BOOKMARKS GOING FAST

We have had an overwhelming response to our blog about the bookmarks SLS offers for sale. As a result, we have completely SOLD OUT of the BUG-themed bookmarks! Unfortunately, the company that stocked these for us has gone out of business, so what we have left is all we have. There are still a variety of the flower markers left, and several of the "Dove" and "Sun, Moon, Stars". If you are interested in these nifty Spring gift ideas, please e-mail Ann Miller, SLS Office Manager, at amiller@sls.lib.ia.us.

CE HEAD'S-UP: Free Databases and Marketing!

Two classes have just been added to the State Library CE Catalog. You’ve probably seen them on your calendar and now you can register for them!

FREE DATABASES FOR LIBRARIES
CE Credit: 1

As reference books become more and more obsolete because of the wealth of information available electronically, how do we steer our patrons to the best sources of information on the web on a budget? Join us and explore free (and a few low cost) online databases, learn how to market them, and play a little seek and find game with them!

SLS Wimba Room
Tuesday, April 29th
10 am to 11 am

SLS Wimba Room
Wednesday, April 30th
2 pm to 3 pm

GET IT OFF THE SHELF! MARKETING YOUR LIBRARY COLLECTIONS
CE Credits: 2

Books don’t just fly off the shelves on their own, they need to be marketed! Connect your patrons to all of the parts of your collection, and introduce them to items they’ll probably never find on their own. Additionally, effective marketing creates a professional, vibrant and exciting physical space drawing in patrons and keeps them coming back for more! Learn some basics of collection marketing and explore the lessons bookstores and other merchants can teach us.

SLS Wimba Room
Friday, June 13th
10 am to 12 pm

SLS Wimba Room
Friday, June 20th
1 pm to 3 pm

As always, the State Library CE catalog is available at: http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/cgi-bin/cecat/index.cgi

PROFESSIONAL BOOK OF THE WEEK

Title: Something Musical Happened at the Library: Adding Song and Dance to Children’s Story Programs
Author: Rob Reid

Summary:
Are you looking to freshen up your storytimes by adding songs? Maybe you want to freshen up the songs you already are using. Reid has compiled a comprehensive listing of books, songs and dances which can be combined to create an interactive and fun storytime program.

LEGISLATIVE DAY 2008 PHOTOS ARE IN!

Katie Dunneback, SLS Consultant, was kind enough to share these photos from the most recent Legislative Day event held in Des Moines, IA. Enjoy!

SHOW OFF YOUR LIBRARY

Here is your library's opportunity for that 15 minutes-plus of fame! If you have an exterior digital photo of your library, send it along to us. Kim would like to add a slide show to our web page of SLS libraries. You may send those to kkietzman@sls.lib.ia.us.

Speaker Announced for Southeastern Small Libraries Conference

We are pleased to announce that Valerie Haverhals, Director of the Hawarden Public Library will be our speaker at this year’s Southeastern Small Libraries Conference. Registration is now available at the State Library CE Catalog and this event is FREE!

Southeastern Small Libraries Conference
CE Credits: 3

In small libraries, you have to do it all. Join us as we welcome Valerie Haverhals, Director of the Hawarden Public Library, to hear how she deals with funding, board relations and community relations issues. Part of the session will also be spent on developing action plans for the next six months.

Thursday, May 1st
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Eddyville Public Library

State Library CE Catalog: http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/cgi-bin/cecat/index.cgi

LIBRARIES MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Sent in by Eddyville Public Library: a great testament to how libraries engage and inspire youth! Read this young man’s letter to the editor from the Ottumwa Courier on February 20, 2008 at: http://www.ottumwacourier.com/archivesearch/local_story_051222633.html.

BITS - N - PIECES:

Cancer survivorship notebooks for public librariesALA is collaborating with the Lance Armstrong Foundation to provide public libraries with reference materials to better serve those seeking cancer information. Last week, the LAF began shipping Livestrong Survivorship Notebooks to more than 14,200 libraries. The notebooks are designed to help cancer survivors, their families, and caregivers organize, retain, and access important information related to their cancer experiences. Libraries that have not received a notebook by March 31 can request one from Kelli Craddock....

