Find Your Next Favorite Book!

The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System has several tools for helping our patrons discover their next great read, the best tool of course being your local librarian! But while databases such as NoveList (hint: get to this one through GALILEO using the GALILEO password) are excellent resources for finding author or title read-alikes, finding all books in a series (listed in order!) and for finding recommended books in a particular genre, there are other websites out there that can also help readers find just what they're looking for...even if you don't know what it is you're looking for! Below are just five reader's advisory websites that can be used to help discover your next favorite book.

Fantastic Fiction: Bibliographies on over 30,000 authors and information on over 350,000 titles. This site contains an extensive list of Series and Awards. For something akin to read-alikes, search for an author and once on their page scroll down for a list of books that author recommends. Also includes lists of New Books and not yet published Coming Soon titles. Mostly focuses on better known authors, so if you're looking for more obscure authors/titles, you may not find them here.

Goodreads: One of the most popular online book sites, now owned by Amazon, and is great for making book lists based on reader/user reviews. You can search by genre or browse through their lists of Goodreads Choice Awards which compile the year's best books in various genres based on Goodreads user votes. Sign up for a free account, start rating books you've read and receive personalized recommendations based on other reviewers.

WhatShouldIReadNext: This is a very straight forward and user-friendly site both in its interface and it what it offers the user. No need to create an account (although you can if you want to add your own reviews to their extensive database,) simply type in the name of a book or author on the home page and based on member reviews the database will generate a list of recommended reading. This one can be very useful when you just want to quickly get a list of possibilities to check the library shelves for.

Whichbook: A fun site to play with for readers who want to put in a few minutes of time to find the perfect next read. Whichbook generates recommended reading based on the user's mood, or essentially the mood of the book you'd like to read. The site provides a list of sliders that users can choose four of to indicate their mood (are you looking for something more Happy or Sad, Safe or Disturbing, Easy or Demanding, No Sex or Lots of Sex, etc.) Users can also browse through mood book lists that have already been created, or can create their own. A fun tool for discovering titles you may not have thought you'd like, although not as useful at finding author read-alikes.

Shelfari: Another site that has been acquired by Amazon, Shelfari is a social cataloging site for books. It requires a bit of time and effort up front, but if you create a free account you can rate, review and discuss books with other members and even join groups to connect with other readers. What I find most useful here is the virtual bookshelves users can create. Different shelves for books you've read, books you'd like to read, books you own and books you are currently reading help to sort and keep track of all the recommended titles you might come across. The readers advisory is strictly based on other users' reviews, but as an organizational tool this site is very useful.

Happy reading!

Palmetto Library Grand Opening!

The Atlanta-FultonPublic Library System announces the grand opening of the new 10,000-square-foot Palmetto Library, which will open to the public with a celebration on Monday, December 15 at 11:00 a.m. We would love to see as many of our patrons as possible at this event!

This is the second library to open as part of Phase I of the Library Building Program. Houser Walker Architecture provided design/engineering services for the new library. New South Construction provided construction management services, and Heery/Russell provided program management.

The Palmetto Library is imagined as a series of ‘rooms’ or small buildings nestled within a semi-rural landscape. Drawing on vernacular structures from the region, it features large rooms, corresponding to the major functions of the Library. A nearby barn provided inspiration for the overall form of the building, which responds to specific views, solar characteristics, and functional requirements of each defined room. Materials used for the exterior of the library draw upon the legacy of building in the entire Palmetto/Chattahoochee Hills region, while reinforcing the civic character of the structure. The structure will age well and give a rich patina to the building as time passes. 

As with all of the new libraries, a public art project featuring a local artist will be on permanent display for the community. The sculpture, On a Roll, was created by Andrew T. Crawford for the Palmetto Library. Made entirely of bent steel, this work is  loosely based on the imagery of an old tractor that has been left in a field. The sculpture responds to the facility in that its concept is a reflection of the underlying architectural theme.  The structure of the building is based on the reorganization of the forms found in agricultural buildings, mainly barns.

