Seeking the Perfect Setting for Reading this Season

When I’m reading books (usually fiction, and usually nothing resembling bestsellers), the setting is very important to me. And for me, setting is not just about where the characters live, but where I’m reading. My very favorite place to read is curled up in a papasan chair on my screened porch, surrounded by (but not within biting distance of) critters.

In the Distance, by Hernan Diaz, is set in the American West of the mid-19th century. A Swedish boy named Håkan and his older brother are immigrating to America and get separated, leading to a memorable journey and a unique reading experience. Justin Souther of Malaprop’s Bookstore in Asheville, North Carolina, where I purchased the book, writes that “while In the Distance can be read as a revisionist western—and totally enjoyed and chewed on as such—what makes Díaz’s book truly exceptional is how far beyond a simple genre it goes. A beautiful, thoughtful, and often heartbreaking exploration of lonesomeness, the simple confusion of just living, and the magnificent need for human connection.”

In the Distance was published by a nonprofit literary publishing house called Coffee House Press, which has a great mission statement: “Coffee House Press creates new spaces for audiences and artists to interact, inspiring readers and enriching communities by expanding the definition of what literature is, what it can do, and who it belongs to.”

I looked up Coffee House Press in the library catalog to see if I had read more of their books, and I have. Stephen Florida, by Gabe Habash, has a title that evokes the Sunshine State, but like In the Distance it’s also set west of the Mississippi, in frigid North Dakota.

Michael Schaub of NPR paints a good picture of the main character: “Who is Stephen Florida?  It's a little hard to say. He's an orphan who maybe hasn't yet come to terms with the death of his parents in a car crash. He's an obsessive with poor impulse control. He's possibly the best college wrestler in the state of North Dakota. He's an unapologetic megalomaniac…He's hard to know, but he's also one of the most unforgettable characters in recent American fiction.”

In addition to their publisher and their setting of the American West, these two novels both speak to my need for books that are not formulaic or predictable and introduce me to characters I haven’t encountered before.

Submitted by:

Stephen Kight

Deputy Director

Forsyth County Public Library

Your Opinion Counts in FCPL's World Languages Survey

Forsyth County Public Library is seeking public input on the development of its World Languages collection in an online survey starting today and ending on Wednesday, October 23, 2019.

"We survey our patrons periodically to better understand what they need and expect from their library; but, in cases like this, we also want to hear from Forsyth residents who aren't current library cardholders," explains Deputy Director Stephen Kight.

FCPL's World Languages collection already includes books in Hindi, Mandarin, Spanish, Tamil, and Telugu. Now the library wants to know if Forsyth residents are interested in reading in additional languages.

"We're inviting people who don't use the library to take this World Languages survey because we want to know if language is a barrier to their use of the library. If we offered materials in a certain language, would more individuals become library patrons so they could check out those materials?" asks Kight.

About the World Languages Collection

Forsyth County Public Library serves a vibrant and diverse community of patrons and hopes to make reading enjoyable and accessible for everyone in the Forsyth community. In fact, adding books in languages other than English has been a priority for the library and its patrons since the early 2000s.

The Cumming Library launched the World Languages collection in March 2003 with the first books in Spanish. Additional Spanish collections were added to the Post Road Library in October 2016 and the Hampton Park Library in April 2019.

Following a 2016 survey of patrons regarding additional languages, new shelving space was dedicated to collections in Hindi, Mandarin, Tamil, and Telugu when the Sharon Forks Library was renovated and expanded in March 2018.

More Free Language Learning Resources

In addition to offering books in languages other than English, Forsyth County Public Library also provides access to free language learning tools.

For example, the Mango online language learning program helps English speakers learn more than 60 other languages. Mango also can be used by speakers of other languages to learn how to speak, read, and write in English.

FCPL's Muzzy online language learning program also teaches English and other foreign languages, but the lessons and vocabulary are tailored to children in preschool and elementary school.

All library card holders are eligible to access these free services at the library, at home, or from a mobile device by logging into the library's website with a library card account.

To browse the World Languages collection, access language learning programs, or apply for a library card, visit the library's website at www.forsythpl.org.

