Library Resource: Bookflix

Are you a parent of kindergarten–3rd grade children? Are you a grandparent, caregiver, or an educator of elementary-aged children? Do you have children in your life in any capacity? If so, you need BookFlix! 

BookFlix is an eResource that features a pairing of fiction and nonfiction books for children. Expert narrators read the fictional story to you as you watch the pictures come to life with amazing graphics! Calming background music and sound effects add to the immersive experience. 

For the nonfiction selection, the book is shown on the screen, with the pages being "turned" by clicking the arrow. You can read the book aloud with your child, your child can read to you, or you can take turns! At the end of the nonfiction book there is the option of participating in games that increase vocabulary, help reading comprehension, and assist the reader in placing events in order. The games are entertaining and eye-catching, with pictures that highlight the subject of the story. 

This is the featured pairing for this month:

You will "watch the story" of Just a Few Words, Mr. Lincoln and read the nonfiction selection about  Abraham Lincoln.

There are currently 163 pairs of books (326 titles), with 42 pairs that are also available in Spanish. New titles are added every year, usually in August or September. 

The categories that are available are: Animals and Nature, Earth and Sky, People and Places, ABCs and 123s, Adventure, Family and Community, Celebrations, Music and Rhyme, and Imagination. 

Start exploring BookFlix in our eLibrary today!  

Jeanine Thompson
FCPL Outreach Specialist

Have you tried The Palace Project app yet?

Forsyth County Public Library (FCPL) patrons have enjoyed the Libby app (by Overdrive) for free access to eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, and more for a number of years. 

Last year, FCPL added The Palace Project funded by Georgia Public Library Service as an additional resource for accessing eBooks and eAudiobooks.

The Palace Project app provides thousands of free eBooks and eAudiobooks for your eReading enjoyment! This app is not a substitute for Libby, but rather an additional platform you can use to find exclusive content and possibly shorter wait times on your to-read list titles!

Palace has added copies of high-demand titles. Long holds wait times in other apps? See if it’s available in Palace!

 

Please note, The Palace Project is a newer app that can be a little quirky sometimes. You may experience more technical difficulties with The Palace Project than you are used to in Libby. Try it anyway! The more people who use this app, the more likely the developers are to learn of and fix technical issues.  

Which should you choose? Libby or The Palace Project? 

You don’t actually have to pick just one! Many power-readers keep Libby for their Kindle reading and use The Palace Project to find hidden gems or classic titles that are often available without a hold.

Below is a quick reference about some of the differences between Libby and The Palace Project:

Feature	Libby	The Palace Project
Kindle Support	Yes	No (In-app reading only)
Waitlists	Yes	Yes (but many "Always Available" titles)
Checkouts & Holds	10 items out 15 holds	10 items out 10 holds
User Interface	Highly visual & curated	Simple & streamlined
Login	Library Card + PIN	Library Card + PIN

NEW to The Palace Project: eRead Kids! 

eRead Kids is a digital library for children with more than 45,000 eBooks and eAudiobooks available to all public libraries in Georgia. Explore the collection of fiction and non-fiction picture books, basic readers, graphic novels, and chapter books in English and Spanish for kids in pre-K to 4th grade. eRead Kids can currently only be accessed through The Palace Project app, but stay tuned for browser-based access soon!

All eRead Kids content is available in the Forsyth County Public Library "library" in The Palace Project, but if you'd like to filter out all the adult books in Palace and only see the eRead Kids content, you can add "eRead Kids - Forsyth County Public Library" as a separate library on The Palace Project app. All you need is your library card and library PIN.

Need help getting started with The Palace Project? 

Check out this helpful guide. 

Download The Palace Project app for Android or Apple iOS today and give it a try!

Meredith Causey, FCPL Materials Services Manager 

Leslie Marinelli, FCPL Communications Manager

Find Funding Faster with Foundation Directory—Only at Cumming Library!

Ask any leader of a local charitable organization and you’ll probably hear that fundraising is one of the most challenging tasks they face. Spreading awareness, seeking donors, and applying for grant funding is time-consuming. However, Forsyth County Public Library provides free access to Candid’s Foundation Directory at the Cumming Library to make it easier for local nonprofits to find and apply for funding opportunities.

