Palm Beach County Library System: Difference between revisions
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== eBooks and audiobooks == |
== eBooks and audiobooks == |
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With over 5,700 eBook and almost 5,000 audio book titles available, library patrons can download titles in a variety of formats including: EPUB, PDF, Blio and Kindle. Library patrons just need a personal computer and/or tablet with Internet access to download eBooks and audio books. Patrons have the option to chose 7 day, 14 day or 21 day rentals for eBooks and audio books.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pbclibrary.org/downloads|accessdate={{date}}|title=eBooks, Audiobooks, & More}}</ref> |
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==Friends of the Library== |
==Friends of the Library== |
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Revision as of 16:59, 8 September 2014
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 | This article or section may have been copied and pasted from another location, possibly in violation of Wikipedia's copyright policy. (September 2014) |
| Palm Beach County Library System | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Location | Palm Beach County, Florida, United States |
| Type | Public Library |
| Reference to legal mandate | 1967 |
| Branches | 17 |
| Collection | |
| Size | 1.7 million |
| Access and use | |
| Circulation | 9 million (2012) |
| Other information | |
| Director | John J. Callahan III |
| Website | Official Site |
The Palm Beach County Library System is the public library system of Palm Beach County, Florida. It has its headquarters in the Main Library located in West Palm Beach.[1][2]
It was established in 1967 and serves Palm Beach County through the main library and 17 branch libraries. A bookmobile and library annex are also offered. The Palm Beach County Library System continues to grow through its involvement with library networks, the internet, and the web.[3] The main branch is located just outside the city limits of West Palm Beach, Florida, the county seat. Unlike neighboring library systems in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, most municipalities in Palm Beach County continue to operate their own libraries, thus pushing most county system libraries to western suburban communities.
During the 2012 fiscal year (October 11, 2011 – September 12, 2012), the Library System circulated over 9 million items to over 555,000 cardholders and answered more than 2 million questions. The library also managed to welcome more than 194,785 children to over 7,100 special programs and train over 10,000 people on computer and Internet use.[4]
Mission
The Mission of the Palm Beach County Library System is to service to the public by providing the public with free access to library materials in a variety of formats, helping people of all ages find information which meets their diverse personal, educational, and professional needs. Encouraging children to develop a love of reading, learning, and libraries, as well as promoting community enrichment, economic vitality, and individual achievement through reading and lifelong learning are also prominently featured in the library's mission statement.[3]
Services
The Palm Beach County Library System provides a numerous services to area patrons. Adult Literacy Project provides those learning English as a second language with free, informal conversation sessions. Project members encourage community participation in the program, educational materials, sponsor tutor and student workshops and cultural events.[5] The Palm Beach County Library System provides on and off-site story time service to local child centers, as well as workshops to assist teachers in storytelling technique.[6] The library also offers Books-By-Mail, Deaf Resource Center, and Talking Books services to those in special populations.[7]
Writers LIVE!
The Writers LIVE! series provides patrons access to best-selling authors. Talks are held at various Palm Beach County Library System branches, and have included writers such as James Grippando, Debbie Macomber, Brad Meltzer, and Jodi Picoult.[8]
Special Collections
Since February 1, 2008 the Genealogical Society of Palm Beach County has operated out of The Palm Beach Library System's Main Branch. GSPBC collection includes over 13,000 books, hundreds of CDs, many microfiche and microfilm, a sizable surname file and a large periodical collection. Upgraded equipment exists on-premises, and offer WiFi, Ancestry Library Edition, and several online databases.[9]
Other special collections reside within the library's Main Branch, as well. The Main library contains an extensive business resource center to assist small business owners, job seekers, investors, and consumers with their research needs. The library's Government Research Service provides a full range of research, information, and document delivery services to government clients, staff, and elected officials in Palm Beach County. The GRS Collection includes legal documents, government serials, professional journals, and local and state collections. In addition, the Consumer Health Information Service offers quality health and medical information free-of-charge to residents of Palm Beach County. Since 1979, the Audubon Society of the Everglades (ASE) Library Committee selects the best of the new books published on birds and birding for the library collection. There is also a collection of informational and recreational books in Spanish, Creole, French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, and other foreign languages. The Main Library offers books and professional journals about library and information studies, as well.[10]
