Georgia Public Library Service news, Vol. 13, no. 4 (Feb. 2016)

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

volume 13, issue 4 I February 2016

Staff Staff
Staff

State Rep. Ed Rynders (left), R-Leesburg, joined first lady Sandra Deal (right) and Walker (second from left) at the state Capitol on Jan. 27 to present Claire Leavy with a commendation honoring the Lee County Library as Georgia's Library of the Year from Gov. Nathan Deal.

Librarian of the Year Schaefer (front center) was congratulated by GPLS staff members and library system directors from across the state. From left are Nate Rall, Jessica Everingham, Beth McIntyre, Walker, Ben Carter, Stacy Brown, Stephen Houser, Natalie Marshall and Leavy.

Lee County Library is Georgia Library of the Year

Steve W. Schaefer, Kathryn Ash honored as top librarian, champion

On Jan. 7, Georgia Public Library
Service announced the winners of three inaugural Georgia Public Library Awards, honoring the outstanding service and achievements of Georgia's public libraries, librarians and library champions. "We're so pleased to be able to recognize the work of those who help make our libraries exceptional," said State Librarian Julie Walker.
Georgia's 2015 Public Library of the Year is the Lee County Library. Presented to the library whose staff best exemplifies the qualities needed to positively impact the lives of residents in the communities it serves, the award was presented by Walker to the library at the Lee County Board of Commissioners meeting in Leesburg on Jan. 12.

"We couldn't be more happy than for our system to be named Library of the Year," said Director Claire Leavy. "This is an amazing honor for our employees, for our
Walker presents Kathryn Ash with the Public Library Champion of the Year award.

library board and for our community. It proves that the support we receive from our local governments and elected officials, school system and Economic Development Authority is paying off, positioning Lee County addresses to be among the most sought after in the state."
Georgia's 2015 Public Librarian of the Year is Steve W. Schaefer, who retired this year from his position as director of the Madisonbased Uncle Remus Regional Library System. The award recognizes a fulltime and professionally licensed public librarian whose innovative and creative talents are instrumental in the delivery of outstanding library service to his or her library and the communities it serves. Schaefer received the award at a Jan. 20
See Awards, page 2

Governor's FY2017 budget includes funding for libraries

Gov. Nathan Deal again recognized the importance of
knowledge and lifelong learning to Georgians on Jan. 14, when he presented his $23.7 billion spending plan for Fiscal Year 2017 to the General Assembly. Although the governor's budget proposal represents a high water mark for state spending in a single year, when measured on a per capita basis, the $1.9 billion increase over 2016 returns overall state spending to its pre-recession levels.
Nearly 51 percent of the governor's proposal for FY2017 is for expenditures related to resources for education. It includes $2 million in funds for major repair and renovation (MRR) projects at public libraries, along with $2 million for computer replacement and $670,421 for merit salary increases and retention initiatives for state-paid library employees.
"We are very grateful that Gov. Deal has included these essential infrastructure expenditures for the state's public libraries," said State Librarian Julie Walker. "The MRR funds will ensure that we can continue to care for the state's investment in library facilities by performing vital maintenance and updating."
"If approved by the legislature, the construction MRR grant will provide facility improvements and repairs to approximately 50 facilities in 33 counties for 22 of our library systems," said Nathan Rall, GPLS's director of library planning and construction.
The technology funds will provide the important infrastructure for the broadband network that provides free public computing at libraries in every county in Georgia, Walker noted. "This money will ensure the continued availability of equipment for individuals who rely on public libraries for their technological needs to pursue educational resources, apply for jobs and develop and operate small businesses."
In the past two years, every library in Georgia has received a minimum tenfold increase in bandwidth, with

an average increase of 2,500 percent, Walker explained. With computer replacement funding in the past three years, Georgia libraries replaced or added approximately
7,000 public-access machines.

"Now, we need more infrastruc-

ture, and we are so excited for the

opportunities this funding affords

us," said Emily Almond, GPLS's

director of information technology.

"Georgia public libraries have come

far in recent years, from statewide

broadband upgrades and computer

Almond

replacements to the opening of more

than a dozen makerspaces across the

state. This FY2017 funding will allow us to fill in gaps

and continue growing.

"To continue meeting patron needs, libraries have an urgent requirement for technical infrastructure upgrades, the foundation on which we serve up almost all of our technology-related services. The opportunity to reinforce this backbone means that libraries will be able to serve our patrons seamlessly for years to come."

