Local Teens Win State Video Competition

Congratulations are in order for Teen Advisory Board from the Post Road Library on being named a state-level winner of the Teen Video Competition in support of the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP). The library will celebrate this achievement with a Red Carpet Screening Party on May 27 at 6:30 at the Post Road Library so the winners’ friends and family can view the video.

The CSLP competition is now in its fifth year and encourages teens to get involved with promoting summer reading programs at their local public libraries. This year’s contest focused on the slogan “Unmask” and required teens to create a short video to promote the summer reading program to their peers.

The idea for “Novel Masquerade” started during a Teen Advisory Board meeting and then teen volunteers kept the creative process flowing by developing the storyline, designing costumes, creating virtual sets with green screens, and filming sequences inside the Post Road Library.

“The whole creative effort, from the idea to storyboarding to filming and finally editing, took about 6 weeks,” says Vikki Doerr, the librarian who served as a liaison between the teens and the library during production.

Rahul Gurram, a sophomore at West Forsyth High School, directed the video. Julia Cleland, a freshman at West, served as camera operator and video editor. Audrey Nguyen was the props and costume director.

“All the video entries are short, but our teens quickly tell a story that grips the audience from the very beginning and takes them on a magical journey from the library stacks to a grand masquerade ballroom,” says Laura Bradley, Program Manager. “This video perfectly sums up what our summer reading program is designed to do: encourage readers of all ages to open a book and embark on a journey with the characters inside.”

Teens from 26 states entered the competition and the winners were recently announced at the CSLP Annual Meeting in Newport, Rhode Island. A selection of winning videos will be shown at the Red Carpet Screening Party. All winning videos are accessible on CSLPreads.org. The winning video for Georgia, “Novel Masquerade,” can also be viewed on the Forsyth County Public Library’s YouTube channel.

During the screening party, each of the teens that participated in production for “Novel Masquerade” will be recognized for their efforts. They will also receive a group award of $150 from CSLP and the library will receive small prizes from Upstart and Candlewick Press.

More photo outtakes and behind-the-scenes information is available on the FCPL Facebook Page.

Staff Picks

If enjoy a gripping suspense story, check out Tom Rob Smith’s The Farm.  (And clear your calendar because this is one book you won’t want to put down.)

Narrator Daniel finds his loyalties tested when his father calls to say his mother has been institutionalized.  Before Daniel can digest the bombshell, his mother contacts him with an entirely different story.

The only fact linking both versions of events is that a move from London to a remote farm in Sweden was a desperate attempt to resolve financial problems Daniel's parents had long hidden from their son.   Mum and dad tell vastly different accounts of the months spent there.

Mum’s story (Tilda’s) drives the suspense when she describes the bizarre country folk and their effect on Daniel’s father.  Minor snubs evolve into tales of arson and a formidable conspiracy. But is it true?

Daniel (who has been keeping secrets of his own) faces an emotional tug-of-war when his father shows up in London for a confrontation.  It’s a high stakes he said/she said with plenty of dark twists.


Alicia Cavitt
Information Specialist

Library Limelight: Holly Raus, Information Specialist - Youth Services

Library Limelight is intended to be a quick read to help FCPL patrons get to know our librarians and staff.  We hope you enjoy learning about the people who make our libraries great!

Holly Raus
Information Specialist, Youth Services
Cumming Library

Where is your hometown?

Butler, PA near Pittsburgh

How long have you been at FCPL?

2 1/2 years

What other jobs have you had at FCPL?

CSA

Why did you choose to work in a library?

I was volunteering at a library with my therapy dog and loved the atmosphere. When I received the opportunity to try it, I knew that this was what I was meant to be doing. 

Describe your job in five words or less.

Supporting early literacy skills.

What is unique about your job?

You get to be silly. How many jobs include wearing antlers and doing the Reindeer Pokey? Youth Services is so much fun!

What is your favorite part of your job?

The chance to be creative and I love that I get to work with all age groups from babies to teens.

What’s the most interesting place you’ve lived or traveled?

