT OUR APRIL 22 $5 for one item, $12 for three items. March 18 at 2:00 p.m. This husband SHORT-STORY READ AT THE Our local version of Antiques Road and wife duo discusses the roots of MAIN LIBRARY. Show! Come and have fun.

American music from the Carter family Original stories must begin with We are continually surprised by to hillbilly blues and ballads, and “She (or he) walked away the number of local, published authors demonstrates flatfoot dancing, all while without so much as a backwards who love to share their works. On playing the banjo, fiddle, harmonica, glance.” Make your story no more February 18 at 2:00 p.m., we present ukulele or kazoo. This show will delight than 2,500 words and less than a MEET THE AUTHORS with four or audiences of all ages, so bring the kids. five authors discussing their works and 5-minute read. Prizes will be On Saturday, April 22 we are answering your questions. We will have holding a SHORT-STORY READ awarded. Contact Lorraine an interactive discussion with authors from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. as a wrapFranckle, ljrmd@tampabay.rr.com, talking about developing an idea and up of St. Petersburg SunLit Festival — for entry. Story submission by carrying it to fruition. They may choose “Keep St Pete Lit” (April 10-23). You midnight, April 17, 2017. to talk about self publishing, contacting will be allowed five minutes to read

EVALUATION SHOW

The Friends of the St. Petersburg Main Library, established in 1961, recognizes the value of our great library and celebrates all it has to offer. Friends’ membership dollars and donations support the library’s outstanding collections, resources and programs — free and accessible to all.

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• FRIENDS OF • THE ST. PETERSBURG MAIN LIBRARY Board of Directors Lorraine Franckle — President Mozelle Bell — Secretary

Janis Froelich Jim Hance Debbie Haslam Sheryl Long

Library Staff Mika S. Nelson — City Director Lila Denning — Director of Main Library Angela Falsey — Adult Services Coordinator Paula Alexis —Youth Services Coordinator

We have openings on our Board of Directors. To inquire, contact Friends of the Library president Lorraine Franckle at LJRMD@tampabay.rr.com

MARK YOUR CALENDAR Antiques Evaluation Show Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Meet The Authors Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Moonshine Holler Saturday, Mar. 18, 2017 2 p.m.

Short-Story Read Saturday, Apr. 22, 2017 2 p.m.

Visit and “Like” us at facebook.com/Friends of the St Petersburg Main Library

My Divine Obsession — President’s Message By Lorraine Franckle —

Dear Friends of the Main Library, I have to admit that I have an obsessive-compulsive personality trait, not the full blown disorder, just the trait.

I tend to make lists! I have a list of all the books I have read since 1993. Once I have read the book, it is MINE and I don’t like to get rid of it. Consequently, I have five bookcases in my upstairs bedroom in addition to the books in the library. I had to add a new book case this year and it is already full. I keep the unread books in a separate bookcase and move them to the hallway bookcase when I have finished with them. This is in addition to the numerous magazines and newsletters I receive, several of them unsolicited, that I read every month. New discoveries include Mother Jones, Eating Well, Nutrition Action Newsletter, Environmental Nutrition, Arthritis, and on and on.

I just let my subscription to The New Yorker lapse as I found I was no longer enjoying their short stories. They had become so bizarre and depressing. At one time it was considered “having made it” when The New Yorker accepted your story for publication. Now, their editorial selection staff must be made up of twenty-two-year-old zombies.

I have difficulty passing a bookstore without making a purchase, usually two or three books. Recently, however, I have become addicted to ordering books from Amazon. I have an Amazon Visa credit card and get points for charged purchases, so I use them on books and along with Amazon Prime membership which eliminates shipping costs (most of the time), I get the books free or at a very reduced cost.

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Having just finished reading Hamilton, a must-read for anyone interested in American history, I am catching up on my backlog: Best Short Stories of 2014 (another bizarre collection), and awaiting the arrival of the best short stories of 2 015. I’m a l s o reading Ray and Joan (the Krocs of McDonalds fame) and The White City (about the Chicago World’s Fa i r i n 1893).

Looking over my list from 1993, I see Barbara Kingsolver’s book Animal Dreams, the first of five of her subsequent books I have read (Pigs in Heaven, The Bean Trees, Prodigal Summer, Poinsonwood Bible, and The Lacuna), She really knows how to write an engrossing story! Other women authors I like are Jane Smiley, Jane Urquhart, Anne Proulx, (don’t miss her latest, Barkskins) and Kristan Hannah.

