In This Issue
Featured Class:
Individual Excellence
 
Cover 12 popular one-day seminar topics on how to improve your career in a single course. Topics for this course include career planning, goal setting, time management, stress management and decision-making. You'll learn how to improve your creative abilities, gain confidence with financial matters and minimize conflict in your life. Develop a fulfilling career plan and improve relationships with co-workers, friends and family.

This free online course is offered through Gale Courses, which provides access to hundreds of instructor-led online courses covering everything from health and wellness to creative writing, computer programming, GED test preparation and much more.
 
The six-week classes begin February 10.
February 2016
Explore African American History @ your Cobb County libraries 

Cobb County libraries are hosting a variety of programs for African American History Month.  All activities are free and open to the public.

Upcoming programs include:

Food History of African Americans in the South at Switzer Library on Wednesday, February 10, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. and South Cobb Regional Library on Wednesday, February 17, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Explore foods that were brought to America on slave ships and how slaves survived on these foods after they arrived. You will also see how we still eat many of the same foods, but with a healthy twist. Learn how herbs can take the place of salt in seasoning dishes and join the cooking demonstration to sample healthy dishes and take home some recipes for better living. This program is sponsored by the UGA Extension Cobb County and will be presented by Terri Carter, a Cobb Master Gardener and Family Consumer Science staff member. Information: Switzer Library at (770) 528-2320 or South Cobb Regional Library at (678) 398-5828.

Magical Heroes: The Lives and Legends of Great African American Magicians at South Cobb Regional Library on Saturday, February 13, 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. This is a family event and children of all ages are welcome. Jim Magus Salterella will share about his book, "Magical Heroes: The Lives and Legends of Great African American Magicians," which won the prestigious Society of American Magicians' Hall of Fame Literary Award. Information: (678) 398-5828.

African American History Month Family Film Festival at West Cobb Regional Library on Saturdays in February starting at 3 p.m. Upcoming screenings include: February 13: The Princess and the Frog (G), February 20: The Karate Kid (2010, PG), and February 27: Annie (2014, PG). Information: (770) 528-4699.

Black Inventors - Journey to Induction at the Switzer Library on Wednesday, February 24, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The lecture by Lawrence King will focus on how African American inventors were inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame and the long process to receive recognition in science and technology. Information: (770) 528-2320.

Cowboys of Color at South Cobb Regional Library on Saturday, February 27, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Award-winning illustrator R. Gregory Christie will discuss the life of Bass Reeves, U.S. marshal and many other "Cowboys of Color." After the presentation, Christie will help participants create their own "Badge of Distinction." This is a family event and children of all ages are invited. Information: (678) 398-5828.

For more information on library events or locations, visit cobbcat.org.
'School's Out!' Events: Winter Break

School's out February 15-19 for the Cobb County and Marietta City school districts. Enjoy the winter break with fun activities at the library, including:

Winter Break Craft Station at East Marietta Library on February 15-16. Learn about African American History through crafting. Each day will feature a preschool and school age craft inspired by a picture book. Ages 3 and up and their adult caregivers. February 15: David's Drawings written and illustrated by Cathryn Fallwell and February 16: Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad written by Ellen Levine and illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Information: (770) 509-2711.

School's Out! at West Cobb Regional Library on February 15-19. For children pre-K and up. The schedule includes Monday, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.: Craft Fun!; Tuesday, 10:30 a.m. to noon: Presidents' Day Bingo!; Wednesday, noon to 2 p.m.: Movie Fun: Shaun the Sheep (PG), bring your lunch and enjoy the show!; Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Craft Fun!; and Friday, noon to 2 p.m.: Movie Fun!: Goosebumps (PG), enjoy your lunch and the show. (770) 528-4699.

Make it Monday: Survival Bracelet at South Cobb Regional Library on Monday, 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Join us for a fun "make it" program to make a survival bracelet that will be functional and fashionable. Information: Information: (678) 398-5828.

It's Elementary! at Mountain View Regional Library is set for Monday through Wednesday afternoons. The schedule of community programs for K-5 includes: Monday, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m: Ancient Egypt Day, a history and crafts program; Tuesday, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Movies @ Mountain View: Minions (PG); and Wednesday, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Community Game Day. Information: (770) 509-4964.

Celebrate Digital Learning Day at East Marietta Library on Wednesday, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Experiment with SCRATCH and make your computer screen come to life with computer coding. Ages 8 and up. Information: (770) 509-2711.

Family STEAM at South Cobb Regional Library on Saturday, 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. This family STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) focuses on "Gravity & Force" by making catapults and marshmallow poppers, then testing them by knocking obstacles over Angry Bird style! Information: (678) 398-5828.

Family Fun Time at East Cobb Library on Wednesday, 3:30 p.m. to 4:25 p.m. A recurring event for families with children of all ages of activities, books, music and more. Information: (770) 509-2730.

School Age Storytime at South Cobb Regional Library on Thursday, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. A storytime with age appropriate activities which can include crafts, music and more! Ages 5 and up. Information: (678) 398-5828. 
Tax Prep Assistance 

Volunteers from the AARP Tax-Aide Program for free tax assistance and preparation services designed for low- and moderate-income taxpayers will be at various Cobb County library locations through mid-April. AARP membership is NOT required. This service is available to everyone regardless of age. Special assistance is given to those 60 and older.

For information on the Tax-Aide schedule at Cobb County locations and other resources on federal and state taxes, please visit www.cobbcat.org/tax-information.
books
Book Sale: March 11-13

The Cobb County Public Library System's next semi-annual Book Sale will be held Friday and Saturday, March 11-12 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, March 13 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Jim Miller Park at 2245 Callaway Road in Marietta.
Donated items for the Book Sale include books, textbooks, DVD and VHS movies and children's books. All profits from the sale will go directly to buying more items for the 16 Cobb libraries.
For more information, please call Jonathan McKeown at (770) 528-2332 or email mckeownj@cobbcat.org or visit www.cobbcat.org/booksale. 
Free Computer Classes

Cobb County Public Library System offers free introductory computer classes on the skills of using a computer, email, and e-Readers. Registration is required and space is limited.

 Upcoming classes include:
Tech Lessons 24/7: Instructor-led Gale Courses and lessons by lynda.com are offered online free for Cobb County library cardholders. For information on these and other options for expanding your tech skills and knowledge, visit www.cobbcat.org/research/databases. 
Sunday Hours @ Switzer 

Switzer Library in Marietta is open Sunday afternoons from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The Sunday hours will be in effect through May 22, 2016, coinciding with the 2015-2016 school year for Cobb County and Marietta City public schools. The library will be closed March 27 for the Easter holiday.

A summary of all hours for all Cobb County libraries is on the library's website at www.cobbcat.org.

Cobb County Public Library System | www.cobbcat.org