Need A Good Reference?

Elois, our Reference Clerk, asked me the other day if I would put something on the blog about our reference books. I said, "Of course," since I always want to tell you about the great things we have at the library. And here's her list:

• A Will Is Not Enough In Georgia (R346.054) - Simple, practical things you can do for maximum control and protection during your lifetime and to enable your loved ones to inherit your property with minimum cost and hassle. The book cover says: A Will cannot protect your assets, avoid probate, avoid guardianship, or provide for your healthcare or qualify for Medicaid. Authors: Amelia E. Pohl, Esq., and Georgia attorney Charles B. Pyke, Jr.
• Kiplinger's Know Your Legal Rights (R349.73), Protect Yourself From Common Legal Problems That Can Really Cost You - Your Money, Your Property, Your Family (Third Edition)
• Occupational Outlook Handbook 2006-07 Edition (R331.120) from the U.S. Department of Labor
• McGraw-Hill's Big Red Book of Resumes (R331.1)
• Model Policies and Forms for Georgia Employers 2007, HR Compliance Library (R331.11) by Sutherland, Asbill & Brennan LLP
• The Oxford Book of Governments of the World, A Student Companion; Volume 3: Sierra Leone - Zionism by Richard M. Pious (R320.3)

If you have any questions when you need a good reference, be sure to see Elois. She can put her finger on every reference book you need. . . .

Just One! More Thing Our Director Does

Melody Jenkins, our director, said she's gearing up to talk to the high school students about their senior English term papers. This is not her first time. She's been talking to them since 1999. This year she goes to the high school on September 4 to speak to six classes about how our public library resources will help them with their papers. She said the subject used every year is about Medieval British History, i.e., Henry VIII and his wives, Richard III, the Great Fire of London, etc. It's coordinated with World History. Melody said when she talks to the students, she's hooked up to the Internet (well, not literally!) and a projector to show how they can search libraries, as well as ours, for pertinent information. She brings along our Index to National Geographic, tells them about GALILEO (Georgia's Virtual Library), and how they can get a library card. Melody first began helping students because they would come into the library at term paper time, not know anyone, be scared to ask for help, and leave frustrated. She said it took time to order the books they needed, but now these books can be found in the Reference and Nonfiction sections of our library. She also gives students her name, phone number and email address, and encourages them to come see her at the library. She has even proofread their papers when asked. All this assistance from the library has helped decrease not only the frustration of the students, but the teachers, parents, and library staff as well. Melody said she always talks and jokes with the students, and one thing she tells them is that many of the library staff are older women just like their grandmas. And if they come in and kindly ask for help, or show a pathetic face, those librarians will be more than willing to show them how to pull up information on a computer or use a reference book. Senior term papers are due the end of October or first of November. Students begin working on them the first day of school. So, now you can see why this is just one more thing our director does! But isn't it a great one? And aren't we thankful she had the insight to see the need and meet it?

Evergreen Software Makes Big Library News

Our issue of the Georgia Public Library Service News came the other day. The headlines were impressive: British Columbia follows Georgia's lead with 'BC PINES.' And I'm going to do a quote: The Evergreen software developed by Georgia Public Library Service (GPLS) continues to gain steam as the software of choice for libraries seeking an open-source integrated library system (ILS). The Public Library Services Branch of the British Columbia Ministry of Education has announced that it will begin implementation of its own Evergreen-powered system in October. The network, (get this now!) based on Georgia's PINES model, will be called "BC PINES." In both cases, PINES is short for Public Information Network for Electronic Services. In its strategic plan announced in April, the Association of BC Public Library Directors stated: "We hope that eventually all public libraries in BC will join and that the vision of the 'Libraries Without Walls' Strategic Plan can be fully realized for the benefit of all." Dr. Lamar Veatch, Georgia State Librarian, said, "We are extremely pleased that British Columbia has chosen to follow Georgia's lead in adopting Evergreen as its new ILS. BC's decision is a monumental validation of Georgia's vision of a consortial, open-source ILS. We eagerly welcome our northern neighbors as full partners in the implementation and continued development of PINES and Evergreen to benefit millions of library users." I think it's impressive that Georgia is a front-runner in library services! And I love the idea of Libraries Without Walls! Makes all us library-people glow with pride!!! (Source: Georgia Public Library Service News, Vol. 5, Issue 1, August 2007)

Book Review Extraordinaire!