Please join us as we celebrate the opening of this beautiful new library!

WHEN:          Monday, December 15, 2014 11:00 a.m.

WHERE:         Palmetto Library

                      9111 Cascade Palmetto Highway

                      Palmetto, GA 30268

RSVP:            404.730.1977 or zenobia.claxton@fultoncountyga.gov 

                      

Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System Celebrates Its Volunteers!

The value of volunteering topped $1.5 million last year at the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System, with 2,008 volunteers donating 67,645 hours of time in 2013 valued at $1,525,407.15 in donated services. This is the sixth year library volunteer services have topped one million dollars!

The 24th Annual Volunteer Recognition Award Program was held Saturday, November 15, with over 125 people in attendance. Special guest speakers included Stephanie Moody, Chair of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System Board of Trustees and Fulton County Commissioner Joan Garner, District 6, who is also former Library Board trustee.

Library volunteers serve as adult literacy tutors, English as a second language (ESL) teachers, homework help aides, math tutors, computer assistants, clerical assistants, children’s program aides, special event hosts and more – in any of the Library System’s 34 branches. Volunteers with Friends of the Library groups are active in 24 branches and served over 22,000 hours last year.

Some highlights of the volunteer year include:

• 146 volunteers donated over 100 hours in 2013, including 58 who donated over 200 hours. Three of these volunteers donated over 1,000 hours in 2013!

• Several volunteers reached milestones including 28 volunteers who celebrated their five-year service award, 16 volunteers who celebrated their ten-year service award and eight volunteers who celebrated their 15-year service award. Eleven volunteers received the Millennium Award for reaching a career total of 1,000 hours.

• Laura Thompson, volunteer at the Sandy Springs Branch since 2010, won the President’s Call to Service Award for reaching a career total of over 4,000 hours and with 1,350 of those hours being served in 2013, she was also in the top three volunteers with the highest hours for 2013. Additional winners included Ben Statham who served 1,379 hours with the Friends of the Alpharetta Library and Carol Harrison who served 1,174 hours with the Friends of the Roswell Library.

• Eleven young adults and nine teens won the President’s Volunteer Service Award, and 15 Friends of the Library groups won the President’s Volunteer Service Award for groups serving over 200 hours in one year.

Congratulations to all of those who reached milestones in volunteering in 2013, and a great big THANK YOU to all of our wonderful volunteers throughout the library system! We would not be able to do all of the things we do without your time and dedication. You are much appreciated!

Top 2 Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System volunteers Laura Thompson, Sandy Springs Library, and Ben Statham, Friends of the Alpharetta Library, celebrate the “Big Check” with (L to R) Interim Library Director Anne Haimes and Chair of the Library Board of Trustees, Stephanie Moody.

Odessa Washington-Williams (middle), Friends of the South Fulton Library, celebrating her 5 year anniversary with (L to R) Fulton County Commissioner Joan Garner, District 6, and Chair of the Library Board of Trustees, Stephanie Moody. 

Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System To Open New Palmetto Library!

The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System is thrilled to announce the grand opening of the new Palmetto Library, which will open to the public with a celebration on Monday, December 15 at 11:00 a.m.

The new 10,000-square-foot library for Palmetto and Chattahoochee Hills is part of Phase I of the Library Building Program. The library is located at 9111 Cascade Palmetto Highway, Palmetto, GA 30268, an area not previously served by a library.

Houser Walker Architecture provided design and engineering services for the new library. New South Construction provided construction management services on this project, and Heery/Russell was the program management team.

The Palmetto Library is imagined as a series of ‘rooms’ or small buildings nestled within a semi-rural landscape. Drawing on vernacular structures from the region, it features large rooms, corresponding to the major functions of the Library. A nearby barn provided inspiration for the overall form of the building, which responds to specific views, solar characteristics, and functional requirements of each defined room. Materials used for the exterior of the library draw upon the legacy of building in the entire Palmetto/Chattahoochee Hills region, while reinforcing the civic character of the structure. The structure will age well and give a rich patina to the building as time passes. 

