Top 10 Challenged Books of 2012

The ALA defines a challenge as "a formal, written complaint, filed with a library or school requesting that materials be removed because of content or appropriateness". The top 10 most frequently challenged books of 2012 are:

1. Captain Underpants (series), by Dav Pilkey
2. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, by S Alexie
3. Thirteen Reasons Why, by Jay Asher
4. Fifty Shades of Grey, by E. L. James
5. And Tango Makes Three, by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson
6. The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini
7. Looking for Alaska, by John Green
8. Scary Stories (series), by Alvin Schwartz
9. The Glass Castle, by Jeanette Walls
10. Beloved, by Toni Morrison

Singing praise...

 for Roberta Austin

 as she retires from AFPLS/Ocee Library on 7 May

 

Wishing Roberta all the best in her future endeavors!

"Retirement is the stage of your life when you wonder how you ever found the time to work!"

 

Dirty Books - with 4 letter words

Mold spores are everywhere and thrive in humid or wet conditions. Growth is enhanced if conditions include low/no light and poor air circulation (a basement, garage, closet). Mold can grow on damp paper, leather, cloth, and wood. When powdery mold is disturbed, spores are released into the air, land, and germinate. Enzymes in the mold digest the paper and binding.

 Mold can leave you with a stuffy nose, scratchy throat, and itchy eyes, but for some people with mold allergies, exposure can bring on an asthma attack. People with health compromises are at an increased risk for serious infections.

 

Bugs, such as silverfish, roaches, and several types of beetles, feast on the proteins and starches in books. They leave holes, ragged page edges, and eggs. Rats and mice use books and other paper sources as nesting material. Droppings and urine from pests can also cause allergic reactions and may carry disease.

 

Please don’t pass these health hazards on to other people - or books - by donating them. You’re also putting yourself at risk by handling and transporting them. Instead, seal infested books in a plastic bag and put them in the trash. If you have books that you’d like to save, quarantine them and consult a librarian for information or referals.

Trivia contest

 As poetry month nears its end,

We would like you to send

Poetry forms; one plus four -

If you’re clever, send us more.

If you’re the first and if you’re right,

An e-coupon is your delight!

                                                                   "tabby"

 Be the first to send 5 types of poetry to email@oceefriends.org and receive a coupon for a book of your choice redeemable at the Friends Book Nook or July book sale.

 

 17 May 

No takers this round, to my dismay. Forms include ode, epic, sonnet, and lay. One more (for 5) will do the trick- Everyone’s favorite, the limerick.

 

"World Book Night U.S. is a celebration of books and reading held on April 23, when 25,000 passionate volunteers across America give a total of half a million books within their communities to those who don’t regularly read. In 2012, World Book Night was celebrated in the U.S., the UK, Ireland, and Germany and saw over 80,000 people gift more than 2.5 million books."

See what books are on the US and UK/Ireland lists.

Check it out...

Harmony :
 a new way of looking at our world

Harmony : a vision for our future
(children)

"Jane Austen of south Alabama"

“All I want to be is the Jane Austen of south Alabama,” said Harper Lee.

To commemorate Harper Lee’s 86th birthday 28 April, LEFONT Sandy Springs will be showing “To Kill A Mockingbird”, the 3 time Academy Award winning film starring Gregory Peck. A documentary about Lee, “Hey, Boo” is scheduled on the 27th. Phone the box office (404) 255-0140 for info.

 

Published in 1960 and winning the Pulitzer Prize the following year,“To Kill a Mockingbird” remains a beloved bestseller around the world. It often appears on great novels of the 20th century lists.

 

Ocee holds copies of the novel, movie, and reading guides.

Celebrate 449

Scholars believe that Shakespeare was born 23 April 1564 (April 23 is also St George's Day, the English national holiday). "Bill" also died on 23 April at the advanced age (for his time) of 52.

 

The AFPL collection includes all things Shakespeare: biographies, life and times, graphic novels, plays/poems, DVDs, audio books, historical fiction, and Edward De Vere hypotheses.

 

Speaketh as in days of olde and annoyeth thy friends and neighbours for Talk Like Shakespeare Day.

 

“The play’s the thing.” “Julius Caesar” runs through 28 April at The New American Shakespeare Tavern (Atlanta). The 28th season of the Gerogia Shakespeare Festival at Oglethorpe University begins with “Much Ado About Nothing” on 1 May.

Love your Mother

Mother Earth, that is. Make every day Earth Day (22 April)! Learn more about organic gardening, green living, endangered species, climate change, recycling and upcycling. Ocee has titles for all ages.

How many earth-friendly changes can you make? Here's one-

 

If you have gently used books you no longer want, ‘recycle’ them at the library to include in our July booksale.

