Summer Reading Program: Link Cobb County School & Smyrna Public Library Beanstalk Accounts

Great news Summer Readers! If you are a Cobb County student you can now link your school beanstack account to Smyrna Library. Now, when you log your minutes they will be included in the totals for both the library AND your school. You no longer have to switch accounts and log your minutes twice.

How do you link your accounts? What if you have a library account but don't know your school account? What if you use your school account and don't have a library account? Worry not! Click the cheat sheet below to see how easy it is to tandem your accounts. And if you still need help, stop by the library with your device and Mrs. Rebecca will be happy to help!

Celebrating the Volunteer Service of Miriam Anne Van Loan

We are very saddened to announce that our oldest volunteer, Miriam Anne Van Loan, died peacefully on May 7, 2022 at the age of 98.  Miriam began volunteering at the library in 1996 and was honored as our volunteer of the year in 2016.   She inspired us all with her volunteer spirit and contributions. 

Obituary:

Miriam was born on February 20, 1924 in New York City, where she attended Catholic schools throughout her youth, culminating in high school at the School of the Blessed Sacrament on an academic scholarship. Her strong Catholic faith was her guiding light throughout her long life. Upon graduation from Hunter College in 1946 with a degree in English, Miriam worked as a preschool teacher and also taught at the New York School for the Deaf.

After Miriam's first child was born, she was able to fulfill her desire to stay home to raise her four children. She moved from Cornwall, New York, to Atlanta in 1982 to live closer to her daughter and family, and was a loving and supportive influence on the lives of all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Miriam's love of children was enduring. After raising her own family, she worked for 30 years caring for infants and toddlers in the nursery at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, in Atlanta. Her love of reading led her to volunteer with the Smyrna Library for over 20 years, and she was honored for her service by the Friends of Smyrna Library. Her other hobbies and interests included classical music, gardening, and cooking for family and for those in need. Miriam leaves behind three children: Bob Van Loan (Diane), Dr. Linda Anthony (Hank), and Jim Van Loan (Susan), nine grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren.

Thank You, Spring Book Sale Volunteers

Thank you, Bill, Mary Ann, Charlie, Ellie, Mickie, Len, Kahlillah, Kielle, Jesse, Gavin, Pamela, Karen, Dorothy, Sellers, James, Christina, Ashia, Nancy, Sathwika, Mary, Lawrence, and JJ for volunteering last week to make our Spring Book Sale such a big success!

The Friends of Smyrna Library Announce Seven Summer Pop-Up Sales

The Friends of Smyrna Library are having seven Pop-Up Book Sales this summer.  The sales will take place in the Smyrna Public Library lobby off of the parking lot.  The merchandise and sale dates follow.

$1 Cookbook Sale
May 23 to May 31

$1 Movie DVD Sale
June 1 to June 7

$1 Books on CD Sale
June 8 to June 14

Super Discount Music CD Sale
June 15 to June to June 21

50-Cent Fiction
June 22 to June 28

50-Cent Nonfiction
July 5 to July 12

Incredible 25-Cent Clearance Sale
July 13 to July 23  

If we sell out during any pop-up sale and the sale ends early, we'll post an update to our social media channels.

First Book Sale Since Pandemic Very Successful

THANK YOU, Smyrna!  Our Spring Book Sale this weekend was a TREMENDOUS success.  Our last sale was in Fall 2019 before the pandemic started.  We raised record proceeds which will be used to fund the Summer Reading Program. 

Teen Volunteer Program Resumes After 2-Year Pandemic-Related Hiatus

We have great news to share! The Friends of Smyrna Library Teen Volunteer Program is restarting after a 2-year hiatus due to the pandemic. The first meeting is next Wednesday, May 18 from 5 pm to 6:45 pm at library in the downstairs meeting room. Teens who are age 15 and up are eligible. We'll consider younger volunteers in the future. After a short meeting we will start getting the Spring Book Sale setup.

Monthly meetings will soon be scheduled for the remainder of the year so you can sign-up then if unavailable next week.

Please eMail FOSLvols@gmail.com or message our Facebook page if you are going to attend or if you have any questions.

