Celebrate World Book Night Tonight in the Reading Garden

Everyone is invited to celebrate the 2nd Annual World Book Night event at the Gulfport Public Library tonight at 7:15 p.m.

Guests will help "light the night" tonight in the newly constructed Library Reading Garden! The event will be a celebration of life and lanterns in the library's new outdoor space. Everyone is invited to celebrate the Circle of Friends of the Gulfport Library's 2nd Annual World Book Night tonight at 7:15 p.m. This year, officials are inviting people to enjoy the new garden. Officials have spent the past few months laying the foundation, constructing the fence and placing Tom Pitzen's beautiful mosaics in place. Recently, officials planted several flowers and plants for the big event. Architect Christopher "Toffer" Ross says plans for the garden include 12 different species inside the garden including Red Rocket Crape, Myrtle, Spotted …

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Gulfport City Council

Library Reading Garden Blooming Soon!

Gulfport City Leaders planted the first "seed" in the new community reading garden at the library.

Imagine picking out a book at the Gulfport Public Library and walking out into a garden full of flowers, local art displays, benches and memorial bricks. Within two years, that dream could be a reality if the community comes together with fundraising efforts and planning. The Gulfport City Council planted the first "seed" in the community garden by approving the use of $25,000 of Library specific Special Revenue Funds to be used for breaking ground on the garden. During Tuesday night's Regular Council Meeting, Phyllis Plotnick and other members of the Circle of Friends of the Gulfport Library asked the council to dedicate enough money to start the project. The council unanimously agreed. The Library Specific Special Revenue Fund presently …

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Snake Excites Library Visitors

The Gulfport Public Library and Boyd Hill Nature Preserve combined forces to teach children about wildlife with an up close and personal experience.

There weren't any bookworms spotted at the Gulfport Public Library on Wednesday, however a slithery visitor did catch readers’ attentions. The Circle of Friends of the Gulfport Public Library invited some reptilian visitors to meet library guests face to face as part of a summer learning program. Children were able to meet and greet a lizard, a turtle and a snake from Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. Ken Payette, a Boyd Hill volunteer, was on hand to educate the children about animals like alligators as well. Payette has more than 10 years of experience with Boyd Hill and had plenty of information and stories to tell the children. The Circle of Friend organization is a 501(c)(3) group that aims to grow the library's services through community …

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5 Things to Know in Gulfport: World Book Night

World Books Night Tonight, Volunteer for Rebuild Together Tampa Bay, Patch Food Drive and more in "5 Things to Know in Gulfport."

World Book Night in Gulfport: The Circle of Friends of the Gulfport Library has been selected as a host site for the United States inaugural celebration of World Book Night. This free event includes a presentation by Rhoda Katz, docent from the Florida Holocaust Museum and a raffle for free copies of Markus Zusak’s bestselling book, “The Book Thief”.  Come join us for this celebration on Monday, April 23, at 7 p.m. at the Gulfport Recreation Center at 5730 Shore Blvd. S. in the Art Room on the 2nd floor.  Elevator access is available. For more information on this event, email zora@tampabay.rr.com or call 813-971-4865. Volunteers Needed: Volunteers are needed for National Rebuild Day. The group will be working on four homes in Gulfport on …

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Books Fly Off the Shelves at Book Sale

The Circle of Friends of the Gulfport Public Library helped raise more than $800 for library programs and education.

What can you buy for 50 cents? Most places don't offer specialty coffee for that price . . . . but on Saturday you could walk away with a romance novel for just two quarters! That's right, Scout Hall was turned into a booklovers paradise on Saturday in Gulfport. Thousands of books priced at 50 cents, 1 dollar and more were flying off the shelves during the Circle of Friends of the Gulfport Public Library book sale. The sale took place from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. and after the clock struck 2 the proceeds were counted. Volunteers raised $822 to use for programs and education at the Gulfport Public Library. Although it was less than what was raised during their first annual book sale last April, organizers are grateful for everyone who came out and …

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Book Sale to Lure Bookworms This Weekend

The Circle of Friends of the Gulfport Public Library are holding their second annual Book Sale at Scout Hall on Saturday from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

The Circle of Friends of the Gulfport Library will hold their 2nd Annual Book Sale on Saturday, March 3. This extraordinary sale of donated items will feature thousands of pre-enjoyed selections of gently used books, movies and music. The sale will offer interests for everyone including adults, young adults, teens, children, fiction, non-fiction, hard cover, paperback, electronic books, cookbooks, gardening, self-help, travel, rare and collectables and much, much, more! Budget-friendly prices will range from 25 cents to $5 and up for “better books”.  The Circle of Friends of the Gulfport Library assist with additional funding for special Library programs for children and adults, and the purchase of special materials and assistance for …

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Gulfport Welcomes Award Winning Journalist Thomas French

Pulitzer Prize winner, former St. Petersburg Times Reporter and known author Thomas French lured more than 100 people to the Circle of Friends 1st Annual Meeting Thursday night.

In Gulfport Thomas French is known for writing "Unanswered Cries" and "Zoo Story: Life in the Garden of Captives." "Unanswered Cries" is the true story about the murder of Karen Gregory in her Gulfport home in 1984. French was a reporter for the St. Petersburg Times for nearly 30 years and covered the Karen Gregory murder investigation and trial. He now teaches at the Indiana University School of Journalism. When organizers asked French to be a guest speaker, he didn't hesitate to accept the invitation. During Thursday night's meeting, French shared his love of reading and writing. "It's at the heart of everything I do," French said. The Circle of Friends of the Gulfport Library marks it's one year anniversary this week and organizers hope…

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5 Things to Know Today: Gulfport Library Needs Your Books

Donate today to the Gulfport Library for its annual book sale.

Donate to the Library: The Circle of Friends of the Gulfport Library is hosting it's second annual Book Sale on Saturday, March 3, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Last year's event was a huge success because of the thousands of donations. So, again, organizers are asking anyone to donate gently DVD's, books and CDs to the Gulfport Library, at 5501 27th Ave S.. The group is unable to accept video and audio cassettes or magazines. For more information, contact Phyllis Rosenblum at (727) 368-1598. Circle of Friends: Come out to the Circle of Friends 1st annual meeting on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Gulfport Senior Center. Thomas French will be a guest speaker at the meeting. French wrote "Unanswered Cries," about the murder of Gulfport resident Karen …

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New Library Card Holders Win Gift Certificates

The Circle of Friends of the Gulfport Public Library held a drawing on Saturday for two $25 gift certificates for the Small Adventures Book Shop in Gulfport.

The winners are . . . Candace Weyand and Xolani Jones. Congratulations! They each won a $25 gift certificate to the Small Adventures Book Shop in Gulfport. Jan Dutton donated the prizes to help encourage people to sign up for a library card. You see, during the month of October, everyone who applied for a new library card was entered into a drawing to win one of the two prizes: one gift certificate to a child and one for a new adult member. Phyllis Plotnick with the Circle of Friends said the Gulfport Public Library recieved 48 new memberships in October.

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