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Author Archives: Christa Porter
NCompass Live: Many Languages, Many Cultures: Responding to Diverse Health Information Needs
Join us for the next NCompass Live, ‘Many Languages, Many Cultures: Responding to Diverse Health Information Needs’, on Wednesday, July 18, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.
Nebraska’s minority population continues to grow rapidly. From 2000 to 2010 the number of minorities in the state increased by 50.7%. In the past 15 years, Nebraska has resettled over 11,000 refugees from 35 countries, and currently leads the nation in resettling the most refugees per capita. This increasing diversity in our communities leads to a greater need for culturally relevant and multilingual health information resources. This includes materials to improve cultural awareness and communication skills of health providers and librarians, and resources created in a way that those from diverse backgrounds can understand and identify with the information provided. In this presentation, the presenter will share where to find appropriate information resources and how you and your patrons can use them.
Presenter: Christian Minter, Community Engagement and Health Literacy Librarian, McGoogan Library of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Upcoming NCompass Live events:
- July 25 – Emergency and Disaster Response Planning for Libraries
- Aug. 1 – Engaging Your Community
- Aug. 8 – Ditching Dewey: How we converted from Dewey to BISAC and lived to tell about it
- Aug. 15 – Some of Our Favorites: The System Directors Talk Books
- Aug. 22 – Excel for Librarians
- Aug. 29 – We Find and We Fix: Connecting a Community at the Library
For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
NCompass Live: WebJunction: The Learning Place for Libraries
Join us for the next NCompass Live, ‘WebJunction: The Learning Place for Libraries’, on Wednesday, July 11, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.
Find out how to make the most of WebJunction including their live and recorded webinars, self-paced courses, as well as articles and resources, which can all play a part in helping you meet your learning goals.
We’ll tour the different ways to learn at WebJunction and explore how to unlock the advantages of each of these, setting you up for success in your continuing education pursuits. We’ll also talk about ways that you can support the continuing education needs of your staff, board and volunteers. Whether you are new to WebJunction or are a seasoned learner wanting to delve deeper, join us for the WebJunction experience!
Presenter: Kendra Morgan, Senior Program Manager, WebJunction.
Upcoming NCompass Live events:
- July 18 – Many Languages, Many Cultures: Responding to Diverse Health Information Needs
- July 25 – Emergency and Disaster Response Planning for Libraries
- Aug. 1 – Engaging Your Community
- Aug. 8 – Ditching Dewey: How we converted from Dewey to BISAC and lived to tell about it
- Aug. 15 – Some of Our Favorites: The System Directors Talk Books
- Aug. 22 – Excel for Librarians
- Aug. 29 – We Find and We Fix: Connecting a Community at the Library
For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
Nebraska Public Library Accreditation 2018
The 2018 Public Library Accreditation process opened on July 1.
Fifty-eight Nebraska public libraries are due for re-accreditation in 2018. Fifty-six additional public libraries that submitted their annual statistics for the Public Library Survey are also eligible to apply for accreditation. These two groups of libraries have been contacted with details on how to initiate and go through the process.
Accreditation offers a measure of quality of a community’s library services. Through the questions in the Application Form, libraries are measured against guidelines developed by a task force of professional librarians. The guidelines are community-based, so that each library can determine its own priorities based on local community needs. To help libraries address how the library will serve the unique needs of its own community, libraries applying for accreditation also must submit a Community Needs Response Plan.
Completed Accreditation Applications and up-to-date Community Needs Response Plans are due October 1. The Applications and Plans will be evaluated and libraries will be informed of their new Accreditation Level, which is valid for three years, by December 31. There are three levels of Accreditation: Bronze, Silver, and Gold.
To see the complete list of all accredited Nebraska public libraries, check the Accreditation Status webpage.
For any questions about Nebraska Public Library Accreditation, contact Christa Porter, 800-307-2665, 402-471-3107.
Posted in Library Management
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Special TUESDAY NCompass Live: Collection Development Made Easier with Ingram
NOTE! Due to the Independence Day holiday, this NCompass Live will be on Tuesday, July 3. It will be at the usual time, from 10am – 11am Central Time.
