Category Archives: Programming

Apply to bring ‘World on the Move’ Traveling Exhibition to Your Library

Posted on October 10, 2022 by Christa Porter

In partnership with the American Anthropological Association (AAA), the American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office is seeking sites to host World on the Move: 250,000 Years of Human Migration, a national exhibition that aims to help people appreciate migration histories — their own and those of others — by drawing on a wealth of case studies from across human history and the breadth of cultures.

World on the Move will tour from March 2023 through August 2025 to 15 selected sites. Public libraries located in the United States and territories are invited to apply.

World on the Move: 250,000 Years of Human Migration aims to help people appreciate migration histories—their own and those of others—by drawing on a wealth of case studies from across human history and the breadth of cultures. The exhibition is organized according to four main questions:

  • Where do we come from?
  • Why do we move?
  • How does migration change us?
  • Where are we going?

Participants will explore responses to these questions through narrative and interactive displays. The target audience for World on the Move is middle school and high school-aged youth and their communities. Younger audiences may still enjoy the exhibition, but some of the concepts may need to be explained and adapted for their comprehension.

Apply online at https://www.ala.org/tools/programming/world-on-the-move

Applications will be accepted October 10 — November 14, 2022.

The traveling exhibition is made possible through the support of the American Anthropological Association and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. To be notified about future grants and opportunities from ALA’s Public Programs Office, sign up for ALA’s Programming Librarian newsletter at https://programminglibrarian.org/about/get-our-enewsletter

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2023 NLC Grants are Open for Applications

Posted on September 16, 2022 by Christa Porter

Do you have an idea for a program or project you would like to see funded?

The Nebraska Library Commission has made funding available for four grants for 2023: Continuing Education & Training, Internship, Library Improvement, and Youth Grants for Excellence.

Applications are being accepted for all NLC grants right now! Don’t let your library miss out on these opportunities!

Grant applications for all 2023 NLC grants are due November 18, 2022.

For more information about these grants, register for the October 19 NCompass Live webinar, NLC Grants for 2023.

Continuing Education & Training grants help assist Nebraska libraries to improve the library services provided to their communities through continuing education and training for their library personnel and supporters. Successful applications will show how the continuing education and/or training proposed will support the library’s mission. There will be two rounds of CE Grants. The first fall grants will open in September and applications will be accepted for events/projects/classes that must be completed before June 30, 2023. The second spring round will open in March and applications will be accepted for events/projects/classes that begin after July 1, 2023.

Internship grants work to introduce high school and college students to the varied and exciting work of Nebraska libraries. The internships are intended to function as a recruitment tool, helping the student to view the library as a viable career opportunity while providing the public library with the finances to provide stipends to the student interns.

Library Improvement grants facilitate growth and development of library programs and services in Nebraska public and institutional libraries, by supplementing local funding with federal funds designated for these purposes.

Youth Grants for Excellence makes funding available specifically for innovative projects for children and young adults in accredited public libraries and state-run institutional libraries in Nebraska. The program is designed to encourage creative thinking, risk-taking, and new approaches to address problems and needs of children and young adults in your community.

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Call for Speakers: Big Talk From Small Libraries 2023

Posted on September 13, 2022 by Christa Porter

The Call for Speakers for Big Talk From Small Libraries 2023 is now open!

This free one-day online conference is tailored for librarians from small libraries; the smaller the better!

Small libraries of all types – public, academic, school, museum, special, etc. – are encouraged to submit a proposal. We’re looking for seven 50-minute presentations and four 10-minute “lightning round” presentations.

Do you offer a service or program at your small library that other librarians might like to hear about? Have you implemented a new (or old) technology, hosted an event, partnered with others in your community, or just done something really cool? The Big Talk From Small Libraries online conference gives you the opportunity to share what you’ve done, while learning what your colleagues in other small libraries are doing.

Here are some possible topics to get you thinking:

  • Unique Libraries
  • Special Collections
  • New buildings
  • Fundraising
  • Improved Workflows
  • Staff Development
  • Advocacy Efforts
  • Community Partnerships
  • That great thing you’re doing at your library!

Submit your proposal by Friday, December 16, 2022.

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 2023 will be held on Friday, February 24, 2023 between 8:45 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (CT) via the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Speakers will present their programs from their own desktops. The schedule will accommodate speakers’ time-zones.

