The Laker/Lutz News

South Holiday Library

Libraries plan more outreach, programs and events

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The 2021-2024 Strategic Plan for Pasco County’s library system calls for more outreach, more programs and cultural events, to enhance the system’s services and to attract new users.

The Pasco County Commission approved the system’s 2021-2024 Strategic Plan during the county board’s Sept. 15 meeting.

The Pasco County Library Cooperative, also known as Pasco County Libraries, must create a new strategic plan every three years, and that plan must be approved by the county board, in order for the system to qualify for state aid for public libraries.

Candice Kyle, of Dade City, helps Kaizer, her 4-year-old son, to build a tower out of blocks. The mother and son were bonding during the playtime portion of the Preschool Storytime program, in January 2020 at the Hugh Embry Branch Library, before the pandemic. The library is now closed for renovations. (File)

Nancy Fredericks, a library administrator, told commissioners that the new plan was developed by the county’s library team, along with the help of Leon Donovan, a consultant, to obtain community feedback through planning sessions, focus groups and stakeholder meetings. The effort included two surveys, too.

Besides telling the board about efforts to develop the plan, Fredericks shared a video that outlined the key points.

The board’s agenda materials also spelled out the primary elements of the strategic plan.

In essence, it identifies three major focus areas: Community, Culture and Education. It also contains goals, and strategies to achieve those goals.

Priority area: Community
In this focus area, the library system plans to increase outreach opportunities for community members and for organizations to become involved with the library.

It has identified activities to help achieve those goals.

For instance, it plans to establish Pop-Up library services to expand access to resources and services. It also is planning to provide 20 hours of service per month beginning in the first quarter of 2022.

It will promote library resources at a minimum of 20 meetings per year for community groups, civic organizations, nonprofits, and government agencies.

And, it plans to coordinate with the Friends of the Library on an annual campaign to help increase membership and raise funds.

Priority area: Education
In this area, the library system has identified the goal of providing access to a collection of print, non-print, and electronic resources that support the diverse needs and interests of Pasco County residents.

Rebecca Jackson, of Lutz, enjoys helping her children, 7-year-old Joel, left, and 3-year-old Hope, as they create their paint-by-string artwork during an event held shortly before pandemic restrictions kicked in, in 2020. The activity occurred at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library on Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes, which is now closed for renovations.

It also aims to provide resources and programming to support lifelong learning, and skill and knowledge development across multiple literacies.

To help achieve those goals, it plans to partner with the Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando Counties to provide four programs per year.

It also plans to develop an Adult Literacy/ESL training program, and to train 15 volunteers per year to teach basic literacy and ESL to Pasco County citizens.

Also, it will offer two digital literacy activities per quarter to increase skill development in finding, evaluating, creating and communicating information on digital platforms.

Plus, it intends to create a Library of Things to circulate nontraditional materials, with a focus on items that support makerspace activities. It aims to add three new items per year to the Library of Things.

Other activities include:

  • Selecting 15 new items per year to be added to the Adaptive Toy Collection
  • Providing at least one staff training session per quarter focused on skill development, which relates to content creation
  • Offering two programs per quarter that educate the public on how to produce professional content for various media platforms

Priority area: Culture
The library system intends to foster culture within Pasco County by offering a wide range of programs at its branch libraries and outreach locations. The programming and activities will support self-expression, innovation, and community-based well-being.

Activities will include:

  • Deploying the Mobile Makerspace three times per quarter, to provide hands-on learning experiences
  • Collaborating with local performers, artists, and experts, to expand cultural experiences and learning opportunities
  • Offering 20 cultural programs or events per year at any location in the county
  • Offering two programs per quarter that showcase cultural content created in association with the Pasco County Library Cooperative
  • Supporting the development of a cultural affairs advisory council in Pasco County by hosting at least four meetings per year and serving as a liaison/coordinator for the council

In addition to programming efforts, the library system also is in the midst of updating and upgrading its facilities.

The massive makeovers are being supported by a bond issue approved by voters.

The cooperative library system includes these branch libraries: Hugh Embry, New River, Land O’ Lakes, Starkey Ranch TLC, Centennial Park, South Holiday, Regency Park and Hudson. It also includes the Zephyrhills Public Library.

Published October 06, 2021

Dade City library closed for remodeling

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The Hugh Embry Library, 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City, as of June 26 is closed for remodeling.

The library’s new look will include a complete floor-to-ceiling renovation, with updated technology, new furnishings, high-efficiency air conditioning and high-speed internet.

The Hugh Embry Library in Dade City will get a new look, with extensive work expected to start soon. (Courtesy of Pasco County Libraries)

The modernized interior will offer new spaces for adults, teens and kids, meeting spaces, and a central service desk.

The extensive work is expected to begin soon.

