FOSL Board of Directors Quarterly Update

FOSL, founded in 1990, is an independent, non-profit, volunteer organization that supports the award-winning Smyrna Public Library through fundraising events and volunteer activities. The Board of Directors, all of whom are unpaid volunteers, meets once a month. Below is a brief summary of key decisions made in JAN-MAR 2014 that will be of interest to the local community.

• $4,000 was approved to support the Summer Reading Program
• $5,000 was approved to expand the Digital Book (eBook) Collection
• 250 FOSL Logo Book Bags were purchased for fundraising
• 100 FOSL Logo Flash Drives were purchased for fundraising
• Calendars for 2015 were approved for fundraising
• $500 grant obtained from Constellation to refurbish FOSL area in lobby
• Signature Lincoln-themed community event approved for Q4; details being finalized

Spring 2014 Recommended Reading List

The Friends of Smyrna Library recommend the following books for the spring reading season. This season’s featured book is Sycamore Row by John Grisham.

10% Happier by Dan Harris

All Joy And No Fun by Jennifer Senior
An Officer And A Spy by Robert Harris
Be Careful What You Wish For by Jeffrey Archer
Blessings by Anna Quindlen
Bloodroot by Amy Greeene
Bone Deep by Randy Wayne White
Cell by Robin Cook
Confessions Of A Wild Child by Jackie Collins
Cross My Heart by James Patterson
Doctor Sleep by Stephen King
Killer by Jonathan Kellerman
Labor Day by Joyce Maynard
Night Broken by Patricia Briggs

Night Of The Hunter by R. A. Salvatore

One More Thing by B. J. Novak

Power Play by Danielle Steel

Raising Steam by Terry Pratchett

Red Rising by Pierce Brown

Rule Breaker by Lora Leigh

Somerset by Leila Meacham

Standup Guy by Stuart Woods

Still Life With Bread Crumbs by Anna Quindlen

Stone Cold by C. J. Box

The Accident by Chris Pavone

The Auschwitz Escape by Joel C. Rosenberg

The Bootlegger by Clive Cussler

The Cairo Affair by Olen Steinhauer

The Chance by Robyn Carr

The Gods Of Guilt by Michael Connelly

The Martian by Andy Weir

The Museum Of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

The Whole Enchilada by Diane Mott Davidson

The Wolf Of Wall Street by Jordan Belfort

Twelve Years A Slave by Solomon Northup

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

Winter's Tale by Mark Helprin

Words Of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson

You Should Have Known by Jean Hanff Korelitz

Compiled by FOSL Volunteer

Award-winning Romance Writer, Tanya Michaels, Speaks at Smyrna Public Library

Award-winning Romance Writer Tanya Michaels appeared at the Smyrna Public Library this morning. 

She discussed the challenges of writing romance fiction and her experiences working with traditional publishers and editors. She also shared her thoughts on the changing world of publishing, including "indie" authors and electronic publishing.


Tanya Michaels is the best-selling author of more than thirty-five romance and women's fiction novels. She's a four-time nominee for the prestigious RITA award, given annually by Romance Writers of America.
 
She lives with her husband and kids outside Atlanta, but you can find her on Twitter (TanyaMichaels) and Facebook (AuthorTanyaMichaels).

FOSL Sponsors Lecture on Kennesaw State University: The First Fifty Years

Thomas Allan Scott, Professor Emeritus at Kennesaw State University, author of the much-praised “Cobb County, Georgia and the Origins of the Suburban South,” (2003), spoke yesterday about his recently published “Kennesaw State University: The First Fifty Years, 1963-2013,” marking the 50th anniversary of the premier educational institution in Northwest Georgia.

Dr. Scott, who retired from KSU in 2011 after 43 years was witness and participant in much of KSU’s fascinating history and shared his thoughts on how the university transformed from a few buildings in a cornfield to the third largest school in the Georgia university system, with some 25,000 students.

The "First Sunday" lecture series is held in the Smyrna Public Library Meeting Room and is sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library.

Acrylics & Watercolors Exhibit by Lois Bell Opens in Art Gallery

Lois was born in Georgia. She went to Pepperell High School in Lindale, Georgia and Massey Business College in Marietta, Georgia. One of her many joys is painting which she began doing at an early age. Her paintings result mostly from being self-taught, but she has had the privilege of painting with numerous artists over the years. Her raw talent is easily seen, and it has been recognized many times over with plenty of first and second place prizes in multiple competitions. Her artwork is very beautiful and is proudly displayed throughout the homes of her family and friends.

On display until May 1, 2014

Painted Scarves Exhibit by Lois Bell Opens in Display Gallery

Lois was born in Georgia. She went to Pepperell High School in Lindale, Georgia and Massey Business College in Marietta, Georgia. One of her many joys is painting which she began doing at an early age. Her paintings result mostly from being self-taught, but she has had the privilege of painting with numerous artists over the years. Her raw talent is easily seen, and it has been recognized many times over with plenty of first and second place prizes in multiple competitions. Her artwork is very beautiful and is proudly displayed throughout the homes of her family and friends.

On display until May 1, 2014.