Books, Bytes & More Newsletter
December 2015
In This Issue
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NWRLS Library Locations

Headquarters:
Bay County Public Library
850-522-2100

Panama City Beach
850-233-5055

Parker
850-871-3092

Springfield
850-872-7510

Corinne Costin
Gibson Memorial Library
Port St. Joe
850-229-8879

Charles Whitehead
Public Library
Wewahitchka
850-639-2419

Harrell Memorial
Public Library
Bristol
850-643-2247

Jimmy Weaver
Memorial Library
Hosford
850-379-3300

Featured Items
 
 
I Really Like Slop!
by Mo Willems
 


Gerald the Elephant bravely takes a taste of Piggie's favorite food.


 
The Witches: Salem, 1692
by Stacy Schiff
 


Analyzes the Salem Witch Trials to offer key insights into the role of women in its events while explaining how its tragedies became possible.


 
The Crossing
by Michael Connelly
 


The retired detective Harry Bosch reluctantly agrees to help his half brother, a defense attorney, and his investigations lead him inside the LAPD.


Lights Out: A Cyberattack, a Nation Unprepared: Surviving the Aftermath
by Ted Koppel
 


The journalist warns that we are unprepared for a cyberattack on the nation's power grids, which could paralyze our infrastructure.


The Princess in Black and the Perfect Princess Party
by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale
 


A princess dons a secret identity when monsters interrupt her birthday.


The Promise
by Robert Crais
 
 

Elvis Cole and Joe Pike are joined by Scott James and his K-9 partner Maggie to foil a criminal mastermind.


The Japanese Lover
by Isabel Allende
 


A young refugee from the Nazis and the son of her family's Japanese gardner must hide their love, although it lasts a lifetime.


The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto
by Mitch Albom
 

A mystical tale of a guitar genius's journey through 20th-century music.
 

Soundless
by Richelle Mead
 


An artist leaves her isolated mountaintop home to face down the regime oppressing her fellow villagers.


 
Crenshaw
by Katherine Applegate
 


A giant cat on a surfboard appears to a boy on the verge of homelessness.


My Life on the Road
by Gloria Steinem
 


A memoir by the feminist writer and activist which is also a history of the movement.


Extreme Ownership: How US Navy Seals Lead and Win
by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
 


Explains how to apply the principles of the Navy SEAL's leadership training to any organization.




Depraved Heart
by Patricia Cornwell



A psychopath sends Dr. Kay Scarpetta videos from the past about her niece, Lucy.




Crimson Shore
by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child



In the 15th thriller featuring FBI agent Aloysius Pendergast, a crime in a quaint Massachusetts town may be connected to rumors of a colony of witches who settled there after the Salem trials.




Career of Evil: A Cormoran Strike Novel
by Robert Galbraith



When a woman's severed leg is delivered to Robin Ellacott, her boss, private detective Cormoran Strike, looks into his past to determine who is responsible.




The Alchemist's Daughter
by Mary Lawrence



In the year 1543 of King Henry VIII's turbulent reign, Bianca Goddard, the daughter of a notorious alchemist, finds herself suspected of cold-blooded murder.




Death of a Dishonorable Gentleman
by Tessa Arlen



When her husband's degenerate nephew is found murdered, not only is Lady Montfort's ball ruined, but she fears that the official police enquiry, driven by petty snobbery and class prejudice, is pointing towards her son as a suspect.




Come Hell or Highball
by Maia Chance


In this Prohibition-era caper, society matron Lola Woody agrees to retrieve a stolen film reel for its rightful owner, but before she can retrieve it, the man in possession of it is killed.
 



Confessions: The Murder of an Angel
by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro



In this dramatic conclusion to the Confessions series, Tandy Angel's next murder case may be her own.




The Mistletoe Inn
by Richard Paul Evans



In this new romantic holiday story, two romance writers are searching for the kind of love that, so far, they have only written about.




Recipes for Love and Murder: A Tannie Maria Mystery
by Sally Andrew



Forced to make the transition from dispensing culinary tips to advice on romance, middle-age Afrikaans newspaper columnist Tannie Maria discovers her knack for helping others and risks her life to help track down an abusive man who has murdered his wife.
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NWRLS is a department
of
Bay County

Thank you for choosing to receive the library newsletter, where you will learn about upcoming programs and the many services provided in our libraries.
Veterans' Benefits Class

There will be a class on Veterans' Benefits at the Bay County Public Library on December 2 at 2 p.m.

american-flag-wavy.jpg John Deegins, Director of Bay County Veterans Services, will provide information on the services offered by his office and the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Counselors will also be present to answer questions and to provide assistance in completing healthcare applications.

