Are you interested in hearing about upcoming books from horror writers? The Horror Writers Association is starting a new newsletter designed for librarians and booksellers. You can sign up through Yahoo! Groups at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hwa_dark_whispers/
or send a blank message to hwa_dark_whispers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

Online Education Journal Tackles the Use and Regulation of Social Software on the Web
From the synopsis: “While van 't Hooft agrees that technology use does raise issues involving child safety and learning distraction, he posits that the responses of many schools have not resolved these issues but have instead created additional problems regarding First Amendment rights and means of enforcement. Instead of regulating, punishing, and banning, van 't Hooft suggests that schools—and parents—should attempt to forge better relationships with children and technology in order to better educate our youngest generations for their undoubtedly digital futures.”

New free video sharing service announced – includes content from the NHL, Turner and more!
Joost, the video-on-demand program created by the founders of Skype and Kazaa, announced its commercial launch. Joost also announced a number of content offerings on Tuesday that are included in new partnerships with Turner Broadcasting System, the National Hockey League, Sports Illustrated, Hasbro and Sony Pictures Entertainment. At publication the Joost site was undergoing maintenance (or just had way too much traffic) to pull up – keep trying if you’re interested in checking it out!

In Focus Webinar:
Tools for Outreach from WebJunction

Each month the Rural Library Sustainability Project presents an hour-long webinar related to the work of sustaining Rural and Small libraries. Join us next on May 24 9:00 a.m. PT/12:00 p.m. ET, when we discuss Tool for Outreach: Best Practices from the Spanish Language Outreach Program. We'll explore the resources available on WebJunction as a part of our sister project, the Spanish Language Outreach Program, and how the tools can be applied to your planning for outreach of all kinds. Find out how to assess your community's needs, determine how successfully your library has integrated cultural awareness into your services, and, finally, learn how you can better connect to your changing community. Since April we have been using WebJunction's new web conferencing tool, Live Space for our webinars. We've updated the information on joining the webinars and will continue to post webinar archives and quick links at Rural In Focus.

Save the Date!

PLA's 12th National Conference
March 25-29, 2008 in Minneapolis, MN

Plan to attend the best conference for the public library world, the PLA National Conference! Meet with your colleagues, and take advantage of more than 100 top-quality continuing education programs, several social events, and a bustling exhibits hall. Learn why the PLA National Conference has a reputation for excellence. Preliminary schedules and registration rates are available at www.placonference.org. SLS is working on providing coach buses in partnership with ECLSA and NEILSA for the conference. We will try to have a bus leave from the Davenport area as well as one from the Fairfield or Ottumwa area.

Don't Miss...


...this season's last College of DuPage teleconference. Make sure you are registered for the final College of DuPage teleconference in the 2006-2007 season. This last broadcast in the Library Challenges and Opportunities 2007 series, "The Relevance of Libraries in a Digital Age," is scheduled for May 11. ICN sites are listed on the State Library’s continuing education catalog. BCR members can also take the sessions via webinar at their own computer by registering through BCR.

Los Angeles Times book prizes announced

The Los Angeles Times book prize ceremony was hosted by author and PBS news anchor Jim Lehrer. The awards honored books in nine categories. Each book prize awards $1,000 to the author. For more information and a brief rundown on the winners, visit http://tinyurl.com/24yug7

Get Caught!

May is Get Caught Reading Month, sponsored annually by the Association of American Publishers (AAP). They have had the support of well known figures including First Lady Laura Bush, Drew Carey, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Donald Duck, Patty Duke, Whoopi Goldberg, Billy Graham, Derek Jeter, Vernon Jordan, Jake Lloyd, Rosie O'Donnell, Dolly Parton, The Rugrats, Jane Seymour, Sammy Sosa, Spider Man, Erik Weihenmayer, and Robin Williams, who have all been "caught reading" their favorite books and magazines for print ads and posters seen by millions of people across the country. In addition, more than 200 Members of Congress have been photographed "caught reading" on Capitol Hill.

Hundreds of teachers and librarians across the U.S. have embraced the campaign. They are setting up "Get Caught Reading" corners, allocating a special time each day for leisure reading, and taking photos of students "caught reading" for classroom posters.

For free posters, tip sheets, and ideas for libraries and teachers, visit http://www.getcaughtreading.org/

CE at your computer!

Kim and Katie are nearly finished with the first of three certification courses to prepare them to become online instructors. Both are required to “teach back” a session to an instructor with a partner/producer. Watch this fall for your opportunity to actually take some online courses, including a course that will teach you how to learn online! Learn How to Learn Online focuses on allowing students to become comfortable with the online learning environment, the software that allows them to meet online, and more! Thanks to the State Library’s partnership with WebJunction, access to online classroom software has been free of charge.

Planning for Results-athon
(A Message from Kim)


Thank you to Janette McMahon, Director at West Liberty and Gayle Trede, Director at Mt. Pleasant, for your warm welcome at our first community committee meeting for New Planning for Results. Both libraries are in the middle of the planning process. Their committees have done great work (neither meeting went longer than 3 hours – a sign they came ready to get to work) and I look forward to getting back at it during our final meetings in late May and early June. If your library is looking for a way to produce a meaningful and community directed long range plan, SLS provides a free facilitator for the community committee meetings and can also provide free facilitation for the staff meetings as well. Give us a call if your plan is need of attention.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION

West Liberty Public Library has just confirmed that US Representative Dave Loebsack will be speaking at their Cinco de Mayo celebration as well as Presidential candidate Senator Christopher Dodd. He is expected around 11:15 the same day.