Candid’s Foundation Directory has profiles for over 325,000 grantmakers and over 2 million recipients. The database is updated daily and new grants and requests for proposals (RFPs) are added weekly. Not all funders can be found online through a regular web search and RFPs can be especially hard to locate, making Foundation Directory an excellent resource for grantseekers. 

You can easily do a general search in Foundation Directory, but this resource also has a powerful advanced search feature that can help you pinpoint the data you may need. Your search results are broken down into Grantmakers, Grants, Recipients, and 990 Tax Forms. You can download or email lists and detailed profiles to review them later. 

Information Services Supervisor Arlene Melton using Candid's Foundation Directory database on a public access computer at the Cumming Library. Photo credit: Forsyth County Public Library.

"Candid’s Foundation Directory really simplifies the process for local nonprofits looking for funding and serves as a one-stop resource for researching and connecting with potential funders. Stop by the Cumming Library to check out this valuable resource and be sure to keep an eye on our Events page for an upcoming Foundation Directory class in April 2026," said Joan Dudzinski, Cumming Library Branch Manager. 

Foundation Directory is incredibly useful for prospecting and researching grants and grantmakers. Library patrons can access Foundation Directory by logging on to any public computer at the Cumming Library with their library card. Visitors can stop by the Ask Us desk to request a guest pass.

Jen Bell

Information Specialist

Cumming Library

Library eResources: Online Newspapers

How do you get your news? 

If you want a reliable source for your national, world, and local news, be sure to check out the free online access to newspapers provided through the Forsyth County Public Library website, including The New York Times Online, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (only available on the library computers), The Forsyth County News, and The Forsyth Herald. 

Announcing: New (and Improved) Electronic Resources

There are some exciting new electronic resources now available through the Library!

MyHeritage is an online genealogy resource that provides access to over 20 billion historical records. Users of
MyHeritage will have the online ability to review U.S. census records from 1790 to 1950. Other records include British census information and over 816 million public records from the United States. The database provides over 100 million photos of gravestones as well.

FinancialFit is an electronic resource that provides information and lessons related to personal finance. This electronic database contains over 160 short lessons on personal finance. There are also interactive lessons, videos, and finance based games for those using the database. Access is also given to worksheets and checklists. Topics include 'Managing Debt,' 'Getting a Car,' and many more.

The Cumming Library is now an affiliate library for FamilySearch. The FamilySearch database provides access to over six billion viewable images of genealogical records, and a collection of over thirteen billion searchable names. The Cumming Library's status as a FamilySearch affiliate allows patrons to access content on the patron computers at the Cumming Library that would be blocked if they were using FamilySearch at home.

Lastly, although not new to FCPL, LearningExpress Library is getting an upgrade. This online resource provides training courses and helps users explore careers and prepare for college exams. The expansion of this resource provides more depth and opportunity for users to increase their skills and knowledge.

Visit the Library's eLibrary tab to explore all our eResources by category, target age group, or alphabetical order. 

Jeff Fisher

FCPL Materials Services Manager

New Feature: Content Controls in Libby

FCPL offers free access to downloadable eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eMagazines through Libby, an app managed by OverDrive. This week OverDrive introduced a new feature within Libby called "Content Controls."

The Content Controls feature allows users to manage access to titles in Libby based on the intended audience for each individual title. 

There are four audience categories in Libby: 

• Juvenile: Titles intended for readers ages 0–12
  
  
• Young adult: Titles written for readers ages 13–18
  
  
• General content: Titles written for adult readers or a general audience. This is the audience category for most titles.
  
  
• Mature content: Titles intended only for mature audiences due to the nature of their content

The Content Controls feature is found in the Settings section of the Libby app. OverDrive has created three presets for Content Controls that users can apply to their account settings in Libby. 

Winter Break Survival Guide: Week 1

Parents and caregivers, you made it through the first half of the school year! 

Now it’s winter break and as happy as you are to have some quality time with the kids at home for the next few weeks, chances are it won’t be long until you hear the first cries of “I’m bored.” 

Not to worry, we have some ideas to help you make your family’s winter break more fun and educational without breaking the bank. 

Illuminate Your Hanukkah Celebration with These DeLIGHTful Library Resources

Hey there, fellow bookworms and knowledge seekers! With the Festival of Lights beginning tonight, we're diving into the fascinating world of Hanukkah and the treasure trove of resources available at Forsyth County Public Library. So, grab a latke, light a candle, and let's explore the magic of Hanukkah together!

