The Library of Congress recently announced the winners of its “A Book That Shaped Me” Summer Writing Contest, a program that asks rising fifth- and sixth-graders to reflect on a book that has made a personal impact in their lives. A Brandywine Hundred Library patron, Rachel Smookler, was the 1st Place Grand Prize & Delaware State Winner. Rachel wrote about Jack and Louisa: Act 1 by Andrew Keenan-Bolger and Kate Wetherhead.

Nearly 300 young readers submitted essays to participating public libraries in the Mid-Atlantic region in this fifth year of the contest. Launched in 2012 with the DC Public Library, “A Book That Shaped Me” expanded with the help of public libraries in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The local libraries offered the contest as part of their summer-reading programs.

Five finalists per state were chosen in an initial round of judging. The finalists each will receive a $50 gift-card prize.

Judging was conducted by members of the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). The AASL works to ensure all elementary- and secondary-school librarians participate as collaborative partners in the teaching and learning process.

The grand-prize judging round, which selected state and grand-prize winners from the pool of state finalists, was conducted by a panel assembled by the Library of Congress that included educators, children’s authors and Library of Congress staff. This year’s guest author judge was Jason Reynolds, recipient of the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent, who was a presenter at the 2016 National Book Festival.

Each state winner will receive another $50 gift-card prize. The first-, second-, and third-place grand-prize winners will be awarded additional gift-card prizes in the amounts of $200, $150 and $100 respectively.

Grand-prize winners read their essays during the “A Book That Shaped Me” awards presentation at the Library of Congress National Book Festival. The contest presentation took place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016 and was emceed by Eun Yang, NBC4 Washington television anchor.

Grand Prize & State Winners

1st Place Grand Prize & Delaware State Winner
Rachel Smookler, New Castle County Libraries – Brandywine Hundred Library, who wrote about Jack and Louisa: Act 1 by Andrew Keenan-Bolger and Kate Wetherhead.

2nd Place Grand Prize & Maryland State Winner
Julia Lucy Grumet, Montgomery County Public Libraries – Bethesda Library, who wrote about The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan.

3rd Place Grand Prize & Pennsylvania State Winner
Mikayla Phasupong, Citizen’s Library, who wrote about The Sneetches by Dr. Seuss.

Delaware Finalists
Molly Amerling, Frankford Public Library
Emily Carpenter, Dover Public Library
Lucy Goodwin, Hockessin Library, New Castle County Libraries
Lauren Woods, Hockessin Library, New Castle County Libraries

About:
The Delaware Division of Libraries, a state agency dedicated to unleashing the potential in all Delawareans in partnership with Delaware Libraries, offers free access to the online catalog (delawarelibraries.org); Wi-Fi; computers/internet; eBooks, programs/workshops, community partnerships, and more.

The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States—and extensive materials from around the world—both on site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov, access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov, and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.

(Dover, DE) – The Delaware School Libraries Council is pleased to announce the release of the Delaware School Libraries Master Plan: Quality School Libraries = Higher Student Achievement which contains recommendations to develop quality state-of-the-art school libraries. The 18 month-long comprehensive planning effort was funded by the Delaware Department of State and supported by the Delaware Department of Education.

The Delaware School Libraries Master Plan summarizes the current status of school library services, addresses future trends, and informs solutions for development. It was conducted by the Institute for

Public Administration (IPA) at the University of Delaware and Himmel & Wilson, Library Consultants. IPA has an extensive project management and strategic planning background in the public sector. Himmel & Wilson specializes in evaluation and planning services for libraries.

“Delaware’s school libraries, along with our public library system, are tremendous assets that foster a love of learning and drive academic and career opportunities,” Governor Markell said. “I appreciate the School Libraries Council for undertaking this comprehensive study, which demonstrated the impact school libraries can have in improving student achievement, and I welcome the ongoing discussion about ways to more fully support them in the years ahead.”

“Congratulations for these efforts to connect the public and school libraries. This connection will improve access to resources and enhance the lives of students and their families” said Representative Valerie Longhurst, who is leading a pilot to integrate school libraries into the Delaware Library Catalog.