Thank you to all of our LSA advocates!

Because you spoke up to elected officials about the importance of LSA funding and the work we do, we have been returned to our 2001 funding level in the next fiscal year. Your voices are vital to our success! Take heart that legislators do listen when we have a clear message and take it to them repeatedly. As promised, nearly all of the increase will be spent supporting efforts to increase emergent literacy training – more exciting details to come!

EBSCOhost Training via the Internet

(a sneak peek at what the online classes will be like next year!)

The State Library will be offering Introduction to EBSCOhost online this May. Using a web conferencing tool called Live Classroom, we will be offering the class three times: May 17 (9-11), May 21 (2-4) and May 22 (9-11). Each class is limited to 20 students. Students will call in to a toll-free number for full participation.

Since the class will be online, you must have a computer running Window XP (or later), Internet access, access to EBSCOhost and a telephone nearby the computer you will be using.

Prior to the classes, they'll also offer an opportunity for students to participate in an optional one-hour session that will introduce the Live Classroom setting. Dates and times of this class will be sent after you register.

For more information or to register for one of the sessions, please visit the CE Catalog:

http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/cgi-bin/cecat/

If you have any other questions, please contact Michele Leininger at the State Library.

From Karen Burns in Southwest LSA:

Here are a couple more tutorials on using RSS in libraries, both for keeping up (using aggregators, as in the clip that Scott sent--and it is a nice, clear explanation!), and for some ideas for other ways that libraries might use RSS:

RSS for Libraries
http://www.swilsa.lib.ia.us/tutorials/RSSforLibraries/launcher.html

Using RSS Calendar
http://www.swilsa.lib.ia.us/tutorials/RSSCalendar/launcher.html

Library Thing and New Books List on Your Website http://www.swilsa.lib.ia.us/rss/LTNewBooks/launcher.html


Thanks to Karen!

Katie has joined the Youth Services Advisory Council! The Youth Services Advisory Council is a group of 25 librarians interested in services to children and young adults in public libraries. The Council provides advice and support for State Library services and programs related to youth. Members are chosen to represent geographic regions, a variety of community sizes, and particular interests such as young adult services. Appointments are for three years.

West Liberty Public Library just confirmed that Presidential candidate Senator Christopher Dodd will be speaking from 12-12:30pm at their library's Cinco de Mayo celebration on May 5th. Congratulations to them for creating this wonderful opportunity to showcase libraries serving their communities in a big way!

A message from Kim...

Ask a Ninja…for help with Web 2.0 technology http://youtube.com/watch?v=OEmss2lg-ug
How is podcasting like feeding apple pie to whales? Find out on this episode of “Ask a Ninja”. Other useful topics (or just for fun) include Net Neutrality. Hey, and it’s a fun way to poke around YouTube a little bit and get a feel for what the big fuss is about!

How is the Internet changing (us)?

...Another YouTube presentation I saw at Computers in Libraries. It gave me chills. The title, The Machine is Us/ing Us says it all – society is changing because of the Internet and it’s a societal shift that will not stop. It gives a nice overview on some of the most compelling technologies available to the average user and gives some hefty food for thought on how we need to view our work, our lives and our world in light of these changes to interactivity and the ease with which we can now use and manipulate the web.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gmP4nk0EOE

INFLUENCE AT THE LEADERSHIP LEVEL

Do people trust and respect you, seek you out, follow your lead and take the initiative to contribute to your projects? Then, you are influential! However, libraries need to change to stay relevant to their communities in the future and library leadership has to change as well. Can you extend your positive influence beyond old friends and family to new library users, new citizens and new economic and political decision-makers? Can you deal with hard decisions and still maintain the good will of most of the people in your community or institution? Topics will include:* the three steps of positive influence * building support networks* working with new populations* winning elections (referenda) and ethical politics, including limits to power and control.

For more information on the presenter, Pat Wagner, visit:

http://www.swilsa.lib.ia.us/CE/influenceleadership.htm

Registration is via the CE catalog at http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/cgi-bin/cecat/, search for “influence” to find the class. ICN sites are available in our region in Bettendorf, Muscatine, Keokuk, West Point and Ottumwa.

New data on U.S. libraries shows almost two billion served

Predicted demise due to Internet fails to materialize

(CHICAGO) Ten years after some experts predicted the demise of the nation's system of libraries as a result of the Internet explosion, the most current national data on library use shows that the exact opposite has happened. Data released today by the American Library Association (ALA) indicates that the number of visits to public libraries in the United States increased 61 percent between 1994 and 2004. For the rest of the press release, visit http://tinyurl.com/29xpv9.

It's That Time of Year To...

