Category Archives: Youth Services

NCompass Live: Best New Children’s Books of 2021: Super Librarians Continue on with Youth Services!

Posted on December 3, 2021 by Christa Porter

Hear about the Best New Children’s Books of 2021 as our Super Librarians Continue on with Youth Services!, on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, on Wednesday, December 8 at 10am CT.

Super Sally Snyder and Daring Dana Fontaine will showcase new and exciting children’s and middle grade books to the library community. We will give tips and tricks on how to move your story times online and how to accommodate your patrons.

Presenters: Dana Fontaine, Librarian, Fremont High School; Sally Snyder, Coordinator of Children and Young Adult Library Services, Nebraska Library Commission.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • Dec. 15 – Libraries Build Pathways to Wellbeing
  • Dec. 29 – Pretty Sweet Tech
  • Jan. 5, 2022 – Teen Titles of 2021: Books They Will Read
  • Jan 12, 2022 – 2022 One Book One Nebraska: ‘The Bones of Paradise’
  • Jan. 19, 2022 – If You Build it, Will They Come? Makerspaces Work in Small, Rural Libraries

For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.

NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.

Posted in Books & Reading, Education & Training, Programming, Youth Services | Tagged | Leave a comment

Relaxed Copyright Rules For Virtual Storytimes Ending

Posted on November 18, 2021 by Aimee Owen

Throughout 2020 and 2021, many publishers relaxed their read-aloud and book-sharing rules to allow librarians and educators to have virtual storytimes. While a few publishers have extended these policies until December 31, 2021 (and a couple into 2022), many have allowed these permissions to expire.

If your library has hosted (or is still doing) an online storytime for your youngest patrons, be sure that you check with each publisher’s rules so that you don’t run afoul of copyright laws. For instance, some may allow livestreaming of read-aloud performances, but not recorded videos. Others allow recorded videos posted to limited audiences. Videos may need to be deleted or have access disabled by a certain deadline. Permission forms may still need to be submitted and the publisher credited during the performance. Taking care to check the specific publisher’s rules will help you avoid any legal complications for your library.

We’ve been keeping track of a number of publishers’ rules here: http://nlc.nebraska.gov/libman/readonline.aspx#copyright

You can check out our other copyright resources here: http://nlc.nebraska.gov/legal/copyright.aspx?menu2

Recommended reading:

These titles and more are available from the Nebraska Library Commission and can be borrowed by librarians and library science students in Nebraska. Find them in our catalog!

  • Coaching Copyright (2020, ALA Editions) by Smith, Kevin L.
  • Compact copyright : quick answers to common questions (2021, ALA Editions) by Sara R. Benson
  • Complete copyright for K-12 librarians and educators (2012, ALA) by Carrie Russell.
  • Copyright Conversations: Rights Literacy in a Digital World (2019, ACRL) edited by Sara R. Benson.
  • Copyright law for librarians and educators : creative strategies and practical solutions (2020, ALA Editions) by Kenneth D. Crews.
  • The copyright librarian : a practical handbook (2016, Chandos Publishing) by Linda Frederiksen

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

NCompass Live: Summer Reading Program 2022: Oceans of Possibilities

Posted on November 12, 2021 by Christa Porter

Get ready for the 2022 Summer Reading Program, Oceans of Possibilities, on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, on Wednesday, November 17 at 10am CT.

Get ready for next summer by learning about quality books to consider for your library’s collection and start planning for Oceans of Possibilities. Kids will be clamoring for both fiction and nonfiction titles as they read all about Oceanography, the topic for the 2022 Summer Reading Program.

Presenter: Sally Snyder, Coordinator of Children and Young Adult Library Services, Nebraska Library Commission.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • Nov. 24 – Pretty Sweet Tech – Oculus Quest 2: VR Headsets in the Library
  • Dec. 1 – Pioneer Consortium – Making Libraries Stronger Together
  • Dec. 8 – Best New Children’s Books of 2021: Super Librarians Continue on with Youth Services!
  • Jan. 5, 2022 – Teen Titles of 2021: Books They Will Read
  • Jan. 19, 2022 – If You Build it, Will They Come? Makerspaces Work in Small, Rural Libraries

For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.

NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.

Posted in Books & Reading, Education & Training, Programming, Youth Services | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: Hints, Tips, & Cheat Codes: Running a Game Jam

Posted on November 5, 2021 by Christa Porter

Learn some Hints, Tips, & Cheat Codes for Running a Game Jam at your library on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, on Wednesday, November 10 at 10am CT.

Game design and creation offers patrons of all skill levels and interests a gateway to technology education, social connections, and the joy of play. Game jam events offer budding game developers a cooperative event setting to test their skills against a common theme and a hard time-limit. By offering patrons space, support, and the team building structure of a game jam, libraries can link the game dev community to programming and build their game collection. In this lecture you’ll be introduced to the practicals of running game jam events, and tips for success. We’ll cover in-person event prep, entirely-remote or online events, and how to merge the two offerings to expand accessibility.

Presenter: Charles Fisher, Creative Production Lab Supervisor, Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library, University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • Nov. 17 – Summer Reading Program 2022: Oceans of Possibilities
  • Nov. 24 – Pretty Sweet Tech
  • Dec. 1 – Pioneer Consortium – Making Libraries Stronger Together
  • Dec. 8 – Best New Children’s Books of 2021: Super Librarians Continue on with Youth Services!
  • Jan. 5, 2022 – Teen Titles of 2021: Books They Will Read

For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.

NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.

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

NCompass Live: Letters About Literature

Posted on October 29, 2021 by Christa Porter

Learn about Nebraska’s state reading and writing contest for youth, Letters About Literature, on next week’s NCompass Live webinar, on Wednesday, November 3 at 10am CT.

Nebraska Letters About Literature is a state reading and writing competition that asks young people in grades 4 through 12 to write to an author (living or deceased) about how his or her book affected their lives. This session will provide helpful information for teachers and librarians interested in the competition. It will also cover the submission process and be an excellent opportunity to ask questions about the entire competition process.

Presenters: Tessa Terry – Communications Coordinator, Nebraska Library Commission; Christine Walsh – Assistant Library Director, Kearney Public Library.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • Nov. 10 – Hints, Tips, & Cheat Codes: Running a Game Jam
  • Nov. 17 – Summer Reading Program 2022: Oceans of Possibilities
  • Nov. 24 – Pretty Sweet Tech
  • Dec. 1 – Pioneer Consortium – Making Libraries Stronger Together
  • Dec. 8 – Best New Children’s Books of 2021: Super Librarians Continue on with Youth Services!
  • Jan. 5, 2022 – Teen Titles of 2021: Books They Will Read

For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.

NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.

Posted in Books & Reading, Education & Training, Youth Services | Tagged | Leave a comment

#BookFaceFriday “Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich” by Adam Rex

Posted on October 22, 2021 by Aimee Owen

This #BookFaceFriday might ruin your dinner!

You think you’ve got problems? They don’t hold a dripping black candle to those of the monsters in this week’s #BookFace, “Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich (And Other Stories You’re Sure to Like, Because They’re All About Monsters, and Some of Them Are Also About Food. You Like Food, Don’t You? Well, All Right Then.” by Adam Rex (Harcourt, 2006). With fiendishly-clever rhymes and Rex’s signature drawing style, this picture book will surely delight ghouls and goblins of all ages.

““With irreverent entries such as ‘Count Dracula Doesn’t Know He’s Been Walking Around All Night With Spinach in His Teeth,’ this mash of monster poems will send kids howling (with laughter).”—Family Fun

This title comes from our large collection of children’s and young adult books sent to us as review copies from book publishers. When our Children and Young Adult Library Services Coordinator, Sally Snyder, is done with them, the review copies are available for the Library System Directors to distribute to school and public libraries in their systems.

Love this #BookFace & reading? Check out our past #BookFaceFriday photos on the Nebraska Library Commission’s Facebook page!

