By Angela Stanley

Last year, Georgia Public Library Service (GPLS) launched a new ebook and audiobook service available to patrons across 46 participating public library systems through The Palace Project, an easy-to-use app that aggregates and delivers content from most providers. Participating libraries can now offer their patrons streamlined access to titles from Libby, eRead Kids, cloudLibrary, Biblioboard, Blackstone Unlimited, and ProQuest through the Palace Project app.

The Palace Project also offers unique content for library purchase, including exclusive access to Amazon and Audible titles, as well as items without holds, waits, or checkouts. Library cardholders experiencing long hold wait times for high-demand titles in other platforms can take advantage of added copies and unique titles available through the Palace app.

“We are excited to offer this convenient solution for patrons seeking eBooks and Audiobooks without the hassle of downloading several apps,” said Middle Georgia Regional Library System Director Jennifer Lautzenheiser. “By bringing our digital library collection together under the Palace Project umbrella, patrons now have a wider selection of titles in a single app.”

More Georgians are reading ebooks from their public library, with checkouts of ebooks increasing 12% in 2024. Since its initial launch in late June 2024, checkouts of titles available in The Palace Project have increased by over 5000%.

Public libraries across the state have increased their budgets for electronic resources, such as ebooks and downloadable audiobooks, by 60% over the last five years, according to preliminary 2024 fiscal year data. However, as libraries continue to expand their digital reading collections to meet patron needs, many struggle to keep pace with the demand due to complex licensing and lending rules, high costs, and availability. Many of the highest-demand titles are only available for a limited period of time or number of checkouts before the library has to repurchase access, contributing both to rising costs and patron confusion.

With the support of Lyrasis and the Digital Public Library of America, The Palace Project advocates with publishers for licensing models and competitive pricing that better fit the needs of libraries. They’ve also recently introduced a digital ownership model that would allow libraries to own electronic titles in perpetuity.

GPLS provided initial funding of nearly $575,000 to the library systems that opted in to curate a shared collection, as well as half a million dollars toward the establishment of a statewide, multilingual children's collection of perpetual access, simultaneous-use ebooks that supplement the titles already available in eRead Kids.

“Utilizing the Palace Project through Georgia Public Library Service funding not only enhances access to our statewide collection of ebooks and audiobooks, but it also significantly alleviates the financial strain libraries experience when acquiring digital content, particularly for smaller library systems,” said Vice Chancellor for Archives and Libraries and State Librarian Julie Walker.

The collections available through the Palace Project app join the growing number of digital materials made available to all Georgia public libraries from GPLS through the eRead Georgia collection. For more information, visit georgialibraries.org/eread-georgia or download the Palace Project app from the Apple App Store or Google Play and login with your public library card.

By Jessica Swaringen & Sabrina Wade

Each fall semester, colleges across the country prepare for homecoming celebrations. They welcome back the alumni, engage in fun traditions, and commemorate the community that makes the institution special. Homecoming and similar celebrations present an ideal opportunity to showcase institutional archives; Lane Library seized this opportunity in October 2024 at Georgia Southern University’s Armstrong Campus in Savannah, GA.

The Armstrong Time Machine is an event featuring an exhibit and game; the project was designed to highlight the history of the Armstrong campus, particularly focusing on student life and diversity. The project was part of Celebrate Spirit Week, leading up to an annual festival for current students and alumni called “Celebrate: Together.” The Armstrong Time Machine sought to make the university’s archives more visible and accessible to students, and to recognize the often overlooked stories of Armstrong’s students of color.

Historical context is key to understanding Armstrong’s journey. Founded in 1935, Armstrong College initially excluded Black students. However, following the landmark 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision, the college was forced to confront racial integration. In 1961, Alfred Owens became the first African American to apply to Armstrong, though he was initially rejected. Two years later in 1963, Navy veteran Otis S. Johnson successfully enrolled after a tense period of racial unrest in Savannah. Despite the challenges, Johnson’s admission marked a significant milestone in the desegregation of Armstrong. Students were made aware that a copy of Johnson’s autobiography, From “N word” to Mr. Mayor: Experiencing the American Dream, is available through the university libraries.

