Search Results

By Alayna N., Collection Services Assistant This National Library Week show your library love by checking out one or more of these titles all about the joy and magic of libraries. For Kids I’m So Happy You’re Here: A Celebration of Library Joy By Mychal Threets Illustrated by Lorraine Nam Mychal Threets – “The Internet’s Librarian” and the host of the newly relaunched Reading Rainbow – takes you on a tour of the library: a place packed with activities, games, books and more; a place filled with stories; a place where everyone is welcome. Perfect for introducing your little one to the library. Waiting for the Biblioburro / Esperando el Biblioburro (Spanish-English bilingual edition) By Monica Brown Translated by Adriana Domínguez Illustrated by John Parra The Biblioburro is coming! And Ana is so excited. She looks forward to every visit from the librarian and his two donkeys, Alfa and Beto. She knows each visit will bring reading lessons, storytime, and loads and loads of books that the children can borrow. Based on the life and work of the Colombian librarian Luis Soriano. Perfect for sharing and celebrating the love of reading. Library Lion By Michelle Knudsen Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes Miss Merriwether, the librarian, loves rules. She insists that everyone who visits the library must follow the rules. But what will she do when a lion visits the library? Read this heartwarming classic to find out. Perfect for young animal lovers. For Teens Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library By Chris Grabenstein First in a series Twelve lucky children win the chance to stay overnight in the town’s new library, designed by world famous gamemaker Luigi Lemoncello. But in the morning, when they try to leave, they discover all the doors are locked! In order to escape, they’ll have to work together to solve the puzzles and beat Mr. Lemoncello’s game. Perfect for middle school readers who love puzzles and games.  Voices By Ursula K. Le Guin Seventeen years ago, invaders from Ald took control of the city of Ansul, destroyed every book they could find, and made possession of the written word punishable by death. But there is still one hidden library, and Memer and her guardian are its protectors. And when the poet Orric and his wife Gry come to Ansul, Memer begins to hope that maybe, at last, her homeland can be freed from its oppressors.  Perfect for high schoolers who enjoy dystopian fiction Ink and Bone By Rachel Caine First in a series In Caine’s alternate history, the Great Library of Alexandria never fell. Instead it has grown to become a powerful force that governs the world and holds absolute control over knowledge and information. Jess Brightwell comes from a family of smugglers who trade books on the black market. It’s a dangerous life, one that Jess wants to escape. So when his father enrolls him at the Great Library’s training academy, he agrees to become the family’s spy. Perfect for high schoolers  looking for a page-turning fantasy series.  For Adults The Book That Wouldn’t Burn By Mark Lawrence First in a series At the center of Crath City stands an ancient and mysterious library. Its endless shelves contain all of the knowledge of the ages…if you can find the right book. Livira, an apprentice librarian, is looking for the knowledge that will save her people. Evar is just looking for a way out. He has been lost in the vast library for generations, trapped within the Mechanism, a device that can bring any book to life. But when the two meet and begin to work together, they realize their problems are only just beginning. Perfect for fans of epic fantasy that immerses you in another world and its mysteries. The Library Book By Susan Orlean This book is part true crime story, part love letter, and completely fascinating. In 1986 the Los Angeles Public Library burned for more than seven hours. The fire reached 2000 degrees. More than one million books were damaged or destroyed. Thirty years later, the mystery of the fire still hasn’t been solved. Orlean takes the reader with her through all the ins and outs of the investigation. Along the way she also shows how the Los Angeles Public Library and libraries across the country have been and continue to be such beloved parts of our communities.  Perfect for readers who love unputdownable non-fiction like that by David Grann or Erik Larson. The Book of Form and Emptiness By Ruth Ozeki One year ago Benny Oh’s father died, and now Benny has started hearing voices. At first the voices only come from objects in his house. But soon he hears these voices outside in the street, at school, everywhere. So Benny goes to the library, where the objects at least are polite and speak quietly. And it’s here at the library that he meets his very own Book, a talking book that begins to narrate Benny’s life.  Perfect for literary fiction fans who want a book that engages their hearts and their heads. Want more book recommendations from SRLS staff members? Fill out our What to Read Next form for personalized book recommendations tailored to your tastes: bit.ly/SRLS-WhatToReadNext

