Tag Archives: NCompLive

NCompass Live: There’s Always Something Happening at the Library: Becoming a Daily Destination for Your Community

Posted on November 7, 2025 by Christa Porter

‘There’s Always Something Happening at the Library’! Learn about ‘Becoming a Daily Destination for Your Community’ on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, November 12 at 10am CT.

In many of our communities, the library serves not only as a traditional library but also as a gathering place and community center. Our goal was to turn our library into a true destination for our patrons by building connections and increasing the fun!

Learn how our library re-energized its programming efforts in 2024, ultimately doubling the number of programs offered and increasing our total patron count by nearly 20% in one year. You will leave with practical examples of inexpensive drop-in and passive programming that can lead to more visits and turn your library into a daily destination for your community.

Presenter: Melanie Weigel, Director, Forsyth (IL) Public Library.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • Nov. 19 – Summer Reading Program 2026: Unearth a Story
  • Nov. 26 – Pretty Sweet Tech: Internet Librarian 2025 Highlights
  • Dec. 3 – Social Media Show & Tell!
  • Dec. 10 – Return of the Canvaholic
  • Dec. 17 – Best New Children’s Books of 2025
  • Dec. 31 – Pretty Sweet Tech
  • Jan. 7 , 2026 – Best New Teen Reads of 2025
  • Jan. 14, 2026 – Navigating New Building Projects

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.

NOTE:This episode of NCompass Live will be presented online using Zoom. Login instructions will be sent to registered attendees after registration has closed. The Registration End date is listed on each session page, but usually closes on the Monday night before the date of the session.

Posted in Education & Training, General, Library Management, Programming | Tagged | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: From Rotary to the Local Bar: Unexpected Allies in Library Outreach

Posted on October 31, 2025 by Christa Porter

Learn how smart partnerships can help you amplify your library’s mission on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, ‘From Rotary to the Local Bar: Unexpected Allies in Library Outreach’, on Wednesday, November 5 at 10am CT.

In small and rural communities, libraries are much more than book lenders – they are lifelines for connection, education, and services. Yet with limited staffing, funding, and resources, small libraries often struggle to meet growing community needs alone.

This session explores how meaningful partnerships with schools, health providers, local businesses, and civic organizations can dramatically expand a library’s reach and impact – without overextending staff or budgets. Participants will hear real-world examples of successful collaborations: from hosting community health clinics with local providers, to co-creating arts programming with nonprofits, to launching book clubs in local bars that bring in new audiences. We’ll also highlight the power of working with Rotary Clubs and other civic groups to co-sponsor events, fundraise, and build awareness. Whether your library has one staff member or ten, smart partnerships can help you amplify your mission.

Presenter: Tara Filiatreau, Assistant Director, Nelson County Public Library, Bardstown, KY.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • Nov. 12 – There’s Always Something Happening at the Library: Becoming a Daily Destination for Your Community
  • Nov. 19 – Summer Reading Program 2026: Unearth a Story
  • Nov. 26 – Pretty Sweet Tech: Internet Librarian 2025 Highlights
  • Dec. 3 – Social Media Show & Tell!
  • Dec. 17 – Best New Children’s Books of 2025
  • Dec. 31 – Pretty Sweet Tech
  • Jan. 7 , 2026 – Best New Teen Reads of 2025
  • Jan. 14, 2026 – Navigating New Building Projects

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.

NOTE:This episode of NCompass Live will be presented online using Zoom. Login instructions will be sent to registered attendees after registration has closed. The Registration End date is listed on each session page, but usually closes on the Monday night before the date of the session.

Posted in Education & Training, General, Library Management, Programming | Tagged | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: Discovering New Grants for Your Library: Think Outside the Box

Posted on October 10, 2025 by Christa Porter

We’ll be ‘Discovering New Grants for Your Library’ on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, on Wednesday, October 15 at 10am CT..

Due to insufficient budgets, libraries often struggle to provide the services, materials, engaging programming, and professional development that library staff need. Luckily, there are other funding opportunities available, if you just know where to look.

You may know about many library specific grants, but libraries are also eligible for other grants that might not be so obvious. In this session, we will learn how to find grants for your library in unexpected places.

