NCompass Live: Tech Talk with Michael Sauers: Excel at Rearranging Your Library

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Christa Porter

NCompass live small

Join us for the next NCompass Live: “Tech Talk with Michael Sauers: Excel at Rearranging Your Library”, on Wednesday, November 27, 10:00-11:00 am Central Time.

Eventually, librarians need or want to rearrange their libraries. Rearranging bits of paper is tricky. Chris Rippel, from the Central Kansas Library System, demonstrates how to use Excel to draw alternative floor plans. His free Excel spreadsheet offers principles and examples for creating layouts that will entice people to move around your library to use more of your collection and library resources. We will talk about powerpaths, signage, display placement and rolling chairs in the stacks.

In this monthly feature of NCompass Live, the NLC’s Technology Innovation Librarian, Michael Sauers, will discuss the tech news of the month and share new and exciting tech for your library. There will also be plenty of time in each episode for you to ask your tech questions. So, bring your questions with you, or send them in ahead of time, and Michael will have your answers.

Upcoming NCompass Live events:

  • Dec. 4 – Best New Youth Books of 2013
  • Dec. 11 – Turning Your Library Around – Part 2: 4 Years Later
  • Dec. 18 – To Bake or Not to Bake: Library Cake Pan Collection
  • Dec. 26 (Thursday) – Tech Talk with Michael Sauers: SHOG.US – Share with Flare

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.

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Friday Video: The Knowledge Revolution and the Future of Libraries

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Michael Sauers

Ismail Serageldin speaks on the transformation of knowledge and how it will impact the future of libraries. Originally published on Jul 24, 2013

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Data Doodles: Rural Nature of Nebraska Public Libraries

Posted on November 20, 2013 by John Felton


Of the 93 counties in Nebraska, 80 have been designated as non-metropolitan.1
Within these rural counties there are 225 public libraries, or about 84% of the state’s 268 libraries. Among these rural libraries, 88% provide services to cities or villages with fewer than 5,000 residents. And within this group, 57% of the total number of Nebraska libraries serves a legal service area population of fewer than 1,000 residents.

The following table, based on locale categories devised by the U.S. Department of Education, provides a broad picture of how the majority of Nebraska’s public libraries serve small, rural communities.

Urban-centric
Locale Categories

Nebraska
Public Libraries

City

Large:
Territory inside an urbanized area and inside a principal city with
population of 250,000 or more

2

Midsize:
Territory inside an urbanized area and inside a principal city with
population less than 250,000 and greater than or equal to 100,000

0

Small: Territory inside an urbanized area and inside a principal city
with population less than 100,000

0

 

 

 

Suburb

Large:
Territory outside a principal city and inside an urbanized area with
population of 250,000 or more

5

Midsize:
Territory outside a principal city and inside an urbanized area with
population less than 250,000 and greater than or equal to 100,000

2

Small: Territory outside a principal city and inside an urbanized area
with population less than 100,000

0

 

 

 

Town

Fringe:
Territory inside an urban cluster that is less than or equal to 10 miles from
an urbanized area

2

Distant:
Territory inside an urban cluster that is more than 10 miles and less than or
equal to 35 miles from an urbanized area

9

Remote: Territory inside an urban cluster that is more than 35 miles
from an urbanized area

30

 

 

 

Rural

Fringe:
Census-defined rural territory that is less than or equal to 5 miles from an
urbanized area, as well as rural territory that is less than or equal to 2.5
miles from an urban cluster

3

Distant:
Census-defined rural territory that is more than 5 miles but less than or
equal to 25 miles from an urbanized area, as well as rural territory that is
more than 2.5 miles but less than or equal to 10 miles from an urban cluster

46

Remote: Census-defined rural territory that is more than 25 miles from
an urbanized area and is also more than 10 miles from an urban cluster

169

Total

268

Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Common Core of Data (CCD), Identification of Locale Codes, from http://nces.ed.gov/ccd/rural_locales.asp.

1 According to the “core-based statistical area” system used by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget.

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E-rate Form 471 Application Filing Window Dates Announced

Posted on November 19, 2013 by Christa Porter

From the USAC website:

FY2014 Application Filing Window Dates Announced

The FCC Form 471 application filing window for Funding Year 2014 will open at noon EST on Thursday, January 9, 2014, and close at 11:59 PM EDT on Wednesday, March 26, 2014. The window will be open for 77 days.