This conference is organized and hosted by the Nebraska Library Commission and is co-sponsored by the Association for Rural & Small Libraries.

Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash

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Apply to bring ‘Exploring Human Origins’ Traveling Exhibition to Your Library

Posted on September 12, 2022 by Christa Porter

The American Library Association (ALA), in collaboration with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History’s (NMNH) Human Origins Program, invites applications from public libraries interested in hosting the traveling exhibition Exploring Human Origins: Promoting a National Conversation on Human Evolution.

The exhibition will travel the U.S. from May 2023 through May 2026. Six public libraries will be selected to present the exhibition in their communities for a period of six to nine weeks each, with library host periods available each summer and winter. Experts from the NMNH Human Origins Program will present in-person or virtual programming at the participating libraries.

The goal of this traveling exhibition and public programs is to create an opportunity for audiences across a wide spectrum — from those who do not question the scientific study of human origins to those who are troubled by its findings — to engage the complex field of human evolution research in ways that are understandable, fulfilling, captivating, and relevant. By touring the exhibition and providing public programs to communities across the U.S., the exhibition sponsors endeavor to create a respectful and welcoming atmosphere for public audiences to explore how, when and where human qualities emerged.

Apply online at https://www.ala.org/tools/programming/exploring-human-origins  Applications will be accepted September 12 — November 7, 2022.

Exploring Human Origins: Promoting a National Conversation on Human Evolution is administered by ALA’s Public Programs Office in collaboration with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History’s (NMNH) Human Origins Program. To be notified about future grants and opportunities from ALA’s Public Programs Office, sign up for ALA’s Programming Librarian newsletter at https://programminglibrarian.org/about/get-our-enewsletter

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NCompass Live: Team Up with Your Community!

Posted on August 19, 2022 by Christa Porter

Learn some amazing ways rural librarians can ‘Team Up with Your Community!’ on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, on Wednesday, August 24 at 10am CT..

We all know teamwork makes the dream work, but obstacles big and small can keep us from doing as much collaborative work as we’d like. Based on results of the IMLS-funded HEAL (Healthy Eating and Active Living) at the Library via Co-Developed Programming, you’ll learn some of the amazing ways rural librarians are already teaming up with everyone from regional hospitals to passionate individuals to make their communities healthier, more inclusive places. This highly interactive session will include community conversations about your experiences teaming up with others – with the ultimate goal of creating a publicly accessible, real world toolkit to help rural librarians do more by leveraging the power of partnerships.

Presenter: Noah Lenstra, Assistant Professor of Library and Information Science, University of North Carolina Greensboro.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • Aug. 31 – Pretty Sweet Tech – WordPress Layout Walkthrough: From the Blank Page
  • Sept. 7 – Retirement: Time to Ease on Down, Ease on Down the Road
  • Sept. 21 – Letters About Literature 2022
  • Sept. 28 – Pretty Sweet Tech
  • Oct. 5 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE THIS WEEK – ENJOY NLA!

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.

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NCompass Live: Reinventing Programming Kits

Posted on August 5, 2022 by Christa Porter

Learn how to level up your virtual programming by ‘Reinventing Programming Kits’ on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, on Wednesday, August 10 at 10am CT.

Take-home kits are a fantastic way to upgrade virtual programming to the next level by including an interactive component. Patrons can participate in programs from the comfort of their own homes while still engaging with the library through craft-based activities for all ages and skill levels. Learn how to adapt an in-person program into a take-home kit in this workshop that will go over the process and some tips to make it easier!

Presenter: Erica Rogers, Hastings Public Library, NE.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • Aug. 24 – Team Up with your Community!
  • Aug. 31 – Pretty Sweet Tech
  • Sept 7 – Retirement: Time to Ease on Down, Ease on Down the Road

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.

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NCompass Live: Bring Free Tech Programs to Older Nebraskans

Posted on July 1, 2022 by Christa Porter

Learn how to access Senior Planet resources and bring them to your community on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, July 6 at 10am CT.

Senior Planet from AARP‘s technology training classes do more than just teach seniors how to use technology: they address marginalization and isolation among older adults. The Senior Planet licensing program trains and supports senior-serving organizations to deliver Senior Planet programs (in-person) to older adults in their area. The program is free of charge, with the goal of bringing world-class technology training to seniors across the country. Join us to learn how to access Senior Planet resources and bring them to your community.

