Programming Idea – Speed Matching Volunteers to Local Organizations

An interesting idea from Pennsylvania! The Northland Public Library hosts speed matching (Iike speed dating) for potential volunteers and area organizations. The event was hosted on a Friday evening in the summer when the library was closed and provided wine and cheese. Participants, particularly newly retired, or soon to be retired, baby boomers could engage in up to 16 interviews that lasted 3 minutes each. A time keeper rang a bell to start the session and rang the bell to end the session. A small amount of time was allowed for moving between tables. For details on the event, you can contact Mary Lee Resnick at Northland Public Library at (412)366-8100 extension 113 or at resnickm@einetwork.net. Information courtesy the March/April 2008 Public Libraries, a journal serving Public Library Association Members (unfortunately 2008 articles are not available online until 2009).

RED CROSS REMINDER

It feels like time is always slipping away during the summer, doesn’t it? We’ve partnered with local American Red Cross agencies to offer both adult CPR and First Aid training and the last day to register is hurtling at us full throttle. You have the option of signing up for the full day class of CPR training in the morning followed by First Aid after a lunch break, or taking just the CPR training in the morning or the First Aid training in the afternoon. If you choose to take only the First Aid training, you must have current adult CPR certification.

SLS is partially subsidizing the cost of the classes for libraries in our region, so you will only pay $25 for both courses or $10 for the CPR-only course. The First Aid-only course will be free. We have four days split between two locations – each course is only one session long. Class size is limited, so register today!

CE Units: 5 for full course, 3 for CPR, 2 for First Aid

Tuesday, August 12th
Bettendorf Public Library – Lillienthal Room
9 am to 12:30 pm – CPR course
1:30 pm to 4:00 pm – First Aid course

Wednesday, August 13th
Bettendorf Public Library – Lillienthal Room
9 am to 12:30 pm – CPR course
1:30 pm to 4:00 pm – First Aid course

Tuesday, August 19th
Ottumwa Public Library
9 am to 12:30 pm – CPR course
1:30 pm to 4:00 pm – First Aid course

Wednesday, August 20th
Ottumwa Public Library
9 am to 12:30 pm – CPR course
1:30 pm to 4:00 pm – First Aid course

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

Is Google Going To Meet It’s Match?

A former Google staffer is trying to challenge the Internet search giant with a new engine called Cuil (pronounced “cool”). It sounds promising – to learn more visit http://money.cnn.com/2008/07/28/technology/cuil.ap/index.htm?cnn=yes.

To try it out, visit www.cuil.com.

Reader’s Advisory Article from Library Journal – How to create your own RA toolkit!

Visit http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6566472.html to read a great article on how to build your bag of tricks for guiding patrons to the right book! It includes sites that offer free newsletters and weekly updates (which you can get via RSS feed to your email account – let us at SLS know if you’d like to set up an RSS feed and/or an account to keep track of your RSS feeds).

Gaming Article from March/April 2008 "Public Libraries" Outlines the Importance of Gaming as an Educational Tool

Unfortunately we can’t link to the article as "Public Libraries" doesn’t post their articles online. However, this is a great article about the importance of fun in learning, and particularly how Guitar Hero and Rock Band make learning about music fun and inspiring. The games allow people of all ages to live out their rock and roll fantasies in a safe and accepting environment and provide a sense of achievement. If you’d like us to fax you a copy of the article, let us know!

Note: SLS currently has "Guitar Hero" and "Guitar Hero III" available with PlayStation 2 rental.

PROFESSIONAL BOOK OF THE WEEK

Title: The Preservation of Digital Materials
Author: Priscilla Caplan

Summary:
For those considering digitization projects, such as of local history materials, this is a concise introduction to the considerations which need to be made. Of especial consideration to those beginning the research process for this type of project is an overview of applications specific to digital repositories and collections.

READ FOR THE RECORD

Looking for a program this fall? Want to be part of a world record attempt? Check out Jumpstart’s Read for the Record. On October 2nd, they are encouraging all children to read "Corduroy" by Don Freeman. More information can be found at: http://www.readfortherecord.org/.

SLS Teams With Red Cross to Offer First Aid Training to Libraries

We’re happy to announce that we’ve partnered with local American Red Cross agencies to offer both adult CPR and First Aid training. You have the option of signing up for the full day class of CPR training in the morning followed by First Aid after a lunch break, or taking just the CPR training in the morning or the First Aid training in the afternoon. If you choose to take only the First Aid training, you must have current adult CPR certification.

