DeKalb County Public Library now offers free access to Lynda.com, an online learning company that teaches business technology and creative skills to achieve personal and professional goals. Patrons will have access to the entire collection on Lynda.com which offers over 3000 courses, including teacher professional development, web design, coding, photography and more. Subscriptions that are typically $25.00 a month will be free for DCPL cardholders. “One of the goals of our 2019-2021 strategic plan was to enhance the Library’s technology to meet the needs of DeKalb County residents. Lynda.com offers a wide-range of courses to help patrons in any career field realize their goals,” said Library Director Alison Weissinger. Patrons can access Lynda.com through the link on dekalblibrary.org using their library card and PIN number.
America is voting for its best-loved book and local residents now have an opportunity to cast their vote. PBS’s The Great American Read interactive traveling booth will make a stop at the Decatur Library (215 Sycamore Street) August 2-9, 2018. Patrons can cast a vote for their favorite book from a list of 100 books. The books were selected based on a poll of more than 7200 participants who named their favorite titles. DeKalb County Public Library has all 100 titles in its collection, many in ebook format. The interactive travel booth will continue to make stops at public libraries across Georgia until October and will return to the Decatur Book Festival on Labor Day Weekend. For more information visit http://www.pbs.org/the-great-american-read/home/ .
“Spaces, Stories and Services” is the theme for DeKalb County Public Library’s Strategic Plan for 2019-2021. The plan was developed with input from the community. Library Strategies, Inc. assisted DCPL with an extensive survey and daylong community retreat to ensure the plan reflected community needs. Based on public input, the plan aims to provide safe, welcoming spaces to encourage community connectedness, tell the Library’s story through marketing and community engagement, and enhance the Library’s services to better meet the needs of DeKalb County residents. “We want to be sure that we are consistently working to provide the best services for our patrons.” said Library Director Alison Weissinger. Click here to see the full plan.
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.
