BURLINGTON TRUSTEE RECEIVES HONOR, NEW LIBRARY TO OPEN

Congratulations to the Burlington Public Library! Their Board President, Wyn Boyd, received the Outstanding Trustee of the Year Award from the Iowa Library Association (Trustee subdivision).

To add to the excitement, the library is on the move and preparing to open in their beautiful new building. If you’re in the area, stop by the ceremonies on Friday, November 10. For more information on the opening ceremonies and Mr. Boyd’s award, visit http://www.burlington.lib.ia.us/.

We’ll have photos of the building for you soon!

***PLOW TRAINEES***


For all those involved in PLOW training, you know it's right around the corner. You should have already received your schedule via snail mail in August as well as email reminders to follow. However, if you did not, or need it again, you will find the entire schedule here:

http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/ld/gatesgrants/stay/libs

Rememebr, you do not need to register for the PLOW project. The PLOW schedule is not in the CE catalog because dates and locations had to be assigned to the libraries so that there would be 12-14 students and enough laptops at each location.

Please call SLS with any additional questions.

FYI


You are invited to participate in a free workshop on using Patents & Trademarks databases scheduled for Monday, November 13, 2006 from 1:00 – 4:30 at The University of Iowa Libraries. A full description and registration are available at: http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/govpubs/classes/patents.html

Here’s the program agenda:

1:00 – 1:30 Mark Janis ~ Overview of Legal and Theoretical Issues
1:30 – 2:00 Kembrew McLeod ~ A Different Perspective
2:00 – 3:00 Karon King ~ hands-on training “dissection” of a patent (including standard parts used internationally) and comparisons of worldwide free patent database – and how to use them
3:00 – 3:20 Break
3:20 – 4:30 Karon King ~ continued training ~ bring questions!

Did you know…that the Iowa Center for the Book offers your customers a great way to find local literary events? At http://www.iowacenterforthebook.org/calendar/index.html you can enter your library’s events and allow users to search for events during the next 30 days within 30 miles of their location. This is a free and easy way to promote your events. Be sure to market this web site to your customers, too, and make your media outlets aware of its existence!

The 2007 All Iowa Reads book was announced on October 13 at the Iowa Library Association Annual Conference in Council Bluffs. The committee is working hard to select books to appeal to a variety of tastes, and this year’s pick is quite a departure from previous years.

Splendid Solution: Jonas Salk and the Conquest of Polio by Jeffrey Kluger is a non-fiction selection that reads like fiction. While not directly linked to Iowa, we are hoping that this book will spark a discussion of the memories and history of Iowa and Iowans during this time, personalizing the book. Watch for details on how Southeastern will be working to gather some of those stories as part of the All Iowa Reads activities. We will again have discussion kits available to our member libraries thanks to the Iowa Center for the Book and an ICN session will be offered in late winter to get you geared up for celebrating this year’s selection.

To reserve the set from Southeastern to hold your own book club next year, contact Amanda Wright.

Election frenzy!

Here in Iowa we don’t elect our judges, but we do elect to retain them. Promote informed citizenship for your community by linking to and/or downloading and printing a great brochure on Iowa’s judges and how to research your vote. The brochure is available from the Iowa Judicial Branch at http://www.judicial.state.ia.us/Public_Information/About_Judges/. The brochure is available in pdf format and easily printed. Consider creating a mini-election information station and include the brochure along with information from the Secretary of State available at http://www.sos.state.ia.us/

TAX FORMS


Looking for Iowa tax forms for Tax Year 2006? Now is the time to order!

To expedite your Iowa tax forms order, the Iowa Department of Revenue asks that you use the Web site listed below. This site allows you to access your current account or create an account if your library does not already have one. You may also update mailing information, such as name, address and e-mail address.