SLS is partially subsidizing the cost of the classes for libraries in our region, so you will only pay $25 for both courses or $10 for the CPR-only course. The First Aid-only course will be free. We have four days split between two locations – each course is only one session long. Class size is limited, so register today!

CE Units: 5 for full course, 3 for CPR, 2 for First Aid

Tuesday, August 12th
Bettendorf Public Library – Lillienthal Room
9 am to 12:30 pm – CPR course
1:30 pm to 4:00 pm – First Aid course

Wednesday, August 13th
Bettendorf Public Library – Lillienthal Room
9 am to 12:30 pm – CPR course
1:30 pm to 4:00 pm – First Aid course

Tuesday, August 19th
Ottumwa Public Library
9 am to 12:30 pm – CPR course
1:30 pm to 4:00 pm – First Aid course

Wednesday, August 20th
Ottumwa Public Library
9 am to 12:30 pm – CPR course
1:30 pm to 4:00 pm – First Aid course

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

Professional Book of the Week

Title: The Library’s Crisis Communications Planner: A PR Guide for Handling Every Emergency

Author: Jan Thenell

Summary:
As demonstrated during the recent flooding crisis, disasters are news, from the local and sometimes national levels. When a crisis happens, a plan needs to be in place as to how you communicate what your response is to the crisis. You will be too busy dealing with the crisis to figure out a plan at that time. This book walks you through considerations such as library stakeholders who need to be kept up to date on all progress to developing sample press releases. A must read for every library because crises don’t discriminate.

NOW WE'RE COOKIN'

WebJunction free webinar on PC reservation systems!
Maintain IT Webinar: Notes from a PC Reservation system that works!
On July 15, grab a comfy chair and participate in a 30-minute discussion where contributors to the Cookbooks share their insights, their secrets, and what you can do to get started with projects like theirs. Join Kieran Hixon and Jesse Walker from John C Fremont Library in Florence, CO as they share their trials and tribulations around their former PC reservation system, and jump for joy as they reveal what saved them (hint: it's open source, free, and yours for the taking!).

STATE LIBRARY STANDOUT

Michele Leininger is one of 5 WebJunction Member Award winners. For more information on this exciting nod to Michele’s hard work on behalf of America’s small and rural libraries, visit http://blog.webjunctionworks.org/index.php/2008/07/03/member-awards-at-the-wj-reception/.

New and Imrpoved WebJunction

Want to see the New and Improved WebJunction? Watch an archived session displaying and explaining the exciting new features coming soon at: http://www.webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=20427. Some really great new enhancements and an easier organization are on the way.

MOTIVATE YOUR BOARD

ARSL/WebJunction free webinar - July 31
Rural Webinars: Motivating Your Board—Money, Lawsuits, and Facilities
The Association for Rural and Small Libraries and WebJunction offer free monthly webinars on topics of interest for Rural and Small Libraries. Join us on July 31 for the second webinar in our 2008 series on board relationships and strategies. Ellen Miller and Jim Connor will facilitate a session on proven techniques for motivating your board and empowering them to make the most from their position. View information on our upcoming July webinar on the Rural In Focus Webinar page.

BI-LINGUAL MEDICARE TOOLKITS AVAILABLE

English/Spanish Medicare toolkit for libraries – available at http://www.webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=20425.
This extensive toolkit will help librarians direct Medicare beneficiaries/seniors to the right place when needing help regarding Medicare issues. Resources are provided in both English and Spanish.

Maintain IT

The Maintain IT Project gathers and distributes stories around how libraries are maintaining and supporting public computers. The tips and techniques collected from libraries are spotlighted in free guides (called Cookbooks), in articles, and on the www.maintainitproject.org web site. Contribute your ideas for the project and communicate directly with the Maintain IT staff in our Maintain IT discussion space.

Professional Book of the Week

Title: Powerful Public Relations: A How-To Guide for Libraries
Editor: Rashelle S. Karp

Summary:
This compact tome covers a wide range of ways to promote and publicize your library. Everything from electronic to print publications and exhibits to special events is covered in this useful guide. A must read for anyone looking to punch up their public relations.

SLS Announces "Webinar"

In Focus Webinar: Motivating Your Board
Each month we present an hour-long webinar related to the work of sustaining rural and small libraries. Join us on July 31st, 11:00 am PT/ 2:00 pm ET for our second in a series of board webinars for 2008. This webinar is all about motivating your board to realize their full potential and positively impact your community. Ellen Miller and Jim Connor will facilitate. You will find instructions for joining this free webinar in addition to archives of past webinars at Rural In Focus.

