105 E. Magnolia Ave.
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Friends of the Library Suggestion Box
September 2008
N e w s l e t t e r
FRIENDS OF THE VOLUSIA COUNTY LIBRARY CENTER
PRESENT
THE NATURAL HISTORY OF VOLUSIA COUNTY
BY MICHAEL BROTHERS
Wednesday, Oct. 8, 3:00 p.m.
Children's Auditorium
Michael Brothers is currently the Chief of Interpretation for the Marine Science Center/Coastal Division in Ponce Inlet, Florida. The photos show him releasing some northern gannets, recovered from their injuries received during the hurricanes of September, 2004, into the Gulf Stream forty miles off our Volusia coast. The birds had been rescued and cared for at the Center.
Mr. Brothers has over 30 years of experience in museum administration in city, county, state, and private non-profit museums. He is the former Executive Director of the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Daytona Beach. He has served also as Executive Director of the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Macon, Georgia, and as Museum Administrator for the Museum of Florida History in Tallahassee, as well as serving for ten years as the Curator of Science at the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Daytona Beach. He has organized major exhibitions including The Great Asian Dinosaur Exhibition from the Russian Academy of Sciences for the museum in Daytona Beach and Mysteries of Egypt from the Canadian Museum of Civilization while in Macon, Georgia.
Mr. Brothers has extensive natural resource and natural science interpretive experience including specializations in the bird life and flora of Central Florida. He has led natural history tours throughout Florida and in the Galapagos Islands, in Kenya, and in the Amazon. Mr. Brothers is currently working on a summary of the avifauna of our area entitled The Birds of Volusia County.
FICTION WRITING GROUP
By Patricia Bennett
City Island Library has been the site of several writing groups over the years-a poetry group, a business-writing group, a play-writing group. The Fiction Writers' Group has been meeting at the library from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. every Tuesday since the early 1990s. One of the members has been in it since the beginning and another about 15 years.
The founder was Dr. Max Spital, a psychiatrist who practiced for many years, in semi-retirement, at the Veterans Administration Clinic in Daytona Beach. His model for the group was a writing workshop he attended at Columbia University conducted by Nobel Prize winner, Pearl Buck.
After Dr. Spital's death, other leaders followed, but the same rules have been followed since the beginning. The writings of two members of the group are critiqued at every session. The designated writers must leave two copies of their work in the "Writers' Folder" at the reference desk well in advance of the Tuesday meeting. This gives plenty of time for the other members to review their work. The writers' submissions can also be sent by E-mail to the others. The writings can be short stories or parts of novels, but length should be limited to about 20 pages or less, double spaced. The most effective rule is that when a writer's submission is being critiqued, the author is not allowed to speak or answer questions. When all have finished and the leader spoken, the writer can then comment, explain, defend, or thank his critics.
The size of the group varies from sometimes a few to as many as 12 or 14. From the beginning the members have been a diverse group in age, work, and origins. Some of the present members are from New York, England, Oklahoma, as well as Florida. Among us are a nurse, a doctor, a retired college professor, a still working teacher, a social worker, a director and producer of plays, a computer instructor, and a veterinarian, and some with a variety of occupations. Some are retired, some still working. Of course, our various occupations and professions provide material for our fiction.
What binds us together is the love of writing and the desire to have our writing read. All find the process of writing stimulating, and taking turns at submitting our writings for review highly motivating. Anyone interested in the program is welcome to join at any time. The only requirement is that the member must read the two submissions before the Tuesday night meeting, and be ready to offer helpful commentary on the material read.
Over time the members have become a friendly bunch (no matter how we criticize each other's writing) and many go after the sessions to Stavros Pizza across the street from the library. Please come and join us, any who are writing or have always wanted to write. The library staff know the writing group well and can tell you in which room we are meeting and produce the "Writers' Folder" if you ask.
A COMING ATTRACTION
Mark Lane, the News-Journal's syndicated humorist, will speak on Wednesday, November 12, at 2:00 p.m. in the Adult Auditorium.
