A conversation with a community member this week, regarding surreptitiously reading Dear Abby, has me thinking about advice. Of all of the things I learned, or didn’t learn, in junior high school, what stuck with me the most was my social studies teacher, Mr. Westergaard, warning students about giving advice. He told us that he never gives advice because by giving advice you become responsible for the outcome, you take on the other person’s problem, and that most often complicates matters rather than helping. This has been useful food for thought over many years; though I have seen advice be of such profound use, to myself and to others, that I cannot embrace his philosophy entirely. For example, recently, while researching something entirely different, I came across advice from Eartha Kitt that, were I a junior high teacher, I would most certainly be passing along. She says, “It’s all about falling in love with yourself and sharing that love with someone who appreciates you, rather than looking for love to compensate for a self-love deficit.” In fact, along with being the best Cat Woman ever to purr, Eartha Kitt has a lot of concise advice and insight to share. Which you can research at your local library.
Indeed, if you are in need of advice, the Elsie Quirk Library is great place to seek it. Whether you peruse the newspaper for Dear Abby, wander the nonfiction 150s in search of self-improvement books, explore our databases for financial tips, or ask a helpful reference librarian how best to search the internet for resume writing guidance, we are here to serve. We have resources for advice on plumbing, parenting, purchasing, paranormal encounters, Panamanian travel, pet care, party planning, poison plants, pacifism, and a plethora of other topics spanning the alphabet! If, on the other hand, you have some great advice to offer, I invite you to stop into my office in the corner of Elsie Quirk and share the wisdom.
This week’s events:
Friday
- Genealogy Research Introductory Class 10 a.m.
Research your family genealogy online through Ancestry and Heritage Quest. Bring along your family names, dates and locations of your ancestors. Registration is required. - Spanish Study Group 10:15 a.m.
- Genealogy Research Advanced Class 10 a.m.
Registration is required.
Saturday
- Suncoast Writers Guild-Long Writers 10:15 a.m. – Noon.
- La Hora del Cuento/Spanish Storytime 10:30-11:15 a.m.
Ages 3-11 - Englewood Indivisible 2:30 p.m.
Monday
- Englewood Modern Quilters 10:15 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Monday Night Movies 5 p.m.
Our movie this Monday is a musical drama with a powerhouse cast, directed by Kasi Lemmons and based on a play by the inimitable Langston Hughes.
Tuesday
- Master Gardener Plant Clinic 10 a.m. – Noon.
Get free answers to your Florida gardening and landscaping questions. This is made possible through a partnership with UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County. - Family Garden Club of Englewood 10a.m. – Noon
Wednesday
- French Conversation 10 a.m.
- Teen Advisory Board 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. The board is open to students age 11-18, to help plan library programs and initiatives, and provide input on library services. Refreshments provided.
Thursday
- The Reading Discussion Group 10:15 a.m. – Noon.
The Reading Discussion Group meets the 3rd Thursday of each month October through April. Selected titles will be available for checkout from the Sarasota County Library System. Title for December: “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” by Heather Morris. - Family Storytime 10:30 a.m.
For ages 0-5. Interact and participate with your child in a variety of early literacy and school readiness activities that feature stories, music and movement, and crafts. - Quirky Knitters 1 – 3 p.m.
All are welcome to knit and chat.
