BY DAN HILDEBRAN
The Clay County Library in Keystone Heights has closed out its summer programs and is now transitioning to the fall.
Branch Manager Mikaeli Coleman said that the library’s summer programs last for several months. However, with the onset of August, activities are updated monthly.
Each of the county’s five locations, Fleming Island, Green Cove Springs, Keystone Heights, Middleburg, and Orange Park, coordinate programs. However, some branches have activities that are unique to their location.
“We’re usually going to slow down in the fall,” she said, “but in the winter, we have some big programs.”
Coleman said one popular event planned is the return of Mark Alan Magic around Christmas. She added that the magician drew a large crowd and that the library holds larger events at the beach pavilion to accommodate bigger audiences.
In Keystone Heights, August events for children five and under included Little Explorers, which featured a beaver dam construction project. An early childhood Family Storytime event featuring “Going to School” is scheduled for Thursday, August 29 at 11 a.m. The branch also hosted a Music and Movement event for children five and under on August 14.
For older youngsters, ages 5-11, the library hosted the kid’s edition of Bingo for Books on August 14, featuring nature collages.
Exploration Lab, with a STEM theme: The Sense and Taste of Popcorn, took place at the Oriole Street branch on August 14.
The sole teen event occurred on August 13 with a workshop on making pearl bead pocket chains.
Additional adult workshops in August included wood-burning art and faux sea glass votives.
The library also hosted in August Musical Bingo and a book club featuring “The Book of Lost Names,” by Kristin Harmel.
Newspaper tablets now available
The county library system recently announced that patrons may soon check out a tablet at its branches to read selected digital newspapers and magazines.
“This new service will be available starting Monday, August 19,” the county said in a news release. “Visitors can use the tablets to read Newsbank Newspapers, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Libby Magazines.”
The library system purchased 14 tablets through a Northeast Florida Library Information Network Innovation Grant.
“Clay County Library branches will have iPads available starting Monday (August 19), and they plan to add Android tablets soon after,” the announcement states.
From part-timer to branch manager in 3 years
Coleman is a Keystone Heights High School graduate who has progressed from a part-timer to managing the Oriole Street library in three years.
“I actually was interested in volunteering,” Coleman recalled, “but they had a part-time position open, and then I just started with Miss Margaret (Whipple).”
After a year, Coleman was promoted to full-time in the Children’s department and then advanced to branch manager this year.
The new manager said her favorite part of the job is working with the entire community.
When asked what she likes to read, Coleman said the question is like asking a mother who her favorite child is.
“Don’t ever ask a library person what their favorite book is,” she replied. “All kinds of stuff. Mostly fantasy, but just anything. We get a lot of new stuff. Sci-fi, fantasy. Sometimes, I read young adults; sometimes, I read children’s books. We all do. We read a lot of easy books.”
Do you always return your books on time?
“No, we’re the worst,” Coleman admitted. “If you want to see who has fines, it’s usually someone who works here or someone who works (at another branch). It’s funny. We work here. You would think we’d be able to return them on time, but they’re usually in our bag.”
