Library Closing

All branches of the AFPLS will be closed 

Monday 31 December 2018 and Tuesday 1 January 2019

for New Year's Eve and New Year's Day!

Poster Contest

Black History Month Competition

January 7 to February 4, 2019.

Take a poster and fill out all the activities using information from library resources in print or online. Last day to submit posters: February 4th. The top three posters will win 1st, 2nd or 3rd place prizes. Ages: 8 to 12

Give Blood

Red Cross Blood Drive

Friday, January 25. 10 am – 3 pm

Giving blood saves lives! Help support our community by giving back to those in need. To sign up as a donor, simply visit http://www.redcrossblood.org/ and search for the blood drive by our zip code: 30005.

"The Big Free" Author Visit

Ocee Author’s Series: Martha Boone

Saturday, January 5. 5:00 pm

   

Local author Martha B. Boone visits Ocee Library to talk about her medical memoir, The Big Free. Martha B. Boone is a private practice urologist. The Big Free is her first novel. She did her surgical and urology training in New Orleans at Tulane and worked for six years at Charity Hospital. She is one of the first one hundred women in the world trained in urology. She writes the humor and horror of the world of medicine as only a true insider can write.

All ages. No registration required.

Yoga and Dance

We have several new* class offerings to start the New Year! Bring a yoga mat or towel and wear loose comfortable clothes. Adult patrons only unless stated otherwise. 

Energy Yoga
Sundays: January 6, 13, 20, 27. 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm AND
Wednesdays: January 9, 16, 23, 30. 10:15 am – 11:15 am
Physical exercises to open and clear energy. Utilizes Qi Gong and meditation techniques.

Yoga & Meditation
Mondays: January 7, 14, 28. 11 am – Noon
Introduces basic yoga and meditation techniques for beginners.

*NESO Line Dancing with Jean Chen at Ocee Library 
Tuesdays, January 8, 15, 22 & 29. 1 pm – 2 pm
Join Northeast/Spruill Oaks Library’s line dancing group! Adults and teens.

*Sahaja Yoga Meditation
Tuesdays: January 8, 15, 22, 29. 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
A relaxing afternoon meditation for beginners.

Mommy and Me Family Yoga 
Wednesdays: January 9, 16, 23, 30. 11:30 am-Noon
Physical exercises to open and clear energy. Open to mothers and preschool patrons.

*Core Yoga
Thursdays: January 10, 17, 24, 31. 11 am – noon
A new yoga class on Thursdays.

*NESO Won Yoga at Ocee Library
Fridays, January 11, 18 & 25. 11 am – 12:15 pm
Join Northeast/Spruill Oaks Library’s Won Yoga class! 

Music and Storytime

Baby Storytime

Fridays:

January 4, 11, 18, 25. 10 am – 10:30 am

Join us for a special themed storytime for babies. Ages 0 to 2 with caregiver.

Preschool Story time

Tuesdays: January 8, 15, 22, 29. 10:30 am – 11am

Join us for a special themed story time. Stories, songs, fun for toddlers, preschoolers, and their parents. Ages 2 and above with caregiver.

  

Music for Preschool

Tuesday: January 8. 11 am – 11:45 am

Preschool kids will have a fun time at music with Ms. Gail. No registration required.

small, Small World

Tuesday: January 15. 11 am – 11:45 am

Grab your passports and join us as we travel the globe as part of the Johns Creek Art Cetner (JCAC)’s newest learning adventure. small, small World is a multi-sensory learning experience for children ages 2 to 4 and their caregivers. Each week participants embark on a 40-minute journey to far-off locales where they learn about children around the world through music, movement, art, and literature. Sponsored by Johns Creek Art Center.

Cosplay Storytime with Cosplay for a Cause
Saturday, January 19. 1 am – Noon
A special storytime featuring stories read by your favorite children’s characters. All ages.

Tooth Fairy Story Time

Tuesday, January 29. 10:30 am.

Join us for a special story time. The tooth fairy will read your preschoolers a book about the dentist and our puppet will demonstrate proper brushing techniques. Preschool with caregiver.

