Friday, December 16, 2016

Clayton County Library System in the Spotlight!

Forest Park Branch
The Clayton County Library System’s (CCLS) mission is to contribute to the success of the citizens of our diverse community by offering a full range of library services that meet their informational, educational and leisure interests, fostering the love of reading in our youth and the lifelong pursuit of knowledge for all. Throughout its six branch locations (Headquarters, Forest Park, Jonesboro, Lovejoy, Morrow, Riverdale) the library system offers a wide range of programs, services and classes including children/teen and adult programming, free wireless internet, free computer classes, community outreach programs, print and electronic books, magazines and music, and access to databases such as Mango Languages, Brainfuse, Gale Virtual Reference Library, Chilton Auto Manuals, Learning Express, Galileo, and much more!

At CCLS, librarians believe in the value of connecting with patrons through exciting programming. In 2015, the system was awarded a grant from the American Library Association (ALA) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). This grant “Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise” enables librarians to partner with key organizations in the community to teach financial literacy, home ownership, budgeting, money management, and business ownership.

CCLS also developed STEAM initiatives which include music production, writing, recording and visual media development, and built a makerspace, equipped with 3D printers, music mixing and recording equipment, and other innovative tools.

Many new and exciting changes are happening within CCLS!  In the Fall, community meetings were held for the new College Park location to better understand preferences and needs for the new branch. At the same time, the Radio Frequency Identification System (RFID) was implemented to introduce self-service checkout to our community.  CCLS tagged 75% of its collection, set up staff work stations and have begun the installation of the security gates and the automated materials handling system.  When all is completed CCLS will be able to expose its community to a new level of customer engagement.

CCLS partnered with the United Way to develop Learning Spaces for the Tots (a place to prepare kids from 1-4 to learn to read), and recruited a Teen Advisory Board to provide input on what teens in the county want and need from a public library.  CCLS Advisory Board is comprised of eleven members who represent several Clayton County High Schools.

CCLS librarians collaborated with the county IT department to develop and teach computer classes to county employees, partnered with Habitat for Humanities to enlighten the public about their programs to renovate houses. County librarians teamed up with the Extension Service to offer Reality Check for teams (an interactive financial survival exercise), and partnered with Clayton State University’s Primary Care Clinic to help insure our citizens are health literate.

Clayton County Library System strives to build a stronger connection with the community, to create spaces that appeal to its patrons, and to provide FREE resources that make Clayton County a great place in which to live, work and play.

Visit CCLS website at www.claytonpl.org and Rediscover the Library

Thursday, December 15, 2016

GaCOMO Slideshare Page Is Live!

Did you miss GaCOMO16, a particular session, or do you just want to refer back to a really interesting slide? Check out the GaCOMO Slideshare page!
A number of presenters have submitted their presentation materials to help create this resource.
[If you presented this year and would like your materials to be included on the Slideshare page, just send Sofia Slutskaya an email with attachments. Please remove any notes from the deck that you do not want made publicly available, since the slides can be downloaded. Also let her know what kind of license you’d like to put on the materials (all Rights Reserved & CC Attribution-NonCommercial are the two everyone is using now) and send a list of subject tags if you’d like.]

Sunday, December 4, 2016

AEL Mingle with the Admins - January 14, 2017

On January 14th, Atlanta Emerging Librarians will be meeting to kick off the new year with our annual “Mingle with the Admins”.   As is tradition, we have invited a mix of public, academic and special library administrators to share information about their libraries and any open positions they may have available.

This year’s Mingle will be held on Saturday, January 14th, from 11am-1pm at Manuel’s Tavern in Poncey-Highland (602 North Highland Avenue Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30307). Appetizers, sweet tea and soda will be provided.

This is a great opportunity to meet administrators and hiring managers from libraries where you are interested in building your career.

RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mingle-with-the-admins-tickets-29898983665  to attend – space is limited! We hope to see you there!

2016 Planning Committee
Ashley Day
Lydia Hofstetter
Rosemary Humphrey

Monday, November 28, 2016

GLQ Fall 2016 Issue Now Available!

The fall 2016 issue of the Georgia Library Quarterly is now available at http://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/glq/

Read about GLA and COMO conference news, as well as Georgia library news; read an article about the history of the COMO conference; learn about the history of Georgia public libraries; and check out the spotlights, MOPL, and book reviews!


Friday, November 18, 2016

Brunswick-Glynn County Library in the Spotlight!

Watercolor by Nancy Muldowney*
The City of Brunswick, located on the Georgia Coast, has had a long and rich history dating back to1738 when the first European settler arrived.  The city was one of the original five ports of entry during colonial America, and was officially founded in 1771.  Today, the Port of Brunswick is still a huge industry for the area, and it is currently the second in the United States for roll-on/roll-off vehicles.

Like the city, the Brunswick-Glynn County Library has also had a long and rich history.  It was first organized as a subscription library in 1883, and was housed above a store in Downtown Brunswick.  Around 1894, the library was moved to a different location and was able to offer “drive through” service.  It was reported that Mrs. Hunter Hopkins rode up to a window on her horse to return and check out her books.  Throughout the next few decades, the library moved several times to various locations within the downtown area.

When WWII broke out, the coastal town began to change.  While German U-boats sat in the waters off the city’s coast, Brunswick began building Liberty Ships.  Throughout the war, the Brunswick Library remained open.  However, money was scarce and there is little history of the library during the war years.

After the war, funding for the library began to increase.  The library was housed on the second floor of City Hall in Downtown Brunswick.  The increase in funding made it possible to purchase more and more books.  The weight of the shelves became an issue, and in 1950 the library literately outgrew the building.  With a shift in the structure, one night the pendulum of the clock in the clock tower came crashing through the librarian’s desk on the second floor all the way through to the City Manager’s desk on the first floor.  Next, the partition between the Courtroom and the library collapsed.  Finally, when the walls of the second floor started to separate from the floor, the library was moved to a larger facility a few blocks away.  The library continued to grow, and in 1958 an old grocery store on Gloucester Street in downtown was purchased and renovated.  The library has since been torn down, rebuilt, and renovated, but has not moved again from the site.  

Today, the library is the Headquarters Branch of the Marshes of Glynn Libraries, the public library system in Glynn County, Georgia.  It is open 51 hours a week to the public, and offers an array of services.  Margie Young, a steadfast and long-time volunteer said, “the Brunswick Library is a friendly, quiet place where everyone is helpful, the books are free and so are the various programs offered for children and adults.  Just about whatever you need can be found at the library in a book that will take you into a new world of your choosing.  Visit the Brunswick Library and see if you don’t agree.”

Visit http://moglibraries.org for more information.

The library building painting is a watercolor by a local artist, Nancy Muldowney.  In over the 20 years of living in the Golden Isles, Nancy has not only been active as a professional artist and business owner but actively involved in community nonprofit organizations.

