August 2025 Georgia Library News E-clips | |
Here's a look at what's happening in Georgia's public libraries.
Have news to share about your library? Tell the GPLS Communications team about them here.
| | Georgia Public Library Service Hosts First Marketing and Communications Exchange | |
In August, Georgia Public Library Service Marketing & Communications Exchange at the Columbus Public Library. More than 80 library staff from across the state had an opportunity to strengthen their marketing and communications toolkit, as well as connect and share their experiences.
The event covered topics like social media strategy, branding essentials, local partnerships, and more.
GPLS would like to thank Chattahoochee Valley Libraries for hosting at the Columbus Public Library, Columbusite founder Carrie Beth Wallace for her inspiring keynote, and to the Muscogee County Library Foundation.
Georgia Public Library Service offers professional development for library staff to enable them to use the latest technology, learn new skills, and strengthen their ability to meet local community needs.
| | South Georgia Regional Library System Celebrates Junior Librarian | | |
Each month, the Johnston Lakes Library in Lake Park, GA, picks a Junior Librarian of the Month. The Junior Librarian for September is Ryder.
"When Interim Branch Manager Raya Schilke, asked what his favorite book is, Ryder couldn't pick just one. He loves Wings of Fire, Warrior Cats, and Dog Man! His favorite place to read is anywhere, and his favorite part of the library is the graphic novel section!"
As the Junior Librarian, Ryder picked out several books to put on display at the Library (Photo below).
| | Sequoyah Regional Library System Partners with Reinhardt University | | |
Sequoyah Regional Library System is excited to share information about its ongoing partnership with Reinhardt University. At the Reinhardt University Sequoyah Spot, SRLS cardholders can check out materials from Reinhardt’s Hill Freeman Library collection, pick up holds from the new book lockers, utilize the library’s study rooms and computers, and more.
The Sequoyah Spot at Reinhardt University is an important service point for community members in north Cherokee county and the city of Waleska.
| | Kinchafoonee Regional Library Receives Sumter EMC Foundation Grant | | |
The Webster County Library received a generous grant from the Sumter EMC Foundation, bringing exciting new resources to young readers and their families. With this support, the library has purchased STEAM and Early Literacy Kits, a wide selection of books for children ages 0–5, and a mobile literacy cart to make materials more accessible throughout the library.
"To create a welcoming and comfortable space for little learners, the library also added colorful new shelving, bean bag chairs, and reclining chairs designed just for kids. These updates were unveiled at the Webster County Library Thursday, August 21st. Welcomed by the staff, patrons, and community, these additions will be cherished for years to come!" - Michael Kennedy, assistant director of Kinchafoonee Regional Library.
| | Conyers-Rockdale Library System Recognized for eRead Kid Circulation | |
The Rockdale County government recognized the Conyers-Rockdale Library System (Nancy Guinn Memorial Library) for leading the state in eRead Kids circulation, provided through Georgia Public Library Service.
"Thanks to a strong partnership with local schools and the power of the PINES PLAY card, Nancy Guinn Library is setting the bar for digital literacy and family reading." - Rockdale County Government.
| | Georgia Public Library Service, PINES, Rollout New PINES Kids Branding | | |
Georgia Public Library Service has developed new characters, graphics, messaging, and tools to engage kids and their families at the library. While the materials have been developed with PINES Kids in mind, the materials can also be used across statewide services like 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, eRead Kids, the PLAY Card, and more.
GPLS has also created a marketing toolkit to help libraries utilize these new materials.
(Photo courtesy of West Georgia Regional Library System)
| |
Fulton County Library System Branch Featured in 2025 Library Design Showcase | |
Fulton County Library System, Martin Luther King Jr. Library, was featured in the 2025 Library Design Showcase, American Libraries Magazine's annual celebration of new and renovated libraries throughout North America.
"Martin Luther King Jr. Library, which sits blocks from King’s boyhood home and church in Atlanta, has been transformed from a once dark, unaesthetic facility into a colorful, vibrant space fitting of its namesake. Multiuse functionality was key to the new design: The children’s craft area can convert into a meeting room in the evening, and the teen area transforms into a seminar space during school hours."
Read the full 2025 Library Design Showcase.
| Georgia Public Library Service IT Hosts Tech Planning Retreat | |
Georgia Public Library Service IT recently hosted a successful tech planning retreat. 33 attendees representing 23 different library systems came together to learn how to write a technology plan document to guide their library system's IT work for the next 3-5 years.
The retreat covered essential topics like asset inventory, cybersecurity, grant funding, and using AI to streamline processes. GPLS IT also facilitated a panel discussion, roundtable discussion, and a tech plan peer review exercise, ensuring attendees heard a variety of peer perspectives.
This event was made possible through funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
| | Clayton County Library Named Beanstack Summer Reading Program Winner | |
Clayton County Library System was named an honorable mention in Beanstack’s 2025 Summer Reading Challenge. Winners are determined based on overall participation and total minutes or books logged in relation to population served and community engagement.
"System-wide, Clayton County had over 400 readers participate in the nationwide Summer Reading challenges as part of the “Color Your World” theme, earning 1,285 badges and totaling nearly 117,000 minutes read. In addition to Beanstack challenges, Clayton County’s six branches hosted more than 600 events during Summer Reading for children, teens, and adults." - Laura Eby, Virtual Services, Coordinator at CCLS
| |
Augusta Richmond County Public Library Archives | |
With the help of Georgia Public Library Service, 194 archival collections from Augusta-Richmond County Public Library System’s Georgia Heritage Room, ranging from historical railroad documentation to World War II ration books, have been documented and organized for local use.
This work ensures that these collections are kept track of and preserved for future generations.
Researchers can find local collections on Finding Aids, an ArchivesSpace-based platform, which is funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
| | |
Thanks for reading!
Share what's happening at your library here.
| | | | |
