Between the sheets

Many people read before bed to help them drop off to sleep. However, new research reveals that if you’re using a digital device, the opposite may happen.  A small study revealed the light from these devices delay sleep, reduce the length of deep (REM) sleep, and participants took longer to wake up the next morning.

"There could be serious effects if you use these devices night after night," Knutson said. "People need to be more mindful. Think about when you're using them. You could think of electronics as similar to junk food. Eating junk food is fine from time to time, but you have to do it in moderation."

Take note to see how these lighted devices effect you – and your kids. Or, cosy up with a paper book for bedtime reading.

BookBub

Can't find the e-books you like through the library? Maybe this service is for you? 


'BookBub notifies you about limited time deals on free and deeply-discounted books in categories of your choice. The company doesn't actually sell books, they just alert you by e-mail to promos from publishers/retailers. Downloads are available across platforms; including Kindle, Nook, iPad, and Android.

TAB

TAB (Teen Advisory Board)

Thursdays: 8 January, 12 February.  5-6 pm.

Join the young adult librarian to talk about programs & ideas you have for the library. Refreshments. Participation earns service hours.

Atlanta Junior Bridge

Atlanta Junior Bridge 

Mondays from 3:30-5:30 pm
January 5, 12 & 26. February 2, 9, 16 & 23.

Exercise ALL your muscles! Learn to play the fascinating card game of bridge! Limited  to 16 participants. Free and open to children ages 8-18. To reserve your space or for more information, call Karen Christian 770-998-9723 or email to kschrist2@yahoo.com

Adult computer programs

Introduction to Microsoft Word
Tuesday: 6 January. 1 pm
Adults only. Registration required.
Introduction to Microsoft Excel
Tuesday: 13 January. 1 pm
Adults only. Registration required
Introduction to AFPLS Research Databases
Saturday:  17 January 1:30-2:30 pm. 16 February 2:30-3:30 pm
Adults only. Learn what  “A-Z Databases” from the AFPLS website offers and how use them hands-on! Presented by Leslie Drost. Laptop users welcome. First-come, first-served.

Tutoring @ Ocee

Math Tutoring

Sundays from 1-3 pm: 4, 11, 18 & 25 January and

1, 8, 15 & 22  February 1, 8, 15 & 22 

Tutors will provide math instruction  for children in grades K-12^th Please bring an assignment or a topic you are struggling with.  Students will be seen on a first come first served basis. 

Youth Lit Reading Tutor

Thursdays: January through May 4:30-5:30 pm

Grades 2 to 5. Three 20 minute slots per week are available on a first-come, first-served basis. An American Youth Literacy foundation certified reading tutor will offer free one-on-one coaching focusing on decoding skills, phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, and comprehension. *Parents must remain in the library while children are being tutored.

For additional information call Ocee library - 770.360.8897

Grounded Kids Yoga (NEW!)

Wednesdays: 7 January & 4 February from 6-7 pm

Balance is an essential concept to math and science. Explore balance through Yoga poses! This class combines breathing exercises and poses that require equilibrium and focus in a fun-filled environment. Ages 7 to 12. Limited to 30 children.

Tai Chi for Relaxation (NEW!)

Mondays: 5, 12 & 26 January at 10 am. A great way to help you relax and keep fit! No experience necessary – beginners welcome! Led by Angela Young

If you're looking for a way to reduce stress, consider the ancient Chinese tradition of tai chi (TIE-CHEE). Originally developed for self-defense, tai chi has evolved into a graceful form of exercise. Often described as meditation in motion, tai chi promotes serenity through gentle, flowing movements.  

Tai chi is low impact and puts minimal stress on muscles and joints, making it generally safe for all ages and fitness levels. In fact, because tai chi is low impact, it may be especially suitable if you're an older adult who otherwise may not exercise. Mayo Clinic

Bolly Zumba @ Ocee (NEW!)

Saturdays:  January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31 from 1-2 pm.

Ages  13 to 18. No younger siblings, please. Join in for a special lesson on the art of Indian dance taught by an instructor. Class is limited to 30.