Renew your FirstSearch contract. Contracts will be mailed to libraries in early May from the State Library/Central LSA. FirstSearch is a service of OCLC (Online Computer Library Center) and is provided by the State Library of Iowa. Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, OCLC is a nonprofit, computer library service and research organization. FirstSearch is a web-based information system for searching online databases. For more detailed information on FirstSearch and the State’s contract with them, visit http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/ld/databases/firstsearch/fact-sheet

Southeastern Library Services was pleased to have Sally Reed, Executive Director of Friends of Libraries USA (FOLUSA), speak to a mix of librarians, library trustees, and Friends board members on Saturday, April 14th. Sally led an interactive workshop on the many ways to get people more involved with the library, from being a member of the Friends to partnering with service clubs to get someone to be a library supporter, if not user. A number of participants remarked afterward that it was “fabulous”, a great speaker for SLS to have brought in to speak, and very useful to their future plans. Our thanks to Dee Crowner, director of North Liberty Community Library, and the City of North Liberty, for their wonderful hospitality.

Attention Teen Librarians!

Show your support of teens and literature by registering for YALSA's 2007 Teen Read Week, "LOL @ your library," online at www.ala.org/teenread. Registration is quick and free. The event will officially be held Oct. 14-20. The humor theme is meant to encourage teens to read light and entertaining materials just for the fun of it.

The first 100 registrants to sign up for Teen Read Week (TRW) will receive a free unabridged audiobook from a Printz or Alex Award-winning author compliments of TRW Promotional Partner, Listening Library. One lucky winner, selected at random, will receive an audiobook library collection of twelve titles by Printz and Alex Award winning authors. The first 500 registrants to sign up for TRW will receive a galley from Promotional Partner, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers and be entered into a drawing for a signed set of the Twilight Series, including Eclipse, the newest book (available Aug. 7) or a signed set of the Gossip Girls paperbacks, books 1-12, plus the hardcover prequel (available in Oct.). The first 50 individuals to join YALSA as a new regular member through the TRW web site will receive the Chronicles for Young Readers gift set by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman (compliments of their national Corporate Sponsor Mirrorstone Books, and imprint of Wizards of the Coast).

When you register, please indicate if you would like to participate in YALSA's WrestleMania Reading Challenge. It is a program designed to encourage teens in middle and high school to not only continue their reading beyond TRW, but to earn a reward for doing so by offering chance to win prizes donated by World Wrestling Entertainment. Details, including the titles that will be required reads, will be available June 1 via the TRW web site. LOL themed products go on sale May 7th via the ALA online store (www.alastore.ala.org) and ALA Graphics catalog. You can get a sneak peek at them via the TRW web site. All proceeds from the products go to support the work of YALSA and ALA.

The summer issue of Young Adult Library Services is your guide to celebrating Teen Read Week. It mails in mid- July. Subscriptions are $50, or free with a membership in ALA/YALSA.

Are you a seasoned TRW participant or do you have some good ideas to share relating to the LOL theme? If so, please post them on YALSA's wiki at http://wikis.ala.org/yalsa.

Thanks for all that you do to get more teens in your community reading! We hope you will join us this year in celebrating our 10th Teen Read Week! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch (Stephanie Kuenn, YALSA Communication Specialist - skuenn@ala.org)

P.S. Are the Oct. 14-20 dates not good for you & your teens? Then pick your own time to celebrate TRW, or why not expand it to Teen Read Month?

Library Stamp

The mail sent out by the Hooper Public Library gets attention by the receiver. Instead of normal postage stamps, the library uses a stamp that Karla Shafer, library director, created. She used the Internet site www.stamps.com and created a real postage stamp with a picture of the Hooper Public Library in full color. Karla took a digital picture and downloaded it during the designing of her stamp. She then formatted the picture with easy-to-follow instructions, chose a border and a color for the #39. The result is an eye-catching and innovative way to make a noticeable difference to the library's mail. She has gotten lots of good comments from her efforts. There is an additional cost for the postage but Karla considers the promoting value and professional image well worth the cost. She encourages you to have fun creating your "library stamp."


(This blurb courtesy of Eastern Express, Eastern Library System (NE) from January 2007)

A Message from Kim...

Library 2.0 is a catchy misnomer – it really focuses on being in tune with your community and providing them with the tools, materials, and facility they want and need. A big focus of that is technology, of course, but it’s more a state of mind than a computer terminal. I'm a big fan of community based planning (New Planning for Results) and completely believe that if libraries are spending public money they need to be sure they are buying what the public actually wants. The next couple of generations are completely at home in this brave new online world, and facing those challenges with an unwillingness to try new things isn’t going to help “sell” the library to young adults and kids. They aren’t going to come around to your way of thinking, no matter how much you resist the entire 2.0 world. Open up, be willing to be uncomfortable (in my first online class I spent about 10 very agonizing minutes feeling kind of stupid), and try new things. You don’t have to use them in your library if they don’t work for you, but you’re doing yourself and your public a service if you are at least aware of the trends. So what’s a busy librarian to do?

Visit Learning 2.0 at http://plcmclearning.blogspot.com/. Learning 2.0 is an online self-discovery program that encourages the exploration of web 2.0 tools and new technologies. The creator is a public librarian who has actually used the modules with real live staff. We will be implementing a similar type of program this fall – we can all jump in together!

In the April 2007 issue of American Libraries, the “By the Numbers” newsbox on page 20 quotes the Central Iowa LSA’s statistics on cake pan collections in Iowa:

“2,193: Number of cake pans held in the collections of Iowa libraries in the fall of 2006, 85% of which were acquired through donations. Total cake-pan circulation was 3,508 in FY2005-06.”

