Learn about ‘Fostering Healthy Communication in Your Library’ on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, December 18 at 10am CT.
Good communication skills are no accident. Quality communication takes sustained effort, an open mind, and a listening ear. Come learn about some different approaches for enhancing communication pathways and improving your communication skills. Better communication skills not only improve relationships with coworkers but help us serve our communities more effectively. Following a presentation on some different approaches for fostering healthy communication, there will be time to share what’s working well in your library and discussion about practical ways to implement new ideas.
Presenter: Jessica Chamberlain, Library Director, Norfolk (NE) Public Library.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
Dec. 25 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE THIS WEEK – HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Jan. 1, 2025 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE THIS WEEK
Jan. 8, 2025 – Best New Teen Reads of 2024
Jan. 15, 2025 – Talking Book and Braille Service: Improving Accessibility to Books
Jan. 22, 2025 – 2025 One Book One Nebraska: ‘The Long March Home: A World War II Novel of the Pacific’
Jan. 29, 2025 – Pretty Sweet Tech
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, 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 GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
Hear about the ‘Best New Children’s Books of 2024’ on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, December 11, at 10am CT.
Sally Snyder, the Nebraska Library Commission’s Coordinator of Children and Young Adult Library Services, will give brief book talks on titles published in the last year that could be good additions to your library’s collection. Titles for pre-school through elementary school will be included.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
Dec. 18 – Fostering Healthy Communication in Your Library
Dec. 25 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE THIS WEEK – HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Jan. 1, 2025 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE THIS WEEK
Jan. 8, 2025 – Best New Teen Reads of 2024
Jan. 22, 2025 – 2025 One Book One Nebraska: ‘The Long March Home: A World War II Novel of the Pacific’
Jan. 29, 2025 – Pretty Sweet Tech
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, 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 GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
What’s It Like Being a Corporate Librarian? Find out on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, ‘To Librarianship and Beyond’, on Wednesday, December 4 at 10am CT.
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a librarian in a corporate environment? Attend this session to hear Emily Nimsakont discuss her position as digital librarian for a software company. She will compare and contrast her job to more traditional library positions, discuss the pros and cons of working in the corporate world, and offer advice on breaking into this area of library work.
Presenter: Emily Nimsakont, Digital Librarian, Posit PBC.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
Dec. 11 – Best New Children’s Books of 2024
Dec. 18 – Fostering Healthy Communication in Your Library
Dec. 25 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE THIS WEEK – HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Jan. 1, 2025 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE THIS WEEK
Jan. 8, 2025 – Best New Teen Reads of 2024
Jan. 29, 2025 – Pretty Sweet Tech
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, 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 GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
Highlights from Internet Librarian 2024 will be shared on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, November 27 at 10am CT.
Special monthly episodes of NCompass Live! Join the NLC’s Technology Innovation Librarian, Amanda Sweet, as she guides us through the world of library-related Pretty Sweet Tech.
Just in case you missed it, this Pretty Sweet Tech will offer some highlights from Internet Librarian 2024 that ran virtually from October 22-24. It’s where all the cool kids go to learn about library technology topics. Here are the themes I’ll be covering in the recap:
Training for an Unknown Future: Explore new ways to learn new skills, train staff, and brainstorm some skills you might want to focus on in the near future.
Libraries Solving Community Problems: Learn how some awesome libraries have built partnerships to tackle big community problems.
Hybrid Presence: Uncover new ways to update your web presence to engage with communities who need to come together in new ways to prepare for the same unknown future.
Just Plain Cool: Some projects are just plan cool. I want to share a few of my favorite highlights.
I’ll include my usual disclaimer that I couldn’t make it to every session, but I did my best to dig around and catch the cool, helpful, or off the beaten path sessions that caught my eye.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
Dec. 4 – To Librarianship and Beyond: What’s It Like Being a Corporate Librarian?
