Georgia Public Library Service news, Vol. 3, no. 1 (Spring 2005)

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

vol. 3, issue 1 I Spring 2005

Erika Abello

Friends of Georgia Libraries holds membership meeting

Citizens from across the state
answered the call to help develop the future of a new, statewide Friends of Georgia Libraries (FOGL) organization at its first official gathering at Conyers' Nancy Guinn Memorial Library on April 22.
FOGL's steering committee president, Lianne Keeney of Dahlonega, welcomed approximately 70 people to the membership meeting. She explained that FOGL's aim is to create an informed statewide voice for Georgia's libraries through a grassroots network of concerned citizens who wish to communicate the value of their local public libraries as essential to their communities.
"It's a history-making day," said Glenn Newsome, legislative

State Librarian Dr. Lamar Veatch (far right) congratulates members of the newly elected FOGL Board of Directors (from left): Wally Eberhardt, friend of the Athens Regional Library System; Jenny McCurdy, trustee/friend of the DeKalb County Public Library; Lianne Keeney, FOGL steering committee president; Darro Willey, director of the DeKalb County Public Library; Kathryn Ames, director of the Athens Regional Library System; Lyn Hopper, director of the Chestatee Regional Library System; Caryl Hanson, president of the Friends of the Gilmer County Public Library; Mary Lee Davis, trustee of the DeKalb County Public Library; and Debbie Manget, director of the Conyers-Rockdale Library System.

consultant for the Georgia Council of Public Libraries. He discussed the recent state legislative session and assured the crowd that the new legislature will be listening to what FOGL and its members have to say. "[Members of the legislature] have a better understanding of the needs

of public libraries than ever before," he said.
State representative -- and FOGL member -- Robert Mumford (R-Conyers) echoed Newsome's statements and pledged his
See FOGL, page 4

Kids and parents gearing up for summer of FUNtastic Reading

The theme of this year's Vacation Reading Program is
"FUNtastic Reading!" Children's book illustrator Phoebe Stone brings the program to life with fanciful artwork featuring frolicsome felines performing in a "FUNtastic" big-top extravaganza.

Phoebe Stone's cat-centric artwork is a cornerstone of this year's "FUNtastic Reading!" program for Georgia and its partner states Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina and Virginia.

Studies have shown that school-age children who continue to read throughout their vacation from school maintain or improve language, vocabulary and reading skills, while children who do not read are more likely to see decreases in those skills.
See Summer reading, page 3

A MESSAGE FROM YOUR STATE LIBRARIAN

by Dr. Lamar Veatch
This past April, the Friends of Georgia Libraries (FOGL) held its first membership meeting. This marked the beginning of a vital support mechanism for Georgia's libraries. Effective library advocacy at both the state and local levels is necessary if libraries are to receive a fair share of public funds they require to provide needed public services.
FOGL has been born out of a need by library advocates to tell the library system's story to make it known to the decision makers at all levels of government that libraries are not obsolete, quaint relics.
On the contrary, libraries have an important part to play in our society; one that espouses equality, democracy and access to information in all its forms.
This new statewide organization is beginning with great promise and ambition. There is enthusiasm and a sense of purpose among the organizers and early joiners. But to be truly successful, FOGL is going to need committed members all over Georgia who are willing to speak up and speak out for libraries. I urge you to be part of this exciting new adventure.
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Georgia Public Library Service News Spring 2005

Libraries to participate in Virtual High School

Numerous patrons visiting Georgia
libraries were able to witness firsthand the conclusion of the legislative process when Governor Sonny Perdue signed legislation creating the Georgia Virtual High School (GVHS) on May 4.

System. "Our attendees included patrons, press, library board members, elected officials and staff," she explained. "We were pleased that several patrons were attracted by the event and dropped by to pick up literature."