It’s National Library Workers’ Day! From shelving your favorite books to planning no cost community events, your SRLS staff love connecting our community with opportunities to explore, learn, and create. Hear from some of our staff members about what they love about serving their community at the library! What is your favorite part of working at the library? “I love seeing all the library visitors who come from such different backgrounds and helping them find what they were seeking when they came to the library.” Joey, Woodstock Public Library Branch Manager “Being able to help individuals and provide accessible information/resources.” Lizzy, R.T. Jones Memorial Library Service Associate “Promoting literacy and lifelong learning.” Kelly, Ball Ground Public Library Public Services Specialist “Getting to teach people new things and provide them with resources they didn't have before.” Charlotte, Pickens County Library Public Services Specialist “I love helping people use services that make their lives easier and more successful, including maintaining the library as a comfortable third space for them to spend time in.” Sky, Hickory Flat Public Library Service Associate “I enjoy my job because it gives me insight into how to support parents in fostering a love of reading in their children.” Sharon, Gilmer County Library Youth Service Specialist “My favorite part of working at the library is being involved in the local community as well as learning more about it, my coworkers and patrons, and being around books all the time!” Maia, R.T. Jones Memorial Library Service Associate “My favorite part of working at the library is sharing resources with our community! It's the best.” Cory, SRLS Programming Manager What is something surprising about libraries that community members may not know? “People may be surprised to learn about our What to Read Next service. We love to give book recommendations on the fly, but this service lets us take a little extra time to find just the right books.” Joey, Woodstock Public Library Branch Manager “I think in general the things we have at our Library of Things are surprising. People are always surprised when I tell them they can check out sewing machines and stud finders .” Nimra, Hickory Flat Public Library Service Associate “Community members may not know that patrons can check out hotspots and laptops .” Lizzy, R.T. Jones Memorial Library Service Associate “Our E-Library Resources . ” Kelly, Ball Ground Public Library Public Services Specialist “The library of things is an amazing resource, and it always surprises people what they can check out from the library, including a tool kit and stud finder .” Charlotte, Pickens County Library Public Services Specialist “At SRLS, patrons can use two different apps ( Libby and The Palace Project ) to check out ebooks and downloadable audiobooks that are accessible from their devices.” Sky, Hickory Flat Public Library Service Associate “Over the years, many parents have been surprised to learn that the library offers so many free resources .” Sharon, Gilmer County Library Youth Service Specialist “A lot of patrons don't know about the extensive services they have access to because of their card, such as Mango , Novelist , access to genealogical records , and the experience passes are just a few that I've shared with patrons.” Maia, R.T. Jones Memorial Library Service Associate “While we will always encourage you to get a library card, you don't need a library card to participate in our programs --they're free and open to the public. From paint-alongs and trivia to crafts and workshops, there's something for everyone at the library!” Cory, SRLS Programming Manager

The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture, Georgia Farm Bureau and Georgia Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) are jointly promoting agricultural literacy by donating copies of the children’s book “I Love Blueberries” to Sequoyah Regional Library System. The Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA) and Georgia EMC have given each county Farm Bureau in Georgia enough books for every public library in the county. The Cherokee County Farm Bureau, Pickens County Farm Bureau, and Gilmer County Farm Bureau each delivered a copy of the book to Sequoyah Regional Library System. “I Love Blueberries,” written by Shannon Anderson, follows two young girls on a mission to grow both fresh blueberries and new friendship. Exploring the world of hydroponics, the book features comical scrapbook style entries and creative sketchbook style illustrations that are sure to keep young readers entertained. The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture selected the book as its 2026 Book of the Year for its accurate and positive portrayal of agriculture. The GFA began donating accurate books about agriculture to each public library in Georgia in 2016. Georgia EMC joined the foundation as a sponsor of this endeavor in 2018.

Enjoy a fun read while exploring local trails with Trail Story! Every year, Sequoyah Regional Library System partners with local organizations to promote literacy and exercise by placing fun story-page signs for community members to read as they enjoy their walk.  SRLS is excited to partner with the following organizations for this year’s Trail Stories: City of Woodstock Parks and Recreation, Cherokee Recreation and Parks, and the Pickens County Recreation Department.  To celebrate, join SRLS at our upcoming Trail Story Launch events featuring a Pop-Up Library and Storytime: April 14, 10:00 AM | Reading Cupig  at Roper Park, Jasper May 4, 10:00 AM | Reading Last Stop on Market Street at Hobgood Park, Woodstock June 1, 10:00 AM | Reading Cupig at Olde Rope Mill Park, Woodstock June 9, 10:00 AM | Reading Can I Be Your Dog? at Cherokee Veterans Park, Canton Community members who visit our Trail Stories are invited to sign a digital guestbook for a chance to win one of our Trail Story prizes. Prizes include a Friends of the Library bookstore voucher, a SRLS canvas tote bag, and a choice of kids’ book bundle. To learn more about SRLS and sign up for a library card, please visit our website: SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org Full Trail Story Schedule Roper Park April : Cupig by Claire Tattersfield J une : Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney August : Last Stop on Market Street   by Matt de la Peña October : Can I Be Your Dog?  by Troy Cummings Woodstock Parks April : The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt | At Rubes Creek Trail June: Cupig by Claire Tattersfield | At Trestle Rock Trail August : Mossy by Jan Brett | At Dupree Park Walking Track October : Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña | At the Park at City Center Veterans' Park April : Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña June : Can I Be Your Dog by Troy Cummings August : Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin October : The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt Hobgood Park May : Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña July : Can I Be Your Dog  by Troy Cummings September : Dragons Love Tacos  by Adam Rubin November : The Day the Crayons Quit  by Drew Daywalt

