Category Archives: Technology

NCompass Live: Pretty Sweet Tech: Internet Librarian 2024 Recap

Highlights from Internet Librarian 2024 will be shared on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, November 27 at 10am CT.

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

Just in case you missed it, this Pretty Sweet Tech will offer some highlights from Internet Librarian 2024 that ran virtually from October 22-24. It’s where all the cool kids go to learn about library technology topics. Here are the themes I’ll be covering in the recap:

  • Training for an Unknown Future: Explore new ways to learn new skills, train staff, and brainstorm some skills you might want to focus on in the near future.
  • Libraries Solving Community Problems: Learn how some awesome libraries have built partnerships to tackle big community problems.
  • Hybrid Presence: Uncover new ways to update your web presence to engage with communities who need to come together in new ways to prepare for the same unknown future.
  • Just Plain Cool: Some projects are just plan cool. I want to share a few of my favorite highlights.

I’ll include my usual disclaimer that I couldn’t make it to every session, but I did my best to dig around and catch the cool, helpful, or off the beaten path sessions that caught my eye.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • Dec. 4 – To Librarianship and Beyond: What’s It Like Being a Corporate Librarian?
  • Dec. 11 – Best New Children’s Books of 2024
  • Dec. 25 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE THIS WEEK – HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
  • Jan. 1, 2025 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE THIS WEEK
  • Jan. 8, 2025 – Best New Teen Reads of 2024

To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, go to the NCompass Live webpage.

NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website.

The show is presented online using the GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.

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Microsoft has released Office 2024!

Microsoft released Office 2024 in October! If your library is purchasing Office licenses, make sure you’re getting Office 2024.

For library computers, I recommend Office 2024 Standard. The best price I can currently find for it is $125 at Techsoup. Amazon has it for $150. Techsoup’s $40 license for Computer Lab (for Patron/Public, not Staff) computers is currently out of stock. I’m hoping Techsoup’s $40 Computer Lab license will be available again in 2025. I don’t recommend purchasing Microsoft’s Software Assurance for Office.

Do not purchase Office 365 for use on Patron/Public computers since it requires a Microsoft login for use. Office 365 is an option for computers used by library staff. I recommend Office Standard for all library computers since it can be installed locally on the computers, doesn’t require a Microsoft login to use it once it’s activated, and there are no ongoing annual subscription fees.

If your library can’t or doesn’t want to pay for Microsoft Office, you may want to consider installing the free and open source LibreOffice (formally OpenOffice) software suite.

If you need any assistance with purchasing and/or installing Office, please contact me.

Andrew “Sherm” Sherman
Library Technology Support Specialist
Nebraska Library Commission

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Apply now for Science Kits for Public Libraries (SKPL) Grants

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

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) – Region 4’s Science Kits for Public Libraries (SKPL) Grant program is offering up to $2,000 in funding to public libraries to establish a new circulating science kits collection.
Open to public libraries that serve geographic areas inside or partially inside the IEEE-Region 4 – this includes portions of Nebraska – see the green-shaded area of this map: IEEE Regions in the USA

The Application deadline is January 16, 2025. Those libraries which have previously applied for the grant but did not receive funding are invited to submit again.

Public Libraries have a long tradition of building stronger communities by providing life-long learning opportunities for children and teens. The SKPL Team is honored to have the opportunity to enrich the services that public libraries offer. SKPL enables children, parents, and teachers the chance to borrow library kits for hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) learning at home or in classroom.

Visit the SKPL website, https://r4.ieee.org/skpl/ for the application form and submission details.

Region 4, Science Kits for Public Libraries (SKPL) organization is a volunteer-based organization affiliated with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). SKPL believes all children – regardless of race, gender, financial condition, or home environment – should have access to high-quality, hands-on STEM learning experiences. By making catalyst grants available to public libraries, we empower them to start their own science kit collections that are free and accessible to the public.

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Join the Nebraska WebDewey Group Purchase

WebDewey screenshots

This is a good time of year to remind Nebraska librarians that they can save money on a subscription to WebDewey by participating in the Nebraska WebDewey Group Purchase! Enjoy web-based access to an electronic version of the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC ) database through WebDewey. It is a full representation of all published numbers, plus other mappings and new terms that have been approved by the Dewey Editorial Policy Committee (EPC).

