A newsletter for friends and employees of Georgia’s public libraries volume 14, issue 6 June 2017 Staff Hawks star Howard encourages children to read In addition to his role as center for his hometown team, the ’ Dwight Howard plays a lesser-known role in another important local arena – championing literacy for the state’s youngest kids.

Last fall, Howard’s literacy efforts resulted in a meeting with Jeff Kinney, author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid book series, when Kinney was in town shooting the latest film adaptation from the book series, “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul.” Kinney invited the eight-time NBA All-Star to visit the set, and a friendship formed. Howard asked to host the film’s Atlanta debut, as a reward and incentive for Atlanta’s young readers, including past participants of the Atlanta Hawks’ Check It Out Reading Challenge (CIORC) at Georgia’s public libraries.

On May 14, Howard and Kinney hosted an exclusive Howard joins Kayleigh Stargell, Demetrius Longmire, Sam and Charlie screening of the film and invited a of lucky Capretta, and Laila Byrd on the READ carpet, who were among the young readers to join them, cast members and other winners of the D12 Foundation’s video contest to promote reading. See Hawks, page 2 Dream comes true for retired librarian Thomas Brooks/CCPLS For years, 94-year-old Lillian Taylor Taylor, who retired 25 years ago, as has dreamed of returning to work at highly accurate in her work and as a a Georgia public library. Thanks to charming, impeccably dressed the Cobb County Public Library woman known for her willingness to System (CCPLS) and Second Wind share recipes — including her Dreams, a Roswell-based nonprofit, famous peach cobbler. Taylor’s dream became a reality on June 2. Library Branch Manager Patricia Ball and the rest of the staff of A retired librarian now living in CCPLS’s Stratton Library received Marietta, Taylor served on the staff of that same charm and kindness from the Griffin-Spalding County Library, Taylor, who recalled the early days of now part of the Flint River Regional computers in the library workplace Library System (FRRLS), for 28 years. as she examined some of the latest Natalie Marshall, executive director technology available at Georgia’s of FRRLS, said her colleagues at the public libraries. central library in Griffin remember See Retiree, page 2 Taylor admires a 3-D printed Yoda figurine. Retiree Continued from page 1 catalog is now online. She also enjoyed sitting at the When library automation began in Griffin, Taylor and reference desk and watching and listening to the former co-worker Yvonne Brooks made a pact that if interactions between library staff and the public once

anything went wrong, Thomas Brooks/CCPLS again. She seemed right they were going to at home.” protect each other by blaming it on the new Taylor was computers. “I had to accompanied at the learn to work on a library by her son computer,” Taylor said Edward Taylor and with a laugh, “and I daughter-in-law Lois nearly lost my mind James, and by June during that!” Rondinone, community relations She was thrilled, coordinator for Second however, with her Wind Dreams. second chance to serve as a librarian. “I liked “It was great to see the people that came Miss Lillian smile, to in,” she noted. As part listen to her share some of her day at the of her experiences as a Stratton Library, she librarian and to watch especially enjoyed her be amazed by all watching as a 3-D the advances and new printer created a Yoda technologies,” said figurine whose color Rondinone. matched the sweater Ball welcomes Taylor and her family to the Stratton Library. she was wearing. Founded in 1997 by geriatric specialist “Miss Lillian was very gracious to us,” said Ball, “and P.K. Beville, Second Wind Dreams (www.secondwind.org) she was very much consuming all the information we is the first U.S. organization to focus on enhancing the gave her about how libraries have changed. She was quality of life for elders and changing society’s perception impressed with our 3-D prints and by seeing how the of aging by making elder dreams come true. Hawks Continued from page 1 Howard said he was excited to to its annual ranking of the biggest athletes and artists to walk “The see the film, spot some Atlanta names in sports, the World Fame READ Carpet” and share what they sights in the scenery, and share the 100. He is founder and president of plan to read this summer or loved READ Carpet with the movie’s cast the D12 Foundation, which focuses reading as a child. members and young Georgia on facilitating positive change in the readers. lives of youth and seeks to The event served as the official strategically and effectively help launch of this year’s CIORC, for “The Wimpy Kid books are fun close critical community gaps in key which Howard is serving as chair. In for kids to read and, really, if a kid areas, including early childhood partnership with Georgia Public enjoys reading, that makes learning education and literacy. Library Service, the CIORC everything easier,” he said. “I hope encourages kids to use their local kids see the film and think about The 2017 CIORC runs through library to enhance summer learning, reading the next book – and the Aug. 26 at all Georgia public achieve their reading goals and earn next one. A kid who likes reading is libraries. a ticket for a future Hawks game. a kid who’ll be successful.” Presented by Philips, the program is For more info or to sign up, visit enjoying its 13th year. This month ESPN named Howard www.checkitoutreading.com. 2 Georgia Public Library Service News June 2017 Staff members Staff earn financial certifications During a May 18 ceremony at the state library directors meeting at the Columbus Public Library, 37 library staff from around the state were honored for completing the Certified Library Financial Manager Program.

