Julie Williams

This Thursday we will have Julie Williams at the library as a part of the Friends of the Libraries Scintillating Summer Series. 

Of the families that boarded the "unsinkable" Titanic in 1912, only a fourth stayed together during the sinking and arrived safely in New York. Albert and Sylvia Caldwell and their 10-month-old son, Alden, were one of those rare Titanic families. Author Julie Williams draws on first-person accounts from her great-Uncle Albert and extensive research to tell the fascinating story of the young family who were saved by a combination of luck, pluck, Albert's outgoing nature, Sylvia's illness, and Alden's helplessness. Their detailed story of the short life of the Titanic and their lucky rescue aboard the ill- starred Lifeboat 13 has never been fully told in Titanic literature.

This program is free and open to the public.

Library Renovation Updates...

We're in the middle of our re-carpeting project!!!

Some fun things have been happening around here.  Like this brand new carpet!->

The Alabama Room, general Fiction area, and Community Room have been carpeted at this point. 

The library will be CLOSED May 7-9 in order for us to put all the books back on the shelves and other maintence things we can't do while we're open. 

Due to the upstairs area being closed, we have some section re-locations.

This is where you'll find all the fiction books for the time being...

This is where the Insprirational section has been moved for now... 

 You'll find your Western Fiction here....

And your Graphic Novels are here next to the 6th Ave. entrance.



Library Renovations

Hello All,

I'm sure some of you may know about the upcoming re-carpeting to the upstairs area of the library.  This project will include the Alabama Room, Community Room, and Fiction section....

Preparations for this project have already begun and because of the large coverage area, the project is going to be happening in different stages.

Western novels and Graphic Novels have already been moved downstairs by the 6th Ave. entrance.  Inspirational is next up.

The Magazine Room, or the glass room by the newspapers, will be where we display many of the Fiction section during this time.

First up is the Alabama Room.  The Alabama Room is currently closed to patrons to allow library staff to start boxing up and moving materials. We anticipate the carpet to be taken up and laid back down in the middle of April.  No word yet on when the Alabama Room will re-open to patrons.

The Community Room will be closed from April 17 until the completion of the project to allow us to store things from The Alabama Room and Fiction section.

The Fiction Section will most likely be when we have to close the library due to the taking up of the carpet.

This brings up an interesting question.  What happens when you have a book out and is due back when we're closed? To ensure this doesn't happen, we have altered the due dates to checked-out items.  Please check the due date on an item you check out and if you're unsure of the due date, please get in touch with the Circulation Department.  Because of this, we will NOT be receiving books from Eva.

Please keep in mind that most of the re-arranging will only be temporary and will be moved back. 

We anticipate the project to be done by the beginning of June.  


We appreciate everyones cooperation while we tackle this big project.

Stay tuned here, on the website, and on our facebook for updates.

Peter Fletcher: Classical Guitarist

Hey everybody,

We're getting ready for our visit from Classical Guitarist Peter Fletcher. This event is going to take place this Thursday March 15, 2012 at 6:30pm. The friends of the library are sponsoring this visit.

Still need more information about our special guest?

Peter Fletcher began guitar study at the age of seven under classical guitar instructor, John Sutherland. In December, 1983, he made his formal debut at the age of fifteen under the auspices of The Brasstown Concert Association in North Carolina. In 1980 classical guitarist Jose Tomas, Andres Segovia’s teaching assistant in Spain, held a week long master class in Atlanta, GA. Peter Fletcher was the youngest student to perform in the class, playing music by Bach and Carcassi. Fletcher furthered his studies in Master Classes with David Leisner, David Russell, Oscar Ghiglia and Pepe Romero. As a performer in the Christopher Parkening Master Class he was chosen to play in the student recital two consecutive years and, in 1988, the class was broadcast on National Public Radio (NPR).

In 1990, the Music Teacher’s National Association (MTNA) awarded Fletcher a prize at its National Level Competition. In 1995, he received the Master of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music under Nicholas Goluses, and was twice the recipient of an Eastman Graduate Award.

