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Category Archives: Library Management
Accreditation Suspended, Data Available
This year, the accreditation cycle has been suspended due to COVID-19. However, our FY2019 data, what would have been used on your accreditation applications, is available. For those libraries that might be planning and want to see how you compare to what would have been your peers, contact me and I will send you your customized data set. Keep in mind that if you are up for re-accreditation next year, your peers may change. Typically, your peers are libraries that are within 15% of your legal service area. While there may be some exceptions to this, generally speaking those are the libraries that yours is compared to.
Open by Appointment beginning Monday July 6th
Beginning Monday July 6th, the Nebraska Library Commission will be open by appointment only. Appointments can be made by calling 402/471-2045, 800/307-2665, or emailing nlc.ask@nebraska.gov. Staff will be wearing masks to protect you, and we ask that you wear a mask to protect staff. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided. Use of hand sanitizer is required of all visitors upon entry. Public restrooms and water fountains will be unavailable to visitors so please plan accordingly. All pickups and drop offs can be transacted at a designated table near the front door.
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NCompass Live: Nebraska Libraries in the Time of COVID: Planning for Reopening
Join us on NCompass Live next Wednesday, July 1 at 10am CT, for ‘Nebraska Libraries in the Time of COVID: Planning for Reopening’.
Public libraries are major hubs of activity in our communities, so staff must take extra precautions when they start offering more in-person services during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Join us to hear what ‘reopening’ looks like in some Nebraska libraries. Library staff will share their planning processes, strategies, experiences so far, and lessons learned as they ensure that their libraries are safe for both their staff and patrons.
Presenters: Cecelia Lawrence, Director, North Platte Public Library; Steve Fosselman, Director and Celine Swan, Youth Services Librarian, Grand Island Public Library; Denise Harders, Director, Central Plains Library System.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
- July 8 – Here’s What Python Does for Us: What Can it Do for Your Library?
- July 15 – The Taming of the Site: Helping Users Find What They Need Where They Expect It
- July 22 – Creating Accessible Materials for Library Instruction
- July 29 – Pretty Sweet Tech
For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, 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 GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, 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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Enter Your Library to Win the 2020 Jerry Kline Community Impact Prize
Deadline: July 15, 2020 (Submissions close at 11:59 p.m. EDT.)
The Jerry Kline Community Impact Prize, developed in partnership between the Gerald M. Kline Family Foundation and Library Journal, was created in 2019 to recognize the public library as a vital community asset. When libraries, civic entities, organizations, and the people they serve become close partners, their communities thrive.
Prize: One winning library will receive $250,000 in unfettered grant monies from the Gerald M. Kline Family Foundation. The winning library will also be profiled in the November issue of Library Journal and online.
The winning library will be identified based on the degree of its impact on the community in the following key areas:
- Engagement – a) How do the local government and other civic institutions partner with the library—and vice versa—to support the service area’s defined civic goals? b) How does the library use deep engagement and co-creation with community individuals and non-governmental organizations to drive library services?
- Recognition – What does the community recognize are positive outcomes from the library, and how is that recognition given? How is that reflected in support?
- Inclusion – How does the library go the extra mile to meet the needs of marginalized or underserved populations among its community and to promote social cohesion and connection across differences?
- Leadership development – How does the library ensure its own organizational strength and dynamism?
- Environmental sustainability – How does the library lead on sustainable thinking for the library itself and the community at large to ensure future resilience?
- Inventiveness – How are the library services original, both strategically and tactically?
Application Requirements
- Nominations will be submitted via an online form.
- Nominations should include the following:
- Nominee data: Library name, primary contact and contact mailing address, phone number, email.
- Library data: population in service area, physical area served, per capita budget, number of patrons served, number of FTE, number of volunteers, days and hours open per week, types of existing funding sources with their relative percentages within total funding.
- Multiple-author submissions are permitted. For submissions with multiple authors, please include the names and affiliations of all of the group members.
- An overview summary of no more than 1,000 words pertaining to the goals and criteria listed above.
- Detailed answers to focused answers on each of the criteria driven questions above (via fields in the online submission form).
- Three letters of support from community partners and/or civic leaders, with at least one from a civic official.
