City Commission Will Consider New Library Checkout System

The Largo City Commission will consider the purchase of a new system for checking materials in and out of the library at its meeting Feb. 5.

The Largo City Commission will consider purchasing a proposed new Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system, which should make check out and check in at the library faster and more efficient, at its Feb. 5 meeting. The estimated cost of the new RFID system and automated materials handler is $257,600, according to a preliminary city report.  Each item is coded with an RFID chip and the system reads the RFID codes. The Friends of the Library is donating $225,000 toward the system, which will hopefully be in place around April, said Library Director Casey McPhee in a November interview. The proposed new RFID system will reduce repetitive tasks so staff can assist patrons more with finding materials and providing help on computers. The new …

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Largo Plans Neighborhood Meeting for Proposed Data Center

The City of Largo is considering building a data center near the Largo Public Library.

The community is invited to discuss the building of a new data center, which is estimated to cost about $1 million more than the originally estimated $2 million cost, according to a Largo city report. The proposed data center would be located in a corner of the Largo Public Library parking lot. The data center could be built by the end of 2013, according to city officials at a recent meeting. All people living within 500 feet of the library in Largo Central Park have been notified of the meeting, to be held at 6 p.m. Dec. 17. The meeting will be in the Jenkins Wing of the library The meeting is not required by city code "but has been scheduled to provide an opportunity to communicate with the effected property owners and address any …

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Melissa Lattman

10:05 am on Monday, January 14, 2013

Not yet, the proposed data center is one of the discussion topics during the Jan. 16 Largo City Commission work session.   more ›

New Speedier Checkout Coming to the Largo Library

The Largo Public Library should have a new system for checking materials in and out by April.

Imagine going to the Largo Public Library and placing a pile of books on a scanner that will check out all the materials at once. Then, you can return the books in a chute with a conveyor belt, which will then sort and check the materials back into the library. A proposed new Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system should make check out and check in faster and more efficient at the library. Each item is coded with an RFID chip and the system reads the RFID codes. The Friends of the Library is donating $225,000 toward the system, which will hopefully be in place around April, said Library Director Casey McPhee. The proposed new RFID system will reduce repetitive tasks so staff can assist patrons more with finding materials and …

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Five Things To Know Today: Oct. 5

In today's five things: learn how to research directories in a genealogy class, early release day movie, dance at the Community Center tonight and more.

The Largo Public Library's Genealogy Department is offering Cities Directories class from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Local History Room.  For schools' early release day the library is playing "Mars Needs Moms" film from 2:30-4:30 p.m. in the Children's Program Room. Watch the trailer.  The Historic Preservation Advisory Committee will meet tonight at 6 p.m. in City Hall's Community Room. This is a public meeting. For more information contact Tom Moore at (727) 587-6749.  While you browse theLargo Public Library'sisles, let your kids play the Nintendo Wii, board games and participate in a contests in the library's Fun and Games event from 1:30-4:30 p.m.  Tonight's dance night at the Community Center. Head on over to dance to the best music …

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Five Things To Know Today: Sept. 21

In today's five things: train for the Turkey Trot 10k, for early release day bring the kids to the library for an afternoon movie, end the night with a dance at the community center and more.

Today, early release day, the Largo Public Library will show the film Rango (PG) in the Children's Program Room from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Watch the trailer. Learn how to download eBooks from the Largo Public Library in a class from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Jenkins Community Wing. Tonight from 7-10 p.m. the Largo Community Center will have a best songs dance party. Admission is $7, no alcohol is permitted.  Strengthen and Lengthen your body tonight from 6:15-7 p.m. at the Highland Recreation Complex. This class will increase flexibility and tone muscles. Each week the class focuses on a different muscle group Call the rec center at (727) 518-3016 for drop-in rate.  Train for the Turkey Trot 10k. Build your endurance and meet you running goals. This …

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Five Things To Know Today: Aug. 29

Here's what's going on in Largo today.

