When North Miami's Lucia M.Gonzalez wrote a bilingual childrens' book, The Bossy Gallito/ElGallo de Boors, in 1994 she had no idea it would become a "new classic". The book has been on the New York Public Library's list of "100 fantastic tales that have withstood the test of time and are on their way to becoming new classics." Ms. Gonzalez targeted the book to pre-kindergarten to first graders. It is a folk tale from her Cuban heritage which, she says, lives in variations in other Latin cultures. It was her first book. Now the Library Director for the City of North Miami Public Library, Ms. Gonzalez started her career after receiving her Master in Library Science from the University of South Florida, with the Miami-Dade Public Library in its outreach programs. For two years she visited schools and read folktales to groups of up to 500 children at a time. As she honed her skills as a storyteller, part of the Imagination Factory grant, she drew upon her own childhood stories. That was how The Bossy Gallito came into being. Since then she has written and published two additional bilingual books for children. Señor Cat's Romance and Other Favorite Stories from Latin America in 1997, is targeted to second and third graders. The Storyteller's Candle in 2008 is a book for third to fifth graders. Each is built upon a Cuban folktale from her early days. The childrens books are part of the curriculum at International Schools overseas. Ms. Gonzalez was excited to participate in a visit to some international schools in Warsaw and Krakow, Poland, a few years ago. The three books are all winners of several awards: The Bossy Gallito/El Gallo de Boors won the 1996 Pura Belpre Children's Literature Honor Medal; and is part of the New York Public Library's 100 Picture Books Everyone Should Know. Señor Cat's Romance and Other Favorite Stories from Latin America won an Americas Award Commended Title. The Storyteller's Candle/ La velita de los cuentos, is the winner of the 2009 Pura Belpre Children's Literature Honor Medal for narrative, the Jane Addams Children's Book Award, Honor Book, and the Americas Award. Lucia Gonzalez is also a past president of REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish Speaking; and National Co-

Chair of REFORMA's Children and Young Adult Services Committee. The North Miami Public Library holds a "Family Read-Aloud @ The Library" every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Ms. Gonzalez often participates in storytelling, along with others. It is time when residents can sign up for a library card, learn

about library services, and enjoy an evening of great stories and refreshments. It is open to the public. The Wednesday evening events are co-sponsored with the Friends of the North Miami Public Library. The North Miami Public Library is located at 835 NE 132 St. North Miami, FL 33161. Phone 305-891-5535 for more information.

Friends of the North Miami Public Library

Volume 2 Issue 1Winter 2014

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

President’s Message ..................2

Native American Essay Contest Awards........2

April Book Sale........................3

Book Club............................4

Upcoming Events..........................4

Library Director's Message.........................3

Meet the AuthorFriends of the North Miami Public Library will honor

North Miami Public Library Director Lucia M. Gonzalez at the North Miami Chamber of Commerce Luncheon on

Wednesday, February 26, 2014, as part of "Love Your Library" month celebration.

Call 305-891-7811 for information and reservations.

Author Lucia M. Gonzalez, North Miami Library Director

Children's Books Become 'New Classics'

"Uplifting Our Community"North Miami Public Library

835 N. E. 132 StreetNorth Miami, FL 33161

Tel.: 305-891-5535Email: library@northmiamifl.govWebsite: www.northmiamifl.gov/

departments/library

HoursMonday-Thursday: 11:30 am to 8 pm

(computers close at 7:30 pm)

Friday-Saturday: 9:30 am to 5 pm (computers close at 4:30 pm)

Sunday: 1 pm to 5 pm (computers close at 4:30 pm)

The library offers free WiFi to the public. Public access computers are available

on a first-come, first-served basis for all library card holders.

Editor Susan Neuman

miamipr@bellsouth.net

Library CardsLibrary cards are free to North Miami residents and City employees regardless of residency. Reciprocal borrowing privileges are available for residents of Hialeah, North Miami Beach and the Miami-Dade Public Library System Taxing District at no charge. There is a charge for residents of Bal Harbour, Miami Shores, Surfside and out-of-the-area residents who wish to apply for a library card.

