“Rock of help”

In observance of Black History Month, the Georgia Center for the Book presents Benjamin Ridgeway on Wednesday 5 February 2014. Mr Ridgeway’s lecture on Atlanta’s historic Ebenezer Baptist Church begin at 7:15 pm at the Decatur Library Auditorium. Friends from The MLK, Jr. Historic Site will be at the event with copies of Mr. Ridgeway's book for you to purchase and have signed. 

(404) 370-8450 x 2285 for information.

 

Are you weather ready?

'Come to at the Central Library for an afternoon of fun and learning with the American Meteorological Society Saturday 1 February at 1:00 p.m. Want to know what causes a "polar vortex?" Have your weather questions answered in this hands on, interactive experience that will entertain all ages! '

Your brain on books

 

“The neural changes that we found associated with physical sensation and movement systems suggest that reading a novel can transport you into the body of the protagonist,” said Gregory Berns, the lead author of the Emory study. “We already knew that good stories can put you in someone else’s shoes in a figurative sense. Now we’re seeing that something may also be happening biologically.”

Cutting news

Whatever the cost of our libraries, the price is cheap compared to that of an ignorant nation. -- Broadcaster Walter Cronkite

From 27 January AJC article concerning the 2014 budget: "To save money, Fulton also will close most libraries one or two days a week... That means 70 part-time library employees will lose their jobs, and 57 full-time positions will be eliminated."

 

  

Children's book award winners

       

 

Winners of the Newberry Award for excellence in children's lit and the Caldecott for illustration were announced today by the American Library Association. Both are available in the AFPLS.

Financial Fair

Family Fun Financial Fair with Wells Fargo

Saturday 1 February 2 – 4 pm.

Wells Fargo experts will be at the library with information on how to achieve your financial goals. Everyone can benefit; from students to retirees. Also ideal for college fund planning! Special activities for young children.

African-American Family Read-In Event

Saturday1 February from 

11:00 am – 1:30 pm.

 

 

Join Ocee library for a Black History Month kick-off event for families to enjoy storytelling, poetry, local authors, refreshments and more!

All ages welcome.

Year of the Horse

The water Snake slithers out as the wood Horse gallops in on 31 January to begin the Chinese New Year. Ocee library has a number of children’s books about the celebration. Teens and adults, learn about the Chinese astrological signs, arrange your home according to the principles of feng shui, or try some Chinese recipes!

Oh, Pooh

18 January marks the birthday of British author A A Milne;
creator of  "silly old bear" Winnie the Pooh and father of the real life Christopher Robin. You can find materials featuring classic and Disney Pooh in the AFPLS collection. Grown-ups may enjoy Benjamin Hoff's books.

"One" Sale

Happy 1st Anniversary to the Ocee Friends Book Nook. To celebrate the occasion, we’ve put everything on sale for $1 or less! Shop for even bigger book bargains through January.

 

“What are you doing for others?”

January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968

AFPLS has several MLK events during January as well as related materials in their collection. However, the library will be closed Monday 20 January in observance of MLK Day.

Rather than a day off, people are encouraged to make it a day “on”  - one of service. 

Book to Big Screen 2014




Cast & direct your own "films" before heading to the movies this year.

books-to-read-before-they-hit-theaters-this-year

North Fulton Community Charities

NFCC provides emergency assistance via the Mobile Outreach Bus. Visits at Ocee library are by appointment only on 22 January, 26 February, 26 March, 23 April from 9:00-5:00 pm.

 

For more information or to apply online visit the website at www.nfcchelp.org or call 770-640-0399 (ext 463).

Georgia Center for the Book presents

Sue Monk Kidd      

The Invention Of Wings 

Thursday 16 January 2014

7:00 pm First Baptist Church Decatur

Sue Monk Kidd is the author of The Secret Life Of Bees and The Mermaid Chair. Her third novel, The Invention Of Wings is the selection for Oprah's Book Club 2.0. Born in Sylvester, Georgia, she currently resides in Southwest Florida. 

 

Laurie Halse Anderson  

The Impossible Knife Of Memory 

Friday 17 January 2014

7:00 pm Decatur Library Auditorium

Anderson is the author of Speak and Chains, both finalists for the National Book Award, Wintergirls, Fever 1793, and many others. 

 

(404) 370-8450 x 2285 for additional information

Preview YA fiction

       

See more new releases and brief summaries for teen fiction 2014-

Holy Wikipedia, Batman

Teens, have your say!

Teen Advisory Board

Wednesdays: January 15. February 19. March 19. 5:00 pm.

 

Help Ocee library staff plan programs and choose materials. Snacks provided. To register (required), please email your name & age to Ms. Divack with the subject “TAB”. Ages 12 to 18.

Recycled libraries

Prague: Two Czechs have breathed new life into telephone booths made obsolete in the mobile phone era, converting them into miniature libraries. The first was installed at a Prague hospital Thursday.

Book Clubs

Beginner Reader’s Book Club

(ages 5-8)

Tuesdays: January 21. February 18. March 18. 4:00 p.m.
  

