In collaboration with Cummins Inc., ALA invites applications from U.S. public libraries to participate in A Year of STEM, 12 months of curated STEM programming to foster curiosity and STEM-mindedness in early childhood learners.
Applications are due October 28, 2026.
Through a competitive, peer-reviewed application process, 25 public libraries will be selected to receive the following:
A $5,000 programming stipend to support program-related expenses, such as presenter honoraria, educational materials, field trip transportation, library staff time, marketing and publicity, STEM kit materials, program supplies and printing.
Four STEM kits, developed by librarian advisors and delivered quarterly by mail.
A copy of the A Year of STEM programming guide, featuring replicable STEM kits and program models, a STEM reading list for early learners and additional resources.
Customizable promotional templates, including posters, postcards, bookmarks, web graphics, social media graphics and other materials to support outreach.
Access to a private online discussion group in ALA Connect for conversation, peer support, and idea exchange among participating libraries.
Virtual training videos covering grant logistics and administration, programming requirements, evaluation, project goals, tips for successful STEM programming and related topics.
Eligible institutions include public libraries (including tribal libraries) in the United States and U.S. territories. Individuals are not eligible to apply.
Mom, Dad, and their two young sons go to a farm for a week’s vacation. Sam and Eli meet the farm’s two rescue donkeys, Lucky & Norman. The donkeys step back from the fence and will not come forward. The farmer tells them all they must give the donkeys time to trust them, and he has some ideas for what the boys can do.
It isn’t until the morning of the third day of their week that Lucky & Norman were at the fence waiting for them. Now they could play together with them, and they did – all day. The boys and the donkeys had a great time.
A few days later, the boys are sad because they must leave the next day and will never see the donkeys again. The farmer has some words of advice. And as the family drives away, Mama says. “The quiet ache of goodbye…but also, the gentle joy of remembering.” It is bittersweet.
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 libraries 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 2027 will be held on Friday, February 26, 2027 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.
After a swanky evening soiree at the Library of Congress, a body is discovered in the library! What follows is a classic whodunit that will take readers from the inner bowels of the Library of Congress, Ford’s Theatre, the National Portrait Gallery, and the D.C. Public Library. “Larceny at the Library” by Colleen J. Shogan, is the perfect pick for this week, as we’re in D.C. for the National Book Festival this weekend! We were lucky to get to attend an event at the Library of Congress, fingers crossed we don’t find any bodies. This title is available as an eBook through Nebraska OverDrive Libraries, it’s a part of Shogan’s “Washington Whodunit” series. The series consists of eight books, seven of which are available on OverDrive.
Congressional staffer Kit Marshall is excited to attend a historic event displaying the contents of Abraham Lincoln’s pockets the night he was assassinated at the Library of Congress. The next day, a senior librarian is dead and several invaluable artifacts are missing. Kit’s husband Doug discovers the body and immediately becomes a suspect in the death and theft. Kit springs into action once again to figure out who is responsible for the crimes. Her sleuthing takes her to the DC Public Library, the National Portrait Gallery, Ford’s Theatre, and the most ornate, beautiful rooms at the Library of Congress. At the end, Kit must put her own life on the line to retrieve her most valuable possession, which goes unexpectedly missing as she hunts down the killer. —book jacket
Libraries participating in the Nebraska OverDrive Libraries Group currently have access to a shared and growing collection of digital downloadable audiobooks and eBooks. 196 libraries across the state share the Nebraska OverDrive collection of 29,164 audiobooks, 45,416 ebooks, and 6,269 magazines. As an added bonus it includes 130 podcasts that are always available with simultaneous use (SU), as well as SU ebooks and audiobook titles that publishers have made available for a limited time. If you’re a part of it, let your users know about this great title, and if you’re not a member yet, find more information about participating in Nebraska Overdrive Libraries!