Join us for the next NCompass Live, ‘Collection Development Made Easier with Ingram’, on Tuesday, July 3, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.
Collection development can be a daunting task. There is so much out there, and reading piles of reviews takes time that you don’t have to spare. In this session, Ingram Library Services will share some resources that can help answer the question ‘How do I know what to buy?’. The HINT Program, High Interest New Titles, provides a list of the top 25 titles that other public libraries have on order that you have not yet ordered. Curated Collection Lists and Standing Orders/New Title Notifications can also help you find the best books for your library.
Presenter: Kevin Davenport, Inside Sales Representative, Ingram Library Services.
Upcoming NCompass Live events:
- July 11 – WebJunction: The Learning Place for Libraries
- July 18 – Many Languages, Many Cultures: Responding to Diverse Health Information Needs
- July 25 – Emergency and Disaster Response Planning for Libraries
- Aug. 1 – Engaging Your Community
- Aug. 8 – Ditching Dewey: How we converted from Dewey to BISAC and lived to tell about it
- Aug. 15 – Some of Our Favorites: The System Directors Talk Books
- Aug. 22 – Excel for Librarians
- Aug. 29 – We Find and We Fix: Connecting a Community at the Library
For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is regularly broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
Apply Now: Code Club for Small & Rural Libraries
Small and rural public libraries nation-wide are invited to apply to be a part of the IMLS grant “Code Club for Small & Rural Libraries.”
The North Dakota State Library (NDSL) received a grant for $249,000 from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), through the National Leadership Grant for Libraries, to help youth learn coding at 50 libraries across the country.
Small and rural communities are at risk of being left behind as computer programming emerges as a critical skill and the gap in access to computer science education widens between urban and rural America. Code Club for Small & Rural Libraries seeks to enable the libraries in these communities to introduce coding to thousands of youth aged 8-14, which will help them gain the skills needed for college and career readiness and life success.
“As centers of learning and catalysts of community change, libraries and museums connect people with programs, services, collections, information, and new ideas in the arts, sciences, and humanities. They serve as vital spaces where people can connect with each other,” said IMLS Director Dr. Kathryn K. Matthew. “IMLS is proud to support their work through our grant making as they inform and inspire all in their communities.”
The grant will deliver all the resources necessary to run a code club in small and rural public libraries. Those resources include one-on-one training sessions, code club software, and ongoing coaching and support.
A code club is an informal program that takes place at a library where kids learn computer programming skills. Teaching kids computer programming skills can dramatically impact your community by providing kids with 21st century career opportunities and instilling a valuable set of life skills, like computational thinking and problem solving.
Through a partnership with Prenda, code club does not require any coding knowledge to run. It does, however, require:
- Computers (laptops or desktops)
- High-speed internet
- A space in the library
- Library staff/volunteer to facilitate
To be eligible for this grant you must qualify as a “small or rural public library.”
- Small = any public library with a service area of 15,000 or less
- Rural = any public library more than 25 miles from an ‘urbanized area’ (as defined by the US Census)
Applications to participate are due July 16 and must be completed online.
Learn more on the grant website or through the official Facebook group.
This project is funded by the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) and is administered by the North Dakota State Library, in collaboration with Prenda. (IMLS Grant information)
Posted in Education & Training, Grants, Technology, Youth Services
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NCompass Live: The 2018 Public Library Accreditation Process
Sign up today for the next NCompass Live, ‘The 2018 Public Library Accreditation Process’.
Join us on Wednesday, June 27, from 10-11am CT, to hear about the Nebraska Public Library Accreditation process, and get a head start if your library is up for re-accreditation in 2018. If your library is not currently Accredited, you’ll want to attend this session to learn more about the process and explore the possibility of becoming an Accredited Public Library. You will see how the application form works, relate that process to the required Community Needs Response Plan, and learn why Accreditation is important and what it can do for your library. This presentation will be of special interest to public library directors and public library board members.
Presenter: Christa Porter, Library Development Director, Nebraska Library Commission.
