What is That?

I’ve been in Newport for just over eight months now, and I still spend most of my free time on the beach or at the bay watching the fishing boats come and go. Over the past few months, I’ve done a lot of beachcombing, I’m doing some fishing – none on the ocean, yet – but I just can’t seem to get enough “outdoors” time.

Newport is one of the most beautiful places on earth. I love it here! The ocean abounds with life. New treasures wash ashore every day. The tides are a clock I don’t yet understand and the land is covered with flora and fauna that are new to me.

I lived in the Midwest most of my life. Growing up in that region, I could identify trees, birds, fish, mushrooms and many of the wild flowers. I knew when storms were coming in and I had a pretty good idea from looking at the clouds how bad the storms were going to be. I also had a clear understanding of the geology of the area. Here, I don’t know what I don’t know. Everything is new and I’ve gotten to the point in my excursions that I want to know what it is I’m observing.

What better place to find out than at Newport Public Library?

Did you know our library has over 200 identification guides, with access to 400 more from libraries in our consortium! We have identification guides for almost every need. Here are a few examples: Dragonflies, Birds, Shore Wildflowers, Butterflies, Seabirds, Western Forests, Wild Mushrooms, Frogs & Toads, Wetland Wildlife, Rocks & Minerals, Insects, Seafood, Bird Songs (cd), Wild Orchids, Wild Berries, Seaweed, Aquarium Fish, Dolls, Depression Era Glass, Weeds, Weather, Seashells, Airplanes, Guns, Reptiles, Poisonous Plants, Collectible Glass, Fossils, Posters, Cacti, Stamps, Currency, Coins, Antique Quilts, Lighthouses and MANY, MANY MORE.

If you’ve got a desire to identify something, chances are we have a book that will help you do it. Check out our online catalog at http://www.beachbooks.org/ , or come to the library and start getting answers to that nagging “What is that?” question.