Smyrna Public Library

Great summer reading!

2008-07-17T07:45:00.000-07:00

You'll want to check out her latest novel, Tribute, from Nora Roberts.

Looking for other great summer reads? Go to our (new) on-line catalog, click on Hot Titles and choose the New York Times Bestsellers link or the Publishers Weekly link to see what else is new. If a title is checked out,you can reserve the title from home (using your library card number and PIN) and we'll call you when the item arrives. Many of our titles are also available on CD-disc and you can reserve those on-line as well.

Have fun.

Ruth

Get ready to be dazzled!

2008-07-16T13:47:00.000-07:00

Have you tried our new on-line catalog yet? From the library home page, click on Catalog and get ready to be dazzled. The site includes color item jackets, book review, summaries and Hot Titles as well as links to many reference sources we have not offered before. You may reserve and renew books online.
Also, to view your account activity, fines, reserves, etc. click on the My Account tab, then enter in your library card number. Your PIN number (a new feature) is the last four digits of your library card number. (You may change your PIN once in the My Account screen.)

Take some time to explore our new system. You'll be very glad you did.

2008-07-03T08:11:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the winners of this year's Summer Reading Club Recycled Art Contest! Grand prize winner, Ansleigh was awarded a beautiful gift basket donated by www.qualitybaskets.citymax.com. Each entry was awarded a book as well!

The challenge: Create a planting pot out of recycled items – using a recycled item as the base of the planter. Summer Reading Club members were divided by age to compete . . .

After much deliberation, the judges from Keep Smyrna Beautiful selected the winners in each of our five categories. And the winners are . . .

Age 3 – 5
first place winner = Matthew
second place = William
third place = Brooke and Emily

Age 6 – 8
first place winner (and grand prize winner) = Ansleigh
second place = Amaka
third place = Adriana

Age 9 – 12
first place winner = Nathaniel
second place = Diana
third place = Fahad

Age “teen”
First Place winner = Aaron
Second Place = Alexandra
Third Place = Alisha

FAMILY
First place = The Madrid Family
Second Place = The McCluskey Family
Third Place = the Wood-Campbell Family

Are you Fearless?

2008-06-18T08:44:00.001-07:00

We have the latest Evanovich. Stephanie Plum is up to her usual antics. Come get yours today!

Ruth

Some thoughts for Father's Day

2008-06-06T13:39:00.000-07:00

Want to do something special with Dad for Father's Day? Bring him to the library and check out the new bestseller by James Patterson:

Or check out one of our new DVDs, including:

And if dad's a fan of the Jeffery Deaver Lincoln Rhyme thrillers, check out:

Happy Father's Day to all the great dads of the world!

Ruth

Ready for adventure?

2008-05-29T07:09:00.000-07:00

We've got four of the newest, thrilling adventures for great summer reading.

In this fifth book in the series, Clive Cussler has charted the exploits of the Oregon, a covert ship completely dilapidated on the outside but, on the inside, packed with sophisticated weaponry and intelligence-gathering equipment.

Robert Parker, author of the immensely popular Spenser, Jesse Stone and Sunny Randall series, Parker now eyes tales of the old West!

Alan Furst offers another bestseller with his newest spy thriller that takes place in Poland, 1937.

The 12th Jack Reacher novel, this one takes place in Colorado as the ex-military policeman finds big trouble once again.

Reserve your copies today.

Ruth

But wait there's more!

2008-05-16T13:25:00.000-07:00

In addition to the Docents' displays in the art gallery, the Coordinator of Docent Volunteer Educators, Lisa Steinfeld, is exhibiting her photography in the library display cases upstairs. Her creative work includes color and black-and-white photographs and silver emulsion gel prints. This is an interesting exhibit combining classic studies with modern concepts.

We have Blu-ray discs

2008-05-16T07:25:00.000-07:00

The library has just received our first selections of Blu-ray discs for checkout. Our collection includes:

Enchanted

Cars

I Am Legend

Ice Age

Ratatouille

The Die Hard Collection

Kiss of the Dragon

Scooby-Doo

Entrapment

And the series of five Harry Potter movies!

Head over to our DVD collection to check yours out. (Remember, you must have a Blu-ray disc player to view these DVDS.)

Want to learn more about Blu-ray? Click on:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu-ray_Disc

Enjoy!
Ruth

High Museum Docents Exhibit in the Library Gallery

2008-05-13T12:49:00.000-07:00

Docents from the High Museum of Art are exhibiting their works in the Library gallery upstairs. This interesting show displays art by the people that explain art to others at the Museum.

Kay Weeks is from Duluth and has been a docent for 11 years. She has been painting for 45 years and oil painting is her medium of choice.

