Public Library News & Notes
Serving Kentucky's Need to Know
June 2016
In This Issue
Kenton County Public Library Included in Leadership Brief
Taylor County Public Library Working to Meet Community Needs
Summer Reading Success in T-shirt Form
Allen County Library is Serious About Science
Kentucky Public Library Association Awards Include First Charlene Davis Excellence in Technology Award
Nine Kentucky Public Libraries Receive Highest Rating
Welcome New Trustees
 
Greetings,

Leadership is a common theme that runs through this edition of Public Library News & Notes.

You will find examples of libraries leading the way in STEAM programming, and one library that is receiving national recognition for its excellence in multi-generational programming.

Additionally, you will find examples of leaders in the Kentucky public library community through the Kentucky Public Library Association awards program.

Finally, read about nine special libraries that are leaders in the state in providing exemplary programs, services, technology and collections.

Happy reading,

Paige Sexton
Editor
Kenton County Public Library Included in Leadership Brief

Libraries have emerged as powerful 21st-century education leaders to help fulfill educational needs for learners of all ages. And with more than 16,000 spanning the U.S., there is no better resource for families learning together than public libraries. Their status as safe, trusted, inclusive community hubs helps parents feel welcome. As important, libraries are the only education institution that connects with individual learning needs from birth through the senior years.

To call attention to the vital role libraries play in literacy and learning, the National Center for Families Learning's expanding partnership with the Urban Libraries Council has yielded a Leadership Brief that explores the importance of two-generation programming and highlights the progressive work of public libraries in creating opportunities for families to learn together. 

Libraries from around the nation have implemented successful family learning programs in their communities. The Kenton County Public Library was selected to be included in this brief due to staff's exceptional multi-generational summer programming featuring Camp Wonderopolis.

The brief, made possible with the support of Better World Books, explores a wide range of programming for families and includes five action steps for libraries and partners to broaden and deepen family learning success.

Taylor County Public Library Working to Meet Community Needs
There's something for everyone at the Taylor County Public Library (TCPL). The collection of books, CDs, DVDs, and technology is improving all the time to suit the needs of the community. Just this year, community members have explored their artistic side with a variety of classes, including crochet, wreath-making, painting and scrap-booking. Teens and adults are testing their cooking skills and learning new dishes in the library's monthly culinary club meetings.
 
Adult programs are thriving as well. Each week, participants enjoy free chair yoga and Pilates classes to focus on caring for their bodies. Library volunteers and English language learners from various cultural backgrounds are joining in the weekly English Conversation Class, having a fun time together while sharpening English skills. Programming librarians and volunteer leaders in each of these areas provide a wealth of knowledge and assistance that truly enriches the community.
 
This year, the library's young adult programs are gaining ground, largely due to a new librarian focused on this area. Programs offered include book clubs, after school tutoring, and special events. One fun event this year was FrankenToys. Older kids and teens re-purposed old, unwanted toys by combining them into new, unusual creations.
 
Children are encouraged to spend time at the library. Earlier this year, many families participated in a Frozen-themed, sing-along party, and an indoor snowball fight. Summer programs are engaging for 2016. The library is continuing its tradition of offering activities and free lunches at the library and around town. Adults and children will be participating in health-themed programs sponsored by local businesses.
 
With enthusiastic, friendly and knowledgeable staff, TCPL looks forward to serving the community with even more creative services in 2016 and beyond.

 Participants enjoy wreath-making class.
Creativity abounds in painting class.



Summer Reading Success in T-shirt Form
     
The winning entry.
The Bath County Memorial Library's summer reading t-shirt logo contest continues to be a tremendous success. Originally an idea of director Michael Richter, the contest has become an annual event and is in its second year. 

The children's librarian chose the theme "Fairy Tales: Joust Read." Last year's artists were third through fifth graders, so this year she decided to get the middle school grades involved and sent the invitation to participate in the contest to the county's sixth through eighth graders. 

Initially participation was low, but after a visit to the middle school during the lunch periods and a wonderful art teacher (Kathy Adams), entries snowballed. Ninety-nine entries came in and it was so difficult to narrow the field to 10, 11 were chosen. These 11 were circulated among staff who voted for their top three favorites. In a close race, the first place entry had seven votes, second had six votes and third place had five votes.

Next, the winning logo was scanned and adjusted to make it cleaner for the t-shirt transfers and turned into a usable jpeg. The contest produced a great logo for the library's summer reading program material, an excited winner with lots of prizes and bragging rights, and school and community participation. A win-win situation for all.
Allen County Library is Serious About Science
 
The Allen County Library recently added a program geared for children ages 10-18 called Serious About Science. The Lab Rats meet monthly to discuss a scientific topic and do simple experiments.  The library has also partnered with Jason Lindsey from Hooked on Science to bring interactive and exciting scientific programs on a quarterly basis. 

