Congratulations to Swapna K. on 10th Anniversary

Congratulations to Swapna K. on her 10th anniversary. Thank you for your service to the Smyrna Public Library. We are so lucky to have you on the team!

Explore Earth Event: Bingo Game Day

Love Bingo? We're playing Bird & Bug Bingo on Thursday at 2 p.m. Learn about different species and win fun prizes. For ages 5 and up.

Smyrna Public Library Installs Cell Phone Charging Station

Here's an early holiday present from Smyrna Public Library to its customers - a charging station! We just plugged in this new station next to New Books moments ago. It has a convenient ledge for charging phones, tablets, e-readers and more. It charges up to 8 devices: 3 Apple lightning, 1 Apple 30-pin, 4 Micro-USB. The magazines and lounge chairs are right by the station so you can relax and keep an eye on your device at the same time. Enjoy!

Remembering Luis Carlos Montalvan

Remembering Luis Carlos Montalvan, author of Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever who saved him. Mr. Montalvan passed away recently. Smyrna Pubic Library was honored to host him and Tuesday two years ago. We pass along our condolences to his friends and family.

Explore Earth Event: Science with Santa

We combined our annual Evening with the Friends with the Explore Earth travelling science exhibit and hosted Science with Santa last night at the Smyrna Public Library.

Everyone enjoyed refreshments, holiday music by Pebblebrook High School Chamber Orchestra, silent auction, holiday arts exhibits, Explore Earth exhibit and science activities.

Thank you for joining us!

Click to enjoy the photos.

Thank You, Nicholas Wallingford Chapter of the Colonial Dames XVII Century

Christmas came early! Maryanne McCurdy of the Nicholas Wallingford Chapter of the Colonial Dames XVII Century popped by the Library today to drop off a check for $200. This donation will fund the acquisition of half a dozen new titles for Smyrna Library's genealogy collection. Thank you!

Explore Earth Event: Butterfly Bookmarks and Ornaments

We made butterfly bookmarks and ornaments today to remind us of the importance of pollinators in our environment. Learn more about pollinators by picking up a book about bees, butterflies or gardening at Smyrna Public Library.

Explore Earth Event: Student Visit

Students from Campbell High School visited Smyrna Library to view the Explore Earth exhibit. 

Activities also included cloud identification, viewing plant and animal slides, computer games, and water cycle bead bracelets.

Thank You, PLZ Aeroscience

Did you miss our bat program on Tuesday? No worries. We just received two new books about bats and building your own bathouse. Thank you, PLZ Aeroscience for donating the funds for all these new earth science books!

Explore Earth Event: Thank You, Cochran Mill Nature Center and Charlee Glenn

A big thank you to Cochran Mill Nature Center and Charlee Glenn for the amazing bat program today. 

We learned so much about these incredible mammals and their importance to our ecosystem.

FIRST SUNDAY LECTURE: Shakespeare's Folios

Our guest speaker today for the November First Sunday Lecture Series was Robert Williams, Curator of the Bentley Rare Book Gallery at Kennesaw State University.  

William Shakespeare's First Folio is on exhibit at Emory University' Michael C. Carlos Museum from November 5, through December 11.  Mr. Williams discussed how the Folios help us understand Shakespeare as a creative playwright and how we are able to put together an understanding of his creative processes. 

Mr. Williams also presented some plays from the Second Folio and the complete Fourth Folio from the Kennesaw State University collections. The audience had an opportunity to see up close the KSU Shakespeare pieces which helped enrich appreciation of the Emory exhibition.

SPEAKER BIO: Robert Williams joined Kennesaw State College as the Director of the Library in 1986, coming from Cumberland College, now the University of the Cumberlands, in Williamsburg, Kentucky. He served as the head of the Horace W. Sturgis Library until 2009, retiring as the Assistant Vice President for Library Services. Mr. Williams returned to Kennesaw State University after retirement to serve as the Senior Curator of the Bentley Rare Book Gallery, which he founded in 1987.

The First Sunday Lecture series is sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library and Smyrna Library. 

Explore Earth: Our Changing Planet Kicks Off at Smyrna Public Library

Mayor Pro Tem Teri Anulewicz and Assistant City Administrator cut the ribbon on Smyrna Library's traveling exhibit, "Explore Earth: Our Changing Planet." 