“Delaware has made a great investment in upgrading the services offered to residents in our 33 public libraries across the state,” said Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock. “The Delaware School Libraries Master Plan provides recommendations to ensure students will have the resources they need to be successful within their schools.”

“This is a tremendous opportunity for our school librarians, teachers, administrators, students and families to help us coordinate important services and resources across our state and between our public school and library systems,” said Secretary of Education Steve Godowsky.

This school library planning process builds upon the strategic Statewide Master Plan for Delaware Public Libraries which resulted in significant improvements in public library buildings and sharing of library collections statewide through the Delaware Library Catalog. “A statewide strategic approach to all library services will support Delawareans in achieving potential in their education, career, and throughout life,” according to Dr. Annie Norman, State Librarian and Chair of the Delaware School Libraries Council.

The consultants reviewed background documents and national library research, and obtained input from school librarians, educators, district administrators, students, parents, legislators, and the public through surveys, site visits, interviews, and focus groups. The final plan submitted to the Delaware School Libraries

Council provides recommendations for an integrated framework for school libraries across 4 categories, including: Staffing, Content & Access, Governance & Infrastructure, and Assessment & Accountability.

The Executive Summary and full report are available at: http://www.ipa.udel.edu/publications/delaware-school-libraries-master-plan2016.pdf

School administrators and community leaders are encouraged to submit a request to the Council for a local presentation on the recommendations by contacting Dr. Annie Norman, Chair, at annie.norman@delaware.gov.

About:

The Delaware School Libraries Council was enacted by Governor Markell in 2011 through Executive Order 30 “to improve and extend school library services that are essential to educational success.”
Delaware School Libraries Council members:
The Honorable David Bentz, State Representative
Erin Daix, UDLib/SEARCH
Jennifer Delgado, Senate appointee
Michael Hojnicki, Department of Technology and Information
Kathy Kelly, Department of Education
John P. Monahan
Dr. Annie Norman, State Librarian, Chair
James Rau
Suzanne Smith, AI DuPont High School
Janine Sorbello

The Delaware Division of Libraries is a state agency dedicated to unleashing the potential in all Delawareans in partnership with Delaware Libraries.

Wilmington, DE – Governor Jack Markell announced this evening that he has lifted the Limited State of Emergency for Sussex County that had been imposed Saturday as Tropical Storm Hermine approached the Mid-Atlantic region. See the Governor’s full order lifting the State of Emergency below.

Hermine brought rain, moderate winds, and localized flooding during high tide to Delaware’s coastal region. However, the storm track has continued to keep the system off the coast and it is not expected to bring additional rain or damaging wind to the First State. Members of the public should be mindful that higher than normal water levels at high tide will continue to be experienced along the coast and lower Delaware Bay communities through at least Tuesday morning and with it the possibility of localized flooding in those areas. Individuals in those areas should continue to have a plan in place if water levels begin to rise. State and local emergency services, transportation, law enforcement and other agencies will continue to closely observe Hermine’s effect on the state and monitor forecasts for the storm as long as it remains off the Mid-Atlantic coast.

“I’m thankful that Tropical Storm Hermine has remained off the coast and its impact on our state has been minimal,” Governor Markell said. “I want to thank the first responders, emergency management staff, Delaware National Guard, DelDOT crews and others for working to ensure the safety of residents and visitors during this storm event. We remain prepared to take any necessary action to protect public safety and property as Hermine remains in our region over the next few days. I wish all Delawareans and visitors to our state a safe and enjoyable Labor Day holiday.”

Executive Department
Dover

TERMINATION OF A LIMITED STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR SUSSEX COUNTY

WHEREAS, Sussex County was expected to experience significant rains, high winds, and tidal flooding caused by Tropical Storm Hermine; and

WHEREAS, I instituted a limited state of emergency in Sussex County, effective at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 3, 2016, to address the effects of Tropical Storm Hermine; and

WHEREAS, I am proud of the first responders and other individuals from fire companies, police departments, the National Guard, DelDOT, Sussex County governments, the Delaware Emergency Management Agency and other governments and agencies who assisted throughout this weather event to secure the lives and livelihood of Delaware citizens;

NOW THEREFORE, I, JACK A. MARKELL, hereby declare:

1. My declaration of a limited state of emergency dated September 3, 2016 is terminated effective immediately.

2. Pursuant to 20 Del. C. § 3116(a)(11), the Delaware National Guard shall continue to provide necessary assistance to state and local authorities, at the discretion of the Adjutant General or his designee, to protect life and property from any effects from an actual or threatened emergency or disaster.

