OPL - Summer Library Programs 2023

Choose your own adventure!

• Summer reading programs for all ages !
  

• Fun and informative programs for Children, Teens and Adults.

• New library items (in a variety of formats) for check-out or download

• Visit the library or call us for more information 

  Note* Children's programs have required registrations.
  

 

Summer programs 2022 for Adults

Book Bingo - fill out a card and return by August 13 to enter the gift basket raffle

Spotting Fake News - Saturday, July 9 at 1:00 pm. media literacy program at the library (no registration)

Mark your calendar for the First Friday movie on August 5th at the library (bring your own snacks)

Visit the Adult  program page on our website for more info

Freecycle Event - We need donations!

We are hosting our first (hopefully not last!) Back to School Freecycle Event!  Freecycling is giving away unwanted but still usable things to help keep items out of landfills. 

Here's how it will work:


 DONATIONS

• Beginning on July 22, bring your clean, gently used clothes & wearable accessories (hats, shoes, purses, etc) for kids from babies to teens to the Oldsmar Library
• We're also accepting small childrens toys and school supplies
• Please leave them with a staff member, and remember...NO UNDERGARMENTS! 
• We're accepting donations until Thursday, August 8

SHOPPING

• Staff will sort donations and have items out for FREE on Friday, August 9 and Saturday, August 10 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
• Don't have anything to donate? That's OK, you can still come and "shop" for what you need!

Bring what you can - take what you need!

Anything left over will be donated to Oldsmar Cares.

Special thanks to the New Port Richey Public Library for the idea & for helping us get started!

Questions? Give us a call or email at 813-749-1181 information@oldsmarlibrary.org

Thanks for your support.  Let's work together to make this a success!!

New Newspaper database including Tampa Bay Times

  
The Oldsmar Library is pleased to announce the immediate availability of its new digital newspaper collection: Access World News. This collection is available to all library patrons (both in-house and remote) and is updated daily.

Access World News provides Web-based access to current and archived issues of  full-text newspapers, including access to the Tampa Bay Times archives going back to 1987.

This new resource appears under the Research & Learn tab on the library's homepage, or you can use the links in the pictures above.  Use outside of the library will require an Oldsmar Library Card.
 
Access World News is a resource offered by NewsBank, the world’s premier provider of newspapers and other news sources online. Serving public libraries for more than 45 years, NewsBank offers Web-based access to more than 12,000 titles from the U.S. and other countries around the globe.

For more information on this collection, contact us by calling 813-749-1181, emailing information@oldsmarlibrary.org, or visit http://www.oldsmarlibrary.org/

New Database Available: Fold 3 Military Records

You may have noticed a new link under the Research & Learn tab on our website: Fold 3.

Distributed by ProQuest, Fold3 Library Edition by Ancestry provides convenient access to a growing collection of US military records, including the stories, photos, and personal documents of the men and women who served from the Revolutionary War onward. It contains millions of records from world-class archives, many of which are exclusively available on Fold3.

Fold3 supplements the records available in the Ancestry Library Edition database (available for in-house use only).  You can use Fold3 from anywhere, all you need is your Pinellas Public Library Cooperative library card.



The Fold3 name comes from a traditional flag folding ceremony in which the third fold is made in honor and remembrance of veterans who served in defense of their country and to maintain peace throughout the world.

For more information or for help getting started, please see this.pdf from ProQuest:

Fold 3 Quick Tips

New Online Service - Hoopla Digital

We are excited to announce the public availability of thousands of ebooks, movies, television shows, comic books, music albums and audiobooks, all available for mobile and online access through a new partnership with hoopla digital – all you need is a valid library card!

hoopla digital has a simple sign-up and attractive, easy-to-use interface, so it’s easy to get to your listening and viewing experience. There’s also no waiting to borrow, ever, and hoopla digital’s automatic return feature eliminates late fees.




To access the system on your mobile device, you will need to first download the FREE hoopla digital app from the App Store on your Android or IOS device. There is no need to download an app or extension for your internet browser.


Once you have downloaded the app to your device(s) and/or clicked on the hoopla digital link on our website you will be prompted to select your library, enter your email address, a password, your library card number, and your library card PIN number. The system will validate that you are in good standing with the library, so that you may begin to browse, borrow, and enjoy the content.



Remember: the default PIN number for your library account is the last 4 digits of your phone number!


Come see what all the hoopla’s about: 

• Once you borrow a title on one device it is automatically available via all devices with the hoopla digital app and via your PC web browsers (IE 8+, Firefox 12+, Safari 5+, Chrome 19+).
• When using hoopla you will be able to begin streaming the content immediately. You can also download content to view at a later date (in case you won’t have Wi-Fi on that camping trip).
• You will be allowed to borrow 4 titles each month
• Video lends for 72 hours
• Music lends for 7 days
• Ebooks, eaudiobooks & comics lend for 21 days
• You are able to access (view/listen to) borrowed content as often as you want during the checkout period and you can return any borrowed title whenever you want.

We hope you enjoy this new service and let us know what you think!

New E-mail Newsletter-Sign up now!