An added bonus is the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) current E-rate modernization order allotting an additional $2 billion for anchor institutions to specifically address that essential technical infrastructure, including wireless hot spots, firewalls, routers, wiring, servers and managed services. According to the FCC formula, if Georgia can secure funding of $2,137,898, the state will be guaranteed federal funds totaling $11,877,213. "If approved, the computer replacement funding for public libraries in the governor's request would effectively provide these matching funds," Almond said.

The General Assembly will use Gov. Deal's recommendations as a starting point to develop and pass the state's budget, which the governor will then sign or veto. I

Awards

Continued from page 1 ceremony at the Morgan County Library.
"I am very honored and touched by this award, especially since I am the first to receive it," said Schaefer. "I am certain that there are many who deserved the award more than

I, but I love it all the same. Advocating for public libraries is no job for cowards or the demure. I have made friends and enemies during my career, but I am equally grateful to both since they made me all the more dedicated to a relentless crusade to provide quality public

library service to each and every resident of Georgia."
Georgia's 2015 Public Library Champion of the Year is Kathryn Ash, current president of the Friends of Georgia Libraries and a trustee of
See Awards, page 5

2
Georgia Public Library Service News February 2016

Holt Webb

Library Journal names Dade County as finalist for 2016 Best Small Library in America award
The LaFayette-based Cherokee
Regional Library System's (CRLS) Dade County Library has been named a finalist for Library Journal's 2016 Best Small Library in America award. The honor comes with a $10,000 cash award to fund continued excellence in the library field.

In its announcement, the

magazine stated the Dade County Library stood out from a field of

From left: Dade County Library staff members Sharp, Tasha Denton, Dave Connis and April Tinker

strong nominees due to its focus on six Children's Discovery Centers for

two temporary homes until local

innovative programming and

checkout to teachers and a loan

government funding could be

collaboration with the local

program for outdoor games that

restored.

community.

includes co-sponsored regular

programming in the park.

"The Dade County Library would

The Dade County Library has

not be open today without the

served as a state model on various

Most notably, however, the

support and love of the local

Georgia Public Library Service pilot

judges were inspired by the

community, and we certainly would

projects, including the

community's love of the Dade

never have received this award

implementation of Chromeboxes,

County Public Library. According to

without them," said Lecia Eubanks,

the circulation of preloaded Kindles

Branch Manager Marshana Sharp, library director for CRLS. "The extent

and the PRIME TIME Preschool

when the library's funding reached

to which the library is used, the

project, which targeted at-risk, low- rock bottom due to the financial

number of new patrons who come

income families -- most of them

devastation of a trio of tornadoes

in each year, and the financial

first-time library users.

that swept through the county in

support of its funding agencies and

April 2011 -- including one that

patrons all made the Dade County

Inventive programs also made

split open the library's roof and

Library stand out as one of the top

positive impressions on the judging

damaged more than 27,000 volumes three best small libraries in

panel. These include the library's

-- the local community raised

America."

Innovation Station makerspace, its

$52,777 to keep the library open in

In addition to the $10,000 cash

award, the library will receive

GPLS offers training for library strategic plans

conference costs for two representatives to attend and be

GPLS is partnering with Library Strategies, a consulting group within
The Friends of the Saint Paul (Minn.) Public Library, to provide training on its innovative strategic planning method, Rapid Results Planning (RRP). Fourteen librarians will be participating in a Feb. 23-24 training

recognized at the Public Library Association's 2016 annual conference, to be held April 5-9 in Denver.

session at Amicalola State Park.

The library and its staff will

"RRP is a community-focused planning process for use in a short See RRP, page 9

celebrate their national recognition by hosting a reception for the

community Feb. 12. I

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February 2016 Georgia Public Library Service News

Libraries continue to prove relevance as demand increases for both traditional, electronic services

