Georgia Public Library Service news, Vol. 6, no. 3 (Dec. 2008)

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

volume 6, issue 3 I December 2008

Staff

PINES issues 2 millionth library card
Christmas came early for the PINES
program this year, when a child from Bethlehem was issued the 2 millionth PINES card at a library managed by an Angel.

On Oct. 14, Angel Tuggle, manager of the Piedmont Regional Library System's Winder branch, helped Michelle Benoff of Bethlehem, Ga., sign up her 5-year-old son Andrew for a PINES card. When it and the day's other new cards were added to the system, Georgia's Public Information Network for Electronic Services (PINES) had achieved a level of popularity that its developers could only have dreamed of nine years ago.

From its inception, the goal of PINES has been to create a statewide, borderless library that eliminates geographic and socio-economic barriers and provides equal access to information for all Georgians.
The program went live at 98 libraries in 26 public library systems on Dec. 15, 1999, offering a shared catalog of approximately 1.8 million items. It achieved its largest annual growth in 2001, when 111 libraries in 16 systems joined. PINES issued its 1 millionth card in May 2003.
Today, PINES is a statewide consortium comprised of nearly 280 public libraries and service outlets in 51 library systems covering 140 counties. Together, these participating facilities offer Georgia citizens a shared catalog of nearly 10 million

After PINES staff determined where and when the program's 2 millionth card was issued, State Librarian Dr. Lamar Veatch (right) visited the Winder Public Library to congratulate Andrew Benoff and present him with a bag of children's books and toys to go with his new PINES card. Library employees created a giant ceremonial card to display to celebrate the occasion. From left are proud mom Michelle Benoff, library manager Angel Tuggle and Andrew Benoff.

items that can be accessed by a single library card welcomed by all.

and we are very proud of that standing."

"This 2-million-card milestone is a great indicator that we are succeeding with our initial goal," said Julie Walker, deputy state librarian. "It's very gratifying to us at GPLS that so many library users throughout the state appreciate the PINES system. The popularity of PINES reinforces Georgia's reputation as a national leader in library cooperation and resource sharing,

According to PINES Program Director Elizabeth McKinney, this year's PINES User Satisfaction Survey delivered the program's highest-ever satisfaction ratings. For the first time in the survey's five-year history, PINES topped the 90 percent mark in user satisfaction across all questions. Based on 2008 survey data, 19 out of 20 respondents (94.6 percent)
See PINES, page 5

Cone named top volunteer by NFB Georgia

The National Federation of the Blind
of Georgia (NFBGA) has selected Stella Cone, director of the Georgia Library for Accessible Services (GLASS), as its Volunteer of the Year for 2008. Cone accepted the award at the organization's seventh annual Black Tie/White Cane Appreciation Banquet in Atlanta on Oct. 25.
"In addition to her full-time work as the director of GLASS, Stella volunteers her time in the evenings and weekends to help us fulfill our mission of equality, opportunity and security for the blind," explained Anil Lewis, president of NFBGA. "Stella most recently helped coordinate the registration for our 2008 annual state convention. By processing preregistration information and staffing the registration desk at our recent state convention, she played an essential role in one of our largest state conventions to date. In addition, Stella has performed a variety of tasks during the year with joy of spirit and without hesitation. She is truly a committed member of our federation family."
Lewis said he and the members of the selection committee are consistently impressed by Cone's lack of a caretaker mentality. "She believes in the true potential of the blind," he said, "and she gets actively involved in the lives of the blind in ways that empower us to take control of our own destinies."

Stella Cone (left) accepts the 2008 Volunteer of the Year Award from Jo Ann Weaver, president of the National Federation of the Blind's Atlanta Metro Chapter.
the development of the Library Consumers Advisory Council (LCAC), a representative group of library patrons who assist in the planning and provision of high-quality library services for the blind and print disabled.
"We may express our appreciation to Stella with a plaque, but our true gratitude is manifested through the love that all members of the National Federation of the Blind of Georgia have for her," Lewis said.
"I am really surprised and touched by this award," Cone said. "I was not expecting it at all. There are many dedicated members of NFBGA; it is an honor to be so completely accepted as a member of their family."
Cone is the second GLASS employee to receive the Volunteer of the Year Award in the past three years. Vanessa Meadows, a library assistant and readers adviser for GLASS, won the award in 2006.

