REGISTRATION INFORMATION: ANNUAL REPORT WORKDAYS

Registration for the Annual Report Workdays is now available on the CE catalog at http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/cgi-bin/cecat/. If you are interested in attending at Kalona, sign up ASAP as there are a very limited number of spaces available at that location. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Katie Dunneback, Consultant, at 800-397-0029 or kdunneback@sls.lib.ia.us. Sessions are:

Monday, September 29th
Kalona Public Library
9 am to 12 pm

Tuesday, September 30th
Great Prairie AEA – Ottumwa
9 am to 12 pm

SHE'S FAMOUS!


The August issue of American Libraries has an article on the summer flooding, including a quote by Keck (Wapello) director Llewann Bryant! http://www.ala.org/ala/alonline/currentnews/newsarchive/2008/june2008/midwestfloodjun25update.cfm for the full article.

PROFESSIONAL BOOK OF THE WEEK

Title: 101+ Greaat Ideas for Teen Library Web Sites
Author: Miranda Doyle

Summary:
There is much discussion about how today’s teenagers and kids spend much of their life on the web and how it’s vital for us a libraries to be where they are. If there is one thing you can do to be there, it is to create a section of your website that is dedicated to teens. Doyle’s book offers up a number of best practices and suggestions on what to include in such a section and is perfect skimming material for anyone looking to create a new section, or revamp one they’ve already created.

Friends Idea - Farmer’s Market Booth!

The Friends of the Oregion City (OR) Public Library have a booth at the local Farmer’s Market where they both sell books and promote library issues and services (including an upcoming levy on the ballot). Seen in the FOLUSA newsletter, July 2008.

Can’t Buy This Kind of Publicity (unless you have $290,000)

On August 10th, Bill Whitaker reported on the CBS Evening News about public library usage in a slow economy, Good Times At The Library. The segment had more than 6.4 million viewers and an estimated publicity value of more than $290,0000. You can watch it at http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml?id=4335685n?source=search_video. "In the face of rising gas and food prices, many financially strapped American families are turning to the library this summer for a fun and free alternative to heavy spending."

BOOK ON RURAL AMERICA PUBLISHED

Survival of Rural America: Small Victories and Bitter Harvests has been published by the University Press of Kansas. A must read for anyone living and working in rural and small town communities, the author uses rural Kansas as an example for how rural/small communities can become valued again as desirable places to live. The author quotes University of Missouri professor emeritus of rural sociology Daryl Hobbs who (echoing Ronald Reagan's infamous observation that, "seen one redwood, seen them all") said: "When you've seen one rural community, you have seen one rural community." SLS will order a copy of the book for the professional collection.

HomeTown Competitiveness A Come-Back/Give-Back Approach to Rural Community Building.

HomeTown Competitiveness provides a framework for rural communities to help them identify reachable goals and strategies focused on the four pillars of reversing rural decline. http://www.htccommunity.org/

On the web page at http://www.nebcommfound.org/HTC.htm, click on the video projector to watch the W. K. Kellogg Foundation 2005 Annual Report video about this project.

Rural Library Project Helps Raise Buildings

Date: Jun 1, 2008 Author: By Lynn Blumenstein

Rural Library Project Opens in GA - The small town of Whitesburg, GA, now has a public library, thanks in part to the Rural Library Project (RLP), which provided advice and an affordable, sustainable building plan... http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6561388.html

SLS Offers Stipend

The SLS Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that applications for a $400 stipend to attend the ILA Annual Conference are now being accepted through September 3. The Conference will be held in Dubuque October 15-17. Information on the Conference, including lodging, is available at http://www.iowalibraryassociation.org/displayconvention.cfm. The stipend may be used to offset any eligible Conference expense, even if the expense has already been incurred, including registration, Conference meals, hotel and mileage. The recipient will be responsible for having a great time, bringing home great ideas for their library, and completing a budget report with receipts by November 18, 2008.

The stipend is available to any staff member, Trustee or Friend. The award will be announced on Friday, September 12.

To apply, visit http://tinyurl.com/08ConferenceStipend.

DEMCO SPONSORS FUN CONTEST

Has your booktruck seen better days? Are you jealous of your coworker's shiny and dent-free companion? Then send Demco a photo and a brief description of why your booktruck needs to be replaced and why a new one would make you the envy of all librarians! Entries due September 15, three prizes to be awarded!

Visit http://www.demco.com/CGI-BIN/LANSAWEB?PROCFUN+LWDCWEB01+LWDC065+PRD+ENG+FUNCPARMS+ZZWGOTOPG(A0800):contests&POP0808 for details.

JOB OPENING IN DES MOINES

Library, IOWA DEPARTMENT FOR THE BLIND Job Posting August 25, 2008STATE OF IOWADEPARTMENT FOR THE BLINDSenior Services Specialist for the Blind 3

The Iowa Department for the Blind is recruiting applicants for thefollowing Merit-Exempt position:Supervisor Iowa Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

Supervises half of Library operations. Oversees work of 10-15 permanentand temporary employees. Oversees circulation unit, including patronservices, circulation processes, shelving, collection development andmaintenance, machine lending and maintenance activities, and theautomated circulation system for National Library for the Blind andPhysically Handicapped Regional Library. Coordinates unit activitieswith other library and agency activities.

