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.

Working Outside the Library

Did you know that Ocee staff works outside the library, too? You'll find them in the community visiting schools, businesses, senior living facilities, and more to let them know about the variety of services the library offers! 

If your business or organization would like to schedule an outreach visit or to discuss a partnership with Ocee library, please phone Manager, Ms Burton at (770) 360-8897. 

Staff will be at the Johns Creek Family Fall Festival at Newtown Park

Saturday 27 October from 10am to 1 pm issuing library cards and showcasing library programs and events. Entry and all activities, games, rides are FREE! Costume contest and trick-or-treating. Food and drink available for purchase.

Please Help Our Furry Friends

Ocee library is collecting blankets and towels for our four-legged friend waiting to be adopted at the Atlanta Humane Society on Mansell. Old towels and fleece make comfy beds for sick and injured animals. They'll help make puppies and kittens feel safe & warm. This is an on-going project. You'll find a marked donation box in the lobby. Visit the AHS website to learn about donating, volunteering, or adopting a new best friend. 

Halloween Art

Halloween Art with Johns Creek Art Center

Saturday, October 27. 11 a.m.

Johns Creek Art will create a Halloween themed craft. Ages 5 and above. Limit first 20. Registration required. Register at Patron Services desk or call 770-360-8897

Early Voting

Fulton County’s Early Voting period for the November 6, 2018 General and Special Election will begin on Monday, October 15, 2018. Sample ballots can be viewed online at www.fultonelections.com . Residents are encouraged to visit the website to review ballots prior to Election Day, November 6, 2018.

During early voting, any voter may cast their ballot at any early voting location . Early Voting locations will be open three weeks.

Monday, October 15 to Friday, October 26, 2018

8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Monday, October 29 to Friday, November 2, 1018

7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Saturday, October 20 and Saturday, October 27, 2018

8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

 

Sunday, October 21 and Sunday, October 28, 2018

12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Information Self-Defense

Information Self-Defense – 

How to Spot Fake News & Conduct Research Online

Thursday:  October 18. 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Learn simple techniques to evaluate the quality of online information. Adults & students of all experience levels are welcome.