The flexible future of e-booksKarl McGoldrick is the CEO of Netherlands-based Polymer Vision, the only company that right now is working on making e-books in a form that’s actually close to traditional books—ones that are mobile, bendable, and, above all, readable. But the device, called Readius, is not just an e-book reader—it receives email, text messages, and RSS feeds, makes phone calls, and keeps calendar and contact information—in addition to downloading books and newspapers wirelessly....CNet news, Mar. 12

20 things to watch (PDF file) Stephen Abram writes: “So, what’s on my list of things to pay extra special attention to? When we’re deluged, swamped, and overwhelmed by news and blog postings and other media, what do I use as my filter to trap just the important stuff that will matter to libraries?” Here are his recommendations, in no particular order....

69 techie uses for duct tapeAs one of the world’s most useful products, pretty much everyone loves duct tape, but techies seem to have a special place in their hearts for the versatile adhesive. From the practical (fix your printer) to the slightly silly (personalize your shoelaces), here is a list of some of the best techie uses for duct tape....Virtual Hosting, Mar. 11

Librarian III: The Curse of the Judas ChaliceTNT has begun production on the third installment of its “Librarian” franchise, with Noah Wyle reprising his title role in The Librarian: The Curse of the Judas Chalice. After a series of dreams leads Flynn Carsen (Wyle), a librarian at the New York Metropolitan Library, to New Orleans (where the film began production in early March), he gets tangled up in a conspiracy involving both the chalice and the legendary vampire Count Dracula....Zap2It, Mar. 6

PROFESSIONAL BOOK OF THE WEEK


Title: Measuring Your Library’s Value: How to Do a Cost-Benefit Analysis for Your Public Library
Author: Donald S. Elliott, et. al.

Summary:
With the pressure to justify funding ever present, this book helps you to determine whether a Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) is appropriate to your situation. Explanations on then how to do one are provided in clear, “librarian-friendly” language. Anyone who is looking for new ways to tell the library story would be well-served by examining what this book has to contribute.

Professional Book of the Week


Title: Staffing for Results: A Guide to Working Smarter
Author: Diane Mayo and Jeanne Goodrich

Summary:
If you are considering the reallocation of staff resources for the upcoming fiscal year, this is an excellent tool to help you determine where staff time is best spent. As part of the Planning for Results series, Mayo and Goodrich provide tools for a systematic analysis of work activities in a library. Thirteen customizable workforms are included to help you implement the strategies outlined in the book.

Bookmarks Available through Southeastern Library Services

Bookmarks make great gifts, adult prizes and library sale items. Choose to buy as few, or as many, as you'd like. We still have many bugs left - perfect for Summer Reading Program prizes!

Pricing:
$ 1.25 each
$12.00 for 10
$22.00 for 20

You can specify the style/design while supplies last.
Order yours today by contacting Ann Miller at amiller@sls.lib.ia.us.


Styles available:
Dove; Sun, Moon, Stars; Bees; Butterflies; Dragonfly; Ladybugs; Daylily; Iris; Lily; Narcissus; Pansy; Sunflower; Rose; Tulip.

Get Your Information from the “Info Café”

The Reference Department of the Davenport Public Library is please to announce the creation of a new blog entitled, “Info Café.” A blog is an online journal that encourages comments and postings from its readers. The Library invites the public to visit the Info Café as a resource for information, focusing on reader’s advisory (good reads, viewing, and listening recommendations) and other reference news, tips, and helpful websites. You can access this blog by going to the following web address: http://blogs.davenportlibrary.com/reference, or link to it from the Library’s website at www.davenportlibrary.com.

PROFESSIONAL BOOK OF THE WEEK

Title: A Place at the Table: Participating in Community Building
Author: Kathleen de la Peña McCook

Summary:
Our strongest advocates are our community members. Without community support, libraries will find it hard to obtain and continue to receive funding. Sometimes, help is needed in building and sustaining a library-supportive community. McCook explores the need to have the voice of a librarian present in all areas of a home community, from local and state government to the schools and to the volunteer and civic organizations. If libraries have a place at every table, we build a community not just of library users, but also, library supporters who can be our most effective advocates.

Old Stuff is Fun!

The Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center of the Davenport Public Library Main Street location (321 Main Street) has created a new weblog (or “blog”) entitled, “Primary Selections from Special Collections.” Patrons can view this blog by visiting the Center’s website at http://www.qcmemory.org/, or by linking directly to the blog by typing: http://blogs.davenportlibrary.com/sc.

