Georgia Public Library Service news, Vol. 8, no. 5 (Apr. 2011 )

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

volume 8, issue 5 I April 2011

Staff

ACCG, GPLS establish committee to study public library funding

The Association of County
Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) has joined with Georgia Public Library Service (GPLS) to establish a joint study group to review current library funding conditions and develop a mutual understanding of library funding issues from both state and local perspectives.
"Given the current critical budget restraints of both state and local governments, the time is right for this joint review," said Dr. Lamar Veatch, state librarian. "Our goal is to ensure the future of strong, relevant public libraries in every

community and to serve the needs of all citizens and help create a more educated and prosperous Georgia."
An additional charge of the study committee is to craft a short document to serve as an educational tool that will be useful for informing elected officials at all levels, library board members and the general public about the nature of Georgia's public library funding.
Meetings were held in Atlanta in January and March, and a final one is scheduled for June. The committee
See ACCG, page 3

Legislature approves 2012 budget

On April 14, Georgia's General
Assembly adjourned, having approved an $18.3 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
In a proposed bond package earlier recommended by Gov. Nathan Deal, the General Assembly's budget includes $1.15 million to help rebuild the Twiggs County Library. Part of the Middle Georgia Regional Library System, the facility was destroyed by a lightning strike and subsequent fire in April 2010.
Both the House and the Senate also strongly supported Department of Education funding for GALILEO, Georgia's virtual library, as part of the collaborative financing of this service for public and academic

libraries and public schools.
"Funding for GALILEO provides critically important services to all types of libraries and their users," said Dr. Lamar Veatch, state librarian. "Georgians used GALILEO to conduct more than 74 million searches in 2010, and the projected annual cost to duplicate GALILEO's resources for all institutions individually exceeds $22 million."
If signed by the governor, the cut in state support for Georgia's public libraries for FY2012 will be $1,402,057 (4 percent) on top of a similar decrease in FY2011. The reductions cover both state grants to libraries and Georgia Public Library Service's operating budget. I

Construction workers and landscapers were wrapping up their work on the Jeff Davis library in late March.
Jeff Davis welcomes innovative library's capacity, technology
Contractors and library staff are
busy putting the finishing touches on one of the largest and most technologically advanced buildings constructed in Jeff Davis County.
Following three years of planning and construction, the $3.5million Jeff Davis Public Library is set to open in Hazlehurst in the coming weeks, bringing state-of-the-art library services to a community that has long outgrown its previous facility.
"It's beautiful -- just amazing," said Branch Manager Judyth Miller. "We are so elated over this new
See Jeff Davis, page 2

Staff

Jeff Davis

Continued from page 1 building that it's hard to put our feelings into words. But it's a dream come true for the people of this county. They are so proud of it, and they are going to be so overwhelmed by the differences between this building and our old one."

The previous facility was so

cramped that Summer Reading

Program events had to be held in the

youth building of a nearby church.

Space was at such a premium that

the server for the library's few

public-access computers was shoehorned into a corner where it often served as an extra table for

Contractors gave library staff members their first training sessions on the new equipment on March 21. From left are Judyth Miller, branch manager; Dana Peeler, assistant director of the Ohoopee Regional Library; and Dusty Gres, system director.

patrons' books. "We joked that the

old one was held together by duct

The building was designed for

"and it's only the second facility in

tape," Miller said.

maximum energy efficiency, and it

the county to feature fiber-optic

meets or exceeds standards set forth technology." Adjacent outdoor patio

At nearly 10,000 square feet,

by the U.S. Green Building Council's areas provide open-air reading nooks

the new building is approximately

LEED green building certification

on one side and a welcoming

three times larger than the old one, program, which encourages sustain- fountain -- using recycled water, of

and its community meeting room,

able building and development

course -- on the other.

complete with projection system and practices for optimal environmental

suspended screen, will accommo-

and health performance.

