Banned Books Week: Celebrating Your Right to Read with speaker Dr. Margery Marcus (teens & adults)

Tuesday, September 25th, 6:15 p.m.

For over 30 years, Banned Books Week has highlighted issues of book censorship. For this year’s national celebration, Banned Books Week emphasizes the importance of the First Amendment in guaranteeing our inherent right to choose what we read. Join Dr. Margery Marcus for a lively presentation examining the history of book banning (and burning) in America, including First Amendment court cases related to book censorship. Her PowerPoint lecture concludes with a countdown of the top 10 most banned books of 2017. Registration required.
Register here.

ACT Test Simulation (high school age)

Saturday, September 29th, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Parkland Library ACT Simulation is for Parkland high school students and is conducted by Score at the Top. The test will be fully proctored and will take approximately four hours to complete. Students will get to experience what it means to take a real test under actual test conditions. In addition, they will learn about endurance and the importance of peak performance. At the end of the session, the test will be collected to be scored. Each parent/student will be then contacted by Score at the Top the following week with the results. Parkland Library card required to register. Register here.

A Night of Shared Stories (adults & teens)

Wednesday, October 3rd, 6 p.m.

Bring an excerpt of a story either of your own creation or from an author you enjoy reading. Volunteer to read for five minutes, or just come out to listen and support those sharing. Refreshments will be served. Registration required. Register here.

TED Talk Video Screening & Discussion: “The Danger of a Single Story” (adults & teens)

Wednesday, October 10th, 6 p.m.

Our lives, our cultures, are composed of many overlapping stories. Novelist Chimamanda Adichie tells the story of how she found her authentic cultural voice – and warns that if we hear only a single story about another person or country, we risk a critical misunderstanding. We’ll watch a video presentation of this enlightening talk and then have a roundtable discussion led by community members regarding the meaning and impact of diversity in society. Registration required. Register here.

How to Use the Library – Tips and Tricks

Monday, October 15th and 22nd, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  

In these classes for all ages, participants will learn their way through all the aspects of library use. The first class will focus on how to use the physical library with details on how to find items, how items are arranged and how to be an effective searcher.  The second class will focus on the virtual library with instruction on how to use electronic resources as well as which electronic resources to use. Registration required. Register here.

Spanish Guitar Concert

Wednesday, October 17th, 6:30 p.m.

Spanish guitarist Gladius fuses a variety of musical styles into a refreshing formula, evoking the Spanish spirit, yet resulting in a distinctly unorthodox sound. Inspired by the great composers, Spanish guitar maestros and others, this award-winning musician explores a multicultural mix sure to appeal to all audiences, while also exhibiting perseverance, having prevailed over a crippling case of nerve damage which could have easily ended any musician's career. Registration required. Register here.

The Ghost of Bellamy Bridge: Terrifying Tales from Florida and Beyond (adults & teens)

Tuesday, October 30th, 6:15 p.m.

Halloween just wouldn't be the same without a session of spooky stories. Come prepared to be pleasantly scared by characters like the tragic Ghost of Bellamy Bridge from Marianna or Key West's creepy Robert the Doll and Carl von Cosel. But never fear: You'll also get a much-deserved laugh from an interactive crowd-pleaser about a monster with yellow eyes. Not for the faint of heart, this program is a must for anyone who wants to tell their own spine-tinglers! Caren S. Neile, Ph.D., is a performance storyteller who has taught storytelling studies at Florida Atlantic University since 2001. The former chair of the National Storytelling Network, she has performed in six countries and 10 states. Her most recent book is Florida Lore (History Press). Registration required. Register here.