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Monthly Archives: July 2010
Celebration of Nebraska Books Planned for November 6, 2010
The Nebraska Center for the Book is planning a Celebration of Nebraska Books on November 6, 2010 at the Nebraska State Historical Society’s Nebraska History Museum. The celebration is open to the public and will include a program highlighting the 2010 One Book One Nebraska selection, The Home Place, by Wright Morris.
The celebration will feature the winners of the 2010 Nebraska Book Awards with an Awards Ceremony honoring the winning authors and publishers. Featured winning authors will read from their work and sign copies of their books.
The 2010 Jane Geske Award will also be presented. The Nebraska Center for the Book annually presents the Jane Geske Award to an organization, business, library, school, association, or other group that has made an exceptional contribution to literacy, books, reading, libraries, or Nebraska literature. The Jane Geske Award commemorates Geske’s passion for books, and was established in recognition of her contributions to the well-being of the libraries of Nebraska. Jane Geske was a founding member of the Nebraska Center for the Book and a long-time leader in many Nebraska library and literary activities.
The Nebraska Center for the Book will also announce the 2011 One Book One Nebraska book selection at the Nebraska Center for the Book Celebration of Nebraska Books on November 6, 2010.
The Nebraska Center for the Book Annual Meeting will also be held at the November 6 Celebration.
As additional information about the Celebration of Nebraska Books becomes available, it will be shared via Facebook, as well as the Nebraska Humanities Council and Nebraska Center for the Book websites.
For information about One Book One Nebraska, including current and previous book selections, see http://www.onebookonenebraska.org or join us on Facebook. For more information contact Mary Jo Ryan, 402-471-3434 or 800-307-2665.
Posted in Books & Reading, Education & Training, Public Relations
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Free Webinars in August
Check out all the Webinars in the August “Free Webinars” listing. We’re welcoming another new producer this month–The Georgia Public Library Service! Additional programs do get added to the list, so you might want to look back at the listing every week or so.
Titles of Webinars this month inlcude:
- Advocating for Your Library
- Prepare and Respond: Partnering with Local Emergency Management
- Social Networking for Fundraisers
- The Best of ALA 2010
- Selecting and recommending Inspirational Fiction
- Best Practices in Library Fundraising
- RSS: Feed Me
- Helping Job Seekers: Using Electronic Tools and Federal Resources
- Tour GrantStation: Your Fast Track to Fundraising Resources
- How to Make Your Library Entrepreneur-Friendly
- Fantasy Football, Flash Mobs, and Fanfiction: Pop Culture Programming in Your Library
- Free Learning: Developing No Cost, Online Learning for Patrons and Staff
- Tech Tips Training Series
- Advocacy for Libraries: In our Own Interest
- Teen Book Buzz Fall 2010
- Fantastic Fall Fiction for Youth
- Turning Your Databases into Business for Your Customers
- Tech Talk with Michael Sauers
- Digitization & Preservation Symposium
- Conducting a Successful Capital Campaign
- Going to Your Customer–Outreach and Strategic Partnerships
Posted in Education & Training
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Tech Talk: Michael Sauers talks with Bobbi Newman – Recorded Online Session
In this episode, Michael will be talking with Bobbi Newman. Bobbi is dedicated to helping libraries find their place in the digital age. She has presented at local, national, and international library conferences on a variety of topics related to improving existing digital services through expanding traditional methods, while creating innovative new practices. She is a librarian, teacher, presenter, writer, community builder, book lover, techno geek, and video game junkie. Her professional interests include digital and technology based services, the digital divide, 21st century literacies and the role of all libraries in equal access and opportunity for all . She writes about these and other topics at http://librarianbyday.net/.
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TechTrends Webinar Archived
“TechTrends: ALA Annual 2010 Webinar” is archived on the ALA TechSource blog. The slides from the presenters and from the couple of people who were originally meant to be presenters but couldn’t make it for the rescheduled events are also there. I thought it was a pretty interesting hour with something for everyone. We’d be very interested to know what you think, so leave us a comment here if you like.