Light refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Bay County Public Libraries.

For more information, call 850-522-2107 or visit www.nwrls.com.
Google Art Project

The Bay County Public Library will present an evening Connect U computer class on the Google Art Project on December 2 at 6 p.m.

In this class, you will learn how to explore museums and view famous artworks from around the world with just a click of your mouse.

The class is free and open to the public. 

For more information, please call 850-522-2107 or visit www.nwrls.com
New E-books and Downloadable Audiobooks @  Your Library

We recently added new items to our digital collection:

The Bazaar of Bad Dreams: Stories by Stephen King


Career of Evil: Cormoran Strike Series 
by Robert Galbraith


Tricky Twenty-Two: Stephanie Plum Series
 by Janet Evanovich


Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg 
by Irin Carmon


A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms
 by George R. R. Martin


The Lake House 
by Kate Morton


Purity
 by Jonathan Franzen


The Witches: Salem, 1692 
by Stacy Schiff


Corrupted
 by Lisa Scottoline


Away in a Manger: Molly Murphy Series 
by Rhys Bowen
 

The Guilty: Will Robie Series by David Baldacci


Grandma Gatewood's Walk: The Inspiring Story of the Woman Who Saved the Appalachian Trail 
by Ben Montgomery


You can check out e-books and downloadable audiobooks for free from your library. All you need is your library card number and PIN. Forgot your PIN? Just give us a call at 850-522-2100 or stop by your local branch and we'll set one up for you.


To access e-books and downloadable audiobooks, click here or:

Go to www.nwrls.com

Click on  Books, Etc.
Click on  eBooks & eAudio
Click on  OverDrive  to find books

Need assistance with e-books and downloadable audiobooks? Just call us at 850-522-2107 or stop by your local branch. 
Friday ColorFest for Adults

Adults, join us and rediscover the joy and relaxation found in coloring. These are not your kids' coloring books! Intricate designs provide a challenge.

We'll supply coloring sheets, pens, colored pencils, and soothing music. You can bring your own supplies (if you want) and snacks!

The program begins in December at the Bay County Public Library and will usually be held the first Friday of each month.

The program begins in January at the Corinne Costin Gibson Memorial Public Library in Port St. Joe and will continue on the first Friday of each month thereafter.

Bay County Public Library

December 4 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
January 8 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Corinne Costin Gibson Memorial Public Library in Port St. Joe

January 8 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET
A Dickens of a Christmas Storytime

Staff from the Bay County Public Library will present a special storytime for A Dickens of a Christmas on December 4 @ 6 p.m. at Elegant Endeavors, 551 Harrison Avenue, in downtown Panama City.



Children will receive a free goodie bag while supplies last, courtesy of the Bay County Public Library Foundation and the booksALIVE Festival Across Panama City (coming in April 2016).
NaNoWriMo "Thank God It's Over" Party

A long month of writing a 50,000 word novel has ended, and now it's time to celebrate!

NaNoWriMo participants are invited to celebrate your accomplishment at the Bay County Public Library on December 7 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Light refreshments will be provided courtesy of the Friends of the Bay County Public Libraries.

For more information, call 850-522-2100 or visit www.nwrls.com.
Stories of Florida - Con Sabor!

Carrie Sue Ayvar will visit Gulf County to share personal, historical, and traditional Florida tales to connect the people and cultures of Florida. A nationally-acclaimed bilingual storyteller, Carrie Sue loves to share some of Florida's unique history with her audiences.

Corinne Costin Gibson Memorial Public Library in Port St. Joe
December 11 @ 11 a.m. ET

Charles Whitehead Public Library in Wewahitchka
December 11 @ 1 p.m. CT

These programs are possible by a grant from the Florida Humanities Council.

For more information, call 850-229-8879 or visit www.nwrls.com.
Best Winter Holiday Celebration Ever

The Panama City Beach Public Library will host the Best Winter Holiday Celebration Ever on December 8 @ 10 a.m. with the best books, the best songs, and the best art!

We're going to have a storytime extravaganza for children of all ages. Join us for a party!

For more information, call 850-233-5055 or visit www.nwrls.com.
A Library Family Christmas

Join us at the Bay County Public Library on December 15 at 6 p.m. for Christmas stories, carols, crafts, and a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus.

