Osceola Library News

Facebook 101

2012-01-27T08:00:00.000-05:00

Join your friends and family on this social networking website by signing up for a free account. Learn how to create your profile, find friends, upload pictures, play fun apps, and make your account safe and secure. Level 2

Join us January 30 at the Veterans Memorial Library St. Cloud Branch at 2:00 p.m. Click here to register.

Click here for a list of other computer workshops available at your local library!

Jammy Jamboree

2012-01-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

Come in your PJ's and bring your favorite stuffed animal to the library for a fun story time and craft activity.

Join us on January 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the Poinciana Library.

Check out these other events that are fun for the whole family!

Preschool Rockin' Readers

2012-01-14T15:47:00.002-05:00

Preschoolers and their grownups are invited to theme-based storytimes geared for the interests and development stages of three-five year old. Join in songs, flannel board stories rhymes, and books-of course! This interactive program builds early literacy skills.

Join us January 18 at the Buenaventura Lakes Branch Library at 11:00 a.m.

Click here to see other events for kids at your local library!

Exhibition: Literacy Through Art "Fables, Folk Tales, Legends, & Myths"

2011-12-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

The Osceola Library System and School District of Osceola County are pleased to present the 8th annual Exhibition Literacy through Art. Enjoy the artistic talents of many hardworking and gifted students, and their teachers, who live in Osceola County.

This year's theme of "Fables, Folk Tales, Legends, & Myths" must include the original pieces of student created art that reflects a scene, character, or idea from a book classified in one of these genres.

Don’t miss this special exhibit created by Osceola County's very special artists! It's on display at the Hart Memorial Central Library until January 9.

Holiday Extravaganza

2011-12-13T08:00:00.001-05:00

While parents finish up last-minute holiday errands, the Library's elves will keep kids busy with a fun-filled afternoon: making presents in Santa's Workshop, being entertained by special performers, watching Holiday G-rated movies, and more!

This special drop-off event is for kids in 1st-5th grades only! Legal guardians complete a permission slip and show photo ID at drop-off and pick-up. Pre-registration is required. Please click here to register.

Join us on Saturday, December 17 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Hart Memorial Central Library.

Holiday craft for adults!

2011-12-10T08:00:00.000-05:00

Holiday Recycled Crafts
Just in time for the holidays, have fun creating a Christmas Tree and Angel out of recycled materials. Click below for dates, times and locations.

Click here to register!

Check out these reference ebooks!

2011-12-03T11:04:00.004-05:00

Check out the great reference eBooks from the Gale Virtual Reference Library. Type in a keyword in the box above and it the go symbol next the text box to give it a try.

To access this database from our website, go to:

www.osceolalibrary.org
Mouse over the Research tab and click on the Databases link.
Scroll to the Encyclopedias, Reference Resources & Law section
Click on Gale Virtual Reference Library. You will need your Library card number to log in from home.

For more information about GVRL, watch this tutorial.

Watercolor Workshop with Maria Barry

2011-12-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

Ever thought about taking a watercolor class? No artistic abilities, experience, or supplies needed. Just bring a great attitude and the curiosity to learn. Everyone will find this a rewarding and relaxing learning experience with local professional artist, Maria Barry.

PLEASE PRE-REGISTER! SPACE IS LIMITED TO THE FIRST 15 PEOPLE. Click the links below to register online, or call 407-742-8888

Dates:
Hart Memorial Central Library - Tuesday, December 6 at 4:00 p.m.
Hart Memorial Central Library - Tuesday, December 13 at 4:00 p.m.

Another Book Sale!

2011-11-27T08:00:00.000-05:00

Get a second chance at purchasing quality, gently used books at this book sale event sponsored by the Friends of the Osceola Library System!

Join us at the Hart Memorial Central Library during the following dates and times:

Thursday, December 1 at 1:00 pm - Open only to Osceola Library Card holders and Friends of the Library Members. Cash only.
Friday, December 2 and Saturday, December 3 - Starting at 9:00 am, these two days are open to the public.

Music in the Library: Chestnut Elementary Band

2011-11-26T08:00:00.000-05:00

Bring in the Holiday Season with music of 13 talented elementary students composing the Chestnut Elementary Band. Directed and taught by Ms. Naranja, don't miss this chance to support the hard work and efforts of local school children!

Join us Tuesday, November 29 at 5:45 pm at the Poinciana Library.

Book Sale!

2011-11-15T08:00:00.001-05:00

Visit the Poinciana Branch Library for a Book Sale sponsored by the Friends of the Poinciana Branch Library

Find the best deal in town:

$2 per hardcover
.50 cents per paperback
Cash only, please!

Spend $2 to purchase a Friends of the Library Bag to carry home all your treasures!

