NCompass Blog

AASL nationwide video contest asks students how school libraries change lives. The American Association of School Librarians (AASL), in collaboration with ProQuest, Abrams, and SchoolTube, announces the launch of the School Library Month 2014 student video contest “Lives Change @ your library.” Contestants are urged to let loose their creativity and use humor, drama, music and/or special effects to illustrate how the school library program changes a student’s life. Contest rules and eligibility can be found at www.ala.org/aasl/slm/2014/video.

“The theme for this year’s School Library Month, ‘Lives Change @ your library,’ is perfect for a student video contest,” said Gail Dickinson, AASL president. “School libraries change lives by teaching students to think critically, apply knowledge learned to new situations, share knowledge with others, and pursue personal growth. I look forward to seeing how our most important stakeholder – the student – interprets the influence their school library program has in their life.”

Submissions for the video contest will be accepted through April 15, and winners will be announced during School Library Month on April 29. Contest judges will select three winners from all entries received. Only one winner per school will be awarded. Prizes will be awarded to both the student videographer and the student’s school library program. The student prize is a full set of School Library Month spokesperson Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid books provided by Abrams. The school library program will receive a one-year subscription to CultureGrams, an online database from ProQuest that brings the world to the library and classroom. In addition to earning prizes, the winning videos will be featured on the AASL, ProQuest, and SchoolTube and websites and social networking platforms.

The American Association of School Librarians, www.aasl.org, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), promotes the improvement and extension of library services in elementary and secondary schools as a means of strengthening the total education program. Its mission is to advocate excellence, facilitate change and develop leaders in the school library field.

Charles “Chuck” Schroeder, newly hired executive director of the UNL Rural Futures Institute will headline the Nebraska Museums Association annual meeting and conference April 1 and 2 in Cozad, The Palisade native and former museum director will engage museum staff and volunteers in considering ways their organizations can help rethink and revitalize rural life.

Other sessions include a collections care clinic with objects conservator Deborah Long of the Gerald R. Ford Conservation Center in Omaha, who will help diagnose particular storage and deterioration problems on April 1. Librarians who are interested in attending only the conservation workshop are encouraged to see details on the NMA website.

Roundtable sessions on grant funding, heritage tourism, agricultural history, social media for museums and more are scheduled for April 2. Tours of museums in the area will feature stops at the 100th Meridian Museum, the Robert Henri Museum & art in the Wilson Library & Homestead Bank in Cozad; the Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles and the Dawson County Historical Society in Lexington; the Pony Express Station, Gothenburg Historical Society and the Sod House Museum in Gothenburg.

A $45 NMA member registration fee includes an evening reception on April 1 at Cozad’s Chipper Hall and breakfast and lunch on April 2. Non-member registration is $60. Blocks of rooms are available at group rates through March 11 in Cozad, Gothenburg,and Lexington. For more details, visit www.nebraskamuseums.org

The Nebraska Museums Association brings together individuals and organizations engaged in providing educational experiences, preserving collections, and connecting people with museum resources related to art, history, science, natural history, and the humanities across the state. It provides workshops, conferences, on-line resources and discussion groups to help museum staff and volunteers create strong public service to their communities.

Lynne Ireland
Deputy Director
Nebraska State Historical Society
PO Box 82554
Lincoln, NE 68501

p: (402) 471-4758
f: (402) 471-3100
lynne.ireland@nebraska.gov

Your Nebraska source for the histories we share

Five hundred libraries, of all types, will be helping their communities become money smart, April 5-12. Money Smart Week @ your library® is a partnership initiative between the American Library Association and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago to expand Money Smart Week® to libraries across the country. Nebraska libraries are invited to join them in presenting programs related to personal financial literacy for all ages, and all stages, of life. Libraries are partnering with community groups, financial institutions, government agencies, educational organizations, and other financial experts to help library customers learn to better manage their personal finances. General topic areas range from “Credit and Debt Management,” to “Kid’s and Money,” to “Retirement Planning,” to “Savvy Shopping and Bargain Hunting.”

Volusia County Library System’s Ormond Beach branch will present “Dressing On A Dime—shopping tips from the second hand clothing world—learn how recycling & repurposing thrift store fashions can save money.” Marshall Public Library in Pocatello (ID) has teamed up with the police department to present “Scams, Cons, and Frauds: How to Protect Yourself and Your Money,” with the Pocatello Police Department offering instruction to older library customers on how to protect themselves from financial scams and frauds. Bristol Public Library (CT) is planning a session on “Taking Control: A Financial Planning Starter Kit” to help library customers learn the eight steps for taking control of their finances through budgeting, spending plans, setting goals, managing debt, and more. The Iberia Parish workshop, “Home Buying and Financing 101: What Inside Tips You Need To Know,” will bring library customers together with area experts in real estate to discuss different types of loans and lender advantages. Floyd J. Robinson Memorial Library in Raleigh (MS) will host “Helping Your Money Last in Retirement,” a workshop on ways to make money last in retirement and the challenges ahead for retirees. The Chester Fritz Library at the University of North Dakota is hosting a program for faculty, students, and staff on “Money Smart–Understanding Credit Scores and Cash Tiers.” For some communities, offering programs in languages other than English is important. Kern County Library (CA) has a session on “Curso Bancario Basico,” and Pima County Library (AZ) will be providing homebuyer education with “Aprende el Proceso de Comprar Casa.”

Money Smart Week @ your library® information and resources for Nebraska libraries can be found at Money Smart Week® or contact:

Michael Dowling,
Director
International and Chapter Relations Offices
American Library Association
50 E Huron St
Chicago, IL, USA
p +1 800-545-2433 ext. 3200
f  +1 312-280-4392
http://www.ala.org/iro