Saturday, May 31, 2014

FOSL Sponsors Summer Reading Program Kick-Off with Magician Ken Scott

The Friends of Smyrna Library sponsored the kick-off of the children’s summer reading program, Fizz, Boom, Read!, today at the Smyrna Community Center.

Magical Story-teller Ken Scott put on an amazing show that brought books to life using comedy magic, his puppet Croco and nonstop audience participation. 

After the show Carol Kleywegt  hosted an Usborne Books and More book fair.


Thank you to everyone who participated!

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

FOSL Sponsors "Teen Tuesday" Summer Program

TEEN TUESDAY
Tuesdays in June & July
6:00 p.m.
Smyrna Public Library, Meeting Room

Ages: 12-18 year-olds
Weekly free STEM programs for teens at Smyrna Library. Programs are presented as part of the "Spark a Reaction" Summer Reading program for teens.

June 3: "Crime Scene Investigator"
June 10: "Draw with Michael P. White"
June 17: "Origami Workshop"
June 24: "Black Light Party" (a bi-lingual event)
July 1: "Catapult Challenge"
July 8: "SciFi Movie Night: 'Ender's Game'"
July 15: "Duct Tape Robots"
July 22: "Spark a Reaction" Prize Party


Sponsored by Smyrna Public Library and the Friends of Smyrna Public Library.

Friday, May 23, 2014

Smyrna Public Library Launches Its First Adult Summer Reading Program Today



The Smyrna Public Library launched its first Adult Summer Reading program today. The program, named Literary Elements, will compliment the longstanding annual children’s summer reading program.



This creative program is designed to “reignite the child reader” in all adults. A creative mix of reading options and activities are planned for the summer.  A grand prize of a Google Nexus Tablet reader will be offered to the overall winner in August. 


The Friends of Smyrna Library are excited to support this great initiative and applaud the library staff for doing an excellent job getting it setup.

Adult Summer Reading Program 2014
LITERARY ELEMENTS

WHO: Adults aged 18 and older. Anyone may participate in the program, but only Smyrna Library Cardholders are eligible to win prizes in the drawing.
WHAT: Events and reading incentives to reignite the child reader in all of us. GRAND PRIZE: 7" Google Nexus Tablet
HOW: Pick up a "Literary Elements" punch card at Smyrna Library starting Friday, May 23, 2014. Accumulate 5 punches and enter your card into a drawing of prizes. Alert a Library staff member whenever you have completed a task, and he/she will punch your card. Pick up another card and start over again for more chances to win!

The Library has many events planned for adults this summer. Visit the Library's online calendar to get full details about each event. In honor of this summer's theme of science, adults will also be treated to a series of MAKER MONDAY events. Let loose your inner "maker" and join us for these fun crafts, activities, movies and discussions.

MAKER MONDAYS Literary Elements Atom
Mondays in June & July
6:00 p.m.
Smyrna Library, Meeting Room

EARN PUNCHES:
Check out a science or SciFi book/audiobook
Check out a science or SciFi DVD
Check out an ebook or eAudiobook
Check out a digital magazine on Zinio
Check out an item on hoopla (movies, music, more!)
Watch a video on IndieFlix
Watch a tutorial on Atomic Training
Watch a language tutorial on Mango
Research a trip on World Travel database
“Like” a Library site on Facebook
Follow a Library feed on Twitter
Follow a Library pinboard on Pinterest
Sign up for the Library’s e-Newsletter
Attend an FOSL book club discussion
Explore a GALILEO database
Visit the Library’s Upper Level art galleries
Attend an Adult Summer Reading event
Attend any book club discussion in June or July

MORE WAYS TO EARN PUNCHES:

