A quarterly newsletter for friends and employees of Georgia's public libraries vol. 3, issue 3 I Winter 2005-06 Miguel Vicente Innovative outreach program touches lives, fosters understanding Scarcely a year after receiving a prestigious National Leadership Award from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Athens Regional Library System (ARLS) is earning local, national and international acclaim for an innovative outreach program developed for the area's rapidly growing Hispanic community. The library opened its Pinewoods Library and Community Learning Center in early March, said Library Director Kathryn Ames, and patronage has increased by 500 percent between that first month and October. The center offers library materials and language instruction in both Spanish and English, 14 public access computers, class-room instruction on computer use, tutorial programs, health education seminars, parenting workshops, art classes and other special interest programs. Leo Diaz , Jessica Antonio, Alondra Antonio and Cristian Rodriquez participate in one of the children's programs at the Pinewoods Library and Community Learning Center. exchange between the Mexican community and the established community, nurturing understanding between the two." Located in Pinewoods Mobile Home Park on Athens' north side, the center occupies a modified double-wide classroom building. "It's already bursting at the seams," said Ames, noting that the center has issued more than 200 library cards since its inception and is now loaning an average of more than 2,000 items each month. To accomplish these objectives, the library formed partnerships with the Lyndon House Arts Center, the Office of International Public Service and Outreach at the University of Georgia, Athens Transit, Catholic Social Services, the Clarke County School District and other community groups. "Our first goal in opening the center was to help increase the educational level of the immigrant Mexican population living in Athens," Ames said. "Our second goal was to increase the use of the library and arts center facilities by the Mexican community. Our third goal was to provide opportunities for educational and cultural Miguel Vicente, a native of Cuba who holds a master's degree in education, coordinates the program. This summer, he and assistant Maria Duarte worked with the Clarke County School District to establish a new action plan for incorporating services to Spanish-speaking See Pinewoods, page 5 Scott Routsong New York Times honors Brunswick's Routsong Scott Routsong, children's services librarian at the Brunswick-Glynn County Library, has received a 2005 New York Times Librarian Award. Now in its fifth year, the Times' award program was created to honor public librarians whose exceptional work and community service have made their libraries more welcoming and accessible institutions. The Times honors 27 public librarians each year, including 12 librarians nationwide and 15 librarians from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Nominations from the See Routsong, page 7 Phil Eastman CSAC to feature popular artist, triple Emmy-winning storyteller The 2006 Children's Services Annual Conference (CSAC) will be held Friday, Feb. 10, at the Macon Centreplex. Approximately 400 children's services librarians in public libraries, school media specialists and teachers are expected to attend the information-packed programs. The conference also acts as the kickoff to the annual Vacation Reading Program. Michael White, the artist who created art for VRP 2006 theme, "Once Upon a Time," will unveil his artwork, present the conference's keynote speech and host the workshop "How One Idea Can Create a Story." "People in Georgia -- kids, students and adults -- love Michael White," said Bobbie Morgan, director of Children's Services for GPLS. "He is so delightful and talented that everyone wants him to visit their libraries and schools and talk about his work." White's art has been featured in numerous galleries, including Duluth's Hudgens Center for the Arts, which hosted a single-artist show highlighting his illustrations from Harriett's Horrible Hair Day and the award-winning The Library Dragon and The Secret of Old Zeb. Another conference highlight will be three-time Emmy Awardwinning storyteller Bobby Norfolk, who will present the conference's closing speech and host an opening breakout session. "`The Art of Storytelling' promises to be a lively session," Morgan explained, "because it will focus on telling stories through character development. Bobby Norfolk is a national treasure whose boundless energy, intelligence and ability to pull it all together in teaching others make him an exceptional speaker." Norfolk's stories, which promote character education, cultural White Norfolk diversity and self-esteem, are geared for audiences of all ages. The