The program provides detailed instruction on general financial management topics such as introductory accounting and payroll administration. As the training progresses so does the level of detail with participants delving deeply into topics such as long-term planning, Members of this year’s Certified Library Financial Manager class receive their awards and certificates. internal controls, purchasing, budgeting for revenues and expend- strategic account consultant with manager at the Henry County Library itures, and financial statements. Clark Outsource; Leslie Clarke, System; Holly Phillips, director of director of the Chestatee Regional the Moultrie-Colquitt County Library Part of an educational training Library System; Pam Clarke, finance System; Martha Powers-Jones, partnership between GPLS and the officer with the Middle Georgia director of Fitzgerald-Ben Hill County Carl Vinson Institute of Government Regional Library; Coty Dees, Library; Tracie Price, finance (CVIOG), the certification program is assistant director at the DeSoto Trail manager at Chattahoochee Valley conducted by faculty from CVIOG. Regional Library; Jennifer Durham, Libraries; Trent Reynolds, director To earn their certificates, participants director of Statesboro Regional of Okefenokee Regional Library; in this year’s class completed seven Public Libraries; Janet Eberhart, Alison Solomon, business services days of intensive training and testing assistant director at Northwest manager at States-boro Regional over the course of three months. Georgia Regional Library; and Public Libraries; Kim Spencer, Christopher Evans, GPLS director accounting technician for Lee Completing the program this of business services and state grants. County Library; Cynthia Spratling, year were Vicki Adkison, assistant business manager at the Houston director of the Chestatee Regional Also: Cynthia Kilby, director of County Public Library System; Library System; Cordelia Alderman, the Pine Mountain Regional Library Andrew Vickers, branch manager administrative assistant with the Pine System; Annette Maier, financial with Mountain Regional Library Mountain Regional Library System; and administrative assistant at the System; Miguel Vicente, director of Cameron Asbell, director of the Northwest Georgia Regional Library; South Georgia Regional Library; Ohoopee Regional Library System; Mary Lin Maner, director of Greater Tonya Wallace, accounting Valerie Bell, director of the Athens Clarks Hill Regional Libraries; assistant at the Forsyth County Regional Library System; Marcia Natalie Marshall, executive director Public Library; Alison Weissinger, Brown, bookkeeper at the of the Flint River Regional Library director of the DeKalb County Public Roddenbery Memorial Library; Stacy System; Beth McIntyre, director of Library; Elizabeth White, assistant Brown, director of the Conyers- the Piedmont Regional Library director of the Oconee Regional Rockdale Library System; Jan System; Gary McNeely, director of Library System; Trashéan Wolfe, Burroughs, director of Elbert the Kinchafoonee Regional Library; office manager with Newton County County Public Library; Ben Carter, Helen Mitchell, business manager Library System; and Kathryn director of the Uncle Remus Regional with the South Georgia Regional Youles, director of the Screven- Library System; Allison Clark, Library; Debra Morris, business Jenkins Regional Library System. 3 June 2017 Georgia Public Library Service News Libraries challenge readers to ‘Build a Better World’ Georgia’s public libraries will encourage children, teens This is Georgia’s 10th year as a member of the and adults to “Build a Better World” during the 2017 nationwide Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP), Summer Reading Program (SRP). a consortium of all 50 states, the District of Columbia and multiple U.S. territories working together to provide high- Each year, public libraries across the quality summer reading program materials for children at country use the SRP to promote family the lowest cost possible for their public literacy and demonstrate to kids and libraries. young adults that reading is fun. Georgia’s program enjoyed Newbery Medalist, poet, educator, attendance of 543,715 last year. and New York Times best-selling Circulation of children’s materials author Kwame Alexander is again topped 16 million items in serving as the 2017 National 2016, and nearly 1.7 million Summer Reading Champion for children and young adults attended the CSLP. “Serving as Summer one of the 51,246 programs offered Reading Champion gives me the to them by the state’s public libraries. opportunity to reach more teachers, more librarians and According to Elaine Black, more parents and share what I director of youth services for GPLS, feel is one of the secrets to the indicators in communities that success of the future: The have measured results of summer mind of an adult begins with reading show those students who the imagination of a child,” read during the summer Alexander said. “Books open months return to school with up doors of possibility and far fewer — or no — learning potential and purpose — and losses in reading scores. allow children to imagine a better world for themselves and for us.” “The research shows that when children continue to read and engage in learning during the summer, they The artist for “Build a Better World” is David thwart the summer slide and return to school in the fall Macaulay, best known for the award-winning ready to learn without having to repeat lessons from the international best-seller The Way Things Work. Macaulay’s previous grade,” she said. detailed illustrations and sly humor have earned him fans of all ages. His books have sold more than 3 million copies