Presenter: Deirdre Lee, Program Coordinator, Licensing, Senior Planet and Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) from AARP.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • July 13 – Talking Book and Braille Service: Continuously Evolving
  • July 20 – Learning Opportunities and Resources from WebJunction
  • July 27 – Pretty Sweet Tech: CES 2022 and Libraries
  • Aug. 3 – Building a Reading Community Through Podcasting
  • Aug. 10 – Reinventing Programming Kits
  • Aug. 24 – Team Up with your Community!
  • Sept 7 – Retirement: Time to Ease on Down, Ease on Down the Road

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.

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NCompass Live: Pretty Sweet Tech – What is Meaningful Work, and How Can Libraries Help?

Posted on June 24, 2022 by Christa Porter

What is Meaningful Work, and How Can Libraries Help? Find out on next week’s ‘Pretty Sweet Tech’ NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, June 29 at 10am CT.

Special monthly episodes of NCompass Live! Join the NLC’s Technology Innovation Librarian, Amanda Sweet, as she guides us through the world of library-related ‘Pretty Sweet Tech’.

9 in 10 people are willing to earn less money in the pursuit of meaningful work (Harvard Business Review). But how can the library support the search for meaningful work, and not just gainful employment? This session goes beyond cover letters, resumes, interview practice, and learning digital skills, to include self-exploration to find meaning and purpose.

This session will cover these topics:

  • What is meaningful work, and how do people find what works for them?
  • What is a workforce development ecosystem, and what does this look like for your community or region?
  • How is technology impacting meaning and purpose at work?
  • Access a curated collection of books, exploratory activities, and resources to support people in the search for meaningful work in your library.

Find new ways for your library to support workforce development and personal growth for job seekers everywhere. I hope to see you there!

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • July 6 – Bring Free Tech Programs to Older Nebraskans
  • July 13 – Talking Book and Braille Service: Continuously Evolving
  • July 20 – Learning Opportunities and Resources from WebJunction
  • July 27 – Pretty Sweet Tech: CES 2022 and Libraries
  • August 3 – Building a Reading Community Through Podcasting
  • August 10 – Reinventing Programming Kits
  • August 24 – Team Up with your Community!

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.

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ARSL 2022 Conference Early Bird Registration is NOW OPEN!

Posted on June 17, 2022 by Christa Porter

Registration for both in-person and virtual-only attendance at the 2022 ARSL Conference is open!

Early Bird pricing for in-person attendance will be available through July 26. The in-person conference will be held at the Chattanooga Convention Center, Chattanooga, TN from September 14-17, 2022.

For more information about the conference, visit the 2022 Conference Homepage.

In-Person Early Bird Pricing

  • ARSL Members: $275
  • Nonmembers: $350
  • Advocates, Students, & Retirees*: $225

Virtual-Only Pricing

  • ARSL Members: $50
  • Nonmembers: $75
  • Advocates, Students, & Retirees*: $25

*Must be an ARSL Advocate, Student, or Retiree member.

Posted in Education & Training, Information Resources, Library Management, Programming, Public Library Boards of Trustees, Public Relations, Technology, Youth Services | Tagged | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: The Heartland Honors 9/11 Victims and Survivors

Posted on May 27, 2022 by Christa Porter

Hear how ‘The Heartland Honors 9/11 Victims and Survivors’ on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, June 1 at 10am CT.

September 11, 2021 marked the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Many of our library patrons weren’t yet born and didn’t have a good understanding of this tragic event that took place on American soil. Several Nebraska librarians commemorated the day by hosting the 9/11 Memorial and Museum’s “September 11, 2021: The Day That Changed the World” poster exhibit and related activities. Each of us treated the poster exhibit a bit differently in our respective communities, but all were impactful, thought-provoking experiences for our patrons.

Presenters: Erin Hanna, Librarian, Lexington (NE) Middle School; Joanne Neemann, Director, Beatrice (NE) Public Library.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • June 8 – Policies of Yes
  • June 15 – CES 2022 and Libraries
  • June 22 – Retirement: Time to Ease on Down, Ease on Down the Road
  • June 29 – Pretty Sweet Tech
  • July 20 – Learning Opportunities and Resources from WebJunction
  • August 10 – Reinventing Programming Kits
  • August 24 – Team Up with your Community!

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.