I have lived in 5 states: PA, NY, FL, NH, and now GA. New Hampshire was my favorite and I really hope we can go back there someday. I have been fortunate to travel quite a bit. I love Europe and have visited England, Wales, France, Germany, and Italy. My focus when I travel is seeing art and architecture. The most interesting place I visited was Israel where I floated in the Dead Sea, stood on top of Masada, and toured Jerusalem.

What are your hobbies?

Reading, home decorating projects, and gardening

What are you reading right now?

I am listening to Inkheart by Cornelia Funke on audiobook, and reading Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky, and A Spool of Blue Thread by Anne Tyler

Paper books or eBooks?

Definitely paper or audio

Holocaust Survivor to Speak at Cumming Library on May 17

In partnership with Atlanta’s William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum, the Cumming Library will host a special presentation from George Rishfeld, a Holocaust survivor, on Sunday, May 17 at 2:00 p.m.

Rishfeld’s “Memories of the Holocaust” presentation is part of the library’s One World Forsyth cultural series and will include an overview of the Holocaust, as well as stories, personal accounts, and photos from Rishfeld’s family. Seating for the event is limited.

Originally named Jureck, George Rishfeld was born in Warsaw, Poland on April 26, 1939. He was the only child of Richard and Lucille Rishfeld, who owned a fur business.

Barely five months after George was born, Nazi forces invaded Warsaw and his family fled to the Lithuanian city of Vilna. Soon, Nazi forces occupied Vilna and George’s family was forced to live in the Vilna ghetto where food was scarce, sanitation was horrible, and sickness was rampant.

After Nazis killed George’s aunt, baby cousin, and his grandparents, George’s parents decided on a daring plan to save their child. George’s father found a way to contact Halinka Fronckvics and her father, both of whom had been employed in his fur business. The Fronckvics family agreed to care for George during the war and return him to his parents if they survived, or to raise him as their own son if his parents did not survive.

George’s parents kissed their small son goodbye and tossed him over a fence, into the arms of Halinka Fronckvics, who carried him home to her parents and kept him hidden from Nazi forces.

George and his mother in Belgium, after WWII
Image courtesy of George Rishfeld and the
William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

During his presentation, Rishfeld will talk about the difficulties of pretending not to be a Jewish child and his longing for the parents who could not be with him during World War II. He will discuss how his father escaped the ghetto to join the resistance and what became of his mother after she was transferred to a number of different ghettos.

Rishfeld will share photos of his family before and after the war, as well as the story of how he came to the United States and later joined the Army so he could help defend the country that had become a refuge for his family.

As an adult, Rishfeld says he came to understand how much the Fronckvics family risked to save him and he appreciates their extraordinary courage and kindness. Through his speaking engagements with the William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum, Rishfeld hopes to encourage people to “[b]e kind to one another. Respect yourself, but also respect people of different religions and races.”

A brief question-and-answer session will follow Rishfeld’s presentation. For more information on this or other One World Forsyth programs, please visit www.forsythpl.org.

Bookmarks Book Club April 23rd at the Cumming Library

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

If you liked the movie, you will LOVE the book!  Filled with witty and hilarious quips, the book version of this fairy tale adventure has added details (plus a few interesting differences) that make the story extra special.  Wesley's "as you wish" lines are so romantic, Inigo's determination is inspiring, Fezzik's kind-hearted enormity is heroic, and Vizzini is just plain "inconceivable!" A definite fun read.  Have fun storming the castle!  This swashbuckling tale is the selection for Bookmarks book club for teens in grades 7 and up.  This book club meets at the Cumming Library on Thursday, April 23rd at 1:00 p.m. and is designed for the schedule of homeschoolers, but all teens available at this time are welcome to attend.  Registration is recommended.

Julie Boyd
Youth Services Supervisor

Page Turners: A Book Club for Grades 3-5 - Cumming Library – April 23 at 4:00 p.m

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren

Red headed and pig tailed Pippi Longstocking is as fresh, inventive, and irrepressible as ever. This classic tale from Award winning Swedish children’s book author Astrid Lindgren has been translated into 60 languages and remains as much fun as ever. Every reader wonders what it would be like to be nine years old and be your own boss living alone in Villa Villekula with a pet monkey and horse on the front porch. Pippi has no time for school and has travelled far and wide on her father’s ship and these experiences prompt many a tall tale that exasperate grown ups and amuse her friends.  Pippi Longstocking is the featured selection for the Page Turners book club for children in grades 3-5 at the Cumming Library on Thursday, April 23 at 4:00 p.m. Registration is recommended.

