Description

Four new Pocket Parks are in the works for Clayton County that offer more self-care options. Deputy Chief Operations Officer Landry Merkison, Director of Parks and Recreation Nicole Horne join the Hostess, Communications Administrator Valerie L. Fuller,  to tell you what the County’s health and wellness Quality of Life pocket park initiative is, how the parks are funded, where they will be located, and what medical screenings will be provided.

Transcript

Valerie Fuller (Intro):
You’re tuned in to the Clayton Connected Podcast in Clayton County, where the world lands and opportunities take off. 

Valerie:
And hello. Thank you for joining me. I’m your hostess of the Clayton Connected Podcast Valerie Fuller, Communications Administrator for the Office of Communications in Clayton County, where the world lands and opportunities take off. Joining me in the Clayton Connected podcast studio today is Doctor Ruphina Ozoh. She is the Assistant Director for Customer Engagement and Community Outreach. Welcome! 

Ruphina Ozoh:
Thank you so… thank you so much Valerie.  It’s always great coming out to showcase the resources and programs that we have at the Clayton County Library System. Thank you for always giving us that opportunity. 

Valerie:
Absolutely. We are always excited to hear about what’s going on in our great Clayton County Public Libraries. And happy 2025! We’re into a new year! 

Ruphina:
Exactly! Happy 2025 to everyone!  

Valerie:
Everyone. So, February is, of course, Black History Month.  A month-long celebration that honors the history, that honors the culture. And, of course, the contributions of black people, African Americans here in the United States, and of course, around the world. And it’s celebrated in February in the United States and Canada and, in other places, I believe, October in Ireland and even in the United Kingdom.  But let me tell you something, Doctor Ozoh, we don’t have to wait till February to celebrate black history.  

Ruphina:
Exactly!  We have resources and programs all the time. But like you said, February is Black History Month, and the library strives to provide interesting programs that people in Clayton County can come out and enjoy.  

Valerie:
Well, I know that there is a plethora of things happening at the Clayton County Public Library.  So tell us what’s going on! 

Ruphina:
Exactly! We have programs at all the branches. For example, our headquarters branch, we have a black history movie every Monday from 5 to 6:30. So if you’re bored at home or if you just want to, you know, network with people, come to the library on Battle Creek every Monday in February from 5 to 6:30 to watch a movie.  And also the Northwest Library, which is in Riverdale, there will be tracing, if you want to trace your ancestry there. We’re going to offer a workshop on February 12th from 1:30 to 3:30. So if you have been wanting to trace your history, why not come and attend this workshop so that it will help you to be able to do that. 

Valerie:
So let me get this straight. Free movies. 

Ruphina:
Free movies!  

Valerie:
And a free track to actually track your ancestry? 

Ruphina:
Exactly, exactly. At the headquarters and northwest branches. And guess what? At the Morrow Branch, kudos to them. Kudos to all the managers. The Morrow Branch on February 12th, there will be black history Art Expo from 4:30 to 6. On February 19th, Black Inventor Craft Day at 4:30 and also, February 18th, Midnight Comic Presents, they are going to be having crafts in black characters in comics at 5:30 on February 18th at the Morrow Branch. 

Valerie:
Movies, tracking ancestry, crafts, all at the Clayton County Public Library free of charge.  These are things, and this is not the only thing that’s free of charge that the Clayton County Public Library has at your fingertips or at that’s accessible to Clayton County residents.  But this is year long. This is not just Black History Month. There are things that are available, resources that are available year-round.  

Ruphina:
Year round.  

Valerie:
Year round.  But we’re specifically focused on black history and we wanted to make sure that you’re aware. I know you have a few more things that you’re going to mention, but Clayton County, I’m sorry, claytonpl.org is the website for more information. Go ahead. 

Ruphina:
It gets even better. The Forest Park branch, they are going to be having documentaries on black history to discuss the film’s themes and share stories from personal journeys.  So on February 21st, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., please go to the Forest Park branch so that you be able to watch Good Hair. And also on February 7th, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., they’ll be showing Summer of Soul and on February 28th at Forest Park from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. they will be showing I Am a Leaf.  So the Forest Park Branch, please go to the Forest Park branch so that you’ll be able to enjoy all of these documentaries.  

Valerie:
So essentially there’s something at each branch. It’s something for everyone. Whether you want to trace your ancestry, whether you want to watch a movie, one you’ve seen maybe one you haven’t seen, and crafting of all sorts.  Listen. No shortage.  

Ruphina:
Exactly, exactly. And guess what? The Riverdale branch, they will have a black history museum all through February in their branch.  

Valerie:
Exciting, exciting.  Museum? 

Ruphina:
Exactly. 

Valerie:
What’s included in the museum? 

Ruphina:
I’m not really sure. But that library they’re going to, you know, just dedicate the whole of February for Black History Museum and it will be a great, educational opportunity for the students, for the children and even adults.  So please, go to the Riverdale branch.  

Valerie:
So no matter which district you live in, there’s something for everybody. Again, claytonpl.org for more information about that.  

