Monday Morning Eye Opener 6/29/09

Good Morning—or is it? If not for a dental appointment it would be pretty good, so it’s an abbreviated EYE-OPENER today…

1) WILBOR Workshops & Webinars

2) Enrich Iowa Letters of Agreement

3) Other State Program Reminders

4) Meetings/ Events This Week


1) July Workshops & Webinars: There’s a surprising number of workshops coming up in the next 2 months, some prompted by welcoming new WILBOR libraries. The dates below recap two WILBOR workshops in July, as well as a webinar from OverDrive. And with the exception of the OverDrive program, register for all others in the c.e. catalog—more details there, too.

· July 7 = Welcome to WILBOR Day @ NWILS office, Sioux City. 1:30—3:30PM. Instruction in using WILBOR for incoming libraries; current WILBOR libraries are also welcome. Included: background behind the Consortium, a live demonstration of the WILBOR website, and best practices in using and promoting this new service to your community. Ice cream sundaes add to the summertime fun!

· July 8 = Welcome to WILBOR Day repeats @ Emmetsburg PL. 1:30—3:30PM. Yep, ice cream there too…

· July 20 and July 21 = Webinar from OverDrive called “Digital Library 101.” Online beginning at 2:00PM each day. Aimed at newest WILBOR libraries; good refresher for all. NOTE: this webinar is NOT in the c.e. catalog; we’ll forward an email with instructions for joining this webinar later this week…

2) Enrich Iowa Letters of Agreement: Check on the status of your library’s ENRICH IOWA LETTER OF AGREEMENT. Agreements were due at the State Library last Friday, June 26. ENRICH IOWA includes 3 programs that Northwest libraries should be part of: Open Access, ILL Reimbursement, and Direct State Aid. Signing the ENRICH IOWA LETTER OF AGREEMENT ensures that your library will participate in these programs and receive financial reimbursement for doing so. At this writing, there are about 12 NW Iowa libraries missing from the list…

To check on your library’s status, click this link on the State Library’s website http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/ld/enrich-ia/index You’ll find a listing of libraries that have returned the form, along with the E.I. LETTER OF AGREEMENT if still needed. You’re welcome to contact Northwest LSA office or the State Library with any questions.

3) Other State Program Reminders: Two more tips regarding two state programs, namely Direct State Aid and EBSCO. (A) Direct State Aid monies must be spent by tomorrow June 30th. But that’s not all: by July 31st you must report back how your library used the Direct State Aid funding. From this webpage http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/ld/enrich-ia/Direct-state-aid you’ll see an online form to submit your answers electronically—that looks pretty slick J A paper form is available too. Under broad categories like COLLECTIONS, TECHNOLOGY, PROGRAMS, etc. simply report how your library’s share of Direct State Aid funding was used.

(B) If your library is currently subscribing to EBSCO, expect an invoice with the next few days. The State Library will mail invoices to current EBSCO libraries beginning July 1st. If your library is not currently an EBSCO library—but really wants to be—please contact the State Library to sign up. This is an ideal time to join, because you’ll pay for a full year’s worth of service at the beginning of the new fiscal year.

Don’t let the cost worry you—it’s amazingly affordable for even the smallest of libraries because it’s largely subsidized by the State Library. (best to contact the State Library for current pricing…) And don’t let training worry you—we’ve got your back! State Library staff and/or NWILS staff is happy to provide orientation in the various EBSCO databases and training in effectively using them. More about EBSCO next time…

4) Meetings/ Events This Week: July 4th lands on Saturday, so NWILS office will be closed on Friday July 3rd for the holiday. Have a star-spangled weekend!

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