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NCompass Live: Pretty Sweet Tech: Computers in Libraries 2022 Highlights & Trends

Posted on May 20, 2022 by Christa Porter

Hear the Highlights and Trends from Computers in Libraries 2022 on next week’s ‘Pretty Sweet Tech’ NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, May 25 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.

Computers in Libraries is the world’s leading technology and innovation conference for librarians! This year, we laughed, we cried, we learned, and good times were had by all. In this session I will cover some of the main trends, highlights, and resources I enjoyed the most in the sessions. So if you weren’t able to make it, or are trying to decide if the Replay Pass is worth getting, this is the session for you!

Here are is a preview of some of the trends/ resources I will cover:

  • Hybrid Services: How, When & Why?
  • Digital Engagement & Marketing
  • Tech Gadget Goodness (It had to be done)
  • Collaborations & Partnerships to Expand Services
  • Strong & Healthy Teams and Communities

I hope to see you there! As a side note, if you’re looking for more emerging tech trends in the library, check out Computers in Libraries magazine.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • June 1 – The Heartland Honors 9/11 Victims and Survivors
  • June 8 – Policies of Yes
  • June 15 – CES 2022 and Libraries
  • June 22 – Retirement: Time to Ease on Down, Ease on Down the Road
  • June 29 – Pretty Sweet Tech
  • July 20 – Learning Opportunities and Resources from WebJunction
  • August 10 – Reinventing Programming Kits
  • August 24 – Team Up with your Community!

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.

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NCompass Live: Digital Literacy Training for Seniors – sponsored by the Nebraska State Unit on Aging

Posted on May 13, 2022 by Christa Porter

Attend this presentation to learn about this great new resource for your older library patrons, ‘Digital Literacy Training for Seniors’, on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, May 18 at 10am CT.

The Nebraska State Unit on Aging is sponsoring online training for adults aged 60 and over, through a contract with GetSetUp. Over 4 million adults in 160 countries are using this platform, which is designed to help adults get comfortable with their own devices. Training is offered in small live classes. With new skills, adults can reach out to family and friends more easily, meet with their doctor over telehealth, learn a new skill, and socialize. The sky is the limit!

Presenter: Cynthia Brammeier, Administrator, State Unit on Aging, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • May 25 – Pretty Sweet Tech: Computers in Libraries 2022 Highlights & Trends
  • June 1 – The Heartland Honors 9/11 Victims and Survivors
  • June 8 – Policies of Yes
  • June 15 – CES 2022 and Libraries
  • June 22 – Retirement: Time to Ease on Down, Ease on Down the Road
  • June 29 – Pretty Sweet Tech
  • July 20 – Learning Opportunities and Resources from WebJunction
  • August 10 – Reinventing Programming Kits
  • August 24 – Team Up with your Community!

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.

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NCompass Live: Starting a Board Game Club at a Small Library

Posted on April 15, 2022 by Christa Porter

Learn about ‘Starting a Board Game Club at a Small Library’ on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, April 20 at 10am CT.

The Lied Scottsbluff Public Library is excited to announce the beginning of a new program: the Scottsbluff Library Board Game Club! I came up with the idea for starting a board game group when my director, Erin Aschenbrenner, asked me to research and compile a list of board games that we could purchase for the library. I have previously participated in board game groups here in Scottsbluff and then at college, so I was immediately excited for the educational potential that a board game club could have at the library. Board games are an important educational tool because they develop skills in logic, communication, social interaction, math and counting, memory, and pattern recognition. One of my favorite aspects of tabletop gaming is the social element which is often lacking in video games. As opposed to video or online games, board games fully engage people with one another, utilize so many different aspects of communication and body language, and can foster an atmosphere of teamwork and shared fun that is difficult to find anywhere else. And the great thing about starting a library board game group is that the initial startup costs can be minimal.

Presenter: Ethan Nelson, Library Assistant, Lied Scottsbluff (NE) Public Library.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • April 27 – Pretty Sweet Tech – The 40 Day Challenge Initiative
  • May 18 – Digital Literacy Training for Seniors – sponsored by the Nebraska State Unit on Aging

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.

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Big Talk From Small Libraries 2022 Recordings Now Available

Posted on March 25, 2022 by Christa Porter

Recordings of all Big Talk From Small Libraries 2022 sessions are now available!