I also enjoy David McCullough (Johnstown Flood, 1776, and The Greater Journey). I want to read his John Adams to see how his Adams compares to the John Adams portrayed

by Chernow in Hamilton. Chernow did not portray Adams as a very admirable president. McCullough is contracted for a new book, Pioneers, to be released in 2019.

This year, 2016, is my longest list yet: 22 books, starting with My Beloved World, Sonia Sotomayor’s biography, Devil in the Groove by Gilbert King, the true story of a Lake County, Florida sheriff Willis McCall in the 1940s and 1950s whose reign of racist terror is horrifying. I am ending the year with The Art Forger, a lightweight fun novel.

Happy reading in 2017.

Inspired Stewardship of Summer Reading Program — By Janis D. Froelich — libraries, which As a young includes the Main girl growing up in England, Paula Library.

And while folks A lex is v iewed going to the library may be reaching for jackets this as a reward. “We’d time of year, do our chores on Sat u rday,” she Alexis is shuffling paper and going recalls, “and then Paula Alexis it was librar y online as she time. This meant going to begins the task of arranging storytime and checking out the schedule for the complex Summer Reading Program. books.”

This simple treat from Her first task is to set up the her past now represents her time line. Last year’s program main career focus. Alexis is was a shorter six weeks Youth Services Coordinator, (rather than the usual eight her office located at the Main weeks) and ran from June 13 Library. Her job is to get to July 29. She knows that up and running the yearly the schedule must be vibrant Summer Reading Program enough to offer something for for St. Petersburg’s seven all children, from pre-school

through high school.

That said, she’s quick to come up with the attendance figures from the summer of 2016. There were an amazing 9,573 visits to the program; her estimates are about 7,500 were children, the remainder being parents/caregivers.

Most children, however, had numerous visits, so the number of children served is estimated at 1500–2000.

Alexis, whose family moved to Trinidad, when she was nine, is up to the challenge.

She left the Caribbean island at age 26, and was an educator until fairly recently. She retired from the Hillsborough County School system a few years ago after a 24-

year career, teaching mainly special education students.

Early retirement for her meant, “What do I do next?”

So Alexis commuted over to Pinellas County to apply for a job with the library system.

She filled a part-time position at first in November 2014 and then quickly became coordinator. “I was shocked,” she recalls of her speedy promotion. “But the job had been open for about a year. So there I was doing my first summer reading program as the coordinator.”

First up will be the kick off parties planned to get kids excited about the storytelling, games, movies Continued on back page

Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow — Reviewed by Lorraine Franckle —

Despite its 731 pages of text, you will learn American history in Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow as it was never taught in school. Without Hamilton, the United States would not be the country nor have the government that we know today.

Hamilton was Gen. George Washington’s aide (and author of much of his correspondence) during the Revolutionary War. At age 33, he wrote out longhand, with a scratchy quill pen, 51 of the 85 Federalist Papers; Madison wrote 29, and John Jay wrote five.) These important documents outlined the three branches of our federal government, describing the functions of each.

For the next t went y years, he continued to pen many of the foundations of our government: the federal banking system, collection of customs taxes

which provided the basis of financing of the federal government, the military academies, and so much more. But he also acted to see to their successful implementation.

As much as he liked to write, he also could never let a controversial statement go unchallenged. It was his contentious nature that served him ill during his lifetime.

Consequently, he never ran for any high political office although he did serve as Secretary of the Treasury under George Washington. He exerted his favored position in Washington’s administration over Vice President John Adams and Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson.

Adams and Jefferson disliked him immensely as they were Republicans, sure —3—

that this young country would remain an agrarian society ruled by state laws. Hamilton, a Federalist, saw the need for a strong central government.

We know of his unfortunate demise in 1805 at age 49 following a duel with Aaron Burr, the totally ineffective Vice-President. His son, Philip, also died in a duel three years earlier over a trivial disagreement.

Hamilton had seven surviving children who ser ved in various legislative positions from New York. His wife, Eliza, lived to age 97, all the while preserving and touting Hamilton’s good name despite his numerous infidelities and leaving her financially destitute.

Alexander Hamilton is a must-read to set early American history in its proper perspective.

FRIENDS OF ST. PETERSBURG MAIN LIBRARY

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID

3745 Ninth Ave. N. St. Petersburg , FL 33713-6001

St. Petersburg, FL Permit No. 1145

JA NUARY 2 0 17 NEW S LETT E R Main Library Phone: 727-893-7724 Main Library Website: www.splibraries.org Main Library Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday & Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Sunday: Noon – 6:00 p.m.

