June 6, 2014 marks the 70th Anniversary of D-Day. In Normandy, nearly 10,000 tombstones overlook Omaha Beach and is a stark reminder of the men and women who challenged Hitler's Fortress Europe and fought for the freedom of all.

Local resident, Peter Fantacone, US Navy Veteran of WWII, participated in the Invasion of Normandy and landed on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944 with Coast Guard Flotilla 10 aboard USS LCI 492.  The Atlantic County Library System is honored to have him share his vivid recollections of that day and help him with his goal to "keep alive the memory of all those who died."

SYNC is a literacy program that gives away two complete audiobook downloads –a current Young Adult title paired thematically with a Classic or Required Summer Reading title– each week. In 2014, 26 titles will be given away over 13 weeks starting May 15th through August 20th.

Popular titles* this year include- (click for sound clips)

• Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge
• All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill
• Code Named Verity by Elizabeth Wren
• Forgive me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick (author of The Silver Lining Playbook)

SYNC is dedicated to introducing the listening experience to the young adult audience and demonstrates that Required Reading can be completed by listening. While focused on Young Adult literature, featured Sync titles can be downloaded and enjoyed by all ages.

Titles are delivered through the Overdrive Media Console, the same program/app used to listen to, and read, many of the titles in the Atlantic County Library System's Overdrive eBook & eAudiobook collection. Go to the SYNC website for more complete information and instructions.

*Rather read the books? Search our catalog and get your copy today.

The New Jersey State Department of Education (NJDOE) privatized the High School Equivalency exam (HSE) and has changed the testing requirements for a state issued high school diploma. Formerly the “GED,” the testing now needed to assess High School level skills in New Jersey is the Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC). Initiated to meet the new High School Core Curriculum Standards, TASC assesses five subject areas including Reading, Writing, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.

Administered at the Atlantic and Cape May County One Stop Career Centers, the cost for the initial exam is $92.00, which includes two subject re-tests at $10.00 each. Test takers may prepare for the test, at no cost, by visiting their local One Stop Career Centers or using physical and digital materials and online resources provided by the Atlantic County Library System like Learning Express.