A newsletter for friends and employees of Georgia's public libraries
volume 9, issue 6 I June 2012
Gail Webb
"Idol"-izing public libraries
Leslie Partridge (center), library services coordinator at the Lee County Library, and Emily Imes (left), a fifth-grader at Lee County Elementary School, present 2012 "American Idol" winner Phillip Phillips with an honorary PINES card at Phillips' "Welcome Home Parade and Concert" in Leesburg. More than 15,000 people attended the event, at which Phillips was presented with a proclamation, signed by Gov. Nathan Deal, proclaiming May 12 as Phillip Phillips Day in Georgia. At that time one of the popular television show's top three contestants, Phillips went on to win the competition on May 23.
Survey reveals user satisfaction of PINES approaches 95 percent
Elizabeth McKinney, PINES program director, unveiled
the results of this year's PINES User Satisfaction Survey to those attending the 2012 PINES annual meeting May 9 in Peachtree City. Georgia Public Library Service conducted the annual survey between April 15-21. Nearly 800 users entering the PINES online catalog, whether at a library workstation or from a remote home or office computer, completed the survey during this time.
A statewide consortium of 285 public libraries and affiliated service outlets in 143 counties, the Public
See PINES, page 2
Deal approves $4.36 million for library-related projects
On May 7, Gov. Nathan Deal signed into law the 2013
budget, which includes $4.36 million for public libraryrelated projects around the state. The budget takes effect upon the start of the fiscal year on July 1.
"Together with the General Assembly, we have enacted a budget that holds the line on spending, while investing in the priorities that will contribute to making Georgia the No. 1 place in the country to do business and create jobs and continue our high quality of life," said Deal.
The state will contribute $1,325,000 to help construct a $1.85 million Royston Public Library in Franklin County and $780,000 to assist in building a new $1 million Milner Public Library in Lamar County.
The Royston project, part of the Athens Regional Library System (ARLS), will involve the adaptive remodeling of an existing 8,500-square-foot, multiuse facility for relocation of the current library, increasing its size by more than 60 percent. "We're thrilled for what this will mean to the community," said ARLS Director Kathryn Ames. "The new facility will have a much larger space for children, one that will afford us the opportunity to provide better programming and serve more children than was previously possible."
The new Milner Public Library, projected to be between 4,000 and 5,000 square feet in size, will be built in a growing city that does not currently have a public library. It will become part of the Griffin-based Flint River Regional Library System.
"It has taken a long, long time but a devoted group of Milner Friends, along with many other supporters in the community and in the legislature, never gave up on their dreams of having a library in their city," said Carrie Zeiger, director of Flint River. "They truly believe in the transformative power that the public library can have in the lives of individuals, and their desire to bring that
See Governor, page 2
Teen's talent scores $10,000 grant for Coweta County library
Thanks to 17-year-old Amber-
Nicole Watty's writing abilities, the Coweta County Public Library's (CCPL) Grantville branch will receive a $10,000 Letters About Literature Reading Promotion Grant.
The Grantville teen was selected in May as one of six national award winners in the 2012 Letters About Literature student competition. As part of the program, her designated school library or community library also wins.
The grant money can be used for materials relevant to young readers or to support author visits and storytelling programs.
"Our library system is feeling an extreme sense of gratitude, knowing that we have a national award winner here, and at a time when so many believe that young people are not readers and are moving away from physical books," said CCPL Director Barbara Osborne-Harris.
"Amber-Nicole told me that libraries have always been part of her life, and she wants to use this grant to help her public library develop literary opportunities for young adults and to help us create an environment that is conducive to serving children with special needs."
According to Bill Starr, executive director of the Georgia Center for the Book, approximately 1,000 youths entered this year's competition. Watty won the Level 3 (grades 9-12) state and national awards.
For her state prize, she received a $75 gift card for books from an independent bookshop and a $50 Target gift card. In addition to the $10,000 grant for her library, Watty received a $500 Target gift card for her national prize.
Tekiyah Sandford of Winder also won a national honor award for 2012 and is the state's Level 1
(grades 4-6) winner. Her state prize included a $75 gift card for books from an independent bookshop and a $50 Target gift card. Nationally, she received a $100 Target gift card, and her designated library will receive a $1,000 Letters About Literature Reading Promotion Grant.
The Georgia Center for the Book, in partnership with the Center for the Book in Washington, D.C., and Target, sponsors the annual Letters About Literature program. To enter, students in grades 4-12 write a letter to an author -- living or dead -- whose work has had the most impact on their lives or influenced their view of the world. Thousands of students from around the state have participated since the program was launched in 2002. Entries are judged at the state and national level in three age categories.