Central to the exhibit was a set of posters featuring a timeline of Armstrong's history, with a focus on desegregation and a special section dedicated to the stories of Owens and Johnson. The display also featured a variety of archival materials, including student handbooks, event memorabilia, and yearbook clippings. Artifacts featured labels and QR codes linking to their digital records. These elements aimed to connect visitors with the university’s past while encouraging engagement with the archives.

While the posters and archival artifacts were featured all October, an interactive component of the exhibit was held from October 21–24. The game utilized a touchscreen Jeopardy-style game to engage visitors. Players were shown clippings from the student newspaper, The Inkwell, and tasked with identifying their publication year. Participants could scan QR codes for a “hint,” which would lead them to a digitized copy of the newspaper edition in question. The activity encouraged students to interact with history and explore the archives firsthand. 

Over the four days, 55 people participated, with many using the QR code hints to delve deeper into the material. Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive; 88% of respondents reported learning something valuable, with many expressing surprise at the depth of the campus's history. The exhibit successfully connected students to Armstrong’s history and sparked curiosity about the archives. We hope that the Armstrong Time Machine will prove to be another recurring event for Celebrate: Together moving forward. Engaging with the past can establish a new fall tradition. 

To learn more about Georgia Southern University Libraries, go to https://ww2.georgiasouthern.edu/library/.

By Angiah L. Davis

Nestled in Barnesville, GA, approximately 50 miles south of Atlanta and 30 miles north of Macon, the Dorothy W. Hightower Collaborative Learning Center & Library at Gordon State College stands as a beacon of modern academia, dedicated to fulfilling the dynamic needs of students, faculty, and staff. Celebrating its eighth year since an extensive renovation in April 2016, the library has continued to evolve into a pivotal campus partner and a respected regional leader.

Our dedicated staff of five brings a wealth of experience to Gordon State College Library, collectively boasting over 70 years of expertise in library services and academic support. A testament to its commitment to collaboration, student retention, and student success, the library frequently joins forces with academic and non-academic departments to host a diverse array of events. Highlights include the impactful African American Read-In in conjunction with the African American Male Initiative (AAMI), a thrilling Library Escape Room during Welcome Week for New Student Orientation, an inspiring Poetry Night recognizing National Poetry Month, and book signings to celebrate faculty accomplishments. The library's annual student art show in collaboration with the Art Department and the Faculty Publications Exhibit further underscore its role as a vibrant cultural hub on campus.

Regarding student retention, success, and engagement, student athletes utilize the library for weekly study hall sessions. Additionally, the Student Success Center provides in-person tutoring services within the library for all students. Collaborations have been established with various campus departments and organizations including Financial Aid, Student Life and Recreation, Counseling and Accessibility Services, the Education Department, Housing and Residential Life, and student organizations such as Esports. 

In 2017, the library received a significant donation comprising books and artifacts, establishing the esteemed FDR Collection in honor of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This collection, along with a newly acquired FDR replica statue in 2021, serves as a poignant reminder of the historical ties between FDR, Barnesville, and Gordon State College and is prominently displayed on the library's first floor.

Unique offerings, such as the children’s book collection to support the education curriculum, faculty publications, and various specialized collections housed in the nearby Guillebeau Hall archives enrich the library's resources. Additionally, the Memorial / New Baby Book Fund allows faculty and staff to commemorate loved ones through donations of books, fostering a lasting legacy within the library's collection.

Each month the library curates monthly themed displays that span from semester staff picks to gaming and esports, and from student success to mental health awareness. 

Our themed book displays bring specific books “front and center” where they can spark interest. Books displays help students discover books they never have discovered browsing on their own. Our displays also promote reading for pleasure as well as academic pursuits. - Paula W. Williams, Library Administrative Assistant

Practical amenities abound within the library, including an online learning room tailored for students with classes online, group and individual study rooms for exams and focused study, and a dedicated Mental Health Nook, where library users may relax and destress. The availability of scientific calculators, graphing calculators, and laptops for checkout further enhances the learning environment for students.