Would you like more westerns for your patrons?

Donnellson Public Library is looking for two libraries to join their very informal western rotation. Just choose 15 of the westerns in your collection. They can be paperback, hardcover, or large print. Make sure they are in good condition. Mark them with a bright orange spot, and make a list of author and title for the group you are sending. Then, send them out. You will also receive a box of 15 westerns from another library in the rotation, along with a list. You can either put your own barcode on these books, or make a seperate card to go with your checkout system. In three months, these rotate to the next library on the list. When your own collection of westerns comes back to you, select 15 new westerns to put in the new rotation. The libraries that are now participating include Donnellson, West Point, and Mellinger, (Morning Sun.) If you would like to join, contact Brenda Knox, Donnellson Public Library, 319/835-5545, donnlibr@interl.net .

In anticipation of the seventh and final Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Scholastic will soon be launching a 37 library book tour across the US. The tour, which kicks off June 1st will give people an opportunity to not only tour the unique triple decker 'Knight Bus' (referenced in the books), but also discuss the book and everything Harry Potter. It will wrap up at Scholastic's own headquarters in New York just in time for the official release date of the new book. Read more about the bus tour and view the schedule at http://www.prnewswire.com/news/index_mail.shtml?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/04-11-2007/0004563379&EDATE

Looking for some online CE that you can do at your own pace? Webjunction has some great course offerings. Kim is going to be taking a 'netiquette' class this summer. Because Iowa is a Webjunction partner (thanks to generous financial support from the State Library), many of the courses are free. You can bone up on computer applications, take customer service courses, or investigate some business courses. Even better, you can earn CE credits!

(Most of the courses will print a certificate. If you take one that doesn’t offer a certificate, visit http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/ld/continuing-ed/ceoptions for more information, or contact Michele Leininger at the State Library.)

Check out the catalog at http://webjunction.org/do/Navigation?category=372.

For those interested in testing out Greenwood Publishing’s database products, they are offering free trial access during National Library Week, April 15-21, 2007.

http://libraryweek.greenwood.com/fictionl/

In Focus Webinar: TechAtlas for the Rural Library

Each month the Rural Library Sustainability Project is presenting an hour-long webinar related to the work of sustaining Rural and Small libraries. Join them next on April 24, 10:00 AM PDT/1:00 PM EDT when they discuss TechAtlas for the Rural Library.

Technology is constantly changing. Planning ahead can feel impossible when it's hard to catch-up with what is happening today. Luckily, tools exist that can help you stay on top of your library's technology, present and future.

In this webinar, they will talk about TechAtlas, a free, online technology planning tool for libraries. Hear how rural libraries around the country are using it. Learn how to get started in your library. Make 2007 the year you take control of your library's technology! Moderated by Brenda Hough, Technology Coordinator, Northeast Kansas Library System (NEKLS), with special guest Kendra Morgan, WebJunction's TechAtlas Outreach Specialist. Beginning in April, they will be using WebJunction's new web conferencing tool, Live Space for the webinars. They've updated the information on joining the webinars and will continue to post webinar archives and quick links at Rural In Focus.

Do you have a great way to advertise your collection?

ALA has an award to help you develop and publish it! The Carnegie-Whitney Awards have been established to provide grants for the preparation and publication of popular or scholarly reading lists, indexes and other guides to library resources that will be useful to users of all types of libraries. The grants may be used for print and electronic projects of varying lengths.
Visit http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=grantfellowship and select the Carnegie-Whitney Awards.

Continuing Education

Kim will be attending Computer in Libraries next week. To see what’s being offered at the conference, visit http://www.infotoday.com/cil2007/. Although she'll not be blogging this conference, the information will be used in the continuing development of our continuing education plans for next fiscal year. The hope is to focus on both technology issues and youth services issues (and places where those two things intersect!)

...Both Katie and Kim have also begun their certification series to become Certified Synchronous Learning Experts. (In English, that means they're training to become online learning instructors.) Next year they hope to facilitate meetings, group discussion and CE opportunities online in addition to in-person opportunities in order to bring the training straight to you! (This way you can take a class at your desk or at a nearby computer lab.) And if this sounds too new and complicated, have no worries - they'll be providing training on using the tools this fall to make sure you're comfortable in the new classroom!

From the State Library...

The third PLOW training class has now begun and will be touring throughout Iowa until the end of May. Heard everyone talking about it, but don't know what it is? Read more about it and the grant that has made it possible at http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/archive/2007/04/plw

Also, come learn more about the history of vaccines and their affect on our world at a special lunch hosted by the State Library http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/archive/2007/04/lunch

Remember, the State Library's website is always updated with fresh information and events of interest to you, plus it's loaded with statistics and deadlines you may need in a pinch - Check it out! http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/

...Speaking of the State Library, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has developed a new hardware grant program for public libraries called the Opportunity Online Hardware Grant. Gates has chosen the State Library to administer the grants which require a 25% match the first year and a 50% match the second year.

Eligible libraries will be notified via US Mail of their initial eligibility. There are other eligibility requirements, including the need to run TechAtlas at their library. SLS staff are able to assist with that part of the requirement and we use TechAtlas ourselves at the office. For more information on the program and requirements, visit http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/ld/hardware.

