Bookmarked: Book Recommendations & News from Forsyth County Public Library

Monday, June 1, 2026

Library Partners with USDA and Local Schools to Provide Free Summer Snacks for Kids and Teens

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CUMMING, Georgia (May 28, 2026) – Forsyth County Public Library (FCPL) is thrilled to announce a new partnership aimed at keeping local youth fueled, healthy, and engaged this summer. In collaboration with the Forsyth County Schools Food and Nutrition Department, the Georgia Department of Education School Nutrition, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Cumming Library will provide nutritious snacks at no cost to children and teens June 1–July 15, 2026. 

Little boy eating a sandwich, text overlay reads: Summer Snacks, Free for children 18 and under, Cumming Library, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, June 1–July 15, 2026.

The initiative tackles a critical gap in nutrition that often occurs when schools close for the summer. According to the Georgia Department of Education, approximately 15% of the student population in Forsyth County qualifies for free and reduced lunch services. Food insecurity directly impacts childhood development and education; hungry children face immense difficulties concentrating, their physical, social, and emotional well-being suffers, and they are less able to successfully participate in enriching educational and library activities. By creating an environment that couples nutrition with literacy, FCPL and its partners aim to ensure that every child in the community has the opportunity to succeed during the summer months.

"Our mission at FCPL has always been to foster a community that reads, learns, and grows together. However, we know that hungry kids can't read or focus. By partnering with federal, state, and local nutrition leaders, we aren't just feeding bodies—we are fueling minds. This program allows us to support the whole child during a time of year when families need it most," said FCPL Director Adrianne Junius. 

Program Details and Weekly Schedule

Snacks will be available at no cost to all children and teenagers ages 18 and under. There are no registration or eligibility requirements.

The program will run weekly at the Cumming Library located at 585 Dahlonega Street on the following days and times from June 1 to July 15, 2026: 

  • Mondays: 12:30–1:30 p.m.
  • Tuesdays: 12:00–1:00 p.m.
  • Wednesdays: 3:00–4:00 p.m.

“A healthy snack can re-energize a child for an afternoon of summer reading and discovery. We hope families will come for the food and stay for the fun activities we have planned,” said Joan Dudzinski, Cumming Library Branch Manager. 

Guidelines for Attendance

In compliance with federal regulations, snacks are served on a first-come, first-served basis and must be eaten on the premises per USDA guidelines.

Forsyth County Public Library is an equal opportunity provider. For more information about the summer snack program or other upcoming summer events at the library, please visit ForsythPL.org or call 770-781-9840.

Summer Snacks are provided by: Forsyth County Public Library, Forsyth County Schools Food and Nutrition Department, Georgia Department of Education School Nutrition, and the USDA.

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ABOUT FORSYTH COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

Forsyth County Public Library (FCPL) serves the residents of Forsyth County, Georgia, with five libraries, an administrative building, and a mobile library. FCPL’s mission is to connect the Forsyth County community with exceptional resources, spaces, and experiences. Known as “the busiest library in Georgia,” FCPL circulates more materials than any other public library system in the state. The Sharon Forks, Post Road, and Cumming Library branches hold the top three spots for highest physical circulations among all individual library locations in Georgia. 

Friday, May 29, 2026

Meet Kristen Prince—FCPL's Latest Library Limelight!

Get to know Kristen Prince, Collection Support Aide (CSA) at Sharon Forks Library, in the May 2026 Library Limelight!

Kristen and family at an Atlanta Braves baseball game.

Originally from Brownstown, Michigan, Kristen lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for twenty years before moving to Georgia in 2013. No matter where she moves to, one of her first priorities is always finding the local library. She has always loved the atmosphere and enjoyed taking her child to storytimes, and joined the Forsyth County Public Library team in 2022. 

If Kristen had to describe her role in five words or fewer, they would be: shelving, organizing, and helping. She feels that handling every book that passes through gives her a deep understanding of the collection—from new arrivals to the current favorites of both children and adults. In true CSA style, she is organization-obsessed. “A place for everything and everything in its place,” says Kristen.

