Author Archives: Mary Jo Ryan

Money Smart Week @ your library® April 20-27, 2013

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Mary Jo Ryan

The Money Smart Week® public awareness campaign is designed to help consumers better manage their personal finances. This is achieved through the collaboration and coordinated effort of hundreds of organizations across the country, including Nebraska libraries. Libraries sponsoring activities and events to stress the importance of financial literacy and inform consumers about where they can get help are encouraged to print the survey form at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MSWNebraska2013 and ust it to ask for participant feedback and demographic information, etc. at library programs, educational seminars and activities throughout the week. Libraries are also encouraged to to take photographs at events, to be shared (along with names, dates, places, etc.).  Action shots that communicate teaching and learning will be used in the Annual Report and other communication tools.
If you haven’t made all your plans yet, here are a few suggestions for activities:

  • Detroit Public Television and Michigan Money Smart Week invites libraries across the country to access a live stream of a one hour program,  “Be A Money Smarty: Top Twenty Money Tips in One Hour” to take place at 9:00 a.m. CDT on Saturday, April 20. See http://www.dptv.org/moneysmarty or embed the Be A Money Smarty presentation media player on your site. Codes and instructions at: http://bit.ly/11KvDik 
  • Nebraska governor Dave Heineman proclaimed April 2013 as Economic & Financial Literacy Month and April 20-27, 2013 as Money Smart Week in Nebraska. Ask your mayor to do the same for your community.
  • The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago has created an nationwide photo scavenger hunt. It just begun so a great way to get some more promotion and participation in Money Smart Week. For details and the official rules, visit www.moneysmartweek.org/hunt.

Comment below to share information about Nebraska library activites during Money Smart Week 2013.

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Celebrate National Library Week April 14-20

Posted on April 5, 2013 by Mary Jo Ryan

Communities matter @ your library®

Nebraska libraries will join libraries in schools, campuses and communities nationwide in celebrating National Library Week, a time to highlight the value of libraries, librarians and library workers. Activities are planned in libraries across Nebraska to demonstrate that Nebraska communities matter and that Nebraska libraries are the heart of our communities. In support of these efforts, the Nebraska Library Commission has placed newspapter ads statewide encouraging your local citizens to come into the library to use your public access computer(s). Please comment below and share your National Library Week experiences. NLW_ad_1 833×4 (2)

Posted in General, Public Relations | 1 Comment

Register Now for Working Effectively with Library Trustees Webinar on April 9

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Mary Jo Ryan
Join Sally Gardner Reed, Executive Director of United for Libraries, formerly Executive Director of Friends of Libraries U.S.A. (FOLUSA), on Tuesday, April 9, 2013 1:00 PM CDT – 2:00 PM CDT to learn
tips and strategies for working effectively with your Trustees. Topics include orientation for new Trustees, understanding roles, meetings, emergencies, and effective communication. Space is limited, so register now. For more information and to register: https://events-na8.adobeconnect.com/content/connect/c1/1087453682/en/events/event/private/1087917035/1092581528/event_landing.html?sco-id=1119407572&_charset_=utf-8
Posted in Education & Training, General, Library Management, Public Library Boards of Trustees | Leave a comment

Nebraska Libraries Invited to Participate in EveryoneOn

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Mary Jo Ryan

Connect2Compete Digital Literacy/EveryoneOn

EveryoneOn is a national campaign powered by Connect2Compete—a national nonprofit organization—bringing together leaders from communities, the private sector, and leading foundations. Through our programs and the power of technology, we will improve the lives of Americans – regardless of their age, race, geography, income, or education level. The use of technology to access educational content is necessary to ensure future generations can compete in the global economy and to prepare them for the 21st century workforce. Connect2Compete will promote the importance of digital literacy skills and increase access to free computer and Internet training classes. The EveryoneOn campaign aims to help the millions of Americans who do not have the digital literacy skills they need to succeed and help them understand the relevance the Internet has in their lives. Connect2Compete plans to expand its program to all 50 states in the coming months.

