New Children’s Digital Library Launches   Across All Georgia Public Libraries

New Children’s Digital Library Launches   Across All Georgia Public Libraries

ATLANTA...Georgia Public Library Service (GPLS) is proud to launch eRead Kids, a new digital library available through all 407 public libraries in the state. The collection of almost 15,000 electronic and audio books is for children from pre-k through fourth grade. 

“Kids will build confidence and reading skills - and have fun - through eRead Kids,” said State Librarian Julie Walker. “eRead Kids will empower libraries to support young readers by offering a format convenient for traveling and entertaining kids, while growing their reading skills.” 

The collection is a mix of fiction and non-fiction ebook and audio book titles that can be downloaded onto computers, tablets and smartphones. 

All Georgia families now can freely check out electronic books for their devices, encouraging the early reading that is so important to educational success.

GPLS has worked with children’s librarians across the state to select titles and identify the most advantageous offerings and pricing. eRead Kids is made possible by funding proposed by Gov. Brian Kemp and approved by the Georgia General Assembly. 

“At GPLS, we strive to create programs that can be shared by all of our libraries, urban and rural, large and small. We can create economies of scale by leveraging our buying power for materials and services for statewide use,” said Walker.

To access eRead Kids, you simply need your Georgia public library card and an internet connection. Visit georgialibraries.org/eReadKids or your local library to learn more.

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Georgia Public Library Service (GPLS) empowers libraries to improve the lives of all Georgians by encouraging reading, literacy, and education through the continuing support and improvement of our public libraries. GPLS is a unit of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. www.georgialibraries.org #georgialibraries

2019 DCPL Author Expo

2019 DCPL Author Expo

On Saturday, August 17, authors from across Metro Atlanta will convene for the DeKalb County Public Library Local Author Expo. Authors will share their journeys as writers, discuss their works and sell and autograph books. Featured genres include fiction, non-fiction, inspirational, self-help, children's and more. This is the second Author Expo hosted by DCPL this year with over 30 authors participating. The expo will be held at the Decatur Recreation Center from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library Renovation to Kick Off July 29

DeKalb County Public Library will host a ground breaking ceremony to kick off renovations to the Stone Mountain Sue-Kellogg Library on Monday, July 29, at 11 a.m. The ceremony will be held at the Stone Mountain Sue-Kellogg Library, located at 952 Leon Street, Stone Mountain, Ga 30083. CEO Michael Thurmond, DeKalb County Commissioner Steve Bradshaw, Friends of the Library and other dignitaries will be present, and the public is invited to attend.The updated floor plan and new finishes will be on display. The project will be completed by C.T. Darnell Construction.

During the renovation period, patrons can visit these nearby branches:

Clarkston Library Creates “Teen Zine” Through Ezra Jack Keats Mini-Grant

Clarkston Library Creates “Teen Zine” Through Ezra Jack Keats Mini-Grant

In June 2018, Clarkston Library was awarded an Ezra Jack Keats Mini-Grant to create a “Teen Zine” that focused on creative writing, media and visual arts. The publication is called “Hear Us: Teen Voices From Across DeKalb.” Effuah Chisholm, who headed the project is one of 70 educators in 29 states who implemented the new program during the academic year ending in June 2019.  Participants were solicited from DeKalb High Schools. Monthly meetings were held from October through January and  with the help of additional DCPL Staff members, the final product was submitted for print in May. A total of 11 teens participated in the project. You can see the Teen Zine here. 

Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library Closing for Renovations June 15

The Stone Mountain Sue-Kellogg Library will be closing for renovation on Saturday, June 15th. The renovation will include an updated floor plan, updated finishes, new furniture and restrooms. The work will be completed by C.T. Darnell Construction.

“I am eager for constituents to have a new and improved Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library with a portion of the $ 4 million dollars that I reprogrammed from District 4 Capital Improvement Funds for library renovations. $1.5 million dollars was allocated to renovate Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg from these funds,” said Commissioner Bradshaw.

The Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg branch is the first of three libraries in District 4 that will get an upgrade. Clarkston and Covington branch renovations are pending for scheduling in the future.

During the renovation period, patrons can visit these nearby branches: Tucker-Reid H. Cofer, Hairston Crossing, Redan-Trotti and Clarkston.  Please sign-up for District 4 updates from Commissioner Bradshaw updates at rlflieg@dekalbcountyga.gov.

No Overdue Fines for Kids and Teens During Fine Free Summer

June 1-August 31, DeKalb County Public Library will waive any overdue fines for materials in the children’s and teen’s collections during “Fine-Free Summer.” The initiative is designed to encourage reading and remove any barriers so kids and teens will read more during the summer months. The DCPL Board of Trustees approved Fine-Free Summer for the second year after a successful summer in 2018.  Fees will still be assessed on lost or damaged items and normal checkout periods will still apply.