Friday, October 21, 2016

Hightower Library, Gordon State College in the Spotlight!


Located on the west side of the Gordon State College campus sits Hightower Library, which recently re-opened after undergoing a complete renovation.  The building was not the only thing to undergo changes.  Upon re-opening its doors, the library received a new name which reflects its mission to support individual and collaborative group study. It is now officially known as the Dorothy W. Hightower Collaborative Learning Center & Library.  Dr. Sonya Gaither, Director of Hightower CLC and Library since 2014, was instrumental in spearheading the library’s renovation, as it was under her leadership that the Board of Regents proceeded with the $4.2 million renovation.  Building renovations began in the summer of 2015, and the grand re-opening was held on April 21, 2016.  Included among the 888 guests that day were speakers Merryll Penson, former Executive Director of Library Services, Vice Chancellor Shelley Nickel, and Regent C. Thomas Hopkins, as well as the Hightower family.

Hightower Library was originally constructed in 1976, but its recent renovation is helping to bring Gordon State College into the 21st century.  The updated facility boasts a number of modern conveniences, from writable surfaces to a self-checkout machine for books.  Though no additional square footage has been added, many guests have remarked how much bigger the library seems.  This is due to a more open floor plan, as well as the addition of windows which flood the building with natural light and allow visitors a prime view of the campus.

Upon entering the library you will find a spacious study lounge, equipped with plush seating, tables, and vending machines.  Beyond this area lies the circulation desk and a computer station which features sixteen computers, two printers, two ScannX machines, and a self-check book machine.  An additional twenty computers are located behind the reference collection, giving students access to a total of thirty-six computers. The library also provides two microfilm readers, twelve laptops which may be checked out by students, and thirty laptops which are used for classroom instruction.  The general collection is located on the second floor, along with eight individual study rooms, nine group study rooms, and two classrooms (all of which may be reserved online). Each study room is furnished with a desk, chairs, writable walls, dry-erase markers, and erasers.  The group study rooms also feature large screens equipped for laptop hookup.


Hightower Library is currently staffed by five librarians and three library assistants, typically hires three to four student workers each semester, and utilize interns and volunteers.  The library’s holdings include approximately 102,757 books, 27,417 electronic books, 9,637 microfilms and 4,785 audio-visual materials. Additionally, the library subscribes to 48 print magazines and provides access to over 8,000 full text online journals in GALILEO. With its extensive collections, both print and electronic, and its newly updated facilities, Hightower CLC & Library remains a vital component of the Gordon State College community.

To learn more, you may visit the library’s website or follow the library on Facebook and Instagram.

Credit: Pictures taken by Paula Williams, Library Assistant.

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

GLA MidWinter Planning Meeting


Dear GLA Member,

It is time to register for the Georgia Library Association 2017 MidWinter Planning Meeting. This year’s meeting will he held on December 14-15 at the Downs Continuing Education Center at Clayton State University and the Clayton State University Library in Morrow, Georgia.

The MidWinter Planning Meeting is an important event for all GLA members, especially those interested in contributing to the newly named Georgia Libraries Conference 2017, October 4-6, 2017 to be held in Columbus, GA.  It is an opportunity for Divisions and Interest Groups to meet and make plans for the year as well as to discuss program ideas for the Conference in the fall.  It will be the first (and in many cases the only) opportunity for GLA committees to meet face to face and plan work for the coming year.

Lucy Harrison will join us to deliver this year’s keynote address. As the new Executive Director of GALILEO, Lucy is reaching out to the communities of interest for GALILEO to inform a visioning process for planning GALILEO’s next 5-25 years.

The registration fee for MidWinter Planning Meeting is $50 per person, which will include a continental breakfast and a hot lunch buffet on Wednesday.  Registration forms must be received by November 21, 2016 to confirm your lunch reservation.

The first day will include the keynote, ALA Midwinter update, Division, Interest Group and Committee Meetings.  The second day will include the GLA Leadership Meeting and will begin with a session titled “GLA 101 - GLA History” by Julie Higbee & Gordon Baker.  Last year’s session was wonderful in recounting the rich history of our organization.  I encourage everyone to attend.  Subsequent sessions will be orientation, information, and business meetings for the GLA Executive Board.  After lunch the GLA Website Redesign Committee will host public presentations from potential candidates for redesigning our website.  As of now, the ending time is open since we do not yet know how many will present their proposals.

One of the most important parts of the MidWinter Planning Meeting is the networking that takes place among GLA members.  Providing opportunities for you to meet with colleagues from all parts of the state is one of the most valuable benefits of your GLA membership.  I hope that you will take advantage of that benefit and join me and the other members of the Executive Board at the Annual MidWinter Planning meeting.  We value your participation and want to help you find ways to be more engaged in the work of the Association.

It is going to be an exciting year for Georgia libraries!

Elizabeth McKinney
2017 GLA President
emckinney@georgialibraries.org

Monday, October 17, 2016

MALA/NMRT Annual Potluck Party - December 3rd, 2016

Metro-Atlanta Library Association (MALA) and GLA’s New Members Round Table invite you to their 3rd Annual Potluck Party!

Every year MALA and NMRT host a potluck party to bring together librarians and library staff from the Atlanta area. Please join in our annual tradition and make some new friends! Party will be followed by a short MALA meeting to elect new officers for 2017.

Day: Saturday, December 3rd, 2016
Time: 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Place:  Turner Lynch Campus Center, Oglethorpe University  
4484 Peachtree Rd NE    
Atlanta, GA 30319

Bring: Come as you are or bring a dish to share! Plates, napkins, and cups provided.

Please RSVP using our EventBrite!
Contact jstephens12@ggc.edu with any questions.

Sunday, October 16, 2016

Atlanta Emerging Librarians Presents: Jump Into the Job Market!

Do you need to brush up on your interview skills? Is your resume or CV current and on trend? Do you want to volunteer, but do not know how to get involved?

Join Atlanta Emerging Librarians on Saturday, November 12th at 1:00 pm as our guest speakers review vital job search tips and give you the inside scoop on how to get involved with the Georgia Library Association (GLA). Bring your current resume as we are also hosting a Resume/CV Review Clinic after the presentation.

If you have any questions, please contact us at atlantaemerginglibrarians@gmail.com

Date: Saturday, November 12th
Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Location: Toco Hill-Avis G. Williams Library, 1282 McConnell Drive, Decatur, GA 30033

RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/ael-presents-jump-into-the-job-market-tickets-28269033440

Hope to see you there,

The 2016 Atlanta Emerging Librarians Planning Committee
Ashley Day
Lydia Hofstetter
Rosemary Bilello Humphrey

Thursday, October 13, 2016

2017 GLA Election Results

The 2017 GLA officers are:

Elizabeth McKinney - President
Fred Smith - Vice President/President Elect
Mack Freeman - Vice President for Membership
Ashley Dupuy - Vice President for Branding and Marketing
Eli Arnold - Treasurer
Geri Mullis - Secretary

Congratulations to the new Georgia Library Association leadership!