Light refreshments will be served.



For more information, call 850-522-2100 or visit www.nwrls.com.
Happy Birthday, Liberty County!

Join us for cake at both Liberty County locations on December 15 (while supplies last) and learn more about all your libraries have to offer.

For more information, call 850-643-2247 or visit www.nwrls.com.

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Library Closures

All locations of the Northwest Regional Library System will be closed on Thursday, December 24 and Friday, December 25 for the Christmas holiday.

The Bay County Public Library and the Panama City Beach Public Library will close early at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 23.


Book Clubs

BCPL Book Club


December 10 @ 10 a.m.
Gray Mountain  by John Grisham

The BCPL Book Club meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Bay County Public Library. For more information, please call 850-522-2107.

Beyond the Lens: Book and Film Series

December 15 from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Film: The Light in Her Eyes  by Julia Meltzer and Laura Nix
Book:  I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban  by Malala Yousafzai

Film starts at 5:30 p.m. and will be followed by a panel discussion. Location is at the Bay County Public Library. For more information, please call 850-522-2107.

Refreshments provided by the Friends of the Bay County Public Libraries.

History Club

January 4  @ 10 a.m.
Night  by Elie Wiesel

The History Club reads fiction and nonfiction history and meets bimonthly at the Bay County Public Library. For more information, please call 850-522-2107.

Beach Book Club

December 2 @ 10:30 a.m.
I Shall Be Near to You  by Erin Lindsay McCabe

The Beach Book Club meets the 1st Wednesday of each month at 10:30 a.m. at the Panama City Beach Public Library. For more information, please call 850-233-5055.

Library Book Club

December 14 @ 10:30 a.m.
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

The Library Book Club usually meets the 3rd Monday of each month at 10:30 a.m. at the Corinne Costin Gibson Memorial Public Library in Port St. Joe. For more information, please call 850-229-8879.
Children's Classes @ Your Library

Class instructors teach social skills, listening,
comprehension, and the foundations of reading
through letters, numbers, and vocabulary.


Bay County Public Library

Book Babies
(Suggested ages: 0-17 months)
Tuesdays @ 9:30 a.m. through December 15

Terrific Tots
(Suggested ages: 18-36 months)
Tuesdays @ 10:30 a.m. through December 15

Preschool Storytime
(Suggested ages: 3-5 years)
Thursdays @ 10:30 a.m. through December 17

Charles Whitehead Public Library in Wewahitchka

Wee Read (Suggested ages: Preschoolers)
Mondays @ 11:30 a.m.

December 7: Baking Cookies
December 14: Snuggle Up Stories
December 21: Holiday Fun
December 28: Winter

After School Program (Suggested ages: K-5th grade)
Second Tuesday of the month @ 3:30 p.m.

December 8:
'Tis the Season

Corinne Costin Gibson Memorial Public Library in Port St. Joe

Tuesday Tales
 (Suggested age s: 0-3 years)
Tuesdays @ 10:30 a.m. through December 15
 
Jimmy Weaver Memorial Library in Hosford

Storytime
Saturdays @ 10:30 a.m.
 
Panama City Beach Public Library

Book Babies  (Suggested ages: 0-2 years)
Tuesdays @ 10 a.m. through December 1

Beach Kids  (Suggested ages: K-5th grade)
Wednesdays @ 3 p.m. through December 2
 
Book Blast  (Suggested ages: 3+ years)
Thursdays @ 10 a.m. through December 3

Homeschool Huddle
Thursdays @ 1 p.m. through December 3
Beyond the Lens: Book and Film Series

The Bay County Public Library is partnering with PBS to showcase films from the award-winning PBS POV (Point-of-View) documentary series.  The next film in the series will feature T he Light in Her Eyes  on December 15 from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m.



After the film, there will be a panel discussion about the documentary film and selected book club read, I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban  by Malala Yousafzai.

Refreshments are provided by the Friends of the Bay County Public Library.  The event is free and open to the public.

The Light in Her Eyes by Julia Meltzer and Laura Nix: Houda al-Habash, a conservative Muslim preacher, founded a Qur'an school for girls in Damascus, Syria, 30 years ago. Every summer, her female students immerse themselves in a rigorous study of Islam. A surprising cultural shift is underway -- women are claiming space within the mosque. Filmed right before the conflict in Syria erupted, The Light in Her Eyes offers an extraordinary portrait of a leader who challenges the women of her community to live according to Islam, without giving up their dreams.