Georgia has now produced five national winners. I
Governor
PINES
Continued from page 1 opportunity closer to home with a new branch for the residents of Milner is inspiring."
Also included in the governor's approved FY2013 budget is $2,255,000 for Major Repair and Renovation grants for public libraries, which will pay up to 50 percent of approved costs associated with needed structural repairs; roofing projects; heating, ventilation and air conditioning repairs; and required life safety, accessibility and code compliance projects at more than 70 library branches in more than 30 counties across the state.
All projects require matching local funds to complete. I
Continued from page 1
Information Network for Electronic Services PINES, for short offers citizens a shared catalog of approximately 10.4 million items. Once again, the overwhelming majority of respondents indicated a high level of satisfaction with the PINES system, with 19 out of 20 respondents (94.9 percent) stating that they would recommend the PINES system. Three of every four respondents (75 percent) said they use the catalog at least weekly to renew books online, place holds on books, determine fines or see what items they have checked out.
"It's truly gratifying to see that Georgia's library users appreciate the benefits and conveniences offered
by PINES and that our satisfaction rate has been consistent through the years," said McKinney.
"This is our ninth year to conduct the survey and our numbers have held strong. This year's results are particularly notable in light of two software upgrades taking place during this survey period. A major database cleanup contributed to increased satisfaction with catalog searches by improving the quality of records and deleting duplicate records, so patrons are now better able to find exactly what they are looking for."
Complete survey results are available at www.georgialibraries.org/ public/pines.php. I
2
Georgia Public Library Service News June 2012
Staff Ross Gericke
Forsyth Friends open bookstore
Members of the Forsyth County
Public Library Friends and Advocates are celebrating the opening of their new Friends Book Store at the Cumming Library.
The Friends group, which holds three countywide book sales a year, opened the store to provide a yearround fundraising source for the library. The store is open during the normal business hours of the Cumming Library and is staffed on a rotating schedule by Friends volunteers.
"The store carries the best selection of hardcover and paperback fiction from our general inventory, along with children's books, nonfiction, collectible sets, DVDs and narrative CDs," said Paula Glover, publicity coordinator for the group.
Proceeds are donated to the library to support programs such as summer reading, book groups, teen programs, adult education classes and the library's "Family Cinema" movie showings.
Helping open the Friends Book Store are Alan Harkness, assistant state librarian for Library Development; Sigrid Myers, Friends member in charge of the store; and Jon McDaniel, director of Forsyth County Public Library.
The Friends held their first countywide book sale in the store in late March, with proceeds exceeding $7,000. I
Thomas County rededicates renovated library
The Thomas County Public Library
System's (TCPLS) central library in Thomasville held a rededication ceremony and open house at its newly renovated and expanded building on May 6.
The facility features a larger children's area, more meeting space and study rooms, additional publicaccess computers and more shelves for the library's collection of books and other materials.
The project, which added 8,000 square feet of space to the building, was funded by the sale of $2 million in bonds by the state and by $1 million raised by a special purpose local option sales tax that was approved by the voters of Thomas County in 2006.
"Compared to the `old' library, this transformation is like going from dark to light," said TCPLS Director Nancy Tillinghast. "We're so excited to have the rooms looking so bright and airy. The change is miraculous." I
Fitzgerald-Ben Hill Vision Day a success
In late March, the Fitzgerald-Ben Hill
County Library partnered with the Fitzgerald Lions Club and the Southeast Georgia Talking Book Center (SEGATBC) to provide free vision screenings and information about services available to individuals who are unable to read regular print materials.
According to Library Director Sandy Hester, approximately 40 individuals came to have their vision tested, with many of them registering for service from the SEGATBC, which is based at the Laurens County Library in Dublin. Attendees also received information on a variety of eye-related conditions, such as glaucoma, diabetic eye complication, macular degeneration and other medical eye diseases or conditions.
"We want to thank our partners
at the Fitzgerald Lions Club; Wanda
Daniel,
manager of
the talking
book center;
and Dr.
Henry
Schneider
of Eyesight
Associates
for their
assistance in
making our
Vision Day an
enormous
success," said
Hester. "As
always, we welcome feedback
Daniel demonstrates a digital talking book player.
about this and other programs so
that we may continue to provide
information resources that are
appropriate to our community's
needs." I
3
June 2012 Georgia Public Library Service News
Staff
AMLAS to hold first summer camp for youth with print impairments
As the Atlanta Metro Library for Accessible Services
(AMLAS) prepares for the first summer in its new downtown location, staff members are excited about their ability to offer the first summer camp for children and youth with print impairments at a Georgia talking book center.