Bachelor's degree required; Masters in Library and Information Scienceor related field preferred. Three years of supervisory experience orproject management preferred.

SALARY RANGE - Plan 000 - Grade 32: $50,377.60 - $77,896.00 annually.

HOURS: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Travel required.

LOCATION: Iowa Department for the Blind 524 Fourth Street Des Moines, Iowa 50309-2364

For further information, contact Karen A. Keninger, ProgramAdministrator at (515) 281-1367 or karen.keninger@blind.state.ia.us. Toapply, please send a letter of application and resume to:Allen Harris, Director Iowa Department for the Blind524 Fourth StreetDes Moines, IA 50309Allen.harris@blind.state.ia.us Electronic submissions will be accepted. Applications must be receivedby 5:00 p.m. On Friday, September 12, 2008.

EEO/AA EMPLOYER

FUN SCIENCE RESOURCE

Videos on elements arranged according to the Periodic Table. The videos were made by the staff and faculty at the University of Nottingham:

http://periodicvideos.com/

SEPTEMBER STAND-OUTS

September is fast approaching, which means it’s time for Library Card Sign Up Month and Banned Books Week.

ALA provides toolkits with many free print outs and great ideas for ways to promote your library and your collection.

The Library Card Sign Up Month article with links to the toolkit and other information can be found at http://www.ala.org/ala/pressreleases2008/august2008/CampaignLCSUM.cfm.

The Banned Books Week information can be found at http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bannedbooksweek.cfm.

If your library is, or has done, some great displays, events, promotions, etc., for either of these topics, share it with us on this list!

JOB OPENING IN KALONA

The Kalona Public Library, located just 20 miles south of Iowa City, is seeking a responsible, well-organized and creative person for the position of Youth Services Librarian. Working full time in a newer facility, job responsibilities include planning and supervising programs, assisting in collection development and web site design, and performing library related duties. The successful candidate will have a high school diploma, experience working in a library, experience working with children, and have extensive computer skills. A college degree and knowledge of children's literature preferred. Benefits included. Contact: Anne Skaden, Director, Kalona Public Library, PO Box 1212, Kalona, IA 52247-1212 Call (319) 656-3501 or e-mail kaloplib@kctc.net for more information. Deadline: September 3.

TIDBIT

"Work that library card. And keeping it working. Early on, we recognized how many young adults were not accessing library services after their borrowing privileges had been suspended because of fees owed. Queens Library began the Read Down Your Fees program...for those sixteen and under. For every hour they read in the library, $2 is deducted from their account balance. We don't care what they read -- graphic novels, school assignments, Web pages -- but they have to read."

In addition, the library trained the staff to recognize that everybody serves youth, created a friendly environment and engaged young adults with programming.

>From "Flipping It: How Queens Library Is Turning "Gangs" of Teens into
Its Biggest Success Story," Voya: Voice of Youth Advocates (June 2008).

SLS Offers September CE Line-up

Getting back into the groove of things once Summer Reading Programs have ended and school is back in session can be a bit daunting, can’t it? We’ve got a light schedule this month, but they’ll definitely get you ready to go for our jam-packed months of October and November.

LEARN HOW TO LEARN ONLINE
CE Units: 1

If you’re thinking of taking advantage of any of our upcoming online courses, and you have not taken an online class in the past, sign up for this great introductory session to get your feet wet.

Tuesday, September 9th
2 pm to 3 pm
SLS Wimba room

MYSPACE AND MORE
CE Units: 2

This class gives an overview of the social networking phenomenon and Web 2.0 tools. Learn about the appeal behind such services as MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and other services.

Wednesday, September 17th
10 am to 12 pm
SLS Wimba room

Thursday, September 25th
1 pm to 3 pm
SLS Wimba room

STATE LIBRARY TOWN MEETING: THE ENGAGED LIBRARY: GETTING TO KNOW YOUR COMMUNITY
CE Units: 4

Annual town meeting sponsored by the State Library of Iowa. Hosted this year by the East Central Library Service Area (ECLSA).

Tuesday, September 23rd
9:30 am to 3 pm
Iowa City Public Library
$15/person registration fee – payable to ECLSA

ANNUAL REPORT WORKDAY
CE Units: 0

Take some time out of your busy schedules to get your annual report done, or at least get a head start on it! SLS staff members will be on hand to help you work through the online submission form.

Monday, September 29th
9 am to 12 pm
Kalona Public Library

Tuesday, September 30th
9 am to 12 pm
Great Prairie AEA – Ottumwa

As always, registration is available through the State Library of Iowa’s CE Catalog at http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/cgi-bin/cecat/. Contact Katie Dunneback at kdunneback@sls.lib.ia.us if you have any questions.

