Twin Lakes Library System

Upcoming Events

2008-05-09T00:55:11Z

Posted for your information, several upcoming events of interest:

Children's Book Week (May 12-18)
May 12th through 18th is Children's Book Week! To celebrate, we're going to be giving Waldenbooks gift cards to qualifying children who participate in the final "We Read on Wednesday" literacy program of the school year. Thanks to Waldenbooks and their customers for generously providing these prizes!

Author Talk: Barry Reese (Saturday, May 17)
Library Director/Author Barry Reese will be discussing his latest release, "The Rook Volume One" on May 17th from 1-3 pm at the Mary Vinson Memorial Library. Join us in the Special Collections Room for a celebration of Mr. Reese's exciting original creation: The Rook! Copies will be available for purchase and signing.

Community Movie Night: "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium" (Monday, May 19)
Come to the Mary Vinson Memorial Library and visit the strangest, most fantastic, most wonderful toy store in the world, and its 243-year-old eccentric owner. "Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium," Rated G, starts at 6 pm in the Children's Theater.

Vacation Reading Club Sign-ups begin (Tuesday, May 20)
It's here! Sign-ups for all of our reading clubs begin on May 20th. This year, our focus is on bugs! Our Children's theme is "Catch the Reading Bug," for ages 0-11. Teens aged 12-18 will be able to "Metamorphosis" as they participate. And, for the first time, adults 18-up can join in the fun too and "Bug Out with Books!" There's truly something for everyone during this year's Vacation Reading Club; come and "get buggy" with us!

70th Anniversary Event: Bookmobile Commemoration Tour (Friday, May 23)
We're going mobile as we continue our 70th Anniversary celebration! To commemorate the first bookmobile route in the 1940s, we're heading out around town with a small sampling of our library collection. We'll be stopping at locations around downtown with a connection to the Library, both past and present, as well as some other stops. Look for us "on the move" from 9:30-11:30 am on Friday, May 23rd.

Vacation Reading Club Kickoff (Thursday, May 29)
Sign-ups begin May 20th, but on May 29th we'll celebrate our summer of fun with our first event! Pete Griffin and Birds of Prey will be performing at 10:30 am and 1:00 pm at the Mary Vinson Memorial Library. Come see these amazing animals and be a part of the fun!

Lake Sinclair Library: 5th Birthday Celebration (Friday, May 30)
Help us as we wish a happy 5th birthday to our Lake Sinclair Library branch. We'll have refreshments for everyone at the Lake Sinclair Library, beginning at 4 pm on Friday, May 30th.

Book Release Party: "Zane's Story" by Connie Duckworth (Saturday, May 31)
Come join us at the Mary Vinson Memorial Library as we celebrate the release of "Zane's Story" by local author Connie Duckworth. "Zane's Story" tells of Connie's son's struggle with Epilepsy and Landau-Kleffner Syndrome and how their family and the community has pulled together to support him. The Release Party will be held in the Special Collections Room from 1-3 pm.

As you can see, there are many ways for you to join in the fun; there's something for everyone at your local library!

Waldenbooks and community show support for TLLS

2008-05-08T18:34:46Z

Waldenbooks recently showed their support for the Twin Lakes Library System with a donation drive.

From April 19th to May 3rd, Waldenbooks encouraged their customers to give donations, with all proceeds to go to the Library. The community responded well to the program, and donated a total of $126. After the drive, Waldenbooks presented the Library with gift cards in the amount of the donations. These gift cards will be used as a part of Children's Book Week (May 12-18), for qualifying readers during that week's "We Read on Wednesday" program.

Many thanks to Waldenbooks and those in our community for supporting your local library! Because of your generosity, the Library can better encourage literacy in our community.

Thank you!!

National Library Legislative Day

2008-05-08T13:31:09Z

On May 13 & 14, 2008, hundreds of librarians and library supporters of all kinds are heading to Washington, DC, for an event like no other: National Library Legislative Day. And you can be a part, too!

National Library Legislative Day is a two-day event in which people who care about libraries participate in advocacy and issue training sessions, interact with Capitol Hill insiders, and visit Congressional member offices to ask Congress to pass legislation that supports libraries.