According to AMLAS Manager Beverly Williams, the event will be tailored to meet the interests of middle and high school students during the week of June 18-22 and to meet the needs of elementary school children the week of June 25-29. Storytellers, children's services librarians, artists from VSA Arts of Georgia and the Atlanta Hawks mascot, Harry, are all scheduled to participate during the camp. AMLAS staff will be on hand daily to teach assistive technology to children and to their parents and guardians.
"We're really hoping that, through assistive technology, children and youth with print impairments will find that almost every part of the library can be accessible," said Alan Harkness, assistant state librarian for Library Development. "We will also offer some instruction in Braille and provide other print-impairedspecific learning opportunities, but our goal for this experience is for everyone to have fun as they learn how they can use the library just as effectively as students with no print impairments."
AMLAS has long had the staff necessary to teach young people about assistive technology, explained Stella Cone, director of Georgia Libraries for Accessible Statewide Services, the network of nine talking book libraries and outreach centers across the state. But the
AMLAS regularly offers Braille classes and will do so during its first summer camp. Participating in this April class are (from left) Kay Jordan; Lindsay Bridges; Bernace Murray, an instructor from A Touch of Braille; Jacqueline Blocker; and Charles Callier.
previous and much smaller AMLAS facility and that facility's location -- more than half a mile from the closest MARTA station -- made a summer camp impractical. "Now that AMLAS is located on the fourth floor of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library's central branch and across the street from MARTA, we have a great opportunity to try something new in a location that is accessible and inviting," Cone said. "One of the beauties of AMLAS being at AFPL is that our patrons, including the students attending our summer camp, have instant access to a world-class library."
The target goal the first year of AMLAS Summer Camp is 25 participants from throughout the 10-county AMLAS service area, said Cone. "But we hope to build on that in subsequent years as we learn what works and what doesn't for larger groups."
AMLAS serves qualified patrons in Clayton, Cobb, Dawson, DeKalb, Forsyth, Fulton, Hall, Henry, Lumpkin and Rockdale counties, but any Georgia children and youth with print impairments are welcome to attend the camp. For additional information about schedules and registration, visit www.georgialibraries.org/glass. I
VSA Arts of Georgia unveils first AMLAS-based single-artist exhibit
AMLAS is also drawing art aficionados to its first singleartist exhibit, "Artist of Light," this spring. The show features works by William "Bill" Whitlock of Hapeville. Whitlock, who works in
watercolors, tissue paper collages and mixed media, says he draws inspiration from the world around him, and his goal is to bring beauty to the world as an expression of his spirit.
Thanks to a partnership with VSA Arts of Georgia, two walls at AMLAS serve as rotating gallery space featuring the works of professional artists who have visual impairments and disabilities. I
4
Georgia Public Library Service News June 2012
Reading programs have libraries going to the dogs
And you thought you were a good listener.
be. The innumerable instances of dogs brightening
bedsides of the sick or even aiding in recovery are all
At many Georgia libraries, children have the
well-known, so it was only natural that science stepped
opportunity to explore and enhance their literary skills by in to take a closer look.
reading to man's best friend.
Researchers in the University of California Davis'
They call it "Tale Waggers" in Braselton, "Doggie
School of Veterinary Medicine recently published an
Tales" in Jefferson and simply "Read to the Library Dogs" article in UC Health entitled "Canine Reading Comfort"
in Leesburg. Regardless of what the programs are called, showing increases in reading fluency of 12 to 30 percent
however, they are providing benefits around the state.
when children read to dogs for 15 to 20 minutes on a
regular basis for 10 weeks.
Staff
Therapy Dogs
The studies included one set
International (TDI) and Paws
of third-graders in a public
Patrol are nonprofit,
school, the other a control
volunteer organizations that
group of home-schooled
train and certify all breeds of
students.
dogs to sit and be friendly,
attentive, well-behaved
Research about children
listeners to children.
reading to dogs is still in its
infancy, with most studies
A volunteer
neither large nor far-
representative at TDI's
reaching, but the researchers
headquarters in New Jersey
are becoming ever more
said that TDI's initial goal was
curious, and organizations
to provide dogs as listeners
like TDI or Paws Patrol are
for children who struggled
generating interest and
with reading. The
earning positive reviews,
organization's definition of
including many favorable
struggling, though, holds
comments from Georgia
different degrees of meaning
parents whose children
-- from a child who is
participate in one of the
dyslexic to one who is
programs at their local
terrified of public speaking or A child reading to a dog is a common sight at the Braselton Library. libraries.
who is intimidated by peers.