APPROVED this 4th day of September, 2016, at 7:30 p.m.

Others face prison time for rape, gun, and drug charges

A 30-year-old Magnolia man was sentenced to prison in connection with a July 2015 killing in the Simon Circle neighborhood in Dover. Deputy Attorney General Stephen Welch secured the sentence for Erick Morton, after Morton pled guilty to Manslaughter. Morton was identified by surveillance video from municipal cameras that captured him shooting 35-year-old Jamal Weeks of Dover, in the 900 block of North Street. Morton was sentenced by Judge William Witham to 20 years in prison, suspended after 5 years for 6 months of Level IV work release, followed by 1 year of Level III probation and 1 year of Level II probation.

Deputy Attorney General Periann Doko secured a prison sentence for Charles Johnson, 34, of Wilmington. In February 2014, Johnson was arrested after being involved in a heroin deal. Johnson fled from police as they tried to stop his car, throwing money out of the window as he drove. Johnson pled guilty in May 2016 to Drug Dealing (Tier 2 quantity of heroin) and Disregarding a Police Signal. He was sentenced as a habitual offender due to previous violent drug and assault convictions to five years in prison, followed by probation.

Deputy Attorneys General Caterina Gatto and Christina Kontis secured a five-year prison sentence for Malik Moss, 31, of Bear after convicting him at trial in February for Drug Dealing (Tier 4 quantity of heroin), Aggravated Possession of Heroin, Disregarding a Police Officer’s Signal, Possession of Marijuana and Reckless Driving. In April 2014, Moss fled from police during a traffic stop. The car was found abandoned on the front lawn of a nearby residence. A large amount of heroin, some marijuana, and a cell phone were left behind. The vehicle and drugs were linked back to Moss through fingerprint and cellphone analysis.

Deputy Attorney General Sonia Augusthy secured an eight-year prison sentence for 19-year-old Al-Ghaniyy Price of Wilmington. Price pled guilty in April to Maintaining a Drug Property, Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited, Possession of Ammunition by a Person Prohibited, and Drug Dealing (Tier 4 quantity of heroin). Price was arrested in May 2015 as part of an investigation into drug activity in the Sparrow Run neighborhood. When police entered his bedroom in his mother’s home, they found more than 150 grams of heroin, a 9-mm handgun, and ammunition. Price was sentenced by Judge John A. Parkins, Jr. to a total of eight years in prison, followed by six months at Level IV, then two years of Level III probation. DAG Augusthy also secured a prison sentence Mik’trell Spriggs, 22, of Sparrow Run, as a result of his conviction in the same drug investigation. Spriggs was charged with selling crack cocaine while on probation for a previous drug dealing conviction. Spriggs was sentenced to a total of eight-and-a-half years at Level V for three counts of Drug Dealing, as well as his Violation of Probation. His prison term will be followed by 6 months at Level IV, and 18 months of Level III probation.

Deputy Attorney General Jan van Amerongen secured a prison sentence for Paul Brunhammer, 34, of Salem, New Jersey. Brunhammer pled guilty in May to Rape Third Degree in a case from 2010. Brunhammer raped the daughter of his ex-girlfriend while he was visiting the mother’s home in Newark. When the victim reported the assault, Brunhammer was incarcerated in New Jersey for an unrelated sexual assault. Brunhammer was returned to Delaware earlier this year to face the new charge after completing his New Jersey sentence for Aggravated Sexual Assault. Judge William C. Carpenter, Jr. sentenced Brunhammer to 25 years in prison, suspended after 10 years for two years of Level III probation, and ordered him to register as a Tier III sex offender.

Thanks Delaware STEM for featuring an Op-Ed by State Librarian Dr. Annie Norman. “Delaware Libraries juggle, proudly, to support all possible learning opportunities for our communities. Libraries have evolved over the past 115 years, and in turn, we support Delawareans in learning – and renewal – throughout life.”