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Published Monday, May 04, 2009 in Local

Central plans celebration for its first birthday

By Sarah Fay Campbell

The Times-Herald

A week-long celebration will commemorate the one-year anniversary of Coweta's Central Library.

The county's $6 million library, located on Literary Lane near the intersection of Ga. Hwy. 154 and Lower Fayetteville Road, opened May 14, 2008.

Festivities include a book release brunch, a reception to honor outstanding library service, a luncheon featuring library architects Joe Gardner and Kathleen Curry and a visit from best-selling author Mary Kay Andrews.

Library System Director Barbara Osborne-Harris said she originally planned to have just one event, but her staffers were more ambitious.

The anniversary events are "really our way of letting the county know how much we have appreciated providing them service over the past year," she said.

"We wanted to provide a week of programming that speaks to some of the things that we have done during our first year, in terms of really working to meet the needs of a variety of audiences."

The library's first year of operation has gone quite well and "I think that we have been successful, especially, in responding to the Coweta County citizens' need for a library on this side of the county," she said.

That is evidenced by the fact that "we have truly grown library service."

Osborne-Harris said she thinks some people were apprehensive about the new library, wondering if there were truly a need for new library services. There were some concerns that the new library would simply draw customers away from the county's existing libraries. But that certainly hasn't been the case.

Program attendance, system-wide, is close to 5,000, and there were 142 new programs in the past year, Osborne-Harris said. The Newnan A. Mitchell Powell Jr. library, Grantville, and Senoia libraries have been holding their own. "So we are not talking about service in this facility replacing service in the other facilities," she said. "I always felt that if all we did was redistribute the same number of people then we haven't really reached our goal of what I consider to be growing service."

Library visitors have made their feelings about the new facility known in a guestbook that is always available. "We have waited for years for this library to come, we are so excited," said one visitor. "Yay, yay, yay," said another. "I feel blessed to have this facility in our community. It is absolutely beautiful," said another.

"A lot of the sentiment is that people are really happy that it is here," Osborne-Harris said.

Osborne-Harris said she has found the community to be "remarkable."

"I have over 25 years of public library experience. And I have never met a more gracious and appreciative community than I have over here on the east side," she said.

The week kicks off with a book release brunch at 10 a.m. on Monday. Adults are invited to attend the brunch and have a chance to receive one of 85 copies of "You've Got to Read This Book."

The book is a collection of essays by notable people about books that changed their lives. They were donated by Scott's Bookstore, and each one will be labeled with a unique ID number and registered at bookcrossing.com. There will also be some information about Coweta County added to each copy.

After reading the book, each participant is encouraged to pass it along. "Over the course of the next year, we are going to actually track the 85 books to see where they will end up," Osborne-Harris said. Each new reader is encouraged to log the book in at bookcrossing.com.

"They will start out in Coweta County and they may end up any place," she said.

Monday evening will be an invitation-only reception to honor individuals who provided outstanding service and supported the library in its first year of operations. Contact Osborne-Harris for an invitation.

"It's going to be an opportunity to thank the people that have been instrumental in our success," she said of the reception.

On May 12, library architects Joe Gardner and Kathleen Curry speak at a luncheon at the library. They will talk about Frank Lloyd Wright, his works, and how his use of colors and shapes found in nature served as inspiration for the design of the library.

Tuesday at 6 p.m., the children's department will host representatives from the Jewish Heritage Museum as part of Jewish-American Heritage Month.

Renowned children's book illustrator Frank Morrison will share some of his featured artwork from children's books such as "The Hat That Wore Clara B." and "Queen of the Scene," at 10 a.m. May 13. At 3 p.m., Library Associate Lesley Williams leads a "You've Got to Read This Book" discussion, highlighting some of the life-changing titles featured in the book as well as inviting the public to talk about books that impacted their lives.

May 14 at 10 a.m., artist Sherry Cook, whose artwork is featured throughout the library, will discuss her art and the creative process. At 6 p.m., world percussion trio Ritmo Blu will hold a concert on the main patio.

The celebrations wrap up May 15 with a children's program about Frank Lloyd Wright at 10 a.m. Children will learn about the architect's use of colors and geometric shapes and will complete a special Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired project they can take home. At 3 p.m., best-selling author Mary Kay Andrews speaks about her life, her books and the writing process, followed by a book-signing and reception. Andrews is the author of several popular books including "Savannah Blues" and "Deep Dish."

Reservations are recommended for the brunch, luncheon, and Mary Kay Andrews visit. Interested individuals may contact the library at 770-683-2052.

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