Banned Books Week: What You Need to Know

Censorship is alive and well, as highlighted by Banned Books Week—and you might be surprised by who the most vocal challengers of books are.

The importance of the First Amendment and the concept of "intellectual freedom" might not always be readily apparent to most kids, but Banned Books Week is a great opportunity to make those lessons come alive for children—and adults. Banned Books Week is held annually during the last week of Sept. (Sept. 30-Oct. 6, 2012). The week is an occasion for libraries and bookstores across the U.S. to help folks realize just how real and ongoing a problem censorship is. In Northeast Cobb, you can show your support for the freedom to read by visiting the Mountain View Regional Library or the Gritters Library. More than 11,000 books have been challenged (though not necessarily successfully censored) since 1982, the inaugural year of Banned Books Week…

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E-book Checkouts Increasing in Cobb

The gap between in-person and online checkouts is still large, but the number of those using the latter method is growing.

The majority of Cobb residents may still prefer to check out hard copies of books from their local libraries, but officials say the popularity of e-books is picking up steam. The county library system has 1,581 copies of books on www.overdrive.com, the website it uses to facilitate e-book checkouts. Currently, there are 1,108 e-books checked out. “That leaves fewer than 580 e-books available on the website,” said Jonathan McKeown, associate director for central and outreach services. “It’s proven popular.” And e-books are easier to check out than regular books, said Julia Huprich, digital services librarian. “They don’t need to visit their favorite local branch, like Powder Springs,” she said. “They can just download them from home or …

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Libraries Celebrate Teen Read Week

Northeast Cobb's Gritters and Mountain View libraries celebrate Teen Read Week™ with special events and programs aimed at encouraging teens to read for the fun of it.

The Cobb County Public Library System hopes to show parents and other concerned community members what the library can offer by hosting special programs and events during Teen Read Week™. “Many families have learned to make do with less as a result of the economy and have flocked to the library,” said Jennifer Wells, Youth and Media Services Coordinator at the Central Library. “Teen Read Week™ is a great time to make sure teens and their families know about all the free services the library can offer them and to reach out to teens who aren’t regular users and encourage them to come see what they can find here. “Teens have more activities to fill their free time than ever—web videos, social networking sites, video games, afterschool …

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ParkPass, Your Family's Ticket to Adventure

Reserve the popular, and free, Georgia ParkPass kits at Cobb County Public Library System (CCPLS) branches. Explore parks and historic sites this weekend.

Explore Georgia's 63 State Parks and Historic Sites with the free Georgia ParkPass kits. The kits include a park pass for up to four visitors, a parking pass and site guide. You can reserve the kit at Gritters Library or Mountain View Regional Library, or CCPLS library branch or by clicking here. Visit Georgia’s newest state park, Chattahooche Bend, a spectacular tract of wilderness in northwest Coweta County. Located in a bend of the Chattahoochee River, the park is a haven for paddlers, campers and anglers. Or, visit the Etowah Indian Mounds Historic Site, Red Top Mountain State Park, Sweetwater Creek State Park, and Pickett’s Mill Battlefield Historic Site. Sites outside the Cobb area include several popular places, such as Amicalola …

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Win Tickets to See the Wiggles

Here's what's happening in Northeast Cobb today, June 10.

1. The Cobb County Public Library System and the Wiggles are teaming up to promote summer reading. Your family could win a family four pack to see the Wiggles live! Enter to win at Gritters and Mountain View Regional libraries. Read a book with your child and help them complete the book report sheet. Include the title, author, and favorite character, and have your child draw a picture related to the book. Bring the completed form back to your local branch by Wednesday, July 6 to be eligible for the drawing. Winners will be notified via phone or email. You must pick up prizes by noon on Tuesday, July 12. Grand Prize: Four tickets to the July 12 Wiggles show at the Cobb Energy Centre. Second Prize: A copy of the Wiggles new book. Third Prize…

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Recycled Art Workshop

Gather around the water cooler to discuss what's happening in Northeast Cobb today, June 2.