Did You Know?

We now have an Ellison Prestige Pro machine and a selection of shapes and letters for your use!You can ship paper stock to SLS and we will cut them for you free of charge. Cardstock and color paper are also available and can be provided for $0.10 per cut. If you have your own Ellison machine, you are welcome to borrow from our collection and cut your own for only the cost of shipping. Just in are some great cuts for the Summer Reading Program's theme - puzzle pieces, open and closed books, magnifying glass, etc. The complete list of what's available can be found at our website http://www.sls.lib.ia.us/sls-services/die and can be requested by emailing awright@sls.lib.ia.us. (A service order form is coming soon!)

Rachel Singer Gordon of The Liminal Librarian is giving away free books to libraries that she received as review copies. Some strings are attached, but little to no money is involved.

Free Computer books http://www.lisjobs.com/liminal/2007/04/computer-book-giveaway.html

Free Library-related books http://www.lisjobs.com/liminal/2007/04/more-free-books.html

Looking to explore new search engines? And ones designed for mobile devices like your PDA, cell phone or other small, internet-enabled machine? Charles Knight of Read/Write Web has compiled “The 85 Piece Mobile Search Tool Kit” in honor of finding yet another great deal on a multi-piece toolkit.

http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/85_piece_mobile_search_tool_kit.php

WAIT AND READ

The Kendallville Public Library, with the cooperation of several area businesses, has launched a new program, Wait and Read. Through this program the library has placed a basket of books at businesses where people typically have to wait for periods of time. Instead of wasting this time or sitting and being bored, people may pick up a book to read. Then the book may be taken by people when they leave the business. When they finish the book, people simply mark the inside book cover indicating they read the book. The book may be returned where it was originally picked up, to another Wait and Read basket or to the library - whatever located is convenient for the Wait and Read participant.

People interested in participating in the Wait and Read program do not need to have a library card. Nor do they have to worry about library due dates or fines. This program is completely on the "honor" system. The library periodically will change the books in the baskets and add new materials of interest.

(This article is courtesy of Kendallville and Limberlost (IN) Public Library, taken from the December 2006 issue of Library Administrator's Digest)

GETTING IN THE GAME

In October, the Federation of American Scientists announced that it will invest in research to determine the educational value of video games.

Sounds like the Federation attended ULC's audio-conference on gaming in September.

"Gaming programs, collections, and services fulfill the library's mission to meet the diverse educational, informational and recreational needs of its users of all ages," said conference guest speaker Beth Gallaway, a library gaming consultant and author of the forthcoming Get Your Game On: Gaming and Libraries (Neal-Schuman). "I have three convincing reasons to support gamers at your library: games are popular, games have ties to literacy and learning, and games are developmentally appropriate for teenagers."

Indeed, ULC member and past Library of the Year winner, Ann Arbor (MI) District Library has teenagers lined up at the door waiting for the library to open. That's also the case at the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. Both not only allow gaming in the library, they sponsor tournaments that attract flocks of teenagers. Ann Arbor director Josie Barnes Parker says that parents are not only supportive, but grateful that the library is connecting in such a direct way. "Parents get this," she says.

And why not? Gallaway notes a host of benefits from video games, not the least of which is their impact on literacy and learning. She cites a study by Constance Steinkeulher, a researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, who showed that gamers spend four times as much time creating and consuming content around a game as actually playing. "Games teach pattern recognition, incorporate reading and writing, are based on real physics, integrate math and economics, provide historical context, and require geography and map reading skills," says Gallaway.

In addition to their impact on learning, Gallaway notes the important social interaction and level playing field that video games promote. "The picture of a kid isolated in his basement playing a video game just isn't accurate," she says. "Kids play video games in groups. They take turns and I've watched as one child turns a controller over to another to get through a particularly difficult spot. These are tools for developing mentoring and leadership skills, critical thinking and problem solving skills, and calculated, strategic risk taking."

If you're not sold yet, here's one more statistic to consider: 18- to 30-year-olds - notoriously from libraries - are one color of the most significant groups of gamers. While the appeal of games is noticeable among young women, thanks in part to Dance Dance Revolution (DDR to gamers), a PlayStation game that gets gamers out of their seats and onto a dance mat. Wildly popular, the game is being embraced by school PE programs for its exercise benefits.

(This article courtesy of ULC Exchange, November 2006 taken from the December 2006 issue of Library Administrator's Digest)

Cut materials? - How to address funding cuts!

Which way is better? Protecting the materials budget or protecting the staff? Well, if you are confident that your budget will take a jump in a year or two and the materials budget will be restored, hey, cut the materials budget. But that has seldom worked in libraries that have tried it. The reduced materials budget becomes the norm.

(This blurb taken from an article by Charles W. Robinson from the December 2006 issue of Library Administrator's Digest)

Heard about “Five Weeks to a Social Library”? http://www.sociallibraries.com/course/ Interested in taking a similar type of course? Web 2.0: Developing a Successful eBranch has added a second session of classes running from June 19th to July 17th. Even better, it’s free!

http://infopeople.org/workshop/321

Mark Your Calendar...

