Staff Picks: Art for Self Care by Jessica Swift - Adult Nonfiction

Art for Self-Care by Jessica Swift

You will be okay. 
This will not stop you. 
This will not break you. 
This will not end you.

When her husband passed away in 2018, Jessica Swift found comfort in listening to a voice that spoke from within. Widowed with two young children to care for, Swift soon discovered an unexpected inner strength. She began journaling and started scheduling time to listen to her inner voice after putting her babies to sleep each night.

In Art for Self-Care, Swift chronicles her healing journey as she simultaneously grieved her spouse while nurturing her children and working on what she calls 100 Messages to Myself. The book is both a memoir and guidebook for anyone who wants to grow more in touch with their own inner voice. It includes colorful illustrations and practical advice on the tools and techniques that anyone can use to create fun and meaningful art; whether they are a beginner or an experienced artist.  

Picture Books for Earth Day

Earth Day began in 1970 and is celebrated annually on April 22nd. This global event raises awareness about environmental issues and encourages action to protect our planet, with the goal of inspiring people to take care of the Earth and its natural resources. These illustrated books from our collection explain the origins of Earth Day and the history of the environmental movement in the United States.

Black Beach: A Community, an Oil Spill, and the Origin of Earth Day by Shaunna and John Stith; Illustrated by Maribel Lechuga

After a devastating oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara in 1969 that harmed wildlife and habitats, local citizens, including school children, joined clean up crews to try to help. They picked up debris, rescued seabirds covered in oil, and collected oil in bottles to send to politicians in Washington. Those small actions led to more people across the country taking actions to help the environment. Twenty million people celebrated the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970. Black Beach explains how children helped draw attention to environmental issues and includes practical ways to protect our environment. 

HollowFest at the Cumming Library

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If you're looking for a hauntingly good time, then the Cumming Library is just the place for you! Join us for HollowFest, an adult program series all about Washington Irving's The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Don't worry - we won't have headless phantoms roaming about (unless you count a paper horseman), but we will have an abundance of creepy stories and crafts.

Celebrating Juneteenth: A Journey to Freedom

What is Juneteenth?

Juneteenth, a federal holiday celebrated on June 19, marks a pivotal moment in American history. On this day in 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce that the Civil War had ended and enslaved people were now free—over two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This day symbolizes the end of slavery in the United States and is a time for reflection, education, and celebration of African American culture and achievements.

Explore Juneteenth Through Our Collection

To help our community learn more about Juneteenth we've curated a list of insightful and engaging books available at Forsyth County Public Library. Dive into these compelling reads to better understand the significance of Juneteenth and the enduring legacy of resilience and freedom.

Juneteenth for Mazie by Floyd Cooper

This beautifully illustrated children's book follows young Mazie as she learns about the history of Juneteenth. Through the storytelling of her father, Mazie discovers the struggles and triumphs of her ancestors, making this book a perfect introduction for younger readers.

Travel with Lewis and Clark this Summer

Let's go back in time to 1804, the start of a spectacular adventure in the history of the United States of America! This is the year that Meriwether Lewis and William Clark set out on their famous expedition to explore the new territory acquired in the Louisiana Purchase. What natural wonders did Lewis and Clark view? What people did they meet on their travels? What dangers did they encounter over the course of nearly two and a half years?

Discover the history of the Lewis and Clark Expedition as presented by Ken Johnston of History Now on Saturday, June 22 at 2:00 p.m. at the Cumming Library. This program is for 6th grade through adults. Get ready to add some adventure to your life!

Melissa

Information Specialist

Come and Write Together

Are you a writer in need of new ideas and new friends? Join us at the Cumming Library for Write Together and work alongside fellow writers in a setting similar to a café - minus the coffee! Drop-in any time on Monday, April 22 between 6:30–8:30 p.m. for a self-directed writing session.

Travel and Mystery STEAM Program for Grades K-5

Please join us for our Travel and Mystery STEAM program for grades K-5 at the Cumming Library on Tuesday, March 26 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.

This program is inspired by the exciting mystery series, Greetings From Somewhere, by Harper Paris that takes place in countries all over the world. Get ready to explore Paris, Venice, Peru, Mumbai, and Alaska while we dig into history, art, architecture, and geography. We will learn about stolen art that has never been found, create mosaic artwork, track animal prints, identify spices, see how ancient monuments were built, and then design your own.

Holly

Youth Specialist

Learn How to Write Historical Fiction

Love writing and/or reading historical fiction? Come and learn all about it from the best! Join authors Rona Simmons and Dr. Piper Huguley for their program, How to Write Historical Fiction on Monday, March 25 at 7:00 p.m. at the Cumming Library. They will discuss the process of researching and writing historical fiction novels.

Working as an Extra: Stories from the Set - January 24 at Sharon Forks Library

 

Have you ever wondered what it's really like to work in film or television? 

This month Bob Lusher, who has worked as an extra on more than 50 movies and 35 television shows, will share his personal experiences working on projects like The Founder, Sully, The Hunger Games, Captain America, The Walking Dead, Ozark, and Stranger Things. 

Working as an Extra: Stories from the Set will be held at Sharon Forks Library on Wednesday, January 24 at 6:30 p.m. 

If you're curious about what it's like to be in the movies, this is your opportunity to find out!  

Learn Something New for the New Year

If you haven't decided on a New Year's resolution, look no further than your local library! At FCPL, we are kicking off 2024 with Pastime Pursuits, an adult program series all about crafts and hobbies.

