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Category Archives: Technology
2026 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!
Applications are now open for NLC Grants for 2026. Don’t let your library miss out on these opportunities!
The Nebraska Library Commission has made funding available for four grants for 2026: Continuing Education & Training, Internship, Library Improvement, and Youth Grants for Excellence.
Grant applications for these 2026 NLC grants are due November 14, 2025.
For more information about these grants, watch the recording of the NCompass Live webinar, NLC Grants for 2026.
Continuing Education & Training to assist Nebraska libraries in improving 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. For this round of CE and training grants, applications should be for events happening before June 2026.
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 state 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.
Early Bird Registration for the 2025 Nebraska Makerspace Conference Ends Soon
September is the last month you can get early bird pricing for the 2025 Nebraska Makerspace Conference! If you register for the event before October 1st, you can receive a discounted rate on both days. Thanks to our sponsors, the Nebraska Library Commission is able to bring you this conference at an affordable price. Sign up for the 2-day conference or join us for a single day. You can find out how to register for the event here!
- Both Days: Early Bird Price — $90 ($120 after October 1)
- Day One ONLY: Early Bird Price — $60 ($80 after October 1)
- Day Two ONLY: Early Bird Price — $40 ($50 after October 1)
The 2025 Nebraska Makerspace Conference that will be held November 4-5 at the Nebraska Innovation Campus Conference Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. You can learn more about the conference on the 2025 Nebraska Makerspace Conference webpage, along with the event flyer which includes important information such as room blocks available at two local hotels, “how to register” tips, campus parking, and the excellent line up of sessions.
When registering online, be prepared to select the activities/sessions you plan to attend. This pre-selection allows easier scheduling of sessions to rooms that fit the size of the group and helps us prepare an accurate meal count. Some of the making and demonstration sessions have limited seats so participants who attend those sessions can be up-close to the action and/or get a hands-on experience. If you are interested in any of these sessions, don’t wait too long to register.
Contact JoAnn McManus with any questions about the event or registration.
Call for Speakers: Big Talk From Small Libraries 2026
The Call for Speakers for Big Talk From Small Libraries 2026 is now open!
Submit your proposal by Friday, December 12, 2025.
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 must be from small libraries or directly partnered with a small library and submitting a proposal to co-present with the library. Speakers from libraries serving fewer than 10,000 people will be preferred, but presentations from libraries with larger service populations will be considered.
Big Talk From Small Libraries 2026 will be held on Friday, February 27, 2026 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
USAC’s Fall 2025 E-rate Training Schedule
USAC has announced Fall 2025 E-rate Training dates for applicants to learn more about the program and how to participate.
Both in-person training and online webinars are available, and registration for each session is now available on the Learn E-rate page. You can also click the links below for each session to register for that specific training.
The sessions are for E-Rate program participants at all levels and will include a question-and-answer session.
In-Person training:
- Denver: September 9, 2025, at the Lowry Conference Center located in the Community College of Aurora – Lowry Campus, 1061 Akron Way, Denver, Colorado.
- Washington, DC: September 16, 2025, at the Federal Communication Commission headquarters, 45 L Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. NOTE: There will be an option to watch a livestream of this training.
Online Webinars – Previous and Upcoming:
- FCC Form 470 and the Competitive Bidding Process: Recording and Webinar Slides. July 17, 2025, 57 minutes 29 seconds.
- E-Rate Program Overview: September 18, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EDT
- This webinar will provide an overview of the E-Rate application process and explain basic program concepts. We will also highlight the recent FCC Form 470 updates and managing your Category Two budget.
- E-Rate Pre-Commitment Process: September 25, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EDT
- USAC will discuss the E-Rate Pre-Commitment process. This includes how to get started, competitive bidding, applying for funding, and Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) review.
Other webinars may be announced – sign up for the E-Rate News Brief to receive webinar announcements via e-mail.
The NLC will also be holding our regular fall E-rate online workshops. Those dates will be announced soon.
If you have any questions or need any assistance with your public library’s E-rate forms, visit the NLC E-rate webpage or contact Christa Porter, State E-rate Coordinator for Public Libraries, 800-307-2665, 402-471-3107.
NCompass Live: E-rate 101: Just the Basics for 2026
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.
