Georgia Public Library Service news [Vol. 14, no. 3 (Dec. 2016)]

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GEORGIA PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICE

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

volume 14, issue 3 December 2016

Most beautiful Georgia libraries to be honored

Twin peaks
GPLS congratulates the 22 graduates of the 2015-2016 PINNACLE Institute. Pauline Abidde, Alexandra Beswick, Elaine Black, Katie Burnett, Leslie Clark, Kristin Eberhart, Denise Funk, Oscar Gittemeier, Richard Groves, Machelle Hill, Stephen Houser, Adrianne Junius, Cynthia Kilby, Jennifer Lautzenheiser, Jean Mead, Micah Newsome, Leslie Partridge, Martha Powers-Jones, Julia Simpson, Angela Stanley, Miguel Vicente and Teneka Williams were honored at an Oct. 7 graduation ceremony in Athens that was officiated by University System of Georgia Chancellor Hank Huckaby and State Librarian Julie Walker. The comprehensive leadership program was designed and sponsored by GPLS and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government.

W ith the help of residents from around the state, Georgia Public Library Service (GPLS) is looking to identify and recognize the 10 most beautiful public libraries in Georgia. Nominations will be accepted through midnight Dec. 31.
"While a library's beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, our definition includes both interior and exterior style that has held up well over the years," explained State Librarian Julie Walker .
"Nominations will be judged on the overall design of the building, both in form and function , as well as its timelessness. Libraries that are, or were, innovative for their time are also worthy of mention, as are recommendations for facilities whose design singularly reflects and serves its community."

The Georgia librarians selected to partiopate in the 20 76-2017 PINNACLE Institute participated in a retreat at Lake Blackshear during the week of Oct. 10 Walt McBride, senior public service associate for the Carl Vinson Institute of Government-led the sessions. Shown are Cameron Asbell, Stacy Brown, Wanda Brown, Natalie Couch, Jennie Feinberg, Mack Freeman, Teryn Gilliam, Angela G/owchesk1~ Swalena Griffin, Deborah Jackson, De/ana Knight, James O'Neal, Margaret Penn, Brenda Poku, Sarah Reynolds, Scott Routsong, Andrew Vickers, Marie Vie/at, Tracy Walker, Casey Wallace and Mary Young. Stephanie Irvin and Tamika Strong are also members of the 20 76-17 class.

Plans call for the panel of judges to include architectural professionals, including an architectural historian, and GPLS staff members. That panel will review the candidates, and GPLS will announce its choices for Georgia's most beautiful libraries in March 2017. Winners will receive a plaque, be honored at a ceremony to be held at one of the winning libraries and be listed in printed and online materials promoting the 10 buildings as tourist destinations.
See Beautiful, page 3

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Facilities Summit earns rave reviews regionally

N orth Georgia was under a wi ldfire haze, but smoke cou ld not dim inish the vibrant autumn or attendees' spirit s at the 2016 Georgia Publi c Library Service Facilities Summit. The first full conference of its kind for Georgia's libraries was held at Unicoi State Park and Lodge Nov. 14-16.
Conceptual ized by Nathan Rail, GPLS's director of library planning and construction, the summit focused on facility design, bui lding and maintenance. "We designed the co ntent to flow from securing fund ing for library construction projects to opening the doors and keeping facilities going on a nutsand-bolts level," explained Rail.
Attendees heard testimonies from fe llow librarians, including a pa nel discussion by Jennifer Lautzenheiser, director of the Middle Georgia Regional Library; Keith Schuermann, director of the Troup-Harris Regional Library; and Roni Tewskbury, director of the West Georgia Regional Library. They discussed ways of promoting library
Young authors
More than 7, 000 people enjoyed a daylong celebration of literacy Sept. 17 at the 4th Annual Columbus Children's Book Festival. In addition to author presentations, autograph sessions, a Friends book sale and crafts inspired by visiting authors, families enjoyed numerous high-tech "Makes-To-Take" STEAM activities. Pictured are the winners of this year's Young Authors Contest for children in grades K through 5. Bound copies of their books will be added to the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries' permanent collection.

construction projects to elected officials and funding agencies.
Further topics included reading blueprints; choosing build sites; adapting current space; renovating and reusing existing spaces; and how to choose furniture that inspires memorable experiences for patrons.
"In Georgia, we pride ourselves on being excellent stewards of the public funds with which we are entrusted, and the largest of these allocations go into our facilities," said Julie Walker, state librarian, who welcomed conference attendees. "As we work to fund new and expanded libraries in many communities, and as we carefully maintain and update our existing facilities, this learning opportunity will help library professionals make the best decisions."
The idea for the summit was a slow-burning one for Rail, who spent years laying the foundation for this event. "We conducted information sessions on a much smaller scale in the past and received a warm
Fair deal
The Cheely family - dad Gary, Mackenzly, prizewinner Cannon and mom Autumn enjoyed a day at the Georgia National Fair this October courtesy of the Peachtree City Library The Georgia Agriculture Exposition Authority, GPLS and other sponsors teamed to promote summer reading this year by providing a winning reader aged 5-12 at each of the 400-plus libraries in the state with a family four-pack of tickets to the fair

reception from those involved," Rail said. "But we had much more information we wanted to share. With valuable input from the libraries, we were ready to expand to a full three days this year."
Rail reached out to libraries in neighboring states. Not long after invitations were sent, colleagues from South Carolina and Tennessee were reserving spots. Attendees also included local officials and library trustees who play crucial roles in ensuring construction projects see the light of day.
For some out-of-state guests, the summit came at just the right time. "As a library director excited to build a new branch and renovate and expand an existing branch at the same time, this training has prepared me for the challenging work ahead," said Rhonda Clement Tippitt, director of the Sevier County (Tenn.) Public Library System. "I now have lists to use and notes to review as our library system grows."
Another panel discussion turned the audience's attention toward a topic librarians hope to never need to utilize- disaster planning . It was led by Tewksbury; Ben Carter, director of the Uncle Remus Regional Library System; and lecia Eubanks, director of the Cherokee Regional Library, a system that was hit by a devastating tornado in 2011.
Eubanks spoke about rallying her staff, the outpouring of support from her community and effective ways to reach out to disaster relief agencies. Carter and Tewksbury, both of whom experienced floods in branch libraries, explained what information needs to be im mediately available when disaster strikes.
See Summit, page 3

