(845) 651-7659
Florida Public Library
4 Cohen Circle
Florida, NY 10921-1514
Get ready for a new way to enjoy eBooks and moreWith OverDrive’s Next Generation experience, users can borrow titles with just one click!
Ramapo Catskill Library System’s OverDrive digital collection is getting a facelift in the coming weeks with OverDrive’s Next Generation website. See a preview video here.
What is OverDrive? Members of the Florida Public Library can enjoy free access to eBooks! OverDrive is both the name and the provider for this service.
Some of the key features include:
One-Step Checkout™: Once you’ve logged in with your library card number, it just takes one click to borrow a title.
OverDrive Read™: Browser-based technology enables instant access to eBooks, online or offline, with no software or downloading required. All you’ll need is a computer or device with a modern web browser. If the title is available to borrow, you can download the title–as you’ve always been able to–or you can choose to start reading right away in your web browser. If you choose browser-based reading, your progression will sync across devices. For example, if you leave off at page 47 on your computer, you’ll start at page 47 on your iPad®!
A new responsive design optimizes the website for mobile and desktop use. So regardless of what device you use, the experience will be the same.
Powerful discovery tools enable you to find your next book fast with filtered search, personalized title recommendations and more. It’s just like online shopping!
Click here for Ebooks Questions & Answers
We look forward to providing our community with this fast and easy new experience. If you have any questions, be sure to contact us directly at fpl@rcls.org or 845-651-7659.
The Florida Public Library will have a celebratory kickoff program on Wednesday, February 20 to introduce the resources of the Bridging Cultures Bookshelf: Muslim Journeys grant that was awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association. FPL is one of 840 libraries and humanities councils nationwide to receive a special collection of materials aimed at familiarizing public audiences with the people, places, history, faith and cultures of Muslims in the United States and worldwide.
The kickoff will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Leona Harter Children’s Room where the books, DVDs and other resources will be on display. Librarian Terry Numa will introduce the resources and talk a little about the upcoming special programs focused on the themes of the grant: American Stories, Connected Histories, Literary Reflections, Pathways of Faith and Points of View.
Scholar Anne Ruszkiewicz will be on hand to familiarize the community with some of the basics of Islam and she will preview the books from the Bookshelf award that will be featured in the book discussions that she will lead over the coming months. Anne was born and raised in Saudi Arabia. She earned her Master’s Degree in Middle Eastern Studies at Harvard University and is presently a professor of Middle Eastern Studies at Sullivan County Community College.
Refreshments are included in the kickoff program. Local resident Alexandra Sarki will share her culture and prepare and serve authentic cuisine and a selection of Middle Eastern teas.
The Bridging Cultures Bookshelf: Muslim Journeys is presented by National Endowment for the Humanities in cooperation with American Library Association Public Programs Office and Ali Vural Ak Center for Global Islamic Studies, George Mason University. The program was provided by a grant from Carnegie Corporation of New York. Additional support for the arts and media components was provided by the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art.
Interested community members are encouraged to register either online at www.floridapubliclibrary.org or by phone at (845) 651-7659.
JobNow services include:
Little Red Wagon Reading Club at the Florida Public Library
The Little Red Wagon Reading Club at the Florida Public Library was successful in its first year and has now come to a close with Kindergarten student James Walsh winning the prize drawing and a wagon full of books.
Parents who brought their children to the Library’s Ready for Kindergarten program in August were invited to see and learn about a large display of early reader books. Librarian Terry Numa showed them how to find books at various levels to suit the emerging reader and encourage a love of reading. The parents had an opportunity to register their children for the Library’s new Little Red Wagon Reading Club. Each week the child and parent read a book together and returned to the library to have their club card stamped and receive a small prize. All participants were entered in a drawing for the grand prize, a little red wagon filled with books and small toys.
“The Florida Public Library is committed to early literacy and helping parents to raise readers,” states Terry Numa. “We enjoy the children when they come in for a variety of programs at the library, but the Little Red Wagon Reading Club afforded an opportunity to join with parents to promote the magical time when letters and words come alive on the page for our little ones.”
