Georgia Public Library Service news, Vol. 5, no. 5 (Apr. 2008)

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

volume 5, issue 5 I April 2008

Staff

Employees, trustees and friends of the Sequoyah Regional Library System had the opportunity to meet with several of their legislators at this year's Georgia Library Day. From left are Cheryl Kosins, Reference and Adult Services manager; Mary Crowley, manager of the Cherokee County Law Library; Nick Fogarty, director of the system; Nanette Kicker, assistant director of Public Services for SRLS; Rep. Charlice Byrd (R-Woodstock);

Dan Forrester, Friends of the Cherokee County Public Libraries; Rep. Sean Jerguson (R-Holly Springs); Rep. Calvin Hill (R-Canton); Marilyn VanNote, Friends of the Cherokee County Public Libraries; Dr. Elaine Hubbard, chair, Sequoyah Regional Library System board of trustees; Sen. Jack Murphy (R-Cumming); and Rep. Mark Hamilton (R-Cumming).

Libraries get huge valentine from citizens, legislators

Georgia libraries received a heartfelt
valentine from citizens across the state this year. Once again, people who love libraries turned out in record numbers to voice their support at the annual Georgia Library Day in Atlanta.
Approximately 350 supporters and legislators attended the sold-out Valentine's Day event, which was cosponsored by the Georgia Library Association (GLA), the Georgia Association for Instructional Technology, the Georgia Library Media Association and Georgia Public Library Service. Attendees received heart-shaped stress balls

bearing the message, "I Love Georgia Libraries," before hearing about the latest issues facing the state's libraries.
Numerous speakers addressed the crowd, including Rep. Ben Harbin (R-Evans), chairman of the House Appropriations Committee; Rep. Glenn Richardson (R-Hiram), speaker of the House; Betty Paulk, president of GLA; Jenny McCurdy, president of Friends of Georgia Libraries; and David Singleton, Georgia's deputy state librarian.
Harbin expressed his belief that "reading makes our society better"

and lauded Georgia's libraries for their contributions to education. "You are making a difference," he said.
Richardson agreed, adding that much remains to be done. "Only 65 percent of our students graduate from high school, and less than 20 percent of Georgia high school students earn a four-year degree. "We have to dispel the thought that we can't change that," he said, pledging his support and thanking the librarians in attendance for the job they do to help improve education.
See Valentine, page 2

All photos this page by GPLS News staff

Cherokee Regional Library's Darla Chambliss, system services specialist, and Lecia Eubanks, director, enjoyed lunch with Sen. Jeff Mullis (R-Chickamauga).

Rep. Katie Dempsey (R-Rome) and Robert Kane, a member of the Floyd County-Sara Hightower Regional Library board of trustees.

Carol Todd, chair of the Troup-Harris Regional Library Board, listens intently to Rep. Randy Nix (R-LaGrange).

Valentine
Continued from page 1 Following the presentations, attendees visited the
state Capitol to speak with their legislators, then returned to the Floyd Building for lunch with the officials, more than 70 of whom attended.

Several attendees from the Rome-based Sara Hightower Regional Library met with their legislators. From left: Steve Head, system services librarian; Sharon Cleveland, Cedartown Library manager; Curtis Lewis, mayor of Rockmart; Sen. Bill Heath (R-Bremen); and (seated) Ann Wheeler, Rockmart Library manager.

"Library Day is always an important event," said organizer Jim Cooper, director of the West Georgia Regional Library and president-elect of GLA. "It helps us keep libraries -- and library issues -- in the minds of our officials.

"Georgians are extremely

fortunate to have great library

systems throughout the state, and we

enjoy a high level of interest and

Cooper

support from our legislators," Cooper said. "This year's

Library Day was fun for everyone, and it gave board

members and friends from all over Georgia the

opportunity to meet and interact with their elected

officials."

"This was one of the most successful Georgia Library Days," agreed Singleton.