This new blog showcases interesting items from the Library’s local history and genealogy collections, including many photographs (check out the “Image ‘O the Week”). Other items on the blog include Davenporters of note, urban legends (and the debunking thereof), and news about recently acquired local history and genealogy resources.

For more information about this exciting technology, contact the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center at 563-326-7902.

Legislative Day, March 1

We hope many of you will be able to join us in Des Moines on Tuesday, March 11th for Legislative Day. The Legislative Day briefing will begin at 2:30 pm with the reception to follow from 4 to 6 pm.

Katie will be driving a 15-passenger van from the Quad Cities and can pick up 14 people along the I-80 corridor. You can reserve your seat by registering at the State Library CE catalog: http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/cgi-bin/cecat/.

Once we’ve got everyone registered, we'll determine pick-up locations and times. Please e-mail or call Katie Dunneback, Consultant, at kdunneback@sls.lib.ia.us or 800-398-0029 if you have any questions.

FOUNDATION LOCATOR

Carla Lehn from the California State Library in Sacramento writes:

"For another project I've been working on, I discovered this handy website. From a map of the U.S. you can click to locate community foundations in your state. Then, clicking on the Foundation's name will give you more information about the Foundation's interests, and help you understand whether you might be eligible for a grant from them!"

http://www.cof.org/Locator/

Professional Book of the Week

Title: The Thriving Library: Successful Strategies for Challenging Times
Author: Marylaine Block

Summary:
Block, author of the website Neat New Stuff I Found on the Net, explores strategies and programs which help libraries thrive in trying economic times. Chapters are broken into service areas and tasks such as children, teens, marketing, outreach and community involvement. Case studies are used to highlight points about each topic. A useful guide for any library serving the public today.

CRAFTY LIBRARIANS

We wanted to highlight a program we’ll be having at the end of the month. It’s time to let loose your creative juices and share your storytime crafts with your fellow children’s librarians!

SOUTHEASTERN LIBRARIES STORYTIME CRAFT FAIR
3 CE Credits

Have a great craft you want to share with other libraries? Need some fresh ideas to use in your storytimes? Join us for a hands-on craft fair! Libraries will have tables set up where they can demonstrate a craft or two and attendees can practice making the craft. If you are interested in demonstrating, please contact Katie Dunneback at kdunneback@sls.lib.ia.us.

**UPDATE: Please be prepared to demonstrate a craft if you register for this class. Contact Katie for more information.

Thursday, February 28th
Richland Public Library
1 to 4 pm

You can sign up for all of our CE offerings at the State Library CE catalog at: http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/cgi-bin/cecat/.

GETTING BUGGY

Are you getting psyched for your library’s summer reading program? Are you looking for some bug-related decorations? SLS has recently received the following die cuts from Ellison for you to choose from as part of our die cut service:

Grass Patch - http://www.ellison.com/shop/?p=product_detail&itemnum=17456
Bee - http://www.ellison.com/shop/?p=product_detail&itemnum=12226
Cocoon - http://www.ellison.com/shop/?p=product_detail&itemnum=12856
Dragonfly - http://www.ellison.com/shop/?p=product_detail&itemnum=13150
3 Part Tree, Bare - http://www.ellison.com/shop/?p=product_detail&itemnum=15155
Firefly - http://www.ellison.com/shop/?p=product_detail&itemnum=17940
Ladybug #1 - http://www.ellison.com/shop/?p=product_detail&itemnum=18171
Basic Beginnings Butterfly - http://www.ellison.com/shop/?p=product_detail&itemnum=20554
Basic Beginnings Leaf - http://www.ellison.com/shop/?p=product_detail&itemnum=20574
Basic Beginnings Caterpillar - http://www.ellison.com/shop/?p=product_detail&itemnum=21240
Butterfly #4 - http://www.ellison.com/shop/?p=product_detail&itemnum=23787

You can find out more details about the service and place your order here: http://www.sls.lib.ia.us/sls-services/diecut.

Date Change for Let's 2.0: Wikis Class

Pull out your paper CE calendars for April as there has been a change in date for one of the classes. The Let’s 2.0: Wikis class originally scheduled for Tuesday, April 22nd from 10 to 11 am has been moved to Monday, April 21st from 10 to 11 am. Please let our Consultant, Katie Dunneback, know if you have any questions.