PROFESSIONAL BOOK OF THE WEEK

Title: Strategic Planning for Results
Author: Sandra Nelson

Summary:
The latest entry in the "For Results" series from the Public Library Association covers both the planning process and public library service responses. Packed with figures, workforms and toolkits, this rich resource is a valuable addition to anyone’s research into strategic planning.

OUR HEARTS AND HELPING-HANDS GO OUT TO ALL OF THE RECENT FLOOD VICTIMS. HANG IN THERE.

PROFESSIONAL BOOK OF THE WEEK

Title: Libraries Prosper with Passion, Purpose and Persuasion! A PLA Toolkit for Success
Author: Public Library Association

Summary:
Katie spent about an hour trying to think up the perfect way to explain how great of a resource this toolkit is, and was at a loss. Not because it isn’t a great resource, but because it can help with so many different things. At its core, this is a kit for advocacy. From the sketching out your game plan to contacting influential persons in your community to communicating with the public, if you need to advocate for your library, you need to make use of this toolkit. Everyone at every level of advocacy experience will find something within its pages they may not have thought to use or attempt in previous advocacy efforts.

SLS MERCHANDISING CLASS UPDATE

Our popular online collection merchandising workshop scheduled for this morning, Friday, June13, has been postponed due to severe flooding affecting many of our registered participants. The good news is that we’ll be adding an additional session. The two new sessions will be posted on the CE catalog today (6/13) for June 27 and July 11 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. If you were thinking about taking the course but couldn’t because of the date, here’s your opportunity. We do intend to offer the workshop again this fall and spring, so keep an eye out if these new dates don’t work for you. With the completion of option self guided assignments along with the course, you can earn up to 5 continuing education credits.

This session focuses on merchandising your collection to get your items off the shelf and out the door. Tips, tricks and techniques from retailers and other libraries are used to help you design effective and exciting displays.

Professional Book of the Week

Title: Why We Buy: the Science of Shopping
Author: Paco Underhill

Summary:
Ever wondered why some people enjoy shopping, others adore it and yet others loathe it? What draws us to one item over another? How can we best market what services and materials we have to offer? Underhill explores various scenarios and topics behind best merchandising practices that we all can use.

WEBSITE OF INTEREST

A new nation-wide extension service website popped into our inbox this morning we thought you all might be interested in. They describe themselves as: “eXtension provides objective and research-based information and learning opportunities that help people improve their lives. eXtension is an educational partnership of 74 universities in the United States.” They’ve also incorporated a number of “2.0” tools into their website’s design, so it’s a great way to experiment with these tools using a topic you may be familiar with. Visit them at http://www.extension.org.

"FREEBIES" FROM NIA

The National Institute on Aging is offering up to 100 free bookmarks (500 per library system) promoting their website that allows users to make text bigger, change the contrast and have the website “talk”. The website is meant to distribute easy to use and accurate health information to senior citizens.

NIA also offers a downloadable “Toolkit for Trainers” that provides lesson plans on using the NIA health website and Medling Plus, as well as tips on teaching senior citizens, hands on activities and worksheets, promotional flyers and more!

To access the order form for the bookmarks, send an email with your name, the library name and mailing address and the number of packs (bookmarks come in pack of 50, so order up to 2 packs) you’d like to order to niaic@nia.nih.gov. You can also call 800-222-2225 to order.

For the Toolkit, visit www.nihseniorhealth.gov/toolkit.

UPCOMING SLS CE EVENTS

As we finish out the year and look toward next, we’re working on our Continuing Education calendar. Many times we cannot confirm dates or locations this early, but we have a few exciting events that you might want to get on your calendar early.

January 21, 2009 – Southeastern is co-sponsoring the Iowa Small Libraries Online Conference. The entire conference is online, with no need to leave your chair! Visit http://www.swilsa.lib.ia.us/isloc/index.htm for more information. There’s even a link to last year’s conference. Just like a physical conference, you can pick and choose what sessions to attend, and there’s even a session for Trustees.

May 1, 2009 – Small Libraries Summit. The 2008 event was a big hit! Join us for time management and organization training from Iowa’s own Dreama Deskins.

As we confirm dates for other topics and events we’ll be sure to let you know so you can plan ahead for you and your staff. All of our classes will be listed on the State’s CE catalog as well our own web site, and we’ll continue to mail out paper calendars twice a year (usually July/August and December).