In November 2008, Fulton County voters overwhelmingly passed the Library Bond Referendum. The plan will greatly enhance all of the county’s libraries, and includes 8 new branch libraries: Alpharetta, East Roswell, Milton, Northwest Atlanta, Palmetto, Southeast Atlanta, Metropolitan and Wolf Creek, and two expansion projects: Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History and the South Fulton Library. The Library Building Program plan maintains 34 libraries, the current number of libraries in the system, by eliminating leased spaces and its oldest libraries. Green building design and sustainability are priorities for these library building projects, and the Library System expects to achieve LEED Silver on all of the Phase I projects.

An important part of each new library is its public art project. Through the Fulton County Art in Public Places Resolution, 1% of each building project budget goes toward the creation of public art. For the Palmetto Library, artist Andrew T. Crawford was selected through a community-driven selection process, and has produced a large steel sculpture visitors will see as they enter entitled, On a Roll. The 15-foot-long and 5-foot-wide sculpture, created entirely out of solid metal bent bars, is loosely based on the imagery of an old tractor that has been left in a field.

For more information or to R.S.V.P. please call 404-730-1977 or email zenobia.claxton@fultoncountyga.gov. To keep up-to-date on the Library Building Program or other library events, visit www.afpls.org.

Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System is the largest in the state, with 34 libraries and a collection of more than 2.5 million items. It offers innovative programs, services and virtual resources tailored to meet the needs of each branch's community. Children, teens and adults may choose from a variety of classes, visit exhibitions, listen to authors discuss their work, check out videos, DVDs and CDs, attend book club discussions, get homework help, hear music and see live performances. Last year patrons borrowed more than 3.6 million items, made 4 million visits to the libraries and our website had over 5 million hits.

Become A Volunteer At Your Library!

The holiday season is the perfect time of year to reflect on how you can give back to your community. Volunteer efforts are a large sustaining part of so many non-profit organizations around our city and county, and the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System could not be more thankful this time of year for all of our wonderful volunteers! If you are looking for a place to donate your time through charitable work, why not consider your local branch library? There are countless ways to get involved at all of our locations. We would love to welcome you aboard our fabulous team!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

All volunteers are asked to complete a Volunteer Application!

The Application for Volunteer Service can be submitted to the Office of Volunteer Services of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System (AFPLS) by mail, fax or dropped off at any of our branches.

Volunteer Services: 404-730-1965

Auburn Avenue Research Library Volunteer
Auburn Avenue Research Library on African-American Culture and History
Volunteers at the library assist with behind-the-scenes clerical tasks and/or serve as docents/tour guides and hosts/hostesses for special events. SeeVolunteer Opportunities.

Children's Program Aide
Assist staff with preschool story hour by preparing craft materials and name tags, ushering and supervising children during programs. Assist with puppet shows, parenting workshops and other programs. Help with Summer Reading Program by registering children and distributing certificates.

Computer Lab Specialist
Skilled computer users are needed to assist the public by answering questions and assisting with computer basics, Internet access, word processing, spread sheets and other software programs in Library computer labs or to assist with computer classes.

Computer Lab Trainer/Workshop Presenter
Experienced trainers needed to conduct workshops on computer basics, software applications, resume writing, Internet use and other computer-related topics.

ESL (English as a Second Language) Coach
Volunteers conduct or assist with small classes for individuals learning to speak English. The Library provides training and resources for teachers and students.

Homework Help Assistance
Volunteers are needed in branches that have Homework Help Centers by helping students with their homework after school, including assisting students utilizing the computers for their assignments, and providing general supervision of the children. Another great group project. Adopt a branch now!

Job Search Coach
Help individuals learn to use library technology resources to develop their resume and use the Internet to search and apply for jobs online.

Library Clerical Aide
Help library staff with such tasks as preparing arts and crafts materials for library programs, checking books and other library materials for damage, making simple repairs, assisting with filing and/sorting library material.

