Georgia Public Library Service news, Vol. 11, no. 1 (Aug. 2013 )

A newsletter for friends and employees of Georgia's public libraries

volume 11, issue 1 I August 2013

Archives joins University System, expands hours

The Georgia Archives in Morrow has
reopened to the public on Wednesdays and Thursdays, doubling the number of days that citizens can visit the facility.
Due to a series of budget cuts that began in 2008, the facility had been open only on Fridays and Saturdays since September 2012, when the possibility of closing the archives to regular public hours arose in the Secretary of State's office. After more than 17,000 people signed a petition opposing that plan, with local supporters protesting at the state Capitol, Gov. Nathan Deal instigated a compromise that allowed the facility to remain open on a reduced schedule.

Staff

only state where the state Archives falls under the public higher education system. This relationship provides us with some great opportunities to help more Georgians understand, appreciate and use this great resource."
"GPLS is exhilarated that the state's leadership chose the University System as the new home for the state Archives," added State Librarian Dr. Lamar Veatch. "If the very

positive experiences of GPLS and public libraries being under the USG `big tent' for the past 12 years are an indication, the state Archives will experience a true renaissance through this association.
"We see greatly enhanced opportunities for collaborative efforts between the Archives and the public library community in such areas as continuing education, resource
See Archives, page 2

On July 1, the Georgia Archives transferred from the Secretary of State's umbrella to the University System of Georgia, of which Georgia Public Library Service is also a unit. Complementing the Archives' transfer, the state legislature set aside an additional $300,000 to extend its hours. Increased funding will also allow Director Christopher Davidson to rebuild the Archives' staff, adding three new full-time positions and additional part-time positions.
"We are excited about the potential to partner with the Archives in some creative new approaches that will involve our campuses and students in historical research," said University System Executive Vice Chancellor Steve Wrigley. "Georgia is unique in the United States as the

Roswell breaks ground
Anne Haimes (top), interim director of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System, welcomed more than 150 people to a groundbreaking ceremony for the new East Roswell Library on Aug. 1. The 15,000-square-foot facility will be located at 2301 Holcomb Bridge Road in Roswell. Helping turn the first shovels of dirt are (above, from left) Dennis LaGatta, vice president and director of program management for Heery International; David Ricks, facilities and transportation director for Fulton County; Al Collins, facilities and transportation assistant director; David Ware, interim county manager; John Eaves, chairman of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners; Stephanie Moody, chair of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System board of trustees; Liz Hausmann, Fulton County commissioner; John Thomas, trustee and director for the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library Foundation; Robb Pitts, Fulton County commissioner; Betty Price, Roswell mayor pro tem; and Derek Gamble, executive vice president of Ajax Building Corporation. Grand opening of the East Roswell Library is expected to take place in fall 2014.

Boot Camp provides learning opportunities for IT staff

Broadband, gadgetry, cloud storage and the most recent
Major Repair and Renovations technology grant formed the agenda for the GPLS 2013 Technology Boot Camp held at Unicoi State Lodge near Helen.
The yearly spring conference brings together IT professionals, directors and tech gurus from libraries across the state to discuss the hottest electronics, newest software and breaking initiatives within their respective library systems.
"It was an absolute pleasure to host such a crackerjack group of talented techs from libraries across Georgia," said Emily Almond, director of IT with GPLS.
Stan Gatewood, chief information security officer from the Georgia Board of Regents (BOR) entertained and informed this year's participants with explanations of the benefits and drawbacks of cloud storage, answering many questions regarding security, confidentiality and reliability.
Jessica Wheeler, product management specialist with BOR, spoke about the best deals for electronics, software and hardware that are available to libraries through the University System of Georgia. Ted Bazemore, assistant director of IT at the Clayton County Library System, and John Carocci, technology manager at the Newton County Library System, presented,

alongside GPLS IT staffers Andrew Crane and Daniel Zeiger, an alternative to the traditional desktop. With a demo setup of seven computers, the group demonstrated "thin clients," which are satellite computers connected to a server hub. The setup makes it easier for library staff to monitor and upgrade public computers from one spot while reducing power use and increasing cost savings.
On the conference's final day, Larra Clark, director of programs, network and tech policy from the American Library Association's Office for Information Technology Policy, led a live-streamed WebEx session discussing the organization's EDGE Initiative. EDGE is a voluntary assessment program that includes benchmarks, best practices, tools and resources that support continuous improvement and drive reinvestment toward public library technology. Cherokee Regional Library, Chestatee Regional Library System and Cobb County Public Library System are participating in its pilot program.
"Every year, we try to strike the right balance between presentations, programming, et cetera, with more hands-on experience like demo labs and free time," Almond explained. "This year seemed to be just the right mix, and it was amazing to watch and learn as folks came together to collaborate on similar projects and initiatives and just share what they know with each other. We are already thinking of new topics for next year's camp!" I

NEWS IN BRIEF
Liz Forster has been named interim executive director of the Gwinnett County Public Library. She was previously the 15-branch system's deputy director. Forster has been with the system since 2008.
On July 1, the Three Rivers Regional Library System (TRRLS) headquarters office moved to its new location on the grounds of the former Jesup Elementary School in Wayne County. TRRLS serves citizens in Brantley, Camden, Charlton, Long, McIntosh and Wayne counties.
The Friends of the Catoosa County Library presented the


county's board of commissioners and library board with a check for $10,000 on July 16. The group raised the funds for the library through private donations and used book sales. The donation, coupled with $15,000 in grant money, will enable the library to complete a beautification project that will add a landscaped outdoor area with seating.
Georgia Public Library Service will again host a table in the Pavilion of States at the 13th annual National Book Festival. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held Sept. 21 and 22 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. I