Nebraska libraries can check out the plans for this campaign at http://everyoneon.adcouncil.org/. The Ad Council has created resources to describe the importance of EveryoneOn and to promote digital literacy in local communities. Libraries can begin using these materials at any time if they are ready and interested. Additional resources will continue to become available in the coming months. The toolkit currently includes:

• Background information

• Downloadable posters, postcards, table cards, flyers, and graphics

• Tips on using the campaign materials and spreading the word

In the coming weeks, libraries will be invited to view a webinar that will discuss EveryoneOn, including the toolkit materials and how they can be used to support these efforts. The campaign launches on March 21, 2013, and several cities are working directly with Connect2Compete to host a local event to support EveryoneOn. In addition, Webjunction has scheduled a Webinar, Engaging Stakeholders, the First Step to Creating a Digitally Inclusive Community, for April 10, 2013, 12:00-1:00 p.m. CT, http://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/Engaging_Stakeholders_Digitally_Inclusive_Community.html . We look forward to additional activities and roll-outs in communities across the US over the next three years.

Posted in Education & Training, Public Relations, Technology | Leave a comment

Planning Underway for a Bus Trip to ALA-Chicago

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Mary Jo Ryan

The Nebraska Library Association and the Nebraska Regional Library Systems just got word that we received a grant from Nebraska Library Commission to help with the costs of chartering a bus to ALA in Chicago this summer. So, Nebraska librarians are going on a road trip to ALA. Woo hoo! We’re excited and we’ll get promotional information together soon. In the meantime, if this sounds of interest, please let us know. As a requirement for the grant we’ll need to get at least 30 Nebraska riders – which we’re pretty confident we can accomplish. Plans are to leave on June 27th and return on July 2nd.  We’re not sure at this point whether or not we’ll need to charge riders a fee – but if we do, at the most it’d be in the range of $50 to $100.

We hope to get more details out soon to begin promoting this opportunity, but wanted to get the word out now as we realize advanced notice can be helpful in making plans to attend. If you have questions – let us know and we’ll try and answer. 

Denise Harders, rvlsadmin@inebraska.com, Republican Valley Library System, 2727 West 2nd Street, #233, Hastings, NE 68901, 402-462-1975, 402-462-1974 (Fax), 800-569-4961 (Toll-Free), 402-705-1409 (Cell)

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E-book Reading Jumps; Print Book Reading Declines

Posted on December 27, 2012 by Mary Jo Ryan

Lee Rainie and Maeve Duggan, of the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project,  authored a new study, E-book Reading Jumps; Print Book Reading Declines showing that the population of e-book readers is growing. In the past year, the number of those who read e-books increased from 16% of all Americans ages 16 and older to 23%. At the same time, the number of those who read printed books in the previous 12 months fell from 72% of the population ages 16 and older to 67%.

Overall, the number of book readers in late 2012 was 75% of the population ages 16 and older, a small and statistically insignificant decline from 78% in late 2011. The move toward e-book reading coincides with an increase in ownership of electronic book reading devices. In all, the number of owners of either a tablet computer or e-book reading device such as a Kindle or Nook grew from 18% in late 2011 to 33% in late 2012. As of November 2012, some 25% of Americans ages 16 and older own tablet computers such as iPads or Kindle Fires, up from 10% who owned tablets in late 2011. And in late 2012 19% of Americans ages 16 and older own e-book reading devices such as Kindles and Nooks, compared with 10% who owned such devices at the same time last year.

This move toward e-books has also affected libraries. The share of recent library users who have borrowed an e-book from a library has increased from 3% last year to 5% this year.

Beyond that, there is growing public awareness that the vast majority of public libraries now lend e-books. In the entire population of those ages 16 and older, the number who are aware that libraries offer e-book loans increased from 24% last year to 31% now. At the same time, there has been a drop in the number of people who do not know whether their local library has an e-book borrowing program.

Have you seen a similar increase paired with a similar decline in your local community? Comment below to share your library’s experience.

Posted in Books & Reading, General, Information Resources, Library Management, Technology | Leave a comment

Nebraska Librarians Invited to Register for 2013 Teen Tech Week™

Posted on December 26, 2012 by Mary Jo Ryan

YALSA announces 2013 Teen Tech Week™

The time has come to Check In @ your library! Registration for Teen Tech Week™, the Young Adult Library Services Association’s (YALSA) annual celebration of digital literacy and technology via the library is now open at www.ala.org/teentechweek.

Teen Tech Week™ is March 10-16, 2013, with a theme of Check In @ your library, which encourages libraries to throw open their physical and virtual doors and showcase the outstanding technology they offer for teens and their families, from services such as online homework help and digital literacy-focused programs to resources like e-books, movies, music, audiobooks, databases and more.

“Teens are constantly using technology to communicate, collaborate and create, and libraries are a great place for teens to learn how to use technology safely and smartly,” said YALSA President H. Jack Martin. “Registering for Teen Tech Week helps demonstrate that libraries around the country consider technology an important part of teen lives and an important part of the programs and services offered by libraries.”