Library User Survey Assistant
Take counts of library patrons and distribute surveys on library usage at the Central Library and at branches. Done several times a year. Different shifts available.

Literacy Tutor
Assist adults who are learning to read or are improving their reading skills. Volunteers are paired with learners and work one-on-one. The Library provides training and resources for tutors and learners. (more information)

Math Tutor
Volunteers with math skills needed to assist individuals with basic math such as adding, subtracting, multiplication, division, fractions and percentages.

Shape Up The Shelves!
Shape Up The Shelves group projects make it easy for volunteers to get involved with the Library. Days of service are designed with the busy person in mind. They are also a fun team builder for organizations. Teams search the shelves for lost items, shelve books, assist with processing materials and straighten stacks--important behind-the-scenes tasks that help get books and materials in the hands of patrons. With this blitz approach, groups of volunteers help the library accomplish, in a short time, tasks which otherwise might take months.

Spanish Language Teachers
Volunteers fluent in Spanish and familiar with teaching techniques are needed to present a workshop series on basic Spanish. (Volunteers fluent in other languages may also be needed to present workshops.)

Please be aware that not all opportunities are needed at all times and jobs vary by Library location. We will do our best to give you an assignment that suits your interests and skills at the location of your choice.

South Fulton Library Closes for Renovation and Expansion

The South Fulton Library will close temporarily as of Monday, November 17 for renovation and expansion.

This renovation and expansion of the library, located at 4055 Flat Shoals Road,Union City, is part of Phase I of the Library Building Program that is currently underway.

McAfee3Architects, in association with Craig Gaulden Davis, has contracted with Fulton County to provide design and engineering services for the new library. Evergreen Construction Group will provide construction management services on the project, and Heery/Russell is the program management team.

When the renovation and expansion are complete, the library will go from its current 15,000-square-feet to 25,000-square feet and will include additional meeting space, state-of-the-art presentation equipment, enhanced space for children’s services and a separate area for teens.

Construction for the expansion and renovation will take approximately 12 months, and the reopening of the library is expected in the first quarter of 2016. During construction library service will be available at the following nearby locations:

-       College Park Branch: 3647 Main Street, College Park 30337

-       Fairburn Branch: 60 Valley View Drive, Fairburn 30213

-       Southwest Branch: 3665 Cascade Road SW, Atlanta 30331

-       Wolf Creek Branch: 3100 Enon Road, Atlanta 30331

Green building design and sustainability are priorities for all Phase I library projects, and the Library System expects to achieve LEED Silver on each project. Each library will reflect the culture and interests of its community.

In November 2008, Fulton County voters overwhelmingly passed the Library Bond Referendum. The plan will greatly enhance all of the county’s libraries, and Phase I includes 8 new branch libraries, Alpharetta, East Roswell, Milton, Northwest Atlanta, Palmetto, Southeast Atlanta, Metropolitan, and Wolf Creek and 2 expanded libraries, the Auburn Avenue Research Library and the South Fulton Branch. 

For more information please visit our website www.afpls.org or call 404-730-1977. 

Hispanic Heritage Film Festival

During the last film of the Hispanic Heritage Film Fest the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System was honored by the visit of a special guest! Miguel Aleman Urteaga, Consul General of Peru was in attendance and was accompanied by Carlos Castillo Morales, who is the Appointed Consul of Peru here in Atlanta.

This is the second time that Carlos Castillo Morales has taken active participation in the Hispanic Heritage Film Fest, which is held at Central Library each year during Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 to Oct. 15). Last year he sponsored two films, Soy Andina and Undertow. This year, not only did he bring another film La Prueba, he also invited his boss Mr. Aleman Urteaga to come to present the movie. Mr Castillo is also letting other consuls know of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library’s Hispanic Heritage Film Fest and encouraging them to participate. That is why in early September Jose A. Flores Velasco from the Argentinian consulate in Atlanta came to the library to offer his help.  

