Books & Literacy
Georgia Humanities is dedicated to lifelong learning. We partner with such publishers as the University of Georgia Press to support special book publications and with such educational organizations as the Georgia Public Library System to support literacy efforts.
Book Publishing Partnerships
Georgia Humanities collaborates with publishing partners to make available books that are vital to understanding and appreciating the history and culture of our state.
Historic Rural Churches of Georgia
Featuring 300-plus photographs, this book documents many of the remaining (although some barely standing) rural churches throughout the state. A copublication with the University of Georgia Press.
Fuller E. Callaway: Portrait of a New South Citizen
In this new biography of Fuller E. Callaway, a progressive industrialist at the forefront of the South’s modernization efforts, the authors offer lessons about joining the interests of business with the civic good. A copublication with the Fuller E. Callaway Foundation.
Memories of the Mansion: The Story of Georgia’s Governor’s Mansion
First Lady Sandra Deal and public historians Jennifer Dickey and Catherine Lewis tell the story of the Governor’s Mansion as well as the stories of the families who have lived there while serving the citizens of Georgia.
A President in Our Midst: Franklin Delano Roosevelt in Georgia
This book reveals how FDR interacted with local Georgians during his many visits to the state and how he found inspiration for some New Deal programs. A copublication with the University of Georgia Press.
Inspired Georgia
This unique collaboration brings together contemporary Georgia poets and photographers. A copublication with the University of Georgia Press, Georgia Council for the Arts, Atlanta Celebrates Photography, and National Endowment for the Arts.
Without Regard to Sex, Race, or Color: The Past, Present, and Future of One Historically Black College
A photographic meditation on Atlanta’s Morris Brown College. A copublication with the University of Georgia Press.
Our Arc of Constancy: A History of the Georgia General Assembly
Second Edition
This booklet offers a brief history of Georgia’s state legislature, featuring short biographies of notable legislators, quick facts, and a timeline. The PDF version includes links to the New Georgia Encyclopedia. Click here to download a PDF version.
How Journalists and the Public Shape Our Democracy: From Social Media and “Fake News” to Reporting Just the Facts
Covering the role of journalism in our democracy, the confusion over how news is researched and reported, the responsibilities of citizens to inform themselves, and much more, this booklet in an indispensable resource. Created in partnership with the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and the Atlanta Press Club. Click here to download a PDF version.
The Liberating Promise of Philanthropy: Stories of Grant Makers in the South
Georgia Humanities president emeritus Zainaldin and former Southeastern Council of Foundations director Lehfeldt examine roots of philanthropy in the South, which began to grow in response to the destruction of the Civil War. The authors demonstrate that after 1865, philanthropy and the nonprofit sector became partners in opening the door for a new civil society in the South—culminating in the modern civil rights movement. Learn more here.
Decatur Book Festival
Each year over Labor Day weekend, tens of thousands of book lovers attend the AJC Decatur Book Festival, the largest independent book festival in the country, at the historic Decatur Square. Featuring 600-plus authors and 21 stages (including visual arts, children’s events, YA authors, cooking demos, and roving troupes of actors performing Shakespeare), the festival is a lively way to learn about new books and authors.
Georgia Humanities sponsors a Humanities Track of authors each year, as well as a Humanities Pavilion at the Decatur Book Festival. At the pavilion we highlight book copublications, and we love to meet our Atlanta-area neighbors.
PRIME TIME Family Reading Time
PRIME TIME Family Reading Time® addresses illiteracy and low-literacy using the humanities as a tool to create excitement about reading. The format is an interactive storytelling and group discussion that takes place in one 90-minute session per week for 6 weeks. Participating families gather at their local library for a meal and to hear trained storytellers read and spark discussions based on the texts. Programs are often conducted in Spanish and English.
The impact of PRIME TIME Family Reading Time is significant: the program delivers quality humanities education experiences to families at risk for low-literacy; increases public library use among participants; increases family bonding and reading time of participants; and positively affects the attitude and behavior of families regarding reading.
Developed by the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, PRIME TIME is carried out in Georgia by the Georgia Public Library Service in partnership with Georgia Humanities.
Questions About PRIME TIME
Send an email to Elaine Black, Director of Family and Children Services, Georgia Public Library Service: black[at]georgialibraries.org