Photo by Alexander Shatov on Unsplash

You will find the recordings and presentations at http://nlcblogs.nebraska.gov/bigtalk/previous-conferences/2022-recordings-presentations/

Don’t forget to complete the conference Evaluation! We’re looking for input from people who attended the live conference and watched the archived recordings.

And mark your calendars now – Big Talk From Small Libraries will be back in 2023! Next year’s conference will be on Friday, February 24, 2023!

Posted in Books & Reading, Education & Training, General, Information Resources, Library Management, Programming, Public Relations, Technology, Youth Services | Tagged | Leave a comment

Big Talk From Small Libraries 2022 is tomorrow!

Posted on February 24, 2022 by Christa Porter

Small libraries! Awesome ideas! FREE!

Join us tomorrow for the 2022 Big Talk From Small Libraries online conference. Registration is still open, so head over to the Registration page and sign up!

We have a full agenda for the day, with speakers from academic, school, and public libraries presenting on a wide variety of topics: managing staff conflicts, serving LGBTQ+ patrons and families, genrefying library collections, university research and citation support, genealogy and local history, and much more.

This event is a great opportunity to learn about the innovative things your colleagues are doing in their small libraries.

And, Nebraska library staff and board members can earn 1 hour of CE Credit for each hour of the conference you attend! A special Big Talk From Small Libraries CE Report form has been made available for you to submit your C.E. credits.

So, come join us for a day of big ideas from small libraries!

Posted in Books & Reading, Education & Training, Grants, Information Resources, Library Management, Programming, Public Relations, Technology, Youth Services | Tagged | Leave a comment

Nebraska Library Commission Awards Grants for Youth Library Service

Posted on February 23, 2022 by Kayla Henzel
NLC Logo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 23, 2022

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Sally Snyder
402-471-4003
800-307-2665

Nebraska Library Commission Awards Grants for Youth Library Service

The Nebraska Library Commission recently awarded $115,466 in grants for Excellence in Youth service. Of the grants awarded to seventy-eight Nebraska libraries, several addressed the need for educational programs, furniture for children’s and teen spaces, book kits, and materials like LEGO®, STEAM, and other activities to encourage creativity in young people.

The Nebraska Library Commission congratulates all the libraries who received grants as they develop new and innovative programs to ensure excellence in library service for Nebraska young people. You can find the full list of grant recipients on the Nebraska Library Commission grants database. 

Proposals include:

  • Coding clubs
  • STEAM programing and materials
  • Book club activities
  • Creative writing projects
  • Afterschool programing
  • Summer Reading programs
  • Music and movement class
  • New furniture for children’s and teen spaces
  • Makerspace items for children/youth
  • Builders’ Club with Lego
  • 1000 Books Before Kindergarten

Youth Grants for Excellence are made available by the Nebraska Library Commission with funding provided from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the federal stimulus bill passed by Congress, as administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The Nebraska Library Commission has received a one-time award of $2,422,166. A portion of this funding was allocated for the Youth Grants for Excellence.

As the state library agency, the Nebraska Library Commission is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. The mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development, and coordination of library and information services, “bringing together people and information.”

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The most up-to-date news releases from the Nebraska Library Commission are always available on the Library Commission Website, http://nlc.nebraska.gov/publications/newsreleases.


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Only One Week Until Big Talk From Small Libraries 2022!

Posted on February 18, 2022 by Christa Porter

Small libraries! Awesome ideas! FREE Online Conference!

There’s only one week until Big Talk From Small Libraries 2022!


Check out the full schedule and register to join us next Friday, February 25.

Sponsored by the Nebraska Library Commission and the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL), this free one-day online conference is aimed at librarians from small libraries; the smaller the better! Each of our speakers is from a small library serving fewer than 10,000 people, and they are from academic, K-12, and public libraries. This event is a great opportunity to learn about the innovative things your colleagues are doing in their small libraries.

Everyone is welcome to register and attend, regardless of how big or small your library. But, if your library serves a few hundred to a few thousand people, this is the day for you!

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2022 Big Talk From Small Libraries Schedule Now Available

Posted on January 28, 2022 by Christa Porter

The full schedule for the 2022 Big Talk From Small Libraries online conference is now available!

You will find all the details on the Schedule page. Information about our presenters is available on the Speakers page.

If you haven’t registered yet, now is the time to jump over to the Registration page and sign up!