Once again proving their future is for expansion not
extinction, public libraries in Fiscal Year 2015 continued to add patrons, resources, services and -- for the first time in seven years, hours -- to meet the needs of residents across the state.
"In a time when some people asked if libraries are still relevant, we were pleased to see that more than 200,000 people signed up for library cards this year," said State Librarian Julie Walker. "That's an impressive 5 percent increase in cardholders, pushing our total past 4.36 million."
Nearly 43 percent of all Georgians now hold a valid, and active, library card.
"More and more people of all ages are finding that their community libraries are evolving to match the technology of the times, continuing to offer reliable information, educational support at every level, innovative and entertaining programming and much more," Walker said.
Indeed, attendance at library programs spiked nearly 25 percent in FY2015, to 2,335,886. That eclipses the 20 percent increase in the number of programs offered. Many author events and even some children's storytimes have become so popular that libraries are having to issue tickets on a first-come, first-served basis for them. The Hall County Library System is one whose programming has definitely "taken off" in the past year, according to Director Lisa MacKinney.
"The number of children's offerings, as well as program attendance, increased by 10 percent here," she said. "In fact, we've had to implement a stroller-parking plan and, MacKinney in some cases, hand out tickets during popular summer reading events. We've also experienced great success on our gaming nights, with Minecraft play nights being particularly popular. We have increased the number of sessions at all our branches, and we still have to take registrations ahead of time to make sure we have enough computers available."
MacKinney acknowledged that it is sometimes

challenging for staff members to handle registrations and pass out tickets for first entry.
"But patrons seem to appreciate that we value their time and want to make sure their families have the best experience possible," she said. "No one wants to show up for an event only to be told that it's sold out, and we would rather add more programs than turn anyone away."
Overall, Georgia's libraries once again welcomed nearly 30 million visitors last year. "In addition to welcoming their traditional walk-in patrons, libraries have begun offering so many resources than can be accessed remotely from home or office," Walker pointed out. "These virtual library visits are becoming an increasingly popular alternative for those who are unable, for whatever reason, to visit in person."
The newest addition to GALILEO, Mango Languages, is proving to be a big winner for those accessing the suite on site and remotely through Georgia's public libraries. According to Wendy Cornelisen, assistant state librarian for library innovation and collaboration, residents took more than 15,000 of Mango's online courses in just the first three months.
"While Spanish is by far the most popular language and English-as-asecond-language classes rank among Cornelisen the top offerings," she said, "it's surprising to see how many people are interested in Latin, especially in Hall County, and in Romanian, which has been popular at Live Oak Public Libraries. And English for Korean speakers is a top pick for the Sara Hightower Regional Library."
The soaring nationwide popularity of e-book readers, including Kindle and Nook, is especially true in Georgia, Cornelisen noted. "As various types of resources grow in popularity," she said, "libraries must continue to stretch their budget dollars to give patrons what they want. It is essential that libraries continuously reinvent themselves for changing times and provide access to content in all forms. Library administrators are making stronger efforts to track the number of downloadable resources and
See Libraries, page 5

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Georgia Public Library Service News February 2016

Staff

Awards
Continued from page 2
the Jefferson-based Piedmont Regional Library System (PRLS). Presented to an outstanding advocate who was not employed in any capacity by a public library but whose support significantly raised the profile of libraries and improved services during the year, the award was given to Ash at a Jan. 15 ceremony at PRLS's Winder branch library.

"To be chosen to receive this award is an immense honor -- and hugely humbling, considering that Georgia's public libraries are championed by so many dedicated library supporters," Ash said.
All winners were also recognized at a Jan. 27 ceremony during Georgia Council for Public Libraries' Public Library Day at the Capitol, where they received commendations from Gov. Nathan Deal.
Nominations were submitted from public library directors, members of recognized Friends groups and GPLS staff members. Collectively, GPLS received more than 30 nominations -- from every corner of the state -- for the three awards.

Lee County Library staff includes: (front row) Derry Rogers, Claire Leavy, Deanna Wiggins and Joy Godwin; (middle row) Kim Spencer, Elaine Hogsend, Joshua Carpenter, Rachel Russell and Leslie Partridge; and (back row): Michael Kennedy, Andrew Tillman, Ben Young and Thomas Graham.