PROFESSIONAL BOOK OF THE WEEK

Title: Flannelboard Stories for Infants and Toddlers: Bilingual Edition
Authors: Ann Carlson & Mary Carlson

Summary:
For anyone who may be struggling with developing flannelboard-storytimes for infants and toddlers, for both English- and Spanish-speaking populations, this is a very easy book to use. Reproducible patterns for flannel objects are situated on top of the accompanying text for the story, and the English text is next to the Spanish text. Split into skill set flannels and traditional chants and rhymes, you’ll find a wide range of ideas to choose from.

Deadline Approaches for New Children's and YA Literature ICN Session

The registration deadline for the New Children’s and YA Literature ICN session is this Wednesday, 2/13. Please contact Katie Dunneback, Consultant, if you have any questions.

NEW CHILDRENS’S & YA LITERATURE
3 CE Credits
Join us for this year's edition of a perennial favorite! The presenters will share some of the best - and a few of the worst - preschool through young adult books published in 2007. You must be registered by February 7th in order to receive the handouts prior to the class.
**NOTE: When registering, look for event number NC&YL-SLS08

Wednesday, February 20th
ICN sites:
Bettendorf High School
Mississippi Bend AEA (9) – Bettendorf
Pleasant Valley High School
Great River AEA (16) – Burlington
Columbus Junction PL
Davenport North High School
North Scott Senior High School
Ft. Madison High School
Louisa Muscatine Jr/Sr High School
Muscatine High School
Oskaloosa PL
Southern Prairie AEA (15) – Ottumwa
Wilton Jr/Sr High School
8:30 am to 12 pm

You can sign up for all of our CE offerings at the State Library CE catalog at: http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/cgi-bin/cecat/.

Faye's New Blog

Faye Clow, recently retired Director at Bettendorf Library and Information Center, has a new blog to supplement About Books, her long-running radio show on WVIK Public Radio. Listen to broadcasts, get recommendations from Faye’s personal collection, and more at http://aboutbooks-faye.blogspot.com/.

MARCH CE CLASSES ANNOUNCED

March is certainly set to roar in like a lion this year! Lots and lot of CE classes to choose from are coming your way.

LEARN HOW TO LEARN ONLINE
1 CE credit

Interested in attending an upcoming online course? Want to know strategies on how to maximize your learning experience? Join us as we demonstrate the tools you'll be using in the online classes. Technical requirements will be sent out after you have registered. A microphone headset is required.

Thursday, March 6th
SLS Online Classroom
2 pm to 3 pm

THE FUN AND FACTS OF EARLY LITERACY WITH SAROJ GHOTING
6 CE credits

Enhance your storytimes by incorporating information for parents/caregivers into them. Includes early literacy research, examples of the development of each of the six early literacy skills for newborn to five-year-olds, techniques for planning storytimes that reach adults and children and specific ideas for doing so. Why address parents and caregiers? How does this approach change your storytimes? How can your early literacy enhanced storytimes become a catalyst for change in your community? Based on the Every Child Ready to Read @ your library project. Hands-on practice developing a literacy-enhanced storytime by building on what they already do in storytimes.

Thursday, March 6th
North Liberty Community Library
8:30 am to 4:30 pm

2008 TEEN SUMMER LIBRARY PROGRAM WORKSHOP
3 CE credits
Join librarians from across the state and start planning your 2008 teen summer reading program -- Metamorphosis @ Your Library. Courtney Alfaro, from the West Des Moines Public Library and avid teen librarian, will share ideas and tips about working with teens and planning a summer program in your library.
Be sure to bring your 2008 summer library program teen manual with you to the workshop.
Registration and morning refreshments start at 8:30 am. Program begins at 9:00 am.
Tuesday, March 11th
North Liberty Community Center
9 am to 12 pm

You can sign up for all of our CE offerings at the State Library CE catalog at: http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/cgi-bin/cecat/.

TEEN TECH WEEK

Teen Tech Week is March 2-8 this year, and there's still time to order posters, pens, bookmarks, CD cases and more to raise awareness and help teens discover your cutting-edge resources.

Order Teen Tech Week products here!