All applicants must be present when application is completed. Anyone under 18 years of age must have parental authorization to obtain a card.

Friends of the North Miami Public Library 2

the President’s Message

This year is already beginning with exciting activities, accomplishments, and great partnerships. I am looking forward to enhancing our visibility so that memberships and donations will increase. Be sure to let us know when you have ideas that will help us effectively serve our community. We value your input! Inez Couch, President Friends of the North Miami Public Library b_couch@bellsouth.net

The Oscar Thomas Foundation partnered with the Friends of the North Miami Public Library to present a Native American literary contest in November. Participants were invited to research through public library usage, before submitting an original essay of 500 words or less. The partners provided informative writing workshops and materials to assist the participants. Students created and displayed Native American inspired artwork. Winners were announced on November 20th at the Little Haiti Cultural Center. First place, $100 award, went to Brianna Gardiner, second place, $75 award, to Zion Wingard and third place, $50 award, to Som Saha.

What Is the Oscar Thomas Foundation? The Oscar Thomas Foundation is a non-profit youth organization that promotes leadership by using art to encourage freedom of self-expression, in the development of imagination and creativity. It was created by Nanci Thomas to perpetuate the memory of her husband who was an iconic billboard, mural and portrait artist of international renown. Oscar Thomas died at age 41 of complications from diabetes. The Foundation's motto is "Creating Masterpieces One Child At A Time."

StorytellerAs part of Native American Month in November Melinda Munger shared a Native American story at five North Dade libraries: North Dade Regional, Opa-locka, Golden Glades, California Club and North Central. Listeners were intrigued with "The Skelton Lady," and learned that selfishness and generosity were part of the two characters that Melinda brought to life. They also talked about the Tequesta Indians who originally settled in Arch Creek in the North Miami area.

Native American Heritage Month

ESSAY CONTEST

Friends of the North Miami Public Library 3

Library Director's Message The North Miami Public Library begins 2014 with powerful partnerships!!

Starting January 20th, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) offers its Art Institute’s five days a week after school programs for teens. Classes are held at the library at 4:00 p.m., and taught by MOCA Art Institute educators and administered by the Museum. This is designed to bring out creative talents in teens that otherwise may go undiscovered. Another special partnership with the City of North Miami Police Athletic League offers Peer Tutoring/Homework Assistance on Saturdays from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. This is offered to school age students free of charge. Adults are given the opportunity to take part in free adult, family and digital literacy. The Prosperity Social Community Development Group, Inc. is a North Miami community based organization that provides literacy services every Saturday from 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. An on-going partnership with the North Miami Senior High School feeder pattern elementary schools hosts a series of Family Reading Nights at the North Miami Public Library along with the Dia Family Book Club. Media Specialists from respective schools present their favorite books. For the fifth year, the Friends of the North Miami Public Library offer a science camp for fifth grade students in preparation for the yearly FCAT science portion. Many successful participants have received scholarships to private schools and have entered science magnet programs in Miami Dade County Public Schools. Brenda Crow, a well known science educator, takes pride in offering exciting hands-on learning discoveries that empowers students to apply the scientific method to other school subjects as well. Upcoming: The unveiling of the Library’s Renovation Project! It is part of the City’s Progress 2013, funded from Biscayne Landing allocations. By reconfiguring the existing internal space we hope to double the sitting capacity, to modernize the furnishings, and to add a much needed Teen section. For up-to-date information on the status of the Library Renovation, please visit the City’s Website: http://www.northmiamifl.gov — Lucia Gonzalez

A partnership of the City of Miami Gardens, the University of Florida Cooperative Extension Office, the Oscar Thomas Foundation and the Friends of the North Miami Public Library has created the North Dade 4-H Club. Meetings are held weekly at Norwood Park with about 30 elementary school participants.