The Jefferson County Library System (JCLS) was well respresented. From left are Johnny Davis, trustee and Jefferson County commissioner; Matt Hodges, board chair; Patricia Edwards, director; Bob Holbert, trustee; Jennie Miller, JCLS administrative assistant; and Rep. Jimmy Lord (DSandersville).
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Georgia Public Library Service News April 2008

"Legislators, who have numerous demands on their time and on state resources, took time to talk with library staff, friends and trustees," Singleton said. "And this kind of interaction helps strengthen the local-state partnerships for all types of libraries. People associated with various kinds of libraries were able to meet, talk about and celebrate the value of libraries and discuss how they can make a difference every day in the lives of Georgians." I

Libraries prepare for annual Summer Reading Program

Kids eyes may bug out when they see what Georgia's
public libraries have in store for them in the annual Summer Reading Program. This year's activities and materials are built around the theme "Catch the Reading Bug." The program's dual goals are to promote family literacy and to demonstrate to kids that reading is fun.
According to Elaine Black, director of Children's Services for GPLS, studies have shown that school-age children who continue to read throughout their vacation from Black school maintain or improve writing, vocabulary and reading skills, while children who do not read are more likely to see their skills decrease.
"Reading as few as five books over the summer months can help children maintain their reading levels so that when school begins, they are not behind in reading skills but ready to move forward," she said.
"Catch the Reading Bug" is a natural subject for Vermont-based illustrator Harry Bliss. Insects have featured prominently in several of his best-selling books: Diary of a Fly, Diary of a Spider and Diary of a Worm, all by Doreen Cronin. Bliss is also the illustrator of A Fine, Fine School by Sharon Creech and Which Would You Rather Be? by William Steig. He is better-known by adults as the award-winning cartoonist and cover artist for The New Yorker.
This will be Georgia's first year as a member of the nationwide Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP)," Black explained. CSLP is a grassroots consortium of states working together to provide high-quality summer reading program materials for children at the lowest cost possible for their public libraries.
By combining resources and working with a commercial vendor to produce materials designed exclusively for CSLP members, public libraries in participating states can purchase posters, reading logs,

bookmarks, certificates and a variety of reading incentives at significant savings.
"It's a great thing for children who visit relatives in other states during their summer vacations," Black said. "They can travel the country and be part of the same program."
Forty-five states will participate this year, Black said, and the consortium is known for delivering an extremely unified and high-quality program. "The themes and slogans are voted on by the membership," she explained. "State library staff members make suggestions, and their master list is whittled down to a top five. Representatives from each member state then vote for their choice from that list."
Public libraries across Georgia will support this year's summer reading effort by offering reading logs, bookmarks and stickers -- and by hosting activities such as storytimes, puppet shows and other special events such as arts-and-crafts programs and magic shows.
As with Georgia's previous programs, children receive rewards for achieving reading goals. Kids can sign up and get their reading materials at public libraries across the state, beginning in May.
Because teens have different development needs than children, Georgia's libraries also hope to meet
the needs of teens this summer with the similarly themed "Metamorphosis @ Your Library."
The teen program, which is also part of CSLP, features artwork from New Jersey-based
Jan Duursema. She is well-known in comicbook circles, having worked on several series, including Dark Horse Comics' Star Wars Comics and a number of Marvel Comics. Some of the famous characters she has illustrated are The Incredible Hulk, Spider Man and Wolverine, as well as See Summer, page 4

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April 2008 Georgia Public Library Service News

Hawks-Thrashers Reading Challenge goes statewide this summer

For the fourth consecutive year, the
Atlanta Thrashers and the Atlanta Hawks will join Georgia's public libraries to challenge young readers to spend more of their free time reading this summer. For the first time, however, the annual Check-ItOut Reading Challenge will be open to children and teens statewide.
Sponsored by GPLS and Atlanta Spirit, the umbrella organization that
operates both teams and Philips Arena, the program is designed to supplement this year's Summer Reading Program. It will target young readers entering classes from kindergarten through grade 12, allowing participants to earn sports-related rewards by reading.
The program has grown steadily, from two counties in 2005 to 10 in 2007. Its success has spawned a similar program by the Washington Wizards for young readers in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia.
The Canton-based Sequoyah Regional Library System joined the program two years ago, and it has proved very popular in the counties it serves. "We had more than 3,000 people sign up last year," said Carson Ray, Youth Services supervisor. "We're looking forward to another successful summer in 2008."
As a first-time participant this year, the Milledgeville-based Twin

