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Franklin Memorial Library 331 West Main Street Swainsboro, GA 30401 (478) 237-7791 -- directions
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Franklin Memorial Library continues to be a valuable community resource for the citizens of Emanuel County whether it be for use of the internet computers or just to sit quietly and read the local newspaper.
Progress Report:
On entering the doors of the library patrons are able to view the handiwork of library employee Judy Palmer who is responsible for the colorful and informative displays in the three glass cases. Through the contributions of Friends of the Library these display cases now have better lighting that illuminates the displays. Along with the changing displays, a color postcard collection and an assortment of heirloom thimbles are on permanent display in the library.
Along with creating the numerous displays in the library foyer, Mrs. Palmer is also head of the Children’s Department. She makes sure the Dial-A-Story line has a new listening adventure each week. The number, 237-5769, is accessible twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Mrs. Palmer is also in charge of the library’s holiday story times during the weeks of Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
After the Easter Story Hour, Mrs. Palmer and the other staff members begin to work on the annual Vacation Reading Program. This project is a combined effort of all the staff. Everyone gets involved in decorating the Smith Room for the year’s theme. Fairytale characters adorn the walls of the Smith Room, depicting the 2007 theme of “Once Upon a Time”. Contributions from local businesses and citizens enable the library to provide entertainers for the children who attend the Vacation Reading Program functions.
The Genealogy Department is another popular feature of the library. Virginia Bolton heads the department that includes cemetery books of Emanuel and surrounding counties, wedding and anniversary files and an obituary file dating back to 1901. Irene Gross, part-time staff member, assists in keeping the obituary files current. The Genealogy Department also houses yearbooks, census reports and other historical data. The Forest-Blade, our local newspaper, is on microfilm dating back to 1901. Along with two microfilm readers and a copier, a computer is also available for those patrons who might want to access “Ancestry Library Edition”, a genealogical web address that is accessible only in libraries.
Mrs. Bolton, along with heading the Genealogy Department, is spearheading the World War II veterans project. Her goal is to interview all area veterans of World War II. These interviewsare videotaped and stored at Franklin Memorial Library. Copies of the interview tapes are being made available to the Governor David Emanuel Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for submission to the National Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress. Mrs. Bolton has collected pictures of the veterans she has interviewed and plans to frame them to make a “Veterans Wall” in the Trustee Room of the library. These pictures will be made available for the public to view. The interviews have been preserved on tape and DVD and are available to the public for viewing in the library.
Genealogy Workshop
Franklin Memorial Library will present a 3-hour genealogy workshop on Saturday, September 27, in the Smith Room of the library. The workshop will begin at 9 a.m. and will consist of four sessions: (1) Getting Started; (2) Research at the Washington Memorial Library and other genealogical collections; (3) Internet Research; and, (4) Documenting and Proving Lines of Descent.
Christopher Stokes, Historian at Washington Memorial Library, Macon, will be presenting the workshop. Mr. Stokes is chaplain and former president of the Ocmulgee Chapter SAR. Christopher will be assisted by local DAR and SAR members Jane Durden, Ron McCrosky and Judy and Fred Womack.
The workshop is jointly sponsored by Franklin Memorial Library, Ocmulgee Chapter SAR, Governor David Emanuel Chapter DAR and Mill Creek SAR.
The public is cordially invited to attend this free event. Those planning to attend are asked to call the library at 478-237-7791 to pre-register.
September is National Library Card Month!
September is Library Card Sign-up Month, a time to remind parents and children that a library card is the most important school supply of all. This observance was launched in 1987 to meet the challenge of then Secretary of Education William J. Bennett who said, "Let's have a national campaign...every child should have a library card--and use it." Since then, public libraries across the nation have joined in to ensure every child does just that.
Kareem-Abdul-Jabbar, the NBA's all-time leading scorer and a prolific author, has been named this year's honorary chair of Library Card Sign-up Month.
Franklin Memorial Library participates in PINES, a statewide circulation system with approximately 275 Georgia libraries participating. Initial cards are free and are available to all residents of Georgia. Patrons under the age of sixteen must have the co-signature of a parent or guardian. Responsibility of lost items, damages, fines and the selection of materials for minors is assumed by the parents or guardians.
With school now in session, September is a great time to stop in at Franklin Memorial Library and apply for your library card.