WebDewey also includes:

  • Searching or browsing DDC numbers, Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) and mapped MeSH headings.
  • Adding your own notes and displaying them in context.
  • An easy-to-navigate, simple user interface that is suitable for the novice as well as the power user.

Our next WebDewey Group annual subscription will begin on January 1, 2025 and run through December 31, 2025. Libraries may join the group at any time. Mid-term subscriptions will be prorated. If your library is interested in subscribing to WebDewey, you’ll find pricing information on our online WebDewey Group Order Form. OCLC Membership is NOT required to purchase WebDewey.

If you have questions please contact Susan Knisely.

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Apply for PLA Digital Literacy Workshop Incentives

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

With support from AT&T, the Public Library Association (PLA) is offering incentives for public libraries to teach digital literacy workshops for library patrons and community members. Applications are open now through October 18, 2024,
for the below incentives.

PLA Digital Literacy Workshop Incentive

This program will award $10,000 to large public libraries and $5,000 to small public libraries, as well as provide the necessary training resources, to conduct workshops that teach basic digital literacy skills using PLA’s DigitalLearn courses and training materials.

PLA Digital Navigator Workshop Incentive

This new pilot program will award $4,000 to public libraries with digital navigators to utilize DigitalLearn materials and resources. Libraries must already have a digital navigator to apply.

About PLA’s Collaboration with AT&T

Each year, the Public Library Association (PLA), in partnership with AT&T, offers financial support to public libraries through digital literacy incentive programs. These competitive programs provide the funding and resources necessary for libraries to teach basic digital literacy skills using PLA’s DigitalLearn courses and training materials. Since 2022, PLA has helped nearly 400 public libraries conduct more than 3,800 workshops, training more than 19,000 learners across the country.

With support from AT&T as part of AT&T Connected Learning and the company’s commitment to bridge the digital divide, PLA has been able to add and update more than a dozen online DigitalLearn courses, and develop 9 new complete training packages. Materials are available in both English and Spanish. All DigitalLearn materials are free to use.

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‘E-rate: What’s New for 2025?’ Online Workshops Scheduled

‘E-rate: What’s New for 2025?’ workshops are now open for registration! All workshops will be held online only, via GoTo Webinar.

NOTE: This online workshop is being offered on several days and at varied times, to give participants
multiple opportunities to find a convenient time to attend. The same information will be provided at each workshop, so you only need to attend one session. A recorded version will also be made available after all of the live sessions have been held.

What is E-rate? How can my library benefit from E-rate? How do I apply for E-rate?

E-rate is a federal program that provides discounts to schools and public libraries on the cost of their Internet Access and Connections to make these services more affordable. This includes Broadband, Fiber, and Wi-Fi Internet access as well as Internal Connections, such as wiring, routers, switches, and other network equipment. And new for 2025: Wi-Fi hotspots!

The E-Rate Productivity Center (EPC) is your online portal for all E-rate interactions. With your organizational account you can use EPC to file forms, track your application status, communicate with USAC, and more.

In this workshop, Christa Porter, Nebraska’s State E-rate Coordinator for Public Libraries, will explain the E-rate program and show you how to access and use your account in EPC to submit your Funding Year 2025 E-rate application.

Dates and times:

  • November 20 – 1:00-4:00pm Central / 12:00noon-3pm Mountain
  • November 22 – 9:30am-12:30pm Central / 8:30-11:30am Mountain
  • November 25 – 1:00-4:00pm Central / 12:00noon-3pm Mountain
  • November 26 – 9:30am-12:30pm Central / 8:30-11:30am Mountain

To register for any of these sessions, go to the Nebraska Library Commission’s Training & Events Calendar and search for ‘e-rate 2025’.

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NCompass Live: Pretty Sweet Tech: Digital Navigators & Digital Equity in Nebraska

Learn about Digital Navigation and Nebraska’s Digital Equity Plan on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, October 2 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.

