Summertime programs are in full swing at the libraries. It may be July, but there’s still plenty of time to enjoy a performance, crafting or card playing get-together, author program, book discussion, movie screening and more!  You’ll find several detailed listings in this newsletter and many more options on the calendars at http://cms.leoncountyfl.gov/Library/calendars .  I’m especially excited about our first “CosmicCon” on August 17.  We’ll be wrapping up this summer’s reading program, “A Universe of Stories”, with a space-themed CosmicCon event for all ages.

If there’s a driver’s license test in your future, the library has a resource for you!  The well-established driver education platform, Driving-Tests.org, is now available for free from our online resources page at http://cms.leoncountyfl.gov/onlineresources .

The Florida-specific offerings can be accessed from any computer or mobile device and include:

• 14 car practice tests 
• 9 motorcycle practice tests 
• 27 CDL (commercial driver’s license) practice tests 
• 3 online driver’s manuals (car, motorcycle, CDL) 
• FAQ section with detailed answers to over 100 questions 

The practice tests are great resources for drivers of all ages and backgrounds.  Aside from the slightly distracting use of the generic “DMV” (and with apologies to Florida’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles), this service can be of real assistance to anyone preparing for the “knowledge test” portion of getting or renewing a license.  Practice tests provide immediate feedback; the incorrect responses are indicated so the test-taker can review and learn.  (Success with the vision and road tests is up to you!)

Last month we introduced autorenewals, for items that qualify, at all Leon County libraries. I hope you are enjoying this service.  In case you haven't experienced autorenew yet, the process is simple.  All eligible items will be automatically renewed 3 days before their due dates, unless there is a hold on an item or the maximum number of renewals has been reached.  E-mail notifications for items that are not renewed will be sent 2 days before they are due.  We want to help you enjoy library materials as long as possible, but also return them a timely manner.

In every issue of this newsletter I encourage you to send suggestions, ideas and comments of all kinds.  If you’re wondering what becomes of those, here are just a few of the suggestions we recently implemented.

First, have you ever received medical records or legal documents on a disc from your doctor’s or lawyer’s office, and discovered that you have no way to read the contents?  Maybe you’d like to “test drive” a movie on DVD while you’re at the library? Thanks to a patron suggestion, CD/DVD readers are now available at every library location.  The disc reader can be checked out for use in the library with your own device or with any of the library’s PCs or laptops.  Just ask staff at a service desk.

If you’re looking for a calm, quiet, adults-only computer workspace, you are not alone.  Patrons asked for an adults-only computer space at the Main Library, to balance the availability of the children’s computer area.  As of July 3, the first floor computer lab is now open to patrons aged 18+.

Finally, a patron asked us to reconsider what we labeled as “new”, and we have done so.  “New” materials are now limited to those published within the most recent 12 months.  Items with older publication dates, even though not previously owned by our library system; new translations; and revised editions are no longer designated as new materials.  We hope this provides a more enjoyable browsing experience.

The list of suggestions continues to grow and includes everything from requests for specific titles of e-books, movies, online resources and more; web site and online catalog comments and questions; a variety of praises and feedback; and even a few heartwarming stories.  Thank you for the opportunities to learn what’s on your mind and how we can serve you better.  (Contact us via a variety of online forms at http://cms.leoncountyfl.gov/Library/Contact/Feedback, or by e-mail to SearsD@LeonCountyFL.gov.)

Debra Sears

Library Director

[Debra is reading The Tattooist of Auschwitz: A Novel by Heather Morris and Ageless Brain by Julia Van Tine.  She welcomes reading recommendations!]

Bruce Ballister the next speaker at Booked for Lunch

Local writer Bruce Ballister will be the speaker at the Thursday, July 18 Booked for Lunch program at 12:15 p.m. at the LeRoy Collins Leon County Library.  Ballister is a member of the Tallahassee Writers Association and the author of the ongoing Dreamland Diaries series, which takes place in North Florida.  He will be discussing his series, the writing craft, and taking questions from the audience.

Booked for Lunch brings together local authors and readers.  Bring a bag lunch to enjoy with beverages and dessert provided by the Library.  For more information please contact Scott Joyner at 606-2614 or JoynerS@LeonCountyFL.gov.