The season of 2011-12 will undoubtedly be the most auspicious ever in an already distinguished career, appearing in over 100 cities at such prestigious venues as St. Xavier University in Chicago, IL, his fifth appearance at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York City, where Peter will be premiering a major work by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco entitled “Divan of Moses- ibn-Ezra” with acclaimed tenor DavidMichael Schuster. In addition, Mr. Fletcher and Mr. Schuster will give the world premier of a work they have commissioned from New York based composer Clarice Assad. Mr. Fletcher's interests outside of music include reading and cross-country running. He lives in New York City.

Make sure to join us on Thursday evening to enjoy what is sure to be beautiful music.


Information for this post was retrieved from Peter Fletcher's website.

Library Happenings

Tax Assistance

Tax season is upon us again and again this year the RSVP, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program will be volunteering their time to assist with the filing of basic tax forms. They will be here on Mondays 1-5, Wednesdays 1-5, and Saturdays 9-1. Their last day will be April 16. For a complete list of dates and time please visit our website at www.decatur.lib.al.us.

For those needing tax forms, the library does have the basic federal forms in stock. They are in the rack in the hallway. We do at the moment have a few State of Alabama long forms at the Information Desk. We only received a small shipment so we have placed a limit of 1 booklet per person on the state forms. For those with internet access and a printer, federal and state forms may be obtained online. The federal forms can be found at www.irs.gov/ and the state forms can be found at http://www.ador.state.al.us/incometax/ITformsindex.htm.

Please be advised that the staff of the library will be able to help you find a form if you know the number of the form. However, the staff cannot advise you on what form to file or answer any questions regarding your taxes.

2nd Annual Love Your Library 5K and Running Readers Mile

Please join us for the 2nd annual Friends of the Decatur Public Library Love Your Library 5K and Running Readers Mile on Saturday, February 25, 2012. The 5K will be at 8am and the mile will be at 9:15am. Registration forms are available at www.decatur.lib.al.us and www.active.com.

Fancy Nancy/Dapper Dan

The children's department is planning a Fancy Nancy/Dapper Dan party for Tuesday, February 21 at 6pm. The party will be repeated at 6:45pm. Preregistration is required for this event. Please contact the children's department at (256) 353-2993 ext. 122 or children@decatur.lib.al.us for more information or the register your child.

Merry Christmas

The library will be closed December 24, December 25, and December 26 for Christmas. We will have normal operating hours December 27, 28, 29, 30, and 31. We will be closed January 1 and 2 for New Year's Day. We will return to normal operating hours January 3. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Fiction titles added to Decatur Library's Camellia Net Advantage program

Decatur Public Library has purchased numerous e-books [and audiobooks] about which you may not be aware. These are called Advantage titles, through Overdrive® and are digital titles available at Camellia Net
[ http://camellia.lib.overdrive.com ] to Decatur Public Library cardholders only.

Please note: it is important to log in before searching the Camellia Net Catalog in order to view all titles available to Decatur Public Library cardholders.

Listed below are the adult fiction e-book titles purchased for just our Decatur patrons, some with the help of our outstanding Friends group. We hope you find something you’ll enjoy!

Remember, these titles cannot be seen until you log in with your library card number! And there are a lot more e-books [and audiobooks] to choose from, shared by the entire Camellia Net consortium!

[Articles “The”, “A”, and “An” have been left off.]


