The Bookmark: Coweta Public Libraries, Southern Crescent Literature & Libations and more
By Nancy Sanker, The Bookmark
“My head, shoulders, knees and toes….” Remember this song? It crept into my head while I was researching the 1000 Books program offered by the Coweta Public Library System.
August really is a “shoulder month.” It connects summer memories to new teachers, friends and activities. It’s back-to-school-time, but at the same time it’s still officially summer … and yippee! Fall is just around the corner!
Our shoulder month holds a heaping handful of literary happenings and services. Have fun taking advantage of the following community offerings. (Are you humming that song now?)
• Coweta Public Library System (CPLS) – a goldmine of information for all ages is just waiting to be discovered! Visit the Coweta Public Library System online, click on Digital Library and Databases and prepare to be awestruck by the wealth of information on the programs below.
1,000 Books B4 Kindergarten – Reading books with your child before the age of 5 has an additional bonus! Register at any CPLS branch or online to receive your reading log. Each time you read another 100 books simply stop by your neighborhood library to receive another log, a sticker and …more books! When 500 books are read a bookplate will be placed in a children’s book acknowledging your child’s accomplishment.
So now your student is launched and some type of research is in your future. Go to EXPLORA for safe and trustworthy facts and articles for elementary through high school students.
Did you know you can access Ancestry.Com Library Edition for FREE (my favorite word) at your library? What a great opportunity to begin a new hobby that will benefit and perhaps “grow” your entire family. You must come to the library to access this program.
16 or 60? Any age can benefit from this unexpected library offering. You can prepare for the driver’s test or take a refresher course by accessing the Department of Driver Services – all for FREE and accessible on your home computer.
High School and College students have far eclipsed learning the words to “My Head, My Shoulders…”, but just as pre-K teachers helped youngsters, there is a wide range of library resources available to help you. And many of them = saved dollars!
Click on GAfutures to:
• Track HOPE eligibility
– Use checklists for college prep
– Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form
– Explore careers by learning about yourself, college options, skilled trades and finding a job after military service plus
– Learn about college money matters. It’s all about learning and earning!
• Southern Crescent Literature and Libations
This literary dinner theatre was founded by a group of four authors who willingly stand on the shoulders of each other. Who wouldn’t love a boost like that from a peer?
The authors, @ Lee St. John, @ Janet Hogan Chapman, @ Sharon Marchisello and @ Angie Gallion want to increase the visibility of Atlanta’s literary community in the Southern Crescent by bringing authors and readers together. The authors will be talking about their books, their journeys and publishing on August 2 and November 1 at the Leaf and Bean on the Square from 6-8 p.m. Reservations are not necessary and these events are free. Food, beverages and books will be available for purchase. For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/socreswriters/.
Lee St. John, author of She’s a Keeper, was a semi-finalist for a 2019 Georgia Author of the Year – Essays. Aren’t we fortunate to have her serve as the host of Literature and Libations in Newnan? And … drumroll … her second book with Bienvenue Press, Teacher Tattletales and Other Southern Shenanigans is being released on August 13th. Lee is a retired teacher who is letting it rip!
• Newnan Carnegie Library – 1 LaGrange Street – 770-683-1347 – Book Clubs
Carnegie Literary Circle – Monday, August 26 at 9:30 a.m. – Educated by Tara Westover.
As the Page Turns – Tuesday, August 27 – 3:30-4:30 p.m. – The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See. Please reserve at newnancarnegie.eventbrite.com.
• Book Club Update
Debbie Holcomb, spokesperson for The Social Club that Reads, which was formed in Canongate Village in 1999, has members ranging in age from 59 to 90. They maintain notebooks with the names of books discussed and hostesses – handy references, especially when you can’t remember what you read 5 years (or 5 months!) ago. Meetings include a meal and begin by giving thanks to members for their friendship, love, support, patience, understanding and forgiveness of each other. They support each other in the challenging times and I hear they know how to celebrate the good times!
It’s easy to start your book club, just visit https://bookclubz.com.
• Welcome to a new Little Free Library!
Congratulations to Eagle Scout Daniel Pelletier for dedicating a new Little Free Library in Lone Oak. At the outdoor dedication Tyler McFarlin read a passage from I Can Read with My Eyes Shut! by Dr. Seuss. What a creative way to celebrate this new community asset!
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Nancy Carol Sanker landed in Newnan via Ohio, Colorado and California. The constants in her life are her love of family, friends, fundraising and books. Nine years ago, she created Lights for Linda to raise funds for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in memory of her sister. Now she looks forward to illuminating the literary opportunities and fundraisers our community offers readers of all ages. Nancy’s 11-year-old book club provides fresh, new titles while her two and eight-year-old grandchildren keep her aware of books for “littles.” Who knew a cow could type? Your contributions about book clubs, Little Free Libraries, events and fundraisers will lead the The Bookmark to success! [email protected].
Congratulations to Atkinson Elementary School’s Librarian, Jessica Pope and fellow collaborators Mary Dean of Jefferson Parkway Elementary, Jo Nase of Moreland Elementary and Shannon Ewing of Elm Street Elementary for organizing Books on Blankets. What a successful event!
