If you have an account on the CE catalog, please take the time to make sure you update your profile as needed, even if you're not a frequent attendee of workshops. If your library's email address or perhaps the best way you listed to contact you has changed, it is important to make sure that we know. The information provided in that profile is used for reminders, questions about the event to notify you in the event of cancellations. We'd hate for you to miss out on important information-update today!

Professional Book of the Week

Title: Checklist of Library Building Design Considerations
Author: William W. Sannwald

Summary:
With very little narrative text, this book may not seem the gold mine that it is. From site selection to dedication ceremonies, the chapters in this book walk you through the many considerations which need to be thought of when building a new library, or even renovating/adding on to an existing structure. Set up in workbook format, you can easily work through the sections one at a time. While the book does not fully address funding issues, working through the book will help you plan for addressing questions you will receive during the funding process.

Are you interested in attending the PLA Conference in Minneapolis March 26 through 29? Worried about your continuing education budget?

The Board of Trustees of Southeastern Library Services believes that all library staff and trustees should have opportunities to learn, grow and bring new ideas and excitement to our local libraries. One of the best ways to do that is to attend conferences, both local and national. The PLA Conference is held bi-annually and moves across the country much like other national conferences. It is not often held in our “neighborhood”!

To help our libraries be the best they can be, the SLS Trustees invite you to apply for financial assistance to attend the conference. We are offering two full scholarships and three $400 stipends. Full scholarships will require attendance at the full conference (March 26 through 29) and traveling via one of our chartered buses. Stipends may be used to offset costs and do not require traveling via charter bus or staying for the entire conference.

To apply for a scholarship and/or stipend, please visit http://tinyurl.com/2nkctb.

Deadline to apply is October 31, 2007 by midnight. Winners will be announced in November via listserv and the SLS blog. Please let us know if you experience technical difficulties in the process.

Professional Book of the Week

Title: The New OPL Sourcebook: A Guide for Solo and Small Libraries
Author: Judith A. Siess

Summary:
Siess grew to fame with the One Person Library Newsletter when she took it over in 1998. In 2001, she compiled the first edition of The OPL Sourcebook and it instantly became a "must have" book for professional collections. This expanded and revised edition is broken into two main sections: “The Basics” and “Resources”. “The Basics” includes discussions on what constitutes an OPL, general management concepts, time management, financial management, communication and marketing, technology, the future of the one person library, and a host of other topics. The resources section is broken into topic areas such as business, medical, government, technology, humanities, law and copyright, “libraryland”, and the sciences. This book is specifically written for libraries of a certain size without regard to general focus area (public, academic, special).

Available from the SLS office through Interlibrary Loan.

Music Video Takes on Social Networking

David Lee King, Digital Branch and Services Manager at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library in Kansas, has created a music video about social Networking. David regularly sets his current interests to song, and his latest offering is “Social Digital Global Shift”, available at Blip.TV.

Fair Pay for Library Directors is the State Library's fall workshop for trustees. It will be held over the ICN on Thursday, November 8, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Presenters are Mary Wegner and Sandy Dixon, State Library and Karen Burns, Southwest Iowa Library Service Area.

For ICN locations, registration and handouts, go to http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/cgi-bin/cecat/

Description: Too often the work of library directors is not understood, is undervalued and is not compensated fairly. In other words, many library directors receive lower pay than other employees who do comparable work. In this session we will discuss why fair pay is important and what the library board can do to address this issue.

As you may have heard, Southeastern, East Central, Northeast and North Central LSA offices have coordinated an exciting opportunity to travel in style and good company to the March 2008 PLA Conference in Minneapolis. There are two general routes planned, one to start in Burlington and the other in Ottumwa and work their way north along two routes. At this time no stops are guaranteed and we will be working with the bus company to determine the most efficient routes based on the home locations of our passengers. The buses will arrive in time for opening session on Wednesday, March 26 and return following the closing session on Saturday, March 29. Round trip fare will be $76.

Don’t miss this chance to relax, watch movies, and chat with fellow librarians on your way to Minneapolis! Registration must be no later than February 1 through the State Library CE catalog at http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/cgi-bin/cecat/. Browse by date into March and you’ll see the bus trips listed at the bottom. Cancellations must also be received by that date to avoid being charged.

We anticipate that this will be a fairly popular trip, so please register as early as possible to be sure you have a seat and a convenient pick up location!

Professional Book of the Week

Title: Human Resources For Results
Author: Jeanne Goodrich and Paula M. Singer

Summary:
If the saying “you’re only as good as the people you manage” is true, we need to make sure we’re hiring the best people possible to provide the best service possible to library users. But what if you’re new to a management position, new to an institution, or have just had some bad luck in the past? This book, as part of the “For Results” series, lays out a number of best practices to guide you through developing a top notch library staff. Topics covered include: job descriptions, interviews, testing of applicants, staff position realignments, and many other human resources issues.

