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Author Archives: Christa Porter
2025 NLC Grants are Open for Applications!
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.
Applications are being accepted for all NLC grants right now! Don’t let your library miss out on these opportunities!
Grant applications for all 2025 NLC grants are due November 15, 2024.
For more information about these grants, register for the September 25 NCompass Live webinar, NLC Grants for 2025.
Continuing Education & Training grants help assist Nebraska libraries to improve the library services provided to their communities through continuing education and training for their library personnel and supporters. Successful applications will show how the continuing education and/or training proposed will support the library’s mission. There will be two rounds of CE Grants. The first fall grants will open in September and applications will be accepted for events/projects/classes that must be completed before June 2025 . The second spring round will open in March and applications will be accepted for events/projects/classes that begin after June 2025.
Internship grants work to introduce high school and college students to the varied and exciting work of Nebraska libraries. The internships are intended to function as a recruitment tool, helping the student to view the library as a viable career opportunity while providing the public library with the finances to provide stipends to the student interns.
Library Improvement grants facilitate growth and development of library programs and services in Nebraska public and institutional libraries, by supplementing local funding with federal funds designated for these purposes.
Youth Grants for Excellence are available specifically for innovative projects for children and young adults in your community. The program encourages creative thinking, risk-taking, and new approaches to enable youth librarians to begin needed programs and try projects which they have been unable to undertake, and to offer an opportunity to expand youth service capabilities in new and different directions.
NCompass Live: Problem-solving in Your Library Using the Toward Gigabit Libraries Toolkit
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.”
Presenters: Stephanie Stenberg, Director, Internet2 Community Anchor Program (CAP) and Carson Block, Library Technology Consultant, Carson Block Consulting, Inc. .
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
- Sept. 25 – NLC Grants for 2025
- Oct. 2 – Pretty Sweet Tech: Digital Navigators & Digital Equity in Nebraska
- Oct. 9 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE – ENJOY NLA!
- 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.
NCompass Live: Memory Care Initiative
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. 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.
Call for Speakers: Big Talk From Small Libraries 2025
The Call for Speakers for Big Talk From Small Libraries 2025 is now open!
Submit your proposal by Friday, December 13, 2024.
This free one-day online conference is tailored for staff from small libraries; the smaller the better!
Small libraries of all types – public, academic, school, museum, special, etc. – are encouraged to submit a proposal. We’re looking for seven 50-minute presentations and four 10-minute “lightning round” presentations.
Do you offer a service or program at your small library that other librarians might like to hear about? Have you implemented a new (or old) technology, hosted an event, partnered with others in your community, or just done something really cool? The Big Talk From Small Libraries online conference gives you the opportunity to share what you’ve done, while learning what your colleagues in other small libraries are doing.
Here are some possible topics to get you thinking:
- Unique Libraries
- Special Collections
- New buildings
- Fundraising
- Improved Workflows
- Staff Development
- Advocacy Efforts
- Community Partnerships
- That great thing you’re doing at your library!
Speakers from libraries serving fewer than 10,000 people will be preferred, but presentations from libraries with larger service populations will be considered. Speakers must be from small libraries or directly partnered with a small library and submitting a proposal to co-present with the library.
Big Talk From Small Libraries 2025 will be held on Friday, February 28, 2025 between 8:45 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (CT) via the GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Speakers will present their programs from their own desktops. The schedule will accommodate speakers’ time-zones.
This conference is sponsored by the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL) and the Nebraska Library Commission.
Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash
NCompass Live: Board Games & Computer Science in Libraries
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.
Presenter: Stephen Hall, Computer Science & Engineering Librarian, University of Pennsylvania Libraries.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
- Sept. 11 – Memory Care Initiative
- Sept. 18 – Problem-solving in Your Library using the Toward Gigabit Libraries toolkit
- 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.
NCompass Live: Pretty Sweet Tech: How to Make a Magic Butterfly Wand
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.
Posted in Education & Training, Pretty Sweet Tech, Technology, Youth Services
Tagged NCompLive, prettysweettech
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NCompass Live: Purchasing Computers for the Library
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.
