Georgia Public Library Service news, Vol. 6, no. 4 (Feb. 2009)

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

volume 6, issue 4 I February 2009

Georgians' public library use

continues to rise in Internet Age

Across the country, public libraries
are reporting a surge in use, and Georgia's are among them.
According to the latest annual statistics from the Georgia Public Library Service, the number of visits to the state's public libraries reached almost 37 million in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2008.
"This is an increase of 15.7 percent in only two years," said State Librarian Dr. Lamar Veatch, who ties the increase at least in part to the economic hardships that many Georgians are experiencing.

"We are seeing more people in libraries throughout the entire state," Veatch said, "and the services provided by those libraries are in greater demand than ever. When people are looking for work, they use the library's free Internet access to assist their search. With people anxious to economize, they cut back on buying books, magazines and DVDs. Instead, they check them out at the library. These latest statistics show that Georgia's residents truly appreciate and utilize the terrific services their libraries provide."
See Libraries, page 4

Governor recommends funding

for 11 public library projects

Good news for Georgia's public
libraries came in the capital outlay recommendations of Gov. Sonny Perdue's State of the State Address.
Perdue outlined his legislative agenda to a special joint session of the Georgia General Assembly on Jan. 14 and formally submitted his budget recommendations for the state of Georgia for fiscal year 2010. In a nod to the critical importance of public libraries in the current tough economic times, the governor included almost $19 million to assist with the design and construction of 11 important new library projects throughout the state. This amount, coupled with $28.3 million in local

funding, will allow the projects to move forward.
The 11 projects included, their total project costs and the value of their state shares as recommended by the governor are:
I an addition to the Sara Hightower Regional Library System's Rockmart Library in Polk County ($2,674,250 total; $1,899,500 state, $774,750 local);
I a new Central Library Annex for the Dekalb County Library System in Decatur ($8,002,857 total; $2 million state, $6,002,857 local); See Funding, page 2

Funding

Continued from page 1 I a new Northeast Branch for the
Sequoyah Regional Library System in Cherokee County ($5,616,857 total; $2 million state, $3,616,857 local) and an addition to its R. T. Jones Memorial Library in Canton ($1,404,214 total; $1,052,207 state, $352,007 local);
I an addition to the Athens Regional Library System's AthensClarke County Library ($10,215,240 total; $2 million state, $8,215,240 local);
I an addition to the Three Rivers Regional Library System's St. Mary's Public Library in Camden County ($1,120,050 total; $863,367 state, $256,683 local);
I the Uncle Remus Regional Library System's new O'Kelley Memorial Library in Loganville ($4,401,943 total; $2 million state, $2,401,943 local) and an addition to its Morgan County Library in Madison ($2,825,147 total; $2 million state, $825,147 local);
I the Satilla Regional Library System's new Jeff Davis County Library in Hazelhurst ($3,147,850 total; $1,147,850 state, $2 million local);
I an addition to the Thomas County Library System's Thomasville Library ($3.3 million total; $2 million state, $1.3 million local); and
I a new Forest Park Library for the Clayton County Library System ($4,571,429 total; $2 million state, $2,571,429 local).
"This construction funding helps to leverage our local SPLOST funds to expand services to our area's residents," said Kathryn Ames, director of the Athens Regional Library System. "Our library is the second most-used public facility in Athens, behind only the mall, with a daily attendance of more than 2,000