Archives
Continued from page 1 management, and outreach. The Archives can bring a new dimension to public library service around the state, and, at same time, public libraries can assist the Archives in its key mission of preserving and enhancing access to Georgia's rich history."
The Georgia Archives is home to more than 80,000 cubic feet of records, as well as the "Vanishing Georgia" project, a popular photographic collection of images that span more than a century of Georgia history. The facility is now open to the public Wednesdays through Saturdays, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For more info and directions, visit www.georgiaarchives.org. I

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Georgia Public Library Service News August 2013

Staff Amanda Redker

Public library staff members win GLA scholarships

The Georgia Library Association's
scholarship committee has announced the 2013 winners of its Beard and Hubbard scholarships, given annually to provide financial

assistance for students pursuing master's degrees in library science.
This year's C.S. Hubbard Scholarship winner is Asele Mack, who now works part time at the DeKalb County Public Library while enrolled in the distance learning program at Valdosta State University. Mack holds a degree in journalism from Moscow State University in Russia.
Mack plans to become a public librarian specializing in services for non-English speakers and programming that helps bridge the information and digital divide.
John Mack Freeman is this year's Charles Beard Scholarship

winner. He holds a dual bachelor's degree in English and theater from Shorter University in Rome, Ga. Currently employed at the Tifton-Tift County Public Library, he is also pursuing an MLIS degree from Valdosta State.
After graduation, he hopes to be involved in public librarianship with an emphasis on marketing, outreach to underserved communities and government engagement.
Mack and Freeman will be recognized at this year's Georgia Council of Media Organizations Annual Conference, which will be held Oct. 9-11 at the Centreplex in Macon. I

Deadlines draw near for reading programs

Lucky dog
Clifford the Big Red Dog thanks Pamela Johnson-Spurlock, teen services coordinator and reference assistant for the Thomas County Public Library System, and her daughter Helen for their support of "Clifford's Tour de Georgia." Clifford participated in 15 public libraries' Children's Book Week celebrations in May and June this year. In addition to the Thomas County Library, his stops included the Oakland Library in Leesburg; the Calhoun County Library in Edison; the Pelham Carnegie Library; the Seminole County Library in Donalsonville; the Roddenbery Memorial Library in Cairo; the Brooks County Public Library in Quitman; the Moultrie-Colquitt County Library in Moultrie; the Margaret Jones Library in Sylvester; the Victoria Evans Memorial Library in Ashburn; the FitzgeraldBen Hill County Library in Fitzgerald; the Newton County Public Library in Covington; the Monroe-Walton County Library in Monroe; the Banks County Public Library in Homer; and the Gwinnett County Public Library in Lawrenceville.

Deadlines are fast approaching for
all GPLS supplemental summer reading programs. The last day to sign up for the Atlanta Braves Home Run Readers program is Aug. 3, with the final game for reward ticket redemption taking place on Aug. 11. Register at www.braves.com/reading.
From now through Aug. 15, children across the state who were born in 1997 or after and who participate in the Summer Reading Program at their local library can also enter for a chance to win a $5,529 college savings account contribution through the Georgia Path2College 529 Plan Reading Makes Cent$ sweepstakes. For more information and to enter the contest, visit www.Path2College529.com.
The Atlanta Hawks Check It Out Reading Challenge, which allows students in K-12 to earn a free game ticket, concludes Aug. 17. Sign up at www.checkitoutreading.com. I

Phillip and Tammy Queen of Adairsville brought their sons Christian (in blue) and Alex to the Atlanta Braves Colorado Rockies game at Turner Field on June 30, the first of three planned Georgia Public Library Days at the stadium this summer. Each family member brought their PINES cards, issued by the Bartow County Library System, earning them Braves posters featuring all-star players Tim Hudson and Dan Uggla. The remaining two Georgia Public Library Days at Turner Field will be held on Aug. 18 and Sept. 15.

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August 2013 Georgia Public Library Service News

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CONTACT US
Georgia Public Library Service 1800 Century Place, Suite 150 Atlanta, GA 30345-4304 404.235.7200 404.235.7201 fax www.georgialibraries.org
Lamar Veatch, state librarian David Baker, editor Dustin Landrum, assistant
Georgia Public Library Service News (ISSN 1546-511X) is published bimonthly by the Georgia Public Library Service, the state agency that supports public libraries and works with them to improve the quality and variety of library services available to Georgia citizens of all ages.
This publication is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Georgia Public Library Service under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act.
Information presented in this newsletter will be provided in alternative formats on request. For more information about Georgia's libraries and literary events, or to post an event, visit our online calendar at www.georgialibraries.org

Courtesy Cobb County Public Library System

The sound of silence
On July 26, Atlanta's NBC television affiliate 11 Alive filmed part of its morning news and talk show on the square in Marietta. The Cobb County Public Library System (CCPLS) helped ensure quiet on the square before the telecast began. From left, Library Director Helen Poyer leads the big "Shhh!" provided by CCPLS staff members Jill Tempest, Patty Latch, Julia Huprich, Jennifer Wells, Janice Gillpatrick, Beth Silzle, Linda Hoynes (executive director of the Cobb Library Foundation) and Jonathan McKeown. CCPLS hosts its own original programming on TV23, Cobb County's public-access channel. Full episodes of "The Library Show" are available on the CCPLS website at www.cobbcat.org/library-show, as well as from the county's website and on YouTube.

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