Friends of the Library Look Ahead

In 2011, the Friends of the New Smyrna Beach Library continued their decades-long mission of raising money that enables our library to move ahead from good to great.

This year the money we provided to the library allowed the Children and Teen’s Department to put on special programs, buy books, and a new couch and chairs for the teen area. Also, the money funded community programs that featured authors, painters, a dance group and others all of which were well attended.
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Keeping Public Libraries Public

Are Public Libraries Our Last Public Space?

In a 3-2 vote, Osceola County commissioners recently decided to turn over management of libraries to a private company to save money. The community is asking, “What will change?”

“The ratio of full-time employees to part-time employees will flip-flop and become more part-time,” said Vicki Kilroy, of Kissimmee, who spoke at the meeting. “I believe there will be more requests for volunteers.” – Orlando Sentinel

Read More on The Magazine of the American Library Association

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Get Involved and Join Friends Today!

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School Libraries and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) why YOU should care and what YOU can do!

• When one type of library is threatened, all libraries are threatened.
• Spending for school library programs is the single most important variable related to better student achievement.
• At the secondary level, nine out of ten schools (over 90%) with full-time librarians had more students who earned proficient or above proficient test scores on the CAT5 tests for reading, language arts, and mathematics. In schools with no librarian at all, only about half had more high-achievement students.

Take Action Now →

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Don’t Miss “Nutritious Story Times” for Children

Next in the series: The Very Hungry Caterpillar

February 2, 2012 at 10am
More on Nutritious Story Time for Children →
More for kids and teens →