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 $30,000 in grants for Excellence in Youth service. Of the grants awarded to thirty-one Nebraska libraries, several addressed the need for educational programs, Summer Reading programing, 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:
Teen Art Club
STEAM programing and materials
Book club activities
Children’s Theater Program
Summer Reading programs
Nebraska Wildlife Rehab Center Program
Gaming & Teen Engagement Hub
Makerspace items for children/youth
After School Activity Kits
StoryWalk
The following 31 Nebraska public libraries were awarded 2026 Youth Grants for Excellence funding:
Alice M. Farr Library, Aurora Axtell Public Library Bayard Public Library Beatrice Public Library Bridgeport Public Library Central City Public Library Clarkson Public Library Crete Public Library Fairfield Public Library Falls City Library and Arts Center Fullerton Public Library Genoa Public Library Gibbon Public Library Grand Island Public Library Keene Memorial Library, Fremont Lincoln City Libraries Louisville Public Library Morrill Public Library Maxine White-Sutherland Public Library Ord Township Library C.B. Preston Memorial Library, Orleans Osmond Public Library Papillion Public Library Plainview Public Library Scotia Public Library & Heritage Center Shelton Public Library South Sioux City Public Library Lied Tekamah Public Library Verdigre Public Library Lied Lincoln Township Library, Wausa Yutan Public Library
Youth Grants for Excellence are made available by the Nebraska Library Commission with funding from the State of Nebraska. 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.”
Back to school, back to school, to prove to #BookFaceFriday I’m not a fool!
It’s that time of year again, backpacks are packed, pencils are sharpened, and parents can drink their coffee in silence again. New beginnings and changes can be hard, make this transition a little easier by reading books with your kids about back to school. Book’s just like this title week’s pick, “Middle School: Just My Rotten Luck” by James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts. Perfect for grades 3-7, this is the 7th book in his Middle School series, this title is available as an eBook and Audiobook through Nebraska OverDrive Libraries, and is a part of the “New Chapters: Juvenile School Stories” collection on the Nebraska OverDrive Libraries Kids & Teens page.
“TOUCHDOWN! James Patterson will have kids busting out laughing as they follow lovable bad-boy Rafe’s struggles to score big on the field—and in the social scene!
In this seventh Middle School episode, Rafe heads back to the place his misadventures began: the dreaded Hills Village Middle School, where he’s now being forced to take “special” classes. He also finds himself joining the school’s football team—alongside his main tormenter, Miller the Killer! ” —book jacket
Libraries participating in the Nebraska OverDrive Libraries Group currently have access to a shared and growing collection of digital downloadable audiobooks and eBooks. 196 libraries across the state share the Nebraska OverDrive collection of 29,164 audiobooks, 45,416 ebooks, and 6,269 magazines. As an added bonus it includes 130 podcasts that are always available with simultaneous use (SU), as well as SU ebooks and audiobook titles that publishers have made available for a limited time. If you’re a part of it, let your users know about this great title, and if you’re not a member yet, find more information about participating in Nebraska Overdrive Libraries!
Through the Bookmobile Grant Program, the Lois Lenski Covey Foundation awards grants to organizations that operate a lending bookmobile that travels into neighborhoods populated by underserved youth. The grants are for purchasing books published for young people preschool through grade 8, Early Reader books through Young Adult and Hi-Lo books.
Bookmobiles operated by charitable [501(c)(3)] and other non-taxable agencies, including public libraries or schools, are eligible. The Foundation provides grants to organizations that serve economically or socially at-risk children, have limited book budgets, and demonstrate real need.
Grants range from $500 to $3000 and are specifically for book purchases, and cannot be used for administrative or operational uses.
Only hardcopy (paper) applications will be accepted by mail. A link to a downloadable application and detailed instructions for completing and sending the application are available at the Bookmobile Grant Application webpage.
2026 Applications must be postmarked by August 15, 2026.
The purposes of the Lois Lenski Covey Foundation are to advance literacy and foster a love of reading among underserved and at-risk children and youth. Lois Lenski, celebrated author and illustrator of over one hundred children’s books and the 1946 Newbery medalist for Strawberry Girl, established the Foundation as a charitable institute in 1967. Since then the Foundation has assisted over 400 organizations in their efforts to nurture reading skills, gain access to books, and instill a love of reading.
