Library Insider - July 2026

JULY 2026

LIBRARY INSIDER Official Newsletter of the Hall County Library System

New Digital Catalogs!

This Issue: New Digital Catalogs PAGE 01

Great news for our digital readers! We are thrilled to announce that the Hall County Library System and eRead Kids are now fully accessible online via the brand-new Palace Web Catalog.

SRP Survey PAGE

Digital Resources PAGE

Previously, you could only access the massive collection of Palace Project ebooks and audiobooks through a mobile app. Starting today, you can browse our entire digital catalog, borrow materials, place holds, and read directly within your favorite web browser on your laptop, desktop, or Chromebook!

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04 - 05

Georgia Reads for America250 PAGE

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Adult Programs PAGE 07 - 08 Youth Programs PAGE

09 - 14

Staff Book Picks PAGE

15 - 17

Bibliophile Bulletin PAGE 18

HALL COUNTY LIBRARY INSIDER

PAGE 01

One Place for All Your Favorite Books www.hallcountylibrary.org

Just like the Palace app, the new web catalog brings multiple digital platforms together into one easy-to-use website.

How to Get Started in 5 Simple Steps: Click one of the URLs to visit your chosen catalog.

Click “Sign In” in the top right corner.

Enter your Library Card Barcode and PIN/Password, then click “Login.”

Browse or search for your next great read.

Click “Borrow this book” to check it out (or “Reserve this book” to place a hold) and then click “Read Online” to start reading instantly!

Tip: Want to see everything you currently have checked out or on hold? Just click on the “My Books” tab at the top of the page.

@halllib

Ready to Dive In? Here are Your Access Links: Visit the Main Palace Catalog Visit the eRead Kids Palace Catalog Read Your Way Prefer reading on the go? Don't worry! Anything you borrow on the website will automatically sync to your mobile device. You can switch over to the Palace app on your phone or tablet anytime and pick up right where you left off.

Happy reading, Hall County! If you have any questions or need help finding your library PIN, stop by any of our branches or give us a call—we are always happy to help.

HALL COUNTY LIBRARY INSIDER

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Summer Reading

SU RV EY

S U RV EY Available Until August 28

Help Us Keep Summer Reading Alive & Roaring!

We hope you are having a blast with this year’s dinosaur-themed Summer Reading program! From exciting events to tracking your reading goals, it is already shaping up to be a summer for the record books—and it’s all thanks to you.

As we approach the middle of summer, we need a small favor to help us keep these amazing, free programs coming to our community.

Take the 2-Minute Summer Reading Survey!

Summer Reading in Georgia is funded in part by federal grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). To show them how much these programs mean to our community and secure future funding, we need to hear about your experience!

Here is what you need to know: It’s super short: Just 7 quick questions!

For everyone: Whether you are a parent filling it out for your kids, a teen, or an adult participant, your voice counts.

Available in English & Spanish: You can choose your preferred language right at the start of the survey.

How to Participate Please take a brief moment to share your thoughts before the survey closes on Friday, August 28.

Click Here to Take the Summer Reading Survey

👉

Digital Learning Hub Library Resources for Lifelong Learning

TUTOR.COM Tutor.com connects you with a network of highly qualified and vetted expert tutors across a vast array of subjects. Whether you're a K-12 student grappling with algebra, a college student perfecting an essay, or an adult learner preparing for a new career, Tutor.com offers live, one-on-one help whenever you need it.

LOTE4KIDS

Digital learning

Expand your child's world with LOTE4Kids, a digital library now offering over 1,000 picture books in more than 65 languages. This popular app allows kids to learn and explore new cultures through the magic of storytelling, with stories read in both English and their native language.

Access learning resources from anywhere, at any time.

Learn at your own pace and on your own schedule.

Enjoy free access to premium content with your library card.

Use engaging formats like videos, tutorials, and interactive lessons.

HALL COUNTY LIBRARY INSIDER

FINANCIAL FIT Financial Fit from EBSCO is a comprehensive platform that empowers you with essential money management skills. Whether you're a young adult learning to budget or an adult planning for retirement, Financial Fit offers interactive modules to help you understand credit, manage debt, and make smart financial decisions.

