RENEW
This challenging year of change has taught us how quickly we can adapt to keep serving our patrons and our community.
“The only thing that is constant is change.” – Heraclitus
A Message from our Director 2020 has been a year of change for all of us. At the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library, we have changed the way we provide services, we have changed the way we offer programs, and we have changed the way we interact with patrons. But through all of this change, we have realized how much we love our community and how much we appreciate you: our supporters! You have been patient, encouraging, and gracious through it all. You validate the reasons why we do what we do. Thank you. We pride ourselves on the ability to change in order to continue providing service in a safe way. And through all of this change, we want you to know that we are a constant in our community. The library staff will always work toward finding solutions and ways to provide access to information. In spite of everything this year, we know that people are still very interested in reading and in checking out books, in many different formats. We know that it’s our role to help bridge the digital divide by providing access to updated technologies and to the internet, especially for students who may be completing school work from home, or members of the workforce applying for jobs. We know that we can help provide an escape from reality for just a little while through virtual programs, take-and-make kits, or even just recommending a new title. We want to meet your needs, whatever they may be and in whatever way we can. In 2019, we never imagined what 2020 would look like. But our staff members have accepted the challenge. They have shown their creativity and ability to push the boundaries of traditional library service into uncharted territories. They have demonstrated their willingness to serve. Just imagine what 2021 can be if we keep pushing and learning together.
Abby Carpenter Interim Library Director
Abby Carpenter
1,000 book drop-off The library is thrilled to partner with the North Alabama Medical Center in Florence to provide all of the hospital's newborns with a bag of books and their very own library card. Parents are encouraged to read to their baby as early as possible to establish this lovely family tradition that can continue through a child’s formative years. Thank you to the staff at North Alabama Medical Center for working with us on this project.
Programs for Children in Youth Services: Terrific 2s: Toddlers enjoy music, poems, stories and crafts Ready, Set, Read: Prepares 4-year-olds for kindergarten by practicing their motor skills, letter and word identification, and sounds ABCs Under the Trees: 3- and 4-year-olds learn songs, letters and have stories read to them Book Bunch: Elementary age children are invited to read and discuss a selected book.
It is never too early to start reading with your baby. Reading together prepares little ones to be readers. They learn how books are held, that words are associated to pictures, and the rhythm of language. It is also a great bonding time! And you don't have to worry about reading an entire book in one sitting, maybe just read and explore one page together. You can even make up your own story! The most important thing is engaging with your child.
(256) 764-6564 ext. 127 or email: Abby@flpl.org
There are words and phrases that were repeated throughout 2020 and continue to follow us into 2021. They include “abundance of caution,” “safety,” “protocol,” “sanitize” - words and phrases that remind us to care for each other through our actions during this coronavirus pandemic that closed the library from March to June.
But we continued to serve our patrons.
CURBSIDE PICKUP
Visit www.flpl.org to fill out the online form for Curbside!
TAKE & MAKE KITS
We continue to offer online movie reviews, special discussions, gaming activities, and childrens' programs virtually for our patrons.
VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING
Goodfellas (Scorsese, 1990) – 2/4/21 King Kong (Cooper & Schoedsack, 1933) – 2/17/21 Raising Arizona (Coen Brothers, 1987) – 3/4/21 Out of Sight (Soderbergh, 1998) – 3/17/21 Goldfinger (Hamilton, 1964) – 4/8/21
The library has needed to be creative with in-person programming this year. The departments of the library have been selective on which programs would be safe and flexible to work while following CDC guidelines.
IN-PERSON PROGRAMS
All of our in-person programs since March 2020 have required registration, social distancing, and mask wearing.
The Teen Program is for ages 11-18.
Youth Services is for ages birth to 10.
Lottie is ready to ride in the Bike Parade.
The Little family joins the holiday fun.
Paula Hatton and her daughter at the Holiday Bike Parade.
Dallas was the 1st place winner for his age group. His bike even had music!
Click the OverDrive link at flpl.org Select FLPL and enter your library card information Search by title, author, or genre and select "Borrow"
SNAPSHOT This historical photo of Rosanna Gist Ingram (1854-1937) and a child believed to be a grandson, was provided to the Local History department by her great-granddaughter, Dianne Webster. Rosanna's husband, Miles Ingram (1843-1890), was enslaved on Joseph Ingram's plantation near Rogersville in Lauderdale County.
FLPL gives you free access to Ancestry.com! Access the website free from our Local History department, or gain free access from home with a password through March 31. Send an email to archive@flpl.org to get started!
Black History Month The library will feature several displays and activities in February that include: Gallery display of local families from the library’s archives
Black History Heroes display
Black History Bingo. Play Bingo while learning about famous Black Americans
Story Time in Youth Services: Have You Thanked an Inventor Today by Patrice McLaurin. Learn about the contributions of Black inventors.
Recorded Zoom chat with Young Adult author Randi Pink, an Alabama native, about her new book Angel of Greenwood
Historical preservation. Our archives department is calling for local residents to share historical photographs and documents that we can include in our digital archives.
Follow the Dream
Look for these and other virtual events on the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library website and Facebook page during the month of February:
Virtual Author Discussion
Access this presentation through
Digital Archive's Facebook page. This project is presented by Lee Freeman, the Local Historian of the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library.
The Other Madisons: The Lost History of a President’s Black Family.
Zoom Interview with Author Jeffrey Blount You don't want to miss this virtual event with the author of the award-winning book, The Emancipation of Evan Walls.
The It has been an unusual year for the Friends of the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library, but we've found ways to continue safely serving our library.
The library is very grateful to the Friends for all of their time and dedication to making this institution a success.
Friends of the Library Officers: Debra Dombrowski- President Betty Achorn- Vice President Sarah Ware- Secretary David Curott- Treasurer Anne Smith- Bookstore Manager
of the LIBRARY Friends Bookstore Hours: Mon-Fri: 12pm-4pm Saturday: 10am-4pm Sunday: 1pm-4pm
(256) 764-6564 ext. 119 The Friends held a Tent Sale on the front lawn of the library this summer. It was a great success, and we hope to hold another one this spring. Stay tuned!
Staff, patrons, and friends of the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library
remember Joel R. Anderson
FLPL's Collaboratory maker-space, funded by the Foundation
FLPL's Reader Riot book festival event, funded by the Foundation
“Always smile and feel happiness and it will become a part of you. Always be positive and if you are sometimes defeated in something, don’t pout, don’t complain, just turn around and take another path to winning. Always respect others, always be honest with others and very importantly, yourself. Always go out of your way to do the right thing in any situation and always remember to be nice and share with others, especially persons who need a helping hand.”
Friends of the Florence-Lauderdale Public Library 350 N Wood Ave. Florence, AL 35630 www.flpl.org
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Mail or deliver to: Florence-Lauderdale Public Library 350 N Wood Ave. Florence, AL 35630 www.flpl.org/donate
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