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About

DeKalb County Public Library Essentials

New Pass Alert! Check out our new Fernbank Science Center pass. This pass allows up to four guests to enjoy Fernbank's planetarium show, and can be out for up to seven days.

The first round of 26 in '26 prizes is here! These beautiful, and very exclusive, enamel pins are headed to branches today! If you've completed 26 or more of the challenge categories, keep an eye on your email or phone notifications for instructions on when to pick yours up at your local branch. Haven't joined the challenge yet? There's still plenty of time! Learn more at dekalblibrary.beanstack.com or via the link in our bio. All books read in 2026 count as long as you can fit them into a challenge category! Just a few books short? No worries! Make sure you're logging your books and we'll distribute more pins (and the prize for the stretch goal of 52 books) later in the year. Happy reading!

Join us in Decatur this weekend (Saturday, October 3rd) for the Decatur Book Festival! The Decatur Library will host two stages, one in the Ground Floor Auditorium and one in the Fourth Floor Gallery and Event Space (where you can also check out The Book As Art v.14: Ghosted exhibition). We'll welcome Poets, Emerging Student Writers, and the winners of the 2026 Lillian Smith Book Award! Check out the full schedule of events at the library and around Decatur at DecaturBookFestival.com. @gacntr4thebook

Check out these boo-tiful pictures of our staff in their spooky season costumes. The Men in Black, a group of cozy animals, Pete the Cat, some groovy flower children, and many other characters made an appearance this year. Have a fun and safe Halloween, everyone!

Introducing the 2026 Summer Reading Challenge Community Reading Goal! Can DeKalb County read 1.2 million minutes between June 1, 2026 and July 31, 2026? On the first day of June alone we've already logged over 20,000 minutes, so by reading and working together we can definitely achieve our goal. Want to help by logging your reading? Readers of any age can sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge at dekalblibrary.beanstack.org to log reading time throughout the summer. We'll post progress updates throughout June and July to help us stay motivated. Happy reading!

Have you checked out the Palace Project? With your library card, you can access free eBooks and eAudiobooks through the Palace Project app, including titles that have only been available through Audible until now. We recently added a number of eAudiobook titles including Born a Crime, by Trevor Noah The Let Them Theory, by Mel Robbins, Project Hail Mary, by Andy Weir and many more! Use the link in our bio to find out more!

It's finally fall, which means it's time for seasonal drinks, pumpkin patches, and curling up with a great book. Fall Into Reading this season with our all ages 2026 Fall Into Reading Beanstack challenge. Log your reading to earn badges and read 600 minutes (10 hours) between October 1 and November 30, 2026 to complete the challenge. Remember, any book you read for 26 in '26 counts for this challenge too! Sign up using the link in our bio, and may your fall reading be filled with warmth, wonder, and a little bit of magic.

All DeKalb County Library branches will be closed on Wednesday, November 11, in observance of Veterans Day.

Join Dana Zullo, experienced local author, art educator, and college admissions counselor, to learn how teen artists can navigate the college admissions process. Participants will learn how to build a strong art portfolio, choose and present their work, and write an effective artist statement. Use the link in our bio for more information and to register!

Babies, toddlers, and their caregivers partied hard at the Brookhaven Library's recent Baby Rave program complete with glowsticks, bubbles, and all the neon all the time. Join the party on November 19 from 10:30–11:30 a.m. when Baby Rave returns. Use the link in our bio for more information.

Cat's out of the bag! The prize for reaching the 52 book stretch goal in our 26 in '26 reading challenge is a mini version of our iconic tote bag! Clocking in at an adorable 4 by 6 inches, this mini tote is the perfect size to hold a library card, keys, or even a tiny cat found in the library parking lot and rescued by staff. Mini totes are headed to branches today, so if you've logged 52 books for the challenge this year keep an eye on your email or phone notifications for instructions on when to pick yours up at your local branch. Haven't joined the challenge yet? There's still plenty of time! Learn more at dekalblibrary.beanstack.com or via the link in our bio. All books read in 2026 count as long as you can fit them into a challenge category! Just a few books short? No worries! Make sure you're logging your books and we'll distribute more enamel pins and mini tote bags later in the year.

The spooky season fun kept going! A few more amazing staff costumes rolled in after our last post, and they’re simply too good not to share.

Happy National Friends of the Libraries Week! We want to express our gratitude for the work that our Friends of the Library groups do behind the scenes to make our branches thrive. From organizing book sales to funding programs all year long for all ages, their support makes a huge difference across DeKalb. Be sure to look out for their upcoming book sales and meetings listed on our online events calendar to show your support.

September took our Jewelry with Gin classes on a colorful journey around the globe! We celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month at Northlake-Barbara Loar Library and Hairston Crossing, highlighted Asia with cloisonné beads at Clarkston, showcased recycled glass beads from Africa at Scott Candler, explored tribal-inspired designs at Toco Hill-Avis G. Williams Library, and traveled back to the 1920s with lively Cha Cha bracelets at Decatur Library. Find our full schedule of Jewelry with Gin classes (both virtual and in person) on our Events page (link in our bio) and join the fun! Also, the last photo depicts a tote made in a new monthly sewing class Gin is teaching at Decatur Library, so keep your eyes out for those as well!

Join us for a family-themed yoga class. Families will enjoy bonding with playful partner poses, engaging mindfulness games, breath work, and useful meditation techniques. To learn more or register please visit the link in our bio!

Heading to the Chamblee Library? Our front entrance is temporarily closed for renovations. Please use the rear entrance to enter the building.

Come see the Four Seasons Chamber Orchestra perform at Decatur Library! Saturday, October 17, 2026 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Decatur Library Auditorium Join this relaxed and fun group of musicians as they share their love for classical and popular music. Find more information at the link in our bio.

All DCPL branches will be closed on Saturday, October 10, 2026 due to potentially severe weather from Hurricane Isaias. All due dates and hold pick ups have been extended until Monday, October 12. Programs: All Saturday events have been canceled. Please check our online calendar for future rescheduling. And don’t forget: You can always find something to read, watch, learn, or do on our website at dekalblibrary.org. These resources are available 24/7. Stay safe, everyone!

Step into the ring for Wrestler Storytime at Brookhaven Library! This week, library goers enjoyed a storytime with Najasism of Deep South Wrestling. Join us next week for a storytime with DSW Wrestler Deon Summerz featuring books about wrestling and good sportsmanship. Visit the link in our bio for more details.

This September, DeKalb County Public Library invites you to celebrate Library Card Sign-up Month and discover how a library card can hit all the right notes. With a library card, you can do more than check out books. From free classes and job resources to homework help, streaming media, and cultural events, today’s libraries connect communities to information, inspiration, and each other. Stop by any DCPL branch to sign up for a card and learn more!

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This September, DeKalb County Public Library invites you to celebrate Library Card Sign-up Month and discover how a library card can hit all the right notes.