NCompass Live: Operating a Culture of Belonging: Personal Librarian 2.0
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.
Posted in Education & Training, Library Management, Public Relations
Tagged NCompLive
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NCompass Live: Pretty Sweet Tech: Screaming Frog SEO: A tool to keep websites neat and up to date
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.
Posted in Education & Training, Pretty Sweet Tech, Technology
Tagged NCompLive, prettysweettech
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NCompass Live: E-rate 101: Just the Basics for 2025
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.
NCompass Live: Think Outside the Box: Transformative Training with Breakout Challenges
‘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.
NCompass Live: Helping Students Be Google Aware
Learn about ‘Helping Students Be Google Aware’ on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, July 3 at 10am CT.
Google has become the most common and dominant search engine in our culture. Students use it to find information about everything, including scholarly research. As teaching librarians, we have to ask: What do students use when not at school? More than likely than not, they will turn to Google to search. Because of this, we must teach them to become careful consumers of the information the Google algorithm produces. Relevance is a complex combination of advertising influence, proprietary interests, programmers’ language, and predictions (based off of prior search patterns). Schembri discusses how to recognize and report inaccuracies of marginalized groups, and how Google has worked to maintain a better, more neutral output for potentially inflammatory searches.
Presenter: Pamela Schembri, School Library Media Specialist, Horace Greeley High School Library, Chappaqua, NY.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
- July 17 – Think Outside the Box: Transformative Training with Breakout Challenges
- July 31 – Pretty Sweet Tech
- 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.
NCompass Live: Pretty Sweet Tech: Geocaching Summer Adventures: Librarians Gone Wild
Dig into the wonderful world of geocaching to send kids, teens and adults on treasure hunts on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, June 26 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.
This session will help you dig into the wonderful world of geocaching to send kids, teens and adults on treasure hunts! You don’t even have to hide the things yourself because the Geocaching community has already hidden little trinkets and treasures all over the world. Though you can add more stuff to the shared treasure map if you’re so inclined.
Learn how to leverage existing resources to get a geocaching adventure up and running for free or low cost using geocaching.com and the associated app on your smartphone, with the option to go all out and build a custom, themed geocaching adventure for your community. By the end of this session you will have:
- Guide to set up geocaching adventures for all ages
- Complementary summer reading, STEM & STEAM activities for kids
- Complementary material displays, STEM & STEAM activities for teens & adults
- Known geocaching trails across Nebraska & beyond
While the examples are from Nebraska, geocaching adventures are for everyone, everywhere!
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
- July 3 – Helping Students Be Google Aware
- July 17 – Think Outside the Box: Transformative Training with Breakout Challenges
- 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.
Posted in Education & Training, Pretty Sweet Tech, Programming
Tagged NCompLive, prettysweettech
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Friday Reads: ‘Bookshops & Bonedust’ by Travis Baldree
High fantasy, first loves, and secondhand books.
Bookshops & Bonedust is a prequel to Legends & Lattes, which was a previous NLC Friday Reads.
Both of these cozy, fantasy novels follow Viv, an orc barbarian, as she has not your typical barbarian adventures. Although, her barbarian skills do play a part, just in more unusual ways.
In this novel, Viv’s leg has been injured too badly to continue questing with her group of mercenaries, so she must take a break to heal up and recuperate. She is left behind in Murk, a quaint ocean town. At first, she is understandably angry and frustrated about her situation.
But, Murk isn’t as sleepy and boring as she assumes. Viv befriends the owner of a bookshop, helping her revive her struggling business, and falls in love with reading in the process. Perhaps this plants the seeds of what happens when Viv decides to retire from adventuring in Legends & Lattes?
But it’s not just a relaxing break for Viv. There’s the mystery of a necromancer, skeletons popping up everywhere, and a summer romance. Readers of Legends & Lattes will enjoy learning more about the history of Viv’s sword and her future friendships.
If you enjoyed Legends & Lattes, as I did, you will definitely feel the same about Bookshops & Bonedust. I hope the author has more stories about Viv to tell. I’d love to learn more about her past adventuring days or her life after settling down.