The Nebraska Library Commission is pleased to announce that AWE Learning is offering Nebraska libraries special pricing on their latest workstations. This offer runs through December 31, 2026. Save between $650 and $1,200 (16.6% to 19.8%) depending on the package you choose. This is a one-time purchase with no ongoing subscription required.
AWE workstations offer age-appropriate learning options for children ages 2-12, in a safe, closed digital environment. This means no open internet, logins, or advertisements! Built on Windows 11, AWE workstations offer touchscreen access with a child-friendly keyboard and mouse! To read more about workstations and their content, go to https://awelearning.com
Questions or ready to get started? Contact Edward Bell to request a quote, schedule a demo, or learn more about expanding your AWE Learning workstation.
Please note that all transactions related to this offer (ordering, billing, etc.) will be conducted directly between interested Nebraska libraries and AWE Learning. The NLC contact for this offer is Susan Knisely.
Join us to learn about Nebraska’s ‘The Festival Near You’ local programming planned for across the state on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, on Wednesday, July 22 at 10am CT.
Every year, the Library of Congress hosts the National Book Festival in Washington D.C.. The Nebraska Center for the Book selects one youth book and one adult book to represent the state at the festival, as part of the ‘Great Reads from Great Places’ programming. Nebraska’s 2026 selections are Quagmire Tiarello Couldn’t Be Better by Mylisa Larsen, and The Antidote: A Novel by Karen Russell.
This year Nebraskans will again have the opportunity to join in the fun with local programming. ‘The Festival Near You’ is a statewide initiative celebrating the 2026 National Book Festival by bringing Nebraska’s ‘Great Reads from Great Places’ books to communities, and offers Nebraskans a chance to engage with literature close to home.
Presenters: Tessa Timperley, Communications Coordinator, Nebraska Library Commission and Mylisa Larsen, Author of Quagmire Tiarello Couldn’t Be Better, 2026 Great Reads Youth Selection.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
July 29 – Pretty Sweet Tech
Aug. 12 – United for Libraries – Trustees, Advocates, Friends, and Foundations: The Voice for America’s Libraries
Aug. 19 – How to Start & Sustain a Health & Fitness Literacy Program in Your Library
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.
Feeling inspired after watching the latest rendition of The Odyssey? Voyage into classic literature and mythology with this week’s #BookfaceFriday. Check out Beowulf by Anonymous
( Signet, 2008), it’s available as a Book Club Kit from the Nebraska Library Commission, with 10 copies for your reading group to borrow. You can also find “Beowulf” as both an audiobook and eBook through Nebraska OverDrive Libraries. Nebraska OverDrive Libraries also features a curated collection this month, The Odyssey Read-Alikes, where you can find both Beowulf and The Odyssey along with 30+ related titles. NLC does have “The Odyssey” by Homer available in book club kits, but sadly only four copies.
“Beowulf is one of the earliest extant poems in a modern European language, composed in England before the Norman Conquest. As a social document this great epic poem is invaluable—reflecting a feudal world of heroes and monsters, blood and victory, life and death. As a work of art, it is unique. Beowulf rings with beauty, power, and artistry that have kept it alive for a thousand years. The noble simplicity of Beowulf’s anonymous Anglo-Saxon singer is recaptured in this vivid translation by Burton Raffel.”
— from the book jacket
Book Club Kits Rules for Use
These kits can be checked out by the librarians of Nebraska libraries and media centers.
Circulation times are flexible and will be based upon availability. There is no standard check-out time for book club kits.
Please search the collection to select items you wish to borrow and use the REQUEST THIS KIT icon to borrow items.
