Georgia Public Library Service news, 2017 December; GPLS news

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

volume 15, issue 3 December 2017

Georgia Library Association honors Walker

Staff Stacy Brown

The Georgia Library Association (GLA) has honored State Librarian Julie
Walker of the Georgia Public Library Service with the 2017 Nix-Jones Award. Walker received the award Oct. 5 at the Georgia Libraries Conference in Columbus.

"I am particularly honored to receive this award from the Georgia Library Association," said Walker. "I am grateful every day to work with Georgia's outstanding libraries, and I am proud of the work of the dedicated, talented individuals who staff them and support them. I look forward to all we can accomplish."

GLA's highest honor, the Nix-Jones Award honors a practicing librarian for distinguished service to Georgia librarianship. It recognizes substantial contributions to the library profession, such as: stimulation of library development, leadership in library programs, unusual and imaginative services, and outstanding support of Georgia's libraries. Established in 1968, the award is named for Georgia library pioneers Lucille Nix and Sarah Lewis Jones.
The very first Nix-Jones Award recipient was Sara Hightower, namesake of
See Walker, page 3

State Librarian Julie Walker receives the 2017 Nix-Jones award during the Georgia Libraries Conference in Columbus.

PINNACLE class of 2017 receive awards
PINNACLE class of 2017, with Stacy Jones, Walt McBride, Julie Walker and USG Chancellor Steve Wrigley.

The Nancy Guinn Memorial Library hosted a special story time with Rep. Hank Johnson on Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017. More than 75 children and adults listened to Rep. Johnson read Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat. The program was facilitated by the library's youth services team. Rep. Johnson is in his sixth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Georgia's 4th Congressional District, which encompasses parts of DeKalb, Gwinnett and Newton counties and all of Rockdale County.

On Oct. 6, during a special ceremony held at the Georgia Libraries Conference in Columbus, 22 of Georgia's public librarians graduated from the Public Library Institute for New and Creative Leadership Education program, or PINNACLE as it is better known.
PINNACLE was designed by Georgia Public Library Service (GPLS) and the Carl Vinson Institute for Government at the University of Georgia (CVIOG) to prepare public librarians to move into leadership positions within their organizations and provide additional training and instruction for those already in these positions.
See PINNACLE, page 2

PINNACLE
Continued from page 1

Staff

"PINNACLE unlocked my potential to become a great leader and to be the catalyst to unlock the potential of both my staff and patrons," said Marie Vielot, library manager with the Coweta County Public Library System and graduate. "It was a life-altering experience that I will cherish for all my days."
The participants in the program spend a vigorous year on multilayered projects and in group training sessions where their ideas and styles of leadership and management are not only refined, but challenged.
Tracy Walker, youth services coordinator with the Chestatee Regional Library System and a graduate as well, had her own positive takeaways from the program. "I learned so much from our experience and feel, because of it, I have grown significantly as a librarian. I am so grateful to have had this opportunity," said Tracy.
On hand to offer congratulations and present the awards were Steve Wrigley, University System of Georgia chancellor; Stacy Jones, interim director of CVIOG; CVIOG Senior Public Service Associate Walt McBride; and Julie Walker, state librarian.

Staff

PINNACLE graduate Tracy Walker (right center) pictured with (l to r) Stacy Jones and Walt McBride from the UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government and USG Chancellor Steve Wrigley.

"I am especially proud of this year's class and program," said Walker. "We

were able to continue the tradition of equipping our library leaders

to address important issues facing our libraries and communities. I'm happy we were also able to strengthen our relationship with the Carl Vinson Institute."

PINNACLE graduate Marie Vielot (center) pictured with (l to r) Stacy Jones and Walt McBride from the UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government, USG Chancellor Steve Wrigley, and

State Librarian Julie Walker.
Thus far, over 60 public librarians have graduated from PINNACLE, many of

whom go on to be directors at the local and state level or to other vital leadership positions. The class of 2017 is the third

such class, with previous graduates in 2016 and 2008.

As libraries continuously grow, adapt and serve as hubs of their communities, new leaders and thinkers regularly emerge. With this in mind, GPLS and CVIOG are committed to the partnership and the future of Georgia, so plans for a class of 2019 are well underway. Walker is confident the upcoming class will open exciting opportunities for librarians and libraries.