I found this fantastic book! (Well, actually I didn't. . .Irene brought it to me; it's her November Genealogy Book Pick, but I have to tell you about it now!) The title is Churches and I just fell in love with the pictures. It's not really a book to read, but presents Donald A. Smith's watercolor paintings and Dr. Roy Ward's black and white photographs of community churches in Northeast Georgia. The pictures give the book a historical, social, and artistic significance. American churches are a central part of life in the communities of this country, and the once-familiar buildings are disappearing from the townships of our rural heritage. Donald Smith said: ". . .my primary subjects have been those scenes that represent the simple Southland that I associate with my growing up. . .the decaying cotton gins, the farmhouses and barns, the aging and abandoned country stores and filling stations and the simple country churches." Dr. Ward is a watercolorist also, as well as a photographer. The country churches he finds along Georgia back roads have become one of his primary interests. Many of those he painted in the sixties and seventies are now gone. More interesting, however, is the manner in which the two artists have approached the same subject, as well as the dramatic contrast between Ward's black and white photos and Smith's colorful paintings. I was just fascinated with these pictures. They made me want to travel to the actual sites and see the buildings. But if you're like me and can't take such a trip, you can still travel through these pictures and enjoy each and every building. And what a trip it is! Plan to take it. The book is in the Genealogy Library. Just ask Irene or Ann where it is.

Videoconferencing About The Gingerbread Boy

I just got word about a videoconference you might be interested in. The Gingerbread Boy Shadow Puppet videoconference is for PreK through second grade, but is open to anyone interested in puppetry. It will be held Monday, August 27, 10 AM in the library's Willcoxen Auditorium. Sponsored by UPS and SouthShare Foundation, the Center for Puppetry Arts of Atlanta, Georgia, offers Distance Learning Programs for PreK through grade 12. Students are briefly introduced to different styles of puppets from around the world. They participate in learning activities about a topic and create a working puppet of their very own to use in the classroom. A comprehensive study guide and materials list is provided for each program. All puppet materials are easy to find and of little, if any, cost. The Gingerbread Boy Shadow Puppet program will be 45-50 minutes long. Students will witness the classic tale of The Gingerbread Boy as it comes to life with brilliantly colored shadow puppets. The story is narrated and performed during the first part of the program. Then, led by the program presenter, students will make their very own Gingerbread Boy Shadow Puppet during the second half of the program. They will also participate in a learning activity about gingerbread's ingredients and history. We sure want to thank Beau Sherman of CNS and Colquitt County Schools, as well as Aileen, our Webmaster, for pulling this whole show together. For additional information, visit http://www.puppet.org/. Miss Norma, our Children's Librarian, said the videoconference is open to children of all ages and interested adults. For more information about this program, contact Norma at 229-985-6540.

As Martha Would Say. . .Writing Is A Good Thing!

Today is one of those days when I wish I had a Four-Seasons Room (you know, one of those three-sided, glassed-in rooms with a ceiling fan and air conditioning for days of 100 degrees!). It's one of those rooms where I could sit and stare out the windows while I contemplate what I want to write. It would be a place where I could watch the fluffy white clouds float across Georgia's bright blue sky above tall green pines. As I was daydreaming about all of this, our Director, Melody, stepped into the office. Somewhere during our talk, she told me she'd started journaling and that pleased me to no end. Especially since I've been journaling for a long, long time. It was like finding a fellow traveler. So, I decided to see what I could find in our library about writing, any kind of writing, and we have quite a selection of books, such as:

