Tuesday, July 31, 2007


The New Strand Theatre and The West Liberty Public Library are partnering to bring you The New Strand Flim Festival next May! Read more about it, and how you can submit your own film by visiting the film festival's website at:
Why Teens Use Libraries


To participate in library club meetings
To check out/return books
To attend library programs/events
To read books/magazines at the library
To check out books for personal interest/needs
To read books/magazines for personal interest/needs at the library
To use computers
To browse books/To see what new books are available
To do homework
To do volunteer work
To socialize with friends
To visit a librarian/library employee
To find books for homework
To make new friends
To play computer games
To find a safe environment
To have fun
To research a personal hobby/interest
To socialize with boyfriend/girlfriend
To use computers for homework
To use computers for personal interest/needs
To accompany friends
To do research related to homework assignments
To find a quiet environment
To gain knowledge
To get computer games codes
To get academic tutoring
To get unspecified information
To improve oneself
To please one's parents/guardians
To work in the library


(List courtesy of Public Libraries - read more about how they got it in the May/June 2007 issue)

Friday, July 27, 2007


Need kid friendly furniture for your library that's high on design and low in price? Try Foldschool, a series of downloadable patterns for making child-sized stools, chairs, rockers, all out of recycled cardboard!

...Though made for kids under six, the sturdy furniture can support the weight of an adult, and just requires only common materials that can be found around the house (or library!) Check out this economical, environmentally friendly idea by visiting http://www.foldschool.com/ (think of the endless decorating possibilities!)


(Info. courtesy of School Library Journal's July 2007 issue)

Thursday, July 26, 2007


Contracts for each media rotation were sent out July 16th. Please remember to not only review them carefully, but keep a copy for yourself. The due date to have them in by is Friday, August 10th. If you have not received one yet or have any questions, please email or call Amanda Wright.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Top 10 reasons to attend
Libraries on the Prairie

10. See old friends and make new ones in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.

9. Delicious meals and snacks that you don't have to cook or clean up after.

8. Two days away from the library to think about how you can make your library even better than it is, with others who know the challenges of being a rural library director.

7. Learn what city officials want to hear when you request funding.

6. Prizes, giveaways, treats and loads of fun.

5. Library directors will be reimbursed round trip mileage to the nearest workshop location at 34 cents per mile. You will also be reimbursed for your overnight stay. When was the last time you received this kind of reimbursement from the State Library? :-)

4. Chocolate

3. You can "carry over" continuing education contact hours from Libraries on the Prairie if you don't need them to recertify this period. This is a special exception for this year's Gates training. (There are 11 contact hours continuing education credit available for Libraries on the Prairie.)

2. You will have the opportunity to go to the Libraries on the Prairie Reunion on October 10 at the Coralville Marriott Conference Center. As an added bonus, you can stay and attend the Iowa Library Association Conference on October 11-12 with all your expenses paid!

...And the Number One Reason to Attend Libraries on the Prairie:

1. Iowa received more funding from the Gates Foundation because a large number of Iowa librarians attending previous Gates workshops. Any future support from the Gates Foundation could depend on attendance at events such as Libraries on the Prairie.

Find your own reason to attend and sign up today!

Contact Michele Leininger at the State Library or at michele.leininger@lib.state.ia.us for more information. Registration closes soon!

Last call for ILA Annual Conference Scholarship applications! The applications will only be accepted through August 2. Visit:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=aNwAJmzQqQNdFrCf0sZQig_3d_3d to apply!

One of the two scholarships will be awarded to a youth services librarian, the other will be awarded at-large.

Remember, all expenses paid!

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Just a friendly reminder that Direct State Aid, Open Access and Access Plus reports are due July 31, 2007.

You can mail, fax or email completed reports to Gerry Rowland at the State Library. If you need more information about the reports, or the report forms, visit:

http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/ld/enrich-ia.

If you need help, please feel free to contact the statistics guru Gerry Rowland at gerry.rowland@lib.state.ia.us or call toll free at 1-800-248-4483. Southeastern is always happy to assist, too!

For those who still aren’t quite sure what RSS and Wikis are:

Friday, July 20, 2007

Check out ScienceHack - this search engine chock full of instructional science videos would be especially useful during Science Fair season!

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Rotation Spots Open!