Be sure to review the FY2014 Eligible Services List for details on products and services that are eligible for E-rate discounts in FY2014, and continue to check the USAC website for additional details.

We will issue the customary Letter to the Field around the time that the FCC Form 471 application filing window opens to provide filing information and deadline reminders related to the window.

Meanwhile, keep the following in mind:

  • You can file an FCC Form 470 now if you are ready to do so; you don’t need to wait for the window to open. To file an FCC Form 470 online, go to the Apply Online page and click on the “Create Form 470” button.
  • You must wait 28 days after the FCC Form 470 is POSTED to the USAC website before you can close your competitive bidding process, select a service provider, sign a contract (if applicable), and submit an FCC Form 471. If you issue an RFP after the FCC Form 470 is posted, you must wait 28 days from the release of the RFP to select a service provider.
    • Wednesday, February 26, 2014 is the last day to post an FCC Form 470 to the USAC website or issue an RFP and still complete all of these actions before the window closes.
    • If you file your FCC Form 470 on paper, USAC needs to RECEIVE it by Wednesday, February 19, 2014 to give them time to complete data entry before February 26, 2014.
  • Item 21 attachments to the FCC Form 471 must be submitted by the close of the filing window. If you file your Item 21 attachment online, you must click on the “Submit” button at the bottom of the last page before the window closes. OTHERWISE YOUR ITEM 21 ATTACHMENT WILL NOT BE SENT TO USAC.

You can find additional program guidance documents in the Reference Area of the USAC website and on the NLC’s E-rate website.

Just a reminder: registration is still open for the remaining “E-rate: Basic Training” sessions in Lincoln, Norfolk and Online. To register for a workshop, go to the Nebraska Library Commission’s Training & Events Calendar and search for ‘e-rate’.

Please contact Christa Burns if you have any questions or need any assistance submitting your E-rate forms.

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Sparks! Ignition Grants for Libraries and Museums – Application due 2/3/2014

Posted on November 19, 2013 by Kathryn Brockmeier

Deadline: Feb. 3, 2014
Amount: $10,000 – $25,000
Awarding institution: Institute of Museum and Library Services

IMLS LogoThe Sparks! Ignition Grants for Libraries are a special funding opportunity within the IMLS National Leadership Grants for Libraries program. These small grants encourage libraries and archives to test and evaluate specific innovations in the ways they operate and the services they provide. Sparks Grants support the deployment, testing, and evaluation of promising and groundbreaking new tools, products, services, or organizational practices. You may propose activities or approaches that involve risk, as long as the risk is balanced by significant potential for improvement in the ways libraries and museums serve their communities.

Eligibility: Libraries that fulfill the general criteria for libraries may apply. In addition, institutions of higher education, including public and nonprofit universities, are eligible.

For more information: http://www.imls.gov/applicants/detail.aspx?GrantId=19

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2013 Public Libraries Survey Ready for Submissions

Posted on November 18, 2013 by John Felton

The Nebraska Public Libraries Survey for the 2012-2013 fiscal year is now open and ready for data input. You can access the online survey form by going to http://collect.btol.com and entering your library’s user name and password. The survey is due on Friday, February 14, 2014.

The arrangement of the report has changed slightly and there are some additional questions and modifications to data elements this year, so you will want to check out the resources on the Library Commission’s Data Services page. Here you will find:

  • A link to the Bibliostat Collect survey form,
  • A blank copy of the survey for download that is useful for data collection prior to online entry,
  • A Tip Sheet to help you complete the survey,
  • Instructions for finding your Overdrive holdings and circulation statistics,
  • Definitions of the data elements contained in the survey,
  • And full instructions on completing the survey.

The information provided through this survey is used to determine accreditation status and state aid awards, so please be diligent in completing it accurately.

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Window Shopping in Nebraska Memories

Posted on November 15, 2013 by Allana Novotny

Window display of candy With the holiday season just around the corner I thought it would be the perfect time to do a bit of window shopping in Nebraska Memories. While I’m not sure all of the items on display would be the best option for gift giving it is still fun to look.

Let’s start our window shopping in Omaha at the S.S. Kresge Store. While I don’t know for sure I believe these two photos of window displays were taken at the Kresge store in downtown Omaha at the corner of 16th and Harney. Kleenex window display The Window display of candy includes candy canes, lollypops, and boxes of candy. The other photo taken at the Kresge Store is of a Kleenex window display. This photo from 1938 shows that Kleenex are good for both the home and the office.

