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Author Archives: Christa Porter
NCompass Live: Feelings are Messy: Building Emotional Intelligence in Libraryland
Join us for the next NCompass Live, ‘Feelings are Messy: Building Emotional Intelligence in Libraryland’, on Wednesday, June 21, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.
Emotions are an integral part of the human experience. They give us highly valuable information, but oftentimes we are not aware of how to actually use this information for ourselves or our interactions with others. This workshop will focus on four areas of practice for improving or developing one’s emotional intelligence; self-awareness, self-management, awareness of others, building relationships. Participants will gain tools for self-assessment as well as resources for furthering their quest for emotional intelligence. We all deal with people but how many have learned to first deal with ourselves in order to develop healthy and constructive relationships?
Presenter: Anneka Ramirez, Director, Three Rivers Library System.
Upcoming NCompass Live events:
- June 28 – The New NLA Intellectual Freedom Manual Comes to the Rescue
- July 5 – PubMed, PubMed Central, MEDLINE, MedlinePlus…
- July 12 – From Collections to Commons: How we turned stacks to student spaces at UNL
- July 19 – Finding Your Focus: Tips for Early Career Success
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, sponsored by Junior Library Guild. The deadline to nominate your library is July 17.
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, a feature story in the September 15, 2017 Library Journal, and online coverage. Two finalist libraries will be awarded $1,000 worth of JLG products and services, and special mention in Library Journal.
Nominate your favorite Nebraska library today! Nomination guidelines and instructions are on the Best Small Library in America Award website.
Posted in General, Library Management, Public Relations
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E-rate Program Summer Webinars
From USAC Training & Outreach:
Join USAC for our live training webinars for E-rate Program participants. We will share program updates and essential guidance to help participants learn about and successfully navigate the program. During each webinar, the audience will have the opportunity to take part in a live question and answer session with members of the Schools and Libraries (E-rate) Program team.
Summer Webinar Schedule
To register, click on the “Register Now” buttons below, complete the registration form, and click “Submit.” You can add a reminder to your calendar by clicking the “Add to Calendar” button on that page. You will then receive a confirmation email with instructions for joining the webinar.
If you can’t attend the live presentations, register for the webinars and we’ll send you a link to the recording afterwards. The recordings will also be posted in the Online Learning Library.
How to File FCC Form 486 – Tuesday, June 20 – 2:00pm CT Register Now!
This webinar will provide a walkthrough of the FCC Form 486. We will discuss the purpose of the form, review Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) requirements, and provide guidance on how to prepare and file the form.
How to File FCC Form 470 – Tuesday, July 18 – 2:00pm CT Register Now!
This webinar will provide a walkthrough of the Funding Year 2018 FCC Form 470. We will discuss the purpose of the form, review competitive bidding requirements, and provide guidance on how to prepare and file the form.
E-rate Training for Beginners – Tuesday, August 15 – 2:00pm CT Register Now!
This webinar is tailored for new E-rate participants or anyone who needs a refresher on basic program information.
Equipment and Set-Up
To participate in these webinars, you’ll need the following:
- Minimum system requirements You can also click the “FAQs and System Test” button on the event’s registration page to determine whether your computer meets the requirements to see and hear the webinar.
- A computer or mobile device with an internet connection
- Computer speakers or headset
Posted in Education & Training, Technology
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NCompass Live: The Purrfect Solution: LibraryThing’s TinyCat for Small Libraries
Join us for the next NCompass Live, ‘The Purrfect Solution: LibraryThing’s TinyCat for Small Libraries’, on Wednesday, June 14, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.
LibraryThing presents TinyCat, its new, mobile-friendly solution for small libraries. TinyCat is a full-fledged OPAC for small libraries, with the look and features of high-priced systems, at a price every school, church and other community organization can afford.
Hundreds of other libraries are calling TinyCat “simple”, “very easy,”, and “a lifesaver!” TinyCat builds on LibraryThing, a long-running and much-beloved social cataloging for book lovers and small organizations. So it’s easy to use for librarians and non-librarians alike.
