We hope your year has gotten off to a great start. This month, there is much to celebrate as we recognize, honor, and pay tribute during Black History Month. This annual celebration educates us on the continued and growing contributions of African Americans throughout history.
If you haven't had a chance to explore the African American Special Collection at Washington Memorial Library, we encourage you to stop by and check it out. It is named after the first African American Head of Reference at Washington who curated it, Mr. Herbert Tuggle. The collection features works that encompass the experiences, lives, and achievements of African Americans.
February is also Library Lover's month with Library Lover's Day and Valentine's Day sharing the Feb. 14 date. Let's celebrate and honor libraries, librarians, and the love of books by using library services and participating in library programming.
We hope you have a great month.
Read on!
Jennifer Lautzenheiser, Director
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We value your feedback!
Please consider participating in this brief questionnaire on our current diversity efforts and impact on the community.
The questionnaire includes a range of questions measuring the diversity and inclusion efforts of our libraries through our services, staffing, and community partnerships.
Your answers will remain anonymous.
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Bring your best to the board room and make connections with Macon Nonprofits.
To foster diverse representation on Macon's Nonprofit organization boards, the Business and Nonprofit Center (BANC) at Washington Memorial Library will host three workshops, presented by Victoria Prevatt of Goodworks, LLC that will teach the fundamentals and responsibilities of nonprofit boards, how you can become a member of one, and emphasize the importance of diverse representation of board membership.
There will also be opportunities for networking with Macon-based nonprofit organizations.
Registration is from Feb. 1 - Feb. 17. You can register by emailing BANC Librarian, Brenna, at mcnultyb@bibblib.org or by calling 478-310-2153.
The workshops are FREE. Seating is limited to 25. Learn more here.
Participation in all three workshops is MANDATORY.
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In 2021, we removed overdue fines from youth print materials.
We recognized that these fines created a barrier to access to library services often affecting children with no independent control over when they could visit the library and return materials and families that depend on library services for their economic and educational needs.
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We were thrilled to see a 157% increase in the circulation of youth print materials showing that our community's children and teens are reading more and more every day! We hope to see this trend continue.
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We're in the last stretch of winter library programming. We hope you have been enjoying the many activities and workshops provided at our libraries.
If you have not had a chance to look at the Winter Programming Guide, physical copies are available at all library locations, or you can click here to flip through the digital version!
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Great news: The competition is now open to all Bibb County Students in grades K-12! This means if your learning institution is in Macon-Bibb County you may participate.
Tell your public school friends. Tell your homeschooled friends! Tell your friends at the charter and private schools!
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The Art of Reading contest encourages students to use the inspiration of a book they have read to create an original work of art. They will then submit their work for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card! The winners will have their work featured in a special tour and displayed in each Macon-Bibb public library for the rest of the year!
For more information visit bibblib.org/artofreading.
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Macon, GA is turning 200! We're joining in the celebrations with a Bicentennial Reading Challenge. In Beanstack, you'll find a reading list composed of Macon-related titles.
From now until Dec. 20, 2023, earn badges as you read and log these books.
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Not sure where to start? Have a Book Chat with our Adult Literacy Librarian. Appointments can be made in person at Washington Memorial Library or by calling 478-310-2130.
There are also Bicentennial events you may participate in as well.
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Bibb County
The Bloomfield Library will be at Middle Georgia State University's Macon Campus Library doing library card sign-ups on February 2 from 1 PM - 3 PM on the second floor.
Riverside Library is looking forward to hosting John Cribb on Feb. 13 at 2 PM where he will discuss The Rail Splitter, the story of Abraham Lincoln's remarkable journey from a log cabin to the threshold of the White House--a journey that made him one of America's most beloved heroes. Learn more about this at bibblib.org/activities/
Join the Shurling Library for Black History Jeopardy: Macon Edition and test your knowledge of Macon's African American History on February 24 at 4:30 PM. Registration to play ends on February 17 at 5 PM. The event is FREE and open to spectators.
Washington Memorial Library's hours of operation are now:
Monday - Thursday: 9 AM - 8 PM
Friday - Saturday: 9 AM - 6 PM
Sunday's self-service hours also known as Open Access from 1 PM - 5 PM remains unchanged.
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Join us at the Washington Memorial Library on February 24 at 1 PM for a special Georgia Authors' Panel. Meet local authors and enjoy a discussion on their ideas, influences, and journies as writers led by MGRL's own Head of Branch Services and author, Steve Ingeman. Call the Reference Department at 478-310-2130 for more information.
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Jones County
With a grant from the Community Foundation of Central Georgia in honor of devoted and longtime serving board member, Frank Duke and his wife Bonnie, Jones County Library purchased a new set of the Moncure "Letter Sound Box Series" which helps children learn their letter sounds, replacing the well-loved previous set that had become tattered and worn.
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Join our Leader in Literacy campaign! Your books, time, or financial contribution will support the library's mission. Learn how at Get Involved.
The Macon-Bibb Libraries Endowment Fund at the Community Foundation of Central Georgia was created to endow the future of the Macon-Bibb County libraries and will help us continue our mission to connect all people to the information necessary to improve their lives through excellent services and materials.
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Be a part of building the future. A new public library located at 5494 Forsyth Road will serve North and West Bibb Macon. Nestled in a diverse residential area the property includes a great outdoor space and pavilion perfect for outdoor programming. It is currently comprised of four structures, one of which the Macon-Bibb Friends of the Library use as their bookstore and workroom, with future plans to transform existing structures into a functional library space.
Click here to learn more about the ways your charitable gift can support this important project.
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