PROFESSIONAL BOOK OF THE WEEK

Title: Library 2.0: A Guide to Participatory Library Service
Author: Michael E. Casey and Laura C. Savastinuk

Summary:
This book isn’t an overview of tools to be used in “library 2.0” (though there is some of that), it’s an explanation of what it means to provide library 2.0 service. If you are looking for ways to expand your library’s service mission and the reasoning behind choosing certain avenues over others, read through this clear explanation of how to take your library to the next level.

TOWN MEETING SIGN-UP

For those who are considering going to the Town Meetings this year, the registration period is open. Learn more about what will be discussed at the State Library of Iowa’s website: http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/archive/2008/aug08/tm08. Also, if you are going, the registration fee needs to be sent to the East Central LSA and *not* our office. Please let us know if you have any questions!

From EDGAR to IDEA

For the reference librarians among us, if you deal with investor information at all, be aware that the Securities and Exchange Commission will be moving away from their current database, EDGAR, to a new service called Interactive Data Electronic Applications (IDEA). More information can be found here:

http://www.sec.gov/news/press/2008/2008-179.htm.

WILTON RECEIVES VISION IOWA AWARD

Wilton Library Commmunity Center was awarded $450,000 from Vision Iowa contingent upon us raising another $450,000 in 120 days. Congratulation to them! For donation or other information, contact Sharon Bowers, Director, at wplstaff@netwtc.net.

PROFESSIONAL BOOK OF THE WEEK

Title: Teaching the Internet in Libraries
Author: Rachel Singer Gordon

Summary:
One of the most intimidating resources the library offers is computer and internet access. It’s also one of the hardest resources to teach due to varying experience and fear levels among your students. This book gives an overview of things to consider when developing classes on the internet as well as resources and techniques you can use as examples.

ADVANCED READER COPIES

Some people asked in the RA Recap classes that Katie did how you go about getting Advanced Reader/Review Copies (or ARCs). There are a lot of different ways, but Talia Ross, Library Marketing Specialist at Macmillan would be happy to put you on her list so she can clear out her office.

http://www.unshelved.com/blog.aspx?post=1128

Macmillan includes the following fiction publishers/imprints:

Farrar, Straus & Giroux
Palgrave Macmillan
Picador
St. Martin’s Press
and Tor/Forge

WHAT SELLS?

For those of you who may be interested in hearing what books editors think are going to be their big sellers this fall and winter, you can join in the live discussions from September 16th through the 25th. Advanced registration is required:

https://publishers.webex.com/mw0305l/mywebex/default.do?siteurl=publishers

PROFESSIONAL BOOK OF THE WEEK

To mix things up a little, here is a list of books we have which are completely about or include sections on personnel issues. If you are looking to put together personnel policies, do staff evaluations, encourage on-going staff development, or are even thinking about hiring some new staff, these books include many resources on the topic. Don’t forget to also check the State Library of Iowa’s professional collection for even more books on the subject.

+ The Complete Guide to Performance Standards for Library Personnel by Carol F. Goodson
+ Evaluating Library Staff: A Performance Appraisal System by Patricia Belcastro
+ Human Resources for Results by Jeanne Goodrich and Paula M. Singer
+ The Personnel Manual: An Outline for Libraries by Charles E. Kratz and Valerie A. Platz
+ Running a Small Library edited by John A. Moorman
+ Successful Staff Development by Marcia Trotta
+ Staff Development: A Practical Guide by Elizabeth Fuseler Avery, et. al.
+ Staffing for Results by Diane Mayo and Jeanne Goodrich

Why are Libraries Essential?

"Library Journal’s" July, 2008 article reminds us why we do what we do. http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6573334.html

Trade Version of Rowling's "The Tales of Beedle the Bard" Coming

J K Rowling's TALES OF BEEDLE THE BARD--the book of wizarding folk tales referred to in the Deathly Hallows se she wrote by hand and illustrated herself, producing only seven copies, one which was bought at auction by Amazon for $4 million--will be issued in a trade edition after all, on December 4. Rowling will also add "notes by Professor Albus Dumbledore, which appear by generous permission of the Hogwarts Headmasters' Archive."Amazon will produce up to 100,000 facsimile "collector's editions" (at $100/50 pounds) and Scholastic and Bloomsbury will print and distribute trade editions--all on behalf of the Children's High Level Group, a charity co-founded by Rowling to help children suffering in institutions. (CHLG is technically the publisher.)The charitable group will receive all "net proceeds," estimated in the release to be about $8 million. Though in a quote from Rowling, she says the charity will receive the "royalties." (Note that Amazon's edition alone would gross $10 million....).Rowling says in the announcement: "There was understandable disappointment among Harry Potter fans when only one copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard was offered to the public last December. I am therefore delighted to announce that, thanks to the generous support of Bloomsbury, Scholastic and Amazon (who bought the handwritten copy at auction) - and with the blessing of the wonderful people who own the other six original books - The Tales of Beedle the Bard will now be widely available to all Harry Potter fans." The book will be available for pre-order from Amazon, with a release date of December 4th, 2008.