Ask a Librarian is where GCPL Librarians will post answers to some of the most interesting reference questions we receive.
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Update: September 21, 2011
Which eBook readers are compatible with GCPL's collection of downloadable eBooks?
A growing number of eBook readers are compatible with our collection of downloadable Adobe PDF and EPUB ebooks from OverDrive. Currently, the Sony Reader line of eBook readers, the Barnes & Noble nook, the Kobo eReader, and the Amazon Kindle all work with our ebooks. For more information on these devices, visit OverDrive's Device Resource Center which inlcudes pricing information as well as a link to the manufacturer's page for more information.
April 25, 2011
How much is the gas tax in Gwinnett County? Can you break it out based on the current gas price of $3.85? How much is the price and how much is tax?
According to the American Petroleum Institute's January 2011 reports and the Georgia Department of Revenue, taxes on one gallon of gasoline in the state of Georgia break down as follows:
Federal Excise Tax: 18.4 cents/gal.
Georgia State Excise Tax: 7.5 cents/gal.
Georgia State Sales Tax (as of Jan. 1): 10.1 cents/gal.
(as of May 1): 12.9 cents/gal.
We also contacted the Gwinnett County Financial Services Office to find out if local SPLOST taxes apply to retail gasoline sales. Their answer reads, in part, "...gasoline purchased in Gwinnett County would be assessed $0.03 sales and use tax."
Therefore, the total federal, state, and local taxes on one gallon of gasoline would be 39 cents/gal., which will rise to 41.8 cents/gal. on May 1.
February 8, 2011
What was the Freedman's Savings Bank ?
December 22, 2010
How many items has Gwinnett County Public Library checked out so far this century?
September 27, 2010
I’m interested in buying an eBook Reader; does GCPL have eBooks I can check out?
April 19, 2010
Whenever I visit the public library here in Gwinnett, it seems very busy. How do Gwinnett libraries compare to other libraries? Are Gwinnett libraries the busiest?
According to A Current Look at Georgia's Public Libraries and GPLS, the Gwinnett County Public Library leads the state in a number of measures of library activity.
- Highest circulation in state with 7,526,750 check outs in FY 2009
- Leads the state in circulation per capita, circulating 9 items per Gwinnettian.
- With 9% of Georgia's population, Gwinnett County accounted for 16% of the state's library circulation, and 10% of the state's library visits.
Clearly, Gwinnettians are readers who use their libraries!
Additional information:
Georgia Public Library Service website
Gwinnett County Public Library Check Us Out FY2009
March 10, 2010
It feels like it has rained more than usual this past year. Is Georgia still in a drought? Do we need to keep conserving water?
According to the Rainfall Scorecard from the National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office, 2009 was the wettest year for Atlanta in at least 15 years, with a total 69.43 inches of rain. Compare that to 2007, where the total rainfall was 31.85 inches!
Georgia EPD Director Carol Couch declared on June 10, 2009, that the state of Georgia has returned to a non-drought condition. According to the state's rules, outdoor water use is allowed on the even-odd schedule with no restrictions as to hours of use. This means that homeowners with even-numbered addresses can water on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday and those with odd-numbered addresses can water on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Gwinnett County will follow the state's rule.
Additional information:
Gwinnett County Drought Information
Gwinnett County Water Resources
February 18, 2010
Did more Gwinnett residents get the H1N1 flu or recall notices from Toyota?
The Georgia Department of Health tracks hospitalizations and deaths for the entire state for H1N1. From April 2009 to February 2010 there have been 824 people hospitalized and a total of 49 deaths in Georgia attributed to confirmed cases of H1N1. Unfortunately, the Health Department does not provide numbers by county. It is unknown how many Gwinnett residents had unconfirmed cases of H1N1 during this time.
As of February 17, approximately 10,000 vehicles in Gwinnett were estimated to be affected by Toyota's recent recalls. This information is according to the two Toyota dealers in Gwinnett County: Mall of Georgia Toyota in Buford and Atlanta Toyota in Duluth. According to the Gwinnett County Tax Commissioner, in 2009 there were 636,870 active tag registrations in Gwinnett County.
More information on the Toyota recall.
More information on H1N1.