What is GALILEO? GALILEO is an online portal that connects library users all across the state of Georgia to databases, academic journals, magazines, government publications and more.    GALILEO includes many wonderful resources, including the following: Mango Languages Mango Languages is a language learning website that offers interactive lessons for more than 70 different languages. Consumer Reports Consumer Reports is an independent nonprofit that tests, researches, and reviews products to assist consumers in the buying process. Ancestry Library Edition Accessible at your SRLS library at no cost, Ancestry Library Edition is a collection of databases (including U.S. Census records, draft cards, obituaries, and more) for genealogy research. eBooks on GALILEO In addition to eBooks available on the Libby and Palace Project Apps, SRLS cardholders can also access eBooks through GALILEO. Whatever subject interests you, GALILEO has an eBook for that!  Searching on GALILEO With gardening season soon approaching, let’s research “vegetable gardening” with GALILEO. Visit the GALILEO homepage and type in your search terms. For this example, we’re using Bento Search. The Bento Search results page will automatically take all of your results and group them by format. Now all you have to do is select the eBooks option. (There are over 22,000 eBook results for our search!) You will now be on your eBooks result page, where you can sort and limit your results. Once you find an eBook you’d like to read, click on one of the links at the bottom of the entry. This eBook has both a PDF and an ePub option. The links will take you directly to your eBook. How to Access GALILEO You can access GALILEO from the Sequoyah Regional Library System’s website. When you are on our homepage you will click on the “E-LIBRARY” link, and GALILEO will be the first option listed. You will need your library card number and the PIN associated with that library card to log in.   Don’t have a library card? Find out how to get one on this page: https://www.sequoyahregionallibrary.org/card Forgot your library card’s PIN? Visit a Service Desk at any of our library locations and library staff can help you. Happy reading!

SequoyahCon: Outer Space is coming to the Pickens County Public Library on March 14! Get ready for SequoyahCon with titles that are out of this world. Explore the universe when you check out the following recommendations from SRLS staff members. Learn more about SequoyahCon, our no-cost convention celebrating fandom and fun, on our website: SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org/con   For Kids Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11 by Brian Floca Travel along with the crew of the first ever moon landing in this delightfully illustrated picture book.   Perfect For: Early Elementary Readers Binky the Space Cat by Ashley Spire It may appear that Binky is your average house cat. In Binky’s reality, he’s really a space cat who has never left his family “space station”. Will Binky accomplish his mission of exploring unknown places in outer space? Perfect For: Elementary Readers Baloney, Henry P. by John Scieszka and Lane Smith Henry P. Baloney, a schoolkid on an alien planet, must come up with a good reason to explain why he’s late for szkola again- or else he may get permanent lifelong detention!   Perfect For: Elementary Readers For Teens Larklight by Philip Reeve This isn’t your everyday pirate space adventure. Travel to the furthest limits of known space, battle evil forces, and save the universe. How hard could it be? Perfect For: Middle School Readers A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle ​Travel through space and time with this bestselling science fiction classic! Follow along as three friends discover a dark force that threatens the safety of the universe. Perfect For: High School Readers Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff Ending a relationship is hard. Ending a relationship while your planet is being invaded is even harder. As Kady tries to save her people by searching through a web of data, she realizes she needs the help of someone she swore to never speak to again: her ex-boyfriend.  Perfect For: High School Readers For Adults The Calculating Stars By Mary Robinette Kowal A meteor has fallen in 1950s America, wiping out most of the eastern U.S. and bringing a climate disaster with it. As it becomes clear that humanity must leave Earth to survive, WASP pilot and mathematician Elma York becomes a pivotal figure in the mission to save humanity.   Perfect For: Historical Fiction Fans A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine Ambassador Mahit Dzmare must solve her predecessor’s murder and save herself, and her space station crew, from the same fate, all while navigating an alien culture and a deadly secret.  Perfect For: Science Fiction Fans Carrying the Fire: An Astronaut’s Journeys by Michael Collins Learn about the Apollo 11 mission to the moon from one of the crew members himself: Michael Collins. Collins discusses the drama and beauty of one of the most famous moments in history from a very personal perspective.  Perfect For: Nonfiction Readers Want more book recommendations from SRLS staff members? Fill out our What to Read Next form for personalized book recommendations tailored to your tastes: bit.ly/SRLS-WhatToReadNext

Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) kiosks are now available for community use at R.T. Jones Memorial Library, Pickens County Library, and Gilmer County Library.   DHS kiosks provide a convenient way for community members to access the Georgia Gateway portal to renew, change, and review their benefits including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS), Medicaid and PeachCare for Kids, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).    Support for this program is provided through Food and Nutrition Service grant funds administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Georgia Department of Human Services.

Sequoyah Regional Library System has announced that construction of the Hickory Flat Public Library Renovation and Expansion project, which broke ground in January of 2023, is currently scheduled to be completed in late July of 2024.    The majority of construction on the building has been completed. The next phase of the project consists of shelving installation, furniture installation, collection reshelving, equipment and technology installation, as well as staff placement and training. This phase is expected to take up to 12 weeks to complete.    Updates to the design of the Hickory Flat Public Library include three conference rooms, a larger community space with updated technology, an outdoor courtyard with an exciting play design for children, and a unique roof with elevated roof stacks.    “Our architect got creative, working within the confines of the existing roof line and revolving roof conditions, without adding additional unnecessary cost to the budget,” says Angela Cortellino, Executive Director of SRLS. “The entire building was painted to update the appearance and match the overall aesthetic of the renovated space, which includes existing exterior brick.”   The design also reflects a building meant for community use. “In addition to the conference rooms and community space, this design features a space we are calling ‘the third space.’ It is a space someone can work in, meet others in, or just casually gather,” added Cortellino. The third space design at the Hickory Flat Library features multiple access points to power, flexible furniture, unique seating, and even access to a kitchenette. “We want the community to feel like this is where they can come and spend time, and accomplish what is important to them.”   With an expanded and renovated library facility, the community will have more space for books and technology; larger areas for programs, meetings, collaboration, and creation; and additional seating for study and quiet reading.   The project includes a renovation of the Hickory Flat Public Library building, originally built in 1993. The library’s original 10,000 sq. ft. will be expanded and 7,800 sq. ft. will be added. Designed by CAS Architecture, the Hickory Flat Library Renovation and Expansion construction is being completed by Hollandsworth Construction.    Please continue to visit SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org/hickory-flat-project for updates and announcements about this project.

Sequoyah Regional Library System has announced that construction of the Hickory Flat Public Library Renovation and Expansion project, which broke ground in January of 2023, is currently scheduled to be completed in late summer/early fall of 2024.   Weather concerns and material delays with steel have prevented progress on the metal roof of the building. These delays have added a few more months to wait for completion. “We have had a few delays,” shares Angela Cortellino, Executive Director of SRLS. “We are looking at just a few extra months before we will be able to open this fantastic facility. I know once we open our doors, everyone will be excited and ready to celebrate with us.”   Once construction is complete, there will be several weeks installing shelving, furniture, and technology, as well as moving in the collection. Designed by CAS Architecture, the Hickory Flat Library Renovation and Expansion construction is being completed by Hollandsworth Construction. The finished renovation will include an addition of 7,800 square feet to the building. With an expanded and renovated library facility, the SRLS community will have more space for books and technology; larger areas for programs, meetings, collaboration, and creation; and additional seating for study and quiet reading. The Hickory Flat Public Library building will be closed to the public for the entirety of the construction. During the construction, community members can still access SRLS programs and services by visiting any of the neighboring libraries in Cherokee, Pickens, and Gilmer counties.

Did you know that you can access digital magazines at no cost with your library card? With digital magazines, community members can access the latest and most popular titles at home or on the go!   Sequoyah Regional Library System patrons are able to browse and read a variety of magazines on the Libby app or a web browser. Titles are always available and don’t count against the library’s borrowing limit. Several titles provide access to past issues; those that do will have an “All Issues” or a “Select Another Issue” option.    From crafting to cooking, entertainment to celebrity, sports to health, and many more, the range of topics covered are seemingly endless! There are magazines for all ages to explore. To get started with your search, check out these staff picks:   Inside Your Cat’s Mind: The Secret Language of Cats (Home & Garden) KPop Demon Hunters - The Ultimate Fan Guide (Movies, TV & Music) The Simple Things (Crafts) The Ultimate Guide to Minecraft - New Updates Revealed! (Tech & Gaming)   Visit our E-Library for more digital library services available with your SRLS library card: SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org/elibrary   Download the Libby app here: bit.ly/SRLS-Libby     For assistance with reading magazines on Libby: https://help.libbyapp.com/en-us/categories/reading-magazines.htm .