Upcoming NCompass Live events:
- July 3 – NOTE SPECIAL TUESDAY DATE – Collection Development Made Easier with Ingram
- July 11 – WebJunction: The Learning Place for Libraries
- July 18 – Many Languages, Many Cultures: Responding to Diverse Health Information Needs
- July 25 – Emergency and Disaster Response Planning for Libraries
- Aug. 1 – Engaging Your Community
- Aug. 8 – Ditching Dewey: How we converted from Dewey to BISAC and lived to tell about it
- Aug. 15 – Some of Our Favorites: The System Directors Talk Books
- Aug. 22 – Excel for Librarians
- Aug. 29 – We Find and We Fix: Connecting a Community at the Library
For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
NCompass Live: Rising to the Challenge: Using the Aspen Institute Report and Action Guide for Strategic Planning
Join us for the next NCompass Live, ‘Rising to the Challenge: Using the Aspen Institute Report and Action Guide for Strategic Planning’, on Wednesday, June 20, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.
The Aspen Institute Dialogue on Public Libraries report Rising to the Challenge: Re-Envisioning Public Libraries and its companion Action Guide can be powerful tools for libraries as we seek to leverage our position as a trusted community resource to forge new partnerships for achieving community goals. Learn how one small public library used the Aspen Report in its strategic planning process to develop a dynamic new road map for community success.
Presenter: Anna L. Yount, Library Director, Transylvania County Library, Brevard, NC.
Upcoming NCompass Live events:
- June 27 – The 2018 Public Library Accreditation Process
- July 3 – NOTE SPECIAL TUESDAY DATE – Collection Development Made Easier with Ingram
- July 11 – WebJunction: The Learning Place for Libraries
- July 18 – Many Languages, Many Cultures: Responding to Diverse Health Information Needs
- July 25 – Emergency and Disaster Response Planning for Libraries
- Aug. 1 – Engaging Your Community
- Aug. 8 – Ditching Dewey: How we converted from Dewey to BISAC and lived to tell about it
- Aug. 15 – Some of Our Favorites: The System Directors Talk Books
- Aug. 29 – We Find and We Fix: Connecting a Community at the Library
For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
Friday Reads: To the Stars Through Difficulties
From the author’s website:
“To the Stars Through Difficulties (She Writes Press, 2017) is inspired by the fifty-nine Carnegie libraries built in Kansas early in the 20th century.
Andrew Carnegie was the Johnny Appleseed of libraries – but public libraries would never have thrived on the prairie in the early 20th Century if it weren’t for the women in small and remote communities who sponsored waffle suppers, minstrel shows, and women’s baseball games to buy books.
Angelina returns to her father’s hometown of New Hope to complete her dissertation on the Carnegie libraries, just as Traci arrives as artist-in-residence at the renovated Carnegie Arts Center, just when Gayle takes refuge after the devastation of the neighboring town of Prairie Hill by a tornado. Discovery of an old journal provides not only the information Angelina needs to finish her dissertation but also the ammunition to save the Arts Center from attacks by the Religious Righteous and the inspiration for the neighboring and rival town of Prairie Hill to build a cultural center as the first act of reclaiming their lives after the tornado.”
This is definitely a book for library lovers. The history of Carnegie libraries is beautifully interwoven within the story of the present day struggles and triumphs of the libraries/arts/cultural centers of the novel. As a librarian, I of course identified with library school student Angelina. But, the strength, intelligence, and determination of all of the women is inspiring. A very well written, feel-good read … perfect for a relaxing summer vacation or book club discussion.
Want to learn more? Romalyn Tilghman, author of To the Stars Through Difficulties, was on a recent episode of NCompass Live. Check out the archived recording!
NCompass Live: One Book – One Lincoln: Building Community One Book at a Time
Join us for the next NCompass Live, ‘One Book – One Lincoln: Building Community One Book at a Time’, on Wednesday, June 13, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.
Katie Murtha, Bennett Martin Public Library Librarian and coordinator for the One Book – One Lincoln Community Reading Program, will provide background information on One Book – One Lincoln that had its inaugural year in 2002 and has been a highlight activity of Lincoln City Libraries and the City of Lincoln each year since then. Katie will touch on various past years’ books, programs, and discussion opportunities and how the program has undergone continual changes to better incorporate community participation, input, and feedback.
