Recognizing Jonesboro Library staff’s hard work this summer

Jonesboro Library partnered this summer with Clayton County Public Schools media specialists to provide weekly programming for children and families at Eula Ponds Perry Learning Center. Kids from local summer camps attended the Thursday morning programs. This includes groups from New Birth South Church, Greater St. Peter A.M.E., First Baptist of Jonesboro, Salvation Army Summer Camp, numerous child care facilities as well as families.

Youth Services Assistant, Jennifer Pelt presented several programs and oversaw story teller booking and scheduling. Story tellers brought in included, Louise Jones, Susan Sparrow, Teresa Clark, Veronica Byrd and Burt Tanner. Jennifer also worked with musician Bruce Bernstein and clown Angela Hill (Gran E. Luv).These performers were funded by the Library System with assistance from the Clayton County Board of Commissioners.

Additional library staff registered participants while the school district provided the facility and volunteers to staff events and make sure every thing went smoothly. Cindy Thompson, Coordinator of Media Services for Clayton County Schools did an amazing job supervising media specialist volunteers and coordinating logistics.

Inspired by the other programs, the Salvation Army Summer Camp presented a “dress rehearsal” of a play they had been practicing to others who attended the series. Jennifer Pelt and Cindy Thompson assisted in guiding the other campers to the Salvation Army Gymnasium across the street from the Perry Center on Thursday, July 26th to enjoy the play.

You can read about the performance in this article from the Clayton News-Daily. Hopefully we’ll have pictures soon. Great job everybody!

Celebrity Storytime with Chuck D

In case you missed it, the Headquarters Library had it’s first Celebrity Storytime with special guest reader, Chuck D. Many know Chuck D (Carleton Douglas Ridenhour) from the sometimes controversial rap group, Public Enemy, but he is more than just a rapper. He is also a social activist, recently cited in Ebony Magazine (May 2007 issue) as one of the 150 Most Influential African Americans in the field of public service.

He is also the son of library staff member, Judy Ridenhour (a.k.a. Ms. Judy). Ms. Judy is a Library Assistant, Outreach for the Headquarters Library. She reads at various child care centers, schools, and summer camps. Essentially, she brings the library to them. It seems that Chuck was interested in his mother’s work and wanted to read to the little children, too! That’s how Celebrity Storytime got started. Here is a picture of Chuck D reading The Three Bears to all the children and their families during the program:

We hope to have additional Celebrity Storytime programs in the future, so if you know a celebrity, please contact one of the Clayton County libraries. We would love to invite your celebrity friend or relative to read to the kids.

Dark Fantasy

What is ‘dark fantasy’? Let’s just call it a subgenre of fantasy. It has everything you’d expect to find fantasy-but darker, grittier, and rougher (btw this would be my favorite type of books to read). These stories could be horror with a slice of fantasy or fantasy with a slice of horror. It doesn’t matter to me which I’m reading-show me a little wing, fang, or tusk and it’s all good!

In all my reading I think one of the best examples of dark fantasy for teens would be the books by Holly Black. First there was Tithe: a Modern Faerie Tale, then came Valiant: a Modern Tale of Faerie (hello tusks!), and lastly there is Ironside: a Modern Faery’s Tale, a follow-up to Tithe. I am very eagerly awaiting this one!

One thing to remember when reading dark fantasy is that the faerie are not always the creatures of light and goodness that we grew up believing from fairy tales. Just like people, good and bad exist. In the end it all comes down to that it seems…

Valiant is a wonderful portrayal of good and bad faerie. Val runs away from home and meets up with a few teens who live in the subway. There Val helps one of them make a delivery to a woman with hooves…from that point on she realizes that faeries, trolls, mermaids, etc exist. Through a series of events, Val saves her new friend Loli from Ravus, a troll one of her friends has been working for. In exchange for Loli’s life, Val binds herself to Ravus. As she starts making deliveries for him, she discovers that someone is poisoning the faerie folk and killing them. Is it Ravus or someone else?

Val’s loyalty and love is about to be tested.

If you have any recommendations on dark fantasy books, comment them in here for all of us to read!

Till next time keep flipping those pages!