Winter in July Matinee

Sunday, July 21, at 3:00 p.m.

Beat the heat with an afternoon of winter-inspired film and free Sno-cones at the  Main Library. Join us for a screening of the documentary, Antarctica: A Year on the Ice, on Sunday, July 21 at 3:00 p.m.. Free parking is available for this event in the library’s Call Street parking lot.  

The Book is Better book club

Tuesday, July 23, at 11:00 a.m. (Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs)

Tuesday, August 27, at 11:00 a.m. (Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson)

The Book is Better book club meets at Au Péché Mignon French Pastry Shop Downtown the fourth Tuesday of every month at 11:00 a.m. The club’s focus is on books that have been adapted to film and is open to everyone in the community. Refreshments will be available for purchase at the cafe (optional). Parking is free.

Annie Get Your Glue Gun

Thursday, August 8, at 3:00 p.m.

BYOC (Bring Your Own Craft) to this crafter’s meetup at the Main Library the second Thursday of every month at 3:00 p.m.. Bring a project to work on plus share your ideas and tips with others. Have a crafting question? We have a book for that! You can take advantage of the library’s crafting collection during this meetup. Light refreshments will be provided. 

Fall Seed Library Kickoff Saturday August 10 

The 2019 Fall Seed Library will kick off on Saturday, August 10, with an event at the Dr. B. L. Perry Jr. Branch Library at 11:00 a.m.  The County Extension office will hold a program which will have stations on starting your garden, tips from Master Gardner's, and much more. 

Seeds will be available at all branches at 10:00 a.m. on August 10,  Patrons can check out three per month per card.  This Fall's varieties are;Cylindra Beets, Romanesco Broccoli, Cosmic Purple Carrots, Tall Utah Celery, Tatsoi Green Chinese Cabbage, Georgia Southern Collards, Red Sails Lettuce, Red Creole Onion, Giant of Italy Parsley, and Red Malabar Spinach.

CosmicCon comes to the Library on August 17!

Join the LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library for our first ever CosmicCon event on Saturday, August 17, from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.! This free all-ages community event will feature a presentation and Q & A with Mike Maihack, author of the award-winning “Cleopatra in Space” series at 11 a.m. Throughout the day, take part in various activities, fandoms, panel discussions, Cosplay competition, escape room, hands-on science with MagLab, VR and tabletop gaming, and a special themed story time. 

Here's a sneak peek of what's coming soon!

Eye Spy by Mercedes Lackey

Far and Away by Fern Michaels

Hope Rides Again by Andrew Shaffer

The New Girl by Daniel Silva

One Good Deed by David Baldacci

Outfox by Sandra Brown

Someone to Honor by Mary Balogh

Twisted Twenty-Six by Janet Evanovich

Under Currents by Nora Roberts

Window on the Bay by Debbie Macomber

Browse our entire collection at www.LeonCountyLibrary.org for more great picks. In most cases, you can place a hold before the book comes out!

Summer Raffle:  A Kindle! 

Enter your name in our raffle for a Kindle by attending a program, completing your reading log,  Jr-Reado, or the Summer Reading Challenge (reading 20 minutes each day).  Ages 0-18 are eligible to enter by July 27.  Each location will announce a winner on July 30.  Our Friends of The Library will provide the prize of a Kindle to each of our 7 winners. 

Free programs in July include Glow Party, “Floridingers: Story Telling with black lights”, “Talkin’ Trash”, City of Tallahassee Fire Fighters, LCSO K9 Unit, and Animal Tales offered at these locations and times:

Monday Nights @ Main 6:30 pm;

Dr. B. L. Perry, Jr. Branch Wednesdays at 3 pm;

Eastside Branch Thursdays 3 p.m.

Fort Braden Branch Thursdays at 6 p.m.

Lake Jackson Branch Fridays at 3 p.m. 

Northeast Branch Thursdays at 11 a.m.

Woodville Branch Wednesdays at 1 p.m.

See our online calendar for more programming, including Teens and STEAM activities, or call Youth Services staff at 606-2708.