Digital Navigators have grown increasingly popular over the years. The National Digital Inclusion Alliance calls these Navigators “trusted guides who assist community members with ongoing, individualized support for accessing affordable and appropriate connectivity, devices, and digital skills”.

Some states have built out entire statewide platforms and training platforms for Digital Navigators. Nebraska has several smaller initiatives, and some missing gaps. This session will discuss Digital Navigation in Nebraska, including:

  • Quick overview of Nebraska’s Digital Equity Plan
  • Current digital skill-related programs
  • Digital Navigation resources, nationwide
  • Ideas for what your library can do

It’s time to work together to tackle that massive digital skill problem in all of our communities!

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • Oct. 9 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE – ENJOY NLA!
  • Oct. 16 – Dragons at the Library: An Exciting New Reading Program
  • Oct. 23 – Letters About Literature 2024
  • Oct. 30 – Pretty Sweet Tech
  • Nov. 6 – Summer Reading Program 2025: Color Our World
  • Nov. 13 – Nebraska Open Meetings Act: 2024 Overview and Update

To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, go to the NCompass Live webpage.

NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website.

The show is presented online using the GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.

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NCompass Live: NLC Grants for 2025

Learn more about the NLC Grants for 2025 on this week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, September 25 at 10am CT.

Nebraska Accredited Public Libraries and State-run Institutions! Do you have an idea for a program or project you would like to see funded? Apply for an NLC Grant!

The Nebraska Library Commission has made funding available for four grants for 2025: Continuing Education & Training, Internship, Library Improvement, and Youth Grants for Excellence. Don’t let your library miss out on these opportunities!

Grant applications for all 2025 NLC grants opened on September 20 and will be due November 15, 2024.

Join Christa Porter, Sally Snyder, and Holli Duggan, from the Nebraska Library Commission’s Library Development Team, as they provide an overview of the grants, including eligibility requirements and grant guidelines, the application process and grant review, timelines and deadlines. They will also share some tips on writing effective grants.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • Oct. 2 – Pretty Sweet Tech: Digital Navigators & Digital Equity in Nebraska
  • Oct. 9 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE – ENJOY NLA!
  • Oct. 16 – Dragons at the Library: An Exciting New Reading Program
  • Oct. 23 – Letters About Literature 2024
  • Oct. 30 – Pretty Sweet Tech
  • Nov. 6 – Summer Reading Program 2025: Color Our World
  • Nov. 13 – Nebraska Open Meetings Act: 2024 Overview and Update

To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, go to the NCompass Live webpage.

NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website.

The show is presented online using the GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.

Posted in Books & Reading, Education & Training, General, Grants, Information Resources, Library Management, Now hiring @ your library, Preservation, Programming, Public Library Boards of Trustees, Public Relations, Technology, Youth Services | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

2025 NLC Grants are Open for Applications!

Nebraska Accredited Public Libraries and State-run Institutions! Do you have an idea for a program or project you would like to see funded? Apply for an NLC Grant!

The Nebraska Library Commission has made funding available for four grants for 2025: Continuing Education & Training, Internship, Library Improvement, and Youth Grants for Excellence.

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

Grant applications for all 2025 NLC grants are due November 15, 2024.

For more information about these grants, register for the September 25 NCompass Live webinar, NLC Grants for 2025.

Continuing Education & Training grants help assist Nebraska libraries to improve the library services provided to their communities through continuing education and training for their library personnel and supporters. Successful applications will show how the continuing education and/or training proposed will support the library’s mission. There will be two rounds of CE Grants. The first fall grants will open in September and applications will be accepted for events/projects/classes that must be completed before June 2025 . The second spring round will open in March and applications will be accepted for events/projects/classes that begin after June 2025.

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

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

Youth Grants for Excellence are available specifically for innovative projects for children and young adults in your community. The program encourages creative thinking, risk-taking, and new approaches to enable youth librarians to begin needed programs and try projects which they have been unable to undertake, and to offer an opportunity to expand youth service capabilities in new and different directions.