Governor Perdue visited Winder-

"We had a good time in

Barrow High School to highlight the Metter," said Lois Roberts, director

official opening of the Internet-

of the Statesboro Regional Library

based public high school. GVHS will System, which hosted the event at

give students in any region of the

the temporary site of Metter's L.C.

state access to more than 60 online Anderson Memorial Library. "We put

courses, including 12 Advanced

signs on the computers, `Access

Placement and a variety of summer Virtual High School Here,' and

courses.

demo-ed the Florida site," Roberts

said. Between 30 and 35 people

"In this era of information

attended, including the school

technology, we can provide our

superintendent, mayor and city

students with the AP and other

manager of Metter; the county

advanced courses they need to

commission chair; and the county

succeed," said Governor Perdue.

administrator of Candler County.

"The Georgia Virtual High School

will help offer an excellent education

Jim Cooper, director of the

to all Georgia students regardless of West Georgia Regional Library

where they live."

System, said the

Jim Rickerson

staff at the Paulding

The bill-signing

County Library in

ceremony was

Dallas hopes they

broadcast live via

were able to use the

the Internet by

event to create a

Georgia Public

positive gathering

Broadcasting to 14 Patrons watch the broadcast at the

and image for the

high schools and 10 Anderson Memorial Library in Metter. library. "I know the

public libraries

news coverage will

across the state, with students

be positive and informative,"

interacting remotely. Any computer Cooper said. "This event was a good

with Internet access, including those networking opportunity for the

at public libraries, can be used to

library."

access the virtual classes. Students

can register by visiting

Other participating public

www.gavirtualschool.org.

libraries include: the Brunswick-

Glynn County Library, the

At the Blackshear Place Branch

Roddenbery Memorial Library in

Library in Gainesville, staff and

Cairo, the Clarkesville-Habersham

patrons who attended made it clear County Library, the Terrell County

that they think a virtual high school Public Library in Dawson, the Carrie

for Georgia is a great idea, said Lisa Dorsey Perry Memorial Library in

MacKinney, assistant director for

Nashville, the Rome-Floyd County

human resources and public

Library and the Waycross-Ware

relations for the Hall County Library County Public Library.

Thrashers and Hawks join summer reading program in Cobb, Fulton

In partnership with Georgia Public Library Service, the
Atlanta Thrashers and Atlanta Hawks are challenging young readers in the Cobb County and Atlanta-Fulton Public Library Systems to spend more of their free time reading this summer.
Designed to enhance this year's "FUNtastic Reading" program (see page 1 and below), the ThrashersHawks Check-it-Out Reading Challenge will target young readers entering classes from preK to grade 12 for the 2005-06 school year, allowing participants to earn basketball- and hockey-related rewards by reading and participating in other literacy activities. All participants will receive these rewards:

I Certificate of participation
I Atlanta Thrashers-Atlanta Hawks bookmark
I Atlanta Thrashers game voucher, good for two free tickets to one home game during the 2005-06 season, subject to availability
I Atlanta Hawks game voucher, good for two free tickets to one home game during the 2005-06 season, subject to availability
The Thrashers-Hawks Check-it-Out Reading Challenge will begin June 6 and end Aug. 1. Complete rules and scorecards are available at libraries in Cobb and Fulton counties.

Summer reading
Continued from page 1
In a recent study by Jimmy Kim of Harvard University, children who read a minimum of five books were able to prevent summer learning loss in reading comprehension, according to the Center for Summer Learning at Johns Hopkins University.
Georgia's Vacation Reading Programs:
I Provide a wide variety of books and reading materials at no cost.
I Help maintain and improve skills while stimulating the imagination through books and literaturerelated programs.

I Feature storytelling hours, puppet shows or music presentations that stimulate children's creativity and help bring literature and language to life.
I Promote the idea of reading for enjoyment and at one's own pace, often leading children to seek books and other items that explore topics that interest them.
According to Bobbie Morgan, director of Children's Services for GPLS, this year's program also includes a pilot program in 10 libraries (five each in Georgia and Virginia). "We are calling this the `FUNtastic Family Challenge," she

said. "Because summer provides extra time for families to spend together, we chose literacy activities that entire families can share. We also know that parents are the single most important influence on their child's education, and reading is the key to success."
The pilot program encourages parents and caregivers to read a book aloud to a child or to listen together to books on tape or CD. Sharing books with children provides parents with increased opportunities for talking with their kids and building strong relationships.
"This is especially important as children move toward their teens," Morgan said. "Reading aloud is not just for the youngest children!"