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 2026.
Presenter: Christa Porter, Nebraska’s State E-rate Coordinator for Public Libraries, Nebraska Library Commission.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
- Sept. 10 – NLC Grants for 2026
- Sept. 24 – Pretty Sweet Tech
- Oct. 1 – Letters About Literature 2025
- Oct. 22 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE THIS WEEK – ENJOY NLA!
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.
NCompass Live: Pretty Sweet Tech: Upcoming Changes to Nebraska Libraries on the Web Service
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.
Due to software and budgetary issues, the Nebraska Library Commission can no longer offer free WordPress web hosting. We apologize for any inconvenience. This service has been around for a long time and it’s unfortunate that we were not able to maintain the service.
To make the transition easier for libraries, we are offering free basic website hosting through the NLC, and reduced rate web hosting through LibChalk. The current service will be supported through September 30, 2026 to give you time to budget and decide on next steps.
Attend this session to learn more details about how the free hosting works, and explore hosting options through LibChalk.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
- Sept. 3 – E-rate 101: Just the Basics for 2026
- Sept. 10 – NLC Grants for 2026
- Sept. 24 – Pretty Sweet Tech
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website.
The show is presented online using the GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
Posted in Education & Training, Library Management, Pretty Sweet Tech, Technology
Tagged NCompLive, prettysweettech
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Register Now for the 2025 Nebraska Makerspace Conference
The Nebraska Library Commission is excited to bring to you (with the help of sponsors and about 50 presenters) the 2025 Nebraska Makerspace Conference that will be held November 4-5 at the Nebraska Innovation Campus Conference Center in Lincoln, Nebraska.
You can learn more about the conference and find the link to register on the 2025 Nebraska Makerspace Conference webpage, along with the event flyer which includes important information such as room blocks available at two local hotels, “how to register” tips, registration prices for one or both days (early bird pricing through the end of September), campus parking, and the excellent line up of sessions.
When registering online, be prepared to select the activities/sessions you plan to attend. This pre-selection allows easier scheduling of sessions to rooms that fit the size of the group and helps us prepare an accurate meal count. Some of the making and demonstration sessions have limited seats so participants who attend those sessions can be up-close to the action and/or get a hands-on experience. If you are interested in any of these sessions, don’t wait too long to register.
Contact JoAnn McManus with any questions about the event or registration.
Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Supporting the Launch of the Presidential AI Challenge
From the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS):
Help Us Inspire the Next Generation of AI Innovators – Announcing the Presidential AI Challenge
We’re excited to share that the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is supporting the launch of the Presidential AI Challenge.
We’re reaching out to ask for your support in helping us spread the word about this incredible opportunity.
About the Challenge
The Presidential AI Challenge is a national challenge where K-12 youth, educators, mentors, and community teams come together to solve real-world problems in their communities using AI-powered solutions, with an opportunity to showcase their solutions at a national level. Students and educators of all backgrounds and expertise are encouraged to participate and ignite a new spirit of innovation as we celebrate 250 years of independence and look forward to the next 250 years.
Why It Matters
“In the coming years, artificial intelligence will revolutionize the ways that Americans work, learn, and communicate. Initiatives like the Presidential AI Challenge ensure that our young people are prepared to meet these changes” – Keith Sonderling, IMLS Acting Director.
The Presidential AI Challenge will:
- Equip youth with foundational knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in an increasingly digital society.
- Empower educators to confidently guide students through this complex and evolving field.
- Connect students and educators with AI experts from industry and government for guidance, coaching, inspiration, and collaboration.
- Provide widespread access to resources, training, and support.
How You Can Help
“Libraries are often the de facto provider of public computing resources and offer spaces to gather and prepare for rapidly shifting workforce needs. We hope community members will look for ways to get involved in the Presidential AI Challenge and consider the natural role of libraries in solving real-world problems” – Teri DeVoe, IMLS Associate Deputy Director for Libraries.
Support the challenge by:
- Sharing the Challenge with your networks—schools, youth programs, educators, parents, and community leaders.
- Encouraging local schools, afterschool and out-of-school programs, or youth-serving organizations to participate and/or support team formation.
- Promoting registration via newsletters, social media, and events.
