Kimberly Parker, 49, of Laurel, pled guilty April 15, 2016, to two counts of Felony Theft Greater Than $1500, and one count of Felony Second Degree Forgery.

In December 2015, Parker was employed as a teacher in the Laurel School District. An investigation by Laurel Police showed she stole $2,550 from the Laurel Elementary School, as well as $36,191.42 from the Laurel Education Association, where she was considered a “person of trust.”

At the time of her plea, Parker tendered restitution in the amount of $2,550 for the PTO, and tendered an initial payment of $20,000 for the teachers union.

Parker will be sentenced on June 10, 2016.

Beth-Ann Ryan of the Delaware Division of Libraries has been named a “Mover and Shaker” in the library industry by the national publication, Library Journal.

In its March 15, 2016 issue, Library Journal named 54 outstanding professionals committed to providing excellent service and shaping the future of libraries. Beth-Ann was selected because of her commitment to the profession and her work on maximizing the statewide technology infrastructure (the Delaware Library Catalog), applying a library assessment logic model (Dewey Delaware), and creating the Inspiration Spaces in Delaware Libraries.

Beth-Ann currently serves as the Deputy Director of the Delaware Division of Libraries. She has presented nationally on the power of training, technology, data and collaboration to drive success.

Library Journal honored Beth-Ann because of her work in harnessing technology to maximize strategic partnerships.

“This year’s class of 54 joins a group of talented professionals who are committed, passionate, and invigorated—each alone and all together transforming the library world and the communities it impacts for the better,” said Rebecca T. Miller, Editorial Director of Library Journal and School Library Journal.

“Using her technology savvy, Beth-Ann fast-tracked implementation of numerous technologies among libraries statewide. Delaware is the First State, and thanks to Beth-Ann we can be proud of being the first state to maximize a robust statewide library technology platform,” said State Librarian, Dr. Annie Norman.

Beth-Ann has been with the Delaware Division of Libraries since 2008, and has served as Deputy Director since 2011. She received a BA in Sociology and English from the University of Connecticut in 2000, an MLS from the University of Maryland in 2005 and Certification in Social Media Strategy from the University of Delaware in 2013.

The 2016 Movers & Shakers were selected by the editors of Library Journal, the profession’s leading trade magazine. Each of the Movers & Shakers will be prominently featured in the March 15th issue of Library Journal and celebrated at a special reception in June during the American Library Association’s annual conference in Orlando, FL. The print feature’s companion website is sponsored by OCLC and available at www.libraryjournal.com/movers2016.

ABOUT THE LIBRARY
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/classes, community partnerships, and more.

ABOUT LIBRARY JOURNAL
Founded in 1876, Library Journal is one of the oldest and most respected publications covering the library field. Over 75,000 library directors, administrators, and staff in public, academic, and special libraries read LJ. Library Journal reviews over 8000 books, audiobooks, videos, databases, and web sites annually, and provides coverage of technology, management, policy, and other professional concerns. For more information, visit www.libraryjournal.com. Library Journal is a publication of Media Source Inc., which also owns School Library Journal, The Horn Book publications, and Junior Library Guild.

If you’ve clicked “download” on eBooks or eAudiobooks from a Delaware library, you are one of the thousands of Delawareans who have collectively checked out more than 1 million eMedia titles in just 4 years, since the service began in December 2011!

Interest in eMedia remains strong and continues to grow with annual checkouts increasing 30% over the previous year, and on December 28, 2015, 1,384 eBooks were downloaded in a single day – a new record! There are now over 30,000 titles in the digital collection, and on average, 34,000 eMedia titles are checked out from Delaware Libraries each month.

“Delaware Libraries are successfully supporting the creation of a culture of innovation,” said Governor Markell. “As we embrace new ways to read and gain knowledge, we have the opportunity to provide all Delawareans with the ability to become innovators themselves by giving them access to more information and in a variety of formats.”

Delaware Libraries annually receive over 6 million visits in person and online, and invest in resources, both print and digital, to serve all Delawareans. “Providing eBooks, eMagazines, and streaming video available for loan demonstrates our commitment to supporting library collections in all formats as they evolve,” said Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock. Patrons new to the service can find their first eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, and streaming video by selecting “eMedia” from http://delawarelibraries.org. Help is available online or in person at local libraries.

