It's Not Too Late to Get a Public Library Card

While we're all sheltering at home, 

many Atlanta-area public libraries are offering temporary library cards for access to downloadable ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, databases and more.  

I think Paideia Library's online services are pretty cool, but we can't offer everything.  Confession -- I am a patron of three (yes, 3) Georgia public library systems in addition to Paideia's!  We are a preK-12 school with a particular mission.  The public library's mission is broader, with a much bigger audience, so they have bigger digital collections with more resources for grownups, as well as great stuff for the prek-12 crowd.

So if you've been wondering what else might be out there while we're all staying at home, check out your local Public Library.   Atlanta's two biggest public library systems, DeKalb County (DCPL) and Atlanta-Fulton County (AFPL) library systems, make it pretty easy for their residents to apply for a temporary card.  Others (Cobb and Gwinnett, and several other county systems) offer some sort of e-library services to their residents too.

Below are links to the best information I can find so far; you may have to dig a little bit, or do an IM chat with the librarian on duty, but they're all working on it.

The temporary library cards will be good until the physical library branches open up again. After that you'll need to go in person to turn it into a permanent card.

Try it -- I bet once you have tasted the cool things a public library can offer you, FOR FREE, you'll never want to be without a library card again!

Atlanta-Fulton County Library

DeKalb County Public Library

Cobb County replied to me today -- they are doing temporary cards for adults (18 & older) only.  If you're not 18 yet, get a parent to apply and use that card (it's ok).   Parents may submit temporary card requests or any questions with the online chat or email form at http://www.cobbcat.org/contact-us/.  

The Henry County Library System is issuing temporary digital cards to Henry County residents (good for 60 days, access to our digital collections). Email getacard@henrylibraries.org with your request.

Click here for links to Cobb, Forsyth, Gwinnett 
and Cherokee County (Sequoyah Regional) libraries.

If you don't see your county system listed, look in the list of Georgia-wide PINES network libraries to see if it's a member of that group.  Online applications appear to be available.  

And of course, if you're a Paideia student or parent, email me if you have any questions or need some troubleshooting assistance.

"What We're Reading" Goes Virtual

No book cover printouts to display 

by classroom doors right now, 

but Paideia teachers gotta' read!

One Phrase, Three Directives

From the New York Times Book Review:

 stay safe, stay healthy, stay reading

I've finished Frogkisser by Garth Nix (a lovely middle/upper grades re-imagined folk story of magic and strong-minded princesses.

I'm about halfway through Uprooted, by Naomi Novik (the first book by last month's HS book club choice, Spinning Silver).  I do enjoy (and perhaps identify with) stories of women who discover power in their values and family background, and use it to vanquish evil and self doubt.

Next up: rereading Graceling by Kristen Cashore for JH book club, and reading (or listening to) Michelle Obama's Becoming, the HS book club choice.  I did listen to Obama's interview/gab session with Oprah Winfrey in the SuperSoul Conversations podcast, and I'm primed to go!

The plan is to do 'virtual' book club conversations via Google Meet or Zoom.  That will be worked out soon.  If Reese Witherspoon and Oprah can have online book clubs, then by-gosh-by-golly, Paideia can too!

What have you read so far during the Great Distancing??

IMAX At Home: A Limited Time Offer (We Hope!!)

Along with so many other group/public activities, IMAX theatres around the country have closed for a month or so, but several IMAX films are now available to watch at home.  America's Musical Journey is streaming for free on YouTube; others through Amazon Prime, or Vimeo on Demand. 

Whether watching as an educational activity with kids (be sure to download the educational guides for each film), or watching for sheer entertainment, it's something different to do.  I haven't been to an IMAX theatre in years, so there are several on this list that I plan to check out soon.

The list below is from a Tennessee Aquarium newsletter; check out their live Penguin, Otter and Shark cams too.

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Never Stop Learning!!!

(from the Tennessee Aquarium newsletter) ... our friends at MacGillivray Freeman Films have opened up a portion of their film library for you to experience at home. Most of these amazing films come with educational guides for additional fun and learning. America's Musical Journey A cross-country journey celebrating the unique diversity of America's musical heritage. Available for streaming on: YouTube (free) (as well as Apple TV and GoUSA TV via Roku). An educator guide is also available.  Coral Reef Adventure Two filmmakers travel the world documenting the planet's coral reefs and the creatures that call them home. Available for streaming on: Amazon Prime An educator guide is also available.  Dolphins A playful, up-close look at the dolphins of Alaska, Patagonia and the Bahamas.  Available for streaming on: Amazon Prime  An educator guide is also available.  Dream Big  This inspiring celebration of innovations big and small and the amazing engineers behind them will change how you think about engineering.  Available for streaming on: Vimeo on Demand An educator guide and educational videos are also available.   Humpback Whales A journey into the mysterious world of one of nature’s most awe-inspiring marine mammals. Available for streaming on: Vimeo on Demand An educator guide and educational videos are also available.    National Parks Adventure The ultimate off-trail adventure into the nation’s untamed wilderness in places like Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon and many more. Available for streaming on: Vimeo on Demand An educator guide and educational videos are also available.  The Living Sea Celebrates the beauty and wonder of the ocean as it explores our relationship with this complex and fragile environment. Available for streaming on: Amazon Prime Van Gogh: Brush with Genius  A moving look at the artist’s journey from the time of his first canvases at age 27 to his death 9 years later—a period during which he painted more than 900 paintings. Available for streaming on: Amazon Prime

Come Stock Up on Your Reading Supplies!

Anytime is a good time for reading! Except while driving or riding a bicycle . . .

Escape the doldrums! Junior high & high school students are invited to check out fiction and non-fiction books from the library to have on hand at home over the next few weeks.

In addition, if you'd like to get set up to borrow ebooks and audiobooks from our Sora/OverDrive collection, email Anna at library@paideiaschool.org for instructions and account info.

Parents and students from 3rd grade up can have their own Sora accounts.

Reading is a fabulous way to go outside when it's raining, or travel when you're stuck at home.

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For extra credit:  If you have a public library card, Sora can also be used to check-out and download K-12 books and audiobooks from your public library system.  

With Sora's sister app, Libby, you can access the entire public library collection.

Put your tax dollars to work for more books!