NESO at Ocee

In anticipation of NESO renovations, the following Clubs will meet at Ocee. Ocee patrons are welcome to attend!

NESO Library Anime Club at Ocee LibrarySunday, January 6. 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Join Northeast/Spruill Oaks Library’s Anime Club! Teens meet to discuss anime and manga, share fan art and fan fiction. Occasionally there may be snacks and videos! This program is by teens for teens. Ages 12-18. Registration required. Please email ellen.baxter@fultoncountyga.gov with participant's name, age, and a contact phone number to register.”

NESO Library Book Club at Ocee Library Tuesday, January 8 at the Ocee Library. 11:00 a.m. – noon – One True Thing, Anna Quindlen.
Ocee Library will host Northeast/Spruill Oaks Library Book Club. New book club members are encouraged to attend! Resource Room. Adults and teens.

Exceptional Volunteer!

All of Ocee's volunteers are exceptional, but one was recently featured in ACCESS! 

'Former volunteer and current Emory University college student Hyunjun "Max" Ahn returned to the Ocee Library to speak with students participating in the September Job Fair. He excelled at math and science classes in high school and served 62 hours leading the CAST tutoring program at Ocee. Max said, "I never imagined I could be in the position to provide advice or inspiration, so it was an honor to meet all the students and parents after I spoke." 

Pick up a copy of ACCESS to read the entire article.

No Lines, No Waiting

Need a quick inexpensive gift, books to keep the kids or holiday company occupied, or something to have on hand while you wait for holds to come in? Visit the Ocee Friends Book Nook! Books sell for 50 cents, $1, and $2. Your purchases help fund library programs!

Crying in Baseball

There was 'crying in baseball' this week with the news of actress, director, and producer Penny Marshall's passing Look for Jumpin’ Jack Flash, Big, Awakenings,  A League of Their Own, and her other work at the library.

Library Closing - Holiday

Please note that all libraries in the AFPL System will be closed 24 and 25 December in observance of the Christmas holiday. 

Darkest Night

Today is the Winter Solstice and tomorrow is both a full moon and meteor shower, so this is an exciting time in the cosmos as the sun begins its return closer to earth and the sky showers us with light on this darkest night of the year.

Ocee Community Outreach - AHS

Our Ocee 'elves' will be making an after-Christmas visit Thursday 27 December to the Atlanta Humane Society Mansell Campus to drop off your donations of gently used towels and blankets for their homeless pets. If you have donations, please drop them off before Christmas. You'll find a drop-off box in the lobby.

KidGineers

KidGineers

Saturday: December 15. 2 pm – 3 pm

Join KidGineers to use your skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Ages 5 and up. Limit: 45. Registration required. Register at Patron Services Desk or call 770-360-8897.

A Dog is for Life-

Not just Christmas... "The decision to keep an animal must not be taken lightly - the whole family must be involved in the decision-making process," said Claudia Hämmerling from Berlin's animal protection association.

To help you make the best decision for your household, Furkids Animal Rescue will visit Ocee library this Friday, December 14 from 11 am – 2 pm. Learn about pet adoption and pet ownership, and maybe take home a Furkid of your own! Furkids is a nonprofit charitableorganization that operates no-kill shelters in the Southeast for rescued cats and dogs. For more information call the library at 770-360-8897.

Library Cards @ Kroger

Ocee Library Outreach - Library Card Drive at Kroger State Bridge

Wednesdays:  December 5, 2018. 11:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

We’ll come to you! Become a Fulton County (F.C.) library card holder at the convenience of shopping for your favorite grocery items.  Must present school ID, ID with F.C. address, or I.D. with other proof of F.C. residency.  Cards issued onsite.   Open to all.  Location:  10945 State Bridge Rd, Alpharetta, GA 30022.

If you're a business who'd like to learn more about the library, please phone the library at 770.360.8897.

Book Club

Ocee Library will host Northeast/Spruill Oaks Library Book Club. New book club members are encouraged to attend! Resource Room. Adults and teens.