2008 Financial Assistance for Library and Information Studies Directory

Need additional financial assistance to attend a library graduate program? The 2008 Financial Assistance for Library and Information Studies Directory is an annual directory of awards from state library agencies, national and state library associations, local libraries, academic institutions and foundations that give some form of financial assistance for undergraduate and/or graduate education programs in library and information studies. The directory is available online at http://tinyurl.com/284fvf.

VISTA information

For those of you with computers running Vista, or those considering buying new Windows-based computers, Wired Magazine is reporting Vista Service Pack 1 will be rolled out in March. You can read more about it here: http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2008/02/microsoft-set-t.html.

72 Tips for Safer Computing

From the basics to the extreme, here are the tricks that will keep your computer, you, and your family secure and safe.

Visit http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,2254028,00.asp for information on how to secure your library’s computers from Internet (and other) based threats.

LIBRARY COOKING

Now there are two Cookbooks you can download and use to keep public computers running in your library! Packed with tips and techniques from public librarians from across the country, inside each Cookbook you’ll find practical information covering a variety of topics.

A huge THANK YOU goes out to everyone who contributed their experiences (find out who shared their stories on the acknowledgment pages)!

A Cookbook for Small and Rural Libraries

Learn about locking down public computers, use a handy maintenance checklist, and more! SLS has a copy of this cookbook in the office and it’s a great resource.
Download the entire pdf (381 KB)
Download individual chapters

NEW! Recipes for a 5-Star Library

Learn about wireless, print and time management, and laptop checkout programs!
Download the entire pdf (4.27 MB)
Download individual chapters
For more information on the cookbook project, to submit your own ideas and solutions, or take the cookbook user’s survey, visit http://maintainitproject.org/cookbooks.

PROFESSIONAL BOOK OF THE WEEK

Title: Staffing for Results: A Guide to Working Smarter
Author: Diane Mayo and Jeanne Goodrich

Summary:
If you are considering the reallocation of staff resources for the upcoming fiscal year, this is an excellent tool to help you determine where staff time is best spent. As part of the Planning for Results series, Mayo and Goodrich provide tools for a systematic analysis of work activities in a library. Thirteen customizable workforms are included to help you implement the strategies outlined in the book.

Considering self-checkout machines?

Computers in Libraries profiles a library as they go through their first experiences with self-checkout. Seeing how another library handled the issues involved may help you if you are considering adding this service option to your library.

http://www.infotoday.com/cilmag/feb08/Whitney_Garrett.shtml

Tips to Reduce Work Stress

Stressed out? Overworked and underpaid? Searching for a way to get through each day? Read an article on ways to reduce your stress at work (my favorite – DO LESS – something librarians are not very good at doing) at http://tinyurl.com/2xkpk8.

The Green Guide

Librarians' Internet Index's "New This Week" featured a Green Guide a while back that caught our attention. Aptly titled The Green Guide, it's from National Geographic and includes more information than most of the fad-inspired "green guide" sites that have cropped up in recent months. You'll find product reviews, blogs, tips, and tricks, quizzes, articles, and a free weekly eNewsletter. If you're interested in "living Green", this is a worthwhile resource to explore.

Web Resource for Anatomy Questions

Our Consultant, Katie Dunneback, discovered this site through another one of her regular blogs, Infodoodads (http://infodoodads.com/?p=293). For those of you needing more updated visual resources on anatomy, you may want to consider recommending this site to patrons aged high school and up:

Visible Body - http://www.visiblebody.com.

PROFESSIONAL BOOK OF THE WEEK

Title: Dealing with Difficult People in the Library
Author: Mark R. Willis

Summary:
Libraries deal with a wide range of patron personalities, no matter what type of library you work in. It’s the nature of a public service. What to do when the person you’re helping is of an unstable bent or is just having a really bad day? Willis approaches the situations and personalities encountered in the library in a frank, compassionate and practical manner. Emphasizing communication skills, Willis works through case studies of problems as they happen as well as what library staff can do to prevent problem situations before they arise. This resource is full of timely and useful advice.