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AUDIO & EBOOKS Your next great read, available 24/7

PALACE The Palace Project app is a one-stop-shop for ebooks and audiobooks. Perfect for all readers, it offers a broad range of titles from bestsellers and classics to content in 29 languages. Use your library card and PIN to access a streamlined interface where you'll always find something great to read or listen to.

LIBBY Libby is an award-winning app that gives you free access to the library's vast collection of ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines. With just your library card, you can browse, borrow, and read or listen to titles on your smartphone, tablet, or e-reader.

Libby is perfect for finding your next popular bestseller, catching up on a magazine subscription, or enjoying a great audiobook on your commute.

HALL COUNTY LIBRARY INSIDER

Looking for a way to keep your kids engaged, entertained, and learning? Look no further than eREAD Kids, our library’s premier digital collection designed just for children from Pre-K through 4th grade!

With eREAD Kids, your child gets instant access to a massive online library featuring over 45,000 electronic resources. Whether you are at home, on a road trip, or waiting at the doctor's office, great books are always at your fingertips. eREAD Kids!

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COMPANY

GEORGIA READS FOR AMERICA250

Celebrating 250 Years: The Georgia Reads for America250 Challenge Get ready to turn the page on history! As we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States, our library is thrilled to announce the Georgia Reads for America250 program. This statewide initiative is designed to connect readers of all ages with the stories, people, and events that have shaped our nation over the last two and a half centuries.

The program officially kicks off on March 3 and runs through the end of the year. Here is everything you need to know to get involved:

How to Complete the Georgia Reads for America250 Challenge The challenge runs from March 3 through December 31, 2026. Follow these steps to join the celebration and earn your prizes: Step 1: Join Your Age Group Sign up on the Beanstack app or visit the library to get started. There are four categories to ensure everyone can participate: Children: Preschool through Elementary Middle School High School Adult Step 2: Choose Your Book Read at least one book from the official America250 Booklist for your age group. This curated list of 31 titles features stories that explore 250 years of American history.

Note: Many high school titles are also available in our adult collection, making them great shared reads for families!

Step 3: Complete the Activities To finish the challenge, you must complete one activity from each of the six activity categories listed in Beanstack. These activities are designed to help you engage with our community and national heritage.

Step 4: Collect Your Rewards Once you’ve logged your book and activities, stop by any branch to pick up your finisher’s kit: An official certificate of completion.

A commemorative sticker.

A patriotic silicone bracelet.

Early Bird Bonus: The first 10 children to finish at each branch will receive a limited-edition Georgia Reads tshirt (Youth Large)!

Step 5: Enter the Grand Prize Raffle Every person who completes the program by December 31 will be automatically entered to win an America250 Gift Basket.

We will draw one winner per age group in early January 2027.

More information can be found on our website under Reading Challenges!

HALL COUNTY LIBRARY INSIDER

PAGE 06

ADULT PROGRAMS PROGRAMS GALORE! We have programs and events catered to adults at all 5 of our library locations on a weekly basis!

Check our calendar HERE for a full list of events.

Our vibrant program schedule offers something for everyone! Dive into crafting, painting, book clubs, fiber arts, and informative learning opportunities. We also host exciting partner events, thrilling Dungeons & Dragons sessions, and so much more!

JULY 2026

PROGRAMS & EVENTS: ADULT SPOTLIGHT

Click on the titles underlined to learn more information!

*requires registration

*America 250: America in Brushstokes Spout Springs Library, Wednesday, July 1, 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

*Patriotic Painting Class Blackshear Place,Thursday, July 2, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

*America Flag Painting Workshop Gainesville Library, Thursday, July 2, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

*Don’t Be a Dinosaur!

Speed Dating Gainesville Library, Monday, July 6, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Americana Tile Art North Hall Tech Center, Tuesday, July 7, 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Author Talk with Sharon Gloger Friedman Blackshear Place, Wednesday, July 8, 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

*Book Bedazzle Bring and Bling!