From Fear to Trust in the Library Organization - New Carterette Webinar

     

From Fear to Trust in the Library Organization
Wednesday, November 9, 2016 
2pm Eastern (11am Pacific | 12pm Mountain | 1pm Central)
Register:  https://goo.gl/PqlQzg

Description:  
Every organization deals with situations related to trust and fear. However, some organizations are more open about these issues, while others are in deep denial. According to Doug Conant, CEO for the Campbell Soup Company, "The first thing for any leader to do is to inspire trust." This presentation will begin with the context of how our research began: the trust issues encountered by the Kennesaw State University and Southern Polytechnic State University consolidation. The presentation will also describe how trust and fear are closely associated and how they impact the work environment. Research by Deming will be highlighted, including his belief that management has an obligation to "drive out fear from the workplace, so that everyone may work effectively for the organization." Solutions by Covey, including creating trust agreements will be presented. Library work place examples, including consolidation and the new era of compliance regulations will be highlighted. The presentation will include time for audience questions and conversations.

About the Presenters:
Steve Burton, Librarian Assistant Professor, is in his eighth year at Kennesaw State University. He currently serves as Arts Librarian, Coordinator of the Undergraduate Faculty Liaison Program, and as liaison to the university's departments of Dance and Theatre & Performance Studies. This academic year, Steve is participating in the Library System's Professional Writing Program and is a part of a Faculty learning community focusing on "Contemplative Pedagogy."

Dr. Linda Marie Golian-Lui, is the Associate Dean for the Library System at Kennesaw State University. She has worked full time in academic libraries since 1980 and completed her Doctorate in Education in 1998 with original research on academic librarian thinking styles. She recently completed a Post-Graduate Certificate from the KSU Siegel Institute in Leadership and Ethics where she began her research on trust and the workplace.  She is currently completing a book chapter for the 2017 Volume of Advances in Library Administration and Organization entitled Moving from Fear to Trust in the Library Organization. 


Can't make it to the live show? That's okay. The session will be recorded and available on the Carterette Series Webinars site for later viewing.
-------------------------------------------------------
To register for the online event
1. Go to registration page: https://goo.gl/PqlQzg
2. Complete and submit the form.
3. A URL for the event will be emailed to you immediately after registration.
~~~
Contact a member of the Carterette Series planning team with questions or suggestions:
carteretteserieswebinars@gmail.com

Sunday, October 9, 2016

Request for Proposals to Redesign Georgia Library Association's Website

The Georgia Library Association is seeking a vendor to redesign the association's website.

An RFP outlining specific needs is available at http://bit.ly/2dE7olx

Responses are due electronically by Monday, November 7, 2016 by 5:00 PM EDT. 

If you have any questions, please contact Sofia Slutskaya at sslutskaya@gmail.com

Thank you for your interest.

Friday, September 23, 2016

Max Brown Family Resource Library in the Spotlight!

The Max Brown Family Resource Library services the families, patients, and visitors of Scottish Rite Hospital, part of the award winning Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta hospitals. The library is centrally located on the first floor of the hospital, and visitors easily see its collections, materials, reading exhibits, and smiling volunteers and staff members through the inviting glass walls that make up the front of the library.

The primary purpose of the Max Brown Family Resource Library is to provide understandable and reputable medical information to the patients and families regarding the conditions that bring them to the hospital. During times of stress and anxiety that often come with hospital stays, the library staff caringly work to provide sound medical information to the families so they can have the vocabulary to converse with clinicians and can feel empowered to participate in health care decisions.

To fulfill the library’s mission of enhancing the lives of children by empowering families through knowledge, the library provides a print and electronic medical collection, which reflect areas of patient care available at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Additionally, the library provides hundreds of children’s, teen, and adult books, a significant DVD collection, computers and tablets for parents and children, magazines, and games to help entertain the families and pass the time during their hospital stay. The library also has a variety of anatomical models and posters, often used by hospital staff to explain complex medical procedures to the patients, and the library is occasionally used by hospital staff as an engaging place to hold informational meetings for children and parents.

Besides the collections, the library provides great programming for the children, with story times led by library volunteers, “Reading to Rover” and therapy dog visits in the library, and Legos in the Library, where patients can come build a Lego set thanks to “Little Bricks of Hope.”

The library is staffed by a Family Library Coordinator, several library assistants who have library science or medical degrees, and by a wonderful team of volunteers.

To find out more about the Max Brown Family Resource Library, please visit: http://scottishrite.mysurpass.net

Thursday, September 8, 2016

COMO 2016: Eight Reasons to Attend




~

8 reasons to join hundreds of your colleagues at COMO:

1 Powerful Partnerships:
This year's COMO conference is a joint conference in partnership with SELA, the Southeastern Library Association (selaonline.org), and is also sponsored by GAIT, GLA, and ALA.
2. Amazing Keynote Speakers:
Look forward to entertaining keynotes from  Eric Faden + Jonathan Alter!
3. Thought-Provoking Sessions:
Let your colleagues motivate you with their experiences and ideas. Check out the detailed program schedule for information about the wide array of sessions!
4. The Much-Beloved Scholarship Raffle:
Help out by volunteering or donating to the raffle, but also have fun shopping it! Know that your funds go to a wonderful cause -- supporting library students in Georgia. Questions? Contact Mack Freeman at johnmackfreeman@gmail.com 
5. Movie Night:
Join your colleagues Wednesday night and enjoy movie night at the Athens-Clarke County Public Library, featuring "The Princess Bride." Enjoy refreshments and compete in trivia for prizes!
6. Meet the Authors:
Whether you're an aspiring author or just a bookworm, swing by the Authors Appreciation Reception on Thursday night to hobnob with writers and shop for new reads while enjoying hors d'oeuvres. 
7. Vendors:
This year, we'll have representatives from several companies supporting Georgia libraries. Stop by the exhibits to say hi to the vendors and pick up some swag! 
8. Networking:
Take some time to chat with your colleagues from across the state, and enjoy the conference!


COMO 28 will be held October 5-7, 2016 
at the Classic Center in Athens, Georgia. 
For more information, see our website:

Monday, September 5, 2016

Upcoming Carterette Webinar: Getting Started with Assessing Student Retention


Getting Started with Assessing Student Retention
Wednesday, September 28, 2016 

2pm Eastern (11am Pacific | 12pm Mountain | 1pm Central)

Register:  http://goo.gl/eU8LoF

Description:  
It’s easy to collect data about our libraries. It’s a lot harder to interpret the data in a way that tells a compelling story. At the 2015 Southeastern Library Assessment Conference Mary O’Kelly shared exciting new data showing a statistically significant positive relationship between library instruction and student retention. This webinar will reveal a fourth year of data from this longitudinal study, including new analysis on persistence to graduation. But was does that really mean and how did we get here? This webinar will focus on a detailed, replicable process for not only collecting data but also using it to answer some pretty important questions about your library services. Mary O’Kelly -- who works at an academic library without a dedicated assessment librarian -- will share the process and methods used at GVSU, including tips on building a culture of assessment when assessment is distributed across multiple departments. The webinar will include time for Q&A and sharing your own assessment success stories.

About the Presenter:
Mary O’Kelly is an associate librarian and head of instructional services at Grand Valley State University, just 15 minutes east of beautiful Lake Michigan beaches. She is responsible for strategic planning and assessment of library educational activities, including in-class and online teaching, student peer mentoring, and library workshops for faculty and staff. When not reading, writing, and speaking about the relationship between library services and student success, Mary is busy gardening (hostas and garlic are specialties) and baking really good bread.



Can't make it to the live show? That's okay. The session will be recorded and available on the Carterette Series Webinars site for later viewing.
-------------------------------------------------------
To register for the online event
1. Go to registration page: http://goo.gl/eU8LoF
2. Complete and submit the form.
3. A URL for the event will be emailed to you immediately after registration.
~~~
Contact a member of the Carterette Series planning team with questions or suggestions:
carteretteserieswebinars@gmail.com