This is a great opportunity for the public to purchase quality, gently used books and support the Library System.

Join us Friday and Saturday, November 18-19 from 9:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m.

It's Story time!

2011-11-09T10:00:00.000-05:00

Here's a list of story times available for kids:

Baby and Me
Children birth to 18 months
■ Veterans Memorial St Cloud Library - Wednesdays at 9:15 am

Toddler Tales
Children ages 18 -36 months
■ Veterans Memorial St Cloud Library - Tuesdays at 10:00 am
■ Buenaventura Lakes Library - Wednesdays at 10:00 am
■ Poinciana Library - Wednesdays at 10:00 am
■ Hart Memorial Central Library - Thursdays at 10:00 am

PreSchool Rockin’ Readers
Children ages 3 - 5 years old
■ Veterans Memorial St Cloud Library - Tuesdays at 11:00 am
■ Buenaventura Lakes Library - Wednesdays at 11:00 am
■ Poinciana Library - Wednesdays at 11:00 am
■ Hart Memorial Central Library - Thursdays at 11:00 am

Mother Goose Storytime
Toddlers and preschoolers
■ Veterans Memorial St Cloud Library - Tuesdays at 1:30 pm
■ West Osceola Library - Fridays at 10:30 am

Teen Pokemon Day

2011-11-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

Teens, visit the Library and bring Pokemon games, cards, equipment and all accessories needed for an awesome day of Pokemon! If there's enough interest, a tournament will be set up.

Join us at the Veterans Memorial Library on Thursday, November 10 at 3:00 p.m.

Osceola Friends of the Library Meeting

2011-11-05T08:00:00.000-04:00

Friends of the Library help to make it possible for everyone to enjoy the privileges of information access, entertainment, and education found in a great library system. Join the Osceola Friends today and help support your local library!

Click here for more information about Friend's Groups

Come to the meeting at the Hart Memorial Central Library, Tuesday, November 8 at 11:00 a.m.

Get Coupon Savy

2011-11-02T08:00:00.000-04:00

Learn how to use coupons to maximize your dollars when buying groceries and personal care items. Don't miss this great class presented by county Extension Services.

Join us!
Saturday, November 5, 2011, 10:00am - noon
Hart Memorial Library

Please click here to pre-register

Save Your Home

2011-10-29T08:00:00.000-04:00

Want to learn how to save your home and prevent foreclosure? Don't miss this great seminar presented by county extension services.

Join us at the Buenaventura Lakes Library on Tuesday, November 1 at 2:00 p.m.

Please click here to pre-register.

Library Advisory Board Meeting

2011-10-23T14:39:00.001-04:00

The Osceola County Library Advisory Board is scheduled to hold a special meeting on:

Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 6:00 P.M.
Hart Memorial Central Library
211 East Dakin Ave, Kissimmee, FL 34741

This meeting is open to the public. LSSI will present its plan for privatizing the Osceola Library System if awarded the contract.

Fun and Festive Halloween Parties!

2011-10-05T08:00:00.003-04:00

Join the party fun at your local library!

Pumpkin Patch Party
This non-scary, non-Halloween event is complete with fall games, harvest crafts, and Pumpkin Bingo. No monsters allowed!

■ Hart Memorial Central Library - Saturday, October 8 at 1:30 pm

Halloween Costume Party
"Boos" and "Ghouls" are invited to trick-or-treat through the Library, make a craft and enjoy The Wondermakers!

■ Hart Memorial Central Library - Tuesday, October 18 at 6:30 pm
■ Buenaventura Lakes Library - Thursday, October 20 at 6:30 pm
■ Veterans Memorial St Cloud Library - Tuesday, October 25 at 6:30 pm
■ Poinciana Library - Wednesday, October 26 at 6:30 pm

HalloTeen Party
Dress up in costume and visit the Library to make a mask and enjoy special activities. "Ghoul" be dying to attend - Mwa ha ha!

■ Buenaventura Lakes Library - Monday, October 24 at 6:30 pm
■ Veterans Memorial St Cloud Library - Thursday, October 27 at 6:30 pm

Library eBooks are Now Available for Kindle!

2011-09-23T16:36:00.001-04:00

The Osceola Library System is excited to announce that its eBook collection is now compatible with the world’s bestselling eBook reader, the Amazon® Kindle. Patrons can now download popular and classic eBooks to a Kindle device or any mobile device running the free Kindle app, such as iPhone®, iPad®, Android™, and more. To get started, visit http://overdrive.osceolalibrary.org.

The Osceola Library System also offers eBooks and audiobooks for use on a PC or Mac computer and popular mobile devices such as a Smartphone, MP3 player, and eBook reader like the Barnes & Noble® Nook™ and Sony® Reader.

