Learn how to go ‘Beyond the PDF: Publishing Open Educational Resources with Pressbooks’ on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, on Wednesday, September 9 at 10am CT.
Pressbooks is a leading platform for authoring, adapting, and publishing openly licensed textbooks and other educational materials. In this session, we will provide a practical introduction to the platform, demonstrating how faculty and libraries can use Pressbooks to create, remix, and share high-quality OER.
We’ll explore the core features of Pressbooks, discuss its strengths and limitations, and compare several collaboration options available to institutions and individual authors. Through examples from UNO Criss Library’s own OER publishing program, we’ll examine the complete publishing workflow, from manuscript creation to analytics, showing how usage and impact can be measured after publication.
Because accessible publishing is essential to effective OER, we’ll also discuss practical strategies for digital accessibility and remediation. Participants will learn why a surprisingly small number of recurring issues account for the majority of WCAG accessibility errors—and how addressing those common problems can dramatically improve the accessibility of a Pressbooks publication.
Oct. 14 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE THIS WEEK – ENJOY NLA/MPLA!
Oct. 21 – Nebraska Celebration of Books 2026
Oct. 28 – What Are We Doing With Our Homeschoolers?
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.
In collaboration with Cummins Inc., ALA invites applications from U.S. public libraries to participate in A Year of STEM, 12 months of curated STEM programming to foster curiosity and STEM-mindedness in early childhood learners.
Applications are due October 28, 2026.
Through a competitive, peer-reviewed application process, 25 public libraries will be selected to receive the following:
A $5,000 programming stipend to support program-related expenses, such as presenter honoraria, educational materials, field trip transportation, library staff time, marketing and publicity, STEM kit materials, program supplies and printing.
Four STEM kits, developed by librarian advisors and delivered quarterly by mail.
A copy of the A Year of STEM programming guide, featuring replicable STEM kits and program models, a STEM reading list for early learners and additional resources.
Customizable promotional templates, including posters, postcards, bookmarks, web graphics, social media graphics and other materials to support outreach.
Access to a private online discussion group in ALA Connect for conversation, peer support, and idea exchange among participating libraries.
Virtual training videos covering grant logistics and administration, programming requirements, evaluation, project goals, tips for successful STEM programming and related topics.
Eligible institutions include public libraries (including tribal libraries) in the United States and U.S. territories. Individuals are not eligible to apply.
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 libraries 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 must be from small libraries or directly partnered with a small library and submitting a proposal to co-present with the library. Speakers from libraries serving fewer than 10,000 people will be preferred, but presentations from libraries with larger service populations will be considered.
Big Talk From Small Libraries 2027 will be held on Friday, February 26, 2027 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.
Who Doesn’t Love a Field Trip? Learn how to do ‘Staff Development Through Library Visits’ on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, on Wednesday, September 2 at 10am CT.
Small, rural libraries often struggle with limited staff development opportunities and geographic isolation from peer institutions. This presentation proposes an innovative, low-cost solution: organizing field trips to visit other libraries.
Our library closed on a local festival day and visited three diverse institutions – Cumberland County Library, Midlothian Public Library, and the Library of Virginia. Staff toured facilities, observed operations, and engaged directly with peers about programming, procedures, and space utilization. Post-visit discussions sparked conversations about possibilities for our own library.
Benefits include:
Networking and relationship-building among geographically dispersed library workers
Exposure to diverse operational models and innovative practices
Team bonding in a low-pressure learning environment
Direct knowledge transfer through peer conversations
Enhanced interpersonal and communication skills
Inspiration for adapting successful programs and policies
This session will provide a framework for planning library field trips, strategies for maximizing learning outcomes, and examples of changes implemented after our visits. Attendees will leave with practical tools to create meaningful professional development experiences without significant budget expenditures – perfect for resource-constrained libraries seeking creative solutions.
Presenters: Cindy Scheu, Library Director, and MaKayla Harvey, Youth Services Specialist, J. Robert Jamerson Memorial Library, Appomattox, VA.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
Sept. 9 – Beyond the PDF: Publishing Open Educational Resources with Pressbooks
Sept. 9 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE THIS WEEK
Sept. 23 – E-rate 101: Just the Basics for 2027
Sept. 30 – Pretty Sweet Tech
Oct. 7 – Letters About Literature 2026
Oct. 14 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE THIS WEEK – ENJOY NLA/MPLA!
