Kill-A-Watt device / April Spotlight on Sustainability and the Environment

Looking for ways to be more ‘green’?  Trying to figure out why your power bill is so high? Let the Oldsmar Library help you! We have items here that can help you find and get rid of those pesky problems at no cost to you. 

One of the things available is the Kill A Watt. This device plugs measures the amount of wattage that an electronic device uses and gives you an estimate of cost! You can use this to measure all kinds of things such as an alarm clock, a refrigerator, your dryer, a toaster and the list goes on. Using this will give you a guide to let you know what is using the most power in your household and if it should be unplugged or plugged into a power strip that can be switched on and off as needed.  By doing this simple thing you can save money and the environment.

If you're interested in checking out a Kill A Watt, please ask at the Circulation Desk.

YouTube releases App for Kids

Sharing an important press release from our friends at Netsmartz.org

YouTube Releases Kids App
If you've ever been on YouTube, you understand how quickly it can suck you in. You may start out looking at a video about the latest awards show and then find yourself watching your 6th cat video.
Everything on YouTube, however, isn't appropriate for all audiences. So YouTube has launched a new app just for the little ones: YouTube Kids. This app only features family-friendly content and all videos are divided into four categories: shows, music, learning, and exploring. FEATURES The creators of YouTube Kids thought about more than just offering age-appropriate videos.
The app allows parents to: Turn off the search function limiting kids to pre-selected videos Turn off background music and sound effects to cut down on noise Limit screen time with a timer that tells children when their session is over

Submit your Recipes, Oldsmar!

     In anticipation of the City of Oldsmar's Centennial in 2016, the Friends of the Oldsmar Library are preparing a cookbook of recipes from current & former Oldsmar residents! Entries can be submitted now through June 1, 2015.
     You can submit a recipe through this online form, or by picking up a paper form from the Circulation Desk at the Oldsmar Library.

• You must be a current or past resident of the City of Oldsmar to submit a recipe
• Paper entries are to be dropped off at the Oldsmar Library
• All recipes will be given to the Friends of the Library who will decide which recipes will be included in the Centennial Cookbook
• There is no limit to the number of recipes that each person can submit
• Final selections will be notified by phone or e-mail
• The Oldsmar Centennial Cookbook will be available for purchase beginning in January 2016.

Little Free Library

We're pleased to announce that our first Little Free Library has been installed in front of Cypress Forest Recreation Center on Pine Avenue!

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.

Little Free Library & entrance of Cypress Forest Rec Center

The box was paid for by the Friends of the Oldsmar Library, and we were lucky enough to have talented local artist Chelsea Cadwallader volunteer her time to paint it.  We are thrilled with the colorful and whimsical design!  You can see more pictures of the Little Library and of Chelsea's other work on her Facebook page. Chelsea is the daughter of Library Circulation Coordinator Darlene Cadwallader.

Artist Chelsea Cadwallader (L) with Bert Weber, Library Director

The Friends plan to purchase a second Little Free Library, and Library Director Bert Weber will soon be searching for another local artist who would be willing to donate their time to paint it.

February Pet Food for Fines

During the month of February, the Oldsmar Library will accept pet food (bags or cans), pet toys & blankets for late item fines.

Each item = $1 applied to overdue fines only, not to fees for lost or damaged items.

Please bring your pet items to the Library's Circulation desk.  You can call them with any questions at 813-749-1173

Items will go to the Pinellas County Humane Society.

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Also as part of our Love Your Pet month, we'll be hosting the Mobile Pet Vaccination Bus on Saturday, February 28 from 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM in our parking lot.

We are happy to be hosting the Affordable National Mobile Pet Vaccination clinic services for the first time! National Pet Vax mobile facilities visit many convenient locations throughout the west coast of Florida, offering you competitive pricing and quality vaccination services from a professional, courteous and highly experienced staff. They offer a full range of vaccinations, heartworm medications, and flea control products. They can accommodate that adorable new puppy or kitten as well as your beloved senior dog or cat.

Literary Classics Online Book Club from Recorded Books/One Click Digital

Recorded Books, the largest independent publisher of unabridged audiobooks and provider of digital content to the library market, announces the launch of a new online book club, The Literary Classics.

The book club launches in January with Hamlet.

This online book club is tailored for people who enjoy reading and talking about classic literature. Six books are selected each year for reading and discussion. Although all of the titles chosen for The Literary Classics are available to libraries free of charge through the OneClickdigital platform, patrons can participate in the online discussion regardless of where they sourced their reading materials.  (*Note, Oldsmar Library only subscribes to the digital audiobook service from OneClickDigital, but the books they are selecting are in the public domain & free ebooks are available elsewhere, such as from OverDrive or Project Gutenberg)

Each book is featured for a two  month period. During the first month, participants read the book while checking out fun facts about the title on the club’s social - media outlets. The second month is prime time for discussion, discourse, and debate with questions on Facebook, Twitter, and the blog.

For assistance with using OneClickDigital, please call us at 813-749-1181.

New Clubs forming @ Oldsmar Library

We have two new groups looking for members!  

The first is a new Writers Group.  An informational meeting will be held on Saturday, October 4 from 10 am to noon in the Rotary Literacy/Conference Room inside the Library.

The second is a Spanish Language Learning Conversation Group, a place for people at all levels of learning Spanish to practice their conversation skills They are hoping to meet twice monthly on the first & third Mondays beginning October 6 at 6:30 pm in the Rotary Literacy/Conference Room.

No registration is needed for either group, but please call 813-855-5006 with any questions.