Plans are in the works to start another Little Red Wagon Reading Club again when a new group of children attend the Ready for Kindergarten in August, 2013. Many early reader books are available at the library. Check one out today!
October 17, 2012 Press Release
The Ramapo Catskill Library System (RCLS) puts your library in your hand with RCLS Mobile. Want to renew a book or place one on hold? There’s an app for that. Library hours? There’s an app for that. Want to download an ebook or eAudioBook? There’s an app for that, too.
The Launch of RCLS Mobile puts the library at your fingertips. From any mobile phone or tablet connected to the Internet you can instantly tap into library resources, anytime, anywhere. You can search the library catalog, check your account, ask a question, download eBooks and eAudioBooks, find events and more.
To access RCLS Mobile, visit rcls.boopsie.com/ and download the app.
“Nearly 50% of all US mobile subscribers use smartphones, so it’s important for people to be able to access the staff and rich resources available at our libraries,” says Robert Hubsher, RCLS Executive Director. “RCLS Mobile puts library information just one click away with much faster access than going through a browser. We encourage everyone to take advantage of this new way to use the library by downloading our app.”
Searching the library system catalog with RCLS Mobile is especially easy. Just type the first few letters of two or three words and search results will begin to appear. For example, if you’re looking up Mark Twain in the catalog, just type “ma twa.” Once you find the title you’re looking for, you can place it on hold right from your phone.
The app offers additional features such as BookLook Mobile that lets you scan an ISBN barcode anywhere you are to see if your library owns the title. “This is an amazing feature,” says Hubsher. “If you’re at a bookstore you can just scan the book’s ISBN, see if we own it and—if we do—place a hold on it right from your phone.” The RCLS Mobile also has a Digital Media feature which allows people to download eBooks and eAudioBooks to their devices.
If a library has a Facebook page and/or Twitter feed, people can access those through RCLS Mobile.
The mobile app was developed by Boopsie Inc. More than 250 libraries and universities use Boopsie to increase campus and community visibility. Easy to implement and affordable for all size libraries, Boopsie solves the problem of unwieldy website viewing on a small screen.
What is Project Linus?
Project Linus is a national, non-profit organization whose mission is to provide handmade blankets for children who are seriously ill, traumatized or otherwise in need. New, handmade blankets and afghans created by volunteers known as “blanketeers” provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children of all ages, infants to teenagers. Project Linus is named for the cartoon character in Charles Schulz’s Peanuts comic strip. Who can forget Linus and his devotion to his security blanket? You can learn more about the organization at www.projectlinus.org.
What’s the Library connection?
Florida Public Library’s 2012 adult summer reading theme of “Between the Covers,” prompted us to think about the warmth of a blanket or quilt. The idea to make quilts for Project Linus was a natural next step. FPL already has a Knitting Circle that meets regularly on the third Monday of every month. Many of our members also crochet, sew and quilt and have the crafting skills needed to make blankets. To date, FPL has collected 127 blankets and has been recognized with a special certificate from the local chapter of Project Linus for our volunteers' efforts.
How can I help?
Make a blanket and bring it to FPL on any Monday, Wednesday or Thursday evening. Our staff members will accept your blanket and take it to a facility where it will be given to a deserving child in Orange County.
What type of blankets does Project Linus accept?
Project Linus welcomes blankets of all styles, including quilts, crocheted, or knitted afghans in child- friendly colors. Blankets must be new, handmade and washable. In addition, they must come from a smoke-free environment. You don’t have to be an expert to create a blanket that is beautiful to a child!
What about sizes?
Project Linus collects blankets for children, infants through teens. Many sizes are appropriate depending on local needs. For example, blankets could be as small as 36” by 36”. The majority of Project Linus blankets are about 40” by 60”, or what is called “crib size.” Blankets could be as large as twin size for teens.
Where can I find a pattern for making a project Linus blanket?
Patterns can be found at www.projectlinus.org. Check the Patterns/Links page to see what is currently available online. There are some patterns available @ FPL or you can use your own. A limited supply of yarn is also available from FPL.
For more information, contact Terry Numa or Marie Arnstein at the Library!