Can't make it to DC on May 14 for National Library Legislative Day? No problem.

You can take part in a VIRTUAL LIBRARY LEGISLATIVE DAY! It's easy for you to participate. Get everyone you know to help call, fax and email their Members of Congress to tell them about the importance of libraries in your community.

National Library Legislative Day is sponsored by the American Library Association, Chief Officers of State Library Agencies, the District of Columbia Library Association, and the Special Libraries Association.

Carpenter Defeats Davidson

2008-04-10T17:46:19Z

In the highly publicized pairing of Kell Carpenter and LaToya Davidson in Midi Bowl 1 both players came out swinging and fought hard for the Midi Champion title. When the dust settled, and secure in his 3-point advantage, Kell Carpenter edged out favorite, LaToya Davidson with a 27 to 26 final. Also making an appearance in the Bowl was third place finisher, David Smith.

Final Season Standings:
Kell - 20pts. (6-8-2) 355 total points
LaToya - 19pts. (8-3-5) 321 points
David - 9pts. (2-5-9) 265 points

Learn to Love Literacy

2008-04-07T17:51:25Z

Midi Bowl

2008-04-04T20:24:13Z

Oddest Book Title Named

2008-03-28T11:13:34Z

The competition was fierce, but the winner of Oddest Book Title has been decided. The winning entry is the self-help manual "If You Want Closure in Your Relationship, Start With Your Legs," winning an impressive one-third of the vote. Runner-up was "I was Tortured By the Pygmy Love Queen," which came in with only 20% of the vote.

Read the entire story here:

news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080328/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_britain_book_odd

Memphis Mayor Closes Five Library Branches

2008-03-27T19:59:50Z

The Mayor of Memphis has closed five library branches in a bid to save money and prevent a tax hike. Also at issue is the mayor's firing of both the Library Director and Deputy Director, to be replaced by "political cronies" who have not earned library degrees.

Read the full story here:

www.ala.org/ala/alonline/currentnews/newsarchive/2008/march2008/memphismayor1.cfm

Employee of the Month for March 2008

2008-03-25T15:03:49Z

From the Desk of the Director:

As usual, this was a difficult decision -- we have so many great employees that it's often hard to narrow it down to just one. But this time I think we should recognize someone who does several difficult jobs and all of them well. He catalogs, he orders the adult books, he does so much more...

Yes, the EoM for March 2008 is.....

Jared Baker!

Congrats, Jared!

Seuss-ian Fun!

2008-03-24T20:35:43Z

On Monday, March 3rd, Twin Lakes Library System's Children's Services visited Sinclair Christian Academy to celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday. Children in preschool through second grade classes were treated to a visit from none other than the Cat in the Hat! A great time was had by all as all things "Seuss-ian" were celebrated.

Click below to see Karen Minton's class with the famous feline.

Arthur C. Clarke Passes Away

2008-03-19T13:42:52Z

Here's hoping it was full of stars.

Arthur C. Clarke - 1917 - 2008

City and County Reach Funding Agreement

2008-03-19T11:54:06Z

County Commissioners voted unanimously last night to approve an arrangement by which they will begin funding a portion of our local budget, beginning this July 1st. The county will incrementally increase their share of our funding over the course of the next five years until they fund 58% of our overall budget for the downtown branch and 100% of the Lake branch. City and county officials determined their funding percentages based on U.S. Census Bureau figures for the population of residents who live in the city and the county. Under the new arrangement, both the city and county must agree to approve any increases in library funding. I will be verifying today exactly which budget they are planning to fund for the next fiscal year (i.e. the one I *requested* or the one that's based on the same funding we've received for the past seven years).

I will continue to update all of you as more details become available to me.

Thanks to everyone who contacted their local officials on our behalf. I am convinced that without the support of all of you, this agreement never would have been reached so quickly! Again, thank you!!!!!!! And thanks to our local officials for coming together in agreement.