This year’s film festival offered the following films: Blanca Nieves (Spain), Chico y Rita (Cuba), Machuca (Argentina), Nine Queens (Argentina) and LaPrueba (Peru). If you missed them, you can check them out at the library and be sure to watch for 2015’s Hispanic Heritage Film Festival! 

New Metropolitan Library Groundbreaking Event!

The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System will break ground on the new Metropolitan Library Wednesday, October 29 at 11:00 a.m. and we would love for you to join us! The library will be located at 1332 Metropolitan Parkway,Atlanta 30310.

The new 25,000-square-foot library is part of Phase I of the Library Building Program, currently underway. Phase II will include the renovation of many branches. Each library project also includes a public art component, through the Fulton County Public Art Program. (You can find out more about the art at the new Wolf Creek Library here!) 

Smith Dalia Architects in association with Craig Gaulden Davis and Ai3, is contracted with Fulton County to provide design and engineering services for the new library. Winter Construction is contracted with Fulton County to provide construction management, and Heery/Russell is the program management team.

The grand opening of the new Metropolitan Library is expected in the 3^rd quarter of 2015. This library will replace service at the Stewart-Lakewood Branch.

In November 2008, Fulton County voters overwhelmingly passed the Library Bond Referendum. The plan will greatly enhance all of the county’s libraries, and includes:

8 New Branch Libraries: Alpharetta, East Roswell, Metropolitan, Milton, Northwest Atlanta, Palmetto, Southeast Atlanta and Wolf Creek.

Two expansion projects: Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History and the South Fulton Library.

Green building design and sustainability are priorities for these library building projects, and the Library System expects to achieve LEED Silver on all of the Phase I projects. Each library will reflect the culture and interests of its community.

For more information or to R.S.V.P. please call 404-730-1972 or email laura.wright@fultoncountyga.gov. You can also stay up-to-date on the Library Building Program by visiting the library system's website.

Database Of The Month: OverDrive!

If you are a fan of eBooks and eAudiobooks (especially when they're free!) then you probably have already taken advantage of the downloadable collection the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System has through OverDrive. This fantastic resource has just gone through a few updates that make checking out and reading eBooks even easier, especially if you are using this database to read fun picture books with younger children! We hope all of our users will enjoy these new enhancements, including direct Tech Support from OverDrive Frontline Support. 

OverDrive is excited to announce that a new version of OverDrive Read, the browser-based eBook reading experience, is coming on October 15, 2014. Earlier this year, OverDrive introduced support for fixed layout eBooks using EPUB3 and HTML5 technology, which allows books never before available in eBook format to be enjoyed digitally. The fixed layout nature honors the book's original layout, image display, and fonts which are required for titles like The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, and Humans of New York. This update means that never-available-before eBooks like these are now available to your library or school! Textbooks, children's classics, cookbooks, travel guides, and more can now be enjoyed on any web-enabled device using OverDrive Read. To find fixed layout eBooks in OverDrive Marketplace, simply choose "Fixed layout" from the special features drop-down menu under Advanced Search.

The enhanced OverDrive Read reading experience that is currently used for fixed layout eBooks will soon be extended to all eBooks. The interface eliminates distraction from the page layout because the newly-designed menu is now behind the eBook pages rather than to the right of the book. The new OverDrive Read also offers a two-page display on large screens for a true reading experience, and a single-page view on smaller screens (unless otherwise required by the publisher). This update retains all of the great features users are currently enjoying in OverDrive Read, such as the ability to read offline, bookmarks, notes, search, and custom readability options. And, best of all, OverDrive Read is available with just one-click in any major modern web browser, and doesn't require any software installation or device registration. In order to adopt this new technology required to support fixed layout eBooks, OverDrive Read will no longer work in older versions of Internet Explorer (i.e., any IE version less than version 10) beginning October 15. Less than 0.2% of OverDrive Read usage is from a version of IE less than 10, so the few users impacted by this change will simply need to upgrade to a newer version of IE or switch to the most current versions of Chrome, Firefox, Android, Safari, or the standard browsers on devices like Kindle and Nook.