Contact the Information Desk at the Library Commission if you have any questions: by phone: 800/307-2665, or by email: Information Services Team
Libraries participating in the Nebraska OverDrive Libraries Group currently have access to a shared and growing collection of digital downloadable audiobooks and eBooks. 196 libraries across the state share the Nebraska OverDrive collection of 29,164 audiobooks, 45,416 ebooks, and 6,269 magazines. As an added bonus it includes 130 podcasts that are always available with simultaneous use (SU), as well as SU ebooks and audiobook titles that publishers have made available for a limited time. If you’re a part of it, let your users know about this great title, and if you’re not a member yet, find more information about participating in Nebraska Overdrive Libraries!
Hear about a ‘Community Literacy Treasure Hunt: The Fun Way to Increase Literacy!’ on this week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, July 15 at 10am CT.
The Community Literacy Treasure Hunt started out of concern for TCAP literacy rates within the county. Getting the larger community and all the libraries involved, children no longer read books for just minutes, but for comprehension, producing book reviews shared with others at their home libraries.
Started as part of Summer Reading Program, this lightens the load on the libraries, and while it has children reading fewer books, they are spending more time with those books, reading for comprehension and understanding, often choosing books that challenge rather than provide a fast read.
Various businesses and offices participate by offering free books to the children who finish the book reviews. This is mutually beneficial for the families and the businesses, getting the whole community involved in increasing literacy rates and getting families out to the larger community they might never have been to before.
Aug. 12 – United for Libraries – Trustees, Advocates, Friends, and Foundations: The Voice for America’s Libraries
Aug. 19 – How to Start & Sustain a Health & Fitness Literacy Program in Your Library
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.
Happy Juneteenth readers! Explore all the African American stories available on Nebraska OverDrive Libraries, like “Something to Say” by Lisa Moore Ramée (HarperCollins, 2020). Recommended for kids in grades 3-7, this chapter book explores the complex social rules of middle school, overcoming fears, and finding friendship. At eleven years old Jenae doesn’t mind being a loner, but a new kid at school might just change all that, unless they let a class debate ruin it all. Find this story, and other African American fiction and nonfiction on Nebraska OverDrive Libraries. “Something to Say” is as both an audiobook and eBook, along with Ramée’s other works, “A Good Kind of Trouble,” and “The Everybody Experiment.”
“Reminiscent in writing style to works by Lauren Myracle and Jason Reynolds, this novel [shows] Shayla’s typical middle school problems, then switches to the very specific problems she faces as a young black girl in America…[For] middle grade readers who aren’t yet ready for Thomas’s The Hate U Give.”
— School Library Journal (starred review)
Libraries participating in the Nebraska OverDrive Libraries Group currently have access to a shared and growing collection of digital downloadable audiobooks and eBooks. 196 libraries across the state share the Nebraska OverDrive collection of 29,164 audiobooks, 45,416 ebooks, and 6,269 magazines. As an added bonus it includes 130 podcasts that are always available with simultaneous use (SU), as well as SU ebooks and audiobook titles that publishers have made available for a limited time. If you’re a part of it, let your users know about this great title, and if you’re not a member yet, find more information about participating in Nebraska Overdrive Libraries!
Don’t have a cow about this week’s #BookfaceFriday. Summer is the perfect time to start a teen/YA bookclub to help keep kids reading and engaged until school starts, because reading for pleasure and not just grades is what makes a lifelong reader. Check out “Going Bovine” by Libba Bray (Ember, 2010), recommended for kids in grades 9-12, is a YA novel that explores the meaning of life, even if it turns out it’s going to be a short one. When 16-year-old Cameron finds out he’s sick, and that he’s probably not going to make it. The dark, fantastical, and comedic journey that follows goes right to the heart of what matters most. It’s available as a Book Club Kit from the Nebraska Library Commission, with 16 copies for your reading group to borrow. You can also find “Going Bovine” as both an audiobook and eBook through Nebraska OverDrive Libraries: Kids & Teens. You can read more about “Going Bovine” in our Book Club Spotlight post.
“An unforgettable, nearly indefinable fantasy . . . wholly unique, ambitious, tender, thought-provoking, and often fall-off-the-chair funny.”
— Booklist, Starred Review
Book Club Kits Rules for Use
These kits can be checked out by the librarians of Nebraska libraries and media centers.
