Michelle Weinstein, Recipient of the 2013 County Library Staff Award!

On Monday April 8, 2013 Michelle Weinstein was presented with the 2013 Library Staff Award sponsored by the Friends of the Library of Tampa-Hillsborough County, Inc. during their annual meeting. This award is given to one library staff member in the Hillsborough County Libraries. All Friends Chapters had the opportunity to recommend staff members. William H. Scheuerle, a member of the Friends Library Council and member of the Library Board, thanked Michelle for all her hard work, time, and dedication. He was also the chair of the committee that selected her. 

Michelle has been withHillsboroughCountylibrary system for 16 years and is currently the children’s librarian at the SouthShore Regional Library. She was nominated for this award by the Friends of the SouthShore Regional Library, for the following reasons:

-        Presented 509 children's programs attended by 14,533 people in 2012 

-        Has increased program attendance numbers at the SouthShore Library every year since the year she became a member of that staff. 

-        Always strives to create and present programs of high quality. 

-        Worked with outside agencies, other libraries, and the Friends to create additional early literacy programs and outreaches to children in at risk areas ofSouthCounty. 

-        Proven to be a great steward of the children's budget provided by the Friends. She works hard to ensure that all of her programs are cost effective and that the Friends get the greatest value for all of their time and effort providing the funding for the programs. 

SouthShore is very fortunate to have Michelle and all of the other excellent staff members at the SouthShore Regional Library. Let’s all give a special congratulations to Michelle!

 

Vollunteer Recognition & General Meeting

On April 7, 2013, the SouthShore Friends honored their volunteers. The event was help at the LibraryPlaza. It was a fun event and a great day to be outside. 

Eight volunteers reached “Hillsborough County Government Volunteer Hour Levels”. Volunteers who accumulate certain cumulative hour levels, receive certificates of appreciation. Each certificate was personally signed by each of the seven county commissioners! The following volunteers were honored:  

Anne Anderson ~ 253.25 Hours (250-Hours Pin)

Linda Bowker ~ 1,100.00 Hours (1,000-Hours Pin)

Gladys Bromberger ~ 1,060.25 Hours (1,000-Hours Pin)

Roz Cruthis ~ 473.25 Hours (250-Hours Pin)

Kyria Joyner ~ 1,185.00 Hours (1,000-Hours Pin)

Jean Krueger ~ 274.00 Hours (250-Hours Pin)

Barbara Nova ~ 235.75 Hours (100-Hours Pin)

Jacque Palombo ~ 258.50 Hours (250-Hours Pin) 

All of the attendees, including volunteers, board members and library staff members enjoyed “ice cream of the patio”. Thank to Mimi Rose for arranging the meeting and to John Smith for arranging the ice cream vendor. It was a special day…great day, great people and a great library!     

 The ice cream man

 

 Volunteers enjoying the day and the ice cream

 

2013 Annual Meeting

The 2013 Annual Meeting was held February 5, 2013 at 3:30 pm in the Community Room at the SouthShore Regional Library. 

Lorri Robinson, our Library Supervisor, made a presentation on how to use the library website. The site home page is www.hcplc.org. Essentially everything that is available at the library is available at this site. Included is all books and media, but also an amazing array of information and resourses that are not available from your home PC.

Konrad Buchanan, Friends volunteer and website manager, made a presentation on the SouthShore Friends of the Library website. southshorefriends.com   This site provides a great deal of information about the Friends, but also some very very quick "links" to all of the free programs available at the SouthShore Library.

All SouthShore Friends meetings are open to the public and everyone is welcome.

The Harkins Plaza

 

On Tuesday, May 22, 2012, the final phase of the Harkins Plaza, aka, the Sandpiper Pavilion, aka, the Plaza, was dedicated. The event honored art by Koryn Rolstad, a nationally recognized sculptor of public art. The art is "simulated palms" which provide both shade and "shadow effects" on the plaza.

The dedication was the final step in a rather long planning and construction cycle for the plaza.

Above, Sandy Murman, Hillsborough County Commissioer, makes the opening comments at the dedication. Sandy, has been a great supporter of the Hillsborough County Library System and children's programs throughout the county.

The Plaza is named after Jim Harkins, a resident of Sun City Center, who was instrumental in getting the SouthShore Library approved and constructed.

 

Above, Jim Harkins recieves the much deserved plaque from the Board of County Commissioners, presented by Sandy Murman.

Left to right, is Jan Platt, President of the Tampa-Hillsborough County Friends of the Library, Jim Johnson, Library Board members, plus Jim and Sandy.

We will enjoy the plaza for many years. It can be used for a wide variety of events, or just as a place to read a book in the fresh air.

In addition to the art objects, the plaza includes four large red metal shade umbrellas, measuring 12 by 12 feet, including tables and chairs in four groupings.

The plaza is enclosed with a low-level masonry wall in a serpentine configuration that is suitable for seating.

There are "sandblasted pattern" on the the patio concrete that "simulates circular water drops”, which, in the words of the designer, “connect the different feature of the patio."

Landscaping includes a half dozen oak trees evenly spaced on the long wavey edge of the plaza near the seating wall, accented with palms, set between them. The project is bordered by a wetlands area and enclosed in security chain link fencing.
 

 

 

 

 

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KEY DATES

Giant Book Sale

The 2014 annual book sale will be on Saturday, October 4, 2014. The sale will start at 10:00 am, when the library opens, and end at 1:30 pm. The sale will feature the popular "Buck A Bag" format. All of the books in the regular sale room shelves will be 1/2 off. Come early for the best selection. This will be one of our "best ever" sale events!  

 SouthShore Programs

http://host7.evanced.info/hillsborough/evanced/eventcalendar.asp?ag=&et=&df=calendar&cn=0&private=0&ln=10

Everything Available at Your Library! 

http://www.hcplc.org/

Above, a great picture of our library. 

Above, two original SouthShore residents enjoy the Plaza. Look carefully, see the birds?   

Above, looking west-ward on a beautiful SouthShore evening. 

Why Join the Friends? The Friends organization does for your library what the PTA does for schools and Booster Clubs do for sports  programs. The Friends help the library staff make the library better for everyone. 

BOOK SALE ROOM: Be sure to visit the Friends Book Sale Room "just off" the Library lobby. Purchase a book and help the library.   

 

Thanks to Jack Fischer....

Jack Fischer is a Friends Board Member and helps in many ways. He is the "Publisher and Editor" of the Newsletter, The newsletter is published several times a year and is available on the "Special Priced Book Sales Table" that is to the left as you enter our Book Sale Room at the library.