I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai: "I come from a country that was created at midnight. When I almost died it was just after midday." When the Taliban took control of the Swat Valley in Pakistan, one girl spoke out. Malala Yousafzai refused to be silenced and fought for her right to an education. On Tuesday, October 9, 2012, when she was fifteen, she almost paid the ultimate price. She was shot in the head at point-blank range while riding the bus home from school, and few expected her to survive. Instead, Malala's miraculous recovery has taken her on an extraordinary journey from a remote valley in northern Pakistan to the halls of the United Nations in New York. At sixteen, she became a global symbol of peaceful protest and the youngest nominee ever for the Nobel Peace Prize. I Am Malala is the remarkable tale of a family uprooted by global terrorism, of the fight for girls' education, of a father who, himself a school owner, championed and encouraged his daughter to write and attend school, and of brave parents who have a fierce love for their daughter in a society that prizes sons.

For more information, please call 850-522-2107.
Ongoing Events @ Your Library 

Bay County Public Library in Panama City

English as a Second Language - Pre-Beginners (A, B, Cs)
Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

English as a Second Language - Beginners
Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Tuesdays from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
montana-teacher.jpg Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

English as a Second  Language - Intermediate
Tuesdays from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

English as a Second Language - Advanced
Mondays from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Tuesdays from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Wednesdays from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.

English as a Second Language - Conversation & Pronunciation
Tuesdays from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

US Citizenship Class
Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Adult Literacy Reading Class and Pronunciation
Fridays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Charles Whitehead Public Library in Wewahitchka

CareerSource Gulf Coast Disabled Veterans Outreach Program
3rd Thursday of the month after 1 p.m.

Program to assist veterans. Either call 850-872-4340 ext. 105 to schedule an appointment or drop by the library after 1 p.m.

Harrell Memorial Public Library in Bristol

Craft Day
Wednesdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Jimmy Weaver Memorial Library in Hosford

Craft Day
Thursdays all day

Family History Workshop
Thursdays @ 4 p.m.

Needlework @ Your Library
Every other Saturday @ 12:30 p.m.

Panama City Beach Public Library

Sea Needles  invites all needle-crafters to share the fun.
Fridays @ 10 a.m.
 
English as a Second Language -- Intermediate with Conversation & Pronunciation
Friday from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
 
Chess - Players and boards are welcome!
Thursdays @ 1 p.m. 
Ukulele Orchestra of the Forgotten Coast

The Ukulele Orchestra of the Forgotten Coast invites you to their premier concert, Yule-Kulele Tunes, on December 5 at 12 noon at the Corinne Costin Gibson Memorial Public Library in Port St. Joe.

For more information, call 850-229-8879 or visit www.nwrls.com.
Free Computer Classes

Bay County Public Library


Computer Basics Part 1 of 2
December 1 @ 9:30 a.m.

Learn to identify computer components and the common elements of a Windows-based operating system, navigate software, and save/store files. Prerequisite: None.

Computer Basics Part 2 of 2
December 3 @ 9:30 a.m.

Learn the basic features of the Mozilla Firefox web browser, learn the difference between a search box and URL box, and learn to evaluate a website's content. Prerequisite: Computer Basics Part 1 or equivalent experience.

Publisher Part 1 of 2
December 8 @ 9:30 a.m.

Understand Publisher's uses, navigate its interface, and create a card using a template. Prerequisite: Word Basics 1 and 2 or equivalent experience.

Publisher Part 2 of 2
December 10 @ 9:30 a.m.

Complete a calendar by creating a business profile and color scheme. Prerequisite: Publisher Part 1 or equivalent experience.

Connect U: MedlinePlus
December 29 @ 6 p.m.

We'll show you how you can use MedlinePlus to learn about the latest medical treatments, look up information on a drug or supplement, find out the meanings of words, or view medical videos or illustrations. You can also get links to the latest medical research on your topic or find out about clinical trials on a disease or condition. Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent experience.
 
For more information on these computer classes, please call 850-522-2107.

Corinne Costin Gibson Memorial Public Library in Port St. Joe

Tech Talk
December 4 & 18 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The librarian will be available to meet with patrons who have questions about computers. Bring your own device or use one of ours. Have a task or two in mind, and we will work through your questions about email, computer basics, and digital library resources.

For more information about these computer classes, please call 850-229-8879.