Southeastern Library Services' office will also be closed Monday, December 31st and Tuesday, January 1st. We will resume regular business hours on Wednesday, January 2nd. See you in the New Year!

Professional Book of the Week

Title: Digital Preservation
Editors: Marilyn Deegan and Simon Tanner

Summary:
With the advancement of technology, the preservation option of digitization is becoming more and more affordable. It’s also an area that can be tricky to navigate. Deegan and Tanner have compiled an excellent set of essays and case studies to introduce the benefits, drawbacks, and logistics of digital preservation. One of the highlights of this book is the glossary of terms and abbreviations which is included in the introductory material.

As always, this book is available from SLS through interlibrary loan.

Southeastern Library Services' office will be closed Monday, December 24th and Tuesday, December 25th for Christmas. We will resume regular business hours on Wednesday, December 26th. We wish you all a very safe and happy holiday!

Professional Book of the Week

Title: Web 2.0 and Libraries: Best Practices for Social Software
Author: Michael Stephens

Summary:
This slim volume (an issue of Library Technology Reports) covers the use of social software applications in libraries. Real life examples are included, as well as discussion on the positives and negatives of each service. Five prominent services, blogs, RSS feeds, instant messenging, wikis and Flickr – a photosharing service, are highlighted as well as general information regarding “Web 2.0” and libraries and marketing services both internally and externally. For those interested in dipping your toes in the water of “Library 2.0” services, this is a great introduction.

Grant opportunity: Teen Tech Week

Looking to put on a great program for Teen Tech Week 2008? A little short on cash? And you’re a member of YALSA? Apply for one of the 20 mini-grants sponsored by YALSA and their corporate sponsor totaling $500 per grant ($450 cash and $50 of promo materials). Applications for this judged grant are due on January 7th.

http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/teentechweek/ttw08/contests/contests.cfm

Professional Book of the Week

Title: Becoming a Fundraiser: The Principles and Practice of Library Development
Authors: Victoria Steele and Stephen D. Elder

Summary:
Another in our series of classic titles, this 1992 book is useful for those just starting to explore the world of fundraising for libraries. Topics covered include basic concepts of fundraising, building a team of core fundraisers, planning for fundraising, major gifts, coordination with Friends groups, and evaluating the value of events among others.

As always this book, along with others on fundraising, are available from the SLS through interlibrary loan.

The State Library of Iowa is seeking applicants for the position of Library Consultant. This position will coordinate statewide subscription database programs; coordinate the annual school library survey; disseminate information about grant funding for libraries; will serve as the state E-rate coordinator for Iowa public libraries.

Required: Masters degree in Library Science; a minimum of three years, full-time professional librarian experience; effective written and oral communication skills; effective training and presentation skills; the willingness and ability to learn and use new technology. Must be able to lift, carry, and set up training equipment such as computers and data projector. Must have a valid driver's license, drive a vehicle and be able to travel. Willingness to travel overnight and to work occasional evenings and weekends are also required.

Desirable: Previous consulting experience; experience evaluating and using library databases such as EBSCOhost and FirstSearch; experience with library statistical reports such as the Public Library or School Library Annual Survey; grant writing experience; familiarity with the federal E-rate program; effective written and oral communication skills; effective training and presentation skills; the willingness and ability to learn and use new technology.

Salary Minimum: $43,076

Salary Maximum: $65,540

Submit a completed Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise (DAS-HRE) application to the Iowa Department of Administrative Services, Hoover State Office Building, 1305 E Walnut, Des Moines, IA 50319-0150 or fax to (515) 281-7970 by January 7, 2007. Or apply on line at the DAS-HRE website: http://das.hre.iowa.gov/iowa.jobs.html, click on Iowa Jobs for all applicants and then Search openings and enter 3565BR as keywords. In addition to the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources (DAS-HRE) application form, please submit a cover letter, resume, and 3 current references (names, addresses, and telephone numbers) to Karen Chapman, Personnel Administrative Assistant, Iowa Department of Education, Grimes State Office Building, 400 E 14th St, Des Moines, IA 50319-0146, e-mail address education.personnel@iowa.gov by the closing date.