Georgia Public Library Service News December 2016

Summit _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Continued from page 2 Professional architects, contractors, interior designers
and construction project managers also gave attendees a finer understanding of what is possible within the scope of the usability, adaptability and sustainability of their buildings.
Rieta Drinkwine, director of the Union County (S.C.) Carnegie Library, found this aspect of her summit experience a valuable one. "As a new director inheriting a construction project, it was just what I needed," said Drinkwine. "It was refreshing to get an objective, educational perspective from industry professionals as opposed to a sales pitch."
Ra il sai d he is proud of the rave reviews accorded the conference. "I am as happy as a lark," he said. "Many people have expressed their delight with the experience, and all of the positive feedback has us wanting to do this again soon."
Beautiful
Continued from page 1 To nominate a public library for this honor, submit
the facility's name, street address, and up to 400 words explaining why it should be considered one of the state's most beautiful libraries to beautiful@georgialibraries.org. Additional supporting materials, including up to three pictures, may be included with each submission.
"We hope this list will both honor the architectural artistry of our public libraries and inspire visitors for many years to come," Walker said.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Roy Cummings has joined GPLS as its digita l communications manager, leading the agency's web and social media efforts. Cummings has more than 10 years
of experience in libraries, including web development, graphic design, research, social media oversight and photography. He joins GPLS from the Clayton County Library System, where he served as virtual services librarian .

Georgia Libraries for Accessible

Statewide Services (GLASS) we lcomed

Cummings

two new employees in October. Keith Haun is now the organization's

technology support librarian, and Nakisha McNeal has

joined GLASS as a reader advisor.

Friends of Georgia Libraries President Dan Aldridge received this year's Georgia Historical Records Advisory Council Award for Excellence in Documenting Georgia's History. Aldridge was honored for his book To Lasso the Clouds: The Beginning of Aviation in Georgia at a ceremony held at the Georgia Archives on Oct. 26.

The Georgia Council of Public Libraries' annual Public Library Day at the Capitol event will take place on Feb . 8. The three-day 2017 Georgia Catalogers' Conference wi ll also begin that day at Unicoi State Park and Lodge in Helen . Additional details of both events wi ll be announced in January.

The Walking Read
Proving that there's nothing librarians love more than brains, a roving pack of zombie librarians were among the most popular attractions at this year's Atlanta's Little Five Points Halloween Parade on Oct. 15. From left are: Ashley Daniels of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System and DeKalb County Public Library staff members Sara Sellers, Jennifer Barczak, Fran Dotson, Haley Sheehy and Claudia Irwin.

USDA approval
On Oct. 27, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Satilla Regional Library (SRL) system announced a series of Rural Development Community Facility Grant awards totaling $125,000 that will be used to substantially upgrade the library system through technology improvements at all six public libraries serving Coffee and Atkinson counties. From left are SRL trustees Betty Royal, Elise Leverette and Melissa Ferguson; Library Director Mark Cole; trustees Sonya Malphus and Cynthia Strickland Lewis; Charles White of U.S. Sen. David Perdue's staff," U.S. Rep. Rick Allen (R-Ga.-12); Donnie Thomas, Jeanmarie Deloach and Shandolyn Smith of the USDA, Jody Redding of U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson's staff," Donovan Head of U.S. Rep. Austin Scott's staff,- and trustee Chris Trowell.
December 2016 Georgia Public Library Service News

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GEORGIA PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICE
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Georgia Public Library Service 1800 Century Place, Suite 150 Atlanta, GA 30345-4304 404.235.7200 404 .235 .7201 fax www.georgialibraries.org
Julie Walker, state librarian David Baker, editor Dustin Landrum, assistant
Georgia Public Library Service News (ISSN 1546-5 11 X) is pu bl ished bim onthly by t he Georgia Public Li brary Service , the state agency that supports pub lic li braries and wo rks w ith t hem to improve t he quality and variety of library services ava ilable to Georgia citizens of all ages.
This publication is ma de possible by a grant f rom the U.S. Instit ute of M useum and Library Services to t he Georgia Publ ic Library Service under t he provisions of t he Library Services and Techn ology Act.
Information presented in t his newsletter w ill be provided in alternative format s on req uest For more information abo ut Georgia's libraries and lite rary event s, or to post an event, visit our onlin e ca len dar at www.georgialibraries.org

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Fall tales
Nearly 100 children, parents and caregivers attended the 14th Annual Storytelling Fall Festival at the McDonough Public Library in Henry County The festivities included a costume parade through the library, along with crafts, cookies and captivating folk stories that delighted children and parents alike. The library's decorations included the Parade of Pumpkins, an annual event sponsored by the Henry County Arts Alliance, in which decorated pumpkins are displayed around the county prior to their arrival at the library