2014 Longlists For The National Book Award Announced!

Established in 1950, the National Book Award is an American literary prize administered by the National Book Foundation, a nonprofit organization. The mission of the National Book Foundation and the National Book Awards is to celebrate the best of American literature, to expand its audience, and to enhance the cultural value of great writing in America. Recently the 2014 Longlists were announced in the areas of Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry and Young People's Literature. One Winner 
in each category will be announced at the National Book Awards Ceremony and Benefit Dinner on November 19, 2014 in New York City. Winners will each receive a prize of $10,000. Finalists will each receive a prize of $1,000. You can see the full lists below and then visit the library's catalog to find some of the finalists on your library shelves! The National Book Foundation website is also full of other literary information from author interviews and book chats on video, to other programs for adults and teens, so be sure to visit and click around! 

Fiction: 

• Rabih Alameddine, An Unnecessary Woman 
• Molly Antopol, The UnAmericans 
• John Darnielle, Wolf in White Van 
• Anthony Doerr, All the Light We Cannot See 
• Phil Klay, Redeployment 
• Emily St. John Mandel, Station Eleven
• Elizabeth McCracken, Thunderstruck & Other Stories 
• Richard Powers, Orfeo 
• Marilynne Robinson, Lila 
• Jane Smiley, Some Luck 

Nonfiction:

• Roz Chast, Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant?
• John Demos, The Heathen School: A Story of Hope and Betrayal in the Age of the Early Republic
• Anand Gopal, No Good Men Among the Living: America, the Taliban, and the War through Afghan Eyes
• Nigel Hamilton, The Mantle of Command: FDR at War, 1941 - 1942
• Walter Isaacson, The Innovators: How a Group of Inventors, Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution
• John Lahr, Tennessee Williams: Mad Pilgrimage of the Flesh 
• Evan Osnos, Age of Ambition: Chasing Fortune, Truth, and Faith in the New China
• Ronald C. Rosbottom, When Paris Went Dark: The City of Light Under German Occupation, 1940-1944 
• Matthew Stewart, Nature's God: The Heretical Origins of the American Republic 
• Edward O. Wilson, The Meaning of Human Existence 

Poetry:

• Linda Bierds, Roget's Illusion 
• Brian Blanchfield, A Several World 
• Louise Glück, Faithful and Virtuous Night 
• Edward Hirsch, Gabriel: A Poem 
• Fanny Howe, Second Childhood
• Maureen N. McLane, This Blue 
• Fred Moten, The Feel Trio
• Claudia Rankine, Citizen: An American Lyric
• Spencer Reece, The Road to Emmaus
• Mark Strand, Collected Poems

Young People's Literature:

• Laurie Halse Anderson, The Impossible Knife of Memory 
• Gail Giles, Girls Like Us 
• Carl Hiaasen, Skink—No Surrender 
• Kate Milford, Greenglass House 
• Eliot Schrefer, Threatened 
• Steve Sheinkin, The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights 
• Andrew Smith, 100 Sideways Miles 
• John Corey Whaley, Noggin 
• Deborah Wiles, Revolution: The Sixties Trilogy, Book Two 
• Jacqueline Woodson, Brown Girl Dreaming 

Join The Big Read 2014!

The Atlanta History Center, in partnership with the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System, presents The Big Read! This program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest is designed to revitalize the role of literature in American culture and to encourage citizens to read for pleasure and enlightenment. It is the largest reading program in American history and a multi-faceted initiative uniting communities across the nation through great literature. Chances to participate abound! With book chats, lectures, storytimes, films and more being hosted at many of our branches, you are sure to find a way to get involved.

This year’s selection is Luis Alberto Urrea’s Into the Beautiful North, a

present day quest novel set in the highly charged atmosphere of the U.S.–Mexico border region. The program encourages the public to get involved with the Big Read by reading the book, attending free programs and promoting the initiative in their community.