- Optional: Supporting materials such as photographs/images of the library and surrounding community; press coverage, brief videos (not exceed three minutes), etc.
Read about the 2019 winner, Sacramento Public Library.
Eligibility: All U.S. Public Libraries are eligible for the prize, whether in a single building in a small town or a multi-branch system serving an entire region. Previous winners are asked to take a ten year hiatus from submitting again for consideration.
Application Deadline: The deadline for consideration for the 2020 Community Impact Prize is July 15, 2020. (Submissions close at 11:59 p.m. EDT.)
Please submit nominations via the form found here.
Questions? Please contact Meredith Schwartz, Editor-in-Chief, Library Journal at mschwartz@mediasourceinc.com
Posted in Grants, Library Management, Public Relations
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NCompass Live: Who are These People & Why are They in My Library? Using Empathy & UX to Understand Your Library Patrons
Find out ‘Who are These People & Why are They in My Library?’ and learn about ‘Using Empathy & UX to Understand Your Library Patrons’ on next week’s FREE NCompass Live webinar, on Wednesday, June 17 at 10:00am CT.
How often does your library make decisions about services offered without checking with library users first? Are library administrators or external agents making decisions on behalf of library patrons without understanding their needs? Are you puzzling over why some of your programs are poorly attended, or services under utilized? Do you sometimes feel like you are floundering in the dark, trying to make sense of patron behavior? Have you done usability testing, but need to go beyond that to learn even easier methods for assessing and improving library services? In this session we will discuss ways to know your users better through some powerful UX techniques like: creating user personas, diagramming user journey maps, conducting focus groups and surveys, field studies, and card sorting. This session, conducted by a librarian at a university and a UX professional from the private sector, will include demonstrations showcasing both qualitative and quantitative UX methods. Attendees will leave with ready models to put to work in their library.
Presenters: Jennifer DeJonghe, Reference and Instruction Librarian, Metropolitan State University; Rich Harrison, User Experience Consultant, Horizontal.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
- June 24 – Pretty Sweet Tech – How to Leverage Online Learning to Build New Skills
- July 15 – The Taming of the Site: Helping Users Find What They Need Where They Expect It
For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, 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 GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, 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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Free webinar: “Moving Forward: Key Findings from New Libraries’ COVID-19 Response Survey”
Free webinar: “Moving Forward: Key Findings from New Libraries’ COVID-19 Response Survey”
Fri., June 12, 1-2 p.m. Central
Register at http://www.ala.org/united/survey
Presented by the Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL), the Public Library Association (PLA), and the ALA Chapter Relations and Public Policy & Advocacy offices, with support from United for Libraries
A new survey from the American Library Association captures how public, academic, and school libraries are continuing to adjust services while preparing for the phased reopening of their facilities. Join survey administrators and librarians as they discuss results, trends, and reopening practices, as well as new data on current and projected library budget and staffing impacts related to the crisis.
Speakers:
- Anastasia Diamond-Ortiz, Chief Executive Officer/Director, Lorain Public Library System
- Dawn La Valle, Director, Division of Development, Connecticut State Library
- Denise Fritsch, Ed.D., Dean of Institutional Effectiveness, Gateway Community and Technical College
- Mary Jane Petrowski, Associate Director, Association for College and Research Libraries
- Emily Plagman, Manager, Impact & Advocacy, Public Library Association
United for Libraries
The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations
A division of the American Library Association
312-280-2160
www.ala.org/united
2019 Public Library Survey Data is Now Available
The 2019 FY public library survey data is now available on the NLC website. This is preliminary data (meaning that it has not yet been certified by IMLS) so keep in mind that it is subject to change. Thanks to all of you who submitted your statistics. Historical data (back to 1999) is also available on our website. The next survey cycle begins in November, but you should be collecting those statistics now. If you are a new library director, check out the Bibliostat guide.
Reopening Your Library During the Pandemic
Is your library reopening to the public, or looking for guidance on reopening?
We’ve compiled recommendations and guidance from local and national organization, as well as example of policies and procedures being used by other Nebraska libraries here: http://nlc.nebraska.gov/libman/pandemic4libraries.aspx
If you’ve not yet told us that your library is reopening or modifying services for the pandemic, please fill out our form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe5AurxbSHsu5gy5sig7uHWkkQYeRG3EfT7l2ArfmbPTtlx-A/viewform.