Holly Raus
Information Specialist-Youth Services
Cumming Library

Celebrate National Library Week

The Forsyth County Public Library is celebrating the joy and unlimited possibilities of reading as part of National Library Week, happening April 12 – 18.

National Library Week was first sponsored by the American Library Association in 1958 and is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation’s libraries and librarians. National Library Week is also a time to promote use of our local libraries by all members of our community.

Celebrate by Finding a Great Book

“We’re excited to announce that the Forsyth County Public Library is launching our very own readers’ group on Goodreads.com, a popular book recommendation website, in conjunction with our National Library Week activities,” says Stephen Kight, Assistant Director for Public Services.

Best-selling author David Baldacci is serving as the Honorary Chair of National Library Week 2015. Baldacci has written 30 novels for adults and 4 novels for young readers. While he won’t be visiting the Atlanta area until after National Library Week, the library is honoring Baldacci’s efforts to support family and adult literacy by creating a special bookshelf on its new Goodreads group where users can find links to his books in the library’s collection.

In addition to this special shelf dedicated to National Library Week and David Baldacci, library staff members continue to post and rate their favorite books in nearly two dozen genres and categories, such as mystery, urban fantasy, romance, thrillers and suspense, chick lit and non-fiction.

“Many of our patrons already use Goodreads.com to keep track of the books they’ve read and to look for new reading material. Now, those users can join the Library’s group and find out which books our staff are reading and recommending, see book reviews from real readers, and participate in discussions about the books that matter most to them,” adds Kight.

The library’s Goodreads group will also have a special section devoted to new and upcoming books that will soon be arriving in the library’s collection.

“We think this is a perfect opportunity to give our patrons a sneak peek at the new material being published by their favorite authors that they’ll soon be able to check out. It also gives patrons a chance to learn about new authors and books that are perhaps a departure from what they normally like to read,” says Kight. “Goodreads is simply one more way we can connect with patrons and help them find even more books to love.”

Celebrate by Discussing a Great Book

The library is also celebrating National Library Week with several book discussion events for adults, teens, and children.

The Coffee Talk book club will meet at the Cumming Library on Tuesday, April 14 at 1:00 p.m. to discuss The Men Who United the States: America's Explorers, Inventors, Eccentrics, and Mavericks, and the Creation of One Nation, Indivisible.

The Lit Chicks book club will meet at the Post Road Library on Wednesday, April 15 at 10:15 a.m. to discuss Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Childcare will be provided by the library’s youth services staff, so advance registration is requested.

The Literazzi book club will meet at the Sharon Forks Library on Wednesday, April 15 at 2:00 p.m. and again at 7:00 p.m. to discuss Sister by Rosamund Lupton.

Teens in grades 6 and up who love to write poetry, short stories, articles, or other long-format pieces are invited to join in the Teen Writing Club meeting at the Cumming Library on Tuesday, April 14 at 7:00 p.m. Participants will learn tips for writing and may share samples of their work.

Teens who love to read should head over to the Post Road Library on Wednesday, April 15 at 5:30 p.m. for the Pizza and Books book club meeting. Papa John’s will donate pizza for participants to snack on while they share what they’re reading with the group.

Young readers in grades K through 2 are invited to participate in the Chatterbooks reading group at the Sharon Forks Library on Thursday, April 16 at 4:00 p.m. The group will be completing crafts and activities related to The Dot, a story of how one child’s simple dot turned into a real work of art.

Students in grades 3 through 5 will enjoy S.T.E.A.M. Reads, a group dedicated to discovering science, technology, engineering, art, and math through the joy of reading. The group will also meet at the Sharon Forks Library on Thursday, April 16 to work on activities and experiments related to The 8th Continent, a story of two children that want to turn a floating garbage patch into new continent.

“The library gives our community a free and convenient way to explore unlimited possibilities through special programs, workshops, job-seeking resources, and the power of reading,” says Laura Bradley, Program Manager. “Celebrating National Library Week with these book discussion events and the launch of our Goodreads group is a special way to connect our patrons with the services and information they want and need.”