Two spots are currently available in our two different audiobook rotations. These both are fairly large collections (currently averaging 110 books, but not to exceed 120) of audiobooks on both cassette and CD, consisting of classic and new titles, many different genres, even children’s and young adult selections. Unabridged and abridged available. Effective 7/1/2006 all titles added have been, and will be, unabridged, new releases on CD.

Normally the cost of these rotations are $225.00 a year, however because of the timing, the charge will be prorated based on when you choose to begin after July 1, 2007.

Remember, Southeastern takes care of all repairs. Audiobooks are also considered by USPS as "free matter" and can be shipped free of charge. Please be sure to contact Amanda Wright for any additional information or with your questions. Spots will be filled on a first come, first served basis.

Since we began our disc cleaning service many months ago our practice has always been to bill after each shipment of discs sent in, even if it’s just one. However, with the increase in postage, we see that both parties paying the $.41 cents to send an invoice/payment for even just one disc can be a pain. For this reason we are now starting a quarterly billing practice. This means that you can send any and all discs you want, one or one hundred, and you’ll just receive one invoice every three months.

Don’t forget, books on CD are considered “free matter” and are free to ship through USPS. We still only charge .25 cents for a clean and .50 cents for a resurface. The form is simple to fill out and can be found at:

http://www.sls.lib.ia.us/sls-services/cleaningform

We hope this makes things easier for you and your library. If you know other libraries that would benefit from our service, be sure to spread the word! As always, if you have any questions or need more information, please don’t hesitate to contact Amanda Wright.

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

The State Library is now taking registrations for Public Library Management 1 and 2. PLM 1 will begin on Friday, September 7 and PLM 2 will begin on Wednesday, September 12. Please visit the CE Catalog http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/cgi-bin/cecat/) for more information and to register.

If you have any questions, please contact Michele Leininger.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Rural Library Sustainability Online Course Now Available!

We are pleased to announce the arrival of WebJunction's Rural Library Sustainability Online Course, based on the success of the RLS workshop curriculum and the growing exchange of information, ideas, and expertise on WebJunction.org. This free, self-paced online learning experience is available to all in the WebJunction community who are interested in exploring new strategies for sustainability through a manageable and achievable action planning process. Find out more or visit WebJunction's Course Catalog to enroll now.

Monday, July 16, 2007

Iowa Center for the Book has a new website:



Be sure to check it out!
Logo Contest

View the entries the Iowa Small Library Association has received to-date in their logo contest! Go to
http://www.iowalibraryassociation.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=9 and click on “entries to date".

Think you can top 'em? Hurry, you have through this Friday, July 20, to submit an entry. Remember, this contest is open to all, and prize information can be found here.

Good Luck!

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Thanks to SWILSA, you can now go and customize your library's very own bookmarks! Print them off on whatever kind of paper you want right from your desk top - free!

http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/archive/2007/07/aug07bk

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Have a game night!

Summer's been a busy time for our Playstation 2 Game Kits, but they'll be coming available again after August 1st (coming soon: the Nintendo Wii!) This is a great way to attract youth and families to your library - even with the surge of outdoor activities summertime has to offer, it's always nice to have cooler indoor options too, right? Many of our games even promote physical activity as well as fun!

Current games (choose three with each rental) include Guitar Hero, Nascar, Dance Dance Revolution, Super Monkey Ball Adventure, Eye Toy Play 2, Eye Toy AntiGrav, Jeopardy and SingStar Rocks (more to come!) All of these are party style games, with the accessories and instructions included (Eye Toy cameras, a driving wheel and pedals, guitar, dance pad, etc.) and can even be projected onto a larger screen, wall or blanket. An additional system can also be rented (if available) for an extra $5.

Use our online registration form to reserve your kit - it's easy and only takes a couple of minutes!You'll get a confirmation email right after so you can start advertising immediately. The only cost to you is a $5 fee per night (or day). You are also responsible for shipping, however, in most cases we've been able to pick up and drop off when in the area - feel free to call before reserving to check.

Sold on the idea, but wondering when to have it and how to make it work for you? Try these out:

-School breaks or in-service days

-Teen Reading Week (October 14-20)
-An end of summer/back to school event

...The possibilities are endless, and all are a great way to get people into your library to see what else you can offer them during the year! Call Amanda Wright with any questions or for other suggestions.