A spreadsheet of Nebraska libraries closing, reopening, and modifying services can be found here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vQhzPpcpf_BAB_7wbDegLdjvfFX84AbGgRVAcIzrp-DYBIJUnKIaake5d1jKIRcFVW4qTPVwchtK5SV/pubhtml
And don’t forget our other resources for libraries and their patrons during this time: http://nlc.nebraska.gov/libman/pandemic.aspx
The Central Plains Libray System (CPLS) has resources too!
http://libraries.ne.gov/cpls/
Posted in General, Information Resources, Library Management
Tagged covid-19, pandemic, reopening, reopening plan
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Free webinar: “Working Together on Planning, Policy and Legal Issues for Reopening a Public Library: The Board, the Attorney and the Librarian”
Working Together on Planning, Policy and Legal Issues for Reopening a Public Library: The Board, the Attorney and the Librarian
Friday, May 15, 2020, 1:00 pm Central
Presented by ALA’s Public Policy & Advocacy Office, Chapter Relations Office, and United for Libraries
Libraries across the country are in various stages in the process of reopening library facilities. It is critical that libraries and their boards work together with their attorney and others to ask legal questions, change policies as needed,anticipate, communicate, and prepare. We are pleased to be joined by the team from East Lansing Public Library in Michigan, who will discuss how they developed their guidelines, digesting information for insight and decisions, and communicating with stakeholders. Join us for the next in a series of conversations about planning for the reopening of libraries.
Register at http://www.ala.org/united/legal
Speakers:
Kristin Shelley,
Library Director, East Lansing (Mich.) Public Library, and President of
Michigan Library Association
Thomas Yeadon,
City Attorney, East Lansing, Mich., and Partner, McGinty, Hitch, Housefield,
Person, Yeadon & Anderson, P.C.
Amy Zaagman,
President, East Lansing (Mich.) Public Library Board of Trustees, and Executive
Director, Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health
United for Libraries: The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations, is a division of the American Library Association with approximately 4,000 personal and group members representing hundreds of thousands of library supporters. United for Libraries supports those who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for libraries, and brings together library trustees, advocates, friends, and foundations into a partnership that creates a powerful force for libraries in the 21st century. To join, please visit www.ala.org/united or call (800) 545-2433, ext. 2161.
Results From COVID/Cares Act Survey
As of this week, we have received 163 responses to the COVID/Cares Act survey sent to libraries, representing a 65% response rate. The input of libraries has been valuable to NLC planning for Cares Act funding. Stay tuned for more information about that, but for now, it might be helpful to summarize the survey results.
The survey asked what libraries are doing to prepare for re-opening, and what the concerns are upon re-opening. This bar chart at the top illustrates the results, and note that libraries could choose more than one response. Cleaning, handling of materials, and programming topped the list. However, it is important to note that many libraries are concerned about the proximity of patrons in various areas of the library (e.g. meeting rooms, computer labs, etc.). Some noted a potential shift when re-opening to provide extended computer lab hours in order to accommodate needs, or providing more mobile devices for check out (inside or outside of the library) in order to provide social distance.
As far as staffing goes, we know that some libraries have experienced RIF’s (reduction in force), and layoffs, but this has not been the norm. Over 30% of respondents reported all staff reporting to work, and over 30% reported at least the director reporting to work. It is appropriate to note that many libraries only have one primary staff person (the director). Only 6% reported that no staff were coming to work. Numerous libraries are offering alternative services, as over 75% reported providing curbside circulations and over 40% reported providing virtual programming. 90% of survey respondents reported completing tasks associated with circulation and mail processing. This likely includes cleaning and quarantining items, and almost 75% reported maintenance, security, and cleaning tasks performed by staff.
The survey also asked about what the library’s needs are upon re-opening. Topping the list is an alternative to in-person summer reading events, and making sure items are clean and safe by providing adequate sanitizing and protective equipment. This chart at the right shows those results.