Dec. 11 – Best New Children’s Books of 2024
Dec. 25 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE THIS WEEK – HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Jan. 1, 2025 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE THIS WEEK
Jan. 8, 2025 – Best New Teen Reads of 2024
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, 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 GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
Join us to learn how libraries in Nebraska are using Reader Zone to engage readers of all ages in quality reading programs on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, November 20 at 10am CT.
Reader Zone helps schools and libraries host amazing reading programs using the three principles that drive success: Engage, Adapt, and Report. There is no limit to the size and type of organization that can use the service.
The Nebraska Library Commission has renewed the state-wide subscription to Reader Zone for all public, school, and academic libraries, continuing access through September 2025. Jake Ball, founder of Reader Zone, will give a live demo of Reader Zone and answer any questions you have about the program.
Presenters: Jake Ball, Founder, Reader Zone and Denise Harders, Director, Central Plains Library System.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
Nov. 27 – Pretty Sweet Tech: Internet Librarian 2024 Recap
Dec. 11 – Best New Children’s Books of 2024
Jan. 8, 2025 – Best New Teen Reads of 2024
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, 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 GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
Join us for a 2024 Overview and Update on Nebraska’s Open Meetings Act on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, November 13 at 10am CT.
Public library boards for communities of all sizes in Nebraska are required to follow our state’s Open Meetings Act when holding their meetings. In this session, we’ll point out some of the major points of this state law for library boards, changes for 2024 and 2025, and some of the consequences of not following Open Meeting law. Note: This topic is very Nebraska specific. If you are attending from another state some of the things we discuss may not be applicable for your library boards.
Presenters: Scott Childers, Executive Director, Southeast Library System, Lincoln, NE; Christa Porter, Library Development Director, Nebraska Library Commission.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
Nov. 20 – Building Cultures of Reading with Reader Zone
Nov. 27 – Pretty Sweet Tech
Dec. 11 – Best New Children’s Books of 2024
Jan. 8, 2025 – Best New Teen Reads of 2024
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, 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 GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
Get ready for the 2025 Summer Reading Program, ‘Color Our World’, by learning about quality books for your library’s collection on this week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, November 6 at 10am CT.
Kids will be clamoring for both fiction and nonfiction titles as they read all about art and creativity at the library, the topic for the 2025 Collaboarative Summer Library Program.
Presenter: Sally Snyder, Coordinator of Children and Young Adult Library Services, Nebraska Library Commission.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
Nov. 13 – Nebraska Open Meetings Act: 2024 Overview and Update
Nov. 20 – Building Cultures of Reading with Reader Zone
Nov. 27 – Pretty Sweet Tech
Dec. 11 – Best New Children’s Books of 2024
Jan. 8, 2025 – Best New Teen Reads of 2024
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, 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 GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
Learn about Nebraska’s state reading and writing contest for youth, Letters About Literature, on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, October 23 at 10am CT.
The Nebraska Center for the Book is a statewide organization dedicated to the promotion of reading in all its forms. Its annual Nebraska Letters About Literature contest allows students in 4th through 12th grade to write to authors (living or deceased) about their favorite book or poem about how his or her book affected their lives. This session will provide helpful information for teachers and librarians interested in the competition. It will also cover the submission process and be an excellent opportunity to ask questions about the entire competition process. Teachers will be interested in this program that will help enhance and extend their classroom instruction.
Nov. 6 – Summer Reading Program 2025: Color Our World
Nov. 13 – Nebraska Open Meetings Act: 2024 Overview and Update
Dec. 11 – Best New Children’s Books of 2024
Jan. 8, 2025 – Best New Teen Reads of 2024
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, 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 GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
Learn about ‘Dragons at the Library: An Exciting New Reading Program’ on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, October 16 at 10am CT.
Encourage reading all year long with Reading Dragons – a card collecting reading program where the more you read the more dragon cards you can collect! Learn how to implement this amazing low cost program at your library – Reading Dragons costs as low as $4/kid to run. Hastings Public Library had 201 kids participate in the 23/24 school year. Reading Dragons is an effective and fun way to engage your patrons in reading all year long!