Graphic Novel Rotation Reminder

Just a reminder that if your library is interested in participating in a graphic novel rotation to start this year, e-mail Katie Dunneback at kdunneback@sls.lib.ia.us by Thursday, January 31st. We need 7 committed libraries to make this happen and so far only one library has contacted her. Here are the details again:

Cost of rotation: $225/year
Number of commitments required for rotation viability: 7
Age range of material: Focus will be the ages of 11-16 with some materials rated at <10 and 16-18. Stand-alone graphic novels and series rated 18+ will not be purchased at this time. However, individual volumes of series rated 16-18 may stray in to the 18+ age range. We will do our best to minimize this occurrence. The factor of age ranges when making selections will be based on the suggested age quoted in reviews and company catalogs.
Format composition of collection: We will strive for a mix of hardcover and paperback volumes, with additional processing of the paperback volumes to give added shelf life to them. As paperback books are cheaper than their hardcover equivalents, the collection will probably skew a little more towards them.
Series books: We will not be attempting to purchase whole series, but will be purchasing individual volumes within a series in order to give a variety of choices. We encourage you to pass along suggestions from your patrons as to which series are favored over others.

Please contact kdunneback@sls.lib.ia.us with any questions.

PLA Registration Deadline Extended

The registration deadline for the Wednesday through Saturday bus trip to PLA has been extended! You now have until Friday, February 29th to register. Please pass this on to any one you may know who is considering going to PLA, including your Trustees and Friends!

What: Bus trip to PLA in Minneapolis
Why: Leave the stress of driving (in March, in Minnesota) to the professionals.
When: Wednesday, March 26th to Saturday, March 29th
How: Register on the State Library CE catalog at http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/cgi-bin/cecat/index.cgi for the Burlington bus (we will switch around bus assignments if needed and determine pick up locations once everyone is registered)
Cost: $76/person round-trip (Probably about what you’d spend on gas driving yourself, if not less!)

We currently have 31 seats available on the Burlington bus. If we do not fill those seats by February 29th, we will need to cancel the bus. We will do our best to make other arrangements for those registered if that happens, but spread the word and encourage your friends to travel with you so we don’t have to! February 29th is also the last day to cancel your registration (we really, really, really hope you won’t) without having to pay the $76. Billing will not occur until after PLA. Contact me, Katie Dunneback, by e-mail at kdunneback@sls.lib.ia.us or at (800)397-0029 if you have any questions.

Salem's CREW LIBRARY Sets Up Building Web Site

Take a look at Crew Library's great building project web site! The site features a great deal of infomation and has the capability to reach a wider audience than the traditional library counter brochure. See it here.

PROFESSIONAL BOOK OF THE WEEK


Title: 101+ Great Ideas for Libraries and Friends*: *Marketing, Fundraising, Friends Development, and More!
Authors: Sally Gardner Reed, Beth Nawalinski, Alexander Peterson

Summary:
The staff of Friends of Libraries U.S.A. (FOLUSA) has compiled not only great, but wonderful ideas on how to energize and invigorate the activities of your library’s Friends organization. Six broad chapters cover the topics of: “Raising Money for Your Library: The Book Sale and Beyond”, “On the Radar Screen: Creating Programs and High Profile for Your Library”, “Making a Real Difference: Effective Library Advocacy”, “Creating, Growing, and Re-Energizing Friends Groups”, “Organizational Effectiveness for Friends Groups”, and “Love Those Logos”. If you’re looking to start a Friends group at your library, breathe new life into an existing one, or take a great one to the next level, flip through this book for some creative solutions.

Library of Congress on Flickr!

Looking for historical photos for school reports and other projects? The Library of Congress has made over 3,000 photographs available via Flickr. Explore this wonderful resource today!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/

Katie Dunneback writes:

Greetings!

Space is still available for the Wednesday through Saturday PLA bus traveling up through eastern Iowa. Again, the cost is $76 per seat and we will not be billing until after the conference. Reservations must be made by Thursday, January 31st (two weeks!). If you need to cancel (and we sincerely hope you won’t), you must do so by the 31st to avoid being charged for the spot. Please contact me if you have any questions, otherwise, reserve your space today via the state CE catalog!

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

As a reminder, the Wednesday through Saturday trip is event number PLABUS-E, and the Wednesday through Thursday trip is event number EC-2008.

Get Library Journal delivered to your Inbox!

Library Journal offers a number of e-mail newsletters, including their weekly library news snapshot, LJXpress. All of their e-mail subscriptions are free, so even if you don’t get the print magazine, you can keep up with what Library Journal is reporting on.

https://www.libraryjournal.com/subscribe.asp?screen=pi9

More Iowa Librarians Make National Library News

The American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), is pleased to announce Jean Donham and Carol L. Tilley have been named co-editors for the online journal School Library Media Research (SLMR). For more information on the appointment, visit http://www.ala.org/ala/pressreleases2008/january2008/editors08.htm.

