Tuesday, December 30, 2014

GLA Committees and Interest Groups in the Spotlight!

Join us at GLA Midwinter, select a committee or interest group to participate, and you can make a difference in the future of Georgia librarianship!

 Keep reading if you want to learn more ...

Interested in recruiting new GLA members? The Membership Committee's purpose is to suggest and foster plans designed to solicit new memberships and encourage renewal of memberships of all librarians, active and retired; paraprofessionals; library/media graduate students; and library trustees, friends, and advocates. The committee welcomes members from various types of libraries across the state!

Are you interested in citizenship and governance?  Do you think it's important to keep information about our government and the information it provides freely available to the public?  Come join the GLA Government Information Interest Group!  You don't have to be a documents librarian to join, just someone interested in providing and using government information. This GLA interest group is committed to promoting accessibility and use of federal, state, local, and international government information. We're actively seeking new members, and you'll get the chance to meet and work with others in the library field who care about keeping these vitally important information sources available for all. Each autumn GIIG sponsors a program about government information at the annual COMO meeting, so keep in mind this opportunity for presenting your own research and/or experience using government materials.

The Technical Services Interest Group is about cataloging, acquisitions, e-resources, and more! Catch up with the latest trends and current issues in acquisitions, cataloging, classification, electronic resources management, library systems, and serials. Come and see what Technical Services can do for you – and your library! Visit us on the web, Facebook, Pinterest and Slideshare.

Interested in marketing, social media, outreach, or good old fashioned email blasts? The GLA Public Relations Committee helps to guide and distribute GLA communications and promotes support of libraries in Georgia. Join our committee and help with publicizing events, recruiting support for libraries and member organizations, and spreading general good cheer. All volunteers welcome; social media mavens especially needed.  Indicate your choice on your form for the GLA Midwinter Planning meeting - even if you can't come, let us know you'd like to help!

The GLA Scholarship Committee molds the future of library leadership by providing financial assistance to those still in school. We are looking for members throughout the state from a wide variety of backgrounds to help with this project. We have two subcommittees: our annual scholarship raffle and our award selection committee. Over the next year, we hope to unveil a new digital scholarship application form and expand our scholarship raffle to further endow these vital awards. Every year, the GLA scholarships receive more enthusiasm and support from our membership. Come be a part of this fantastic committee!

This will be a revitalizing and exciting year for the Reference Services Interest Group as we expand our charter and goals to become the Reference and Instructional Interest Group. Recognizing the increasing overlap between these two services and the desire of librarians to collaborate with their instructional needs, we will be redefining our charge, scope, and services. The feedback and insights of all Georgia Librarians will be invaluable during this process.

 The Awards Committee recognizes the best in Georgia Libraries and GLA. Great things happen everyday and too many have gone undistinguished for too long. From rooting out hidden gems to highlighting community members who support their library, members of this committee get the pleasure and satisfaction of giving back a little to those who have contributed much.

Friday, December 19, 2014

Carnegie Branch Library in Savannah in the Spotlight!

The Carnegie Branch Library in Savannah, Georgia celebrated its Centennial Anniversary with a Georgia Historical Marker dedication ceremony held on August 13, 2014. Nestled majestically amongst a tree line belt on East Henry Street the Carnegie Branch Library is part of Live Oak Public Libraries.

Carnegie Library has rich roots embedded in the African American community of Savannah. Today it remains a focal point for educational programs and a community meeting space. The historical marker acknowledges the significance African American Savannahians and others placed on education and scholarly research one hundred years ago.

Since 1903 the African American community of Savannah spiritedly debated the need for a public library of their own. In 1906 black community leaders founded the Colored Library Association of Savannah. The twelve original founders were: A.L. Tucker, Julian Smith, J.W. Armstrong, E.E. Desverney, J.T. Burton, Henry Pearson, Dr. F. S. Belcher, H.H. McBeth, G.W. Jacobs, L.S. Reed, R.W. Gadson, and C.A.R. McDowell. In 1913 a petition was sent forth to the Carnegie Corporation for funding and construction began in 1914. The building was dedicated later that year on August 14th.

The building is the only example of Prairie Style architecture within the city. The regal staircase leading to the main entrance on the second floor is framed by two enormous piers with sandstone orbs on small pedestals. Narrow vertical windows, with rectangular transoms are also characteristic of the Prairie Style. The entrance is flanked by two sconces with large glass globes and is ornamented, above the doorway, with an open book with the inscription "Carnegie Library".

Carnegie has a warm familiar feel. While small and quaint, it also offers an full array of services, programs, and technology resources many library users of the 21th century have come to expect. It also houses an extensive African American reference collection and remains a beloved structure within a community. Among famous visitors are James Alan McPherson, Pulitzer Prize-winning short story writer and essayist and Clarence Thomas, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.

The library is seeing renewed interest from students, tourists, and visitors as well as the wider community of residents. New generations of users often encounter many local senior residents who freely share their stories of growing up in the Carnegie Library. They also remind younger generations how important the library was to their education and encourage younger users to appreciate the importance of libraries.

New and old residents continue to stream through the doors for a tour or to acknowledge that they never knew the history of the Carnegie Library. They are greeted by friendly staff behind the same desk countless others were greeted over hundred years ago. While time has marched on the Carnegie Library remains a stalwart in its role to serve the community as it has done and we suspect will do for another one hundred years.




Monday, December 15, 2014

Metro Atlanta Library Association (MALA) and GLA's New Members' Round Table (NMRT) Holiday Potluck Party


Metro Atlanta Library Association (MALA) and GLA's New Members' Round Table (NMRT) invite everybody to  joint Holiday Potluck Party!

Come meet fellow Atlanta-area library staff and friends over great food!

The party will be followed by a short business meeting to elect MALA officers and discuss and plan the coming year.  Bring a dish or come as you are; all are welcome - no membership required.

 When - Saturday, Dec 20th from 5:00-7:00 PM

Where - Oglethorpe University, Turner Lynch Campus Center Trustee Room (4484 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30319)


Please visit http://bit.ly/16olBKb to RSVP.