An Evening With Debbie Macomber

Join the Margaret Mitchell House for an evening with Debbie Macomber on August 20^th as she discusses The Inn at Rose Harbor, the first book in a new series.  Based in the Pacific Northwest town of Cedar Cove, Macomber’s cast of characters finds love, forgiveness, and renewal behind the doors of Rose Harbor Inn. For more information on this lecture, visit the Margaret Mitchell House website or call them at 404.249.7015.

You can also enter to win two tickets to the lecture and a signed copy of The Inn at Rose Harbor! Go here to register: http://bit.ly/oyqsm7. Enter contest code: LIBRARY.

And there's still time to visit your library and pick up a copy of one of Debbie Macomber's many other titles. Check the catalog with an author search and see what your local library has available!

GED Classes and Testing

The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System is proud to offer our patrons our successful GED program at the Central Library. Study classes, taught by Atlanta Public Schools, meet every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings and accept new students on the second Tuesday of every month. A valid state ID is needed for placement into these classes and reservations are required, so please be sure and call ahead (404.802.3560 ) for more information. You can also visit the website for meeting times, testing dates, and other library locations where the test is administered.

And we also invite our patrons to check out all of our GED materials located in every branch throughout the system. For study guides, helpful videos and more visit the library catalog or your local librarian to find exactly what you need to help boost your test-taking skills. You can also use our online databases found in our A-Z Database List, such as LearnATest, for online practice tests, ebooks, and study help. This database will even time and score you, then follow up with correct answers to anything you may have missed.

For further information about our GED classes and testing, call the GED Information Line at 404.730.1837. For testing information you may also contact Rick Wright, GED Chief Examiner at 404.730.1733. We know that these resources will continue to help more of our patrons achieve their goals!

Career Resources At Your Library

If you or someone you know is currently seeking employment, help starting a small business, or simply trying to update and polish an old resume then the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System is a great place to start! We have a variety of resources available both online and in print in all of our branches. Our Job Resources link from our homepage offers links to AFPLS databases, such as Career Transitions, and also to state resources like the Georgia Career Information Center and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. There are also links to resume building websites in this section, as well as a link to our eCampus Resources that include this type of information.

In the Entrepreneur section you will find links to things like the Georgia Secretary of State's Office and the Small Business Administration. You will also find links to funding and grant organizations, tutorials on business ownership and marketing, as well as articles and advice for the first-time business owner.

Company information can also be found on this page by using the links to some of our business databases located in our A-Z Database List, such as Reference USA, BusinessWise (in-library use only) and Standard and Poor's NetAdvantage. Browse through Georgia specific company resources as well as general business information. You can also find information on facing foreclosure, bankruptcy, and finding financial assistance in Georgia.

And, as always, you can check the library's catalog for books, audiobooks and DVDs on the subject of career preparation and business start-up. We hope all of these free resources will help our patrons better themselves, our city, and our state!

There's Still Time For Summer Reading!

The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System will continue to sign up children, teens and adults for our Dream Big, READ! summer reading program through August 1, so if you haven't registered yet, there's still time! There are still plenty of programs left to attend at all of our branches, including visits by the ZooMobile, storytimes and more. And you don't want to miss out this year as registered readers who complete the program will be entered into prize drawings for small prizes, gift cards, coupons, even a Kindle Fire!

Visit your local branch to join in the fun, or sign up for the adult program online through the link above. Be sure and check our Events Calendar often to see what kinds of programs are being offered throughout the rest of the summer at a library location near you, then in bring the family for some fun and free entertainment!

Catch A Story With Kuumba 7/14!

In partnership with the NBAF (National Black Arts Festival,) the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System is bringing a special storytelling event to many of our branches around the county! Kuumba storytellers bring the joy of reading to children through a series of folktales. All of the library branches that are hosting this event will have the programs at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 14. These are sure to be great programs for the whole family (not to mention a great way to spend the afternoon out of the heat!) so mark your calendars and come on out. Follow the link for a list of all branches that will be participating in this event, and feel free to contact the branch you plan to visit for more information about the program. We are looking forward to a great turnout and some fun stories!

A Taste Of Summer

The temperature outside has officially confirmed summer's arrival! For a lot of us this time of year is a perfect opportunity to gather the family every weekend around the grill or barbeque, relax in the shade and eat some delicious meals. Why not let the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System provide you with some summer culinary inspiration! We have a host of new cookbooks that are sure to titillate every palate. Check the catalog for these and other titles, put on your apron, grab your tongs and get cooking!

Also check out this story on our Facebook page from USA Today. Some great cookbook reviews, many of which we have in our system!

Martha's American food : A Celebration of Our Nation's Most Treasured Dishes, From Coast to Coast by Martha Stewart

Pure Beef : An Essential Guide To Artisan Meat With Recipes For Every Cut by Lynne Curry

Vegetarian : A delicious Celebration of Fresh Ingredients by Alice Hart

Cindy's Supper Club : Meals From Around the World to Share With Family and Friends

     by Cindy Pawlcyn

Weber's Smoke : A Guide to Smoke Cooking for Everyone and Any Grill by Jamie Purviance

The Book of Burger by Rachael Ray

  

    

Summer's Best Reads

Every summer book enthusiasts compile all sorts of summer reading lists to encourage people to read for enjoyment during these hot, sometimes lazy, months. This summer is no exception! National Public Radio has a slew of lists, reviewed and recommended for all types of readers. In their special 2012 Summer Books series you can find book lists spanning a variety of genres from romance to historical fiction or teen reads to flights of fancy. Or perhaps you have your own lists of books you'd like to finish before the summer is through. Regardless of where your list comes from or what titles it consists of, the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System  is here to support all of your reading goals! Search the catalog for titles on your list, then place holds on them to have them sent to your local branch, or visit the branch that may have one sitting on the shelf (just waiting for you!)

And there's still time to register for the library's Summer Reading Program. Fun for all ages we have programs for children, teens and adults! The summer fun will continue until August 1, so be sure and register, read and enter to win prizes! Grand prize winners will receive a new Kindle Fire to download and read all of their favorite eBooks checked out from the library, but you have to read to win!