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Public Library News & Notes
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Serving Kentucky's Need to Know
| July 2015
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Greetings!
Public libraries and staff across Kentucky often receive accolades, honors and awards. This edition of Public Library News & Notes highlights just a few of these accomplishments, and I hope that you will continue to let us know of such achievements so that we can share them with our readers.
We are also happy to have the opportunity to highlight a couple of projects that utilize technology to save libraries money, connect with the public, and bring the world of writing and creativity into the library to benefit teens.
And as always, creative and unique programming is featured as we continue to share ideas you might like to try in your library.
Happy reading,
Paige Sexton
Editor
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New Library Director Brings Varied Experience
 Julie Carroll, the new Director at the Powell County Public Library, is originally from Fleming County. Julie has a BA in journalism from Morehead State University and an MSLS from the University of Kentucky. She has two sons, two stepdaughters, two very spoiled dogs, and she is married to a Buckeye.
Julie has experience in both public and academic libraries, as well as management and asset protection experience from WalMart.
Julie has big plans for the library.
"Since starting in March I have acclimated myself to the collection where the previous director had completed a much needed weeding and began major collection development. I have also been revitalizing the youth programs with two book clubs, more young adult books, and visiting ALL of the students in the middle school and high school. I wanted to let them know they were wanted at the library! I am also working on a teen area in the front corner of the library."
"With the building being 30 years old, I am looking at some major maintenance/repair issues that need to be completed. I have added a new full-time and a new part-time staff member. My next big project will be adult programming, including guest authors, heirloom seed program, Chautauqua speakers, and a men's book club."
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Metcalfe County Public Library Celebrates Readers
The Metcalfe County Public Library held its annual story hour graduation/awards day on May 13th for those going to preschool and kindergarten next year. The 2015 ceremony included 13 graduates. There were 44 children registered for story hour this year. All story hour children received a "listening award." Total attendance at the graduation was 100.
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Time to Prepare for Winter Project
You are in the thick of summer reading, but did you know this is the perfect time to start preparing for a great winter project?
Last year Ginger Stapp, Youth Services Associate at the Scheben Branch of the Boone County Public Library System, decided to try an idea she got from the 2014 KPLA Conference.
Ginger oversaw the construction of an eight foot igloo made from gallon milk jugs and hot glue. Half of the milk jugs were provided by Starbucks and the other half were provided by the library's customers. Collection of the milk jugs began in mid- January and construction of the igloo began in early February. The popular igloo was finished in the last week of February so children played and read in it through the month of March, when it was dismantled and recycled.
"It was a great success and the children really enjoyed playing in it," said Ginger.
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Wind-Up Animal Derby Geared Toward Adults
On Saturday, May 2, Hardin County Public Library staff held their first running of the Wind-Up Animal Derby. During the week preceding the event, the track and five entries were on display for customers to make their "bets" (cast their votes) for the winning animal. Running in the event were Rhett the Ram, Heathcliff the Hedgehog, Bingley the Butterfly, Othello the Ostrich, and Gatsby the Giraffe (the literary entry names were chosen by front-desk staff). The Lego track was constructed by John Akers, husband of Adult Services Coordinator Rebekah Akers, and included a grandstand peopled with 40 Lego figures, box seats, and billboards.
The library ran four races at the top of the hour between 11:00 and 2:00 on Derby day, with Heathcliff the Hedgehog winning the first two, Rhett the Ram winning the third, and, in a surprise result, Gatsby the Giraffe winning the fourth.
While this may sound like a children's promotion, it was actually geared toward adults, being on display at the front circulation desk rather than the children's room. More adults than children cast votes and were on hand to watch the five-second races.
Names were drawn at each race from the winner's jar, with prizes including book bags and library mugs. As the staff members on hand could attest, this turned out to be one of the library's most anticipated events in recent memory.
A reporter and photographer from the local newspaper attended the first race, and the Wind-Up Animal Derby was the front page story the following day.
Library staff plan to build on the Lego/wind-up animal themed events with other major sporting events in the coming year.
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Library Hosts 12th Annual Books for Bikes Program
Recently the Rockcastle County Public Library awarded nine bicycles, each complete with a helmet and elbow/knee pads, to children who participated in the 12th annual Books for Bikes program.
The motivational reading program has become a community event and was begun by a former county attorney in honor of his mother, a school teacher known as the "reading teacher" in Mt. Vernon.
Children ages three to 12 read books from the public library, bookmobile, school library or home, filling out a form resembling a short book report for each book. Children nine and over wrote two to three sentences about the book and included a picture while children eight and under drew a picture to represent the book. The forms were turned in at the library.
The bikes were awarded through a drawing. The top 10 boys and girls in each of six age groups were included in the drawing, and for every 10 forms each child submitted their name was placed in the drawing an extra time. Bikes were awarded to children in each age group. Additionally, the child with the best illustrations received the "illustrator's award."