Visit the Friends of the Library Display space on the first floor
Visit a science-themed museum this summer
Identify a constellation in the night sky
Release your inner maker – try a new “Maker” or DIY project this summer (use a Library book, magazine article or website like Instructables for ideas)
Read a book to a child (or a grown-up!)
Listen to an audiobook on your commute, a trip or while working out
Visit the Smyrna History Museum
View the Civil War artifacts exhibit in Smyrna Library’s Upper Level gallery
Browse the New Books shelf (blue wall, first floor)
Browse the Display Bay of adult fiction (brick wall near Adult Fiction)
Browse the print magazine collection (new issues First Floor and back issues Second Floor)
Read an article in a science-themed magazine (i.e., Discover, Natural History, Popular Mechanics, Sierra)
Browse the books in the “Banner” collections on the Library Catalog
Browse the Staff Picks collections on the Axis360 Magic Wall
Plant a flower, vegetable or fruit garden this summer
Recycle glass or old electronics at the Smyrna Recycle Center
Clean out a closet and donate your old books to Friends of Smyrna Library
Search for a book, audiobook or movie using the Library Catalog
Renew your books online
Register to vote

KEEP IN TOUCH:
facebook.com/friendsofsmyrnalibrary
facebook.com/smyrnalibrarykids
facebook.com/smyrnalibraryteens
pinterest.com/smyrnalib
twitter.com/foslvolunteers
newsletter: http://eepurl.com/AhHGj

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

FOSL Library Area Makeover Complete!

After 20+ years we have finally retired the old cork bulletin board that served us well.  We now have a beautiful slat wallboard mounted to the brick. The acrylic sign holders make it easy to keep the content fresh. New exhibits in the display case will be presented on a rotating basis. 


The Friends of Smyrna Library received a "Community Champions Grant" from Constellation, an Exelon Company. These funds enabled us to refresh the Friends' display area in the Library foyer. Please take a look the next time you stop in.  Special thanks to Constellation!

Friday, May 16, 2014

New Young Adult Summer Reading Program Details Announced


Today the Smyrna Public Library announced the details of a new annual young adult summer reading program. The program, named Spark a Reaction, starts on May 23 and offers a summertime of fun filled activities featuring Teen Tuesdays in June and July and a contest to win a Google Nexus tablet. 

The Friends of Smyrna Library thank the library staff for all of the work in getting this new annual initiative in place to serve local teens.  See below for more details.

_____________________________________
Young Adult Summer Reading Program 2014
SPARK A REACTION

WHO: Ages 12-18.
WHAT: Events and reading incentives to keep you reading and active all summer.
HOW: Pick up a "Spark a Reaction" bingo board starting Friday, May 23, 2014.

The grand prize for the Young Adult drawing is 7" Google Nexus Tablet! Complete a bingo board for a chance to win. Or attend a TEEN TUESDAY event for an additional chance to win.

For details on TEEN TUESDAY events, visit the Library's online calendar.

TEEN TUESDAYS
Tuesday nights in June & July
6:00 p.m.
Smyrna Public Library, Meeting Room

Children’s Summer Reading Program Details Announced


The Smyrna Public Library announced the details of the annual children’s summer reading program today. The program, named Fizz, Boom, Read!, starts on May 23 and offers a summertime of fun filled activities 

The Friends of Smyrna Library are excited to support this great initiative and applaud the library staff for doing an excellent job getting it setup.  See below for more details.

___________________________________
Children's Summer Reading Program 2014
FIZZ! BOOM! READ!

WHO: Babies to incoming 5th graders
WHAT: Events and reading incentives to keep you reading and active all summer.
HOW: Pick up a reading log and events brochure starting Friday, May 23, 2014

EARN PRIZES!
1)  School Aged Reader Reading Logs - Track every 20 minutes you read. All kinds of reading counts (event cereal boxes!), and listening to audiobooks counts too. At the end of summer, if you have logged at least 8 hours of reading, you will receive a certificate, sticker, restaurant coupon, and free book.
2)  Beginning Reader Logs - Complete the tasks on your log. At the end of summer, bring in your completed log and you will receive a certificate, sticker, restaurant coupon, and a free book.
3)  Challenge Sheets - Challenge Sheets will be available every Sunday. Choose the level for your age and complete the sheet at home or in the library. Return your challenge sheet by Saturday and receive a prize for completing it and be entered into our weekly drawing for a “Fizz, Boom, Read!” prize pack! The weekly winner will be notified on Sunday. 