City of Bettendorf

Bettendorf Public Library Young Adult Librarian – Information Librarian Open Position

The Bettendorf Public Library is looking for an innovative and energetic librarian passionate about providing outstanding service to teens. This position includes 28 hours/week in Youth Services Department and 12 hours per week in the Information Services Department. Responsibilities include: performing all aspects of young adult library service from collection development to outreach and including programming, answering reference questions and readers’ advisory requests for children, teens and adults, instructing patrons in the use of Library Resources, selecting music for teens and adults, recruiting and training teen volunteers, assisting with Children’s Programming when needed.

Requirements are: Master’s in Library Science from an ALA accredited school with 2-4 years of progressively more responsible work in a public library setting, professional experience in a young adult library setting is preferred, working knowledge of Microsoft Office products, webpage construction and social networking sites, internet and library databases.

This is a full time position with the Bettendorf Public Library in the City of Bettendorf. Hours include some nights and alternate weekends. Starting salary is $19.3911 per hour ($40,333.48 annually). Interested applicants can pick up applications at the following location: City Hall 1609 State Street Bettendorf, IA 52722 Applicants may also print an application off the website at http://www.bettendorf.org/. Applicants must include a completed application and resume for this position. Deadline for applications is Friday, December 14, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. All applications must be returned to Bettendorf City Hall.

Book A Month (BAM) Challenge!

Some of you may know Katie is really involved in readers’ advisory projects. Her latest one is the Book A Month (BAM) Challenge. In 2008 and beyond, participants will be challenged to read one book of their choice relating to that month’s theme. Participants are requested to post a review of the book they read to their own blog or website and post a link in the comments section of the challenge. For those without a blog or website, full reviews are welcome in the comments.

http://bamchallenge.wordpress.com/

Professional Book of the Week

Title: Managing the Reference Collection
Author: Christopher W. Nolan

Summary:
This 1999 book is a nice basic overview of concepts to consider when evaluating and maintaining a reference collection. Highlights include selection tips, collection development policy, practical procedures and advice for those with lean budgets.

Local Government Managers and Public Libraries: Partners for a Better Community

The Public Library Association (PLA) is working in conjunction with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) to inform PLA members about the ICMA's Local Government and Public Libraries Partnership Initiative, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. As part of this ongoing initiative, ICMA has formed an advisory committee to explore the role of city and county managers as advocates for libraries and how libraries relate to quality of life and community sustainability.

Available on the ICMA Web site in the Reports and Resources section, the ICMA Management Perspective, Local Government Managers and Public Libraries: Partners for a Better Community, is an executive brief that has been sent to all local government managers along with a suggestion that they use the Management Perspective as a focus for discussion with their librarian.

The Management Perspective recognizes the vital role that libraries play in communities and covers the city or county manager's role in supporting libraries through strategic planning, funding, public support of the library's programs, and establishing guidelines for measuring accountability. Consider using the Management Perspective to start a conversation about library advocacy with your city or county manager. PLA members can find more information about the initiative on the ICMA Web site.

10 Ways to Make Your Library Great in 2008—via Web 2.0

As you think about your resolutions for the New Year, why not resolve to make your library a great educational asset within your community? The January 16 webinar will show you how to leverage social networking tools such as del.icio.us and Librarything to enable knowledge sharing and create collections of information around professional development. Ten key themes are presented to empower library staff as well as to increase a library's value within the community.

Presented by guest speaker Ed Rossman, adult services librarian at Shaker Heights Public Library and author of Castles Against Ignorance: How to Make Libraries Great Educational Environments.

To register, visit Web Junction at http://tinyurl.com/ysrj37.

(Courtesy of WebJunction Newsletter, December 2007)