Back to School Fashion Show
Little Misses Jocelyn Woodson and Heather Claxton were among the seventeen children and teens who participated in the Back to School Fashion Show held in the Smith Room at Franklin Memorial Library on Monday, July 28. Goody's Manager Ellen Palmer provided the apparel and brought along Debbie Norris, also from Goody's, who emceed the event. Jewelry designer Leigh Winkler was on hand with several of her original necklaces, bracelets and earrings to accessorize the outfits. Backpacks and handbags were furnished by Amanda Winfrey. Hair and make-up were done by Jessica Stephens of Merle Norman. Dairy Queen provided an ice cream cake for the event that was enjoyed by the participants and members of the audience.
Veteran's History Project
In January, 2005, the Franklin Memorial Library began a project to recognize and honor local World War II veterans. This project began with videotaped interviews of veterans. A newspaper story was written about each veteran’s experience in the war and pictures were collected from that time period.
These pictures led to the creation of the World War II Veterans Wall at the library. More than 250 World War II era pictures of men and women who served during the war have been matted and framed and displayed in the Trustee Room. The room has been transformed into a visual tribute to these veterans. In addition to the pictures, books of special interest relating to World War II are housed in the Trustee Room. One of the books was written as a guide to the Veterans Wall and contains information about each veteran represented on the wall such as date and place of birth, branch and unit of service, location of service, and medals or honors received. Another book contains more than one hundred photographs that are in addition to those displayed on the wall. Other service related information has also been collected such as copies of discharge papers, letters, and personal diaries. Many of these videos, pictures, and related information have been submitted to the Library of Congress Veterans History Project in Washington, D. C. The biographical data information from these interviews is available online and is helpful to researchers or those wishing to contact long lost buddies from their time of service together.
Many local citizens have assisted the library with this project. A professional decorator offered advice and help in creating the Veterans Wall. Other volunteers have done videotaping and provided assistance in the area of technology.
Funding for this project has come from donations from individuals and from Mill Creek Foundation, Friends of the Library, the Governor David Emanuel Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Emanuel County Historic Preservation Society.
This project continues with weekly newspaper articles paying tribute to these veterans by featuring their pictures and highlights of some of their experiences during World War II.
This Veteran’s History Project has been directed by Virginia (Ginger) Bolton. Anyone wishing to participate or desiring further information should contact the Franklin Memorial Library at (478) 237-7791. There is no cost to participate and photos and documents submitted are scanned and immediately returned to the owners
Catch the Reading Bug Safari Show!
Magical Educator Chad Crews will be performing his "Catch the Reading Bug Safari Show" at Franklin Memorial Library on July 8 at 10 a.m. The "Catch the Reading Bug Safari Show" is part of the Summer Reading Program, which takes place in public libraries all summer long. Chad's program contains a combination of magic, puppets, music and live animals and showcases several books about the different animals in the show. Chad also encourages everyone in the audience to get a library card and to make use of the many features at their local libraries.
Chad has been performing educational programs for libraries and schools for several years. The live animals in Chad's safari show will include several snakes, a tarantula, a scorpion, hissing cockroaches and giant millipedes--many of which can be seen up close after the show and also held by the children. Chad encourages children to read and always lets them know that most of the tricks he learned he learned from reading books on magic. Needless to say, the magic and animal books are usually the first to be checked out after the show!
Following the performance by Magical Educator Chad Crews, the children will be treated to a pizza party sponsored by Franklin Memorial Friends of the Library.
Teen Summer Reading Program at 1:30 p.m. on July 8 will also feature Chad Crews. This performance will be geared toward the teens. Swainsboro Kiwanis Club will sponsor a party for the teens during the afternoon, with grilled hotdogs and cokes.
Honey Bee Program
Dana Nasworthy, Shari Watts, Donna Nasworthy and Kelli Torpy, members of the Women's Committee of Emanuel County Farm Bureau, presented a program about honey bees at the Children's Summer Reading Program at Franklin Memorial Library on June 17. Shari Watts discussed how bees make honey. A short movie was shown on the life cycle of the bees. After the program, 4-H Club volunteers helped the children plant sunflower seeds in cups to take home.
Center for Wildlife
Center for Wildlife Education, Georgia Southern University, employee Thomas Sheffield presented a one-hour educational and fun wildlife program at the Teen Summer Reading Program, Franklin Memorial Library, Thursday, June 26 at 1:30 p.m.
Sheffield presented and talked about a variety of animals, fun creepy crawlers and bugs. His menagerie included a lizard, tarantula, cockroaches and a sixty-five pound python that he let slither around on the floor.
