VOLUME 6 MARION COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM’S QUARTERLY NEWSMAGAZINE | ISSUE 4 ISSUE | WINTER 2014 WINTER ENJOY YOUR PUBLIC LIBRARY INSIDE AND PLUS profile OUT calendar book review Marion County Public Library’s Quarterly Newsmagazine Volume 6 | Issue 4 | Winter 2014 a Marion County Public Library 2720 East Silver Springs Blvd. Ocala, Florida 34470 word 352-368-4507 FROM THE email: [email protected] website: http://library.marioncountyfl.org DIRECTOR By Julie Sieg Library Director: Julie Sieg Director, Marion County Public Library System NEWSMAGAZINE STAFF: Publisher: The Friends of The Ocala Public Library Editor: Karen M. Jensen Library Community Liaison Writers: Kristen Calvert-Nelson, he children on our front cover of WORDS make me smile! I hope Diane Johnson, Linda Porter, Ken Tipper they make you smile as well. This photo captured one moment in a happy, carefree morning in the sun at the Belleview Public Library. Photos: Steve Floethe, Pat Lakin The three are having a joyful time on the Born Learning Trail … Concept Team: Pat Anderson, Karen actively laughing, engaged and intent in what they were doing and without Costello, Domina Daughtrey, Diane T Johnson, Michelle Risko, Roseanne a care in the world. The trail, installed approximately two and a half years Russo, Lee Schwartz, Susan Valle ago, offers the opportunity for children to interact with others, learn, be Distribution: Susan Valle active and explore their environment. At the headquarters library in Ocala, I have had the pleasure of being witness to hundreds of such interactive, special moments between children or between children and their caregivers. Witnessing grandma encouraging onthecover: Suzie to identify the green frog or the yellow duck or listening to mom (L–R): Brianna Jones, Claire Onorato asking Joey to point out the blue circle or orange triangle or watching Johnny and Alex Jergens enjoy Belleview Public Library’s “Born Learning Trail.” carefully step on each letter of the alphabet as he calls them out to dad, these Photo by Pat Lakin are all unexpected benefits of having the Born Learning Trail right outside my office window. It is gratifying to know that the creators of the Born Learning Trail recognized that painted shapes, numbers on a hopscotch game and alphabet circles could create such a learning-rich and engaging environment. Ten signs are also posted to give caregivers helpful tips on how to encourage their children to get the most out of their use of the Born Learning Trail experience. Sing, ask, listen, observe, laugh, pretend, compare, clap, skip and describe are just some of the words used on the signs to make the use of the trail more meaningful. We are so thankful to the United Way’s Women’s Leadership Council Women of Worth and the Early Learning Coalition for selecting three of our library locations — Headquarters-Ocala, Belleview and Forest — to be the recipients of these Born Learning Trails. The Marion County Public Library System is a department of the Marion County Board of County Commissioners and is funded by them through general funds. The WORDS newsmagazine is funded by the Friends of the Ocala Public Library, Inc. FIND THE LIBRARY ON FACEBOOK & TWITTER! 2 words Winter 2014 library.marioncountyfl.org words 3 Outdoors at Your Library Born Learning Trails, Native Plant Gardens and Other Delights Await Those Who Think Outside the Building by Karen Jensen cala/Marion County is famous for its verdant national forest, natural Osprings and mild, sunny winters. Hik- ers, bikers, swimmers, birders, golfers and horseback riders are just a few of the outdoor enthusiasts who either call Ocala/Marion County home or a desti- We want children (and adults) to go out- side and play and learn…right at your li- The Born Learning brary. For those who want to enjoy their Trails are ideal for public library inside out, let’s start in by promoting interaction going out! ‘‘between young Your public library is always looking children and their for new and different ways to connect caregivers. They with the community and making the outdoors another dimension for learn- assist, not only with ing just makes sense. By connecting fun activities such as children and adults with the environ- hopscotch, but also ‘‘ ment and nature, the end result is an en- nation spot on their quest for outstanding hanced overall learning experience that outdoor experiences. As you are check- provide opportunities provides a better understanding of and ing off ways to enjoy the great outdoors to improve language appreciation for Marion County’s abun- this winter, consider that many of your and literacy skills dant natural resources. Marion County Public Library System through the activities In 2012, a grant from United Way of locations include outdoor venues as well. on each sign. Marion County’s Women’s Leadership Yes, it’s true. Just in case