Nov. 6 – Summer Reading Program 2025: Color Our World
Nov. 13 – Nebraska Open Meetings Act: 2024 Overview and Update
Dec. 11 – Best New Children’s Books of 2024
Jan. 8, 2025 – Best New Teen Reads of 2024
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, 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 GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
Learn about Digital Navigation and Nebraska’s Digital Equity Plan on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, October 2 at 10am CT.
Special monthly episodes of NCompass Live! Join the NLC’s Technology Innovation Librarian, Amanda Sweet, as she guides us through the world of library-related Pretty Sweet Tech.
Digital Navigators have grown increasingly popular over the years. The National Digital Inclusion Alliance calls these Navigators “trusted guides who assist community members with ongoing, individualized support for accessing affordable and appropriate connectivity, devices, and digital skills”.
Some states have built out entire statewide platforms and training platforms for Digital Navigators. Nebraska has several smaller initiatives, and some missing gaps. This session will discuss Digital Navigation in Nebraska, including:
Quick overview of Nebraska’s Digital Equity Plan
Current digital skill-related programs
Digital Navigation resources, nationwide
Ideas for what your library can do
It’s time to work together to tackle that massive digital skill problem in all of our communities!
Oct. 16 – Dragons at the Library: An Exciting New Reading Program
Oct. 23 – Letters About Literature 2024
Oct. 30 – Pretty Sweet Tech
Nov. 6 – Summer Reading Program 2025: Color Our World
Nov. 13 – Nebraska Open Meetings Act: 2024 Overview and Update
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, 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 GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
Learn more about the NLC Grants for 2025 on this week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, September 25 at 10am CT.
Nebraska Accredited Public Libraries and State-run Institutions! Do you have an idea for a program or project you would like to see funded? Apply for an NLC Grant!
The Nebraska Library Commission has made funding available for four grants for 2025: Continuing Education & Training, Internship, Library Improvement, and Youth Grants for Excellence. Don’t let your library miss out on these opportunities!
Grant applications for all 2025 NLC grants opened on September 20 and will be due November 15, 2024.
Join Christa Porter, Sally Snyder, and Holli Duggan, from the Nebraska Library Commission’s Library Development Team, as they provide an overview of the grants, including eligibility requirements and grant guidelines, the application process and grant review, timelines and deadlines. They will also share some tips on writing effective grants.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
Oct. 2 – Pretty Sweet Tech: Digital Navigators & Digital Equity in Nebraska
Oct. 16 – Dragons at the Library: An Exciting New Reading Program
Oct. 23 – Letters About Literature 2024
Oct. 30 – Pretty Sweet Tech
Nov. 6 – Summer Reading Program 2025: Color Our World
Nov. 13 – Nebraska Open Meetings Act: 2024 Overview and Update
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, 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 GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
Learn how to solve common library tech issues using the free Toward Gigabit Libraries toolkit on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, September 18 at 10am CT.
In this session, we will tap into the collective “IT brain” of the attendees to walk through how to solve common library tech issues using the free Toward Gigabit Libraries toolkit. The newly updated toolkit helps library staff scale up their tech skills to understand, improve, and fund IT and broadband improvements. The Toward Gigabit Libraries toolkit was made possible through two grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), RE-00-15-0110-15 and RE-246219-OLS-20. For example, how can a non-techie library worker know which cables are actually working and which ones are dormant/unused? The participants will collaborate with some help from Stephanie, Carson, and the toolkit to talk through common IT and broadband problems and find solutions. Attendees are encouraged to bring their real-life library IT and broadband issues to the session– we’ll work together to leverage the community’s collective knowledge and the toolkit’s resources to solve them. After you attend the session, you’ll know how to navigate the free toolkit to use later with your library staff to raise everyone’s “IT IQ.”