As part of our ongoing efforts to keep you informed about everything we offer, we're starting a new e-newsletter. As a subscriber, you'll get a message around once a week spotlighting our programs, events, services, databases and news!

To sign up, please visit this page on the City's website & follow the directions to subscribe to the Library News list (HTML e-mails are suggested). You'll receive an e-mail with a confirmation link from listserv@civicplus.com.

We promise not to spam you or sell your e-mail address! 😊 For more information on the City of Oldsmar's privacy policies, please visit: http://myoldsmar.com/privacy.

You can also keep up to date with us by giving us a follow on Twitter and Facebook.

Rock Painting - Oldsmar Rocks April 8

(picture from Oldsmar Rocks Facebook Group)

Attention crafters of all ages - our April 8th Crafty Saturday will be dedicated to the new painted rock trend!

People all over the country have been decorating & hiding rocks since an Oregon mother began the trend in 2014, you can read more about it here.

An Oldsmar Rocks Facebook group was recently started for local folks to share pictures & stories of the rocks they've painted as well as their finds around town.  We've seen pictures of rocks on the Library grounds, and we're excited to be joining in the fun!

Crafty Saturday
Saturday, April 8
11:00 am - 3:00 pm
All ages drop in program
Storytime Room
Drop in craft program for all ages (adults & kids)
All craft supplies provided.

We'll have enough rocks & other needed supplies for everyone to create a rock to keep (if they wish) and another one to hide around town.

Crafty Saturday is a themed monthly drop-in craft program designed to bring out the creativity of all from the youngest to the oldest!

English Conversation Classes starting in April

Tuesday evenings beginning on April 4, the Literacy Council of Upper Pinellas will be hosting informal English Conversation Classes in our Rotary Literacy/Conference Room from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

These classes/conversation practice sessions will be free & open to all adults who are learning English as a second language. They are a great way to practice and develop skills in American English in a supportive and friendly environment!

No registration needed, feel free to bring children if childcare is an issue.

Overcoming Clutter workshop

Is "get organized" on your list of New Year's Resolutions?  We have a program that can help with that!

Overcoming Clutter Workshop
Thursday, January 5
6:30 pm-7:30 pm
TECO Hall

Clutter can be paralyzing. Whether you’re surrounded by loose paper, dirty dishes, memorabilia, laundry, or any other form of clutter, it can negatively impact your health and your relationships with others.

This presentation will teach you effective techniques to become more organized, reduce stress, and have more time to do the things you enjoy!

Presented by Dani Brahm of Simply Refreshing Organizing Solutions. No registration needed.

Little Free Library #2

We're pleased to announce that our second Little Free Library has been installed at the Environmental Education Center at Mobbly Bayou Wilderness Preserve on Lafayette Boulevard. We'd especially like to thank our artists Janet Gurney and Library Assistant Nancy Verderosa.

A Little Free Library is a free book exchange where users are encouraged to "take a book, leave a book". Library staff will fill the library initially & check it periodically, but all are welcome to help make sure it's stocked.

The box was paid for by the Friends of the Oldsmar Library.  Our first Little Free Library is still in front of Cypress Forest Recreation Center, and you can see pictures of it here.

New-Community Poetry Post

The new Arts Coordinator for the City of Oldsmar is working on a fun new project for the Library! Please read the note below from Samantha to see how you can contribute:
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Poetry has the visceral power to deeply touch our lives. When given proper attention, it can shake us out of our waking-sleep and into a precious moment of inspiration. The Community Poetry Post is an exciting new project designed to allow the community to be heard through poetry.

For the month of November, you are invited to send poems to the Post containing strong elements of gratitude. The poetry you choose to submit could be written by an acclaimed poet or something you have written yourself. 

To submit, email the poem(s) to SDemmi@myoldsmar.com

The Post is a bulletin located in the Oldsmar Public Library’s arcade, so please choose poems that are family-friendly and feel free to stop by and see what others have chosen to share. I am excited to see what you send my way!

S. Demmi

Remembering Florida's Fallen exhibit

We will be hosting the Remembering Florida's Fallen Photo Exhibit in our Library Arcade from Saturday, September 17 - Friday, September 30. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4:30 pm on Saturday, September 24.  The ribbon cutting will be open to the public, and the display will be available for viewing during regular hours for the rest of the week.

The exhibit  honors Florida servicemen & women who have lost their lives through service to their country since 2001. You can read more about the national mission here: Remembering Our Fallen Project

Call for Local Authors

Are you a published local book author looking to share your work with the community? Apply to take part in our Local Author Showcase!  This free public event will be sponsored by the Friends of the Oldsmar Library.

The Showcase will be at the Library on Thursday, September 22 at 7 pm.​ Selected authors will be expected to arrive at 6:30 prepared to​ do a brief (​8 to 10​ minute) presentation on their work and to provide books which they can sell and sign afterwards.

There is no cost, but space is very limited! Please contact Heidi at 813-749-1179 if interested or for more information.

