There’s still plenty of time left to participate with the Sarasota County Libraries in the inaugural 2018 Winter Reading Challenge. The Winter Reading Challenge is taking place now through the end of January.
This challenge is a national reading initiative sponsored by billionaire and “Shark Tank” investor, Mark Cuban. He is challenging libraries nationwide to encourage library patrons to read 70,000 books during the month of January. If the goal is met Mr. Cuban will donate $25,000 to First Book, a non-profit organization that provides new books, learning materials and other essential resources to children in need. He will also donate $10,000 to the top performing libraries.
The Winter Reading Challenge is open to all ages and all reading levels. To participate in the challenge, register online at https://scgov.beanstack.org/reader365 where you can log the hours that you read, track the titles that you read, write book reviews and receive reading recommendations. Help us exceed our goal of 1,000 books read for the month of January.
Here are the library events for this week:
Saturday
- Suncoast Writers Guild meets at 10 a.m.
- LEGO Club 1:30 p.m. Children ages 5 to 12 will have fun getting together with others and sharing ideas, working together, and making new friends. LEGO bricks will be provided – bring your imagination. LEGO creations will be on display in the library until the next meeting date.
Monday
- Forty Carrots Partners in Play 10:15 a.m. OR 11:45 a.m. For children, up to age 5 with a parent or caregiver. A free class for you and your child to enjoy together. Experience new 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.
- Monday Night Movie at 5 p.m. Tonight’s film is the story of James Braddock, a supposedly washed-up boxer, who came back to become a champion and an inspiration in the 1930s. (PG-13, 2 hrs. 24 mins.) Contact the library for movie titles.
- English for Spanish Speakers/Gratis Clase de Ingles para Hispanohablantes meets at 5:30 p.m. This class is for Spanish speakers, who want to improve their English skills in speaking, and understanding English, with emphasis on correct pronunciation. Students must be able to speak some basic English. Class meets once a week. Señor Dan Duffy will be teaching from the book “English for the Spanish Speaker” book 4, by Kathleen Fisher; Fisher Hill Publishers 5th ed., (2009)
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.
- Englewood Genealogical Society Family Tree Maker SIG meets at 10 a.m.
- Englewood Camera Club meets at 1 p.m.
- iPads for Beginners Part 2 at 2 p.m. Topics will include, using email, saving and sharing, organizing apps, & also how to download eBooks from Overdrive and Cloud Library (Sarasota County Library card and pin # is required). Registration is required and limited to 10 participants.
- Reading Buddies at 3:30 p.m. For ages 4½ -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. Registration is required.
Wednesday
- French Conversation Group meets at 10 a.m.
- Flood Zone Map Changes Workshop at 10 a.m. This workshop is for anyone who has questions about flood risks, zones, insurance regulations and pending map changes: especially residents, professional lenders, insurance agents and realtors.
- Englewood Genealogical Society meets at 1 p.m.
- Discover Colorado at 5 p.m. Jenny Wilkins will share the wonders of biking, hiking, climbing and camping in Colorado. Sponsored by the Friends of Elsie Quirk Library.
- Teen Book/Movie Club at 5:30 p.m. Discuss the book and watch the film with other teens. For ages 11-18. Contact the library for titles.
Thursday
- Tech Time: One on One Help with a Librarian at 10 a.m. Book a 30-minute session today by calling 941-861-1207 or by signing up at the Reference Desk.
- 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.
- 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 “Zoo”.
- Knitting Club meets at 1 p.m.
- Englewood Peace Initiative Coalition (EPIC) meets at 3:30 p.m.
Friday
- Grupo de Estudio Espanol (Spanish Study Group) meets at 10 a.m.
- Basic Conversational Spanish Class at 11:30 a.m. This 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.
- The Age of Henry the VIII at 2 p.m. Join us for the last 8 lectures in this DVD series. Moderator, Tom Swepston, will show two 30-minute lectures per session with time for discussion at the end. Sponsored by the Friends of Elsie Quirk Library. January 26 lectures: “The Rebellion: Pilgrimage of Grace” and “A Renaissance Court”
- 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. 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.