Posted in Books & Reading, General, Youth Services | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

#BookFaceFriday “Love & Other Curses” by Michael Thomas Ford

Posted on October 15, 2021 by Aimee Owen

Let this #BookFaceFriday cast a spell on you!

This week was the Nebraska Library Association Fall Conference, and this #BookFace, “Love & Other Curses” by Michael Thomas Ford (HarperTeen, 2019), was among the free books available to Nebraska librarians at the School, Children, & Young People (SCYP) booth.

This title comes from our large collection of children’s and young adult books sent to us as review copies from book publishers. When our Children and Young Adult Library Services Coordinator, Sally Snyder, is done with them, the review copies are available for the Library System Directors to distribute to school and public libraries in their systems.

“Love & Other Curses is a book with heart—a big, generous, loving heart. Anyone looking for a deep, thoughtful story about love and life and coming of age will enjoy the relationships, the search, and the lovely magic that may or may not be a part of every person’s life.” — New York Journal of Books

Love this #BookFace & reading? Check out our past #BookFaceFriday photos on the Nebraska Library Commission’s Facebook page!

Posted in Books & Reading, General, Youth Services | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Call for Speakers: Big Talk From Small Libraries 2022

Posted on October 7, 2021 by Christa Porter

The Call for Speakers for Big Talk From Small Libraries 2022 is now open!

This free one-day online conference is aimed at librarians from small libraries; the smaller the better! We are looking for speakers from small libraries or speakers who directly work with small libraries. Small libraries of all types – public, academic, school, museum, special, etc. – are encouraged to submit a proposal. We’re looking for seven 50-minute presentations and four 10-minute “lightning round” presentations.

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

Here are some possible topics to get you thinking:

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

Submit your proposal by Friday, January 14, 2022.

Speakers from libraries serving fewer than 10,000 people will be preferred, but presentations from libraries with larger service populations will be considered.

Big Talk From Small Libraries 2022 will be held on Friday, February 25, 2022 between 8:45 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (CT) via the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Speakers will present their programs from their own desktops. The schedule will accommodate speakers’ time-zones.

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

Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash

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

NCompass Live: Pretty Sweet Tech – Gadgets & Gizmos Aplenty: Makerspace Edition

Posted on September 27, 2021 by Christa Porter

Get some STEM and tech gadget recommendations on this week’s NCompass Live webinar, ‘Gadgets & Gizmos Aplenty: Makerspace Edition’, on Wednesday, September 29 at 10am CT.

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

There’s too much stuff in the world of STEM and tech gadgetry. Trying to find the right tool for the job can get confusing and downright frustrating. This session will cover a wide variety of gadget options for your makerspace or STEM activities. Recommendations will be organized by target audience: kids, teens, adults , and older adults. There’s a little something for everybody.

By the end of this session you will have:

  • A healthy list of recommendations for every budget
  • Tips for choosing equipment
  • Tips for maintaining equipment
  • Tips for training staff and patrons

If you’re a Nebraska library, I am also available for makerspace and tech gadget consultations. I like tech. It’s kind of my thing. I hope to see you there!

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • October 6 – The Queer Omaha Archives: The First Five Years
  • October 13 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE THIS WEEK – ENJOY NLA!
  • October 27 – Pretty Sweet Tech
  • November 3 – Letters About Literature

For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.

NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.

Posted in Education & Training, Pretty Sweet Tech, Technology, Youth Services | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Over $11.2 Million in First Emergency Connectivity Funding Wave Awarded to Nebraska Schools and Libraries

Posted on September 24, 2021 by Christa Porter

Today, the FCC announced that the first Wave of funding commitments for the Emergency Connectivity Fund (ECF) Program have been released. This first Wave includes $11,292,769.36 in funding commitments for 51 Nebraska school and library applicants.

Congratulations to all Nebraska schools and libraries who have been funded!

If you haven’t received your ECF Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL) yet, don’t panic! There are more Waves to come as USAC processes more applications.