PROFESSIONAL BOOK OF THE WEEK

Title: Running a Small Library
Editor: John A. Moorman

Summary:
Moorman has brought together highly diverse group of knowledgeable individuals for this book. Chapters are split out first by type of library and then general library tasks including budgeting, adult services, youth services, facilities, governing boards and governmental relations, cataloging, selection, personal computers and many more. Some chapters include example documents. An excellent resource for anyone needing a quick overview on any topic concerning small libraries.

Die Cuts! Die Cuts! Die Cuts!

Don’t forget to visit our die cut web site at http://www.sls.lib.ia.us/sls-services/diecut for information on the die we own. If you send the paper, we’ll cut your shapes for free! These letters and shapes make any bulletin board an attractive display, and you can use the shapes for nametags, craft pieces, SRP progress markers, and more! Our local AEA and Bettendorf Public Library also own their own sets we can “borrow.” So if you’re interested in something we don’t have, let us know and we’ll find out if one of our partners owns it.

Now updated with the bug theme die and links to images of the cuts.

Keep us in mind as you plan theme and seasonal displays for all ages.

Happy Summer Reading!

NEWS FROM MUSSER - LIBRARIANS GO TO THE BUGS!

Muscatine’s Musser Library Makes Local and National News
Read about Musser’s bug eating pledge at http://www.muscatinejournal.com/articles/2008/05/20/news/doc4832ebbb980c8411763232.txt. The story even made the American Libraries Direct email bulletin!

A "HodgePodge" of Online Goodies !

Fun New Way to Promote Online Pathfinding and Literacy
It’s a lesson, it’s a game, it’s PMOG: Passively Multiplayer Online Game! What it could be is a fun way to promote online and information literacy, as well as online information resources. Find out more at http://library20.ning.com/profiles/blog/show?id=515108%3ABlogPost%3A78675.

Narrative Nonfiction: If You Recommend Books, Read This!
A new “genre” is emerging in the Reader’s Advisory arena, Narrative Nonfiction. To learn more about the genre and how it may or may not be part of your catalog, visit http://laureltarulli.wordpress.com/2008/05/26/narrative-nonfiction-%e2%80%93-a-new-genre-heading/

Library Video Promote Summer Reading (and it’s hilarious, too)
Looking for a new way to promote your library program? Here’s an example of how to have fun and do promotion at the same time! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqBl2lV6dEQ

Have Vending Machines? Make them greener!
From a blog called “Going Green @ Your Library” (whoops, hope they cleared that with ALA), learn how to make vending machines more energy efficient, and maybe help you save a few bucks, too. http://greeningyourlibrary.wordpress.com/2008/05/26/vending-machines/

LOW TECH OPTION

Remember when your mom punished you for writing on your hand?
Sometimes low tech is the way to go! If you need to make a little list on a convenient body part, try out these temporary list tattoos! http://www.worldwidefred.com/todotattoo.htm

Using Technology for Balance Instead of Guilt

From The Shifted Librarian blog, a great essay on life balance, and how to make technology work for you and not just add stress to your life!
http://theshiftedlibrarian.com/archives/2008/05/22/using-technology-for-balance-instead-of-guilt.html

PC World Names the Best 100 Tech Products for 2008

Get the skinny on the latest and greatest tech products at: http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,146161/article.html

PROFESSIONAL BOOK OF THE WEEK

Title: More Teen Programs That Work
Author: RoseMary Honnold

Summary:
A follow-up to her hit 101+ Teen Programs That Work, Honnold offers up even more fun and fascinating programs targeted towards your teen population. Separated into themes, Honnold outlines what went into creating the program, what made it successful and how you can reproduce it. A must read for anyone looking for fresh new ideas on how to serve their teens.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER !

7 Things You Should Know About…

If you’re interested in quick little bites of information on upcoming and breakthrough technologies, explore the EDUCAUSE [http://www.educause.edu] 7 Things You Should Know About… series [http://www.educause.edu/7ThingsYouShouldKnowAboutSeries/7495]. Topics have included Google Apps, Twitter, Flickr, Multi-Touch Interfaces, and Creative Commons.

PROFESSIONAL BOOK OF THE WEEK

Title: Technology Made Simple: An Improvement Guide for Small and Medium Libraries
Authors: Kimberly Bolan and Robert Cullin

Summary:
If you feel overwhelmed with everything you need to do when maintaining your library’s technology resources, this guide is laid out in an easy-to-understand way for those with minimal technological skills, recognizing that few libraries have the resources to employ experts for all technology-related issues. Resources include worksheets, reference, and plans for assessing, funding and staffing IT services at your library. A companion website is available for free at http://www.ala.org/ala/ourassociation/publishing/alaeditions/webextras/technologymadesimple/technologymadesimple.cfm.

