Brace yourselves... the shadows deepen. Remember the shivers from our Dark and Stormy Night? Fall 2025, prepare for Darker and Stormier – an evening where the spooky factor cranks up and the ghost tales take a truly bone-chilling turn. We're conjuring a more intense, more memorable experience that will leave you looking over your shoulder long after the last story fades. Where were you when the stories got darker? Stay tuned for details... if you dare.
Night? Fall 2025, prepare for Darker and Stormier – an evening where the spooky factor cranks up and the ghost tales take a truly bone-chilling turn. We're conjuring a more intense, more memorable experience that will leave you looking over your shoulder long after the last story fades.
Where were you when the stories got darker? Stay tuned for details... if you dare.
The leaves are changing, there's a crisp chill in the air, and pumpkins are popping up everywhere – it can only mean one thing: spooky season is officially upon us! While you're busy planning your perfect costume and mapping out your trick-ortreating route, don't let your studies get ghosted! Tutor.com is here to help you conquer your academic fears and treat yourself to some awesome grades.
Don't Let Homework Haunt You!
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Here's how Tutor.com can save your academic soul this October: 24/7 Support: No Witching Hour Too Late! Whether inspiration strikes at midnight or you're pulling an all-nighter before a big test, our tutors are available around the clock. No need to wait for the morning light – get instant help whenever you need it.
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Personalized Guidance: More Than Just a "Boo!" Our tutors don't just give you the answers; they guide you through the process, helping you develop a deeper understanding of the material. Think of them as your personal academic ghostbusters, helping you trap those tricky concepts.
Writing a Scary Good Essay? Our writing tutors can help you polish your prose, structure your arguments, and make sure your essays are more "treat" than "trick."
SERVICE ANIMALS IN OUR LIBRARY:
WELCOME, SUPPORT, AND UNDERSTANDING
Understanding Service Animals: Our Policy and the Law
To ensure clarity and a comfortable environment for all patrons, it's important to understand the distinctions between service animals, emotional support animals, and pets, both under federal and Georgia state law, and how they apply to the Hall County Library System
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a service animal as any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. The work or tasks performed must be directly related to the individual's disability Examples include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person during a seizure, or reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications.
Key points about Service Animals at Hall County Library System (and generally under ADA and GA law):
Dogs Only (with limited exceptions for miniature horses): Under the ADA, only dogs (and in rare cases, miniature horses under specific conditions) qualify as service animals. Georgia law specifically refers to "assistance dogs" and requires them to be specially trained by an accredited school or certified person.
Tasks, Not Comfort: The core of a service animal is the task it performs to mitigate a disability Providing emotional support, comfort, or companionship alone does not qualify an animal as a service animal under the ADA or Georgia law
No Certification Required: You are not required to provide documentation, special identification, or a demonstration of the animal's tasks
Control is Key: Service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered unless these devices interfere with the animal's work or the individual's disability prevents their use. The animal must be under the handler's control at all times via voice, signals, or other effective means As Ally mentioned with Luce, proper socialization ensures they can confidently navigate public spaces while remaining focused.
Housebroken: Service animals must be housebroken
Access: Service animals are permitted in all areas of the library where the public is normally allowed
Inquiries Allowed: Library staff may ask two questions if it's not obvious what service the animal provides: "Is the animal a service animal required because of a disability?" "What work or task has the animal been trained to perform?"
What is NOT a Service Animal in the Library:
Emotional Support Animals (ESAs): While ESAs provide comfort and companionship, they are not trained to perform specific tasks related to a disability and therefore do not qualify as service animals under the ADA or Georgia law The Hall County Library System is not required to admit emotional support animals.
Pets: General pets are not permitted in the library.
Service Animals in Training (Georgia Law Note): While the ADA focuses on fully trained service animals, Georgia state law does grant individuals training a guide or service dog for an accredited school the same right of access as a fully trained service animal, provided the dog is on a leash, the trainer has credentials, and the dog is identified with the school. This is why Luce, as a service animal in training with Ally through an accredited program, is welcome in our library, emphasizing the importance of their foundation training and socialization.
Luce Ally&
We're proud to highlight one of our dedicated employees, Ally, who is on an inspiring journey with her service animal in training, Luce Their story beautifully illustrates the vital role service animals play and helps shed light on the dedication involved in their training
Ally's Statement: "I first heard about the Guide Dog Foundation puppy raising program through my older sister who went to UGA UGA has lots of puppy raisers so she joined the program through the school and encouraged me to do it as well Luce is the first service dog I've trained but I love seeing his growth and I'm so proud of him. The puppy raising program emphasizes obedience training and socialization, so I'm not doing the more advanced guide dog training but it's important for him to have a strong foundation when he goes in for training. Proper socialization is especially important because he needs to be able to adapt to different environments and confidently navigate interactions with people and other animals. My main goal for Luce is for him to be comfortable and confident in whatever situation he may find himself in. Everyone has been really nice about me bringing him here and has tried their best to not distract him (he has a very intense stare so sometimes it's difficult). Some fun facts about Luce, he is very cuddly and will always try to sit on you, he loves cats, one of the cutest things he does at work is when he doesn't want to go to sleep here so he will be fully sitting up closing one eye at a time, trying to stay awake."