After the program, Teen Summer Reading Program Coordinator Gladys Collins announced Cayla Johnston Reader of the Week. Callie Smith was winner of the door prize.
Madge Durden Bowen Young Reader's Fund
$400 was recently made available to Franklin Memorial Library through the Madge Durden Bowen Young Readers' Fund for the purchase of books for children and teens. These purchased materials focus on classics and award-winning titles of quality content.
The Madge Durden Bowen Young Readers' Fund was established in 1994 by her family to honor Mrs. Bowen for her years of service to the children of Emanuel County.
Mrs. Bowen began teaching at Swainsboro High School in 1954 and was named "Teacher of the Year" in 1958, for Emanuel County School Systems. Mrs. Bowen managed the high school library until she retired in 1980. She also served on the Emanuel County Library Board (Emeritus) until her death in 2005.
Anyone wishing to contribute to this prestigious fund may call Franklin Memorial Library manager Ann Buxton at 478-237-7791 for more information.
Disco Duck - Easter Story Hour
Franklin Memorial Library was hopping in March with visits from Emanuel County children. Kids from Early Head Start, Head Start, Pre-K, Kindergarten, First United Methodist Church Pre-K and local day care centers came to Easter Story Hour to meet Miss Peeps, aka Judy Palmer, and Fluffy Bunny, aka Karen Hidlebaugh. Disco Duck also paid a visit and sang and danced for the children.
March was also RIF distribution month. Barb Moore, RIF Co-ordinator, made books available for the children to choose from and to take home with them. RIF distribution is made possible through grants made available by Mill Creek Foundation and Rayonier Foundation. With this money Franklin Memorial Library is able to provide a free book three times a year to Emanuel County children from Early Head Start, Head Start, Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd and 6th grades.
Author Visit - Wright Gres
Georgia author Wright Gres entertained Franklin Memorial Library guests on Friday, February 1, 2008, with tales from his first novel, Macedonia Passage--Dangerous Cargo. Wright's years of experience on the high seas formed the foundation for this tale of venturing across the Atlantic into the Mediterranean Sea. He read three passages from his book, which then lead to an informal discussion about his experience of writing a first novel.
Refreshments were served after the discussion, offering an opportunity to speak one-on-one with the author. Gres also had signed copies of his novel available for sale.
Future author visits have been scheduled at Franklin Memorial Library which include Emanuel County native Shirley Proctor Twiss on March 27 and Swainsboro's very own Jimmy Morgan on April 1.
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Teens and Chocolate – What a Combination!
This was the scene in the Smith Room of The Franklin Memorial Library on February 12 as the library staff along with three courageous Friends of the Library volunteers braved a room of teenagers for a Teens Valentine Chocolate Party. The teens played a variety of chocolate games such as chocolate candy bingo, unscramble chocolate candy bars, chocolate candy word search, etc. for a chance to win chocolate prizes. Among the prizes were chocolate roses, heart shaped valentine candy, chocolate candy bars, and jars of M&M and Hershey kisses.
After all the carousing, the teens indulged in chocolate pretzels, freshly made chocolate peanut butter Captain Crunch clusters, chocolate dipped bananas and strawberries as well as valentine cookies and milk. A total of 37 were in attendance.
This event was preceded by a Valentine Expressions Contest. Thirteen teens submitted expressions, with Steven Jackson’s expression named as the Most Creative. He received a stuffed animal with treats in it’s pocket.
Special Thanks to the Friends of the Library for funding this program and Mrs. Shonray Brooks, SMS Literature Teacher, for encouraging her students to participate.
Essay Contest Winner
Wendy Stegall, a junior at Swainsboro High wins the Black History Essay Contest sponsored by the Franklin Memorial Library. Miss Stegall’s essay entitled “Bertha Jones is She,” portrays the life of a local figure she deems as her role model. Gladys Collins, Head of Teen Services presented Wendy with a Certificate of Achievement and Ronnie Shuemake, director of Future Generation Youth also presented Wendy with a $50.00 cash prize. Pictured from left to right are Gladys Collins, Head of Teen Services; Wendy Stegall, Recipient; Ronnie Shuemake, Future Generation Youth Director; and Moses Shuemake of Future Generation Youth.
