From
The Bookshelf
Central
Savannah River Area Library Association Newsletter
Volume
37, Number 1, February 2002
I hope everyone has had a wonderful start to the New Year! This past August I met with the current officers, Vice-president John O'Shea, Treasurer David White, Secretary Nancy Morrison, and Membership Coordinator Fay Verburg, to plan what we hoped would be enjoyable and informative meetings for the coming year.
Our January meeting at Aiken Technical College Library was most interesting. Dr. Stan Rich, an English professor at the University of South Carolina Aiken, discussed the Developmental History of the English Language (500 c.e. - the Present): Phonology, Morphology, Syntax and Lexicon. The meeting was well attended and the group enjoyed the participatory nature of the presentation.
I would also like to thank those who made our September meeting a successful one. We met at the Augusta-Richmond County Public Library for a social time together and were given an overview of PINES (Georgia's Public Information Network of Electronic Sources). We also received a tour of the newly refurbished library. Many thanks to those who attended and to the Augusta-Richmond County Public Library for hosting us.
Amy Duernberger
Guest Article - "Now You Know What I Did Last Summer" - by Pat Boerner
In August, I spread my wings and ventured forth to the Southwest Regional Conference of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International for Key Women Educators. New Mexico had no humidity, no bugs, no sweat! No wonder my Delta Kappa Gamma colleagues choose to live in the "Land of Enchantment." The conference was refreshing: more casual, less workshops, more opportunities to "craft" your own magnet, personalize Navajo fetishes, design original boxes for Kachina dolls, and tour, tour, tour.
The Southwest Region of our Delta Kappa Gamma comprises 17 states and Latin American countries. The theme was "Partnership: Advancing Teaching and Learning." The variety of women is unique. A member from Denver, Colorado discussed Columbine School and its aftermath with me; the Hawaii group insisted I join them and placed a floral wreath on my head; a "Texas gal" took my photo climbing up into the Bandelier cliff dwellings; hospitality hostesses provided green chili pepper samples; the southwest drink is lemonade and the steak melts in your mouth.
Los Alamos rests on Mesa strips and is protected by deep canyons. It employs the most Ph.D.'s in the world. The full moon hangs like an enormous orb above the crest of the Sandia Mountains as the tram travels up, up - nearly 3 miles. The earth tones and pueblo construction are soothing and landscaping is simple - just rocks and skimpy sagebrush. Sante Fe provides the aesthetics - prairie scenes, artistic jewelry, exquisite sculptures, and the famed open-air Opera. In Albuquerque, a politician actually won an election on the issue of tumbleweeds!
At the conference, I heard Dr. Deborah Estes, a keynote speaker from Texas, who turned out to be the BEST motivational speaker I have heard in my lifetime. Quote: "Don't retire - redirect."
HERE'S TO THE ROADRUNNER! WESTWARD HO!
NEWS ITEM: The Aiken-Bamberg-Barnwell-Edgefield Regional Library System was awarded a $30,000 Library Services and Technology Act grant, administered by the South Carolina State Library, which will be used to create 45 storytime kits designed to expand and enhance reading activities for children in childcare centers. The new service is scheduled to begin in early February 2002.
NEWS ITEM: The Aiken County Public Library recently received a $75,000 bequest from the estate of Dorothy L. Richey of Aiken, SC, and a $175,000 bequest from the estate of Florence Weil of Aiken, SC.
NEWS ITEM: Alice Hester recently retired from the Nancy Carson Library in North Augusta following a 12-year tenure in the library's circulation department. In addition to her regular duties, Mrs. Hester worked closely with the library manager to plan and promote the library's annual summer reading program.
Reese Library Celebrates 25th Anniversary
Throughout the year 2002, Reese Library will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the dedication and opening of the present library building. The celebration kicked off with an anniversary reception and open house in the library on January 28, 2002. After remarks from Dr. Bloodworth (President of Augusta State University), Mr. Ray Rowland (past Library Director), and Dr. Bill Nelson (current Library Director), everyone enjoyed anniversary cake and punch.
Reese Library is named in honor of Doctor John Thomas Reese and Mrs. Kate Robinson Reese, parents of 1936 alumna Katherine Reese Pamplin. The construction of the library building was approved by the Board of Regents in 1972. A $250,000 gift from the Pamplin Foundation provided for library holdings and equipment.
The doors of the 80,000 square foot building opened to Augusta College on January 6, 1977, after a book brigade moved 200,000 books from the old library across the street into the new facility. The library was officially dedicated on April 28, 1977. An exhibit highlighting the history of the library is on display on the second floor near the Reese Room.