Trent Reynolds in the United States alone, and his work has been translated into a dozen languages.

Public libraries across Georgia will support this year’s SRP 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, magic shows and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) projects. “Once again, this year’s theme offers something for everyone,” ’Con game Black said. Regular visitors to the Waycross-Ware County Public Library might Georgia public libraries’ SRP is made possible by a have been surprised at what awaited them there on May 6, when the library held its second annual OkeCon (short for “Okefenokee grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Convention”). Held in conjunction with National Free Comic Book Services to Georgia Public Library Service under the Day, this year’s OkeCon received hundreds of visitors, many provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act. dressed as their favorite comic book characters. Participants were Readers can visit any branch of Georgia’s 63 public library treated to free comic books and could enter drawings for T-shirts, systems to register for Summer Reading. Visit posters, books and gift certificates. www.georgialibraries.org for additional information. 4 Georgia Public Library Service News June 2017 Gladiators, GPLS announce summer reading partnership

Courtesy Atlanta Gladiators The Atlanta Gladiators have Beginning Sept. 29, parents will announced a new regional be encouraged to watch for an email partnership with Georgia Public containing instructions on how to Library Service with the unveiling of obtain each participant’s free ticket, the team’s revamped and expanded which is available with the purchase Hat Trick for Reading Challenge. The of one adult discounted premium summer reading program has been a level ticket. The Gladiators will offer staple of the organization’s 14-year tickets to three games from which history in the community, furthering families may choose during fall and the team’s goal of enriching the lives early winter. Dates will be determined of youth in Georgia. after the schedule is finalized.

By encouraging children to read Gladiators mascot, Maximus the Lion “We are honored and excited to books and rewarding their efforts partner with GPLS,” offered Clyde with the chance to attend an exciting young adults access to the happy Patterson, director of community game, the program place that is found in books. The Hat and youth hockey relations for the provides the opportunity for both Trick for Reading Challenge will be Gladiators. “We hope that this will book- and experience-based learning. another great incentive for our kids to fuel the students’ passion for The new partnership with GPLS will keep up their reading skills this continuing their education over the expand the previous program to a summer and then enjoy an exciting summer, while giving children and total of 19 metro Atlanta-area library Gladiators game this fall!” their families an opportunity to be a systems covering 42 counties. part of our ‘Glads Nation’ family.” The program begins June 1 and Systems that will participate in continues through Sept. 22. To An affiliate of the , the program this summer include participate, students in grades K-12 the Gladiators are members of the Athens Regional Library System; must read three books, then have ECHL, one of only two minor leagues Atlanta-Fulton Public Library; Bartow their parents register them securely recognized by the National Hockey County Library System; Chestatee online at www.atlantagladiators.com/ League. All home games are played in Regional Library System; Clayton hattrick. Each family may register up Duluth at the 11,355-seat Infinite County Library System; Cobb County to four children. Energy Arena. Public Library System; Conyers- Rockdale Library System; Coweta Staff County Library System; DeKalb County Public Library; Flint River Regional Library; Forsyth County Public Library; Gwinnett County Public Library; Hall County Library System; Henry County Library System; Newton County Library System; Piedmont Regional Library System; Sequoyah Regional Library System; Uncle Remus Regional Library System; and West Georgia Regional Library.