Saratoga Food Store window display It looks like in 1937 grocery stores liked to display their canned goods by stacking them in the form of pyramids. This can be seen in two photos of grocery stores in Omaha. In the picture of the Saratoga Grocery and Meat Co. they are advertising a canned food sale in the window and have many can pyramids on display. I.W. Rosenblatt Food Store window display The I.W. Rosenblatt Food Store also has an impressive display of canned items on display in their window. Their mammoth canned food sale includes peas, corn, apricots, kraut and Pet milk.

Today the thought of having a one cent sale seems unlikely but in 1931 Harley Drug, view of exterior display window the Harley Drug located at 1101 O Street in Lincoln had a huge once cent sale. The window display shows numerous items along with two large signs shaped as the number one that appear to list a number of items for sale.

The last window on my window shopping trip is that of the Capitol Hardware that was located at 1447 O Street, Lincoln in 1946. Their window is full of Sunbeam electrical appliances. The display includes waffle baker, toaster, Mixmaster, iron (for $9.95), razor (for $15.90). A sign also states that “the Sunbeam Man” will be in the store all day Saturday!Capitol Hardware window display

I hope you enjoyed our window shopping trip in Nebraska Memories. We didn’t see all of the window displays today so there are more to see in Nebraska Memories.

Visit Nebraska Memories to search for or browse through many more historical images digitized from photographs, negatives, postcards, maps, lantern slides, books and other materials.

Nebraska Memories is a cooperative project to digitize Nebraska-related historical and cultural heritage materials and make them available to researchers of all ages via the Internet. Nebraska Memories is brought to you by the Nebraska Library Commission. If your institution is interested in participating in Nebraska Memories, see http://nlc.nebraska.gov/nebraskamemories/participation.aspx for more information, or contact Beth Goble, Historical Projects Librarian, or Devra Dragos, Technology & Access Services Director.

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Free toolkit on starting a school library friends group available from United for Libraries

Posted on November 15, 2013 by Mary Jo Ryan

United for Libraries has made available a free toolkit geared toward school librarians looking to create a friends of the library group.

“Friends Groups: Critical Support for School Libraries,” available at www.ala.org/united/friends, gives tips on gaining school support; raising the profile of the school library; generating excitement; establishing a friends group of parents, faculty and community members; creating a student friends group and more.

“With school libraries closing across the country, it is becoming more important than ever before for school librarians to develop friends groups,” said United for Libraries Executive Director Sally Gardner Reed. “Friends have been keeping public libraries open and even staving off budget cuts for years – they can do the same for school libraries.”

Also available at www.ala.org/united/friends are two additional free toolkits. “Libraries Need Friends: Starting a Friends Group or Revitalizing the One You Have” includes tips on membership, outreach, fundraising and more. “Academic Library Friends: A Toolkit for Getting Started – You Can Do This!” by Charles D. Hanson, director of Kettering Library Services, Kettering University, provides a framework for starting a Friends group at a community college or university.

United for Libraries: The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations, is a division of the American Library Association that supports those who govern, promote, advocate and fundraise for libraries. United for Libraries brings together library Trustees, advocates, Friends, and Foundations into a partnership that creates a powerful force for libraries in the 21st century. For more information or to join United for Libraries, visit the United for Libraries website or contact Jillian Kalonick at (312) 280-2161 or jkalonick@ala.org.

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Gov. Heineman Names Twyla Hansen Nebraska State Poet

Posted on November 15, 2013 by Jennifer Wrampe

Gov. Dave Heineman today named Twyla Hansen of Lincoln as the Nebraska State Poet. Hansen, 64, will be the first female to hold the position.

Twyla Hansen is an accomplished poet, with an extensive publishing history both in books and periodicals. She has received numerous awards and honors for her poetry, including the High Plains Book Award, the WILLA Literary Award, and twice being awarded the Nebraska Book Award.

Gov. Heineman has named the State Poet from the recommendation of a five person State Poet Selection Committee, coordinated by the Nebraska Arts Council, Humanities Nebraska and the Nebraska Library Commission.

State Poet Selection Committee member and Executive Director of the Nebraska Arts Council, Suzanne Wise, said, “We are excited that Governor Heineman has named Twyla as State Poet. She forms a nice bridge between the older generation of Nebraska poets and the younger poets, which know her as a good collaborator and mentor in her own right.”