Thursday, September 1, 2016

2017 Candidates for GLA Office

GLA Officer Candidates for 2017

First Vice President / President Elect
Fred Smith, Georgia Southern University

After earning an MLS from Florida State University, Fred Smith began his career as a reference librarian at Columbus State University in March 1977. He added interlibrary loan (ILL) to his duties soon after. Later at Columbus, Fred served as periodicals librarian and circulation librarian. In 1986 he moved to a reference librarian position at Georgia Southern University and also served as interlibrary loan librarian. In 1992 Fred became head of access services at Georgia Southern, taking ILL with him. He has served in that position ever since. His department is responsible for circulation, shelving, reserves, overnight service, late night weekend service, interlibrary loan, document delivery to faculty, and document delivery to distance learners. He supervises seven people directly and eleven more indirectly, not counting student assistants.

Fred Smith has over thirty professional publications and has presented in some fashion at COMO for most of the last nineteen years. Twenty-four hour service and promotion and tenure are the two topics he has written and presented on the most. Fred has given two invited presentations and has written a column since 2002 for the Journal of Access Services on all aspects of access services. In 2005 his paper “Tenure and Promotion: How University System of Georgia Librarians Rate What We Do” was awarded Outstanding Paper by GLA’s Academic Library Division.

At Georgia Southern, Fred has served as a faculty senator several times and has served on most of the committees of the senate. He chaired the Faculty Development Committee for two years. The Faculty Development Committee is responsible for awarding over $100,000 in travel and development money to faculty and chooses the recipient of the annual Award of Excellence in Teaching for the University. He considers his biggest Georgia Southern assignment as chairing an ad hoc committee appointed by the president to update the University Statutes. He also chaired the Faculty Welfare Committee for two years. In that role, Fred worked closely with the provost to design a five year review of deans. Last year he received the Henderson Library’s Service Award and was promoted from associate professor to professor four years ago.

Fred attended his first Georgia Library Association Conference (pre-COMO) in Savannah in 1978 and has since attended all GLA Conferences or COMOs except one, which was held a short time after a death in the family. His first office in GLA was chairing the Interlibrary Cooperation Roundtable in 1987, and he has chaired the Circulation and Access Services Interest Group several times. Fred has served as secretary, vice chair, and chair of the Academic Library Division and was GLA secretary in 2002–2003. He has also held several offices in the Southeastern Library Association. Fred was a member of the GUGM Planning Committee for six years, the longest of any member, and has gained experience at planning a conference when he chaired the GUGM Planning Committee in 2008.

Fred believes that GLA has served him well all of these years, and he would welcome the opportunity to serve you as first vice president, president elect.

Elijah Scott, Georgia Highlands College 

Elijah Scott currently serves as dean of libraries, college testing, and curriculum innovation, and acting dean of admissions and recruiting, at Georgia Highlands College.

Elijah holds a bachelor of arts in English, history & political science from Cumberland College; a master of science in information science from the University of Tennessee; and a master of arts in English from Georgia College & State University. He is currently pursuing, or perhaps being pursued by, a doctorate of education in learning, leadership, and organization development at the University of Georgia.

Elijah has worked in libraries for twenty years, beginning as an assistant at the University of Tennessee Hoskins Map Library. His first professional job after completing graduate school was as cataloger at the Ina Dillard Russell Library at Georgia College & State University, where he later served as coordinator of reference services. He then worked as coordinator of reference services at the Augusta R. Kolwyck Library at Chattanooga State Community College. He has worked at Georgia Highlands College since 2010.

Elijah has been a member of the Georgia Library Association since 2010. He served as vice-chair of the Catoosa County Public Library Board of Trustees (2009–2010) and also as chair (2010–2011). He served on the GALILEO Interconnected Libraries (GIL) Coordinating Committee from 2012 to 2014, also serving as chair from 2013 to 2014. He has been a member of the Regents Academic Committee on Libraries (RACL) since 2010. He has served on the GALILEO Steering Committee and RACL Executive Committee, holding the offices of member at large (2012–2013, and 2016–2017), vice chair/chair elect (2013–2014), chair (2014–2015), and past chair (2015–2016). He served as planning committee chair for the GALILEO Next Generation Library System Project from 2013 to 2016.

When not travelling among the five campuses of Georgia Highlands College, or to various meetings around the state of Georgia, Elijah enjoys spending time with his wife, Nicole, and their big, white fluffy Samoyed, Qannik. His hobbies include gardening, travel, and working on antique cars.
____________________________________________________________


Vice President for Marketing & Branding
Ashley Dupuy, Kennesaw State University

Ashley Dupuy is currently the director of research and instructional services and librarian associate professor for the Kennesaw State University (KSU) Library System. She manages a team of librarians and paraprofessionals who coordinate reference services, undergraduate instruction, distance learning initiatives, and the undergraduate faculty liaison program. Previously, she served as coordinator of undergraduate library instruction for the Horace W. Sturgis Library at KSU. Before coming to Kennesaw State she worked for two years in the Atlanta-Fulton County Public Library System.

Prior to completing her MLIS at the University of Alabama, Ashley worked for fifteen years in the marketing and advertising industry. She has extensive experience in business management, project management, and account services. She has worked for advertising agencies (most recently Target MarkeTeam) at companies like Delta AirLines, and with many large clients such as the American Diabetes Association, Blimpie International, UPS, American Express, and Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Ashley also has a bachelor of science in economics from the University of Pennsylvania and is pursuing an MBA from Kennesaw State University.