You are welcome to watch as an individual or to host a group viewing of the conference. If several staff members from the same library want to attend, you can just register for one seat and have staff members view/listen together via one workstation.

You can also host a viewing party this same way and invite staff from other libraries. For any group viewings, if you know who will be there, you can list your Additional Attendees on your one registration or you can send us a list after the event. Be sure to take all necessary health and safety precautions into account when planning group viewings.

Big Talk From Small Libraries 2022 will be held on Friday, February 25, 2022 between 8:45 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (CT) via the GoToWebinar online meeting service.

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Nebraska Arts Council announces new grant to advance creative aging programs for older adults

Posted on January 5, 2022 by Christa Porter

For more grants like this one, check out the NLC’s Grant Opportunities for Nebraska Libraries.

For additional information contact: Chad Dolezal, Communications Manager, 402.595.2122, Chad.Dolezal@nebraska.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 01/05/22

(Nebr.) – The Nebraska Arts Council (NAC) is pleased to announce a new grant to advance creative aging programs for older adults in Nebraska, funded by the Leveraging State Investments in Creative Aging grant provided by the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) and Aroha Philanthropies.

NAC’s new Creative Aging through the Arts Program (CAAP) funds artist-led workshops at senior centers, assisted living facilities, libraries, or nonprofit organizations serving older adults in Nebraska. Over the course of eight workshops, participants will hone their artistic skills in music, creative writing, drama, dance, or artmaking while engaging with peers. Programs end with a final performance, exhibit or reading, shared with the local community.

Older adults often face ageism and isolation, and have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. The CAAP program was developed to combat these negative effects. CAAP encourages socialization, creativity, and opportunities to demonstrate important contributions by older adults to society.

For information about new creative aging activities taking place in Nebraska visit NAC’s website https://www.artscouncil.nebraska.gov/apply/creative-aging/.

Contact NAC Program Specialist Anne Alston at anne.alston@nebraska.gov for more information.

For additional information about NASAA’s Leveraging State Investments in Creative Aging initiative, visit https://nasaa-arts.org/communication/new-initiative-expands-creative-aging-nationwide/

About the Nebraska Arts Council:

The Nebraska Arts Council (NAC), a state agency, provides numerous grants, services and special initiatives that help sustain and promote the arts throughout Nebraska. NAC is supported by the Nebraska Cultural Endowment, Nebraska Legislature and National Endowment for the Arts.

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Apply for programming support with the second annual ALA Peggy Barber Tribute Grant

Posted on December 28, 2021 by Christa Porter

For more grants like this one, check out the NLC’s Grant Opportunities for Nebraska Libraries.

The American Library Association (ALA) invites library workers to apply for the second annual Peggy Barber Tribute Grant, a programming grant named after the transformative ALA leader responsible for the creation of National Library Week and the Celebrity READ series.

The Peggy Barber Tribute Grant is an annual grant that recognizes, promotes, and supports meaningful programs in libraries that have limited and/or no access to budgetary support for programming. This grant aims to help ease budget challenges by annually awarding three libraries $2,500 to support a proposed program, program series, or programming effort.

Applications for the 2021 award will be accepted from December 1, 2021, to February 1, 2022. Read the grant guidelines and apply online.

Each year, the grant will focus on supporting a specific type of library programming. For the 2021–2022 cycle, libraries are invited to submit applications for a grant to support humanities-based programming. Proposed programs may be in-person or virtual and should take into consideration local health and safety regulations related to COVID-19.

All library types — including public, academic, K-12, tribal and special libraries — in the U.S. or U.S. territories are eligible. Applicants must have a personal or institutional membership with either the American Library Association OR the Association for Rural & Small Libraries.

Peggy Barber served as ALA’s associate executive director of communications from 1970 to 2000. In that role, she established ALA’s Public Information Office, Public Programs Office and the ALA Graphics department. After leaving ALA, she was a principal consultant with Library Communication Strategies and served as co-president of Friends of Libraries USA, now known as United for Libraries. She passed away in August 2019.

The Peggy Barber Tribute Grant was created with donations from Barber’s friends and colleagues. To support the grant, make a contribution to the Peggy Barber tribute fund within ALA’s Cultural Communities Fund.

To stay informed about future grants and awards offered by ALA’s Public Programs Office, sign up for the Programming Librarian e-newsletter.

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