Key Information
- Open To: Youth teams in grades K–12; each team must have a supervising adult such as a parent, mentor, educator, or community leader. Educator teams are also eligible.
- Registration Opens: September 2025
- Challenge Website: AI.GOV > Presidential AI Challenge > Read More
- View and share key details with the Challenge campaign materials.
Together, we can empower the next generation to explore AI, build innovative solutions, and shape the future.
Thank you for helping us make this vision a reality! Learn more.
Posted in Technology, Youth Services
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New WordPress & Website Options
If you’re a public library looking for website hosting, the Nebraska Library Commission recently partnered with LibChalk to offer two new options for WordPress website hosting.
- WordPress hosting for individual libraries @ $250/yr.
- If you already have a WordPress site, it can be migrated to the new site at no additional charge.
- WordPress multisite: the more libraries who sign up, the lower the rate/ library
- 26- 75 Libraries: $136 to $167 (cost lowers as more libraries sign on)
- 76+ Libraries: $106 and less
Learn more about Libchalk: You can learn more about Libchalk’s features and pricing on this flyer. There are also new WordPress training options.
Free Option: Vern here at the NLC also built a free basic website that is automatically updated using data we already gather through the Library Survey. You can update the information on the website by submitting update forms, but you won’t be able to change the layout, or log in like you would with WordPress to make changes. But it has a solid amount of information already, so that might be okay. Here’s a demo of the site if you’re curious.
What Do You Want? Long story short, we’re trying to get a feel for how many libraries might want to jump on reduced rate pricing through a multisite website, and how many might want to get a good rate on their own WordPress website with all the bells and whistles, and how many want to head on down to free town for the free basic website hosted by the NLC.
Interest Form: Please fill out this interest form to let us know what you want!
You don’t have to have definite answers. There’s not a ‘this sale ends now’ kind of situation here. Libraries need time to plan, and so does the NLC. The only urgency is to reduce the rate on the multisite option, but even that count doesn’t have to be locked in right away. We understand you might need to check in with library boards and explore options.
This all only happened because of changes to the Nebraska Libriaries on the Web service, but any library is welcome to use these website hosting options.
When we get more responses on the interest form, we can share the multisite count to give libraries a better idea of the rate they can anticipate for planning, then reach out to libraries to figure out a timeline that works for everyone.
NCompass Live: Pretty Sweet Tech: Introducing AI with Purpose and Practicality
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’.
AI is everywhere, but the applications are not always relevant to the local community. Sure, AI is used in autocorrect, camera lens focus, and all these places, but how can this help the local community? What are the tangible careers people can pursue related to AI, and why should people care? Sweet will demonstrate her statewide database of practical AI and emerging tech applications, with examples of how to leverage this database in library programming, from localized maker activities to community conversations, and customizable career exploration resources.
You don’t have to create anything from scratch. This session will reveal a treasure trove of activities, templates, and tech gadget guides designed to introduce all facets of AI and related technology like the internet of things and robotics. Learn how to customize these existing resources with local examples to introduce AI with purpose in your community.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
- Aug. 6 – National Book Festival Near You
- Aug. 13 – Ditching 1000 Books: A New Initiative
- Aug. 20 – Banding Together: Lessons from the MPLA Leadership Institute
- Aug. 27 – Pretty Sweet Tech: Upcoming Changes to Nebraska Libraries on the Web Service
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, Pretty Sweet Tech, Technology
Tagged NCompLive, prettysweettech
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2025 Nebraska Makerspace Conference – Deadline for Session Proposals is July 23
Are you involved in a makerspace or want to work to develop a makerspace for your organization? The Nebraska Library Commission is coordinating the 2025 Nebraska Makerspace Conference to be held at the Nebraska Innovation Conference Center on November 4-5, 2025. The last Nebraska Makerspace Conference was held four years ago so these don’t come along every year. The planning team has been working on the conference agenda (which is shaping up nicely) and working to secure vendors and sponsors as well. Please note that the Call for Session Proposals will be closing on July 23rd and registration for the conference will be in early August.
