Elemental Explorations: Dive into Library Card Sign-Up Month
 
September is Library Card Sign-up Month, a time when Collier County Public Library joins forces with the American Library Association and libraries across the nation to remind everyone about the valuable resources available with a library card. From borrowing physical books, e-books, and audiobooks to accessing homework assistance, mastering new skills, participating in book clubs or story hours, a library card empowers individuals to indulge in their passions and pursuits without stretching their budget.

There’s something for everyone at Collier County Public Library, and signing up for a library card is the first step on the path to academic achievement and lifelong learning for patrons of all ages. It's elemental, really—everyone should have one! Collier County Public Library, along with libraries everywhere, continues to adapt and expand services to meet the evolving needs of our community.

Since its inception in 1987, Library Card Sign-up Month has been celebrated annually in September to mark the beginning of the school year. Throughout this month, the ALA and libraries nationwide work collaboratively to ensure every child is bestowed with the opportunity to claim their own library card—an endeavor that lays the foundation for a future enriched with knowledge and exploration.

To find our locations where you can sign up for a library card or to learn more about the library’s resources and programs, visit CollierLibrary.org.

Summer Reading Success!
 
We are delighted to announce the overwhelming success of our 2023 Summer Reading Program, "All Together Now." Launched on June 3, the program encouraged reading diverse book formats and participation in library activities. This year's focus was on community kindness and appreciation, with events like Collier Centennial celebrations and inclusive storytimes. Across all 10 libraries, 1,858 kids, 393 teens, and 560 adults engaged in reading, totaling 31,424 books in 8 weeks. Library staff also extended the program to 11 summer camps, where 810 campers read over 7,500 books with Collier County Parks and Recreation!

One of the program's ongoing objectives is to counteract the 'Summer Slide,' which prevents learning loss among students during summer breaks. Reading plays a pivotal role in sustaining educational interest and bridging academic gaps. The nonprofit organization, Friends of the Library of Collier County, has been instrumental in sponsoring these summer programs and events. Notably, we have introduced Friends-sponsored Children’s Creative Play and Learning Centers at five of our library branches, with the goal of fostering creative learning and community engagement.

Thank you to all of our incredible patrons, volunteers, and partners who helped organize and participate in our engaging programs and events to celebrate summer reading!

Book Discussions

In-person Book Discussions
The Only One Left By Riley Sager

Come join us in discussing the legend of Lenora Hope and "Hope's End" in Riley Sanger's new novel, "The Only One Left."  This book is filled with twists, turns and is a definite who-done-it
Thursday, September 21 @ 2:00 PM - Headquarters Regional Library

Virtual Book Discussions
Go As a River by Shelley Read

The novel follows the main character’s journey from a motherless, aimless teenager to a strong, self-sufficient woman who has known sacrifice and hardship but has found the inner strength to move on and do better.

Tuesday, September 19 @ 2:00 PM on Facebook.com/colliercountylibrary
Tuesday, September 26 @ 2:00 PM on Zoom - link will be provided upon registration

To learn more about or register for these book discussions, visit CollierLibrary.org/Events.

Seasonal Cooking

Veg Forward: Super-Delicious RecipesThat Put Produce at the Center of Your Plate by Susan Spungen
In this vegetable-forward cookbook, veteran cookbook author and food stylist Susan Spungen highlights the vegetables and fruits of each season--from spring to early summer to the bursting harvest of late summer, then ebbing into autumn and, finally, into the earthy flavors of winter.

365: A Year of Everyday Cooking & Baking by Meike Peters
Featuring the author's signature style of cooking, rooted in German and Mediterranean flavors and making the best of each season's lush produce, this home-cooking bible will inspire you in the kitchen the whole year and beyond.

Farmhouse Rules: Simple, Seasonal Meals for the Whole Family by Nancy Fuller
Arranged by season, the Food Network personality delivers a cookbook filled with authentic comfort food recipes, including such dishes as rhubarb hand pies, lobster in a roll, filet mignon sandwiches, and corn chowder.

Fix it & Forget it: Lazy and Slow Cookbook by Hope Comerford
Presents weekly menus and daily recipes for slow cooker meals, as well as special menus for the holidays and other celebrations, with the first recipe each week being a slow cooker meal large enough for leftovers to be used in the next few dinners.

A Dish for All Seasons: 125+ Recipe Variations for Delicious Meals All Year Round by Kathryn Pauline
A creative approach to seasonal cooking, A Dish for All Seasons presents 26 adaptable recipes, each with four seasonal variations, for a total of more than 100 accessible recipes for creative weeknight cooking.

The Apricot Lane Farms Cookbook: Recipes and Stories from the Biggest Little Farm by Molly Chester
Seasonally inspired food, with more than 130 recipes from the chef, farmer, and star of The Biggest Little Farm.

A Year at Catbird Cottage: Recipes for a Nourished Life by Melina Hammer
The owner of the idyllic Catbird Cottage B&B in upstate NY offers 100 recipes organized by season that are locally sourced and foraged, showing the importance of growing, harvesting and preserving food with love, and then eating it with those you cherish.

Beautiful Salads: Delicious Organic Salads and Dressings for Every Season by Pam Powell
Beautiful Salads presents 70+ recipes for healthy, organic, seasonal salads and dressings to make and enjoy year-round.

PRINT BOOK, MEET AUDIO BOOK

VOX™ Books are the world’s first audio books that live in print books. The permanently attached VOX Reader transforms an ordinary print book into an all-in-one read-along. No need for computers, tablets, or CDs-children simply push a button to listen and read.
 
Collier County Public Library currently offers numerous Vox children’s titles in E Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Biographies. We also have them in Spanish as well.
No batteries are required! Check out one of these rechargeable books today at your local library or request them online using the call number VOX.

For music enthusiasts, we have a special recommendation – don't miss the enchanting Sweet Child o' Mine by Guns & Roses and the captivating Forever Young by Bob Dylan picture books that musically narrate the stories.

Happy reading and listening to all!

Explore a world of knowledge with GALE's Academic Resources. Watch their video to unlock a treasure trove of educational insights.

Gale Databases
 
Welcome back to school! The school year comes with many challenges for students and parents. One of those challenges being finding reliable resources for homework, projects, and essays. Collier County Public Library has many online resources, but one of the best databases we provide access to is Gale. Gale offers a plethora of information on all topics, and it can even be broken up into elementary school, middle school, and high school, giving all students the chance to research texts within their grade range. This online resource is easy to use and supplies students with information they can depend on. To gain access to Gale all you need is your library card number. Click here to start your search with Gale!
 
Contact us by phone at 239-252-7350 or visit us at any of our locations for more information.

Save These Dates: September

We have so many exciting events happening at our libraries this month, and among them, there are two we're particularly excited to share with you!

For those eager to refine their culinary skills or embark on a new culinary adventure, look no further than the air fryer cooking classes, hosted by the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. The cooking class for adults will take place at the Golden Gate Branch Library on Thursday, September 14, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. The cooking class for kids aged 10 to 18 will be held at the Immokalee Branch Library on Saturday, September 16, starting at 11:00 am and concluding at 1:00 pm.

Music lovers, rejoice! September is Classical Music Month. If cooking isn't your forte and you're in need of some relaxation, recline into the serene embrace of this month's free concerts performed by musicians of the Naples Philharmonic. The concerts are scheduled for Thursday, September 7, at the South Regional Library from 4:00 - 5:30 pm as well as on Saturday, September 9 at Headquarters Library from 2:00 - 3:30 pm.

To register or learn more about these events, as well as the rest of our programming for this month, visit CollierLibrary.org/Events.