Keep in touch with the world through library

In the kids' vernacular, the Bill Ellis Memorial Library is 'totally wired.' A nytime is a great time to visit the Bill Ellis Memorial Library. Read about the history of Mustang Island's only incorporated city in some of the library's history collection, which includes "Hurricane Junction" by Cyril Matthew Kuehne, and "The Stubborn Fisherman," by Elda Mae Roberts.

The library recently purchased 40 new art prints with funds from a grant that was awarded to the library by the National Endowment for the Arts, and they will be rotated through a public display schedule.

The library has 12 of the reproductions of American art works hanging on the walls, and the others are available in the permanent collection for library patrons to study.

The library has a paperback book selection, and more than 24,000 items in its collection.

Visit the library's Web site at www.cityofportaransas.org/library. cfm and you will see the catalog, general information about the library and many 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.

Two online learning resources are also available.

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 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 about 24,000 items in the collection, including adult, junior and children's books; audio on cassette and CD; VHS tapes and DVDs. The library also has more than 65 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 at 6:30 pm. every second Tuesday during fall and winter months. Check with the library circulation desk for more details.

The library is supported by a group of library and book sale volunteers and by the Friends of the Library.

The library, at 710 W. Avenue A (next door to city hall), 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. A meeting room is available for use by non-profit organizations.

For more information call (361) 749- 4116 or email eml@cityofportaransas. org.