Ruphina:
Exactly.  And finally, I want to talk about the Lovejoy branch. They are going to be showcasing a lot of programs on YouTube. So our libraries, it’s either we’re showing movies physically or will be, you know, conducting some programs on YouTube.  So on February 7th, please tune in because the Lovejoy branch will be showcasing on Jane Bolin and also on February 14th, Nathan Green, on February 24th, Suzanne Steward and on February 21st, Robert Abbott. So you know, all of these libraries are just, you know, trying to keep the people of Clayton County entertained and educated about black history. 

Valerie:
Well, I’m excited. I’m going to try to make at least, I’m going to commit to trying to make at least one of those events where I can engage. I’m really liking the one that you may be able to trace the ancestry. That would be something that I have not done that I’ve actually always been interested in.  So, if you are interested and you’re out there, you know, tell your family, tell your friends.  Great opportunities there for you.  

Ruphina:
Yeah.  

Valerie:
So what other resources does the Clayton County Public Library have that can benefit our Clayton County community?  

Ruphina:  
Yes. In addition to programs, we have a ton of resources. For example, we have Universal Class. Universal Class has over 600 online continuing education classes that are self-paced.  So, if you’re trying to enhance yourself so that you’ll be able to start maybe a business or so that you be able to look better on your resume if you include the courses you took. So please go to claytonpl.org so that you can take advantage of Universal Class with 600 online free, continuing education classes. We have things for children, for everybody.  Valerie, another one that I want to talk about is Brainfuse HelpNow.  It’s a free tutoring program and this program is conducted by Georgia curriculum certified teachers.  

Valerie:
Right.  

Ruphina:
So instead of paying $200 per child for your children to get homework help, go to claytonpl.org so that you’ll be able to take advantage of this free tutoring program in English and Spanish every day from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m., except on big holidays. 

Valerie:
How can residents of Clayton County access the library resources, programs and services? And one of the key words I want people to keep in mind, they’re free resources that are available. All of these things that we’re talking about today are free resources to our residents.  

Ruphina:
Exactly. It’s either you take advantage of them remotely from the comfort of your home by logging into claytonpl.org, or you can go physically to any of the branches. There’s at least one library located close to you. We have a library in Forest Park. We have the headquarters branch, which is in Jonesboro. We have the library in Lovejoy, in Morrow, in Northwest Branch, which is in Riverdale, and also the Riverdale branch. So there’s several ways that you can take advantage of free resources. 

Valerie:
Loving every minute of this. We also know that the hours of operations for the Clayton County Public Library System has changed. And this is not something, that just happened. Let’s talk through that so that people understand when the hours of operations are changing and more importantly why.  

Ruphina:
Okay, you have the opportunity to tap in online instead of opening at 9 a.m., where maybe you will be just 1 or 2 people in the library, we decided to start opening at 10 a.m.  So Mondays we open at 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., on Tuesday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., on Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., on Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and we’re closed on Sundays. So these hours, you know, we’re really flexible. So please come in at any of these hours so that you’ll be able to physically take advantage of library resources and services.  

Valerie:
Absolutely. And again, the claytonpl.org is the website for Clayton County Public Library Systems.  Again it’s Black History Month. You know, watch a film or video by black creators. You know, you can volunteer with black led nonprofits or donate to black community organizations. Host a book club featuring, you know, black authors. You know, you can plan workshops of your own, but most importantly, take time to learn about black history, not just in February, but throughout the year.  There are many contributions of value that come from our historic black leaders, black authors, black artists, you know, amplify black voices, on your social media and just be one in knowing that black history is important not just in February, but throughout the year. 

Ruphina:
Throughout the year. And there’s a program that I would like to showcase is called Canopy.  Canopy, it’s a free resource where, you can go in and conduct research. For example, if you’re a student who is writing a paper on MLK or Barack Obama, they can go to Canopy and listen to a documentary about the famous African Americans for their school project. So Canopy is really, really a good one that can, you know, help the students to do well in their black history project. 

Valerie:
So, so many educational opportunities that are available through the great Clayton County Public Library System. Claytonpl.org, can’t stress that enough. What is it that you want people to remember about Clayton County Public Library System?  

Ruphina:
The Clayton County Library system stays on top of things. We’re offering a lot of black history programs that will educate and entertain the communities that we serve.  So, you know, we stay on top of things to keep our community educated and entertained.  

Valerie:
Absolutely wonderful. Doctor Ruphina Ozoh, Assistant Director for Customer Engagement and Community Outreach at our Clayton County Public Library System. We want to thank you also on behalf of Director Scott Parham. We thank you for being here, representing and we absolutely look forward to seeing you back here again to learn more educational pieces that are taught to our Clayton County Public Library system.  

Ruphina:
Exactly. Thank you so much Valerie for always giving us this opportunity.  

Valerie:
Thank you. I’m your hostess Valerie Fuller. Thank you for listening to the Clayton Connected Podcast in Clayton County, Georgia, where the world lands and opportunities take off.