The Kick-Off Event included viewing the exhibit, hands activities, a selfie station, a rock and mineral exhibit, and lots of fun. 

Be sure to view the exhibit in November and December at Smyrna Public Library.

Whimsical Fantasy Artwork by Elizabeth Schick Opens at Smyrna Public Library Art Gallery

The November/December art gallery exhibit for 2016 has opened - Whimsical Fantasy Artwork by Elizabeth Schick.  Ms. Schick’s exhibit is on display until January 2. The art gallery is located on the 2nd floor of the Smyrna Library. The art gallery exhibits are sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library.

Artist Statement:

I am originally from Palm Springs, FL, but have lived in Atlanta, GA since 1988. I graduated summa cum laude from U.G.A. with a degree in Scientific Illustration & went on to study Medical Illustration at the Medical College of GA.

Since 1989, I have worked as a medical legal illustrator, working at MLI as their senior medical illustrator until opening my own company, Medical Visions, Inc in 1991, which is still my "Day Job".

Inspired by acrobats, dancers and contortionists, these hand sculpted and painted figures are each a one of a kind creation. The Dragons are hand sculpted as well and can be used as ornaments or wrapped around your wrist as a bracelet.

They currently can be purchased at "The Great Artist's Collective" gallery in New Orleans, "The Limelight" in Marietta, GA., "Reytail Therapy" in Santa Rosa, FL and DragonCon at the Hyatt Hotel Atlanta -Labor Day Weekend

Elizabeth's work has won several awards at DragonCon including "Best Alien" 2012 & "Best Space Scene" 2013

Pocketbooks by Book Stop Smyrna Opens at Smyrna Public Library Display Gallery

The November/December display gallery exhibit for 2016 has opened - Pocketbooks by Book Stop Smyrna.  The exhibit is on display until January 2. The display gallery is located on the 2nd floor of the Smyrna Library. The display gallery exhibits are sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library.

About Book Stop Smyrna:

Since 2008, The Book Stop has been proudly serving the Smyrna/Vinings area as their independent used bookstore.  We offer over 25,000 thousands of paperback books for you to choose from and call it yours!

The exhibit features a wonderful collection of pocketbooks made out of classic books!

Congratulations to Campbell High School's National Merit Semifinalists

Congratulations to Campbell High School's National Merit Semifinalists: Benjamin Davidson, Ben P. Kilpatrick, Michael S. Peng, and Karan A. Pol. Wonderful news!

Thank You, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia

Smyrna Library received a generous grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia to purchase health, wellness and fitness books. Here's a sample of the first batch. There should be more than 60 new titles hitting the shelves in November and December through this grant. Thank you, BCBS!

Thank You, PLZ Aeroscience

Thank you, PLZ Aeroscience for your recent donation! It was used to purchase additional science books. 

FIRST SUNDAY LECTURE: An Introduction to the Jonquil City Historical Trail

Dr. William Marchione and Shaun Martin were guest speakers today for the monthly First Sunday Lecture. 

The Jonquil City Historical Trail will mark 20 historically significant sites on or near Atlanta Road in downtown Smyrna. The trail will feature historical narratives and images that can be brought up on mobile phones and other electronic devices. Dr. William Marchione and Shaun Martin, co-chairs of the committee of the Smyrna Arts & Cultural Council that is coordinating this project, narrated the presentation which included maps and historical photos. 

The First Sunday Lecture series is sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library and the Smyrna Library.

Thank You, Wells Fargo

Thank you, Wells Fargo for the recent $1,000 donation to the Friends of Smyrna Library. The picture below shows a selection of fantastic math books we purchased with this donation. Books will be added to the adult, young adult and children's collection. Special recognition goes to Dean Price of the Atlanta Road Wells Fargo for nominating the Friends of Smyrna Library for this donation.

FIRST SUNDAY LECTURE: The Dixie Highway in Georgia: A Short Trip Down a Long History

Today’s guest speaker was Sandy Lawrence from the Georgia Department of Transportation. She presented a detailed history of the Dixie Highway.

From peaches, pecans and bedspreads to attractions, motels and restaurants, the Dixie Highway allowed travelers to experience southern hospitality and helped shape Georgia’s early twentieth century history. The Dixie Highway began in 1915 as a way to get northern automobile tourists to Miami. The combined divisions of the highway extend almost 4,000 miles from Michigan through Florida, including Georgia which had 1,500 miles of the Highway at its peak in 1926. Georgia Department of Transportation’s Sandy Lawrence reflected on the road that started it all.

