Book Lists

Some of the most common questions we get deal with the following:

• Can you tell me which books are good for my 5^th grader?
• Do you have the sunshine state readers list?
• I have to read a book for my community service. Can you tell me which book is appropriate for a 9^th grader?
• Do you have the Accelerated Readers reading list?

Luckily, our illustrious E-Librarian has provided a listing of reading lists that answers most of these questions. It’s now found on the new Kids Page of the website. Mouse over the Kids Section >> Click on the Kidspace >> Mouse over the Book Lists tab >> A listing of book lists should appear.

Normally, the reading lists only go to 8^th grade. When a student asks for a ninth grade level and up book, that book could conceivably be anything in the adult fiction section (and the nonfiction, but most times they’re looking for a fiction book). We have no reading list for that. The only time it would be different is they’re looking for “classic fiction” or they need a specific genre. If it’s “a book” they are asking for the former applies.

As for accelerated reading lists, it depends on the school. They will have to ask the child’s teacher or their school for the list. However, the following resource may help:

AR Book Finder
http://www.arbookfind.com/
~Create your own AR reading list or search for a book, author, or topic and see where they are on the list.

How does property tax reform affect the Osceola Library System?

As employees of Osceola County, we’ve already seen the impact the tax reform has had on our budget, resulting in reductions in staffing, facilities and services, not only for the library system, but for the whole county. We all wait with bated breath to see how the voting on January 29 will affect us further.

According to this article on the ALA (American Library Association) website, “The constitutional amendment, to be decided January 29, would replace the current $25,000 homestead exemption and the 3%-a-year Save Our Homes cap with a new exemption of as much as $195,000, according to the July 23 Palm Beach Post. Florida Library Association Executive Director Ruth O’Donnell told American Libraries the so-called “super-exemption” would result in an average 22% cut in state revenues to municipalities and counties, with individual cuts ranging from 10% to 35%.”

As we’re starting to realize, much of the library’s budget comes from property taxes. These 10-35% cuts will not be good news for the library system.

If you want more information about the proposed tax reform, I recommend studying the following resources:

Tax Reform Information provided by MyFlorida.com

Property Tax Reform Committee Preliminary Report and
Recommendations

Florida Tax Watch Answers Questions

What the Special Session D Did

Save Our Services