Presenter: Christa Porter, Library Development Director, Nebraska Library Commission.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • Oct. 22 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE THIS WEEK – ENJOY NLA!
  • Oct. 29 – Nebraska Celebration of Books 2025
  • Nov. 5 – From Rotary to the Local Bar: Unexpected Allies in Library Outreach
  • Nov. 12 – There’s Always Something Happening at the Library: Becoming a Daily Destination for Your Community
  • Nov. 19 – Summer Reading Program 2026: Unearth a Story
  • Nov. 26 – Pretty Sweet Tech: Internet Librarian 2025 Highlights
  • Dec. 3 – Social Media Show & Tell!

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.

NOTE:This episode of NCompass Live will be presented online using Zoom. Login instructions will be sent to registered attendees after registration has closed. The Registration End date is listed on each session page, but usually closes on the Monday night before the date of the session.

Posted in Education & Training, General, Grants, Library Management, Programming, Technology, Youth Services | Tagged | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: The Do’s & Don’ts of D&D

Posted on October 3, 2025 by Christa Porter

Grab your dice and character sheet! It’s time to learn all about ‘The Do’s & Don’ts of D&D’, on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, on Wednesday, October 8 at 10am CT.

Want to know more about Dungeons & Dragons and TTRPGs in general? Want to know of ways to integrate it into your library – and other ways of playing the game? Tune in and settle down for a sesh with Liz the Librarian to learn more!

Presenter: Liz Hittle, Librarian & Dungeon Master.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • Oct. 22 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE THIS WEEK – ENJOY NLA!
  • Oct. 29 – Nebraska Celebration of Books 2025
  • Nov. 5 – From Rotary to the Local Bar: Unexpected Allies in Library Outreach
  • Nov. 19 – Summer Reading Program 2026: Unearth a Story
  • Nov. 26 – 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.

NOTE:This episode of NCompass Live will be presented online using Zoom. Login instructions will be sent to registered attendees after registration has closed. The Registration End date is listed on each session page, but usually closes on the Monday night before the date of the session.

Posted in Education & Training, Programming, Youth Services | Tagged | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: Letters About Literature 2025

Posted on September 26, 2025 by Christa Porter

Learn about Nebraska’s state reading and writing contest for youth, Letters About Literature, on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, on Wednesday, October 1 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.

Presenters: Tessa Timperley, Communications Coordinator, and Sally Snyder, Coordinator of Children and Young Adult Library Services, Nebraska Library Commission.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • Oct. 8 – The Do’s and Don’ts of D&D
  • Oct. 22 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE THIS WEEK – ENJOY NLA!
  • Oct. 29 – Nebraska Celebration of Books 2025
  • Nov. 19 – Summer Reading Program 2026: Unearth a Story
  • Nov. 26 – 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.

NOTE:This episode of NCompass Live will be presented online using Zoom. Login instructions will be sent to registered attendees after registration has closed. The Registration End date is listed on each session page, but usually closes on the Monday night before the date of the session.

Posted in Books & Reading, Education & Training, Youth Services | Tagged | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: Pretty Sweet Tech: Data Center 101 for Librarians

Posted on September 19, 2025 by Christa Porter

What is a data center? Find out on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, ‘Data Center 101 for Librarians’, on Wednesday, September 24 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.

Data centers are cropping up in the headlines alongside AI, but how many people really know how data centers work? This session will help your library field questions about data centers, especially if there are plans to build a data center in or near your community. Here’s what we’ll cover:

  • What is a data center?
  • Job creation & training
  • Impact on infrastructure & environment
  • Trends & Innovations
  • Common Questions

I’ll put everything in a handy slide deck with helpful talking points and links so your library is prepared to share good information and ask the right questions if a data center is coming to town.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • Oct. 1 – Letters About Literature 2025
  • Oct. 8 – The Do’s and Don’ts of D&D
  • Oct. 22 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE THIS WEEK – ENJOY NLA!
  • Nov. 19 – Summer Reading Program 2026: Unearth a Story

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.

NOTE:This episode of NCompass Live will be presented online using Zoom. Login instructions will be sent to registered attendees after registration has closed. The Registration End date is listed on each session page, but usually closes on the Monday night before the date of the session.