ROCK ON!

Are you, or some of your patrons, really into singing? Think you can rock out with the best of them? Gale is holding a contest for the best music video celebrating a book or author that rocks the songwriter’s world. Even better, there’s a cash prize involved! $5000!! $2500 to the songwriter and $2500 to the library they designate. But hurry, there’s a deadline of Saturday, May 31st.

For more information visit http://www.gale.cengage.com/librareo.

FREE STUFF! FREE STUFF!

We're sure some of you have probably heard about this already, but for those who haven’t, Bantam Books is giving away complimentary copies of Louis L’Amour’s memoir “Education of a Wandering Man.” So, if you don’t already have a copy, or need to freshen up the copy you do have, visit http://www.lamourcentennial.com to claim your copy today!

Professional Book of the Week

Title: Gaming & Libraries: Intersection of Services
Author: Jenny Levine

Summary:
This issue of Library Technology Reports provides reasoning on why to offer gaming programs in libraries as well as case studies of specific programs separated out by type of library. Common gaming system setups as well as examples of marketing pieces are included. This slim volume is an excellent introduction for those exploring offering this type of service.

COLLECTION MARKETING

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.

Want to get those gems off the shelves and out the doors? Struggling to easily connect patrons to the right item at the right time? Searching for fun ways to provide reader’s advisory services? This course if for you! Two hours (or more) hours of credit available, with two online sessions to choose from on June 13 and 20. Sign up today at http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/cgi-bin/cecat.

LAST CALL FOR "HANDS ON BLOGGING!"

If you are interested in taking this class, one session is still available on Wednesday, May 21st at the Great Prairie AEA in Ottumwa from 1 to 3 pm. Registration is available through the State Library CE catalog. Sadly, we had to cancel the sessions at the Kalona Public Library and the Mississippi Bend AEA in Bettendorf due to low registration numbers. If you are interested in seeing this class offered again at some point next CE year (July through June), please e-mail Katie Dunneback, SLS Consultant, at kdunneback@sls.lib.ia.us.

JUNE LIBRARY 101 RESCHEDULED

The June date for LIBRARY101 was originally scheduled for the 18th. SLS is moving it to Thursday, June 19th because the State Library is holding an ICN information session regarding the open source automation venture on the 18th.

So please change your calendars to JUNE 19 (9:00—12:00) and send SLS your first and second ICN choices as soon as possible.

Library 101 is an orientation for new public library directors, offered over the ICN four times each year. This 3-hour program introduces new directors to library support systems and services in Iowa. Public library service standards are also discussed, along with an explanation of statewide initiatives for libraries.

CALL FOR PRESENTERS

Gaming, Learning and Libraries Symposium Call for Presenters: http://www.techsource.ala.org/blog/2008/05/call-for-presenters-for-glls2008.html

Professional Book of the Week

Title: Going Places with Youth Outreach: Smart Marketing Strategies for Your Library
Author: Angela B. Pfeil

Summary:
I know many librarians who cringe at the term “marketing.” It can be tricky knowing where to effectively spend our time and our money. Marketing towards youths can be an even bigger challenge. Pfeil guides readers through how to think about marketing, marketing media, locations to place your marketing and more. Samples of marketing tools, as well as a brief marketing plan, are included. A perfect book for those gearing up on how to get the word out about their summer reading programs.

FREE "PDF" EDITOR

In addition to Open Office (http://www.openoffice.org/ ) at home, we dumped Adobe’s free reader and downloaded this gem. It allows editing, notes, and more. You can save your changes as well – with any PDF, not just those set up that way with Adobe! http://www.docu-track.com/home/prod_user/PDF-XChange_Tools/pdfx_viewer/

For libraries on a software budget, these are free (open source) solutions. No upgrade fees with more function! Open Source isn’t for everyone and there are drawbacks (remember the saying, “there’s no such thing as a free lunch”?), including a change in the user interface which might cause your patrons a little time learning it.

Please contact us at (800) 397-0029 if you have questions about using these products.

SLS ANNOUNCES CLASSES FOR MAY

May is right around the corner! Here are some of the classes SLS is offering during that month. As always, registration is available through the State Library CE Catalog at http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/cgi-bin/cecat/index.cgi.

LEARN HOW TO LEARN ONLINE
CE Credit: 1

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. A microphone headset is required for this course. Other technical requirements will be sent to attendees prior to the session.