Finally, some of the open-ended answers give insight into longer-term needs of libraries to address community concerns and prepare for the future. Anecdotally, some of these responses include the following:
- Expanding the range of Wi-Fi to areas outside of the library, allowing for users to be more spread out;
- Device lending to community members that do not have their own (e.g. laptop, tablet computers);
- Providing relevant information about COVID-19 to the community;
- Online/virtual programming;
- eBook and Audiobook availability and access;
- Providing materials (clean and sanitized) such as books, puzzles, music, videos, games, and activity packs to quarantined or at risk groups;
- Improve internet speed and infrastructure to handle increased demands;
- Printing, copy, and fax services (providing with lower touch);
- Reference and partnerships with organizations to support unemployment, economic recovery, small business, and other assistance; and
- Hotspot lending.
Many libraries are now evaluating their technology, network infrastructure, and Wi-Fi (range, speed, etc.). Did you know that NLC offers FREE technology assessments and help to you? If you are interested, please check out our Better Broadband webpage for resources, and to move forward towards an assessment, contact ,Holly Woldt.
Posted in General, Library Management, Public Relations, Technology
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Over $3.5 Million in E-rate Funding Awarded to Nebraska Schools and Libraries
On May 9, USAC released the first Wave of Funding Commitment Decision Letters (FCDLs) for E-rate Funding Year 2020. Wave 1 includes $3,573,213.39 in funding commitments for 229 Nebraska school and library applicants.
Congratulations to all Nebraska schools and libraries who have been funded! A list of libraries who have received E-rate funding is on the NLC E-rate webpage. The 2020 list will be updated as new funding waves are announced.
When your library’s 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 Notifications section of your EPC account, but you are no longer required to log into your EPC account to view it.
As soon as you receive your FCDL, you can go on to the next step in the E-rate process, filing your Form 486. 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 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 2020, more approvals are coming.
If you have any questions or need any assistance with your E-rate forms, visit the NLC E-rate webpage or contact Christa Porter, 800-307-2665, 402-471-3107.
Regional Library Systems Newsletters
Stay informed with your Regional Library System’s most recent newsletter, or find out what libraries across the state are up to! You can find all archived newsletters on the NLC Regional Library Systems’ Newsletter webpage.
The Nebraska Regional Library Systems consist of four non-profit corporations governed by boards representative of libraries and citizens in the region. The four systems were established to provide access to improved library services through the cooperation of all types of libraries and media centers within the counties included in each System area. Each system offers a variety of services such as regular newsletters, meetings of library staff, workshops, consulting, and planning reflective of the needs within the region. The systems help the Nebraska Library Commission meet its goals on a more localized level.
A Phased Library Reopening Plan
Many Nebraska libraries have closed their buildings to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic; some stopped all physical services completely, and others developed alternative services. The Nebraska Library Commission has put together some guidance of how libraries can begin to reopen their buildings and restore services.
Phased Plan for Reopening Nebraska Libraries
This plan will provide a phased outline of how full services could be restored as the health crisis eases and social distancing measures end. It can be used as a starting point for library directors and their boards to determine the specific course of action their library will take to serve their community during and after the pandemic.
Disclaimer: This document is intended as guidance only. The Nebraska Library Commission does not have the authority to mandate that libraries close or open in any capacity. Library directors should work with their library boards, local government, and local health departments to determine their course of action. Libraries may modify this plan to suit their needs.
We will continue to update this plan as new information is available. See all of our COVID-19 resources for libraries and Nebraskans here: http://nlc.nebraska.gov/libman/pandemic.aspx
Posted in General, Information Resources, Library Management
Tagged coronavirus, covid-19, pandemic, reopening
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OverDrive Data
For today, we are looking at some data as it relates to libraries offering alternative services during the COVID-19 crisis. Specifically, we are looking at a potential shift to electronic resources, in this case, OverDrive. But first, I want to provide a link to the fantastic data that is being put out by the Nebraska Department of Labor. From the DOL main page, I was looking mostly under their resources, then INFOLink pages, for raw data about unemployment statistics and claims. Next, I found their visualizations, which are excellent, and detail unemployment claims by county with maps, and some very illustrative charts. If you have a chance, visit their visualizations HERE.