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| Left to right: Dr. Bloodworth, Dr. Nelson, and Mr. Rowland | Anniversary cake Photos by Jeff Heck |
A few years ago, a state official asked several library system administrators why every Georgian could not use the very same library card at each and every public library in the state. At that time the response was a resounding: "It just can't be done!" Well, a statewide library card, PINES (Public Information Network for Electronic Services), was created. The PINES library card is accepted in ALMOST all of the public libraries in the state of Georgia. This network includes 105 counties (out of 159 statewide) and serves 4.7 million Georgians, or approximately 61% of the total population. Materials may be borrowed from one system and returned at another.
These library cards are free to all residents of Georgia. Persons who attend
school, own property, or are employed in Georgia, but may not actually reside
in the state, are also eligible for a free card. Anyone registering for a card
must show a form of current ID at the time of registration. Acceptable ID includes
a valid driver's license, valid voter's registration card, checks with preprinted
addresses, utility bills, tax receipts or other pieces of mail that show the
user's name and present address.
People who do not live in the state, but who work or go to school here, may
be required to show proof of employment or enrollment. Property owners may be
required to show proof of ownership such as a tax bill or deed. There is no
minimum age limit for children.
Being able to checkout and return library materials at libraries throughout the state will definitely be an advantage to people who enjoy having reading materials on a business trip or vacation. Returned materials which are owned by other participating PINES libraries go back to their home locations via U.S. Mail within 3 working days of receipt, with no cost to the patron.
Not only is there one card, but there is also one statewide catalog and patron file. When library patrons search the PINES Web catalog at one of the member library facilities (or on the Internet at home) they can see the holdings of all libraries in the network at the same time.
To check out or request materials you MUST have one of the new PINES library cards. You can no longer use the tan and green East Central Georgia Regional Library card.
Fifteen of the public libraries in the East Central Georgia Regional Library
system now have the software program, ZoomText Xtra installed on one of their
public access computers. ZoomText Xtra is a family of adaptive software designed
specifically to meet the needs of the low vision computer user. The program
magnifies the display of word processors, spreadsheets,
databases, on-line services, the library's new PINES catalog and more---on the
computer screen.
JAWS is also available on public access computers at ten of the larger libraries of the regional library system. JAWS is a powerful software program based on a new approach to talking computers---that of designing software with the priorities of the blind user in mind. Users of this program can access a whole world of information. The latest version of JAWS for Windows has the ability to read almost every page found on the Internet, including library information, using Microsoft Internet Explorer. Or, the blind or visually impaired patron can access education or job-related applications, read or write e-mail messages, recalculate spreadsheets or pay bills.
How does it work? With a simple keystroke, pages with graphics, complex columns, and even frames are reformatted into an easy-to-read single column and then the program works with a voice synthesizer to read the document. How is it different from ZoomText? The most basic difference is that Jaws eliminates the use of the mouse by using keyboard commands. Each of the ten public libraries has available basic training audiocassette tapes to help blind or visually impaired patrons master the program and the keyboard commands.
Public libraries have computers available free for the use of the public. There are library policies and some restrictions for the use of the computers due to high demand, contents of some web sites, etc. One of those requirements is that the patron must present a current library card that is in "good standing." The addition of ZoomText and Jaws supplements our compliance with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and enhances those services the library already provides for the visually impaired and legally blind.
The entire staff of the Westinghouse Savannah River Co. Library Services department received their division Vice-president's Silver Star Award, as a Management Services Department winner. (The Library is part of the Management Services department). Library staff were commended for their efforts in coordinating a site-wide Library Update seminar that highlighted new and innovative products and services offered by the Library. Susan Isaacs-Bright, Faye Lewis, Darra Combs, Carol Hall, Pam Reeves, Sherry Sockwell, and Sue Stallings were all recognized.
In addition, Darra Combs received a Silver Star Award for her contribution to the WSRC Training Program during the second cycle for FY '01. "Library Resources for Trainers" was a session offered during the Training Programs' day-long continuing education day for site trainers.
Dr. Bill Nelson, Reese Library, lead the following workshops:
"Applying the New College Library Standards: Creating a Continuous Assessment of the Academic Library," (with Bob Fernekes), Missouri Library Association (St. Louis), October 2, 2001. There were 50 attendees for this workshop.
"Do We Measure Up? Practical Application of the New ACRL Standards for College Libraries," (with Bob Fernekes), Iowa Library Association (Davenport), October 10, 2001. There were 37 attendees for this workshop.