Biography:

Sandy Lawrence has an M.A. in Historic Preservation from the University of Georgia and is currently the Cultural Resources Section Manager for the Office of Environmental Services at the Georgia Department of Transportation in Atlanta, Georgia. In this role, she supports the archaeology and history teams at the Department in the performance of their responsibilities under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and the Georgia Environmental Policy Act.

The First Sunday Lecture series is sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library and Smyrna Library.

Photography by Myrtie Cope Opens at Smyrna Public Library Art Gallery

The October/November art gallery exhibit for 2016 has opened - Photography by Myrtie Cope.  Ms. Cope’s exhibit is on display until January 2. The art gallery is located on the 2nd floor of the Smyrna Library. The art gallery exhibits are sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library.

Artist Statement:

Myrtie Cope is a fine art photographer in Atlanta with a focus on architecture, nature and quilting. After careers in the office furniture industry and as a retail fabric store owner, she took the leap to turn her love of photography into a career opportunity. She spent five intensive months studying photography at Rocky Mountain School of Photography in Missoula, Montana. While there she explored the beautiful photography opportunities in Western Montana, Idaho, and Washington. Back in Atlanta, her focus has turned to architecture including churches and cemeteries, fine art, and nature. Another aspect of her photography includes the love of beautiful quilts photographed in unique places for clients and friends.

She is a graduate of Florida State University and Rocky Mountain School of Photography.

Clients include Wilma Lofts, Missoula, MT; Hodges, Ward, Elliott, Atlanta, GA; Northside Drive Baptist Church; Bass Hair Salon; Pursley, Lowery, Meeks LLP; Working Buildings, LLC; Table One Dinners; CThree Group; Jean Ann Quilts; and Giacomo-Schleicher Law Firm

Juried Exhibits and Awards include: Two Views - Joint Exhibit at UUC Atlanta 2009; Slow Exposures 2010; Trees Atlanta 2010 - My Favorite Tree - Honorable Mention; Crossroads at Jill Celeste Gallery, 2010; Southeastern Flower Show 2011 All Things Musical - Third Place; Okefenokee - Joint Exhibit at Judie Jacobs Gallery 2011; Women in Focus XVII 2010; Women in Focus XVIII & XIX at Mason-Murer Gallery, juried by Brett Abbott; WIF XX at Mason-Murer Gallery, 2013, juried by Jane Jackson; WIF Portfolio Show at Seen Gallery juried by Jerry Cullom, 2013; Two landscapes selected by Georgia Council for the Arts The Art of Georgia exhibit to hang in Georgia State Capitol and selected as cover for Governor's Budget Report, 2013; Two landscapes selected for Picturing Georgia exhibit at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport International Concourse, 2013; Architectural photos published in SouthXSoutheast Photo Magazine, January/February 2014; Northeast Atlanta Georgia Nature Photography Association, 2nd Place in Wildlife and Norcross Cultural Arts Award; Johns Creek Summer Serendipity Art Show Sponsor's Award; Slow Exposures 2014; Women in Focus XXI, 2014, juried by Fay Gold; GNPA Native Animals of the Southeast Exhibit at Fernbank Science Center; WIF Juried Exhibit at Art Institute of Atlanta - Decatur.

Custom Folded Books by Cynthia Elliott Opens at Smyrna Public Library Display Gallery

The September/October display gallery exhibit for 2016 has opened - Custom Folded Books by Cynthia Elliott.  Ms. Elliot’s exhibit is on display until October 31. The display gallery is located on the 2nd floor of the Smyrna Library. The display gallery exhibits are sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library.

Artist Statement:

As a fine artist, artisan and mother of 4, I want to leave a creative legacy for my children while being an entrepreneurial role model. I produce decorative art that doesn't impact the environment. The books we use are upcycled, unless otherwise requested, to create visual works of art that enhance the timelessness of the written word.

Adult Fiction Pop-Up Sale

Adult fiction in hardback and paperback for sale this week in the Smyrna Library atrium. Everything is just 50 cents each.

Thank you, Croy Engineering

Thank you, Croy Engineering, for underwriting the purchase of classroom sets of blocks needed to launch "Block Party"! 

The next party is on Tuesday, Sept 20 at 10:30am.

