Wednesday, June 26, 2013

CobbWorks Mobile Career Center

The CobbWorks Mobile Career Center visits the Smyrna Public Library every Wednesday this summer from 10 am-3:45 pm.

About CobbWorks

From a professional tech worker who's been laid-off and needs a skill upgrade to a young high school drop-out searching for direction and a job, CobbWorks provides access to a system of employment and education services for the community. In an increasingly complex workforce and economy, people sometimes need guidance and assistance in managing their career development, particularly when challenged with unexpected events. CobbWorks provides workforce services that assist people in helping themselves and their families.

A qualified and educated labor force plays a critical role in the economic development and viability of our community. Businesses considering relocation or expansion must know an area has qualified workers to meet its business needs. CobbWorks helps ensure an adequate supply of skilled workers while supporting the recruitment needs of businesses.


Saturday, June 22, 2013

Summer Reading Program: Bug Squad Party

Ladybug girl and Bumblebee boy had a great time at the Bug Squad Party today. They really enjoyed their dirt pudding!

Friday, June 21, 2013

Summer Reading List & Featured Book

Featured Book

Ethan Frome
by Edith Wharton

Other Recommended Reading Selections

A Step of Faith by Richard Paul Evans
Alex Cross, Run by James Patterson
All You Could Ask For by Mike Greenberg
Benediction by Kent Haruf
Best Kept Secret by Jeffrey Archer
Breaking Point by C. J. Box
Calculated in Death by J. D. Robb
Daddy’s Gone a Hunting by Mary Higgins Clark
Don’t Go by Lisa Scottoline
Fly Away by Kristin Hannah
Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs
Ghana Must Go by Taiye Selasi
How Children Succeed by Paul Tough
Life after Life by Jill McCorkle
Mary Coin by Marisa Silver
Maya’s Notebook by Isabel Allende
Paris by Edward Rutherford
Salt, Sugar, Fat by Michael Moss
Secrets From the Past by Barbara Taylor Bradford
Shadow of Freedom by David Weber
Silken Prey by John Sandford
Six Years by Harlan Coben
Sum It Up by Pat Summitt
Taking Eve by Iris Johansen
Tapestry of Fortunes by Elizabeth Berg
The Ashford Affair by Lauren Willig
The Girls of Atomic City by Denise Kiernan
The Hit by David Baldacci
The Last Threshold by R. A. Salvatore
The Mystery Woman by Amanda Quick
The Story of God and All of Us
by Roma Downey and Mark Burnett
The Storyteller by Jody Picoult
The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat 
by Edward Kelsey
The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud
Unintended Consequences by Stuart Woods
Unsinkable by Debbie Reynolds
Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts

Compiled by FOSL Volunteer

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

New York Times Bestselling Novelist Joshilyn Jackson Appears at Smyrna Public Library

New York Times bestselling novelist Joshilyn Jackson appeared at Smyrna Public Library. Her presentation was entitled "Breaking Ground on a New Novel: Where and How Do Books Begin?" 

A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty, Jackson’s fifth novel, begins with a literal groundbreaking: As the Slocumb family uproots their backyard willow tree to make room for a swimming pool, a box of human remains is discovered. The bones have been hidden there for 15 years, and a host of secrets and lies are unearthed with them. Jackson, known for her twisted plots and fun sense of humor, talked about the landscape that gave rise to this book and answered questions about reading, word play, process, and the writing life.

We had a full house in attendance.  One fan (left side of the photo of Ms. Jackson) drove in from South Carolina to attend.  

About Joshilyn Jackson

Jackson is a novelist of Southern fiction. Her new book, Someone Else’s Love Story, is due out in November of this year and is set in Atlanta.

Jackson's books have been translated into a dozen languages, won the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance's novel of the year, twice been a #1 Book Sense Pick, twice won Georgia Author of the Year, and twice been shortlisted for the Townsend prize.

A former actor, Jackson reads the audio versions of her novels; her work in this field has been nominated for the Audie Award, was selected by AudioFile Magazine for their best of the year list, has made the 2012 Audible All-Star list for highest listener ranks/reviews, and garnered three Listen Up Awards from Publisher’s Weekly. In 2012, Jackson began reading the audio versions of books written by other novelists, beginning with Shine Shine Shine by Lydia Netzer.

Jackson lives in Decatur, Georgia with her husband, Scott, and their two children, Sam and Maisy Jane.


Friday, June 7, 2013

Adult Summer Reading Program: Gardening Exhibit

The Smyrna Public Library Librarians are serious about “Digging Into Reading” – this year’s Summer Reading Program theme. Stop by this month and enjoy this gardening exhibit. 

For aspiring green thumbs, the library is also giving away a copy of the gorgeous 800-page "The Complete Garden Flower Book" in the Adult Summer Reading program.  

Monday, June 3, 2013

First Sunday Lecture Series: Blacks and the Olympic Games - Contributions and Controversies

Did you know Jackie Robinson's older brother was a silver medalist at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin? Probably not since Jesse Owens dominated those games. 

Just one of the many fascinating facts we picked up at yesterday's "First Sunday" lecture. Thank you, Idorenyin Uyoe, for a wonderful presentation. And thanks to folks who braved the bad weather!

This presentation discussed the contributions people of color have made in building the Olympics into the successful cultural phenomenon it is today. 

Idorenyin Uyoe, a historian of the Olympics, spoke about the history of the games and showed his video "Blacks and the Olympic Games - Contributions and Controversies." The Olympic Games have now become the single most visible sporting event of our time, evolving into a $6 Billion franchise.