Oct. 21 – Nebraska Celebration of Books 2026
Oct. 28 – What Are We Doing With Our Homeschoolers?
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 Nebraska Library Commission’s new WordPress Multisite option on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, on Wednesday, August 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.
As many of you know, the Library Commission is ending support for the old Nebraska Libraries on the Web service. Several of you have been waiting to see if the lower-rate multisite option would come to fruition and it has! This session will walk through the pros and cons of using the new multisite option, and the steps to get started.
In a nutshell, the multisite is available for a $150/yr rate through LibChalk and you’ll have your choice of a set number of themes and plugins with all the essential features, like customizable forms, calendars, and PDF Embedders. Learn how the new system works to decide if it will meet your website needs.
If you’re from outside the state, you can learn how a statewide multisite can expand access to WordPress websites that are managed through a central location. This is great for smaller libraries that can’t handle the backend maintenance, but still want the functionality of a WordPress site.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
Sept. 2 – Who Doesn’t Love a Field Trip? Staff Development Through Library Visits
Sept. 23 – E-rate 101: Just the Basics for 2027
Sept. 30 – Pretty Sweet Tech
Oct. 7 – Letters About Literature 2026
Oct. 14 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE THIS WEEK – ENJOY NLA/MPLA!
Oct. 21 – Nebraska Celebration of Books 2026
Oct. 28 – What Are We Doing With Our Homeschoolers?
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.
USAC has announced Fall 2026 E-rate Training dates for applicants to learn more about the program and how to participate.
Both in-person training and online webinars are available, and registration for each session is now available on the Learn E-rate page. You can also click the links below for each session to register for that specific training.
The sessions are for E-Rate program participants at all levels and will include a question-and-answer session.
Washington, DC: September 24, 2026, at the Federal Communication Commission headquarters. NOTE: There will be an option to watch a livestream of this training.
This webinar will provide an overview of the E-Rate application process and explain basic program concepts. We will also highlight the recent FCC Form 470 updates and managing your Category Two budget.
Other webinars may be announced – sign up for the E-Rate News Brief to receive webinar announcements via e-mail.
The NLC will also be holding our regular fall E-rate online workshops. Those dates will be announced soon.
If you have any questions or need any assistance with your public library’s E-rate forms, visit the NLC E-rate webpage or contact Christa Porter, State E-rate Coordinator for Public Libraries, 800-307-2665, 402-471-3107.
Learn ‘How to Start & Sustain a Health & Fitness Literacy Program in Your Library’ on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, on Wednesday, August 19 at 10am CT.
Since earning my group fitness instructor certification to start a fitness and health literacy program in 2019, my program and knowledge have evolved far beyond what I had initially imagined. I’ve increased my knowledge of health and fitness for older adults (my target audience) and created a popular set of programs with a core group of regular students and library users. I use these classes as a platform to help people know their bodies and empower them when speaking to their healthcare providers about their health. Just as importantly, I have learned how to do this on a budget.
In this presentation, I will discuss lessons learned and how you, too, can develop a sustainable health and fitness program in your public library.
Oct. 14 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE THIS WEEK – ENJOY NLA/MPLA!
Oct. 21 – Nebraska Celebration of Books 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.
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.
Through the Bookmobile Grant Program, the Lois Lenski Covey Foundation awards grants to organizations that operate a lending bookmobile that travels into neighborhoods populated by underserved youth. The grants are for purchasing books published for young people preschool through grade 8, Early Reader books through Young Adult and Hi-Lo books.
Bookmobiles operated by charitable [501(c)(3)] and other non-taxable agencies, including public libraries or schools, are eligible. The Foundation provides grants to organizations that serve economically or socially at-risk children, have limited book budgets, and demonstrate real need.
Grants range from $500 to $3000 and are specifically for book purchases, and cannot be used for administrative or operational uses.
Only hardcopy (paper) applications will be accepted by mail. A link to a downloadable application and detailed instructions for completing and sending the application are available at the Bookmobile Grant Application webpage.
2026 Applications must be postmarked by August 15, 2026.
The purposes of the Lois Lenski Covey Foundation are to advance literacy and foster a love of reading among underserved and at-risk children and youth. Lois Lenski, celebrated author and illustrator of over one hundred children’s books and the 1946 Newbery medalist for Strawberry Girl, established the Foundation as a charitable institute in 1967. Since then the Foundation has assisted over 400 organizations in their efforts to nurture reading skills, gain access to books, and instill a love of reading.