“There are so many fine writers in this state; I am truly honored and humbled by this selection. I look forward to working with students and citizens in the creative writing process throughout our great State of Nebraska,” said Hansen.

Hansen has done a great deal of community outreach, poetry workshops and readings, including at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and is a Humanities Nebraska Speakers Bureau member. Hansen has an undergraduate degree in Horticulture and a Master’s degree in Agroecology, both from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

The appointment is for 5 years, serving from Dec. 1, 2013-2018. The position of State Poet was created in 1921. Hansen is the third State Poet, including John Neihardt who was named Nebraska Poet Laureate “in perpetuity” in 1927. She replaces William Kloefkorn who passed away at age 79. Kloefkorn was appointed in 1982 by former Nebraska Governor Charles Thone. Kloefkorn was a mentor to Hansen.

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NCompass Live: New to Talking Book & Braille Service: Downloads and Apps!

Posted on November 15, 2013 by Christa Porter

NCompass live small

Join us for the next NCompass Live: “New to Talking Book & Braille Service: Downloads and Apps!”, on Wednesday, November 20, 10:00-11:00 am Central Time.

There are a few new ways to read talking books. For borrowers who use computers, the National Library Service BARD website allows for downloadable books that can be used with our digital players, and for borrowers with iPhones or iPads, a new app makes reading on mobile devices a breeze! Scott Scholz, from the NLC’s Talking Book and Braille Service, will demo these new options for TBBS users.

Upcoming NCompass Live events:

  • Nov. 27 – Tech Talk with Michael Sauers: Excel at Rearranging Your Library
  • Dec. 4 – Best New Youth Books of 2013
  • Dec. 11 – Turning Your Library Around – Part 2: 4 Years Later
  • Dec. 18 – To Bake or Not to Bake: Library Cake Pan Collection
  • Dec. 26 (Thursday) – Tech Talk with Michael Sauers: SHOG.US – Share with Flare

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.

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Join the Nebraska Dewey Group Purchase

Posted on November 14, 2013 by Christa Porter

Join the Nebraska Dewey Group Purchase and save money on the print and web versions of the DDC!

Dewey in Print

The Nebraska Dewey Group includes the print versions of the Abridged Edition 15 (1 volume) and the 23rd edition of the unabridged Dewey Decimal Classification (4 volumes).

DDC23OCLC is offering 10% off of the original price on the DDC in print.

If your library is interested in ordering the DDC in print, you will find Pricing information on the online Book Order Form.

For more information about the DDC, please visit Dewey Services.

 

Dewey on the Web

Now your library can benefit from web-based access to an enhanced version of the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) database through WebDewey. OCLC is offering a discounted price to users who join the Nebraska Dewey Group.WebDewey

WebDewey is the web-based, enhanced version of the unabridged and abridged print editions. Regular updates bring you changes implemented by the Dewey editorial team almost as soon as they occur. WebDewey also offers additional functionality not available in the print editions to make your classification work more efficient.

The new WebDewey Group subscription year runs from January 1, 2014 – December 31, 2014.

If your library is interested in subscribing to WebDewey, you will find Pricing information on the online WebDewey Order Form.

To see WebDewey in action, try the WebDewey 2.0: an overview demo.

If you have any questions about these Dewey products or the Nebraska Group, please contact Christa Burns, 402-471-3107, or 800-307-2665.

NOTE: OCLC Membership is NOT required to purchase Dewey products.

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Award for Promotion of Literature Presented

Posted on November 14, 2013 by Jennifer Wrampe

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 14, 2012

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Mary Jo Ryan
402-471-3434
800-307-2665

Award for Promotion of Literature Presented

The Nebraska Center for the Book presented the 2013 Jane Geske Award to the Nebraska Library Commission at the recent Celebration of Nebraska Books. The Nebraska Library Commission was honored for their extraordinary contribution to literacy, books, reading, libraries, or literature in Nebraska. Since 1901 the Nebraska Library Commission has been dedicated to statewide promotion, development, and coordination of library services. Underscoring the Commission’s long-term commitment to literature and literacy, several Library Commission staff members served on the founding board of the Nebraska Center for the Book in 1990—along with Jane Pope Geske. The Nebraska Library Commission has continued to provide staff support and funding to ensure that the activities and efforts of the Nebraska Center for the Book volunteers can be consistently delivered.

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 the director of the Nebraska Library Commission, a founding member of the Nebraska Center for the Book, a Lincoln bookseller, and a long-time leader in Nebraska library and literary activities.

