The Electronic Newsletter of the Palm Beach County Library System

Contents:
1/ Introduction to Books & Bytes
2/ About the Library
3/ Read Together Palm Beach County
4/ Useful Web Links Section Highlight
5/ Reader's Advisory Section Highlight
6/ In Next Month's Issue

1/ Introduction to Books & Bytes

Welcome to the April issue of Books & Bytes where you will learn how you can get involved with your library in the “About the Library” section of our web site. This April, our “Read Together Palm Beach County” campaign comes to an exciting conclusion with many events planned. This will be followed by an exploration of “The Economy” in Useful Web Links. Finally we will explore the “Mysteries" in our Reader's Advisory.

We hope you enjoy receiving Books & Bytes. Please let us know what you think of our publication by writing to: webmaster@pbclibrary.org

2/ About the Library

Whatever your age or interests, there's something for you at the Palm Beach County Library System. Our collection contains nearly 1.2 million items and you'll find books, magazines, newspapers, films, videos, and information experts. But the library is more than books and librarians. It is our patrons that make us complete. “About the Library” provides information on how you can play an important role in helping your library thrive.

The easiest way to make a contribution is to join the Friends of the Library. The purpose of the Friends of the Library is to maintain an association of persons interested in books and libraries; to focus public attention on library services, facilities and needs; and to stimulate gifts of books, magazines, desirable collections, endowments, and bequests. Basically, support from this great organization helps your library do more to provide the best services and resources possible. To join, simply print off a copy of the registration form found on the Friend’s page. Mail in your completed application along with your financial donation. It is that easy!

Another group that plays an important role in shaping our services is the Library Advisory Board. The Board represents the library to the Board of County Commissioners, providing policy, budget and other recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners, and works with the Library Director to improve and expand library service throughout the County. Our Library Advisory Board consists of 15 members who are appointed by the County Commission. Each member serves a 3-year term and is required to reside within the Library District. The Board meets on a monthly basis, and members serve without pay.

You may also invest your time in the library by becoming a Volunteer. Adult and Youth Volunteer service is offered year-round, as well as a VolunTeen Program for ages 12-18 to assist with the Summer Reading Program from June through August. Volunteers support and enhance library services in various positions such as book menders, shelvers, shelf readers, audio/visual repairers, clerical and telephone assistants, youth, reference and program assistants. Tutors, docent/reader advisors, and special project assistants enhance the Library System and the community. Volunteer applications are available at all Palm Beach County Library System locations. Please call the Volunteer Office at (561) 233-2600, Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm for further information.

Finally, some people enjoy the library so much, they decide to make it their career. Check out the Employment page to learn about the latest job opportunities in our System. To apply for a posted job, either drop-off or mail your Palm Beach County Application Form and resume to: Palm Beach County Employee Relations & Personnel, located at 50 S. Military Trail, Suite 210, West Palm Beach, FL 33415. No e-mail resumes will be accepted. Palm Beach County is a drug free workplace. A copy of this application form may be downloaded off our web site.

These are only a few ways that you can play a larger role in supporting your library. To learn more, visit “About the Library”

3/ Read Together Palm Beach County

Chicago’s done it. So have Seattle, Rochester and Buffalo. Now Palm Beach County’s doing it! Everyone is reading Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury and debating the hottest topic of the year!

The Read Together Palm Beach County campaign has ignited many great discussions and inspired thousands of people to read Ray Bradbury's classic novel of censorship. As we enter the last few weeks, rest assured that the best events are still to come.

Come see the 1966 movie version at the Carefree Theater on Fri., April 19, 8:00 p.m. The Carefree Theater is located in West Palm Beach at 2000 S. Dixie Highway between Okeechobee Blvd. & Belvedere Road. This showing is free, although a $5 donation is suggested. Call 1-800-273-1030 for more information. If you can’t make it to the Carefree, visit your local library to catch a screening and book discussion.

For a different interpretation of the story, why not check out Readers Theatre. Join us for dramatic readings of selected parts of Fahrenheit 451. The readings will be presented by Royal Playhouse actors John Pope, Leah Springer, Elizabeth Hansen, & Dennis Sosler. This program will take place at:

Main Library Wed., April 17 2:00 p.m.
West Boynton Branch Sat., April 20 2:00 p.m.