Reaction to the programs offered by these
Dogs gave these children an opportunity to read
organizations, and to library visits in particular, has been
without fear of embarrassment over any hesitation or
overwhelmingly positive. Attendance and favorable
mispronunciation. TDI staff soon realized the program
response to the programs have been steady. "We often
could go much deeper. Not only does it bring struggling
have children who come over and over again," says Lori
readers into a broader hemisphere of assurance while
Hayes, assistant manager at the Braselton Library, where
reading aloud, it is giving all children involved the
Smokey, Marley, Pia and Darla have a standing invitation
opportunity to excel and improve their reading levels.
to visit. They receive similar welcomes from the staff in
Jefferson, which, like Braselton, is part of the Piedmont
Plus, said Amy Carlan, branch manager of the
Regional Library.
Jefferson Public Library, "Our patrons really enjoy
bringing their kids in to read to the dogs."
The dogs, as well as their owners, Susan Boekel and
Cathy Green, are certified through TDI and have been
Tales of canines bringing out the best in people are
making regular visits for nearly three years. "The children
near legendary. Old Yeller showed Travis even an egg-
see that reading is not just a chore but something that
stealing mongrel can become your truest friend; Rin Tin
can be fun in many walks of life," Boekel said. "And I get
Tin and Lassie became show business icons by
to contribute to my community and meet my neighbors. I
demonstrating how smart -- and talented -- dogs can
See Dogs, page 7
5
June 2012 Georgia Public Library Service News
NEWS IN BRIEF
Victoria Horst Daina Lloyd
Melody Jenkins, director of the
Moultrie-Colquitt County Library, will
retire June 30, following nearly 37
years of service to
the system. She
joined the library
in September
1975 as its first
professional
children's
librarian and was
named director
one year later,
when the
Jenkins
previous director,
Anna Schinkel, retired. "It really is
amazing to think that I have been in
the same position for almost my
entire working career," she said.
Holly Phillips will become the
system's new director on July 1.
Phillips earned her MLIS degree at
Valdosta State University and has
been a member of the MoultrieColquitt County Library staff since September 2006.
Stephen Whigham, director of the Eastman-based Ocmulgee Regional Library System (ORLS), will retire June 30. Whigham joined the system in 1979, prior to serving as information librarian at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta from 1984 to 1994. He returned that year to ORLS, where he worked in computer services and as assistant director. He has served as system director since April 2005. Whigham will remain in Eastman, where he plans to publish books and e-books related to local history. "I'll be republishing the novels of Brainard Cheney, a local native and friend of Flannery O'Connor and Robert Penn Warren," Whigham said, "with royalties going to support libraries in the Ocmulgee region." Assistant Director Anne Bowen has been named the system's interim director.
Veatch and Lynn Lilly of Friends of Georgia Libraries. The event encourages federal funding of libraries nationwide.
Krishna Grady, children's library assistant at the Newton County Library's Porter Memorial branch, has been named recipient of the inaugural Harold W. McGraw Jr. Fellowship from Connecticut's Darien Library. I
Ann Wheeler, branch manager of the Sara Hightower Regional Library system's Rockmart branch, retired on April 30 after 26 years with the system. Sharon Cleveland is the new branch manager.
Just ducky
Joanne Chance, a staff member at the Jenkins County Memorial Library in Sylvania, holds a young crested duck before its appearance at a spring storytime. Library Manager Daina Lloyd brought a number of young birds, including chicks and a gosling, for children to meet at the event. The Jenkins County Memorial Library is part of the Screven-Jenkins Regional Library System.
Following a 32-year library career, Marilyn Smith, manager of the Flint River Regional Library's Monroe County branch in Forsyth, retired March 30.
More than 350 librarians and library supporters from across the country converged in Washington, D.C., on April 23 and 24 to meet with members of Congress to discuss key library issues during the American Library Association's 38th annual National Library Legislative Day. Representing Georgia at the event were State Librarian Dr. Lamar
Beyond `Peare
With the help of the Tift Theatre, the TiftonTift County Public Library Foundation and a grant from the Georgia Humanities Council, the Tifton-Tift County Public Library brought a Georgia Shakespeare troupe to Tifton for a free performance of "Will's World: An Introduction to the Life and Times of William Shakespeare" in the renovated Tift Theatre. "More than 200 people were able to attend the event," said Branch Manager Victoria Horst. "It was a great way to celebrate the Bard's baptismal day." The library is part of the Coastal Plain Regional Library system.