advisory Children's Services Quadrant Council and GPLS staff developed the full slate of workshops that CSAC will offer to help improve services and programming for Georgia's children, teens and parents. Full schedule and registration information is available online at http://www.georgialibraries.org/lib/ child.html. I This project is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act. Librarians help create themed stories for use in Vacation Reading Program As part of this year's CSAC, librarians across the state Kimbla Heard-Rucker of the Hart County Library were invited to create stories based on Michael White's System. "Once Upon a Time... A Somewhat Cynical Fairy original artwork for the 2006 VRP, "Once Upon a Time." Tale," is a thought-provoking, humorous story about Don Deputy State Librarian David Singleton and members of Goat's attempts to hone his dragon-fighting skills. the Children's Services Quadrant Council reviewed a variety of original stories, plays, flannel-board stories, finger plays and radio programs, then chose five stories to include in upcoming VRP materials. Judging criteria included originality, adherence to theme, age-appropriate content, adaptability for use in story times and universal appeal. Gail Hogan of the Hall County Library System. Hogan's "Once Upon a Time... A Story" spins the tale of a lizard who decides to write a fairy tale only to be continually interrupted by characters who want to be included in it. Kelly Roth of the Bartow County Library System. Roth's entry, "Lizard Wizard," is a The winning authors are: flannel-board story about a lizard's wizardry in Dusty Gres, director of the the kitchen. Ohoopee Regional Library Terri Townsend of the Pine System. Gres' original radio Mountain Regional Library System. drama, "Make a Wish," is rife Townsend's story, "The Fairy-Tale Keeper," with wordplay, puns and jokes. concerns the title character who, as he nears Visual and audio special effects and retirement, must find his replacement. This production notes make this an easy story will serve as the basis for the 2006 VRP one to perform. public service announcements. I 2 Georgia Public Library Service News Winter 2005-06 Janet Florence Georgia's public libraries lend a hand to state's hurricane relief efforts The 2005 hurricane season featured 27 named storms and resulted in 11 federal disaster declarations in the United States. Hurricane Katrina set new records for damage when it passed through the Gulf Coast states on Aug. 28 and 29, only to be followed three weeks later by Rita. Ophelia struck North Carolina Oct. 7, preceding Wilma's swath through Florida on Oct. 24. Central America and Mexico also took the brunt of Wilma, followed by Beta on Oct. 30. Georgia and its public libraries were spared direct damage from this year's storms, but evacuees have poured into the state, which has received federal disaster aid to assist them. Librarians across Georgia immediately joined in the efforts to help those displaced by disaster and to aid neighboring states' libraries that were damaged or destroyed. In addition to its 24 permanent Internet stations, the Newton County Library set up five additional Internet computers in its conference room for evacuees' use. The county's health and mental health departments also called on the library to schedule and coordinate additional activity programs for children while they and their families waited for visits with doctors and mental health counselors. Said Library Director Greg Heid: "These families were going through serious trauma. Many of them only came out of their rooms to drive to the Library and search for relatives or to visit doctors. It really tears your heart out to see how their lives have been changed so dramatically. Some evacuees who were able to use the Internet to locate their loved ones did not have the money to call them. Our staff allowed them to use our phones and make personal contact with their family members. Within minutes, they would be shedding tears of joy." Libraries are often the only places where hearing-impaired people can access text telephone devices, which allowed many to track down loved ones, including one refugee who, with the help of Newton County's Bob Halcums, was able to locate his lost dog in a Louisiana animal shelter. With LaGrange and Newnan among the Georgia cities officially designated as Red Cross shelters, the Troup-Harris-Coweta Regional Library also responded rapidly to requests for assistance. Local residents and library staff donated clothes, food, and other essential items for storm victims. Many opened their homes so evacuees would not be faced with three- to six-month stays in shelters. "The LaGrange Memorial Library took several loads of books to the shelter for adults and children and gathered toys and games to keep children entertained," explained JoEllen