The community aspects of the

date 185. "It will be great to be able

library go much further, however,

to host all our programs in our own

"The entire structure is built

than its public and meeting spaces.

building," Miller said. "Our Friends

from noncombustible materials,"

It contains resources and places for

of the Library are so pleased and

explained Chris Merrill, project

residents of all ages from children

excited that we will have room for

manager for Statesboro-based

to seniors. Computers will be twice

their events, as well."

contractor Lavender & Associates,

as plentiful, and the library is also

wired for WiFi. The building also

FOGL sets date for annual meeting, workshop features a dedicated children's area,

along with a teen center offering

Friends of Georgia Libraries will hold Hannon, author of The Cracker

access to online homework help.

its annual meeting and spring

Queen: A Memoir of a Jagged,

workshop, "The Care and `Feeding' Joyful Life.

In a regional realignment that

of Friends Groups," from 9 a.m. to

took effect in January, the Jeff Davis

2:30 p.m. on April 29 at the Macon

Registration fees are $20 for

Public Library joined the Vidalia-

State College Learning Support

FOGL members and $30 for non-

based Ohoopee Regional Library

Center in Macon.

members. Breakfast and lunch are

system. "The Jeff Davis County

included. Attendees are eligible to

board of trustees felt their goals and

Speakers will include Alan

earn one hour of continuing

objectives would be a good fit for

Harkness, assistant state librarian

education credit. Registration

Ohoopee," said Library Director

for library development, who will

deadline is April 22. Additional

Dusty Gres, "and we're pleased to

share smart and effective ways to

information and registration forms

welcome them and help them

put Friends to work to promote and are available at www.georgia-

establish this beautiful new facility as

protect libraries, and Lauretta

friends.org. I

an integral part of the community." I

2
Georgia Public Library Service News April 2011

Athens' Lavonia-Carnegie Library celebrates centennial

The Lavonia-Carnegie Library, part
of the Athens Regional Library System (ARLS), is celebrating its centennial this year. In honor of the 100-year anniversary, the library held an open house March 23. The Friends of the Library served light refreshments, and the Ferst Foundation gave free books to the first 50 children who attended the event.
The 18-member Lavonia Women's Club formed a small library for its members in 1904. Later, the club rented a room and bought additional books to establish a small community library. Leila Stovall became the town's first paid librarian in 1909. A year later, the Lavonia Women's Club petitioned the Carnegie Foundation for a $5,000 grant for library construction, and the historic 2,600-square-foot building opened in March 1911.
Between 1881 and 1918, Andrew Carnegie donated more than $28 million to communities across the United States to fund construction of more than 1,600 public and academic libraries, of which Georgia received 29 -- 24 public and five academic.

For its library, the Lavonia Town

Technology also has changed.

Council agreed to provide $500 each Patrons can now use one of 11

year for books and upkeep for 10

public-access computers to access

years. At the end of its first decade, the Internet, or they can visit the

the Town Council took full responsi- library from the comfort of their own

bility for the facility

homes through its

Staff

until 1974, when it

website.

became a branch of

ARLS.

LeCroy

remembers when the

"It's one of the

library was first

few original Carnegie

computerized 15

libraries that's still in

years ago. "I was here

use as a library," said

before we had any

Emma LeCroy,

kind of computer, and

branch manager. "So

I knew nothing about

we have a lot of

them," she said.

people stopping in

"When I first started

from out of town to

here, we were signing

see the building, just

the cards and filing

because it's a

them away when

Carnegie library.

The Lavonia-Carnegie Library

patrons checked out books. When they

Much has changed at the library brought the book back, we'd put

since it first opened its doors 100

the card back in the book. It was the

years ago. An extensive renovation

old-fashioned way.

in the late 1970s added a foyer at

the front entrance and an addition

"But I'm proud of this building,

at the back of the building. The

and I'm proud that we have a

library's collection itself has grown

Carnegie library. I've been coming

from a small offering of books to a

here since I was a little girl. I can

full collection of books for all ages,

remember checking out books here

plus audiobooks, DVDs and more.