Newspaper Corrections

2008-03-13T13:01:45Z

As the talks between the City of Milledgeville and Baldwin County continue over who will be funding the library, many of you have expressed concerns about our future. Obviously, if an agreement is not reached by June 30, 2008, our budget for Fiscal Year 2009 (beginning July 1st) will be affected. We will lose a total of over $270,000 in combined funding from the city and state, plus our membership in PINES, our Internet access and our Vacation Reading Program funding. On March 13, 2008 both of our local papers -- The Baldwin Bulletin and The Union Recorder -- ran front page articles about the situation. Unfortunately, there were one or two mistakes that managed to creep in, through no fault of anyone involved.

1) In the Bulletin article, it mentions that the library has not received an increase in funding since FY 2004. It should read FY 2002.

2) Also, in the Bulletin article, it mentions that “local support for the current year shall be equal to more than half the preceding year.” Actually, this should read "local support for the current year shall be equal to or more than the preceding year" in order for us to be eligible for state funds. *Any* reduction will trigger the loss of our funding.

3) The Union Recorder article has several inaccuracies: the City of Milledgeville gives us 72% of our annual budget, not 89%. Our total budget for FY 08 was $706,288.67 not $681,289 as stated in the article. Furthermore, we do not receive $7,000 from the Board of Education -- we receive $4,500. Furthermore, our in-house revenues are not $35,000 as stated -- it's actually $31,400 and that's not all from fines & fees as the articles states. That's from fines & fees, vending machine income, fax charges, photocopies and donations.

4) One of the patrons interviewed in the UR article mentioned that a loss of funding for the library "wouldn't have too much impact on the community as long as the library remains open." I hate to harp on the subject, but the loss of this much funding means that we may not be staying open at all. Unfortunately, that's a very real concern. With the loss in funding and our PINES membership, access to Galileo and all Internet service, plus the reduction in staff from 17 to 5 would mean that there wouldn't be much of a library left.

Baldwin Bulletin Reports Library Funding Crisis

2008-03-12T21:32:43Z

Local paper, The Baldwin Bulletin is first to report the current funding situation for the Twin Lakes Library System.

Public Library Could be in Trouble
By: Pam Beer
3/12/08
Original Post

The inability of the City of Milledgeville and Baldwin County to settle the matter of which government will fund the Twin Lakes Library System has Library Director Barry Reese caught in the middle and worried about the future.

For good reason.

“The other day I was invited to a meeting with our (library) board chairman, Sherrill Jones, the mayor and the city manager. They informed us they would be seeking mediation with the county,” Reese said.

Reese added that he was also informed that, beginning July 1, the city would be willing to fund the library at just 80 percent of its current level – a reduction of $101,503.

This turmoil is the by-product of recent negotiations between the City and the County in reference to the Service Delivery Strategy – an agreement between governments as to who will finance which services for city and county residents. The current agreement is more than 25 years old and assigns the county services such as the recreation department, the Health Department, and animal control, while the city funds entities such Allied Arts and the library.

Reese said that, annually, the city provides $507,000 to fund the Twin Lakes Library System (both the downtown library and the lake branch), a figure that hasn’t changed since fiscal year 2004. If the library’s funding is indeed cut by $101,000 in July, the actual money lost will be much more drastic.

In a March 5 letter to Reese, Deputy State Librarian David Singleton explained the maintenance of effort (MOE) requirement for state aid to Georgia’s public libraries. There are a number of requirements that a public library system must meet to qualify for state aid, including MOE.

“Non-compliance with any of these requirements would make the library system ineligible to receive state aid,” Singleton wrote. A specific Board of Regents policy requires that “local support for the current year shall be equal to more than half the preceding year.” If funding levels aren’t maintained at the current level, the local library system will lose $160,778.64 in state grants.

In addition, the library system would lose several benefits that are paid by the state on behalf of the local library system including PINES (the card catalog system), GALILEO (the database) and the internet lines. In 2007 the value of the internet lines alone to the library topped $10,000.

The library would also lose federal grants that fund the Vacation Reading Program, plus other competitive grants.

Reese has already begun planning for the worst, trying to figure out how to make the funds he might be left with stretch as far as possible. In a letter patrons checking out books started receiving last week, Reese listed probable cuts:

• Reduced hours of operation – Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. only

• No Lake Sinclair Library

• Staff reduced by almost 70 percent (from 17 to 5)

• Reduced public programming such as Story Time and Baby Time

• No Vacation Reading Program

• No longer a member of the statewide library system, PINES

• No internet access

• No access to Galileo

In the letter library patrons are urged to contact either their city or county representatives to voice their support of library funding.