Oct. 16 – Dragons at the Library: An Exciting New Reading Program
Oct. 23 – Letters About Literature 2024
Oct. 30 – Pretty Sweet Tech
Nov. 6 – Summer Reading Program 2025: Color Our World
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, 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 GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
Join us for an insightful webinar featuring Brian Pichman, an innovator in library technology and services, as he explores the vital role libraries can play in memory care on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, September 11 at 10am CT.
This session will explore how libraries can become supportive environments for individuals with memory-related conditions, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. Brian will share practical strategies for designing inclusive library programs, integrating therapeutic activities, and leveraging technology to create engaging, supportive, and accessible spaces. Ideal for librarians, caregivers, and community leaders, this webinar aims to equip attendees with the knowledge and tools to enhance memory care through the power of libraries. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn how libraries can make a meaningful difference and provide more inclusive programming.
Presenter: Brian Pichman, Director of Strategic Innovation, The Evolve Project.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
Sept. 18 – Problem-solving in Your Library using the Toward Gigabit Libraries toolkit
Sept. 25 – Pretty Sweet Tech: Digital Navigators & Digital Equity in Nebraska
Oct. 16 – Dragons at the Library: An Exciting New Reading Program
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, 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 GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
Learn how to use tabletop games to teach computer science on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, September 4 at 10am CT.
While programming can seem abstract and confusing, board games provide an excellent, tangible parallel for how it works. In the current golden age of tabletop gaming, libraries worldwide are adding board games to their collections. Get some ideas for different ways libraries can use these assets for education and outreach.
Oct. 16 – Dragons at the Library: An Exciting New Reading Program
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, 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 GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
Learn ‘How to Make a Magic Butterfly Wand’ on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, August 28 at 10am CT.
Special monthly episodes of NCompass Live! Join the NLC’s Technology Innovation Librarian, Amanda Sweet, as she guides us through the world of library-related Pretty Sweet Tech.
I’ve been having some fun using my butterfly wand to display lights in pop-up cards, so I’m going to show you how it works using Micro:bit radio control. Sort of like how you use a controller to make an RC car move, the butterfly wand controls a fun LED light display. It’s not too bad once you see it in action. By the end of this session you will have:
Customizable material listing
Code snippet you can download & re-use
Activity ideas using micro:bit for elementary to middle school
This session will having you flying home to make your own wands!
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
Sept. 4 – Board Games & Computer Science in Libraries
Sept. 11 – Memory Care Initiative
Sept. 25 – Pretty Sweet Tech
Oct. 9 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE _ ENJOY NLA!
Oct. 16 – Dragons at the Library: An Exciting New Reading Program
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, 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 GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
Is your library ready to upgrade its computers? Get some expert tips about ‘Purchasing Computers for the Library’ on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, August 21 at 10am CT.
Providing computers for public use is unique to libraries and their purchase requires extra consideration. Sherm will cover the topics of recommended styles, features, where to buy, funding, recommended software, and ongoing support.
Presenter: Andrew “Sherm” Sherman, IT Infrastructure Support Analyst, Nebraska Library Commission.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
Aug. 28 – Pretty Sweet Tech: How to Make a Magic Butterfly Wand
Sept. 4 – Board Games & Computer Science in Libraries
Sept. 11 – Memory Care Initiative
Sept. 25 – Pretty Sweet Tech
Oct. 9 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE _ ENJOY NLA!
Oct. 16 – Dragons at the Library: An Exciting New Reading Program
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, 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 GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
Learn about Princeton University Library’s “Personal Librarian Program” on next week’s NCompass Live webinar ‘Operating a Culture of Belonging: Personal Librarian 2.0’ on Wednesday, August 14 at 10am CT.