Free eResources for FCPL Card Holders: Consumer Reports

 

As we head into the holiday shopping season, how can you make sure you’re getting the best value for your hard-earned cash? 

One trusted source for accurate product reviews is Consumer Reports. Forsyth County Library card holders can access CR’s product reviews online through our eResources page. Print editions of Consumer Reports magazine are available for checkout at each of our four branches. When you're comparison shopping, remember that your library card gives you free access to reliable product reviews from Consumer Reports. 

Collection Highlight: Mental Health Awareness Month 2023

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Forsyth County Public Library offers patrons a wide array of current books about keeping the mind healthy, preventing and healing mental illness, and practicing self-care.

A few new titles are shared below. Visit our Community Resources Guide and Mental Health Helplist under eResources or ask a librarian for additional mental health resources for you or for a loved one. 

Change Your Brain Every Day: Simple Daily Practices to Strengthen Your Mind, Memory, Moods, Focus, Energy, Habits, and Relationships by Daniel G. Amen, MD. 2023

Psychiatrist and clinical neuroscientist Daniel Amen, MD, draws on over 40 years' clinical practice with tens of thousands of patients to give you the most effective daily habits he has seen that can help you improve your brain, master your mind, boost your memory, and make you feel happier, healthier, and more connected to those you love.

Scattered Minds: The Origins and Healing of Attention Deficit Disorder by Gabor Maté, MD. 2023

Scattered Minds explodes the myth of attention deficit disorder (ADD/ADHD) as genetically based and offers real hope and advice for children and adults who live with the condition.

November is National Novel Writing Month

Each November, aspiring novelists from around the globe challenge themselves to write 50,000 words of a novel in thirty days. In 2022, over 400,000 writers took part in National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo.

The rules are simple.

The writing project must be new.
The project must be written by a single person.
It has to be finished by midnight on November 30th.

Are you ready for the challenge?

NaNoWriMo’s website offers writing prompts and resources that can help writers track their progress. 

Free Resources for FCPL Cardholders - Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports

Digital Access

Did you know that you can use your FCPL card to access Consumer Reports? 

Consumer Reports is a nonprofit organization that tests products and conducts research. The organization has become a trusted source for information about products - such as appliances, vehicles, technology, and more - by testing safety and performance. The magazine is published monthly and available in FCPL branches. Digital access is also available within the branches. However, you can access articles and reviews from your phone or computer at home or on-the-go, too. 

Turn Your Passion into Profit - Home-based Business Series at Sharon Forks Library

 

If you’ve ever dreamed of starting your own home-based business but aren’t sure where to begin, make plans to attend Forsyth County Public Library’s Turn Your Passion into Profit: Home-based Business Series at Sharon Forks Library. This unique three-part series offers aspiring entrepreneurs a roadmap to starting a successful home-based business. 

FCPL Reads 2022 - March Goal

Are you working towards your goals for FCPL Reads 2022? Here's the next reading goal to inspire you to Read Something New (to You!) in 2022!

The reading goal for March is to read a book in a genre or format you don't normally read.

Capturing Happiness @ FCPL

Happiness looks different to everyone, and this month at FCPL, we have captured what happiness looks like to our community through our “Capture Your Happiness” amateur photography exhibit.

Collection Highlight: Depression and Mental Illness Resources at FCPL, Part 1

When Meghan Markle shared her struggles with depression during an Oprah interview earlier this year, the world learned about another type of depression, categorized by some experts as “high-functioning” depression. This is when one is able to continue to function at a high level, hiding their suffering behind a careful façade. 

Meghan’s revealing interview struck a chord with me, and I researched what resources FCPL has to help people with depression and other mental illnesses. Our Materials Department has recently ordered several new books on these topics, and patrons have a wide array of books to choose from to learn more about depression and mental illness for themselves or to help a friend or loved one. 

I have shared a few new titles below, and I plan to add more titles in the coming months. 

The Better Brain: Overcome Anxiety, Combat Depression, and Reduce ADHD and Stress with Nutrition by Bonnie J. Kaplan. 2021

A paradigm-shifting approach to treating mental disorders like anxiety, depression, and ADHD with food and nutrients, by two leading scientists who share their original, groundbreaking research with readers everywhere for the first time, explaining why nutrients improve brain health, and how to use them.