“This is not anything that we want to do. We’re just planning on how we can stay open. This would be a horrible situation for us and everybody in the county, from those who bring their kids to Story Time to those who depend on us to check their email,” Reese said.

He feels like the child caught between warring parents.

“We don’t care where the money comes from – they are good people, on both sides,” Reese said. “But it’s a scary thing. I feel terrible. For some people this is their career – they’ve been here 10 or 20 years. When I became director I wanted to see the library grow and expand. It pains me to think I might be at the helm when we lose so much.”

In a Jan. 4 letter to County Manager Joan Minton, City Manager Scott Wood stated that it is the city’s position that Service Delivery Strategy agreements reached in the past are “history.” He wrote: “For over a quarter of a century the City has complied with them fully, but we are aware of no obligation – contractual or moral – which dictates that the City must continue to fund library operations ‘ad infinitum.’ As pointed out earlier, library services are equally available to all county residents and the subsidy cost should be transitioned so that the expense is equally borne by all county taxpayers (and not solely the incorporated ones). However, as has also been previously pointed out, recognizing that this cost represents a new expense for the County, and in a spirit of cooperation, we remain agreeable to a five-year incremental transition at 20 percent per year.”

In a February City Council meeting City Attorney Jimmy Jordan said that state law requires cities and counties to adopt a service delivery strategy by Feb. 28 and to submit it to the Department of Community Affairs. If the two parties can’t agree, Jordan said state law provides an alternative – first, non-binding mediation, then court-ordered mediation, and finally a hearing in front of a Superior Court judge who would determine the outcome.

In a Feb. 29 letter to Georgia Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Mike Beatty, County Commission Chairman Bobby Blizzard stated that it is the county’s position that the Service Delivery Strategy currently in place did not expire on Feb. 28. As part of the Comprehensive Plan process the country reviewed its Service Delivery Strategy and finds that “no revision is necessary to that Strategy.”

“Our understanding is that our (Service Delivery Strategy) Agreement remains in full force and effect unless some revision is necessary due to some inconsistency with the Comprehensive Plan...or the parties agree to revise the plan,” Blizzard wrote, adding that Baldwin County has made “substantial concessions and accepted compromise positions, just as has the city...we do not believe that any one single component can be pulled from that agreement without going back through all of the elements that make up the agreement.”

Minton said that the county did not want to go through the expense of formal arbitration, but instead wanted to continue to negotiate on a local level. She said that the conflict resolution process mandated by DCA does not go into effect until Jan. 2009. However, Jordan said that a section of state law governs Service Delivery Strategies.

“It sets forth when the governments involved cannot agree by the deadline that either party can file a petition with the Superior Court and a judge outside the circuit can order mandated mediation,” Jordan said. “Once you go through the mediation process, if the parties still disagree, you can ask the judge to hear evidence and (issue a ruling.)”

Jordan said that the county believes that both governments need to agree that the mediation is necessary, while the city believes that just one side has to want mediation.

“We are still working on these issues, and I hope we can find a resolution,” Minton said. “We are still working cooperatively and I still feel there is a possibility that we can resolve things.”

“We too are hopeful that we’ll make movement towards resolving outstanding issues,” Jordan said. “As long as we’re communicating and able to be working towards a solution to those issues, that’s what we want to do.”

Meetings between city and county representatives are scheduled to continue this week.

Study: Impact of Internet on Libraries and Museums

2008-03-11T14:52:53Z

From OCLC Abstracts March 10, 2008 · Vol. 11, No. 10

IMLS announces results of study on the Internet’s impact on museums and libraries

InterConnections: The IMLS National Study on the Use of Libraries, Museums and the Internet offers insight into the ways people search for information in the online age, and how this impacts the ways they interact with public libraries and museums, both online and in person. Among the findings:

Libraries and museums evoke consistent, extraordinary public trust among diverse adult users.
An explosion of available information inspires the search for more information.
The public benefits significantly from the presence of museums and libraries on the Internet.
Internet use is positively related to in-person visits to museums and libraries.
Museums and public libraries serve important and complementary roles in supporting a wide variety of information needs.

