June is National Caribbean American Heritage Month and DeKalb County Public Library is celebrating with programs exploring the richness, influence and diversity of Caribbean American culture. The celebration kicks off Saturday, June 9, 2018 with an Anancy Storytelling Festival. The festival will feature the “Tattletales” youth group from the Kuumba Storytellers. The docu-drama Aluku Liba: Maroon Again, which focuses on the Maroon ethnic group, is one of the many films featured during the Caribbean film festival held at the library. A spelling bee with words related to Caribbean culture will also be held during the month of June.
All programs will be held at the Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library (2861 Wesley Chapel Road in Decatur). To get the complete list of programs and times ask for a program schedule at your neighborhood branch or visit www.dekalblibrary.org.
Let your children check out all the books and materials they want this summer without worrying about fines. The Library Board of Trustees has approved a Fine-Free Summer for materials in the children’s and teen’s collections beginning June 1 and running through August 31. Library Director Alison Weissinger wants parents and caregivers to encourage their children to read and enjoy library resources all summer. “We know children lose ground in academics over the summer break. We want to take away any barrier to children and teens having books to read and enjoy over the summer.” She adds, “We just ask that items are returned to the library in a timely manner, so others may enjoy them.”
The Fine-Free Summer only applies to materials in the children’s and teen’s collections. Fees will still be assessed on lost or damaged items.
“The primary purpose of the library is to get books in the hands of children,” Weissinger says. “We want to provide easy access to our materials at a time when children and teens need them the most. We know families are busy in the summer and this is one more way we can help kids read while school is out.”
Q: What is Fine-Free Summer?
A: No overdue fees will be charged on materials in the children’s and teen’s collections. These items are marked “J,” “YA,” or “RA,” and include books, audiobooks, music CDs, and DVDs.
Q: How long is Fine-Free Summer?
A: No overdue fees will be charged between June 1 and August 31, 2018.
Q: What if I lose or damage an item?
A: Fees will still be assessed on lost or damaged items. The Fine-Free Summer only applies to overdue fees.
Q: Does this mean I can keep my library books all summer?
A: Normal checkout periods still apply, and you are encouraged to renew your items. If you are unable to renew an item, that means the item should be returned to the library so that others can use it. Be mindful that the collection is for everyone to enjoy!
Q: Why are you doing this?
A: We want to remove any barrier to kids and teens having books to read over the summer.
Libraries Rock! is the theme for the 2018 Summer Reading Program (SRP). To find out how to sign-up, attend a kickoff party, earn prizes and view the schedule of programs, click here.
DeKalb County Public Library now offers full, free access to the online edition of The New York Times. Follow this link, or find it under our research databases page in the future. If you’re outside a library, enter your library card number and PIN, follow the prompts, and log in or create an account. If you’re inside a library, click “Log In” on the upper right of the page, then log in or create an account. That’s all you have to do! Your access will expire after 24 hours, but you can always renew your access by clicking the link again.
Today, James from Tucker Library shares his favorite book, Minecraft:
The Island by Max Brooks. Find this book and other Minecraft
books at your local DCPL branch here.