Now, to OverDrive. From my colleague here at NLC, I got some data about new OverDrive users, and OverDrive circulations. I was curious to see if there was a correlation between new users and circulations as many libraries shut down operations or offered modified services, such as curbside pickups. The first graphic illustrates libraries with new OverDrive users, and the total number of new users, for the weeks beginning in January, 2020:
As the chart illustrates, there was a spike during the week of March 14 – 21, then a leveling off. Next, I looked at OverDrive circulations, and you guessed it, they increased:
But wait. There’s more to this chart. For this one, I visualized the data from the previous 2 years, 2018 and 2019. If we look at March, we see the large spike in OverDrive circulations from 2019 to 2020, but it helps to put this in perspective. Between March, 2018 and March, 2019, circulations increased at a rate of 15.07%. From March, 2019 to March, 2020, circulations increased at a rate of 17.33%. So a slightly higher percentage of circulation growth compared to the prior year. For February, the 18-19 increase (17.98%) was higher than the 19-20 increase (12.15%). April data might be the telling point to look at, and I intend to post about that when it becomes available.
2020 State Aid Information Has Been Posted
The 2020 state aid calculations are now complete. This year, we’ve transitioned from paper state aid letters to electronic distribution of information to public libraries. You should have received an e-mail notification about your aid if you are an accredited public library. Here is some general information about the state aid program and eligibility, and how it is distributed. There is also a posted list of the state aid distributions for 2020 (including this year’s formula, the payment amounts, and aid per capita). Finally, here is a link to a press release you can customize and use for your particular library.
This year, there were 46 libraries that will be receiving Dollar$ for Data payments. Those libraries are now eligible to apply for accreditation.
The next public library survey collection cycle (required to maintain accreditation for accredited libraries and required for unaccredited libraries to receive Dollar$ for Data payments) begins in November.
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Online Storytimes To Share With Your Littlest Patrons
Storytime is a beloved library tradition for many of our youngest patrons and their parents. With libraries closing their doors to in-person gatherings, many storytimes are going online. We are rounding up resources to help you find online storytimes or create your own.
Many publishers are relaxing their permissions during the COVID-19 pandemic to allow books to be read aloud online, in addition to the numerous authors and celebreties sharing videos of themselves reading.
Please visit our new page for links to read-alouds and publisher information, plus sources of free ebooks and audiobooks for all ages. If you have additional resources we should list, please let us know!
Read Online: http://nlc.nebraska.gov/libman/readonline.aspx
Photo by John Schnobrich on Unsplash.
Posted in Books & Reading, General, Information Resources, Library Management, Programming
Tagged Children, ebooks, families, publishers, read aloud, storytime
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Webinar with the CDC: Mitigating COVID-19 for Museums, Libraries, Archives
UPDATE: The recording of this webinar is now available at Mitigating COVID-19 When Managing Paper-Based, Circulating, and Other Types of Collections.
You will also find more information on pandemic preparedness on our COVID-19 and Pandemic Resources for Libraries page.
Mitigating COVID-19 When Managing Paper-Based, Circulating, and Other Types of Collections
Join us for a webinar on Monday, March 30, 2020, from 12:00 to 1:00 PM CT.
Please join Dr. David Berendes and Dr. Catherine Rasberry from the Centers for Disease Control for an overview of the CDC’s guidance for community settings and environmental disinfection, and a discussion of how libraries, archives, and museums can help mitigate COVID-19 when working with paper-based, circulating, and other types of collections. The presentation will be followed by a question and answer period.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. This webinar will be recorded. View System Requirements
Presented in coordination with:
- U.S. Department of Education
- Institute of Museum and Library Services
- National Archives and Records Administration
- Smithsonian Institution
- Library of Congress
Speakers:
David Berendes, Ph.D., M.S.P.H.
Dr. David Berendes is an epidemiologist in the Waterborne Disease
Prevention Branch at the Center for Disease Control, focusing on global
sanitation and hygiene issues.
Catherine Rasberry, Ph.D.
Dr. Catherine Rasberry is a Health Scientist in Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Adolescent and School Health.
United for Libraries to present FREE webinar on ‘Engaging Library Supporters During the COVID-19 Pandemic’
United for Libraries will host the webinar “Engaging Library Supporters During the COVID-19 Pandemic” on Wednesday, April 1 at 2 p.m. Central.