Just Read It Book Club (ages 9-12)

Mondays: January 27. February 24. March 24. 4:30 pm.

 

Teens Read Book Club (ages 13-18)

Thursdays: January 30. February 27. March 27. 6:00 pm.

 

Space is limited. Registration is required. To reserve a copy of each month’s book, please email your name and age to Ms. Divack.

 

Benton House Outreach Book Club

Thursdays: January – April. 2:00 pm.

Librarian John Offerdahl facilitates the group for senior citizens only.

Benton House - 5050 Kimball Bridge Road - 770 754-5446

Geek Chic

thehappyheartstudio

Teen Thursday: Geek Chic

Thursday 9 January and 13 March at 6:00 pm.

Learn how to make your clothes uniquely your own by using hand stitching to embellish your clothes, using a variety of fabrics and accessories. Bring a cardigan, t-shirt, skirt, hat, or anything else you would like to alter. Ages 12 to 18.

 

 

Music programs

Music for Babies with Miss Gail

Tuesdays 14 January and 11 February at 10:30 am.

Learn how music teaches your baby (0-2 years) early literacy skills, improves motor function and deepens the bond between baby and parents. Limited to 25 babies.

 

Jr. Madness Music Show

Saturday 25 January at 1:00 pm.

Jr. Madness is a kid's music project created by Nathan Whitehurst. Nathan has been playing music for 23 years and teaches music at the elementary level. He was awarded "Teacher of the Year" for 2013. He is excited to launch this new project offering.

January

January  by Betty Adcock

...Beneath iced bush and eave, 
the small banked fires of birds 
at rest lend absences 
to seeming absence. Truth 
is, nothing at all is missing. 
Wind hisses and one shadow 
sways where a window's lampglow 
has added something. The rest 
is dark and light together tolled 
against the boundary-riven 
houses. Against our lives, 
the stunning wholeness of the world.           

Ice cream

The following are a few of the winning entries from a kids’ essay contest “A World without Libraries”.

 

“It would be like losing a hand.”

“Libraries make people feel at home. When I first moved...everything was very confusing and weird...”

“They keep the little sanity we have left here.”

“The world without libraries is like a cone without ice cream.”

Go to Jail

 In Texas alone, 966,000 items were checked out long enough to be counted lost. With budget cuts, libraries are eager to collect fees for overdue and unreturned books.  Laws in several states define failure to return library materials as theft. Fines can be up to $200 and some patrons have even served jail time. A Texas man arrested said he'd skip the library and buy from Amazon. 

Homework Help

eResources Homework Help Training for Parents of Elementary School Aged Children

Tuesday 14 January at 11:30am and Wednesday 22 January at 6pm.

Adults only. Join us for eResources homework help training . We'll cover free resources available on the library’s web site. Bring your charged wireless device, library card number and PIN. Limited space. Please send an email with your name to Karen Kennedy to register.

eResources Homework Help Training Elementary School Aged Children

Wednesday 29 January at 6pm. Grades 3 to 5 only. Info as above.

Homework and Test Prep Resources for High School Students

Sunday 26 January at 3:00 pm.

Come to this interactive tutorial of the Library’s eResources and eCampus products and how they can help you. Snacks provided. Teens, ages 14 to 18.

 

 For more information phone 770.360.8897

Programs for Pre-schoolers

Baby & Me Storytime

Tuesdays: January 7, 21 & 28. February 4, 18 & 25. 10:30 am.

Stop by for music, stories, and lots of interactive fun! Ages 0-2.

 

Super Science for Preschoolers

Wednesdays: January -  February at 10:30 am.

Join us for experiments, projects, and activities for very young scientists. Please wear old clothes or bring a smock! Ages 3 to 5.

Preschool Storytime

Thursdays: January - February at 10:30 am.

Stop by for stories, music, and simple crafts! Ages 3-5.

 

Tiny Hands, Awesome Art: Art for the Very Young

Fridays: January 10 & 24. February 14 & 28 at 10:30 am.

Awesome art projects designed for the youngest artists. Wear old clothes or bring a smock. Ages 18 months to 5 years.

770.360.8897 for more info. Children must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.

GLASS

Georgia Libraries for Accessible Statewide Services provides FREE library services for individuals who are unable to read standard print materials due to visual or physical impairment. They loan books and magazines in audio formats, Braille and digital downloads and playback machines. Free U.S.P.S. delivery. 

The Center for the Visually Impaired seeks "to empower people impacted by vision loss to live with independence and dignity".

A nice cuppa

joel robinson

The Tea Association of the U.S.A. has designated January as National Hot Tea Month. Americans consumed over 3.60 billion gallons in 2012 and its popularity is growing. Tea has health benefits and goes well with most everything - including books. 

Author C.S. Lewis said, 'You can never get a cup of  large enough or a book long enough to suit me.'

What's the word

AFPL has thousands of books to help you achieve your New Year’s resolutions; from exercise to professional development, learning a new skill, or getting organised, etc. However, surveys show that most efforts are abandoned by 17 January and less than 10% succeed in their goals. Author Dan Britton suggests you adopt one word to focus on for the year. What word will you, your family, or team chose?