Check Out The Zoo Pass!

With fall and cooler temperatures fast approaching, and with the added excitement of two twin panda cubs born this summer at Zoo Atlanta, the coming months are a perfect time to check out the Zoo Pass from your local library! The Zoo Pass is actually a DVD that explores the history of Zoo Atlanta and highlights some of it's animal residents. Once you've watched the DVD simply return it to the branch it came from and get your receipt for admission to the zoo. Using the pass is simple and all you need is a valid library card to get started. Instructions for checking out and using the pass are below, so search the catalog to see if your branch has a pass available today!

Accessing the Zoo Pass

Adults with a valid library card may check out the Zoo Pass at any of the 33 branches of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System (excluding Auburn Avenue Research Library). One Zoo Pass will be available for checkout per branch.

The Zoo Pass is not available for self-checkout. Patrons should check out the Zoo Pass at the library front desk.

The Zoo Pass may be checked out only once per year, per card and household. The pass may not be renewed or reserved (sorry, can't place holds on this one!)

Return your Zoo Pass to the location of checkout, and you will receive your receipt for admission to the Zoo. The overdue fine will be $1.00 per day, maximum $10.00. The fee for a lost pass is $30.00.

Enjoying the Zoo Pass

Present your Zoo Pass receipt and your library card at the Zoo Atlanta front gate for admission.

The Zoo Pass is good for a family of four. The pass is valid for general admission only and may not be used for special events, including but not limited to Boo at the Zoo, Brew at the Zoo and Love in the Zoo.

We hope you enjoy your trip to Zoo Atlanta thanks to this wonderful partnership with Georgia Public Library Service!

2013 Hugo Award Winners Announced!

In the midst of all of the excitement that takes place here in Atlanta during DragonCon, where all things science fiction and fantasy, including comic books, gaming, literature, art, film and music convene, the prestigious Hugo Awards were announced. Named after Hugo Gernsback, a famous magazine editor who did much to bring science fiction to a wider audience, the Hugo Awards have been presenting awards of excellence in the genres of science fiction and fantasy literature since 1953. On Sunday, Septemeber 1, the 2013 list of winners in all categories was selected. All winners and their works are listed below, so take this list to the library catalog and lose yourself in other worlds! 

BEST NOVEL : Redshirts: A Novel with Three Codas, John Scalzi (Tor)

BEST NOVELLA: The Emperor’s Soul, Brandon Sanderson (Tachyon Publications)

BEST NOVELETTE: The Girl-Thing Who Went Out for Sushi, Pat Cadigan (Edge of Infinity, Solaris)

BEST SHORT STORY: Mono no Aware, Ken Liu (The Future is Japanese, VIZ Media LLC)

BEST RELATED WORK: Writing Excuses Season Seven, Brandon Sanderson, Dan Wells, Mary Robinette Kowal, Howard Tayler and Jordan Sanderson

BEST GRAPHIC STORY: Saga, Volume One, written by Brian K. Vaughan, illustrated by Fiona Staples (Image Comics)

BEST DRAMATIC PRESENTATION, LONG FORM: The Avengers, (Screenplay) & Directed by Joss Whedon (Marvel Studios, Disney, Paramount)

BEST DRAMATIC PRESENTATION, SHORT FORM: Game of Thrones, Blackwater, Written by George R.R. Martin, Directed by Neil Marshall. Created by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss (HBO)

BEST EDITOR, SHORT FORM: Stanley Schmidt

BEST EDITOR, LONG FORM: Patrick Nielsen Hayden

BEST PROFESSIONAL ARTIST: John Picacio

BEST SEMIPROZINE: Clarkesworld, edited by Neil Clarke, Jason Heller, Sean Wallace and Kate Baker

BEST FANZINE: SF Signal, edited by John DeNardo, JP Frantz, and Patrick Hester

BEST FANCAST: SF Squeecast, Elizabeth Bear, Paul Cornell, Seanan McGuire, Lynne M. Thomas, Catherynne M. Valente (Presenters) and David McHone-Chase (Technical Producer)

BEST FAN WRITER: Tansy Rayner Roberts

BEST FAN ARTIST: Galen Dara

JOHN W. CAMPBELL AWARD FOR BEST NEW WRITER: Award for the best new professional science fiction or fantasy writer of 2011 or 2012, sponsored by Dell Magazines (not a Hugo Award).

Third Annual Walk/Run For Literacy!