Lincoln is currently in the process of choosing the 2018 One Book – One Lincoln title. Three finalists were announced by the Selection Committee on May 28th: Beartown, Killers of the Flower Moon, and Little Fires Everywhere. The title will be determined by a community vote with voting taking place through July 31. The winning title will be announced in September. Check the One Book – One Lincoln website often for the latest announcements.
Upcoming NCompass Live events:
- June 20 – Rising to the Challenge: Using the Aspen Institute Report and Action Guide for Strategic Planning
- June 27 – The 2018 Public Library Accreditation Process
- July 11 – WebJunction: The Learning Place for Libraries
- July 18 – Many Languages, Many Cultures: Responding to Diverse Health Information Needs
- July 25 – Emergency and Disaster Response Planning for Libraries
- August 1 – Engaging Your Community
- Aug. 15 – Some of Our Favorites: The System Directors Talk Books
For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
Is Your Library the Best Small Library in America?
Calling all libraries serving communities of 25,000 or less! Library Journal is now accepting applications for the Best Small Library in America Award, made possible by sustaining sponsor Baker & Taylor. The deadline to nominate your library is July 2.
This is an amazing opportunity to show off your great rural or small library. Anyone can nominate a library – the library administration itself, patrons, members of the community, library peers, etc.
The winning library will receive a $5,000 cash award, and two finalist libraries will be awarded $1,000 each – thanks to Baker & Taylor. All three will be featured in the September 15, 2018 issue of Library Journal and online.
The winner will also be highlighted at the 2018 Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL) Conference, Sept. 13-15 in Springfield, IL, and, thanks to support from ARSL, will receive a scholarship to attend and the opportunity to speak there.
Nominate your favorite Nebraska library today! Learn more about the guidelines and submit your nomination on the Best Small Library in America Award website.
Posted in General, Library Management, Public Relations
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NCompass Live: Are You Afraid of the Big, Bad Inventory?
Join us for the next NCompass Live, ‘Are You Afraid of the Big, Bad Inventory?’, on Wednesday, June 6, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.
Some libraries are experts at running inventories on a regular basis and their listings in their catalog are almost 100% accurate. Many other libraries have either NEVER done an inventory, have only done 1 in the last 10 years, or have started an inventory and never finished. Inventories can be scary and they can frighten people away. Come learn a few tips and tricks on completing a successful inventory. Learn how Keene Memorial Library just completed their first inventory in at least 20 years and hear about the pros, cons, and what we learned from our mistakes. Learn why it is important to do an inventory on a regular basis. Maybe that big, bad inventory won’t keep you up at nights after you hear our secrets.
Presenter: Tina Walker, Director, Keene Memorial Library (Fremont, NE).
Upcoming NCompass Live events:
- June 20 – Rising to the Challenge: Using the Aspen Institute Report and Action Guide for Strategic Planning
- June 27 – The 2018 Public Library Accreditation Process
- July 11 – WebJunction: The Learning Place for Libraries
- July 18 – Many Languages, Many Cultures: Responding to Diverse Health Information Needs
- July 25 – Emergency and Disaster Response Planning for Libraries
- August 1 – Engaging Your Community
- Aug. 15 – Some of Our Favorites: The System Directors Talk Books
For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
NCompass Live: Library Innovation Studios – A Project Update and Review of the Application Process
Join us for the next NCompass Live, ‘Library Innovation Studios – A Project Update and Review of the Application Process’, on Wednesday, May 30, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.
Project staff and partners for the Library Innovation Studios: Transforming Rural Communities project will provide an update to the project, a review of the benefits and commitments involving a makerspace, the need for local partners, and details about the final application/selection process. Eligible Nebraska public libraries are those with a legal service area of less than 25,000 and are accredited. The deadline for the second application cycle – that will identify the final thirteen participating libraries – is scheduled for July 20, 2018.
During the webinar you’ll also hear from Heather St. Clair and Audrey Heil (the directors from the Ashland and Loup City public libraries) who will discuss their experiences preparing for and hosting a Library Innovation Studio for up 20 weeks.