when I was in kindergarten." I

ACCG
Continued from page 1 consists of county commissioners, county managers, library directors and trustees, and one staff person each from ACCG and GPLS.
Representing county commissioners on the study committee are Emma Darnell of Fulton County, Michael Dinkins of Peach County and Tommy Guthrie of Atkinson County. County administrator representatives are Steve Szablewski of Columbia County and Kevin Poe of Floyd County. ACCG's staff representative is Associate Legislative Director Debra Nesbit.
Public library director representatives include Patricia

Edwards of the Jefferson County Library, Joe Forsee of the Northwest Georgia Regional Library and Anne Isbell of Lake Blackshear Regional Library. Representing public library trustees are Kathy Ash of Piedmont Regional and Tom Harrison of Cherokee Regional. The GPLS staff representative is Alan Harkness, assistant state librarian for library development.
"We are pleased with the progress of the work group in addressing the issues of funding of libraries at the local level," Nesbit said. "The recognition of the severe economic downturn at the local level and the need for reasonable and flexible funding requirements will ensure successful partnerships in the future for the library systems." I

3
April 2011 Georgia Public Library Service News

Evergreen International Conference coming to Decatur

The Third Evergreen International Conference is coming
home to Georgia, where it will illuminate the practical aspects of the Evergreen software and stimulate the creativity needed to ensure its future growth.
To be held April 27-30 at the Decatur Holiday Inn and Conference Center in Decatur, the conference will bring together Evergreen developers, administrators, users and supporters, along with numerous advocates of opensource software and other interested parties. The theme for the conference, which is sponsored by GPLS, Equinox Software and LYRASIS, is "Growing Home."
The goal of the conference is to offer a blend of cuttingedge and tried-and-true events. These will include an all-day developers' "hackfest"; an opening-night reception and vendor exhibit; a slate of engaging and challenging speakers; and three program tracks to meet the respective needs of technical staff, frontline users and library administrators.
Keynote speaker will be Mark Leggott, university librarian at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI); founding director of Knowledge for All, a project to create a free and open repository of academic research; and president/CEO of DiscoveryGarden, a company created to provide a range of services for opensource software in libraries. UPEI was the first academic library to adopt Evergreen, and the university continues to work with the larger Evergreen community to develop new features for the software.
GPLS staff members will deliver several presentations at the conference. "Evergreen Coast to Coast: Open Source Library Systems," co-presented by Elizabeth McKinney, PINES director, will examine the implementation of Evergreen systems in the U.S. by four different consortia and library systems. "Testing ... Testing

... Is This Thing On?: Installing an Evergreen ILS Test Server," co-presented by Chris Sharp, PINES program manager, will walk participants through the software's installation process. Sharp will also present "Administering Evergreen the PINES Way," which will cover the past, present and future of how PINES handles library policies and procedures, system administration, Helpdesk support and software development from the perspective of the library administrator.
"The interim Evergreen Governance Committee will hold a membership meeting on the last day of the conference," McKinney noted. "The committee has drafted a basic rules of governance document and is set to enter an agreement with the Software Freedom Conservancy to provide a structure and guidance for a nonprofit Evergreen community."
The Evergreen opensource library software initially was developed to support Georgia's PINES network, a resource-sharing consortium with more than 275 member public libraries. In 2007, GPLS received a prestigious Technology Collaboration Award and grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation for Evergreen's development.
The software is now in use at nearly 850 libraries of every type -- public, academic and special -- around the world. The growing, multinational Evergreen development community has shepherded Evergreen through a series of releases that have further strengthened Evergreen's consortial qualities while adding popular and useful functionality.
Online registration for the Evergreen International Conference is now open at www.lyrasis.org. For more information about Evergreen, visit http:// pines.georgialibraries.org/evergreen2011. I

4
Georgia Public Library Service News April 2011

Tammy Smith

Libraries to help kids explore "One World, Many Stories"

Georgia's public libraries are
encouraging children to explore "One World, Many Stories" in the 2011 Summer Reading Program. The goals of this year's activities and materials are to promote family literacy and demonstrate to kids that reading is fun. Nearly 1.5 million people attended a children's program at one of the state's public libraries in 2010, and circulation of children's materials exceeded 18 million items for the second consecutive year.
According to Elaine Black, director of Youth Services for GPLS, studies have shown that school-age children who continue to read throughout their vacation from school maintain or improve writing, vocabulary and reading skills, while children who do not read are more likely to see skills decrease. "Reading as few as five books during the

summer months can help children maintain their reading levels so that when school begins, they are not behind in reading skills but are ready to move forward," she said.