In January, the Lab Rats learned why the sky is blue by discussing the particles in the sky and how the white light from the sun passes through them, allowing the blue wave lengths to be most dominant. They tested this theory with two-liter bottles, milk, and flashlights.  While the outcome wasn't the perfect shade of blue that was hoped for, participants did discover that light dispersing through fat particles in the milk did cast different colors. 

In February, Jason Lindsey stopped by to entertain the Lab Rats with Star Wars Science.  He showed off Jabba snot, Lightsaber shadows, guided the children in making their own hovercraft using a balloon, and let them experience being lifted off the ground on a makeshift hovercraft.  

For March, the Lab Rats explored Egg Science.  The library incubated eggs, with one egg having hatched and one chick peeping through the day of the program.  Participants made eggs sink and swim, determined if an egg was raw or hard boiled by doing a spinning experiment, participated in an egg drop, discussed the gestation period for chicks, and played a game of egg roulette.

These Science Labs have been a great programming addition to the Allen County Library as staff is trying to reach a demographic that has often has low participation rates.  Average attendance for the programs is 12 children ranging in ages from 10-15 years old. 
Star Wars Science
Egg Science


Kentucky Public Library Association Awards Include First Charlene Davis Excellence in Technology Award
     
Congratulations to the winners of the 2016 Kentucky Public Library Association (KPLA) Awards.  KPLA was proud to offer a new award for 2016, the Charlene Davis Excellence in Technology Award. Charlene was a dedicated employee of the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives who worked diligently with the Gates Foundation to attain and later upgrade computers and other technology in Kentucky's public libraries. 

Bobby Webb receives the Charlene Davis Excellence in Technology Award from Tonya Head.
Angela Smith receives the James Harrison Outstanding Bookmobile/Outreach Services Award from Judge-Executive Kelly Thurman.

Mary Lynn Collins receives the Public Library Advocacy Award from Dave Schroeder.
Doris Thoroughman receives the Richardson/Conway Outstanding Library Volunteer Award.

Joseph W. Justice receives the James E. Gugeler Outstanding Library Trustee Award from Tonya Head.
Fillamay Cowell receives the "Miss Pickle" Outstanding Children's Services Award from Tonya Head.

Not pictured: 
  • Susan Fawbush received the Jim Nelson Continuing Education Undergraduate Scholarship.
  • Amanda Neace received the Jim Nelson Continuing Education Graduate Scholarship.
Nine Kentucky Public Libraries Receive Highest Rating
   
The Kentucky Public Library Association (KPLA) is pleased to announce that nine public libraries have reached the highest rating possible through the 2014-2015 KPLA Standards program. Seventy-one libraries participated during the last two-year cycle. Nine libraries submitted both years, and several libraries participated in the voluntary program for the first time. 

"It's a great tool to use. This is not a competition among libraries but with yourself," said KPLA Standards Committee chair Kristi Tucker.

KPLA measures seven categories to determine rating levels: governance, human resources, collections, services, facilities, technology and marketing. A library must reach 80% of the association's exemplary benchmarks to earn the the highest rating. KPLA recognizes libraries with three rating levels: Essential, Enhanced and Exemplary.

The following libraries reached the Exemplary level:
  • Boyd County Public Library
  • Campbell County Public Library
  • Jessamine County Public Library
  • Kenton County Public Library
  • Lexington Public Library
  • McCracken County Public Library
  • Paul Sawyier Public Library
  • Scott County Public Library
  • Woodford County Public Library
"Lexington Public Library's board of trustees and our staff have worked very hard over the last several years to make improvements to our collections, programs, technology and spaces so we can better meet the needs of our community. We are honored to receive this recognition from KPLA," said Lexington Public Library executive director Anne Hammond.

Thirty-nine libraries reached the Essential level, and 22 libraries reached the Enhanced level. 

KDLA Welcomes New Trustees

KDLA would like to welcome the following new trustees: 
  • Reda Bianchi, Anderson County
  • Lea Ann Johnson, Bullitt County
  • John Rodgers, Carter County
  • Virginia (Shannon) Saunier, Clark County
  • Chris Lockhart, Corbin Public Library
  • Brenda Underdown, Crittenden County
  • Bobby Adams, Elliott County
  • Wayne Lohaus, Fulton County
  • Cassie Moses, Harrison County
  • Betty Brady, Union County
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.