Lakes Library System expects to have around 1,200 children take part, said Children's Coordinator Anne Moore. "This is a great program," she said, "and I know our readers will be excited to participate."
"We are incredibly happy that we will be able to offer the program statewide this year," said Carrie Neville, Group Sales & Service executive for Atlanta Spirit. "That has been our hope from the beginning, and we hope that all participants will find it challenging, rewarding and fun."
Team mascots Thrash, Harry the Hawk and SkyHawk will be appearing at libraries this summer to promote the program. Each team will also sponsor two "Georgia Public Libraries" nights at Philips Arena this fall, with discounted
Summer
Continued from page 3 DC Comics' Hawkman and Wonder Woman. "Metamorphosis @ Your Library" encourages teens to read for pleasure at times when they are not in school.
"It encourages teens to be creative and have positive social interactions with their peers and adults," Black said. "The artwork does an outstanding job of reinforcing the idea that the library is a cool place for teens."
The Summer Reading Program 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. For more information on literacy activities, "Catch the Reading Bug" or "Metamorphosis @ Your Library," visit www.georgialibraries.org. I

Jason Ray

admission for public library employees, friends and families. In the previous three years of the program, the teams have awarded nearly 40,000 Hawks and Thrashers tickets to those children who participated.
"It's great to have so many options to get kids into reading and books," said Elaine Black, director of Children's Services for GPLS. "Kids can catch the reading bug and enjoy a game, too. We hope the sports connection will open the door for more kids to join the Summer Reading Program."
This year's Check-It-Out Reading Challenge will begin June 2 and run through Aug. 15. Complete rules will be available at participating public libraries in May and online at www.checkitoutreading.com. I
This past summer, the Calhoun-Gordon County Library sponsored a reading contest to promote the annual Summer Reading Program. Ten-year-old Mikaila Baker of Calhoun read 143 books and was declared the winner. In keeping with last year's "Reading Takes You Everywhere" theme and through the generosity of local businessman and pilot Ron Dobbs (right), Mikaila and her family were treated to a helicopter ride over Calhoun and parts of Gordon County.

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Georgia Public Library Service News April 2008

LaToya Davidson

Twin Lakes Library System celebrates 70th anniversary
On Jan. 18, 1938, Baldwin County's public library first
opened to the public. Seventy years later to the day, Mayor Richard Bentley proclaimed Mary Vinson Memorial Library Day as the Twin Lakes Regional Library kicked off a yearlong celebration of the Milledgeville facility.

"The library is observing both its history and the important role that it continues to play in ongoing community development," said Deputy State Librarian David Singleton.
"We are very excited," said Director Barry Reese at the ceremony. "We have been building toward the opportunity to do a lot of things during the coming year." He explained that anniversary festivities are scheduled to include movies, art exhibits and numerous other events that illuminate the library's place in the community -- and in Amercan history.
"One of the events I'm most looking forward to is in April, when we will reduce late fees to the rate they were 70 years ago -- 2 cents per item per day," Reese said. "Then in June, we are inviting back participants from the

Celebrating the proclamation of Mary Vinson Memorial Library Day in Milledgeville are (from left): David Singleton, Barry Reese, Mayor Richard Bentley and Kell Carpenter.
inaugural year of the Vacation Reading Club to commemorate that program, which is still running strong today."
In anticipation of the anniversary, Old Capital Press -- the publishing company founded and operated by the Twin Lakes system, published The History of the Baldwin County Public Library. The book was co-written by Reese and Reference Librarian Kell Carpenter. A full listing of the system's anniversary events can be found online, at www.twinlakeslibrarysystem.org. I