Posted in Education & Training, Pretty Sweet Tech, Technology | Tagged , | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: Powerful Partnerships Are Easier Than You Think

Posted on September 12, 2025 by Christa Porter

Learn how ‘Powerful Partnerships Are Easier Than You Think’ on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, September 17 at 10am CT.

The Hastings Public Library has developed a model of providing outreach services through building partnerships. In doing so, programming has been elevated to a higher level and allows us to offer engaging programs that promote learning, create social connections, and stir up fun in several areas across the county.

Presenter: Sam Rundle, Programming & Collections Supervisor, Hastings (NE) Public Library.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • Sept. 24 – Pretty Sweet Tech: Data Center 101 for Librarians
  • Oct. 1 – Letters About Literature 2025
  • Oct. 8 – The Do’s and Don’ts of D&D
  • Oct. 22 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE THIS WEEK – ENJOY NLA!
  • Nov. 19 – Summer Reading Program 2026: Unearth a Story

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.

NOTE:This episode of NCompass Live will be presented online using Zoom. Login instructions will be sent to registered attendees after registration has closed. The Registration End date is listed on each session page, but usually closes on the Monday night before the date of the session.

Posted in Education & Training, Library Management | Tagged | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: NLC Grants for 2026

Posted on September 5, 2025 by Christa Porter

Nebraska 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! Learn all about the ‘NLC Grants for 2026’ on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, September 10 at 10am CT.

The Nebraska Library Commission has made funding available for four grants for 2026: 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 2026 NLC grants will open on September 19 and will be due November 14, 2025.

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:

  • Sept. 24 – Pretty Sweet Tech
  • Oct. 1 – Letters About Literature 2025
  • Oct. 8 – The Do’s and Don’ts of D&D
  • Oct. 22 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE THIS WEEK – ENJOY NLA!
  • Nov. 19 – Summer Reading Program 2026: Unearth a Story

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.

NOTE:This episode of NCompass Live will be presented online using Zoom. Login instructions will be sent to registered attendees after registration has closed. The Registration End date is listed on each session page, but usually closes on the Monday night before the date of the session.

Posted in Education & Training, Grants, Library Management | Tagged | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: E-rate 101: Just the Basics for 2026

Posted on August 29, 2025 by Christa Porter

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 2026’ on Wednesday, September 3 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.

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 2026.

Presenter: Christa Porter, Nebraska’s State E-rate Coordinator for Public Libraries, Nebraska Library Commission.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • Sept. 10 – NLC Grants for 2026
  • Sept. 24 – Pretty Sweet Tech
  • Oct. 1 – Letters About Literature 2025
  • Oct. 22 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE THIS WEEK – ENJOY NLA!

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.

NOTE:This episode of NCompass Live will be presented online using Zoom. Login instructions will be sent to registered attendees after registration has closed. The Registration End date is listed on each session page, but usually closes on the Monday night before the date of the session.

Posted in Education & Training, Library Management, Technology | Tagged | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: Pretty Sweet Tech: Upcoming Changes to Nebraska Libraries on the Web Service

Posted on August 22, 2025 by Christa Porter

Learn about ‘Upcoming Changes to the Nebraska Libraries on the Web Service’ on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, on Wednesday, August 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.

Due to software and budgetary issues, the Nebraska Library Commission can no longer offer free WordPress web hosting. We apologize for any inconvenience. This service has been around for a long time and it’s unfortunate that we were not able to maintain the service.

To make the transition easier for libraries, we are offering free basic website hosting through the NLC, and reduced rate web hosting through LibChalk. The current service will be supported through September 30, 2026 to give you time to budget and decide on next steps.

Attend this session to learn more details about how the free hosting works, and explore hosting options through LibChalk.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • Sept. 3 – E-rate 101: Just the Basics for 2026
  • Sept. 10 – NLC Grants for 2026
  • Sept. 24 – 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.

NOTE:This episode of NCompass Live will be presented online using Zoom. Login instructions will be sent to registered attendees after registration has closed. The Registration End date is listed on each session page, but usually closes on the Monday night before the date of the session.