As most of you know this year’s All Iowa Reads selection was Splendid Solution by Jeffrey Kluger. If you have a book club that would like to read and discuss this book, our set (20, a couple on CD as well) will be available in September through the remainder of the year. You can read more about the book and also get suggestions for your book club by going here:

http://www.iowacenterforthebook.org/air

Call or email Amanda Wright to reserve the set!

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Disney Minnie Grants Available to Support Youth Service Projects

Deadline: August 30, 2007

The Walt Disney Company (
http://www.disney.com/ ) and Youth Service America ( http://www.ysa.org/ ) have announced grants of up to $500 each to support youth-led service projects. These grants support youth (ages 5-14) in planning and implementing service projects in their community. Teachers, older youth (15-25), youth-leaders, and youth-serving organizations are also eligible to apply, provided that they that engage younger youth (5-14) in planning and implementing the service. Service projects must take place between October 1 and November 26, 2007. Projects can address themes such as the environment, disaster relief, public health and awareness, community education, hunger, literacy, or any issue that youth identify as a community need.

http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10007919/YSA

Monday, July 09, 2007

Discounted Hispanic CDs

The Hispanic Foundation of Iowa, established to further the understanding and appreciation of Hispanic and non-Hispanic cultures for one another, again invites libraries to acquire CDs representing the best of Latin American traditional and contemporary music, performed by Latin ensembles based in Iowa.

All of the CDs listed below are high-quality recordings, appropriate and enjoyable for all.

You may listen to audio samples of most of these recordings on http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/ld/discounts/www.callesur.com - click on "Recordings." But please don't order from that web site, as the price is significantly higher than the special price we're offering to Iowa and nationwide libraries via this e-mail.

Available for purchase this year:

"La Voz Del Viento" by Los Llaneros
"Macapay" by Los Llaneros
"Camaraca" by La Negra Karin (this trilingual children's CD received a Parents' Choice "Recommended" Award) "Eternamente" by Las Guitarras de Mexico
"Obsesion" by Calle Sur
"Fiesta!" by Calle Sur (new this year)

CD-ROM: "Latin America Music And Culture Kit" (CD-Rom compatible with Windows and Mac) - a comprehensive, multi-media, multi-disciplinary CD-Rom on Latin American cultures, music, folk art, plays, and geography for levels K-12. It also contains a section on how to make and play South American panpipes. Supported in part by the Iowa Arts Council, now distributed also by Scholastic, Inc.

CDs are $11 each (including shipping and handling), and the CD-Rom is $20 (as opposed to $39, which is the official price). Purchase orders may be faxed and addressed to our partner, Artes Latinas, at (641)236-8530, or e-mailed to music@la-tc.com

For any question, contact Karin Stein, The Hispanic Foundation of Iowa

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Pathways Within Offers Book Donation Program for Small and Rural Communities

Deadline: October 15 and March 15

The Pathways Within (
http://pwirtr.org/) Roads to Reading Initiative Bi-Annual Program donates books annually to literacy programs in small and rural low-income communities. The initiative makes book donations to school, after-school, summer, community, day-care, and library reading and literacy programs. The applicant program must have at least a six-month history; have a tutoring component or a strong focus on remedial reading in a structured environment; hold meetings over a period of time; and be continually and consistently under the direct supervision of professionals, para-professionals, or volunteers.

http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10007859/pwirtr

Monday, July 02, 2007



The SLS Board of Trustees would like to invite library staff and trustees to apply for 2 all expenses paid scholarships to the ILA Annual Conference in Coralville on October 10-12. Funding will be provided for travel, lodging, and conference registration. Winners will be announced on August 13 via discussion list and our web site, also notified by email.

One scholarship is available to staff serving children from birth through age 6 directly, regardless of your official title. The other scholarship will be awarded at-large, with no particular eligibility requirements (other than serving in a library either as paid staff or as a Trustee).

Please follow the link to the scholarship application. Both scholarships will use the same survey for accepting applications.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=aNwAJmzQqQNdFrCf0sZQig_3d_3d

Apply soon - applications are due by August 2nd!


In observance of the July 4th holiday, Southeastern Library Services' office will be closed. Normal business hours will resume on Thursday, July 5th.