First Sunday Lecture: Poisonous Fruits of Political Corruption: The Infamous Yazoo Land Fraud and Its Impact on Georgia, The South, and the Nation, 1795-1848

Yesterday’s First Sunday Lecture guest speaker was Dr. George Lamplugh.   He spoke on the Yazoo Land Fraud and how it dominated the political culture of Georgia in the early 19th century.

The Yazoo Land Fraud of 1795, one of the most significant events in the post-Revolutionary history of Georgia and the United States, was overturned by Georgia’s first political “boss,” James Jackson, in 1796. Six years later, Jackson and his allies transferred the Yazoo lands (roughly, present-day Alabama and Mississippi) to the national government for $1.25 million.  To Georgians, though, the key provision of this Compact of 1802 was the national government’s promise to extinguish as quickly as possible all remaining land claims of Native American peoples (Creeks and Cherokees) within the boundaries of Georgia, when that could be done “peaceably” and “on reasonable terms.” 

Like the proverbial pebble thrown into still water, the consequences of the Great Land Fraud rippled out over more than a generation, helping to divide the nation’s dominant political party; pave the way for Indian removal in the 1820s and 1830s; create an agricultural “Black Belt” from Georgia through the new states of Alabama and Mississippi; and establish a theory of “state rights” as a supposedly “legitimate” response to the overweening power of the national government, which underlay many of the incidents on the long “road to the Civil War” between 1848 and 1861.

The First Sunday Lecture Series is sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library.

Smyrna Public Library Celebrates 25th Anniversary of New Library Building

The Smyrna Public Library celebrated the 25th anniversary of the opening of the new library located on the Village Green.  

The new library and the Community Center were dedicated before a crowd numbering in the thousands at 5 PM on August 3, 1991.The ceremony was followed by a concert of leading bands of the time and a spectacular fireworks show. 

Summer Reading Program: Congratulations,Grand Prize Winners

Congratulations to our two Grand Prize Winners in the Adult Summer Reading program: Valerie D. and Courtney G. They each won a Fitbit, sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library. Congratulations as well to the winners in the final week of the drawing: Gina S., Denise T., Parul D., and Christina B.

   

International Chess Day

Today is International Chess Day! Exercise your brain with a pickup game of chess today at Smyrna Library. Boards will be set up throughout the Library.

Summer Reading Finale Puppet Show

Join us on Friday, July 22nd at 10:30am, for our Summer Reading Finale Puppet Show, presented by Lee Bryan "That Puppet Guy".

This program will take place at Brawner Hall, 3180 Atlanta Rd SE, Smyrna, GA 30080.

Summer Reading Program: Congratulations, Winners!

More winners! Congratuations to Kieran D., Lewana S., Jolanta O., Kelly D., Kathy J., Elizabeth K., Ana H., and Jessica M. for winning gift bags and gift certificates in the Adult Summer Reading program. This is the last week to enter, so stop by the Front Desk to participate. All participants throughout the summer will be in the big drawing for two Fitbits on Monday, July 25. Fitbits are sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library.

Pop-Up CD Sale!

Pop-Up CD Sale! Bring an extra 50 cents when you visit Smyrna Library today (7/15) through Sunday and pick up some cool tunes for this hot weekend.

First Sunday Lecture: A History of Aunt Fanny's Cabin: Nationally Known Local Restaurant

Tommy H. Jones, retired architectural historian in the National Park Service's Southeast Regional Office is the expert on the history of this unique local eatery.  He presented “A History of Aunt Fanny's Cabin: Nationally Known Local Restaurant” for today’s First Sunday Lecture. 

Originally situated on Campbell Road two miles south of downtown Smyrna, Aunt Fanny's Cabin Restaurant was founded in 1941 by socialite Isolene Campbell on the grounds of Argyle Farm, the wealthy Campbell family's local country retreat. This local restaurant, which specialized in southern cooking, was for over four decades one of the most popular eateries in greater Atlanta and arguably the most famous landmark in Smyrna.

The First Sunday Lecture Series is sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library.

Summer Reading Program: Congratulations, Winners

Congratulations to more weekly winners in the Adult Summer Reading challenge: Perry Y., Janet P., Paula G., Molly C., Amy F., Laura K., Jamie G., Mark B., Jeane T., Robin O., Angela C., and Nicole M. The Friends of Smyrna Library have donated book bags, books, and gift cards to local businesses. There is still time to participate! Two grand prize winners will receive FitBits!