Posted in Education & Training, Library Management, Pretty Sweet Tech, Technology | Tagged , | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: Banding Together: Lessons from the MPLA Leadership Institute

Posted on August 15, 2025 by Christa Porter

Are you looking to develop your leadership skills? Join us for ‘Banding Together: Lessons from the MPLA Leadership Institute’, on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, on Wednesday, August 20 at 10am CT.

At the MPLA Leadership Institute you can engage in hands-on projects and collaborate with peers from across the MPLA region, all while building a strong foundation for your future leadership in the library community.

Join Anne Price, Children’s Librarian at North Platte (NE) Public Library, for a discussion about the Mountain Plains Library Association and her takeaways as a participant at the most recent biennial Leadership Institute.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • Aug. 27 – Pretty Sweet Tech: Upcoming Changes to Nebraska Libraries on the Web Service
  • Sept. 3 – E-rate 101: Just the Basics for 2026
  • Sept. 10 – NLC Grants for 2026

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.

NOTE:This episode of NCompass Live will be presented online using Zoom. Login instructions will be sent to registered attendees after registration has closed. The Registration End date is listed on each session page, but usually closes on the Monday night before the date of the session.

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NCompass Live: Ditching 1000 Books: A New Initiative

Posted on August 8, 2025 by Christa Porter

Join us to learn about ‘Read for 20’, a new children’s reading challenge, on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, on Wednesday, August 13 at 10am CT.

Read for 20 is an innovative new reading program designed by the Ritter Public Library in Vermilion, Ohio, to push back against the intimidation factor of 1000 Books Before Kindergarten. Launched June 2024 and targeted at children birth-18, this yearlong reading program is designed to parallel the Science of Reading initiative in Ohio and gamify the experience for children and their grownups. Session attendees will learn how to implement this program including adapting the structure, incentive ideas, and where to find deals. Join this revolutionary new movement!

Presenter: Aimee Adams, Youth Services Manager, Ritter Public Library, Vermilion, OH.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • Aug. 20 – Banding Together: Lessons from the MPLA Leadership Institute
  • Aug. 27 – Pretty Sweet Tech: Upcoming Changes to Nebraska Libraries on the Web Service
  • Sept. 3 – E-rate 101: Just the Basics for 2026

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.

NOTE:This episode of NCompass Live will be presented online using Zoom. Login instructions will be sent to registered attendees after registration has closed. The Registration End date is listed on each session page, but usually closes on the Monday night before the date of the session.

Posted in Books & Reading, Education & Training, Youth Services | Tagged | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: National Book Festival Near You

Posted on August 1, 2025 by Christa Porter

Join us to learn about Nebraska’s The Festival Near You community bookwalks and author visits planned for across the state on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, on Wednesday, August 6 at 10am CT.

Every year, the Library of Congress hosts the National Book Festival in Washington D.C.. The Nebraska Center for the Book selects one children’s book and one adult book by Nebraska authors to represent the state at the festival, as part of the ‘Great Reads from Great Places’ programming. This year they have selected Ted Kooser: More Than a Local Wonder by Carla Ketner and illustrated by Paula Wallace, and The Long March Home by Marcus Brotherton and Tosca Lee.

This year Nebraskans will have the opportunity to join in the fun with programming during the month of July and August. The Festival Near You is a statewide initiative celebrating the 2025 National Book Festival by bringing Nebraska’s ‘Great Reads from Great Places’ children’s book to communities, and offers Nebraskans a chance to engage with literature close to home.

Presenters: Tessa Timperley, Communications Coordinator, Nebraska Library Commission and Carla Ketner, Author of Ted Kooser: More Than a Local Wonder.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • Aug. 13 – Ditching 1000 Books: A New Initiative
  • Aug. 20 – Banding Together: Lessons from the MPLA Leadership Institute
  • Aug. 27 – Pretty Sweet Tech: Upcoming Changes to Nebraska Libraries on the Web Service
  • Sept. 3 – E-rate 101: Just the Basics for 2026

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.

NOTE:This episode of NCompass Live will be presented online using Zoom. Login instructions will be sent to registered attendees after registration has closed. The Registration End date is listed on each session page, but usually closes on the Monday night before the date of the session.