Welber started Princeton University Library’s “Personal Librarian Program” in 2017, randomly pairing each undergraduate with a member of the library staff for all 4 years. The program, along with its associated in-person outreach events, has continued to increase in popularity among students and recently gained the notice of other campus partners. Two years ago, the dean of student services reached out to request a personal librarian for several athletic teams needing extra support. This proved so successful, the program has begun creating other “identity cohorts,” such as the Freshman Scholars Institute, which supports first-generation/low-income students. The library has found that assigning students a personal librarian in this way strengthens the efficacy of the program through connections among cohort members and their adult support system (mentors, leaders, coaches). This shift in emphasis has also strengthened the DEI aspect of the program, contributing to the culture of support and belonging that the library strives to provide. Welber explains the technical aspects of implementation and tips for making a program successful in your environment.
Presenter: Audrey B. Welber, Coordinator for Undergraduate Research and Instruction, Library-Data, Research and Teaching Services, Princeton University Library.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
Aug. 28 – Pretty Sweet Tech
Sept. 4 – Board Games & Computer Science in Libraries
Sept. 11 – Memory Care Initiative
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, 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 GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
Learn how to use Screaming Frog SEO to keep your library website neat and up to date on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, July 31 at 10am CT.
Special monthly episodes of NCompass Live! Join the NLC’s Technology Innovation Librarian, Amanda Sweet, as she guides us through the world of library-related Pretty Sweet Tech.
Many years ago I stumbled across a tool called Screaming Frog SEO. It’s a free/ low-cost tool to keep your website and resource documents up to date, Google keyword-friendly, and just all-around awesome. It is code-free and easy to learn with plenty of tutorials. In this session you will see how Screaming Frog can help you:
Check for broken links on your web pages for easy repair.
Make sure all images on your website are accessible.
Spell check and grammar check your whole website.
Find out when pages were last updated.
Other helpful tips and tricks.
As a fun fact, I found this tool because frogs are my favorite animal and I just wanted to see which website tools were frog-friendly. Now this is one of my most-used tools to update website and resource listings!
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
Aug. 7 – Learning New Technologies On-the-Fly: Vendorbrarian to Public Librarian
Aug. 14 – Operating a Culture of Belonging: Personal Librarian 2.0
Sept. 4 – Board Games & Computer Science in Libraries
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, 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 GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
What is E-rate? How can my library benefit from E-rate? How do I apply for E-rate? Find out on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, ‘E-rate 101: Just the Basics for 2025’ on Wednesday, July 24 at 10am CT.
E-rate is a federal program that provides discounts to schools and public libraries on the cost of their Internet Access and Connections to make these services more affordable. This includes Broadband, Fiber, and Wi-Fi Internet access as well as Internal Connections, such as wiring, routers, switches, and other network equipment. And new for 2025: off-premises use of Wi-Fi hotspots and wireless Internet services.
This session will be a general overview of the E-rate program. Full in-depth E-rate workshops will be held later in the year. It will be useful to libraries who have never applied for E-rate, libraries who are new to E-rate, and current E-rate libraries who just want a short refresher on what E-rate is all about.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The dates and rules in this session will be specific to E-rate Funding Year 2025.
Presenter: Christa Porter, Nebraska’s State E-rate Coordinator for Public Libraries, Nebraska Library Commission.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
July 31 – Pretty Sweet Tech: Screaming Frog SEO: A tool to keep websites neat and up to date
Aug. 7 – Learning New Technologies On-the-Fly: Vendorbrarian to Public Librarian
Aug. 14 – Operating a Culture of Belonging: Personal Librarian 2.0
Sept. 4 – Board Games & Computer Science in Libraries
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, 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 GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
‘Think Outside the Box’ on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, July 17 at 10am CT.
You have all likely heard of breakout boxes. Join me to learn and discuss creative ways this tool can help make learning fun. These can be used for children and for adults, and the possibilities are endless. I will share what ideas I have explored, and it will be exciting to hear of any suggestions others have to offer!
Presenter: Tammi Thiem, Director, Three Rivers Library System, Omaha, NE.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
July 31 – Pretty Sweet Tech
Aug. 7 – Learning New Technologies On-the-Fly: Vendorbrarian to Public Librarian
Aug. 14 – Operating a Culture of Belonging: Personal Librarian 2.0
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, 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 GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