Public Library Accreditation 2024 Workshop Recording now available
The recording of the Nebraska Library Commission’s ‘Public Library Accreditation 2024’ online workshop is now available on the Accreditation webpage.
The purpose of Nebraska Public Library Accreditation is to encourage excellent library service in Nebraska communities. The guidelines used to evaluate libraries and their services are community-based, so libraries need to know their communities’ needs in order to provide appropriate library services that meet those unique needs. That’s where Community Needs Response Planning comes in!
In this workshop, Christa Porter, NLC’s Library Development Director, will answer all of your accreditation questions, such as:
- What is Nebraska Public Library Accreditation?
- What are the benefits of accreditation?
- How does my library become accredited?
- What’s a Community Needs Response Plan? And why does my library need one?
Public Library Directors, Staff, and Library Board Members are encouraged to attend.
If you have any questions or need any assistance with your Accreditation or Community Needs Planning, please contact Christa Porter, 800-307-2665, 402-471-3107.
Is Your Public Library the ‘Best Small Library in America’?
Calling all libraries serving communities of 25,000 or less!
Library Journal is now accepting applications for the Best Small Library in America Award, made possible by Ingram. Library Journal‘s annual award for the Best Small Library in America was founded in 2005 to encourage and showcase the exemplary work of these libraries. It honors the U.S. public library that most profoundly demonstrates outstanding service to populations of 25,000 or less.
The deadline to nominate your library is June 26, 2024.
This is an amazing opportunity to show off your great rural or small library. Anyone can nominate a library – the library administration itself, patrons, members of the community, library peers, etc.
Judges want to hear about how, in the last two years, you have raised the profile of the library in your community, reached out to new users and remote users, impacted literacy in the community, and used technology to support and grow patron access to materials and information. Share your innovative approaches to traditional problems, including seemingly small fixes that work, and specific innovations that can be readily adopted by other libraries of all sizes.
The winner will be presented at the 2024 Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL) Conference, September 11-14, 2024 in Springfield, MA, and will have the opportunity to speak there.
The winning library will receive a $5,000 cash award, and two finalist libraries will receive $1,000 each. All three will be featured in the September 2024 issue of Library Journal and online.
Nominate your favorite Nebraska library today! Learn more about the guidelines and submit your nomination on the Best Small Library in America Award website.
Posted in General, Library Management, Public Relations
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ARSL 2024 Early Bird Conference Registration is NOW OPEN!
Registration for both in-person and virtual attendance at the 2024 Association for Rural & Small Libraries Conference is open!
The in-person 2024 ARSL Conference will be held at the MassMutual Center, Springfield, Massachusetts, from September 11-14, 2024.
This year’s conference theme is “Libraries are (r)Evolutionary.” Our conference provides an opportunity to explore the transformative power of rural and small libraries in our communities. Like chrysalises of change, these libraries nurture revolutionary ideas and evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of our patrons. Let’s embrace the (r)Evolutionary spirit of libraries and inspire each other.
Early Bird pricing for in-person attendance will be available through July 16.
For more information about the conference and to register, visit the 2024 Conference Homepage.
ARSL Member Rates
- Base Conference Attendance
Early Bird – $295
Regular – $380
On-site – $380 + $25 admin fee - Preconference Workshops**
3-Hour Workshops – $60
4-Hour Workshops – $75
7-Hour Workshop – $160 - Virtual Attendance
$55
Student, Advocate & Retiree Rates*
- Base Conference Attendance
Early Bird – $250
Regular – $290
On-site – $290 + $25 admin fee - Preconference Workshops**
3-Hour Workshops – $60
4-Hour Workshops – $75
7-Hour Workshop – $160 - Virtual Attendance
$30
Nonmember Rates
- Base Conference Attendance
Early Bird – $390
Regular – $460
On-site – $460 + $25 admin fee - Preconference Workshops**
3-Hour Workshops – $85
4-Hour Workshops – $100
7-Hour Workshop – $205 - Virtual Attendance
$80
*Must be an ARSL Advocate, Student, or Retiree member. **Preconference Workshop fees are charged in addition to Base Conference Registration and are available for in-person conference attendees only.
