Students in all grades can get their academic year off to a good start this year with homework help at various branches of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System.

The Georgia Hill Library is offering a Free Homework for Heroes Workshop on Wednesday, August 18th at 5:00-7:00 pm. Call 404-730-5427 for more information.

The West End Library is offering tutoring on Tuesdays and Thursdays, through August 31 3:00st from 3-5:30 pm. Call 404-752-8740 for more information.

The Ocee Library is sponsoring a free Homework Databases at the Library session on Monday, August 30th from 4:00 5:00 pm . Call 770-360-8897 for more information.

The Teen Center on the 3rd floor of the Central Library offers 28 computers with Photoshop and Dreamweaver software, study rooms and a host of other services. Call 404.730.1796 for more information.

The College Park Library has free tutoring, in all subjects, offered by Math Mania to all students currently attending “Needs Improvement” schools. Available daily, during library’s operating hours. Call 678-799-2222 for more information.

You may take your child for free homework help at any of these branches, or check our list of library locations to find out if a library near you has tutoring assistance for your child.

You may also go to our Events Calendar and choose Education in the Topic Menu or High School in the Age Menu to find these and other resources.

It’s that time of year again. Summer reading programs are soon to be in full swing and parents and kids will be rushing into all branches of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System to find the books on their summer reading lists. It’s free and easy to join in the summer reading fun, so don’t miss out on this great opportunity!

Young children can sign up for the “Make a Splash” program at any branch, while teens should register for the “Make Waves @ Your Library” programs. After signing up, each person receives a reading log to keep track of books that are read during the summer. The library awards a certificate when young readers complete ten books and teens complete five books, and the readers’ names go into a drawing for prizes.

Parents and students will also be pleased to know that the summer reading lists for Fulton County schools are already available online. Simply visit this site for the 2010 Fulton County Summer Reading Selections, then select your grade level to view your book lists.

To see upcoming summer programs at all of the library system’s branches, visit the summer reading page of our website here.

We look forward to seeing you this summer!

February 14th is nearing and the library is ready! We have events scheduled in many branches for all ages, so please come by and enjoy a Valentine’s Day program with us. A sample of Valentine-themed activites are listed below, but you can also check the AFPL events calendar for other programs at your local branch.

Valentine’s Day Love Grams
February 1-12.The youth will have the opportunity to tell that special someone how they feel in the Mechanicsville Valentine’s Day Newsletter. Pick up your love gram form and turn it in at the circulation desk. The Valentine’s Day Newsletter will be ready for pick up on February 12.
Mechanicsville Branch, a part of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System
400 Formwalt St., SW, Atlanta 30312
For information call 404.730.4779

Valentine Story & Craft for Preschoolers
Tuesday, February 9. 11:45 a.m.
Preschoolers will enjoy a Valentine’s Day story, followed by a simple craft activity. Ages 3-5. Reservations required.
Buckhead Branch, a part of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System
269 Buckhead Ave. NE, Atlanta 30305
For information call 404.814.3500

Children’s Valentine’s Day Craft Activity
Tuesday, February 9. 4:30 p.m.
Children will make a fun Valentine’s craft and hear some Valentine’s Day related stories. Ages 3-5.
Pre-registration is required. Seating will be limited. Please call the Children’s Desk to pre-register.
Northeast/Spruill Oaks Branch, a part of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System
9560 Spruill Rd., Johns Creek 30022
For information call 770.360.8820

“Have a Heart” Kid’s Card Craft Activity
Wednesday, February 10. 10:00 a.m.
Calling all creative kids! Ages 4-12. Reservations required for groups.
East Point Branch, a part of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System
2757 Main Street, East Point 30344
For information call 404.762.4842

Love and Black History Storytime
Wednesday, February 10. 10:00 a.m.
Enjoy tales focused on figures in black history and create crafts for both Black History month and Valentine’s Day. Ages 2-6. Reservations required for groups.
Perry Homes Branch, a part of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System
2121 Hollywood Road, NW, Atlanta 30318
For information call 404.792.4994