On August 6, USAC released Wave 15 of Funding Commitment Decision Letters (FCDLs) for E-rate Funding Year 2026. So far this year, Nebraska K-12 school and public library applicants have received $8,251,022.95 in funding commitments.
Congratulations to all Nebraska schools and public libraries who have been funded!
A list of public libraries who have received E-rate funding is on the NLC E-rate webpage. The 2026 list will be updated as new funding waves are announced.
If you haven’t received your FCDL yet, don’t panic! There are many more weekly Waves to come as USAC processes more applications. This is just the start of Funding Year 2026, more approvals are coming.
When your FCDL is ready, it will be attached as a printable PDF to the email notifying you that your FCDL has been issued. It will also be available in the News section of your EPC account, but you are no longer required to log into your EPC account to view it.
IMPORTANT: As soon as you receive your FCDL, you should immediately go on to the next step in the E-rate process, filing your Form 486.
You must submit your Form 486 to officially accept your E-rate funding and start receiving your E-rate discount. This form is submitted in your EPC account. Information and instructions on how to do that can be found on the USAC website.
If you have any questions or need any assistance with your public library’s E-rate forms, visit the NLC E-rate webpage or contact Christa Porter, State E-rate Coordinator for Public Libraries, 800-307-2665, 402-471-3107.
Learn about Nebraska’s statewide membership to United for Libraries – free online training for all Nebraska public libraries – on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, on Wednesday, August 12 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, will share 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.
Learn about Nebraska’s statewide membership, including online trainings that are available free to all Nebraska public library staff members, library board members, members of Friends organizations, and Foundation boards, and the United for Libraries Virtual 2026 online conference.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
Aug. 19 – How to Start & Sustain a Health & Fitness Literacy Program in Your Library
Aug. 26 – Pretty Sweet Tech
Sept. 23 – E-rate 101: Just the Basics for 2027
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 candid, practical look at what AI Literacy means in the day to day life of the average librarian on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, ‘Libraries Building AI Literacy’, on Wednesday, July 29 at 10am CT.
Today we’re going to explore common AI Literacy frameworks and translate sometimes generic concepts into tangible planning, strategy, and library programming/ service opportunities. In practice, the massive topic of AI Literacy doesn’t have to be so intense. It can be as simple as finding a cybersecurity blog that shares how to stay safe again AI scams, then re-posting important security updates on the library blog. Or a bit more in-depth by facilitating a STEM activity with Google’s Teachable Machine.
By the end of this session you will:
Explore a range of popular AI Literacy Frameworks
Brainstorm a variety of service ideas geared towards kids, teens, parents, older adults, job seekers, and entrepreneurs
Get a handle on the role of the library in the world of AI Literacy, vs. what community partners should handle
I hope to see you all there to start taking a candid, practical look at what AI Literacy means in the day to day life of the average librarian, for multiple different skill levels and backgrounds. Even if you’re completely new to the world of AI, hopefully you will find that it doesn’t have to be all that hard.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
Aug. 12 – United for Libraries – Trustees, Advocates, Friends, and Foundations: The Voice for America’s Libraries
Aug. 19 – How to Start & Sustain a Health & Fitness Literacy Program in Your Library
Aug. 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.
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 about Nebraska’s ‘The Festival Near You’ local programming planned for across the state on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, on Wednesday, July 22 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 youth book and one adult book to represent the state at the festival, as part of the ‘Great Reads from Great Places’ programming. Nebraska’s 2026 selections are Quagmire Tiarello Couldn’t Be Better by Mylisa Larsen, and The Antidote: A Novel by Karen Russell.
This year Nebraskans will again have the opportunity to join in the fun with local programming. ‘The Festival Near You’ is a statewide initiative celebrating the 2026 National Book Festival by bringing Nebraska’s ‘Great Reads from Great Places’ books to communities, and offers Nebraskans a chance to engage with literature close to home.
Presenters: Tessa Timperley, Communications Coordinator, Nebraska Library Commission and Mylisa Larsen, Author of Quagmire Tiarello Couldn’t Be Better, 2026 Great Reads Youth Selection.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
July 29 – Pretty Sweet Tech
Aug. 12 – United for Libraries – Trustees, Advocates, Friends, and Foundations: The Voice for America’s Libraries
Aug. 19 – How to Start & Sustain a Health & Fitness Literacy Program in Your Library
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 a ‘Community Literacy Treasure Hunt: The Fun Way to Increase Literacy!’ on this week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, July 15 at 10am CT.
