2012 Summer Reading Program

Registration for this year's Summer Reading Program begins June 1 in all 34 circulating branches of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System. There are three separate themes for all ages, so we hope to see the entire family sign up and participate! For the younger children we have Dream Big, Read!, for teens (rising 6th graders and up) we have We Own the Night, and for our adults there's Between the Covers. By simply reading or listening to books throughout the summer until August 1, you can take away prizes and be entered into our grand prize drawing for a Kindle Fire! Find out details from your local librarian when you sign up and be sure to check the Events Calendar to see all of the fun programs and activities your branch is hosting in celebration of Summer Reading. Visits from the ZooMobile and Georgia State's BioBus will be happening around the Library System, as well as puppet shows, storytimes, educational programs and more! Call your local branch to find out how they're kicking off the summer and to make any necessary reservations. We're looking forward to a fun-filled (and book-filled) summer!

ZooMobile Visits Your Library!

The 2012 Summer Reading Program is just around the corner (registration begins for children, teens and adults in all branches on June 1) and this year the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library is getting wild with the ZooMobile! Starting in June, each circulating branch of our Library System will receive two visits from Zoo Atlanta's ZooMobile! Programs will feature a Science in Circulation theme with a trained educator who gives an exciting presentation using small live animals, hands-on teaching tools and entertaining educational activities. These programs may require reservations, so be sure and contact your local branch for more information. And visit our website here to see the ZooMobile's schedule as it makes it's way around all of our libraries throughout the summer months. We hope you'll come get wild with us this summer!

Caribbean Film And Storytelling Festival

Join the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System in celebrating Caribbean American Heritage Month with an exciting collection of films from Trinidad, Tobago, St. Lucia, Jamaica, and the Caribbean. Then, stay for a film discussion with a question and answer session for each screening. The film screenings will be held at the Central Library on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. beginning on June 6, and each will start off with a reception and meet and greet at 5:00 p.m. The receptions will feature refreshments from the country being showcased that evening.

For more information, including a list of films being screened this year, visit our web page. We are looking forward to an informative and exciting festival this year and hope to see you there!

2012 Volunteer Appreciation Awards

Are you volunteering with the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System? If not, consider joining the more than 2,000 volunteers who were celebrated at the 22^nd Annual Volunteer Recognition Program held at the Central Library during National Volunteer Week. Special Volunteer of the Year Award went to Dishelesh Jones, an Adult Literacy Tutor at the Central Library. Lianna Arah Kang, won Youth Volunteer of the Year for organizing a homework help program at the Ocee Branch. Kim Serakan, Library Associate at the Northeast/Spruill Oaks Branch, received the Staff Award for Effective Work with Volunteers. Volunteers received Five-Year to Twenty-Year Service Awards, along with recognition for outstanding hours. This annual event is a formal thank you to our fabulous, dedicated volunteers. The awards were presented by (l to r) Stephanie Moody, Chair Library Board of Trustees; John Szabo, Library Director; Joan Garner, Fulton County Commissioner; John Eaves, Chairman-Fulton County Commission.

We'd love to say a big thank you to each and every one of our outstanding volunteers! Their invaluable donation of time and energy enables us to better serve all of our patrons. Be sure and check our Facebook page for all the photos of the awards ceremony!

Celebrate Children and Reading With The Library!

A special day highlighting children, families, and reading, El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day), culminates yearly on April 30. The celebration, an initiative of the American Library Association, emphasizes the importance of advocating literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds, and serves as a reminder to enjoy reading with children every day!

This is an also an excellent time to highlight the Pura Belpre Award. This award, named for the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library, is given annually to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator "whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth."

The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System will be joining in the celebration with programs, events, and displays taking place throughout our branches. Check the link to see what might be happening in a branch near you. We'd love to have you celebrate with us!

Celebrate Earth Day At The Library!

Earth Day is just around the corner, and the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System has a ton of crafts, storytimes, and displays going on to celebrate! Each year Earth Day, April 22, marks what many believe to be the birth of the environmental movement in 1970. And each year this day serves as an excellent reminder to all of us that we need to do our part to help keep our planet healthy and beautiful for generations to come. The Earth Day Network is a great resource for more information about this day, from a history of its foundation to current projects they are involved in around the globe. Pledge your "Act of Green" on their website and help this community reach 1 billion people! For a listing of Earth Day events at the library, check here for program locations, dates and times.

We hope to see you this Earth Day season!

Celebrate National Library Week!

April 8 - 14, 2012 is National Library Week! This year's theme from the American Library Association is You Belong @ Your Library. So why not show your support and visit your local library this week to take advantage of all the wonderful services we have to offer?

Many people don't realize the number of formats we use here at the public library. From VHS and cassette tapes, to downloadable eBooks and Audiobooks, and pretty much everything in between, you can get for free through the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System! Not to mention the latest best sellers, a huge variety of research databases including eCampus, hot new movies on DVD, and collections designed just for children and teens. We do our best to serve as many different types of library users as we can, and we want our patrons to get the most out of every visit!

Several branches will be hosting events to celebrate National Library Week, so check here for more information. We hope to see you soon!