Christmas...by the book

Christmas doesn’t come from a store, maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more. –Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. –Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol

One can never have enough socks. Another Christmas has come and gone and I didn’t get a single pair. People will insist on giving me books. –J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Miracles happen on Christmas, Pat. Everybody knows that shit. –Matthew Quick, The Silver Linings Playbook

It struck him that how you spent Christmas was a message to the world about where you were in life. –Nick Hornby, About a Boy

Win a kids' library

Brightly, a new source for parents wanting to raise lifelong readers, is giving away 5 starter libraries. Visit their website to learn more, enter the contest, and sign-up for their newsletter.

W8 2 TXT

We believe that only thing you should be reading behind the wheel are traffic signs.

1,163 people are killed or injured from distracted driving accidents every day; adding up to 6000 deaths each year.

Texting while driving is about 6 times more likely to cause an accident than driving intoxicated and according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, impairs a driver about the same as drinking 4 beers and makes a driver 23 times more likely to crash. 25% of teens  respond to texts one or more times each time they drive.

Steve Babcock, founder of redthumbreminder.com  says nail polish on his texting thumb helped him stop the dangerous habit. Nissan dealers are offering thumb bands.

Do they know?

Kat • 2 days ago

I don't know if librarians know how they save people though. I had a fairly rough childhood and I would ride my bike or walk downtown to the public library and the librarians there always had time (even if they didn't) to recommend a new book or to notice over time the types of books I checked out and save something for me the next time I came in. I don't know what or who I'd be without the escape of books and by extension, librarians. Who else would give a 13 year old Elmore Leonard, Gregory MacDonald and John Irving? Librarians save lives, I am positive of it.

"If You Give a Cat"...

a library card

Jordon, eight, leaves his home at the Catholic friary for the library at Edinburgh University in Scotland. He returns to the friary only for dinner, 'prefurring' his favorite spot near the library's front door. He's quite popular with the students! They say Jordon's presence is relieves stress and helps when they're missing their own pets left at home.

Have you seen the cats at Ocee's front entrance?

Study Smarter

Holiday Hours

Want to pick up books or DVDs for visiting grandkids? Looking for new recipe for your holiday get-togethers? Need a quick gift from the Book Nook? Don't get left out in the cold. Here's the AFPLS holiday schedule:

December 24 Wednesday Christmas Eve - Closed

December 25 Thursday Christmas - Closed

December 31 Wednesday New Year's Eve - Closes at 6:00 p.m.

January 1 Thursday New Year's Day - Closed

Don't forget to return library materials before you leave town!

"I am many"

Malala Yousafzai was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo, Norway yesterday. She is the youngest recipient ever.

The 17 year-old said of the award, "It is for those forgotten children who want education. It is for those frightened children who want peace. It is for those voiceless children who want change... It is time to take action so it becomes the last time that we see a child deprived of education."

Read more about this courageous young woman in her book, I am Malala : the girl who stood up for education and was shot by the Taliban. AFPLS holds both ebook and paper copies.

Happy Birthday, Emily

Miss Dickinson was born today in 1830. Though she led a reclusive life, she is one of America's best known poets. Her poems number nearly 1800, but were largely unpublished until after her death. Visit the AFPLS catalogue to learn more about this "little plain woman"

Shopping and singing at Ocee

Besides the Friends book sale (1-5 pm) and performance by Alpharetta Community Chorus (3:30 pm) Saturday 13 December, there's a new addition to the festivities. We have a group of high school students who've prepared a short program of carols beginning at 2:00 pm. We hope you'll join us!

Finals!!!

The Teen Advisory Board has reserved the meeting room next Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (16-18 December) for teens to have a quiet place to study for finals. They'll have a few goodies, too. The library is open until 6 pm Tuesday and Thursday and til 8pm on Wednesday. Good luck everyone!

What do kids want?

What will YOU do?

In February all part-time positions were eliminated and open hours were cut considerably. In recent months, 2 staffers were transferred to other branches. This leaves the library staff at 8 (from 25 when the library opened). Circulation continues to increase, with some 40,000 books checked out at Ocee each month; the highest in the AFPL system. Then, they're returned and need to be shelved. Staff and our few volunteers simply can not keep up.

Please consider giving a bit of time to help shelve books. The majority are kids' books (no Dewey Decimal system). Even 10 minutes added to your regular library visits would make a difference and be greatly appreciated. Please contact Ass't Manager Karen Kennedy at 770-360-8897 or Karen.Kennedy@fultoncountyga.gov if you can help keep your library running smoothly.