Georgia Libraries 2008

From time to time, it is good to travel to other states and see what other libraries and librarians are doing. This past week I had the pleasure of attending the Georgia COMO conference and learned about some e-resources, ways another state is promoting its libraries and librarians, online learning in another state, and more. Here are some "finds" from the COMO exhibits:

Galileo. Georgia's Virtual Library: "Serving Georgians Quality Content One Click at a Time…" Great brochure, featuring peaches. Headers include: Why You Need GALILEO. What You Can Do With GALILEO. Find it, Read it, Link it, Cite it. Ask your Librarian for details on how to access GALILEO's full suite of online resources. Brochure also includes a page of 4 bookmarks, each featuring a separate theme: I search online using GALILEO. I trust what I find on GALILEO. I found my perfect exercise routine on GALILEO. My thirst for knowledge never sleeps, neither does GALILEO. Each bookmark has this message under the URL: "Georgia Libraries -- Informing & Transforming Lives."

PINES. Most Georgia libraries have one library card, PINES. It is almost a one state/one card. Love the PINES logo.

Digital Library of Georgia: Bookmarks and postcards were used to promote its special digital collections, including:

• Civil Rights Digital Library: Documenting America's Struggle for Racial Equality.


• Georgia Official and Statistical Register.
  
• Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps.


• "Integrated in All Respects" film.
  
• The Blues, Black Vaudeville and the Silver Screen, 1912-1930s.
  
• Explore Georgia online with the New Georgia Encyclopedia


• "Thar's Gold in Them Thar Hills" from Gold & Gold Mining in Georgia, 1830-1940s.
  
• "Ships for Victory: J.A. Jones Construction Company & Liberty Ships in Brunswick, Georgia."

Georgia Virtual School.
Apparently, Georgia students are encouraged or required to take a certain number of online courses in middle and high school each year. According to the brochure for Georgia Virtual School, "students can take up to 1.0 Carnegie unit of courses as part of their state-funded school day schedule each semester. Medically homebound students, public alternative education students, and residential students as defined on O.C.G.A. Section 20-2-133 can petition to take up to their full state funded schedule of courses with local approval." The Georgia Virtual School is a part of the Georgia Department of Education's Office of Technology Services. Here is a quote from State Superintendent of Schools Kathy Cox: "We will lead the nation in improving student achievement."

Webjunction Georgia. The Georgia State Library (GPLS - Georgia Public Library Service) is a state partner with Webjunction (a site funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) to offer free online professional development courses for Georgia librarians and staff.

Library Fundraiser table -- fun stuff. Red Heart stress-relievers, labeled: I LOVE GEORGIA LIBRARIES. From a Georgia Library Legislation Day that fell on Valentines' Day.

A table full of book and reading themed pins designed by "Lucinda: changing the world one pin at a time". Use the pull down menu to find "read pins" They are colorful. Beautiful. Nice story behind the pins. They are ideal for fundraising as well as gifts. Even though I rarely wear pins, I couldn't resist them... I'll add this link to my Library Lovers Gift Guide hotlist.