Registrant benefits include a free webinar on maker spaces with Hilary Kolos from Dreamyard and materials from TTW Partners, such as database trials, books and more. For more information and to join, please visit the Teen Tech Week website.

Teen Tech Week is a national initiative sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association and is aimed at teens, their parents, educators and other concerned adults. The purpose of the initiative is to ensure that teens gain the digital literacy skills they need—with the help of libraries—in order to be successful in school and prepared to participate in a 21st century workforce.

For more than 50 years, YALSA has worked to build the capacity of libraries and librarians to engage, serve and empower teens. For more information about YALSA or to access national guidelines and other resources go to www.ala.org/yalsa, or contact the YALSA office by phone, (800) 545-2433, ext. 4390, or e-mail: yalsa@ala.org.

To comment, share, or see related resources and images, go here.

For more information: Contact: Jaclyn Finneke

Posted in Books & Reading, Public Relations, Technology, Youth Services | Leave a comment

E-Book Media and Communications Toolkit Now Available

Posted on November 28, 2012 by Mary Jo Ryan

Nebraska librarians and library supporter are encouraged to speak out in our communities across Nebraska. Everyone needs to know that libraries offer e-books and 21st century library services, but we are unable to offer all the e-reading choices our patrons need because some publishers refuse to work with us and because of funding challenges. ALA just released the e-book media toolkit, with resources to support your efforts to address this communication challenge. The toolkit includes op-ed and press release templates for library supporters interested in informing the public of the role that libraries play in building literate and knowledgeable communities. Check out these resources that you can use to support your library: http://www.districtdispatch.org/2012/11/right-now-ala-e-book-media-toolkit-available/. Do you think you can use these resources in your community? Please comment below and share examples.

Posted in Books & Reading, General, Library Management, Public Relations | Leave a comment

Kwame Dawes to Tour Nebraska Public Libraries

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Mary Jo Ryan

Kwame Dawes, Guggenheim Fellow and winner of the 2011 Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Award, will embark on a driving tour in December 2012 to promote Prairie Schooner in public libraries across the state of Nebraska. Dawes is Editor-in-Chief of the international literary journal based out of the University of Nebraska. He will be joined by poet and managing editor, Marianne Kunkel.

This tour fulfills one of the goals that Dawes set for himself during the first few months of his tenure as editor-in-chief of Prairie Schooner. “Prairie Schooner is one of Nebraska’s greatest and most enduring gifts to the world, and it has been giving America so much for eighty-six years. I want to find as many ways to remind the people of the state about what a treasure we have and to see if we can generate even more ownership and pride in the publication.”

Since his arrival, Prairie Schooner has expanded its web presence and has even made the move, after almost a century, to online submissions. Prairie Schooner has begun to have a marked international focus. Dawes, however, sees this tour as a way to remind its core base about the journal’s roots in Nebraska and its continued interest in regional writers as well as its reliance on the support and interest of Nebraskans. “We do not want to be an impersonal journal, but one that is aware that real people read and support the journal, and many of those real people live here in Nebraska. The great perk for all of this, however, is that I get a chance to see the state more and to find out how Prairie Schooner can support the literary arts in Nebraska in town after town.”

The tour, which spans from Dec. 8 to Dec. 22, will take place in public libraries in more than twelve cities, including Alliance, Beatrice, Broken Bow, and Fremont. Each visit will feature poetry readings by Dawes and Kunkel followed by a question and answer session. Kunkel will promote the journal to attendees, offering information about submissions and selling single copies and subscriptions.

Rod Wagner, Nebraska Library Commission Communications Director, says, “This is a great opportunity for people across Nebraska to hear an internationally-known Nebraska poet read from his work and to learn more about Nebraska’s own Prairie Schooner.” For more information contact Marianne Kunkel, PrairieSchooner@unl.edu and stay tuned to Prairie Schooner’s website (prairieschooner.unl.edu/)  for a complete calendar of the dates and times of the inaugural Prairie Schooner library tour.

Posted in Books & Reading, General | Leave a comment

Nebraska Libraries Invited to Participate in Money Smart Week @ your library

Posted on November 6, 2012 by Mary Jo Ryan

Sign Up for ‘Money Smart Week @ your library’, April 20-27, 2013

Please join the hundreds of libraries across the country that will be providing financial literacy programming during Money Smart Week @ your library, April 20-27.

Libraries of all types can provide much needed financial education to their communities- pubic, school, academic, special.  Last year over 250 libraries in 39 states participated.  We are hoping to double the number of libraries this year, and have participation in each state.