Athens to host GOLD-GALILEO Conference Aug. 1
The 19th GOLD-GALILEO Annual
Users Group Conference will be held Friday, Aug. 1 at the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education Conference Center & Hotel in Athens.
The goal of the conference is to provide a forum for continuing education and professional development activities related to using Georgia's interlibrary lending and resource sharing network, GOLD, and the statewide virtual library, GALILEO. This year's theme will be "One World One Library: Working Together To Put the User First." More info will be available soon at www.georgialibraries.org. I

PINES Annual Conference set for May 14-15

The PINES Annual Conference
will be held May 14-15 at the Warner Robins campus of Macon State University.
PINES (Public Information Network for Electronic Services) is the award-winning public library automation and lending network for 275 libraries in 137 counties. The Lake Blackshear Regional Library is the network's newest member, having joined in January. The Americus-based system serves patrons in Crisp, Dooly, Schley and Sumter counties.
According to Elizabeth McKinney de Garcia, PINES program director, the first day of

the annual meeting will include a variety of activities. "We will offer workshops for library staff who use the software every day," she said. "Our aim is to continually improve the delivery of library services."
The PINES annual membership meeting and Executive Committee meeting will take place on the conference's second day. Highlights will include committee election results, subcommittee appointments and a discussion of a proposed change to the PINES Membership Agreement. PINES provides more than 1.8 million registered users access to more than 9 million books and other items. I

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April 2008 Georgia Public Library Service News

NEWS IN BRIEF



Kenneth Green

Julie Walker has been named interim deputy state librarian for Georgia. Her appointment will take effect April 3. She joined GPLS in 2003 and was previously assistant state librarian for Support Services and Strategic Initiatives.

Thomas Jones has been named

director at Middle Georgia Regional

Library, serving

Bibb, Crawford,

Jones, Macon,

Twiggs and

Wilkinson

counties. He

most recently

served as deputy

director in a

career than has

Jones

spanned 34 years

with the system.

Jones replaces Joan Anderson, who

retired in March.

Lace Keaton is the new director

at the Okefenokee Regional Library

System. Based in Waycross, the

system serves

Appling, Bacon,

Clinch, Pierce

and Ware

counties. Keaton

most recently

served as deputy

director of Live

Oak Public

Libraries in

Savannah.

Keaton

Norris

Wootton has

been named

director of the

Kinchafoonee

Regional Library.

The Dawson-

based system

serves Calhoun,

Wootton

Clay, Randolph,

Terrell and

Webster counties. She comes to

Georgia from the Williamsburg

County Library in Kingstree, S.C.,

where she was director. Wootton

replaces Frances Messer, who

retired April 1 after serving as

director since January 2000.

Pat Carterette has joined GPLS as director of Continuing Education. She has more than 19 years of library experience, most Carterette recently as training and staff development coordinator at the Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library in Ohio.

National Library Week begins April 13. First sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country in

Mary Spencer

Statham celebrates new library
The Piedmont Regional Library System
celebrated the grand opening of its new Statham Library Jan. 19. According to Alan Harkness, the system's director, the new facility, next door to the town's community center, is more than double the size of the previous library, which was housed in an old Masonic lodge. I

Mayor Robert Bridges and his wife, Barbara, welcomed visitors to the new library.

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Georgia Public Library Service News April 2008

Enchanted forest
The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library Foundation obtained $250,000 in private funds to remake children's library spaces at the Alpharetta, Hapeville and Southwest branches, as well as that in its Central Library in downtown Atlanta. Showing off the new "Enchanted Forest of Reading" entrance are (from left): John Szabo, director; Cassie Davis, library assistant senior; Cathy Hope, manager of the Children's Department; and Frederick Stovall, library associate.
1958, the national observance celebrates the contributions of libraries and librarians and promotes library use and support. This year's theme is "Join the circle of knowledge @ your library." ALA is also co-sponsoring National Library Legislative Day on May 13 and 14. Supporters are invited to Washington, D.C., for the event, where they can participate in advocacy and issue training sessions, interact with Capitol Hill insiders and visit congressional member offices.
The Fayette County Public Library in Fayetteville is collaborating with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to present a series of workshops. Following on the success of two well-attended business workshops in January, the library is offering a free two-hour workshop on Web design and development and e-commerce. The workshop will take place April 22 from 6-8 p.m. Pre-registration with the SBA (www.sba.gov) is required. I