Ashley is very involved in GLA and has been since the start of her library career. She has served as chair of the Atlanta Emerging Librarians Planning Committee, chair and vice-chair of the New Members Round Table, chair of the Scholarship Committee, treasurer of GLA from 2013 to 2015, and treasurer of COMO in 2014. She is currently one of three members of the Carterette Webinar Team. In addition, she received the McJenkin-Rheay award in 2012, which is given to a librarian early in his or her career who has made outstanding contributions to the Georgia Library Association.

Sarah K. C. Mauldin, Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP

Sarah is currently director of library services at Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP. She has been a law librarian since 2003 and has worked for firms in Texas, Nevada, and Georgia. She is very active in library professional associations, serving in local and national leadership roles. She is also a frequent speaker and writer on issues including law firm librarianship, law school/law firm partnerships for practice-ready graduates, innovative training models, infographics and data visualization techniques, and how law firm librarians can support Access to Justice programs. Sarah also has experience in archives, working for a summer at the Jimmy Carter Library and at the Lyndon B. Johnson Library during graduate school. She was also a public librarian for six months at the Westbank Community Library in Austin.

Sarah earned a BA in letters, summa cum laude, with a minor in management information systems from the University of Oklahoma in 1999 and an MLIS with an endorsement of specialization in law librarianship from the University of Texas at Austin in 2002. She is also a graduate of the Leadership DeKalb class of 2013.
A proud Atlanta native, Sarah lives one mile from her childhood home with her husband, Ryan, and three orange cats. In her spare time she enjoys baking, sewing, doing just about anything with yarn, spectating at just about any sporting event, volunteering in the community, and reading nonfiction of all kinds.

_________________________________________________________

Secretary
Jean Cook, University of West Georgia

Jean Cook is an instructional services librarian at the University of West Georgia. She holds bachelor degrees in physics and math as well as master degrees in library science and computer science. She worked in the Cobb County Public Library Systems and Southern Polytechnic State University's Horace W. Sturgis Library before coming to the University of West Georgia in 2007. There she serves on faculty committees, liaises with academic departments, and teaches a semester-long for-credit course. She has published in the Georgia Library Quarterly and the Association of College & Research Library’s (ACRL) peer-reviewed journal College & Research Libraries, as well as written a number of book reviews for various publications.

Jean has taken a leadership role in Georgia libraries. She served three years organizing the Atlanta Area Bibliographic Instruction Group annual conference as vice president, president, and past-president. She has been chair of the GLA Awards Committee for several years. This year, she is serving as the Georgia COMO program chair. She also coordinates the Western Regional Bowl of the Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl in conjunction with media specialists and English teachers across the state and volunteers regularly with academic bowls across the Atlanta area.


Geri Mullis, Marshes of Glynn Libraries

Geri Lynn Mullis is the Marshes of Glynn Libraries director in Glynn County, Georgia. Her love for libraries first began as a youth volunteer at the Greenville County Library System in South Carolina. She received a BA in history from Winthrop University (Rock Hill, SC), and a master's in library and information science with an emphasis in youth services from the University of South Carolina (Columbia, SC). After graduate school, Geri began her professional career as a children's librarian at the Gaston-Lincoln Regional Library System in Gastonia, North Carolina. She continued her professional growth working at three different library locations within the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 2010, Geri moved to the Georgia coast when she was hired as the assistant to the director for regional services for the Three Rivers Regional Library System. In July 2013, the public libraries in Glynn County broke off from Three Rivers, and Geri was hired as the director for the new public library system.
Geri has been a member of GLA since moving to Georgia, presented at the 2011 COMO conference, and has served as the parliamentarian on the 2015 and 2016 GLA Executive Board.

When not working at the library, you can find Geri and her husband catching waves with friends off St. Simons Island and reading good books.


Friday, August 26, 2016

New Media Center at Valdosta State University's Odum Library in the Spotlight!


Odum Library's New Media Center (NMC) has successfully adapted to changing times. Since it first opened over 35 years ago, it has constantly evolved to support the needs and demands of students at Valdosta State University. As a result, the New Media Center has transformed into one of the most innovative spaces for student use in an academic library in the state of Georgia.

By keeping pace with technological innovations, the NMC has been able to acquire devices and items that have become indispensable to students. One of the first New Media Center offerings that complemented this ideology was its large format printer. Large format printing supports students who participate in undergraduate and graduate research symposiums and require professional printed posters to present their projects.

This innovation continues today. The New Media Center has embraced the 3D printer and has made strides on campus, transforming the mindset of what Media means to the campus. Currently, the NMC is working on expanding their 3D printer program even further, by creating a full 3D creation lab, complete with 3D scanners and 3D modeling software, so students can translate their own 3D designs to a tangible product using the 3D printer.

In addition, the New Media Center provides spaces that support creativity and foster an environment of learning for our students, staff and faculty.  Faculty can schedule workshops to learn how to integrate new digital content and software/hardware into their courses. Students can also take advantage of these classes and workshops and learn how to use different programs that can help them become more competitive in the job market. After learning about these new technologies in NMC’s workshops, the students and faculty can get hands-on experience in one of the audio-video editing labs that are in the New Media Center. In addition, they supplement these spaces with resources that students, faculty, and staff can check out to create new media on the go. The equipment they circulate includes laptops, GoPro cameras, PA systems and much more.

The real stars of the NMC are its staff who truly represent the mission of Valdosta State University of providing a caring and welcoming learning environment. This philosophy is important in libraries, because there is often anxiety surrounding change, especially where new technologies are involved. The New Media Center focuses on helping the VSU community navigate the fast-paced changes to technology while continuing to innovate and add to its offerings so that current and future students can be successful in their academic and future working careers.

To learn more information about Valdosta State University’s New Media Center, visit their website at http://www.valdosta.edu/media.

Thursday, August 25, 2016

GLQ Summer 2016 Issue Now Available

The summer 2016 issue of the Georgia Library Quarterly is now available at http://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/glq/ 

Catch up on GLA and Georgia library news.

Read a COMO paper about using games for information literacy instruction:
Can Library Research Be Fun? Using Games for Information Literacy Instruction in Higher Education   



Check out the library spotlights:



Be sure to read Cathy’s president’s column to see what’s coming up for GLA in the future, including COMO news, etc.

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Atlanta Emerging Librarians 2016 Academic Library Tour - September 9, 2016

Atlanta Emerging Librarians 2016 Academic Library Tour
Friday, September 9, 2016
2:00 pm

Looking for a challenging career path to pursue with your MLIS? Academic libraries support and serve the research and knowledge of the college and university community. Academic librarianship also provides a great opportunity to employ subject area expertise. Please join Atlanta Emerging Librarians on Friday, September 9, at 2:00 pm to tour the Pitts Theology Library at Emory University.