ALA and the Federal Reserve Bank (Chicago) have partnered to make it easy for you to participate, with toolkits, great program ideas, guides, resources, downloadable logos and more.  And we don’t ask you to do a lot, you can participate if you only provide one program during the week.

To learn more about ‘Money Smart Week @ your library’ and how other libraries have benefited from being part of Money Smart Week @ your library take a look at this recent archived webinar which you can view at your leisure (55 minutes). 

Please feel free to pass the link to the webinar link to any colleagues who you would like to also encourage to participate.

If you and your library would like to participate we ask that should register as a ‘Library Partner’ at the Money Smart Week website – http://www.moneysmartweek.org/ala.  Please register by January 2nd if possible.

And don’t forget to also sign up for the Money Smart Week @ your library discussion list, where we provide updates and you can ask questions of other participating librarians.

SUBSCRIBE INSTRUCTIONS:

If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact me directly.

Sincerely, Michael Dowling
Director, International and Chapter Relations Offices
American Library Association
50 E Huron St
Chicago, IL, USA
p +1 800-545-2433 ext 3200
f  +1 312-280-4392
http://www.ala.org/iro

http://www.moneysmartweek.org/

Nebraska libraries are encouraged to get involved with this great opportunity for programming. Are you interested? Comment below to share your ideas…thanks, mjr

 

Posted in Education & Training, General, Public Relations | 1 Comment

Nebraska Libraries to Attend Nebraska Community Foundation Training

Posted on October 31, 2012 by Mary Jo Ryan

November 8 –Nebraska Community Foundation to Host Statewide Annual Events in Kearney

More than 200 volunteer leaders and guests of the Nebraska Community Foundation will gather for a day of training and an evening of tribute to another successful year for NCF’s 221 affiliated funds across the state.  All events will be held at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Convention Center, 110 2nd Avenue, in Kearney. 

NCF will offer nine separate training sessions for NCF affiliated fund leaders throughout the day.  Topics will include “strengths-based leadership;” fundraising, leadership succession; attracting young people back to their communities; and merging traditional media with social media to inspire charitable giving. Featured speakers include John M. Fulwider, PhD, a leadership development coach and consultant; Carol Weisman, an internationally known fundraising trainer; and Matt Rezac, Director of Rural Community Partnerships with the Sherwood Foundation of Omaha. The evening reception, banquet and affiliated fund exposition is open to the public.  Register online by Sunday, November 4: http://www.nebcommfound.org/news-events/event-calendar/register/2774/

The evening banquet program will open with a welcome address by Galen Hadley, Nebraska State Senator District 37.  The program will include remarks from former Nebraska District 1 Congressman Doug Bereuter, who is now an NCF Board member,  and leaders from affiliated funds in Keith County, Imperial, McCook and Norfolk. The Nebraska City Community Foundation Fund will be honored with the Community Legacy Award, recognizing the fund advisory committee members for each having arranged planned gifts within their estates to benefit their community. 

SCHEDULE:        Thursday, November 8, 2012

9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.      Training Sessions (For NCF affiliated funds only)

5:00 – 6:30 p.m.                Affiliated Fund Exposition and Reception

6:30 – 8:30 p.m.                Banquet and Speakers

BACKGROUND: NCF is heralded as a national model for rural development philanthropy, which uses charitable giving as a tool for strengthening rural economies. NCF’s 221 affiliated funds serve 235 Nebraska communities in 79 counties; more than $97 million has been reinvested in communities over the past five years. In the past fiscal year total assets have increased by 13 percent to $79 million. More than 35,000 contributions were made through the Nebraska Community Foundation in the last five years. NCF, headquartered in Lincoln, is not a typical community foundation; all grantmaking decisions are made by local affiliated funds in communities across the state. NCF supports 1,800 volunteer leaders through training, financial management, donor education, and planning.  Since its founding in 1993, NCF and its affiliated funds have reinvested more than $163 million in Nebraska. For more information go to www.nebcommfound.org.

Library staff an supporters: Please comment on this post if you plan to attend this event and whether or not you are attending as part of a larger community team.

Posted in General, Public Library Boards of Trustees, Public Relations | Leave a comment

Are you participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)?

Posted on October 31, 2012 by Mary Jo Ryan

Nebraska libraries have the opportunity to host “Write-ins” at the library during the month of November.

National Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing on November 1. The goal is to write a 50,000-word (approximately 175-page) novel by 11:59:59 PM on November 30.