Cameron Asbell

"Each PINNACLE class brings out the best and brightest library talent in Georgia. I have no doubt the next group will join their fellow graduates in driving their libraries ever forward and consistently defining them as primary community resources for knowledge, learning, and enlightenment."
Full moon fun
The Ohoopee Regional Library System's Tattnall County Library and Gordonia-Alatamaha State Park partnered to host the "Full Moon Book Hike." Young hikers answered questions about the moon that were hidden throughout the park at beginning of the hike. By the end of the hike, they had read a whole book and learned about the moon - just in time to see the full moon rise in the park and enjoy hot chocolate!

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Georgia Public Library Service News December 2017

NEWS IN BRIEF

Jessica Everingham was named
director of the West Georgia Regional Library System. Everingham began her duties on Dec. 1. Prior to West Georgia Regional, Everingham served as assistant state librarian for library development and support at GPLS.
Martha Powers-Jones has been named director of the Okefenokee Regional Library System. Powers-Jones will begin work on Jan. 8.
Trent Reynolds is the new director of the Live Oak Public Library System. He began work on Dec. 4.
Effective Jan. 1, Kathy Pillatzki will serve as interim director of the Henry County Library System.

Clayton County Library System welcomes the following staff members: Colin Dube as the headquarters branch librarian and Erica Ware as the Forest Park branch librarian. Nancy Lewis has also been named headquarters branch circulation manager.
Middle Georgia Regional Library has named Saul Hernandez to the position of community engagement coordinator. He will oversee the delivery of library outreach services.
Middle Georgia Regional Library has also named Jennifer Price to the position of business reference Librarian. Jennifer will provide specialized services to business and nonprofit organizations within the middle Georgia area.

The Catoosa County Commission recognized library Youth Services Coordinator Shannon Neal as Catoosa County Employee of the Month. She is the first library employee to win this award.
Walker
Continued from page 1
the Sara Hightower Regional Library System in northwest Georgia.
Past Nix-Jones Award winners include former West Georgia Regional Library director Roni Tewksbury and former Deputy State Librarian David Singleton.
Currently GLA has more than 800 members, representing libraries of all sizes and types, including school, public, academic and special.

Georgia Aquarium

Thank you and happy retirement, David
At the end of September, David Baker retired as the Georgia Public Library Service (GPLS) director of communications and strategic partnerships. Baker served the libraries of Georgia for 13 years.

Baker's passion for improving libraries and the lives of Georgians can be felt and seen in the catalog of GPLS newsletters he wrote, designed and edited. He single-handedly grew circulation to over 10,000 copies per year to libraries, library supporters, and elected officials across the state to keep them regularly updated about the successes of libraries.

In his first week on the job in 2005, Baker started GPLS's strategic partnership program with the Atlanta Hawks in what would become the Check It Out Reading Challenge, the longest-running NBA program of its type. Through his efforts, every Georgia citizen has free or reduced cost access to some of the state's most popular attractions such as Zoo Atlanta, Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites, Michael C. Carlos Museum, Center for Puppetry Arts and many more.
Baker's legacy is reflected in the warm relationships he formed with people within the library community, many of whom became dear friends, and just as many freely received his cheerful guidance and encouragement in their library careers.

Baker poses with a playful penguin at the Georgia Aquarium.

All this and more are why a grateful "Thank You" goes out to David Baker. May his retirement be blissful, full of world travels, Cardinals baseball games, dinners with close friends, and maybe one day, an extended brunch with Stevie Nicks somewhere with a view!

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December 2017 Georgia Public Library Service News

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Tracey Johnson

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 Wendy Cornelisen, assistant state librarian Roy Cummings, contributor Dustin Landrum, contributor

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

History well preserved
The Middle Georgia Archives, permanently housed at the Washington Memorial Library in Macon, won the Georgia Historical Records Advisory Council (GHRAC) Award for Local History Advocacy. The Warner Robins Oral History Project received the Excellence in Archival Program Development by or in a Local Government Repository Award. The Warner Robins Oral History Project is a partnership between the Houston County Public Library, Digital Library of Georgia and several local community partners. Pictured above from left are USG Executive Vice Chancellor Tristan Denley , Muriel Jackson from the Middle Georgia Archives and GHRAC Chair P. Toby Graham.