Kindle users can browse the Osceola Library System’s collection of bestselling and classic eBooks from a PC or Mac computer, check out titles using a library card, and select “Get for Kindle” to deliver eBooks to their Kindle device or any device running the free Kindle app. Users who enjoy eBooks on Kindle will benefit from Amazon’s Whispersync technology that synchronizes notes, highlights and last page read between their Kindle and free Kindle apps.
Visit the library’s website to download eBooks for your Kindle: http://overdrive.osceolalibrary.org.

The library is anticipating a high demand for eBooks, so patrons are encouraged to take advantage of the Always Available eBooks with no need for holds. The library will continue to build its eBook collection so keep checking back for more titles.

Osceola Library System partners with OverDrive, Inc. (www.overdrive.com), a global leader in eBook distribution for libraries and schools, to offer this service.

Community Blood Drive

2011-09-20T10:34:00.000-04:00

Be a HERO & Save three lives by Donating Blood with the Osceola Library System!!

EVERY donor receives an iron check, blood pressure screening and pulse check. Five business days after donating each donor will be able receive their blood type and cholesterol reading by contacting the Community Blood Centers of Central Florida online at www.cbcsf.org or by telephone at 1.800.357.4483

YOU Can Save Lives on the Following Date:
Friday, September 23rd from 1pm to 6pm @ Buenaventura Lakes Branch Library

For additional information regarding Blood Donation please call Alicia @ 407-453-2836 or visit www.cbcsf.org.

A.B.E. (Adult Basic Education) Class

2011-09-15T08:00:00.000-04:00

One out of every five Central Florida adults reads at or below 5th grade level. Here's a chance to help expand the world, one page at a time by joining the Adult Basic Education Class as a participant or as a much needed literacy tutor.

Taught by Kinisha Rice, from the Adult Literacy League, new attendees are welcomed and encouraged-- as are potential tutor volunteers. Stop by, observe the class, and talk with Kinisha afterwards for more details.

This class is made possible via a partnership between the Adult Literacy League and the Osceola Library System. Library programs are free and open to the public.

More information is available by contacting the Library's Programming Department (407.742.8888) or by calling the Adult Literacy League (407.422.1540)

Classes are Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. at the Hart Memorial Central Library

Learn about the computer at the library!

2011-09-12T08:00:00.000-04:00

The Library offers a variety of FREE computer classes. Sign up for one today! You can sign up online, over the phone, or ask Library staff to help you the next time you visit the Library.

To see what we have available, click here. Mouse over a class to see a description. Click on the name of the class and fill out the form to sign up.

Tips:

When you sign up, if you give your email address, you'll get an email reminder the day before the class.
Don't see a class that will help you? Try the computer instruction databases or Book a Librarian.

Download free music from Freegal!

2011-09-09T08:00:00.000-04:00

The Osceola Library System is offering free music through the Freegal Music Service. Download up to 3 songs a week. For FREE! Click the link above and enter your 13 digit library card number and pin. Don't know your pin number? Click here

Please note that your Library Card has to be in good standing. Blocked or expired cards cannot access this service.

New selections are added every week, from Kreayshawn, Aerosmith, Casey James, Passion Pit, Leona Lewis, and more!

Digital Audiobooks on EBSCOhost

2011-09-06T08:00:00.000-04:00

EBSCO offers a premium collection of high-quality audiobook titles on EBSCOhost that are compatible with virtually every portable audio device, giving users 24/7 access to audiobooks from the library, at home or on the go.

What do you need? A active Library card to log on from home, and once logged on, a user account, which you can create in the comfort of your own home.

To access the audiobooks, go here.

For more information about system requirements and the software needed to download, click here

Download Audiobooks and eBooks, Anytime, Anywhere

2011-08-30T14:36:00.004-04:00

Osceola Library System is proud to offer you best-selling and classic audiobooks and eBooks available 24/7 from the library’s website, http://overdrive.osceolalibrary.org

You can browse the collection, check out with your library card, and download to PC, Mac®, and many mobile devices. To get started, you will need to install free software. For audiobooks, music, and video: OverDrive® Media Console™. To read eBooks, you’ll need Adobe® Digital Editions. Titles can be enjoyed immediately or transferred to a variety of devices, including iPod®, Sony® Reader™, and many others. Some audio titles can also be burned to CD to listen on-the-go. Titles will automatically expire at the end of the lending period. There are no late fees!

With hundreds of popular fiction and non-fiction titles to choose from, the new collection is guaranteed to have something for everyone. You can download best-selling novels, well-known classics, self-improvement guides, and much more.

This new service, powered by OverDrive, is free with your library card. To get started downloading audiobooks, and eBooks, visit http://overdrive.osceolalibrary.org