His topic is "The Sunshine State Beat-How to Write About Florida Weirdness Without Scaring the Tourists."
Mark will be talking about his book Sandspurs: Notes from a Coastal Columnist, to be published this month by the University Press of Florida .
V-SMART UPGRADE OF THE COUNTY LIBRARY'S SURFCAT
AND OTHER SYSTEM SOFTWARE
Those of you who still lament the disappearance of the card catalogues, get ready for another change. This promises however to be much pleasanter since it will involve improvement of SurfCat, which many of us are still struggling to master, to make it much friendlier and more informative. Here is a report on this and other changes from Anne Powers, Information Technology Manager for the Volusia County Public Library:
"The Volusia County Library will be upgrading the existing library system software to V-Smart during the month of September. The projected 'go live' date is September 15, 2008. There will be numerous behind the scenes enhancements that will facilitate basic functions such as loaning items, borrower transactions and processing materials.
“But the most noticeable change will be the upgrade of the online catalog, SurfCat. The catalog will feature a new service that supplies the book or DVD jacket next to the search entry. Clicking on one of these jackets will bring up information that the publisher has provided such as character information or quite often the first chapter.
“There will be numerous added features for our patrons such as the ability to save lists of reading, viewing or listening materials for future reservations (formerly Holds), a more complete view of the patron's account which will allow patrons to change phone numbers or e-mail addresses online, set up pre-defined searches with e-mail notification for when the library adds materials by a favorite author or about a particular subject of interest. There will also be 'quick reservation lists' of new fiction, new DVD or audiobook titles that will be updated nightly.
“Future projects will include New York Times bestseller lists that will connect directly to the titles in our catalog for those same quick reservations and a children's catalog designed especially for our youngest users. These projects should be available in October 2008."
MEET KRISS KELLEY By Elizabeth Nelson
Kriss Kelley, the most recently hired member of the staff, began working August 18th in the Circulation Department. Previously she worked for two years in the same department at the New Smyrna Beach Library, but was happy to seize the opportunity to transfer to City Island. Prior to turning to library work, Kriss was employed for four years as Assistant Manager of the Box Office at the Ocean Center. When the renovation began she decided to make a career switch. She is very happy with her present position, enjoying the locale and greater activity at City Island. Kriss and her husband Rick have been married for five years. Originally from Harrisburg, Pennsylvlania, Rick moved here to join his brother and go to school at Daytona Beach Community College. He obtained his electrician certification, graduating at the top of his class, with honors. He was chosen in 2007 by the local chapter of IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) as apprentice of the year. Rick works for LCS Electric, in Port Orange, and is foreman of the electrical work being done in the expansion of Sweetwater Elementary School, Port Orange. Rick has discovered that he has married a house handy woman. She is the fixer when anything goes wrong with any of the household appliances. She loves tools of all kinds. Rick thinks she would be a whiz of a plumber-and sometimes jokingly suggests that his Alma Mater is there for her training, if she should tire of library work. Kriss was born and raised in Gainesville. Her parents are both marine biologists. Her father was Professor of Marine Biology at the University of Florida for many years, and now, in semi-retirement, continues his research, through grant funding, in his area of special interest: alligators. Kriss's brother shares his father's love for marine science and helps him with his research. Though alligators have no appeal for Kriss, she has many other interests besides handywork around the house, among them billiards, bike riding, and reading. She has just finished Janet Evanovich's Full Scoop, the final book in Evanovich's recent crime series. Not to be omitted here is something Kriss ardently shares with Rick, a love of animals (except for alligators). They are fond parents of two cats, Sphynx and Kitty Puss, and a dog, Dexter, all adopted from the Humane Society shelter.
Lola Yellen Introduces Rell Etner
Rell Etner has been a familiar figure behind the reference desk at the Volusia County Library Center for the past eight years. Rell’s given name is actually Morrell but since that is also his father’s name he has always been called Rell.