Circulation times are flexible and will be based upon availability. There is no standard check-out time for book club kits.
Please search the collection to select items you wish to borrow and use the REQUEST THIS KIT icon to borrow items.
Contact the Information Desk at the Library Commission if you have any questions: by phone: 800/307-2665, or by email: Information Services Team
Libraries participating in the Nebraska OverDrive Libraries Group currently have access to a shared and growing collection of digital downloadable audiobooks and eBooks. 196 libraries across the state share the Nebraska OverDrive collection of 29,164 audiobooks, 45,416 ebooks, and 6,269 magazines. As an added bonus it includes 130 podcasts that are always available with simultaneous use (SU), as well as SU ebooks and audiobook titles that publishers have made available for a limited time. If you’re a part of it, let your users know about this great title, and if you’re not a member yet, find more information about participating in Nebraska Overdrive Libraries!
Looking for ways to go beyond traditional storytime? Check out ‘Play, Explore, Learn: Building Early Literacy Through Station-Based Programs’ on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, May 13 at 10am CT.
Discover how to create an interactive, play-based early literacy program built around themed learning stations that encourage exploration and engagement. This session shares how one library developed a successful station-based model that promotes early learning through activities tied to the five early literacy practices: Read, Write, Talk, Sing, and Play.
Using simple materials and creative themes, the program provides families with a flexible, hands-on experience that supports key developmental skills such as language, fine motor coordination, and social-emotional growth. Attendees will learn practical tips for setup, rotating themes, and caregiver involvement. Walk away with ideas and inspiration to make early literacy come alive in your library – one playful station at a time!
May 20 – Engaging New Voices in Advocacy: Youth, Trustees, and Everyday Patrons
May 27 – Pretty Sweet Tech: Preparing Tech Ready Librarians: A Statewide Initiative
June 3 – Libraries and Friends of the Library: How to Stay Friends
June 10 – Law for Librarians
June 24 – Pretty Sweet Tech
July 8 – Connected America 2026
July 15 – Community Literacy Treasure Hunt: The Fun Way to Increase Literacy!
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.
Rob-See-Co, an independent seed company located in Elkhorn, Neb. is proud to announce the continuation of its Rural Library Grant program.
Applications are due June 30, 2026.
Originally launched in 2023 to commemorate the company’s 10th anniversary and honor Agnes Robinson’s dedication to the rural library in Waterloo, NE, the program continues to hold special meaning. Agnes, great-grandmother of Jim Robinson, CEO of Rob-See-Co, was a passionate advocate for rural libraries. Today, the program extends support to libraries across rural communities within the company’s footprint.
Previous grant recipients have used funding to expand book collections, digitize local newspapers, enhance children’s programming, and develop makerspaces.
“The grant funding we received made it possible for us to create a ‘pop-up town,’ a versatile resource we’ve already planned to use in multiple ways,” said Mandy Cook, Marysville Public Library Director. “Encouraging children to engage in imaginative play is incredibly important—it supports speech, overall development, and even early literacy skills. We are truly grateful to Rob-See-Co for providing us with the opportunity to make a meaningful impact through outreach in our small town.”
In 2026, Rob-See-Co will award ten $500 grants for a total of $5,000 to selected rural libraries across CO, IA, KS, MD, MI, MN, ND, NE, OH, OK, PA, SD, TX and WI. Funds may be used for core educational, preservation and interpretive purposes, including collection development, facility improvements, traveling exhibits, guest speakers, staff training, programming, and publications.
“These grants reflect our ongoing commitment to the dealers, distributors, growers, and communities we serve, while honoring my family’s legacy and the history of Rob-See-Co,” said Robinson. “We’re proud to continue investing in rural libraries that play such an important role in our communities.”
Libraries can visit https://rsclibrarygrant.com/ to apply. Applications are due by June 30. Grant recipients will be announced on October 1, 2026.
Wouldn’t it be great if kids all over Nebraska were talking about books? Hear about the Nebraska Library Commission & the Regional Library Systems’ program where kids can all read and discuss the same book on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, April 15 at 10am CT.