"Each of our winners received multiple nominations, but the selection process was exceptionally tough, because all the nominees were deserving of recognition," said Wendy Cornelisen, assistant state librarian for library innovation and collaboration, who served as chair of the selection committee.
"While Georgia libraries and librarians often win local and

national recognition, we wanted to establish this awards program as a way of enabling the state to shine its own light on the achievements of our public librarians, libraries and champions," Cornelisen explained.
"And by calling attention to their innovative and creative work, we hope to inspire others through their examples." I

Libraries

Continued from page 4 e-books that they are providing, so we have a clearer picture than ever this year of their importance."
All is not rosy for libraries, however, as physical materials holdings remained stagnant at about 16.5 million in FY2015, and circulation of those materials declined by about 4 percent. "After seven years with little to no state funding for books and other materials, Georgia's public libraries are seeing a negative impact on circulation due to the lack of new

titles and of updated collections," Walker said.
"Georgia Council for Public Libraries, an advocacy group composed of library leaders from across the state, has targeted materials funding as its top priority for 2016, citing the importance of updating nonfiction collections, meeting the demand for new and popular titles and satisfying the growing requests for more and more current children's materials.
"Additionally, public libraries are

facing a dilemma in how best to allocate their scarce materials funding as the demand for both print books and electronic resources, such as downloadable audio books and video, e-books and e-magazines, continues to grow.
"Demand is also up for music and movies on CD and DVD," she said, "and these competing needs are forcing librarians to make difficult choices as they strive to meet the needs and desires of the increasingly diverse communities they serve." I

5
February 2016 Georgia Public Library Service News

All photos from Library Day at the Capitol by GPLS News staff

Sen. Freddie Powell Sims (left), D-Dawson, chats with Dougherty County Public Library Director Pauline Abidde.
Holly Phillips, director of the MoultrieColquitt County Library and Rep. Sam Watson, R-Moultrie

Brunswick Library Manager Lori Hull, Marshes of Glynn Libraries Director Geri Mullis and library board Chair Jane Lafferty

Directors Delana Hickman (Sara Hightower Regional Library System) and Kathryn Youles (Screven-Jenkins Regional Library System)

Legislators meet with librarians

at GCPL's annual day at Capitol

The Georgia Council of Public
Libraries (GCPL) sponsored its annual Public Library Day at the Capitol on Jan. 27.
A record 130-plus people, representing 34 library systems, turned out for the event, which gives staff, trustees and supporters from across the state the opportunity to meet informally with their officials in the General Assembly.
Volunteers served nearly 1,000 Varsity hot dogs, sides and drinks to the hundreds of legislators, staff and

members of the public who showed up in support of public libraries.
"We had an outstanding day with many firsts, including a presentation from first lady Sandra Deal and the GPLS awards ceremony featuring several library leaders and legislators," said Jimmy Bass, president of GCPL and director of the Coweta County Library System. "These new additions, along with the traditional hot dog lunch and the sheer number of volunteers made 2016 Public Library Day one for the record books." I

Sandra Deal; Librarian of the Year Steve W. Schaefer; Rep. Susan Holmes, R-Monticello; Rep. Dave Belton, R-Buckhead; and Walker
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Georgia Public Library Service News February 2016

Jonathan McKeown (center) and Director Helen Poyer of the Cobb County Public Library show Rep. Matt Dollar, R-Marietta, a mechanical hand produced by the library's 3-D printer.

The crowd gathers for the awards presentation.

Jennifer Lautzenheiser, director of the Middle Georgia Regional Library

Scott Parham and Director Rosalind Lett of the Clayton County Library System

Sandra Deal; Beth McIntyre, director of the Piedmont Regional Library System; Public Library Champion of the Year Kathryn Ash (holding her commendation from Gov. Nathan Deal); Sen. Frank Ginn, R-Danielsville; and Walker

Staff

Deal, Dickey, Lewis and State Librarian Julie Walker
First Lady donates books on Governor's Mansion history to every public library in state
First lady Sandra Deal will donate a copy of
Memories of the Mansion: The Story of Georgia's Governor's Mansion to every public library in Georgia. The announcement was made in partnership with GPLS and the Georgia Council of Public Libraries during Public Library Day at the state Capitol on Feb. 27.
"We wanted to make Memories of the Mansion available to everyone in Georgia, and the best way we know how is to have a copy available at every public library in the state," said Deal. "Public libraries are a wonderful resource for the people of Georgia, and they will now allow for these historical photos and stories to be cherished for free."
The book, co-authored by Kennesaw State University history professors Dr. Catherine M. Lewis and Dr. Jennifer W. Dickey, launched in September of 2015 at the Atlanta History Center. Deal and her co-authors worked closely with the families of past governors Lester Maddox, Jimmy Carter, George Busbee, Joe Frank Harris, Zell Miller, Roy Barnes and Sonny Perdue to obtain and include their memories and behind-the-scenes photos of life in the mansion.
"The success of Memories of the Mansion has been overwhelming," said Lewis, "and we are pleased to see it going into its third printing. What began as Mrs. Deal's dream to document the history of the mansion has become an important legacy for our state, one that will preserve the history of this important landmark for generations to come." I
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February 2016 Georgia Public Library Service News