Ostendorf, director of Troup-Harris-Coweta. "Staff volunteered to keep the library open over Labor Day weekend so evacuees could search the Internet to locate relatives and friends. We prepared a bibliography of resources on major Web sites that addressed the disaster and recovery. The library also collected donations that went to the local Red Cross." Collections at the Bay St. Louis, Miss., headquarters library and one branch were completely destroyed, with all of the system's buildings sustaining damage. The Harris At the DeKalb Disaster Relief Services Center in Lithonia, Library Specialist Cynde Beckner shares a book with a child whose family was displaced by Hurricane Katrina. County Library, along with several service groups in the Troup-HarrisCoweta region, adopted the Bay St. Louis libraries and are continuing to collect recent titles to help Bay St. Louis rebuild its lost collections. The DeKalb County Public Library worked with the DeKalb County Department of Parks and Recreation at the county's Disaster Relief Services Center in Lithonia to care for the children of Katrina victims in a specially reserved area while parents sought assistance. "The kids just wanted to take the books home when they saw them," noted Cynde Beckner, a library specialist at the Toco Hill-Avis G. Williams Library. "One little girl gathered a handful of books and told me, `I'm from New Orleans and the hurricane took all my books.'" Gina Jenkins, branch manager at the Redan-Trotti Library in Lithonia, says one woman was moved to tears when she saw the books that were available. "I asked if See Hurricanes, page 4 3 Winter 2005-06 Georgia Public Library Service News Hurricanes Continued from page 3 she was a teacher," Jenkins said, "but she said she was just a lover of children's books. She had collected many throughout the years but lost them all in New Orleans." Library branches and library Friends groups donated more than 1,000 books for use at the Lithonia relief center. Youth services librarians and other employees from the DeKalb system will continue to work at the center for a few hours each morning and afternoon through Dec. 15, when the center is scheduled to close. People came to the MoultrieColquitt County Library seeking information on the Internet about their homes and communities in Louisiana. "They were able to find out that family members who were left behind are alive, and they were also able to see satellite pictures of their homes, or what was left of them," said Library Director Melody Jenkins. "We were able to refer evacuees to several local agencies that provided food, clothing and temporary shelter. We may not be able to save the world, but we can show kindness and make life a little better on this small scale. That's what library service is all about." The Southwest Georgia Regional Library System in Bainbridge collected food instead of fines from its regular patrons, and staff members organized a clothing drive to aid the local Salvation Army and Red Cross. The Henry County Library System forgave patron fines and accepted the money to give to local agencies helping Katrina victims in the area. All the staff participated in this effort. Many patrons gave more than the fines they owed, eventually tallying almost $1500, said Library Director Carolyn Fuller. Likewise, K.L. Yielding Thomson-McDuffie County Library and Mary Willis Library collected donations and routed paid fine money to the Augusta Red Cross. Taliaferro County Library and the Mary Willis Library also sent boxes of books to Katrina evacuees who came to the Augusta area. The Chestatee Regional Library System (CRLS) put together a local information and services packet, and it was given to all of the evacuees when they arrived at the local shelter. Associate Director Claudia Gibson was there during the first few days to help answer questions Gov. Sonny Perdue and Rachel Crumley (right) of Callaway Gardens lend a hand to Debbie Marino, manager of the Harris County Public Library, during the Troup-Harris-Coweta Library System's book drive to aid libraries in Bay St. Louis, Miss. The book drive supported the governor's "Hands on Georgia" project. about the community. "The shelter provided six computers on-site for the evacuees so they were able to search from that location," she said. "The CRLS Web page was the home location for the computers, and we added a link to an extensive page of information that MeloDee French, our information specialist, put together for them." Ohoopee Regional Library System provided PINES cards and helped evacuees apply for aid online through the FEMA and other Web sites and located translators for people looking for information about family and friends vacationing or working in other areas. Said Library Director Dusty Gres: "Our computers have been especially helpful to our Hispanic patrons who have family in Mexico