Citrus Libraries: January 2024 Friends of the Library Spotlight

Each year the Friends of the Library like to kick-off the new year with special programs or presentations that showcase some of the amazing things our libraries have to offer. January 2024 will be no different with special musical programs, and additional special guest speakers at others!

On Tuesday, January 9 at 1:00 PM, a local ragtime group, the Kumquat Pie Society, will be bringing a musical extravaganza to the Lakes Region branch in Inverness. The Kumquat Pie Society is a 9-member musical group who will sing, as well as play the ukulele and guitar. With the slogan “We just want to have fun!”, you’re always bound to have a good time! Prior to the performance, the Friends of the Lakes Region Library will host a brief annual business meeting.

Then, on Wednesday, January 10 at 2:00 PM, Betty Jean Steinshouer will be visiting the Coastal Region branch in Crystal River for a special presentation of “Scribbling Women in Florida” at 2:00 PM. Betty Jean is a speaker and author who has presented programs in 43 states on a variety of authors and subjects. “Scribbling Women in Florida” focuses on a dozen women authors who made their home in Florida, including Harriet Beecher Stowe, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and Zora Neale Hurston. Learn about these prolific women authors and their exploration of our beautiful state. Prior to the presentation, the Friends of the Coastal Region Library will host a brief annual business meeting.

An additional musical performance will be on Friday, January 19 at 2:00 PM. The Nature Coast Dulcimer Players will be at the Central Ridge branch in Beverly Hills. During the year the sounds of the dulcimers can be heard throughout the buildings as our libraries host many of their rehearsals. However, this special musical performance will be held in the heart of the branch! Prior to the performance, the Friends of the Central Ridge Library will host a brief annual business meeting at 1:00 PM.

Closing out the month on Monday, January 22 at 2:00 PM, will be a presentation by Homosassa Instruction & Research Librarian Derek Vorobok about the Battle of Olustee. The Battle of Olustee was the largest battle fought in Florida during the American Civil War. The opposing sides were evenly matched, but the casualties were disproportionately high, particularly for the Union forces. The brutal fighting of the battle produced one of the highest ratios of casualties per men engaged of the entire war. The engagement effectively curtailed a major Union offensive, and subsequent operations shifted elsewhere, once again making Florida a backwater theater in the war. The presentation will include authentic uniforms and equipment of the American Civil War. There will be a short business meeting followed by the presentation.

Library programs like these are free and open to everyone. For additional information about these events, please visit the library’s website, citruslibraries.org. Additional information about programs and events can also be found online by following Citrus Libraries on Facebook or Instagram. You can also learn more about the Friends of the Library and all that they do for Citrus Libraries by visiting foccls.org.