Category: featured

Pen to Paper Writers Series

The Carrabelle Branch of the Franklin County Public Libraries will be hosting an exciting writers’ series entitled, “Pen to Paper” from January through May 2024.

During the series authors will discuss and share the works they have written and those that are in progress. This will be followed by a question and answer session. These friendly and informal sessions are a chance to meet these area authors and ask questions about their experiences. They are open to anyone interested in learning more about these writers or the writing process. 

January 29: Pat Stanford & Anthony Watkins
February 19: Sydney Watson & Ginnah Howard
March 4: Tiffany Jo Howell & Sid McOmie
March 25:  Pat Stanford & Dawn Radford with guest, Debbie Hooper
April 15: Dale Cox & Thomas Becknell
May 13: Anthony Watkins & David Adlerstein

There is no charge for this program and the public is welcome. This series is sponsored by the Friends of the Franklin County Public Libraries.  The Carrabelle Branch Library is located at 311 St. James Avenue (Hwy 98), Carrabelle, FL. For additional information on this series, please contact the Carrabelle Branch Library at (850) 697-2366.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Friends of the Franklin County Library Awards Scholarships

The Friends of the Franklin County Library established the Eileen Annie Ball Scholarship to honor a wonderful woman. She was one of the founding members of the Public Library. She believed strongly in the children of Franklin County reaching and working tirelessly with many children in three communities through the Paws Program and the Tigers Program.

The goal of the scholarship is to reach out to help students who have worked to improve their lives in ways that may not be the usual; hard working students reaching for a better life.   
DOWNLOAD AN APPLICATION! 

2023 Recipient Mason Moses

2023 Recipient Colin Wefing

Shasta Whitnauer

 

In 2022, the Scholarship Fund was augmented by a generous contribution from the Manning Family, enabling the scholarship amount to be increased as well as the number of scholarships awarded.  After receiving applications from several wonderful and gifted, hard-working students, scholarships were proudly awarded to Shasta Whitnauer and Annie Smith. 

Annie Smith

PROJECTS

EASTPOINT LIBRARY GROUNDS

The Friends of the Franklin County Public Libraries have embarked on a beautification project on the Eastpoint Library grounds. This has involved clearing the land and making it ready to build a Gazebo and walkway.

First, thanks to everyone who has contributed to this project. We have been able to accomplish the following:

  1.  The area behind the library has been thinned and cleared. A company was hired to cut away the undesirable trees and bushhog the underbrush, almost all the way to East Bayshore Drive.
  2.  The invasive Chinese Tallow has been eradicated. We noticed a patch and enlisted Cait Snyder from Apalachicola National Estuary Research Reserve (ANERR) to provide expertise. She walked the area and didn't find any other patches or invasive plants (or snakes!). The tallow were treated and are completely gone.
  3.  Four picnic tables have been purchased. Although they are currently in spots at the sides of the library, we will likely move one or some of them to the back when the project is further along.
  4.  The back of the library building has been pressure cleaned. The back receives the most shade and was ugly and detracting from our vision of the beautification we seek!
  5.  A wildflower grant was reviewed. A library patron dropped by a Florida Wildflower Foundation application. The grant specified that the wildflowers had to be planted in a heavily trafficked area, which the back of the library isn't at this time. Also, we had hoped for major involvement from the Master Gardeners who aren't currently available. The grant has been offered for several years and we may look at it again as we get further along.
  6.  The gazebo/pavilion was installed and the walkway completed!

This gazebo and walkway is the result of a process that was dreamed and drawn when the Eastpoint library was first built six years ago. The dream was and is to provide beautification projects to complement the library building. This large project was able to happen thanks to a generous bequest. Future plans for the library grounds include more trails. The Friends is excited to provide this outdoor component that will help to fulfill the mission of access to information and education in an outside setting.

Souper Celebrations: Eastpoint in January and Carrabelle in February

Souper Celebration: Soup, Bread & Book Sale

Join us in January and February each year for these fun days, featuring delicious homemade soups, freshly baked artisan breads and baked goods, vintage books, live music, art and more. The proceeds support the local library programs in Eastpoint and Carrabelle. 

Local residents and businesses bring their delicious made-from-scratch soups like seafood gumbos, seafood bisques, chuck wagon chili, Brunswick stew, and more and freshly baked artisan breads for the Friends volunteers to sell. Past years featured a dozen different soups ranging from exotic to healthy to old-fashioned. The soups and breads sell out very fast so visitors are encouraged to come early to get the best selection. Vintage and used books and used DVDs for all ages are also available for purchase. Your donation of gently used books and DVDs are needed. Drop them by either of our library branches now. 

Souper Celebrations also offer a focus on local culture and art, with live music. In addition local artists and artisans showcase some of their stunning local art and goods. This is a family friendly event and all are welcome.  

The Souper Celebration continues a legacy started by Jackie Gay back in 1998. In 1998, Jackie Gay, who was an avid supporter of the library, entered her delicious gumbo into the Newman's Own and Good Housekeeping Recipe Contest. She won and was presented a check by Paul Newman for $50,000. She donated the proceeds to building the Carrabelle library. Today community volunteers honor Jackie Gay and continue her tradition by providing their own gumbos, soups, and chili to raise funds in support of the Franklin County libraries.

DONATE FUNDS TO FUND LIBRARY PROGRAMS, EVENTS AND MORE!

The community’s help is needed more than ever. Previously the "Rock by the Sea" event provided significant funding for the Franklin County library programs. This event has now relocated to Destin and will no longer be supporting local programs in Franklin County. More than ever, donations of soups and baked good from individuals and businesses as well as event sponsors are needed to offset this significant loss of funding. A sign-up form for soup, bread, and baked goods is available above or sign-up sheets will be in the Eastpoint and Carrabelle libraries. This funding supports library programs like the Summer Reading Program, Storytimes, ANIME Club, Book Chats, Lego Club and more. In addition, the Eastpoint library building is maintained by the Friends with a portion of the cost offset by funding from Franklin County government. The Friends of the Franklin County Public Libraries is a 501(c)(3) organization and most donations are tax-deductible.

Funded in part by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council. For more information or to make a donation, please contact the Friends of the Franklin County Public Libraries at ffcplflorida@gmail.com or https://www.facebook.com/ffcplfl.