Gwinnett Library To Hold 2013 Teen Summit in Suwanee, Other Locations

'Zombie infestation' prompts the event for February 23, 2013. Police and schools officials also will be involved.

The Gwinnett County Public Library system will be hosting its third annual Teen Summit on Saturday, February 23, 2013, in several locations, including Suwanee. And due to the recent "zombie infestation," Teen Summit 2013 will focus on getting teens the latest information on how to survive safely in today's world, according to a library system news release. Participans can learn important survival techniques in self-defense, first aid, public safety, and more. The summit will take place simultaneously at four locations: Suwanee branch, Centerville branch, Collins Hill branch, and Five Forks branch, from 12:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.  Also, those involved can participate in interactive safety and law enforcement presentations from Suwanee, Gwinnett…

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New Business Model Urged for Gwinnett Library System

Gwinnett leaders think the libraries are necessary, but with a different approach.

After another million-dollar budget cut to the Gwinnett County library system, county leaders think it's time for that organization to change its approach. "I would encourage the library to look at a new business model," Gwinnett District 2 Commissioner Lynette Howard said Thursday (January 3) as the county's elected leaders passed the 2013 budget. Amid a still-tight revenue situation, commissioners cut $1 million in materials from the library's budget, the latest of several large reductions to that system. Howard noted that the library branches "need to be a community center," but that current plans of coping with their situation are "not working," and she pledged to do "anything I can do" to help. -- What do you think the Gwinnett …

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Mickey Mouse, Disney On Ice To Visit Suwanee Library

The session will happen on Friday.

Updated March 29 Mickey Mouse and a guest reader from the cast of Disney On Ice will hold a special story-time session at the Suwanee branch of the Gwinnett County Public Library on Friday at 2 pm.  The meet and greet with Mickey will follow a reading from the library’s Disney collection in celebration of the new skating spectacular Treasure Trove, according to a library news release. Customers are also invited to explore the Disney-themed books and DVDs that are available for checkout in the branches or can be reserved online anytime with a valid library card.   Treasure Trove is a medley of Disney tales in one ice show that commemorates the legacy of Disney animated films. The show will be at the Gwinnett Arena from until Sunday. For …

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Gwinnett Library Commended for AskGCPL Feature

The feature is an easy way for users to contact the library staff.

The Gwinnett County Public Library System was recently recognized by The Springshare Company as was Harvard Business School, Baylor University and Florida International University. Each entity was highlighted for their innovative integration of the LibGuides and LibAnswers systems. These systems make is easier for the community and staff to find what they need and receive help. This new service, known as AskGCPL, offers users a simple way to contact the library. Staff uses the system as an on-demand reference tool to provide library customers quick, correct answers. The Suwanee branch is on Main Street. In a press release from the GCPL system, Executive Director Nancy Stanbery-Kellam stated, “We are fortunate to have staff who are not only…

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Birmingham Church Bombing Survivor To Speak in Suwanee

Author will discuss her story and her new book Thursday at the Gwinnett library branch.

Updated Jan. 23, 2011 A survivor of the 1963 church bombing in Birmingham, Ala., will discuss her situation and her new book on the subject Thursday in Suwanee. Carolyn Maull McKinstry, a Birmingham native, will speak at the Suwanee branch of the Gwinnett Public Library as part of the library's Meet The Authors series. The event will be at 6 p.m. Her new book is titled "While the World Watched: A Birmingham Bombing Survivor Comes of Age during the Civil Rights Movement." According to a GCPL news release, McKinstry was present when Klan members bombed the Sixteenth Street Baptist church, killing four of her young friends.  The bombing, which shook the community as well as the nation, was a defining experience for McKinstry, and began her …

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Suwanee Scene

Suwanee Beats the Heat

Library show, Big Splash fountain offer relief Tuesday.

"Misery moo" was catching it good from the lamb Tuesday about being so gloomy. About 280 children and adults agreed. "Misery moo" and the lamb -- both puppets in a show at the Suwanee branch of the Gwinnett Public Library -- were among the smart ones beating the oven-like head and humidity that set in on the area. The puppet show was one of several summer shows aimed at youngsters by the library. Tuesday's event was coordinated by Peggy Mitchell and Carol Goebel. (See the attached video.) Nearby at Town Center Park, the Big Splash interactive fountain was equally popular. Imagine that. (See the attached pictures.)

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Library Corner

How the World Works: Check These Library Books

The Gwinnett Public Libraries have books for the secret science nerd inside of all of us.

Hey, we're sure we're not the first ones to tell you that science is really cool. These books, which you can put on hold at gwinnettpl.org and pick up at the Suwanee branch, help world make a little more sense.  1. Backyard Birding: Using natural gardening to attract birds 2. Math for Grownups By Laura Laing 3. Feathers: The evolution of a natural miracle By Thor Hanson 4. Everyday Math Tricks for Grown-Ups: Shortcuts and Simple Solutions for the Not-So-Math Minded 5. Annoying: The science of what bugs us By Joe Palca and Flora Lichtman 6. The Book of Fungi: A life-size guide to six hundred species from around the world By Peter Roberts and Shelley Evans 7. How the Hippies Saved Physics: Science, counterculture and the quantum revival By …

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Suwanee Summer Scene

Suwanee Library Is Child's Play in Summer

Several programs appeal to families with children of all ages.

One of the coolest places -- literally and figuratively -- in Suwanee is the children's story room at the Suwanee branch of the Gwinnett Public Library. It was an overflow crowd when storyteller "Miss Peggy" Mitchell called the preschool storytime session to order Tuesday morning. "I see lots of grandmas and grandpas here," she said as the children age 2-5 focused on her last program of the summer. Near her was her story kit, and then she welcomed her "special friend" -- Biscuit, the canine puppet -- to the session. In another room of the library, a similar session was on for youths age 6-10. Spokesperson Amy Billings noted that the Suwanee library tries to focus on summer programs that appeal to families when children are out of school. …

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For Father's Day, Books for the Armchair Athlete

Because dads love reading about sports more than playing them sometimes.

We regularly bring you great books available for check out at the Suwanee branch of the Gwinnett Public Library. Put them on hold at gwinnettpl.org, then have them sent to your closest branch.  Inspired by Sports Center-watching dads everywhere--most of whom are, lets face it, armchair athletes--we bring you stories about sports and the incredible people who play them.  1. At the Fights: American writers on boxing Edited By George Kimball & John Schulian 2. 56: Joe DiMaggio and the last magic number in sports By Kostya Kennedy 3. Eat, Sleep, Ride: How I braved bears, badlands, and big breakfasts in my quest to cycle the Tour Divide By Paul Howard 4. The Big Fight: My life in and out of the ring By Sugar Ray Leonard with Michael Arkush 5. …

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Latest At The Library

Good Biographies at Gwinnett Library

Every great story is a story about people.

Go to gwinnettpl.org to check out these books that profile incredible lives led. They'll be sent to your local branch for pick up. The Suwanee branch is on Main Street. 1. What a Wonderful World: The Magic of Louis Armstrong's Later Years By Ricky Riccardi  2. The House in France: A Memoir By Gully Wells 3. There Are Things I Want You to Know about Stieg Larsson and Me By Eva Gabrielsson  4. Sean Connery: A Biography By Christopher Bray 5. A Man from Another Land : How finding my roots changed my life By Isaiah Washington 6. Innocent Spouse : A memoir By Carol Ross Joynt 7. License to Pawn: Deals, Steals, and My Life at the Gold & Silver By Rick Harrison 8.  All in : From refugee camp to poker champ By Jerry Yang with Mark Tabb 9. Black …

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