IMLS sponsored this national study through a cooperative agreement with a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill research team led by José-Marie Griffiths and Donald W. King, recognized leaders in information research. Their findings are based on five surveys of 1,000 to 1,600 adults each that were conducted during 2006.

View a summary of the report : http://interconnectionsreport.org/reports/ConclusionsSummaryFinalB.pdf

View full report : http://interconnectionsreport.org/reports/ConclusionsFullRptB.pdf

TLLS Funding Threatened!

2008-03-07T18:23:52Z

The public library has been in existence in the Milledgeville/Baldwin County community for seventy years. It is sadly a real possibility that before the end of the year the following services will no longer be available due to a drastic cut in funding. They are:

•   Reduced hours of operation = Monday through Friday 9am to 4pm ONLY
•   No Lake Sinclair Library
•   Staff reduced by almost 70%
•   Reduced public programming (i.e., Story Time, Baby Time)
•   No Vacation Reading Program
•   No longer a member of the statewide library system, PINES
•   No internet access
•   No access to GALILEO

If you could let your politicians know that cutting library funding is not something you are in support of. Encourage the City and County officials to come to an agreement prior to June 30th, 2008 or else library services face possible extinction.

Baldwin County Commissioners
Geneva B. Davis, District 1, 478-452-0505
Collins P. Lee, District 2, 478-452-4217
Dale Epps, District 3, 478-452-6316
Bobby Blizzard, District 4, 478-452-3419
Bubba Williams, District 5, 478-451-7072

Baldwin County Commissioners Meeting Dates
1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month at 6:30pm, Suite 319 of the Courthouse

City of Milledgeville Council Members
Ken Morgan, District 1, kmorgan@milledgevillega.us
Jeanette Walden, District 2, jwalden@milledgevillega.us
Denese Shinholster, District 3, dshinholster@milledgevillega.us
Ken Vance, District 4, kvance@milledgevillega.us
Richard “Boo” Mullins, District 5, rmullins@milledgevillega.us
Steve Chambers, District 6, schambers@milledgevillega.us

City Council Meeting Dates
2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month at 7:30pm, 3rd floor of City Hall

If you have additional questions, please contact library administration at 478-452-0677 ext. 24 or 25.

We need your support!!!

A Library Engagement

2008-03-07T18:01:00Z

The Mary Vinson Memorial Library was the scene of a romantic event this afternoon. Reference Assistant Jenny Pickett and her boyfriend, Richard Moss are now engaged after a surprise proposal at the Reference Desk.

With the assistance and blessing of the Library administration, Richard surprised Jenny at work. He dropped to one knee and popped the question in front of a small gathering of TLLS employees. A flustered Jenny happily said yes, the couple sealed the engagement with a kiss, then stole away for a quiet and romantic afternoon.

All of us at the Twin Lakes Library System wish Jenny and Richard the very best!

Imagine, a poem by LaToya Davidson

2008-03-05T18:17:09Z

Imagine our library with no new books on its shelves,
All because of political cards that are dealt.
Computers and access, a luxury no more,
No more children anxiously waiting at our doors.

Imagine if the informational center was to disappear,
Where would one go when questions are near?
When 'show me the money' is our dire plead,
But no one is there to answer our need.

Imagine a time when our doors would be closed,
Only to open with far less in store.
Less staff, less resources, less programs that reach,
Who will be left, who can we teach?

Imagine a library with five feeble hands,
The rest of the cadre cut by the plans.
When today and tomorrow is all but a dream,
When our best is the past and the future is bleak.

Imagine a place, suppressing its being,
Imagine a place that is struggling for meaning.
Imagine a place where the library is gone,
Our cultural pulse now quieted down.

Imagination is needed with seventy years in our past,
Seventy-one now uncertain, what is our chance?
A library is more than the books on its shelves,
A library is home, a sense of being, a place of wealth.

Imagine is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Let your politician know just how much the library means to you!

A Vision of the Future?