Finally, in a culmination of more than a month's worth of reading, discussing and interacting with friends and neighbors, join us for the Fahrenheit 451 finale, with a live link to Ray Bradbury in Los Angeles. NPR's Renee Montagne interviews the author, who will be taking audience questions. Refreshments will be served prior to the program. This special event will take place on Thursday, April 25, at the Duncan Theater at Palm Beach Community College (4200 Congress Avenue, Lake Worth). The evening program begins at 5:30 pm with a catered reception. Then at 6:00 pm, the interview will begin. Tickets cost $10 and are available at your local library or at the door. Call 561-868-7715 for further information.

With our Read Together campaign in full swing we are still encouraging the formation of book discussion groups. One of our librarians produced a wonderful study guide for Fahrenheit 451, which can be found at:
http://readtogether.palmbeachpost.com/study_guides.html

Continue to watch our web site for more information on Read Together Palm Beach County. You can also check out the official campaign site at:
http://readtogether.pbpost.com/

4/ Useful Web Links

As a regular feature each month, we examine one section of our Useful Web Links. Our web directory is compiled by librarians who apply their knowledge and Internet experience to locate the best web sites for each topic.

Are you looking for a new job? Do you need to track down information about a major company? Curious about your credit report? You can learn the answers to these questions and more through “The Economy” section of Useful Web Links.

For all your job searching needs, we have collected a comprehensive list of Career Development and Electronic Job Searching sites. This list includes Internet career development resources such as “The Job Hunter’s Bible” and the “Occupational Outlook Handbook.” We provide links to local job hunting organizations including the “Palm Beach County Workforce Development Board” and the “Palm Beach Community College Crossroads/Connections Program.” There are extensive Governments job boards listed on our site, including those for County, State, and Federal positions. We also direct you towards the local and national newspaper job listings. Finally, we make special note of those services that assist the disabled in locating employment.

Business information is covered extensively in this area. We have listings for the “Consumer Price Index” and “Federal Reserve Economic Data.” For information on companies, click through to “Hoover’s Online” and the “Thomas’ Register” for exhaustive data, along with the “SEC Edgar Database” for official filings. “Morningstar” and the “Mutual Funds Investment Center” will help you generate the most out of your investments. For the small businessperson, “Enterprise Florida” is a great aid, along with “SCORE” and the “Small Business Development Center.”

We are all consumers in the economy, so it is important to keep up to date with the latest consumer information. “Consumer Guide” and “Consumersearch.com” provide product reviews and evaluations. We have listings for three agencies that offer credit reports, such as “Equifax.” For all your money questions, you can learn about different financial institutions at “Bankrate.com” or see how far the American dollar will go elsewhere in the world with “Currency Conversions.” Finally, you can track down information on charities through “GuideStar” and “Give.org.”

This is only a taste of the incredible wealth of resources available through “The Economy” section of Useful Web Links.

5/ Reader's Advisory Highlight

Looking for more information on famous and not-so-famous literature? Do you want to delve deeper into a genre? Or do you simply want to read a good book? As a regular feature each month, we examine one page of our Reader's Advisory. This month, we will explore "Mysteries."

The “General” sites feature “ClueLass,” home of the Bloodstained Bookshelf (an encyclopedic list of upcoming mysteries), the Mysterious Home Page and the Deadly Directory Online--as well as great links to forensic and law enforcement sites for future mystery authors. “The Mystery Place Online” hosts the Mystery Forum. Chat live with a different mystery writer each Wednesday evening or read the transcript afterwards. “MysteryGuide.com” is a fun web site--over 650 original mystery and thriller reviews, informal author interviews, upcoming titles, and seasonal picks.

We have one “Mystery Organization” listed right now. It is “Sisters in Crime.” This mystery writers' web site includes authors, bibliographies, links to mystery bookstores, membership and chapter information.

Under “Subgenres”, we have two sites that feature African-American sleuths and writers. These are the “African-American Mystery Page” and “African-American Mystery Writers.” For those who enjoy their mysteries set in olden times, the “Historical Mystery Appreciation Society” will catch your fancy.

Finally, if you have a favorite detective, our “Sleuths” section is a must to visit. We currently feature web sites focusing on Brother Cadfael, Nero Wolfe, and Sherlock Holmes. “Detective/Mystery: Series & Sequels” is a great database for tracking down information on long series. This site lists series in order, alphabetically by author. Other pages on the site include Mystery by Region, Mysteries in Historical Settings, Sleuths by Occupation, and more. In addition, there are links to over 2,000 reviews and excerpts.

Take the puzzle out of reading about detectives by taking a look through the Mystery section of Reader’s Advisory.

6/ Next Month in Books & Bytes

Did you know that a dozen high quality library databases are accessible from home, using your library card as a key?

Next month we will explore the four literature databases we provide access to through our web site. You will be amazed at how much information is available on your favorite authors @your library.