Also contributing to Cone's selection were her efforts in proactively employing and promoting competent blind people as GLASS employees and her work in fostering

GLASS is funded by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to GPLS under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act. I

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Georgia Public Library Service News December 2008

Sam Williams

Courtesy of Precision Planning Inc.

Fulton, Gwinnett voters support public libraries
Fulton County voters approved a
$275 million bond referendum with 65 percent of the vote on Nov. 4. The bonds will provide funding for eight new libraries, two expanded libraries and 23 renovations. AtlantaFulton Public Library System (AFPL) is the largest in the state of Georgia, and this will be the most extensive library building program in state history. Fulton last issued a library bond in 1985.
"This vote affirms the value people place on their public libraries and their understanding of what libraries provide, especially in challenging economic times," said John Szabo, director of AFPL. "This is a tremendous day for the children of Fulton County, particularly those served by severely inadequate facilities or no facilities at all." A summary of the system's master plan is available online at www.afpls.org.
Also on Nov. 4, voters in Gwinnett County approved a fiveyear extension of a 1-cent special purpose local option sales tax by a 56-to-44 margin. The tax, which is expected to raise $850 million, will fund capital investment projects. Public libraries will receive approximately $19 million of the funds.
"We are thankful for the continued support of Gwinnett
See Voters, page 5
The new Hamilton Mill branch is one of many Gwinnett County libraries that will benefit from the November SPLOST vote.

Staff

Twenty graduates reach PINNACLE's summit
Chancellor Erroll B. Davis Jr. brought Georgia's first
PINNACLE Institute to a close on Oct. 15 in the SeneyStovall Chapel at the Carl Vinson Institute of Government in Athens.

"To those in the inaugural PINNACLE leadership class, you have my congratulations on your selection and completion of this important program," Davis said, as he delivered the institute's commencement address. "Within the University System of Georgia, we are very serious regarding the need to develop a much stronger leadership culture at all levels and in all areas of the organization, so I commend (State Librarian) Lamar (Veatch) and all those involved in the Georgia Public Library Service for the devel-opment and implementation of the PINNACLE Institute.

"Each of you, as graduates of this program, will, I hope, come away with some new insights and skill sets that will equip you to be better leaders. In turn, I know you will use these new skills to help those in your organizations become better leaders."
The goal of PINNACLE -- short for the Public Library Institute for New and Creative Leadership Education -- is to ensure the future of high-quality library leadership across Georgia. During the yearlong course, 20 of the best and brightest young leaders in the Georgia library community received training in a variety of topics.
In his comments to the graduates and approximately 50 invited guests, Davis outlined the four key elements of leadership -- trust, vision, roles and communication -- and urged graduates to develop a culture of leadership in their respective organizations.
"Given the situation in the national and global economy, the need for true leadership is critical," he said. "People need to appreciate the power of leaders to change the future, to man-age risks, to alter outcomes. We must make the investment in training our people, in giving them leadership skills, in giving them tools and techniques.

Staff

Chancellor Erroll Davis presents Ashley Moore with a certificate and an engraved award as one of PINNACLE's first graduates.
University System, we take very seriously our responsibility to help train leaders, and one of the results of this approach is PINNACLE."
GPLS launched PINNACLE with a one-week retreat in November 2007. It included eight monthly two-day sessions on topics that included situational leadership, time management, analytical and creative problem solving, financial management and performance mea-
sures, human resource management and administrative law, managing conflict and group dynamics, ethics, power, best practices, process improvement, project coaching, media relations, leadership in a political environment and effective presentations.
"Graduation wrapped up a year that has affected the way I look at leadership and helped me to see the type of leader I need to become in order to be even more effective," said Anne Bowen, deputy director of the Ocmulgee Regional Library System in Eastman.

"Leaders are not born; they are grown. They are trained. In the

Leigh Wiley displays her glass-and-stone award.

Jo Lahmon, branch manager See PINNACLE, page 4

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December 2008 Georgia Public Library Service News

PINNACLE

Continued from page 3

for the Cobb County Public Library

System, also gave the program a rave

review. "Not only did I learn skills

and techniques that could be

immediately put

to good use in

the workplace,"

she said, "but I

was also able to

meet new people

from around the

state and forge

relationships that

will last for a long

Lahmon

time."