NCompass Live: Pretty Sweet Tech: Responsive WordPress Layouts in Elementor
Do you have some WordPress layouts that work really well on desktop but squish into unrecognizable chaos on smaller screens? Learn how to set up responsive layouts using Elementor on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, May 29 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.
In this session I will show you how to set up responsive layouts that display one way on larger screens and another way on smaller screens. This can be difficult with the built-in Gutenberg editor, so we’re going to use Elementor. Here’s what I’ll cover:
- Responsive website best practices
- Elementor settings for responsive layouts
- Layout examples:
- Displaying or hiding different images based on screen size
- Gallery views on different screen sizes
- Tips for saving images that display well on all screen sizes
- Displaying calendar view vs. list view based on screen size
I will also open it up to requests if there are specific things you’re running into. It’s time to get responsive!
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
- June 19 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE
- June 26 – Pretty Sweet Tech
- July 3 – Helping Students Be Google Aware
- July 17 – Think Outside the Box: Transformative Training with Breakout Challenges
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.
NCompass Live: Fostering Nature’s Love: Collaborating with Local Author for Community Engagement
Join us on this week’s NCompass Live on Wednesday, May 22 at 10am CT, for ‘Fostering Nature’s Love: Collaborating with Local Author for Community Engagement’.
Friends of the Verde River has introduced its first children’s book, “On the Verde River,” authored by Arizona native Phoebe Fox and illustrated by Jim Fox. This book aims to inspire a love for nature among children aged 2 to 10. As part of our nonprofit’s efforts for Arizona Gives Day, we partnered with Verde Valley First Books to distribute copies of the book to children in need across the Verde Valley. Verde Valley First Books is another nonprofit that is dedicated to providing age-appropriate books to 3 and 4-year-olds living in poverty, currently serving 554 children monthly.
Our outreach includes collaborations with local libraries, participating in story times with activities like making paper otters, and featuring the book in Sunset Park’s StoryWalk in Sedona. Additionally, “On the Verde River” has been recognized by the Library of Congress’ Center for the Book, being listed among “Great Reads from Great Places” and will be showcased at the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C. on August 24, 2024. This recognition enhances the book’s reach and impact, promoting nature appreciation among young readers.
Presenters: Katherine Sirimarco, Fundraising and Communications Coordinator, Friends of the Verde River and Phoebe Fox, Children’s Book Author.
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.
Public Library Accreditation 2024 Workshops Scheduled
‘Public Library Accreditation 2024’ workshops are now open for registration! All workshops will be held online only, via GoTo Webinar. To register for a session, go to the Nebraska Library Commission’s Training & Events Calendar and search for ‘accreditation 2024’.
NOTE: The online workshop is being offered on several days and at varied times, to give attendees multiple opportunities to find a convenient time to attend. The same information will be provided at each workshop, so you only need to register for one session. A recorded version will also be made available after all of the live sessions have been held.
The purpose of Nebraska Public Library Accreditation is to encourage excellent library service in Nebraska communities. The guidelines used to evaluate libraries and their services are community-based, so libraries need to know their communities’ needs in order to provide appropriate library services that meet those unique needs. That’s where Community Needs Response Planning comes in!
In this workshop, Christa Porter, NLC’s Library Development Director, will answer all of your accreditation questions, such as:
- What is Nebraska Public Library Accreditation?
- What are the benefits of accreditation?
- How does my library become accredited?
- What’s a Community Needs Response Plan? And why does my library need one?
Public Library Directors, Staff, and Library Board Members are encouraged to attend.
Dates and times:
- June 4 – 1:00-4:00pm Central / 12:00noon-3pm Mountain
- June 6 – 9:30am-12:30pm Central / 8:30-11:30am Mountain
- June 11– 9:30am-12:30pm Central / 8:30-11:30am Mountain
- June 12 – 1:00-4:00pm Central / 12:00noon-3pm Mountain
To register for a session, go to the Nebraska Library Commission’s Training & Events Calendar and search for ‘accreditation 2024’.