Library Limelight: Joanie Goforth, Youth Services, Cumming Library

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

Joanie Goforth
Youth Specialist
Cumming Library

Joanie and her son, Samuel, on his first camping trip this summer.

Where is your hometown?

I was born in Nuremburg, Germany; but, I call Decatur, Alabama my hometown.

How long have you been at FCPL?

5 years 

What other jobs have you had at FCPL?

Information Specialist

Why did you choose to work in a library?

Besides loving to read, I enjoy helping people of all ages empower themselves with knowledge and connect with others.

Describe your job in five words or less.

Creative, fun, connecting, and engaging.

What is unique about your job?

The patrons and my colleagues are the most unique things about my job – I meet people of all kinds every day and I just love that!

What is your favorite part of your job?

Outreach visits, especially to the little kids at Head Start who are such little loves.

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

When I worked for Delta Air Lines, my husband and I traveled to Phuket, Thailand for our honeymoon. There is no place on earth like it that I’ve experienced so far. I also love Italy!

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy all kinds of music and, when time allows, I play piano and guitar, as well as attend concerts and shows. I love camping and hiking, playing with my kids and dog, and, of course, reading and any word-related puzzling.

What are you reading right now?

I'm reading The Witch Elm by Tana French, 12 Huge Mistakes Parents Can Avoid by Tim Elmore (a book study through my daughter’s high school), and I Said This, You Heard That: How Your Wiring Colors Your Communications by Kathleen Edelman (another book study through my small group). ** I usually don’t read this many books at once **

Paper books, eBooks, or audiobooks?

Paper books, plus audiobooks when I'm in the car.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I feel very fortunate to work for the library with such a great team and I am constantly learning each day from my peers.

Cumming Library Closing for Renovations

The Cumming Library, a local landmark and community hub of the downtown Cumming area, will close its doors for a 7-week renovation project. The library, located at 585 Dahlonega Street, will be closed Monday, October 14 through Sunday, December 1.

Signs on the express pickup shelves at the Cumming Library inform patrons about the upcoming renovation. 

The Friends Bookstore operated by the FCPL Friends and Advocates inside the Cumming Library will close a week earlier on Monday, October 7. The organization is currently running a half-off sale to clear inventory and prepare for renovations.

A Major Repair and Renovation (MRR) grant from the State of Georgia and the library’s own savings will fund the renovation, including such facility updates as new carpet, paint, tile and fixtures, and lighting for the shelves.

“It’s important to be good stewards of the funds entrusted to us by the state legislature, Georgia Public Library Service, residents of Forsyth County, and the Board of Commissioners.  We’re maximizing the generous state grant and local matching funds by refurbishing the interior and repurposing certain areas of the library,” explains Library Director Anna Lyle. 

For example, the existing lighting for the adult fiction and nonfiction shelving areas will be replaced with refurbished lighting removed from the Sharon Forks Library during its major expansion project in 2018.

While the closure of the Cumming Library may be an inconvenience to patrons, library leaders hope they will find the updated facility more comfortable and easier to navigate.

“The Cumming Library was originally built in 1992. While we’ve reconfigured the space in recent years to provide study rooms for patrons, the interior finishes haven’t been updated since 2007,” says Branch Manager Denise Leeson.

This renovation project is smaller in scope than last year’s expansion of the Sharon Forks Library. Because the updates to the Cumming Library do not include structural changes, library leaders intend to minimize the disruption in service to patrons.

“Over the next few weeks, we’ll be communicating with patrons about the upcoming renovation and helping them make arrangements to pick up books and materials at our other three branch locations. We’ll also share pictures of our progress on social media, so the community can follow along and be ready to visit us when the Cumming Library reopens on Monday, December 2,” says Leeson.

Cumming Library patrons will also have an opportunity to keep their books a little longer than usual while the renovation is in progress.

“All materials checked out after September 30 from the Cumming Library – just that branch, not the other libraries – will be assigned a due date after the branch reopens,” explains Leeson.

“We know our patrons will miss visiting the library during this time, but we hope our community of book lovers will check out enough reading material to hold them over until the reopening, without the worry of rushing to return them.”

