Monday Morning Eye Opener 05/04/2009

Good Morning! Today in EYE-OPENER:

1) AEAs Sponsoring Technology Conference
2) Examining County Funding May 28-29
3) Meetings / Events This Week

1) AEAs Sponsoring Technology Conference: Northwest AEA and Prairie Lakes AEA are teaming up to sponsor a Technology Conference June 15-17. “Technology Leadership for 21st Century Learning” takes place in the Siebens Center at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake. This year’s focus is on high school faculty and teacher-librarians. But note: the conference is also open to public library staff and trustees.

The two keynote speakers are Alan November and Richard Longworth. “…Alan November has a wealth of experience teaching learners of all ages. For Alan, it’s not the technology itself that’s important, it’s how we use it. His ideas about global communication, collaboration, assessment, and critical thinking have inspired schools, governments, and corporations around the world to rethink and redefine their approach to education and technology…”

Richard Longworth is a native of Boone, Iowa and is currently a Senior Fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. He is the author of the book Caught in the Middle: America’s Heartland in the Age of Globalism, published in 2008. “…Richard has had a distinguished career in journalism, most recently as senior correspondent for the Chicago Tribune. For 20 years, he was a foreign correspondent for the Chicago Tribune and UP. As the Trib’s Chief Foreign Correspondent, he reported from 75 countries on 5 continents…”

These 2 keynote speakers are joined by a dozen breakout session speakers throughout the 3 days. The Tech Conference goals are to help attendees:

• Build knowledge of available tech tools
• Use technology skills to increase student learning
• Develop a network of resources & support
• Practice legal & ethical aspects of technology integration
  

Here are just a few of the sessions on tap:

• Gizmos and Gadgets (Jing, interactive whiteboards, Open Office, Google Tools, and other low-cost applications)
• Podcasting with Garage Band
• Using SmartBoards
• Wireless Tablets
• Confessions of a Google-Phobe
• Using Blogs in the Classroom (and let me add—in the library)
  

Jean Chesterman and I are presenters this year. Jean is doing a session on WILBOR called “Heard Any Good Books Lately?” And I’m doing one called “Exciting E-Learning: Exploring Online Learning Opportunities.” Plus Barb Schultz from North Central LSA will be there with “Beacon: A Collaborative Approach to Library Automation.” Here’s a description: “…Barb Schulz of North Central Library Services Area and Harriet Adams of Prairie Lakes AEA 8 will review the Beacon Project, a collaborative library automation project for school libraries in AEA 8 and public libraries in the NCLSA service area. See how this project benefits all participants in terms of access, quantity of materials, quality of MARC records, and in efficiencies of financial outlays. The needs of libraries leading to this joint project will be discussed as will how the project originated, what steps need to be undertaken to be a part of the consortium, and what will be the next phase of the project…”

The cost is $50.00 per person for the full three days; make checks payable to Prairie Lakes AEA. Registration is due by May 15. To read more and to register, visit Prairie Lakes AEA website.

2) Examining County Funding May 28-29: Northwest LSA is sponsoring a workshop on county funding, coming up May 28 and 29 in Le Mars. “The ‘Free’ Public Library: Gift, Service, or—Essential Service” will be conducted by Roy Kenagy from Central LSA in Ankeny. There can be pretty dramatic differences in per capita funding across Iowa’s counties, as well as differences in distribution methods and county contracts. From Roy’s description: “…This workshop will give public library trustees the background they need to advocate more effectively for equitable funding with city councils, county supervisors, contracting cities, and the community. It will help trustees understand and explain the importance—and the cost—of providing good library service and the responsibility of developing equitable funding policies.

We will begin with a discussion of why libraries are public: that is, why “free” public libraries are supported with government funds. We will review national funding models for public library services, and look at the Iowa funding model. We will read and discuss case studies involving equitable funding issues in Iowa communities. Finally, we will review the issues of advocacy, stewardship, and equity facing board members, and outline the first steps to ensuring equity: asserting the value of libraries; accepting responsibility for costs; setting responsible policies; crafting responsible agreements; and agreeing to say no..”

Because this is such an important topic for library boards, there’s both an evening session and a daytime session. On May 28th, the program runs from 4:00PM—7:00PM; on May 29th the program repeats from 9:30AM—12:30PM.

This topic addresses advocacy and budgeting, two major responsibilities of library boards. With that in mind, I’m throwing the gauntlet with this one: let’s have at least 1 trustee representative from each of our 19 counties attend! Choose either date that’s most convenient. And for directors and staff, this class is worth 3 c.e. credits—and what a good workshop to attend with a member of your board. Registration is open in the c.e. catalog, so please put this item on your upcoming board agendas!

3) Meetings / Events This Week: NWILS office will be closed Tues-Wed this week (May 5-6) as staff will be hosting “C.E. Jamboree” in Storm Lake. Leave voice mail or email messages while we’re gone and we’ll get back to you later in the week. Thanks to all attending C.E. Jamboree 2009—see you there!