To see a rendering of the proposed library updates, visit PascoLibraries.org/hugh-embry-library-remodel/.

“Most of the libraries were built in the 1980s, and we’re excited to completely reimagine the library experience for everyone in Pasco County,” said Bob Harrison, libraries program manager, in a news release.

The renovations are part of the General Obligation Bond (GO Bond) Referendum that Pasco County voters passed in November 2018.

The library is expected to reopen in the spring of 2022.

Patrons can continue to check out books and other materials at open library locations throughout the county, including the newly renovated New River and Centennial Park branches.

The South Holiday Library also remains closed for remodeling.

Published June 30, 2021

County approves purchase of new library furniture

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The Pasco County Commission has approved the purchase and installation of new furniture in conjunction with library renovations at the Hugh Embry, Land O’ Lakes, Regency Park and South Holiday libraries.

The purchases include new library furniture, shelving, book trucks, waste and

recycling receptacles, according to Pasco County Commission agenda documents.

The contracts call for purchases not to exceed:

  • $269,235.57 for the Hugh Embry Library
  • $491,252.12 for the Land O’ Lakes Library
  • $483,452.64 for the Regency Park Library
  • $289,326.90 for the South Holiday Library

The total for all four is slightly more than $1.53 million.

The new furniture is part of the library improvements being funded through the issuance of General Obligation Bonds that were approved by voters.

The interiors of the Hugh Embry, Land O’ Lakes, Regency Park, and South Holiday libraries will be completely renovated and restructured, the county documents say.

Renovations include removal of existing partitions, doors, windows, fixtures, devices, furnishings, lighting, HVAC, and finishes throughout the interior spaces.

New construction for the interior includes new doors and windows, storefront, partitions, fixtures, finishes, visual display, HVAC, plumbing, electrical lighting, and a security system. The new library furniture and shelving will be compatible with the new design.

The purchase of new library furniture, multi-purpose furnishings, library shelving, library book trucks, and recycling and waste receptacles from a single vendor is required to maintain standardization, and will benefit the county by maintaining interchangeability and compatibility with other libraries, the agenda documents say.

This purchase has been budgeted as part of the furniture, fixtures and equipment of the overall renovation project.

Published September 30, 2020

Strong early voter turnout so far in Pasco

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Brian Corley likes what he’s seeing for the 2014 election so far.

As of 4 p.m. Thursday, more than 21 percent of registered voters in Pasco County have dropped a ballot in the voting box, and there’s still two full days of early voting left.

“We’re on pace to beat 2010, and we’re doing that with less than a 10-minute wait” at early voting locations around the county, said Corley, Pasco’s supervisor of elections. “It’s very rewarding, and shows that we are getting things done to get out the vote.”

Nearly 65,300 votes have been cast in Pasco so far, with nearly a third from early voting, and the rest from mail ballots. In a race that includes a tight battle for governor between Charlie Crist and Rick Scott, as well as a high-profile county commission race, more than 29,000 — or 45 percent — of the votes are being cast by Republicans, while more than 23,000, or 35 percent, are coming from Democrats. Another 20 percent, representing just over 13,000 voters, are coming from those with other or no party affiliations.

Republicans continue to turn out in better numbers than Democrats in the race, especially with the GOP only accounting for 38 percent of Pasco’s more than 305,000 voters. Democrats make up 33 percent of the total electorate, while everyone else is at 28 percent.

The voting precinct with the best numbers so far is First Assembly of God in Zephyrhills where 33 percent, or 850 people, have cast an early ballot so far. Political breakdowns there match pretty much the rest of the county with 40 percent Republicans, and 35 percent Democrats.

The lowest numbers so far, however, are coming from Crystal Springs Community Hall just outside of Zephyrhills, where just 86 votes — or less than 10 percent — have been cast. That precinct has nearly 900 total registered voters where Democrats just slightly outnumber Republicans.

Early voting continues through Saturday, with each location open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Voters also are choosing whether to support three amendments to the state constitution, ranging from land conservation to how state supreme court justices are appointed to medical marijuana.

• East Pasco Government Center, 14236 Sixth St., Dade City
• Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes
• New River Branch Library, 34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills
• The Grove at Wesley Chapel, 6013 Wesley Grove Blvd., Wesley Chapel
• Hudson Library, 8012 Library Road, Hudson
• New Port Richey Elections Office, 8731 Citizens Drive, New Port Richey
• Regency Park Library, 9701 Little Road, New Port Richey
• South Holiday Library, 4649 Mile Stretch Drive, Holiday

Pasco libraries to tackle identity theft

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The Pasco County Library System is offering a program to teach residents how to protect themselves from identity theft, and how to catch identity theft early.

The 45-program will be offered throughout November and part of December at library branches around the country.

