Halloween At The Library!

It's that time of year again when ghosts, ghouls and goblins come out to play! Halloween is almost upon us so if you haven't picked out your costume yet, you better get to it. Need some inspiration? Why not check out some of the many books and ebooks available at your library? The titles below should get you started, but there are many, many more. You can search the catalog, or call your local branch for help. And if you're looking for some fun (and free!) family activities with a Halloween theme, check out all of the programs and events taking place in our system. There's sure to be something for everyone, and we hope to see you there!


Extreme Halloween: The Ultimate Guide to Making Halloween Scary Again
     by Tom Nardone

Cake Decorating With the Kids: Halloween [eBook] by Jill Collins

The Halloween Handbook: 447 Costumes by Bridie Clark

Spooky Crafts by Helen Skillicorn

Dog Trick or Cat Treat: Pets Dress Up For Halloween by Archie Klondike

Halloween: A Grown-Up's Guide to Creative Costumes, Devilish Decor, and Fabulous Festivities
     by Joanne O'Sullivan

Paper Crafts for Halloween by Randel McGee



October Is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Although National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM) is celebrated in October, NBCAM.org is dedicated to raising awareness and educating individuals about breast cancer throughout the year. Through a collaboration of national public service organizations, professional medical associations, and government agencies working together to promote breast cancer awareness, share information on the disease, and provide greater access to services, NBCAM strives to remain at the forefront of promoting awareness of breast cancer issues. Visit their webpage to see a full list of all of the organizations that work together for this very important cause.

The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System also wants to recognize the importance of this issue and raise awareness during this month. Join us on October 17, 11:00 a.m. at the Central Library for a discussion with Debra DeWitt, Nursing Supervisor, with the Fulton County Women’s Health Program. Ms. DeWitt will discuss how under insured and uninsured residents of Fulton County can have access to free breast exams, mammograms, and follow-up visits.

For more information you can also visit Fulton County's Health and Wellness section of their website here.

Atlanta Celebrates Photography

Two photography groups will be celebrating photography with a show honoring the late photographer, Denise Gray. In conjunction with Atlanta’s annual event, “Atlanta Celebrates Photography, “Sistagraphy,” the international recognized group of African American women photographers, and Zone III Photographic Workshop, will hold an exhibit entitled, “Convergence.” This collection of works will be on display from September 24 through October 27 at the Atlanta- Fulton Public Library System's Central Library, located at One Margaret Mitchell Square in downtown Atlanta. An opening reception will be held on Oct. 7, from 2:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. in the lower level alcove. This event will be catered and is free and open to the public.

“Convergence” is a coming together of two photographic groups in honor of their late friend and member, professional photographer, Denise Gray, who died recently of complications from a blood clot. The exhibit is dedicated to Ms. Gray, who was well-known in the city of Atlanta. “Convergence” will be a showing of the groups’ very best work, as they salute Ms. Gray.

 For more information, please call the Central Library at (404)730-1700 or Barbara Bishop at
(404)228-0815.

Voter Registration Deadline October 9, 2012

Per the Georgia Secretary of State's website, the last day to register to vote in this year's general election, to be held on November 6, 2012, will be Tuesday, October 9, 2012. Voter registration applications can be obtained from any of the branches of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System. Applications are postage-paid so, once filled out, patrons can simply drop them in the mail. Or, if you're getting a library card for the first time, or renewing a card that has expired, applications can be filled out on site and mailed for you by library staff. Just be sure and ask for an application so you don't miss out on your opportunity to be a part of the democratic process!

Also note that advanced (in person) voting for the general election will begin on October 15, 2012. Several of our library branches will be used as polling places, beginning on this date. Not sure where you are supposed to vote? Check out the My Voter Page on the Secretary of State's website. Here you can find all the information you need about:
             

Voter registration status

Mail-In application and ballot status              

Poll Location

Early Voting Locations

Elected Officials

Registration information on file with the county office

Sample ballot for the upcoming election

Walk For Literacy!

Did you know that 900,000 adults in the metro area lack basic literacy skills? This includes  both native and non-native speakers of English. It's a frightening statistic, but the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System and the Literacy Alliance of Metro Atlanta (LAMA) are working to change it. LAMA is a practical and innovative coalition that seeks to achieve 100% literacy among metro Atlanta's adults and families. By increasing public awareness about low-literacy being one of the root causes of poverty, un- and under-employment, homelessness, and poor health outcomes, LAMA hopes to see real change in Atlanta's citizens. They also provide a gateway to our member organizations as they focus to expand literacy programming in the Metropolitan Atlanta Area.

Please support AFPLS's participation in the second annual Literacy Run/Walk to be held on September 29 at 8:00 AM on the Decatur square. The fee is $20 but you don’t have to attend to show your support! Register here today and be sure to choose Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System as the recipient of your funds. All proceeds for AFPLS will go directly to our award-winning GED testing program. But hurry, the deadline to register is Friday, September 28!

P.S. It’s a fun event, a fun walk and Rocky the Reading Raccoon will be there to cheer you on!

September Is Library Card Sign-up Month

September is Library Card Sign-up Month! If you don't already have a library card with the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System, then it is certainly about time you got one! Library Card Sign-up Month is a time when libraries across the country remind parents and guardians that a library card is the most important school supply of all. Thousands of public and school libraries join together each fall in a national effort to ensure every child signs up for their own library card. A library card is also an excellent tool for adult continuing education and recreation. If you already have a card, now is a good time to make sure all of your personal information (address, phone number, email) is still correct and current in our system. Encourage your friends and family to get their own cards to discover all of the wonderful resources their library has to offer them, for free! For more information on how to sign up for a library card, visit our website.

Top 10 Reasons A Library Card Is The Smartest Card In Your Wallet:

1. Download ebooks and audiobooks anywhere you are.
2. 24/7 access to online databases for homework help, test prep, research, and career building.
3. Use your local branch as a WiFi hotspot or use one of our public computers.
4. Attend programs like toddler storytimes, yoga classes, health seminars, or celebrity book-signings.
5. Reserve and enjoy thousands of books, CDs, DVDs, and BluRays.
6. Check your investments, search your family tree, or update your resume all from one location.
7. Register for GED preparation classes, take the test, and pass!
8. Check out the Zoo Pass, Georgia State Parks Pass, Go Fish! Pass, or the Kill-A-Watt monitor.
9. Reserve a meeting room for your book club, nonprofit group, or for quiet study time.
10. Get help from the ultimate search engine - a librarian.

Back To School Homework Help!

The school year has officially begun here in Fulton County and the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System is here to lend support to all our students, parents, and teachers! Not only do we have a variety of books on all subjects and for all ages, but we also offer excellent online databases covering everything from literary criticism to algebraic equations.

In particular, Tutor.com is a great resource for students of all ages who need help in any subject. By accessing Tutor.com through the library's eCampus resources, you can have live one-to-one help every day, 24/7! Quickly and easily create your free account using an email address and password to connect with a certified tutor using live chat. You can ask questions about an assignment, get help solving problems, or have essays and papers proofread, reviewed, and critiqued. Tutor.com's Skills Center also provides access to thousands of worksheets, lessons, standardized test preparation study guides, videos, even career resources, all available to our patrons for free!

For more information about our eCampus resources, contact Juree Hall, eCampus Coordinator, at
juree.hall@fultoncountyga.gov. We hope all of our patrons can benefit from these wonderful learning tools!