The Nebraska Library Commission (NLC) along with partners University of Nebraska – Lincoln, Nebraska Innovation Studio, Nebraska Extension, and Regional Library Systems, are excited about the project, which was awarded a National Leadership Grant of $530,732 by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The project began July 1, 2017 and will conclude the summer of 2020.
The project uses Library Innovation Studios (makerspaces) hosted by libraries to support community engagement and participatory learning experiences by providing access to technological and innovative learning tools not readily accessible locally. This strengthening of the maker culture is expected to stimulate creativity, innovation and the exchange of ideas to facilitate entrepreneurship, skills development, and local economic development.
Project and application details can be found at: http://nlc.nebraska.gov/grants/InnovationStudios/
Presenters: JoAnn McManus, Library Innovation Studios Project Manager; Mary Jo Ryan, NLC Communications Coordinator; Max Wheeler, Instructional Designer for Library Innovation Studios; Connie Hancock, Community Vitality Extension Educator, UNL; Heather St.Clair, Library Director, Ashland Public Library; and Audrey Heil, Director, Loup City Public Library.
Upcoming NCompass Live events:
- June 20 – Rising to the Challenge: Using the Aspen Institute Report and Action Guide for Strategic Planning
- June 27 – The 2018 Public Library Accreditation Process
- July 18 – Many Languages, Many Cultures: Responding to Diverse Health Information Needs
- August 1 – Engaging Your Community
- Aug. 15 – Some of Our Favorites: The System Directors Talk Books
For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
Posted in Education & Training, Programming, Technology
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NCompass Live: Big-Time Library Support in Small Towns
Join us for the next NCompass Live, ‘Big-Time Library Support in Small Towns’, on Wednesday, May 23, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.
With examples from my newly released novel, To the Stars Through Difficulties, this session will highlight efforts in small towns to support libraries, a century ago and today. The novel was inspired by the 59 Carnegie libraries in Kansas, has won generous reviews from Booklist, Library Review Journal, and United for Libraries, as well gold medal IPPY and Readers’ Favorites awards. It was just listed as a finalist in the INDIES Foreword awards. My own background is in small town arts council development, with work first in Kansas and then for the National Endowment for the Arts in the Midwest and the Pacific Rim.
Presenter: Romalyn Tilghman, She Writes Press.
Upcoming NCompass Live events:
- May 30 – Library Innovation Studios – A Project Update and Review of the Application Process
- June 20 – Rising to the Challenge: Using the Aspen Institute Report and Action Guide for Strategic Planning
- June 27 – The 2018 Public Library Accreditation Process
- July 18 – Many Languages, Many Cultures: Responding to Diverse Health Information Needs
- August 1 – Engaging Your Community
- Aug. 15 – Some of Our Favorites: The System Directors Talk Books
For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
NCompass Live: 2018 One Book One Nebraska: “Nebraska Presence: An Anthology of Poetry”
Join us for the next NCompass Live, ‘2018 One Book One Nebraska: Nebraska Presence: An Anthology of Poetry‘, on Wednesday, May 16, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.
In this fourteenth year of One Book One Nebraska, Nebraska libraries and other literary and cultural organizations continue to plan activities and events to encourage all Nebraskans to read and discuss the same book. Join us to hear more about this statewide reading promotion activity, sponsored by the Nebraska Center for the Book, Humanities Nebraska, The Backwaters Press, and the Nebraska Library Commission.
We are very pleased to announce that our featured guests will be Greg Kosmicki and Mary K. Stillwell, editors of the 2018 selection, Nebraska Presence: An Anthology of Poetry.
Join Nebraska Library Commission Director Rod Wagner, Nebraska Library Commission Communication Coordinator Mary Jo Ryan, and Molly Fisher, Commissioner and Nebraska Center for the Book Board Member, to:
- Learn about how to create a successful local reading promotion using Nebraska’s year-long, statewide celebration featuring Nebraska Presence: An Anthology of Poetry, Edited by Greg Kosmicki & Mary K. Stillwell.
