Georgia Public Library Service news, 2017 October

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

volume 15, issue 2 I October 2017

Libraries help raise awareness

of dementia, assist caregivers

On Sept. 14, Second Wind Dreams the senses in ways that simulate

(SWD), WSB-TV's Family 2 Family

what it is like to have dementia. The

project and Georgia Public Library

organization's hope is that, at the

Service sponsored a day of special

end of this small period of

events at five metro Atlanta libraries. augmented perception, participants

will take with them a greater sense

The occasion was a celebration of the difficulties dementia can

of International

cause,

Staff

Second Wind

especially as

Dreams Day

their loved

and of the

ones who

20th anniver-

suffer with the

sary of the

disease

nonprofit

attempt to

organization,

complete

Second Wind

common

Dreams, which

everyday tasks.

is active across

the United

"The tour

States and 20

gives us a

other countries, Photographer Ronnie Hoof films an interview with perspective

including the United Kingdom, Canada

Anna Campbell about her experience taking the Virtual Dementia Tour. The segment aired as part of WSB-TV's Family 2 Family program on Sept. 17.

that we don't normally get," explained

and Australia. In Georgia, the events Anna Campbell of Marietta, whose

took place at the Central Library of

grandfather suffered from the

the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library

disease prior to his death. "It allows

System; the Cobb County Public

us to see what they're going

Library System's Switzer Library; the through, even just to put on a

DeKalb County Public Library's

jacket. That was the biggest thing to

Decatur Library; the Forsyth County me: all the confusion. I didn't really

Public Library's Hampton Park

know what I should do or where to

Library; and the Suwanee Branch of go. To get an understanding that

the Gwinnett County Public Library. people live like that every day was

very eye-opening."

Each branch hosted the Virtual

Dementia Tour (VDT), one of the

Campbell took the tour at the

core programs used by SWD to help Switzer Library, where participants

families and professional caregivers. filled the entry lobby all morning.

The VDT outfits participants with

Between the five libraries, more than

devices, such as glasses, headphones, 100 people took the tour, which

gloves and shoe inserts, that alter

See Tour, page 2

State ParkPass program adds backpack loans
Georgia residents can now
check out a stuffed backpack kit at any of the state's 400-plus public libraries and, in combination with an already available state ParkPass, take it with them on a free visit to any of Georgia's State Parks & Historic Sites.
Each co-branded kit includes a sturdy, five-pocket backpack containing a pair of 5x30 binoculars, a guide to Georgia's State Parks & Historic Sites and foldout Pocket Naturalist Guides to Georgia Wildlife, Georgia Birds and Georgia Trees & Wildflowers.
The kits are the latest additions to the popular ParkPass library loan program, which will celebrate its 10-year anniversary in the coming year. More than 100,000 families have checked out and used a ParkPass since Georgia Public Library Service and Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites began the program, which has saved residents more than $1 million in admissions and parking fees.
"Our goal for these backpack kits is to help families learn about nature and the
See Backpacks, page 3

Macon Mayhem, central Georgia libraries team for reading program

The Macon Mayhem has announced a new regional
partnership with Georgia Public Library Service, partnering with nine area public library systems throughout central Georgia to present the Hat Trick for Reading Program for the hockey team's 2017-2018 season.
The program gives students from kindergarten through 12th grade a chance to earn free Mayhem tickets by reading three grade-level-appropriate books through their local public library. Each participating student who reads three books will receive a free Mayhem ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket (limited to two free student tickets per adult ticket purchased). The three games to which students can earn free tickets will take place on Jan. 19, Feb. 2 and Feb. 11.
The program begins Oct. 1 and will run through Jan. 31 at the following systems: Flint River Regional Library, Houston County Public Libraries, Lake Blackshear Regional Library System; Lee County Library; Middle Georgia Regional Library System; Ocmulgee Regional Library

System; Peach Public Libraries; Pine Mountain Regional Library System; and the Twin Lakes Library System.
By encouraging children to read books and rewarding their efforts with the chance to attend an exciting ice hockey game, the program provides the opportunity for both book- and experience-based learning. Mayhem bookmarks will be available at participating library branches throughout the area, as well as at Mayhem home games. The bookmarks will be available at more than 50 public library branches in 30 counties. Once students pick up a bookmark and read three grade-levelappropriate books, they can register online at MaconMayhem.com.
The Macon Mayhem is the reigning champion of the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL), having won the league's President's Cup on April 30. The win brought the city of Macon its first-ever professional hockey championship and its first professional sports championship of any kind in more than 50 years. I