As soon as you do receive your ECF FCDL, you should also view the e-learning modules, live trainings, recordings of past trainings and webinars, and register for USAC’s weekly office hour sessions at https://www.emergencyconnectivityfund.org/training/

To stay informed about the ECF program, sign up for the weekly ECF Newsletters, and read the previous newsletters, at https://www.emergencyconnectivityfund.org/stay-informed/

From the FCC Press Release:

Second Filing Window Set for September 28 to October 13 Providing Funding for Eligible Equipment and Services Between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022: https://www.emergencyconnectivityfund.org/

WASHINGTON, September 24, 2021—The Federal Communications Commission today announced that it is committing $1,203,107,496.88 for 3,040 schools, 260 libraries, and 24 consortia that applied for support from the $7.17 billion Emergency Connectivity Fund Program. This first wave of funding commitments will provide students, school staff and library patrons in all 50 states and Guam, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia access to the devices and broadband connectivity they need to support their off-campus education needs. The funding will support 3,081,131 devices and 774,115 broadband connections and help connect over 3.6 million students who, according to their schools, would otherwise lack devices, broadband access, or both.

Read the full press release and details about which schools and libraries will receive funding in this first Wave at:

https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-commits-over-12b-first-emergency-connectivity-funding-wave

Posted in Broadband Buzz, Grants, Technology, Youth Services | Leave a comment

What’s Sally Reading?

Posted on September 23, 2021 by Sally Snyder

Nominees for YALSA’s 2022 Lists Are Updated Weekly 

YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association), a section of the American Library Association (ALA), has a schedule of updates of nominees for several of their lists for 2022.  Check their blog, The Hub, each week or month to learn what titles are being considered for their Best Fiction for Young Adults (Mondays), Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers (Tuesdays), Amazing Audiobooks (Wednesday), and Great Graphic Novels (Thursday).  You see a copy of the cover and a review of the book, usually one title with a review and one or more additional titles merely listed per posting. 

At the bottom of each posting there is occasionally a place to click to see all the postings referring to that list.   A quarterly compilation of each list is available, the first ones were posted on The Hub in early April, the second list was posted in early July.

You and your teens are also welcome to submit titles for consideration for any of the lists.  Also at the bottom of each posting is a link to the information and form to suggest a title for that list.

Nubia: Real One by L.L. McKinney and illustrated by Robyn Smith is a graphic novel included on two nominees’ lists: Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers and Great Graphic Novels. 

Nubia is fast and strong – really strong.  She is black and her two mothers constantly remind her not to use her strength, it will only get her in trouble; they DO want the best for her.  Her two best friends (LaQuisha and Jason) want her to enjoy her summer, but that seems unlikely.   She is in a convenience store for a refill when two robbers enter.  She stays low, as her mothers would want, until a guy she likes is threatened – and she throws the ATM at the robber and then runs.  No surprise to Nubia, a policeman finds her part way home and handcuffs her, until he learns the two robbers were men.  Then he releases her and tells her to stay out of trouble.

Dealing with many things common in high school – liking a guy and being awkward around him – Nubia must also deal with racism; and keep in mind that if people learn of her abilities, they will likely be afraid of her, they will not see her as Wonder Woman.  But when her best friend Quisha, is threatened by her former boyfriend, Nubia finds a way to catch him out without violence.  And… it turns out Nubia is related to Wonder Woman.

As School Library Journal said, “No superhero collection is complete without Nubia.”

(The Nebraska Library Commission receives free copies of children’s and young adult books for review from a number of publishers.  After review, the books are distributed free, via the Regional Library Systems, to Nebraska school and public libraries.)

Posted in Books & Reading, Youth Services | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: ConnectEd Nebraska – Wireless Internet for Students

Posted on September 17, 2021 by Christa Porter

Learn how K-12 schools across Nebraska are enabling seamless wireless internet access across the state, and how libraries can participate in ConnectEd Nebraska on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, September 22 at 10am CT.

ConnectEd Nebraska is a collaborative initiative between the State of Nebraska, University of Nebraska, and Nebraska Department of Education, to bring eduroam wireless to all Nebraska K-12 schools, libraries, and museums for free.