Library Hosts Resource Fair for Patrons with Special Needs

Forsyth County residents with special needs, along with their families and caregivers, can meet with local service providers and learn about programs and resources at the Special Needs Resource Fair, Saturday, September 21 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Sharon Forks Library, 2820 Old Atlanta Road, Cumming.

The event will include a dozen local service providers offering free information about resources and programs available to individuals with special needs.

“While parents and caregivers are speaking to service providers, children with special needs can participate in a sensory storytime and other activities led by library staff,” says Programming Manager Tracy Walker.

Representatives from Alexander Academy, Behavior Link Behavioral Consultants, Forsyth Autism and Special Needs Support Group, North Georgia Equine in Motion, and Parent to Parent of Georgia are expected to speak with participants.

“We’re also looking forward to having Debbie Dobbs, a local health care consultant, talk with families about ways to advocate for patients with special needs when working with doctors, therapists, and hospitals,” says Walker.

Several governmental organizations, including Forsyth County Parks & Recreation, Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities, and Forsyth County Schools will also participate.

Leaders from such charitable organizations as Cumming Forsyth County Miracle League, Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, and Boy Scouts of America will provide information on local sports programs and social activities for children and young adults with disabilities or other special needs.

Information about the library’s own sensory and American Sign Language (ASL) storytime programs, crafting and computer classes, Special Needs Library Hour events, and services for patrons with visual impairments will also be available.

“We want to remind our community that our libraries are open and welcoming to everyone, including individuals with special needs. We hope that offering events like the Special Needs Resource Fair will make it easier for families to connect with each other and with the organizations that can give their loved ones the resources they need to live their best life,” says Walker.

Admission to the Special Needs Resource Fair is free and open to the public. For more information, please visit www.forsythpl.org.

Library Limelight: Jeff Fisher, Materials Services Manager, Library Headquarters

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

Jeff Fisher
Materials Services Manager
Library Headquarters

Where is your hometown?

Dayton, Tennessee

How long have you been at FCPL?

Less than 6 months

What other jobs have you had at FCPL?

This one is the first.

Why did you choose to work in a library?

My best friend enjoyed working in a library and that got me interested.

Describe your job in five words or less.

Select Acquire Catalog Process Stuff

What is unique about your job?

Observing and monitoring the selection, acquisition, cataloging, and processing of materials.

What is your favorite part of your job?

I love seeing patrons get excited about a book.

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

Paris, France (It's not necessarily my favorite, but it is the most interesting place I've traveled.)

What are your hobbies?

Family, action figures, exercise, reading, hiking, Dragon Con

What are you reading right now?

Dark Age, book five in the Red Rising saga by Pierce Brown

Paper books, eBooks, or audiobooks?

Paper

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

Hmmm . . . obscure trivia, pro wrestling terminology, irrelevant stories, dad jokes . . . nothing I can really think of offhand.

50% off all books at the Friends Bookstore inside the Cumming Library

IMPORTANT UPDATE OCTOBER 1, 2019: Starting today - October 1st - Bring one of your "Grocery Store" bags from home to the Friends Bookstore inside the Cumming Library and fill it to the top with books for just $5.00 a bag. All books must be sold THIS WEEK!


Is your fall all "booked" up? If your to-be-read pile is looking a little short, visit the Friends Bookstore inside the Cumming Library for half-price books, September 1 through October 6!

Bookstore Closing for Renovation

The Friends Bookstore inside the Cumming Library will close on October 7 and will be under renovation until January. Over 12,000 books must be sold to clear the Bookstore and get ready for the renovation.

Stop by and stock up on fiction and nonfiction books for kids and adults at half price! Yes, you read that correctly, all books in the Friends Bookstore at the Cumming Library are 50% off!

Proceeds from the Friends Bookstore operated by the FCPL Friends & Advocates support programs at the Library, so stock up for your fall and winter reading!

Donations to the Friends Bookstore

Please note that FCPL Friends & Advocates can no longer accept donations at Cumming Library Friends Bookstore location during the renovation. Please take any books or materials you wish to donate to the Post Road, Sharon Forks, or Hampton Park library branches.

Friends Bookstore to Reopen in 2020

Thank you for your patience as the Friends Bookstore at the Cumming Library is renovated to better serve its patrons. We look forward to reopening in January 2020 and will post an announcement here when the official reopening date is set.