1105 Yakima Street by Debbie Macomber
1225 Christmas Tree Lane by Debbie Macomber “
44 Charles Street by Danielle Steel
Adventures of Mr. Maximillian
Bacchus & His Traveling Circus by Clive Barker
Affair by Lee Child
After Dark by Jayne Castle
Against All Enemies by Tom Clancy
Airframe by Michael Crichton
Alienist by Caleb Carr
All She Ever Wanted by Barbara Freethy
All Shot Up by Chester Himes
And One Wore Gray by Heather Graham
Answered Prayers by Danielle Steel
Any Way the Wind Blows by E. Lynn Harris
Apprentice by Tess Gerritsen
As the World Churns by Tamar Myers
At First Sight by Nicholas Sparks
At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
Atonement by Ian McEwan
Aunt Dimity Beats the Devil by Nancy Atherton
Aunt Dimity: Vampire Hunter by Nancy Atherton
Back on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber
Bad Place by Dean Koontz
Batter Off Dead by Tamar Myers
Betrayal by Beverly Lewis
Big Medicine by Louis L’Amour
Bittersweet Rain by Sandra Brown
Black Echo by Michael Connelly
Black Ice by Michael Connelly
Black Ice by Anne Stuart
Blood on the Vine [Murder She Wrote] by Jessica Fletcher/Donald Bain
Bluebonnet Belle by Lori Copeland
Bone Collector by Jeffery Deaver
Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen
Boo by Pat Conroy
Callander Square by Anne Perry
Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella
Can’t Wait to Get to Heaven by Fannie Flagg
Case of Lies by Perri O’Shaughnessy
Cat Who Brought Down the House by Lilian Jackson Braun
Cat Who Saw Red by Lilian Jackson Braun
Cater Street Hangman by Anne Perry
Catered Christmas by Isis Crawford
Catered Halloween by Isis Crawford
Catered Thanksgiving by Isis Crawford
Caught by Harlan Coben
Chase by Clive Cussler
Chasing Destiny by Eric Jerome Dickey
Chocolat by Joanne Harris
Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell
Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons
Color Purple by Alice Walker
Colton Family Christmas by various
Conviction by Aaron Allston
Copper Scroll by Joel C. Rosenberg
Corsets & Clockwork by various
Courting Trouble by Deeanne Gist
Crossed Paths: A Tale of the Dread Remora by Aaron Rosenberg
Cure by Robin Cook
Curse of the Pharaohs by Elizabeth Peters
Cut and Run by Ridley Peterson
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin
Dark Horse by Tami Hoag
Darkest Prison by Gena Showalter
Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay
Daughter’s Inheritance by Judith Miller, Tracie Peterson
Dead Don’t Dance by Charles Martin
Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris
Death Mask by Graham Masterton
Death of a Bore by M.C. Beaton
Death of a Maid by M.C. Beaton
Defender: Hyperswarm by Tim Waggoner
Dekker 2 in 1: Thr3e/Obsessed by Ted Dekker
Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon
Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
Evidence by Jonathan Kellerman
Explosive Alliance by Catherine Mann
Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
Fated by Rebecca Zanetti
Final Flight by Stephen Coonts
First Counsel by Brad Meltzer
First Family by David Baldacci
Five People You Meet in Heaven by David Albom
Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
Fried Green Tomatoes At the
Whistlestop Café by Fannie Flagg
From Here to Eternity by James Jones
Front by Patricia Cornwell
Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
Getting Off by Lawrence Block writing as Jill Emerson
Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
Gods and Generals by Jeff Shaara
Gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson
Godwulf Manuscript by Robert B. Parker
Good Yarn by Debbie Macomber
Halfway to Heaven by Susan Wiggs
Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
Haunted by Chuck Palahniuk
Heat Rises by Richard Castle
Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn
Help by Kathryn Stockett
Highland Christmas by M.C. Beaton
Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
Into the Maelstrom by Loren L. Coleman
It by Stephen King
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke
Killer Angels by Michael Shaara
Killing Season by Ralph Compton
Lady Julia Grey Bundle: by Deanna Raybourn
Silent in the Grave, Silent in the
Sanctuary, Silent on the Moor