More information on each of these National Library Week events, as well as the new readers’ group on Goodreads.com, is available at www.forsythpl.org.

Popular Readalikes

Inferno by Dan Brown was one of the 

most checked out books at FCPL in 2014.
If you enjoy history, thrillers, puzzles and mystery
check out The Atlantis Code by Charles Brokaw.

Reading Rules: A Book Club for Grades 3-6 - Cumming Library - April 23 at 1:00 p.m.

Fame and Glory in Freedom, Georgia
by Barbara O'Connor


Reading Rules is a book club designed for homeschooled students in grades 3 through 6. Other children who are available in the early afternoon are also welcome. This month, we'll focus on the book Fame and Glory in Freedom, Georgia by Barbara O'Connor. All her life Bird has had two goals. One is to get noticed in her small town and the other to go to Disney World. To accomplish these goals, Bird plans on winning the state spelling bee. Bird finds a spelling bee partner in Harlem Tate, the guy in town that no one wants anything to do with. Learning to be a friend can be a challenge,  but Bird is up to the test.


Lorraine Lane
Information Specialist-Youth Services

Popular Readalikes

Michael Connelly's The Gods of Guilt was in 3rd place on FCPL's list of the most checked out items in 2014.  Fans of Connelly will also enjoy The Hidden Man by David Ellis.  Both are multilayered legal thrillers with plenty of plot twists.

Popular Readalikes

The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks 

was the second most popular book
checked out by FCPL patrons in 2014.

If you enjoy fiction with heart check out 

The Accidental Tourist by Anne Tyler.

Staff Picks - Adult Fiction

Sister by Rosamund Lupton

I read it years ago and I remembered that it had a very interesting plot twist that would lend itself to hearty discussion for our Literazzi book club. 

It's a story about family and self-discovery. I did catch onto hints and clues the second time around that I had missed the first time I read it. I liked the fact that I was unable to guess the ending.

It is beautifully written and I loved some of the anecdotes, such as the color yellow of daffodils saving eyesight and the dawn chorus of birds.

Meredith Bowermeister

Information Services Supervisor

Sharon Forks Library

New Database Helps with History Homework

Local students will be getting a little extra help with their history homework this spring thanks to a new set of research databases at the Forsyth County Public Library (FCPL).

This new eLibrary resource, Infobase History Research Center, can be accessed from a library computer or from any location by logging onto the library website at www.forsythpl.org by simply selecting eResources from the homepage and then clicking History. The service is free and a library card is not required when visiting a library branch.  Outside of the library, users need a library card and PIN to access the database.

“History Research Center will help middle school, high school, and college-level students locate articles, images, primary source documents, biographies, videos, and maps to complete research papers, projects, and homework assignments,” says Linda Kelly, Assistant Director for Materials.

The platform includes five databases that can be searched individually or cross-searched together, helping students find the resources they need more quickly.

The Ancient and Medieval History database provides a survey of prehistoric times through the 1500s. Special topic centers on key regions and civilizations are also provided. The Modern World History database covers the broad expanse of world history from the mid-15th century to the present, including in-depth biographical references for key leaders, scientists, artists, and other historical figures.

The American History database delivers more than 500 years of cultural, political, social, and military history. It also offers support for local curriculum objectives with increased coverage for women’s history and government in the U.S. The African-American History database is a comprehensive examination of the African-American experience in the U.S. including thousands of cross-referenced articles and images. The American Indian History database helps students explore 15,000 years of Native American history and culture, along with records related to 600 distinct Native American groups.

“We selected History Research Center for the eResources collection because it offers so many tools that are relevant to our students, to their teachers, and to the historical curriculum studied from middle school to college in our area,” says Kelly.

“This platform offers focused topic centers that both teachers and students can use, study guides for specific historical events or subjects, timelines to help students understand the context and order of historical events, and tools to create citations for writing research papers. Teachers might also like to use the slideshow overview feature to give students a visual introduction to the material they’re about to cover in class.”

To use the new History Research Center, please visit www.forsythpl.org.