“Delaware libraries offer an unbeatable value: free checkout of eBooks and eAudiobooks through the statewide online Delaware Library Catalog,” said State Librarian Dr. Annie Norman. “We encourage all Delawareans to try out the latest collections, and help us reach our new goal of one million downloads per year!”

Library Friends groups throughout the state are supporting the eMedia collection. Library patrons may also invest in the purchase of additional eBooks by joining their local Friends groups and/or by making tax-deductible contributions to the Delaware Libraries eBook account at the Delaware Community Foundation, https://delcf.org/fund/delaware-division-of-libraries-e-book-fund

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/classes, community partnerships, and more.

Contact:
Dr. Annie Norman, State Librarian
302-257-3001
Annie.norman@delaware.gov

Gifting a new smartphone, tablet, or eReader this year? Delaware Libraries have the collections needed to make the most of the latest digital devices!

Our eMedia collection contains more than 30,000 eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, and streaming videos, available for free with a Delaware Library Card.

New this year — holiday “gift cards” are available to print and slip into greeting cards to let recipients know about the libraries’ eMedia collections! To download one to print, just visit: (delawarelibraries.org/eHoliday)

Browse the collections at delawarelibraries.org/eMedia. Borrowed titles are automatically returned at the end of the lending period (with never any late fees!).

“Delaware Libraries offer an unbeatable value with free checkout of eMedia through the statewide Delaware Library Catalog” said State Librarian Dr. Annie Norman, “And we wish everyone Happy Holidays!”

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/classes, community partnerships, and more.

Contact:
Dr. Annie Norman, State Librarian
302-257-3001
Annie.norman@delaware.gov

Dover – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) reports the state’s first Sussex County laboratory-confirmed case of influenza for the 2015-2016 flu season. The case involves a 61-year-old Sussex County woman who is recovering at home after a visit to the emergency room. There are two main types of influenza (flu) virus – types A and B – that routinely spread in people and are responsible for seasonal flu outbreaks each year. Sussex County’s first case is strain B.

“Flu is now confirmed statewide,” said Dr. Karyl Rattay, DPH director. “And, past experience shows that the number of lab- confirmed cases is smaller than the actual number of cases out there. Flu is here to stay this season and it’s a good time to get vaccinated, stay home when sick, and wash your hands frequently.”

Added Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Rita Landgraf, “Sussex County was hit hard early in last year’s flu season, and almost all of those initial cases were infants, children, and young adults. Now is the time to protect your family and loved ones before flu cases increase.”

DPH urges all Delawareans 6 months of age and older who have not yet been vaccinated against the flu to get a vaccination as soon as possible. The flu is easy to transmit and you can get it from healthy – but unvaccinated – children and adults. That’s why DPH’s “Get It” campaign especially encourages healthy 19- to 49-year-olds – who often skip the flu shot – to get vaccinated. The vaccine is readily available through medical providers, pharmacies, and some grocery stores. For a complete listing of DPH flu clinic scheduled this season, visit dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/dph/fluclinics.html.

Flu vaccination reduces the risk of getting sick from the flu or spreading the disease to others. It is especially important that the following groups get flu shots:
• Pregnant women and their household contacts;
• Caregivers and household contacts of children younger than 6 months, since those children are too young to receive the vaccine;
• Seniors;
• Those with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems;
• Health care providers.

Delawareans are also encouraged to prevent infection by taking simple everyday measures such as washing hands, using hand sanitizer, covering coughs and sneezes and staying at home when sick. These efforts help stop the spread of respiratory illnesses including flu.

Flu symptoms come on suddenly, and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches and body aches, and fatigue. Some people get complications including pneumonia, bronchitis, and sinus and ear infections. Providers can prescribe antiviral medicines to make illness milder, hasten recovery, and prevent serious complications, hospitalizations, and even death.

Beginning in October each year, DPH monitors the occurrence of influenza-like illness in hospitals, selected long-term care facilities and medical clinics to track flu trends in the state. During the 2014-2015 flu season, there were 28 flu-related deaths and 2,390 confirmed cases of influenza in Delaware, a significant increase in activity from the prior flu season.

Delaware has a total of 5 lab-confirmed cases for 2015-2016 to date; two in New Castle County, two in Kent County and one in Sussex County.

For more information on influenza prevention, diagnosis and treatment, call the Division of Public Health at 888-282-8672 or visit flu.delaware.gov.

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind, or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person’s spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit delawarerelay.com. Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, and drink almost no sugary beverages.