• Journey Notes: Writing for Recovery and Spiritual Growth by Solly & Lloyd (808S)
• Writing Down the Bones by Goldberg (808.02G)
• Write Now! Insights into Creative Writing by Dodd (808.042D)
• The Writer's Way (6th Edition) by Jack Rawlins (808.042R)
• The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing Poetry (808.1M)
• Short Story Writing (Writer's Digest Handbook of) 808.3H

And there are more books. I also found an interesting Website, one that specifically deals with journaling. This site talks about journaling of all kinds: personal, scrapbook, blogs, Bible, your memories, etc. Just visit www.inspiredtojournal.com where you'll see prompts, photos, quotations, links, books, and all kinds of things to grab your interest. But the most important thing for you to do is write, just write! You'll be amazed at how good it makes you feel. Even if it's only letters to your cat (or dog). There's such a freedom in writing, whether by hand or computer. And it may become one of those things you want to leave to the kids, or have published to help others realize what they're writing about is OK. So, check out the books listed above and the Website. . .and just write!

PINES. . .What's That?

The other day my son told me he read the library blog, and he had a question. He said, "You wrote something about PINES. What's that?" I realized, right then, there are probably others out there who don't know what PINES means. Our library staff members wear silver name tags that show a stylized pinecone and the words "Georgia Library PINES." Right underneath PINES it says in tiny letters "Public Information Network for Electronic Services." That means our library is a member of a statewide consortium (a fancy word for an association or partnership) of 252 public libraries in 123 counties. This network of electronic services offers Georgia citizens a shared catalog of more than 8 million items, with a single library card that is welcomed in all member libraries. But you know, if you're reading this blog, that means you have a computer. So, if you'll look right above where you clicked on the MCCLS Bookworm Blog, you'll see the words "More about PINES." When you click on those words, you can read about PINES, as well as EVERGREEN, our library software. And if you haven't clicked on GALILEO, you're in for a surprise! We have all kinds of great services for you. Enjoy your library!

Pick of the Month Genealogy Book

Before this month gets away, I want to tell you about Irene's pick-of-the-month genealogy book. The title is The Courthouse and the Depot (I've decided to put titles in italics because it's easier to read than quotes). It's a narrative guide to railroad expansion and its impact on public architecture in Georgia from 1833 to 1910 by author Wilber W. Caldwell. The book is not an architectural history, but a history narrated by architecture. This is a book about small towns because the South of 1910 was small towns. It's a book about courthouses because, more than any other building of that era, courthouses symbolized the collective self-image of the townspeople. Similarly, it's a book about depots because depots symbolized the hopes for a promising future, and the neglect of these depots symbolizes the disappointment of those hopes. It's The Architecture of Hope in an Age of Despair. Of course, we here in Moultrie know where the courthouse is, but do you happen to know where the nearest depot to you is located? Better find it now and take a picture. It could be gone in a couple of years.

The Amazing Black Book Bag

If you don't know about The Amazing Black Book Bag, you should! I've had mine for months now and intend to give some as Christmas presents also. We have one hanging on the backside of the "where to go" stand (tells you where the different departments are located) as you come in the main doors of the library. The Amazing Black Book Bag is a spiffy black, 17-1/2 inches long and 12 inches deep with a 4-inch wide bottom. That's a generous size! It has two handles and a side pocket with "Moultrie-Colquitt County Library, Moultrie, Georgia" printed in gold on it. The entire bag is a canvas-like polyester and waterproof inside. It can hold your books, writing notebooks, brown-bag lunch, a bottle of water, several pens and pencils, and even your old denim hat. It originally sold for $7.50, but now it's on sale for the amazing price of only $5.00! Like I said, you can see one on the backside of the front foyer directional stand. Ask anyone at the circulation desk and they'll be glad to sell you as many as you want. I'm planning on giving 12 as Christmas presents! Think about it. Those booklovers will just love you! (Maybe even Grandma, who could use one for her knitting!)