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LIS Courses at Central Community College This Fall
Two classes are being taught online this Fall: LIBR 2250 Leadership & Management in Library & Information Agencies and LIBR 2210 Cataloging and Classification.
Leadership & Management will be taught by Joyce Sharon Neujahr. It “includes the theories, concepts and activities integral to leading and managing 21st Century libraries and information agencies.” Cataloging, taught by Ruth Carlock, covers “theories, concepts and activities for cataloging and classifying materials in the 21st Century.”
Contact Mary Young, Admissions/Recruiting Director, myoung@cccneb.edu or (402) 562-1296 for further info.
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Nebraska FY2009 Library Data Posted and Mapped
Results of the 2008-2009 Public Library Survey for Nebraska are available for downloading in spreadsheet format. We have also updated the library map mashup so that the info bubble contains the latest data along with a thumbnail photo of each library. The data download page has a new look, too. Follow these links to check out the data updates.
Check out the new data download page at http://nlc.nebraska.gov/stats/statlist.aspx, where you will also find links to the latest library survey results and the updated library map. Or, go directly to http://nlc.nebraska.gov/stats/Downloads/20082009stats/index20082009.aspx for the downloadable survey spreadsheet and to http://nlc.nebraska.gov/stats/LibraryMapFY2009.aspx for a look at the new library map.
Calling All Readers’ Advisors: More News About Books!
I just read in PW Daily that there’s a list of the 250 book bloggers that attended Book Blogger Con this year–with links to their blogs–including some authors and some from the publishing industry. I haven’t dived into any of them, but some of the blog titles sound as if they’d offer some great reviews. If you check out any of the blogs, leave a comment here and let us know what you thought.
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Nebraska Public Library Accreditation 2010
The Nebraska Library Commission recently mailed letters to 93 eligible Nebraska public libraries to initiate the process of public library accreditation. Libraries receiving these letters include already-accredited public libraries that are due for reaccreditation (50 libraries) and unaccredited public libraries that submitted their annual statistics to the Library Commission for the most recent collection (43 libraries). Public libraries are accredited for a three-year period if they meet required guidelines. Libraries may be accredited at one of three levels – Essential, Enhanced, or Excellent – depending on how many of the guidelines they are able to meet. Accreditation certificates will be mailed to libraries by October 4, 2010. To view the accreditation guidelines go to Nebraska Public Library Accreditation . For questions contact Richard Miller, Nebraska Library Commission Library Development Director at:
Richard Miller , 402-471-3175, or 800-307-2665.
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What Sally’s Reading
Congratulations!
Let’s all give a cheer for Lindsey Tomsu and Gordon Wyant who are the lucky winners of the recent Still Sucks to Be Me Launch Contest and have won a visit to the La Vista library from the author Kimberley Pauley. The author combined their entries when she learned how close their libraries are. Visit her announcement here and find out what percentage of the vote the Nebraska entry received. (Woo-hoo!)
I checked out a copy of Sucks to Be Me from the Lincoln City Libraries so I can catch up with all the teen readers in La Vista and Bellevue. (And be ready for the sequel!)
I just started Crunch by Leslie Connor and it is already intriguing. The parent left on a semi truck delivery route and are now stuck close to Canada since the gas shortage went from a shortage to nothing – no gas anywhere. It is now a gas ‘crunch’ according to one character. The kids can handle things at home; Lilly is 18, Dewey (the main character) is 14, Vince is 13, and the twins Angus and Eva are 5. And… they have a bike repair shop and business is booming. (Maybe too much…)
(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers. After review, the books are distributed free to Nebraska school and public libraries.)
Posted in Books & Reading, General, Youth Services
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Communication–Getting the Word Out: Does your audience hear what you mean? – Recorded Online Session
The library has a lot to offer, as a provider of information and entertainment, and as a partner in the cultural, economic, and civic life of the community. But it can be difficult to compose the message and to find channels to deliver it that will make sure that the message gets through. Mary Jo Ryan, Nebraska Library Commission Communications Coordinator will offer some techniques for improving communications with the community.
