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Library takes patrons far beyond city
T he Bill Ellis Memorial Library Web site is www.cityofportaransas. org/library/
cfm. There
you'll find the library catalog, general information about the library, current events, and many web links to interesting and helpful Web sites.
Card-holding library patrons can also access TexShare, a commercial database subscription that is paid for and administered by the Texas State Library for use by participating libraries. TexShare gives immediate access to online databases with full-text articles from popular periodicals, medical resources and health information, academic reference materials and much more.
Another popular online resource is the Learning Express Library.
The Learning Express Library offers patrons real test-taking experiences, instant scoring and other features. Practice tests include ACT, GED, SAT, TAKS and more. Courses are offered at different levels in grammar, writing, math and other subjects.
The Learning Express Library link can be found on the Web site under Web Links/Education.
The library has three computers available (one is reserved for children) offering Internet access. Wireless Internet is also available for patrons who bring in their laptop computers.
The library has some 25,000 items in the collection, including adult, young adult, junior and child books; audio on cassette and CD; VHS tapes and DVDs. The library also has 69 magazine subscriptions. Back issues of magazines are available for checkout.
Interlibrary Loan service is available to any patron seeking materials that are not in the collection.
The Book Club meets on the second Tuesday of every month, at 6:30 p.m. The books chosen for discussion may be reserved at the library. Titles are posted on the Web site.
Story time is on Saturday mornings at 10:00 for children age 3-7.
The Summer Reading Program is held in June & July. Pre-registration begins in May.
The annual book sale traditionally is the first Saturday and Sunday in February. It is the main fundraiser for the library. Donations in good condition are accepted year-round.
The library has a meeting room that is available for use by nonprofit organizations.
The library is at 700 W. Ave. A (next door to city hall), and is open Tuesday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Wednesday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
For more information call (361) 749-4116 or e-mail eml@cityofportaransas.org.
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