In keeping with this year's theme, Rafael Lpez, the artist for this year's children's program, grew up in Mexico and today splits his time between studios in San Diego, Calif., and in the 16th century colonial town of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. He is the illustrator of numerous children's books, including Yum! Mmmm! Que Rico! Americas' Sproutings by Pat Mora and The Cazuela That the Farm Maiden Stirred by Samantha R. Vamos.

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.
"The teen program -- "You Are Here" -- is equally outstanding," Black said, "because it encourages teens to be inquisitive and to really explore the world around them. The artwork this year does an especially good job of promoting the idea that libraries can take you anywhere."
The graphic illustrations for "You Are Here" are the work of Svetlana

Emma Wolff, a pre-K student at Mountain Hill Elementary School in Fortson, enjoys the March 3 storytime at the Troup-Harris Regional Library's Williams Memorial Library. Tammy Smith read the book "On Mardi Gras Day" by Fatima Shaik, a story of two children participating in a Mardi Gras celebration and parade. As part of the event, children made masks and received beads from the Mobile (Ala.) Mardi Gras.
Chmakova. She hails from Russia but moved to Canada at the age of 16, earning a diploma in classical animation from Sheridan College in Toronto. She is currently a freelance artist, specializing in manga, the style of comics and print cartoons inspired by early Japanese art.
This is Georgia's fourth year as a member of the nationwide Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP), a consortium of states working together to provide
See Summer, page 7

5
April 2011 Georgia Public Library Service News

GPLS, Path2College 529 Plan partner for savings sweepstakes

This year, another lucky Summer Reading Program
participant will win more than $5,000 to apply toward their future education, as the Path2College 529 Plan once again partners with public libraries across the state to offer the "Destination College Savings Sweepstakes."
The sweepstakes, administered by the Path2College 529 Plan Georgia's official 529 plan will also award $1,529 each to the winner's home library, to the Georgia library with the greatest number of sweepstakes entries and to the Georgia library system with the greatest percentage of registered users entering the sweepstakes.
The Path2College 529 Plan, managed by TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing Inc., will sponsor the sweepstakes. In April, each of Georgia's 61 public library systems will receive a sweepstakes information kit from the Path2College 529 Plan. The kit will contain official sweepstakes rules, along with promotional materials that will include bookmarks, table tents, posters and buttons.
The program will launch May 1 and run through July 31. Legal residents of the state of Georgia who are at least 21 years of age and are a parent, grandparent or legal guardian of any child born in 1995 or after may enter the sweepstakes online at www.path2college529.com. Employees, directors, officers, trustees and agents and their respective immediate household and family members (spouses and children, parents and siblings and their spouses) of the Path2College 529 Plan and employees, directors, officers, trustees and agents and their respective immediate household and family members (spouses and children, parents and siblings and their spouses) of any Georgia public library or the Board of Regents of the

University System of Georgia are not eligible. The Path2College 529 Plan will conduct a random drawing among all sweepstakes entries for the $5,529 Path2College 529 Plan account winner in early August. The winner, along with the winning libraries and winning library system, will be recognized at a press event in early September. The three $1,529 awards will be used for the winners' children's and teen's materials and programming.
"Preparation for college comes in many forms, both academic and financial," said Chuck Penuel, director of the Path2College 529 Plan. "We hope this sweepstakes will draw more children to the library this summer where they can continue to practice their reading skills and will help parents better understand that the steps they take today can make tomorrow's dream of achieving a higher education for their loved one a reality."
"Libraries across the state continually work to make reading fun and get kids involved in the Summer Reading Program and reading year-round. We want to congratulate our 2010 winners as their efforts have helped them receive additional funding that will improve the services we can offer to our state's children and youth," said Elaine Black, director of Youth Services for GPLS.
"We hope that by raising awareness through programs like this, even more families will read with their children throughout the year to help them improve their literacy skills and better prepare them for their future. I'm certain the state's librarians will do all they can do to help us make this year's sweepstakes even more successful than last year!" I