The Nebraska State Historical Society’s Nebraska History Museum was the site of the 2013 Celebration of Nebraska Books, sponsored by the Nebraska Center for the Book, Nebraska Humanities Council, Nebraska Library Commission, Nebraska State Historical Society, and University of Nebraska Press. The celebration also featured presentation of the 2013 Nebraska Book Awards, including readings by some of the winning authors. A list of the winning books is located at http://centerforthebook.nebraska.gov/awards.html.

The Nebraska Center for the Book is housed at the Nebraska Library Commission and brings together the state’s readers, writers, booksellers, librarians, publishers, printers, educators, and scholars to build the community of the book, supporting programs to celebrate and stimulate public interest in books, reading, and the written word. The Nebraska Center for the Book is supported by the Nebraska Library Commission.

As the state library agency, the Nebraska Library Commission is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. The mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development, and coordination of library and information services, bringing together people and information.

###

The most up-to-date news releases from the Nebraska Library Commission are always available on the Library Commission website, www.nlc.nebraska.gov/publications/newsreleases

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Remembering the Gettysburg Address

Posted on November 13, 2013 by Laura Johnson

Next Tuesday November 19 is the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg address.  To commemorate the address, Ken Burns is starting a project to have everyone in America video record themselves reading or reciting the speech.  People participating in this project include President Obama, Louis C.K., Taylor Swift, Martha Stewart, and Stephen Colbert.  Hear Librarian of Congress James Billington recite the speech at the Library of Congress Blog.  For more info on the project, visit Learn the Address .  To read more about the speech, see the Library of Congress’ online exhibit.

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Central Community College Spring classes

Posted on November 12, 2013 by Michael Sauers


Central Community College logo

Library & Information Services
Online Course Offerings
Spring 2014
January 13, 2014 – May 8, 2014

 

LIBR 2150 Managing Collections in Libraries and Information Agencies
Patty Birch, Instructor

This course will provide students with an understanding of managing collections in libraries and information agencies, including:

  • Basics of Collection Management (terminology, models)
  • 21st Century Literacies
  • Selection (All resources, for all age levels)
  • Acquisition
  • Deselection/Weeding
  • Intellectual Freedom
  • Copyright

Prerequisite: LIBR 1010 Foundations of Library & Information Services.
For information regarding course content, contact the instructor at pbirch@esu16.org

LIBR 2210 Cataloging and Classification
Ruth Carlock, Instructor

This course will include theories, concepts and activities for cataloging and classifying materials in the 21st Century.  It includes the following topics:

  • The bibliographic record
  • Sears and Library of Congress subject headings
  • Dewey Decimal and Library of Congress classification systems
  • The MARC record
  • Resource Description and Access Instructions

Prerequisite: LIBR 1010 Foundations of Library & Information Services
For information regarding this course, contact the instructor at rcarlock@cccneb.edu

LIBR 2940  Library and Information Services Capstone Practicum
Erica Rose, Instructor

This capstone course is the last course in the Library & Information Services program. Students will complete 40 hours of service learning in a host library. The course also includes a review of the principle pieces of learning from the LIS program.

Prerequisites:  LIBR 1010, 2100, 2150, 2210, & 2250
For information regarding this course, contact the instructor at erose@cccneb.edu

For information on 21st Century Librarian Scholarships, see: Nebraska Library Commission website at:   http://nlc1.nlc.state.ne.us/NowHiring/Scholarships.asp

For information concerning Admissions or Registration, contact: Dee Johnson
djohnson@cccneb.edu, 402-562-1418 or Toll Free at 877-222-0780 ext. 1418

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NEH Museums, Libraries, and Cultural Organizations – Applications due Jan. 8, 2014

Posted on November 12, 2013 by Kathryn Brockmeier

National Endowment for the Humanities Museums, Libraries, and Cultural Organizations (MLCO) grants provide support for museums, libraries, historic places, and other organizations that produce public programs in the humanities.

Grants support the following formats:

  • exhibitions at museums, libraries, and other venues;
  • interpretations of historic places, sites, or regions;
  • book/film discussion programs; living history presentations; other face-to-face programs at libraries, community centers, and other public venues; and
  • interpretive websites and other digital formats

Types of America’s Historical and Cultural Organizations awards:

  • Planning grants support the early stages of project development, including consultation with scholars, refinement of humanities themes, preliminary design, testing, and audience evaluation.
  • Implementation grants final scholarly research and consultation, design development, production, and installation of a project for presentation to the public.