- Brainstorm strategies to read and discuss Nebraska Presence: An Anthology of Poetry, a collection of poems by more than 80 contemporary Nebraska poets, including Pulitzer Prize winner and former Poet Laureate of the United States, Ted Kooser, Nebraska State Poet Twyla Hansen, former State Poet William Kloefkorn, and many others.
- Find tools to help engage your community in local activities to encourage them to come together through literature to explore this work in community-wide reading programs.
- Learn about the Celebration of Nebraska Books, set for October 27, which will celebrate this book, along with the winners of the 2018 Nebraska Book Awards.
Upcoming NCompass Live events:
- May 23 – Big-Time Library Support in Small Towns
- May 30 – Library Innovation Studios – A Project Update and Review of the Application Process
- June 20 – Rising to the Challenge: Using the Aspen Institute Report and Action Guide for Strategic Planning
- July 18 – Many Languages, Many Cultures: Responding to Diverse Health Information Needs
- August 1 – Engaging Your Community
For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
NCompass Live: Computers in Libraries 2018
Join us for the next NCompass Live, ‘Computers in Libraries 2018’, on Wednesday, May 9, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.
Amanda Sweet, Technology Innovation Librarian at the Nebraska Library Commission, will share highlights from the recent Computers in Libraries 2018 conference, held April 17-19 in Arlington, VA.
You probably noticed this, but there is a lot of new tech out there. I want to hear what your library wants. I can help you make it happen. But it is hard to ask for something if you don’t know it exists. This is where the Computers in Libraries 2018 Conference comes in handy.
At this conference I was bombarded by eager developers hoping for a chance. There were countless presenters who put hours of blood, sweat and tears into testing and implementing their own passion projects. There were robots, geospatial based apps, and talk of makerspaces around the world. It was glorious! But the conference was three days long. We have an hour. So I will focus on things I may soon be testing out here at the Nebraska Library Commission. If all goes well, it will spread throughout the state. If you hear about something your library has already done I would love to hear from you!
So settle in for a wild ride. Let’s talk about Future Ready Librarians and makerspaces transcending into the next stage of evolution. Tech just got real.
Upcoming NCompass Live events:
- May 16 – 2018 One Book One Nebraska: Nebraska Presence: An Anthology of Poetry
- May 23 – Big-Time Library Support in Small Towns
- May 30 – Library Innovation Studios – A Project Update and Review of the Application Process
- June 20 – Rising to the Challenge: Using the Aspen Institute Report and Action Guide for Strategic Planning
For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
Posted in Education & Training, Technology
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NCompass Live: Your Partners in Service: Accessing UNL Libraries Resources
Join us for the next NCompass Live, ‘Your Partners in Service: Accessing UNL Libraries Resources’, on Wednesday, May 2, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.
Did you know that the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries serve you even if you’re not affiliated with the university? Watch this presentation and discover the collections and services that are available as part of the university’s land-grant mission to the state and what that means for your libraries and your patrons. Find out what is publicly available and open access via our site and additional resources that are accessible when visiting the libraries on campus in Lincoln.
Presenters: Dana W.R. Boden, Associate Professor, C.Y. Thompson Library, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Joan Latta Konecky, Associate Professor, Love Library, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Upcoming NCompass Live events:
- May 9 – Computers in Libraries 2018
- May 16 – 2018 One Book One Nebraska: Nebraska Presence: An Anthology of Poetry
- May 23 – Big-Time Library Support in Small Towns
- May 30 – Library Innovation Studios – A Project Update and Review of the Application Process
- June 20 – Rising to the Challenge: Using the Aspen Institute Report and Action Guide for Strategic Planning
For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
Posted in Education & Training
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2018 E-rate Funding Awarded to Nebraska Schools and Libraries
Last week, USAC released the first two Waves of Funding Commitment Decision Letters (FCDLs) for E-rate Funding Year 2018. Congratulations to all Nebraska schools and libraries funded in Waves 1 and 2!
Starting with the 2018 Funding Year, USAC is introducing a new format for FCDLs. Your FCDL will be attached as a printable PDF to the email notifying you that your FCDL has been issued. It will also be available in the Notifications section of your EPC account, but you are no longer required to log into your EPC account to view it.
USAC has posted a video walkthrough on the Trainings & Outreach area of the USAC website, demonstrating the new FCDL format.