2008-03-05T13:09:48Z

Employee of the Month for February 2008

2008-03-04T15:10:04Z

Always a coveted honor, this month's Employee of the Month for the Twin Lakes Library System is Children's Page, Elaine Pinter. Elaine has been diligently serving the System since August 2006. We appreciate all of her hard work. Congrats, Elaine!

The Value of Libraries

2008-03-04T15:07:48Z

In a recent article from Indiana University they highlighted the "intrinsic value" of libraries and their services. In light of the ever decreasing funding for all libraries, we share this article with you, IU Kelley School report details value of libraries in Hoosier community. There report is arguably true in the case of libraries in general. What are your thoughts? Where would YOU be without library services?

Author William Rawlings Jr. and the "Anatomy of a Thriller"

2008-03-04T15:02:34Z

Author and Sandersville native William Rawlings Jr. spoke Monday night as a part of the Library's Author Talks series. Mr. Rawlings discussed the "Anatomy of a Thriller" with those gathered, giving a glimpse into his writing process. Mr. Rawlings colored his discussion with humor and frank insight on his experiences with the publishing industry, revealing the "secrets" behind industry practices such as the creation and population of Best-Seller lists.

After the discussion, Mr. Rawlings read the first three chapters from his upcoming novel, tentatively titled "The Mile High Club." The novel features his recurring character Matt Rutherford, who was the focal character in his novels "The Rutherford Cipher" and "Crossword." After the reading, Mr. Rawlings answered several questions and signed copies of his novels. At the end of the evening, Mr. Rawlings donated one signed copy each of his novels to the Library.

For more information on William Rawlings, Jr. please visit his web site at www.williamrawlings.com.

A photo from the evening:

Graham Branch Commemoration Event

2008-02-28T22:56:10Z

Thursday, February 28, 2008 at 3:00 pm, the Twin Lakes Library System took a moment to shine the spotlight on the Library's history by honoring the Graham Branch Library.

If you're wondering why you don't already know about the Graham Branch, don't worry. From 1961-1973, the Baldwin County Library operated a branch library out of the Graham Housing Facility's Activities Room.

By all accounts, the Graham Branch was a success; library correspondence from the branch's manager, Mrs. Dusker King, indicated that students took advantage of the resources available to improve their grades. She listed in 1964 one student who won the local Science Fair, attributing the success to the student's use of the Graham Branch and its "good library materials" available for patrons.

While Mrs. King was unable to attend the reception on February 28th, the legacy of her work at the Graham Branch was celebrated. Several members of the Milledgeville Housing Authority Board were present, as well as Dr. Rachel Schipper, Dean of the Library and Instructional Technology Center at Georgia College & State University and Rev. Omer Reid, Pastor of Flagg Chapel Church. After some brief comments by Reference Librarian Kell Carpenter, a plaque commemorating the Graham Branch was presented to Housing Authority Board Chair Owen Pittman. After the ceremonies, those in attendance mingled and enjoyed refreshments.

Many thanks to all involved in the event, as well as to those who made the Graham Branch Library a success during its operation.

Read Across America 2008

2008-02-28T00:06:16Z

As is our tradition, the TLLS is taking part in the celebration of Dr. Seuss' birthday most commonly known as Read Across America. The official day is Monday, March 3, 2008 but the System will be celebrating this day with a special Story Time (10:30am & 3:30pm) on Tuesday, March 4, 2008. You don't want to miss the tasty cookies and celebration of reading. For more information on Read Across America visit the National Education Association's website.

February Teen Writing Contest Winner Announced

2008-02-27T13:20:59Z

Malayya Fahiym won for her beautiful poem "Fly." The uplifting imagery and playful rhyme scheme made it stand out. Congrats, Malayya!

Fly

I have a dream, I dream of the sky,

Of sprouting wings to lift up and fly.

I dream of the birds and learning their ways.

I think of the clouds as walls in a maze.

I picture the sun as a mysterious place

Because, unlike the moon, it does not have a face.

To fly like an eagle would be a bit funny

And when in the sky I should hope it be sunny.

I want to fly! I want to soar!

There are many things in life...I still want more.

You might think I'm spoiled, just know I'm not.

I just think that flying would totally rock!