Hailing from Pennsylvania, he received his B.S. in Education degree from Mansfield University, his Masters in Library Science from Villanova and a Masters in Instructional Technology from West Chester University, all Pennsylvania Colleges. He started his career teaching history and then became a high school librarian for six years in the Philadelphia area. He then was appointed Director of Libraries and Technology for the School District of Haverford Township in Pennsylvania and held that position for 25 years. After retiring from Haverford he spent three years as a librarian in a Girls’ High School of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. In his spare time he taught some Graduate School classes at the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science. As we can see, Rell has had considerable teaching and library experience.
Rell and his wife have three adult sons and three grandsons. One son lives in Ashville, NC and another in Falls Church, VA. The third son, Mark, was living in San Diego when he was suddenly afflicted with a serious illness which has affected the entire family. Mark was struck down with a stroke caused by a clot in the cardioid artery and unfortunately was not found for two days. By the time he was located and rushed to the hospital considerable damage had been done. While he has been living with his parents in Ormond Beach for the past three years, he has made much progress but still need some care. Rell’s wife cares for Mark and her 90 year old mother who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. Rell chuckles as he says “We have an interesting household.” The fact that Rell chuckles as he remarks on his unusual household situation mirrors his philosophy.
When asked if he has any time left for other interest he immediately launches into a list of activities that would keep a retired person exhausted. He is an active member of Christ Presbyterian Church of Ormond Beach, sings in two church choirs, serves as the Moderator for the Deacons, is a member of the Men’s Group and on the Mission committee. Rell is active in the Boy Scouts, and has run a Boy Scout camp for two summers.
In May he will be going to work with some missionaries in Paraguay. He will be working with street kids, helping with feeding and clothing as well as working on a school building which currently has a Kindergarten and First Grade, and will be adding Second Grade next year. He has also worked on a church camp in Puerto Rico, spent time on a medical mission boat on the Amazon River in Brazil, and helped a sister church in the Bahamas.
Rell does like to be involved with life. During his educational and working years he had the opportunity to work as a consultant with two schools in Greece. Before Mark’s illness Rell and his wife traveled extensively. They have been to Europe several times. They particularly love Salzburg, Austria, and have been there three times, soaking up the music and the history. His philosophy of being actively involved is based on his faith. He believes in doing, experiencing, in building memories for himself and his family.
And back in the library with Rell’s duties at the reference desk. He never knows what kind of question he will be asked. It could be anything from “What is the wingspan of a pelican?” to “What was the price of a particular stock in the 1980s.” He claims that it is not as important to know the answer as it is how to find the answers. He helps the patrons every day with a broad variety of questions and answers. He is also responsible for the library’s computers; for all the tax information and pamphlets that are placed in the lobby at tax time; he orders the new books (both fiction and non-fiction); he reads about three books a week, mainly fiction, to keep up with the new materials. He also is responsible for ordering the audio books, Whew!
We can only be left with admiration for a man on many technical library skills and a man of such humanitarian feeling that he acts without question thereby putting his faith into action. Rell is an asset to our library and we are grateful to have him on the staff.
BOOKFRIENDS NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
BookFriends is a children's program co-sponsored by the Early Learning Coalition and the Friends of the Volusia County Library Center. The Friends' responsibility is to recruit and train volunteers who then, on a bi-weekly schedule, go to the homes of caregivers of children with bags of wonderful children's books supplied by the Children's Section of the Library Center. These caregivers are licensed by the Early Learning Coalition, and all are eager and grateful for the volunteers' services.
The volunteers spend time with the children, reading to them, helping them learn colors, numbers, words, and the traditional stories that should be every child's inheritance. After a half hour or so, depending on the childrens' attention span, the volunteer departs, but leaves the bag full of books for the children to enjoy, under the caregiver's supervision, for the next two weeks, when the volunteer turns up again with another full tote bag. The children thus are continually supplied with a fresh set of books, and with regular visits from the "booklady," which provide a welcome break in the caregiver's and the children's routine.
