Sigourney Open House Photos

On Sunday, October 9th, 2005, representatives from the Sigourney Public Library welcomed nearly 200 visitors to their new public library. Among the distinguished guests was Iowa's First Lady, Christie Vilsack. You might also recognize SLS's own Emily Navarre, standing in the lobby of the new library with director Roslin Thompson. If you haven't made a trip to Sigourney to see the new library, you should!

Holiday Hours

The Southeastern Library Services office will be closed on the following days:



Friday, December 23rd, 2005
Monday, December 26th, 2005

Friday, December 30th, 2005
Monday, January 2nd, 2006

Free Book Review Magazine Available

Here's a free gift for your library, staff, and readers. The Bloomsbury Review is again offering free copies of its November/ December gift issue. The issue includes the favorite books of the editors from the past 25 years, as, indeed, they have been publishing that long. It also includes wonderful gift books--from the arts to crafts to fiction to poetry to children's and young adult books. Bloomsbury Review pays shipping (UPS) and can send from 25 to 200 copies. No strings! (This offer only applies to the current issue, and not to subscriptions or past issues).

The Bloomsbury Review (TBR) is an award-winning national book magazine that focuses on the best of the regional, university, and small presses, with a special emphasis on writers from diverse cultures. The magazine feature reviews and author interviews with a cross-section of both seminal and up-and-coming writers, many of whom received their first major exposure in TBR.

Just send your name, physical mailing address (no PO Boxes, please), and the number of copies you want (between 25 and 200) to Marilyn Auer at BloomsB@aol.com.

SILO transactions top One Million!

Recently, the Larchwood (pop.788) Public Library filled an Interlibrary Loan request from the Fonda (pop. 648) Public Library, completing the One-Millionth transaction on SILO. Congratulations is due, not only to these two libraries, but to all of Iowa's libraries participating in the SILO Interlibrary Loan and Access Plus programs. Such participation marks a true spirit of collaboration and cooperation across the state. Keep up the great service, Iowa!
[Source: Liz Forney, SILO team]

Remember: State Library Reference Service

Do you need help finding facts for a customer about Iowa's government, economy, or statistics or a quick fact about Iowa's history? Are you having trouble locating a web site or government department for someone who will answer a question about a service of the state of Iowa? Does a customer need to do a patent's search or to find census data about Iowa? Are you finding it hard to locate state documents online?

The information experts at the State Library's general reference desk can help make your job easier. The desk is staffed from 8-4:30 Monday through Friday. Call them for assistance at 515-281-4102 or toll free at 1-800-248-4483 or e-mail: is@lib.state.ia.us

The staff at the General Reference desk is available to provide you with assistance. Give them a try!
[Source: Annette Wetteland, State Library of Iowa]

Pathfinders Online

Be sure to visit The Pathfinder Project online to see the wide range of pathfinders available to you for *free*! Particularly helpful this time of year are pathfinders on Christmas Customs and Hanukkah. In a "giving" mood? Consider contributing one of your own pathfinders to the project. Templates are available on the site as well!

Toddle On Over Workshop

Twelve librarians participated in a workshop on November 10th, designed to encourage them to use music in their Toddler programming. As you can see in the photos, we all had a great time singing and using props like scarves, sticks and bean bags. While I'm sure folks were slightly intimidated at the thought of singing in a workshop, presenter Jerri Heid made everyone feel comfortable performing in front of one another. Five CE's were awarded for this workshop, which was held at the newly renovated Mt. Pleasant Public Library. Librarians went home with a list of music cd's that Jerri recommends from her own extensive experience.

Library Issues go to the Voters

Two library issues were voted upon in Southeastern's service area on November 8th. The first, in Richland, altered the composition of the library board of trustees to represent a broader subset of the community. This vote passed 62 to 10. Congratulations to them.

Unfortunately a second vote in SE Iowa did not pass. Voters in Letts were asked to pass what we refer to as the "27 cent levy." If passed, citizens would agree to tax themselves a little higher for library service. This would have generated approximately $1300 in additional funds for the library. This vote was a tie--37 to 37. Karen Koppe, director, reports that they may attempt to pass it again in two years. You can visit the Letts Library website here.

Wine, Wenches and Song

On Friday, October 28th, the West Liberty Public Library hosted an "adult only event" that was titled "Wine, Wenches and Song." Dinner and drinks were served to attendees, who were invited to experience Medieval tavern life in the library conference room. A guest speaker from the University of Iowa spoke about Medieval times. Participants were encouraged to come dressed in costume to win prizes. Director Janette McMahon reports that the event was a great success. Initially, the library had set a maximum number of participants, but they ended up having to increase the number of tickets they sold. Congratulations to the Library for pulling off such a creative event!

Southeastern LSA needs your Help

With the recent resignation of LSA board member Nancy Simpson, our office is looking for one new board member. The current board would like to encourage applications for this vacancy from the Western section of our LSA--particularly the counties of Appanoose, Monroe, Mahaska, Keokuk, Wapello, and Davis. Currently, the SLS board is political party and gender balanced, so the applicant can be of any party and of either gender. Nomination forms for candidates are available by clicking here.

Please feel free to contact Sandy Dixon at the State Library, or our office for more assistance.

Meet Southeastern's New Library Director....

Name: Beth Sullivan, director of the Bloomfield Public Library

Family: Husband, Keith; 3 grown children, Lori Galindo (32) lives in Boonville, MS with her 2 children, Bronson (10) and Keera (5); Son, Frank (30) lives on our farm in rural Bloomfield with parents, works in Centerville; Son, Sam (27) lives and works in Pella.

Schooling: Graduated from Davis County High School, 1972, Graduated from Physical Therapist Assistant program in Ottumwa IHCC in 1995, started at the Bloomfield Public Library in 1999 and took PLM I and II. Have been recertified, Jan. 2005.

My Favorite Author Is: Depending on mood with so many different authors to pick from.

A Recent Book I Read: The Regime by Tim LaHaye.

My Friendship With Libraries Began: When my brother Jerry Greene was the director in 1992, and he helped me with my math in college. Then fell into my job as clerk in 1999.

I'd Really Like to Be Good At: Ordering books, being better organized, and getting my Board of Trustees to work on a project like a Building project.

I'd Give Anything to Meet: Tom Arnold again and have him sign his book How I Lost Five Pounds in Six Years. This would be for my husband and maybe help us out with our building project.

My Idea of Paradise: Have a Board and our patrons working together to make our building project a reality!

Meet Southeastern's New Library Director...

Name: Larry White, director of the Keosauqua Public Library

Family: Widower, one son

Schooling: High School Diploma

My Favorite Author is: God

A Recent Book I Read: Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning by Douglas Wilson

My Friendship with Libraries Began: With the bookmobile in Montgomery County, Maryland, about 1953.

I'd Really Like to Be Good At: Praying, praising, preaching, loving, reading the Bible with understanding, keeping His commandments

I'd Give Anything to Meet: Jesus. The Apostle John once said that the world itself could not containg the books that could be written about this man.

My Idea of Paradise: His Kingdom

Anything Else?: Sweet Harmony of the Saints

Wilton Library Fundraising Success!

Congratulations to the community of Wilton, which recently received a $300,000 pledge for its Wilton Library and Community Center fundraising campaign. The gift, which came from the Wilton Savings Bank, brings the total funds raised to nearly $1 million.