New Gritters Library project moves ahead with $1.9M state grant

Gritters Library reopening

The Cobb Board of Commissioners on Tuesday accepted a $1.9 million grant from the Georgia Public Library Service to help fund the reconstruction of Gritters Library.

Commissioner JoAnn Birrell made the motion “with pleasure and with gratitude” toward the Cobb legislative delegation, which helped secure the funding.

GPLS, part of the Georgia Board of Regents, provides state bond funds to local library systems for renovations of public libraries.

The Gritters branch opened at its current location in Shaw Park in 1973 and will be completely rebuilt, with construction expected to begin in December.

The $6.8 million project is part of the 2016 Cobb SPLOST and was originally earmarked for $2.9 million. Initially plans called for a renovation, but the new branch will be built near the existing structure.

An estimated completion time for the new building has not been announced.

Gritters is the last of the library projects remaining in the 2016 SPLOST. That collection period funded the Sewell Mill Library and Cultural Center that replaced the East Marietta Library.

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Gritters Library to host WorkSource Cobb Mobile Career Center

The Cobb County Public Library System is getting out word that the non-profit WorkSource Cobb Mobile Career Center will be conducting several events at Gritters Library this month.CobbWorks employment workshop series

The first session is next Thursday, Feb. 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and here are more details about what’s coming up:

Gritters Library is added to the MCC’s monthly schedule after years since its last visit to the library, said Jim Montgomery, WorkSourceCobb/CobbWorks MCC Coordinator.

A Resume Workshop program inside the computer lab on wheels is scheduled during the February 13th visit at 11 a.m. The MCC offers free workforce and job skills development services, wi-fi and more.

Gritters Library Manager Pamela Finley said she expects many Gritters area residents will welcome Mr. Montgomery and the MCC to the library. Gritters Library is located off Canton Road at Shaw Park in northeastern Cobb County.

“I know there is a community need for this service,” she said. “Many of the computer users at Gritters are working on resumes, job applications and job searching.”

The second February visit to Gritters Library is Thursday, February 27, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Mobile Career Center’s February schedule includes late morning and early afternoon hours at public libraries and other locations across Cobb. Resume workshops are included on select dates.

For the full February MCC schedule, visit www.worksourcecobb.org/news-events.

For information on upcoming programs at Gritters Library, visit www.cobbcat.org or call 770-528-2524.

 

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Dr. Seuss Storytimes return to Gritters Library in ‘Read Across America’ event

At the end of winter break week, Sprayberry High School is once again sponsoring a Dr. Seuss Storytimes session Saturday at the Gritters Library (880 Shaw Park Road).Read Across America, Gritters Library

It’s part of the Read Across America program sponsored by the National Education Association, and the Sprayberry community has been taking part for 20 years. Here’s more about the program from the Cobb County Public Library System:

The high school students visit local elementary schools-this year adding our local library branch–and read their favorite children’s literature with the children. Families will then enjoy a special craft activity to do with the children that connects to the book they shared. The SHS students remember when they were read to on Read Across America Day when they were little, and they love passing that experience on!

Saturday’s events at Gritters are grade-specific for pre=schoolers through fifth graders according to the following schedule:

  • 1:20-1:45 p.m.: Toddlers and Pre-K;
  • 2-2:30 p.m.: Grades K-1;
  • 2:45 p.m.-3:15 p.m.: Grades 2-3;
  • 3:30-4 p.m.: Grades 4-5.

You’ll need to register by calling the Gritters Library at 770-528-2524.

 

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EAST COBB THIS WEEK: Last gasp for Halloween, library events, All Saints Day and more

East Cobb library events

A very cold, wet and wintry weekend for Halloween events has passed, and temperatures are already rising to an autumn feel as November approaches.

To start the week off is tonight’s Cobb-Marietta Marching Band Exhibition (7 p.m. at McEachern High School), including the bands from Lassiter, Sprayberry and Wheeler. This part of the extravaganza has been delayed twice before by rain, but it’s clear today, and it should be in the low 50s tonight. Admission is $5.

Here’s what else is coming up in East Cobb through Thursday:

  • Most Halloween-related events were over the weekend, but at Powers Ferry UMC (245 Powers Ferry Road), they’re having a Trunk or Treat event on Halloween night, Tuesday, Oct. 31. It lasts from 6-7:30 p.m., and little trick or treaters are asked to wear their customes; in addition to candy, they’ll also be serving hot dogs;
  • Wednesday is Nov. 1, which for Roman Catholics is more than just the start of the month. It’s All Saints Day, a solemn Christian festival also known as All Hallows Day, and all three East Cobb parishes will be having special services. At Holy Family Catholic Church (3401 Lower Roswell Road), there’s a Tuesday vigil at 6:30 p.m., and Wednesday masses at 9 a.m., 12 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., the latter two are bilingual and a Spanish Holy Hour respectively; at the Catholic Church of St. Ann (4905 Roswell Road), the services Wednesday are at 6:30 a.m., 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., with an All Souls mass Thursday at 7 p.m.; at Transfiguration Catholic Church (1815 Blackwell Road), a Spanish-language mass on Tuesday starts at 7 p.m., with Wednesday services at 12 p.m., 4 p.m. (children’s mass) and 7 p.m.;
  • The Page-Turners Book Discussion Group meets on Wednesday at the Mountain View Regional Library (3320 Sandy Plains Road), and the book this month is “Gentleman in Moscow” by Amor Towles. If you’d like to read up for the December session, the club is giving you some latitude: Choose a biography of Abigail Adams and prepare to talk about it on Dec. 6;
  • Stretch into November with Yoga for Seniors, Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at the East Cobb Library (4880 Lower Roswell Road); registration is required for this event that’s part of the library’s continuing wellness program series;
  • Later on Wednesday, the East Cobb Library will hold another Family Fun Time event from 3:30-4:15, and is for children of all ages. Wednesday’s topic will a celebration of American Indian Heritage Month. The event is free, but all children must be accompanied by an adult;
  • After school on Wednesday is another installment of the Gritters STEAM Team series at the Gritters Library (880 Shaw Park Road). From 3:30-4:30 students from K-5 can learn about geodosic domes. Experts deliver the lessons and the kids engage in hands-on activity;
  • The Gritters Drama Club is newly formed and is working toward a performance on Nov. 18 at the Mountain View Regional Library. The group meets the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month from 3:30-4:30, and is aimed at students for 4th and 5th graders. The club leader is theater connoisseur and Gritters staff member Olivia McCurley. Registration is required.

Did we miss something. Do you have a calendar item to share? Let us know? Send us your listings to calendar@eastcobbnews.com and we’ll post it.

Have a great week!