The work involved for the volunteer requires about a morning every other week. The volunteer chooses the books in the Children's Section, carries them to the caregiver's home, and, following her visit there, returns the old set of books to the Children's Section. The bookbags are supplied by the Friends. The Junior League generously covers the costs of the background check and finger-printing required for anyone who works with children.
This has been a highly successful program, but lately the supply of volunteers has dwindled. We ask our readers to consider helping out with the program, and to pass the word about it to friends and acquaintances who might be interested. Men volunteers are particularly welcome, as many of these children who are cared for in these small child care facilities do not have fathers in their homes.
Ms. Phyllis Ditlow, of the Early Learning Coalition, tells us that several of the child caregivers under her supervision would very much like the services of our volunteers. Her counterparts in our Friends organization are the co-chairs of the program, Marian Rivers and Lola Yellen. Anyone interested should contact Marian at 386-252-9850, or Lola at 386-257-2595. Lola's E-mail address: ylkellen@aol.c
CALLING ALL SHOPPERS!
Written by Mary McLemore
I want to tell you all about my favorite store.
It's not Target, not Tiffany, not Neiman Marcus, though I do love those wondrous emporia. Instead it's little, it's quirky, and it's fun. Think... a little shop, around a comer, inside the library where you can find treasures for ridiculously low prices.
Really low prices; I mean from 10 cents to two or three dollars for most items. I know because I volunteer there every Friday from l0 am to 1 pm.
While I sit at my desk in front of the big east window with its lovely view of our City Island green space, here are a few of the treasures I see on the tables and shelves close by: hardbacks and paperbacks, coffee table books, dictionaries, puzzle solvers, books about sports, new best sellers, mysteries, travel guides--even recent ones.
Besides books, I see videos, DVDs, magazines of every sort, including-- now and then-”Architectural Digest” and recent “New Yorkers.” On a low table close to the desk I see a new, white, strongly stitched softball, a looks-like-porcelain music box in the shape of a knight on horseback. Next to him are a panda bear, some low, glass candle holders, a yoyo, and an egg crate full of golf balls. Prices? From 25 cents to 3 dollars.
Several times during my work hours, library patrons have wandered in and said, "Hey! I didn't know this was here! How long has your store been tucked away here?"
As I said, the shop is small and around a comer, so it could go unnoticed! Friends of the Volusia County Library Center have operated the shop since the early 90s and we run it entirely by donations from friends like you. So, any time you have too many books on your shelves or items you no longer cherish, bring them to us because our store, along with our annual author luncheon, is how we help to fund the library's many services.
As to where it is: after you enter the library, just walk past the circulation desk, take a right where people are using the computers, and there you are at the table in front of our doors. The books on and underneath the long table are periodically on sale; you just fill one of the (recycled) plastic bags with all the volumes you can fit in to it, and pay only a dollar!
The store's managers, Friends' volunteers Marcia Manthey and Vilma Estes, are constantly putting out new items, and the sales make room for more recent donations. One or both might be here when you come, along with a volunteer at the desk. Everyone is truly helpful. Marcia and Vilma know their stock, so if you ask for a certain author, or even for a Sanskrit textbook, or a magazine featuring memories of the 1930s, one of them will show you where to look --or find it for you-if it's available.
The real treasures, to me, are the newest-2002 to 2007-hardbacks in (sometimes) perfect condition. Their book jackets always announce they are New York Times best sellers, and authors include Dan Brown, John Grisham, Patricia Cornwell, Michael Connelly, Sue Grafton, or whoever is on those Sunday lists. Some prices for these are as high as three dollars, much less than you would pay at Barnes and Noble.
Ok, so we don't have Starbucks. But come on in (with some donations, maybe) or with a dollar or two. You could go home with a bagful of books and a panda!
2008 Memberships Due!
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