Janet Florence

Wadsworth Magnet School wins DeKalb Library prize

Wadsworth students celebrate their victory with (from left) Principal Dr. Cornellia Crum; DeKalb County Public Library Youth Services Coordinator Sharon Deeds; teacher/librarian Julia Grant; Debbie Standford, coordinator, Department of Educational Media; Valerie Ayer, coordinator, Department of Educational Media; Decatur Library Coordinator Gina Jenkins; and Rosalind Dennis, director, Department of Educational Media.

Love of books and the library has paid off
with recognition for students at Wadsworth Magnet School for High Achievers. DeKalb County Public Library recognized the school for having the highest percentage of students with library cards of any school in DeKalb County during the most recent National Library Card Sign-Up Month.
The library rewarded Wadsworth with a set of 20 books nominated for the 20102011 Georgia Children's Book Awards. I

6
Georgia Public Library Service News April 2011

Hawks-Thrashers Check-It-Out Reading Challenge set for seventh year

The Atlanta Hawks and Thrashers

through August 19. Any child in the said Tracy White, Hawks and

will once again join Georgia's public state of Georgia enrolled in grades

Thrashers chief sales officer and

libraries this summer by challenging pre-K through 12 may participate by senior vice president of sales and

young readers to read -- and earn

having a parent or guardian log on to marketing. "We look forward to

basketball- and hockey-related

www.checkitoutreading.com on a

kids across the state of Georgia

rewards in the process. Designed to home computer or a public-access

taking the reading challenge and

enhance this year's "One World,

computer at the library. Parents and earning the opportunity to join us

Many Stories" Summer Reading

guardians may register each child in next season at Philips Arena for a

Program, the 2011 Hawks-Thrashers their household for the program.

Hawks or Thrashers game."

Check-It-Out Reading Challenge will

welcome young readers entering

"Professional sports inspire us in

As part of their partnership with

classes from pre-K to grade 12 for

so many different ways, and we're

GPLS, the Hawks and Thrashers will

the 2011-12 school year.

proud that the Atlanta Hawks and

each sponsor three "Georgia Public

Atlanta Thrashers can motivate

Libraries Nights" during the 2011-12

Hawks mascots Harry the Hawk students in all areas of education,"

season, with discounted admission

and SkyHawk will make

for employees of the state's public

Jason Duignan

appearances at Atlanta-area

libraries and their friends and

libraries to promote the program,

families. "It's great to have this

as will Thrashers mascot Thrash.

support for summer reading from

The popular reading program has

our partners, especially in times of

grown steadily, from an initial two

economic challenge," said Elaine

counties in 2005 to a statewide

Black, director of Youth Services

initiative in 2008. Since the

for GPLS. "From the beginning of

program's inception, the teams

our relationship -- which has

have awarded nearly 70,000

introduced many new families to

Hawks and Thrashers tickets to the

summer reading -- public libraries

young readers who have

have benefited greatly from our

participated.

connection to the Hawks and

Thrashers."

Souvenir bookmarks

promoting the program will be

For more information on the

available at participating library

Check-It-Out Reading Challenge

branches beginning in late May. Registration will begin on June 1

Atlanta Thrashers hockey mascot Thrash (left) takes time out to read to Little Thrash at the Atlanta-Fulton

and other Hawks and Thrashers programs, visit www.hawks.com

and will be conducted online

Public Library System's East Point branch.

and www.atlantathrashers.com. I

Summer

Continued from page 5 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 also great for families that travel between states to visit relatives during their summer vacations," Black said. "They can be part of the same program across 49 states and the District of Columbia."