Staff Picks For My Fellow "True Crime" Aficionados

If you enjoy listening to podcasts like Morbid, My Favorite Murder, or Crime Junkie, check out these books on true crime. As a fan of these types of podcasts myself, I really enjoy the downloadable audio versions of these books. What makes them even more interesting is that they are all narrated by the author. If you have not tried an audiobook yet, download Libby and give it a try—it is free with your library card!

What the Dead Know: Learning About Life as a New York City Death Investigator by Barbara Butcher

This memoir is a very honest look into the life of a New York City death investigator. It pairs all of the grizzly details of investigating death along with personal growth and enlightenment. Butcher does not shy away from exposing her own shortcomings as she reveals her battles with addiction and relationship struggles. She uses dark humor to cope with some of the most harrowing cases during her time as Death Investigator in Manhattan.

Register for Winter Reading Fun on December 19!

Registration for Winter Reading Fun begins on December 19. This fun, free reading challenge will run from Tuesday, December 19–January 21.

Come Craft with Us!

Did you know that craft programs at the library aren't just for kids? CrafterNoon, an adult craft program, meets at the Cumming Library every second Friday of the month from 2:00–4:00 p.m. This past September, patrons joined us to learn about book binding and had the opportunity to make three different types of books: a manila envelope and a business envelope book, which both use the three-hole pamphlet stitch to bind the pages together, and the no-sew accordion-style book.

StokerFest at the Cumming Library

 

Calling all vampires and vampire hunters! Sink your teeth into the Cumming Library's adult program series, StokerFest. Throughout the month of October, we will host a variety of programs in celebration of Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula. Upcoming programs include a spooky craft for adults and a visit from a cryptozoologist!

ATLAS - At The Library After School - Traveling Through History at Sharon Forks Library

The school year is underway which means the return of ATLAS (At The Library After School) at the Sharon Forks branch. This program gives our elementary-aged children the opportunity to explore and learn about different topics any time they are at the library through hands-on activities.

SEC Football: Saturdays in the South with Author G.A. Morris III

Have you ever wondered about what happens on the sidelines at Southeastern Conference (SEC) football games? Grab your favorite jersey and join author G.A. Morris III for college football officiating behind the scenes, just in time for the start of the college football season!

Join us at the Cumming Library on Monday, August 21 at 7:00 p.m. for SEC Football: Saturdays in the South. G.A. "Gus" Morris III will talk about his new book, Saturdays in the South. In the book, Morris takes a dive into his 31 year SEC career, which included 23 Bowl Games and 5 SEC Championship Games.

Celebrating Post Road Library’s 10th Anniversary

Come celebrate the community success of Post Road Library on Saturday, August 12.

It has been an amazing ten years since the Post Road Library opened its doors on August 24, 2013. The branch will be showcasing some of the highlights from the building of the library to many of the past years’ programs. Post Road Library has been well-used, and the numbers prove it!

Ride and Read: Motorcycle Safety Demonstration and Bike Show

Zip up your jackets and put on your helmets, motorcycles are coming to the library! Have you ever wondered what it takes to hop on a motorcycle and feel the wind rushing past as you ride down the highway?

Join us at the Cumming Library on Saturday, July 15 from 1:00-3:30 p.m. for Ride and Read, a presentation from the Forsyth County Sherriff's Office on motorcycle safety and a bike demonstration in the parking lot. You'll learn what is needed to stay safe while on a motorcycle and what to be aware of as a regular motorist, and you'll see some motorcycles up close and personal.

Get ready to flip up your kickstand, twist the throttle, and ride over to the Cumming Library!

Kegan and Melissa

Information Specialists

Cumming Library

Meet Author Emily Matheis! A Special Family Storytime: Opal's Springtime Birdhouse by Emily Matheis

 

Opal's Springtime Birdhouse by Emily Matheis

At Young Carpenter’s Camp boys and girls design creative birdhouses with pompoms, bells, and springs hoping to win the first-place blue ribbon prize. Opal uses a thoughtful strategy to design her simple, sturdy birdhouse, reading about birds and applying carpentry basics. She doesn’t impress the judges, but the pair of bluebirds who move into her birdhouse obviously appreciate her work. 

Opal’s Springtime Birdhouse shows boys and girls using STEM skills (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) to design unique birdhouses and contains a positive message about handling unexpected outcomes. 

Emily Matheis, Author

I couldn’t be more excited to see Opal’s Springtime Birdhouse on our library shelves. Author Emily Matheis is a Sharon Forks Library patron and member of the Sharon Forks Writers’ Group who writes for children and adults. 

Sharon Forks Library will present Meet Author Emily Matheis! A Special Family Storytime on Monday, June 12 at 6:30 p.m. This program includes a story, craft, and Q&A with author Emily Matheis. 

Sign up for FCPL's Summer Reading Program and win prizes for reading and other activities. See all of the library's summer events on FCPL's event calendar.  

Alicia Cavitt
Information Specialist

A Summer with Jane Austen

My dear Forsyth County residents,

The Season is about to begin, and I can hardly wait. Everyone in society knows that the library is the place to be and to be seen. Have you heard the news that the Cumming Library will be celebrating all things me this June?

My event calendar is as follows:

Friday, June 9 - Regency Crafts with Jane Austen (Ticketed Program)

I plan to craft an elegant cameo ornament. You can come learn all about me during a fascinating presentation.

Saturday, June 17 - Learn Regency Dance

Come and learn how to dance as I do. I do hope you won't be a wallflower!

Saturday, June 24 - ESCAPE from Mr. Wickham! (Registration Required)

Help me salvage my family's reputation and discover where Mr. Wickham has taken my sister Lydia.

Do please refer to my social calendar for more event details, and don't forget to dress in your Regency best!

Sincerely,

Melissa

Information Specialist

Cumming Library