“Georgia’s public libraries are delighted to welcome the Atlanta Checks and balances Gladiators as a partner in promoting At the state library directors meeting in Columbus on May 18, State Librarian Julie Walker joined the value and joy of reading and Nathan Rall, director of library planning and construction, to present ceremonial checks to the learning,” said State Librarian Julie system directors of the four library capital projects included in the state’s FY2018 budget, as approved by Gov. Nathan Deal on May 1. From left are Geri Mullis of Brunswick’s Marshes of Walker. “Summer reading plays a Glynn Libraries; Rall; Pam Grigg of Cairo’s Roddenbery Memorial Library; Jennifer Lautzenheiser vital role in continuing the learning of the Macon-based Middle Georgia Regional Library; Walker; and Holly Phillips of the Moultrie- process and in providing children and Colquitt County Library. 5 June 2017 Georgia Public Library Service News ○○○○○○○○○○ N E W S I N B R I E F ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○

Staff Mary Jean Harrison has joined participate in the 18-month project the Conyers-Rockdale Library System with the opportunity to extend for an as its assistant director for public additional two-year period. The services. In her project is made possible through the new position, support of the National Aeronautics Harrison will and Space Administration (NASA) coordinate and Science Mission Directorate as part of support the adult its STEM Activation program. services, circula- tion, computer Thanks to the IMLS National center, outreach, Leadership Grants for Libraries and youth services program and in partnership with Mural dedication departments. Peer2Peer University, the Kansas City Harrison Students (and library lovers) at the Spruill Harrison holds a Public Library will scale up its Center for the Arts have spent their spring master’s degree in library and Learning Circles model, a community- class time creating three 3-by-5-foot mosaic information science from the based blended learning program, murals that will be installed this summer by University of Alabama. extending it in five additional public one of the entrances of the Dunwoody Branch library systems across the nation, of the DeKalb County Public Library. From left are Lisa Kosarka, Teri Vashi, Maryellen Pienta, The Gwinnett County Public including the Milledgeville-based Twin Ann Eagle and instructor Janice Schmidt. Library (GCPL) has been named a Lakes Library System. NASA@ My Library Partner. NASA@ Staff My Library will increase and enhance The Dollar General Literacy STEM learning opportunities for Foundation has awarded 2017 library patrons throughout the nation, summer reading grants to the Elbert including geographic areas and County Public Library and to the populations currently underserved in Waycross-based Okefenokee Regional STEM education. GCPL will Library System.

Alyson Nesnick

Savannah smiles At a public ceremony on April 27, friends, staff and employees of Live Oak Public Libraries celebrated the designation of its Carnegie branch as one of Georgia’s 10 most beautiful libraries. From left are Dean Horstman, chair of the Chatham County Library board of trustees; Jack Kaster, life member of Live Oak Public Breaking new ground Libraries Foundation; Jacquelyn Hinton, library On March 21, more than 100 officials and citizens joined library staff in celebrating the assistant; Stephen Whigham, interim executive groundbreaking for a new Harris County Library in Hamilton. The 15,000-square-foot library will director; Cassie Jones, branch manager; Helen represent a 300 percent increase in space over the current library. From left are trustee Jim Trott; Washington, community volunteer; Brenda Harris County Commissioners Martha Chewning, Susan Andrews, Becky Langston, Jim Woods Poku, area coordinator; Jason Broughton, and Harry Lange; trustee Maurine Avery; Harris County Manager Randy Dowling; trustees director of public services; Dr. Modibo Kadalie Charlotte Zuerner, Elaine Beall and Bob Patterson; Assistant State Librarian Wendy Cornelisen; of the Liberty County Library board of trustees; Troup-Harris Library System Director Keith Schuermann; Harris County Library Manager Stephanie Julie Walker, state librarian; and Nathan Rall, Green; lead architect Lee Martin of 2WR+Partners; Kevin Wiley and Jayson Johnson of the Harris director of library planning and construction County Chamber of Commerce; and trustee Laura Seavers. for GPLS. 6 Georgia Public Library Service News June 2017 Pinewoods’ young readers surprised with new bicycles Thirty children who attended an April 27 after-school The bicycle giveaway coincided with the annual program at the Athens Regional Library System’s Athens Twilight Criterium, a local cycling race renowned Pinewoods Library were thrilled when they were surprised for the speed of its participants. As this year’s organizers with new bicycles from a local sporting goods store. sought sponsors, the Jaycees were looking for way to get involved with the race and Thanks to collaboration Aida Quiñones learned that BikeAthens had between Academy Sports + scheduled a bike safety Outdoors, the Athens Jaycees program for the Pinewoods and local alternative Poku neighborhood at the library. transportation advocacy group From there, the pieces fell into BikeAthens, each student place for the bike giveaways. received a new bicycle and safety helmet during a brief In addition to ceremony at the library. representatives from the sponsor organizations, officers The Pinewoods Library, from the Athens-Clarke County located in a residential mobile Police Department were also on home park, serves a neighbor- hand for the presentations, hood of approximately 1,000 The Pinewoods Library’s new bike owners along with members of the people, mostly immigrants from Novo Nordisk cycling team, Mexico and other Latin American countries. Children in who talked to the new bike owners about riding safely. the community are encouraged to participate in the library’s after-school program each year with the promise Originally funded through an Institute of Museum of an end-of-the-school-year surprise, according to and Library Services grant in 2006, the award-winning Branch Manager Aida Quiñones. “This year’s bicycle Pinewoods Library began operations in a 1,680-square- surprise is a little bigger than normal,” she said. “For foot trailer, where it operated for a decade before some of the children, it’s their very first bicycle.” expanding to a 2,592-square-foot trailer this year.