As soon as you receive your FCDL, you can go on to the next step in the E-rate process, filing your Form 486. This form is submitted in your EPC account. Information and instructions on how to do that can be found in this USAC News Brief.
If you are not in Wave 1 or 2, don’t panic! There are many more weekly Waves to come as USAC processes more applications. This is just the start of Funding Year 2018, more approvals are coming. A list of libraries who have received E-rate funding is on the NLC E-rate webpage. The 2018 list will be updated as new funding waves are announced.
If you have any questions or need any assistance with your E-rate forms, visit the NLC E-rate webpage or contact Christa Porter, 800-307-2665, 402-471-3107.
Posted in General, Library Management
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NCompass Live: Introducing the Nebraska Authors Database!
Join us for the next NCompass Live, ‘Introducing the Nebraska Authors Database!’, on Wednesday, April 25, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.
NebraskaAuthors.org launches on April 22, 2018! This broadly inclusive database holds the biographical information and bibliographies of more than 4,300 Nebraska authors, past and present. The website is the creation of a collaborative effort between Lincoln City Libraries, the UNL Center for Digital Research in the Humanities, and the Nebraska Literary Heritage Association. Learn the features of this database to enhance your knowledge of Nebraska Writers and to understand how this valuable resource can support the reference services at your library.
Presenter: Erin Willis, Curator, Jane Pope Geske Heritage Room of Nebraska Authors, Bennett Martin Public Library, Lincoln City Libraries and Karin Dalziel, Digital Resources Designer & Developer, UNL Center for Digital Research in the Humanities.
Upcoming NCompass Live events:
- May 2 – Your Partners in Service: Accessing UNL Libraries Resources
- May 9 – Computers in Libraries 2018
- May 16 – 2018 One Book One Nebraska: Nebraska Presence: An Anthology of Poetry
- May 23 – Big-Time Library Support in Small Towns
- May 30 – Library Innovation Studios – A Project Update and Review of the Application Process
- June 20 – Rising to the Challenge: Using the Aspen Institute Report and Action Guide for Strategic Planning
For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
NCompass Live: Reaching Out Through Your Collection
Join us for the next NCompass Live, ‘Reaching Out Through Your Collection’, on Wednesday, April 18, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.
Unusual or unexpected collections are becoming more common in the library, from musical instruments and puppets to Makerspace kits libraries have them all but how can we leverage them to reach out to your community? Find out what we and libraries around the nation are doing to use their collections to expand their outreach and impact in their community.
Presenter: Natalie Bazan, Director, North Riverside Public Library District, North Riverside, IL.
Upcoming NCompass Live events:
- April 25 – Introducing the Nebraska Authors Database!
- May 2 – Your Partners in Service: Accessing UNL Libraries Resources
- May 9 – Computers in Libraries 2018
- May 16 – 2018 One Book One Nebraska: Nebraska Presence: An Anthology of Poetry
- May 23 – Big-Time Library Support in Small Towns
- June 20 – Rising to the Challenge: Using the Aspen Institute Report and Action Guide for Strategic Planning
For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
Posted in Education & Training
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NCompass Live: Teen Services Without Teen Spaces: Innovative Programming
Join us for the next NCompass Live, ‘Teen Services Without Teen Spaces: Innovative Programming’, on Wednesday, April 11, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.
Learn how the Marion Public Library, with no dedicated programming space, cultivated an after school crowd through revised scheduling, drop-in programs, and new community connections.
Presenters: Madeline Jarvis, Adult and Information Services Coordinator; Rachel Pollari, Library Assistant – Teen Services; and Shanel Slater, Library Specialist – Teen Services; Marion (IA) Public Library.
Upcoming NCompass Live events:
- April 18 – Reaching Out Through Your Collection
- April 25 – Introducing the Nebraska Authors Database!
- May 2 – Your Partners in Service: Accessing UNL Libraries Resources
- May 16 – 2018 One Book One Nebraska: Nebraska Presence: An Anthology of Poetry
- May 23 – Big-Time Library Support in Small Towns
For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
Posted in Education & Training, Programming, Youth Services
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