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Outside the Stacks: A Citrus Libraries Blog

Outside the Stacks

Free Wi-Fi Sign

Libraries Add Outdoor Wi-Fi Access

Beginning in August, the Citrus County Library System has expanded its service to include outdoor public Wi-Fi access at all branch locations. Designated parking lot areas and adjacent sidewalks now have Wi-Fi accessibility that will be available from dawn to dusk, seven days a week. These additional Wi-Fi access points...

Literacy

Learn to Read: Two Main Components

Reading is everywhere - from street signs and employment applications, to food package labels and letters that come home from school with the children. Literacy is all about empowering people with strong reading and writing skills, so they are able to live well and function in society. Reading and higher...

Social Media for Books: Goodreads and Beyond

Social Media for Books: Goodreads and Beyond

Social Media for Books

One of the best things about finishing a book is talking about it with our friends, family, or book club. Whether it be to gush over favorite lines or to hear someone else’s perspective on a plot point, the input of others can shape our reading experience....

Volunteer Spotlight

Volunteer Spotlight on Amanda H.

We appreciate the hard work of our volunteers and wish to show our appreciation by spotlighting a different Volunteer each month. We thank our volunteers for everything they do. Amanda H. is our volunteer spotlight for the month of June. Why did you start volunteering? “I started volunteering because I needed community...

envelope on an orange background with a round red 1 notification at the corner

Oh No! I Can’t Get in to My Email!

It can be frustrating when you use an unfamiliar computer or smart device to sign in to your email account. However, sometimes you need to. Maybe you need to print something out and you don’t have a printer in your home. An employer or agency has sent you documentation to...

Volunteer Spotlight

Volunteer Spotlight on Sharon S

We appreciate the hard work of our volunteers and wish to show our appreciation by spotlighting a different Volunteer each month. We thank our volunteers for everything they do. Sharon Souza is our volunteer spotlight for the month of April. Why did you start volunteering? “I have always loved to read. When...

Library Director Eric Head and his mother, retired librarian Wylene Head.

Love Your Library Reimagined for 2021

In 2011, with a passionate push from then Citrus County Library Advisory Board (LAB) member and current Friends of the Citrus County Library System (FOCCLS) President, Sandy Price, the first Love Your Library Evening was launched. What started as a way to raise funds for remodeling projects at some of...

FOCCLS President Sandy Price and Vice President Janet add up a sale at a sidewalk sale

Friends of the Library Pivot: Adapting Traditional Book Sale, Continuing to Raise Funds

No one will argue that this year has been anything but normal. Masks, closures, stay-at-home orders and the “new normal” all come to mind when thinking of 2020. But, through it all, Citrus County has seen resiliency, and community coming together to support one another, for which the Friends of...

Grey clouds behind a yellow sign with a hurricane symbol and the words "hurricane season"

Prepare Digitally for a Natural Disaster

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a hurricane is a type of storm called a tropical cyclone, which forms over tropical or subtropical waters. Tropical cyclones that have a maximum sustained surface wind of less than 39 miles per hour are called tropical depressions. Once those sustained...

Smartphone with unknown caller on screen, understanding robocalls

Robocalls

Spam or robocalls as they are often known are automated telephone calls that deliver a recorded message are on the rise. The FCC states that they receive over 200,000 complaints a year specific to unwanted phone calls and that approximately 2.4 billion robocalls are made each month. These calls are...

A smartphone showing apps that can make a smart home

What Makes a Smart Home So Smart?

From Smartphones to Smart Televisions to now Smart Homes all of our devices seem to be getting “smarter.”  But at the same time most of us are left behind scratching our heads about what all that actually means. When someone says that they have a “smart home” they are basically saying...

Child holding a picture book in a blanket fort with pillows and a teddy bear

Reaching Reluctant Readers

One of my favorite things about being a Youth Services Librarian is sharing my love and enthusiasm of reading with young people. Helping children discover the magic, wonder, and endless information that books provide is so rewarding. Finding that one book or book series that can change the mind of...

Group of children looking at teacher holding a picture book

The Importance of Story Time for Children

Reading stories to children introduces a wealth of ideas.  Thoughts and emotions can be communicated in simple to understand concepts which provides amusement, fascination, and fun.  Telling stories arouses a child’s imagination unlike any other medium. Imagination encourages a child to develop their reasoning skills.  Without using their imagination, a child...