Roddenbery Memorial Library staff members created a circus theme of their own to kick off this year's vacation reading program. From left are: Teri Phillips, library assistant for Technical Services; Ernestine Daniels, library assistant for Public Services; Teresa Groves, head of Children's Services; Barbara Causey, computer specialist; Cathy Rieger, circulation supervisor; Janet Boudet, associate director; Celina Bearss, administrative assistant; Marie Gainous, library assistant for Public Services; Nora Bennett, library assistant for Children's Services; and Kathy Steedley, bookkeeper.

"FUNtastic Reading" is supported in whole or in part by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services and administered by the state library agencies of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina and Virginia. For additional information about the program, visit www.vacationreading.org.

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Spring 2005 Georgia Public Library Service News

Alan Kaye

FOGL
Continued from page 1 unwavering support to Georgia's public libraries. "I am very glad to see that this organization is commencing," he said, exhorting each attendee to become a diplomat on behalf of libraries and urge their elected officials to support them. "You have to go tell your senators and representatives about your support for libraries, and do it well before the General Assembly starts in January."
"It is invaluable to have a statewide friends organization in Georgia," said Dr. Lamar Veatch, state librarian. "Public libraries don't operate on kind words. You've got to have dollars to run a good library program." And to many elected officials, he said, "the words of one volunteer are worth those of 10 library employees."
Georgians who join FOGL will:
I Receive important library-related newsletters.
I Learn to become better advocates for libraries at all levels of government.
I Stay up-to-date on issues affecting their local libraries.
I Join with others to speak up for Georgia's libraries.
I Influence decision makers to support libraries.
I Participate in workshops and other information-sharing events.
I Meet and swap information with other groups.

"One of the best reasons to attend FOGL workshops and meetings is to gather ideas from other library volunteers across the state," said Keeney. "FOGL events will be great places to learn about raising funds, developing interesting programs and gaining strength as advocates for local libraries. We want people to come away with important contacts and valuable ideas."
To that end, FOGL's inaugural meeting offered a series of "mini-seminars" led by members of the organization's Best Practices Panel. These included:
I Tips on holding successful book sales (led by Charlotte Gellert and Judy Anthony of Conyers)
I The success of Caf au Libris, a popular series of "authors' nights" at the Athens-Clarke County Library (led by Terry Stewart)
I Tea and Fun Times, a successful fundraising series held at the state's oldest library, the Mary Willis Library in Washington (led by Peggy Barnett)
I How advocacy efforts helped realize the new library currently being planned for construction in Gilmer County (led by Caryl Hanson)
I Newton County's annual Holiday Giving Tree (led by Carol Durusau)
Before adjourning, FOGL members unanimously adopted bylaws and chose the organization's first board of directors. For more information about FOGL and upcoming meetings, please visit www.library-friends.org.

Joining FOGL a snap!

Membership in FOGL is only $10 per year, and all Georgians are invited to join.
Forms, available at meetings, may also be downloaded from www.library-friends.org.
You may also join by sending a check for $10, along with your name, address, phone number and e-mail address, if applicable, to: FOGL, c/o Athens Regional Library; 2025 Baxter St.; Athens, GA 30606.