and in Central and South America. It is important for us all to remember that hurricanes don't just hit one city or state or country." The PINES Executive Committee waived certain requirements for evacuees, allowing those people living in shelters in Georgia, but who lacked the required PINES identification materials, to receive PINES cards by showing temporary identification from shelters and emergency service organizations. In response to the Louisiana State Library's urgent request for Internet-capable computers, Joe Forsee, director of the Northwest Georgia Regional Library, and Nick Fogarty, director of the Sequoyah Regional Library System, devised a plan of assistance in the form of a "computer install festival" led by Erik Lewis, information specialist at the Dalton-Whitfield County Library. Equipment was donated in large quantity by the federal government, however, with the Georgia plan held for backup. GALILEO employees made sure that Internet access was available from UGA's 4-H camp, Rock Eagle. Ed Johnson, director of Georgia HomePLACE, and other Office of Information and Instructional Technology (OITT) employees worked at the Rock Eagle shelter to assist patrons in using the Internet and in filling out forms. "Rebuilding destroyed communities will be a long-term process, and libraries will play a part in that," said Merryll Penson, executive director, Library Services, with OITT for the Board of Regents. I 4 Georgia Public Library Service News Winter 2005-06 David Baker Pinewoods Continued from page 1 students, who now make up 37 percent of Athens' public school enrollment. This helped bring more attention to the center and attracted many Hispanic community members living outside of Pinewoods. "There are lots of opportunities when you have links to and commitment from the community," Vicente said, noting that, although more than 90 percent of its patrons come from Mexico, the center is becoming popular with expatriates from Guatemala, El Salvador, Colombia and Clare Auwarter, assistant director for Information Services for ARLS; other countries across Central and South America. Miguel Vicente; Alberto Diaz Gonzalez and Kathryn Ames examine a pair of sugar skulls that were used during the Da de los Muertos Volunteers have been instrumental in the success of the program, with several providing daily English classes. celebration at Pinewoods Library and Community Learning Center on Nov. 2. Other volunteers teach keyboarding and computer skills, from Athens will visit their counterparts for a week; the serve as teachers for the Plaza Comunitaria program, following year, a Mexican group will visit Athens. tutor students and teach music classes. Volunteer Spanish students also teach "Survival Spanish" for English- Gail Firestone, assistant director for Youth Services speaking members of the community. for ARLS, works with the program to select library materials. The recipient of three ALA travel grants to One of the center's most popular offerings, Vicente attend the Guadalajara Book Festival, she has used those said, is Plaza Comunitaria, a distance education program opportunities to obtain high-quality library materials in sponsored by the Mexican government that enables Spanish, as well as many bilingual items, that are not Mexican-born patrons to improve their literacy skills, earn available from traditional library vendors in the United high school diplomas and receive vocational training. States. One of her goals this year is to increase the Mexican Consul General Dr. Remedios Gomez-Arnau center's collection of Spanish poetry for use in its popular cites this program as a key component in helping meet poetry program for teens. the lifelong learning challenges that face Mexicans living in the United States. Activities for teens and children made the center a hub of the community this past summer, with numerous Among other unique activities at Pinewoods is a "full houses" for arts classes and a high rate of partici- program called "Family to Family." It encourages Mexican pation in the library's vacation reading program. "Many families to meet with Athens families and children here read more than 40 books share a variety of cultural activities. One recent event was a piata-making class at Visit "Mexico for Kids" at this summer," Vicente said. "Some read more than 100." Often, Ames said, the Lyndon House, where families used www.elbalero.gob.mx/ parents and children can be seen library materials to research the history and index_esp.html reading or studying together at the creation of piatas, then made several of center. "It's good for children to see their them. Art exhibits are planned for the fall, including a parents studying," she said. "These parents are two-week artist-in-residence program by noted artist and wonderful role models." photographer Fernando Mesa of Xalapa, Mexico. Alberto