An informal mingle will follow after at Tin Lizzy’s Cantina, 1540 Avenue Pl, Atlanta, GA 30329.


Please RSVP via EventBrite by Tuesday, September 6th if you plan on joining us for the tour.


2016 Atlanta Emerging Librarians Planning Committee

Rosemary Bilello Humphrey
Ashley Day
Lydia Hofstetter
Amy Winfrey


Thursday, August 4, 2016

GLA Scholarship Winners 2016

The GLA Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce the 2016 winners of the Beard and Hubbard scholarships. These two awards are given annually by GLA to provide financial assistance for students pursuing a Master’s degree in library science.

This year’s C.S. Hubbard scholarship winner is Katie Mitchell.  Katie graduated from the University of Georgia with a B.S. in Psychology and the University of West Georgia with an M.Ed. in School Library Media.  She has worked in various library environments, including academic, public, and private libraries, and now serves as the Branch Manager at the Neva Lomason Memorial Library, part of the West Georgia Regional Library System.  Katie is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science at Valdosta State University.



Anne Marie McLean is this year’s Charles Beard Scholarship winner.  She graduated from Emory & Henry College in Virginia with a B.A. in Political Science and Religion, and went on to receive her Masters of Theological Studies at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology.  Anne Marie currently serves as the Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery Specialist at the Pitts Theology Library at Emory and is pursuing her Masters of Library and Information Science at the University of Alabama.

Congratulations to our 2016 scholarship winners!

Monday, August 1, 2016

GLA Membership Contest: Bring a Friend to COMO!


The GLA Membership Committee is hosting a "Bring a Friend to COMO" Membership Drive Contest in August. 

For every member that you refer throughout the month of August, both you and the new member will be entered into a drawing for a free registration to this year's COMO in October! The more people you refer, the more chances you'll have to win.

How to enter:

Refer a new member and have them join GLA at any membershipo level!
Have either the referrer or the new member fill out our contest entry form at https://goo.gl/forms/Drmn0M4BSZurHRaP2

Now is a great time to invite others to join GLA to be part of library association that is currently 741 members strong from every type of library in the state. All library employees, friends, trustees, and supporters are welcome to join GLA.

New individuals can join or renew by going here: http://gla.georgialibraries.org/membership.htm

If you've already registered for COMO, the Membership Committee will reimburse your registration costs. We will draw for our winning pair during the first week of September.

Please share this widely!

If you have any questions about this contest, please contact me at johnmackfreeman@gmail.com off-list.

Friday, July 29, 2016

Georgia Archives in the Spotlight!

Thanks to the support of friends, colleagues, and users, the Georgia Archives is once again open five days a week to researchers. Since joining the Board of Regents in July 2013, the number of staff has increased to 25. Postponed projects are being completed, including major improvements to the building's systems to increase efficiency and reduce operating costs.

As the state archives of Georgia, our primary focus is on documenting the activities of government. Since the early 1970s, the Georgia Archives has operated a records management program to advise state and local government offices and to promote good recordkeeping practices. In addition to holding the permanent records of the state government, the Archives operates the State Records Center where agencies store their temporary records

As the state archives of one of the original thirteen colonies, the Georgia Archives holds a rich collection of colonial and state records covering nearly three centuries. Holdings include local government records, maps, photographs, and private collections that complement the official records. Of the 85,000 cubic feet of records in the Georgia Archives, approximately 70,000 are official state records, 6,000 are local government records, and 9,000 are non-governmental materials that supplement the official records.

Archives staff are taking advantage of the University System connections to work more closely with faculty and students to encourage more use of original records. Public programs are expanding as well. Special history programs have included topics such as the War of 1812 and Transportation. Day-long genealogy programs held twice a year are very popular. For several years, the Archives has hosted a well-attended Black History Month program, and this year's program was co-sponsored with the Afro-American Genealogy and History Society and the Auburn Avenue Research Library. Lunch and Learn programs on a variety of topics are held the second Friday of every month at noon. The Archives has an exhibit room with climate controlled cases that allows display of original records. Staff develop exhibits to showcase records related to program topics or to highlight Archives collections of interest.

A special library is part of the main reading room at the Georgia Archives. The library consists of books and periodicals that complement the original records in the Archives and help provide context for the original materials. The collection contains over 23,000 volumes of local, state, and family histories, published law books and codes, transcriptions and compilations of local records. The library materials must be used onsite and are not available for interlibrary loan.

To learn more about the Georgia Archives visit http://www.georgiaarchives.org/



Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Atlanta Emerging Librarians Informal Mingle - August 20, 2016

The Atlanta Emerging Librarians’ (AEL) next informal mingle will be at the Atlanta Rollergirls’ Grudge Match on Aug. 20, 2016 at 5pm. 

Come join us for a night of fun while we watch the Denim Demons and the Sake Tuyas vie for 3rd and 4th place in the league.

When: Aug. 20, 2016 at 5pm
Where: Yaarab Shrine Center, 400 Ponce De Leon Ave, Midtown Atlanta (Parking is free!)

Buy Your Tickets at: http://www.atlantarollergirls.com/ 

***AEL is only staying for the 5pm game (Game 1 Tickets).  If you want to stay for both the 5pm and 7:30pm game, make sure you buy the Double Header Tickets. Single tickets are $15, Double Header tickets are $25.

RSVP at:  https://goo.gl/forms/JDR2xE4gvMt1IHDc2
 
***THIS FORM IS ONLY TO GIVE US AN IDEA OF WHO TO LOOK OUT FOR ON THE NIGHT, YOU MUST BUY YOUR OWN TICKETS AT http://www.atlantarollergirls.com/

Other Information: The venue is BYOB.  You can bring a small cooler, but no glass allowed.

If you have any questions about the mingle email us at atlantaemerginglibrarains@gmail.com

The AEL Planning Committee

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Upcoming Carterette Webinar: Maximizing Outreach Without Maxing Out


Maximizing Outreach Without Maxing Out: No-to-Low Cost Ways of Getting Your Library's Message Out There
Wednesday, August 17, 2016


2pm Eastern (11am Pacific | 12pm Mountain | 1pm Central)

Register:  https://goo.gl/brWx9y

Description:  
Almost every library considers marketing and outreach a priority, but too often staffing or budget constraints cut these efforts off at the knees. Join us for a webinar to discuss some of our successful no-to-low cost outreach and marketing efforts from both academic and public libraries. This webinar will cover how to select what to focus on, options you can try, and resources where you can reach out for help. Learn how to take in new ideas and scale them to your library without burning out your staff or maxing out your budget. From our cash-strapped marketing budgets to yours, join Amanda Roper and John Mack Freeman for a discussion on how you can do marketing and outreach without breaking the bank.

