Library

The state and federal government is trying to encourage individuals to file their taxes electronically. This tax season, the state is printing fewer tax forms, and there has been a printing delay with the federal forms.  We will have them available to the public on a first come, first served basis as soon as possible. Below are the links for the state and federal tax sites. Please feel free to print them yourself or save them to your computer (especially the booklets).

www.irs.gov/

www.ador.state.al.us/incometax/2011itforms.html

POSTPONED

Col. Glenn Frazier, author of Hell's Guest, will hold a book signing in the near future here at the library. He will speak of his experiences in World War II and sign copies of his book. He has held book signings and has spoken at events around the country. He recently spoke at a veteran's event in Washington, D.C.

Col. Frazier was also featured in Ken Burns' documentary The War.

"'I grew up in South Alabama in the 1930's. Looking at the world through the cotton and corn fields of Lowndes County, I could never have imagined that in just a few short years the entire world would be engulfed in war and that I would be caught in the middle of it. Where I lived, events in Europe and Asia, as menacing as they were, seemed light years away. I would soon discover that they were not so far away after all...'

So begins the powerful memoir by an Alabama boy who ran away to join the army at the age of 16 and six months later found himself in the doomed struggle to save Bataan from the Japanese advance. He was captured, marched north in the infamous Bataan Death march and spent the next three years struggling for his life in Japanese POW camps. Glenn Frazier is an American above all else, who catches us all up in his story and teaches the one lesson we all need to learn and relearn: our liberty is our most precious possession and worth the price we must pay to preserve it."

  The books are currently on display at the library and are on sale during business hours for $20 each. For more information, please call Joanna Bailey @ 580-1648.

Dr. Brannon Parmer DC Presents Start the New Year Off Right!

Thursday, January 26th @ 5 p.m.

Discussion Topics

• Good Nutrition
• Weight Loss Strategies
• Multi-vitamins
• Foods contribution to chronic pain

 Pictured from left, Children's Librarian Victoria Barnett, Library Volunteer Kelly Stuart, Cataloger/Technical Coordinator Kimberly Watson, Front Desk Supervisor Toni Crook and Library Director Joanna Bailey.

 Baldwin County Master Gardeners delievered a collection of gardening books to each of the 13 Baldwin County libraries this week including BMPL. Though many may not consider this a time to think about gardening, Master Gardeners know cool weather is the time in the garden for planting trees, shrubs and prepping the warm weather lawn and garden. December is also the giving season and what better time to contribute to the libraries.

 Baldwin County Master Gardeners is an organization of trained and certified volunteers who assist the Alabama Cooperative Extension System on a mission of educational outreach in residentail horticulture. BCMG has approximately 180 members who each have received 50 hours of classroom insturstion specific to horticulture in Southwest Alabama, receive at least 10 hours of continuing education each year and volunteer a minimum of 25 hours annually assisting in outreach education. One of their biggest responsibilities is answering the Master Gardener Helpline (877-252-GROW) which operates Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

 For more information on the Master Gardeners and how to become a member, please visit their website at www.baldwincountymastergardeners.com.

Pictured from left, BMPL Friends Treasurer Lynn Biles presents a check to Children's Librarian Victoria Barnett and Library Director Joanna Bailey.

This year's Friends of the Library Wine and Cheese Fundraiser held at the lovely home of Tom and Harriet McMillan was a big success. The Friends group raised $1,486.26 for the library. The proceeds will be used to purchase children's books, eBooks and downloadable audio books!

"Everyone had such a wonderful time," said Bailey of the event. "It was so nice of the McMillans to open their home to us."

We are proud to announce that Amazon Kindle is now compatible with our Camellia Net eBook collection. Overdrive -- the distributor of our audio and eBooks as well as the platform to support the technology for Camellia Net -- added Kindle as part of a series of platform enhancements to our virtual branch website. This update allows most existing eBooks to be read on all Kindle devices or by using free Kindle apps on iPhones, iPad, Android, and other mobile devices. 

"We are very excited about Amazon getting on board with Overdrive," said Library Director Joanna Bailey. "We joined Camellia Net at the ideal time!"

The Bay Minette Public Library has expanded its services with audiobooks, eBooks, and music now available for download! Library card holders can check out and download digital media anytime, anywhere by visiting this website and clicking on the Camellia Net  link on the upper right hand corner of the page. Users may browse the library's website, check out with a valid library card (from any library in the county that is participating in the Camellia Net consortium), and download to PC, Mac, Nook, iPod, iPad, Sony Reader, and many other mobile devices. Users will need to install free software -- OverDrive Media Console for audiobooks and music and Adobe Digital Editions for eBooks. Titles can be enjoyed immediately or transferred to a variety of devices. Some audio titles can also be burned to CD to listen on-the-go. Titles will automatically expire after the two week lending period or you can change the default to a seven day lending period if you prefer. There are no late fees!

"We are so excited to offer this new service to our patrons!" said Library Director Joanna Bailey. "We will always have books on our shelves, but we also need to keep up with changing technology and offer our patrons as many avenues as possible to access information."

"Camellia Net offers a guided tour to download digital media, but if you need extra assistance don't hesitate to call or visit the library. Our friendly staff is here to help!"