Broken (In the Best Possible Way) by Jenny Lawson. 2021

As Jenny Lawson's hundreds of thousands of fans know, she suffers from depression. In Broken (In the Best Possible Way), she explores her experimental treatment of transcranial magnetic stimulation with brutal honesty, but also with brutal humor. A treat for Jenny Lawson's already existing fans, and destined to convert new ones, Broken is a beacon of hope and a wellspring of laughter.

Checking In: How Getting Real about Depression Saved My Life - And Can Save Yours by Michelle Williams. 2021.

Acclaimed musical artist Michelle Williams shares the intimate, never-before-told story of how, even in the midst of enormous fame and success, she battled depression, leading her to find her true calling as an advocate for mental health--especially her own.

Cleaning Up Your Mental Mess: 5 Simple, Scientifically Proven Steps to Reduce Anxiety, Stress, and Toxic Thinking by Dr. Caroline Leaf. 2021.

Our toxic thoughts, depression, and anxiety are frequently aggravated by our chaotic world, and they are sustained by an inability to manage our thought life. The author provides a 5-step, 63-day plan, the Neurocycle, to find and eliminate the root of anxiety, depression, and intrusive thoughts in your life so you can experience dramatically improved mental and physical health.

Please see library staff if you need help finding more resources about depression and mental health.

Jeanne McMahan
Information Specialist
Sharon Forks Library
#WeKnowBooks

RBdigital eMagazines move to OverDrive February 4

Forsyth County Public Library will move its collection of RBdigital eMagazines to its OverDrive collection on Thursday, February 4, 2021. 

This change comes as a result of OverDrive acquiring RBmedia’s library business, RBdigital, in North America, UK, and Australia in 2020. eMagazines in the RBdigital collection will be transferred to OverDrive and patrons will continue to be able to browse, borrow, and enjoy even more eMagazines in OverDrive’s Libby app.

Transition from RBdigital

FCPL patrons may access RBdigital eMagazines, along with hundreds of new eMagazines, in the library’s OverDrive website or in the Libby app beginning February 4, 2021. 

Access to RBdigital eMagazines in the RBdigital app will end on March 31, 2021.

Getting Started with Libby

Forsyth County Public Library is proud to offer patrons access to over 3,000 eMagazines anytime, anywhere through Libby, the one-tap reading app. Libby also includes access to the library’s collection of eBooks and eAudiobooks.

For those who have not yet tried the Libby app, all you need to get started is your Forsyth County Public Library card and PIN number. The Libby app is easy to use and will guide you through the setup process and get you connected to our library in just a few minutes.

Libby is available for Apple and Android devices.

Patrons can find in-app support, visit the Libby Help site or Libby Academy within the app, or contact Forsyth County Public Library at 770-781-9840 for assistance.

Access eMagazines 24/7

In just a few taps, patrons can start reading eMagazines instantly on a phone or tablet. Libby is available 24/7 without leaving home and is free with your Forsyth County Public Library card.

Patrons who need help with eMagazines or the transition from RBdigital to OverDrive should visit the Ask Us desk inside any Forsyth County Public Library branch, call us at 770-781-9840, or Email a Librarian.

'Tis the Season for Treats

Now that we are firmly in the season of baking and treats, FCPL patrons should know that help is abundantly available!

FCPL has over 1,200 cookbooks in our collection and provides access to more than 15 food and cooking eMagazines, such as Bon Appetit, All Recipes, and Food Network through RBdigital and Flipster on FCPL's website.

Here are some FCPL cookbook facts:

·        Sharon Forks has 700+, Cumming has 650+,  Post Road has 700+,  Hampton Park has 550+, and FCPL also has 150+ cookbooks for kids and teens.

 Check out some of the newest cookbooks in our collection:

Vegan Holiday Cookbook by Katie Culpin

This cookbook features Southern favorites that have been redesigned to be healthier and more accessible for people with dietary restrictions. Some of the featured recipes include lemon squares, herb biscuits, and lemon blueberry cream pie. The author also includes information about making healthy nut butters, jams, and fruit butters.

The Easy Christmas Cookie Cookbook by Carroll Pellegrinelli

This cookbook features more than 60 simple recipes with easy-to-follow guidelines to ensure success. The author also provides great decorating ideas and suggests treats that are great for parties or for gifting to family and friends. 