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Attend SERN and Do Some Networking
Here’s an opportunity to make some connections for your library:
The Southeast Nebraska Resource Network (SERN) will hold their 3d Quarterly meeting on Wednesday August 25, 2010 at the Seward Civic Center. The Southeast Nebraska Resource Network (SERN) is a group of development resource and service providers, and community volunteers interested in the betterment of Southeast Nebraska. Anyone with an interest in community and economic development in Southeast Nebraska may become a SERN Member and attend SERN Meetings.
SERN members meet quarterly to discuss new initiatives, successes and share information regarding resources, programs and projects in Southeast Nebraska. SERN’s quarterly meeting format includes a morning meeting, optional lunch, and an afternoon program on a topic of interest for the Southeast Nebraska Region.
This is an excellent opportunity for local community leaders and volunteers to be connected with Federal, State, and Local resource and service providers to discuss ideas and opportunities for potential projects. Local area leaders and volunteers are encouraged to attend a SERN meeting in your area to connect with providers and discuss successful and potential community and economic development projects and initiatives.
The SERN Region includes the Counties (and their communities) of: Polk, Butler, Saunders, York, Seward, Lancaster, Cass, Otoe, Fillmore, Saline, Gage, Johnson, Nemaha, Thayer, Jefferson, Pawnee, and Richardson.
To be added to the SERN Email Distribution list or for more information about SERN, please contact one of the SERN Co-Chairs: Jen Olds at 402-475-2560 (jolds@sendd.org) or Whitney Bumgarner at 402-471-6281 or whitney.bumgarner@nebraska.gov.
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Online Learning with a Nebraska Connection
A new LE@D class authored by Nebraska’s own Kit Keller is now available from the University of North Texas, Online Research Strategies for Librarians “explores the online resources that impact library services, providing tips and techniques for improving Web search capabilities.”
LE@D (Lifelong Education @ Desktop) offers many online C.E. programs for librarians at modest prices. Some class titles that caught my eye include: Grant Writing Basics, Financial Management in Tough Times, and Retailing Methods and Techniques in Libraries. That’s just a small sample, so check them out.
Nebraska librarians who participate in LE@D courses earn C.E. credit in the Nebraska Librarian Certification program.
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Register now for Library Camp Nebraska III
The site for Library Camp Nebraska III is now live. Again this year Library Camp is presented as a pre-conference of the Nebraska Library Association annual conference and will be held in Grand Island, NE on 13 October 2010. Registration is being handled by NLA but there is no cost to attend Library Camp nor are you required (but you are encouraged) to attend the rest of the NLA conference.
This year’s Library Camp Web site is being run on WordPress.com as a blog instead of on PBWorks as a wiki as we have in previous years. All instructions for registering and participating can be found on the Library Camp Nebraska III site.
Attendance will be limited to 50 people so please get yourself signed up ASAP.
image CC-BY-NC-SAAlexander Kesselaar
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Construction at the Kearney Public Library [video]
A short news item from Nebraska.TV about the construction going on at the Kearney Public Library.
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What Sally’s Reading
Have You Heard the One About…?
One of the posts on YALSA-BK contained information about the new, upcoming Jon Scieszka book Guys Read: Funny Business. Here is a link to a YouTube video promoting the new book, due out September 21! If you can, take a look at it, great fun!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCd9ln6Y5Cs
Titled: Guys Read: Funny Business – The Joke
It has a number of well-known authors telling a joke. In alphabetical order (not joke telling order) are:
Mac Barnett, Eoin Colfer, Christopher Paul Curtis, Kate DiCamillo (the only female), Paul Feig, Jack Gantos, Jeff Kinney, David Lubar, Adam Rex, Jon Scieszka, and David Yoo.
I’m looking forward to reading the book!