Get Fit For Lit! What better way to support the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System as we work towards improving literacy around metro Atlanta? Why not sign up for the 3rd Annual 5K Walk/Run for Literacy, hosted by the Literacy Alliance of Metro Atlanta (LAMA)!

The Literacy Alliance of Metro Atlanta was formed in June 2010 in response to an identified community need: the nearly 900,000 adults in the community with low literacy skills (including both native and non-native speakers of English.) That is 28% of the metro area’s population. Low literacy is one of the root causes of poverty, un- and under-employment, homelessness, and poor health outcomes – all of which have vast implications in terms of the cost to society.

You can find more information about LAMA on their website or Facebook page, and more educational facts about literacy here.

If the statistics above come as a shock to you, then it's time to show your support for literacy initiatives! This event is scheduled for Saturday, September 14 at 8:00 a.m., and will take place in Grant Park at 840 Cherokee Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315. Did we mention it's a Peachtree Road Race qualifier? You can register on the FitForLit website, and when you do be sure to select the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System in the "Additional Information" section to ensure your registration fee goes towards supporting our fantastic GED program, which includes preparation classes and testing. Registration fees are $20 per adult (online and paper registration available), $10 per student and $60 per teams of four. 

And even if you aren't much of a runner (or walker for that matter!) the best part is you can still register and give your financial support without having to participate! Last year patrons and staff from the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System narrowly beat out the participants from the Dekalb County Public Library and we'd love to see that happen again! Help us reach our goal and help support the efforts of all of the organizations in our city that work to make a difference in people's lives every day. 

Volunteer At Your Library!

Have you ever thought about how you can give back to your local library? Maybe you need to earn some community service hours for school or work? Well, the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System is always grateful for our wonderful volunteers and we encourage anyone who's interested to look into it! All volunteers are asked to fill out a Volunteer Application which can then be returned to any branch location. You can also contact our Volunteer Services Department by calling 404.730.1965 

There are many ways in which volunteers serve in the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System and we will do our best to give you an assignment that suits your interests and skills at the location of your choice. However, please be aware that not all opportunities are needed at all times and jobs vary by Library location. Listed below are just some of the many tasks performed by Library volunteers every day!

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. See Volunteer 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.)

Groundbreaking For New East Roswell Library!

The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System will break ground on the new East Roswell Library Thursday, August 1 at 11:00 a.m. and we would love to see you there!

The new 15,000-square-foot library for East Roswell is part of Phase I of the LibraryBuilding Program that is currently underway. The library will be located at 2301 Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell. 

Those attending the event are asked to park in the front parking lot of East Roswell Park, located at 9000 Fouts Road, Roswell, and a shuttle will take attendees from this location to the ceremony; there is no parking available at the site.
 

For more information or to R.S.V.P. please call 404-730-1972 or email  laura.wright@fultoncountyga.gov. We look forward to meeting and greeting the future patrons of the East Roswell Library!

 

KHAFRAEngineering Consultants, in association with Holzheimer Bolek MeehanArchitects, have contracted with Fulton County to provide design and engineering services for the new library. Ajax Building Corporation is contracted to provide construction management services on this project, andHeery/Russell is the program management team.

The grand opening of the East Roswell Library is expected in the 3^rd quarter of 2014.

 

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, Stewart-Lakewood 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. Please join us for this exciting event and be sure to check the progress of the Library Building Program on our website! 

Muslim Journeys Theme: American Stories

Muslims have been a part of the history of America since colonial times. American Muslims, like other religious minorities, have shaped and reshaped their own societies and that of the country as a whole.

Reprinted with permission from Azizah Magazine and WOW Publishing Inc.

The community of Muslims throughout American history is so diverse it could not be represented by a single set of books. The five books made available to the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System through the National Endowment for the Humanities Muslim Journeys grant provide a framework for approaching the stories of American Muslims with an eye toward their diversity and their involvement in the larger story of America itself.

Prince Among Slaves by Terry Alford: Abd al-Rahman Ibrahima (1762–1829) was one of tens of thousands of West African Muslims who found himself sold into slavery in antebellum America. Unlike so many others, however, his story was not lost. Alford’s account explains the effect of the transatlantic slave trade on Islamic movements in West Africa, an angle we are not much familiar with in the West.