As always, this book is available for lending through Interlibrary Loan from the SLS office.

Back in April, we posted about an intriguing video called “The Machine is Us/ing Us”. The Digital Ethnography group at Kansas State University is exploring what it means to be living our lives online. Their latest offering is “Information R/evolution”. This one, even more so than Machine, strikes at what it means to be an information professional in today’s digital world. As we move forward in providing services to our users, we need to think about, and understand, the underlying concepts of our profession and how we can adapt those to be relevant resources far into the future. For more Digital Ethnography fun, check out another video of theirs, “A Vision of Students Today”.

In May, 2007, Pulitzer-winning author Marilynne Robinson, author of the "All Iowa Reads" 2006 selection GILEAD, spent an afternoon reading from and discussing her books with offenders in the Mt. Pleasant Correctional Facility Library. The event was so well-received by offenders that fine arts/humanities programming has become integral to that library's services.

This October, the Mt. Pleasant Pleasant Correctional Facility was awarded a Humanities Iowa mini-grant to have Iowa poet John D. Thompson give a reading of 99 Voices, 99 Lives: the County Poems of Iowa for an audience of 36 offenders. Mr. Thompson discussed the writing process, answered questions about his county poems project, and shared stories about his visits to the home counties of many participants.

The next project they will undertake is a series of three 10-week writing explorations conducted by a local volunteer writer. Approximately two dozen men will study the fundamentals of creative writing (grammar and style), then forms of poetry, and short story studies.

The book named by the ALL IOWA READS committee for 2008 is…Digging to America by Anne Tyler. The title was announced at the Iowa Library Association Conference last week in Coralville. Digging to America was published in 2006; this review comes from Publisher’s Weekly:

"…Tyler (Breathing Lessons) encompasses the collision of cultures without losing her sharp focus on the daily dramas of modern family life in her 17th novel. When Bitsy and Brad Donaldson and Sami and Ziba Yazdan both adopt Korean infant girls, their chance encounter at the Baltimore airport the day their daughters arrive marks the start of a long, intense if sometimes awkward friendship. Sami's mother, Maryam Yazdan, who carefully preserves her exotic 'outsiderness' despite having emigrated from Iran almost 40 years earlier, is frequently perplexed by her son and daughter-in-law's ongoing relationship with the loud, opinionated, unapologetically American Donaldsons. When Bitsy's recently widowed father, Dave, endearingly falls in love with Maryam, she must come to terms with what it means to be part of a culture and a country. Stretching from the babies' arrival in 1997 until 2004, the novel is punctuated by each year's Arrival Party, a tradition manufactured and comically upheld by Bitsy; the annual festivities gradually reveal the families' evolving connections. Though the novel's perspective shifts among characters, Maryam is at the narrative and emotional heart of the touching, humorous story, as she reluctantly realizes that there may be a place in her heart for new friends, new loves and her new country after all…"

Like past years, LSA offices can expect to receive a shipment of multiple copies to loan for library-sponsored book discussions. Our copies usually arrive in January and by then, you’ll also find discussion questions and publicity materials to use for your book clubs. In the meantime, be sure to check the Iowa Center for the Book website for news and updates:

http://www.iowacenterforthebook.org/

ILA Conference



Brenda Kremer, Director of Eldon Public Library (one of the SLS ILA Scholarship winners)


SLS Board (and Oskaloosa PL staff) member Paulette Groet


(From left) Llewann Bryant, Director of Keck Memorial Library, Kim Earnest, Director of Mediapolis Public Library, and Rhonda Frevert, Director of Burlington Public Library


Oskaloosa Public Library Staff playing Dance Dance Revolution


SLS's own consultant, Katie Dunneback, getting in on the DDR action!

The warm weather’s come to an end and the holidays will be here before you know it. Why not consider a game night to keep kids busy when school’s not in session? We have many dates available and now are pleased to offer you a new Nintendo Wii system in addition to our existing PlayStation 2 systems for rental. Game nights are a great way to attract youth and families to your library to show them everything you have to offer-plus it keeps kids entertained and active (many of our games require you to really get moving to play!)

Current PS2 games (choose up to 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!) Wii games include: Dance Dance Revolution, WiiPlay, WiiSports, Wario Ware: Smooth Moves and Super Monkey Ball Banana Blitz. All of these are party style games, with the accessories and instructions included (Eye Toy cameras, driving wheel and pedals, guitar, dance pad, etc.) and have projection capabilities. 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 takes only a couple of minutes! You'll get confirmation right away so you can start advertising immediately. The only cost to you is a $5 fee. You are also responsible for shipping, however, in some cases we've been able to pick up/drop off when in the area – call before reserving to check.