Black said the consortium has delivered an extremely unified and high-quality program every year since its inception. "The themes and slogans are voted on each year 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."
Georgia public libraries' annual Summer Reading Program is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services to Georgia Public Library Service under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act. Visit www.georgialibraries.org for additional information. I

7
April 2011 Georgia Public Library Service News

Staff

Zoo Atlanta, GPLS earn raves for family pass loan program

Georgia families can now check out
free excursions to Zoo Atlanta, just by owning a library card. Announced Feb. 23 from the steps of the state Capitol, a new partnership between Zoo Atlanta and the Georgia Public Library Service allows adults with valid library cards access to the Zoo Atlanta Family Pass at any participating public library branch throughout the state of Georgia.
Launched in 2009, the program originally applied only to branches of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System but is now available in all 159 Georgia counties.
"As one of the state's largest living science labs, Zoo Atlanta is a resource for all of Georgia, not just Atlanta," said Raymond B. King, president and CEO of Zoo Atlanta. "We're proud to partner with Georgia Public Library Service on increased access for everyone in our state."
"This wonderful collaboration between Zoo Atlanta and Georgia's public libraries brings a new dimension to our services," said Dr. Lamar Veatch, state librarian. "We are very pleased to play a role in bringing this Georgia treasure to all corners of our state."
A Zoo Atlanta Family Pass is available for checkout in each

Zoo Atlanta and GPLS formally launched the family pass program with an announcement at the state Capitol on Feb, 23. From left are Rep. Margaret Kaiser (D-Atlanta); Dr. Lamar Veatch, Georgia's state librarian; Jason Taylor, manager of school and family programs with Zoo Atlanta, holding Picchu the chinchilla; Marcus Margerum, vice president of marketing and sales for Zoo Atlanta; and Raymond King, president and CEO of Zoo Atlanta.

participating public library. The pass may be checked out once per year, per card, per household, and is valid for two adults and up to two children.
The pass is not valid for feebased events or programs and may not be combined with other discounts or promotions. Standard general admission will apply to families with additional children; children must be accompanied
by an adult.
The program has proved popular with Georgia families across the state, with
libraries registering more than 3,000 checkouts in the program's first six
weeks.
"As of end of business yesterday (March 29), we had circulated the Zoo Atlanta passes 56 times," said Christian Kruse, director of Live Oak Public Libraries in Savannah. "That's not bad considering how far we are from the zoo!

There has been very positive buzz within the community here."
The program has also inspired accolades from both houses of the Georgia General Assembly. Rep. Margaret Kaiser (D-Atlanta) introduced a resolution on the floor of the House commending the partnership between the zoo and the state's public libraries, and in Senate Resolution 511, Senators Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta), Vincent Fort (DAtlanta), Horacena Tate (D-Atlanta), William Ligon (R-Waverly) and Jim Butterworth (R-Cornelia) did likewise.
"We are very excited about seeing this program expand not just throughout the Atlanta metro area but throughout Georgia," said Marcus E. Margerum, vice president of marketing and sales at Zoo Atlanta. "It's an important part of our mission to extend opportunities for all Georgians, not just those living within a particular mile radius of the zoo."
Visit zooatlanta.org for details on accessing and using the Zoo Atlanta Family Pass or call your local public library for information. I

8
Georgia Public Library Service News April 2011

"Bright From the Start" pays off for Spalding County kids

The Flint River Regional Library in Griffin and the Griffin-
Spalding County School System Pre-K Program are working together to benefit children in Spalding County.
The Pre-K Program received a "transition coach" grant from Bright From the Start, an initiative of the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning that works collaboratively with Smart Start Georgia to blend federal, state and private dollars to enhance early care and education.

Topics for the Bright From the Start family series include how to read to children, how to select age- and interest-appropriate materials, how to develop social skills and how to transition from home to kindergarten.
The library received funds to add books for preschoolers to its permanent circulating collection. In conjunction with the grant, its staff members will also conduct family meetings that include storytimes, provide library tours and assist families with literacy awareness.

The library's role is to help raise educational awareness and promote involvement in the community through a series of eight storytimes and related literacy activities and to provide high-interest resources for families in the community," said Flint River Director Carrie Zeiger.

