Volunteers Available for Computer Help

Every other Wednesday patrons of the Destin Library who wish to received assistance using computers to access the Internet, write a letter, create E-Mail accounts, or generally become more familiar with available technology to retrieve information, will have additional help thanks to volunteers who have agreed to provide such assistance.

According to a spokesperson for the library, volunteers will be available between the hours of 1:00 – 3:00 PM.

Patrons interested in receiving help with library computers are asked to check in at the circulation desk on the days noted for a basic 45 minute session.

Although volunteers are available during the times and dates noted, the amount of time provided to an individual will vary depending on interest.

For calendar dates please contact the Destin Library at 837.8572

Abrakadoodle Comes to the Library

For the next five months free art classes for toddlers (ages 4 years and under) have been scheduled at the Destin Library thanks for local entrepreneur Erin Bakker who is the franchise owner of Abrakadoodle Art Education in this region.

Abrakadoodle, is a popular national arts education program for children ages 20 months to 12 years old. In Abrakadoodle art programs, children:

Learn about artists and artist styles,
Develop new skills,
Learn about Artists of Distinction ,
Demonstrate art techniques,
Explore creative art materials, and
Design original artwork!

According to Bakker, “each art class offers a unique educational experience. And each child’s art is as original as he or she is!”

The free 45 minute art classes (4:00 – 4:45 PM) are based on a selected book and will include a take-home art activity. Each schedule class will be limited to 15 children from the Destin area whose parents have pre-register on a first-come, first-served basis with the library (837.8572). Abrakadoodle art classes are scheduled for:

Tuesday, October 7th

Tuesday, November 4th

Tuesday, December 2nd

2 More Linux Presentations Scheduled

The Destin Library will host two upcoming presentations about the Linux Personal Computer Operating System on Thursday, August 28th and Tuesday, September 9th, at 7:00 PM in its Calhoun Meeting Room. The presentations are free and open to the public. Due to limited seating those interested in attending are encourage to preregister by calling 837.8572.

Terry Enderland, a resident of Destin, and a new but enthusiastic Linux convert, will make a presentation about Ubuntu Linux – a computer operating system that is free, user-friendly, automatically updated, immune to viruses and spyware, stable and has more than 20,000 free-of-charge applications. According to Mr. Enderland, Ubuntu is a community developed, Linux-based operating system that is perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. It contains all the applications you need - a web browser, presentation, document and spreadsheet software, instant messaging and much more.The hour-long presentation will address the following topics:- What is Linux and why should I care?- What are the minimum hardware requirements?- What are the download and installation options?

A demonstration of an installed Linux system and some of its more popular applications will be followed by a question and answer period.

Volunteers Wanted: Computer Classes

The Destin Library is looking for persons interested in volunteering for its Fall 2008/Spring 2009 instructional computer program.

If you are interested you should have intermediate skills using the Windows XP operating system and at least one other application program (Microsoft Office 2003 or 2007: Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Publisher, Internet Explorer).

Interested volunteers are requested to email the library at: library@cityofdestin.com

In 2005 the United States Army created Freedom Team Salute (click on FreedomTeamSalute.com logo to read more). The program recognizes the essential bond between Soldiers, Family, and Community; celebrates the sacrifices made by all those who support our Soldiers; and honors the millions of Soldier Veterans who have served and who remain as our living connection to generations of duty, honor and patriotism.

Freedom Team Salute allows all Soldiers to recognize their Parents, Spouse and Employer (of Guard and reserve Soldiers) with a Commendation thanking them for the value they bring to the Army family. The program also allows anyone to honor a discharged U.S. Army Veteran for his or her service to the nation, no matter where or when he or she served, or for how long. Since Freedom the Freedom Team Salute program began, over 1.3 million commendations have been made.

For individuals who would like to become involved in thanking our Nation’s Army Veterans and assisting America’s Soldiers in thanking those who support them, Freedom Team Salute sponsors a Formal “Ambassador Program” that provides volunteers within the community. In Destin, Raymond “Ray” A. Edge, is the Freedom Team Salute Ambassador, U.S. Army. Ray may be reached at edgedestin@aol.com.

A limited supply of Freedom Team Salute materials are available at the Destin Library.

The Florida Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) has released a limited number of its Consumer Resource Guide to area libraries. The 328 page guide was created in collaboration with government agencies, non-profit organizations and professional associations, as well as other groups and individuals committed to issues affecting elders. The guide is divided into nine sections ranging from “Getting The Help You Need”, to “Elder Rights/Abuse and Fraud”. Click on the Consumer Resource Guide picture to access the DOEA website.

Individuals interested in receiving a copy the Consumer Resource Guide may request one at the circulation desk. Copies of this guide will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Adolescent Mental Health Series Arrives

A series of appealing books from the Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands’ on their Adolescent Mental Health Initiative have been added to the collection. The focus of the series is to:

Understand the origins, paths, prevention, and treatment of adolescent mood disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, alcohol and drug abuse, and suicide.

Understand how adolescent mental health disorders can be prevented, their recurrence reduced, and their effects blunted.

Develop effective means to communicate these insights to adolescents in need, their families, counselors, teachers, physicians, and friends.

The titles in the series are:
The Thought That Counts by Jared Douglas Kant
Me, Myself, and Them by Kurt Snyder
Next to Nothing by Carrie Arnold
Monochrome Days by Cait Irwin
Chasing the High by Kyle Keegan
Eight Stories Up by DeQuincy Lezine
Mind Race by Patrick Jamieson
and ...
What You Must Think of Me by Emily Ford.