Diaz Gonzalez, office coordinator of the Cultural exchange is a vital part of the outreach Consulate General of Mexico's Institute for Mexicans program, as is the promotion and celebration of Mexico's Abroad, visited the center during its Da de los Muertos colorful and complex cultural heritage. Residents have festivities and was impressed by what he saw. "We are gathered at the center to celebrate and teach their looking for ways to establish connections like this in children about Mexico's Independence Day, as well as Da communities throughout Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee de los Muertos, Mexico's Day of the Dead. and Mississippi," he said. I The library and arts center have made contacts with similar organizations in Mexico. Next summer, a group This project is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act. 5 Winter 2005-06 Georgia Public Library Service News NEWS IN BRIEF Teresa Cole has been named director of the Dougherty County Public Library System. The Coastal Plain Regional Library System has named Carrie Zeiger its new library director. JoEllen Ostendorf, director of the Troup-Harris- Zeiger Coweta Regional Library, has been named president- elect of the Georgia Library Association (GLA) and will lead the organization in 2007. Carolyn Fuller, director of the Henry County Library System, was elected to serve as GLA's secretary in 2006. GLA's Paraprofessional Division has named three public library employees as winners of its 2005 Paraprofessional Award. Graham Reiney of the DeKalb County Public Library, Becky Sapp of the Pickens County Library and Debbie Zerkle of the Henry County Library each received a $250 grant to attend the Georgia Council of Media Organizations' annual conference and a oneyear paraprofessional membership in GLA. Four new members have been elected to the GPLS Children's Services Quadrant Council. They are: Vanessa Cowie, programming coordinator at the Forsyth County Public Library; Jessica Hollis, children's specialist and circulation supervisor at the New Georgia Public Library in Dallas; Dana Brumbelow, children's librarian at South Columbus Branch Library; and Anne Bowen, children's and youth librarian at the Murrell Memorial (Dodge County) Library in Eastman. The DeKalb County Public Library board of trustees has awarded Barbara Loar and the late Louise Trotti the honorary title of Director Emeritus. A formal ceremony recognizing the two will be held at "A Novel Affair," the DeKalb Library Foundation's annual gala fundraiser, scheduled for Feb. 4. An anonymous donor has given the Dalton-Whitfield County Library a grant of $5,000 a year for five years. The grant will be used to buy a collection of books and materials that will be named in honor of Rob Cowan, a former library board member. The collection will be composed of materials in English and Spanish that emphasize the changing demographics of the community and that will serve as educational tools and catalysts for dialogue between parents and children about cultures and heritage. Libraries for the Future has announced that the Mary Vinson Memorial Library in Milledgeville and the Lee County Library in Leesburg have been selected to receive grants for their participation in "Get Real, Get Fit!," a national library-based initiative promoting physical fitness and healthy eating for teens. I Bob Burgess Muriel Jackson Aimee Harmison I'll get you to read, my pretties... Library staff Ann Wheeler, Jennifer Harmison, Jennifer Hall and Evelyn Chaney brought bits of both Oz and Bedrock to welcome patrons to the Rockmart Library this Halloween. About Schmidt Bibb County Board of Trustees Chair Elizabeth Puckett listens as Charles Schmidt accepts a Director Emeritus Award from the Middle Georgia Regional Library System at his retirement dinner in Macon on Oct. 30. Former State Representative Kenneth Birdsong and Bibb County Commissioner Charlie Bishop presented Schmidt with a Governor's Proclamation and a Bibb County Proclamation commending Schmidt for his 35 years of service to Georgia's libraries. Georgia goes national Mary Chute (right), acting director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, pays a visit to Georgia's table at the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 24. Sponsored by the Library of Congress and hosted by first lady Laura Bush, the festival was free and open to the public. Volunteer Caroline Green (left) and David Baker, director of communications and marketing for GPLS, provided information and answered visitors' questions about Georgia's writers, libraries, book festivals, book awards and reading promotion activities. 