**Special note for SLS libraries, we still have some microphone headsets available for any library which has not already claimed one. E-mail me if you are taking one of our online classes and need a set.

Thursday, May 1st
SLS Wimba room
2 pm to 3 pm

SOUTHEASTERN SMALL LIBRARIES CONFERENCE
CE Credit: 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
Eddyville Public Library
9 am to 12 pm

RA RECAP
CE Credit: 2

Course will present new trends, books, and authors librarians should be aware of while advising adult readers.

Tuesday, May 6th
Sigourney Public Library
2 pm to 4 pm

Thursday, May 8th
Musser Public Library (Muscatine)
10 am to 12 pm

Tuesday, May 20th
SLS Wimba room
2 pm to 4 pm

STORYTIME STRATEGIES: PRINT AWARENESS
CE Credit: 1+
As part of the Every Child Ready to Read initiative, six characteristics of a child who is ready to read on their own have been identified. Strategies to emphasize individual characteristics can be incorporated into storytime planning. Print Awareness is "knowing how to handle a book, and noticing print all around us." Strategies for incorporating this skill into your storytimes, along with how to communicate it to caregivers, will be covered.
Online courses offered by SLS require prior attendance at a Learn How to Learn Online class as well as a microphone headset.
Wednesday, May 7th
SLS Wimba room
10 am to 11 am

Thursday, May 15th
SLS Wimba room
2 pm to 3 pm

STORYTIME STRATEGIES: LETTER KNOWLEDGE
CE Credit: 1+
As part of the Every Child Ready to Read initiative, six characteristics of a child who is ready to read on their own have been identified. Strategies to emphasize individual characteristics can be incorporated into storytime planning. Letter Knowledge is "knowing that letters are different from each other and the same letter can look different ways. It is also knowing that letters relate to sounds." Strategies for incorporating this skill into your storytimes, along with how to communicate it to caregivers, will be covered.
Online courses offered by SLS require prior attendance at a Learn How to Learn Online class as well as a microphone headset.
Tuesday, May 13th
SLS Wimba room
2 pm to 3 pm

Thursday, May 22nd
SLS Wimba room
10 am to 11 am

HANDS ON BLOGGING
CE Credit: 2

Learn how easy it is to start your own blog! Participants in the class will get hands on instruction on starting their own blog using the free blog service, Blogger. If you've ever considered using a blog for your library, but didn't think you had time to learn how to do it effectively, this class will cover all the basics you need to know from starting an account to posting with pictures.

Wednesday, May 14th
Kalona Public Library
10 am to 12 pm

Friday, May 16th
Mississippi Bend AEA – Bettendorf
10 am to 12 pm

Wednesday, May 21st
Great Prairie AEA – Ottumwa
1 pm to 3 pm

Also, the SLS office will be closed on Monday, May 26th in observance of Memorial Day. Please call or e-mail Katie Dunneback, SLS Consultant, at 800-397-0029 or kdunneback@sls.lib.ia.us if you have any questions!

PROFESSIONAL BOOK OF THE WEEK

Title: Coaching in the Library: A management Strategy for Achieving Excellence
Author: Ruth F. Metz

Summary:
If you’re looking to switch up your management style, maybe work on developing a championship team, consider exploring the coaching lifestyle. Metz includes thorough examples of how to apply her coaching/management style to real world situations. Being an effective manager means finding the style that gets the most results in a way where everyone feels it’s been a win-win situation, and coaching just may be the style that gets you there.

PROFESSIONAL BOOK OF THE WEEK

Title: Managing Facilities for Results: Optimizing Space for Services
Author: Cheryl Bryan

Summary:
How a library utilizes its space defines the mood the library projects. In a time where we would like to create spaces that welcome our community and encourage social and educational interactions, space planning can be an overwhelming concept. Fear not! If you are considering a reorganization of your existing space, or are thinking about the potential for expansion, this book will guide you through the many considerations that go into space planning.

PROFESSIONAL BOOK OF THE WEEK

Title: The Virtual Reference Handbook: Interview and Information Delivery Techniques for the Chat and E-mail Environments
Author: Diane K. Kovacs

Summary:
Providing virtual reference service can be quite frustrating as we’re very used to having an information-seeking patron right in front of us. For those offering e-mail or live chat reference service, Kovacs outlines useful strategies to be used in these environments. These strategies will help to lessen the frustration experience by both the librarian and the patron and take your virtual reference service to the next level.