Check out the Come Write In: Libraries page on this Website: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/library and comment on this post regarding whether your library will be participating.

Posted in Books & Reading, Public Relations | 2 Comments

Join Us to Hear Award-Winning Writers at the Celebration of Nebraska Books

Posted on October 26, 2012 by Mary Jo Ryan

Award Winners to be Present at November 3 Celebration of Nebraska Books

An awards presentation ceremony will highlight the Nebraska Center for the Book’s Celebration of Nebraska Books on November 3, 2012 at the Nebraska State Historical Society’s Museum of Nebraska History, 15th and P Streets, in downtown Lincoln. Winners of the 2012 Nebraska Book Awards will be honored and the celebration will include readings and signings by some of the winning authors. The authors that will be present to read from their books include: 

  • Sandra K. Mathews, Anthology Honor Award for Women on the North American Plains, edited by Renee Laegreid and Sandra K. Mathews. Texas Tech University Press.
  • Tim Reigert, Dennis Mihelich and David Bristow, Cover/Design/Illustration Award Winner for First Telegraph Line across the Continent: Charles Brown’s 1861 Diary, edited by Dennis Mihelich and James E. Potter. Book design by Reigert Graphics. Nebraska State Historical Society Books.
  • Calvin Banks and Jeff Lacey, Cover/Design/Illustration Honor Award for Flushed During Play: 51 Pet Rodent Deaths, compiled by Jeff Lacey. Artwork by Calvin Banks.
  • Tom McNeal, Fiction Award Winner for To Be Sung Underwater, by Tom McNeal. Little, Brown and Company.
  • Brent Spencer, Non-Fiction Biography Award Winner for Rattlesnake Daddy: A Son’s Search For His Father, by Brent Spencer.  The Backwaters Press.
  • Richard Schilling, Non-Fiction Nebraska as Place Award Winner for Portraits of the Prairie: The Land That Inspired Willa Cather, by Richard Schilling. University of Nebraska Press.
  • Twyla Hansen, Poetry Award Winner for Dirt Songs: A Plains Duet, by Twyla M. Hansen and Linda M. Hasselstrom. The Backwaters Press.

The celebration, free and open to the public, will also feature presentation of the Nebraska Center for the Book’s Jane Geske Award to the Bess Streeter Aldrich Foundation for their exceptional contribution to literacy, books, reading, libraries, or literature in Nebraska. The Jane Geske Award commemorates Jane Pope Geske’s passion for books, and was established in recognition of her contributions to the well-being of the libraries of Nebraska. Jane Pope Geske was a founding member of the Nebraska Center for the Book, former director of the Nebraska Library Commission, and a long-time leader in Nebraska library and literary activities.

This year the Celebration marks the eighth year of One Book One Nebraska, selecting and promoting a title for Nebraskans to read to celebrate the literary richness of our state. “I Am a Man:” Chief Standing Bear’s Journey for Justice is the 2012 One Book One Nebraska and Nebraska libraries and other literary and cultural organizations across the state are hosting activities and events to encourage all Nebraskans to read and discuss the same book (see http://onebook.nebraska.gov/2012/index.aspx). Author Joe Starita will speak about the book and his experience discussing his book with Nebraskans across the state through the One Book One Nebraska program.

The Nebraska Center for the Book Annual Meeting will be held at 2:30 p.m.—just prior to the 3:30-6:30 p.m. Celebration. An Awards Reception honoring the winning authors, book signings, and announcement of the 2013 One Book One Nebraska book choice will conclude the festivities.

The Celebration of Nebraska Books is sponsored by Nebraska Center for the Book, Nebraska Humanities Council, and Nebraska Library Commission, in partnership with the Nebraska State Historical Society, Museum of Nebraska History, and the Friends of the University of Nebraska Press. The Nebraska Center for the Book is housed at the Nebraska Library Commission and brings together the state’s readers, writers, booksellers, librarians, publishers, printers, educators, and scholars to build the community of the book, supporting programs to celebrate and stimulate public interest in books, reading, and the written word. The Nebraska Center for the Book is supported by the Nebraska Library Commission.

Posted in Books & Reading, General | Leave a comment

Community Colleges Schedule Computer Classes in Libraries

Posted on September 14, 2012 by Mary Jo Ryan

Basic computer classes are scheduled to be delivered free-of-charge at libraries in the Library Broadband Builds Nebraska Communities project. These sessions are offered by some of Nebraska’s Community Colleges. see the calendar on the Library Broadband Builds Nebraska Communities blog for details. Libraries are invited to consider sending library staff to these sessions, if it is nearby. The sessions are intended for library customers, but library staff could gain skills and information to help serve library patrons and answer their questions about using public computer resources. The training is made possible by the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program and funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The following sessions are a sample of what will be provided by Central Community College for the library customers in their area.