Outside of work, Kristen enjoys reading, solving puzzle books (anywhere from crosswords to sudoku), going to concerts, and her biggest passion—tennis! She has played since high school, and loves that she can play year-round in the Georgia climate.

Kristen playing tennis.

One of her favorite travel memories was a trip to Japan when she was 18. Her brother spent a year there to study abroad, so she visited for his graduation with their parents and traveled as a family. “It was beautiful, such a wonderfully different culture from ours. The people were so kind, and It helped immensely that my brother spoke Japanese! It was a trip I will never forget,” said Kristen.

Kristen at the beach.

While she enjoys a wide variety of genres, fantasy is her favorite. Right now she is reading the Book of the Ancestor trilogy by Mark Lawrence. Although there are no wrong answers when it comes to how one chooses to read, we had to ask: paper books, eBooks, or audiobooks? Her response was very clear—paper for the win!

Thank you, Kristen, for your hard work as a CSA in the busiest library in Georgia, and for giving us the opportunity to learn more about you! 

Sara Higgins 
Communications Specialist

Friday, May 22, 2026

Staff Picks: Intergenerational Stories

"Connections between generations are essential for the mental health and stability of a nation." –Margaret Mea

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and the Library has so much to offer beyond the self-help bookshelf. Some of the most impactful books I have read are not just how-to manuals, but snapshots of what it’s like to walk in someone else’s shoes, especially with regard to age. 

Meaningful intergenerational relationships have been found to provide major benefits for the physical and mental well being of everyone involved. According to a study in the 2025 Journal of Applied Gerontology, intergenerational interactions diminish loneliness and enhance social engagement for seniors. A Boston College study revealed that close grandparent-grandchild relationships are associated with fewer depression symptoms for both.

Younger generations report that these relationships help to improve their self-esteem, confidence, and emotional regulation. Kids often pick up life skills they may not have learned otherwise, unique perspectives, and wisdom that only comes with time and experience. 

If you want to be inspired, check out these timeless titles for kids and adults about the amazing and unexpected things that can happen when people young and old mingle and mix. 

My Grandma is a Superhero by Marloes van Loon

Enlarged book cover for My Grandma is a Superhero features an illustration of a young girl with a mask and cape riding on the shoulders of her grandmother who is also wearing a cape.

“A gentle story that helps children understand what happens when a grandparent has Alzheimer's disease and cope with their confusion and fading memory.” –Library Aware

The Sun Never Hurries by Roxanne Turcotte

Enlarged book cover of The Sun Never Hurries featuring an illustration of an older bear walking with a younger bear.

"When young Charlie asks her grandfather, Papa Jo, what his hourglass is for, he demonstrates the answer by inviting her to spend the day at a leisurely pace. Charlie and Papa Jo cook delicious soup, pick wildflowers, row a boat, and explore an island in this heartwarming story. By doing this, Papa Jo shows Charlie the importance of slowing down and savoring her day." –FCPL Catalog

A Grand Day by Jean Reidy

Enlarged book cover of A Grand Day features a young child being picked up and hugged by a grandparent.

"A heartfelt, exuberant ode to intergenerational bonding." –Kirkus Reviews

The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise by Colleen Oakley

Enlarged book cover of The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise.

"An octogenarian and a 21-year-old college dropout form an unlikely bond as they travel across the country." –Kirkus Reviews

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

Book cover of A Man Called Ove.

"A grumpy yet loveable man finds his solitary world turned on its head when a boisterous young family moves in next door." –FCPL Catalog

The Road to Tender Hearts by Anne Harnett

Enlarged book cover of The Road to Tender Hearts.

"A beautiful reminder that the world is full of tragedy, but life-changing joy and connection might be just around the corner." –Kirkus Reviews


Joanie Goforth
Outreach Specialist