We are kicking off the ninth annual Fayette on the Page: One Book, One Community program on Thursday, September 8 from 5-7 PM with a free outdoor event at the library gazebo. This year’s book is “True Grit” by Charles Portis. In keeping with that story of the Old West, the kickoff party will feature the bluesy, countrified music of Bud & Hank, and free hot dogs from the grill. Book-related programming continues at the library throughout September and October.

Spark Series on Advocacy Episode One

     This is part of the advocacy series that we’ve been collaborating on with the Harry Potter Alliance, to help young and new advocates to take their first steps toward becoming advocates. The video went live at National Library Legislative Day and the response thus far has been positive.

     This would be great to show to your Teen Advisory Boards or any adult that needs a refresher.  More will be added as they are released.


"Host Jackson Bird tackles the age old question – “So, just what does Congress do, anyway?” as part of the first in an eight-part video series. Over the next few weeks, we’ll talk about why advocacy is important, and how you can get started on a campaign of your own."
 

 CLICK THIS LINK TO WATCH THE VIDEO
What is Congress?


Resources:
http://whoismyrepresentative.com/
http://www.votesmart.org
http://www.house.gov/representatives/
http://www.senate.gov/senators/
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members

Follow the American Library Association and the Harry Potter Alliance:
http://twitter.com/ALALibrary
http://americanlibraryassoc.tumblr.com
ALA Washington Office Tumblr: http://libraryadvocates.tumblr.com

http://twitter.com/thehpalliance
http://thehpalliance.tumblr.com
http://facebook.com/thehpalliance
http://instagram.com/thehpalliance
Snapchat: thehpalliance

ALA Washington announces 2016 WHCLIST winner

Posted by: Lisa Lindle April 7, 2016 in Advocacy Spotlight, Grants, Library Advocacy, Washington Office News

 

This week, the American Library Association (ALA) Washington Office announced that Dan A. Aldridge of Winterville, GA is the winner of the 2016 White House Conference on Library and Information Services (WHCLIST) Award. Given to a non-librarian participant attending National Library Legislative Day, the award covers hotel fees and includes $300 stipend to defray the cost of attending the event.

WHCLIST 2016 Winner Dan Aldridge

A longtime library advocate and patron, Aldridge served two years as the President of Friends of the Braselton Library (FBL). He was elected to the board of Friends of Georgia Library, where he currently serves as Vice President and will assume the role of President in April 2016. In his own words, Aldridge plans to:

“…dedicate the next two years to supporting and advocating for libraries throughout Georgia because I firmly believe, as nineteenth century industrialist Andrew Carnegie said, “A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people.”

As a result of his hard work and dedication, FBL saw notably growth in their membership and even earned them an annual award – the Fabulous Friends Award – from the Friends of Georgia Libraries. The FBL membership has seen unprecedented growth, and as a result has been able to increase their support of Braselton Library. Their fundraisers have provided the library with new computer equipment, supported eight new children’s programs, and increased the size of the Large Print Book and e-book collections at the library, among other accomplishments.
The White House Conference on Library and Information Services—an effective force for library advocacy nationally, statewide and locally—transferred its assets to the ALA Washington Office in 1991 after the last White House conference. These funds allow ALA to participate in fostering a spirit of committed, passionate library support in a new generation of library advocates. Leading up to National Library Legislative Day each year, the ALA seeks nominations for the award. Representatives of WHCLIST and the ALA Washington office choose the recipient.

The Annual FOGL Meeting and Workshop

The Annual FOGL Meeting and Workshop

 Friday, April 22, 2016

 at the Athens-Clarke County Library

2025 Baxter St., Athens, GA 30606

 

This year’s theme is “Friends Helping Friends.”

Workshop Agenda
 
9:30 -10:30am – Registration, coffee & refreshments, tour of the library
10:30 – 11:00am – Annual Business Meeting, Board Nominations, 2016 FOGL Awards Presentations
11:00 – 11:45am – Panel and discussion “Friends Helping Friends” and “Organizational Support”
12:00 – 1:00 – Lunch with Georgia author, Joshilyn Jackson
1:00 – 2:00pm – Grants and Awards
2:00 – 2:15 – Break
2:15 – 3:15 – Panel: “Love Your Library”
3:15 – 3:30 – A Few Final Thoughts
3:30pm – Adjourn


Please go to our website to register!

Register for Annual Meeting and Workshop HERE!

Library Friends are the Best Kinds of Friends!

Friends of Georgia Libraries (FOGL) is pleased to announce the recipients for the 2016 Awards for FOGL ‘Best Friend’ and for ‘Fabulous Friends’ for the year. 

FOGL’s 2016 ‘Best Friend’ is Dr. Adrienne Butler, M.D. from Pierce County, and was nominated this year by the president of the Friends of the Library, David Rollinson. “Dr. Butler took the initiative to use her own resources to establish a Friends’ group to assist the library in communicating with local officials on its needs, and the development of programs to help library staff in doing their jobs.  She keeps everyone on the same page and in a very gentle way.”