SLS ANNOUNCES APRIL CLASSES

We have a bunch of classes up and available for you to take during this lovely month of April. Two are even closing for registration at the beginning of next week. Be sure to sign up as soon as possible to reserve your space. As always, classes offered by SLS are posted to the State Library CE Catalog at http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/cgi-bin/cecat/index.cgi.

LET’S 2.0: WIKIS
CE Credits: 1

Do you still keep a notebook at the reference desk for issues/intriguing questions? Are you looking for an online collaborative workspace you can access from anywhere? Wikis are best known thanks to Wikipedia, but they can be powerful tools for the right situations. Online service PBWiki used for the development of the "IRead" and "Teaching Computers to the Public" websites will be demonstrated. This is an online class which requires completion of "Learn How to Learn Online". A microphone headset is required for this course. Other technical requirements will be sent to attendees prior to the session.

Monday, April 14th
SLS Wimba room
2 pm to 3 pm

Monday, April 21st
SLS Wimba room
10 am to 11 am

STORYTIME STRATEGIES: NARRATIVE SKILLS
CE Credits: 1+

As part of the Every Child Ready to Read initiative, six characteristics of a child who is ready to read on their own have been identified. Strategies to emphasize individual characteristics can be incorporated into storytime planning. Narrative skills is "the ability to describe things and to talk about events and tell stories." Strategies for incorporating this skill into your storytimes, along with how to communicate it to caregivers, will be covered.

Online courses offered by SLS require prior attendance at a Learn How to Learn Online class as well as a microphone headset.

Tuesday, April 15th
SLS Wimba room
10 am to 11 am

Thursday, April 24th
SLS Wimba room
2 pm to 3 pm

STORYTIME STRATEGIES: VOCABULARY
CE Credits: 1+

As part of the Every Child Ready to Read initiative, six characteristics of a child who is ready to read on their own have been identified. Strategies to emphasize individual characteristics can be incorporated into storytime planning. Vocabulary is the skill of "knowing the names of things, not just things, but concepts, feelings, and ideas." Strategies for incorporating this skill into your storytimes, along with how to communicate it to caregivers, will be covered.

Online courses offered by SLS require prior attendance at a Learn How to Learn Online class as well as a microphone headset.

Wednesday, April 16th
SLS Wimba room
2 pm to 3 pm

FREE DATABASES FOR LIBRARIES
CE Credits: 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!

All SLS courses offered online require a microphone headset.

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

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

Please contact Katie Dunneback, SLS Consultant, if you have any questions about any of our classes.

APRIL IS NATIONAL POETRY MONTH - Celebrate!

Ten years ago, Knopf publisers began a tradition. To celebrate National Poetry Month, they sent a poem a day by e-mail for 30 days to anyone who asked to receive them. Now, with over 35,000 subscribers, they are proud to continue with a whole new series of daily poems. Each day during the month of April you would receive a poem from some of the best poets in the world including Mark Strand, Mary Jo Salter, Julia Hartwig, and Richard Kenney, as well as classics from Frank O'Hara, Rudyard Kipling, Kenneth Koch and more. This year, they'll also be featuring special podcasts, gorgeous printable broadsides, and signed books.
If you know of someone who might like to join the Poem-a-Day party, they may visit http://www.randomhouse.com/knopf/poetry/poemaday/ to sign up.

SIGOURNEY ADVERTISES FOR NEW LIBRARY DIRECTOR

The Sigourney Public Library is looking for a new Library Director. The position will be 37.5 hours per week @ $11.00/hour, and includes health insurance benefits. The Sigourney Public Library is a beautiful, newly remodeled 7,000 square foot facility with a nice Children’s Area and eight public access computers. We have wireless internet, a collection of over 19,000 items including books, audio books, DVD’s, and CD’s, and two part time library associates. If you are interested in applying for the position of Library Director, send resumes by April 21 to:

Attention: Tony Pitsch, Board President
Sigourney Public Library
720 East Jackson
Sigourney, Iowa, 52591

Or e-mail your resume to: sigopl@lisco.com.

FAIRFIELD ADVERTISES FOR YOUTH SERVICES LIBRARIAN

Fairfield Public Library has an opening for a Youth Services Librarian. This is a fulltime salaried position starting at $28,630 with excellent benefits including health insurance, retirement, paid sick leave, and three weeks paid vacation.

Our Youth Services Department is a busy and beloved place. Special programs range from Valentine Tea to Summer Reading Program to Teen Mystery Night. Our staff is supportive of youth programs, young patrons are a high priority, and our Volunteer Center coordinator helps to recruit volunteer support. We recently installed new automation system, and you may visit our website at www.fairfield.lib.ia.us .