You may start placing orders on Monday, October 9, 2006, for Tax Year 2006. If you place an order for Tax Year 2006 forms prior to Monday, October 9, 2006, the order will be considered a tax year 2005 order and will not be filled for tax year 2006.

https://www.idr.iowa.gov/taxforms/index.asp

If you used this system to order 2001 - 2005 tax forms, please use the same UserID/Password to order 2006 tax forms. (If you were assigned a UserID/Password but did not order during tax years 2001-2005, you should still use the UserID/Password you have.) Please DO NOT create a new account if you already have one, as this will result in a duplicate account record. If you have forgotten your UserID/Password or can't access the application, call 515-281-5370 for assistance. Your order must be entered by December 1, 2006, to ensure you receive forms timely. The department will start shipping tax forms for tax year 2006 in December 2006.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Youth Services Librarians: If you were one of the 13 libraries interested in taking the training to implement the exciting "Parents As Literacy Partners" program, please take note of the date and location! Thursday, October 26 at the Kalona Public Library from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, with lunch on your own. SLS is traveling from Davenport and will be happy to make carpool arrangements if needed.

Please register as soon as possible at http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/cgi-bin/cecat/. Because of the function of the catalog, you will need to log in first, then search by sponsor, choose Southeastern and select PALP (which will have a date in August, but go ahead and click on it). Then select the session at Kalona to register.

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All Public Librarians: "Tips & Tricks For Managing the Small Library"- Limited staff, funding and resources plague all libraries, but when you're a one or two person show, it's even more difficult to get everything done and still serve the public. Join us for a workshop stressing practical and easy tips and ideas for managing your small library!

Two times/locations for your convenience: November 8, 2006 10-noon @ Wilson Memorial Library in Keota, Iowa or November29, 2006 10-noon @ West Point Public Library in West Point, Iowa. 2 CEs will be offered, handouts will be provided and there is a cost of $5.00.

Register soon by going to

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

Hope to see you there!

...Coming soon in February 2007..."Show Me the Money" (Grant Writing Basics) and the ever-popular "Book Talks"!

Bookmark It!

We've gotten our hands on some wonderful new bookmarks. They're a durable shiny sterling silver/stained glass-like combination and would make a lovely gift, door prize or summer reading program incentive for anyone. They definitely dress up any page!

We have a large variety available, as you can see pictured above. We have assorted "insect" selections (lady bugs, lightening bugs, butterflies and bumble bees), "flower" selections (tulips, sunflowers, panseys, roses, lilies, many more!-some even have the name of the flower engraved towards the the bottom). We also have special "sun" ones and "love doves" (as seen at the bottom middle)-all of these, as shown, come with a purple satin ribbon attached.

We're selling them for $1.25 a piece, 10 for $12.00 or 20 for $22.00, you choose which ones you'd like.

More seasonal ones and different varieties are available and can be ordered in bulk, at our discount, upon request. Please contact Amanda Wright for more information or to order yours today-amounts are limited!

Game Nights!

Playstation 2 Game Night Kits are finally here! West Liberty is the first to sign up to use our kits to provide game nights for their patrons- a great way to attract youth and families to your library!

Current games include Guitar Hero, Nascar 2005, Dance Dance Revolution, Super Monkey Ball Adventure, and Eye Toy Play 2 (interactive game with camera)...Soon to come…Jeopardy, SingStar Rock, Eye Toy AntiGrav. All of these are party style games, with the hardware to go with them (Eye Toy cameras, a driving wheel and pedals, guitar, dance pad, etc.)

Use our online registration form to easily reserve your kit! Kits come with up to three games (choose when you make your reservation), you'll get a confirmation email so you can start advertising to your community and all the only cost to you is a $5 fee (plus shipping both directions via US Mail-library rate.) Please note that kits will be shipped in sturdy USPS approved packaging, and if we’re coming your way and it works out, we’ll even deliver your kit to you!

Reserve today!

***REMINDER***

Scary but true, annual reports are due October 31!

Put the ghosts of last year to rest by getting your report in to Gerry Rowland. The online submission can be found at http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/ld/statistics/public-libraries/fy2007. As always, if you need help, give us a call. We know it’s a lot of work, but the statistics help the State, the LSAs and fellow libraries as we look at grants, funding, legislative agendas, and more.

