Sophia Diaz, otherwise known as Soba, is a full-time Library Assistant at Vanderbilt Beach Library. She was born and raised in Miami, Florida, but has lived in Naples for 7 years now, and has worked in the library for over 4 years. She is one of the many employees who make Vanderbilt Beach Library so lively and enjoyable. 

What’s the best part about working in the CCPL system?
Sophia: “Definitely a combo of the patrons and the staff.”

What book are you currently reading?   
Sophia: “Portrait of a Thief by Grace D. Li”

Best movie you’ve seen lately?  
Sophia: “The Adam Project”

Favorite library in the CCPL system? 
Sophia: “Vanderbilt Beach Library, but I’m a little bias.” (Figures)

How would your co-workers describe you?   
Sophia: “Friendly and always smiling”
 
What is your favorite memory at Vanderbilt Beach Library? 
Sophia: “I don’t have one specific memory. Just getting to help patrons- doing what I do every day!”

Final Summer Reading Update:

We are happy to report that our summer reading program, “Oceans of Possibilities” was a resounding success!

Children read over 20,000 books while teens read over 1,000 books. Way to go!

Adults read almost 3,000 book across the system. Amazing! 

Children are excited and nervous about going back to school in August. We put together a list of fun picture books about children and other creatures going back to school.

A Letter from your Teacher by Shannon Olsen – Mrs. Olson writes a welcome note to her new students this year describing all the things they will learn.

Best Frints at Skrool by Antoninette Portis – Omek and Yelfred illustrates their Skrool day, and making new friends on their planet Boborp.

Birdie’s First Day of School by Sujean Rim – Birdie is looking forward to starting school, but she will miss her Mommy and Monster. She comes home and tells her family about her first day of school.

Buddy and Earl go to School by Maureen Fergus – Buddy and Earl, a dog and a hedgehog, prepare and go to the first day of school.

It’s Your First Day of School, Busy Bus! by Jody Jensen Shaffer – Ben prepares the school bus for a first busy day of school.

Mia Dances Back to School by Robin Farley – Mia is all excited to go to the first day of school until she finds out that she is in a different classroom from her friends.

Otter Goes to School by Sam Garton – Otter is very eager to teach her school, but Teddy did not enjoy school.

Pout-Pout Fish Back to School by Deborah Diesen – Pout-Pout Fish is a first-time substitute teacher, and teaches to a class of new students.

School is Cool by Sabrina Moyle – All the animals find out why the first day of school is cool.

Time for School, Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle – Little Blue Truck passes a school bus, and dreams of becoming a school bus. 

Your Library is on Facebook, “Like” Us Today!

Social media has become an important part of our daily lives; during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has made it easier for us at Collier County Public Library to stay connected to our patrons even when we couldn’t be together in person.

When our library system decided to begin a Facebook page a few years ago, we knew that joining the social media world would help us get the word out about our services, events, and news to the community instantly through their Facebook news feed!

Our journey has been a successful one- we currently have over 5,000 patrons who have “liked” or “followed” our page!  Patrons of all ages are able to communicate to us through Facebook comments, reviews, and direct messages. They also get the latest library updates straight from our staff. Our Facebook page allows us to communicate straight to you, our patrons.

Be sure to check out our Facebook page online at facebook.com/colliercountylibrary to view our upcoming events, virtual programs, hours of operation, news, pictures, and much more!

Virtual Book Discussions

CCPL Virtual Book Club – “The House in the Cerulean Sea”

by TJ Klune

Zoom Discussion, Tuesday, August 30 at 2pm 
Email [email protected] to receive an invite.

There will be a preview of the book in a Facebook Live discussion on Tuesday, August 23 at 2pm!

In-Person Discussions

Teen Book Club - Saturday, August 13, 3pm - Headquarters Library

Find us at collierlibrary.org/events to check for more events and sign up online to get back to talking about books!

Baby Steps Millionaires: How Ordinary People Built Extraordinary Wealth--and How You Can Too by Dave Ramsey
After three decades of guiding millions of others through the plan, the evidence is undeniable: if you follow the Baby Steps, you will become a millionaire and get to live and give like no one else.

Buy This, Not That: How to Spend Your Way to Wealth and Freedom by Sam Dogen
You don’t need to be a millionaire or a genius to achieve financial freedom. It’s about making the most of your money, now and forever — and it’s never too late to get started.

The Economics Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained by DK
Economics is a broad topic, and your knowledge might be limited if you're not an economist by profession -- until now! The Economics Book is your jargon-free, visual guide to understanding the production and distribution of wealth. 

The New Retirement Savings Time Bomb: How to Take Financial Control, Avoid Unnecessary Taxes, and Combat the Latest Threats to Your Retirement Savings by Ed Slott
Renowned tax advisor Ed Slott shows you in clear-cut layman's terms how to take control over your retirement savings plan. 

Social Security, Medicare & Government Pensions: Get the Most Out of Your Retirement & Medical Benefits by Joseph L. Matthews
This book helps baby boomers navigate the Medicare and Social Security systems and maximize their benefits, and, if they need to, to appeal denials of services and benefits.

Social Security for Dummies, 4th Edition by Jonathan Peterson
The award-winning Social Security For Dummies—now in its fourth edition—?is the one guide you need to navigate the often-complex world of Social Security benefits.

Who's Eating Your Pie?: Essential Financial Advice That Will Transform Your Life by Erik Weir
Get the tools you need to grow a bigger, sweeter financial pie than you ever thought possible—and keep everyone else’s fingers out of it

Solve Your Money Troubles by Amy Loftsgordon & Cara O’Neill
This book covers a broad range of topics and strategies, so readers can tackle all of their financial problems at once while choosing the tactics that work best in their situations.

Cashing Out: Win the Wealth Game by Walking Away by Julien Saunders and Kiersten Saunders
A revolutionary financial and career path to break free from corporate America's grasp, make peace with your finances, and build wealth on your own terms.

Get Good with Money: Ten Simple Steps to Becoming Financially Whole by Tiffany Aliche
A ten-step plan for finding peace, safety, and harmony with your money—no matter how big or small your goals and no matter how rocky the market might be—by the inspiring and savvy “Budgetnista.”

Stacked: Your Super-Serious Guide to Modern Money Management by Joe Saul-sehy and Emily Guy Birken
From the money nerds behind the award-winning Stacking Benjamins podcast comes this must-have personal finance book that takes you step by step along the way to financial success.

Credit Repair Kit for Dummies by Melyssa Barrett, Stephen R. Bucci, and Rod Griffin
This latest edition of Credit Repair Kit for Dummies is packed with reliable information for escaping the quicksand and taking the concrete steps needed to build up a solid score. 

The Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness by Housel Morgan
Doing well with money isn’t necessarily about what you know. There are 19 short stories exploring the strange ways people think about money and teaches you how to make better sense of one of life’s most important topics.

Managing Your Money All-in-One for Dummies by Dummies
Managing Your Money All-in-One For Dummies is your one-stop resource to turn to when you’re ready to manage your money. When you’re ready to create a budget, pay down debt, and scale back your expenses, you’ll find the support you need here. You’ll find advice on improving your credit score, saving for college and retirement, and planning an estate. As if all of that isn’t enough, this comprehensive book covers other financial topics such as buying insurance, investing in your 401(k), and so much more.

Taking Stock: A Hospice Doctor's Advice on Financial Independence, Building Wealth, and Living a Regret-free Life by Jordan Grumet and Vicki Robin
Learn what end of life can teach us about the secret to financial independence and making every moment count with this life-altering collection of tips.