Featured presenters will be Sarah Charleton, Membership Director of the Library Foundation of Los Angeles; Charity Tyler Executive Director of the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation, and Jonna Ward, CEO of the Seattle Public Library Foundation. Kristi Pearson, CEO of the Friends of the Hennepin County Library, will moderate.
Is your Library Foundation or Friends of the Library looking to stay engaged with your supporters and community while navigating the many challenges of COVID-19? Learn tips and advice from directors of the Library Foundation of Los Angeles, Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation, and the Seattle Public Library Foundation. Hear about “stay home and read” fundraisers from the Library Foundation of Los Angeles and Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation. Find out how to participate in Library Giving Day on April 23, and how to shift your strategies due to COIVD-19.
Registration is open and free to all regardless of United for Libraries membership. Register for the webinar at https://ala-events.zoom.us/webinar/register/3815852403300/WN_CtAgY7Y4TluRlM_SHuL0dA
Sarah Charleton is the Membership Director for the Library Foundation of Los Angeles, where she also manages coordinated giving campaigns, including the annual Stay Home and Read a Book Ball© fundraiser. She where she previously helped produce the Library Foundation’s award-winning ALOUD author series for more than seven years. She leads regular art and architecture tours as a Docent for Los Angeles’ historic Central Library, and serves as President for the Los Angeles chapter of the National Emerging Museum Professionals network.
Charity Tyler was named Executive Director for the Cedar Rapids Public Library Foundation in 2015. She has led the transition from capital to annual giving focus, creating policies and improving governance structures to support a renewed planned giving effort while launching a new Foundation-funded program: Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. She currently serves on the board of United for Libraries.
Jonna Ward joined the Seattle Public Library Foundation in 2001 and is the CEO. During her leadership, the Foundation has grown to be the largest public library foundation in the country based on assets under management. She is the co-founder of the International Public Library Fundraising Conference and creator of the #LibraryGivingDay concept.
Kristi Pearson is CEO of the Friends of the Hennepin County Library. After serving four years on that organization’s s board of directors, she transitioned into her current role in 2014. She brings a passion for libraries and two decades of experience to her role leading the organization. Previously at AchieveMpls, Kristi led the development team through a transformative, multimillion-dollar fundraising effort. She currently serves on the board of United for Libraries.
United for Libraries: The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations, is a division of the American Library Association with approximately 4,000 personal and group members representing hundreds of thousands of library supporters. United for Libraries supports those who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for libraries, and brings together library trustees, advocates, friends, and foundations into a partnership that creates a powerful force for libraries in the 21st century. To join, please visit www.ala.org/united or call (800) 545-2433, ext. 2161.
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COVID-19 Data and Maps
As a result of COVID-19, we are collecting data about library closures, modified schedules, and alternative services. For updates to your schedule, submit this form. The data is available here.
Additionally, we are updating maps with this data (every few days).
Nebraska Libraries With Modified Services
Nebraska Libraries Offering Wi-Fi During Closures
Finally, there are some questions about collecting data and statistics for the next public library survey. Undoubtedly, there will be declines in some numbers (visits) and likely increases in others (electronic circulation). One common question thus far is how to count online or virtual programs. If the online program is a planned event, then you count it as a regular in-person program. Count everyone in virtual attendance. If other services are offered remotely, those might be counted as reference transactions, depending on the nature of the Q&A.
Posted in General, Information Resources, Library Management
Tagged coronavirus, covid-19, pandemic, wash your hands
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Public Library Accreditation Expiration Dates Extended
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are extending the Public Library Accreditation expiration dates for all public libraries by 1 year. So, there will be no Accreditation process in 2020.
Accreditation expiration dates have changed as follows:
- 2020 to 2021
- 2021 to 2022
- 2022 to 2023
The change has already been made in our system, and libraries will see their new expiration year in the Accreditation Status listing.
If you require a new paper Public Library Accreditation certificate, please contact Linda Babcock and ask for a new certificate.
In addition, we will not be holding Public Library Accreditation and Community Needs Workshops this year.
We know that libraries are already coping with so many issues, and the Accreditation program doesn’t need to be another thing to worry about. Accreditation can wait a year. At this time, we do plan to resume the program in 2021.
Please contact Christa Porter if you have any questions.
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