Larry Skal is from John's Creek and has been a docent since 1992. His paintings are in watercolor, acrylic, and oils. Samples of each are on display.

Jane Lamkin is from Smyrna and is a Docent Emeritus at the High. She has been painting for 28 years and is exhibiting her water colors.

This is an interesting concept. See it today.

Three Biographies for different interests

2008-05-09T10:32:00.000-07:00

This week's book order brings three very different books to choose from. Reserve your copy today.

After more than forty years of interviewing heads of state, world leaders, movie stars, criminals, murderers, inspirational figures, and celebrities of all kinds, Barbara Walters has turned her gift for examination onto herself to reveal the forces that shaped her extraordinary life.

Kirk Cameron, best known for his role as loveable teenage troublemaker Mike Seaver on the award-winning TV series Growing Pains pens his bio.

Simon Winchester brings to life the extraordinary story of Joseph Needham, the brilliant Cambridge scientist who unlocked the most closely held secrets of China, long the world's most technologically advanced country.

Summer Reading Club

2008-05-08T13:27:00.001-07:00

June will be here before you know it and with it comes the 2008 Summer Reading Club -- BIG DIG! We are digging into good books! Library patrons ages 3 - teens are welcome to join! We offer programming, contests, reading logs and entertainment during June and July! Contact Youth Services for more information! Come on -- Dig in!

Here's what's new!

2008-05-01T13:19:00.000-07:00

Question: What do Cokie Roberts, Nevada Barr and Tori Spelling have in common?

Answer: They each have a new bestseller and we've got them.

Ladies of Liberty, by Cokie Roberts. Women who shaped our nation.

Winter Study, by Nevada Barr. Park Ranger Anna Pigeon returns.

In Stori Telling, Tori Spelling tells her side of her tabloid-worthy life.

Reserve your copy today.

Ruth

DVDs for all your interests!

2008-04-22T07:04:00.000-07:00

Here is a sampling of the newest DVDs to hit our shelves.

The Bee Movie
There Will Be Blood
Charlie Wilson's War
Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium
I am Legend
Beowulf
The Kite Runner
Alvin and the Chipmunks
Disney's Enchanted
August Rush
Dan in Real Life
Love in the Time of Cholera
Alvin and the Chipmunks
Nancy Drew

Remember, checkout limit is five DVDs for seven days. Enjoy!

Ruth

More New Books!

2008-04-15T10:35:00.000-07:00

Three new bestsellers just hit the shelves. Reserve yours today!

Ruth

New book order has arrived!

2008-04-09T12:02:00.000-07:00

We have just received some titles that we know you've been hearing about, all Top Ten Bestsellers this week.

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch was seen on Primetime Live with Diane Sawyer this week.

Where Are You Now? by Mary Higgins Clark, another bestseller from this well-known author.

Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner, the sequel to her best-selling first novel, Good in Bed.

Go Green, Live Rich by David Bach. Bet you've seen him on Oprah!

Check out your copy today.

Ruth

Speaking of MLDV...

2008-04-07T09:12:00.000-07:00

We've just added another 26 videos to the MLDV collection. Michael Chiarello's Napa television series features episodes on creating canola, ganache, California-style ribs and the 4 P's (polenta, pasta, pesto and prosciutto) as well as my personal favorite--choosing a complimentary California wine.

Call the library's Reference Desk (770-431-2860 x4) to get your password and start downloading your next dining experience.

Ciao,
Ruth

Introducing My Library DV (MLDV)

2008-04-03T11:13:00.000-07:00

The library now offers over 500 videos, including award-winning movies, foreign and independent films from Film Movement, and lifestyle programming that you can download in minutes via your Internet connection and watch on your home computer workstation or laptop.

To get started, call the library's reference desk (770 431-2860 x 4) to request your My Library DV (MLDV) password. Then go to the library homepage, click on the MLDV link, then click on the icon that looks like this.

Follow the simple download instructions and you'll be set to watch Antiques Roadshow, Rick Steves' Europe, Globe Trekker, Today's Homeowner, Julia and Jacques Cooking at Home, as well as children's shows such as Caillou and Boobah.

We've just added 23 more videos to the MLDV roster, including the entire 6th season of America's Test Kitchen. You'll get ideas on how to make everything from Apple Pie to Zuppe. Yummm...

Enjoy!

Ruth

Art in the Library

2008-04-03T11:06:00.000-07:00

Growing up within the dynamics of two divergent cultures Grace Hashimoto found constancy and purpose in creative expression - practicing music, creative writing and drawing in her formative years, progressing to formal training at Kyoto Art college where her studies focused on weaving and batik.
In her early 20's Grace married, took the name Hashimoto, and gave birth to a son - the perfect expression and promise of unity. Today, Ms. Hashimoto, her son and other members of her family continue to offer their unique bi-cultural perspective in their livelihoods both in the United States and abroad.
In Grace Hashimoto's art, one can see the sparse and elegant lines of eastern culture merge with the numerous colors and complexity of western culture in expressions of diversity and union.
Ms. Hashimoto's exhibit will be on display through April 30.

