Hooray for West Liberty and Mt. Pleasant Public Libraries! They a have selected New Planning for Results for their long range planning needs, with SLS serving as facilitator for the process. NPFR provides the library with a long range plan that is responsive to their community because the plan’s core component is actually chosen by a committee of community stakeholders. With new service responses available, the new plans will reflect their communities as they change and grow, and give Directors and Boards direction as they prioritize their budgets.

CE Jamboree!

C.E. Jamboree is a 2-day event (May 8th & 9th) similar to a mini-conference, sponsored by the Northwest Library Service Area offering a series of breakout sessions. The day begins with a large group general session highlighting NWILS Special Project Consulting Service. Then participants are free to choose from among 3 breakout sessions in the morning, followed by 3 different breakout sessions in the afternoon. This year's topics include podcasting, youth services blogs, kids & gaming, murder mystery programs, managing the 1-2 person library, and excel spreadsheets.

Check out the State CE catalog for location and registration information!

All Iowa Reads (Iowa Center for the Book/State Library) has received a grant from the Carver Foundation to fund a project manager and transcribers to collect and transcribe up to fifty oral history stories as part of this year's All Iowa Reads. They hope to identify some good candidates for official interviews from stories people are leaving at the special website:www.iowapoliostories.org, but will also accept names and contact information of people you think may have important stories to share, but who cannot contribute through the website. Timing is important because they want to begin work this summer on the oral history project.

What you can do:

1. Promote the website and people sharing their polio stories. This doesn't have to be limited to your discussion of this year's book, Splendid Solution. Make bookmarks (master available on the website) to have available in your library and distribute in your community -- some are taking them to local Rotary Clubs (Rotary has had an international effort to eradicate polio). Promote wherever you have the chance to speak in the next few months. They hope that we can have at least 500 stories by the end of the year, most of them before August 1. There are great stories out there and you are the foot soldiers who need to round them up!

2. Offer to help people uncomfortable with the web environment by accepting a written version of their story and passing it on to Katherine VonWald. Or if you have time, enter their story for them on the website.

3. Pass on names and contact information of people who you know of who may have very compelling stories to Katherine Von Wald.

Ten Tech Trends for Librarians 2007

Michael Stevens says...

I wanted this post to be out on the day I spoke at the Ontario Library Association with Amanda Etches-Johnson and John Blyberg at the OLITA Top Tech Trends panel, but my dissertation, teaching and life intervene. Each year about this time, TTW looks at "Ten Techie Things for Librarians." You'll find 2006 and 2005 in the archives. So here's this year's list, with a new name: "Trends" instead of "Things." Sure it puts a finer point on it but it also recognizes the changes in my thinking about the essential duties of librarians:


Learn to Learn
Adapt to Change
Scan the Horizon


As we carry out or essential mission of service, stewardship and access, I really want folks in libraries to be able to watch the horizon for trends -- and I told the group that in Toronto: "We can all be trendspotters. We can all watch for trends that impact not only the profession but our specfic communities and user groups." Please ponder these and let me know what you think.



(SLS NOTE: The above entry was taken from Michael's blog. The things on Michael's list include conversations, convergence, content, redefining LIS jobs, citizen journalism, 'we're human', openess & sharing, participation and experience. To read more in depth about these-go to http://tametheweb.com/)

If you’re interested in learning and talking about “Library 2.0” technologies, there’s a new social network specifically for you. Started by Bill Drew http://babyboomerlibrarian.blogspot.com, the Library 2.0 network http://library20.ning.com on Ning http://www.ning.com has seen a lot of discussion in the two weeks since it started-be sure to check it out!

Interested in the new advocacy video from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation?

Go to the URL below for directions to obtaining this free resource for use with recruitment of potential donors, and for sharing with your library patrons, and other stakeholders, etc.

http://www.gatesfoundation.org/UnitedStates/USLibraryProgram/RelatedInfo/Communicating Value.htm

Bookapalooza!


The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), is pleased to announce that applications now are being accepted for its new Bookapalooza Program. The program will offer select libraries a collection of materials that will help transform their collection and provide the opportunity for these materials to be used in their community in creative and innovative ways. The program aligns with ALSCs core purpose of creating a better future for all children through libraries.

The deadline for receipt of applications is April 15, 2007. Each year the ALSC office receives almost 3,000 newly published books, videos, audiobooks, and recordings from childrens trade publishers. The materials are primarily for children age birth through 14 and are submitted to ALSC award and media evaluation selection committees for award and notables consideration. The Bookapalooza Program was created to find new homes for these materials once the award and notables selection process is completed for the year.

ALSC will select three libraries to receive a Bookapalooza collection of materials, published in 2006, to be used in a way that creatively enhances each librarys service to children and families. For the pilot year, libraries must be located in the United States and the applicant must be a personal member of ALSC.Details and applications are available on the ALSC Web site at http://www.ala.org/alsc, click on "Awards and Scholarships." The ALSC Executive Committee will review applications. Winners will be notified by May 1, 2007.

The Association for Library Service to Children is a network of more than 4,000 children's and youth librarians, children's literature experts, publishers, education and library school faculty members, and other adults committed to improving and ensuring the future of the nation through exemplary library service to children, their families, and others who work with children.

Mark your calendar...


...for Jazz on the Bluff, a benefit for the LeClaire Community Library. 100% off the funds raised will go directly to supporting and promoting the Library, thanks to a grant from the LeClaire Tourism Board. Enjoy a scenic view of the Mississippi River while listening to great jazz and enjoying wonderful food and beverages with friends and neighbors!


Friday, April 13, 2007, 6:00 - 8:30 P.M. at the Mississippi Valley Welcome Center, 900 Eagle Ridge Road in LeClaire, Iowa.

Featuring:Live jazz from Ron Madow’s High Society Jazz Quintet, Wine tasting from Tabor Winery, basket raffle, and desserts and hors d'oeuvres from local businesses.

Tickets:Minimum donation is $15 per person. To buy tickets in advance, go to the Welcome Center, online at www.leclairelibrary.org or several shops in downtown LeClaire.

Information:Visit www.leclairelibrary.org or call (563) 505-6703.

Donations:If you would like to donate money or raffle items to the event, please contact Chris Cournoyer at 505-6703.


Presented by the Friends of the LeClaire Community Library

Jobs in SE Iowa

Bettendorf Public Library
Substitute Information Librarian
Starting Wage - $18.6006 per hour

The Bettendorf Public Library is seeking a librarian with a Masters Degree and experience in Reference to serve as a substitute when regular staff is unavailable. Good interpersonal and computer skills required as well as familiarity with database searching. The hours for this position will vary and are only occasional. Hours are often on an evening or weekend. Applications available at the library, at Bettendorf City Hall and at http://www.bettendorf.org/employment/application.pdf

Submit applications to Human Resources, Bettendorf City Hall, 1609 State Street, Bettendorf, Iowa 52722.

Are you looking to add to your science collection? Here is Library Journal’s list of the Best Science Books of 2006, along with a list of prize-winning science books:

http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6417288.html