Pre-K Valentine's Story Time
Judy Palmer, head of children's services at Franklin Memorial Library, helped her friend Maggie to belt out the words to the popular 1969 tune, "Put a Little Love in Your Heart". This performance was a part of Valentine Story Hour that was presented to Emanuel County children during February. The little tykes also enjoyed dancing to "Love Train" and watching a Winnie the Pooh Valentine movie. Candy for the occasion was provided by Friends of the Library.
Christmas Story Hour
Elf Judy (AKA Judy Palmer) greeted children from Emanuel County schools and day care centers during Christmas Story Hour at Franklin Memorial Library. The children enjoyed a fun-filled hour of videos, puppet skits and dnacing to the "Peppermint Twist." Local businessmen and Library board members donned Santa suits to make story hour more memorable for the children.
RIF Distribution
December was also RIF (Reading is FUNdamental) distribution time at Franklin Memorial Library. Each child was given the opportunity after Story Hour to select a book of his/her own to take home and keep. Distribution of the free books is made possible by grants from Mill Creek Foundation and the Rayonier Foundation.
Halloween Story Hour/Costume Party
Raggedy Ann a.k.a. Judy Palmer, head of children's services, presented a Halloween program at Franklin Memorial Library for Emanuel County pre-schoolers October 22-29. She read books, showed a movie, and with assistance from library staff members, performed a puppet skit. Raggedy Ann showed her dancing skills by doing the "Monster Mash" with the children. The teachers also enjoyed this segment of the program and many of them joined in the dancing.
October is RIF distribution month for the pre-schoolers. Each child was allowed to choose a book of his or her very own. This program is made possible through grants from Mill Creek Foundation and Rayonier Foundation.
An added attraction at the library was a special Halloween Story Hour at Franklin Memorial Library on October 27 for children ages 5-12. Rosebud the Clown presided over this event. Children were encouraged to dress up in a costume of their own making (or mom's). A prize was awarded to the child with the best costume. Ernie Warden won the contest with Amy Dalton as runner-up. Judges for this event were Mr. and Mrs. Wendell Gross.
World War II veteran Mr. Morris Lee Grimes was interviewed at the Franklin Memorial Library on Wednesday, October 24, 2007. Mr. Grimes was in the U. S. Army and served from March 1941 to November 1945.
Mr. Grimes first reported for duty at Fort McPherson in Atlanta, Georgia, and was then sent to Camp Wheeler near Macon, Georgia, for thirteen weeks of basic training.
After completion of basic training he was sent to Camp Shelby, Mississippi, for further training. While on maneuvers in Louisiana, he fell and broke his shoulder. He was sent home on a convalescence furlough and while enroute by bus to his home in Twin City he learned of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He had an overnight layover in Macon and was told all soldiers should report back to their duty stations. However, he continued on home and called in to a colonel at Fort Screven near Savannah for directions and was told to complete his leave time.
When he returned to Camp Shelby he completed his training there and was then sent to Carrabelle, Florida, below Tallahassee. In Florida his unit received amphibious training and practiced beach landings from an LST.
After one more training assignment at Camp Livingston, Louisiana, near Alexandria he was sent to New Orleans for embarkation overseas. He left New Orleans aboard the luxury liner Monterey which had been converted to a troop ship. They traveled down through the Panama Canal and on to Hawaii where he received jungle training. They bivouacked in old buildings located in pineapple fields.
From Hawaii, Mr. Grimes was sent to Ora Bay, New Guinea, for further jungle training and preparation for going to the Philippines with General McArthur’s troops as McArthur fulfilled his promise to return and liberate the Philippines. Mr. Grimes went first to the island of Leyte in the Philippines and from there to the Bataan peninsula on the island of Luzon. While on the Bataan peninsula he worked out of a motor pool and drove a jeep or a truck many times traveling the road upon which the Bataan death march had earlier taken place. He was responsible for delivering goods including food and medical supplies to soldiers on the front line. From the Bataan peninsula he went on to Manila and from there into the mountains above Manila.
Fighting in the Philippines was difficult and basic necessities were often lacking. The men lived in the open without tents or other shelter, got wet when it rained, ate C-rations, and hid out in foxholes.
Mr. Grimes was in Manila in the process of drawing supplies for the invasion of Honshu Island in Japan when the war ended.
After the war, Mr. Grimes returned to Twin City and in 1950 married Sarah Paradise. They had two children, Jan and Lee.
These World War II veterans’ interviews are sponsored by the Franklin Memorial Library and by the Governor David Emanuel Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