people. This expansion is badly needed so we can expand our children's area and update our technology services."
Ames said the library also plans to double the size of its Heritage Room to accommodate demand from Georgia history and genealogy researchers. "The building will also meet LEED standards and will serve as a demonstration center for `green' building. Its flexibility and adaptability will allow the library to change and grow as community needs evolve."
The Sara Hightower system's Rockmart branch likewise cannot keep up with the demand created by a rapidly growing area. "Rockmart needs a much larger library," said Branch Manager Ann Wheeler. "Our children's section is so narrow that a patron with a baby stroller cannot navigate it. We are not wheelchair accessible. We have a waiting list for computers each day, and we do not have adequate parking. Not a day goes by without a patron asking when we are going to get a larger library. Now we can say `soon.'"
The Thomas County Public Library is in a similar situation. "These proposed state funds, added to our local SPLOST funds, will enable us to expand the building to house additional books and computers," said Director Nancy Tillinghast.
The new Forest Park Library will be a godsend to its community as well, according to Carol Stewart, director of the Clayton County Library System. "The existing library is landlocked with insufficient parking, limited wheelchair access and limited ability to be retrofitted for technology," she said. "The area is in such great need of this improved facility."

"The entire public library community is most gratified that the governor is recommending these 11 projects to the General Assembly," said State Librarian Dr. Lamar Veatch. "I know he recognizes the great value of public libraries in these troubling economic times, and he wants to support excellent library facilities in Georgia with these capital bond fund proposals. This proposed package is a continuation of the significant cooperative program of state participation with local communities in building new public libraries that has been a hallmark of Governor Perdue's administration."
Citing economic uncertainties and projected budget shortfalls, however, the governor proposed a lean overall budget that includes a reduction of approximately $3.3 million in current library-related funding. This portion of the governor's proposal includes a reduction in program operations ($560,842), a decrease in public library state grants for materials and books ($1,793,380), and a reduction in funding for repairs and renovations ($900,000). The figure is partially offset by the governor's recommendation to add $245,573 in funds to the state grants formula for libraries, based on an increase in the state's population.
"The governor's recommendations for reductions to both GPLS operations and state grants were anticipated and will certainly be challenging for us as an agency," said Veatch, "but we understand the need for belt-tightening in the current economic climate. More importantly, we are grateful for the good news regarding the proposed capital outlay funding for libraries and look forward to seeing those projects become realities." I

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Georgia Public Library Service News February 2009

Advocacy important during lean economic times

by Lyn Hopper
Assistant State Librarian for Library Development
If you have ever spoken up on
behalf of something you cared about, then you have been an advocate. It's that simple. Advocacy doesn't only occur at meetings of political bodies either. It also takes place in grocery store lines, at Little League games and, sometimes, even in your living room.
Public libraries need your advocacy. Too often, citizens and elected officials take their libraries for granted.
Almost no one dislikes libraries; however, people often assume that libraries will always be there -- which isn't always the case. We frequently hear and read news stories about libraries closing doors,

cutting back hours, laying off staff and purchasing fewer books in order to meet shrinking budgets.

Georgia's public libraries are governed by boards of trustees, which include citizens from all walks of life. Because these boards have no taxing authority, libraries are dependent on taxing agencies -- cities, counties and school boards -- for local funds.

Friends of the

Library groups

Hopper

often supplement

library budgets by raising funds on

libraries' behalf, but it is primarily

the local government's responsibility

to support them. Public libraries are

cost-effective, democratizing and heavily used institutions. Almost everyone loves them. But libraries cannot live on love alone.
Envision yourself attending a county budget hearing on behalf of your local library. If you are identifiable as a library supporter (perhaps wearing a library-related Tshirt or button), your presence in the room can have significant impact!
Board members of the Roddenbery Memorial Library in Cairo accompanied Director Alan Kaye to this year's budget hearing with the Grady County commissioners. Kaye said that their attendance definitely made a difference. "Our library received the requested increase, and two of the board members made important comments about the value of the library at the public meeting," he said.