I’m in the middle of Alchemy and Meggy Swann by Karen Cushman. I am a fan of her titles Catherine, Called Birdy, The Midwife’s Apprentice and Matilda Bone and this title is in the same vein. Meggy, unable to walk without her two sticks, has been sent to London to live with her father, an alchemist, and someone she knew nothing about. He was expecting a boy and is quite disappointed with Meggy. London is very different from her former home of village and countryside, but she is trying to fit in and find her place.
(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers. After review, the books are distributed free to Nebraska school and public libraries.)
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Conducting Surveys III: Analyzing Data and Reporting Methods – Recorded Online Session
Tackling the job of conducting a survey for your library can be daunting. A systematic and quality-driven approach will yield results which can provide valuable information to decision-makers and stakeholders. This first in a three-part series of workshops on conducting surveys will demystify the survey process, from beginning to end of your project.
This third presentation of the three-part series addresses 1) questionnaire coding, data tracking, and data entry; 2) basics of analyses; and 3) reporting methods, including employing tables and graphs.
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Presenting Data in Meaningful and Interesting Ways
Surveys, Focus Groups & Observation
Codebook Example
Completed Survey Ready for Data Entry
Report Outline Example
Reporting Results Question by Question
Conducting Surveys I: Introduction and Questionnaire Design
Conducting Surveys II: Data Collection
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Free Online Advocacy Training, Turning the Page, Offered by PLA
Turning the Page: Building Your Library Community online training is now available free of charge. In June 2007, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation awarded PLA a $7.7 million grant to develop and provide a national advocacy training program.
The program, branded Turning the Page: Building Your Library Community is designed to equip librarians and library supporters with the skills, confidence, and resources they need to create community partnerships, build alliances with local and regional decision makers, and ultimately increase funding for their libraries. This training was specifically developed for library systems participating in the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Opportunity Online hardware grants program. Participating Nebraska libraries attended this training in 2009. Through the generosity of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Turning the Page online is now available to all ALA members absolutely free of charge!
September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month for Public Libraries
The American Library Association (ALA) urges Nebraska libraries, along with libraries all across the country, to celebrate the value of getting a library card. Lately, there has been a huge growth in the number of people who rely on our public libraries for everything from finding a job to unlocking The Da Vinci Code. Others have found our libraries as a place they can surf the Internet, access the latest DVD releases, or perhaps just sit and relax and read a book or newspaper.
Nebraska libraries are urged to tell your local version of these stories and to remind parents and children that a library card is the most important school supply of all. Resources to help with promotion are available at the Campaign for America’s Libraries.
Click on Comments below to share your creative ideas to promote September 2010: Library Card Sign-up Month.
Posted in Public Relations
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Nebraska Libraries Host Prime Time Family Reading Time – Recorded Online Session
Prime Time Family Reading Time is an innovative family reading program designed for low-income families in communities where student reading scores do not meet Nebraska state standards. The six-week program is hosted by local libraries and led by a storyteller and a discussion leader. Since 2005, when the Nebraska Library Commission funded student interns to work with Prime Time, bilingual student assistants have contributed to the programs while also learning about library work. Erika Hamilton, state coordinator of Prime Time, Nebraska Humanities Council Program Officer, will share her experiences in encouraging parents and children to read award-winning illustrated children’s books, to recognize and discuss humanities topics in the stories, and to become active public library users.
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Prime Time Family Reading Time website
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Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration to offer two webinars regarding collaboration with libraries
The Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration will soon offer
two webinars related to collaboration with libraries as part of its new
partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS):
July 19: This webinar will highlight promising state and local examples of
workforce-library collaboration. Details to be announced on the Workforce3One
website. (Registration is required to access site content.)
http://www.workforce3one.org/
August 11: This webinar on WebJunction will present an introduction to the
workforce system and the electronic tools most helpful to library staff. Free
registration is open now.
http://evanced.info/webjunction/evanced/eventsignup.asp?ID=1661.
This programming partnership has tremendous potential to help the job seekers in our Nebraska communities. Click on Comment below to share information about how you are helping job seekers in your library.