Ginny

Lovejoy VRP program with “Young Prayzr”

What an awesome program. Who would have thought an eleven year old child could captivate an audience chanting 8 simple words –

We love to learn, we love to read

That’s just what Tony Betton Jr. aka Young Prayzr did for patrons at the Lovejoy Library.

Children as well as parents were mesmerized by his performance which consisted of song, dance, reading and a rap contest. Tony
not only rapped, but spoke encouraging words on how important reading is in everyone’s everyday life. So if you get a chance to see him, you are in for a real treat. I highly recommend him!
Vanessa, Lovejoy Branch

Click on the pictures below to see them in full size!

Check out “The Dangerous Book for Boys”

All 6 Clayton County public libraries now own this book (J 031.02)written by Conn Iggulden which was a Number One best seller on Amazon-UK. It’s chock full of things boys used to know and do. 

Of course some of these activities require parental supervision! Janice

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

The much anticipated seventh Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, will be released Saturday, July 21.  Anxious readers will be lined up at bookstores, mailboxes, and libraries to get their hands on a copy of this much talked about book, which is the last book in the series.  There has been a great deal of speculation as to how the series will end.  Who will prevail, Harry or Voldemort (He Who Must Not Be Named)?  Will the story continue after Harry graduates Hogwarts School?

Children and teenagers are invited to participate at the Headquarters Library in our Harry Potter Release Party on July 21 at 10:00 a.m. where you can discuss the books with other Harry Potter fans.  People who attend the event will have a chance, by random drawing, to be the first ones to check out copies of the book.  Take part in some Potter-esque games and activities and eat some wizardly treats.  Advance registration is required, so call the library to reserve your space at 770-473-3850.

Summer Reading Suggestions from WABE

Check out these Summer Reading Suggestions from WABE on-air personalities such as Valerie Jackson, Steve Goss, John Lemley and others. Be sure to check PINES to see if the book is available through CCLS.

Just a few of the suggested titles -

Salt: A World History by Mark Kurlansky – Catalog link

Too Late To Say Goodbye by Ann Rule – Catalog link

The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion – Catalog link

And of course the forthcoming Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (due out July 21st)

If you just can’t wait to get your hands on a copy of the new Harry Potter book, the WABE reading list offers links to Amazon.com to purchase recommended titles with a portion of proceeds going to the station.

Suggested Summer Reading from WABE and PBA 30

Power Parenting! Gangs 101

The recent increase in gang activity, school violence, and juvenile crime in our area begs us to pay attention to the organic nature of what pulls children and teens to join a gang, and to live a life that has numerous negative connotations and consequences. Gang activity is a quick fix for these hurting and confused young people; in theory, they appear to offer solutions to problems.

Gangs offer stability, peer contact, immediate acceptance, loyalty, and a “family” for kids that are struggling with their identity and with unanswered questions about their future, and relationships. Did you know that the average age of recruitment into a gang is 9 years old?!

As parents today, you can get your message of safe choices, values, and sound decision making across! You can compete against the “bling” and flash of the messages your kids are hit with every day!

Join us at the Headquarters Library on Monday, August 13th from 6:30 – 8:30 for this important discussion on gangs, the impact of loss on your family, and get some “Power Parenting!” tips and skills under your belt; facilitated by Project KARMA, Inc & Ex.G.R.E.S.S. Consultants.

Project KARMA, Inc. is a non-profit organization created to support at-risk young people aged 5-18, facing loss and gang involvement.

Ex.G.R.E.S.S. Consultants was created and structured by an ex-gang member and a partnership between concerned experts in mental health, child development and law enforcement.

The Eagle Has Landed At Forest Park!

Flying high over our circ desk is a paper model of the bald eagle. Our national symbol has more than just Independence Day to celebrate this year. Last week, it was announced that the bald eagle has been removed from the endangered species list. Here’s hoping that this bird stays off!

The pattern for this model can be found at the Creative Park website. It takes a lot of paper and patience, but the end result is worth the effort. I recommended using card stock for paper models in a previous blog, but the flexibility of regular paper is best for this model.

Stop by the Branch this week to see our tribute to this bird and America’s independence. Have a happy and safe Fourth!