The Perks of Being a...Volunteer

Volunteering  provides a chance to learn new skills, widen your social circle, discover new perspectives, and explore a variety of interests. “People in general are happier and healthier, and may even live a little longer, when they’re contributing to their community or an organization they are passionate about", says Stephen G. Post, PhD.

National Volunteer Week 20-27 April 2013

Ocee Library is looking for dedicated volunteers to conduct programs/classes at the Library to meet community needs for the following:

College Prep/Planning 

Mandated High School Driving Safety Class (P.R.I.D.E.)

ESL for Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced

Citizenship

AARP Defensive Driving

 

Contact the Ocee Library Branch Manager at 770-360-8897 if you’re interested in sharing your time and expertise or if you’d like more information on volunteer opportunities.

State of American Libraries

The American Library Association (ALA) released their annual State of American Libraries report this week. Highlights include:

Libraries served over 95% of the US population this year. Half of those who visited the library said they did so to get help from a librarian. While actual visits to the library decreased, circulation is the highest in 10 years. Circulation of children’s materials has increased by nearly 30% during the last decade.

Libraries strive not just to keep up with technology, but to lead the way. They offer computer and internet access, instruction in new technologies, and ebooks. The library community and publishers continue to search for equitable solutions that will allow libraries to buy and lend ebooks while allowing publishers a fair profit.

Libraries “offer a lifeline to people trying to adapt to challenging economic circumstances by providing technology training and online resources for employment, access to government resources, continuing education, retooling for new careers”, according to ALA President Maureen Sullivan.

Budget cuts, branch closings, and reduced hours and staffing continue to plague many libraries across America. As a result, libraries are looking to Friends groups for support.

“Public libraries in America continue as strong anchors for their communities, valued by the people they serve and striving to meet the changing needs of their service populations. Public libraries continue to be an essential service for the nation’s children”, said IMLS Director Susan Hildreth.

Pocket Poems

I have on my desk what I’m told is my Grandmother’s favorite book - “Robert Browning’s Poems”.  I wonder which poems spoke to her.

Many of us have poems we carry in our heart or head. In the Middle Ages, people wrote favorite poems in a commonplace books. Soldiers took pocket editions of poetry to war as talismans to comfort and cheer.

What words inspire you? Which are your lifelines? Save them on your iPhone, add them to your social networking page, post them on your fridge, mail them in a handwritten letter to a friend...

 

Join the Academy of American Poets in celebrating National Poem in Your Pocket Day on Thursday 18 April!

 

 

Teen Reads

As part of Library Week, Thursday is ‘Support Teen Literature Day’.

More than half of YA books are bought by those over 18. The 30-44 group accounts for over 25% of sales. 78% of that age group said they bought the books for themselves. Surprised? Maybe not when you realise that Hollywood is cashing in on YA fiction with movies such as "The Hunger Games", "Twilight" series, "Life of Pi", "The Perks of Being a Wallflower", and "The Chronicles of Narnia". Adult fiction authors James Patterson, John Grisham, Jodi Picoult, and Harlan Coben are among those who’ve taken on teen market.

The following websites are worth a look. The readergirlz blog promotes teen literacy and like social services (Operation Teen Book Drop). Guys Lit Wire dispels the notion that boys don’t read. The site posts lit news and reviews for guys by guys. For those concerned about content, teenlitreviewblog. offers Christian based reviews for tweens and teens written by moms, educators, and teens. Teen Reads and The Hub feature a bit of everything including polls and contests.

As part of Library Week, Wednesday is designated Bookmobile Day.

The nation’s first bookmobile (wagon) was initiated by Miss Mary Titcomb, the county’s first librarian. The library’s janitor, driving a team of two horses, began making rounds through the western Maryland county in April 1905.

Miss Titcomb reported some resistance at first.

When directions were given as to painting, we had the fear of looking too much like the laundry wagon before our eyes, and the man was strictly enjoined, not to put any gilt or scroll work on it but to make even the lettering, "Washington County Free Library," plain and dignified, directions carried out only too well, for in the early days of our wagoning, as our man approached one farm house, he heard a voice charged with nervous trepidation, call out "Yer needn't stop here. We ain't got no use for the dead wagon here." Suffice it to say, that we promptly painted the wheels red, and picked off the panels of the doors with the same cheerful color.

AFPL carries on the bookmobile tradition. It’s scheduled primarily at day care centers and senior communities - including those in North Fulton. Think your facility might qualify for a visit?

Librarian Heroes

Rupert Giles (“Buffy the Vampire Slayer”), High School librarian, is out to save the world from demons. Former wizard and possessing mean fighting skills, he’s a bit of a technophobe.

