Feb. 25 – March 3 EVENTS
AT THE ELSIE QUIRK LIBRARY

This year marks the twentieth anniversary celebration of Read Across America and Dr. Seuss’s 113th birthday! Be a part of the reading excitement by getting involved in supporting children’s literacy in our community.

This yearly celebration was created to put every child in the company of a book. Take the opportunity to read to a child in your life.
Help set a good example. Contact a local school or literacy program and volunteer to teach children how to read.
Donate books to the Elsie Quirk Library. Call ahead to see what is needed.

The National Education Association estimates that last year almost 45 million children and adults celebrated the joy of reading on Dr. Seuss’s birthday. This year the hope is to bring a nation of readers together to really drive home the message of the importance of reading. Here in Englewood, I hope that every child will be reading with a caring adult. For more information about NEA’s Read Across America, visit www.nea.org/readacross.

Kids who read, and who are read to, do better in school. In fact, a recent reading assessment of fourth-grade students by the National Assessment of Educational Progress, found that reading for fun had a positive relationship to reading scores. Taking time to read with a child is one of the most important lessons that adults can share with the children in their lives. Be sure to join in on the fun because you’re never too old, too wacky, or too wild, to pick up a book and read with a child!

Children ages birth through five and their families are invited to celebrate this special day at Elsie Quirk Library. An interactive Dr. Seuss program will start at 10:30 a.m. and include stories, songs, and activities.

Here are the Elsie Quirk Library events for this week:

Saturday

Microsoft Excel and Word Basics: Part 2 begins at 10 a.m. This class will build on the skills covered in Part 1. Participants will learn about 3-D cell reference, useful formulas and functions, macros, tables, and short cuts. Basic computer skills are needed. Participants should bring their laptop with Microsoft Excel and Word. Registration is required and limited to 12 participants.
National Spasmodic Dysphonia Association meets at 10:15 a.m. The NSDA is a non-profit organization that assists individuals with a neurological voice disorder. This meeting provides support and education for individuals and their families.
Spanish Story Time starts at 10:30 a.m. and is open to children ages 3 to 11. Join Lourdes Fuller for a fun, interactive morning with bilingual stories, songs, and activities. No registration required.
AARP Tax Assistance Program is from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and offered by appointment. Please visit the library in-person to schedule your appointment.

Monday

Great Decisions starts at 10:00 a.m. This is America’s largest discussion series on world affairs. Attendees are asked to read each session’s selected Great Decisions topic before attending. This week’s topic is, The Future of Europe. The book can be purchased at the Friends bookstore for $23 each.
Forty Carrots’ Partners in Play is a free class for caregivers and children ages birth to 5 to enjoy together and is held from 10:15 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. or 11:15 a.m. to noon. Experience educational activities, join in circle-time fun, meet other families, and receive valuable parenting and child development information. Attendance is limited to 12 families per session.
AARP Tax Assistance Program is from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and offered by appointment. Please visit the library in-person to schedule your appointment.
The Great American Loop: The Six Thousand Mile Boat Trip will be presented at 2:00 p.m. Dave and Mary Bernheisel embarked on an adventure of a lifetime in 2002. Their boat trip, which circumnavigated the eastern half of the United States, produced amusing stories, memories, and a journey to be shared. Sponsored by the Friends.
Our Monday Night Movie starts at 5:00 p.m. This remake of the French comedy, La Cage aux Folles, will keep you laughing! Armand Goldman owns a popular nightclub in Miami Beach where his long-time lover, Albert, is the star of the show. Their adult son Val, visits to announce his engagement to the daughter of a prominent US Senator and comic chaos ensues. (Comedy, R, 1 hr. 58 mins.) (1997)
English for Spanish Speakers/Gratis Clase de Ingles para Hispanohablantes starts at 5:30 p.m. This class is for Spanish speakers who want to improve their English skills. Students should be able to speak some basic English.

Tuesday

Drop in for the Master Gardener Plant Clinic in partnership with UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County from 10:00 a.m. to noon. For more information, call 941-861-1307 or visit, http://sarasota.ifas.ufl.edu/Hort/horthelp.shtml.
The Treaty of Versailles: The Treaty that Changed the World will start at 10:00 a.m. This ongoing series will review the history of this era, the consequences of the treaty and its impact on America in the 21^st No registration necessary.
Join the Englewood Camera Club at 12:30 p.m.
Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead-Math is from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Registration is open to ages 5 through 11 and limited to 12 participants.

Wednesday

AARP Tax Assistance Program is from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and offered by appointment. Please visit the library in-person to schedule your appointment.
The Lego Club meets from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and is open to children ages 5 and up. LEGO bricks will be provided. Creations will be on display in the library until the next meeting date. The LEGO Club meets each month on the first Wednesday evening and on the third Saturday from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. No registration necessary.
When Celestial Bodies Collide-Eclipses and other phenomena will begin at 5:00 p.m. Astronomer Kevin Manning will explore the natural causes of these and other celestial events. Many fascinating photos will serve to illustrate these occurrences. Attendees will have the opportunity to use a telescope and view the night sky.

Thursday

Flood Zone Map Changes Workshop starts at 10:15 a.m.
The Great Books Discussion Group meets the first Thursday of each month through April at 10:15 a.m. This group will be reading selections from the Great Books Foundation’s Great Conversations 2 and 4. A copy of the book is available at the Elsie Quirk Library’s Reference desk. This month’s discussion is on, “Perpetual Peace” by Immanuel Kant.
Family Storytime starts at 10:30 a.m. and is open to children ages birth to 5 and their families. Enjoy interacting with your child by participating in early literacy activities that include books, music and movement, crafts and other educational activities. No registration necessary. This week’s theme is, Seuss.
Englewood Area Mac Users Group meets at 1:00 p.m.
The Knitting Club will meet to knit and chat from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Friday

AARP Tax Assistance Program is from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and offered by appointment. Please visit the library in-person to schedule your appointment.
Basic Conversational Spanish Class for Beginners will meet from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Learn basic conversational Spanish with instructor Dan Duffy. This class is for those who know little or no Spanish. Registration is required and limited to 50 participants. Register at https://www.scgov.net/library for this free class that meets through April.
The Age of Henry VIII lecture will start at 2:00 p.m.
Spanish Reading Group meets from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. This group is for students who have participated in the beginner’s class, as well as any others who can read/speak basic Spanish. Reading is at the beginning to intermediate level, and consists of Spanish storytelling, translation and pronunciation and grammar. This class is taught by Dan Duffy. For more information, contact Senor Duffy at Spanishfaculty@gmail.com.

For more information on library programs, services, and resources visit us at 100 West Dearborn Street, call the Sarasota County Contact Center at 941-861-5000, or visit our website at www.scgov.net/library.