Jefferson County Public Library

My Termination Without “Cause”

Administrator — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 13:00:15 +0000

My Dear Friends,

Strange as it seems, but I was terminated yesterday evening by the Board of County Commissioners without “Cause”. This means that I was not given an opportunity to defend myself from my accusers and detractors, who used lies and slander against me. The Commissioners merely terminated me without a “Cause”. No doubt, this is a paradox because anybody who is dismissed from a job, should be told “why” and then given an opportunity to defend his cause. I was not given that opportunity.

So lamentably, I have to say goodbye to all the community and friends, young and old. It was nice to have known you personally and work with you during these last 11 months. I hope everything goes well with you and I hope that Jefferson County gets rid of these few detractors, rotten apples, who are liars and slanderers, and who never visit the Libraryor rarely and who think they own the County. May God Bless you.

Dr. Serafin Roldan, former Library Director

Director Orders Rugs to be Cleaned

Administrator — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:43:03 +0000

Believe it or not, but the Library’s rugs were as dirty and filthy as ever. Some patrons even complained of a nauseating smell coming from them. I thus ordered the entire rugs in the library to be cleaned immediately. It cost the library $1,050 for wahing, shampooing, and all the works, including taking many stains out.

Just a note, the rugs in the library had not been cleaned for 3 years. I guess something needed to be done immediately. Thank you.

Dr. Serafin Roldan, Library Director

A Literary Note

Administrator — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 15:22:14 +0000

It is strange that I ended up my education with a Ph.D. in English literature. It could have been in American literature, which I have completely studied also, but it turned out to be in British literature with a specialty in Anglo-Caribbean and African literature.

I remember starting out, years ago, with a Bachelors in Anthropology and Psychology, going on to obtain my Masters in Library Science and a second Masters in Folklore (both literary and anthropological). But being a “book nerd” it wasn’t enough; my quest for a higher degree took me to the prestigious University of Chicago in the 1990s where I obtained a Certificate of Advanced Studies in Library Science, a kind of midway degree between a Masters and a Doctorate.

Just as I entered my 50th birthday, my dear wife, Dolores, coaxed me into applyiing to a Doctoral program in English literature at the University of Puerto Rico. I applied and I was accepted. It was a new, innovative program in Anglo-Caribbean literature. At this moment, two Institutions in the Caribbean are totally dedicated to the study of Anglo-Caribbean literature, i.e., The University of the West Indies; and The University of Puerto Rico. This program prepares scholars to teach and do research in this field. Many graduates have been hired by universities around the world.

I finished my program, focusing on the Trinidadian author, V. S. Naipaul, of East Indian descent and Nobel prize winner in 2001. It took me 3 years to prepare my dissertation, but it was a great accomplishment. I obtained an honorable mention from my dissertation committee.

So it seems, that I have travelled during my life from the natural sciences to the social sciences and ended up in the humanities. The humanities are a wonderful field, especially literature, fine arts and history. They focus on placing Man, not only as a biological, pensive, and behavioral being, but as a spiritual and ethical creature, one that aspires, as Pico della Mirandola once wrote, to a position midway between God and creation. //Dr. Serafin Roldan

Administrator — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:38:05 +0000

“Harden’s Taxidermy” of Thomasville, Georgia and its owner, Edward Harden have graciously provided the Jefferson County Public Library with the notable exhibition, “Otter Creek”, an interesting and fascinating multi-dimensional project of their taxidermy work. It includes an imaginary river, with otters, fish, alligators, and birds and ducks. This exhibition will be in the library for at least 6 months. Please call us at: 850-342-0205, Dr. Serafin Roldan or Angela Scott.

Library Open House

Administrator — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:40:21 +0000

The Library will have an Open House on Friday from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm. My staff and I will answer any questions and show you around the library. New programs and activities will be discussed. Our bookstore will also be open for browsing. Refreshments, pies and cakes will be served at no cost. Come and see our Library. /Dr. Serafin Roldan

Seven Whooping Cranes are in Jefferson County

Administrator — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 23:44:31 +0000

A dozen or more whooping cranes, I think 25, left Wisconsin and are on their way to South Florida. Some have arrived (7) and are at this moment in Jefferson County. Look out for them. Here is a quote from a northern newspaper:

“The other seven are in Jefferson County in northern Florida, and weather permitting, they will arrive at their wintering grounds at the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge on Thursday or Friday, according to Joan Garland, outreach coordinator for the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo.”

Serafin Roldan, Director of Library

A Special Christmas Gift

Administrator — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 17:34:00 +0000

I hope everyone has had a Merry Christmas and special gifts. I have been blessed by a very special gift that was given to me BY ME. Yes, I gave myself a gift. I think everyone does that at some time or another.

Well, I bought an amazon kindle for my prison ministry. It might be strange for you, but let me explain. I have upload software and texts galore. I have a King James Version Bible with the following other software: a Bible dictionary; a Bible concordance, a Bible handbook, and a Bible atlas. In addition, I have added all my preaching notes and sermons. All contained within this small amazon kindle. Thanks God for this. It is much better than a shotgun or a rifle. Anyway, my wife would never permit a firearm in our home. / Dr. Serafin Roldan, Library Director

Library Exhibition Coming Soon

Administrator — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:54:35 +0000

A unique taxidermy exhibition is coming our way here at the Library. Hardens Taxidermy, located in Thomasville, has given us the privilege of having one of their foremost taxidermy exhibitions, titled, “Otter Creek.”. It will be coming to the Library very soon, e.g., alligaotrs, turtles, fish, otter and other interesting Godly critters, of course, dead and stuffed. Come visit the Library. / Serafin Roldan, Director

Christmas Dinner at the Library

Administrator — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 01:42:14 +0000

Everyone is invited to Christmas Dinner at the Libray. Free of charge. Just come and relax, check out the books, and eat with us a hearty meal. Our bookstore will also be open if you want to purchase some books at .25 cents or a $1.00. Come and dine with us. Time: Thursday, December 17th at 12 noon. /Serafin Roldan, Director

In the midst of ungodliness

Administrator — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:06:37 +0000

It is so good that in the midst of ungodliness, commissioners of Jefferson County offer a prayer to God every time that they meet publicly. We pledge allegiance, but we also offer to God a prayer. I have also seen this behavior in other groups in the County.

One is not ashamed of believing in an Almighty God and behaving accordingly. Yes, Jefferson County, please continue with this regardless of the opposition that you may encounter which is probably around the corner. Congratulations to the Commissioners of Jefferson County! /Dr. Serafin Roldan, Library Director