SUMMER SPECIAL EVENTS:

Special events include magic shows, reptiles, origami, LEGOs and more. See the program brochure or the Library's online calendar for all the details.

SUMMER STORY TIME SCHEDULE:Fizz Boom Read Scientist

Ready Readers (Rising K-2nd Grade) 
MONDAYS, 11:00 AM 

Tween Time (8-11 year olds) 
MONDAYS, 3:00 PM 

Movers and Shakers (1 & 2 year olds)* 
WEDNESDAYS, 10:30 AM & 11:30 AM 
*This class is limited to 25 children 

Lapsit Story Time (3-5 year olds) 
THURSDAYS, 10:30 AM & 11:30 AM 

Friday Film Fun (all ages) 
FRIDAY, 3:00 PM 

Family Story Time (all ages) 
SATURDAYS, 2:00 PM


STORY TIME DESCRIPTIONS:

Movers and Shakers (1 & 2 year olds): We share songs, stories, and wrap up each class with a movement activity to allow the children to play while developing their gross motor skills. This class is limited to the first 25 children. We will open the door 15 minutes prior to the start of a program, and we recommend you arrive early to ensure a space in this program. Movers and Shakers will begin when program is full or at start time, whichever is first. Each class lasts approximately 30 minutes.

Lapsit Story Time (3-5 year olds): Each 30 minute thematic story time includes stories, songs, and a related craft activity. This story time is best suited to children who have yet to attend school as we focus on developing literacy skills; however children of all ages are welcome to attend.

Ready Readers (Rising K-2nd grade): Story time for older school aged children with stories to introduce science and math concepts with accompanying activities that reinforce concepts learned in school…and don’t forget the craft! 

Tween Time (8-11 year olds): Hands-on, science and art based activities created to reinforce learning and discovery while inspiring creativity and fun! Approximate length of programs are 60-90 minutes. Parents must stay with children at all times. 

Monday, May 5, 2014

FOSL Sponsors Lecture on City of Smyrna Civil War Artifact Collection















Scott Butler, Vice President and Senior Archaeologist at Brockington Cultural Resources was our guest speaker yesterday. The Brockinton firm recently curated a collection of thousands of Civil War artifacts acquired by the City of Smyrna through the good offices of Mayor Max Bacon. Three displays of material from this valuable collection (known as the Cox/ Armstrong Collection), all fabricated by Brockington, are already available for viewing at the second floor levels of the Smyrna Library, Smyrna City Hall, and Brawner Hall on Atlanta Road. Mr. Butler spoke about his work on the collection and Brockington’s recommendations for the storage, management, and display of this impressive collection of Civil War artifacts.

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

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Landscapes Exhibit by Thomas Jordan Opens in Art Gallery

I was born and raised in Walnut Creek, CA., right in the middle of the San Francisco Bay Area. 

Growing up I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by great music and great art during what one might say, ... my formative years. I studied at the Academy of Art and California College of Art in Oakland. My father said it was not a good career choice. Now, after 3 decades as a Art Director, Creative Director and design mentor, I've decided its time to break out the brushes, palette knife and tubes of paints and paint just for myself again. To quote a famous local band "what a long strange trip its been." Hope you enjoy my work.

On display until July 1, 2014.

Mixed Media Exhibit by Shelley House Opens in Display Gallery

Shelley M. House is a mixed media artist, creating a romantic blend of traditional and digital art. Born in Chicago and now living in Atlanta, Shelley earned her master's degree in Architecture from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her strong sense of design can be found in all of her pieces. Shelley creates abstract art with vibrant colors and linework that comes alive with bold simplicity. She blends drawing, painting, digital art and poetry, with a passion for Life, Love and Coffee.

On display until July 1, 2014.