It’s free, and also will explain what to do if someone feels they have become a victim of identity theft.

Upcoming programs include:

  • Centennial Park Library, 5740 Moog Road in Holiday, Nov. 4 at 11 a.m.
  • South Holiday Library, 4649 Mile Stretch Road in Holiday, Nov. 6 at 2 p.m.
  • Hugh Embry Library, 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City, Nov. 7 at 11 a.m.
  • Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, Nov. 12 at 10 a.m.
  • Regency Park Library, 9701 Little Road in New Port Richey, Nov. 13 at 2 p.m.
  • Hudson Regional Library, 8012 Library Road in Hudson, Nov. 20 at 2 p.m.
  • New River Library, 34043 State Road 54 in Zephyrhills, Dec. 5 at 2 p.m.

For information, visit PascoLibraries.org.

More than 5,000 show up for first day of early voting

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A lot of people are heading to the polls, and it’s not even Election Day yet.

Pasco County elections supervisor Brian Corley says more than 5,000 people turned out to vote on Saturday, as early voting started in various locations around the county.

By lunchtime on Monday, the number of early voters quickly approached 9,000, joining more than 38,000 mail-in ballots already received for the midterm election.

Republicans make up 45 percent of all the pre-Election Day voters so far in Pasco, while Democrats account for 35 percent. Non-affiliated voters or those from other parties make up the remaining 19 percent.

That brings total turnout so far to a little more than 15 percent. The best turnout so far has been at the Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club in San Antonio, where nearly 25 percent of the more than 2,100 people registered there have cast a ballot. That is a heavily Republican precinct, where Democrats are outnumbered nearly 2-to-1.

The worst turnout so far is at Darby Community Church in Dade City, were just 6 percent of the 764 voters there have finished their civic duty. That district is more balanced in terms of the major political parties, with 42 percent Republican and 34 percent Democratic.

Early voting continues through Saturday, with each location open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. This election gives voters a chance to choose between two governors in who will stay (or move back into) the mansion in Tallahassee. It also has some local races, including Pasco County Commission between Mike Moore and Erika Remsberg.

Voters also are choosing whether to support three amendments to the state constitution, ranging from land conservation to how state supreme court justices are appointed to medical marijuana.

• East Pasco Government Center, 14236 Sixth St., Dade City
• Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes
• New River Branch Library, 34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills
• The Grove at Wesley Chapel, 6013 Wesley Grove Blvd., Wesley Chapel
• Hudson Library, 8012 Library Road, Hudson
• New Port Richey Elections Office, 8731 Citizens Drive, New Port Richey
• Regency Park Library, 9701 Little Road, New Port Richey
• South Holiday Library, 4649 Mile Stretch Drive, Holiday

Vote by mail already has 10 percent turnout

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Early voting doesn’t start until this weekend. But in the meantime, Pasco County elections supervisor Brian Corley continues to collect mail-in votes — by the thousands.

As of late Monday, Corley has received more than 30,000 ballots for the upcoming midterm election. Of those ballots, 35 percent of them are from Democrats, 45 percent are from Republicans, and 20 percent were from other parties. For the more than 305,000 registered voters countywide, 38 percent are Republican, 34 percent are Democrat and 28 percent represent other parties.

That means there’s still room for more non-partisan voters to complete a ballot before or on the Nov. 4 election, as well as a small number more Democrats.

Midterm elections are historically low when it comes to turnout, even though Florida typically elects a governor during the season between presidential elections. The county, however, still has a ways to go to beat the 2010 midterm turnout of 46 percent.

The area of the county with the biggest turnout so far is the area surrounding the Heritage Pines Country Club in Hudson, according to Corley’s office. There, 566 early votes have been received, representing just under 17.3 percent of the voters there.

The lowest turnout so far is the area surrounding Darby Community Church in Dade City, where just 30 voters — or less than 4 percent of those eligible — have cast ballots to far.

The Darby precinct has 764 voters, but is 42 percent Republican, 34 percent Democrat, and 24 percent other parties. The Hudson precinct, however, has 3,278 registered voters. There, Republicans represent 46 percent, Democrats 29 percent, and other parties 26 percent.

Early voting will begin Oct. 25 and run through Nov. 1 at eight locations, operating from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Those locations — which can be found by clicking here — include:

• East Pasco Government Center, 14236 Sixth St., Dade City
• Land O’ Lakes Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes
• New River Branch Library, 34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills
• The Grove at Wesley Chapel, 6013 Wesley Grove Blvd., Wesley Chapel
• Hudson Library, 8012 Library Road, Hudson
• New Port Richey Elections Office, 8731 Citizens Drive, New Port Richey
• Regency Park Library, 9701 Little Road, New Port Richey
• South Holiday Library, 4649 Mile Stretch Drive, Holiday