Monday Morning Eye Opener 03/30/09

Good Morning! Today in EYE-OPENER:

1) Book Lovers Book Sale in Sioux City
2) Still Time for Online Resource Trials
3) April Workshops and Promos
4) Thanks for Attending Legislative Day

1) Book Lovers Book Sale in Sioux City: Spring brings so many nice things, among them the annual “Book Lovers’ Book Sale” in Sioux City. Sponsored by the Friends of Sioux City Public Library, this yearly book sale is a big fundraiser for the Friends Group. This year, you’ll find the sale set up at the Mayfair Shopping Center (in former TJ Max store—4280 Sergeant Road) The sale runs from April 24 through May 2. Hardcover books sell for $2.00, recordings for $2.00, and paperbacks for $1.00. Here’s a look at the sale hours:

April 24—6:00PM to 9:00PM (preview sale requires $1.00 admission at the door)
April 25—10:00AM to 9:00PM
April 26—12noon to 6:00PM
April 27-30—4:00PM to 8:00PM
May 1—4:00PM to 9:00PM
May 2—10:00AM to 9:00PM

2) Still Time for Online Resource Trials: There’s still 2 weeks left to get in on this action: the State Library is holding a spring trial period for online resources. From now until April 15, you can try out several online products to see how useful they would be in your library. These represent some of the best Internet-based resources available for K12, college, and public libraries, including:
 Access Newspaper Archive = a database of digitized Iowa newspapers
 BookFLIX from Scholastic = videos and read-along helpers to favorite children’s books; very child friendly
 EBSCO = add-on databases like Hobbies & Crafts, Small Engine Repair, Home Improvement, and Novelist; these are add-ons, not currently available in the current statewide EBSCOHost contract
 Facts on File = topic-focused database
 ProQuest = similar to EBSCOHost

The State Library partners with Iowa Area Education Agencies and the Iowa Educators Consortium to provide these free statewide trials. To access the trial databases, go to Iowa Educators Consortium website and follow the on-screen instructions. Consider this a chance to test drive some of the best information products on the market—for free during this trial period! Nothing to lose, everything to learn—give it a whirl  Contact Jay Peterson at the State Library with any questions (jay.peterson@lib.state.ia.us )

3) April Workshops and Promos: It’s nearly April—can warmer temps be far behind? There are several workshops coming up around the region and around the state. And course…National Library Week, too. Please share news of these training opportunities with your staff and board and sign up for whatever looks good. Actually, it’s all sure to be good! Here’s a preview:

April 17 = “Keeping Current in Libraryland.” In person @ LeMars Public Library, 9:30AM—12:30PM for 3 c.e. credits. Sponsored by the Plymouth County Library Association as a county staff development day, but attendance is open to everyone. Topics will include tips like subscribing to online journals, setting journal alerts, using web-based tools to find efficiencies and time-savers. Plus a fun vocabulary quiz to help make sense of techie jargon and acronyms. Hands-on computer practice, too. Register in the c.e. catalog…

April 21 = “For Trustees: Evaluating the Library Director.” Statewide over the ICN, 5:30PM—7:00PM for 1.5 c.e. credits. Sponsored by the State Library. “…One of the responsibilities of the library board is to regularly evaluate the library director. In this class we'll discuss why an annual evaluation is important, what needs to be in place before an evaluation can take place, evaluation format, setting up a systematic process, & acting on results. For a list of all ICN locations, and to register, see the c.e. catalog…

April 24 = “ISLA Spring Meeting.” Held at 7 ICN locations across Iowa, 10:00AM—3:00PM for 2 c.e. credits. Sponsored by the Iowa Small Library Association. The morning session is a business meeting. After lunch, the program continues with a 1-hour presentation called “Small Libraries: How to be the Answer in Tough Times;” that’s followed by a roundtable discussion. ICN locations include
 Okoboji High School in Milford
 Onawa West Monona High School in Onawa
 Ankeny Public Library
 Solon Public Library
 Creston Public Library
 Waverly Public Library
 Oskaloosa Public Library

Note that ISLA members attend for free; otherwise, ILA members $5.00 registration fee / non ILA members $10.00 registration fee. Online registration is expected to be through the c.e.catalog. In the meantime, direct any questions to Nathan Clark, ISLA President, at nclark@emmetsburg.lib.ia.us

April 27—29 = “Kids First Conference” In person at the Gateway Inn and Conference Center, Ames. Conference registration is $30.00 each day. “…Kids First is a three day conference, April 27-29, 2009 specifically focused on youth services in libraries. There will be five nationally known speakers and classes dealing with all aspects of youth services - babies through teens. We invite you to attend all three days if possible or any one or two days as per your schedule. Please click on this link for more detailed information and a registration form: http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/ld/youth-services/kidsfirst/kf2009
Kids First is sponsored by the State Library of Iowa in cooperation with Children and Young Peoples Forum of the Iowa Library Association. Funded by federal Library Services and Technology Act funds and the Hazel Westgate Endowment.

And the promo piece in all of this is National Library Week. Celebrate April 12-18 with a great theme this year: “Worlds Connect @ Your Library.” Actress Jamie Lee Curtis is the national spokesperson. For even more promotional ideas, there are a couple of neat spin-offs with National Library Workers Day on April 14 and Support Teen Literature Day on April 16. Read all about it on the National Library Week website, where you’ll find tons of online resources, public service announcements, and more!

4) Thanks for Attending Legislative Day: Thanks to all Northwesterners who traveled to Des Moines last week for ILA Legislative Day. Library staff and trustees from Spencer, Peterson, Storm Lake, Emmetsburg, Ruthven, Lorhville, Carroll, Coon Rapids, and Briar Cliff College were are represented and had lively conversations with Northwest Iowa legislators. Admittedly a long drive in for all of you, not to mention a bleak budget year. Please know that Northwest LSA staff and board truly appreciates your time. And your steady support of Northwest Library Services—working alongside you!

Previous issues of Monday Morning Eye-Opener are archived on NWILS website…