Under the direction of 4-H Agent Cassandra Weston and Dade Partner Nanci Thomas of the Oscar Thomas Foundation, the students are presently working on projects to be entered into competition at the Dade County Youth Fair in March. For more information on 4-H call 305-592-8044 or visit http://miami-dade.ifas.ufl.edu.

North Dade 4-H Club

Friends Mini Book Sale Set for April 5th and 6th It's not our BIG annual book sale, but you can still find plenty of treasures at the April MINI Book Sale. The Mini Book Sale will be Saturday, April 5 from 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday, April 6 from 1 pm to 5 pm, in the North Miami Public Library program room. "Book sales continue to be a great source of income for special projects, programs, or events. It is also a time for us to meet with library patrons and share interests in particular reading areas. There are always treasures to be found at very reasonable prices. The mini book sale in April will be part of the celebration for National Library Month. Donations are welcome throughout the year and especially before book sales. Help us to continue to support our library through your purchases and or donations," said Sharon Sbrissa, Treasurer, of the Friends of the North Miami Public Library.Boo

k Sale

Condolences to our member Bertie Patterson on the passing of her husband Clarence Patterson,

former City of North Miami Manager and long-time supporter of the North Miami Public Library.

Condolences

Friends of the North Miami Public Library 4

"Uplifting Our Community"

January - ongoing ....... North Miami Police Athletic League's Peer Tutoring/ ...................................Homework Assistance program, 11 am to 2 pm on ...................................... Saturdays, thru the school year.January - ongoing ...... Prosperity Social Community Development Group ...................................... holds a free adult, family and digital literacy program ...................................... every Saturday 9:30 am to noon, thru the school year. January - ongoing ........Friends' co-sponsored 'Family Read-Aloud @ The ..................................Library' Nights every Wednesday at 6:30 pmJanuary 20, 2014 ........ MOCA's 5-days a week teen program begins, thru ...................................... school year.February 8, 2014 ........ Monthly Science CampMarch 8, 2014 .............. Monthly Science CampMarch 16, 2014 ............ Freedom of Information DayMarch 20, 2014 ............ Book Club (meets every other month) at Alaska ...................................... Coffee.April 5-6, 2014 ............. Friends Mini Book SaleApril 8, 2014 ................. Monthly Science CampApril 13-19, 2014 ........ National Library Week

Come join our Friends of the Library Book Club the third Thursday of every other month at the Alaska Coffee Roasting Company, 130th Street and Biscayne Boulevard. We begin our discussion of the book selection at 7 p.m. and then, time permitting, we can socialize and order some delicious food for those wishing to linger. Alaska Coffee is a delightful place and we are looking forward to having our meetings there. The book we just discussed was Little Heathens by Mildred Armstrong Kalish. It is a story of the hard times and high spirits on an Iowa farm during the great depression. It is a delightful book and everyone enjoyed reading it. Our next book club meeting will be March 20th. The book selection will be Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver, a story that takes on one of the most contentious subjects of our time which is climate change. With a deft and versatile empathy, Kingsolver dissects the motives that drive denial and belief in a precarious world. For future book club selections, you can contact the North Miami Public Library. They usually have several copies of our book selections available for check out. So, come join us, order a cup of coffee, and enjoy a lively discussion with fellow book lovers! ~Barbara Stewart

Calling All Donors

Help our organization uplift the North Miami community by sending us a donation to

further expand our mission.

MISSION STATEMENT: Advocate for the North Miami Public Library patrons, staff, volunteers, and citizens by raising funds to purchase reading materials, equipment, supplies, refreshments, field trips, professional services, and free to the public programs that enhance intergenerational literacy.

This 30 year old organization has a 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service. Donations are tax deductible and an official letter of receipt will be sent to each donor.

Send donations to Sharon Sbrissa, Treasurer, Friends of the North Miami Public Library, 835 NE 132 Street North Miami, FL 33161

Friends Book Club Offers Contemporary & Historic Intellectual Stimulation