"This program lit a fire in our hearts, urging us to make ourselves, our libraries and our communities better," said Ashley Moore, assistant director of the Dougherty County Public Library. "It also reminded us that we can have fun along the way. PINNACLE offers opportunities that no one should pass up. It was amazing to watch the transformations that participants went through in such a short amount of time, and graduation was an exciting opportunity to celebrate our accomplishments as well as those of the mentors and GPLS."

In addition to Bowen, Lahmon and Moore, PINNACLE's first-year graduates are: Jimmy Bass, head of the Newnan-Coweta Public Library; Ted Bazemore, virtual services librarian with the Clayton County Library System (CCLS); Brijin Boddy, head of the teen department for Chattahoochee Valley Regional Libraries (CVRL) in Columbus; Sarah Boyd, reference librarian with West Georgia Regional Library System in Carrollton; Lecia Eubanks, director of the Cherokee Regional Library in LaFayette; Trudi Green, team leader for information services for the Athens Regional Library System (ARLS); Sandy Hester, director of

the Fitzgerald-Ben Hill County

Singleton, director of Library

Library; Gina Jenkins, principal

Experiences at the Public Library of

librarian/branch manager for the

Charlotte & Mecklenburg County

DeKalb County Public Library; and

(N.C.); and Julie Walker, deputy

Colleen Knight, adult services

state librarian.

librarian with the Bartow County

Library System.

PINNACLE's steering committee

worked with the Carl Vinson Institute

Also graduating were: Lisa

of Government (CVIG), a public

MacKinney, assistant director of the service and outreach unit of the

Hall County Library System; Beata

University of Georgia, to design the

Mengel, youth services librarian with curriculum, and CVIG's Walt

CCLS; Karen Odom, head librarian McBride led many of the training

at Houston County Public Libraries'

sessions.

Centerville branch; Jill Prouty, library

administrator with the Flint River

"We believe PINNACLE can

Regional Library System's Peachtree

become a national model for training

City Library; Susan Stephens,

the next generation of library

director of the Chattooga County

leaders," said Walker. She noted that

Library System; Jeff Tomlinson,

PINNACLE was conceived as a yearly

director of the Uncle Remus Regional program, but because of state

Library System in Madison; Leigh

budget cuts, that plan has been

Wiley, director of the Worth

scaled back to every other year.

County Library System; and Beverly

Williams, subregional manager for

The application process for

the Georgia Library for Accessible

PINNACLE's 2009-2010 class will

Services (GLASS) in Atlanta.

begin next spring, Walker said. To

apply, interested parties must hold a

Eleven volunteers with more

master of library science, a master of

than 200 years of combined experi- science in library science or a master

ence in the library profession served of library and information science

as mentors for the inaugural class.

degree; be currently employed in a

Mentors included Kathryn Ames,

public library in Georgia; and have at

director of ARLS; Pat Carterette,

least two years of experience.

director of Continuing Education for Applications will be available in early

GPLS; Stella Cone, director of

2009 at www.georgialibraries.org. I

GLASS; Susan Cooley,

Staff

director of the Sara

Hightower Regional

Library in Rome; Dusty

Gres, director of the

Ohoopee Regional

Library in Vidalia; Greg

Heid, director of the

Newton County Library

System; Lyn Hopper,

assistant state librarian

for Library Development;

Claudya Muller, director

of CVRL; Lois Roberts,

director of the Statesboro

Regional Library; David

Julie Walker congratulates graduate Jeff Tomlinson.

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Georgia Public Library Service News December 2008

Nabawi, Ghoting to keynote 2009 Children's Services conference

Georgia Public Library Service will sponsor the 11th
annual Children's Services Annual Conference (CSAC) on Monday, Feb. 2, 2009. The event will be held at Goodwill's Anderson Conference Center in Macon. CSAC provides opportunities for staff members from public libraries and school media centers throughout Georgia to exchange ideas and learn best practices and new developments in the field of children's services.

afternoon keynote session, entitled "The Value of Our Work: Getting Children Excited and Ready to Read." Based in Montgomery County, Md., Ghoting currently works with the Public Library Association, the Association for Library Service to Children and the American Library Association's early literacy initiative, "Every Child Ready to Read @ your library." She has more than 25 years experience in children's services.