Following a successful rollout in Utah, Nebraska and Arizona are the next two states to continue this educational wireless initiative. With simple configuration of your wireless infrastructure, students will be able to connect to the internet seamlessly and securely. Attend this NCompass Live session to learn what eduroam is, which Nebraska communities have deployed eduroam, and how you can get involved.

More information is available at https://connectednebraska.com/

Presenter: Brett Bieber, Director of Security Engineering, University of Nebraska

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • Sept. 29 – Pretty Sweet Tech – Gadgets & Gizmos Aplenty: Makerspace Edition
  • October 6 – The Queer Omaha Archives: The First Five Years
  • October 13 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE THIS WEEK – ENJOY NLA!
  • October 27 – Pretty Sweet Tech
  • November 3 – Letters About Literature

For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.

NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.

Posted in Education & Training, Youth Services | Tagged | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: Manga and Graphic Novels in Your Library

Posted on September 3, 2021 by Christa Porter

Graphic novels and manga are everywhere: TV series, movies, and now coming to a library near you! Learn how to get started with ‘Manga and Graphic Novels in Your Library’ on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, September 8 at 10am CT.

Starting a collection or updating your holdings can be a challenge in this medium. Which superhero do I follow? Should I start purchasing this manga or wait until it’s complete? Graphic novels and manga are a great addition to any library, but it can feel intimidating to purchase items for this collection without having a knowledge base to work with. This presentation will cover what exactly makes up a comic or manga, the different types and genres, how to get started with your collection, and the logistics of getting into this particular art form.

Presenter: Brooke Zarco, Library Director, Blair Public Library & Technology Center.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • Sept. 15 – Library School Now – Library Workers Talk about Their Library Science Coursework
  • Sept. 22 – ConnectEd Nebraska – Wireless Internet for Students
  • Sept. 29 – Pretty Sweet Tech
  • October 6 – The Queer Omaha Archives: The First Five Years
  • October 13 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE THIS WEEK – ENJOY NLA!

For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.

NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.

Posted in Books & Reading, Education & Training, Youth Services | Tagged | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: NLC Grants for 2022

Posted on August 27, 2021 by Christa Porter

Do you have a program or project you would like to see funded? Learn how to apply for the ‘NLC Grants for 2022’ on next week’s NCompass Live webinar on Wednesday, September 1 at 10am CT.

The Nebraska Library Commission is making funding available for four grants for 2022: Library Improvement Grants, Youth Grants for Excellence, Internship, and Continuing Education & Training.

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 new 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:

  • Sept. 8 – Manga and Graphic Novels in Your Library
  • Sept. 15 – Library School Now – Library Workers Talk about Their Library Science Coursework
  • Sept. 29 – Pretty Sweet Tech
  • October 6 – The Queer Omaha Archives: The First Five Years
  • October 13 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE THIS WEEK – ENJOY NLA!

For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.

NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.

Posted in Education & Training, Grants, Programming, Youth Services | Tagged | Leave a comment

2022 ARPA Youth Grants for Excellence Now Available

Posted on August 20, 2021 by Sally Snyder
Photo by Suad Kamardeen on Unsplash

The Nebraska Library Commission (NLC) is pleased to announce the availability of Youth Grants for Excellence to legally-established public libraries, tribal libraries, and institutional libraries in Nebraska, through a competitive grant process. The purpose of the Youth Grants for Excellence is to make funding available specifically for innovative projects for children and young adults in Nebraska communities.

This year’s funding is provided from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), as administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). ARPA is the result of the federal stimulus bill passed by Congress. Nebraska has received a one-time award of $2,422,166. A portion of that amount will be available via these competitive grants.

Some of the usual rules and requirements for Youth Grants for Excellence will be suspended for this year only:

  • No local match is required.
  • All legally established public libraries are eligible, both accredited and unaccredited, as well as tribal libraries and State run institutions.
  • Libraries will be able to use the grant funds for improving their collection (buy any books you feel you need), and to purchase AWE workstations or an equivalent item, Playaway Launchpad, computers, and furniture for the children’s or teen areas.

Online applications will be accepted through 11:59 PM (CT) on October 7, 2021 and recipients will be notified of funding by October 29, 2021.