Thanks!

***Job Opening In Southeast Iowa***

Busy Library in Morning Sun has opening for Library Director. Preferred candidate will possess strong people skills & excellent computer skills. Must have HS Diploma. Job includes managing all aspects of the library and library staff including: purchasing, budgeting, grant writing, record keeping and researching.

Please reply by mail with letter, resume and three professional references to: Mellinger Memorial Library Board, Box 8, Morning Sun, IA 52640-0008.

Resumes must be postmarked by October 25th.

Rotation Forums

Do you participate in one or more media rotations through Southeastern Library Services?

If the answer is yes, these forums are just for you!

Throughout the month of October, Southeastern Library Services' will be holding a series of 2 hour long forums in centralized locations throughout southeastern Iowa. This series of forums is a great way to get all of the participants from each rotation in the same room to exchange feedback on various issues and agree on changes, if needed. New policies will be reviewed and new contracts will be distributed as well. Amanda Wright and Kim Kietzman will be there to mediate and field questions all in the hopes of making the rotations the best yet!

Below are the dates and locations for these forums. We are encouraging each library to send one person to represent their library (preferably already familiar with rotations), also one who can be responsible for voting on issues. If you are not able to make the forums, please be sure to submit feedback on the issues (that came in the emails you were sent out) to
Amanda Wright at least one week prior to the date of the forum, or your voice won't be heard.

The dates are as follows:

October 3rd, 2006-Washington Public Library
OLD Audiobook-9am-11am
OLD DVD-12-2pm

October 4th, 2006-Fairfield Public Library
CD-10am-12pm
NEW Audiobook-1pm-3pm

October 9th, 2006-Mt. Pleasant Public Library
NEW DVD-10am-12pm
VHS (East Half) 1pm-3pm

October 10th, 2006-Sigourney Public Library
VHS (West Half) 10am-12pm

*Please note* Due to the large size of the VHS rotation, we found it better to split the meeting into two groups, a "West Half" and an "East Half"

The "East Half" towns are:

Birmingham
Columbus Junction
Farmington
Keokuk
Letts
Mediapolis
Montrose
Mt. Pleasant (Mental Health Center)
Mt. Pleasant Public Library
New London
Salem

The "West Half" towns are:

Agency
Eddyville
Eldon
Hedrick
Kalona
New Sharon
Richland
Sigourney
South English
Washington
Wellman-Scofield


To register and view more details on these forums, please go to the State catalog:

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

As always, if you need help establishing an account, do not hesitate to contact SLS for assistance!



We hope to see you there!

Looking for an easy way to track what’s due when? So were we! We came across this handy dandy web site through the State Library that lists the programs, agreements and reports and when they’re due, with links to the reports and agreements right there.

http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/archive/2006/07/reports/

Gilead

As you all know, this year's All Iowa Reads selection is the book, Gilead. Did you know you can easily have a set shipped to your library for a book club or discussion group? These groups are a great way to get people not only interested in reading, but socializing at the same time, and coming to your library to do it. The set includes 18 small print books, 2 large print books, 2 CD copies and an audio cassette copy. They are available anytime after September 15th. Please contact Amanda Wright at (800) 397-0029 or by email at awright@sls.lib.ia.us to reserve.

If you don't know much about book clubs, or even the book itself, take a look at the All Iowa Reads website at http://www.iowacenterforthebook.org/air/2006/index.html
Here you can find helpful information on how to get a group started, more about this year's selection and much, much more.

Already have a group going? Share your exciting program and event plans for All Iowa Reads 2006 with others around the state! A list of activities will be added to the All Iowa Reads web page as information is submitted. As an incentive to fill out your information, the All Iowa Reads Committee has decided that at the end of the year, one lucky program sponsor will receive 15 free copies of the 2007 All Iowa Reads selection. Take a moment and check it out!
http://www.iowacenterforthebook.org/air/2006/book-events/describe-your-program-or-

Workshops! Workshops! Workshops!