Lawman’s Christmas [McKettricks] by Linda Lael Miller
Lifelines by C.J. Lyons
Light in the Window by Jan Karon
Lightkeeper by Susan Wiggs
Lightkeeper’s Daughter by Colleen Coble
Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly
Little Did I Know by Mitchell Maxwell
Live Wire by Harlan Coben
Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Love Walked In by Marisa De Los Santos
Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward
Magicians by Lev Grossman
Man for All Seasons by Diana Palmer
Manner of Death by Stephen White
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
Milk in My Coffee by Eric Jerome Dickey
Mistress No More by Niobia Bryant
Motor City Blue by Loren D. Estleman
Mystery by Jonathan Kellerman
New York to Dallas by J.D. Robb
[an In Death novel]
Next Always by Nora Roberts
Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Night Over Water by Ken Follett
No More Dying Then by Ruth Rendell
No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
Oath by Frank Peretti
O’Brien Family Christmas by Sherryl Woods
One Day by David Nicholls
One True Love by Barbara Freethy
One Wore Blue by Heather Graham
Only His by Susan Mallery
Only Mine by Susan Mallery
Only Yours by Susan Mallery
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Paris Secret by Angela Henry
Paris Wife by Paula McLain
Payback by Fern Michaels
Phantom Menace (Star Wars) by Terry Brooks
Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe
Pirate King by Laurie R. King
Places in the Dark by Thomas H. Cook
Play Dead by Harlan Coben
Prayer for the Dying by Jack Higgins
Princess Bride by William Goldman
Purple Cane Road by James Lee Burke
Rainmaker by John Grisham
Red Dragon by Thomas Harris
Red Light Wives by Mary Monroe
Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
Renegade Angel by Kendra Leigh Castle
Rest in Pieces by Rita Mae Brown
Robert B. Parker’s Killing the Blues by Michael Brandman
Robopocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson
Romeo and Juliet [graphic novel] by William Shakespeare
Rules of Prey by John Sandford
Runaway Jury by John Grisham
Running Blind by Lee Child
Sealed Letter by Emma Donoghue
Second Son by Lee Child
Shack by William P. Young
Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
Shock Wave by John Sandford
Simple Truth by David Baldacci
Sinner by Tess Gerritsen
Skin Tight by Carl Hiaasen
Skye O’Malley by Bertrice Small
Sleeping with Strangers by Eric Jerome Dickey
Sliver by Ira Levin
Smokin’ Seventeen by Janet Evanovich
Son of Stone by Stuart Woods
Special Delivery by Danielle Steel
Sprinkle with Murder by Jenn McKinlay
Starship Troopers by Robert Heinlein
Street Dreams by Faye Kellerman
Street Lawyer by John Grisham
Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovksy
Sullivan’s Law by Nancy Taylor Rosenberg
Surrender Bay by Denise Hunter
Susannah’s Garden by Debbie Macomber
Swimsuit by James Patterson, Maxine Paetro
Talisman Ring by Georgette Heyer
Tappin’ On Thirty by Candice Dow
Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith
Templar Legacy by Steve Berry
Testament by John Grisham
Thinner by Stephen King
Thousand Tomorrows & Just
Beyond the Clouds Omnibus by Karen Kingsbury
Three Down the Aisle by Sherryl Woods
Time to Kill by John Grisham
Tortilla Curtain by T.C. Boyle
Treachery in Death by J.D. Robb
Triptych by Karin Slaughter
Tripwire by Lee Child
Unashamed by Francine Rivers
Unfinished Business by Nora Roberts
Unquiet by various
Unveiled by Francine Rivers
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver
Weekend Warriors by Fern Michaels
What Angels Fear by C.S. Harris
What Might Have Been by Kira Sinclair
Wheel of Darkness by Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child
Whiskey Sour by J.A. Konrath
Whispers by Lisa Jackson
Whistle by James Jones
White Lies by Jayne Ann Krentz
Wicked Prey by John Sandford
Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley
With This Ring by Amanda Quick
Words of Silk by Sandra Brown
World War Z by Max Brooks

Remember, these titles cannot be seen until you log in with your library card number! And there are a lot more e-books [and audiobooks] to choose from, shared by the entire Camellia Net consortium!

Overdrive® Advantage Titles Through Camellia Net
http://camellia.lib.overdrive.com