"This cooperative effort is proving successful for everyone involved," said Vicki Marshall, coordinator of technical services for the library. "Parents and children are introduced to the library and its children's department, and the library now has a larger selection of preschool books for our patrons to check out." I

Staff

Geek the Library campaign increased public library visibility in Georgia
Geek the Library, the community awareness campaign
designed to highlight the value of public libraries and inform the public about critical library funding issues, has positively changed community perceptions about libraries, according to a new OCLC membership report, Geek the Library: A Community Awareness Campaign.

"The pilot experience confirmed our hope that Geek the Library can not only get people's attention but that it can activate an interest in local library funding," said Cathy De Rosa, global vice president of marketing for OCLC, a nonprofit library cooperative. "The campaign is bold, it's fun and it gives libraries a unique opportunity to connect with the public and start important library funding conversations."

Geek the Library was piloted in two primary regions: southern Georgia and central Iowa, with additional communities added later in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.

Turning a new page
On March 2, Commissioner Steve Brown, County Administrator Jack Krakeel, Commissioner Herb Frady, Commissioner Allen McCarty and Public Library Director Christeen Snell broke ground for a 5,000square-foot expansion of the Fayette County Library in downtown Fayetteville. The library, which is part of the Flint River Regional Library System, will gain a new reading room and expand its largest meeting room by 1,000 square feet. Using construction funds from a special purpose local option sales tax, the project is expected to be completed in August, Snell said.

Comprehensive market surveys conducted before and after the pilot campaign indicated that, in just five months, more than half of surveyed residents were familiar with the campaign, and more than two-thirds of surveyed residents in both southern Georgia and central Iowa had planned or had taken an action supporting their local library, including talking to friends and family about the value of the library to the community or attending a library event. I
9
April 2011 Georgia Public Library Service News

NEWS IN BRIEF



The Winder-based Piedmont

Regional Library System has named

Beth McIntyre

its new regional

director. She was

previously

manager of the

Lawrenceville

branch of the

Gwinnett County

Public Library.

McIntyre has

more than 20

McIntyre

years of

experience as a librarian in Georgia

and South Carolina.

Teresa Cole

has been

selected by the

Augusta-based

East Central

Georgia Regional

Library as its new

director,

replacing Gary

Swint, who

Cole

retired in March.

Cole, who begins

work on April 18,

previously served

as director of the

Dougherty

County Public

Library (DCPL) in

Albany. Ashley

Moore, previously

Moore

assistant director of DCPL, has been

appointed the system's interim

director.

The Newton County Library Board has named Lace Keaton as its new library director. Keaton was previously director of the Okefenokee Regional Library

Keaton

System in Waycross and has served as deputy director of the Live Oak Public Libraries in Savannah.

Karen Odom has been named interim director of the Houston County Public Library. She replaces Marsha Christy, who retired on March 31.

Odom

Georgia Public Library Service has selected Jay Turner as its new director of continuing education. Turner comes to GPLS from the Gwinnett County Public Library, where he most recently served as staff development manager. He will begin the new position in May. Turner

The Hart County Library System has been awarded a grant of $7,500 from the Frances Wood Wilson Foundation for the purchase of new staff computers and software.

In partnership with the Sara Hightower Regional Library System's Rome-Floyd County Library, Berry College is among 30 libraries nationwide selected to receive $2,500 grants from the American Library Association Public Programs Office and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The grant supports five reading, viewing and discussion programs featuring the documentary "Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind Little Women" and the companion biography of the same name. The library is also partnering with the Rome

10
Georgia Public Library Service News April 2011

Jim Veatch

Convention and Visitors Bureau for a number of Civil War anniversary events this spring. For additional information on both partnerships, visit www.romelibrary.org.
National Library Week was observed April 10-16, with the theme "Create your own story @ your library." First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored each year by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country to promote the contributions to America's communities made by libraries and librarians. ALA will also be sponsoring National Library Legislative Day on Monday, May 9 and Tuesday, May 10 in Washington, D.C. Representatives from GPLS and Friends of Georgia Libraries are scheduled to participate in this year's event. I
The spoils of war
More than 600 visitors attended an open house and exhibits at the Mary Willis Library during the Revolutionary Days celebration in the town of Washington in February. This year's event marked the 232nd anniversary of the Battle of Kettle Creek in Wilkes County. Lillie Crowe (right), director of the Bartram Trail Regional Library, and other staff members, including Anna Ezell (left), donned Revolutionary War-era costumes for the celebration.