Gainesville Library, Thursday, July 9, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

*Paint by Number Workshop Blackshear Place, Monday, July 13, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

*Acrylics in the Morning with Vicki Paulus Spout Springs Library, Tuesday July 14, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

HALL COUNTY LIBRARY INSIDER

*Social Security Seminar Gainesville Library, Monday, July 27, 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

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July

July

in Youth Services Hall County Library has programs ranging from storytime to STEM to arts & crafts for all ages of children, from babies to teens, at each of the five library branches!

Summer Reading is for Everyone!

Babies through Adults!

T RT AR EA NE UN U

Register | Read Books | Earn Prizes

May 21-Aug 2

Upcoming Events: CLICK HERE to visit the calendar for a full listing of all our programs!

HALL COUNTY LIBRARY INSIDER

PAGE 09 9

SUMMER PERFORMANCES

Experience performers of epic proportions!

Mondays

Tuesdays

10:30 a.m. Spout Springs 10:30 a.m. Murrayville 1:30 p.m. Gainesville 1:30 p.m. Blackshear Place 6:00 p.m. Gainesville 4:30 p.m. North Hall Tech Center

Wildlife Wonders presents

T

Dinosaurs Among Us

MON JULY 13 & Meet birds, reptiles and maybe even a few mammals in TUES JULY 14 this entertaining and educational program that explores the dino-relatives living among us!

Big Idea Adventures

Step back 65 million years and experience the most realistic, interactive dinosaur encounter available!

Big Idea Dinosaur Adventures brings the prehistoric T world directly to you with animatronic dinosaurs, handsMON JULY 20 & on paleontology activities, and educational adventures TUES JULY 21 that will leave kids (and adults!) absolutely mesmerized.

T

Space is limited!

Free tickets will be given 30 minutes before each performance!

HALL COUNTY LIBRARY INSIDER

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4TH 4 TH OF

It's a party in the USA this week!

Join us in celebrating July 4th and the 250th anniversary of the United States with fun family storytimes across the county!

JULY

AMERICA AMERICA250 250 STORYTIMES Monday

Tuesday

JUNE 29

11:00 North Hall Tech

Wednesday

Thursday

11:00 10:15 Spout Springs Blackshear Place & Murrayville

11:00 Gainesville

JUNE 30

JULY 1

JULY 2

July 27 @ 11:00

North Hall Tech

July 29 @ 10:15 July 30 @ 11:00 Gainesville

m

e

Blackshear Place & Murrayville

story

ti

July 31 @ 10:15 Spout Springs

August 1 @ 11:00 Gainesville

T

Ticket Required: Space is limited. Free tickets will be given 30 minutes before each performance.

R Registration Required: Space is limited. Please register on the calendar at hallcountylibrary.org.

HALL COUNTY LIBRARY INSIDER

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Sensory Storytime

& Adaptive Toy Play Date

Gainesville Library Saturday July 25 | 1:30 p.m.

This sensory-focused storytime is designed for children with sensory needs. We'll participate in stories, songs, and activities in a calm and nurturing environment. Plan to stay for a play date with selections from our Adaptive Toy Collection.

All are welcome. No registration required.

ELEMENTARY ART WORKSHOP: PREHISTORIC WATERCOLOR E TO R E H K CLIC ER! REGIST

Elementary-aged kids will create their own watercolor art in this guided art program.

Virtually presented at all Hall County Libraries

Tuesday - July 7, 2026 R 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

T

Ticket Required: Space is limited. Free tickets will be given 30 minutes before each performance.

R Registration Required: Space is limited. Please register on the calendar at hallcountylibrary.org.

HALL COUNTY LIBRARY INSIDER

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Summer 2026

Storytime Schedule!