Check out our conference website to access the Session Proposals Form, the Sponsorship Opportunity Form, and information on the tables that can be reserved by vendors, makerspaces, and makers. We plan to keep the two-day registration fee to under $100 so we hope you will “Save the Date” and join us at this exciting conference later this year. https://nlc.nebraska.gov/libraries/maker/index.2025.Conference.aspx
Internet Librarian Connect 2025 Conference (Oct. 28-30)
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 2025 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, 2025. (Does not include access to workshops unless purchased separately.)
This year the conference is being held virtually, from October 28-30, 2025. 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:
- Go to the Internet Librarian Connect 2025 registration link:
https://site.pheedloop.com/event/ILC25/register#category - Click on the Single Registration option.
- Complete the registration form, entering and applying the discount code 25NLC 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.
Registration Questions:
Joan Weiss, Conference Registrar
jweiss@infotoday.com
General Inquiries:
virtual@itiworkspace.com
Before registering, please be aware that sharing virtual access is not allowed. Each registration allows access for one person only.
Posted in Education & Training, Technology
Tagged conference, Internet Librarian Connect
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NLC Technology News: Is Microsoft extending the EOL (End Of Life) Oct 2025 date for Windows 10?
Last Tuesday, did Microsoft actually announce they were extending the EOL (End Of Life) date for Windows 10 that some news outlets have reported? Sort of. What Microsoft announced was a couple of new options for individuals to be part of the Extended Security Updates for Windows 10 program that will run until Oct 2026.
For individuals: An enrollment wizard will be available through notifications and in Settings, making it easy to enroll in ESU directly from your personal Windows 10 PC. Through the enrollment wizard, you’ll be able to choose from three options:
– Use Windows Backup to sync your settings to the cloud—at no additional cost.
– Redeem 1,000 Microsoft Rewards points—at no additional cost.
– Pay $30 USD (local pricing may vary).
The new options are to subscribe to Windows Backup or use Microsoft Rewards points. Unfortunately, none of these options will fully work for libraries. All three options require the PC to be logged into a Microsoft account to work. This is problematic for the patron/public PCs. Users of the patron/public PC would have full access to the Microsoft account being used. Having Windows Backup enabled means any changes made to Windows settings or files created on the PC will be retained. This defeats the purpose of reboot/restore software (DeepFreeze, SmartShield, CleanSlate, etc.) that cleans and secures the patron/public PC when it is rebooted.
For staff and personal Windows 10 PCs, enabling Windows Backup is a workable solution to get another year of secured use from a Windows 10 PC. I use this feature on my personal PCs since it’s a free and easy method for automatically backing them up.
If you have any questions about this or other technology, please contact me.
Andrew “Sherm” Sherman
Library Technology Support Specialist
Nebraska Library Commission
402-471-4559
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NLC Technology News: Free Microsoft Office 365 for libraries?
Does your library use Microsoft Office? If so, are you paying the annual $100+ subscription for Microsoft Office 365? If you are, you may want to take advantage of the free Microsoft 365 Business Basic licenses for a “Public library that provides general library services without charge to all residents of a given community, district or region.” This offer is good for up to 300 library staff! To enroll for this offer, the library will need to set up a Microsoft for Nonprofits account. If the library has purchased $40 Office Standard licenses through TechSoup recently, the creation of a Microsoft for Nonprofits account is part of this process.
It’s important to understand differences between Office 365 and Office Standard so the correct version is acquired for the right PCs. Office 365 is the subscription “cloud” version of the Office apps that allows access to them on any device the subscriber logs into with their Microsoft 365 account. Office Standard only has to be paid for once and is installed on a single PC and can only be used on that PC. Office Standard does not require the PC be logged into a Microsoft 365 account to be used making Office Standard the best choice for use on patron/public computers. Office 365 is best for computers used by library staff. The other nice feature of Microsoft 365 is the 1tb of OneDrive cloud storage provided to each user. OneDrive also make it easy for library staff to share their files with each other and back these files up.
If the library doesn’t need to have Office Standard on all of the patron/public PCs, the free and open source LibreOffice (formally OpenOffice) software suite is a good alternative. LibreOffice will also allow you to continue to edit Publisher files since Microsoft has dropped that app from their office suite.
If you have any questions about this or other technology, please contact me.