FOGL board elects officers, seeks volunteers

The Friends of Georgia Libraries (FOGL) newly elected board of directors held its first official meeting May 17 at the Dawson County Library in Dawsonville.
Several library supporters attended the meeting, helping the board plan content for programs, workshops and events. FOGL will sponsor four workshops in its inaugural year, two each in the northern and southern halves of the state.
The board also elected officers for 2005-2006: Jenny McCurdy of Stone Mountain, president; Lianne Keeney of Dahlonega, vice

president; Mary Lee Davis of Lithonia, secretary; and Wally Eberhardt of Athens, treasurer.
The board established eight committees and is seeking volunteers to serve on them. These include: Advocacy; Bylaws and Governance; Development; Finance and Fundraising; Local Friends Support; Marketing and Communications; Membership; and Programs. Interested parties should contact McCurdy at 678-547-6791 or jmccurdy@comcast.net.
The board's next meeting will be held in Athens in September.

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Georgia Public Library Service News Spring 2005

GOLD/GALILEO Annual Users Group Conference set for August 5

The theme of this year's GOLD/GALILEO Users Group
Annual Conference is "Thar's GOLD in GALILEO: A Bona Fide Library Bonanza!"
The conference will take place Aug. 5, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education in Athens.
This one-day event draws librarians, paraprofessionals and technical staff from academic libraries, public libraries, schools, technical colleges and special libraries throughout Georgia and the Southeast. The goal of the conference is to provide a forum for continuing education and professional development related to using Georgia's interlibrary lending and resource sharing network, GOLD, and the statewide virtual library, GALILEO. The event will showcase new collaborative trends in library resources and highlight current partnerships.

This year's keynote speaker is Nancy Davenport, president of the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) in Washington, D.C., who will share her thoughts and experiences about library marketing and advocacy in today's consortia environment.
Three sets of concurrent sessions will feature nine presentations on collaborations that communicate the
value of all types of libraries in unique ways. "It is the uncovering of these
sometimes hidden library riches that produced the mining analogy for our conference theme of finding GOLD in GALILEO," said Toni Zimmerman, director of Resource Sharing and Interlibrary Cooperation.
Registration materials and hotel information will be available soon at www.georgialibraries.org/lib/gold.html. You may also register by calling 1-800-884-1381.

Lamar Veatch

The new Woodstock Public Library in Cherokee County
New Woodstock library dedicated
With more than 70 citizens in attendance, the Sequoyah Regional Library System dedicated its newest addition, the Woodstock Public Library, on May 23. Joan Adam, system director, said she expects the facility will be a busy one. "There's been tremendous growth in Woodstock," she said, "and we have tried hard to look ahead to accommodate the community's future needs."
Branch Manager Pat Bull said she is excited about working in the new building. "Reactions have been very positive," she said. "People are thrilled with it, especially the reading room, the garden room and the computer lab." Bull noted that the library is dedicated in memory of Smith L. Johnston and in honor of Elizabeth Johnston, longtime advocates who donated the property.

Clayton system wins MetLife grant

The Clayton County Library System is one of 15 public libraries selected by Libraries for the Future (LFF) for its 2005 MetLife Foundation Reading America Program.
Employees of the system will help develop a book and film discussion series aimed at promoting intergenerational understanding among Asian and Hispanic teens.
The successful grant proposal was written by Assunta Fleming, branch librarian at the Forest Park Branch Library, and Mary Jean Harrison, branch librarian at the Morrow Branch Library, with assistance from Janice Arcuria, assistant director of Youth Services, and Flora Hazelton, assistant director of Branch Services.
LFF selected libraries whose proposals offered the most dynamic programming, solid collaboration and ability to address the needs of their target audiences. Each participating library receives $5,000 for program start-up costs, along with in-depth training, program resources and support from Libraries for the Future.
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Spring 2005 Georgia Public Library Service News

NEWS IN BRIEF



Library Journal has named Brad

LaJeunesse, PINES system admin-

istrator in Atlanta, to its class of

2005 "Movers &

Shakers," 51

individuals

"empowered by

the profession

they have chosen

and the public

service philoso-

phy that it

LaJeunesse

embodies." The magazine lauds

the "gutsy" decision by the PINES

staff to develop its own integrated

library system with open source

software.

