One More Post on Libraries

“A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life.” – Harry Ward Beecher

I’ve covered the buildings and content of libraries so today I’m writing about accessibility because I think we tend to take our well-lit, air-conditioned and heated libraries or the large mobile buses that might service some of the more remote areas of America for granted. In Kenya, a camel may be your library source or a donkey in Ethiopia, or perhaps, a boat in Indonesia. In Peru, more that 700 libraries are located in farmers’ homes. In Santiago, Chile, small libraries are located in eight different metro stations and in two train cars were converted to libraries and placed in two of their busiest parks. The point is, regardless of the size and scope, it is obvious that libraries are one of the necessities of life worldwide.

If I were to do a tour, I’d want to include a few of the quaint and remote libraries. And, if I hit the lottery or make it to #1 on the New York Times Best Seller List, I’d consider starting my tour by spending a night or two at the Library Hotel in New York, where each of the 10 floors is dedicated to a reading category and rooms have a collection of books relating to their theme.

For the time being, however, I’ll be content to tour the previously mentioned sites or Library Servers via www while sitting in front of my computer. The Library Servers site lists over 7900 pages from libraries in 146 countries.

Libraries have been my theme this week because of the upcoming Southwest Florida Reading Festival on March 21, in Fort Myers. This festival is now celebrating its tenth year thanks to the Lee Country Library and their sponsors. The event has something for everyone including a storytelling tent, children’s crafts and activities, a teen zone, author presentations and book signings. I’m hoping for large crowds because it makes me happy to watch people enjoying book related events. If one or two folks wander by and decide to purchase, The Ride, I’ll be even happier.

Thanks for stopping by.

Tags: Beecher, libraries, Kenya, Ethiopia, Library Hotel, Reading Festival, Lee County Library, The Ride,

Almost as Good as Chocolate

“Tis pleasant sure, to see one’s name in print…” –Lord Byron

Last week my daughter was flipping through the March edition of the free magazine, Southwest Parent and Child during her lunch hour. When she turned to page 79 she said to herself, “That looks like the cover of my mother’s book.” She stopped, looked closer, and continued the conversation with herself, saying, “That IS my mother’s book.” After reading the article, she notified me of her discovery.

The following day, I picked up one of the magazines and found a picture of The Ride along with an article about the upcoming Southwest Florida Reading Festival. After mentioning a few of the young adult and children’s authors that will be at the festival, the article read, “Other authors include Tess Gerritsen, Dennis Lahane and Fort Myers mom Jane Kennedy Sutton, who is promoting her first book, “The Ride,” an imaginative journey about a housewife rediscovering herself.” My name mentioned in the same sentence with Gerritsen and Lahane was a special treat—almost as good as chocolate.

I am flattered, bewildered, and excited to have received a mention at all with so many well-known talented writers planning to attend. Click here to see the list. Many other authors (including myself) are not on the list but will also be present to sell and sign their books.

I’ll be sharing a table with author Tina Murray. Tina wrote A Chance to Say Yes which is a sophisticated celebrity romance set in tropical Naples, Florida. It’s about the volatile private life of the exclusive beachfront community’s most celebrated son.

The festival takes place on Saturday, March 21, 2009, from 10am to 4pm at the Harborside Event Center and Centennial Park in downtown Fort Myers. Click here for more information on this event. This is a great opportunity for authors and readers of every age to meet and enjoy the wonderful world of books. I hope to see you there.

Prior to this event, on Saturday, March 14, 2009, I’ll be signing books at the Barnes and Noble located at 5377 Tamiami Trail North, Naples, Fl. from 2:00 to 4:00 in the afternoon. Please stop in if you’re in the area.


Tags: Lord Byron, Parent and Child, Southwest Florida Reading Festival, Harborside, Tina Murray, A Chance to Say Yes, Barnes and Noble, Gerritsen, Lahane, The Ride