FOLUSA's 5th Annual Virtual March on Washington April 30-May 4, 2007

FOLUSA will again sponsor a Virtual March on Washington in 2007. Tuesday, May 1, 2007 is National Library Legislative Day. On this day, hundreds of librarians (and a handful of Friends and Trustees) will make their way to Washington D.C. to visit with their senators and representatives to discuss library issues. As important as it is for librarians to go to Washington, it is equally important for those who cannot go to make their voices heard - even if "virtually."

Ok, so the trip to Washington isn't in your budget? No problem! FOLUSA sponsors a virtual trip to Washington to expand the reach and impact of National Library Legislative Day. Visit www.folusa.org and click on "Advocacy" and then "Virtual March" for a flyer you can print and distribute in your community. You will also find a list of additional ideas for things you can do to promote the Virtual March in your community.

Making advocacy an ongoing effort in your community is key to longterm support of libraries.

(This blurb was courtesy of FOLUSA's news update publication and their executive director, Sally Reed)

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

Southeastern Library Services has completed PLOW training and our new website is up and running! While there's still a few "tweaks" that need to be made we welcome you to stop by and check it out. There you'll be able to not only see a finished PLOW website in action, but also access many new helpful features and documents. The web address is:

www.sls.lib.ia.us

Kids First Conference

Congratulations to Emily Rohlfs of Keokuk Public Library, Gabbriella Stevens of Ft. Madison Public Library and Deborah Stanton of Kalona Public Library for winning Southeastern Library Services' Kids First conference scholarships! The scholarships will send them to the Kids First conference, in Ames, Iowa April 24th-April 27th for free!

Go to http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/ld/youth-services/kidsfirst/kidsfirst2007 for more information on speakers and registration.

Interested in receiving a scholarship? Keep your eyes peeled for more to come...

For Your Information...


-If you are a PLOW library you should have recently received, or soon will receive, your training location and date. That information can also be found here at SLS.

-For those of you attending the Summer Reading Program session on March 7th in Fairfield, Iowa from 9-noon we encourage you to stay around for our Youth Services Roundtable from 1-3pm. This is a great opportunity for you to meet other YS librarians in the area as well as exchange ideas, information, and maybe let off some steam!

-Sally Reed, executive director of Friends of Libraries USA, will be in North Liberty at the Gerdin Conference Center on April 14th, 2007 from 10am-3pm to share successful strategies for mobilizing Friends, Trustees and supporters on behalf of your library. There you will learn how to unite those voices to influence decision makers at the local and state levels. You'll receive 5 CE credits and the cost is $25.00 per person, $20 for an Iowa Library Trustee or Friends Assosiation member and includes handouts, a catered lunch and snacks. Ask about group rates!

Go to http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/cgi-bin/cecat/ to register for these events or check out new ones in your area.

TEEN TECH WEEK

The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) is introducing Teen Tech Week next month from March 4th through March 10th. What better way for your library to celebrate than holding your very own MySpace/blog beginner night or game night? Southeastern provides a brand new Ps2 and 3 games (your choice) for only $5 a night plus the cost of shipping. You can choose from favorites like Guitar Hero, Dance Dance Revolution, Nascar, and many more! All come with accessories like dance pad, guitar, steering wheel, etc. and best of all they not only promote fun, but exercise!

For more information or to reserve check out our website or call Amanda at (800) 397-0029. Be sure to ask about how you can save on shipping or rent an additional system for your night!

Did you know that Wednesday, February 28th is 'Lobby From Home Day'? Information on the Legislative Agenda can be found at:
http://www.iowalibraryassociation.org/associations/2221/files/2007%20legislative%20agenda.pdf ...and how to participate can be found at http://www.iowalibraryassociation.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=13.
Needing support is the ILA push to restore LSA and State Library to FY01 levels and increase Enrich Iowa funding.

Do you have a Borders or Waldenbooks store near you? If you do, be sure to save your shopping for between March 22nd - 27th for the Educator Savings Weekend. You’ll receive 25% off the list price of books, CDs, DVDs and more. Borders stores are even hosting a reception on Friday, March 23rd between 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm. Librarians are included in the definition of “educator” and all you have to do is bring in “proof of educator status”. (Katie has used her paycheck stub or a nametag in the past for this.) Visit the Borders website or call your local store for more details and fine print.

For those looking for more information on technology issues, TechNotes, sponsored by the Public Library Association , is a great place to start. Issues covered range from public computer time and print management to software for children to web services. Topics are constantly being added to, updated or deleted so be sure to check back often!

Meet Our New Consultant...

Katie Dunneback has a long history with librarianship as family members have been librarians for over seventy years. She received her M.S. in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2003. Katie has spent the last three years full-time at the Westchester (IL) Public Library as a Reference Librarian, where she provided reference and readers’ advisory services, managed non-system interlibrary loan functions, parts of the collection, and taught the public computer classes in addition to numerous other duties. She also worked part-time at the Tinley Park Public Library as an Adult Services/Reference Librarian, providing reference desk coverage on weekends. Katie’s strengths include adult services and technology, with a particular interest in adult readers’ advisory services.

While job hunting, Katie got involved with the New Members Round Table of the American Library Association, and she is currently their Member Services Director. Katie was recently appointed to the newly formed Reading List Council which is a committee of the Reference and User Services Association’s Collection Development and Evaluation Section dedicated to acknowledging the best of genre fiction. She will be serving on the council until the 2009 ALA Midwinter Conference.