See Me About General MacArthur

That's what the note on my desk read. I picked up my spiral notebook and headed for the Genealogy Library. Ann showed me an ancient scrapbook about General Douglas A. MacArthur. It came from Mary McArthur Lander of Mississippi. It contained crisp, brown, disintergrating pages of old newspaper articles and pictures that dated from 1946 to 1964. One article that caught my eye was titled Why MacArthur Said: "I Shall Return." It was written by Gen. Carlos P. Romulo, special and personal envoy of the President of the Philippines to the U.S. General MacArthur was famous for a lot of things: his tall erect stature, dark aviator sunglasses and strong chin, as well as his favorite long-stemmed pipe. He fought in three major wars (WWI, WWII, Korean War). He was the central figure in a plan to stem the tide of Communist advances in the Far East and build a new first line of defense in the Pacific. He was the commander of occupation forces in Japan. Even Ripley's Believe It Or Not recognized his fame as:

• The first of his class at West Point
• The first Sergeant at West Point
• The first Captain at West Point
• The first American to be full General at 50
• The first American to become Field Marshal
• The first to be a 4-star General twice
• The first member of the Rainbow Division
• The first Chief of Staff ever reappointed
• The first son of a Chief of Staff to occupy the same post
• The first American to lead the Armies of Nation, and
• The first white man to rule over Japan in 2600 years.

And General MacArthur was famous for quoting a ballad that became his battle hymn: "Old soldiers never die; they just fade away." He died April 5, 1964, at the age of 84.

You can see this great scrapbook in the Odom Genealogy Library. Be sure to look for the answers to these questions: Why did then-President Harry S Truman fire MacArthur in 1951 from his command? Why did General MacArthur say all pets, with the exception of goldfish, were banned from Army-run hotels and apartments in Japan? There's lots of interesting reading in this old scrapbook . . . . Just ask Irene or Ann where it is.

The Joy Group Visits Doerun Library

Holly told me an interesting thing yesterday. She said the Mt. Sinai Baptist Church from Doerun brought their "Joy Group" to visit the library. Approximately 15 senior citizens (I prefer to call them "elders" of our tribe) got library cards and checked out books. Holly said most of them hadn't been to the library before. What a great outing! Just goes to prove, you're never too young or too old to get a library card. In case you didn't know, the Doerun Municipal Library is a branch of the Moultrie-Colquitt County Library System. It's located at 185 North Freeman Street in Doerun and open from 2 PM to 6 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. It has an ever-expanding collection of fiction, non-fiction, children's books and periodicals. And, as part of the PINES library system, patrons have access to books from any PINES library in the state. Also, it has three computers with Internet access available for use by patrons with library cards. The computers have Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint. Printouts are 10 cents per page. If you have a question and you think the library might hold the answer, call 229-782-5507 and talk to Holly, Johnnie or LaDonna. They'd love to help you.

Do You Know What An Intra-Library Loan Is?

Some people don't. I asked Johnnie, our Intra-Library Loan Clerk to spell it out for me. She said anyone with a PINES library card can request a book from any other PINES library. If we don't have the book you want, we can request it . . . as long as it's not a new book. That means, if you wanted the latest Harry Potter book, we couldn't get it for you. But if you wanted a Mark Twain book, we could. The books are sent to us by courier. We notify you and then you can check it out. When you return it to us, it's sent back to the library it was borrowed from. Order time depends on how far away the loaning library is, but normal order time should be 3 to 5 days for the book to reach us. Loaned books are checked out for two weeks from our library. Johnnie does the ordering. So if you have any other questions about Intra-Library Loans, ask for Johnnie when you call the library at 229-985-6540. And by the way, Johnnie said during July we requested 30 books for our patrons and sent out 220 books to other libraries.

Did You Hear That Stuff About Coffee?