Come explore everything TinyCat has to offer, from handy search tools and fun sharing options to features for tracking your circulation and patrons.
Presenters: Tim Spalding, Founder and CEO of LibraryThing, and Kristi Kennedy, TinyCat Support Specialist.
About LibraryThing: LibraryThing is a leader in social networking for readers and in software for libraries. LibraryThing.com counts over 2 million members who have cataloged nearly 115 million books. In addition to TinyCat, LibraryThing also offers libraries a suite of catalog enhancements through LibraryThing for Libraries. Learn more at LibraryThing.com and LibraryThing.com/forlibraries.
About TinyCat: TinyCat is the online catalog for tiny libraries. With free 30-day trials, affordable pricing, and online tutorials, adopting your own TinyCat has never been easier. Visit librarycat.org or email tinycat@librarything.com to learn more.
Upcoming NCompass Live events:
- June 21 – Feelings are Messy: Building Emotional Intelligence in Libraryland
- June 28 – The New NLA Intellectual Freedom Manual Comes to the Rescue
- July 5 – PubMed, PubMed Central, MEDLINE, MedlinePlus…
- July 12 – From Collections to Commons: How we turned stacks to student spaces at UNL
- July 19 – Finding Your Focus: Tips for Early Career Success
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 Introduction and a Review of the Application Process
Join us for the next NCompass Live, ‘Library Innovation Studios – A Project Introduction and a Review of the Application Process’, on Wednesday, June 7, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.
Project staff and partners for Library Innovation Studios: Transforming Rural Communities project will provide an introduction to the upcoming project and discuss the impending 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 first application cycle—that will identify between twelve and twenty participating libraries—is scheduled for July 10, 2017. The balance of the participating libraries are expected to be selected in an application process that will take place sometime in 2018.
The Nebraska Library Commission (NLC) along with partners: University of Nebraska—Lincoln, Nebraska Innovation Studio, Nebraska Extension, and the Regional Library Systems, are excited about the project they were recently awarded a National Leadership Grant of $530,732 by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The project will begin July 1, 2017 and conclude June 30, 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.
Presenters: JoAnn McManus, Rod Wagner, Mary Jo Ryan, Holly Woldt, and Connie Hancock.
Upcoming NCompass Live events:
- June 21 – Feelings are Messy: Building Emotional Intelligence in Libraryland
- June 28 – The New NLA Intellectual Freedom Manual Comes to the Rescue
- July 5 – PubMed, PubMed Central, MEDLINE, MedlinePlus…
- July 12 – From Collections to Commons: How we turned stacks to student spaces at UNL
- July 19 – Finding Your Focus: Tips for Early Career Success
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: Two Mystics, One Book: Neihardt State Historic Site in 2017
Join us for the next NCompass Live, ‘Two Mystics, One Book: Neihardt State Historic Site in 2017’, on Wednesday, May 31, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.
From the renaming of Harney Peak to Black Elk Peak to the installation of larger-than-life size sculptures on the grounds of the Neihardt State Historic Site, the celebration of the life and legacy of Nebraska’s Poet Laureate in Perpetuity also includes reading the incredible story that became Neihardt’s internationally-acclaimed book, Black Elk Speaks as One Book One Nebraska 2017. While partnering with a number of organizations (Nebraska Library Commission, Nebraska Center for the Book, Nebraska State Historical Society, Humanities Nebraska, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission), the Neihardt Foundation and State Historic Site hosts special programs, events, and visitors – including a visit by legendary television personality Dick Cavett – to promote Nebraska’s literary heritage during the statehood sesquicentennial year.
Presenter: Amy Kucera, Executive Director, John G. Neihardt State Historic Site, Bancroft, NE
Upcoming NCompass Live events:
- June 21 – Feelings are Messy: Building Emotional Intelligence in Libraryland
- June 28 – The New NLA Intellectual Freedom Manual Comes to the Rescue
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: Ad Filters -The Case For and Against Installation on Public Computers
Join us for the next NCompass Live, ‘Ad Filters -The Case For and Against Installation on Public Computers’, on Wednesday, May 24, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.