Barbara Gordon, PhD., head of the Gotham City Library, aka “Batgirl” and now “Oracle”, brings down the bad guys in Gotham and cyberspace.

Evelyn ‘I am a librarian’ Carnahan (“The Mummy” movies), travels the world in search of ancient texts and battles the undead.

While library work is not quite as dangerous as for their fictional counterparts, real life librarians are heroes none the less. They share their technology wizarding skills with patrons, retrieve elusive information with a mouse click, and help us travel the universe with their book recomendations.

Tuesday is National Library Workers Day. We send thanks to our Ocee librarians: John, Carla B, Carla H.O., Roberta, Joythi, Emma, Irina, Carol, Vanita, Ginny, Andrea, Karen G., Karen K., Marcia, Jane, and Jeanne.

 

Communities matter @ your library

Libraries are helping to meet the needs of communities in unique ways.

The San Jose Public Library (CA) library has social workers available for one-to-one information and referral sessions twice a month. Topics include: health care, immigration, domestic violence, and crisis support.

Pima County (Tuscon, AZ) has the nation’s first ‘library nurse”. With a faltering economy and high unemployment, some find themselves without housing or access to healthcare. They come to the library for shelter and information. Now they can get health screenings, information, and referrals. "It is new thinking," the Public Library Association's Warner said. "We are so used to passing out information, but we don't always do such a good job with following up on that information, making sure people are getting the help they need."

North Fulton Community Charities was recently awarded a $200,000 grant from Bank of America.  NFCC  has purchased an RV and converted it into a rolling office to provide assistance to those in areas not served by public transportation - Johns Creek in particular. The mobile outreach program will travel to partner sites; several area churches and Ocee Library .

“The van will extend our ability to offer critical programs and services that help struggling North Fulton families move toward self-sufficiency,” said Barbara Duffy, executive director, NFCC. “And the van also will serve as a traveling ‘billboard’ to help raise awareness of the growing level of need in our community.”

Call NFCC 678-387-4463 to make an appointment (required) or for more information.

April 14-20 is National Library Week

Community-building connections are happening all the time at your library. From new moms connecting at storytime to small business owners convening to make opportunities happen, to teens meeting up after school, the library helps foster all types of communities. April 14-20 is National Library Week. Visit your library. Communities matter @ your library.

A message from the American Library Association’s Campaign for America's Libraries

 

You can now find Friends of Ocee Library on facebook!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-of-Ocee-Library/477524502314156

Don’t miss a chance to have some big fun and support your libraries in the process! Horizon Theater’s, Book Club Play will make you laugh out loud. Atlanta Fulton Public Llibrary Foundation will receive a generous portion of tickets sales purchased on our website. Opening night is Wednesday 15 May^.

  

A comedy about books and the people who love them. Ana lives in a letter-perfect world with an adoring husband, the perfect job, and her greatest passion: Book Club. But when her cherished group becomes the focus of a documentary film...

Kids can write poetry, too

Here’s a few books available at Ocee Library to help 3-6 graders get started.

“A Kick in the Head: an Everyday Guide to Poetic Forms” by Paul B. Janeczko

A fun introduction to different types of poetry.

“Love That Dog” and “Hate That Cat” by Sharon Creech

Boys don’t write poetry - or do they?

“You Have to Write” by Janet S. Wong

What to write about when you don’t know what to write about.

Ocee has poetry books, too. The librarian can help you choose one.

National Poetry Month

Celebrate poets and poetry in its many forms. This year’s focus is on the role of letter writing in the lives of poets.

"Write about your sorrows, you wishes, your passing thoughts, your belief in anything beautiful." -Rainer Maria Rilkee

 

AFPL offers 2 workshops this month: 

Teen Poetry Group -

Northeast/Spruill Oaks Branch Library
Sundays 7 April & 5 May, 2:30-3:30 pm - Registration required 770-360-8820

 

Slam! Poetry Workshop (teens) - Sandy Springs Branch Library

Saturday 13 April, 12:00-2:00 pm - Registration required 404-303-6130

Accepting book donations

Beginning Monday 8 April, Ocee Friends will accept donations for our July Book Sale (check back for details!). Please leave your gently used books, CDs, DVDs in the large plastic storage box by the water fountain in the lobby.

While we appreciate your donations, we cannot accept the following:

Books with water damage, mold/mildew, dirt, pests...

Magazines, professional journals, or catalogues

Vinyl records, VHS tape, music cassettes (books on tape are OK)

Technical, travel, test, and text books over 5 years old

School Library Month!

After a controversial grab for internet domain names, Amazon has agreed to buy the bookish social network site Goodreads. Author and Goodreads user sentiment is less than positive..