Library Day with legislators set for Feb. 26
On Thursday, Feb. 26, the Georgia Library Association, the Georgia
Association for Instructional Technology, the Georgia Library Media Association and GPLS will sponsor Georgia Library Day with the state Legislature.
Attendees can expect to meet with numerous elected officials and discuss with them a variety of issues facing public libraries in the current tough economic climate. Speakers will include leaders from throughout the Georgia library community.
"We must strengthen our efforts to communicate with legislators about the need for their continued support of the state's public libraries," said State Librarian Dr. Lamar Veatch, "and this annual event provides a great opportunity for friends and supporters to do that. We have consistently found that most of our legislators welcome the opportunity to meet with their constituents and are eager to hear what they have to say."
Georgia Library Day will kick off at 8:45 a.m. on the 20th floor of the Floyd Building, across from the state Capitol and will include a box lunch with legislators. The cost is $30 per person. Registration will continue through Feb. 13. Additional information and forms are available online at gla.georgialibraries.org. I

The library board in Miller County succeeded in getting a local taxing district established for library funds. "Without the local board's constant communication and work with the board of education and County Commission, we would have no funding for libraries in the county," explained Director Susan Whittle.
In 1992, the year that the new Athens-Clarke County Library opened, no local agencies were scheduled to get increases in funding. Although the facility tripled the size of the one it replaced, there was no money for additional staff or upkeep. One of the commissioners at the time quipped to Director Kathryn Ames that he had "heard from 2,500 of her closest Friends," and he subsequently paved the way to increase funds to adequately staff and maintain the library.
See Advocacy, page 4

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February 2009 Georgia Public Library Service News

Advocacy

Libraries

Continued from page 3 Many similar stories around the
state illustrate the enormous power of advocacy. If you want to speak up on behalf of libraries, your library director can help you understand the issues and, when needed, assist you in preparing the necessary presentations.
It is often said that the voice of one citizen can be stronger than that of 10 librarians. Because librarians and library directors can be perceived as having a vested interest in increasing library budgets, you can be far more influential in delivering a pro-library message than one of its employees.
Advocacy messages must be clear, simple and consistent. If everyone is not singing from the same sheet of music, funding agency representatives can become confused about what specifically a library needs. Work with your library director, trustees and other advocates to craft and then deliver a powerful common message.
Today's libraries don't just inform people; they transform people's lives. Gather stories from library users that you can use to illustrate how the library has made and continues to make a difference in your community.
Your library director can be a wonderful resource, and good communication with them throughout the advocacy process ensures that your message will be polished and consistent. As you prepare to advocate for your library, discuss your information needs and appropriate talking points with the director. If you are engaged in more formal advocacy, take care to rehearse your presentation until you are comfortable with it.

Andrew Tillman

For informal advocacy activities, develop an elevator speech about why the library is so important in your community. Imagine you are riding in an elevator with someone who asks, "Why should I care about our library?" In the time it takes for an elevator to go from the first to the fifth floor, you should be able to articulate why libraries not only continue to be relevant but are, in fact, more important than ever. Once you've memorized this brief statement, you'll be ready to use it at appropriate moments during social encounters, whether they occur at your club or church meeting or the local department store.
Your library and your community need your advocacy. Please consider speaking out to ensure adequate local funding and support. By doing so, you will help the library continue its mission to contribute to the quality of life in your community -- and to transform your life and the lives of those around you. I
Holiday cheer
State Rep. Ed Rynders (R-District 152) met with State Librarian Dr. Lamar Veatch (right) at a holiday open house at the Lee County Library in Leesburg. The library's board of trustees hosted the Dec. 16 event. According to Library Director Claire Leavy, more than 60 citizens, staff and board members attended, along with numerous local and state legislative officials.