Family Network on Disabilities Workshops

Are you a parent or caregiver of a special needs public school student? If so, these free workshops are for you! Come learn about these topics & have your questions answered:

Individual Education Plans & Related Services
Friday, August 26, 10:00 - 11:00 am

Parent/Teacher Collaboration & the Evaluation Process
Wednesday, August 31, 6:00 - 7:00 pm

Both workshops will be in our Rotary Literacy/Conference Room.

No registration needed, but for more information please contact Misti Pollaro at 727-523-1130 x 211 or misti@fndfl.org

******
Family Network on Disabilities (FND) was founded in 1985 by a group of parents of children with disabilities who came together for mutual support and information-sharing. FND is a grassroots organization for persons with disabilities and their families that is family-centered and family-driven.

Family Network on Disabilities is a national network of individuals of all ages who may be at-risk, have disabilities, or have special needs and their families, professionals, and concerned citizens. The mission of FND is to strive for the complete integration and equality of persons with disabilities in a society without barriers and to serve families of children with disabilities, ages birth through 26, who have the full range of disabilities described in section 602(3) of IDEA. FND is a parent organization as defined in section 671(a)(2) of IDEA 2004.

Ukulele Classes in May & June

The Tampa Bay Ukulele Society will be hosting two beginner/advanced beginner workshops for adults and teens  in the upcoming weeks.

The first will be a Beginner Class on Tuesday, May 17th from 6:30 to 7:45 followed on Tuesday, June 14th by an Advanced Beginner Class from 6:30 to 7:45.

In the beginner workshop you will learn about different sizes of ukulele as well as how to hold, tune, strum & play a few chords. You'll learn to play two songs & receive information on where to go for further lessons.

If you have a ukulele, please bring it! TBUS will also have a limited number available to use during the workshops.

No registration is needed, but if you like you can pre-register at http://www.meetup.com/tampabayukes/

You can keep up with the TBUS on their website or Facebook page.

Living to be 100

As part of our People's Centennial, Dr. Michael Turner of Conforti Chiropractic is presenting a series of monthly programs to help you live to reach your own centennial!

All programs will be in TECO Hall from 6:30 pm to 8 pm, and no registration is needed.  Here's a schedule:

• Thursday, March 10 - Topic:Nutrition
• Thursday, April 7 - Topic: Fitness
• Thursday, May 5 - Topic: Living to be 100

We hope you enjoy this series of programs to help you increase your health & longevity!

New Monthly Programs

 

We have two new monthly programs beginning in January!

The first new offering is a Wii Gaming Program for teens & adults (13+ please).  We'll be setting up our new Wii in TECO Hall after the library closes on the first Friday of the month and playing multi-player games on the big screen.  Come join us for Super Smash Bros, Mario Kart (and more) and snacks! 

The premier program will actually be a second Friday due to New Year's, so mark your calendar for Friday, January 8 from 5-8 pm. No registration needed, and you'll be able to enter from the outside door of TECO Hall if you arrive after the library closes at 5 pm.

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We're also starting a monthly Fiber Arts Program! The plan is to focus on quilting, cross stitch, knitting and crocheting, but if you're interested in any fiber arts feel free to come to our first meeting on Saturday, January 23 at 1:00 pm in the Rotary Literacy/Conference Room.

Bring a project to work on and/or to show the group, and we'll discuss what we'd like to explore at future meetings.  No registration needed, but please call 813-749-1185 with any questions.

Small Business Counseling with SCORE

Whether you're looking to fine-tune an existing business or achieve that new business start-up you've been dreaming about - SCORE is willing to help! SCORE business counselors provide experienced, unbiased, face to face business mentoring to small business owners & new entrepreneurs.

A business counselor from the Pinellas county chapter of SCORE is at the Oldsmar Library on the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of the month from 10am to Noon & 1:00-3:00pm. To schedule a free 1 hour appointment call the Library's Reference desk at (813) 749-1181 or sign-up in person

Pinellas County SCORE is a non-profit association & resource partner with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)

For more information about SCORE see http://www.pinellascounty.score.org

New Online Resources

In conjunction with the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative, we're happy to share our newest online resources with you!

Miss Humblebee’s Academy is an easy-to-use, interactive online kindergarten readiness solution, offering hundreds of lessons spanning all major academic subjects, providing weekly progress reports and assessments to measure proficiency and learning. Accessible via smart phones and tablets, Miss Humblebee’s Academy offers a safe and secure learning environment, with no pop-ups, ads, or links to other websites.

Developed by the makers of  World Book Encyclopedia, World Book Online allows users to tap into a wealth of reliable information. This resource offers information for all K-12 students and includes databases in Spanish and French. The online content is constantly updated and can provide multimedia resources to further enrich learning

Complete digital copies of your favorite magazines are now available to download for free with no holds, no checkout periods, and no limit to the number of magazines you can download!

The service is provided by Zinio, the world’s largest online magazine subscription service. Using your library card and smartphone, tablet or personal computer, you can gain access to popular magazines like Cosmopolitan, HGTV Magazine, Men's Health, Taste of Home and many more. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and, unlike print magazines, digital magazines don't need to be returned.

Give them a try & let us know what you think!