The Community Literacy Treasure Hunt started out of concern for TCAP literacy rates within the county. Getting the larger community and all the libraries involved, children no longer read books for just minutes, but for comprehension, producing book reviews shared with others at their home libraries.
Started as part of Summer Reading Program, this lightens the load on the libraries, and while it has children reading fewer books, they are spending more time with those books, reading for comprehension and understanding, often choosing books that challenge rather than provide a fast read.
Various businesses and offices participate by offering free books to the children who finish the book reviews. This is mutually beneficial for the families and the businesses, getting the whole community involved in increasing literacy rates and getting families out to the larger community they might never have been to before.
Aug. 12 – United for Libraries – Trustees, Advocates, Friends, and Foundations: The Voice for America’s Libraries
Aug. 19 – How to Start & Sustain a Health & Fitness Literacy Program in Your Library
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 ‘Library Compliance with the ADA Title II Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Rule” on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, July 8 at 10am CT.
The WCAG Rule requires state and local governments to ensure that their services, programs, and activities are accessible to people with disabilities. Public libraries’ web services and mobile apps must be WCAG 2.1, Level AA compliant within three to four years of when the rule was published on April 24, 2024, depending on their service population. This program will cover what libraries need to do to achieve this compliance.
Presenter: Andrew “Sherm” Sherman, Library Technology Support Specialist, Nebraska Library Commission.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
July 15 – Community Literacy Treasure Hunt: The Fun Way to Increase Literacy!
July 29 – Pretty Sweet Tech
Aug. 12 – United for Libraries – Trustees, Advocates, Friends, and Foundations: The Voice for America’s Libraries
Aug. 19 – How to Start & Sustain a Health & Fitness Literacy Program in Your Library
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 2026 Overview and Update on Nebraska’s Open Meetings Act on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, July 1 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 2026, 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, former Executive Director, Southeast Library System, Lincoln, NE; Christa Porter, Library Development Director, Nebraska Library Commission.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
July 8 – Library Compliance with the ADA Title II Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Rule
July 15 – Community Literacy Treasure Hunt: The Fun Way to Increase Literacy!
July 29 – Pretty Sweet Tech
Aug. 12 – United for Libraries – Trustees, Advocates, Friends, and Foundations: The Voice for America’s Libraries
Aug. 19 – How to Start & Sustain a Health & Fitness Literacy Program in Your Library
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 some hands on historical exploration on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, ‘Unlocking Nebraska’s Stories: Introducing the Nebraska Literary & History Escape Room Kits’, on Wednesday, June 17 at 10am CT.
This presentation will introduce librarians to a new suite of four free, ready to use escape room kits developed by the Nebraska Center for the Book and the Nebraska Library Commission, through a Teaching with Primary Sources Grant from the Library of Congress. Inspired by the One Book One Nebraska selections, each kit immerses participants in a different facet of Nebraska’s past – Willa Cather’s History, Voices of the Plains, Wartime in Nebraska, and Cold War Espionage – using puzzles grounded in authentic primary sources.
The session highlights what each kit contains, how the themes connect to Nebraska history and literature, and the ways libraries of all sizes can incorporate them into programming for youth, adults, families, and intergenerational groups. Attendees will hear directly from the three creators about setup, facilitation tips, accessibility considerations, and strategies for adapting the kits for local audiences. Participants will leave with practical ideas for hosting their own escape room programs and engaging their communities through hands on historical exploration.
Presenters: Tessa Timperley, Communications Coordinator; Miranda Shreves, Marketing and Outreach Coordinator, Talking Book and Braille Service (TBBS); Bailee Juroshek, Office Specialist, Nebraska Library Commission.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
June 24 – Pretty Sweet Tech
July 8 – Library Compliance with the ADA Title II Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Rule
July 15 – Community Literacy Treasure Hunt: The Fun Way to Increase Literacy!
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.
Discover how intellectual freedom and legal principles intersect in our libraries on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, ‘Law for Librarians’, on Wednesday, June 10 at 10am CT.