That drinking more than three cups of coffee a day may help protect older women against some age-related memory decline? Or its caffeine equivalent in tea, they said. Well, we definitely need all the help we can get with our memory! The study found older women retained more of their verbal and -- to a lesser extent -- visual memories over a four year period. The effect also depended on age, with women over 80 reaping more benefits than those who were 10 to 15 years younger. Sorry, but drinking all that coffee, they said, didn't help men at all! According to the National Coffee Association, the average American drinks one to two cups of coffee per day. So, hey! Let's keep that pot filled!!! (Source: Yahoo! News)

Hard Times Come To All Families

. . .and it has come to our library family once again. I had to think long and hard about what I wanted to say today. For once again we are sharing the sadness a library member feels. Over the past several months our staff has suffered through family illnesses, auto accidents, and even the loss of our loved ones. If you knew the long years many staff members have worked here, you would know that our time together has made us a special family. You would know that we share not only in each person's joy, but in their sadness also. And it's that sharing that makes the sadness, the hard times, more bearable. Our staff members are concerned, caring and kind people. They not only care about each other, but they care about the people they greet every day that the library is open. And when it's not open, they still care about those same patrons -- and work to understand how they can better serve their community. So, if hard times fall on you, just remember we're here to help in any way we can; whether it be copying all those documents you need or looking up specific information or just giving a comforting word. We call our community "family" also!

A New (Old) Space Opens Up!

This is my last time to talk about the inventory (I think). I just wish you could see the clean closets and utility rooms! They are beautiful! Everyone has worked so hard! And we're finally seeing the small conference room floor! Our staff has made so many trips from the room to the new storage center, and back, that someone said we should have had a toll booth. But it will be great to have the conference room again. Occasionally it's hard for groups to find a place to meet and the library has been a tremendous help. Miss Edna said some of those using the library are: Magnolia Garden Club, Girl Scouts, Retired Educators, Sunbelt Writers, and several groups from Colquitt County Schools. However, there is a meeting room policy, and the Library Director will review any and all requests to use the rooms and may reject any which she deems unsuitable. When the conference room is ready (it has been named the Melody Stinson Jenkins Conference Room), it, along with the Willcoxen Memorial Auditorium, will be available for public use again. Reservations are required and the number to call is 985-6540. This is just one of the many services your public library offers.

A New Face at the Library

We have a new Bookmobile Clerk. His name is Josh and he began August 1. His job will be to help Sheila when the Bookmobile goes on the home and school routes. He will load and unload books, use the computer, go to school rooms and talk with teachers, help the patrons, and eventually learn to drive the Bookmobile. Sheila said they start their home routes on August 20, with school routes following August 27. So, welcome, Josh! Glad to have you aboard!

Today in History

Just wanted you to know. . .this is the birthday of Francis Scott Key (1779-1843), who wrote the Star Spangled Banner, and Herman Melville (1819-1891), who wrote Moby Dick.

One List of Top 10 Books

When I asked for suggestions for our blog, Ann said we should put up a list of top 10 books. So, after checking with Monique to see if we have them (and we do), here they are:

1. "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J. K. Rowling
2. "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" by J. K. Rowling
3. "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" by J. K. Rowling
4. "The Quickie" by James Patterson
5. "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" by J. K. Rowling
6. "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hossenini (CD audio book)
7. "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" by J. K. Rowling
8. "High Noon" by Nora Roberts
9. "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen
10. "The Clique #8: Sealed with a Diss" by Lisi Harrison

Of course, we also have "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" and "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." This is a BIG Harry Potter time!!! (Source: USA Today; but we don't have their #3, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" Deluxe Edition, or #8 "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne)

One Amazing Collection in the Odom Library

In the Ellen Payne Odom Genealogy Library, which is in the south wing of MCCLS, just as you walk through the library door and to the left, there is a lighted china cabinet. This cabinet houses Mrs. Odom's dachshund collection. There must be over 200 items. The dachshunds range in size from tiny (about one inch) to large (maybe one foot long). They are made from wood, porcelain, cloth, jade, pewter, leather, wire, sweet gum balls, and even a peanut. They are pins to wear, a key chain comb, a planter, a letter holder, an ashtray, and salt/pepper shakers. Mrs. Odom said her little dachshund, Kibitz, inspired her fun collection. The puppy's picture is in the china cabinet also. The next time you go into the genealogy library, be sure to stop and look at this fascinating collection. And talk to Irene, our genealogist. She'll be able to tell you even more about it. It's a collection that will put a smile on your face!