Staff

GLASSed in
On Jan. 14 at the Georgia Archives in Morrow, the Georgia Libraries for Accessible Statewide Services (GLASS) held a one-day strategic planning conference to help cultivate awareness of GLASS services. Back row (by far rail, from bottom): Pat Herndon, director of GLASS; Teneka Williams, manager of the GLASS Distribution Center in Morrow; Arlene Freeman, outreach librarian for the Southwest Georgia Library for Accessible Services in Bainbridge; and Kristen Eberhart, outreach services manager for the Augusta-Richmond County Library System (ARCLS). Center row: Rachel Kee, outreach specialist for ARCLS; Lydia Peters, outreach specialist for the Sara Hightower Regional Library (SHRL) in Rome; Beverly Williams, manager of GLASS Atlanta; and Carolyn Wilkerson, outreach specialist for SHRL. Front row: Stephanie Irvin, outreach librarian for GLASS; and Mallory Lawrence, Ann Gagnier, B.J. Pyrzenski and Pete Hayek, outreach specialists for the Athens Regional Library System.
8
Georgia Public Library Service News February 2016

GLASS sponsors second accessible library services conference in March
GPLS and its Georgia Libraries for Accessible
Statewide Services (GLASS) network will host the state's second Accessible Library Services Conference, "Building Bridges to Accessible Services," March 21-23 at the Lake Blackshear Resort in Cordele.
"I am really looking forward to everything we will be offering to this year's attendees," said Pat Herndon, GLASS director. "Whereas last year's event was theoretical, providing a framework for thinking about accessible services, this year's focus will be on process-oriented, nuts-and-bolts presentations that will suggest specific approaches that libraries can take for implementing those services."
The event's keynote speaker will be Mark Johnson, director of advocacy at Shepherd Center in Atlanta and chair of the ADA Legacy Project. Conference sessions will concentrate on improving service for patrons with disabilities; accommodating patrons who need to bring service animals into libraries; mobile applications that provide access to braille and talking books directly from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) program; and a review of 2015 conference ideas that already have been turned into library programming.
Herndon and GLASS staff members Beverly Williams, Vanessa Meadows and Stephanie Irvin will also provide updates on GLASS, including its outreach and distribution services, the accessibility toolkits that it provides to libraries; and its partnerships with PINES and the overall NLS Talking Book and Braille program.
Registration for the Accessible Library Services Conference is now open. Visit www.georgialibraries.org/glass/gac/ to learn more or to access registration forms and materials. The conference 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. I

Staff Staff

Uong (far right) conducts the session on graphic novels.

Catalogers conference covers array of important topics

The chill on the wind was soothed

"One of the best things about

by the homey warmth of the Fireside the conference is it gives us all an

Room's crackling hearth when over

invaluable chance to talk shop," said

60 public librarians arrived at Unicoi Linh Uong, collection management/

State Park Lodge

PINES operations

in Helen for the

librarian with

2016 Georgia

Northeast

Public Library

Georgia Regional

Cataloger's

Library.

Conference held

Jan. 2527.

The first

guest speaker on

Elaine

the agenda was

Hardy, PINES and

Uong, whose

collaborative

presentation

projects manager Hardy welcomes the conference attendees. for GPLS, played

centered on cataloging a

host to attendees while also pulling growing genre in many collections

shifts as a presenter. This was the

-- graphic novels. Robin Fay, portal

third cataloging conference offered, manager at Athens Technical

the last held in 2013, also at Unicoi. College/ATCx3 Consortia, held a

hearty afternoon session on updates

"The aim of this year's

to the Bibliographic Framework.

conference was to provide training

Tina Jordan, former assistant direc-

on several topics and to bring

Georgia's public library catalogers together to share ideas and advice

RRP

on common problems," said Hardy. Continued from page 3

"I always enjoy spending time with

time frame, using a one-day

my colleagues and learning about

listening session with a wide variety

the issues they encounter and how

of community members," explained

they solve them."