Meet New Members of the Friends of Smyrna Library Board of Directors

Welcome the 5 new members who were elected to our Board of Directors tonight.  From left to right: Kahlillah Dotson Mosley. Jesse Fishman, Mickie Higgins, Kelsey Scott, and Mary Beth LaHatte Beebe.

THANK YOU for signing up and the enthusiasm and fresh ideas that you’ll bring to serve the Smyrna Public Library and its patrons.  We are excited to have you on the team!

Paper Collage by Karin Abramowsky Opens at Smyrna Public Library Art Gallery

The May/June 2022 Art Gallery exhibit has opened – Paper Collage by Karin Abramowsky.  Ms. Abramowsky’s exhibit is on display through June 30. The Art Gallery is located on the 2nd floor of the Smyrna Public Library.

Art Gallery exhibits are organized by the Friends of Smyrna Library. 

Artist Statement

I'm Karin, Karin Abramowsky. I am interested in art, culture, nature, travel and people. And I've been taking pictures ever since I got my AGFAMATIC "Ritsch-Ratsch-Klick" camera for communion.

I lived in Johannesburg for four years and learned a lot about the city and South Africa and how to take pictures with a “real camera”.

I returned to Germany in June 2017 and after 2 1/2 years of ups and downs of emotions, I had settled in well again. In January 2020 I was allowed to open my first photo exhibition .

Since March 2020 I have another location in addition to Germany and South Africa: Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

I present my photos on this page. In the Art Projects section there are my artistic works and in the Gallery there are photos from my travels.

I write blogs about art and artists, about visiting exhibitions in Germany, South Africa and the USA and I like to present my respective homes. With insider tips for those interested in art and culture, of course.

And who knows what else might come along.

I don't know yet and remain curious.

 

Model Car Collection by Linda Evans Opens at Smyrna Public Library Display Gallery

Former Friends of Smyrna Library President, Linda Evans, is exhibiting her fun collection of model cars in the Display Gallery on the 2nd Floor until June 30, 2022.

Linda Evans thanks the Friends of Smyrna Library for the opportunity to exhibit her late husband Bill's model car/die cast cars collection. Bill and their grandson Austin Miller first exhibited the cars at the library 17 yrs ago. Bill was a car enthusiast from his first car at age 13. He owned a 50, 40 and 39 Ford, a Pontiac, a 57 Ford Convertible, 64 Malibu, and we still have our 69 442 Oldsmobile. Because of his love for cars he began collecting models of his favorites. He particularly loved the Porsche. A few of his models he had since childhood. Bill also loved NASCAR racing and collected replicas of some of the winners. The matchbox cars became a challenge to find just the one. We always wondered why the matchbox's are placed strategically near the checkout counter. Bill took pleasure in his collection and was always looking for the next special one.
Most of his collection, of which this is only part, is for sale.

First Sunday Lecture: Double Quick and Bayonets Fixed: The Archaeology of the 1864 Battle of Ruff's Mill

Many thanks to Rita Elliott of The LAMAR Institute, Inc. for the fascinating film and lecture about the recent archaeological survey of Ruff's Mill. The Smyrna Historical Society and the Friends of the Concord Covered Bridge Historic District were also instrumental in getting the word out about this fabulous event. Thanks for coming, everybody!

First Sunday Lecture Description

“Double Quick and Bayonets Fixed: The Archaeology of the 1864 Battle of Ruff's Mill”

Sunday, May 1, 2022

3:00-4:00 p.m.

Smyrna Public Library, Meeting Room

Speaker: Rita Elliott, The LAMAR Institute

May is Georgia Archaeology Month. Be the first to see the film premiere about the 1864 Battle of Ruff's Mill, a linchpin Civil War battle in the fall of Atlanta. Learn about how archaeologists located the battlefield in Cobb County in a presentation following the film. Ask panelists questions about the film and archaeological project. [The views and conclusions are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the National Park Service.]

Rita Elliott is the Education Coordinator and a Research Associate with The LAMAR Institute. She holds an M.A. in Maritime History and Underwater Research. She is an archaeologist and outreach specialist with over 30 years of archaeological experience in 14 states, 3 U.S. territories, and several countries.

Free admission. Light refreshments will be served.

The Sunday Lecture series is sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library. This lecture is co-sponsored by the Smyrna Historical Society and the Concord Covered Bridge Historic District.