About the Presenters:
John Mack Freeman is the Marketing and Programming Coordinator at the West Georgia Regional Library. Since 2009, he has also been a freelance technical writer and web designer. A former ALA Emerging Leader and current GLA 2nd Vice President, his professional focus is outreach to underserved communities, advancing intellectual freedom for a new generation, and helping spread marketing best practices to libraries with fewer resources across the country. When he's not over volunteering for professional associations, Mack is usually hanging out with his fiancé and his super lazy Australian Cattle Dog.

Amanda Roper is the Interlibary Loan and Reserves Specialist (official title) and Marketing and Communication Specialist (unofficial role) at Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia. She is active in the Georgia Library Association serving as a Public Relations committee member and manager of the GLA Twitter account. Amanda blogs about books at www.figandthistle.com, has a penchant for contemporary American poetry, and is more than a little bit obsessed with coffee.



Can't make it to the live show? That's okay. The session will be recorded and available on the Carterette Series Webinars site for later viewing.
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To register for the online event
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1. Go to registration page:  https://goo.gl/brWx9y
2. Complete and submit the form.
3. A URL for the event will be emailed to you immediately after registration.
~~~
Contact a member of the Carterette Series planning team with questions or suggestions:
carteretteserieswebinars@gmail.com

Monday, July 18, 2016

Savannah Area Librarians Meet-up - August 11, 2016

The Georgia Library Association's Savannah Area Meet-up group is excited to announce our third meet-up.  It will be hosted by Live Oak Public Libraries.

When:   Thursday, August 11, 2016
Time:     3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Where:  Southwest Chatham Library Branch 14097 Abercorn Street Savannah, GA 31419

If you are near Chatham, Bryan, Bullock, Effingham, Liberty, McIntosh counties, this is for you!

This meet-up is opened to all library staff (librarians, media specialists, media clerks, etc.) and is an opportunity to meet fellow library professionals in an informal setting and learn more about getting involved in GLA.

The guest speaker for this event will be Clinton Edminster.  Clinton is the Executive Director, Art Rise Savannah, INC, and Owner and Founder, of Starlandia Creative Supply, LLC.  He will be speaking about the arts as a tool to bridge communities together and the power of collaborative thinking for higher impact programming and simply having a better time in your own life.

Bio: Originally from Homer, Alaska, Clinton came to Savannah to study at the art college in 2009. After deciding that college was not for him, he started volunteering with Desotorow Gallery. Eventually becoming the Executive Director in 2013, Edminster began implementing a two-year strategy to transform the small organization into Art Rise Savannah. In June 2015, Edminster opened Starlandia Creative Supply on Bull Street, a new and used art supply store. Edminster is also the President of Star Council, a graduate of the Georgia Center for Nonprofits Momentum Program, a recipient of Savannah Magazine’s Generation Next Award, and a proud resident of the Starland District.

Refreshments will be served. Hope to see you there!

If you have any questions, please contact us @ glasavannahmeetup@gmail.com.

Thursday, July 7, 2016

Professional Development Events in July

This list is provided by Georgia Public Library Service.  Visit the GPLS brand new Learning Center to find out about training events, webinar archives, self-paced library courses, CE resources, and more.

July 12 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
How to Set-Up a Minecraft Program for Kids

If you would like to know the challenges involved in setting up a Minecraft program for kids, attend the July 12th First Tuesdays. Technological know-how and costs will be covered.
Register at http://www.sos.wa.gov/library/libraries/firsttuesdays/default.aspx

July 12 @ 2:00 pm
Handselling: Readers’ Advisory for Under the Radar Titles

Looking for ways to get a great book into the hands of just the right reader? This free, hour-long webinar features readers'-advisory experts Kaite Mediatore Stover, Director of Readers’ Services, Kansas City (MO) Public Library and Booklist’s Rebecca Vnuk giving practical advice on how to handsell special books to your library patrons.
Register at http://bit.ly/29AYcZO

July 12 @ 2:00 pm
Intro the the Iron Triangle: Quality Resources and Time Constraints   

Do you want it Good, Cheap, or Fast? Pick two. The so-called Project Management or Iron Triangle establishes three sets of parameters for projects and enterprises. The Triangle helps keep teams aligned and on track, even while making decisions on the fly.
Register at http://www.sieralearn.com/programs/essential-webinar-series-intro-to-the-iron-triangle-quality-resources-and-time-constraints/

July 13 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Get Outside the Lines: Leverage Social Media to Make the Most of Your Campaign

Libraries are dynamic centers for engagement that help everyone in your community be their best. To shift perceptions, we need to demonstrate how the library is more relevant than ever before. Let’s not just tell people how libraries have changed; let’s show them.
Register at https://cc.readytalk.com/registration/#/?meeting=ewun0fq6o6e3&campaign=aawr49qkj4rk

July 14 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Everywhere Leaders: How To Move Your Library & Your Career Forward
 
What do leaders look like? - From little league through high school, college and the world of professionals, everyone has known leaders who inspire, motivate, and support everyone around them. Who can (and should) lead? - Everyone wants to be successful. By practicing leadership skills, everyone can contribute to a culture of success.
Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/everywhere-leaders-how-to-move-your-library-your-career-forward-tickets-25439592506?ref=ebapi

July 14 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Creating Custom Tables and Colorful Maps Using American FactFinder  
 
Did you ever want to dabble in data visualizations but don’t know how? If so, this introductory workshop to some of the most useful American FactFinder tools might be the best place to start! This brief (40 minute) hands-on demonstration will explain how users can easily modify default table and map views to customize their output. In this course, users should expect to be able to create custom tables and colorful maps while building upon existing knowledge of American FactFinder.
Register at http://bit.ly/29nqll0

July 14 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Gender Inclusivity in Special Libraries
  
Travis Wagner, an advocate for LGBTQI+ inclusivity within cultural institutions, will discuss how to expand beyond written policies of inclusion and actually enact practices that are more engaging and inherently inclusive in nature.
Register at http://calendar.sla.org/index.php?eID=671

July 14 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Many Paths to Conversation: Techniques for Successful ESL Clubs
   
Are you interested in new ways to serve the immigrants in your community? Would you like to have fun and build strong relationships with your patrons? Are you interested in attending the best potluck ever? ESL (English as a Second Language) Conversation Clubs are simple and inexpensive programs that make a big impact.
Register at https://infopeople.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=589

July 18 @ 2:30 pm
Leading Teens – Accidental Teen Librarian, Sarah Sogigian

Join us for a webinar on becoming an accidental teen librarian with a focus on leading teen.
Register at http://libraries.idaho.gov/page/info2go

July 19 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Collection Development: Children’s and Young Adult Books about Native Americans

Are you worried that your collection of books by/about Native peoples is in need of a 21st century update so that it accurately reflects Native peoples of the past and present? Are you concerned that your collection has too many biased depictions of them? In this webinar, Dr. Debbie Reese will offer tips and ideas to think about as you select and weed your collections.
Register at http://www.ala.org/alsc/collection-development-childrens-and-young-adult-books-about-native-americans

