A change in communication.
Going forward, we will be sending out our newsletter only once a month. This will contain any activities and updates that may be occurring for the upcoming month, news that you may have missed from the previous month and several new releases to our shelves.
We want to keep you as aware of your library as possible, but also not contribute to overwhelming your email.
September Holiday Closures:
Sat - Mon, Sept 2 - 4: PINE System Upgrade & Labor Day
One Book Thomas County Returns, Opening Community Conversations
One Book Thomas County is a partnership program between four core institutions: the Thomas County Public Library, independent bookshop The Bookshelf, the Thomas County Public Schools System and the Thomasville City Schools System. Through the years, other organizations have joined and collaborated, such as the Thomasville Center for the Arts and the Thomasville History Center. The goal of this program is to gather the county together - at any age - and celebrate literacy through the collective reading of one book: one book that will connect us.
Exiting from an unexpectedly long interlude following its 2019 event featuring author Delia Owens, One Book Thomas County has returned, and this time it is prepared to get us talking. Or rather: listening.
Similar to numerous other cities and communities across the country, One Book invites the residents of Thomas County and the surrounding cities to celebrate the connective power of literature through the collective reading of one book. One Book then brings the book’s author to Thomasville for an interactive discussion about their book and how it came to be.
This year’s selected read is You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why It Matters, by New York Times and The Economist contributing journalist Kate Murphy, who will be visiting Thomasville on Thursday, September 28th.
This year not only marks One Book’s restoration as an annual Thomas County event, but commemorates its tenth year gathering the community together through the outlet of literature. One Book is honored to be receiving a Thomasville city proclamation towards its work in uniting Thomas County communities of all ages and sparking dialogues to deepen those connections. At a time when our society at large is becoming even more disconnected despite the ever-growing platforms to connect us, this year’s One Book could not be a more apt title in which to carry on the program’s tradition of learning to understand and grow with our neighbors and former strangers through literature.
Heralded as “an intriguing and constructive take on the problem [of not listening]..and a manual for better communication” by the London Times, Kate Murphy deep dives into explaining why we’re not listening, what it’s doing to us, and how we can reverse the trend. She makes accessible the psychology, neuroscience, and sociology of listening while also introducing the reader to some of the best listeners out there (including a CIA agent, focus group moderator, bartender, radio producer, and top furniture salesman). Handpicked by Malcolm Gladwell, Adam Grant, Susan Cain and Daniel Pink for the Next Big Idea Club, The Washington Post named it one of its “Notable Works of Fiction” in 2020.
It pays to note that where One Book Thomas County differs from its sister programs throughout the country is its active reach to the upcoming generation. Since its launch in 2013, One Book has purchased and gifted the three participating Thomas County high schools with copies of each year’s selected book, whose teachers incorporate it into that Fall’s curriculum, and brings the author to each school for an intimate discussion.
This year, One Book has turned its attention to community engagement and lessened its typical array of celebratory activities. With organizations such the Thomasville Chamber of Commerce Leadership group and City of Thomasville Council members reading and engaging with the book, this year’s selected read is truly speaking to the community mindset. “We are finding that the community is all in agreement that the speed of change is disorientating us and creating a disconnect,” says current One Book Chair and Thomas County Public Library Marketing Coordinator, Samantha Hanchett. “We are all seeking a way back to one another and this year’s book is a good addition in achieving that end. One Book is ecstatic to be able to provide this tangible opportunity to connect our communities through the transformational power of literature.”
September Activities & Programs
Activities for 18 and older.
Tuesdays, 10AM - 5PM
Friends of the Library Used Book Sale?
Wednesday, 9:45AM
Beginner Yoga Class
Saturdays, 10AM - Noon
ESL Meetup
Fri, Sept 8, 10:30AM
Computer Skills Class: Smart Phones & Tablets
Tues, Sept 12, 3:00PM
Book to Art Book Club
Fri, Sept 15, 10:30AM
Computer Skills Class: Online Safety Basics
Mon, Sept 18, 1:00PM
Library Board of Trustees Meeting
?Fri, Sept 22, 10:30AM
Computer Skills Class: Email Accounts
Fri, Sept 22, Noon
Fridays At Noon: Ayonna Charese (R&B Stylings)
Wed, Sept 27, Noon
Lunch & Learn @ The Bookshelf
A One Book Thomas County Event
Learn More?
Thurs, Sept 28, 7:00PM
One Book Thomas County: A Conversation with Kate Murphy
Fri, Sept 29, 10:30AM
Computer Skills Class: Becoming Tech Savvy
Activities for Youth 0 – 12
Thursdays, 10:30AM?
Story Time: Toddlers & Tykes?
Ages 2 -4.?
Thursdays, 4:00PM
LEGO Club
Ages 4 -11.
Tues, Sept 26, 4:00PM
Art & Crafts
Ages 4 -11.