For those eager to delve deeper, the library invites exploration through its website:  https://www.gordonstate.edu/departments/library/index.html 

By: Amanda Carman

Program Name: Glow Painting

Occurrence: Annually 

Location: Dawson County Library in Dawsonville, Georgia 

Program Description: Calling all artists, art enthusiasts, and connoisseurs of fun. Join us for a time of creativity at our “Glow Painting” event! Dive into a world of neon colors and create your own luminous masterpieces under black light. Bring your friends and let your imagination shine as we transform the library into a glowing gallery of vibrant artwork. Get ready for an unforgettable evening of fun, friends, and fluorescent paints!

Supplies: black lights, neon paint, paint brushes, white canvases, neon paper (for decoration), and finally some glue, baking soda, and contact solution for making slime

Set Up: This program needs to take place in a room that has little natural light and/or a way to block out that light. We had a large black cloth we used to cover the one external window.

Cost: $50 (Part of this cost was investing in the black lights.)

Turnout: 40 

Target Age Audience: Teens / Adults

Dawson County Library is lighting up the creative scene with its popular Glow Painting program! This unique program invites artists of all skill levels to explore their creativity with neon paints that come to life under black light. Imagine the library transformed into a glowing gallery of vibrant, fluorescent artwork—an experience that's as visually striking as it is fun.

Originally tailored for teens, Glow Painting has been such a hit we’re excited to announce the expansion of the experience with an adults-only edition coming in February! “Let's Glow Painting!” is the perfect opportunity for grown-ups to unwind, connect with friends, or their partners, and let their imagination shine. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just looking to try something new, this event promises an unforgettable evening of creativity and camaraderie.

To learn more about the awesome programs the Dawson County Library offers visit: https://chestateelibrary.org/events/index.php 

  

By Michelle Bennett-Copeland and Alyssa Williams

Fayette County Public Library provided fun for tweens and teens with our Escape Room in June. Participants were able to test their teamwork and puzzle-solving skills. They followed clues and searched for a room to break out as they searched for the lost mummy!

The young adult librarian, Alyssa Williams, had a ton of fun doing the escape room. She noted that the biggest challenge of this program was all of the preparation that goes into it. It was very time consuming, such as making sure that she knew the puzzles inside and out, having the materials cut out and ready for the program, and finding ways to assist the teens without giving too much information away. It was also challenging to find ways to implement hands-on activities to supplement the puzzles which were printed out.

To keep the momentum going during the program, she made sure to stay engaged with the teens and offer a lot of encouragement as they became frustrated or stumped on a particular piece of the puzzle. It was a two-hour program, so it required a lot of focus on their part. 

A second escape room took place in October and was focused on all things zombies and surviving the apocalypse. Teens had to use clues to locate puzzles hidden throughout the library and check their answers. Alyssa loved incorporating the scavenger hunt aspect to the program because it was a great opportunity for them to get more familiar with the library and using the cataloging computers. They had a blast "taking out" the zombies at the end of the program with rubber unicorns.

Escape Room activities are bigger than just a game. Escape Room activities are great for team building, cognitive development, social skills, and fun!

Completing the escape room challenge can be a significant confidence booster. By working through challenges and overcoming obstacles, participants feel a sense of accomplishment and increased self-confidence. Inject a healthy dose of excitement and fun into the next Escape Room activity at the library.

To learn more about the Fayette County Public Library, go to https://fayettecountyga.gov/public_library/. 

By: Charlene Martoni and Jason Puckett

Georgia State University (GSU) Library is once again hosting the Open for Student Success Symposium, an online conference where educators and students share knowledge, practices, and research centered around open education. The 2025 event, to take place March 7, will feature two keynote speakers. Virginia Clinton-Lisell, Associate Professor of Education, Health, and Behavior at the University of North Dakota, will discuss her recent research investigating student perceptions of access codes and their impact on student success. Paola Corti, Open Education Community Manager at SPARC (Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition) Europe, will also share how her work seeks to break barriers in the Open Education Movement and harness the power of an international community of librarians.

Last academic year, the symposium’s coordination team decided to transform their approach by fully opening it to anyone curious about open educational resources and their applications for higher education. Presenters represented Chattahoochee Technical College, Clayton State University, Columbus State University, Georgia Southwestern State University, Georgia State University, Jefferson Community College, Kennesaw State University, Middle Tennessee State University, University of Georgia, University of Utah, and Valdosta State University. Additionally, the symposium coordinators obtained permission from speakers to publish recordings of the 18 presentations to an openly accessible library research guide under a Creative Commons license. The event received high levels of attendance, with over 100 registrants and 80 unique attendees. 

