Come to the Libraries Staff Association bake sale Thursday, August 27, in the Main and Science Libraries from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Nosh on some tasty treats and support our fundraising efforts! A portion of the proceeds from this sale will be donated to the Madison/Oglethorpe Animal Shelter and the Athens Area Humane Society.

We also are beginning our annual school supply drive for the Athens Tutorial Program, and it will run through September 18. Since 1981, the program has been dedicated to providing academic assistance, improving learning skills and providing personal growth and cultural enrichment opportunitiesproviding academic assistance, improving learning skills and providing personal growth and cultural enrichment opportunities to K-12 students.

ATP's wish list includes school supplies, new and used book bags, art supplies, age-appropriate books and magazines, office supplies, a digital camera, and computers. Please place donations into the collection boxes provided in your building.

Artists, art enthusiasts, and generally hungry library staff gathered on Friday, August 7th for the opening reception of the 2009 Staff Art Exhibit, Homegrown Talent. An annual event hosted by LSA, the reception of delicious snacks and beverages was a celebration of the creative talents of library staff members. Organized by Community Programming Coordinator Jan Levinson, this year’s show featured ten artists whose crafts included textiles, photographs, drawings, jewelry, and mixed media objects.

Although the brilliance of the creations spoke for themselves, the artists’ statements clarified intentions for many attendees. Some took inspiration from family members, like Marcia McDonald who chose to display a monogram sampler pillow created for her mother. “She taught my sisters and me all types of needlework and sewing when we were growing up,” recalled McDonald. Similarly, Marylin Healey’s hand knitted sweater, made of alpaca and silk, was created for her daughter Alexis.

Other artists were inspired by everyday objects, or found ways to create in everyday spaces. “The shawl took me one year to complete,” recalled Kat Hart of her spider web shawl, knitted “mostly on the bus to and from work.” Seasoned art show veteran Robin Fay creates pieces using recycled objects such as shampoo caps, scraps of fabric, and old keys. “I am always on the lookout for elements to include in my artwork,” she says of her vibrant works of mixed media.

The 2009 installation will remain on display through the end of August. For a full list of artists and artist statements, please contact jlevinso@uga.edu. Submitted by Jan Levinson.

June was a month for the dogs (and cats). Our annual animal welfare drive benefited the Athens Area Humane Society, Cat Zip Alliance, Athens-Clarke County Animal Control, and Madison-Oglethorpe County Animal Shelter. We promoted the missions of these worthy organization alongside photos of staff members' cats, dogs, and other animal pals in the foyer of the Main Library. (If you'd like to these photos again, click here.) Thank you on behalf of Athens' pet population!

On May 28, LSA kicked off the summer with the annual ice cream social on the quad. Library employees cooled off by eating Ben & Jerry's ice cream and sorbet with toppings of their choice on a hot summer day. Thank you to all who came to mix and mingle with their coworkers.

Athens Tutorial School Supply Drive
through Sep. 18

Bake Sale
Aug. 27 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Book Sale
October TBA