Summer Reading Program: Congratulations to Sue T.

Congratulations to Sue T., winner of the Fairy Garden. Sue is a master gardener, so how perfect is that?!

Photography by Charlie Stannard Opens at Smyrna Public Library Art Gallery

The July/August art gallery exhibit for 2016 has opened - Photography by Charlie Stannard. Charlie’s exhibit is on display until August 31. The art gallery is located on the 2nd floor of the Smyrna Library. The art gallery exhibits are sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library.

Biography:

Though born in Georgia, I grew up in Connecticut. I worked in advertising and marketing research, my last job being at Earthlink in Atlanta. Upon retiring I decided to rekindle my interest in photography. I took a course at the Showcase School, attended a number of photo workshops, joined two camera clubs, and upgraded my camera to digital. I am a Canon shooter, as much by accident as preference. The one thing I have learned from photo competitions is all camera brands produce great images.

I process my images with Photoshop and print them on my own printer. I do not overly process my images in Photoshop, though I do find the Nix suite of plug-ins useful. My printer is a Canon Pro9500 and it generally does a better job than CVS or Costco. 

I do not have a subject matter specialty. As the exhibit shows, I shoot just about anything: flowers, birds, animals, landscapes, people. Regarding style, I do not have one though I do try to shoot things a little differently, frequently using multiple exposures when shooting flowers.

To find out more about any of the images or to purchase one, contact me at cistannard@yahoo.com.

Paper by Matt Blodgett Opens at Smyrna Public Library Display Gallery

The July/August display gallery exhibit for 2016 has opened - Paper by Matt Blodgett. Matt’s exhibit is on display until August 31. The display gallery is located on the 2nd floor of the Smyrna Library. The gallery exhibits are sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library.

Biography:

Matt Blodgett grew up on a rural Ohio farm, immersed in the beauty of plants and the creative energy of nature. Even in high school Matt showed great creative talent and artistic aptitude, winning a statewide student art competition with "Indian Princess," a mixed media collage with handmade paper and copper. The piece hung in the Ohio Governor's Mansion for one year.

Matt majored in Horticulture and Landscape Design at Ohio State University. Moving to Atlanta after college and working with some of the top landscape companies in the South Matt developed a keen sense for composition and texture. After more than 20 years in that industry he has now shifted his attention to his first and deepest calling, Fine Art, working primarily in collage, handmade and cut paper, and acrylic media.

He has shown at several Atlanta Art Fairs, including twice at Callanwolde Art Center, and has pieces in private collections from Los Angeles to Washington, DC. to New York City.

He is very happy to have the opportunity for this solo show, particularly because the library setting highlights the potential for the expressive use of paper (both handmade and cut paper) in ways that reach beyond its common use as simply a vehicle for the printed word.

Congratulations to the Creatwood Neighborhood

Congratulations to the Creatwood Neighborhood on their ribbon cutting tomorrow for their Little Free Library. Want to attend? Ceremony is Saturday, June 25, 10am, at Creatwood Park, 3465 Creatwood Trail. #LittleFreeLibrary #lovemysmyrna

GSU Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders Initiative Library Visit

Students from Georgia State University’s Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) visited the Smyrna Public Library today.  The YALI program organized a field trip to learn about the various departments of Smyrna’s government.

Thank you for visiting!

About the Mandela Washington Fellowship Institute

In 2016, the Mandela Washington Fellowship Institute provided 1,000 outstanding young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa with the opportunity to study at a U.S. higher education institution with support for professional development after they return home.

Summer Reading Program: Maker Monday

The kids made micro-gardens in Today's Maker Monday program!

Smyrna Public Library Adult Coloring Station

Smyrna Public Library customers are so talented. Enjoy this anonymous drawing left at the Adult Coloring Station.

Congratulations, Adult Summer Reading Winners

Congratulations to our Adult Summer Reading winners so far this summer: Kati K., Diane T., Ritu C., Eve W., Laura R., Misi J., Julia R., Julianne R.! Stop by the Front Desk to enter this week's drawing of prizes. The Friends are giving away a gift card to The Bird & The Bee.

Congratulations to Katherine Reinecke in Adult Services!

Congratulations to Katherine Reinecke in Adult Services! She is celebrating 15 years of service to Smyrna Public Library. Thank you, Kate!