Posted in Education & Training, Grants, Library Management, Now hiring @ your library, Programming, Technology, Youth Services | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: Problem-solving in Your Library Using the Toward Gigabit Libraries Toolkit

Learn how to solve common library tech issues using the free Toward Gigabit Libraries toolkit on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, September 18 at 10am CT.

In this session, we will tap into the collective “IT brain” of the attendees to walk through how to solve common library tech issues using the free Toward Gigabit Libraries toolkit. The newly updated toolkit helps library staff scale up their tech skills to understand, improve, and fund IT and broadband improvements. The Toward Gigabit Libraries toolkit was made possible through two grants from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), RE-00-15-0110-15 and RE-246219-OLS-20. For example, how can a non-techie library worker know which cables are actually working and which ones are dormant/unused? The participants will collaborate with some help from Stephanie, Carson, and the toolkit to talk through common IT and broadband problems and find solutions. Attendees are encouraged to bring their real-life library IT and broadband issues to the session– we’ll work together to leverage the community’s collective knowledge and the toolkit’s resources to solve them. After you attend the session, you’ll know how to navigate the free toolkit to use later with your library staff to raise everyone’s “IT IQ.”

Presenters: Stephanie Stenberg, Director, Internet2 Community Anchor Program (CAP) and Carson Block, Library Technology Consultant, Carson Block Consulting, Inc. .

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • Sept. 25 – NLC Grants for 2025
  • Oct. 2 – Pretty Sweet Tech: Digital Navigators & Digital Equity in Nebraska
  • Oct. 9 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE – ENJOY NLA!
  • Oct. 16 – Dragons at the Library: An Exciting New Reading Program
  • Oct. 23 – Letters About Literature 2024
  • Oct. 30 – Pretty Sweet Tech
  • Nov. 6 – Summer Reading Program 2025: Color Our World

To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, go to the NCompass Live webpage.

NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website.

The show is presented online using the GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.

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Call for Speakers: Big Talk From Small Libraries 2025

The Call for Speakers for Big Talk From Small Libraries 2025 is now open!

Submit your proposal by Friday, December 13, 2024.

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

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

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

Here are some possible topics to get you thinking:

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

Speakers from libraries serving fewer than 10,000 people will be preferred, but presentations from libraries with larger service populations will be considered. Speakers must be from small libraries or directly partnered with a small library and submitting a proposal to co-present with the library.

Big Talk From Small Libraries 2025 will be held on Friday, February 28, 2025 between 8:45 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (CT) via the GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Speakers will present their programs from their own desktops. The schedule will accommodate speakers’ time-zones.

This conference is sponsored by the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL) and the Nebraska Library Commission.

Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash

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

Free Virtual Conference on AI in Libraries!

You know I’m always on the look-out for new and interesting AI conferences. On September 16-17, Brian Pichman with Bywater Solutions will be hosting the free Unlocking the Future: AI Innovations in Libraries conference. I’ve worked with Brian on a whole mess of projects, so I can confirm he knows his stuff about all things AI, education, and libraries. Bywater also brought in a bunch of speakers with their own expertise and awesomeness.

What Will You Find at the Conference?

You will find all kinds of fun sessions, including:

  • AI Literacy: What do we really need to know about AI to prepare our communities for a better future?
  • AI for Kids: How can we help K-12 students build AI literacy?
  • Generative AI: What is all this about AI generating images, stories, responses, etc? What does this mean for public libraries?
  • Library Marketing: How can generative AI improve our own library marketing?
  • AI for Reference and Training: How can libraries improve services, rather than fall behind?

Naturally, I registered already. Was there really any question?

How to Register

You can find conference info. & register at this link.

Did I mention it’s free? Bywater Solutions rocks!

Spread the Word!

Feel free to spread the word to all your library folks. We need more libraries talking proactively about all things AI! This conference is a good start. We might need a new library interest group soon…

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NCompass Live: Board Games & Computer Science in Libraries

Learn how to use tabletop games to teach computer science on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, September 4 at 10am CT.

While programming can seem abstract and confusing, board games provide an excellent, tangible parallel for how it works. In the current golden age of tabletop gaming, libraries worldwide are adding board games to their collections. Get some ideas for different ways libraries can use these assets for education and outreach.