 

 

Location of Class Name of Class  Date(s) of Class  Scheduled Times  # of Class Contact Hours 
Albion Public Library  How to use the mouse & keyboard?  Thursday, October 11, 2012  6 – 8 pm  2 
Albion Public Library  How/Where to save & find your files?  Thursday, October 18, 2012  6 – 8 pm  2 
Albion Public Library  What is the Internet & how to use it?  Thursday, October 25, 2012  6 – 8 pm  2 
Albion Public Library  Introduction to Emailing  Thursday, Nov. 1, 8 & 15, 2012  6 – 8 pm  6 
Albion Public Library  Microsoft Excel 2010 – Basic  Thursday, Sept 27 & Oct 4, 2012  9 am – 1 pm  8 
Central City Public Library  How to use the mouse & keyboard?  Tuesday, October 2, 2012  6 – 8 pm  2 
Central City Public Library  How/Where to save & find your files?  Tuesday, October 9, 2012  6 – 8 pm  2 
Central City Public Library  What is the Internet & how to use it?  Tuesday, October 16, 2012  6 – 8 pm  2 
Central City Public Library  Introduction to eBay  Saturday, October 6, 2012  1 – 3 pm  2 
Grand Island Public Library  Basic Excel  Tuesday Oct 2  6-8 pm  2 
Grand Island Public Library  Twitter  Tuesday Oct 4  6-8 PM  2 
Grand Island Public Library  Basic Power Point  Tuesday Oct 9  6-8 PM  2 
Grand Island Public Library  Facebook  Wednesday Oct 10  6-8 pm  2 
Grand Island Public Library  Email  Thursday Oct 11  6-8 PM  2 
Grand Island Public Library  How to Upload Pictures  Saturday Oct 13  10 AM – 12 PM  2 
Grand Island Public Library  Basic Publisher  Tuesday Oct 16  6-8 PM  2 
Grand Island Public Library  The Basic’s of Craig’s List  Thursday Oct 19  10 AM – 12 PM  2 
Grand Island Public Library  Internet  Thursday10/25/2012  6-8 PM  2 
Kearney Public Library  Basic Excel  Friday Sept 21 &28  12 pm to 4 pm  8 
Kearney Public Library  Intermediate Excel  Friday Oct 5 &12  12 pm to 4 pm  8 
Kearney Public Library  Advanced Excel  Friday Oct 19 &26  12 pm to 4 pm  8 
St. Paul Public Library  Basic Computers  Monday10/15/2012  6-8 PM  2 
Posted in Education & Training, General | 2 Comments

Health Education Sessions at a Library Near You

Posted on September 14, 2012 by Mary Jo Ryan

Health Education Sessions are scheduled to be delivered at libraries in the Library Broadband Builds Nebraska Communities project. These sessions are offered by McGoogan Library of Medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center  and the National Network of Libraries of Medicine.  See below for the schedule and see the calendar on the Library Broadband Builds Nebraska Communities blog for details:

September 18: Neligh Public Library for Neligh & Elgin communities

September 19: Plainview Carnegie Library, Ainsworth Public Library, Osmond Public Library

September 20: Lied Randolph Public Library, Randolph; John A Stahl Library, West Point;
Bloomfield Public Library 

September 21: Stromsburg Public Library

September 24: Sidney Public Library, Kimball Public Library

September 25: Nancy Fawcett Memorial Library, Lodgepole

September 26: Culbertson Public Library; Holdrege Area Public Library, Holdrege 

September 27: Alliance Public Library, Chadron Public Library

September 28: Rushville Public Library

October 1: Clay Center Public Library

October 4: Hruska Memorial Public Library, David City

October 5: Wahoo Public Library, Fairmont Public Library

For more information, contact:

CHIRS, http://www.unmc.edu/library/consumer

1-866-800-5209

Email: askus@unmc.edu

Note: Teresa Hartman, thartman@unmc.edu, comments, “Please consider sending library staff to one of these sessions, if it is nearby. The sessions are intended for consumers, but library staff could gain a lot of information on how to serve consumer health information questions as well.”