Gainesville Library

June 8 - July 25

Blackshear Place Library

Baby Steps

Tiny Discoveries Storytime

Ages 0-18 months Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10:15 AM

Ages 0-36 months | Tuesdays 10:15 AM

Toddler Storytime

Ages 18 months-5 years Wednesdays 10:15 AM

Ages 18-36 months Tuesdays & Wednesdays 11:00 AM

Little Sprouts Storytime Ages 3-5 | Thursdays 11:00 AM

Let's Play Storytime Pajama Storytime All Ages | Select Thursdays 6:30 PM June 25, July 23

Saturday Storytime All Ages | Saturdays 11:00 AM

Sensory Storytime For Children with Special Needs Select Saturdays 1:30 PM June 13, July 25

Murrayville Library Growing Readers Storytime Ages 18 months-5 years Wednesdays 10:15 AM

Baby Steps Ages 0-18 months | Fridays 10:15 AM

Spout Springs Library Baby Steps

Saturday Storytime All Ages | Select Saturdays 10:15 AM June 13, July 12

Ages 0-18 months | Tuesdays 10:15 AM

Toddler Storytime Ages 18-36 months | Tuesdays 11:00 AM

North Hall Tech Center

Preschool Storytime

Rise and Shine Storytime

Ages 3 and up | Fridays 10:15 AM

All Ages | Mondays 11:00 AM

Saturday Storytime

Saturday Storytime

All Ages | Select Saturdays 11:00 AM June 6, July 11

HALL COUNTY LIBRARY INSIDER

All Ages | Select Saturdays 2:30 PM June 27, July 25

PAGE 13

JULY 2026

PROGRAMS & EVENTS: YOUTH SPOTLIGHT *requires registration

n the Click o titles d e n i l under re for mo tion! a m r o inf

T Space is limited!

Free tickets will be given 30 minutes before each performance!

Fourth of July and America250 Storytime Multiple Locations, Multiple dates, and times!

Free Summer Lunch For Children Gainesville Library, Thursdays, 12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.

Summer Reading Performance Wildlife Wonders Multiple Locations, Multiple dates, and times! T

Summer Reading Performance Big Idea Dinosaur Adventures Multiple Locations, Multiple dates, T and times!

Back to School Storytime Multiple Locations, Multiple dates, and times!

STEAM: Insects in Amber North Hall Tech Center, Wednesday, July 1, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Wrap It Up! The Art of Mummification Blackshear Place, Monday, July 6, 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

*Elementary Art Workshop: Prehistoric Watercolor All locations, Tuesday, July 7, 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Family Retro Games Day Spout Springs Library, Friday, July 10, 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Minion Party Murrayville Library, Monday, July 27, 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

HALL COUNTY LIBRARY INSIDER

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JULY 2026

STAFF BOOK PICKS America250 Lisa M.

Cheryl

George

Emily

King’s Mountain

by Sharyn McCrumb

Liberty’s Torch

by Elizabeth Mitchell

Centennial

by James A. Michener

Miracle at Philadephia

by Catherine Bowen

Kay

Ronda

Janine

Gabriele

America’s First Daughter

by Stephanie Dray

Return with Honor

by Scott O’Grady

The Jefferson Key

by Steve Berry

The Unfinished Business of 1776

by Thomas Richards

HALL COUNTY LIBRARY INSIDER

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JULY 2026

STAFF BOOK PICKS America250

Marissa

Michael

Sarah

Sandra

James

by Percival Everett

A Patriot’s Handbook

by Caroline Kennedy

The Great Alone

by Kristin Hannah

We the Women

by Norah O’Donnell

HALL COUNTY LIBRARY INSIDER

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JULY 2026

STAFF BOOK PICKS America250 Demi YA

Sandra YA

Rebellion 1776

by Laurie Halse

You Are Home

by Evan Turk

LindaRose

Katie

JUV

Revolutionary War on Wednesday

by Mary Pope Osborne

EASY

My America

by Karen Katz

HALL COUNTY LIBRARY INSIDER

Troy

EASY

John, Paul, George & Ben

by Lane Smith Lisa E

EASY

President Taft Is Stuck In The Bath

by Mac Barnett

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Bibliophile Bulletin Navigating the Stacks and Unveiling Library Wonders

In The Gallery The Georgia Art League The Georgia Art League is a group of diverse artists of varying interests creating art in different media. Our members have created works in fiber art, wood sculpture, pastel drawing, collage, photography and, of course, painting. We all come together from different backgrounds for the sole purpose of creating and exhibiting our art for enjoyment.

HALL COUNTY LIBRARY INSIDER

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