Strength in Every Story

As this is year of the book, there is Strength in Every Story.  As the first quarter of this year comes to a close, let’s reflect on the body of work by and about some of the notable figures who are no longer among us.

In every life there is a story. Stories teach, inspire and show the journey. When we hear about the death of a notable figure, there is a tendency to wonder about their lives. This is evidenced through the number of searches for the recently departed or the increase in request for books about and by the person.  

As we reflect on individuals who have left this earth, let’s take a look at their stories and the stories they told using the library’s electronic resources.

We began the reflections with Claudette Colvin, an Activist for Civil Rights. For a brief summary of Claudette Colvin's life, World Book Encyclopedia Online is a good place to begin. You can also listen to an audiobook in Overdrive She Persisted or you can read Colored: The Unsung life of Claudette Colvin.

Carlos Ray Norris is better known as Chuck Norris . Chuck Norris is known to many as “Walker-Texas Ranger,” martial artist or the man who sold Total Gym home fitness equipment.   Chuck Norris died on 20 March 2026 at the age of eighty-six. You can also read his autobiography Against all Odds using Overdrive or the Libby App.  Throughout his life, Chuck Norris has been known for his martial arts prowess. Hoopla offers an opportunity to get a look at this part of his life with the audiobook: Black Belt Patriotism or the movie Private Lesson.

Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, a world known Civil Rights Activist died on 17 February 2026 at the age of 84. You listen to Keeping Hope Alive a selection of Reverend Jackson's sermons and speeches using Hoopla Digital.  You can read A Dream Deferred: Jesse Jackson and the Fight for Black Political Power. You can also listen to A Dream Deferred as well using Overdrive and Libby. 

James Van Der Beek, beloved screen actor known to many of a certain generation for his role on Dawson's Creek died at the age of 48 on 11 February 2026. You can watch the actor tell stories through his works such as Varsity Blues available on Hoopla or Rules of Attraction using Kanopy. 

While these resources were used to highlight the stories of some who recently departed this life, take the time to learn about the stories of others using the electronic resources available to you thorough the Fulton County Library System. It is definitely true: "There is Strength in Every Story."