A list of highlighted programs being can be found below, but be sure to visit the Atlanta History Center's website for more events and other information. Reservations may be be required for most events, so call 404.814.4000 for more details. We hope all of our patrons will join in the reading and also the fun!

2014 Big Read Highlights

The Big Read: Into the Beautiful North                                          

Coming to America: Stories from Atlanta’s Immigrant Communities

Monday, September 15. 7:00 p.m.

Listen to the stories of fellow Atlantans who have emigrated from their home countries to the United States. Their stories span the past half century and around the world -- from as far away as Poland, Vietnam, and Ethiopia; to right across the border in Mexico.  

Keynote Lecture With Luis Alberto UrreaLocation: Atlanta History CenterWednesday, September 17. 7:00 p.m.

Join the Atlanta History Center for an unforgettable evening with Into the Beautiful North author, Luis Alberto Urrea, and celebrate The Big Read.

Big Read Film Festival: Location: Atlanta History CenterSunday, October 5. Noon – 5:00 p.m.

Spend an afternoon celebrating the parallels between page and screen as we showcase movies that relate to the topics and themes in Luis Alberto Urrea’s Into the Beautiful North.

12:00 p.m. - The Magnificent Seven, the 1960 John Sturge’s classic Western film that Into the Beautiful North pays homage to, in which an oppressed Mexican peasant village assembles seven gunfighters to help defend their homes. This film stars Yul Brynner, Eli Wallach, Steve McQueen, and Charles Bronson.

3:00 p.m. - Under the Same Moon, (La Misma Luna) tells the parallel stories of nine-year-old Carlitos and his mother, Rosario. In the hopes of providing a better life for her son, Rosario works illegally in the U.S. while her mother cares for Carlitos back in Mexico. Unexpected circumstances drive both Rosario and Carlitos to embark on their own journeys in a desperate attempt to reunite. Along the way, mother and son face challenges and obstacles but never lose hope that they will one day be together again.

The Big Read’s “Little Read” Storytime

Location: Ocee Library 

Monday, September 15. 10:30 a.m.

Join the Atlanta History Center and Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System for a “Little Read,” a part of a month-long celebration of reading known as The Big Read. Staff from the Atlanta History Center will present this exciting storytime for children ages 3-5.

The Big Read 2014 Author Talk: Luis Alberto Urrea

Location: Roswell Library

Wednesday, September 17. 2:00 p.m.                               

The Roswell Library will host Luis Alberto Urea, author of the book, Into the Beautiful North, the Big Read’s 2014 selection. Come meet with author and hear him discuss his book.

The Big Read Book Chat 

Location: Hapeville Library

Thursday, September 18. 2:00 p.m.

The Atlanta History Center and the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System present a book chat on Into the Beautiful North, this year’s Big Read selection written by Luis Alberto Urrea. Adults.

The Big Read Book Chat 

Location Bowen/Bankhead Library

Wednesday, September 24. 12:00 p.m.

The Atlanta History Center and the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System present a book chat on Into the Beautiful North, this year’s Big Read selection written by Luis Alberto Urrea. Light refreshments will be served.  Adults.

The Big Read Book Chat 

Location: Northeast/Spruill Oaks Library

Wednesday, October 1. 4:30 p.m.

The Atlanta History Center and the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System present a book chat on Into the Beautiful North, this year’s Big Read selection written by Luis Alberto Urrea. Light refreshments will be served. Adults.

Wolf Creek Library Grand Opening!

In just a matter of days your new Wolf Creek Library will be opening its doors to the public for the very first time, and we'd love to welcome all of our patrons to join us for the grand opening celebration! Located in Southwest Atlanta at 3100 Enon Road, this branch of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System is in a location that previously did not have library service close by. Residents will now be able to check out materials, families with small children will attend storytimes, teens will come to study and take advantage of homework help, and everyone will be able to work on the public computers, use free WiFi, enjoy author talks, and attend other great programs at this beautiful new library. 