Closing date for applications: January 8, 2014.

For more information, visit http://www.neh.gov/grants/mlco.

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NCompass Live: Seeing Dots @ Wilson Public Library

Posted on November 8, 2013 by Christa Porter

NCompass live small

Join us for the next NCompass Live: “Seeing Dots @ Wilson Public Library”, on Wednesday, November 13, 10:00-11:00 am Central Time.

Planning for a celebration of International Dot Day (September 15ish) Wilson Public Library (Cozad, NE) started with a nugget of an idea in January 2013. Library Director Laurie Yocom will take you through the planning, both financial and creative, that led to a month long, community-wide, collaborative celebration that was truly international, as well as what they would’ve done differently!

Upcoming NCompass Live events:

  • Nov. 20 – New to Talking Book & Braille Service: Downloads and Apps!
  • Nov. 27 – Tech Talk with Michael Sauers
  • Dec. 4 – Best New Youth Books of 2013

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.

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Data Doodle: Collection Spending Trends

Posted on November 6, 2013 by John Felton

For today’s doodle, I surveyed the 5-year trend in the amount Nebraska public libraries have been spending on print materials compared to electronic resources. The date range for the trend is fiscal year 2007/2008 through 2011/2012. The charts below illustrate how funds spent purchasing print materials have leveled off (-2.3%), while spending on electronic materials has risen sharply (+74.7%).

ExpendPrintChart288x215Spending on Electronic Materials

 

 

 

 

 

 

To analyze this trend another way: In FY 2008, 72% of collection expenditures went to print materials, but in 2012 this percentage had fallen to 67%. Spending on electronic resources in 2008 was 11.8% of collection budgets, but by 2012 the proportion of spending had risen to 19.7%. I’m certain this trend itself won’t surprise anyone in the library biz, but I was taken aback at the dramatic surge in spending on electronic resources.

BTW, this data was made possible by your participation in the annual Nebraska Public Libraries Survey, which begins again for the 2012-2013 fiscal year on November 18th.

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Win a Visit from Author Alexander McCall Smith

Posted on November 6, 2013 by Laura Johnson

Send  photos to Random House of a library holiday display featuring Alexander McCall Smith’s books , and you may win a visit from the author during his November 2014 tour.  The deadline to enter the contest is January 3.  See the rules and details at:  http://www.scribd.com/doc/181789624/Alexander-McCall-Smith-Library-Holiday-Display-Contest.

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The Big Read application available, announcing new titles

Posted on November 5, 2013 by Jennifer Wrampe

The Big Read is accepting applications from non-profit organizations to develop community-wide reading programs between September 2014 and June 2015. The Big Read is a national program designed to revitalize the role of literature in American culture and to encourage reading for pleasure and enlightenment. 

Organizations selected to participate in The Big Read receive a grant, educational and promotional materials, and access to online training resources and opportunities. Approximately 75 organizations from across the country will be selected.

To review the Guidelines and Application Instructions, visit The Big Read website. 

Application deadline: January 28, 2014 by 4:00pm CST

We are proud to announce the addition of two new titles to The Big Read catalog this year:

The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears by Dinaw Mengestu
Dinaw Mengestu tells the story of Sepha Stephanos, who fled the Ethiopian Revolution for a better life in America, and examines how an immigrant’s expectations match up to the reality of American life.

When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka
In this powerful and concise novel, Julie Otsuka describes the grim experiences of a Japanese-American family forced to live in an internment camp during World War II. 

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IMLS National Leadership Grants – Applications due 2/3/2014

Posted on November 5, 2013 by Kathryn Brockmeier

Institute of Museum and Library Services National Leadership Grants support projects that address challenges faced by the museum, library, and/or archive fields and that have the potential to advance practice in those fields. Applications are due February 3, 2014.

Successful proposals will seek innovative responses to the challenge(s) identified in the proposals, and will have national impact. IMLS invites libraries to address STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) in their programs and projects in order to advance learning and support the acquisition of STEM knowledge at all ages, but particularly for at-risk youth.

Applicants that fulfill the general criteria for libraries may apply. These include public libraries, public elementary and secondary school libraries, college and university libraries, research libraries and archives that are not an integral part of an institution of higher education and that make publicly available library services and materials that are suitable for scholarly research and not otherwise available.

More information is available at http://www.imls.gov/applicants/detail.aspx?GrantId=14.

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