Presenter: Stephen Hall, Computer Science & Engineering Librarian, University of Pennsylvania Libraries.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • Sept. 11 – Memory Care Initiative
  • Sept. 18 – Problem-solving in Your Library using the Toward Gigabit Libraries toolkit
  • Sept. 25 – Pretty Sweet Tech
  • Oct. 9 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE – ENJOY NLA!
  • Oct. 16 – Dragons at the Library: An Exciting New Reading Program

To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, go to the NCompass Live webpage.

NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website.

The show is presented online using the GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.

Posted in Education & Training, Programming, Technology | Tagged | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: Pretty Sweet Tech: How to Make a Magic Butterfly Wand

Learn ‘How to Make a Magic Butterfly Wand’ on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, August 28 at 10am CT.

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

I’ve been having some fun using my butterfly wand to display lights in pop-up cards, so I’m going to show you how it works using Micro:bit radio control. Sort of like how you use a controller to make an RC car move, the butterfly wand controls a fun LED light display. It’s not too bad once you see it in action. By the end of this session you will have:

  1. Customizable material listing
  2. Code snippet you can download & re-use
  3. Activity ideas using micro:bit for elementary to middle school

This session will having you flying home to make your own wands!

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • Sept. 4 – Board Games & Computer Science in Libraries
  • Sept. 11 – Memory Care Initiative
  • Sept. 25 – Pretty Sweet Tech
  • Oct. 9 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE _ ENJOY NLA!
  • Oct. 16 – Dragons at the Library: An Exciting New Reading Program

To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, go to the NCompass Live webpage.

NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website.

The show is presented online using the GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.

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NCompass Live: Purchasing Computers for the Library

Is your library ready to upgrade its computers? Get some expert tips about ‘Purchasing Computers for the Library’ on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, August 21 at 10am CT.

Providing computers for public use is unique to libraries and their purchase requires extra consideration. Sherm will cover the topics of recommended styles, features, where to buy, funding, recommended software, and ongoing support.

Presenter: Andrew “Sherm” Sherman, IT Infrastructure Support Analyst, Nebraska Library Commission.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • Aug. 28 – Pretty Sweet Tech: How to Make a Magic Butterfly Wand
  • Sept. 4 – Board Games & Computer Science in Libraries
  • Sept. 11 – Memory Care Initiative
  • Sept. 25 – Pretty Sweet Tech
  • Oct. 9 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE _ ENJOY NLA!
  • Oct. 16 – Dragons at the Library: An Exciting New Reading Program

To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, go to the NCompass Live webpage.

NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website.

The show is presented online using the GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.

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NCompass Live: Pretty Sweet Tech: Screaming Frog SEO: A tool to keep websites neat and up to date

Learn how to use Screaming Frog SEO to keep your library website neat and up to date on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, July 31 at 10am CT.

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

Many years ago I stumbled across a tool called Screaming Frog SEO. It’s a free/ low-cost tool to keep your website and resource documents up to date, Google keyword-friendly, and just all-around awesome. It is code-free and easy to learn with plenty of tutorials. In this session you will see how Screaming Frog can help you:

  • Check for broken links on your web pages for easy repair.
  • Make sure all images on your website are accessible.
  • Spell check and grammar check your whole website.
  • Find out when pages were last updated.
  • Other helpful tips and tricks.

As a fun fact, I found this tool because frogs are my favorite animal and I just wanted to see which website tools were frog-friendly. Now this is one of my most-used tools to update website and resource listings!

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • Aug. 7 – Learning New Technologies On-the-Fly: Vendorbrarian to Public Librarian
  • Aug. 14 – Operating a Culture of Belonging: Personal Librarian 2.0
  • Sept. 4 – Board Games & Computer Science in Libraries

To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, go to the NCompass Live webpage.

NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website.

The show is presented online using the GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.

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NCompass Live: E-rate 101: Just the Basics for 2025

What is E-rate? How can my library benefit from E-rate? How do I apply for E-rate? Find out on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, ‘E-rate 101: Just the Basics for 2025’ on Wednesday, July 24 at 10am CT.