This 25,000-square-foot library for Wolf Creek is part of Phase I of the Library Building Program. Leo A. Daly Co. provided design and engineering services for the new library, and Hogan Construction Group,LLC, provided construction management services. Heery/Russell was the program management team. 

Situated in a wooded landscape this library is truly unique with its striking copper-colored metal paneled exterior and stacked stone details. The large floor-to-ceiling windows provide an expansive view of nature, and allow tremendous natural light into the building. With access to a large meeting room area, study rooms, a music room, and separate spaces for teens and for children, the patrons of Wolf Creek are sure to be pleased! 

Other important aspects of this library and all of the others included in the Library Building Program are both the public art component and the environmentally sustainable LEED certification.Through the Fulton County Art in Public Places Resolution, 1% of each building project budget goes toward the creation of public art. Local artist Lynn Marshall-Linnemeier, whose work can be found in the permanent collection of the Museum of Contemporary Art of Georgia, was selected through a community-driven selection process, and has created a soaring sculpture visitors will see as they enter entitled, Strength of Heart: A Journey Project for the Community at Wolf Creek. She has also contributed several framed quilted works which are placed throughout the library. Through green building design each of these new libraries expects to achieve LEED Silver status.

Please plan a visit to this beautiful new facility and take advantage of all this state of the art library has to offer!

Back To School With NoveList!

GALILEO users now have access to NoveList Plus and NoveList K-8 Plus, but what has been added?

NoveList has been the premier readers advisory tool for fiction. This database has tools to help users and librarians match fiction titles and authors to readers’ interests, and to help educators integrate fiction into the curriculum. Now users will find additional tools and content covering nonfiction titles and audiobooks. 

The nonfiction included in NoveList Plus is meant to appeal to readers reading for pleasure and includes biographies, narrative nonfiction, real-life adventure, true crime, and other creative nonfiction; not included are text books and how-to books.

New features in NoveList Plus and NoveList Plus K-8

·     Recommended reading lists on such topics as Adventure Travel, Growing Up Around the World, Animals in Our Lives, Historical Scandals, Scientific Discoveries, Women in Sports, and more! 

      You can also use the  Dewey Number Browse to find recommended titles by Dewey number or the Advanced Search features for audio and nonficton search refinement. 

·

Other features still available

• ·         Author, title, and series read-alikes
• ·         Lexile level assignments
• ·         Robust awards and notable books lists
• ·         Book discussion guides
• ·         Picture book extenders
• ·         Common Core resources

This resource is free to all library card holders and can be accessed through our website. Simply follow the steps below and get started!

1. Go to www.afpls.org
2. Click on the link to A-Z Databases on the right hand side of the page under Books, Research & Databases. 
3. Click on the link to GALILEO and enter the password. (If you don't know the current password, find it by following these instructions!)
4. Click on Databases A-Z and type in NoveList Plus.
5. Start searching and get reading!

New Southeast Atlanta Library Community Meeting

Please join us for a project update on the new Southeast Atlanta Library!

New Southeast Atlanta Library Update – Thursday, August 28: 7:00 p.m.

Arthur B. Langford Recreation Center, 1614 Arthur B. Langford Place, SE, Atlanta 30315

The meeting will include a preview of the new building design with architects present to answer questions. The community is invited to meet members of the architectural and engineering team for this project from Stanley Love-Stanley, P.C., in association with Craig Gaulden Davis, along with library team members.

Please attend the meeting and help us in letting others know about this update opportunity!

Community engagement has been the cornerstone of Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System’s Building Program, and we want to update residents about the status of the new library.

If you are not able to attend, questions or comments can be submitted in the following ways:

• Email: librarycomments@fultoncountyga.gov
• Fax: 404-335-5291
• Mail: Branch Services, Central Library, One Margaret Mitchell Square, Atlanta, GA 30303

Please feel free to contact 404-730-1972 or laura.wright@fultoncountyga.gov if you have any questions. And for more information and updates about the Library Building Program, check our website often! We look forward to seeing you there!