Visit the grant webpage for the full grant details and the online application form.

And to learn more, sign up for the September 1 NCompass Live webinar, NLC Grants for 2022.

Posted in Grants, Information Resources, Library Management, Preservation, Programming, Technology, Youth Services | Leave a comment

NCompass Live: One Book for Nebraska Kids & Teens

Posted on August 13, 2021 by Christa Porter

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, August 18 at 10am CT.

Join Sally Snyder, the NLC’s Coordinator of Children and Young Adult Library Services, and Aimee Owen, Information Services Librarian, to learn all about the One Book for Nebraska Kids and Teens program. Our 2021 titles are: One Book For Nebraska Kids – Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson, and One Book For Nebraska Teens – Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson. And the 2022 titles have been selected: One Book For Nebraska Kids – The Adventures of Beanboy by Lisa Harkrader, and One Book For Nebraska Teens – Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach.

Upcoming NCompass Live shows:

  • August 25 – Pretty Sweet Tech – Tech-Friendly Book Club Ideas
  • Sept. 8 – Manga and Graphic Novels in Your Library
  • Sept. 15 – Library School Now – Library Workers Talk about Their Library Science Coursework
  • Sept. 29 – Pretty Sweet Tech
  • October 6 – The Queer Omaha Archives: The First Five Years
  • October 13 – NO NCOMPASS LIVE THIS WEEK – ENJOY NLA!

For more information, to register for NCompass Live, or to listen to recordings of past events, go to the NCompass Live webpage.

NCompass Live is broadcast live every Wednesday from 10am – 11am Central Time. Convert to your time zone on the Official U.S. Time website. The show is presented online using the GoToWebinar online meeting service. Before you attend a session, please see the NLC Online Sessions webpage for detailed information about GoToWebinar, including system requirements, firewall permissions, and equipment requirements for computer speakers and microphones.

Posted in Books & Reading, Education & Training, Youth Services | Tagged | Leave a comment

#BookFaceFriday “Sidekicked” by John David Anderson

Posted on August 13, 2021 by Tessa Timperley

We love a good back-to-school #BookFaceFriday!

Ahh, the smell of freshly sharpened pencils and new erasers, makes us want to go out and buy school supplies! This week’s #BookFace is a reminder that a Book Club Kit is the perfect back-to-school supply too. This service allows libraries and school librarians to “check out” multiple copies of a book without adding to their permanent collections, or budgets. We have a great selection of kids/YA titles for you to choose from, like “Sidekicked” by John David Anderson (Walden Pond Press, 2014). Even better, this book club kit is available for your next read! You can search for books based on grade level, genre, the number of copies available, or keywords, helping librarians and teachers find great reads for their YA book clubs.

“From memorable characters to a complex yet accessible plot, this [is a] superhero story that any comics fan will enjoy.”

— Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Book Club Kits Rules for Use

  1. These kits can be checked out by the librarians of Nebraska libraries and media centers.
  2. Circulation times are flexible and will be based upon availability. There is no standard check-out time for book club kits.
  3. Please search the collection to select items you wish to borrow and use the REQUEST THIS KIT icon to borrow items.
  4. Contact the Information Desk at the Library Commission if you have any questions: by phone: 800/307-2665, or by email: Information Services Team

Love this #BookFace & reading? Check out our past #BookFaceFriday photos on the Nebraska Library Commission’s Facebook page!

Posted in Books & Reading, General, Youth Services | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Connected Learning and Teens : What’s it all about? A four-week Canvas workshop

Posted on August 9, 2021 by Sally Snyder

Dates: September 8 – 29

Join Sally Snyder and Laura England-Biggs as we explore content from the T3 grant program sponsored by YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) and COSLA (Chief Officers of State Library Agencies). You’ll learn more about Connected Learning, how to apply it in your library and get a chance to think about next steps. Connected Learning helps us engage our teens with topics that already interest them. That in turn can drive programming numbers, which is what we all want, right?