Join Sally Snyder, the NLC’s Coordinator of Children and Young Adult Library Services; and Bailee Juroshek, Office Specialist, to learn all about the One Book for Nebraska Kids and Teens program.
Our 2026 titles are: One Book For Nebraska Kids – Lucky Scramble by Peter Raymundo, and One Book For Nebraska Teens – Not Nothing by Gayle Forman.
Upcoming NCompass Live shows:
April 22 – Emergency Management in Libraries
April 29 – Pretty Sweet Tech: Computers in Libraries 2026 Highlights & Trends
May 6 – The 2026 Public Library Accreditation Process
May 13 – Play, Explore, Learn: Building Early Literacy Through Station-Based Programs
May 20 – Engaging New Voices in Advocacy: Youth, Trustees, and Everyday Patrons
May 27 – Pretty Sweet Tech
June 3 – Libraries and Friends of the Library: How to Stay Friends
June 10 – Law for Librarians
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.
Gimme gimme gimme gimme the ball, because I’m gonna, dunk it! This week’s #BookFaceFriday was the perfect choice for March Madness. “Rebound” by Kwame Alexander (Clarion Books, 2021), is the prequel to Alexander’s Newbery Award–winning novel The Crossover. You can find it as an eBook on Nebraska OverDrive Libraries. Kwame Alexander is a New York Times bestselling author and along with the Newbery Award has also received the Coretta Scott King Award. You can find the entire Crossover series in the Nebraska OverDrive collection, along with six other titles by Kwame Alexander.
As in his previous novels in verse, Alexander shows off his expert command of the format, employing staccato breaks with smooth rhymes that mimic the bounce and flow of the sport.”
— School Library Journal, STARRED review
Find this title and many more through Nebraska OverDrive! Libraries participating in the Nebraska OverDrive Libraries Group currently have access to a shared and growing collection of digital downloadable audiobooks and eBooks. 194 libraries across the state share the Nebraska OverDrive collection of 26,174 audiobooks, 36,611 ebooks, and 5,210 magazines. As an added bonus it includes 130 podcasts that are always available with simultaneous use (SU), as well as SU ebooks and audiobook titles that publishers have made available for a limited time. If you’re a part of it, let your users know about this great title, and if you’re not a member yet, find more information about participating in Nebraska Overdrive Libraries!
Join us tomorrow for the 15th annual 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 and public libraries presenting on a wide variety of topics specifically tailored for small libraries: intellectual freedom, mental health, food insecurity, STEAM, serving disabled patrons, school/university/public library partnerships, a Tiny Art Show, and much more.
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.
This event is a great opportunity to learn about the innovative things your colleagues are doing in their small libraries serving fewer than 10,000 people.
So, come join us for a day of big ideas from small libraries!
Sponsored by the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL) and the Nebraska Library Commission, this free one-day online conference is tailored for staff from small libraries – the smaller the better! All of our presenters are from libraries serving fewer than 10,000 people. 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!
Hear about ‘Empowering Families Through Literacy: Tools and Strategies from Nebraska’s Statewide Initiative’ on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, February 11 at 10am CT.
Join us for an engaging session highlighting Nebraska’s statewide efforts to strengthen family literacy through cross-sector collaboration, inclusive practices, and accessible tools. This presentation will showcase the work of the Nebraska Department of Education’s Family Literacy Advisory Committee, including a newly developed implementation guide and centralized resource hub designed to support schools, libraries, and community organizations. Participants will explore practical strategies and adaptable tools that librarians can use to deepen their role as literacy leaders in their communities. Whether you serve young children, adult learners, or multilingual families, this session will offer valuable insights and resources to support and enrich your local literacy efforts.
Feb. 18 – Communicating Your Library’s Value and Getting your Board “On Board” to Help!
Feb. 25 – Pretty Sweet Tech
March 4 – Tour de Force: Build Bridges by Leading Tours of Your Library
March 11 – Public Library Survey: Nebraska’s New Data Collection Tool
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.