FOGL’s 2016 ‘Fabulous Friends’ are the Friends of the Houston County Public Library.  Director J. Sara Paulk nominated this Friends’ group based on their efforts over the last ten years.  This information was provided to Director Paulk:  “The Houston County Friends of the Library has successfully thrived as a county-wide organization built from several disbanded splinter Friends groups of the various cities in Houston County.  The focus of our group was to operate as a county-wide association to pool resources to enable us to make more money for all three county libraries.”

These awards, along with FOGL’s Author Appearance Grant will be presented at the FOGL Annual Spring Business Meeting and workshop, to be held at the Athens Library on April 22.  Each year, FOGL seeks to recognize those Friends and advocates who strive to strengthen Georgia’s libraries.  Nominees are those who have made significant contribution to either statewide advocacy efforts on behalf of Georgia’s libraries, or have substantially contributed to the development of a library, or libraries, in the state.

FOGL congratulates the 2016 winners!  You can nominate a group or advocate for consideration by submitting the completed nomination forms which can be found on the FOGL website at  www.georgia-friends.org . Submissions for ‘Best Friend’ and ‘Fabulous Friends’ should be received by December 31^st each year.

Our president, Kathy Ash, received the first Georgia’s 2015 Public Library Champion of the Year Award! 

Presented to an outstanding advocate who was not employed in any capacity by a public library but whose support significantly raised the profile of libraries and improved services during the year.

“To be chosen to receive this award is an immense honor — and hugely humbling, considering that Georgia’s public libraries are championed by so many dedicated library supporters,” Ash said.








 Check out full details at the link below!

GPLS Website

Who wouldn't want to "Own a day" at their library?

Brilliant idea for you to use at your library to raise some cash!  Contact us at foglblog@gmail.com for a details.

GALILEO, public libraries join to provide Mango Languages

GALILEO, the state's virtual library,
and Georgia Public Library Service
now offer residents free access to
Mango Languages suite of language-
learning resources through
their local public libraries.



Mango, can be accessed anywhere
with an Internet connection,
currently offers 63 foreign-language
courses for English speakers, as well
as 17 English-as-a-second-language
courses. All are taught completely in
the users native language, with each
lesson combining real-life situations
and audio from native speakers with
simple, clear instructions. The courses
are presented with an appreciation
for cultural nuance and real-world
application by focusing on the four
key elements of language learning:
vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar
and culture.



"Providing language learning
tools is just one of the many ways
that public libraries serve their local
communities," said Wendy Cornelisen,
assistant state librarian for
library innovation and collaboration.



For years, the local library has
been a go-to source for travel guides
and trip planners. Now that GALILEO
has added Mango, public libraries in
Georgia have even more of the
resources travelers need to prepare
for visits to other countries. "Being
able to say even just a few words in
the local language helps make travel
easier and more enjoyable,"
Cornelisen said, noting that Mango
will also help many Georgians better
speak the languages of commerce.



"According to the U.S. Census
Bureau, Georgia companies exported
nearly $39.4 billion in goods and
services to 211 countries and
territories in 2014," she explained.
"Companies in Georgia benefit from
employees who know more than one
language and are able to better
bridge cultures. Along with its
language-learning resources, Mango
also provides valuable cultural
insights that can help residents forge
new partnerships here and abroad.



"In addition, most students
applying to college need to take two
years of the same foreign language.
Since Mango is available around the
clock from any Internet-connected
device, students with a Georgia
library card will have new ways to
practice and improve skills in their
chosen language anytime."



To help residents get started,
GALILEO is offering webinars for
Georgia-based users. Details are
online at www.galileo.usg.edu. An
archived "All about Mango" webinar
is also available at
www.mangolanguages.com.





GALILEO, public libraries join to provide Mango Languages

FREE MONEY!!!

  Every year, FOGL offers the following awards, designed to support your friends groups activities, and to help fund your author appearances:

• FOGL AUTHOR APPEARANCE GRANT.  This $500 grant is in support of author appearances/events sponsored by local friends groups that are current FOGL members.  Proposals must be received by February 28, 2016.
• FOGL's 2016 "BEST FRIEND" AWARD.  We seek to recognize those who strengthen Georgia's libraries through their advocacy efforts.  To this end, the "Best Friend" award is presented to an exemplary library advocate at our annual membership meeting.  Deadline for nominations is December 31, 2015.
• FOGL's 2016 "FABULOUS FRIENDS" AWARD.  Similar in nature to the above, these outstanding nominees will have made a significant contribution to statewide advocacy efforts on behalf of Georgia's libraries, or will have substantially contributed to the development of their local library or libraries.  Deadline for nominations is also December 31, 2015.