The Cozy Christmas Movie Cookbook by Holly Carpenter

One thing many people look forward to the most about this time of year is the time to watch a favorite Christmas movie. This new cookbook features 100 recipes inspired by these beloved films, and the recipes cover snacks, cookies, and cakes, warm drinks and cocktails, and more.  

Amy Whitten
Information Specialist

#WeKnowBooks

RBdigital eAudiobooks move to OverDrive August 12

Forsyth County Public Library will move its collection of eAudiobooks from RBdigital to the Libby app as part of the OverDrive collection on Wednesday, August 12, 2020. 

This change comes as a result of OverDrive acquiring RBmedia’s library business, RBdigital, in North America, UK, and Australia earlier this year. Titles in the RBdigital collection will be transferred to OverDrive and patrons will continue to be able to browse, borrow, and enjoy all the same great books from the RBdigital app, now available in Libby.

Transition from RBdigital

Patrons who currently have an eAudiobook checked out in the RBdigital app should be advised that those books will be available through the remainder of the lending period, so patrons can finish the book without disruption.

Holds will not be moved, but patrons may export their Transaction History from the Profiles section of the RBdigital app, then place new holds on those titles in Libby.

Only eAudiobooks are moving to the OverDrive collection at this time, so patrons can continue to access RBdigital eMagazines, ArtistWorks, The Great Courses, and Hoonuit on the RBdigital platform.

Getting Started with Libby

Forsyth County Public Library is proud to continue to offer patrons a wide selection of digital titles to access anytime, anywhere through Libby, the one-tap reading app.

For those who have not yet tried the Libby app, all you need to get started is your Forsyth County Public Library card and PIN number. The Libby app is easy to use and will guide you through the setup process and get you connected to our library in just a few minutes.

 

Patrons can find in-app support, or visit the Help site or Libby Academy within the app for assistance.

Access the eLibrary 24/7

In just a few taps, patrons can start reading or listening instantly on a phone or tablet. Libby is available 24/7 without leaving home and is free with your Forsyth County Public Library card.

 

Patrons who need help with eBooks, eAudiobooks, or the transition from RBdigital to OverDrive should visit the Ask Us desk inside any Forsyth County Public Library branch, call us at 770-781-9840, or Ask a Librarian.

Books and eResources for Handling a Creative Slump

Is the COVID-19 crisis putting you in a creative slump?  Revive your creative spirit with one of these titles.

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

I enjoy all of Anne Lamott's work but Bird by Bird, her book on creative writing is my favorite. It's been so phenomenally since publication in 1994 that a 25th Anniversary Edition was released in 2019.

Available as an eBook and eAudiobook

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

Big Magic offers creative insights from the author of Eat, Pray, Love.

Cultivating Your Creative Life by Alena Hennessy

Creativity and wonder mingle in this multifaced book!

Show Your Work by Austin Kleon

A fun book that offers a creative approach to business pursuits.

Art on the Rocks by F. Sehnaz Bac

Interested in meditative art? Find a smooth stone, grab some paint, and create a mandala you can hold in your hand.

Garden Made by Stephanie Whitney
Get creative outdoors by making unique garden art!

The Drawing Lesson by Mark Crilley

This Teen Graphic Novel offers drawing techniques.  A great title for young aspiring artists!

The Bullet Journal Method by Ryder Carroll

Organize creatively using the bullet journal method. Use a bullet journal or a free online template to print bullet paper.  Use your imagination to design your own calendar or keep track of books to be read, story ideas, films to watch, or healthy habits.

The Zen of Creativity by John Daido Loori

Ancient Buddist techniques to inspire creativity.


FCPL patrons can also access free eResouces from home.

Universal Classes includes seventeen different writing classes like Creative Writing Workshop, Creative Writing 101, Novel Writing 101, and more!  

ArtistWorks has video-based art and music lessons. Learn about art, music theory, scratch, vocal techniques, or how to plan an instrument from a professional.  Sign up for free piano, guitar, ukulele, mandoline, or even harmonica lessons. ArtistWorks also offers instruction on drums and band instruments. These are great resources for students! 

And FCPL's Great Courses offers downloadable audiobooks like Becoming a Great Essayist, Understanding the Fundamentals of Music, The Art of Reading, and many more. 

Explore our eResources or catalog to see what appeals to you. 

Alicia Cavitt

Information Specialist

#WeKnowBooks