IT’S ALL ABOUT... Chocolate
Is this a dream? I walked through the front door, blinked to clear my eyes and there’s chocolate everywhere. I blinked again. Look there’s Hershey’s over there, a big pile on that table; M&Ms, Milky Ways and Snickers, there’s brownies and fudge. WOW. Are you kidding me? Have I gone to Heaven? Wait, look there’s a chocolate fountain! It IS heaven! Some of this looks homemade but over there, I think that’s store bought, it’s packaged! Where am I? Pinching myself, I come back to reality as a friendly greeter, actually a real “Friend of the Library” says, “welcome to the Chocolate Party, you’re at the Atlanta Public Library and it’s June 23rd at 5:00 p.m. We’re finished at 7:00. I hope you ate dinner because all we have here is chocolate…and fun!”
“Well, tell me what’s going on please!” She’s truly a “Friend of the Library” and she starts explaining everything in all corners of the three floors of the library. She hands me a sheet for a scavenger hunt throughout the facility and says, “it’s all free!” I reply, “You are kidding me now, aren’t you?” “No, no kidding at all! Just register here for the event, take the sheet, go on the hunt for the answers throughout the library, turn the sheet in with all the correct answers, and your name and phone number and you will be registered for the main prize…a huge special basket of chocolate themed items and lots of gift cards! Additionally, we’d love for you to register as a ‘Friend of the Library’ which is only a $5.00 fee, but it isn’t necessary to participate today! And, oh by the way, we have a multitude of other door prizes to be given away during the hunt in various drawings.”
Here’s the gist of her complete explanation…The scavenger hunt sheet has questions and actual clues directing you throughout the 3 floors of the library, with questions that all relate to chocolate. One sample question was: “what does a paperback book, with a call number CARc6, have to do with chocolate?” That particular book is titled, “The Chocolate Bridal Bash”. So, it seems pretty easy and it introduces you to all departments of the library, where there are friends waiting to answer any questions. Plus, there are book marks in the appropriate places so you can find the answers quickly! How easy can that be?
The event is actually geared toward adults, however, there are children participating as well. Kids need to be accompanied by a parent, please.
The “Friend” went on to further explain that the event is really about promoting and letting the public know about all the projects and various happenings that the library has to offer. There are childhood projects; adult programs every 3rd Saturday; maker space events such as acid wood burning; sewing; genealogy; and canning. However, there is also a quilting club and book reading club.
The Chocolate Party is the place to share local book publishers in person as well. These authors can be found on every floor, will personally autograph his book and sell you a copy if you are interested. This year we have confirmed the following fiction authors: Tammy D Thompson, a Christian fiction writer who published “Geneva’s Cross”; Wiley E Young (Connor Rice), “Magpie Coffin”; and K L Cottrell a romance fiction writer with 8 books published. In the children’s category we have two confirmed authors: Tom Greer who writes for young elementary kids; and Cal Davis writing for PreK and middle school. We still have openings for non-fiction authors. If you are a published author and interested, please contact the library at 903-796-2112 and ask for Deborah. It’s a pretty exciting event. The first year we had about 100 attendees, the second year it was standing room only and then Covid hit and we had to postpone our 3rd annual. But, we are back up and running full force for 2022.
It’s important for you to know that the library is more than just a brick building with thousands of books. We have so much to offer with fun events and programs and hope you will come away with some great ideas, and lots of chocolate!
If you do have an idea for a different type of program, or you have a hobby that would be fun to share with the public, or maybe you’d like to teach us how to do something out of the ordinary and fun, please visit with a librarian at the Chocolate Party, share your thoughts and let’s get it on the agenda. We are open to lots of ideas. Please join us. We always have lots of excitement and fun at the Atlanta Public Library Chocolate Party!
And finally, at 6:45 pm right before the party is over, we will be drawing for the winner of the raffle for the queen size quilt from our Nimble Thimble quilters. Don’t worry if you haven’t bought a raffle ticket because you can get a book at the door…6 tickets for $5.00. Funny how the last ticket sold is usually the winner. Please come! Chocolate is definitely heavenly and everywhere! Plus, you won’t regret supporting an excellent opportunity to discover so many hidden aspects of the Atlanta Public Library and Friends!