Staff

Staff

Harlem renaissance On the fast track Sen. Jesse Stone (R-Waynesboro), Rep. Barry Fleming (R-Harlem), Another National Library Legislative Day is in the books. “It was a great Harlem Mayor Bobby Culpepper and Columbia County Commissioner success for Georgia’s delegation,” said State Librarian Julie Walker of Bill Morris were among those who joined Mary Lin Maner, director of the annual two-day advocacy event that took place May 7-8 in the Greater Clarks Hill Regional Library System, on May 31 to welcome Washington, D.C. “Our officials were impressed by the many ways we more than 100 residents to the grand opening of the nearly 14,000- use our LSTA funding in statewide efforts to benefit all Georgians. We square-foot Harlem library. The $3.3 million project was funded through heard several compliments on how far we stretch our dollars!” Making a state capital projects grant and a special purpose local option sales the trip with Walker this year were Dan Aldridge, Judy Aldridge, Jeannie tax. From left are City Councilman/Mayor Pro Tem John Thigpen, Blakely, Tom Brooks, Stacy Brown, Darla Chambliss, Wendy Cornelisen, Commissioner Gary Richardson, Commission Chair Ron Cross, Morris, Susan Del Rosario, Alan Harkness, Sherrie Harrington, Pat Herndon, Culpepper, Commissioner Doug Duncan, Maner, Commissioner Trey Stephen Houser, Jo Lahmon, Jennifer Lautzenheiser, Anna Lyle, Allen, Jennifer Bennett, Danny Bellavance, Fleming and Stone. Elizabeth McKinney, Brenda Poku, Margaret Quinlin and Angela Stanley. 7 June 2017 Georgia Public Library Service News PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID ATLANTA, GA PERMIT NO. 213 1800 Century Place, Suite 150 Atlanta, GA 30345-4304

A Unit of the University System of Georgia

C O N T A C T U S Sarah Collier

Georgia Public Library Service 1800 Century Place, Suite 150 Atlanta, GA 30345-4304 404.235.7200 404.235.7201 fax www.georgialibraries.org

Julie Walker, state librarian David Baker, editor Dustin Landrum, assistant

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. Book share Institute of Museum and Library Services to the Georgia State School Superintendent Richard Woods joined numerous guests at Savannah’s Bull Public Library Service under the provisions of the Library Street Library on June 8 to read to local children and help celebrate the start of Live Oak Services and Technology Act. Public Libraries’ summer reading program. The event was the first of four Georgia Information presented in this newsletter will be provided in Department of Education and GPLS Summer Reading events designed to keep students alternative formats on request. For more information about reading and active all summer. The superintendent has again teamed with Change 4 Georgia’s libraries and literary events, or to post an event, Georgia and Better World Books to donate thousands of books to Georgia community visit our online calendar at www.georgialibraries.org libraries this year. Similar events are scheduled this month in Hiawassee, Dacula and Tifton.