Katie has also contributed to professional literature with an article on developing professional portfolios available on LISCareer.com, an article on Adult Service Librarianship to be published in the upcoming book, A Day in the Life, edited by Priscilla K. Shontz and Richard A. Murray, and is working on part of a book chapter on serving the romance and other genre readers in the library. She also owns The Young Librarian website and blog.

Katie is more than happy to answer any questions you may have and is looking forward to working with everyone in the Southeaster Library Services service area.

'Wish for Lit' Grants

Amazon.com has a announced a program aimed at giving more than $20,000 in Amazon.com products to three deserving libraries in the United States. The "Wish for Lit" program is designed to give libraries an opportunity to create "Wish Lists" on Amazon.com to receive the books and supplies that they need the most. Amazon.com's Library Wish Lists is an online tool that easily connects donors to a library's catalog of most-needed products.

Beginning today, libraries interested in participating must submit an online entry form at http://www.blogger.com/www.amazon.com/wishforlit and create their Library Wish List. Applications will be accepted until February 16, 2007, and will be evaluated based on the following equally weighted criteria:

-Quality of the application
-Urgency of the need
-Value the award would give to the library/community

One library in each of three categories (K-12, Academic and Public), will be selected from Amazon's registry of Library Wish Lists by a panel of five judges selected by the ALA Chapter Relations Committee. Each winning library will receive a $5,000 gift certificate for Amazon.com products, as well as up to $2,000 of Amazon.com products that are on the library's Amazon.com Wish List. All of the items will be shipped directly to the libraries to be put to immediate use.

Amazon.com's Library Wish Lists tool connects libraries with donors who wish to purchase the most-needed items from a library's Wish List and have the products shipped directly to the library in an easy and seamless manner. Library Wish Lists allow each library to have more than one Wish List, and each list can be managed by multiple library personnel. Donors can make online contributions to the library of their choice by visiting http://www.blogger.com/www.amazon.com/wishlist and searching by library name.

The winners of the "Wish for Lit" program will be announced by Amazon and the ALA in the first week of April on the Amazon Librarians' Store Web site at www.amazon.com/libraries.

Good Luck!

Need A Job?

The Scott County Library System is currently accepting applications for the position of library director. The Scott County Library System is headquartered in Eldridge, Iowa and serves a population of 26,000 people through a new headquarters, five branches and a bookmobile. The system is governed by a nine person board and funded through a per-capita tax. Additionally, the system boasts a strong foundation and friends groups. The library system has a strong history of cooperation with area Illinois and Iowa libraries and shares a SIRSI system with other members of the Prairie Area Library System. Additionally it participates in Libraries Together, a cooperative project among the four libraries in Scott County founded to provide the citizens of Scott County with better, and more efficient, library services.

Requirements: An ALA -accredited MLS.5+ years of progressively responsible experience in public librariesSignificant budgeting, personnel, long-range planning and library automation experience required.Experience with public relations, grant-writing and facility management desired.

Hiring Range: $58,000 - $65,000 with excellent benefits packageApplications accepted until February 28.

To apply, send cover letter, resume and a minimum of four references to:

Doug Morrell
Board President
Scott County Library System
200 N 6th Ave
Eldridge, IA 52748

Or email to: cdavis@scottcountylibrary.org

Services!

Be sure to take note of and make use of Southeastern Library Services' new services! These include disc resurfacing and cleaning (.25 cents for a clean-.50 cents for a complete "like new" resurface), die cut rental or service, PS2 game night rental and our bookmark and bookbag sales. If you'd like more information about any of these check out our website at www.sls.lib.ia.us or give us a call!

***REMINDER***

If you are a tier one or two library, remember that Gerry Rowland at the State Library will need copies of your policies. If you need help developing policies, or working with the ones you have, give us a call.

If you’re a small library, check out our wiki at http://libtips.pbwiki.com/. You can comment, post, and create an interactive community for small library directors and staff. Be sure to check it out and post your own helpful tips and tricks!

Our new web site will hopefully be up and running some time during the first full week of February. The address remains the same, as do our email addresses, but the look will change!

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Crew Public Library in Salem, Iowa for committing to the New Planning for Results process (facilitated by Kim) before they forge ahead on their plans for a new library!

Upcoming Workshops

Do you wish someone would show you the money? It’s out there, but getting a grant can be a complicated, stressful and tricky proposition. Join us and learn some of the basics of seeking and applying for grants. Sessions will be canceled if not enough participants though, so register soon! The dates and locations are:

February 14, 2007 10-noon
February 15, 2007 10-noon
February 23, 2007 10-noon

Also, don't miss the upcoming booktalks over the ICN on February 21st and the Summer Reading Program workshops that are held in our region-

Go to http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/cgi-bin/cecat/ to more information and to register. Call our office with any questions.

Check out this web site for free sheet music-great for patrons whare looking for a new hobby! Listed by instrument, it also includes free online lessons. http://feeds.pirillo.com/~r/Picks/~3/77902136/

Thanks to UNI librarian Herbert Safford for bringing it to our attention!