Posted in Books & Reading, Education & Training, Nebraska Center for the Book | Tagged | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: Pretty Sweet Tech: Introducing AI with Purpose and Practicality

Posted on July 25, 2025 by Christa Porter

Learn how to introduce AI with purpose in your community on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, on Wednesday, July 30 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’.

AI is everywhere, but the applications are not always relevant to the local community. Sure, AI is used in autocorrect, camera lens focus, and all these places, but how can this help the local community? What are the tangible careers people can pursue related to AI, and why should people care? Sweet will demonstrate her statewide database of practical AI and emerging tech applications, with examples of how to leverage this database in library programming, from localized maker activities to community conversations, and customizable career exploration resources.

You don’t have to create anything from scratch. This session will reveal a treasure trove of activities, templates, and tech gadget guides designed to introduce all facets of AI and related technology like the internet of things and robotics. Learn how to customize these existing resources with local examples to introduce AI with purpose in your community.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • Aug. 6 – National Book Festival Near You
  • Aug. 13 – Ditching 1000 Books: A New Initiative
  • Aug. 20 – Banding Together: Lessons from the MPLA Leadership Institute
  • Aug. 27 – Pretty Sweet Tech: Upcoming Changes to Nebraska Libraries on the Web Service

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.

NOTE:This episode of NCompass Live will be presented online using Zoom. Login instructions will be sent to registered attendees after registration has closed. The Registration End date is listed on each session page, but usually closes on the Monday night before the date of the session.

Posted in Education & Training, Pretty Sweet Tech, Technology | Tagged , | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: Creating and Implementing Library Policies

Posted on July 18, 2025 by Christa Porter

Learn effective methods for ‘Creating and Implementing Library Policies’ on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, on Wednesday, July 23 at 10am CT.

Policies are a very important piece of how a library is run, but they can be daunting to create or revise for some. In this session, we’ll discuss how to craft policies that fit within your library’s mission statement and goals, are easier to review and revise on a regular basis, and hopefully can be implemented correctly.

Presenter: Scott Childers, Executive Director, Southeast Library System, Lincoln, NE; Christa Porter, Library Development Director, Nebraska Library Commission.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • July 30 – Pretty Sweet Tech: Introducing AI with Purpose and Practicality
  • Aug. 6 – National Book Festival Near You
  • Aug. 13 – Ditching 1000 Books: A New Initiative
  • Aug. 27 – 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.

NOTE:This episode of NCompass Live will be presented online using Zoom. Login instructions will be sent to registered attendees after registration has closed. The Registration End date is listed on each session page, but usually closes on the Monday night before the date of the session.

Posted in Education & Training, General, Library Management, Public Library Boards of Trustees | Tagged | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: Printing, Scanning, and Faxing at the Library

Posted on July 3, 2025 by Christa Porter

Learn best practices for providing printing, scanning, and faxing to your library patrons on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, on Wednesday, July 9 at 10am CT.

Printing has become a “hot app” for libraries. Many people don’t have printers at home or got burned by the expense and unreliability of “affordable” inkjet printers. When they need to print, scan, and/or fax something, they will likely go to their library to do it. Andrew “Sherm” Sherman, NLC Library Technology Support Specialist, will provide recommendations on the best makes and models of printers to purchase and the best practices for providing printing, scanning, and faxing to your patrons.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • July 23 – Creating and Implementing Library Policies
  • July 30 – Pretty Sweet Tech
  • Aug. 6 – National Book Festival Near You
  • Aug. 13 – Ditching 1000 Books: A New 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.

NOTE:This episode of NCompass Live will be presented online using Zoom. Login instructions will be sent to registered attendees after registration has closed. The Registration End date is listed on each session page, but usually closes on the Monday night before the date of the session.

Posted in Education & Training, General | Tagged | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: Creative Aging Outreach Opportunities for Libraries

Posted on June 27, 2025 by Christa Porter

Learn how to host a Creative Aging Arts Program for older adults at your public library, with grants available from the Nebraska Arts Council, on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, on Wednesday, July 2 at 10am CT.

Join us to learn about the Creative Aging Arts Program (CAAP), a program of the Nebraska Arts Council (NAC). Thanks to special funding for CAAP in libraries, grants are available for artist-led workshops during fiscal year 2025 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026). These grants support sequential, interactive workshops that are led by NAC Roster teaching artists who’ve completed training to engage older adults.