Preschool Valentine’s Day Craft
Wednesday, February 10. 11:30 a.m.
Children will enjoy making a Valentine’s Day craft for Valentines Day. Ages 0-6.
Southwest Branch, a part of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System
3665 Cascade Road, Atlanta 30331
For information call 404.699.6363

Valentine Craft
Wednesday, February 10. 4:00 p.m.
Design a Valentine card to give your loved one.
Hapeville Branch, a part of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System
525 King Arnold Street, Hapeville 30354
For information call 404.762.4065

Valentine Treats: Teens Cooking with Chef Markice
Wednesday, February 10. 5:00 p.m.
Ages 13 -19. Registration is required.
Cleveland Avenue Branch, a part of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System
47 Cleveland Avenue, Atlanta 30315
For information call 404.762.4116

On Your Own Craft: Let’s Make Valentines!
Friday, February 12. 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. This is a Fulton County Schools Teacher Work Day.
Fun and fabulous craft materials are provided for children, parents and care-givers to make wonderfully creative decorations and cards for Valentine’s Day. Located in the storytime room.
Ages 3 and up.
Sandy Springs Branch, a part of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System
395 Mt. Vernon Highway, Atlanta 30328
For information call 404.303.6130

From My Heart to Yours
Friday, February 12. 3:30 p.m.
Valentine craft for ages 5-14.
Thomasville Heights Branch, a part of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System
1700 Thomasville Drive SE, Atlanta 30315
For information call 404.624.0620

Senior Steppers
Saturday, February 13. 10:00 a.m.
Seniors will learn the latest dance steps in celebration of Valentine’s Day. Adults. Reservations required for groups.
Washington Park Branch, a part of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System
1116 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, SW, Atlanta 30314
For information call 404.752.8760

Valentine’s Day Drop-In Craft
Saturday, February 13. 12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Children can drop in any time between noon and 3:00 p.m. to make a Valentine’s Day craft as a self-directed activity. Ages 5-12.
Buckhead Branch, a part of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System
269 Buckhead Ave. NE, Atlanta 30305
For information call 404.814.3500

Love Your Library Movie & Craft for Kids
Saturday, February 13. 12:00 p.m.“Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”. Valentine craft to follow movie.
Light refreshments. Ages 4-10.
Central Library, a part of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System
One Margaret Mitchell Square, Atlanta 30303
For information call 404.730.1848

Forty years ago today TV’s most famous boulevard aired it’s first experimental episode, and to commemorate the occaision, today’s show will feature some very special celebrity guests, including First Lady Michelle Obama. I think we’re all hard pressed to find someone who didn’t either grow up watching Big Bird, Bert and Ernie and the rest of the gang, or is now the parent of someone growing up watching these famous puppets.

To celebrate this happy anniversary a couple of new books have hit the shelves. Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street, by former TV Guide columnist Michael Davis, gives an in depth look at the evolution of the show from it’s humble beginnings in 1969. Click here to read an USA Today review of the book. The second title to be on the lookout for is by author Louise Gikow who has worked for many years with Jim Henson Productions. This title, Sesame Street: A Celebration — 40 Years of Life on the Street, gives a behind-the-scenes look at the show itself and profiles the people and puppets who made it such a success. Click here to check the AFPLS catalog for a copy near you!

And be sure to tune in to your local PBS station to catch the show!

Where The Wild Things Are, the beloved classic childrens’ book by Maurice Sendak, opens today as Spike Jonze’s latest film. This much anticipated movie is sure to draw in large audiences, just as the book itself has been doing for more than four decades. Originally published in 1963, the book about a little boy named Max who one night gets to explore a world created by his own wild imagination, was awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1964. And despite some early controversy, has been a favorite of children and parents ever since.

