Great Decisions is America’s largest discussion program on world affairs. The name is shared by a national civic-education program, briefing book and television series administered and produced by the Foreign Policy Association.
The Great Decisions program highlights eight of the most thought-provoking foreign policy challenges facing Americans each year. The discussion topics for this season include: U.S. Global Engagement and the Military, Russia’s Foreign Policy, Turkey: A Partner in Crisis, The Waning of Pax Americana, China and America, Global Health, Media and Foreign Policy, and South Africa’s Fragile Democracy.
This popular discussion series is sponsored by the Friends of Elsie Quirk Library and will take place January 29 through April 2. Registration is not required and everyone is welcome to participate in the discussions. The 2018 Great Decisions discussion handbooks are now available for purchase in the Friends of the Library Bookstore. For more information visit the library or online at scgov.net.
Here are the library events for this week:
Saturday
- Suncoast Writers Guild meets at 10 a.m.
- Spanish Story Time at 10:30 a.m. For ages 3 and up. Bilingual stories, songs, and activities. Learn new words and practice language skills.
- Englewood Indivisible meets at 2:30 p.m.
Monday
- All Sarasota County Libraries and government offices are closed for the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday
Tuesday
- Master Gardener Plant Clinic 10 a.m. – Noon. Stop in to get free answers to your Florida gardening and landscape questions. This is made possible through a partnership with UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County. For more information, call 941-861-9807 or online at sarasota.ifas.ufl.edu/hort/plantclinic.shtml.
- The Great Depression, Causes and Cures at 10 a.m. Join moderator, John Ragen for this series of 6 lectures on The Great Depression. Sponsored by the Friends of Elsie Quirk Library.
- Englewood Computer Club meets at 1 p.m.
- iPads for Beginners Part 1 at 2 p.m. Learn hands on iPad basics, internet browsing, downloading apps, how to take a photo and more! Registration is required and limited to 10 participants.
- Reading Buddies at 3:30 p.m. For ages 5-8 (entering K through 3rd grade). Keep up your reading skills and become a better reader by practicing with a buddy. Have fun while reading together and playing engaging reading activities. Volunteers are not trained experts, but will listen, encourage and help as needed.
Wednesday
- French Conversation Group meets at 10 a.m.
- Society of Financial Awareness meets at 10 a.m.
- Managing Money at 1 p.m. Join Ryan Wirsing, Prevention Specialist, with Coastal Behavioral Healthcare as he talks about Managing Money. This program introduces the idea that managing money can improve the quality of one’s life. It teaches what a budget is and how to create and keep one. It focuses on the value of paying off debt, how to pay off debt, and where to get help to do so. We will also learn about the importance of saving money for the future, particularly for emergencies, life goals, and retirement. Sponsored by the Friends of Elsie Quirk Library.
- Teen Advisory Board (T.A.B.) meets at 5:30 p.m. For ages 11-18. Come join the group and provide input and help with library programs.
- Eckankar meets at 6 p.m.
- Teen Game Night at 6:30 p.m. For ages 9-18. This is an open invitation for teens and tweens to play video games on our Wii and Xbox 360.
Thursday
- Tech Time: One on One Help with a Librarian at 10 a.m. Registration required.
- Englewood Genealogical Society – Beginning Genealogy SIG meets at 10 a.m.
- Reading Discussion Group meets at 10:15 a.m. January’s selection: “The Yearling” by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings
- Family Storytime at 10:30 a.m. For ages 0-5. Interact and participate with your child in a variety of early literacy activities that include music, stories, movement, crafts and school readiness activities. Today’s theme is “Stir ‘N Bake”.
- Knitting Club meets at 1 p.m.
- Baila Miller: Frank Lloyd Wright at 2 p.m. Join Baila as she lectures on the works of this prominent 20th Century architect. Sponsored by the Friends of Elsie Quirk Library.
Friday
- Grupo de Estudio Español (Spanish Study Group) meets at 10 a.m.
- Basic Conversational Spanish Class at 11:30 a.m. This is a class for those who know little or no Spanish. It is a beginner’s class, for developing basic communication skills in the language. The participants will use the book “Spanish in 10 Minutes a Day” by Kristine Kershul, which can be purchased at local bookstores and online. Registration is required and limited to 50 participants.
- Englewood Genealogical Society – Family Tree Maker SIG meets at 1:30 p.m.
- Spanish Reading Group at 3 p.m. This class is for those who have taken the beginner’s class, as well as any others who can read/speak basic Spanish. Reading is at the beginning/intermediate level, and consists of Spanish stories, translating them, and working on pronunciation and grammar. To attend, please contact Señor Dan by email 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 scgov.net.