NE Spruill Oaks Library Book Club at Ocee Library 

Tuesday, December 4 at the Ocee Library. 11:00 am – noon 

Our Souls at Night byKent Haruf

Tuesday, January 8 at the Ocee Library. 11:00 a. – noon 

One True Thing by Anna Quindlen

Art Classes

Young Artists

Saturdays: December 1. January 12, 26. February 9, 23. 

March 16, 30. April 13, 27. May 4. 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Basic techniques of drawing, painting, elements of art, principles of design, and cartoon/anime’ drawing.

BTW: Adults can look forward to an art class in late January!

Yoga

Bring a yoga mat or towel and wear loose comfortable clothes for meditation and stress relief. Classes continue into January!

Energy Yoga

Sundays: December 2, 9, 16. 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm and
Wednesdays: December 5, 12, 19. 10:15 am – 11:15 am
Physical exercises to open and clear energy. Utilizes Qi Gong and meditation techniques. Open to adult patrons only.

Yoga & Meditation
Mondays: December 3, 10, 17. 11 am – Noon
Introduces basic yoga and meditation techniques for beginners.  Open to adult patrons only.

Sahaja Yoga Meditation
Tuesdays: December 4, 11, 18. 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
A relaxing afternoon meditation for beginners. Open to adult patrons only.

Mommy and Me Family Yoga
Wednesdays: December 5, 12, 19. 11:30 am-Noon
Physical exercises to open and clear energy. Open to mothers and preschool patrons.

Core Yoga
Thursdays: December 6, 13, 20. 11 am – noon
A new yoga class on Thursdays. Open to adult patrons only.

TGIF! After-Hours at Ocee!

Cosplay Storytime with Cosplay for a Cause
Friday, December 7 from 6 pm –7pm
A special after-hours story time featuring stories read by your favorite children’s characters. All ages.

Ocee Library Performances: Special Holiday Concert 

Featuring Chad Shivers & the Silver Santas
Friday, December 7 from 7 pm – 9pm
Join us for a special, after-hours holiday music concert at Ocee Library, featuring surf-rock inspired holiday favorites for the whole family.

Thanks for Giving!

Thanks to everyone who participated in GaGives #Giving Tuesday - especially those who donated to FoOL or the AFPL Foundation. GaGives allows people to donate by credit card all year round. If you can give your time or have expertise you'd like to share as a library program, please let Ocee staff know! Thanks for making our community a better place!

#Giving Tuesday

Can't make a financial contribution tomorrow for Giving Tuesday/GA Gives Day? Consider donating your time and talents at your local library. Visit afpls.org or your branch's Friends of the Library for more information - or any other organisation you're passionate about!

Support Your Library

Join the movement & give back to your local library  November 27th, 2018 You can support your local library this holiday season by making a donation during this nationwide day of giving. Simply visit GA Gives Atlanta-Fulton Public Library Foundation or Friends of Ocee Library page and make your donation! This year, your Atlanta-Fulton Public Libraries served over 4 million visitors at 34 branches, and offered free online resources to thousands more.  Give thanks this season to the important work our libraries do in our communities. Join the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library Foundation with your gift of support this #givingtuesday! You can also catch our outreach librarians live on WSB-TV at 10:30 a.m. during the #gagives #givingtuesday coverage. Be sure to share the love and tag us in your #givingtuesday post and tell us why you support your local library.

Gratitude

“You pray in your distress and in your need; would that you might pray also in the fullness of your joy and in your days of abundance.”

Kahill Gibran, The Prophet, 1923

Being grateful all the time isn’t easy. But it’s when you feel least thankful that you are most in need of what gratitude can give you: perspective. Gratitude can transform any situation. It alters your vibration, moving you from negative energy to positive. It’s the quickest, easiest, most powerful way to effect change in your life—this I know for sure.”

Oprah Winfrey, What I Know for Sure, 2014

“In the end, though, maybe we must all give up trying to pay back the people in this world who sustain our lives. In the end, maybe it’s wiser to surrender before the miraculous scope of human generosity and to just keep saying thank you, forever and sincerely, for as long as we have voices.”

Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything, 2006

Black FUR Day

If you're looking to add a pet to your family, our friends at the Atlanta Humane Society have a deal for you this Friday. 

If you're not able to adopt, you can still help shelter pets. Ocee is collecting blankets and towels for AHS Mansell Campus. Visit AHS website for more ways you can make a difference.

Happy Thanksgiving!

What One Word?

'Imagine you and an intelligent robot are both before a judge who cannot see you. The judge will guess which of you is the human, and so will live, while the other will die. The judge is fair and smart. The judge says: “You must each give me one word from an English dictionary. Based on this word, I will guess who is the human.”'

What one word do you choose? Learn more at the BBC.

Love & Thanks to Libraries!

"My library gives me a free place to take the kids and feel like part of the community. "Being a stay-at-home mom can be very isolating."

"I’m dyslexic and needed extra help learning to read, but the library was my saving grace."

"I've begun to talk with the other parents/caregivers as well and begin friendships."

"Growing up my family couldn’t afford a home computer and internet service so the library is where I would go to research colleges and eventually apply for them.

"My parents could never afford to buy me all the books I wanted to read."

"It's a simple but meaningful way for me to honor my late father's memory."

"Books helped me feel a little less lonely."

"The library provides so many resources for me to practice a new language."

Early Voting at Ocee

Fulton County voters are encouraged to cast their ballots early for the December 4, 2018 General and Special Election Runoff. Early voting locations will be open Monday, November 26 – Friday, November 30 from 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. Residents can verify their voter eligibility in this election by visiting www.mvp.sos.ga.gov.

Election Day for the 2018 General and Special Election Runoff will be Tuesday, December 4. Eligible voters have to vote at their designated polling location on Election Day.

Dynamic Duo

GA Gives Day shines a spotlight on the work of the many Georgia non-profits that make our state a better place to live. #GivingTuesday is a global giving initiative. Both come together on 27 November to raise consciousness for worthy causes.

The Georgia Center for Non Profits provides an on-line giving platform. It's an easy, quick, and secure way to make a tax-deductible donation with your credit card. Friends of Ocee and the AFPLS Foundation are both participating. Your donation helps fill in the gaps not covered by the country's budget. The gift of your time is also greatly appreciated!  

Indigenous Cookery

“You take from the land only that what you require and give thanks to the creator for the gift that was shared to you to share with others. And by doing so, you insure a continued nature flow of life.” - CHEF QUENTIN GLABUS

Visit here for news about indigenous cookbooks, some history, and five recipes from indigenous chefs.

Library Closed

Take note that all branches in AFPLS will close at 6 pm Wednesday 21 November and will be closed Thursday and Friday in celebration of Thanksgiving. Branches will reopen on Saturday the 24th. Digital services are available during closing.

2018 National Book Award Winners

Secrets

George Orwell, Nineteen Eighty-Four, 1949

“If you want to keep a secret, you must also hide it from yourself.”

Margaret Atwood, The Blind Assassin, 2000

“The best way of keeping a secret is to pretend there isn’t one.”

Joyce Carol Oates, Man Crazy, 1997

“Secrets have always been easy for me, it’s the opposite of secrets that is hard.”

Kazuo Ishiguro, Never Let Me Go, 2005

“Maybe all of us at Hailsam had little secrets like that — little private nooks created out of thin air where we could go off alone without fears and longing.”

Oxford Word of the Year

“In 2018, toxic added many strings to its poisoned bow becoming an intoxicating descriptor for the year’s most talked about topics,” the publisher said in a statement online Thursday. “It is the sheer scope of its application, as found by our research, that made toxic the stand-out choice for the Word of the Year title.” Other words on the short list include:

Gaslighting: The action of manipulating someone by psychological means into accepting a false depiction of reality or doubting their own sanity.

Incel: An incel is a member of an online community of young men who consider themselves unable to attract women sexually. Typically, they hold views that are hostile towards men and women who are sexually active.