E-rate is a federal program that provides discounts to schools and public libraries on the cost of their Internet Access and Connections to make these services more affordable. This includes Broadband, Fiber, and Wi-Fi Internet access as well as Internal Connections, such as wiring, routers, switches, and other network equipment. And new for 2025: off-premises use of Wi-Fi hotspots and wireless Internet services.

This session will be a general overview of the E-rate program. Full in-depth E-rate workshops will be held later in the year. It will be useful to libraries who have never applied for E-rate, libraries who are new to E-rate, and current E-rate libraries who just want a short refresher on what E-rate is all about.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The dates and rules in this session will be specific to E-rate Funding Year 2025.

Presenter: Christa Porter, Nebraska’s State E-rate Coordinator for Public Libraries, Nebraska Library Commission.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • July 31 – Pretty Sweet Tech: Screaming Frog SEO: A tool to keep websites neat and up to date
  • Aug. 7 – Learning New Technologies On-the-Fly: Vendorbrarian to Public Librarian
  • Aug. 14 – Operating a Culture of Belonging: Personal Librarian 2.0
  • Sept. 4 – Board Games & Computer Science in Libraries

To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, go to the NCompass Live webpage.

NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website.

The show is presented online using the GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.

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Internet Librarian Connect 2024 Conference (Oct. 22-24)

Internet Librarian Connect 2024 Logo

The Nebraska Library Commission is pleased to offer a discount to all librarians in Nebraska who sign up for a Virtual Pass to attend the Internet Librarian Connect 2024 Conference.

This leading virtual conference on library technology allows librarians and information managers from all over the world an equal opportunity to be a part of an exciting conference in a time-efficient and cost-effective manner. Along with the flexibility of participating from anywhere, Internet Librarian Connect offers attendees the benefits of no travel costs, diverse content with the convenience of on-demand access, and global networking opportunities.

The Virtual Pass discounted rate is $199 (regularly $299). The Virtual Pass includes access to all keynotes and main conference sessions, networking, and the virtual exhibit hall. It also includes access to archived session recordings for viewing through December 31, 2024. (Does not include access to workshops unless purchased separately.)

This year the conference is being held virtually, from October 22 – 24, 2024. Detailed information about the conference can be found on the virtual event website now!

Full program details will be added to the Event Agenda in late July.

To receive the discount:

  1. Go to the Internet Librarian Connect 2024 registration link: https://site.pheedloop.com/event/ILC24/register#category
  2. Click on the Single Registration option.
  3. Complete the registration form, entering and applying the discount code 24NLC when prompted at checkout. Your discounted pricing should appear at this point.

Note: Your code will only work in the Single Registration option. The code isn’t needed when using the Team Registration.

Also, before registering, please be aware that sharing virtual access is not allowed. Each registration allows access for one person only.

Registration Questions:

Joan Weiss, Conference Registrar
jweiss@infotoday.com

General Inquiries:

virtual@itiworkspace.com

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Free Learning Resource: Verizon Skill Forward / edX

“The Verizon Skill Forward program is a collaboration between edX and Verizon aimed at providing career-enhancing online courses focused on high-demand skills to facilitate long-term career growth. The Skill Forward effort is part of Citizen Verizon, Verizon’s responsible business plan to prepare 500,000 individuals for in-demand jobs by 2030.”

This program offers a one-year free account to anyone in the United States (must be over 18). Accounts are free to register for and do not require any banking or credit card information.

These online self-paced courses and programs include high-demand topics such as Artificial Intelligence, Coding, Cybersecurity, Project Management, and Leadership. Spanish-language courses are also available.

For more information about the courses or to enroll:

edX / Verizon Skill Forward

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Visit the Tech Playground @ALA

If you’re going to ALA in San Diego this week, visit our Tech Innovation Librarian, Amanda Sweet at the Tech Test Pilot Playground in the Exhibit area. Get some hands-on exploration to test out robots, AI, and all that techy goodness. This is a collaboration between Amanda and Brian Pichman from the Evolve Project. It’s time to play!

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