Continued from page 1 Veatch pointed out that the
number of public libraries in Georgia has topped 380 and will approach 390 by the end of the 2009 fiscal year as communities scramble to meet ever-increasing demands for service.
"The great value of public libraries has been recognized most recently by the voters of Fulton County," he said. "In November, they overwhelmingly approved a $275 million bond referendum -- the largest library building bond package in Georgia's history."
In addition to the increase in visitors, the number of circulated items at Georgia's libraries is up 7.2 percent in two years, from 40.7 million in 2006 to more than 43.6 million in 2008. People using publicaccess computer stations at Georgia's public libraries exceeded 14 million in 2008, up 5 percent from 2006. All figures are based on those provided by Georgia's public library systems to the Institute of Museum and Library Services in the Public Library Survey for FY2008.
According to Deputy State Librarian Julie Walker, the smaller percentage increase in computer use is deceptive, because most of the stations were already running at or near full capacity during business hours. "The increase in percentage is a reflection of more computers and a slightly greater capacity," she said. "The demand for increased bandwidth and additional public workstations, however, is even greater than what we are currently able to provide. When times get tough, people historically turn to libraries, and this year has been no exception. Our challenge is to continue to provide services to meet the demand." I

4
Georgia Public Library Service News February 2009

Carol McLeod/The News and Farmer

PRIME TIME reading program shines spotlight on family literacy
In 2008, Georgia public libraries
proved such worthy additions to the national expansion of the PRIME TIME family reading program that the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities (LEH), in cooperation with the American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office, has again selected seven public library systems in Georgia to participate in 2009.

Based on illustrated children's books, PRIME TIME FAMILY READING TIME is designed to help lowincome, low-literate families bond around the act of reading and talking about books.
Through a discussion leader and a storyteller, children ages 6 to 10 years and their parents or guardians hear classic children's stories, engage in reading aloud demonstrations, discuss humanities themes in each book and learn about library services and resources. Younger siblings, ages 3 to 5 years, participate in separate pre-reading activities.
Bilingual PRIME TIME programs are offered at many sites. These are specifically tailored for Spanish/ English-speaking families, with culturally diverse titles provided in both languages and discussion supported bilingually by trained translators and team members. Each bilingual session also includes a fiveminute "library commercial" that allows librarians to introduce families to library resources such as homework aids, ESL and GED materials for parents, books on parenting and health care, and local and international newspapers and magazines.
"PRIME TIME is an incredible program," said Elaine Black, director of Youth Services for Georgia Public Library Service (GPLS). "It brings together families to share

All parents and children who participated in the Jefferson County Library System's PRIME TIME program were given a certificate, and each child also received a book to keep.

meals and stories, and it enables them to have meaningful discussions on universal topics like compassion, happiness, coping and greed."
GPLS directs the partnership with Georgia's participating libraries. In 2008, seven communities held PRIME TIME programs. Angela Margerum coordinated the program for Atlanta-Fulton Public Libraries, Nez Alburquerque for DeKalb County Public Libraries, Barbara Osborne-Harris for the Coweta County Library System and Patricia Edwards for the Jefferson County Library System. Three additional libraries provided the program in both English and Spanish. Dina Willis and Carrie Zeiger coordinated the bilingual program for Coastal Plain Regional Library, Martha Powers for the Ohoopee Regional Library System and Karen Harris for the Gwinnett County Library System.

participants. These absolutely fantastic meals gave the families an opportunity to sit together and form new friendships and connections within their community, as well as become comfortable with the library." By the end of the program, Zeiger said, her staff had registered members from each family present.
"It was wonderful for all of us to observe so many families bonding over books this year," Black said. "It is especially gratifying for us at GPLS, because research shows that these PRIME TIME families definitely go on to become regular library users."
In 2009, the Brooks County Library System will join the program, with Amy Plonowski serving as coordinator. PRIME TIME will return to Atlanta-Fulton and Jefferson County, and four systems -- Coastal Plain, Coweta, DeKalb and Gwinnett -- will offer the bilingual program.