The Summer Reading Program’s Inspired Leader, Paula Alexis Continued from page 3

and reading that’s coming up. Special programs range from drumming circles to a science workshop. Alexis books various performers A youtube.com video touts the Summer Reading Program developed by Paula Alexis, youth services coordinator. who will bring everything from snakes to circus acts to video is shot in front of the lunch each day. With the help of volunteers, they had Main Library. the city’s libraries.

This past summer, atten- a healthy lunch.

To get children to attend, “The summer is always a Alexis has been known to go dees could participate in a herself to various schools and drawing to win one of two busy time,’ she says. “But we hand out flyers. “The kids Kindle e-readers, by meeting rely heavily on the schools, are sent home with so many all the requirements. For our staff, and volunteers. It papers at the end of school example, they were required will all come together,” she year, we thought we’d try a to “read for one hour” and says confidently.

What she’s not so “watch a movie based on a new approach this year.”

The library has produced book.” Alexis plans these confident about is when she can go to Trinidad to see her a You Tube video where two same prizes for 2017.

This past summer was 88-year-old mother. Alexis bored youth are approached

by Super Library Man also different in that a lunch explains with a special (played by Paul Loverne). program, made possible glow how the island off He tells about the good times from grant money, was set Venezuela has a carnival to be had at the library in the up at the Main Library. season in February that summertime. Fittingly, the About 25 children enjoyed rivals Rio’s. She also adds, —4—

laughing, that the climate on Trinidad is either wet or dry but always hot.

Come sum mer time, thoughts of a vacation will be behind her for sure. The Summer Reading Program will be in full swing.

How Friends of the Main Library can help this large effort that serves so many children right now is to make a donation to the Summer Reading Program along with renewal of your Friend’s membership. The Friends normally contribute about $2,000 to the Reading Program but in 2016 only collected $1,200, the extra $800 had to be pulled from the Friends’ funds.

Paula Alexis will thank you and the thousands of children who benefit from the Summer Reading Program will likewise be grateful. They’ll have memories just like those of Alexis some day.

LO VE THE S T. PETERSB URG M AI N L I B RARY ? J OI N U S !

Friends of the Main Library Membership Form We are a 501(c) (3) nonprofit group whose purpose is to support the library through volunteerism, fundraising, activities, and sponsorship of programs and services. Your membership offers you the opportunity to get involved, share thoughts and lend your talents to the library, a priceless resource. Here is what we do: • • • • •

Support the library to help make it a vital part of our community Fund summer reading programs Purchase books, equipment, furnishings, and other materials Support library programs for new parents, children of all ages, teens, adults, and families Host author visits, guest speakers and cultural events

To join the Friends and support library programs and services, please complete this application and mail it with a check payable to Friends of the Library at 3745 Ninth Ave. N, St. Petersburg, Florida 33712-6001 Name ___________________________________________ Phone ____________________________________________ Date ____________________________________________ Email______________________________________________ Address _________________________________________ City, State, Zip__________________________________

Membership Choice

 Individual $20

Total Enclosed $___________

 Family $30

 Life $150

 Business/Corporate $100

(Membership is annual January through December.)

Please remember the Friends of the St. Petersburg Main Library in your estate planning.

DON’T MISS THIS SPECIAL PRESENTATION OF FRIENDS OF THE MAIN LIBRARY ANTIQUES EVALUATION SHOW SATURDAY, JAN. 14, 2017 10:30 A.M. TO 3:00 P.M. IN THE MAIN LIBRARY AUDITORIUM

EVALUATION SHOW

T H A N K Y O U TO O UR 2016 ME MBE R S! Alton & Mary Babineau Andrew & Marion Barnes Mozelle Bell Greg & Bertie Bloxom Norman Bungard Bethia Caffery Dr Charles & Nancy Crist Harry & Margaret Eisenaugle Jadwiga Ellliott Dennis Esposito Christa Fairbrother Neil & Lorraine Franckle Janis Froelich Stewart & Betty Goldie

Leslie Greene James Hance Debbie Haslam Doris Heitler Dr Mack Hicks John & Edith Holtzclaw Gallagher, Francis & Larry Hooker Trudy James Bonnie Jorgenson James Kennedy Keith Kewley Constance Kone Peter & Kathy Lefferson

Dr Morris & Marilyn Levine Anne Long Sheryl Long Deborah Lopez Ray Luck Cheryl MacNeill Maryanne Mulder Carolyn Nygren David Query Jean Reed Marie Rickey William Rollins Ronda Russick Dolores Scales

Jimmy & Joann Schmal Laura Schmid Sharron Scott Linn Sennott Harold & Francis Shattenberg Sydney Shollenberger Lorraine Smith Dolores Smith Harriet Stein Amy Stiff Barbara Tyson Kathryn Voskuil Peter & Helen Wallace