PROFESSIONAL BOOK OF THE WEEK


Title: Using the Internet as a Reference Tool
Author: Michael P. Sauers

Summary:
This entry in Neal-Schuman’s series of “How-To-Do-It Manual for Librarians” is an excellent resource for those new to doing research on the internet as a library worker. If you’ve got new members to your reference staff, the topics in this book will help in orienting them to internet searching. Another use for the information provided here is helping those who may be developing classes for patrons on how to use the internet more effectively.

Llewann Bryant, director of Keck Memorial Library in Wapello, was kind enough to share her pictures from a recent game night at the local nursing home. "The residents had a ball!" she said. With the Wii system, even the wheelchair-bound residents were able to "go bowling" again, some even throwing the same as they did in league! Many grandparents were just anxious to tell their techno-grandkids that they had experienced the "Wii" phenomenon. Llewann mentioned that even those that didn't play enjoyed watching the others experience the games. She was very pleased by the success of the outing and plans to have more game nights such as this in the future.

For more information on holding a "game night" or renting game kits, please visit our website at http://www.sls.lib.is.us/ or contact Ann Miller, Office Manager, for Southeastern Library Services, at 1-800-397-0029.

Professional Book of the Week

Title: Blueprint for Your Library Marketing Plan: a Guide to Help You Survive and Thrive
Authors: Patricia H. Fisher and Marseille M. Pride

Summary:
Don’t have a formalized marketing strategy? Feel like your marketing efforts are hit-or-miss? Applying for funding for a brand new project? This book will help you to evaluate your current marketing efforts and refine or revamp them into a more effective endeavor using techniques based on current research on marketing.

Stephanie Oppenheim, Publisher at Oppenheim Toy Portfolio writes:

Announcing the arrival of our newest baby!

¡A leer! ¡A jugar! con bebés y niños pequeños (ISBN 0 9721050-5-0). Designed for Spanish speaking parents and caregivers, this version of our best-selling book, Read It! Play It! for Infants and Toddlers includes nursery songs, lullabies, games, and books familiar to Latino families. This is not just a translation of the original book, but rather a specially selected collection to encourage an early love of books and reading. We know that you’ll find ¡A leer! ¡A jugar! con bebés y niños pequeños of interest to training leaders as well as to parents. The book is currently being used by RIF leaders all over the country. We’d be happy to send you a copy to consider as a resource for your leaders. Please let me know to whom and where we can send a review copy. The book is available at bulk rates for programs/centers. The original Read It! Play It! With Infants and Toddlers (ISBN 0972105042) and Read It! Play It! for ages 3-7 (ISBN 0-9721050-1-8) is also available at bulk rates. For more information on ordering please contact Stephanie Oppenheim at stephanie@toyportfolio.com.

West Liberty Public Library staff attends the annual Guadalajara International Book Fair! To see some photos from their exciting trip, download their power point presentation at http://www.wlpl.org/Mexico%202007.ppt.

Iowa Small Library Association looking for area representatives!

ISLA is looking for two representatives from each LSA for their 2008 Strategic Planning Meeting. The meeting will be Friday, February 15th near Ames. If you are interested in volunteering for this great opportunity to have the voice of small libraries in southeastern Iowa heard, contact ISLA President, Sarah Willeford at swilleford@cilsa.lib.ia.us or 800-542-7273. Representatives *do not* have to be ISLA members.

The Iowa Library Association (ILA) is now accepting applications for the 2008 Leadership Institute. The institute will be held at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, July 22-25, 2008. The registration fee is $200 and it includes most meals and lodging. This is a wonderful opportunity to hone your leadership skills. Participants will assess their personal leadership style and develop the skills to use them for effective decision making, learn how to lead from any position in their organization, participate in dialog about possible obstacles and brainstorm practical alternatives.

Twenty-five Iowa library employees will be selected to work with Maureen Sullivan, who has more than twenty years of experience as a consultant on organizational development and work redesign, strategic planning, leadership, managing change and establishing learning programs. Information regarding the application process is available at:

http://www.iowalibraryassociation.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=34

SLS Librarian First in the Nation to Complete the CPLA Program

Lois Blythe, head of adult services at the Burlington (Iowa) Public Library, is the first candidate to complete the Certified Public Library Administrator Program. Blythe completed the requisite seven courses in record time, becoming the first public librarian to earn the designation of CPLA.