Tour

Continued from page 1 takes about 20 minutes to complete and is then followed by the important post-tour debriefing with an SWD Certified Trainer. During this discussion -- the final step of the tour -- participants use their personal experience to learn what they can do to provide better care for those living with dementia.
Bonnie Kantanen, president of Forsyth County Public Library Friends and Advocates, wanted to experience the VDT because her mother has dementia. Upon completing her experience at the Hampton Park Library, Kantanen said, "I learned that everything for them is a lot harder than I ever imagined. From the beginning, I was hearing these sounds; I couldn't gather my thoughts; everything was so frustrating."
The VDT was developed by SWD founder P.K. Beville, M.S., a specialist in geriatrics, using established as well as firsthand research. "Empathy doesn't come

naturally unless there is a basic understanding of what another person's life is like," said Beville in her Second Wind blog. "But what happens when you are unable to find a connection with another person who needs your help? Worse yet, what if that person is unable to articulate their experience? The Virtual Dementia Tour was created to help gain that understanding."
SWD is the first U.S. organization to focus on enhancing the quality of life for elders and changing society's perception of aging. In addition to sponsoring the VDT, it is known for its work in making elder dreams come true. One of those seniors, 94year-old Lillian Taylor, is a retired librarian who returned to work at a Georgia public library this summer.
"Miss Lillian's dream led to a discussion between Second Wind Dreams and Georgia Public Library Service about how we each serve our communities and how we might work together to serve them in the

future," said June Rondinone, community relations coordinator for SWD.
The September VDT programs served to kick off a formal relationship. "I can truly say that the day was a great success, and we are excited for the future of our partnership," Rondinone said. "Our goal for 2018 is to bring our Family Home version of the Virtual Dementia Tour to every library system in Georgia so they can make them available to the public.
"We also plan to work together on our annual holiday initiative -- called Gifts of Light -- that will fulfill more dreams for our elders and that will provide more holiday gifts and visits for elders who are often alone at that time of year. In 2016, more than 600 volunteers participated in the program, brightening the holiday for more than 1,500 elders."
For more information on the organization, its volunteer opportunities, Gifts of Light and the VDT, visit www.secondwind.org. I

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Georgia Public Library Service News October 2017

N E W S I N B R I E F

Staff

The Georgia Library Association has announced its 2018 officers. Jennifer Lautzenheiser, director of the Middle Georgia Regional Library System in Macon, will serve as vice president-president elect; Oscar Gittemeier, adult outreach librarian for the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System, will be vice president, membership; Mary Young, administrative services librarian for the Uncle Remus Regional Library System, will be secretary; and Tamika Barnes, department head for Perimeter College Library Services, will serve a three-year term as American Library Association Councilor.
Leisl Hammond, branch manager of the Middle Georgia Regional Library System's Jones County Public Library in Gray, was selected to receive the Allan-Perez Scholarship to attend the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL) Conference in St. George, Utah, Sept. 7-9. The scholarship provided conference registration, hotel accommodations and a $500 stipend.

Georgia HomePLACE has awarded five Archives 101 travel scholarships for Georgia public library staff to attend a daylong archives training session. This year's winners are Cheryl Brown of Lake Blackshear Regional Library; Debra Fennell of Ohoopee Regional Library; Agnes Gore of Chestatee Regional Library System; Jean Lenderman of Greater Clarks Hill Regional Libraries; and Jill McAllister of Bartow County Library System. Co-sponsored by Georgia College and the Society of Georgia Archivists, Archives 101 provides basic archival education to people who are on the front lines of caring for records but have not had the benefit of formal training. The Georgia HomePLACE scholarships provide for registration and travel costs up to $250.
Ruth Lightfoot Thompson of Fort Valley passed away Sept. 17, having served many years as a trustee for Peach Public Libraries. I
Backpacks
Continued from page 1 natural wonders we have throughout the state," said State Librarian Julie Walker, "and this objective aligns well with the important role that libraries play in education for all Georgians. From backyards and local parks to any -- or all -- of Georgia's state parks, historic sites and National Park Service lands, the learning opportunities here are endless."

Food for thought
The Sara Hightower Regional Library System's Rockmart Library was among the dozens of Georgia public libraries that served as distribution points for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 2017 Summer Food Service Program. Branch Manager Sharon Cleveland, the library's only full-time employee, drove to the local high school each weekday to pick up the lunches from Polk School District food service staff, then returned the coolers and any leftover lunches back to the school. "Clearly these kids needed the nourishment provided, and we ended up distributing more than 850 meals through the program," she said. "My staff and I made lasting connections with these kids, and they know that their library cares about their health as well as their education."

One for the books
Elaine Black, GPLS's director of youth services, welcomed Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, authors Carmen Agra Deedy and John McCutcheon, and Joe Davich, executive director of the Georgia Center for the Book, to the Georgia table in the Pavilion of the States at the 17th annual National Book Festival, held Sept. 2 in Washington, D.C. From left are Deedy, Davich, Black, McCutcheon and Hayden.

The loan period for the backpack kits is one week, matching that of the ParkPasses, which must be checked out separately. This project is made possible, in part, with funds provided by a grant to GPLS from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). I

Running start
GPLS and GLASS staff members joined other University System of Georgia employees on Sept. 7 for the annual Kaiser Permanente 5K Run/Walk in downtown Atlanta. From left are David Baker, Elizabeth McKinney, Vanessa Meadows, Nakisha McNeal and Lamar Robinson.

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October 2017 Georgia Public Library Service News

Staff Staff

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Staff

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

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

The pros of 'Con
Kristen Timoteo (as Batman adversary Poison Ivy), Hensley Roberts and Victoria Doerr of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System were among library staff from around the state who represented Georgia's public libraries at the annual DragonCon in Atlanta during Labor Day weekend. More than 80,000 people attended this year's event, billed as the world's largest multimedia, popular culture convention focusing on science fiction and fantasy, gaming, comics, literature, art, music and film. Richard Sanders, director of the Hart County Library, coordinated the display on behalf of all the state's public libraries.