If you are the successful candidate, you will become the “face of the library” for local parents, teachers, and children. This means you will provide outreach to our schools and day care centers, where you will connect with children and teens. Primary focus will be on programming, collection development, teaching library skills, and offering reader advisory service. In addition, you will provide backup when our Library Director is absent and help sometimes at the circulation desk.

Qualifications and skills required:
· MLS is preferred. Candidates who have combined an educational degree with relevant experience are also encouraged to apply.
· Energetic advocate for children and teens
· Able to relate well to children of all ages and their parents
· Able to plan and produce quality programs for youth

Attitudes desired:
· Enthusiasm for working with youth
· Love of reading
· Good sense of humor
· Desire to serve the public
· Creativity, flexibility, and cooperation

Please send your resume, cover letter, and three professional references to:
Rebecca Huggins, Director
Fairfield Public Library
104 West AdamsFairfield, IA 52556

ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND CO. GRANT AVAILABLE

Archer Daniels Midland Company has announced a call for Community Grant Applications. The Deadline for applications is June 30, 2008.

Continuing its commitment to strengthening American agricultural communities, Archer Daniels Midland Company ( http://admworld.com/ ) is accepting applications for its 2008 Community Partnership Grant Program. The program will award up to four grants of $10,000 each for community-improvement projects in cities and towns where ADM operates.
The program will award grants to qualified tax-exempt, nonprofit, educational, or community organizations in ADM communities. In order to be eligible to receive a grant, applicants must apply on behalf of a public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, not a private foundation under section 509(a).
Complete program information, including submission guidelines and an application, is available at the ADM Web site.
RFP Link:
http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/15012266/admworld
For additional RFPs in Community Improvement/Development, visit:
http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/rfp/cat_community_development.jhtml

IRS Stimulus Package Information

SLS Consultant, Katie Dunneback, came across this over the weekend and thought quite a few of you may be dealing with questions on this topic. If you haven’t already seen it, the IRS has a page dedicated to information relating to the economic stimulus package, including the payment schedule (based on the last two digits of your social security number) and calculators for how much you might expect to receive.

Stimulus package central: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=177937,00.html
Payment schedule: http://www.irs.gov/irs/article/0,,id=180250,00.html

COPYRIGHT QUESTIONS ANSWERED

Pesky copyright questions? A new tool helps SLS answer them for you! At the PLA conference in March, SLS purchased two of the copyright “sliders”. To see the tool and find out how to order one for your library, visit http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=421.

Student’s Library-Funding Project Wins Science Scholarship

Eighteen-year-old Xiaomeng Zeng, a senior at Iowa City’s West High School, won seventh place (a $20,000 scholarship) in the national Intel Science Talent Search competition for her study on whether public library funding from government sources adversely affects funding from private sources, or vice versa.

TO BLOG, OR NOT TO BLOG?
THAT IS THE QUESTION!

Do you blog? 10 questions to ask yourself before you hit “post”.
http://www.copyblogger.com/10-blogging-questions/

91 Utilities to Supercharge Windows

PC Magazine announced their list at http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2279207,00.asp.

PROFESSIONAL BOOK OF THE WEEK

Title: Teaching Web Search Skills: Techniques and Strategies of Top Trainers
Author: Greg R. Notess

Summary:
For those of you looking to create a class for the public on how to search the web, or even do a staff training session on the topic, Notess’ book provides you with a great deal of information from understanding who your audience is, what topics to focus on, terminology to use, concepts to cover and tons more. Appendices including sample handouts, the list of URLs referenced in the book and contact information for the trainers interviewed are sheer gold. This book is essential reading for computer trainers.

2008 PLA Conference in Minneapolis, MN

For those who attended the PLA conference, be sure to fill out the evaluation form now up on the Conference’s main page: http://www.placonference.org.

If you were not able to go, or had to choose among sessions you really wanted to see, be sure to check out the postings at both the PLA Blog (http://plablog.org/) and attendee Rick Roche’s blog, Ricklibrarian (http://ricklibrarian.blogspot.com/).

Professional Book of the Week

Title: 101+ Teen Programs that Work
Author: RoseMary Honnold

Summary:
RoseMary Honnold has developed a thriving teen community through her job at the Coshocton Public Library and shares the lessons she’s learned through her many years as the YA librarian there. You may have heard RoseMary speak at the 2007 Kids First Conference, and wanted to learn more about how some of her programs worked. If you’re looking for programming of all kinds specific to teens, this is a book you need to see.

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.