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Good News in Public Libraries
Several Kentucky public libraries have received honors recently.
In March, four libraries were awarded Exemplary Level in the Kentucky Library Standards program, the highest level possible and an incredible accomplishment: Kenton County Public Library, Campbell County Public Library, Scott County Public Library, and McCracken County Public Library.
In April, the Kenton County Public Library received two additional awards:
- The Public Relations Department won the 2014 Award of Merit from the Public Relations Society of America for the "92 Days of Summer" campaign for the Summer Reading Club.
- The library received a Civic Leadership Award from the Kids Voting Northern Kentucky Campaign.
In May, Lynn Baker, Youth Services Specialist at Paul Sawyier Public Library, was awarded the Stella Bunch Hillis Award in Youth Services from San Jose State University. The award is given annually to the student who, in the opinion of the faculty, exhibits the most outstanding knowledge and ability in the field of youth services. Lynn was recognized with a certificate and monetary award. She
completed her MLIS from the school in May.
Lynn has also written a guidebook for public libraries looking to develop a school readiness program. Counting Down to Kindergarten: A Complete Guide to Creating a School Readiness Program for Your Community is being published by the American Library Association, and will be available in July. For more information, visit http://www.alastore.ala.org/detail.aspx?ID=11363. In June, Jennifer Beach, Children's Programmer at the Kenton County Public Library, received the Rising Star Award, given by the Kentucky Association for Environmental Education, for her excellence in the field of environmental education. Jennifer is a Certified Professional Environmental Educator and in this capacity offers training and provides programs to librarians and educators across the commonwealth. Congratulations to each of these libraries and staff members for their excellent work.
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Technology Leads to Great PR
Staff at the Boyd County Public Library have begun using a green screen for a photo booth at programs rather than making sets and backdrops.
"Patrons have loved it and it's allowing us to get more and more creative with the kinds of places and themes we can offer in photographs," said Public Relations Supervisor David Miller.
The setup comes in handy with materials provided by ALA for items such as custom READ posters. Recently for Free Comic Book Day, the library used an ALA comic-themed READ poster design and for Star Wars Day photos of children and adults were edited so that they were holding a light saber on a distant planet.
"After editing, the results are emailed to the patrons and we're done," said David. "It's cost-effective and the response has been very positive."
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Virtual Visits Highlight of Teen Conference
Bestselling authors Carrie Ryan (The Forrest of Hands and Teeth), Ilona Andrews (Kate Daniels series), and Amy Bartol (Sea of Stars), along with Bobby Bennett, Creature Creator at Jim Henson Studios, production designer Stuart Blatt (Angel), and J. Torres, writer of the popular Teen Titan Go! comics, shared insight into their jobs and the art of world building at the Marshall County Public Library's Teen Creative Conference. The workshop, which is in its fourth year, gives local teens a chance to learn about writing and other creative fields through a series of Skype visits scheduled throughout the day. "To get an author to visit our library, we would not only have to pay a speaking fee, but also travel costs which could include plane fare, car rental fees, and hotel accommodations. With virtual visits, there is no need for speakers to travel. They just use their computer to call in from their living room or office, which is really cool. Sometimes we learn just as much from being able to see their work space as we do from the presentations," said Young Adult Librarian Tammy Blackwell.
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Welcome New Trustee
KDLA would like to welcome the following new trustee: - Bradley Guess, Crittenden County
- Gordon Krist, Bourbon County
- Dave Smith, Casey County
- Dr. John Bator, Franklin County
- Cara Copes, Grant County
- Roxanne Howe, Grant County
- James Curle, LaRue County
- Charlotte Tucker, LaRue County
- Leonidisa Mundelius, Lincoln County
- William Woodard, Logan County
- Ann Peck, Menifee County
- Joey Rogers, Menifee County
- Perry Dressler, Mercer County
- Nicole Roca, Mercer County
- Margaret Nance, Metcalfe County
- Billie Ashcraft, Owen County
- Kathy Resetar, Owen County
- Ginger Mink Cash, Rockcastle County
- Teresa Winkler, Spencer County
- Leigh Ann Sadler, Taylor County
- Laura Wilds, Taylor County
- Katrina Danhauer, Union County
- Martin Murphy, Washington County
- Barbara Stone, Wolfe County
- Wanda Whisman, Wolfe County
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The Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives helps libraries provide equitable access to quality library and information resources and services, as well as helps public agencies ensure that legislatively mandated documentation of government programs is created, efficiently maintained, and made readily accessible. For more information, visit http://kdla.ky.gov or call 502-564-1753.
Please send story ideas and articles for Public Library News & Notes to editor Paige Sexton at paige.sexton@ky.gov or call 502-564-1753.
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