More than 80 IT professionals attend GPLS "boot camp"
Georgia Public Library Service
held its second annual Technology Boot Camp March 2830 at the George T. Bagby State Park and Lodge in Fort Gaines.
The goal of the event was to bring together information technology professionals from Georgia libraries to share experiences and ideas and to explore opportunities made possible by emerging technologies, said Nicol Lewis, information technology and infrastructure manager for GPLS. Each of the state's public library systems was invited to send their IT staff members. More than 80 attended.
"This year's theme was `Hit the Ground Running,' and it was a big success," she said. "More than 20 programs were presented over the course of three 14-hour days."
Conference demonstrations and topics included "Raising the Dead: How To Use Old Machines in New Ways," "Exploring Virtual Desktops: Turning One Computer into 11," and "Content Management: How To Customize Tools for Staff Use Without Having To Be a WebHead," along with a number of roundtable talks about specific library technology issues.
GPLS funded the Technology Boot Camp through a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act. I

Library community mourns Carterette

The Georgia and national library
communities are saddened by the Jan. 12 loss of Pat Carterette, a mainstay of public library continuing education in Ohio, Georgia and beyond. Carterette joined GPLS as its director of Continuing Education in April 2008, following 21 years of service with the Cleveland HeightsUniversity Heights (Ohio) Public Library.
"In her brief time in Georgia, Pat was an inspiration to us all," said Dr. Lamar Veatch, state librarian. "Her life and many accomplishments will be celebrated for many years to come. She has left a lasting legacy for libraries across the country."
Carterette was the driving force behind the GPLS-Georgia Library Association bimonthly Wednesday Webinar Series, which has been renamed the Carterette Series Webinars in her honor.
The American Library Association's Learning Round Table, of which Carterette recently served as president, has also established two awards in her name. The Pat Carterette Emerging Leader

Sponsorship will provide support for

one ALA emerging leader each year

beginning in 2011-12 and each year

thereafter. The Pat Carterette

Continuing Education Award will be

awarded to a Learning Round Table

member for the purpose of

attending a

conference or

workshop of the

recipient's choice

on a topic of

continuing

education and

instruction.

Donations to

these Learning

Carterette

Round Table

awards can be

sent to ALA-LEARNRT; Attn: Darlena

Davis; 50 E. Huron Street; Chicago,

IL 60611.

Memorial contributions may also be sent to the Hospice of Cleveland Clinic; P.O. Box 931517; Cleveland, OH 44131; or to the Jimmy Fund, which supports the fight against cancer in children and adults at Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; P.O. Box 849168; Boston, MA 02284. I

Library Journal honors Steiner, Hamilton

Library Journal has named two
Georgia librarians among its "Movers & Shakers" for 2011. The annual list spotlights librarians and others in the library field who do "extraordinary work to serve their users and to move libraries of all types and library services forward."
This year's group of 50 includes Sarah Steiner, a social work and virtual reference librarian at Georgia State University, and Buffy J. Hamilton, a school librarian at Creekview High School in Canton.

Steiner earned kudos for her work with Georgia Library Association, including the launch of the Atlanta Emerging Librarians group, which provides networking, career resources and early leadership activities for new and aspiring librarians, and for her help in developing the Wednesday (now Carterette) Webinar Series. Hamilton was lauded for her popular blog, The Unquiet Librarian, and for her work in introducing Media 21, a participatory, transliterate learning environment for research projects. I

11
April 2011 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

Service with a smile
Directors Jean Turn of the Dawson-based Kinchafoonee Regional Library, Claire Leavy of the Lee County Public Library and Richard Sanders of the Hart County Library System were among the volunteers who helped celebrate Georgia's public libraries during the Georgia Council of Public Libraries' Hot Dog Day at the state Capitol. The annual advocacy event was held on Jan. 27 this year.

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