As of today's date, we have yet to receive any applications for the above three awards.  Hence, your odds of winning are indeed considerable!  However, "you can't win if you don't play the game" as they say.  So please, when you're able, take a moment to review these opportunities and their applications at http://georgia-friends.org/.  While you're at our site, consider becoming a member!  It's hands down the least expensive professional organization out there to be involved with, for both individuals and group members.

Our mission is to support and develop your friends groups, and to build a grassroots network of local advocates who believe in the importance and power of our public libraries.  Thank you for your time and consideration.

Lunch and Listen in Lawrenceville

Fayette County Public Library Hosts Seven Georgia Women of Mystery at the Atlanta Sisters in Crime Salon

Fayette County Public Library Hosts Seven Georgia Women of Mystery at the
Atlanta Sisters in Crime Salon on Saturday, July 25 at 1:00 p.m.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. – (July 15, 2015) –  Seven Atlanta-area crime fiction writers are set to gather at the Fayette County Public Library on Saturday, July 25 at 1:00 p.m. for the “Atlanta Sisters in Crime Salon.” All published authors of various kinds of mystery, suspense, and thriller novels, the panel members will talk about their latest works, answer audience questions, and sell and sign books. Admission is free, and complimentary light refreshments will be served.

Stacy Allen is the author of “Expedition Indigo,” the first in a thriller series featuring Dr. Riley Cooper, a SCUBA-diving archaeologist. Currently serving as vice president of the Southeast Chapter of Mystery Writers of America, Allen is a certified Advanced Open Water Diver, with specialties in wreck diving and night diving. Her passion for adventure has taken her to over 60 countries.

Kathleen Delaney is the author of the Ellen McKenzie cozy mystery series. Set on California’s central coast, the five books have been praised by critics and loved by readers. Now she has a new series, the Mary McGill canine mysteries. The first in the series has been released in England to glowing reviews, and will be released in the United States August 1. A retired real estate broker and the mother of five grown children, Delaney now lives in Woodstock and writes (and reads) full-time.

Mary Anne Edwards is the author of the Charlie McClung series, traditional mysteries with a touch of romance. “Brilliant Disguise” and “A Good Girl,” the first two books in the series, were released last year. The third book, Criminal Kind, just came out last month. There will be seven more books in the series. A Texan by birth, Edwards now lives in Georgia with her husband of 34 years, having left the accounting world to write full-time.

Sharon Marchisello published her first novel, a suspenseful story of murder and Alzheimer’s titled “Going Home,” with Sunbury Press last year. Prior to that, she contributed the short story “The Ghost on Timber Way” to an anthology featuring Sisters in Crime members. She has also published a personal finance e-book, as well as numerous travel articles and corporate training manuals. Originally from Texas, Marchisello now lives in Peachtree City. Retired from a 27-year career with Delta Air Lines, she does volunteer work for the Fayette Humane Society.

Julia McDermott is the author of “Underwater,” a contemporary thriller set in Atlanta. It’s the story of Candace Morgan, a successful businesswoman who gets conned by her devious brother into funding a luxury home he promises to redo. When the housing market drops, the family plunges into a downward spiral of deceit and violence. She is currently at work on another thriller with tie-ins to “Underwater.” When not writing, she studies French, exercises, and stays busy as a wife and mother of four children.

Kerri Nelson is the author of the cozy Working Stiff Mysteries, with two titles in the series out so far. Nelson survived a 15-year career in the legal field and then took her passion for crime solving to the page, first taking a decade-long detour into the world of romance, where she penned 22 novels and novellas. An active member of both Sisters in Crime and International Thriller Writers, Nelson helps other authors achieve publication through mentoring and instruction, and works as a professional editor.

Fran Stewart is the author of seven cozy mystery books starring small-town Georgia librarian Biscuit McKee and her cat Marmalade, and the standalone mystery, “A Slaying Song Tonight.” Her new ScotShop Mystery Series begins with “A Wee Murder in My Shop,” featuring a modern-day Vermont shopkeeper and a 14th-century Scottish ghost. Stewart lives on the other side of Hog Mountain, northeast of Atlanta, and is a member of the National League of American Pen Women, Sisters in Crime, and Mystery Writers of America.

All seven authors are members of the Atlanta chapter of Sisters in Crime, an organization comprising 3600 members in 50 chapters worldwide, offering networking, advice and support to mystery authors. Sisters in Crime members are authors, readers, publishers, agents, booksellers and librarians, united by their affection for the mystery genre and their support of women who write mysteries. Sisters in Crime was founded by the author Sara Paretsky and a group of other women in 1986.

            The event is free and open to the public. Proceeds from the sale of books at the Atlanta Sisters in Crime Salon benefit the Friends of the Fayette County Public Library, the nonprofit group whose sponsorship makes this event possible, along with many other library programs and services throughout the year.