Notably, GSU professor, Hosanna Fletcher, and her students have participated in the symposium since its founding. Fletcher teaches a sociology course where she guides her students in the investigation of a social problem. Each year, her students have elected to investigate educational affordability, focusing on open education as a strategy to address the issue. Fletcher and her students will be participating in the symposium again in 2025, demonstrating how the event engages educators and students in open pedagogy and transformative learning. 

The symposium will expand further next year with the selection of a theme of “Open Education: Fueling Equity in Learning.” The team has also put out a special call for GSU students to share their voices, seeking to highlight student-centered projects that culminate in strategies to address issues in open education. The symposium team has also developed a proposal rubric, adapted from the Georgia Library Association Conference evaluation rubric, and they intend to publish the 2025 symposium’s openly accessible recordings with accompanying open educational resources submitted by presenters. 

The call for proposals for the 2025 Open for Student Success Symposium is now open! Proposals by any educator or student are welcome and are due by October 25, 2024. Session formats include 45 and 20-minute live sessions, as well as pre-recorded presentations. Questions can be sent to Charlene Martoni at cmartoni@gsu.edu. 

About the symposium coordinators:

Though a world-wide event, the Open for Student Success Symposium started as a collaboration between two librarians, Mary Ann Cullen and Charlene Martoni, who were selected to represent Georgia State University (GSU) in the 2022-2023 OpenStax Institutional Partnership. The duo was later joined by their colleagues, librarians Jason Puckett, Denise George, and Stephanie Burnham, and this year, the team added librarians Christina Gangwisch and Brooke Fry to expand programming capacity on the university’s six campuses, and beyond.  

To learn more about Georgia State University's Library, go to https://library.gsu.edu/.

By Lisa M. Echols

When Ann Rogers, Program Specialist for Ninth District Opportunity (NDO), got word that parents wanted more support to encourage reading at home, she reached out to the Hall County Library System to create a reading challenge that would impact more than 2,500 Head Start students in 25 Georgia counties!

Ninth District Opportunity is the nonprofit that manages Head Start and early Head Start centers around North Georgia, from Towns and Union Counties south to Cobb and Oconee County. Its preschool centers “promote school readiness by providing social, cognitive, and emotional development for low income children.” These amazing centers are free to attend and cover all aspects of education for kids and parents. 

Ms. Rogers envisioned a reading challenge similar to 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, where classrooms across NDO could count both the reading they were doing at school as well as the reading families were completing at home and work toward reading goals in each classroom. Children and classrooms could earn prizes for meeting goals, and by incentivizing reading, families would feel supported in continuing their children’s literacy journey at home.

With input from NDO, Youth Services Director Lisa Echols developed 1,000 Books With Head Start, a Beanstack program that fit its needs for a multi-county, multi-center reading challenge. Each classroom would be encouraged to read 1,000 books throughout the year. Centers could create a “reader” account for each of their classrooms. Each month, the classrooms would track the books they read and also send home paper logs for parents to track reading efforts after school. At the end of the month, the center director would enter the reading totals into each classroom’s reader account. Classrooms could earn things like cupcake parties, and children could earn badges and books to keep forever, funded through Head Start grants and community partners. Families were also encouraged to join the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program at their local library for even more fun and prizes!

1,000 Books With Head Start premiered in January 2024. With only five months until the end of the school year, there was some concern that perhaps classrooms wouldn’t have enough time to reach their challenge goals. We wanted our challenge to be exciting and encouraging, not frustrating. We shouldn’t have worried. The Head Start centers and families embraced the challenge and ran with it. We were amazed to see that, by the end of the first month, they had already finished 75,000 books! By the end of May, every Head Start center and classroom reached their reading goal with a grand total of more than 285,000 books read throughout the 25 NDO counties.

Now that the work of developing the program has been tackled and our initial trial program found to be a shining success, NDO and the Hall County Library System are looking forward to starting the challenge again for the 2024-2025 school year and looking to break our previous records in reading for preschoolers! For more information about the Hall County Library System, check out our website at www.hallcountylibrary.org.