 The training is made possible by the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program and funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

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Creating an Entrepreneur-Friendly Public Library Webinar Set for August 15

Posted on August 3, 2012 by Mary Jo Ryan

 

Nebraska Library Commission Webinar, August 15, 2012 at Noon Central: “Creating an Entrepreneur-Friendly Public Library”

Why is it essential that your public library support the local business community? This webinar addresses this important question and provides strategies and examples of how you can do this – no matter what the size of your library is or where it is located. As a result of attending this webinar, participants will be able to:

  • Explain why your library should be involved in entrepreneurship support efforts
  • Identify who to partner with in your community and why
  • Take the next steps in developing good public-private partnerships
  • Learn best practices from case studies of public libraries of all sizes
  • Identify next steps you can take to make business support initiatives happen

This webinar is presented by Christine Hamilton-Pennell, president of Growing Local Economies, Inc. and nationally recognized presenter on the topic of public libraries and entrepreneurship. She has a background in both librarianship and economic development. She received her MLIS degree from UCLA, and worked for 25 years in libraries of all types before serving for several years as the economic intelligence specialist for the City of Littleton’s Economic Gardening project. She started her current business in October 2007. You can learn more at her website, www.growinglocaleconomies.com.

REGISTER at: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e66vp2u45b97ea9b&llr=merlk7cab using the blue button at the bottom of the page. This Webinar will be offered using Adobe connect Webinar software. The system can connect to 100 locations. Register Early to guarantee your spot.

Participants at this webinar will receive a complimentary downloadable copy of Christine’s e-book, “Creating an Entrepreneurship-Friendly Public Library,” which is for sale on her website.

NOTE to libraries involved with the Library Broadband Builds Nebraska Communities project—please be sure to report these training hours on your monthly reports.

Made possible by the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program. Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

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

Vote for Hartington Public Library!

Posted on August 3, 2012 by Mary Jo Ryan

Hi Everyone,

If you have a Facebook account, than I have a request for you!

Earlier this summer, our library entered a photo in a “The Ugly Book Return Contest.”  Kingsley Library Equipment company from California will be giving away a brand new book return valued at $4500.00 to the winner. The winner’s photo doesn’t have to be the ugliest, just has to have the most likes. There are only 6 entries, thus far and wouldn’t it be great if a Nebraska Library won!

Click on this link: http://www.facebook.com/kingsleylibraryequipment/app_343443465714045?ref=ts and then log into Facebook and vote!~

If for some reason, this link does not work, all you have to do is log into your Facebook account and find the Kingsley Library Equipment Fan Page, go to their Ugly Book Return Contest and like the Hartington Public Library photo.

We have been getting votes all summer and our library was in 1st place (by 45 votes), but now as of today we are 5 votes behind. After you vote, feel to share this link/site all you Facebook Friends! Your support would be great appreciated!

Thanks again,

Tami Anderson
Library Director
106 S. Broadway, Box 458
Hartington, NE 68739
402) 254-6245

Posted in General, Public Relations | Leave a comment

Register Now for Special Library Webinar on ATTRACTING YOUTH HOME

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Mary Jo Ryan

ATTRACTING YOUTH HOME TO RURAL NEBRASKA

May 24, 2012—Noon to 1:00 p.m. CT

Craig Schroeder, Center for Rural Entrepreneurship

Many Nebraska community leaders are concerned about youth out-migration and would like to know what can be done to address it effectively. The exodus of young people has indeed had a significant impact on our rural communities for many years. However, recent research by the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship, documents that a sea change is underway, with over half of rural Nebraska youth indicating that they would prefer to live in their hometowns in the future if there are career and business opportunities available. Unfortunately, three-quarters of rural Nebraska youth surveyed also indicate that no one has asked for their input on how to make their hometown a more attractive option to stay or come back to.

On May 24, Craig Schroeder with the Center for Rural Entrepreneurship will broadcast a free one-hour webinar available to Nebraska libraries and community leaders seeking to involve youth in ways that will encourage them stay or return home in the future.

In this session, Craig will address three key topics that are vital to attracting youth:

  • Creating local career and business opportunities for young people.
  • Involving youth in decision-making and community service.
  • Making community investments in youth and their enterprises.

Craig will also announce an exciting new youth project, utilizing local library resources, to help young people develop a richer appreciation of their community’s heritage, and thereby deepen their ownership and pride in their hometowns.

This webinar is being supported by the Nebraska Library Commission under the Library Broadband Builds Nebraska Communities initiative. Please feel free to invite a local community economic development group or youth group to view it with you in the library or outside the library.  