6
Georgia Public Library Service News June 2012
Atlanta-Fulton Public Library
AFPL recognizes library volunteers
The Atlanta-Fulton Public Library
(AFPL) presented Dishelesh Jones of Atlanta with its Volunteer of the Year Award at the system's Volunteer Recognition Program on April 21. An adult literacy tutor, Jones has volunteered for three years at the AFPL Central Library, contributing more than 180 hours of her time last year. Many of her students have advanced several grade levels.
The 22nd annual event honors all AFPL volunteers. In 2011, 2,344 volunteers donated 71,395 hours of service, valued at $1,426,607. One hundred forty-eight volunteers served more than 100 hours during
Jones (center) receives applause from Moody, Szabo, Garner and Eaves.
the year, with three volunteers donating more than 1,000 hours each. Twenty-two young volunteers received a Presidential Service Award, and two adult volunteers received the President's Call to Service Award for their career total of more than 4,000 volunteer hours. Service pins were presented to volunteers who
have served five, 10, 15 and 20 years.
The volunteer awards were presented by Stephanie Moody, chair of the library board; John Szabo, library director; Joan Garner, Fulton County commissioner; and John Eaves, chair of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners. I
Bert Smith
Dogs
Continued from page 5 feel I get the chance to pay back all the good deeds I have received in my life."
Under care of the skilled volunteers of Paws Patrol, Happy Jack, Dewar, Buster, Minnie, Bell and Buddy are equally popular with children in Leesburg. "Each of these programs was fantastic," said Claire Leavy, director of the Lee County Library System. "The children, adults and the dogs all enjoyed themselves."
In addition to their work with children at Georgia libraries, TDI and Paws Patrol also sponsor canine visits to nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospitals and the homes of those unable to leave because of advanced age, illness or injury. Such visits provide hundreds of people with a few minutes where troubles, illnesses and worries are forgotten with a scratch behind the ears of a smiling Labrador retriever or in the whir of a terrier's wagging tail.
The dogs come to Georgia's libraries out of their owners' dedication and a desire to do something good for their communities. The outpouring of exuberance from children and parents makes their visits all the better. Rachel Russell, a library assistant in Lee County, summed it up best: "Children and books and dogs ... What a great combination for lots of smiles in the library!" I
-- Dustin Landrum
Clifford the Big Red Dog visits with Northeast Georgia Regional Library staff at the White County Library branch in Helen. From left are Children's Coordinator Regina Cochran, Helen Branch Manager Deborah Kelley, Clifford, Children's Coordinator Joanne Myers, and Program Manager Michael Humphrey
Clifford has children seeing red
Clifford's 2012 Tour de Georgia took everyone's
favorite Big Red Dog to 13 public libraries across the state. "It was 1,131 miles for 1,269 smiles," said Elaine Black, GPLS's director of Youth Services.
Clifford's annual trek is a celebration of Children's Book Week, the longest-running literacy initiative in the country. This was his sixth Tour de Georgia. Since 2007, he has visited 56 libraries and greeted more than 7,000 children, librarians, teachers, trustees, Friends and families. I
7
June 2012 Georgia Public Library Service News
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE
PAID ATLANTA, GA PERMIT NO. 213
CONTACT US
Georgia Public Library Service 1800 Century Place, Suite 150 Atlanta, GA 30345-4304 404.235.7200 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
Carman Peterson/Barrow County News
RINGing thank you
Gainesville-based Rehabilitation Industries of Northeast Georgia (RING), a private, nonprofit organization that helps individuals with disabilities prepare themselves for the work force and find employment opportunities in their communities, honored the staff of the Winder Library at a ceremony in April. RING counselors use the library as a meeting place for its Barrow County clients, who then use the library's public-access computers to study and research job openings. From left, vocational rehabilitation counselor Janice Cassidy and RING representatives Roger Swafford and Paula Phillips present a plaque of appreciation to library employees Lisa Gannon, Darby Drew and Paige Lewis. The Winder Library is part of the Piedmont Regional Library System.
1800 Century Place, Suite 150 Atlanta, GA 30345-4304
A Unit of the University System of Georgia