Ad filters – people are now using ad filters for reasons other than just blocking advertising, such as a way to keep their devices safe from malware attacks. Should you consider using ad filters on your public computers as part of your computer security protocols? Scott Childers, Southeast Library System Director, will discuss the implications of using this technology in your library.
Upcoming NCompass Live events:
- May 31 – Two Mystics, One Book: Neihardt State Historic Site in 2017
- June 21 – Feelings are Messy: Building Emotional Intelligence in Libraryland
- June 28 – The New NLA Intellectual Freedom Manual Comes to the Rescue
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: Binge Boxes, Boovie Bags, Book box binge, Makerspace Kits and more
Join us for the next NCompass Live, ‘Binge Boxes, Boovie Bags, Book box binge, Makerspace Kits and more’, on Wednesday, May 17, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.
When space is at a premium but you want to be on the cutting edge… boxes, bags and totes can be used to create a whole new world of unique collections that serve our populations. Are we there yet kits, Binge Boxes, Boovie Bags, and much more have connected our programs to our collections and turned on new library patrons to what we offer!
Presenter: Natalie Bazan, Former Director, Hopkins District and Dorr Township Libraries, Hopkins, MI
Upcoming NCompass Live events:
- May 24 – Ad Filters -The Case For and Against Installation on Public Computers
- May 31 – Two Mystics, One Book: Neihardt State Historic Site in 2017
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: Nebraska Libraries on the Web
Join us for the next NCompass Live, ‘Nebraska Libraries on the Web’, on Wednesday, May 10, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.
The Nebraska Library Commission’s Nebraska Libraries on the Web project provides free hosted WordPress-based Web sites for public libraries in Nebraska. Craig Lefteroff, the NLC’s Technology Innovation Librarian, will explain how your library can get a free website or upgrade your current site with a live demo of our WordPress platform.
Upcoming NCompass Live events:
- May 17 – Binge Boxes, Boovie Bags, Book box binge, Makerspace Kits and more
- May 24 – Ad Filters -The Case For and Against Installation on Public Computers
- May 31 – Two Mystics, One Book: Neihardt State Historic Site in 2017
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, Youth Services
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NCompass Live: UNL Extension – The Learning Child – Co-Parenting for Successful Kids
Join us for the next NCompass Live, ‘UNL Extension – The Learning Child – Co-Parenting for Successful Kids’, on Wednesday, May 3, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln – Extension’s Learning Child team is a group of early childhood Extension educators who provide services, training, and online professional development to young children and their families. Linda Reddish, Extension Educator, will present a brief overview on Co-Parenting for Successful Kids, a research-based program developed from the best evidence on how to support couples in parenting children through and after divorce or parental separation. The aim of this presentation is to discuss possible opportunities together and provide resources to libraries which families can utilize during the transition process (highlighting books on divorce accessible for families to check out) and share insights from participants who often use the library to access the online course.
Presenter: Linda Reddish, Extension Educator, Nebraska Extension – Douglas-Sarpy County Extension.
Upcoming NCompass Live events:
- May 17 – Binge Boxes, Boovie Bags, Book box binge, Makerspace Kits and more
- May 24 – Ad Filters -The Case For and Against Installation on Public Computers
- May 31 – Two Mystics, One Book: Neihardt State Historic Site in 2017
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, Youth Services
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NCompass Live: Collecting Library User Feedback: Free! high tech and low tech options
Join us for the next NCompass Live, ‘Collecting Library User Feedback: Free! high tech and low tech options that will meet your needs’, on Wednesday, April 26, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.
In the context of the growing popularity of digital resources, declining reference and circulation transactions, and falling gate counts, collecting feedback about the unique needs and preferences of twenty-first century library users has never been more pertinent and important. But collecting that data can be expensive, especially for small libraries. This is particularly true in times of shrinking budgets.
Fortunately, there are plenty of free options when it comes to surveying your service population. Depending on your needs, you may choose a high tech option like Google Forms or a low tech option like a white marker board. Paul Meek Library at the University of Tennessee at Martin conducted user satisfaction surveys using both high tech and low tech options in the spring of 2016, the results of which were surprisingly similar.