This session delves into critical topics such as censorship, privacy, collection development, professional ethics, and the First Amendment. Gain practical strategies for advocating for equitable access to information and crafting strong policies. Designed to empower school librarians, this session provides the tools to navigate legal responsibilities while championing intellectual freedom and fostering a supportive library program.
Presenter: Dr. Chris Haeffner, Director of Library Services, Lincoln (NE) Public Schools.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
June 17 – Unlocking Nebraska’s Stories: Introducing the Nebraska Literary & History Escape Room Kits
June 24 – Pretty Sweet Tech
July 8 – Library Compliance with the ADA Title II Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Rule
July 15 – Community Literacy Treasure Hunt: The Fun Way to Increase Literacy!
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 Connected America conference, which brings together the key stakeholders driving Internet connectivity across the United States, on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, June 3 at 10am CT.
The conference covered the evolving landscape of technology, regulation, and investment while showcasing the transformative social and economic benefits of enhanced connectivity for individuals, communities, businesses, and industries across the nation.
Andrew “Sherm” Sherman, NLC Library Technology Support Specialist, will share what he learned when he attended Connected America 2026, such as how enlightening it was to hear about the challenges the ISPs (Internet Service Providers) are facing as they try to provide affordable, fast, and redundant Internet connectivity to America’s rural communities. In addition, the BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, And Deployment) Program’s challenges and the impact of AI were hot topics this year.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
June 10 – Law for Librarians
June 17 – Unlocking Nebraska’s Stories: Introducing the Nebraska Literary & History Escape Room Kits
June 24 – Pretty Sweet Tech
July 8 – Library Compliance with the ADA Title II Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Rule
July 15 – Community Literacy Treasure Hunt: The Fun Way to Increase Literacy!
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 ‘Preparing Tech Ready Librarians: A Statewide Initiative’ on next week’s Pretty Sweet TechNCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, May 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.
Libraries are being challenged to take on everything from computer basics to artificial intelligence to support job seekers, entrepreneurs, parents, older adults, kids, teens, and pretty much everyone who wants to leverage technology to live a better life. Many libraries have been doing some of this work for decades but remain deeply undervalued and unappreciated in the face of rapidly changing technology. Yet we continue to seek ways to adapt and build new services to meet new community tech needs.
This session will introduce a statewide Tech Ready Librarians initiative to help libraries and community partners work together to share resources, design new services, and come together in learning communities to build better together. In this session you will:
Learn how Digital Navigator models work to leverage the power of ecosystems to fully meet rapidly changing community tech needs.
Explore the growing Tech Ready Nation platform and Resource Hub, designed to support Digital Navigators and accelerate service design.
Hear about upcoming statewide data collection and resource sharing initiatives to highlight the incredible work libraries are already doing.
It’s time for libraries to start sharing their stories, sharing resources, and working together to adapt to the changing world of technology. It may seem like a lot as first, but if we each take one a small piece of the technology puzzle and put them all in one place, eventually the big picture will be easier for everyone to put together.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
June 3 – Connected America 2026
June 10 – Law for Librarians
June 17 – Unlocking Nebraska’s Stories: Introducing the Nebraska Literary & History Escape Room Kits
June 24 – Pretty Sweet Tech
July 8 – Library Compliance with the ADA Title II Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Rule
July 15 – Community Literacy Treasure Hunt: The Fun Way to Increase Literacy!
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 ‘Engaging New Voices in Advocacy: Youth, Trustees, and Everyday Patrons’ on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, May 20 at 10am CT.
As a member of the Illinois Library Association’s Advocacy Committee, I’ve seen how impactful it is when advocacy goes beyond directors and staff. For small libraries, advocacy can feel daunting – but it doesn’t have to be.
This session will showcase practical models for engaging youth, trustees, and patrons as your partners in advocacy. We’ll share examples of storytelling, everyday conversations, and grassroots efforts that build trust and visibility without requiring extra staff or budgets. Small libraries are uniquely positioned to connect personally with their communities – let’s harness that strength to keep our voices strong.
May 27 – Pretty Sweet Tech: Preparing Tech Ready Librarians: A Statewide Initiative
June 3 – Connected America 2026
June 10 – Law for Librarians
June 17 – Unlocking Nebraska’s Stories: Introducing the Nebraska Literary & History Escape Room Kits
June 24 – Pretty Sweet Tech
July 8 – Library Compliance with the ADA Title II Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Rule
July 15 – Community Literacy Treasure Hunt: The Fun Way to Increase Literacy!
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.