Join NAC Program Specialist Anne Alston and NAC Program Coordinator Joshua Brown, as well as the Louisville Library Director, Michelle Daniels, who will share her experience with CAAP at her library. During this webinar, you will:

  • Hear about how CAAP can help libraries address community outreach goals.
  • Learn how CAAP addresses issues of loneliness and isolation among older adults.
  • Find out about the steps involved with applying for a grant, hiring an artist, and hosting a series of artist-led workshops for older adults.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • July 9 – Printing, Scanning, and Faxing at the Library
  • July 30 – Pretty Sweet Tech
  • Aug. 13 – Ditching 1000 Books: A New 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.

NOTE:This episode of NCompass Live will be presented online using Zoom. Login instructions will be sent to registered attendees after registration has closed. The Registration End date is listed on each session page, but usually closes on the Monday night before the date of the session.

Posted in Education & Training, General, Programming | Tagged | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: Nebraska Open Meetings Act: 2025 Overview and Update

Posted on June 20, 2025 by Christa Porter

Join us for a 2025 Overview and Update on Nebraska’s Open Meetings Act on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, on Wednesday, June 25 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 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:

  • July 2 – Creative Aging Outreach Opportunities for Libraries
  • July 9 – Printing, Scanning, and Faxing at the Library
  • July 30 – Pretty Sweet Tech
  • Aug. 13 – Ditching 1000 Books: A New 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.

NOTE:This episode of NCompass Live will be presented online using Zoom. Login instructions will be sent to registered attendees after registration has closed. The Registration End date is listed on each session page, but usually closes on the Monday night before the date of the session.

Posted in Education & Training, General, Library Management, Public Library Boards of Trustees | Tagged | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: United for Libraries – Trustees, Advocates, Friends, and Foundations: The Voice for America’s Libraries

Posted on June 13, 2025 by Christa Porter

Learn about Nebraska’s statewide membership to United for Libraries – free online training and United for Libraries Virtual 2025 for all Nebraska public libraries on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, on Wednesday, June 18 at 10am CT.

Beth Nawalinski, Executive Director of United for Libraries, the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations, a division of the American Library Association, and Jillian Wentworth, Deputy Director, Strategy and Engagement, will share ideas about United for Libraries’ mission and vision, and how Nebraska and its libraries can benefit and fully use the resources available through this dynamic ALA division.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • June 25 – Nebraska Open Meetings Act: 2025 Overview and Update
  • July 9 – Printing, Scanning, and Faxing at the Library
  • July 30 – Pretty Sweet Tech
  • Aug. 13 – Ditching 1000 Books: A New 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.

NOTE:This episode of NCompass Live will be presented online using Zoom. Login instructions will be sent to registered attendees after registration has closed. The Registration End date is listed on each session page, but usually closes on the Monday night before the date of the session.

Posted in Education & Training, General | Tagged | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: Sparking Community Connections: Rural Public Library Partnerships

Posted on June 6, 2025 by Christa Porter

Discover how partnerships can shape organizational views of rural public libraries on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, ‘Sparking Community Connections: Rural Public Library Partnerships’ on Wednesday, June 11 at 10am CT.

Why do local organizations, schools, and businesses partner with rural public libraries? Do these partnerships change the partner’s view of the library? After an initial partnership, are community organizations more likely to partner with the library again? These questions have preliminary answers backed by research findings. While public libraries have been shown to benefit from community partnerships, there is little data available on whether the partners also benefit. Discovering how partnerships can shape organizational views of rural public libraries grants insight into effective ways to approach possible partners.

Presenter: April Hernandez, Director, Latah County Library District, Moscow, ID.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • June 18 – Outreach at Any Size
  • June 25 – Nebraska Open Meetings Act: 2025 Overview and Update
  • July 9 – Printing, Scanning, and Faxing at the Library
  • July 30 – 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.

NOTE:This episode of NCompass Live will be presented online using Zoom. Login instructions will be sent to registered attendees after registration has closed. The Registration End date is listed on each session page, but usually closes on the Monday night before the date of the session.

Posted in Education & Training, General, Library Management | Tagged | Leave a comment