The Concharty Council of Girl Scouts has honored Claudya Muller, director of the Chattahoochee Valley Regional Library System, as one of its 2005 Women of Achievement. This is the 18th year of the program, which honors women who, through service to family, career and community, have Muller set an example of excellence. "This award really is recognition of what all the members of the library staff have done and are doing every day," Muller said.

Doris Wells, branch manager of the Wesley Chapel-William C. Brown Library, was presented a proclamation by DeKalb County CEO Vernon Jones and the county's Board of Commissioners. At the commissioners meeting on April 12, National Library Workers Day, Wells was commended for being a "beacon of light" to her community and Wells to the library system. Commissioner Connie Stokes initiated the proclamation honoring Wells and her achievements since joining the library in 1974.
Dr. Lamar Veatch, state librarian, was elected to a three-year term on the Members Council of OCLC (Online Computer Library Center), a nonprofit, computer library service and research organization dedicated to furthering access to and reducing the costs of information. More than 53,500 libraries in 96 countries and territories around the world use OCLC services to locate, acquire, catalog, lend and preserve library materials.
Construction has begun on the South Cobb Regional Library. The 20,000-square-foot facility, set to

CrossroadsNews Photo

Lois Roberts

open in early 2006, will serve as an anchor for redevelopment of the Historic Mableton District. The Gwinnett County Public Library System unveiled plans for a new Grayson Branch Library on March 28. The latest state budget includes provisions for new libraries in Auburn, Ellijay and Tyrone, as well as facility renovations and additions in McDonough and Tifton.
Christian Kruse has been named director of Live Oak Public Libraries. John F. Szabo is the new director of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System. Adrian Mixson has been named director of the Hall County Library System. Joe Shinnick is the new director of the Three Rivers Regional Library System. Stephen Whigham has been named acting director of Ocmulgee Regional Library System. David Baker is the new director of Communications and Marketing for GPLS in Atlanta.
At the PINES annual meeting May 19 in Warner Robins, Carolyn Fuller, Claire Leavy, Frances Messer, Lois Roberts and Diana Ray Tope were elected to the system's executive committee.

Dalton-Whitfield Library unveils renovations

More than 120 people attended an April 17 open house to celebrate the reopening of the Dalton-Whitfield Library and showcase recent renovations. "This is the first extensive work done to the building since its dedication in 1982," said Joe Forsee, Northwest Georgia Regional Library System director.
"The repairs and renovations included new carpet, new public restrooms and significant roof repairs," he explained. "We also shifted service desks and work rooms and rearranged shelving to create a more open feeling and better lines of sight for staff and patrons." Funding came from SPLOST and private donations.

Georgia Public Library Service exhibited at the annual meeting of the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia, held in Savannah in April. Representing GPLS were (from left): Julie Walker, PINES program director; Wanda Edwards, community relations librarian for the Chattahoochee Valley Regional Library System; and Christian Kruse, director of Live Oak Public Libraries.

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Georgia Public Library Service News Spring 2005

Governor honors DeKalb library system for work in humanities

The DeKalb County Public Library in Decatur is among
the recipients of the 20th Governor's Awards in the Humanities. The awards this year honor 10 individuals and two organizations that have made significant contributions toward furthering the humanities in Georgia through work and acts of volunteerism. Gov. Sonny Perdue and the board of directors of the Georgia Humanities Council honored the recipients at a public luncheon on May 12 in Atlanta.
"We are very proud to receive this notable award," said Library Director Darro Willey. "While a number of individuals also received the award this year, the DeKalb County Public Library is one of only two organizations so honored.
"The entire library staff can take credit for this recognition," he added, "but without doubt, a key factor

was the statewide impact of the Georgia Center for the Book programs under the direction of GCB Executive Director Bill Starr."
The Georgia Center for the Book is based at the Decatur Library, main branch of the DeKalb County Public Library System, whose 23 branches serve more than 700,000 citizens. It regularly organizes outstanding humanities and literacy programming featuring nationally known authors.
In addition to receiving the Governor's Award, DeKalb is also one of only 10 public libraries in the United States and United Kingdom to be featured in the recent book Exemplary Public Libraries: Lessons in Leadership, Management and Service by Joy Greiner, a noted professor of library science at the University of Southern Mississippi.