Maurice Sendak, now 81, is still working and has given his blessing to the making of the film. And if you happen to have HBO you can catch Spike Jonze’s documentary about him, “Tell Them Anything You Want: A Portrait of Maurice Sendak,” which airs tonight. Several other well-known artists, who’s other works can be found throughout the library system, where also involved. The screenplay is written by Spike Jonze and Dave Eggers, the original soundtrack is written and performed by Karen O of the indie rock group Yeah Yeah Yeahs, the voices of the monsters in the film are provided by such actors as James Gandolfini, Forest Whitaker, and Catherine O’Hara, and the whole thing is being produced by Tom Hanks. Search the AFPL catalog for other films and books attached to these famous names! Here’s a few suggestions to get you started:

The Wild Things, written by Dave Eggers and based on the film’s screenplay
A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius, by Dave Eggers
Adaptation, film by Spike Jonze
Being John Malkovich, film by Spike Jonze
Fever to Tell, album by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
It’s Blitz!, album by Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Caldecott & Co.: notes on books and pictures, by Maurice Sendak
The Art of Maurice Sendak, by Selma G. Lanes
Making Mischief: a Maurice Sendak Appreciation, by Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked.

For the New York Times review of the film from today, click here.
For a list of showtimes and locations in Atlanta, click here.

Now somebody pass me the popcorn!

This classic PBS television show that taught the joy of reading to children for 26 years aired its final episode last Friday. The third longest-running children’s show in PBS history, outdone only by Sesame Street and Mr. Rogers, was also the winner of some two-dozen Emmys throughout the years.

You may not be able to remember specific episodes of the show, but everyone certainly remembers host LeVar Burton (of Star Trek fame,) and the catchy theme song that can still get stuck in your head for hours on end! Unfortunately, a funding crunch is partially to blame for the show’s end, but also the recent shift in educational programming for kids. Funding is going more towards television that will teach children how to read, but according to John Grant, head of content at Reading Rainbow’s home station, that is never what this program sought to do. According to Grant, “Reading Rainbow taught kids why to read. You know, the love of reading.” You can read or listen to the full story here, on the National Public Radio website.

So, if you missed saying goodbye by tuning in to the final episode, why not inspire a love of books, reading and imagination in a child by using your local public library! You can find all sorts of Reading Rainbow items in the AFPLS catalog here, along with countless other childrens’s materials throughout the system. You can also check the Events Calendar for upcoming programs of interest for young ones, or by going to your branch’s individual page and clicking on Events and Classes.

Inspired by President Obama’s “United We Serve” volunteer initiative, AFPLS is conducting a “Children’s Letter Writing Campaign.” Children will be given an opportunity to practice their writing skills by composing letters to children of deployed military personnel. This is an opportunity for children to thank other children for the sacrifices they and their parents are making to serve our country. It is a way to acknowledge the difficulties faced by the families left behind. Contact your branch for more information and to get the letter writing materials. If you would like to volunteer with this effort, contact Marcy Meyers 404-730-1965 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

To understand the perspective and experiences of military children, here is a partial list of books in our collection about families and children of deployed military parents:

100 days, 99 nights (and 15 Saturdays without Dad’s pancakes) by Alan Madison

My Hero : Military Kids Write About Their Moms And Dads by Allen Appel (adult book)

My Red Balloon by Eve Bunting

Off to War: Voices of Soldiers’ Children by Deborah Ellis

Shooting the Moon by Frances O’Roark Dowell

Surviving Deployment: A Guide for Military Families by Karen M. Pavlicin

You can search for these and other books by clicking here for the AFPLS catalog.

President Obama has called on all Americans to assist in the economic recovery of our nation by participating in United We Serve, a summer service initiative that aims to engage more volunteers in the areas of education, health care, energy, and community renewal. This effort will culminate on September 11, a day of remembrance and service.

-Submitted by M. Roach, Volunteer Services