CreationStation
On February 24th, 2014 the Palm Beach County Public Library System opened its CreationStation located at its Main branch in West Palm Beach. The CreationStation allows users to work with a variety of digital mediums including video, music, podcasts, and photos. Users of the CreationStation can film their own videos, record podcasts and work with software such as Photoshop. Technology in the CreationStation includes: iMac computers, a green screen, a video tripod, scanner, digital cameras, camcorders, a MacBook, sound recording, and editing equipment. Additionally, the CreationStation includes software such as: iPhoto, iMovie, Adobe Photoshop, Garage Band, Dreamweaver, Adobe Creative Cloud and Illustrator. This allows the public access to many forms of creative technology and media. Additionally, users can upload and share their content on the CreationStation website. The CreationStation is available for use by members of the public in two hour sessions. Library staff also offers appointments and orientations to help users utilize the technology in the CreationStation. Work on the CreationStation began in the spring of 2013 with a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Fund of the Community Foundation and the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties to the Friends of the Palm Beach County Library. CreationStation is the first free digital media lab in Palm Beach County.[11][12][13]
Publications
Happenings and Books and Bytes are published monthly and distributed free of charge by the Palm Beach County Library System. The publications lists events and programs taking place throughout the System's 16 branches. Users may also register for one of nearly twenty other available monthly newsletters on genres such as mystery, manga, graphic novels, romance, science fiction, non-fiction, and business. Titles include Drawn to Comics, Teen Scene, Books on the Air, and Book Sizzle.[14]
Branches
| Branch | Location |
|---|---|
| Main Library | West Palm Beach |
| Acreage Branch | Loxahatchee |
| Belle Glade Branch | Belle Glade |
| Clarence E. Anthony Branch | South Bay |
| Gardens Branch (formerly North County Regional) | Palm Beach Gardens |
| Glades Road Branch | Boca Raton |
| Greenacres Branch | Greenacres |
| Hagen Ranch Road Branch | Delray Beach |
| Jupiter Branch | Jupiter |
| Lantana Road Branch | Lantana |
| Loula V. York Branch | Pahokee |
| Okeechobee Boulevard Branch | West Palm Beach |
| Royal Palm Beach Branch | Royal Palm Beach |
| Tequesta Branch | Tequesta |
| Wellington Branch | Wellington |
| West Boca Branch | Boca Raton |
| West Boynton Branch | Boynton Beach |
eBooks and audiobooks
With over 5,700 eBook and almost 5,000 audio book titles available, library patrons can download titles in a variety of formats including: EPUB, PDF, Blio and Kindle. Library patrons just need a personal computer and/or tablet with Internet access to download eBooks and audio books. Patrons have the option to chose 7 day, 14 day or 21 day rentals for eBooks and audio books.[16]
Friends of the Library
The Friends of the Palm Beach County Library System is a non-profit organization whose main goal is the promotion of enhanced library services. The Friends of the Palm Beach County Library support the Library by sponsoring programs, providing financial assistance for special events, advocating for library needs, and developing and expanding services and facilities not covered by the general budget. The Friends of the Library also provide $5,000 annually to the Ingrid A. Eckler Scholarship Fund to fund scholarships for library employees who are working towards Masters in Library Science degrees.[17]
References
- ^ "Home Page." Palm Beach County Library System. Retrieved on July 13, 2010. "Palm Beach County Library System 3650 Summit Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL, 33406."
- ^ "Main Library (West Palm Beach)." Palm Beach County Library System. Retrieved on July 13, 2010.
- ^ a b "About Us". Palm Beach County Library System. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
- ^ "Palm Beach County Library System Info". Facebook. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
- ^ "Adult Literacy Project". Palm Beach County Library System. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
- ^ "Child Care Centers". Palm Beach County Library System. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
- ^ "Palm Beach County Library System Info". Palm Beach County Library System. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
- ^ "Writers LIVE!". Palm Beach County Library System. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
- ^ "Society History". Genealogical Society of Palm Beach County. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
- ^ "Special Collections". Palm Beach County Library System. Retrieved 13 October 2013.
- ^ PBCLS Library Media Creation Server http://creationstation.pbclibrary.org/.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "Friends of the Library System Receives Grant for CreationStation at Main Library". Palm Beach County Government. 20 August 2013.
- ^ "Library System Unveils CreationStation". Palm Beach County Government. 25 February 2014.
- ^ "eNewsletters". Palm Beach County Library System. Retrieved 24 October 2013.
- ^ "Branch Listing". Palm Beach County Library System.
- ^ "eBooks, Audiobooks, & More". Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ "Friends of the Library". Palm Beach County Library System. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
