Upcoming Events
September Book Club: Theo of Golden
Join the FOSL Book Club in September for Theo of Golden by Allen Levi, a moving contemporary novel about family, belonging, and the search for home. When Theo returns to his small mountain town after years away, he must confront the secrets that shaped his childhood and the community that never stopped waiting for him. Richly drawn characters, quiet humor, and a deeply felt sense of place make this an ideal pick for readers who love intimate, character-driven stories.
Bring your thoughts and join the conversation at our monthly meeting — all are welcome. No reservation required.
September Book Sale
Hours:
Saturday 10 AM - 4 PM
Sunday 1 PM - 4 PM
The Friends of Smyrna Library (FOSL) Book Sale is our primary fundraiser held several times a year, offering a wide selection of gently used books, DVDs, Blu-rays, and more at bargain prices; community members can browse fiction, nonfiction, children’s titles, and multimedia to support library programs, special projects, and materials acquisitions while enjoying great deals and the chance to give items a new home. All proceeds benefit the Smyrna Public Library.
Atrium Pop Up Sale - September
We will be hosting a pop-up book sale in the atrium of the library! Snag some incredible deals on gently used books, with all proceeds going towards supporting the Smyrna Public Library.
Prices start at .50 cents a book!
October Book Club: We Have Always Lived in the Castle
Join the FOSL Book Club in October for We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
A perfect October read: Merricat, Constance, and Uncle Julian live alone in their once-grand home after a deadly poisoning. Tense and unsettling, the novel mixes psychological suspense with sharp observations about isolation, community, and fear. Jackson’s spare, eerie voice and an unreliable narrator leave a lasting chill. Read to explore family loyalty, stigma, safety versus imprisonment, and how perspective shapes sympathy and horror.
No reservation required.
Atrium Pop Up Sale - October
We will be hosting a pop-up book sale in the atrium of the library! Snag some incredible deals on gently used books, with all proceeds going towards supporting the Smyrna Public Library.
Prices start at .50 cents a book!
November Book Club: Lovely One
Friends of Smyrna Library Book Club welcomes readers to November’s selection: Lovely One by Ketanji Brown Jackson. Join us for a thoughtful group read and discussion of this moving memoir that explores identity, family, and resilience through Jackson’s candid storytelling. Whether you’ve followed her public career or are discovering her voice for the first time, Lovely One offers personal insight and rich themes for conversation.
Come for the book, stay for the conversation — all perspectives welcome.
No reservation required.
Atrium Pop Up Sale - December
We will be hosting a pop-up book sale in the atrium of the library! Snag some incredible deals on gently used books, with all proceeds going towards supporting the Smyrna Public Library.
Prices start at .50 cents a book!
Celebration of Life: William Marchione
The Smyrna Public Library and the Friends of Smyrna Library will host a celebration of life for William “Bill” P. Marchione Jr., a historian, educator and longtime community volunteer.
The event is scheduled for 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 30, in the library meeting room. The previously scheduled Sunday lecture on mid-century modern design by Marc McAfee, a Friends of Smyrna Library board member, will be rescheduled for a later date.
The Friends of Smyrna Library and the Marchione family are inviting the public to attend for refreshments, conversation and remembrances. Dress is casual.
Marchione, 84, of Smyrna, died July 22. He was born in Boston and earned his undergraduate degree from Boston University, a master’s degree in history from George Washington University and a PhD in history from Boston College.
A lifelong educator and historian, Marchione spent more than 35 years as a middle school teacher in Norwell, Massachusetts, and also taught as an adjunct professor. He was known for his work documenting local history in Brighton, Massachusetts, before moving to Georgia in 2010 and becoming active in preserving Smyrna’s history.
Among his books is 2013’s “A Brief History of Smyrna, Georgia.”
August Book Club: The Measure by Nikki Erlick
Join Friends of Smyrna Library for our August book club meeting as we discuss The Measure by Nikki Erlick.
This thought-provoking novel imagines a world where everyone receives a mysterious box containing a string that reveals the exact length of their life. The story explores fate, choices, relationships, and how knowledge of mortality reshapes communities and individual priorities.
Pick up your copy at the library or bring your own. All are welcome; no prior registration required. Join us for a thoughtful conversation about fate, responsibility, and what it means to live fully.