Orbiting: Orbiting is the action of abruptly withdrawing from direct communication with someone while still monitoring, and sometimes responding to, their activity on social media.

Overtourism: An excessive number of tourist visits to a popular destination or attraction, resulting in damage to the local environment and historical sites and in poorer quality of life for residents.

Techlash: A strong and widespread negative reaction to the growing power and influence of large technology companies, particularly those based in Silicon Valley.

Reader's Block

“Reader’s block” is a well-documented problem, and even avid readers occasionally suffer from it. The good news is that it’s not incurable, but it might require a little creativity and effort on your part." Visit Mentalfloss for some great ways to get out of your reading slump!

31 Ways

Book Riot suggests 31 ways to find the best book recommendations. Here's a few: 

8. READ THE NEW YORK TIMES’S BY THE BOOK COLUMN 

13. TAKE A BOOK RIOT QUIZ!

17. CHECK OUT CELEBRITY BOOK CLUBS

22. SIGN UP FOR A BOOKISH NEWSLETTER

Library Closed

Please note that branches of AFPLS will be closed both Sunday 11 November and Monday 12 November in observance of  Veterans Day. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the end of World War 1.  Learn more here - and thank a veteran.

Programs for Preschoolers

Baby Story timeFridays: November 2, 9, 16, 30. 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Join us for a special themed story time for babies. Ages 0 to 2 with caregiver.

Preschool Story timeTuesdays: November 6, 13, 20, 27. 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Join us for a special themed story time. Stories, songs, fun for toddlers, preschoolers, and their parents. Ages 2 and above with caregiver.

Music for PreschoolTuesdays: November 13. 11:00 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
Preschool kids will have a fun time at music with Ms. Gail. 

Kids' Art Classes

Young Artists
Saturdays: November 3rd, 17th, December 1st.  4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Basic techniques of drawing, painting, elements of art, principles of design, and cartoon/anime’ drawing.

Thanksgiving Art with Johns Creek Art
Saturday:  November 17.  2 p.m.
Johns Creek Art will create a Thanksgiving themed craft. Ages 5 and above. Limit first 20. Registration required. Register at Patron Services desk or call 770-360-8897.

small, Small World by Johns Creek Art
Tuesdays: November 20.  11 a.m. – 11:40 a.m.
small, small World is a multi-sensory learning experience for children ages 2 to 4 and their caregivers. Each week participants embark on a 40-minute journey to far-off locales where they learn about children around the world through music, movement, art, and literature. Sponsored by Johns Creek Art.

ESL Classes

English as a Second Language (ESL) Group ClassesThursdays: November 1, 8, 15, 29. 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Group classes in conversational English as a Second Languages for beginner to intermediate English speakers. First come, first served. No advanced registration is necessary. Free and open to the public. Ages 18 and up. No textbooks needed.

Yoga at Ocee!

Energy YogaSundays: November 4, 11, 18. 10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.  AND
Wednesdays: November 7, 14, 28. 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Physical exercises to open and clear energy. Utilizes Qi Gong and meditation techniques. Bring a yoga mat or towel and wear loose comfortable clothes. Open to adult patrons only.

Yoga & MeditationMondays: November 5,19, 26. 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Introduces basic yoga and meditation techniques for beginners. Bring a yoga mat or towel and wear loose comfortable clothes. Open to adult patrons only.

Mommy and Me Family Yoga Wednesdays: November 7, 14, 28. 11:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Physical exercises to open and clear energy. Bring a yoga mat or towel and wear loose comfortable clothes. Open to mothers and preschool patrons.

College Prep Programs

Finding a ScholarshipThursday, November 1. 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Learn how to use AFPLS databases to get information on colleges and scholarships. All ages.

Teen Advisory Board (T.A.B.)Saturday: November 10. 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Teens from the community have an opportunity to have a voice to help plan for their library. Ocee’s T.A.B. meets to discuss program ideas, new books and movies, and other community outreach possibilities. Teen leadership opportunity for future college applications. Ages 12-18 only.

SAT College Prep Mock Test Saturday: November 10. 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Take a practice SAT test! Registration required. Register at https://www.applerouth.com/schools.php/128876.
Ages 14-18.