New Children's & Young Adult Literature Book Talks

As some of you may know the New Children’s & Young Adult book talks over the ICN are fast approaching (2/21/2007). This year we are proud to announce that we have 16 convenient locations throughout Southeast for you to choose from. While the fliers have just been sent out we know you guys may have not yet received them. Our sites and the general information for the book talks is now on the State CE catalog and available for viewing (please use as a reference, not for registration).

Once you’ve decided on a location, please register as soon as possible with East Central Library Services. You can do so by calling Linda Lumsden at (319) 365-0521 or sending in the form on the flier to 222 3rd Street, Suite 402 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401.

Please remember if you have any questions about the actual event, please call our office.



Hope to see you there!

Thanks to their local Presbyterian Church, dedicated staff and volunteers Drake Public Library in Centerville is proud to announce their first sign in 104 years and very successful first quilt show. Keep up the good work Drake!

Upcoming Workshops...

The All Iowa Reads ICN session is almost here! Mark January 30, 2007 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on your calendar today. Log into the CE calendar to see ICN locations and to register!

--------------------
Also, Library 101 dates been set for 2007. If you’re looking for an introductory course to running a library, log into the CE catalog at http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/cgi-bin/cecat/ and register for an ICN session.

The dates are:

March 22 (Thursday)
June 8 (Friday)
September 11 (Tuesday)
December 6 (Thursday)

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The two closest Summer Reading Program workshops are in Fairfield on February 12 and in North Liberty on February 13. More locations and dates are listed in the CE catalog. These workshops are a great way to get a feel for this year’s theme, share and borrow ideas from each other, and get energized for the summer. Register soon!

--------------------

Finally, SLS is sponsoring national speaker on library advocacy Sally Reed, Executive Director of FOLUSA (Friends of Libraries USA) and will provide a workshop on public awareness and proactive local level advocacy for staff, Trustees and Friends. If you’re looking to get your library front and center, this workshop is for you. The workshop will be held in North Liberty at the Gardin Conference Center on Saturday, April 14 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Lunch is included. Workshop fee is $25, with a $5 discount for ILA members with additional membership in the Iowa Library Trustees Association or Iowa Library Friends Association. Membership forms available at the event. Reduced fees for libraries sending 5 or more representatives, call Kim at SLS for more information. The workshop is on the CE catalog, so get your Trustees, staff and Friends registered today!

We hope to see you soon!

Job Announcement

With Judy Jones' retirement in December, the State Library is seeking applicants for the open Consultant position. For more information on the job description, qualifications and application information, visit the DAS-HRE
website: http://das.hre.iowa.gov/iowa.jobs.htm, click on Iowa.Jobs for all applicants, and then Search openings and enter 1210BR at keywords.

Big News!

Beginning February 12, 2007, SLS will be fully staffed again! Our new consultant is Katie Dunneback, hailing from the Chicago area. She has a great deal of technical expertise (whew!), and direct service experience with the public. Katie will be introducing herself on the blog and listservs once she on board, and we’ll be making an effort to get out in the region in the spring so as many of you can meet her in person as possible.

With winter holidays just around the corner, the ALA Public Programs Office would like to remind you to set aside time to apply for the newest We the People Bookshelf on the Pursuit of Happiness. Online applications are due by JANUARY 31, 2007. If you are one of nearly 900 librarians who have already submitted an application, thank you!

A project of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), in cooperation with the ALA Public Programs Office, the Bookshelf presents a simple opportunity to acquire new books and materials for your library, develop theme-related programs for young people and their families, and participate in a national library programming initiative.

In spring 2007, ALA and NEH will be awarding a Bookshelf - 15 classic books for young readers on the "Pursuit of Happiness" theme - to 2,000 school (K-12) and public libraries. Selected libraries will also receive four of the titles in Spanish translation, a bonus CD, bookplates, bookmarks and posters to promote local programming.

Guidelines and the application are available online through January 31, 2007. Libraries applying to receive the collection are required to develop a program plan that will introduce the collection and its theme - the "Pursuit of Happiness" - to students and/or patrons. Need programming ideas for your application? Visit

http://maildogmanager.com/link.htmlurl=472&client=ala1&campaign=229&email=kkietzman@sls.lib.ia.us for a list of suggestions and tips. To access to the guidelines and application, book titles, and further details, visit

http://maildogmanager.com/link.htmlurl=472&client=ala1&campaign=229&email=kkietzman@sls.lib.ia.us.

Have questions? Contact publicprograms@ala.org

P.S. Please share this information with other libraries in your area! Multiple libraries within a system/district may apply for and receive Bookshelves.

Happy Reading!


For those of you that may not already know, SLS subscribes to several publications (library related) that we in turn rotate to you. We receive the issue every month/quarter, mail it to the first on the list and so on. Each participant keeps them for a week, passes them on to the next, and then we store them here for a few years (note that in case you ever need an article or would like to borrow an issue-a full list will be on our website soon!)

The publications we subscribe to are:

OPL (One Person Library)
Library Journal
School Library Journal
Friends of Libraries Newsletter
Voya
Unabashed Librarian

Please feel free to check out the ‘One Person Library’ website http://www.ibi-opl.com/ to get a feel of if that publication would be useful to you and your library.

If you are interested in being in any of these rotations, please Amanda Wright know as soon as possible.


Thanks!