1. Is your teen creative? Gritters Library has a fun program for ages 13 to 18 today called the Recycled Art Workshop (recycled purses and wallets). Registration Required. 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. 880 Shaw Park Road. For more information, call 770-528-2524. 2. Bring the whole family to the Globe Trekking Family Films at the Mountain View Library. Today's feature film, Around the World in 80 Days (2004 – Jackie Chan), Rated PG. There’ll be a new continent featured every Thursday. 3 p.m. 3320 Sandy Plains Road. Call the library for more information at 770-509-2725. 3. The Cobb County Library kicked off its Summer Reading Program Wednesday. It's actually three programs in one: one for children, one for teens and one for adults. Stop by the …

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The Water Cooler

Senior Services Closing May 27 - 30

Gather around the water cooler to discuss what's happening in Northeast Cobb today, May 26.

1. The Cobb County DOT has listed the Canton Road Corridor construction to have an "expected completion" date of "Summer 2011." <sigh> Jamerson Road/Wigley Road/Kell High School Roadway Improvements is not expected to complete until Spring 2012. <bigger sigh> Make sure you use the bathroom before leaving and bring plenty of music to enjoy while stuck in the peak commuter traffic. Starting next week, you can check out the Northeast Cobb traffic feature to keep updated on construction and traffic. 2. Cobb Senior Services will be closed May 27 - May 30. 3. Cards For Troops Program at Mountain View Regional Library. The public is invited to make cards for the troops who are stationed overseas. The library will provide paper, crayons, markers …

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The Water Cooler

Cards for Troops Program at Gritters Library

Gather around the water cooler to discuss what's happening in Northeast Cobb today, May 23.

1. The kids program Cards for Troops happens today at the Gritters Library. The public is invited to make cards for the troops who are stationed overseas. The library will provide paper, crayons, and markers. All ages will be invited to create these cards. Last year Cobb libraries made a lot of wonderful cards to be sent overseas. The soldiers received their cards on 4th of July. This is a special program - be a part of it! 10 a.m. 880 Shaw Park Road. 2. Mary Alice Monroe, a Book Exchange customer favorite, will discuss her latest release at 6:30 p.m. Monroe’s The Butterfly’s Daughter, is described as “a powerful tale of four women’s transformational journey that follows the path of monarch butterflies migrating across the United States to…

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Five Things You Need to Know Today

Railroads Tamed the West Exhibit

What's happening in Northeast Cobb and surrounding communities.

1. Mountain View Regional Library has Babies Storytime 10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m., Ones Storytime 11 a.m. - 11:45 a.m., Book Group 10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m., and Storybook and Crafts 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Mountain View Library is located at 3320 Sandy Plains Rd. 2. Gritter's Library has Preschool Storytime 11 a.m. - 11:45 a.m., and Family Storytime 3:30 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. Gritters Library is located at 880 Shaw Park Rd. 3. The Marietta Billiard Club offers free pool for women every Wednesday and Sunday after 6 p.m. During the weekdays amateur pools players are offered free pool game with purchase of lunch between hours of 12 noon to 3 p.m.  1355 Roswell Rd. For more information e-mail mariettabilliardclub@gmail.com or visit http://…

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Five Things You Need to Know Today

Toddler Storytime at Mountain View Library

What's happening in Northeast Cobb and surrounding communities today.

1. Celebrate the Feast of Lights - Hanukkah at the children's story-time located at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore, Town Center Prado, 50 Barrett Pkwy Suite 3000 Bldg. 3. 11 a.m. For more information call 770-422-2261 or visit the website http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/event/3021627-48http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/event/3021627-48. 2. Reading PAWS at Gritters Library. The mission of READing Paws is to improve the literacy skills of children through the assistance of nationally registered therapy animal-owner/handler teams as literacy mentors. Sessions are 15 minutes long and registration is required. This program is for independent readers. 880 Shaw Park Rd. 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Free. Registration required. For more …

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