Atrium Pop Up Sale - August
We will be hosting a pop-up book sale in the atrium of the library! Snag some incredible deals on gently used books, with all proceeds going towards supporting the Smyrna Public Library.
Prices start at .50 cents a book!
FOSL at the Smyrna Handmade Market
Visit our booth at the Smyrna Handmade Market! Join as a member, buy FOSL merch, or pick a “Blind Date with a Book” for adults or kids to support the Smyrna Public Library.
Hope to see you there!
July Book Club: The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich
Join Friends of Smyrna Library for the July book club to discuss The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich.
About the book: In 1950s North Dakota, night watchman and Chippewa council member Thomas Wazhashk fights a congressional bill that threatens his people’s land and rights. The novel mixes real history with vivid characters and explores family, resilience, and resistance.
What to expect: Moderated discussion of themes, characters, and history. All welcome—finished or still reading.
No reservation or signup required.
June Book Club: Tress of the Emerald Sea
Join Friends of Smyrna Library for our June Book Club reading Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson. Meet fellow readers to discuss the book’s sea‑bound adventure, imaginative worldbuilding, and Tress’s journey from castaway to hero. All are welcome; bring your copy and your thoughts.
Patriot Painters: Peale, Stuart, Trumbull and Early American Art
Author William Marchione, a frequent lecturer at the Smyrna Library, will present “Patriot Painters: Peale, Stuart, Trumbull and Early American Art.” The lecture, which will start at 6:30 p.m., will highlight Charles Willson Peale, Gilbert Stuart, and John Trumbull, who created works that became American icons, including Stuart’s 1796 “Athenaeum Portrait of George Washington,” which appears on the dollar bill.
Bring Back the Pollinators
Light refreshments will be served.
No reservations required. Free admission.
Ambassador for the Xerces Society of Invertebrate Conservation, Denise Wilson will discuss how we can "Bring Back the Pollinators." She will focus on Georgia's native pollinators, how they live, and the threats they face. She will describe four ways that you can help support these important members of our ecosystem. If you want to support pollinators in the environment, you'll want to attend this event!
May Book Club: The Anxious Generation
Join Friends of Smyrna Library for May’s book club pick, The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. This timely study explores the mental health crisis among today’s young people, examining social, cultural, and technological factors that contribute to rising anxiety and depression. Come for a thoughtful, evidence-based discussion about causes, consequences, and potential paths forward.
No reservations required. All are welcome. Copies available at the library or bring your own.
May Book Sale
Hours:
Saturday 10 AM - 4 PM
Sunday 1 PM - 4 PM
The Friends of Smyrna Library (FOSL) Book Sale is our primary fundraiser held several times a year, offering a wide selection of gently used books, DVDs, Blu-rays, and more at bargain prices; community members can browse fiction, nonfiction, children’s titles, and multimedia to support library programs, special projects, and materials acquisitions while enjoying great deals and the chance to give items a new home. All proceeds benefit the Smyrna Public Library.
If you are interested in volunteering at this event, you can sign up below.
Transcontinental Railroad and the Standard Gauge
Todd DeFeo, a member of the Friends of the Smyrna Library board and publisher and editor of Railfanning.org, will present a lecture on the “Transcontinental Railroad and the Standard Gauge.” The talk, which kicks off at 3 p.m., will highlight how the national railroad network led to the adoption of a standard gauge, including on the Western & Atlantic that passes through Smyrna.
April Book Club: Project Hail Mary
Join us this April for a lively discussion of Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. A gripping science-based thriller with humor and heart, this novel follows Ryland Grace, a lone astronaut on a desperate mission to save Earth from an extinction-level threat. Full of clever problem-solving, surprising friendships, and big-picture questions about survival and sacrifice, Project Hail Mary is perfect for readers who enjoy fast-paced science fiction grounded in real science.
No reservations are required. Drop in, pick up a copy at the library, or bring your own. All are welcome.
James Edward Oglethorpe: Georgia's Founding Father
Author William Marchione, whose works include the definitive history of Smyrna, will present “James Edward Oglethorpe: Georgia’s Founding Father.” The lecture will start at 3 p.m. at the Smyrna Public Library.