To register for this free webinar, see: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventoeidk=a07e5v9lcta039e16b5&llr=opyrgedab  

This Webinar will be offered using  Adobe connect Webinar software. For library staff that would like to test their connection using this software, Craig will run a library webinar test two times on Monday, May 21, 2012–at 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Central.

This is  the web link for both tests:  http://heartlandcenter.adobeconnect.com/pawnee/

This Webinar test link will create offer test PowerPoint slides and will test the audio connect using VOIP (the Internet connection). Libraries will need to have speakers connected to their computers to hear the VOIP audio. They will be able to interact during the webinar by typing into chat boxes when prompted for feedback. Please feel free to contact Mary Jo Ryan, 402-471-3434 questions.

NOTE TO  libraries involved with the Library Broadband Builds Nebraska Communities project—please be sure to report these training hours on your monthly reports.

 

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

Rod Wagner 2012-2013 ALTAFF Vice-president/President-elect

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Mary Jo Ryan

PHILADELPHIA — Rod Wagner, director of the Nebraska Library Commission, has been elected 2012-2013 vice president/president-elect of the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (ALTAFF), a division of the American Library Association (ALA).

Wagner has served as secretary/treasurer for ALTAFF and was also on the board of Friends of Libraries U.S.A.(FOLUSA). He has also served on ALA Council and on the board of the Association of Specialized & Cooperative Library Agencies. He served as president of the Nebraska Library Association, on the board of the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies, as president of the Western Council of State Libraries and as president of the Academic Freedom Coalition of Nebraska. He has worked for the Nebraska Library Commission since 1972. He earned an MA in library science from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

“My commitment to ALTAFF will continue to be promoting ALTAFF’s assets and directing them toward ALTAFF’s essential mission — supporting citizens who govern, promote, advocate and fundraise for all types of libraries,” Wagner said. “ALTAFF has a great track record in presenting excellent educational programs, providing a rich array of helpful information resources and advocating on behalf of America’s libraries. Building on ALTAFF’s strengths will result in better informed, capable and active library supporters, all devoted to a greater purpose of supplying the kind and quality of library services beneficial to library customers everywhere.”

Two additional ALTAFF board positions were filled during the 2012 election. Diane Sarantakos was elected to the position of trustee at large. Sarantakos is the director of development for the Metropolitan Library System, Oklahoma City, Okla. She has served on ALTAFF Annual Conference Committee, the ALTAFF Public Library Association (PLA) Conference Planning Committee and the ALTAFF Trustee Ethics Policy Task Force.

Deborah Doyle was elected to the position of foundation at large. Doyle is interim executive director of the Friends of the San Francisco Public Library. She has served on the ALTAFF Newsletter and Website Committee. She is the National Library Legislative Day coordinator for the state of California and has also been active in PLA and the Library Leadership & Management Association. She earned an MLIS from San Jose State University.

ALTAFF is a division of the American Library Association that supports citizens who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for libraries. ALTAFF brings together library Trustees, advocates, Friends, and Foundations into a partnership that creates a powerful force for libraries in the 21st century. For more information, visit www.ala.org/altaff, or contact Jillian Kalonick at (312) 280-2161 or jkalonick@ala.org.

Posted in General, Library Management, Public Relations | 1 Comment

Participate in Voter Voices with NET

Posted on April 20, 2012 by Mary Jo Ryan

Nebraska Public Television and Radio (NET) staff, in partnership with the Nebraska Library Commission, are gathering the thoughts, perspective, and questions of the public this election year. Bill Kelly from NET visited Broken Bow to record a round table discussion with local citizens and Grand Island Public Library recently started to participate in this “NET Campaign Connection 2012: Voter Voices” project. This is a unique opportunity for library users to make use of a webcam computer to voice the important issues during this campaign season. (Seen on TheIndependent.com at http://www.theindependent.com/news/local/library-celebrating-national-library-week/article_f6f0032c-8256-11e1-9661-001a4bcf887a.html and SandhillsExpress.com http://sandhillsexpress.com/BuySell/BuySellDetails/tabid/108/ArticleId/5063/Nebraska-Public-Television-Radio-Voters-Voices.aspx..)

Citizens are invited to sit at the computer with a webcamera, state their name, and ask questions of the candidates or comment on issues important to them or to their communty. This is a great way to motivate people in your community to come into the library and use the library public computer center–participating in this exciting digital democracy project. See netNebraska.org/votervoices for more information. Libraries with public computer centers can contact Mary Jo Ryan, 800-307-2665, if you are interested in participating. Are you ready for your close-up?

Posted in General, Public Relations, Technology | 3 Comments