Library Day brings together 300 legislators and advocates
GPLS News, April 2009
Sen. Jim Butterworth (R-Cornelia) welcomed several attendees to the Capitol. From left: Butterworth; Donna Howell, director of the Mountain Regional Library System; Teresa Haymore, Fannin County librarian; President Janice Cochran and John Cochran of the Friends of the Libraries of Towns County.
Almost 300 library advocates celebrated their love for and support of libraries at the annual Georgia Library Day, held Feb. 26 at the Floyd Building in downtown Atlanta.
The sold-out event was again co-sponsored by the Georgia Library Association (GLA), the Georgia Association for Instructional Technology (GAIT), the Georgia Library Media Association (GLMA) and Georgia Public Library Service.
Among the morning's highlights was the address delivered by Sen. Jack Hill (R-Reidsville), chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Hill commended Gov. Sonny Perdue's budget recommendations for fiscal year 2010, which included almost $19 million to assist with the design and construction of 11 important new library projects throughout the state. "I don't think you could invest in a better piece of infrastructure than libraries," Hill said.
Other speakers included Jim Cooper, president of GLA; Dr. Lamar Veatch, state librarian; Pam Smith of the Georgia Department of Education; Merryl Penson, executive director of Library Services for the University System of Georgia; Giselle Escobar, president of GAIT; Susan Grigsby, president of GLMA; Christian Kruse, chairman of the Georgia Council of Public Libraries; and Wally Eberhard, president of Friends of Georgia Libraries.
Following the program, attendees walked across the street to the Capitol, where they visited a number of legislators to thank them for their support and to further advocate on behalf of their local libraries. Attendees then returned to the Floyd Building for lunch.
Rep. Bob Smith (R-Watkinsville), vice chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, hosted an afternoon gathering for library directors and board members who have capital projects recommended by the governor on this year's list.
Held at the Capitol, the meeting afforded library representatives and advocates the opportunity to express their enthusiastic support for the construction projects in their communities.
"We are grateful to have such wonderful advocates across the state," said Veatch.
"Their presence here, especially in such troubling economic times, resulted in a most successful Library Day and sent a powerful message that Georgia's citizens believe in the value of libraries."