What's the most important thing a parent can do to help children do better in school and keep learning throughout their lives? Take advantage of the public library! Getting kids into the library at an early age is essential to their futures. Studies show that children who are read to in the home and who use the library perform better in school and are more likely to continue to use the library as a source of lifetime learning.

The library is a place for kids to read, learn and have fun. It is a place that families can enjoy together at no cost. And there are librarians to advise and guide kids in learning and exploring. There really is so much to see and so much to do at your library!

ASanta Rosa County Library Card provides free use of resources on a home computer with Internet access. A new service called Live Homework Help is an online tutoring service for students in 4th grade through early college. Your child may have an opportunity to register for a library card at school but may also register for a card online at www.santarosa. fl.gov/libraries.

Patrons are also invited to explore the Library Kids Zone a t http://www.santarosa.fl.gov/lib raries/kidszone. It contains a range of resources just for families - including lists of awardwinning children's books, family friendly Web sites, school AR and Reading Counts lists, and more! If you haven't been to your local public library lately, now is a great time. If you don't know where to find your local Santa Rosa County Library, call 623-2043 for help locating it.

Franklin Hayes/Gulf Breeze News Richard Davis, also known as Benjamin Franklin, lectured in front of students and parents at the Gulf Breeze Library.

Visit the web site at www.santarosa.fl.gov/libraries to register for a library card, use the online e-resources, learn about upcoming library programs, and to see a list of all libraries and hours. The Santa Rosa County Library System is a department of the SRC Board of County Commissioners. Libraries are located in Gulf Breeze, Jay, Milton, and Navarre with the Pace library opening in March 2007. For further information, contact Linda Hendrix, Santa Rosa County Library System Director.