"We had a number of activities going on around and with the programming," said Zeiger, who directs the Coastal Plain system. "Each night, a different Mexican restaurant in town donated a meal for the approximately 60

Funding for PRIME TIME comes from the Georgia Humanities Council and 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. I

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February 2009 Georgia Public Library Service News

NEWS IN BRIEF



Courtesy IMLS

The advisory council of the Georgia Center for the Book has awarded the Georgia Literary Festival to the city of Rome for 2009 and to Statesboro for 2010.
The Forsyth County Public Library broke ground for its Hampton Park branch on Dec. 11. According to Library Director Jon McDaniel, the $6.8 million, 23,000-square-foot facility will open in early 2010 with a collection of approximately 60,000 items.
Nick Fogarty has been named deputy director of the Northwest Georgia Regional Library System in Dalton.
Mary Clayton has been named branch manager of the Coastal Plain Regional Library System's Perry Memorial Library in Nashville.
Tim York is the new branch manager at the Cherokee Regional

Library's LaFayette-Walker County Public Library. He replaces Lin Oliver, who retired in December.
Susan White, director of the Sequoyah Regional Library System, was named 2008 Executive of the Year by the Appalachian Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals.
The Coweta County Library System held a retirement reception in November for Valerie Morris, who served as youth services library assistant at Newnan's Powell Public Library for more than 15 years.
The Georgia Department of Community Health is working with the state's public libraries to introduce georgiahealthinfo.gov, a Web site that provides access to information about the cost and quality of health care services in Georgia, as well as educational tools that provide information about health-related topics. I

Calculated impact
Diana Very (center), director of LSTA, Statistics and Research for GPLS, received the 2008 Keppel Award from the Public Library Statistics Cooperative. The award, in the form of a working abacus with an engraved plaque, goes to state library agencies that have excelled in the completeness, promptness and high quality of the data that they collect, edit and submit annually to the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Presenting the award to Very are Patricia O'Shea of the U.S. Census Bureau (left) and Dr. Anne-Imelda M. Radice, director of IMLS.

State Parks and Historic Sites pass program renewed for 2009

Thanks to the overwhelming support it has received
since its introduction in June, the "Get Outdoors Georgia" campaign's ParkPass program has been renewed for a second year. A joint initiative of GPLS and the Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division (PRHSD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the program enables Georgia's public libraries to continue making it easy for patrons to enjoy the great outdoors.

the Cobb County Public Library. "We have had success and lots of good will as a result of the ParkPasses," agreed Dusty Gres, director of the Vidalia-based Ohoopee Regional Library System. According to John Szabo, director of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library, the program was so successful there that the system supplemented its ParkPasses with passes for another local attraction, Zoo Atlanta.

With a valid library card from a participating library system (including PINES), patrons can borrow Georgia State Park ParkPasses and Historic Site passes from their local libraries. The passes are good for free parking or admission at more than 60 attractions across the state. Folders include an annual ParkPass that exempts visitors from paying daily parking fees at state parks; an annual Historic Site pass good for free admission for one visitor; and a copy of the Guide to Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites with descriptions, photos, directions and a map.
"Our staff were unanimous in wanting to provide the passes again this year," said Tamara George, director of

"The program definitely proved to be a great way to bring people into our parks," said Sally Winchester, marketing and communications manager for PRHSD. "We hope that, once people visit the parks, they will want to come back, explore other parks and even join the Friends of Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites."
Because of the program's expected popularity, families interested in borrowing a ParkPass from their local public libraries are advised to plan early, as supplies of the passes and ParkPass folders are limited. To see a list of parks and historic sites covered by the passes, visit www.GeorgiaStateParks.org. I

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Georgia Public Library Service News February 2009

PINES libraries offering online `preminders' for due materials

Georgia Public Library Service launched its PINES
Preminder Service at more than 275 participating libraries around the state on Jan. 15. PINES offers Georgia citizens a shared catalog of almost 10 million items, with a single library card that is welcomed in all member libraries. With more than 2 million registered cardholders, PINES is a national leader in library resource sharing.
With the new preminder service, PINES patrons can sign up to receive notices by e-mail that their borrowed materials will soon be due. "We will notify you before it happens, so that you can either return or renew your items before any fines are assessed," said PINES Program Director Elizabeth McKinney.
Those who sign up for the service and borrow items