This free online workshop will last four weeks (September 8 – 29). Zoom Sessions will be held on Wednesdays in Canvas, an online learning platform, starting with the optional introductory session on September 1 at 2 pm Central. This introductory session will explore how Canvas is structured, the content we will cover and answer any logistical questions.

Our first week’s content will kick off Thursday, September 2, and we will meet by Zoom Wednesday September 8 at 2 pm (Central) to check in on everyone’s progress, answer questions, and network. The course cycle repeats through the closing session September 29. Wednesday Zoom Sessions are planned to last from 2 – 3 pm (Central).

This workshop will be limited to 15 participants with another session offered in November 2021. Those who complete the workshop will be eligible to receive 4 hours of CE credit from the Nebraska Library Commission. For more information and registration details, please visit the Nebraska Library Commission’s event calendar.

Another class is scheduled for November, if that month will work better for you, see the calendar. Sign-up will open for it in mid-September.

Posted in Education & Training, Youth Services | Leave a comment

#BookFaceFriday “The Lake” by Natasha Preston

Posted on August 6, 2021 by Tessa Timperley

This #BookFaceFriday knows what you did last summer!

Pack up your marshmallows and bug spray because we’re headed to summer camp with “The Lake” by Natasha Preston (Random House Children’s Books, 2021.) It’s available as an eBook and Audiobook at Nebraska OverDrive Libraries. This YA thriller sounds like the perfect tale to tell around the campfire. New titles are added daily to Nebraska Overdrive Libraries, including children, YA, and adult fiction!

“[T]he strong buildup…leads to a shockingly satisfying finale. An eerie thriller reminiscent of summer horror movies that will keep readers on edge.”

—Kirkus

Find this title and many more through Nebraska OverDrive. 180 libraries across the state share the Nebraska OverDrive collection of 25,520 audiobooks, 32,303 eBooks, and 3,403 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!

Love this #BookFace & reading? Check out our past #BookFaceFriday photos on the Nebraska Library Commission’s Facebook page!

 
 
Posted in Books & Reading, General, Youth Services | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

#BookFaceFriday “Furia: A Novel” by Yamile Saied Méndez

Posted on June 25, 2021 by Tessa Timperley

Calling all YA readers with this week’s #BookFaceFriday!

Attention! Attention, please! We have an announcement: Book clubs are not just for adults. That’s all, thank you for coming to my TED Talk. But seriously, here at NLC, we have Book Club Kits for a wide range of readers. From fiction to nonfiction, translated books to Nebraska authors, and kids chapter books to adult titles. One such YA title is “Furia: A Novel” by Yamile Saied Méndez (Algonquin Young Readers, 2020.) This title is a Reese Witherspoon & Hello Sunshine YA Book Club pick and was a recipient of the 2021 Pura Belpré Young Adult Author Medal. Whether your a school librarian, teen advisory group, or just looking to facilitate a summer reading group, we’re here for you. You can search our Book Club Kits collection by grade level or by choosing Young Adult in the Genre dropdown.

“Weaving rich cultural specifics and electric energy into her prose, Méndez crafts a dynamic, feminist narrative that commands attention from the very first line. At its core, this novel is a full-hearted love letter to Argentina and “incorrigible girls” everywhere, emboldening readers to stand up for themselves and chase the dreams they hold dear.”

—Publishers Weekly, starred review

Rules for Book Club Kits

  1. These kits can be checked out by the librarians of Nebraska libraries and media centers.
  2. Circulation times are flexible and will be based upon availability. There is no standard check-out time for book club kits.
  3. Please search the collection to select items you wish to borrow and use the REQUEST THIS KIT icon to borrow items.
  4. Contact the Information Desk at the Library Commission if you have any questions: by phone: 800/307-2665, or by email: Information Services Team

This week’s model is NLC’s Technology Innovation Librarian, Amanda Sweet! She’s our go-to model when a book cover needs a beautiful head of hair. Thank you, Amanda!

Love this #BookFace & reading? Check out our past #BookFaceFriday photos on the Nebraska Library Commission’s Facebook page!

 
 
Posted in Books & Reading, General, Youth Services | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment