Calendar of Events for Children and Teens - August 2023

DEKALB COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

Inside

Flex your reading skills and join DeKalb County Public Library’s Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl team.

Page 4

August 2023

Youth Services Staff

Brookhaven

Mandy Finch

Chamblee

Kim Chamberlain

Kristi Gregory

Clarkston

Jordan Curtis

County Line-Ellenwood

Angela Morris

Covington

Kristi Henry

Decatur

Colleen Ferketish

Mia Manekofsky

Lauren Tennyson

Doraville

Austin Dalbo

Sloane Frederick

Dunwoody

Nicole Hercules-Provence

Embry Hills

Erica Luke

Flat Shoals

Jessica Jackson

Gresham

Kimberly Hall

Hairston Crossing

Jill Girardeau

Lithonia-Davidson

Wendy Herbert

Northlake-Barbara Loar

Alyssa Williams

Redan-Trotti

Emilee Sawicki

Salem-Panola

Ashley Walker

Scott Candler

Ruthie Metzler

Scottdale-Tobie Grant

Jared Bush

Josiah Gregory

Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg

Rosie Robledo

Stonecrest

Amanda Lindsay

Kate McAlister

Toco Hill-Avis G. Williams

Marcie Helms

Tucker-Reid H. Cofer

Jason Beyer

Elisabeth Harris

Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown

Mary Block

Shakira McCoy

Schedule of Programs for Children and Teens

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten encourages parents and caregivers to provide positive and nurturing early experiences by reading aloud to their children regularly. Visit any DeKalb County Public Library branch to receive the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten participation kit. Each kit includes a reusable book bag, free starter book, reading log, and reading tips and recommendations. You can also track progress on Beanstack. Sign up at dekalblibrary.beanstack.org. Support provided by DeKalb Library Foundation.

100 Books Before Graduation

For readers between the ages of 13 to 18, take the 100 Books Before Graduation challenge! Reading can provide stress relief, increase empathy, improve vocabulary, and develop writing skills. Participants who reach different challenge milestones will receive rewards like a ring light, an insulated mug, a stylish enamel pin, and more. Complete the challenge and be entered into a drawing for an iPad Pro. Support provided by DeKalb Library Foundation. Sign up at dekalblibrary.beanstack.org.

StoryLine

Storytime is Now Just a Phone Call Away!

The Library has a dial-a-story service called StoryLine. StoryLine offers a wide range of stories read by our Youth Services Librarians for children and families at any time of the day. Selected stories can be found in the library’s print and eBook collection of children’s books, and are available for checkout. Call us at 404.370.3070, press 7, choose between a story in English or in Spanish, and listen.

Raising Resilience

All kids are born with the capacity to become resilient — the ability to handle life’s ups and downs — but they need help along the way. Search for Raising Resilience at dekalblibrary.org for recommended books and links to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Strong4Life website to learn how to raise a resilient child. These resources are provided in collaboration with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Strong4Life. Support provided by DeKalb Library Foundation.

DeKalb Library Foundation

The DeKalb Library Foundation supports the DeKalb County Public Library beyond tax dollars. Funding allows for special summer reading programs, craft programs, book clubs, and so much more! To learn more about DeKalb Library Foundation, visit dekalblibraryfoundation.org

Organize Research and Projects

Tablets with Pre-Loaded Learning Apps

Read-Along Picture Books

to all of the readers and individuals, businesses, Friends of the Library groups, DeKalb Library Foundation, and other organizations who supported the Summer Reading Challenge, All Together Now!

Your devotion to reading and learning made a huge impact. Check out the numbers:

• 3,800+ registered readers

• 13,000+ books read

• 600,000+ minutes of reading logged in Beanstack

• 900+ challenge completers

To everyone who loves books, keep checking Beanstack for more reading challenges throughout the year.

Domino Masters Competition

Thursday, August 3

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Ages 8 to 17 years

2:00–4:00 p.m.

Compete in this year’s Library vs. Library Domino Competition! Based on the competition show “Domino Masters,” participants will work together to create a domino run to topple. Teams from County Line-Ellenwood, Wesley ChapelWilliam C. Brown, Scott Candler and Hairston Crossing Libraries will compete to create the winning domino chain. Participating branches will be connected via Google Meet. Teams will be judged by their peers and the best overall participant will win a prize.

Support provided by DeKalb Library Foundation. Search the online events calendar for “Domino Masters” for more information and to register to attend at a branch near you.

Beautiful Oops: Art Club

Wednesday, August 9 5:30–6:30 p.m.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Ages 8 to 13 years

Make accidental art by drawing, painting, and using recycled materials. No artistic ability necessary. Open to first 8 participants.

Dominoes Club

Wednesday, August 16 5:30–6:30 p.m.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Ages 8 to 14 years

Learn how to build and topple fantastic domino chains that have spirals, bridges, zig-zags, and turns. Support provided by DeKalb Library Foundation. Open to first 10 participants.

Family (All Ages)

County Line-Ellenwood Library

4331 River Road, Ellenwood, GA 30294

404.241.1668

Funding provided in part by the Friends of the County Line-Ellenwood Library.

Children, Tweens, and Teens

Domino Masters Competition

Thursday, August 3 2:00–4:00 p.m.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Ages 8 to 17 years

Participants will work together to create a domino run to topple. The County Line-Ellenwood Library team will compete against Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown, Scott Candler, and Hairston Crossing Libraries. Support provided by DeKalb Library Foundation. Open to first 10 participants.

Game Day

Wednesday, August 2 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Family (All Ages)

Unwind and play classic games like Scrabble, Checkers, Chess, Uno, Sorry, Connect 4, and more. Support provided by DeKalb Library Foundation.

dekalblibrary.org

Covington Library

3500 Covington Highway, Decatur, GA 30032 404.508.7180

Family (All Ages)

Art In The Neighborhood – Photography

Saturday, August 12 Noon–2:00 p.m.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Family (All Ages)

Dive into the creative world of flip-books with professional photographer Sam Harris. Mr. Harris has received awards from the Southeastern Photographic Society and the National Geographic Society for his juried photography. Open to first 20 participants.

Resilience Canvas: Transferring

Inspirational Quotes to Art

Wednesday, August 23 2:00–4:00 p.m.

Family (All Ages)

Express feelings and emotions through art while being inspired by motivational quotes. This process can help develop coping skills and increase the ability to bounce back from adversity. This is a Raising Resilience program with support provided by DeKalb Library Foundation and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Strong4Life.

Dunwoody Library

5339 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road

Dunwoody, GA 30338 770.512.4640

Funding provided in part by the Friends of the Dunwoody Library.

Toddlers

Toddler Time

Wednesdays, August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 10:30–11:00 a.m.

Ages 18 to 36 months

Music, rhymes, activities, and more to get caregivers and children moving. Open to first 50 participants. Groups of 5 or more, call branch for appointment.

Preschoolers

Preschool Storytime

Wednesdays, August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 11:00–11:30 a.m.

Ages 3 to 5 years

An energetic and interactive storytime, complete with stories, songs, and more. Open to first 50 participants. Groups of 5 or more, call branch for appointment.

Family (All Ages)

Native Trees and Forests

Saturday, August 5

Family (All Ages)

Northlake-Barbara Loar Library

3772 LaVista Road, Tucker, GA 30084 404.679.4408

2:00–2:45 p.m.

Dave Long, arborist and urban forestry specialist with the Georgia Forestry Commission, will discuss the benefits of native trees and forests. Learn about threats to tree health and how to help protect and promote trees in the community.

Flat Shoals Library

4022 Flat Shoals Parkway, Decatur, GA 30034

404.244.4370

Funding provided in part by the Friends of the Flat Shoals Library.

Family (All Ages)

Fall Garden Planting

Wednesday, August 16 11:00 a.m.–Noon

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Family (All Ages)

Receive information and tips for planting your fall garden. Open to first 25 participants.

Hairston Crossing Library

4911 Redan Road, Stone Mountain, GA 30088

Funding provided in part by the Friends of the Hairston Crossing Library.

404.508.7170

Children, Tweens, and Teens

Domino Masters Competition

Thursday, August 3 2:00–4:00 p.m.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Ages 8 to 17 years

Participants will work together to create a domino run to topple. The Hairston Crossing Library team will compete against Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown, Scott Candler, and County Line-Ellenwood Libraries. Support provided by DeKalb Library Foundation. Open to first 12 participants.

Funding provided in part by the Friends of the Northlake-Barbara Loar Library.

Children and Tweens

Cooking with Kids: Ice Cream

Saturday, August 5 11:00 a.m.–Noon

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Ages 6 to 13 years

This delicious program teaches important skills for kids to use in the kitchen. Open to first 10 participants.

Scavenger Hunt: Back to School

Week of August 14 During library hours

Celebrate Back to School with a scavenger hunt. Stop by the Circulation Desk to get a list of clues. Find all items and win a prize. Prizes available while supplies last.

STEAM After School: Kaleidoscope Science

Thursday, August 31 4:00–4:45 p.m.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Ages 6 to 13 years

Learn about light, reflections, and symmetry through crafting. Open to first 12 participants.

Family (All Ages)

Northlake on the Lawn Concert

Tuesday, August 15 7:00–8:00 p.m.

Join us in the Northlake-Barbara Loar Reading Garden for a live concert featuring Bright Moments Duo. Limited seating provided. Please bring lawn chairs or picnic blankets. Nonalcoholic beverages and food welcome.

Redan-Trotti Library

1569 Wellborn Road, Lithonia, GA 30058

770.482.3821

Children, Tweens, and Teens

Yoga and Relaxation for Kids and Teens

Tuesdays, August 8, 15, 22, 29 4:15–5:00 p.m.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Ages 7 to 15 years

Relax and learn basic yoga poses with a yoga expert. Bring your own yoga mat or practice on the carpet. Support for this Raising Resilience program is provided by DeKalb Library Foundation and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Strong4Life. Open to first 20 participants.

Teens

Back to School Survival Kit

Mondays and Tuesday, August 1, 7, 14, 21, 28

During library hours

Ages 12 to 17 years

Pick up a back to school survival kit full of activities and ideas to keep you relaxed. Every kit includes a random, free book. Kits available while supplies last. Support for this Raising Resilience program is provided by DeKalb Library Foundation and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Strong4Life.

Scott Candler Library

1917 Candler Road, Decatur, GA 30032

404.286.6986

Children, Tweens, and Teens

Domino Masters Competition

Thursday, August 3 2:00–4:00 p.m.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Ages 8 to 17 years

Participants will work together to create a domino run to topple. The Scott Candler Library team will compete against Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown, Hairston Crossing, and County Line-Ellenwood Libraries. Support provided by DeKalb Library Foundation. Open to first 10 participants.

Family (All Ages)

Everyone Loves a Circus

Throughout August During library hours

Family (All Ages)

Come and see some amazing pictures taken at the UniverSoul Circus by Ms. Sharon B. Dowdell.

Stone MountainSue Kellogg Library

952 Leon Street, Stone Mountain, GA 30083 770.413.2020

Funding provided in part by the Friends of the Stone Mountain-Sue Kellogg Library.

Toddlers

Toddler Storytime

Wednesdays, August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 10:30–11:00 a.m.

Ages 18 to 36 months

An interactive storytime, complete with finger plays, action rhymes, stories, and more. This storytime is specially targeted for the developmental needs of two-year-olds. Groups of 5 or more, call branch for appointment.

Children

The E3 Experience

Saturday, August 19

Saturday, August 19

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Ages 6 to 12 years

1:00–2:00 p.m.

2:30–3:30 p.m.

Family (All Ages)

This Gal is on Fire Art Exhibit

Throughout August During library hours

See works by mixed media artist, painter, and photographer Denise Gunter. Ms. Gunter’s repertoire includes colorful mixed media collages, acrylic and watercolor painting, and nature and travel photography.

Interested in LEGO engineering, app development, gaming, and more? Join Jestacia Jones, founder and teacher of E3 Tech Academy, for a teaser technology course for students in grades 3–5. Open to first 12 participants.

Art & Imagination

Saturday, August 26

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Ages 6 to 12 years

2:30–4:00 p.m.

Create a 3D work of art using unique, surprising materials and found objects with teaching artist Ellen Gadberry. This program features the picture book Grace and Box by Kim Howard. This is a Raising Resilience program with support provided by DeKalb Library Foundation and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Strong4Life. Open to first 12 participants.

Tweens and Teens

Secrets of Music Composition

Tuesday, August 22

Ages 9 to 17 years

4:30–6:30 p.m.

Join teacher and musician The Donovan for an introductory class about music and music theory. Open to first 25 participants.

Teens

Cult Classic Matinee

Saturday, August 26

11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

The Princess Bride (1987). Rated PG. 1h 38m. Open to first 20 participants.

Meet the Artist: Saturday, August 5 3:30–4:30 p.m. Bring your questions and curiosity for some professional insight from Denise Gunter, mixed media artist and teacher.

Mother Earth’s Children

Saturday, August 5 2:00–3:00 p.m.

Family (All Ages)

Explore the world through the eyes of children. This slideshow presentation showcases everyday activities of families in India, Panama, China, Thailand, Morocco, and beyond. Open to first 30 participants.

Stonecrest Library

3123 Klondike Road, Stonecrest, GA 30038 770.482.3828

Funding provided in part by the Friends of the Stonecrest Library.

Tweens and Teens

Digital Creation Club

Tuesday, August 8 5:00–6:30 p.m.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Ages 10 to 17 years

Create digital art, 3D models, film, or animation based on the randomly selected theme for the month. Attend in person and use the library’s professional software and computers or attend from home using online software and your own device. Open to first 20 participants. We are able to accommodate only 12 in-person participants. Register to receive link for virtual meeting.

Wesley ChapelWilliam C. Brown Library

2861 Wesley Chapel Road. Decatur, GA 30034 404.286.6980

Funding provided in part by the Friends of the Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library.

Preschoolers

Preschool Storytime

Tuesdays, August 1, 15 11:00–11:30 a.m.

Ages 3 to 5 years

An energetic and interactive storytime, complete with stories, songs, and more. Groups of 5 or more, call branch for appointment. Open to first 10 participants.

Children, Teens, and Tweens

Domino Masters Competition

Thursday, August 3 2:00–4:00 p.m.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Ages 8 to 17 years

Participants will work together to create a domino run to topple. The Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library team will compete against County Line-Ellenwood, Scott Candler, and Hairston Crossing Libraries. Support provided by DeKalb Library Foundation. Open to first 10 participants.

Early Bird Book Club

Wednesday, August 30 3:30–4:30 p.m.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Ages 6 to 8 years

The Library depends on gifts to provide programs and services not funded by tax dollars. Your charitable gift helps create programming and services that would not exist otherwise. To find out more, visit dekalblibraryfoundation.org

A monthly book club for beginning readers with discussion, games, and crafts. Pick up and return copies of each month’s book at Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library. Open to first 10 participants.

Online Programs

Minecraft Club

Wednesdays, August 9, 23 3:30–4:30 p.m.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

All Ages

Join our library’s Minecraft server and show us what you can build. Participants must own a copy of Minecraft Java to join the server. During club meetings, we will craft together, visit other’s builds, and have special events and contests. Support provided by DeKalb Library Foundation. Register to receive virtual meeting link. Open to first 30 participants.

Computer Coding Club

Saturday, August 12 2:00–3:30 p.m.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Ages 10 to 17 years

Learn about data visualization, how it is used to convey information, and how to create a basic visualization using computer coding. Register to receive class link. Open to first 15 participants.

Anime Club

Monday, August 14 5:00–6:00 p.m.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Ages 12 to 18 years

Join other fans to watch and discuss anime, talk about comics and manga, and have fun. Register to receive virtual meeting link. Open to first 15 participants.

DeKalb County Public Library Locations and Hours

MAIN LIBRARY Decatur

Embry Hills

3733 Chamblee-Tucker Road

Chamblee, GA 30341 770.270.8230

Flat

Scott Candler

1917 Candler Road

Decatur, GA 30032

404.286.6986

Stone MountainSue Kellogg 952

Tucker-Reid H. Cofer 5234

County Line-Ellenwood

Gresham

Stonecrest 3123

Hairston

Toco Hill-Avis G. Williams 1282 McConnell Drive Decatur, GA 30033

Lithonia-Davidson

Doraville 3748

Northlake-Barbara Loar 3772

Redan-Trotti 1569 Wellborn Road Lithonia, GA 30058 770.482.3821

Salem-Panola

Wesley ChapelWilliam C. Brown

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