The CPLA program, administered by the American Library Association-Allied Professional Association, is a voluntary credential for public librarians who want to learn managerial competencies in areas like personnel, facilities, marketing and technology. To hear more about Lois’ accomplishment and the program, visit:

http://www.ala.org/ala/pressreleases2008/january2008/candidate08.htm

PLA 2008 Virtual Conference

This year, librarians who can't make the trip to Minneapolis will be able to participate virtually in the PLA National Conference. The PLA 2008 Virtual Conference will feature panel discussions, poster sessions, interactive workshops, and chats with colleagues, all from the comfort of your computer.

The PLA 2008 Virtual Conference will be held on Thursday, March 27 and Friday, March 28, during the PLA 12th National Conference. Each day will consist of five live programs. Individuals who register to attend PLA 2008 in Minneapolis will automatically receive access to the Virtual Conference as part of their registration. Registration for the PLA 2008 Virtual Conference will open in January. Check the PLA 2008 Web site regularly for updated information about speakers, programming, and registration.

The ALA Public Programs Office is pleased to partner with the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) for the fifth We the People Bookshelf project. This year's theme is Created Equal. Public and school (K-12) libraries are invited to apply online through January 25, 2008. A single application may be submitted on behalf of multiple libraries within a library system, school district or community. Individual branch and school libraries are also encouraged to apply. In spring 2008, 3,000 successful applicants will receive the We the People Bookshelf, a collection of 17 classic hardcover books for young readers on the Created Equal theme. Several titles focus on the life and writings of Abraham Lincoln, whose 200th birthday will be celebrated during the 2008 - 2009 programming period. In addition, winning libraries will receive four titles in Spanish translation, a History in a Box resource kit on Lincoln, and accompanying materials for programming including bookplates, bookmarks and posters. For book titles, programming ideas and tips, access to the guidelines and application, and further details, visit http://www.blogger.com/www.ala.org/wethepeople. With questions, contact publicprograms@ala.org.

A Message from Faye Clow of Bettendorf Public Library

January 4th is my last day as Director of the Bettendorf Public Library. I have enjoyed working with each of you and hope you will continue to support the library.

The 2008 Dates to Remember schedule has been posted on the State Library website. Get your calendars ready:

http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/ld/08cal/2008cal/view

A New Technology Trend

FYI and/or FYD (For Your Information and/or For Your Dismay)

The next digital wave is coming – and it’s younger than you think! Read it at http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/31/business/31virtual.html?_r=1&oref=slogin.

From The ISLOC Team

Registration for the January 16 online conference is now open in the CE catalog!

Our morning keynote speaker is Michael Stephens, and Pat Wagner will do the afternoon keynote. Concurrent sessions in the morning and afternoon offer information about blogs, wikis, podcasting, widgets and gadgets, WebJunction, and more. An evening session helps trustees to understand Library 2.0 and what it means for the library and for them. There will be a Virtual Exhibit Hall, as well as a Games session and Networking Lounge over the lunch hour. We hope you will join us for all or part of the day; there is no charge for the conference. You register for the entire day, but you may "come and go" as you please; each session will have an evaluation and CE certificate.

The conference is online, in various Wimba classrooms. Those of you who have participated in Wimba sessions or been to an orientation are all set; if you haven't yet had a chance to visit a Wimba Live Classroom we have scheduled some orientation sessions during the first half of January, to give you a chance to run the setup Wizard (details will come in your confirmation e-mail from the catalog registration) and then drop into a classroom and get a feel for how it all works before the day of the conference. See the "Wimba" page of the conference website for dates and times of the orientations.

More details about the conference and presenters can be found on the conference website: http://www.swilsa.lib.ia.us/isloc

We hope to see you there!

Professional Book of the Week

Title: A Year of Programs for Teens
Editor: Amy J. Alessio and Kimberly A. Patton

Summary:
Are you looking for programming ideas for your pre-teen and teen patrons? Alessio and Patton offer up 35 program outlines, monthly resources, and advice on all aspects of teen programming. Perfect for those who need a little guidance in doing programming or are looking for some fresh ideas!

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)