January 28 – Feb. 3 EVENTS
AT THE ELSIE QUIRK LIBRARY

Sarasota County Libraries are in full swing with the Big League Reader reading program. From now until March 8^th children ages 6-18 can read their way to a FREE Baltimore Orioles game. Children who read 3 books can earn a FREE ticket to a Major League Baseball Spring Training game at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota. The game will be on Saturday, March 11^th when the Baltimore Orioles take on the Pittsburgh Pirates. Come by the Youth section at Elsie Quirk Library to pick up your scorecard. After completing 3 books, return to the library to have your scorecard stamped and signed by a library staff member, which will entitle you to a free reserved grandstand ticket at the March 11^th game. Children can also enter a drawing to throw out the first pitch. The first 100 children to complete their scorecards will receive a free Big League Reader t-shirt. Wear your shirt to the game and get a baseball cap. For more details on the Big League Reader program visit www.scgov.net, call the Sarasota County Call Center at (941) 861-5000 or stop by any Sarasota County Library.

Here’s what’s happening at the library this week:

Saturday

• Spanish/Bilingual Story Time for ages 3-11 at 10:30 a.m. Join volunteer Lourdes Fuller for a fun, interactive time with bilingual stories, songs and activities. Everyone welcome.
• Microsoft PowerPoint Basics class 10:00-11:30 a.m. This hands-on class introduces the basics of using Microsoft PowerPoint 2013 software including: creating a presentation, editing, and saving in different file types, components of the workspace, using the outline and presentation views, changing slide order, and viewing slides. ***Participants will need to bring their own laptop and have Microsoft PowerPoint 2013 already installed on it. Basic computer skills are required for this class. We will have 4 laptops available for those to use who do not have a laptop or Microsoft PowerPoint 2013. Registration is required and limited to 12 participants.

Monday

• Forty Carrots Partners in Play at 10:15 a.m. or 11:15 a.m. For children up to age 5 and their parent or caregiver. This class is a chance for you to be a partner in your child’s playtime. Forty Carrots’ learning materials give your child a chance to use his motor skills, while you chat with trained parenting educators. Each session is limited to 12 families on a first come, first served basis.
• Great Decisions meets at 10:15 a.m. to discuss foreign policy and world affairs. The topic of discussion will be “Latin America’s Political Pendulum” moderated by J.J. Peak.
• Monday Night Movie starts at 5:00 p.m. Tonight’s film will be a dramatization of the turbulent first years of Queen Victoria’s rule, and her enduring romance with Prince Albert. (Rated PG; 1hr. 45min.)
• English for Spanish Speakers (Gratis Clase de Ingles para Hispanohablantes) 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.

Tuesday

• Drop in for the Master Gardener Plant Clinic in partnership with UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County from 10 am to noon. For more information, call 941-861-1307 or visit, http://sarasota.ifas.ufl.edu/Hort/horthelp.shtml.      
• Treaty of Versailles: The Treaty that Changed the World discussion will be at 10:00 a.m. The treaty set the stage for WW II, the cold war and future wars in the 20th and 21st centuries. Empires dissolved, old countries deleted and new countries established. This class will review the history of this time, the consequences of the treaty, and the impact on America in the 21st century. Moderated by John Regan. Everyone is welcome.

• Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead – MATH. For ages 5-11 at 3:30 p.m. Learn about and enjoy the math behind your favorite activities. Based on the Bedtime Math Curriculum. Registration is limited to 12 children.

Wednesday

• AARP Foundation – TAX AIDE 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers free assistance for federal returns. By appointment only. You must schedule your appointment in person at Elsie Quirk Library’s front desk.
• Englewood Computer Club meets at 1:00 p.m.
• LEGO Club for children 5 and up meets 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. LEGO bricks will be provided – bring your imagination. Get together with others and share ideas, work as a team together, make new friends. LEGO creations will be on display in the library until the next meeting date. The LEGO Club meets the 1^st Wednesday of the month 6:00-7:30 p.m. and the 3^rd Saturday of the month from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
• O-WOW! (Our Writers Own Workshop) meets at 2:00 p.m.
• Englewood Authors meets at 5:00 p.m.

Thursday

• Family Storytime begins at 10:30 am and is open to ages birth through 5. Enjoy interacting with your child by participating in early literacy activities that will include music and movement, books, crafts, and educational activities. This week come and meet author and illustrator, Suzanne Bloom.
• Great Books Discussion Group meets at 10:15 am to discuss “The Life of Nicias” by Plutarch. New members are encouraged to join.
• The Knitting Club will meet to knit and chat from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Englewood Area MAC Users Group meets at 1:00 p.m.
• Meet Author and Illustrator Suzanne Bloom at 1:30 p.m. Adults and teens are invited to learn about the world of writing and illustrating picture books for children. Registration is required.

Friday

• AARP Foundation – TAX AIDE 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide offers free assistance for federal returns. By appointment only. You must schedule your appointment in person at Elsie Quirk Library’s front desk.
• Basic Conversational Spanish Class for Beginners 11:30 a.m. Learn basic conversational Spanish with instructor Dan Duffy. This class is for those who know little or no Spanish.
• The Age of Henry the VIII at 2:00 p.m. Join us for this DVD lecture series on The Age of Henry the VIII lead by Professor, Dale Hoak Ph.D. from The Great Courses. Moderator, Tom Swepston, will show two 30-minute lectures per session with time for discussion at the end.
• Spanish Reading Group meets at 3:00 p.m. This is an intermediate class for those who have participated in the beginner’s class, as well as any others who can read/speak basic Spanish.

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.