Staff Janet Florence

FOGL announces spring event, collaboration with Center for the Book
Friends of Georgia Libraries (FOGL) will hold its annual
business meeting and election of board members April 21 from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at the Brunswick-Glynn County Library.

Bill Starr, executive director of the Georgia Center for the Book, will speak about the center's upcoming 10th anniversary celebration at the program. Following lunch, the center and FOGL will jointly present a program by Terry Kay, the award-winning Georgia author of The Book of Marie, who will speak about his latest works. Kay's presentation will be followed by a book signing.
"This will be one of the best FOGL events we have presented," said President Jenny McCurdy. "Bill Starr is a terrific speaker. We have loved having him at the Decatur Library and consider him a great asset to DeKalb and Georgia. And Terry Kay will be equally outstanding. He is one of Georgia's best!"
The cost to attend the business meeting and program is $25 for FOGL members and $35 for non-

From left: McCurdy; Joe Shinnick, director of the Three Rivers Regional Library System; and Lyn Hopper, assistant state librarian for Library Development, discuss plans for the FOGL spring workshop in Brunswick.
members, which includes membership for 2008-09. Lunch is included. For registration forms and additional information, visit www.georgia-friends.org.
For more information about the Georgia Center for the Book's yearlong 10th anniversary celebration and a variety of related literary events around the state, visit the center online at www.georgiacenterforthebook.org. I

DeKalb breaks ground for first of 11 planned library-related projects
The weather may have been dreary,
but enthusiasm was high as the DeKalb County Public Library broke ground for the new Toco Hill-Avis G. Williams branch. Chief Executive Officer Vernon Jones and Commissioner Jeff Rader joined library officials, trustees, staff and patrons at the ceremony on Feb. 22.
Jones called the event an important occasion for both the library system and the county. "An excellent library system plays a major role in a thriving, educated community," Jones noted. "We are very pleased today to break ground for construction of the first of a number of new libraries that will enable the DeKalb library system to provide wider and better service than ever before."

From left: Trustees Curtis Branscome, Eleanor Duke and Mary Lee Davis; and DeKalb Public Library Director Darro Willey
The new, larger facility will be located at the site of the current building in Decatur. Also, beginning April 7, the system's NorthlakeBarbara Loar Library will close temporarily to allow work to begin on a 5,000-square-foot expansion of the popular facility.
Both projects are scheduled for completion in January 2009. I

Quitman joins KRLS
The Quitman County Library in
Georgetown will transfer from the Chattahoochee Valley Regional Library System to the Kinchafoonee Regional Library System (KRLS), effective July 1. As a result of the move, Quitman County will join the PINES program. According to Branch Manager Beverly Grant, the library will operate as usual throughout the transfer process, although operating hours will change in the future.
"The KRLS staff is very excited about Quitman joining our region," said Frances Messer, director of KRLS. "We feel that we can provide the best possible library services to the citizens of Georgetown and Quitman County." I

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April 2008 Georgia Public Library Service News

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
Lamar Veatch, state librarian
David Baker, editor
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

Fond farewells
Lillie Crowe (right), director of the Bartram Trail Regional Library in Washington, delivers congratulations and best wishes for a bright future to both Joan Anderson (left), who retired in March as director of the Middle Georgia Regional Library System, and to David Singleton, deputy state librarian, who will be leaving GPLS in April. Anderson worked for the six-county Macon-based system for more than 30 years. After 10 years of service to GPLS, Singleton will return home to North Carolina, where he will become director of Library Experiences for the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.

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