We have added some opportunities for continuing education to the online catalog at http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/cgi-bin/cecat/.

In the coming months we’re offering a Youth Services Roundtable in September and the always popular Directors’ Roundtable in October. Policy Manual training for public libraries is offered at two locations in November and two sessions of Michele Leininger’s fabulous Readers’ Advisory course are available in November as well.

Coming soon…How to Talk to Your Legislator, Grant Writing 101 and more!

As always, contact us if you have problems setting up or using your CE catalog account.

We hope to see you there!

Good Luck!


Roslin Thompson, director of Sigourney Public Library, has just had her last day at the library, on August 31st after leaving to move with her family to Newton, Iowa. While at Sigourney, Roslin has overseen many things, including (but certainly not limited to!) the building of a brand new, beautiful facility. Starting soon she will be working at the Knoxville Public Library. We wish her luck and will all miss her very much!

***JOB OPENINGS IN SOUTHEAST***

BETTENDORF PUBLIC LIBRARY

Adult Services Manager

Innovative, proactive and experienced librarian sought for Adult Services Manager at Bettendorf Public Library Information Center (www.bettendorflibrary.com). MLS in Library Science and 3 years supervisory experience in a public library required. Supervises Information and Adult Services including selection, programming, reference, web site, public computers, ICN, patron training, volunteers and outreach. Adult Services staff has 2.78 FTE and Information Services has 3.46 FTE. Send cover letter, resume, city application and references to: Human Resources Director, 1609 State Street, Bettendorf,Iowa, 52722. Application available at www.bettendorf.org Close September 29 at 4:00 p.m.

FAIRFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY

Youth Services Librarian

Fairfield Public Library has an opening for a Youth Services Librarian. This is a full time, salaried position starting at $25,500 with excellent benefits including health insurance, retirement, paid sick leave, and three weeks paid vacation.

Fairfield, Iowa is a vibrant community of 9,500 combining a unique blend of traditional Iowa values with a diverse national and international population base. Agriculture, manufacturing, and high-tech businesses find their home in Fairfield. Located in southeastern Iowa, we are within 75 miles of Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, and Burlington. We were featured in the August/September 2006 issue of Mother Earth News as one of “12 Great Places You’ve Never Heard Of” because of our wonderful art galleries, varied restaurants, organic food, alternative energy, and unusual architecture.

The first Carnegie Library west of the Mississippi was built in Fairfield, and strong community support for the library continues today. Our mission-style $3.1 million building was completed in 1996 in the center of town. This 21,000 sq. ft. facility houses 82,000 unique titles in a variety of formats.

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 and young patrons are a high priority. We just installed new automation system, and our website is under construction: http://www.youseemore.com/fairfield/default.asp .

If you are the successful candidate, you will become the “face of the library.” This means you will provide outreach to local schools and day care centers, connecting 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 you will help at the circulation desk.

Qualifications and skills required:

· MLS is preferred, but candidates who have combined an educational degree with relevant experience are also encouraged to apply
· Energetic advocate for children and teens
· Solid knowledge of youth literature
· 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 Adams
Fairfield, IA 52556

New Digs!

Thank you to everyone who participated in our "virtual garage sale" and for your patience during our move. As most of you know, we had to clean house to move into our new office, which we are now in the process of unearthing, and are very happy with. We are proud to say we are back in full working order (though please note with our new phone system we are not hanging up on you because we don't like your conversation!) While our numbers will remain the same, our address has changed. Please update your records accordingly.

It is:

Southeastern Library Services
2435 Kimberly Rd. Suite 210N
Bettendorf, IA 52722

Thanks again,

SLS

SLS Garage Sale

We're cleaning house and we have great stuff available at reasonable prices! Things for your library or even your home! Everything is listed right on our website, prices are negotiable unless otherwise noted. Call Amanda @ (800) 397-0029 to claim (first come, first served!) or to inquire about other details or measurements.

Go to: http://www.sls.lib.ia.us/garage_sale.htm to check out what we have!