you, your Council Women of Worth provided for family or friends need another reason to the implementation of three new Born beat a path to the nearest public library — ROSEANN FRICKS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE EARLY Learning Trails at Forest, Belleview and location, let us put you on the right trail. LEARNING COALITION OF MARION COUNTY 2 words Winter 2014 library.marioncountyfl.org words 3 the approach to the new building. The Friends wanted the garden to be in keep- ing with the new architectural building style, blend with the esthetics of the surrounding wooded grounds and be low maintenance. With these goals in mind, the Friends selected the UF-IFAS Extension “Florida Yards and Neighbor- hood” principles to guide them in their efforts. Funded by public support and proceeds from book sales, the Friends installed drought resistant, low mainte- nance plants, stepping stones, benches and a statue of a child reading to provide enjoyment for library users and the pub- lic. The garden is completely funded and maintained by the Friends of the Dun- nellon Public Library and community supporters. Recently, the Belleview Public Li- brary also became the focal point of native gardening interests. Members of the Marion “Big Scrub” chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS) led a contingent of dedicated volunteers and community members in the instal- lation of the Belleview Public Library Native Plant Garden. The garden, which features over 400 native plants and wild Headquarters-Ocala public libraries. A flowers, was made possible by a grant partnership effort between United Way from the Florida Wildflower Foundation and the Early Learning Coalition of and a bequest from the estate of Helen Marion County/Success by Six and the R. Latus. The garden provides a won- Marion County Public Library System derful environment to learn about and was the inspiration behind the installa- appreciate the natural wonders of cen- tion of these new outdoor learning trails. tral Florida. Both winged and walking The interactive trails contain a series guests visit the garden each day; bees, of 10 educational trail signs designed The Belleview Public birds, butterflies, adults and children to help adults interact with their young Library’s wildflower find the experience tantalizing. children in order to boost language skills garden provides Another aspect of interest is for geo- and early literacy development. ‘‘an opportunity caching enthusiasts. If you are eager to Native plant gardens are another op- search out new outdoor locations, come portunity for children and adults to learn for people in the find a stockpile of caches concealed at about the Florida environment at their community to learn ‘‘ the various public library locations. public library. Both Belleview and Dun- the value of a Check out the public library system’s nellon public libraries offer a glimpse “created habitat,” geocache holdings at geocaching.com to of a variety of native Florida plants and both in public find those hidden prizes! environmentally-friendly garden main- So what are you waiting for? This tenance efforts. spaces and in their winter, and throughout the year, come When the new Dunnellon Public Li- own backyards. enjoy all that the Marion County Public brary opened its doors in 2008, the Library System has to offer—both in- Friends of the Dunnellon Public Library — TARYN EVANS PRESIDENT, MARION BIG SCRUB CHAPTER OF THE side and out! gw began plans for a garden to enhance FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY 4 words Winter 2014 library.marioncountyfl.org Here’s to A HEALTHIER YOU!By Kristen Calvert Nelson anuary 1st is right around the corner, Bruner will be at the Headquarters-Ocala and that means it’s time to make your Public Library this January to give you the New Year’s resolution. The resolu- insider’s scoop on how to become a healthier Jtion at the top of most Americans’ list is you. Brittney will explain how simply walk- improving overall health, yet typically only ing can lead to major health benefits. Plus eight percent of people achieve their New she’ll give some locations for the best places Year’s resolution. to walk in Ocala. Fortunately, Marion County residents have For still more inspiration, yoga instructor the advantage when it comes to keeping those Jeri Lynn Schwietert will also be on hand to resolutions. Florida’s mild winter combined give a demonstration of yoga poses sure to in- with Marion County’s countless parks and crease balance, flexibility and health. recreational spots should make sticking with Want to get healthy this year and keep that those resolutions that much easier. resolution? Join us at the Headquarters-Ocala Not sure where to start? Marion County Public Library on Jan. 21 at 3 p.m. for New Health and Wellness Coordinator Brittney Year: New You. gw Love Is In The Air: THE D.I.Y.