In this presentation, we will discuss our experience conducting high tech and low tech (but all free!) surveys with an emphasis on the benefits and drawbacks of each to help you decide which option is best for your needs.
Presenters: Adam Clemons, Information Literacy Coordinator and Instruction Librarian; Jim Nance, Reference and Research Educator; Karen White, Outreach Librarian, Paul Meek Library, University of Tennessee at Martin.
Upcoming NCompass Live events:
- May 3 – UNL Extension – The Learning Child – Co-Parenting for Successful Kids
- May 17 – Binge Boxes, Boovie Bags, Book box binge, Makerspace Kits and more
- May 24 – Ad Filters -The Case For and Against Installation on Public Computers
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: Just a Geek
For Christmas a few years ago, I received two biographies by Wil Wheaton. Yes, THAT Wil Wheaton. Wesley Crusher himself! I also discovered his blog. And then his Twitter…and then Facebook. Makes me look like a stalker, doesn’t it? But no, I’m not. He puts himself right out there, just like the rest of us!
So, I started with Just A Geek: Unflinchingly honest tales of the search for life, love, and fulfillment beyond the Starship Enterprise. Wow, that’s a freakishly long title. We’ll call it Just A Geek from now on. It’s a collection of some of the posts from his blog, but with updated info and commentary by him.
Now, you may only know Wil Wheaton as an actor. But I’ve discovered that Wil is also a great storyteller. I started just reading his blog, jumping around seeing what he has been saying over the years. He is funny and smart and he can definitely make you all teary-eyed when he wants to.
My favorite part of Just A Geek is when Wil looks back on his old blog posts with a new perspective. Time changes things. He looks back and see events very differently. Sometimes he had to wait until years later to understand what was really happening. And other times, you learn that the real story wasn’t really told in the first place. Looking back on his life helps him come to terms with what really happened and share the truth with his readers.
Yes, there are some Star Trek stories in there, which made the Star Trek fan in me squee. And yes, he is quite the geek, another plus from the geek in me.
If you want to continue reading more stories based on his blog, he has continued them in two more books – Dancing Barefoot and The Happiest Days of Our Lives. If non-fiction or autobiography isn’t your thing, he also writes fiction. I recommend starting with The Day After and Other Stories, a collection of his short stores. I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next!
NCompass Live: LMNOP: The Evolution of Engagement
Join us for the next NCompass Live, ‘LMNOP: The Evolution of Engagement’, on Wednesday, April 19, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.
Learn how Lincoln City Libraries’ Library Mom’s Night Out Program became a Library Makers Night Out Program by listening to what our patrons and community wanted. Attendees will also learn that a maker space does not require a 3-D printer or other technology in designated space.
Presenters: Jodene Glaesemann, Vicki Clarke, LeeAnn Harvey, Lincoln City Libraries.
Upcoming NCompass Live events:
- April 26 – Collecting Library User Feedback: Free! high tech and low tech options that will meet your needs
- May 3 – UNL Extension – The Learning Child – Co-Parenting for Successful Kids
- May 17 – Binge Boxes, Boovie Bags, Book box binge, Makerspace Kits and more
- May 24 – Ad Filters -The Case For and Against Installation on Public Computers
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: Building a Digital Image Collection With Flickr: A low (or no) cost way to share your digital assets
Join us for the next NCompass Live, ‘Building a Digital Image Collection With Flickr: A low (or no) cost way to share your digital assets’, on Wednesday, April 12, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.
Libraries have many options of services to store and share digital assets, including many from library automation vendors. Instead of looking at library vendors, one option is to use a photo sharing resource such as Flickr (from yahoo.com). From a very active Flickr user, this presentation will showcase how you can use this free resource to promote, organize and share your digital assets. Of particular note is using Flickr groups and tagging to make items from your collection accessible and findable by community residents as well as people all over the world. The presentation will also explore how different libraries are using Flickr for collections and program-related images.
Presenter: Corey Seeman, Director, Kresge Library Services, University of Michigan.