Public Notice: Largo City Commissioners will participate in a Emergency Preparedness for Elected Officials webinar at 2:00 pm on Thursday, Sept. 1, at Largo City Hall. This is a public meeting, however there's no agenda.  The Largo Public Library is showing Grease (1978) PG-13, 110 minutes, today from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The movie is free and showing in the Jenkins Community Wing. Bring your kids to the Largo Public Library for a sunset storytelling session today from 6:30-7:30 p.m. The reading will be in the Children's Program Room.  The Highlands Recreation Complex has an Ab and Step Aerobic combo class tonight from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Class is $10 for residents.  Tonight at the Southwest Recreation Complex take an hour workout with intervals …

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Five Things To Know Today: 30-Foot-Tall Waterslide at Rec Center

Have fun this summer at the city's Southwest Recreation Complex pool side waterslide. This and more in today's five things.

County Commissioners meet today at 3 p.m. A public hearing is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be on the fifth-floor assembly room of the Pinellas County Courthouse, 315 Court St. in Clearwater. View the meetings live or on PCC-TV on Bright House Channel 622, Knology Channel 18 or Verizon Channel 44. Read the agenda.  Teens ages 13-18 can travel through time in the Largo Public Library's weekly program filled with in games, trivia, and crafts from different eras. Program is from 5-7 p.m. For $3 teens can hang out with their pals at Highland Recreation Complex from 7-9 p.m. Snacks and giveaways are planned.  Adults and kids can slide down a new 30-foot-tall, 115 foot long inflatable water slide at the Southwest Recreation Complex. It…

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New Largo Biz

RG's Bookmark Cafe Brings Family Hospitality to Largo

Bill and Nick Pastis opened RG's Bookmark Café on Jan. 14. The café is located inside the Largo Public Library and is open during regular library hours. The owners expect to hold a grand opening in February.

Heads turn toward Nick Pastis, as he shares a greeting to everyone entering the Largo Library. As owner of RG's Bookmark Café, Chef Pastis sends a hearty "Good Morning" or "How are you?" to patrons, whether they're headed into his café, asking for directions or entering the library. Some are surprised at his greeting, but his regulars enjoy the friendly banter. "People may think I'm doing that because we just opened but no, it's not," said Pastis, who retired as a chef for Disney after 19 years. "That's how I do things. It's something I learned from my years at Disney. Gracious hospitality ... it's part of Disney culture. It's something I'll continue,” he said. His direct and friendly style is a powerful combination.  It's best described …

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Curious Kids Balances Fun and Learning for Largo Preschoolers

Largo Library's Curious Kids program is an hour-long, free event for three to five year olds. A new theme is introduced every week.

For a group of wiggling, inquisitive three to five-year-olds, Curious Kids offers the perfect balance of learning and fun. The Largo Library children’s group provides a structured program of storytelling, music and arts and crafts. Library Assistant Melissa Palaia, an energetic and enthusiastic teacher, storyteller and leader, shares themed programs she hopes will entertain the kids. “It’s a wide range of interests and maturities, from three to five years old,” said Palaia, “It is structured, so kids learn how to listen, follow directions, use motor skills and respect others.” Thursday’s theme was hibernation. Listening to fictional and nonfiction stories, the kids learned about what types of animals hibernate and how they hibernate. …

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Largo Kids Learn How to Make Medieval Armor

Kids in the Largo Library's Tuesday Night Teens group learned how to make chain maille, a medieval craft of interlinked metal rings.

In a lesson on medieval armor and chivalry, Society for Creative Anachronism member, Steve Kraybill, showed students at the Largo Public Library how battles were won. In medieval times life and death depended on a knight’s swift sword movements and sturdy armor. Small interlinked metal rings called chain maille protected knights during battle. Kraybill's 15-year-old son Chris Kraybill became interested in making chain maille four years ago. The presentation by the Society of Creative Anachronism was for the library’s Tuesday Night Teens group, which meets once a month on Tuesday. The enrichment group started in November 2010. “We change the activity month to month. It might be a game, a movie or an arts and craft,” said Julia Gonser, teen …

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