It's March once again. The sun is shining and leaves are returning to the trees. You decide to spend the morning outside with a good book, but March brings more than warmth and color. It brings wind. Gale force gusts blow your pages askew and make you lose your place. You're losing a war against a force of nature, and your book is caught in the crossfire. You need an alternative way to meet your literary needs, but how can you still support your local library?   Introducing: The Palace Project!   The Palace Project is a digital library aiming to expand access to digital content. Available on both Android and iOS devices, the Palace Project offers an impressive range of materials, including current best-sellers and professionally-narrated audiobooks. These materials can be accessed with just a few taps on your phone or tablet and can even be downloaded for offline reading and listening.   The Sequoyah Regional Library System is dedicated to making learning and exploration more accessible, and the Palace Project allows us to do just that through digital books and downloadable audiobooks. Download the Palace Project from your device's app store and access the app with your SRLS library card number and PIN.   Visit the Palace Project here: thepalaceproject.org ​ Learn more about the SRLS E-Library here: SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org/elibrary

Suit up for SequoyahCon: Superheroes at R.T. Jones Memorial Library on March 14th with marvelous stories of dynamic do-gooders at the library! Check out the following recommendations from SRLS staff members and discover worlds where soaring through the sky isn’t just a fantasy. Learn more about SequoyahCon, our no-cost convention celebrating fandom and fun, on our website: SequoyahRegionalLibrary.org/con For Kids Good Morning, Superman by Michael Dahl & Omar Lozano Follow along as this aspiring superhero completes his morning routine in an incredibly super way, including leaping from tall buildings (his bed) to facing his greatest weakness (kryptonite-colored toothpaste). Perfect For: Early Readers, at Home Storytimes Even Superheroes Make Mistakes by Shelly Becker What do superheroes do when they make mistakes? Read along as this group of heroes learn about the importance of accountability, friendship, and forgiveness. Perfect For: Elementary Readers Miles Morales: Shock Waves by Justin A. Reynolds & Pablo Leon Miles Morales is truly super: when he’s not studying in school, he’s swinging through the streets of Brooklyn, helping his community, and investigating the disappearance of a classmate’s father.  Perfect For: Older Elementary / Early Middle School Readers For Teens Jungle Juice, Vol. 1 by Eun Hyeong Popular student Suchan Jang has a secret: underneath his cool clothes hides a pair of dragonfly wings! When he has to expose his wings to save his crush, Suchan falls to the bottom of the popularity food chain. When he’s introduced to a hidden society of fellow human-insect hybrids, Suchan decides to make a new start for himself.  Perfect For: Older Middle School Readers Faith: Taking Flight by Julie Murphy Faith Herbert is a typical high school student- she loves spending time with her friends, volunteering at the animal shelter, and obsessing over her favorite TV show. Life begins to get complicated for Faith as her favorite show begins filming in her hometown, supposed criminal activity takes place in her school, and she discovers that she has the ability to fly. Perfect For: High School Readers Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Vol. 1 by Naoko Takeuchi Usagi has never been the most athletic teenager. When she meets a magical talking cat and becomes Sailor Moon, she learns that true strength comes from the heart.  Perfect For: High School Readers For Adults All-Star Superman by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely An exciting re-imagining of Superman lore, longtime fans and newcomers alike will enjoy this Superman tale of unlikely twins, new characters, and a final face-off with Lex Luthor. Perfect For: Comic Book Fans Watchmen By Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons In this alternate 1980s American timeline, the Cold War rages on and super heroes have been outlawed. When a group of heroes come together again to mourn a fallen friend, they discover a larger plot to spread chaos throughout the world. Perfect For: Graphic Novel Fans Mary Tyler MooreHawk By Dave Baker Part mystery, part graphic novel, 100% captivating. Discover who Mary Tyler MooreHawk is, how she saved the world, and who exactly created the Mary Tyler MooreHawk comic. Perfect For: Mystery Fans Want more book recommendations from SRLS staff members? Fill out our What to Read Next form for personalized book recommendations tailored to your tastes: bit.ly/SRLS-WhatToReadNext