Upcoming NCompass Live events:
- April 19 – LMNOP: The Evolution of Engagement
- April 26 – Collecting Library User Feedback: Free! high tech and low tech options that will meet your needs
- May 3 – UNL Extension – The Learning Child – Co-Parenting for Successful Kids
- May 17 – Binge Boxes, Boovie Bags, Book box binge, Makerspace Kits and more
- May 24 – Ad Filters -The Case For and Against Installation on Public Computers
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, Preservation, Technology
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E-rate: Form 470 Deadline and Online Resources
Just a reminder …. Thursday, April 13 is the deadline to submit the first form in the E-rate process, Form 470, for the upcoming 2017 Funding Year.
The filing window for submitting the second form in the process, Form 471, opened at noon EST on Monday, February 27, and will close at 11:59 PM EDT on Thursday, May 11. This makes April 13 the deadline to post your Form 470 to the USAC website, meet the 28-day posting requirement for the competitive bidding process, and submit a Form 471 by the filing window closing date.
However, we do not recommend waiting until the last day to submit your Form 470! If there are any issues that day, like the E-rate servers are slowed down because it is the last day to submit, or you can’t submit the form due to reasons on your end, such as illness, weather, power outage, etc., then you would miss the deadline and lose out on E-rate altogether. So, get your E-rate process started and submit your Form 470 as soon as possible!
Do you need help completing your forms? Do you have questions about E-rate? You’re in luck!
USAC has Form 470 resources on their website:
USAC is presenting 2 webinars this week on the E-rate program and the application process for Funding Year 2017. Check the USAC website for details and registration.
And more recorded webinars, demos, and training materials are available on the NLC E-rate webpage.
If you have any questions or need any assistance with your E-rate forms, please contact Christa Porter, 800-307-2665, 402-471-3107.
Posted in Library Management
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NCompass Live: Making Space: Administrative Weeding
Join us for the next NCompass Live, ‘Making Space: Administrative Weeding’, on Wednesday, April 5, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.
Scott Childers, Southeast Library System Director, will discuss weeding for library directors. What should the library director keep out of all the bills, meeting minutes, donor records, summer reading manuals and everything else that accumulates over their tenure?
Upcoming NCompass Live events:
- April 12 – Building a Digital Image Collection With Flickr: A low (or no) cost way to share your digital assets
- April 19 – LMNOP: The Evolution of Engagement
- April 26 – Collecting Library User Feedback: Free! high tech and low tech options that will meet your needs
- May 17 – Binge Boxes, Boovie Bags, Book box binge, Makerspace Kits and more
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: Conversation Circles: A Simple ESL Program
Join us for the next NCompass Live, ‘Conversation Circles: A Simple ESL Program’, on Wednesday, March 29, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.
Learn how Los Alamos County Library System put together a simple, cost-effective English conversation program for patrons who wanted to practice their English speaking skills. Conversation circles are not English classes: you don’t need ESL teachers, a registration system or a fancy curriculum. We’ll show you how we put it together, what worked, what still needs development and share resources so you can develop your own conversation circles program.
Presenter: Elizabeth Rivera, Reference Librarian, Los Alamos County Libraries, Los Alamos, NM.
Upcoming NCompass Live events:
- April 5 – Making Space: Administrative Weeding
- April 12 – Building a Digital Image Collection With Flickr: A low (or no) cost way to share your digital assets
- April 19 – LMNOP: The Evolution of Engagement
- April 26 – Collecting Library User Feedback: Free! high tech and low tech options that will meet your needs
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
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E-rate Program Webinars for Beginners
From USAC: Schools and Libraries Program Special Edition News Brief
For any libraries interested in E-rate, we strongly recommend that you attend these webinars to learn more about the program. These sessions will be useful to libraries who are new to E-rate and current E-rate libraries who just want a refresher on what E-rate is all about.
Webinars: E-rate Program Overview for Beginners
E-rate Program applicants are invited to participate in a webinar on the E-rate program and the application process for Funding Year 2017. These webinars are tailored for new E-rate applicants or anyone who needs a refresher on basic program information. During each webinar, the audience will have the opportunity to participate in a live question and answer session with members of the Schools and Libraries team.