July 19 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Serving At-Risk Patrons: Lessons from Library Social Workers

Looking for ideas on how to provide services to vulnerable customers in your library system? Join two library social workers to learn how libraries are on the front lines of social work — and how you can help patrons in need in your own communities.
Register at http://programminglibrarian.org/learn/serving-risk-patrons-lessons-library-social-workers

July 19 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Best Bets for Book Groups
   
Looking for fresh titles for your book discussion group? Join representatives from Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Norton, Macmillan, and Sourcebooks as they showcase their favorite upcoming and backlist titles that are a perfect fit for adult book groups. This free, one-hour webinar is moderated by Rebecca Vnuk, Booklist Editor for Collection Management and Library Outreach.
Register at http://bit.ly/29oWldN

July 19 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Coding for Everyone: How Your Library Can Help Anyone Learn to Code

Computer programming, or coding, is a digital literacy skill that has become as important as reading and writing. Learning to code builds rational thinking and problem-solving skills, providing powerful tools that transfer to other subjects and create lifelong learners. Libraries have stepped up to help everyone learn the basics of coding.
Register at http://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/coding-for-everyone.html

July 20 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Breezing Along with the RML: Librarians Involved in EHRs

This session will feature a panel of librarians discussing opportunities and challenges for librarians to be involved in supporting clinical care through Electronic Health Record Systems.
Register at https://nnlm.gov/mcr/education/breezing

July 21 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
We Need To Talk: Overcoming the Fear of Having a Difficult Conversation

When faced with having a difficult conversation do you find yourself procrastinating, back peddling, dodging, panicking, or finding yourself filled with dread?  Whether the conversation is with staff, a patron, your family, or an annoying neighbor this session will help to move you forward. These conversations don’t have to be difficult if you prepare in
Register at  http://cslinsession.cvlsites.org/

July 25 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Your Constituents by the Numbers: Accessing Data for Political Boundaries

Learn how to access statistics about your constituents living within political boundaries such as Congressional Districts, Legislative Districts, Precincts, etc. Using the American FactFinder you will be able to download and map demographic, socioeconomic, housing, and business data for your political geographies.
Register at http://bit.ly/29knT2R

July 26 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Help! I’m an Accidental Government Information Librarian presents … The APIs of Data.gov

The Government Resources Section of the North Carolina Library Association welcomes you to a series of webinars designed to help us increase our familiarity with government information. All are welcome because government information wants to be free.
Register at http://bit.ly/29lldhC

July 27 @ 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Cultivating a Library Technoculture: We are Tech Workers!

Markham is Canada’s “High-Tech Capital,” housing 900 high-tech companies and their employees. In response, Markham Public Library began hosting maker and coding events, launched a digital media lab, and purchased 3D printers. When skill gaps in our workforce thwarted efforts to engage staff with new services, we embarked on a culture-shifting journey.
Register at https://cc.readytalk.com/registration/#/?meeting=u8lmwwnj0nkv&campaign=9zv8jb0ndngw

July 27 @ 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm   
How to Make your Website More Inclusive to All Audiences

Your organization’s website is often the first place people go for information about your museum, your exhibitions, your programs, and your collection. But who are the people who use your website, and is your website inclusive of the broadest audience? 20% of Americans identify as having a disability—can they, and everyone, access all of the can they, and everyone, access all of the information that your website shares? Is your website designed by IT in a silo, or have critical stakeholders been included in the process–from top to bottom and across your organization (and beyond)? Have you addressed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or embraced Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 and principles of Universal Design in your choices of font, colors, graphics, functionality, tagging, and use of assistive technology?
Register at http://www.aam-us.org/resources/online-programs/how-to-make-your-website-more-inclusive-to-all-audiences

July 27 @ 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Discover National Library of Medicine Resources and More: Health Information Resources for Seniors

This webinar will highlight the major health concerns for older adults, and feature information resources from the National Library Medicine and other trustworthy organizations.
Register at https://nnlm.gov/mcr/education/discover

Thursday, June 30, 2016

Augusta-Richmond County Public Library System in the Spotlight

Aerial view of ARCPLS old and new headquarters
The Augusta-Richmond County Public Library System (ARCPLS) is comprised of the Headquarters Library and five branches scattered throughout the greater Augusta, Georgia area.  The Headquarters Library was opened in 2010 across the street from the previous main location, transporting services and collections from a 3500 square foot building to a 95,000 square foot, three floor facility equipped with computers on each level, dedicated Children’s and YA Areas, study rooms and an auditorium with a collapsible wall affording versatile uses of the building’s largest meeting space.

The remaining five locations include the Diamond Lakes Branch, which shares building space with a recreation/community center known as the hub of a very active sports program serving athletes of all ages.  The Freidman and Maxwell Branch libraries are each slated for extensive renovations within the next few years due to a community-backed SPLOST initiative.  Upon completion, these branches that will have been in existence well over a combined total of 70 years, will be able to continue to serve their communities within familiar walls using state-of-the-art library fixtures and resources.

Appleby Library, Augusta, GA
Undoubtedly, the hidden jewels of the system are housed in its oldest buildings.  The Wallace Branch is one of the most popular meeting room destinations of all of the facilities.  Its location, less than five blocks away from the Augusta University Medical Campus (formerly the Medical College of Georgia), next door and across the street from two high schools and across the street from a respected preschool makes it a convenient destination for students of all ages.  Its historic significance to the city is invaluable as it was originally built as the first public library location to specifically serve African-American patrons in the 1950’s.  Finally, the beautiful Appleby Library is located in a stately, historic antebellum home willed to the system many years ago.  Parents regularly remark that their children are the 3rd generation in their family to attend the branch’s very popular story times.

A strengthened emphasis on programming is the latest effort by ARCPLS to transform the system into one that leans out into the community to bring patrons into the fold, while not necessarily into the doors.  Annual signature programs such as the Augusta Literary Festival, Star Wars Reads Day and the Evenings In Appleby Gardens Concert Series regularly draw thousands of attendees.  However, lessons on how to become a “virtual patron” teach those unable or unwilling to travel to a branch how to best maximize online resources such as Georgia Download Destination for book downloads, Zinio for periodical downloads and Pronunciator and Tumblebooks for distance literacy learning in over 80 languages.  GLASS Augusta rounds out the system’s offerings as the department provides Talking Books outreach to 21 surrounding counties.

Under the leadership of Library Director Mashell Fashion who has spent the bulk of her 30 year career with the system, ARCPLS looks forward to honoring its past while simultaneously exceeding goals poised to make it a model public library system of the future.