"We are still in the process of finalizing the breakout sessions that will be offered throughout the day," said Elaine Black, director of Youth Services for GPLS, "but they will likely include partnering with pre-K, summer reading, serving children with special needs and the use of new technologies for children." She noted that children's services professionals from across the state and from the Georgia Department of Education will lead each session.
This year's CSAC will feature two keynote addresses. A morning session by J'Miah Nabawi will address the roles of libraries and of storytelling in the lives of families. Nabawi is a professional storyteller from Philadelphia whose high-energy appearances have won him national acclaim. "He is a very entertaining speaker who has been captivating audiences as a professional storyteller for more than 20 years," Black said.
Early literacy expert Saroj Ghoting will deliver the

"We hope to provide a stimulating day of educational and networking opportunities for everyone who works with children and families in Georgia's libraries," Black said. "We depend on CSAC to provide a solid base for our summer reading program and to inspire outstanding service for children and families year-round. It provides hands-on, proven strategies for those who work in children's services, and it's a keystone for GPLS' goal of creating exceptional library programming across Georgia."
CSAC registration is free but is limited to a maximum of 450 participants. Lunch is included, and free parking will be provided. Additional information, including final breakout session descriptions, a full schedule and registration forms, will be available in early December at www.georgialibraries.org. CSAC is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to GPLS under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act. I

PINES
Continued from page 1 would recommend the PINES system to their friends, with four out of five (81.7 percent) respondents using the catalog at least weekly to renew books online, place holds on books, determine fines or see what items they have checked out.
"Many of the comments we received in this year's PINES user surveys indicate that our users are impressed by -- and are grateful for -- the ability to use their PINES cards at any member library and to request materials not owned by their local libraries," McKinney said. "The overwhelmingly positive

response confirms that Georgians truly see the benefits of PINES."
PINES users may request materials from any participating library to be shipped to a pick-up library of their choice. Intra-PINES loans are free of charge to PINES users. Any resident of Georgia may obtain a free PINES card by visiting a participating library.
A complete list of participating libraries and service outlets, along with the full PINES catalog, is available from workstations within all Georgia public libraries, as well as for users logging in from home, at gapines.org. I

Voters
Continued from page 2 County residents and proud to know that citizens feel that libraries are valuable and essential to a healthy community," said Nancy StanberyKellam, executive director of the Gwinnett County Public Library. "While our libraries have historically enjoyed a steady increase in use, the recent economic downturn has caused a marked increase in this use.
"Citizens are coming to the library to search for jobs on the internet, update their resume and to refresh job skills. Having these additional library facilities will enable us to better serve our community for these and other needs, and provide work for local businesses during their construction." I

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December 2008 Georgia Public Library Service News

NEWS IN BRIEF



The board of trustees of the Three Rivers Regional Library System has named Leslie Jones as its new director. She replaces Joe Shinnick, who retired in November. A native of Jacksonville, Fla., Jones brings extensive experience in branch operations, reference services, collection development and acquisitions and technical services at libraries in Florida and Oklahoma.
Tim Daniels has been named assistant state librarian for Support Services and Strategic Initiatives. He was previously PINES program manager. In his new position, Daniels will focus on information technology and formation of a statewide public library courier service. He will also supervise the agency's efforts in resource sharing, as well as those in facilities and construction.
Emily Almond has joined GPLS and will serve as PINES software development manager. She previously worked in project management and software development for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the libraries of Emory University and CNN.
Elaine Hardy has joined the PINES staff as bibliographic project

and metadata manager. She will work with PINES libraries on database cleanup, acquisitions development and cataloging priorities. She joined GPLS in 2002 and most recently served as library services manager for collections and reference.
Dawn Dale is the new PINES helpdesk assistant. She joins GPLS from the Hall County Library, where she worked for eight years, serving as circulation manager since 2003.
Gayla Brewer is the new branch manager at the Cherokee Regional Library System's Dade County Public Library in Trenton. She previously served as branch services Brewer librarian and community development librarian.
Willia Farmer is the new branch manager at the Okefenokee Regional Library System's Blackshear Memorial Library. She has been employed by the system for more than 10 years, most recently in its Waycross headquarters.