that circulate for eight days or more will receive a twoday notice. Those who borrow items that circulate for two-to-seven days will receive a one-day notice. Patrons may sign up to receive preminders by simply adding an e-mail address when accessing their patron account online at www.gapines.org. Alternately, they may ask circulation staff at any PINES participating library to add an e-mail address to their existing account.
By adding an e-mail address to patrons' accounts, all seven- and 14-day overdue notices will now be sent via e-mail in order to save Georgia taxpayers the cost of paper and postage. If no e-mail address exists in a patron's record, those individuals will continue to receive paper notices. All 30-day overdue notices will continue to be sent via the U.S. Postal Service. I

Courtesy USDA

Georgia librarians contribute to cookbook filled with recipes for technology success

Three Georgia librarians -- Faye
Lewis of the De Soto Trail Regional Library, Sara Paulk of the FitzgeraldBen Hill County Library and Jarvis Sims of the Hall County Library System -- have contributed to a valuable new computer technology resource for their counterparts across the country.
With libraries across the country reporting significant increases in circulation, their public-access computers are getting a more strenuous workout than ever. Because libraries rarely have their own IT staffs, librarians are often tasked with maintaining those public computers. How do they do it? With a little help from their friends -- friends like Lewis, Sims and Paulk.
Three years ago, a San Francisco-based nonprofit group called TechSoup Global started the MaintainIT Project with a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Its purpose is to enable librarians to share experiences that will spark learning and sustainable practices for keeping public computers

running. To that end, MaintainIT Project managers created a series of "cookbooks" -- free guides filled with experiences from librarians from around the country and featuring ideas and best practices for planning, building and managing public computer technology.
MaintainIT recently launched the third and final cookbook in the series, entitled "Planning for Success: A Guide for the Overworked Librarian." Its purpose is to provide details that librarians need to know in order to get and keep their library's technology resources running properly.
"By pulling together the best inthe-field thoughts of librarians," Paulk said, "this IT cookbook is the definitive, go-to book for busy librarians who juggle tech support with other duties."
Like the two that were written before it, the new cookbook is available at no charge from the MaintainIT Web site at www.maintainitproject.org/ cookbooks. I

From left: Satilla Regional Library board member Pinky Mills; Mark Cole, director; Tommy Hatcher and Stone Workman of USDA Rural Development; Rep. Jack Kingston; Hans Ove Nilsen, board chair; Nancy Nilsen; and Coffee County Commissioner Earl Brice.
Satilla receives USDA grant
The Satilla Regional Library System
(SRLS) has received $50,000 toward the replacement of the DouglasCoffee County Public Library's heating and air conditioning system. At a January barbecue hosted by Rep. Jack Kingston (R-1st District) in Rye Patch, Stone Workman, state director of U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development, presented a ceremonial check to Hans Ove Nilsen, chairman of the board of trustees for SRLS. The equipment replacement, to be completed by the end of January, is part of an ongoing building renovation that is being funded with a Major Renovations and Repairs grant through GPLS. I

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February 2009 Georgia Public Library Service News

Patricia Palmer

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

Higher ground
A number of board members, library staff and local children helped the Coweta County Library System turn soil during a groundbreaking ceremony for its new Grantville library on Dec. 8. "Our hope is to open the library this coming fall," said Director Barbara Osborne-Harris, "but with good weather, it could be completed as early as August." From left: Library board Chair Elizabeth Camp; former City Manager Wyman Jenkins; board Vice Chair Susan Whatley; board member Edward Adams; Mayor Casey Houston with Ansley Houston; board member Robert Ward; Trevor Houston; Elisabeth Mansour; Councilwoman Debi Rogers; April Rogers; Commissioner Tim Lassetter with Bobbie Mitchell Jr.; Sen. Mitch Seabaugh with Sean North; Harris Bass; Councilman Nick Sasso and Hannah Ford.

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