Why Elections Are Held On Tuesdays

Between 1788 and 1845, states decided their own voting dates. In 2012, then-Historian of the Senate Don Ritchie told NPR that strategy resulted in chaos, a "crazy quilt of elections" held all across the country at different times to pick the electors—the white, male property owners who would cast their votes for president on the first Wednesday of December. In 1792, a law was passed mandating that state elections be held within a 34-day period before that day, so most elections took place in November. (Society was mostly agrarian; in November, the harvest was finished but winter hadn’t yet hit, making it the perfect time to vote.)

With the advent of the railroad and telegraph, Congress decided it was time to standardize a date. Monday was out, because it would require people to travel to the polls by buggy on the Sunday Sabbath. Wednesday was also not an option, because it was market day, and farmers wouldn’t be able to make it to the polls. So it was decided that Tuesday would be the day that Americans would vote in elections, and in 1845, Congress passed a law that presidential elections would be held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

Roswell Branch Renovations

Fulton County Board of Commissioners voted to make more adjustments to the ongoing renovations to the Fulton County library branch at 115 Norcross Street, Roswell, Georgia 30075. The Board approved an option that would remove and replace the building’s main roof along Norcross Street and raise the roof’s height as a new vestibule and entry doors would be constructed on that side.

“Roswell community leaders have made clear that they believe renovations to their library, which rests in the historic district, could transform the building into a welcoming community center and enhance the entire downtown area,” says Fulton County District 1 Commissioner Liz Hausmann. “I’m pleased the Fulton County Commission seized this opportunity to work with municipal leaders to ensure the library reaches its full potential in serving the community for many years to come.”

Early Voting Info

This is the final week to take advantage of Early Voting in Fulton County. Eligible voters in Fulton County have this weekend through next Friday, November 2, 2018, to cast an early ballot for the November General and Special Election. During early voting, any voter may cast their ballot at any early voting location. For residents who chose to vote on Election Day 6 November, they must vote at their assigned precinct. 

America's Best Loved Book

LOS ANGELES (AP) — “To Kill a Mockingbird,” a coming-of-age story about racism and injustice, overpowered wizards and time travelers to be voted America’s best-loved novel by readers nationwide.

The 1960 book by Harper Lee emerged as No. 1 in PBS’ “The Great American Read” survey, whose results were announced Tuesday on the show’s finale. More than 4 million votes were cast in the six-month-long contest that put 100 titles to the test.

The other top-five finishers in order of votes were Diana Gabaldon’s “Outlander” series about a time-spanning love; J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” boy wizard tales; Jane Austen’s romance “Pride and Prejudice”; and J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” fantasy saga.

Little Free Libraries

You may have noticed the book 'birdhouses' at Ocee, Newtown, and Shakerag Parks. Todd Bol, who started Little Free Libraries passed away at 62. 

Bol set a goal of 2,150 — to beat the number of Carnegie Libraries in the country. Less than a decade later, more than 75,000 'libraries-on-a-stick' have sprouted on front lawns in 88 countries!The Star Tribune has a wonderful tribute to Todd. We hope you'll take a minute to learn more.

Friends

National Friends of Libraries Week October 21-27, 2018

National Friends of Libraries Week is coordinated by United for Libraries, a division of the American Library Association with approximately 4,000 personal and group members representing hundreds of thousands of library supporters. United for Libraries supports those who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for libraries, and brings together library trustees, advocates, friends, and foundations into a partnership that creates a powerful force for libraries in the 21st century. 

TAB Food Drive

Ocee's Teen Advisory Board (TAB) is collecting canned and boxed (cereal, pasta/mac n'cheese) foods to donate to our community partners at North Fulton Community Charities. Please check your pantry or add a couple of cans to your grocery cart to help our teens with a successful meaningful event AND those in need this holiday season.

Based in Roswell, North Fulton Community Charities (NFCC) mission is to build self-sufficiency and prevent homelessness and hunger in our community by providing emergency assistance and enrichment programs.