Wendy Cornelisen, assistant state

librarian for library innovation and

The conference included topics

collaboration. "It results in an action-

pertinent to all library systems and a oriented strategic plan created by

special session called a "CatFest"

the community's stakeholders that

addressing all manner of cataloging gives public library staff goals to

issues and tricks of the trade.

work toward. Our attendees will

tor of bibliographic management from Chestatee Regional Library, closed out the conference with a session on local holdings records.
Despite the wintry downfall that kept many indoors, spirits were high and attendees enjoyed the camaraderie of lively discussion and instruction.
Christy Southard, technical processes manager for Sequoyah Regional Library System, said, "I have heard nothing but praise from many who attended the conference. I would love to see this become an annual event!"
Hardy's impression was much the same, "We had a successful conference again this year, and I look forward to planning our next one." I
learn to facilitate RRP strategic planning at libraries across the state in the coming year.
"The Georgia Standards for Public Libraries state that libraries operate under a strategic plan. This cohort of trained, experienced librarians will be able to assist libraries that are looking to update their strategic plans." I

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February 2016 Georgia Public Library Service News

NEWS IN BRIEF



Anna Lyle is the new director of

the Forsyth County Public Library

(FCPL), replacing Jon McDaniel,

who retired Dec.

31 (see page 12).

Lyle joined FCPL

in 1999 and most

recently served as

assistant director

for support

services, focusing

on the library's

budget

management,

Lyle

financial operations and human

resource functions. She holds a

Master of Library and Information

Science degree from the University

of WisconsinMilwaukee, a Master

of Arts degree in art history from

Emory University and a Bachelor of

Arts degree in art history from

Furman University in Greenville, S.C.

The board of trustees of the

Chestatee Regional Library System

(CRLS) has appointed Leslie Clark as

its new system director, replacing

Claudia Gibson,

who will retire

March 31. Clark

earned a

bachelor's degree

in sociology from

Florida State

University and a

master's degree

in library and

Clark

information

science from the University of

Alabama. She joins CRLS from the

Gwinnett County Public Library,

where she served as a branch

manager since October 2010. Clark

is a member of this year's PINNACLE

class, the comprehensive, yearlong

leadership program sponsored by

GPLS.

The board of trustees of the Ohoopee Regional Library System has announced that Cameron

Courtesy South Georgia Regional Library Barbara Patterson

Asbell is the

system's new

library director.

She holds a

Master of Library

and Information

Science degree

from Valdosta

State University,

a Bachelor of

Asbell

Science degree

from Georgia Southern University

and an Associate of Science degree

from Abraham Baldwin College. She

was previously the system's

information technology and

cataloging librarian and before that

worked in the

Statesboro

Regional Library

System as its IT

coordinator and

circulation

assistant.

Coty Dees

has been named

Dees

assistant director

Express yourself
Friends volunteer Chuck Cook, Youth Services Librarian Bea Mengel and Circulation Manager Amy Cook transform the Flint River Regional Library System's Chrysler Town & Country van into the Polar Express for use as a float in the Griffin Christmas Parade Dec. 5. Staff paraded beside the "train" dressed in pajamas and robes as Public Services Librarian Evans Millican served as The Conductor. The library won first place in the parade's Best Vehicle category.

for the Camilla-based DeSoto Trail Regional Library. Dees earned a bachelor's degree in English with teaching certification from Georgia Southwestern State University and a master's degree in library and information science from Florida State University. He previously served as a senior library assistant at the Lee County Library.
Arlene Freeman, outreach coordinator for the Southwest Georgia Library for Accessible Services in Bainbridge, has completed work on her master's degree in clinical rehabilitation and mental health counseling at Thomas University.
Family Tree Magazine, the Cincinnati-based how-to publication for readers who want to discover, preserve and celebrate their family histories, has named both the Digital Library of Georgia and the Georgia Archives to its 16th annual listing of the 101 Best Websites for Genealogy. I
Christmas parading
Staff and Friends of the South Georgia Regional Library participated in the Valdosta Christmas Parade on Dec. 5. In honor of the parade theme of "A Christmas Story," they carried a banner encouraging community members to check out the system's holidayrelated books. Front row, from left, are Tea Castellucci, Suzie Butts, Michael Vicente, Celia Strickland, Kathy James, Deborah Antonoff and Mook Rakkasikorn. On the back row are Director Miguel Vicente (in top hat), Jessica Jarrell, Michael Tanner, Megan Whitten, Elizabeth Bright, Dylan Tullos, Debra Cressey, Helen Mitchell and Eric Mathis.

