PRIORITIES
The Gwinnett County Public Library has welcomed more than 2 million customers during the last fiscal year. We operate 15 safe and inviting branches that are open more hours than any other library system in the state of Georgia.
GWINNETT COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY’S
PRIORITY 01
EARLY EDUCATION
EARLY EDUCATION
We have 2,100 free programs each year that specifically support early literacy and kindergarten preparedness.
WE OFFER:
• Kindergarten Here We Come prepares children for their first day of school
• Storytimes and Music and Movement programs teach babies and toddlers sounds, letters, shapes, fine motor skills, and spatial awareness
• Letter Camps promote early alphabet awareness
• STEM programs teach math and simple science
• Literacy Milestone Celebrations for 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, 300 Before Middle School, 75 Before High School
• Reading Buddies / Doggie Tales offer reading practice
• Partnerships with schools reach multicultural, low income families who need help to build literacy habits
• Our Mobile Library visits housing developments where families have little literacy exposure
• Youth Services school puppet show supports AKS English and Language Arts curriculum workday
& ECONOMIC
PRIORITY 02
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
OPPORTUNITY
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT & ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
We provide free access to cutting edge technology for children and adults to gain valuable skills and knowledge.
• Nine Learning Labs allow digital content creation in podcast studios and video production rooms with professional grade equipment including Rodecaster, Adobe Creative Cloud , 3D printers and CNC machines allow for product development and prototyping
• Chromebooks and Learning Kits provide customers with transportable PCs and WiFi hotspots
We support entrepreneurship, upskilling, and workforce development for our community.
• Our New Start Entrepreneurship Incubator team (NSEI) mentors formerly incarcerated individuals to start their own businesses. Multiple graduates have become successful entrepreneurs and employ other formerly incarcerated people
• Applications are now being accepted for our 2nd RISE Teen Entrepreneurship Program. It is a spin off of NSEI that targets at risk teens
• GCPL University and LinkedIn Learning provides online courses and certificate courses
• Career Online High School offers adults private, online courses to receive an accredited high school diploma for entry into postsecondary education or the workforce.
• We facilitate small business development programming through Adult Services and branch programming
SUCCESS STORY
NSEI Graduate Chartesia Griffin owns and operates Diamond Shine Enterprises, a commercial cleaning company with 14 full time employees. She says, ”thanks to Gwinnett County Public Library, I have my own business.”
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PRIORITY 03
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
We develop strategic partnerships to expand our service reach ensuring all community members have access to education, recreation and economic opportunity.
• Branch Out provides over 175,000 students and teachers free, full-service library accounts. This partnership includes GCPS, Buford City, Greater Atlanta Christian School, and Hebron Christian Academy in Dacula.
• Gwinnett Building Babies Brains partners with us to reach new customers, secure grants for programming, collection development, and staff training. We give books to families to increase their at home libraries.
• We partner with the county and cities to provide GCPL programming and services in places such as parks, community centers, and festivals reducing transportation barriers for customers.
• GSU School of Social Work provides us interns at several of our branches to assist customers and connect them with state and county services
• Churches in Buford and Norcross stock and maintain food pantries and blessing bags (clothing and hygiene products) in branches.
• Family Nights bring Hispanic families to a branch for a catered meal and educational programming
• Vision to Learn partners with us to provide free eye exams to kids and free glasses
• Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta will soon begin a new program called Raising Resilience where we will help parents raise healthy, safe, and resilient children.
OUR MISSION
Supporting your informational, educational and recreational interests with convenient, creative, customer-friendly access to materials and services.
gwinnettlibrary.org