Living Wills Without Legal Bills

2008-03-19T11:40:00.000-07:00

The Smyrna Library subscribes to Thomson Gale LegalForms. Thomson Gale Legalforms is an online database that contains thousands of state-specific, lawyer-prepared forms, so you can be sure you're using the right one. Examples of the forms include:

Bankruptcy - Bills of Sale - Contracts - Copyright - Divorce - Employment - Incorporation
Leases - Name Changes - Powers of Attorney - Real Estate - Taxes - Trusts - Wills

Thompson Gale Legal Forms can save you time and legal fees. The forms are available online 24 hours a day to Smyrna Library cardholders through our website. Call the Library's reference department today at 770-431-2860 to find out how you can logon to them at home or work.

Just arrived! Great Courses on DVD

2008-03-14T11:48:00.000-07:00

The library has just received 7 new additions to our Great Courses lectures collection. Published by The Teaching Company, these DVDs (with accompanying booklets) offer lectures by some of the finest professors in the country.
Our most recent acquisitions include: A History of European Art -- Museum Masterpieces: The Louvre -- Classical Mythology -- The Nature of Earth: an introduction to Geology -- The Foundations of Western Civilization -- The History of Ancient Egypt and From Monet to Van Gogh, a History of Impressionism.
To see all of the Great Courses we offer, simply go to our on-line catalog and search by keyword:"great courses".
Enjoy.
Ruth

Welcome new Youth Services Staff!

2008-03-12T06:18:00.000-07:00

We are thrilled to welcome Gladys Toppert & Pascaline Papillon-Ivey to the Youth Services Staff. Ms. Gladys and Ms. Ivey will share our evening and weekend duties! With their arrival, come just a couple program changes -- We've made a few night time changes to our Story Time Calendar!

Our Spanish/English program has moved to TUESDAY NIGHTS at 7:00 p.m. Open to children ages 3 & up!
We have added a traditional story time to our calendar on THURSDAY NIGHTS at 7:00 p.m. -- also open to children ages 3 and up. These two programs will run through the middle of May.

Spring Break "ALOHA"

2008-03-12T06:15:00.000-07:00

Registration is now open for ALOHA -- our Vacation Reading Program for spring break 2008. We will have story time for ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN at 11:00 a.m. Monday - Friday, April 7 - 11. Whether your child attends one day or all five, registration is required. This will allow us to have ample supplies and snacks to make it a fun week for all!

These Just In!

2008-03-07T06:32:00.001-08:00

Deep Dish by Mary Kay Andrews, New York Times best-selling author of Savannah Breeze and Hissy Fit. (This author was recently featured in the Sunday Atlanta Journal Constitution.)
New Moon by Stephenie Meyer, author of Twilight. (An oh-so-scary vampire young adult love saga.)
Variety is the spice of life!
Ruth

Have You Read Jodi Picoult Yet?

2008-03-06T13:41:00.000-08:00

May we suggest some fiction that will knock your socks off?

Try reading Jodi Picoult. We can promise you that the characters in Jodi's novels will stay with you for a very long time.We carry all of her books and we've just received her latest effort: Change of Heart about which Publisher's Weekly writes:

"Picoult bangs out another ripped-from-the-zeitgeist winner, this time examining a condemned inmate's desire to be an organ donor."

Published comments about her earlier works include:

"Picoult has become a master-almost a clairvoyant-at targeting hot issues and writing highly readable page-turners about them…It is impossible not to be held spellbound by the way she forces us to think, hard, about right and wrong.”
—The Washington Post

“Picoult writes with a fine touch, a sharp eye for detail, and a firm grasp of the delicacy and complexity of human relationships.”
—The Boston Globe

"In My Sister's Keeper, the author has crafted a compelling story that is heartbreaking and literate in equal measure."

-Barnes & Noble

So head to the Fiction section and check out her novels today.

Ruth

If you'd like to know more about this popular novelist and her work go to: http://www.jodipicoult.com/

New Exhibits

2008-03-06T06:11:00.000-08:00

There are two new exhibits in the library. Bob Meadows uses a wide variety of exotic and handmade papers with wood, leather and other materials to create one-of-a-kind artist's books in a wide variety of styles and formats. Examples of his work are in the library display cases. Grace Hashimoto is exhibiting her works in the art gallery. The sparse and elegant lines of eastern culture are merged with the numerous colors and complexity of western culture in expressions of diversity and union. Both exhibits will be in the library through April 30.