THE  LIBRARY AND ITS FRIENDS
The Newsletter of
Friends of the Library
serving the
Alachua County Library District
Gainesville, FL

On June 28th (Monday at 5 PM), our first Summer Seminar speaker will be author Mary Anna Evans. Mary Anna, who has earned degrees in physics and engineering, has written five archaeological mysteries featuring series character Faye Longchamp. Coming in October is her sixth book in the series, Strangers. Mary Anna also loves music, has many instruments and, as she describes it, “seven-and-a-half feet of piano.” She contributed a story and original song for a book/CD anthology called A Merry Band of Murderers. She co-wrote and sang Land of the Flowers for that project; hear it on line at her website: maryannaevans@yahoo.com.

Our summer seminar speaker on July 26th (Monday at 5 PM) will be Nick West of Archer, FL. Nick grew up on a family farm near Archer, where he and his wife Kay live now. The Great Southern Circus is his first book.

This is a collection of circus stories, passed down through five generations to him. The stories are set in the years just prior to the Civil War. The circus travelled on unpaved roads in horse-drawn wagons and dealt with all sorts of difficulties in their quest to bring entertainment to the southern U.S. Please join us as we relive the past through Nick’s words.

As we announced in the April newsletter, Barbara Oberlander, retired Professor of History at Santa Fe College, will present our August Seminar on Wednesday, August 25th, at 5:00 PM. Her topic is The Other Lincoln: Our Most Controversial First Lady, Mary Todd Lincoln. Barbara has spoken many times in the area to various groups; those who have heard her recommend her highly. We hope you’ll plan to attend to enjoy this seminar with us.