6 Georgia Public Library Service News Winter 2005-06 Georgia voters cast ballots in favor of libraries Michelle Newmann ORLS A `Blazing' good time Valdosta State University Blazers Travis Taylor, Derek Tharpe, Jeffrey Felton and William Montford talk with a young fan at "Monday Night Football," an evening of reading and autograph signings held Oct. 24 at the Valdosta-Lowndes County Library. On Nov. 8, residents of DeKalb County approved a $230 million referendum for the improvement of transportation, parks/greenspace and library infrastructure. The library portion of the bond issue, which will cost $54.54 million, includes 13 proposed projects: three new libraries to address populations currently not served, four library expansions, five library replacements, and the upgrade of one library to improve access and visibility. In Augusta, a special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST) referendum also passed. It includes $14.7 million for a new headquarters library for Augusta-Richmond County and the East Central Georgia Regional Library System. This goes with a $7.35 million carry-over from a previous SPLOST, for a total of more than $22 million. Voters in Candler County approved the continuation of that county's one-cent SPLOST for six years. The continuation should generate more than $7 million in revenue during the collection period. Library renovations are among the projects earmarked for the county's SPLOST funds. I Routsong Continued from page 1 general public were submitted from June through September, with more than 1,200 nominations coming from 48 states. Powering the mind From left: Shari Adam, executive director of the Toombs County Family Connection; Dusty Gres, director of the Ohoopee Regional Library System (ORLS); and Debbie Kittrell, president of the Vidalia Kiwanis Club, arrive at the Jefferson Building in Washington, D.C., where they attended the Reading Powers the Mind workshop in August. ORLS is one of 12 public libraries in the nation and the only library in Georgia to receive a 2005 literacy project grant from the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. The grant was used to fund a local literacy project and to send representatives from the library and the community to the workshop. ORLS received its grant as a result of its history of promoting family literacy. Janet Florence On Target in DeKalb Literacy services at DeKalb County Public Library received a major boost at the end of October with a gift from Target Stores Inc. Mike Collins (right), manager of the Super Target in Dunwoody, presented Library Director Darro Willey (left) and DeKalb Library Foundation Executive Director Martha Perusek with an $8,000 check on Friday, Oct. 29. The donation was made in support of the library's Project REAP (Reading Empowers All People), a family literacy program that helps immigrant and refugee mothers and small children learn basic English skills. Interested in joining? Visit www.library-friends.org or e-mail dmanget@conyersrockdalelibrary.org. Carolyn Fuller "Debbie Osgood, one of the parents of a child who attends many of my programs here, nominated me," Routsong said. "I am speechless that I won, but I'm immensely grateful, both for the recognition and for the opportunity to do what I do here in Brunswick. We have a great staff and great leadership here at this library." The Times held a reception in honor of the winners on Nov. 16. Each winner received $2,500 and a commemorative plaque. I Day of the Locust The Henry County Library System opened its Locust Grove branch on Oct. 10. Commissioner Warren Holder of the Henry County Board of Commissioners; Dr. Gordon Baker, chairman of the Henry County Library System board of trustees; and Carolyn Fuller, director of the Henry County Library System, welcomed patrons to the grand opening ceremony that afternoon. 7 Winter 2005-06 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 Carnegie Library wins National Trust award The National Trust for Historic Preservation presented a prestigious National Preservation Honor Award to the Carnegie Library of Savannah on Sept. 29. Richard Leo Johnson Built in 1914 by a group of prominent black citizens, the Carnegie Library served for decades as the only community library open to African-American residents of segregated Savannah. It played an important role as a neighborhood anchor and as an important educational resource for many citizens. The restored Carnegie Library The building was designed by Savannah architect Julian de Bruyn Kops and is the city's only public building designed in the Prairie Style. The library remained in continual use from 1914 until 1997, when a leaky roof, water damage and lack of funding forced its closing. In 2001, private and public sources across the country provided funds to restore the original structure and incorporate the latest technological advancements, allowing the facility to meet the needs of a new generation of library users. I 1800 Century Place, Suite 150 Atlanta, GA 30345-4304 www.georgialibraries.org A Unit of the University System of Georgia