Registration for these events is now open and available in the “Upcoming Events” section of the Schools and Libraries Trainings & Outreach page. Register for one or both webinars based on your training needs.
E-rate 101: Introduction to the E-rate Program
Wednesday, April 5, 2017, 12:00-1:00 PM CT
This webinar provides an overview of E-rate Program fundamentals, including key terms, timelines, processes, and the roles of USAC and the FCC. Learn who can apply for funding and what types of services are eligible as well as how to calculate your discounts and Category Two budgets. The presentation is a great option for first-time applicants and anyone who needs a refresher on the basics of the E-rate Program. Register Now!
E-rate Program Application Process
Thursday, April 6, 2017, 12:00-1:00 PM CT
This webinar provides a detailed overview of the E-rate Program Application Process. We will explain the purpose and process of filing each program form, including your options for invoicing. We will also provide guidance on the requirements for choosing a vendor and what to expect during Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) review. Last, we’ll cover the rules and importance of document retention. The presentation is intended for first-time applicants and anyone who needs a refresher on the basics of the E-rate Program Application Process. Register Now!
If you can’t attend the live presentations, register for the webinars and we’ll send you a link to the recording. The recordings will also be posted in the Online Learning Library.
Equipment and Set-Up
To participate, you’ll need:
- Minimum system requirements:
- Click the “FAQs and System Test” button on the event’s registration page.
- A computer or mobile device with an Internet connection.
- Computer speakers or headset.
Need Help?
If you have any questions about the webinar, please contact USAC Outreach at outreach@usac.org.
Audience members may submit questions anytime during the live event. If the presenters are unable to answer your questions, please call the Client Service Bureau at (888) 203-8100 or open a customer service case in EPC.
NCompass Live: Small and Rural Libraries Leading with TV Whitespace
Join us for the next NCompass Live, ‘Small and Rural Libraries Leading with TV Whitespace’, on Wednesday, March 22, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.
This presentation provides an opportunity for librarians working in small and rural library contexts to learn about the innovative applications of TV White Space (TVWS) technology in their communities. Join us to find out how small and rural libraries can implement this emerging technology and use it to collaborate with other community anchor institutions to advance access, inclusion, and crisis planning.
TVWS is an extremely valuable license-exempt radio spectrum located in the bands for traditional TV broadcast. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently made a portion of these TVWS bands of spectrum available for free, open, and shared public use (similar to WiFi). TVWS, in conjunction with WiFi, allows libraries to extend their networks of internet access strategically across their communities.
Among our objectives are to build awareness of TVWS technology, describe how TVWS wireless networks operate, and help participants develop familiarity with several library TVWS case studies. We anticipate sharing how to plan for a new TVWS network and next steps participants might take. Also discussed will be a recent project, funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which will give small and rural libraries the opportunity to apply to become a pilot site/early adopter of TVWS.
Presenters: Kristen Rebmann, Associate Professor, School of Information, San José (CA) State University, and Don Means, Gigabit Libraries Network.
Upcoming NCompass Live events:
- March 29 – Conversation Circles: A Simple ESL Program
- April 19 – LMNOP: The Evolution of Engagement
- April 26 – Collecting Library User Feedback: Free! high tech and low tech options that will meet your needs
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 Books & Reading, Technology
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NCompass Live: Build a Better World: Summer Reading Program 2017
Join us for the next NCompass Live, ‘Build a Better World: Summer Reading Program 2017’, on Wednesday, March 15, 10:00am – 11:00am CT.
Sally Snyder, Coordinator of Children and Young Adult Library Services at the Nebraska Library Commission, will give brief book talks of new titles pertaining to the 2017 Summer Reading Program theme: Build a Better World.
Upcoming NCompass Live events:
- March 22 – Small and Rural Libraries Leading with TV Whitespace
- March 29 – Conversation Circles: A Simple ESL Program
- April 19 – LMNOP: The Evolution of Engagement
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.