Andrew “Sherm” Sherman
Library Technology Support Specialist
Nebraska Library Commission
402-471-4559
It’s important to understand differences between Office 365 and Office Standard so the correct version is acquired for the right PCs. Office 365 is the subscription “cloud” version of the Office apps that allows access to them on any device the subscriber logs into with their Microsoft 365 account. Office Standard only has to be paid for once and is installed on a single PC and can only be used on that PC. Office Standard does not require the PC be logged into a Microsoft 365 account to be used making Office Standard the best choice for use on patron/public computers. Office 365 is best for computers used by library staff. The other nice feature of Microsoft 365 is the 1tb of OneDrive cloud storage provided to each user. OneDrive also make it easy for library staff to share their files with each other and back these files up.
If the library doesn’t need to have Office Standard on all of the patron/public PCs, the free and open source LibreOffice (formally OpenOffice) software suite is a good alternative. LibreOffice will also allow you to continue to edit Publisher files since Microsoft has dropped that app from their office suite.
If you have any questions about this or other technology, please contact me.
Andrew “Sherm” Sherman
Library Technology Support Specialist
Nebraska Library Commission
402-471-4559
Posted in Technology
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Over $4.8 Million in E-rate Funding Awarded to Nebraska Schools and Public Libraries
On April 26, USAC released Wave 1 of Funding Commitment Decision Letters (FCDLs) for E-rate Funding Year 2025. This first Wave includes $4,833,579.31 in funding commitments for 388 Nebraska school and public library applicants.
Congratulations to all Nebraska schools and public libraries who have been funded!
A list of public libraries who have received E-rate funding is on the NLC E-rate webpage. The 2025 list will be updated as new funding waves are announced.
If you haven’t received your FCDL yet, don’t panic! There are many more weekly Waves to come as USAC processes more applications. This is just the start of Funding Year 2025, more approvals are coming.
When your FCDL is ready, it will be attached as a printable PDF to the email notifying you that your FCDL has been issued. It will also be available in the Notifications section of your EPC account, but you are no longer required to log into your EPC account to view it.
IMPORTANT: As soon as you receive your FCDL, you should immediately go on to the next step in the E-rate process, filing your Form 486. This form is submitted in your EPC account. Information and instructions on how to do that can be found on the USAC website.
If you have any questions or need any assistance with your public library’s E-rate forms, visit the NLC E-rate webpage or contact Christa Porter, State E-rate Coordinator for Public Libraries, 800-307-2665, 402-471-3107.
Posted in Broadband Buzz, General, Library Management, Technology
Tagged e-rate, erate
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NCompass Live: Pretty Sweet Tech: Computers in Libraries 2025 Highlights & Trends
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! In this session I will cover come of the awesome ideas, tools, tips and tricks of the trade I picked up while in D.C. this year.
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:
- May 7 – Everyday Advocacy for Smaller Libraries: Practical & Affordable Solutions
- May 14 – The 2025 Public Library Accreditation Process
- May 21 – Small Adjustments for Big Changes
- May 28 – Pretty Sweet Tech
- June 4 – Food for Thought: Addressing Food Waste, Access & Insecurity through Rural Libraries
- June 11 – Sparking Community Connections: Rural Public Library Partnerships
- June 18 – Outreach at Any Size
- June 25 – Pretty Sweet Tech
To register for an NCompass Live show, or to listen to recordings of past shows, go to the NCompass Live webpage.
NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website.
The show is presented online using the GoTo Webinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoTo Webinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.
Posted in Education & Training, Pretty Sweet Tech, Technology
Tagged NCompLive, prettysweettech
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NewspaperArchive Database Trial (through 4/24/25)
The Nebraska Library Commission is pleased to announce that World Archives Holdings, LLC, of Provo, Utah, is offering Nebraska libraries trial access to NewspaperArchive content through April 24, 2025.
NewspaperArchive features:
- The ability to search across nearly 16,000 newspaper publications, containing over 3 billion articles and photos.
- Content dating from 1607 to the present.
- Coverage from 48 countries and all 50 U.S. states.
- Tools to help search, discover, save, and share the stories you find.
This will be popular with genealogists as well as those interested in primary source historical content.