10
Georgia Public Library Service News February 2016

GPLS staff play integral roles at Evergreen conference

The 2016 Evergreen International Conference will be
held April 20-23 at the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel, in the heart of North Carolina's capital. Evergreen is the opensource Integrated Library System (ILS) initially developed by GPLS for use by its PINES statewide resource-sharing consortium and now in use at more than 270 Georgia libraries and in more than 1,000 libraries worldwide.

"We are excited to celebrate Evergreen's 10th birthday, as marked by the PINES go-live date in 2006, throughout the Evergreen community," said PINES Director Elizabeth McKinney.

This year's conference will be

McKinney

hosted by NC Cardinal, a consortium of North Carolina

public libraries that operates similarly to PINES. As befits

the organization that developed the software, however,

GPLS and its employees will play major roles.

forward with the development of this software back in 2004. The idea for Evergreen might have seemed crazy to many people at the time, but it's proved to be a huge -- and worldwide -- success."
Additional conference sessions led by GPLS staff include "You CAN Always Get What You Want: Here's How!" by McKinney and Elaine Hardy, PINES and collaborative projects manager; "Making the Most of Evergreen Reports" by Chris Sharp, PINES system administrator; "Quick Reports" by Terran McCanna, PINES program manager, and Darrell Rodgers of Emerald Data Networks (EDN); "Library Staff Training: The PINES Approach" by McCanna; and "Researching Patron Issues" by Dawn Dale, GPLS Help Desk manager.
Sharp will also join Josh Lamos and Andy Witter of EDN to moderate an Evergreen System Administration Interest Group meeting and discussion in which all attendees are welcome to ask questions and share best approaches to problem solving.

Courtesy Roddenbery Memorial Library

McKinney will introduce and join Julie Walker, Georgia's state librarian, and David Singleton, now director of libraries for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, for "Fireside Chat: Pioneering and Early Development of Evergreen," a conversation about the challenges and triumphs of development and implementation.
"It will be very special for everyone to have David and Julie there to speak about the decision to move
Sign languages
In honor of GALILEO and GPLS offering residents free access to Mango Languages' suite of language-learning resources through public libraries, Roddenbery Memorial Library staff members welcomed December visitors with signs wishing them a Merry Christmas in several languages. Front row, from left, are Director Pamela Grigg, Ernestine Daniels, Janet Boudet, Ann Dickinson and Marcia Brown. Back row, from left, are Sarah Carter, Becky Miller, Thelma Caldwell, Nora Bennett, Shannon Engram, Consuelo Arellano-Sanchez and Audrey Anderson.

In addition, Linh Uong, collection management/ PINES operations librarian for the Clarkesville-based Northeast Georgia Regional Library System, will present "It's GRAPHIC! Best Practices for Cataloging Graphic Novels."
More than 250 library professionals are expected to attend the event. I
Puppetry museum loans resume
Following a seven-month break for museum construction
and renovation, Atlanta's Center for Puppetry Arts' "Passport to Puppetry" program at Georgia's public libraries resumed in January. The program permits residents with valid library cards to pay a free visit to the center's expanded Worlds of Puppetry Museum and its celebrated new Jim Henson wing, which features favorite characters from "Sesame Street," "The Muppet Show," "Fraggle Rock," "The Dark Crystal" and more.
The "Passport to Puppetry" is valid for up to four free museum admissions -- a potential savings of up to $42 per family. In addition, it entitles library patrons to attend a performance at the center and/or participate in a Create-a-Puppet Workshop at a 25 percent discount, when space is available. Complete details are available online at www.puppet.org. I
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February 2016 Georgia Public Library Service News

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Julie Walker, 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

Name-dropper
At its Dec. 3 meeting, the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners recognized Jon McDaniel, who retired Dec. 31, with a proclamation praising his 40 years of work as a librarian and 20 years as director of the Forsyth County Public Library. At the conclusion of the meeting, library board Chair Mary Helen McGruder unveiled the plaque and announced that the library's administration building would be named the Jon McDaniel Administration Building.