"Responding to the 'A' Word: Using ACRL Standards to Create a Continuous ASSESSMENT Environment," (with Bob Fernekes), Virginia Library Association (Richmond), October 17, 2001. There were 57 attendees for this workshop.
"Creating a Continuous Assessment Environment in Academic Libraries: Practical Application of the Standards for College Libraries, 2000 Edition," (with Bob Fernekes), Louisiana Chapter of ACRL / ACRL, College Library Section (New Orleans), January 18, 2002. There were 57 attendees from 26 states, representing 53 different academic institutions.
Presentations:
"SACS and Libraries: The
New Principles of Accreditation," Georgia Council of Media Organizations
Conference (Jekyll Island, GA), November 1, 2001.
"College Libraries and the
Internet," WFAE (National Public Radio Affiliate); guest on one-hour call-in
show, "Charlotte Talks," hosted by Mike Collins (Charlotte), November
26, 2001.
"ACRL College Library Standards: Benefits for Academic Libraries for Responding
to and Articulating Assessment Measures," ACRL President's Program Discussion
Forum, (Theme: Celebrating what ACRL has done as a learning community to promote
excellence in libraries.) Served as panelist for discussion following the program.
Diane Black and Fay Verburg published an article in the Georgia Library Quarterly for Winter 2001 entitled "GHRAB a Grant: It's Not as Hard as You Think." This paper was also presented at the annual Fall meeting of GLA/COMO on November 1, 2001.
Tom Sutherland gave the January talk in the Augusta Museum of History's Brown Bag lecture series. The talk was "The Civil War Saga of Major George Storrs." Major Storrs' Civil War field desk is on display in the History Museum and the papers from the desk are archived at Reese Library, Augusta State University. (Ed. note: The Storrs Papers are on microfilm at Reese Library. See the finding aid for the collection at http://www.aug.edu/libtech/Grants_webpage/Storrsdescription.html.)
POSITION
OPENING: REFERENCE LIBRARIAN
(Librarian I) ABBE Regional Library System, Aiken, SC.
DESCRIPTION: Operates and maintains Reference Department and computer services
of the Nancy Carson Library in North Augusta. QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates should
have a thorough knowledge of modern library principles, practices and techniques.
Possess excellent communication, problem-solving, interpersonal and supervisory
skills. Must be an experienced computer user familiar with library automation
and electronic resources who can confidently instruct patrons and staff. Have
the ability to work independently on a variety of projects of varying difficulties.
This position requires a Masters Degree in Library Science from an ALA-accredited
college. ENTRY LEVEL SALARY RANGE: $28,971 -$29,840. CONTACT: Mary Jo Dawson,
ABBE Regional Library Director, maryjod@abbe-lib.org,
(803)642-7575.
Marianne Adams
Deborah Barron
Diane Black
Roxann Bustos
Elizabeth Caldwell
Nancy Carver
Marilee Creelan
Sally Farris
Mashell Y. Fashion
Marguerite Fogleman
Thomas Hobbs
Kristin Howard
Holden Humphrey
Susan Isaacs-Bright
Sherryl James
Mellie Kerins
Alan Knight
Tamera Lee
Jennifer Little
Elfriede McLean
Nancy Morrison
William Nelson
John O'Shea
Rachel Pirkle
Susan Poorbaugh
Carl Sutherland
Sara Thigpen
Betty Timmerman
Fay Verburg
Claudia Waldrop
David White
Cary Wilkins
Tasha Williams
If your name is not on the membership
list, please send the application form along
with a check payable to: CSRA Library Association, c/o Fay Verburg, Reese Library,
2500 Walton Way, Augusta, GA 30904. The membership year in the Association runs
from Jan. 1 to Dec 31. Annual dues are $7, of which $3 goes to the Elizabeth
M. Tyson Memorial Fund.
The Central Savannah River Area Library Association includes libraries in the Georgia counties of Burke, Columbia, Emanuel, Glascock, Hancock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Screven, Taliaferro, Warren and Wilkes. It includes the South Carolina counties of Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Edgefield, Hampton, Jasper, and McCormick. The largest city in the area is Augusta, GA.
Members of the association consist of librarians and paraprofessionals from public libraries, school media centers, special libraries, and university and college libraries. The membership directory was compiled through lists in the American Library Directory published by R.R. Bowker and lists furnished by school media center coordinators and the regional libraries. The list does not include every library in every county. Please contact editor Fay Verburg if you have any corrections or additions to the directory as well as suggestions or comments about the web site.