Prince Among Slaves (PBS documentary): Unity Productions Foundation, an educational non-profit with an interest in interfaith understanding, created a documentary based upon the book of the same name. Attend a screening of this film at the Central Library on July 17 at 2:00 p.m. The film will be followed by a discussion led by Georgia State University scholar Dr.Rashid Naim. 

The Columbia Sourcebook of Muslims in the United States, edited by Edward E. Curtis IV: Focuses on the waves of Muslim immigration to the United States who arrived voluntarily between the 1880s and 1910s from Eastern Europe, South Asia, and the Middle East plus the  turn to Islam among some African Americans in the twentieth century. Includes primary source material from pioneer Mary Juma, missionaries such as Mohammed Alexander Russell Webb and Pir Inayat Khan, and community-builders like Noble Drew Ali of the Moorish Science Temple, Elijah Muhammad, W.D. Muhammad and Malcolm X.

Acts of Faith by Eboo Patel: The American Muslim population exploded after the Immigration Act of 1965 abolished national quotas. Patel’s family, members of a Muslim religious minority from the Indian state of Gujurat, was part of this wave. His autobiographical account of growing up in the United States as a member of a minority within a minority opens a window into his struggle for identity and his growth into the interfaith activist he is today.

A Quiet Revolution: The Veil’s Resurgence, From the Middle East to America by Leila Ahmed: Few aspects of Muslim culture are as poorly understood in the West as the concept of veiling for women. Ahmed explains the many meanings of veiling for Muslim women from the activists of the 20^th century who threw off the veil, to the activists of today who embrace it.

The Butterfly Mosque: A Young American Woman’s Journey to Love and Islam by G. Willow Wilson: Intense, penetrating and entertaining account by an American woman who converted to Islam, married and lived in Egypt. She provides us with valuable insights on everything from Sufism and the meaning of faith to how one buys chicken in the market. 

Muslim Journeys Theme: Pathways Of Faith

Muslims today make up the second-largest religious community in the world. From Senegal to Indonesia, Muslims share certain fundamental principles and practices, but express their religious beliefs in a wide variety of ways. Readings for this theme explore the basic tenets and requirements of Islam and the relationship between the three Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. They also take a look at the divergent paths followed by the Sunni and Shia communities and the mystical routes to spiritual fulfillment known as Sufism.

The Muslim Journeys Bookshelf given to the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System includes books selected to breathe life into Western understanding about Muslims throughout the world. We invite all of our patrons to check out this rich collection of materials at the Central Library!

The Children of Abraham: Judaism, Christianity, Islam by Francis E. Peters: How do scripture and tradition relate to one another? What does “worship of God” mean in each of the three faiths? How does it compare across the three faiths, and how is it different within each of them? This seminal work, recently updated, compares and contrasts these three great faiths.

Muhammad: A Very Short Introduction by Jonathan A. C. Brown: Learn the facts of the Prophet Muhammad’s life from this short, readable book. It also helps Westerners understand how early Muslims themselves gathered this information for those who would come after them, and to understand the special place the Prophet occupies for Muslims.

The Story of the Qur’an: Its History and Place in Muslim Life by Ingrid Mattson: Many Westerners find the Qur’an bewildering. This well-written book explains how the Qur’an was revealed and recorded, and places it in Muslim culture through history. Written by a Western Muslim scholar, it illuminates the Qur’an for non-Muslims while conveying how Muslims view their sacred text.

Koran By Heart: One Chance to Remember: Qur’anic recitation is an art and is carried out in many ways, varying from spiritually satisfying basic rhythmic recitations to advanced types of chanting that can be very moving. This 80-minute long HBO production chronicles one year at the world’s oldest and most prestigious Qur’an-reciting contest in Cairo. Follow 110 young people from over 70 countries as they come together for this event to compete and learn from one another.

The Art of Hajj by Venetia Porter: Illuminated manuscripts, wall paintings and photographs, calligraphy, textiles, scientific instruments, decorative tiles, maps, ceramics, metalwork, and powerful works by contemporary artists, are complemented with explanatory narrative and quotes from the Qur’an and traditional literary sources to demonstrate this exciting “pillar of Islam”.

Rumi: Poet and Mystic, edited and translated by Reynold A. Nicholson: Jalalu’l-Din Rumi (1207-73) was one of the great Persian mystical poets. Through this collection of lovely translations, the reader is introduced to Sufism, a mystical side of Islam. The poems describe Rumi’s longing for and experience of the divine. He believed that in the great mystery of existence we are all united, a revelation that has made him one of the most popular poets in the world.