Read more about our service and the games we offer by visiting: http://www.sls.lib.ia.us/sls-services/gamenights. Contact Amanda Wright with any questions.

As most of you know this year’s All Iowa Reads selection (2007) 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) is still available 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!

BETTENDORF PUBLIC LIBRARY INFORMATION CENTER
ADULT SERVICES MANAGER POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Innovative, proactive and experienced librarian sought for Adult Services Manager at Bettendorf Public Library Information Center (www.bettendorflibrary.com). MLS in Library Science and 3 years supervisory experience in a public library, or equivalent, required. Supervises Information and Adult Services including selection, programming, reference, web site, public computers, ICN, patron training, volunteers and outreach. Adult Services staff has 2.78 FTE and Information Services has 3.46 FTE. Send cover letter, resume, city application and references to: Human Resources Director, 1609 State Street, Bettendorf,Iowa, 52722. Application available at www.bettendorf.org Close October 12 at 4:00 p.m.

Be one of the first 20 libraries in Southeast to take an online class through SLS and get a free microphone headset for your library!

Online classes currently eligible for offer:

LEARN HOW TO LEARN ONLINE - 1 CE credit
November 1st – 11 am to noon
November 14th – 2 to 3 pm
December 5th – 11 am to noon
December 14th – 2 to 3 pm

LET’S 2.0: LIBRARYTHING - 1 CE credit
November 27th – 11 am to noon

MYSPACE AND MORE - 2 CE credits
December 11th – 1 to 3 pm

This offer is limited to libraries in the SLS region, one headset will be provided per library. If you are interested in taking one of our online courses, and you’ve never taken a live online course before, we strongly encourage you to sign up for Learn How to Learn Online. Don't hesitate to call the office with any questions.

Sign up today at the State Library CE catalog: http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/cgi-bin/cecat/index.cgi! Headsets are going fast!

Learning Idea: Hone Your Communication Skills – Free to Iowa WebJunction members!

The ability to communicate effectively is an important skill in any profession—even more so for the librarian. Whether it is a presentation for the library board, writing a grant proposal, or just getting along with co-workers, improving your communications will enhance your career in the library. The University of North Texas offers a suite (or "Z-Pack") of four courses to provide this critical training: (1) Improving Communication Skills: Presentation Skills for Librarians; (2) Improving Co-worker Relationships; (3) Grant Writing Basics; (4) Info-Age Etiquette.

Go to Course Catalog »

Dutch Librarians Touring America!

Think you’ve got some innovative services at your library? Interested in talking to Dutch librarians about how you provide those innovative services? Erik Boekesteijn and Jaap van de Geer, of the Delft Public Library are touring the United States starting next week. According to their current itinerary (posted on The Shifted Librarian), it looks like they plan to take I-80 across Iowa. If you’re interested in talking to them, learn more at the Shanachie Tour website.

Are you interested in attending the PLA Conference in Minneapolis March 26 through 29? Worried about your continuing education budget?

The Board of Trustees of Southeastern Library Services believes that all library staff and trustees should have opportunities to learn, grow and bring new ideas and excitement to our local libraries. One of the best ways to do that is to attend conferences, both local and national. The PLA Conference is held bi-annually and moves across the country much like other national conferences. It is not often held in our “neighborhood”!

To help our libraries be the best they can be, the SLS Trustees invite you to apply for financial assistance to attend the conference. We are offering two full scholarships and three $400 stipends. Full scholarships will require attendance at the full conference (March 26 through 29) and traveling via one of our chartered buses. Stipends may be used to offset costs and do not require traveling via charter bus or staying for the entire conference.

To apply for a scholarship and/or stipend, please visit http://tinyurl.com/2nkctb.

Deadline to apply is October 29, 2007. Winners will be announced in November via listserv and the blog. Please let us know if the link or survey have technical difficulties.

Time to Order Iowa Tax forms for Tax Year 2007

You may already be using the Iowa Department of Revenue bulk order form Web site. If you haven't, consider it! (If you already use this system and have a UserID and Password, please use the same UserID/Password to order 2007 tax forms. Please do not create a new account, as this will result in a duplicate account record. If you have forgotten your UserID/Password or can't access the application, call 515-281-5370 for assistance.)

Your order must be entered by October 30, 2007, to ensure you receive your order timely. Orders submitted after this date may be delayed. Also, orders may be reduced if submitted after October 30, 2007, due to limited quantities. Tax Forms for Tax Year 2007 will start shipping in December 2007.

To access the Web site, go to https://www.idr.iowa.gov/taxforms/index.asp