By Laura Laspee, MLIS, Branch Manager
Looking for the perfect way to show your love this month? Take the hand of your special someone and head post-haste to your local library branch. Yes, the library! Library cards are an amazing year-round resource and they’re FREE for all residents of Bay, Gulf, and Liberty Counties. Equipped with this key to infinite worlds and learning, you can checkout up to 20 items at a time at any Northwest Regional Library System (NWRLS) location. Options include standard library fare such as books, audiobooks, DVDs and eBooks, but also less expected items like ukuleles, dulcimers, cake pans, telescopes, and more. Cool date suggestion: check out a telescope, a book on the stars, and pack a blanket to do some winter stargazing on the beach. If you’re feeling really ambitious, add a ukulele to the list and pluck out a few dulcet tunes to set the scene (romantic gesture for the win).
Need a refresher for your ukulele skills first? Free online music lessons are available through the library’s ArtistWorks subscription sponsored by the Ukulele Orchestra of St. Andrews. Lessons are taught by professional musicians starting with beginner and moving to advanced tutorials. Lessons include guitar, ukulele, piano, voice, drums, clarinet and more! When in your Libby app, scroll down to Extras, Select ArtistWorks and Get Access. This will provide a 30-day access pass, which you can renew when it expires. www.nwrls.com/music-instruction.
Check out our new online access to The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post for all your news information – it’s available just by signing up on our website. Take a look at Creativebug where you will find unlimited access to arts and crafts courses for all ages.
We love going out to visit our patrons too. We bring the library to you! Thanks to a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Northwest Regional Library System offers Mobile Library visits in Bay, Gulf and Liberty Counties! Activities and services provided may vary from stop to stop but all Mobile Library visits will provide the opportunity to:
• Borrow books, DVD movies, and Books on CD for all ages.
• Return books borrowed from any NWRLS library.
• Access the library catalog and place holds on desired titles.
• Pick-up previously requested materials.
• Access free Wi-Fi from our hotspot.
• Register for a library card account. (Photo ID and proof of residency required)
• Receive information assistance from library staff.
Please note, a valid library card is required to borrow library materials from the Mobile Library. Items borrowed will be due upon the next visit of the Mobile Library, however items may be returned to any NWRLS location.
Once safe to resume small gatherings, Mobile Library visits may include special programs such as Virtual Reality Demonstrations, Technology Training Classes, 3D Printing, Craft and Maker activities, STE(A)M games, and more! Please check this website www.nwrls.com for updated information including a schedule of Mobile Library locations and times when available.
A list of current stops made in Bay County:
Callaway Arts Center, Panama City Farmers Market, Fountain Community Center, Under the Oaks Park, Frank Brown Park, Sheffield Park, and Mexico Beach Welcome Center.
Our friendly librarians love to help patrons find a new read. Some of our recommendations for 2022 are:
• The Maid written by Nita Prose
• Fiona and Jane written by Jean Chen Ho
• American Gods written by Neil Gaiman
• The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue written by V.E. Schwab
• The Poisonwood Bible written by Barbara Kingsolver
• Lost & Found written by Kathryn Schulz
• Wish You Were Here written by Jodi Piccoult
• Call Us What We Carry: Poems written by Amanda Gorman
• The Stranger in the Life Boat written by Mitch Albom
We are hoping to offer Story Walks in the near future to be held outdoors. Follow our Facebook page for all upcoming virtual children’s programming.
AARP will return this year on Monday, February 14th. They are helping people with their taxes by appointment only. Please call (850) 329-5235 and leave a voicemail with your name and telephone number. A volunteer will contact you to set up an appointment. AARP tax volunteers will be here at the library every Monday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. during tax season except for Monday, February 21st when the library is closed for President’s Day.
Stop by and say “hello,” we’d love to see you!
Funding for the Creativebug, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post online is provided through the Expanding Outreach and Digital Access Grant through September 2022. This project was funded under the provisions of the DLIS Florida American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Florida’s DLIS Florida ARPA program is administered by the Department of States Division of Library and Information Services.