Ella Jean Smith retired in October following almost 30 years of service to the Hall County Library System. Popularly known in Gainesville as "The Bookmobile Lady," Smith drove the county's mobile library for 17 years prior to its final tour of duty in 1996.
The Georgia Library Association, the Georgia Association for Instructional Technology, the Georgia Library Media Association and GPLS will sponsor Georgia Library Day in Atlanta on Thursday, Feb. 26. The annual event provides friends and supporters with the opportunity to speak directly with legislators about the need for continued support of the state's libraries. Among the 2009 event's highlights will be a visit to the Georgia State Capitol and a box lunch with legislators. Registration information will be available in January at gla.georgialibraries.org.
GPLS, SOLINET and Equinox Software will sponsor the first Evergreen Conference May 20-22 at the Classic Center in Athens. The conference will provide a forum for continuing education related to the use of the Evergreen open-source library software. I

Staff

GLA(d) tidings for public librarians
Public library staff members from across the state took to the podium at this year's Georgia Library Association awards ceremony, held Oct. 16 at the Georgia Council of Media Organizations annual conference in Athens. Left: GLA President Betty Paulk passes her gavel to Jim Cooper, director of the West Georgia Regional Library System in Carrollton, who will serve as GLA's president in 2009. Center: Carrie
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Georgia Public Library Service News December 2008

Zeiger, director of the Coastal Plain Regional Library System, congratulates paraprofessional grant recipient Deborah Moorman, manager of the Irwin County Library in Ocilla. Right: Jo Ellen Ostendorf, director of the Troup-Harris Regional Library System, congratulates paraprofessional grant recipient Debra Marino, manager of the Harris County Public Library in Hamilton.

Courtesy Keep Georgia Beautiful

Tonya Strickland

Bronze star
GPLS webmaster Darin Givens (right) received a bronze 2008 Chancellor's Customer Service Outstanding Excellence Award from the University System of Georgia's Board of Regents. The Chancellor's Awards are presented to individuals whose actions best reflect the state's customer service attributes of being courteous, helpful, accessible, responsive and knowledgeable. Sixteen award winners were selected from 636 nominations from 49 agencies. Presenting the award to Givens are Joe Doyle, director of the Governor's Office of Customer Service, and Deborah Scott, legislative analyst and projects director/University System Office co-champion for customer service.

Looking good in green
"Be Green," an environmental awareness show hosted by Susan Cooley, director of the Sara Hightower Regional Library (SHRL), and Mary Hardin Thornton, executive director of Keep Rome-Floyd Beautiful, won second place for Community Improvement at the 30th Annual Keep Georgia Beautiful Awards, held at the Fox Theater on Oct. 23. The awards program honors those whose ongoing efforts in community improvement and environmental stewardship exemplify leadership in protecting Georgia's environment. From left are Lynn Cobb, executive director of Keep Georgia Beautiful; Thornton; Lee Dollar, infrastructure coordinator for SHRL; and Cooley.

Courtesy Institute of Museum and Library Services

Local housing authority helps system

open third branch in Baldwin County

The Twin Lakes Library System is
opening the doors of literacy and spreading further into its community through an innovative plan to open and operate its third branch in Baldwin County.
The Floride Allen Library opened Oct. 10 as a partnership between the library system and the Milledgeville Housing Authority (MHA).
"The idea sprang from a brief conversation with housing authority board member Carrie Jarrett at a February event commemorating the old Graham Library here," explained system Director Barry Reese. The Graham Library opened in 1958 and was housed in an MHA building until it closed in 1973.
With so many local residents having no means of transportation

and in need of public-access computers and computer skills, Jarrett asked Reese if the library system would consider renewing the ties between their organizations.

"This was an opportunity to reach a segment of the population that badly needs library services," Reese said, "so it sounded like a good idea to pursue a working relationship."
After nine months of diligent work, the new library began welcoming its first patrons.
Named for the local Great Depression-era library advocate Floride Allen, the facility is housed in a 5,000-square-foot building owned by MHA and with operating expenses split between MHA and Twin Lakes. I

National splash
Dr. Anne-Imelda Radice (center), 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. 27. Sponsored by the Library of Congress and hosted by first lady Laura Bush, the festival was free and open to the public. David Baker, director of communications for GPLS, and Elaine Black, director of Youth Services, provided information and answered visitors' questions about Georgia's writers, libraries, book festivals, book awards and reading promotion activities.

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December 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

Putting the future in good hands
From left: Brijin Boddy, Jill Prouty and Karen Odom celebrate their graduation from the inaugural class of PINNACLE, the Public Library Institute for New and Creative Leadership Education. Read all about it on page 3.

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