Marvin's World of Wonder at Sharon Forks Library

2026 ended up being a very exciting year for Marvin the Mouse, the Sharon Forks Library mascot. He found his calling to travel across the globe, then shared his experience of world culture, traditions, cuisine, and language with all the kids during Storytime at Sharon Forks through the Marvin’s World Travels series.

This entire series was the brain child of Ms. Stephani. She had the brilliant idea to include my love for languages and world culture in Storytime, and before we knew it, Marvin was on a plane with his boarding pass and suitcase!

Guest presenters, who are native speakers of various languages, shared their language and culturally significant objects from the country they represent for “show & tell.” This brought far off countries into the palms of our young patrons and their families. 

We had presenters who hailed from China, French Canada, Japan, Korea, Maharashtra (India), Tamilnadu (India), and Ukraine.

A big heartfelt thank you to all the guest presenters. We could not have done this without your time and effort. Thank you so much! 

The series was loved by one and all, and we started getting requests from parents to grow this series for elementary-aged kids. 

With Marvin's recent graduation from preschool to elementary school, the timing was perfect for the Marvin's World Travels program to evolve into World Of Wonder (WOW)—an interactive monthly series designed for elementary explorers who are ready to see the world without leaving the library.

WOW is a version of Marvin’s World Travels series geared towards older kids, with more of a focus on geography, history, and culture through hands-on crafts and activities. In September, Marvin traveled to Russia, and he has a fabulous itinerary lined up for the rest of the year! 

Our next adventure for elementary-aged students is on Thursday, October 22, 4:30–5:30 p.m. at Sharon Forks Library. Join us to "land" in a brand-new country and uncover its unique secrets. From the ancient stories that shaped its history to the languages spoken on its streets, we’ll dive deep into what makes every culture special. 

Want even more World Languages for your kids? Your Forsyth County Public Library card gives you FREE access to LOTE4Kids. Read and watch youth story titles and enjoy learning activities in a variety of languages. Each title is also available in English.

Ms. Anu

Youth Specialist

Sharon Forks Library

Adult Nonfiction Staff Pick: No One's Coming by Kevin Hazzard

No One’s Coming: The Rogue Heroes Our Government Turns to When There’s Nowhere Else to Turn by Kevin Hazzard

This is a fascinating nonfiction account of how a small aviation company became a crucial support group for not just the United States but nations around the world. Their company initially grew by flying dangerous cargo that no one wanted to. These included explosives and other potentially volatile and flammable items, as well as, emergency medical evacuation missions.

In 2014, the world's largest Ebola outbreak was occurring in Africa. Two medical volunteers had contracted Ebola and were needing to be returned to the United States for treatment. No one had ever done something like this before and almost no one wanted to. The Ebola virus can have up to a 90% fatality rate if patients do not receive treatment. Thankfully, Phoenix Air had created a prototype of an airtight container that could be fit onto an airplane. Phoenix Air was requested to create a version that could house a contagious patient along with the medically necessary gear to treat them while enroute. Considering the length of the flight and all the material needed, it would need to be able to fit in a large airliner.

A group of experts were pulled together to create, test, and prepare for this never before done feat. An older version plane was acquired that could load the hospital container in and out of the cargo hold. Beyond the container, the plane had to be equipped with air tight containment system for the medical team to enter and exit the container. Time was of the essence and little time allowed for testing.

In July, 2014, the first of two flights left Atlanta for Liberia to collect the first patient and return them to Atlanta so they could be treated at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Due to space constraints, only one patient could be taken. This trip would have to be made twice.

You may remember the headlines and the fear of bringing Ebola to the States. The book details the history of the airline company, the engineering requirements, and the selfless souls who risked their lives to save others.

Joan Dudzinski

Branch Manager

Cumming Library

Meet Tracey Jones—FCPL's Latest Library Limelight

Get to know the newest member of the Forsyth County Public Library Board of Trustees with the Library Limelight!

Originally from South Florida, Tracey Jones moved to Forsyth County in 2007 after she and her husband fell in love with North Georgia while visiting family. They chose to raise their four children here, and over the years, Forsyth County has truly become home for their family.

Tracey has many fond memories of spending time at the library throughout her life. She learned the card catalog and Dewey Decimal System in elementary school, researched Robert Frost in middle school (“I had to get an A on that paper!” Tracey shares), and spent countless hours studying through high school and college—microfiche and all!

When her first child was born in 1997, she started bringing her family to the library for Mommy and Me (similar to Books & Babies at FCPL). It became a place where they could learn, explore, and participate in wonderful child-centered activities that helped foster a love of reading in all of her children.

“The reward for volunteering is usually more volunteering!” Tracey likes to say. She is a volunteer at heart, so when Laura Semanson asked if she would consider serving on the Library Board, it felt like a natural, meaningful opportunity to give back to an institution that means so much to her and her family.

In her new role, Tracey hopes to bring a fresh perspective, a willingness to listen and learn, and a strong commitment to our community. She enjoys bringing people together, asking thoughtful questions, and looking at opportunities from different angles. She looks forward to contributing her experiences and skills while learning from staff, fellow Board Members, and the patrons we serve.

Tracey is excited to explore more of the ways that Forsyth County Public Library (FCPL) serves the county. “At our first Board meeting, I was genuinely surprised by the breadth of programs, services, and resources,” Tracey said. “I was so impressed to learn that our library is a leader in the state!”

She looks forward to further understanding the needs of our community and helping FCPL continue to grow and thrive. Tracey is especially excited about the opportunity to support the library's role as a place where everyone can learn, connect, and feel welcome.

Colorado holds a special place in Tracey’s heart. Her family lived there for a short time years ago, sparking a love of the mountains and an active lifestyle. She and her husband passed their “Rocky Mountain fever” on to their children through annual trips to ski, hike, and enjoy everything the state has to offer. 

Of all the places Tracey has traveled, Copenhagen, Denmark, stands out the most. Because her grandmother was from Denmark, visiting felt like a special opportunity to connect with a part of her family’s history. She loved exploring the city, and one of her favorite memories was how many people thought she was a local. “I took that as a great compliment!” Tracey said.

Tracey’s latest hobby is Mah Jongg! She plays every few weeks with close friends and is absolutely hooked. She also loves hiking and anything involving handcrafting—so much so that her creative passion led her to found two businesses. As a proud season ticket holder, Tracey can’t mention her interests without including the Florida Gators. “I know I’m surrounded by plenty of UGA fans and friends, so… sorry, y’all! Go Gators!” she exclaims.

Up next on Tracey’s reading list is When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi, a book she found so thought-provoking the first time around that she’s returning to it for that same inspiration. When asked the essential question, “Paper books, eBooks, or audiobooks?” her answer is clear: “Not even an ounce of hesitation for me—paper all the way! I love the feel of a real book in my hands and turning the pages. I’m a traditionalist when it comes to reading!”

As she exits the Limelight, Tracey shares a thoughtful message:

“I’m honored to serve alongside such a dedicated team and excited to help give back to a place that has been such an important part of my own life and my family’s.”

Thank you, Tracey, for sharing your story and passion for serving others. We are grateful for your commitment and look forward to seeing your contributions to our library and community!

Sara Higgins
Communications Specialist