PINES survey results overwhelmingly positive

GPLS conducted the second annual
PINES User Satisfaction Survey between March 22 and 28. Users entering the online catalog, whether at a library workstation or from a remote home or office computer, could complete the survey during this time, and 3,914 did so.
Once again, the vast majority of respondents indicated a high level of satisfaction with the PINES system. An average of 84 percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with these statements:
I It is easy to use the PINES online catalog.
I I typically find what I am looking for using the PINES online catalog.
I It is easy to determine if my library owns a particular item.
I If my local library does not have an item I need, it is easy to find and obtain the item through the PINES system.
I It is easy to renew my own materials through the PINES online catalog.

Almost 90 percent of respondents said they would recommend the PINES system to their friends and agreed with the statement, "I am satisfied with the PINES Statewide Library Card system." More than half (59.9 percent) use the PINES catalog at least weekly to either renew books online, place holds on books, check on fines or see what items they have checked out.
PINES creates a statewide, borderless library that eliminates geographic and socio-economic barriers and provides equal access to information for all Georgians.
Georgians with a PINES library card have access to materials beyond what is available on their local shelves and enjoy the benefits of a shared collection of 8.7 million books and other materials that can be delivered to their home library with no charge to the user.
Any resident of Georgia may obtain a free PINES card by visiting one of the 252 participating libraries in 123 counties.

State's sixth annual literary festival set for August 13

The sixth annual Georgia Literary Festival, sponsored by the Georgia Center for the Book, will be held Saturday, Aug. 13 at various locations in Elberton, most in or near the town square.
The daylong celebration begins at 9:00 a.m. with a Book Fair featuring authors and publishers from around the region. Authors scheduled to attend include novelists Terry Kay and Jeff Fields and historian James C. Cobb.
Nearly all events at the festival are free, giving Georgians of all ages an opportunity to have fun while learning about a unique part of the state's rich literary heritage. For more information, visit www.georgialiteraryfestival.org.
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Spring 2005 Georgia Public Library Service News

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE
PAID ATLANTA, GA PERMIT NO. 213

CONTACT US
Georgia Public Library Service 1800 Century Place, Suite 150 Atlanta, GA 30345-4304 404.982.3560 404.982.3563 fax www.georgialibraries.org
Lamar Veatch, state librarian
David Baker, editor
Georgia Public Library Service News (ISSN 1546-511X) is published quarterly 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 supported in whole or in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provision 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

GeorgiaCat database introduced in April

GeorgiaCat for public library users became available via GALILEO on
April 21. This database provides access to a customized union catalog of bibliographic records and ownership information provided by Georgia's 58 public library systems. GeorgiaCat will also automatically reflect any real time additions or ongoing updates to the collection holdings submitted by library staff to the WorldCat database.

Within GeorgiaCat, public library users can limit searches to seven different geographic regions in the state or expand their view to see holdings from all types of Georgia libraries. Users can also search libraries around the world that contribute to WorldCat without losing their place in GeorgiaCat. Users may also select from six interface languages, including Spanish and Japanese. Users can find GeorgiaCat within the following GALILEO menus:

News Facts and Reference >Book and Book Reviews >General and Multi-Subject

Georgia >Georgia Library Catalogs >Georgia Public Library Service

A direct link to GeorgiaCat appears on the GALILEO home page within the banner frame at the very top of the page. Georgia public library staff can also use the following GALILEO Express Link for scripting in direct access to GeorgiaCat from their library's own home page: http://www.galileo.usg.edu/express?link=zogc.

1800 Century Place, Suite 150 Atlanta, GA 30345-4304 www.georgialibraries.org
A Unit of the University System of Georgia