Ally's experience with Luce underscores the importance of service animals, the rigorous training they undergo, and the critical foundation built during their puppy-raising phase, which includes adapting to diverse environments like our library
THE
FRIENDS
OF THE
COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM THE FRIENDS OF THE HALL COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM
As a vital partner to the library, the Friends of the Library is a volunteer organization comprised of passionate individuals dedicated to supporting and enhancing library services, believing in their transformative power for all. By joining the Friends of the Library, you become part of a community that makes a real difference. You can gain valuable experience in areas like event planning, fundraising, and community outreach while advocating for increased library funding to ensure access to information for everyone. Volunteer with us, attend exciting events, and support a cause you believe in. The Friends of the Library is where book lovers connect and make a difference.
Making a Difference Making a Difference
How the Friends actively made a difference for the Hall County community in past years.
Invested in our Library Staff: We provide scholarships to staff members pursuing professional development, ensuring a skilled and knowledgeable team for our community. Supported Early Literacy: We help over 3,000 children avoid the summer reading slide through engaging summer reading programs. Advocated for Libraries: We lobbied for state grant funds for the future East Hall Library Branch and for technology upgrades in all branches, ensuring everyone has access to upto-date resources.
Enhanced Library Facilities: We funded the purchase of special furniture for the Blackshear Place Branch Library construction project, creating a welcoming space for all.
Out with the Old, In with the New! How to Avoid Processed Foods: Monday, August 18, 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
*National Parks Without The Hassle: Monday, August 18, 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.
History of Lake Lanier: Saturday, August 23, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Author Talk- Elizabeth WoolseyNEGA Writers: Wednesday, September 3, 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
*Mugs &Thugs Cold Case Club: Monday, September 8, 5 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Are you beginning to climb your family tree?: Tuesday, September 9, 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. Introduction to Microsoft Excel: Friday, September 12, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
*Sitting Up With The Dead: Friday, September 12, 4 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Adult Feline Jigsaw Puzzle Week:
All Day/Week Event, September 15 - 20 Excel II: Intro to Functions and Formulas: Friday, September 19, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Scary Stories to Tell at the Library (ages 9 and up)
Monday, October 13, 6:30-7:30 pm
Unbe-LEAF-able Fall Break Crafts
Tuesday, October 14, 1:30-2:30 pm
Curiosity Club: Metorite Madness
Wednesday, October 15, 1:30-2:30 pm
Eventsfor Elementary & Preschoolers
pm Make Your Own Playdough Monday, October 13 4:00-5:00 pm Huff and Puff STEM Monday, October 27 4:00-5:00 pm
North Hall Tech
Baby Play Date
Mondays in August, 11:00-11:30 am Lego Club Every Thursday, 4:00-7:00 pm Read Rover
Aug. 19, Sept. 16, & Oct. 21
3:30-4:30 pm
Think Tank: Homeschool Group
Monday, September 8 & October 6 1:00-2:00 pm
Fall STEM Fest!
Tuesday, September 23, 3:30-4:30 pm Make a Monster!
Eventsfor Elementary & Preschoolers
Wednesday, October 8, 10:00 am - 5:30 pm Touch-a-Truck and Fire Safety with HCFD
Tuesday, October 14, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Halloween Jamboree!
Wednesday, October 15, 1:30-3:00 pm
Spout Springs
BabyPlaydate
Tuesdays in August, 10:30-11:30 am
Lego Play
Aug. 7, Sept. 4, & Oct. 2
4:00-6:00 pm
ElementaryLego Club
September 8 & October 13
4:00-5:00 pm
Eventsfor Elementary & Preschoolers
ElementaryHomeschool Hangout
Select Mondays, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
September 15: The Science of the Dot
October 20: Scary STEAM!
Little Learners
Minecraft Club September 18 & October 16, 5:00-6:00 pm
Select Wednesdays, 10:30-11:30 am
September 17: Music
October 15: Letters
Fall Fest in the Storybook Forest! Monday, September 22, 6:30-7:30 pm
Pumpkin DecoratingContest Pumpkins accepted from 10/1-10/10!
Touch-a-Truck & Fire Safety w/HCFD
Monday, Oct. 13, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
ElementaryFall Book Tasting Thursday, October 23, 6:00-7:00 pm
Y.A.C.
Thursdays
August 21
September 18
October 16
We're looking for enthusiastic students ages
November 20
December 18
Murrayville
Mondays
August 4
September 8
October 6
November 3
December 1
Spout Springs
Mondays
August 25
September 22
October 27
November 24
The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) helps propose, organize, market, and execute teen & youth programs at the library!
Gainesville
Thursdays
August 28
September 18
October 23
November 13
December 11
CLICK
North Hall
Thursdays
August 21
September 18
October 16
November 20
Decemb
no December meeting
to visit our website for more information, the schedule of meetings, and to find a membership application you can print out and bring to your first YAC meeting
Applications and information also available at the meetings or any HCLS branch.