Collections: The following NewspaperArchive collections will be available for subscription on a July 1st through June 30th term:
- Single-State Access: Dive deep into the heart of individual states, unearthing local history and events (e.g., Nebraska)
- Multi-State Access: Travel across state borders and explore stories that resonate across regions (e.g., Nebraska, South Dakota, Iowa).
- United States Access: Covering the entire United States, NewspaperArchive collections provide a comprehensive view of the nation’s past and present.
- Global Access: Expand your horizons with our global coverage, delving into international events. Covers 48 countries, including all 50 U.S. states.
- Special Collections, including:
- African American Newspapers
- Caribbean Newspapers
- Irish Newspapers
- Military Newspapers
- Spanish Newspapers
See newspaper title and coverage information on NewspaperArchive’s Publications page. For coverage by state or country, explore the NewspaperArchive Site Map.
A consortium discount is currently available through the Nebraska Library Commission and ranges from 5% to 15% depending on the collection selected. This discount correlates to a consortium of 3-5 member libraries. Larger discounts may be available in the future as additional libraries join the consortium.
Trial access instructions were distributed via a March 24, 2025 message to the Trial mailing list. Nebraska librarians who didn’t receive this information or would like to have it sent to them again may contact Susan Knisely.
Reminder: Not all database trials are posted to the NCompass Blog. If you are a Nebraska librarian and you’d like to receive future database trial announcements directly in your email inbox, please make sure you are signed up for the Nebraska Library Commission’s TRIAL mailing list.
Posted in Information Resources, Technology
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Infobase Artificial Intelligence (AI) Streaming Video Collection Trial (through 4/30/25)
The Nebraska Library Commission is pleased to announce that Infobase is offering Nebraska academic and K12 libraries a trial of their new Artificial Intelligence Streaming Video Collection, which provides comprehensive guidance on how to use, teach, and discuss AI! This trial began on April 1, 2025 and is scheduled to end on April 30, 2025.
This curated collection of videos on AI—what it is and how to use it—offers a structured, engaging way to teach and learn about this evolving technology. This collection is available as a standalone package, or easily integrated with any Films On Demand, Classroom Video On Demand, or Learn360 collection.
Trial access instructions were distributed via an April 2, 2025 message to the Trial mailing list. Nebraska librarians who didn’t receive this information or who would like it sent to them again may contact Susan Knisely.
Reminder: Not all database trials are posted to the NCompass Blog. If you are a Nebraska librarian and you’d like to receive future database trial announcements directly in your email inbox, please make sure you are signed up for the Nebraska Library Commission’s TRIAL mailing list.
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LibChalk Web Hosting for Libraries
I’ve gotten a lot of questions about web hosting options for libraries recently. Many of you use Nebraska Libraries on the Web, the free WordPress hosting offered by the Nebraska Library Commission. That’s delightful, and I’m all for it! I may be slightly biased there. You know why.
But hosting through us does have a few limitations for customization and feature options. So I like to keep options open for libraries who want a little more customization or control over their website feature choices.
This particular post is about LibChalk, a web hosting service designed by and for librarians and academic institutions that’s been around for about 30 years. The pricing is pretty reasonable with a basic site at $25/month. There are other pricing plans available. They can get you set up with a WordPress installation and access to some premium templates to make setup fast and easy.
They also help with site migration if you’ve already got a website up and running somewhere else and want to switch over smoothly. Since they do work with all flavors of education, they can also help you set up a learning platform on your site. If you’re so inclined.
So far they’re the only hosting service I’ve come across that is built by librarians for librarians, so that was cool too. Check out Libchalk’s website, or email Brian Pichman bpichman@evolveproject.org for more info, or to get set up.
If Brian’s name sounds familiar I’m not surprised. He’s been on a library circuit at conferences, webinars, Bywater Solutions, and elsewhere for a while now. I’ve known him for a while too, which is how I found out about LibChalk. I was surprised I hadn’t heard of it sooner, so I’m sharing it with you all now as well.
Big Talk From Small Libraries 2025 Recordings Now Available
Recordings of all Big Talk From Small Libraries 2025 sessions are now available!
You will find the recordings and presentations on the 2025 Recordings & Presentations page.
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 2026! Next year’s conference will be on Friday, February 27, 2026!
