Monday Morning Eye-Opener 1/25/2010

Good Morning! In today's Eye-Opener....

1) National Facts, Stats, Budgets
2) 10 Things Not to Buy in 2010
3) Spring PLM, Kid Lit Booktalks, Board Classes
4) Meetings / Events This Week

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1) National Facts, Stats, Budgets

If you're in the budget prepping stage, you might be interested in the report linked below. More good evidence showing when the economy is down, public library use is up. As seen on the ARSL mail list (Association for Rural & Small Libraries)

A Perfect Storm Brewing: Budget Cuts Threaten Library Services at Time of Increased Demand (PDF)

About the Study
"...Today's public libraries are vital community technology hubs that millions of Americans rely on for their first and often only choice for Internet access. Despite increased demand for library computers, however, libraries typically have not seen a corresponding increase in budgets and many are challenged to provide enough computers or fast-enough connection speeds to meet demand.
The Public Library Funding and Technology Access Study is a multi-year project that builds on the longest-running and largest study of Internet connectivity in public libraries. The study assesses public access to computers, the Internet, and Internet-related services in U.S. public libraries, as well as the impact of library funding changes on connectivity, technology deployment, and sustainability in FY2007-2009. This study provides information that can help library directors advocate for technology resources in communities across the nation. The data is also important for policymakers at local, state, and federal levels and the communities served.
The project is made possible by a generous donation from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the American Library Association..."

Even if your budget ship has sailed for this year, this study and others like it make great information to share in advocacy efforts year-round.

2) 10 Things Not to Buy in 2010

After Christmas sales, January white sales, Presidents Day sales -- no shortage of shopping encouragement this time of year. But an article in Smart Money magazine points to 10 items that forward-thinking shoppers might want to scratch off their wish list. For instance:

DVDs: renting movies is rapidly changing and it's felt at video stores everywhere. "...Blockbuster plans to close 22% of its stores by December 2010...taking the place is NetFlix and choosing movies from premium cable providers on demand...."

Landline phones: "...it may take awhile longer, but landline phones in homes will become as archaic as the rotary dial model...today 1-in5 U.S. homes have cell phones instead of landlines.."

CDs: "...the past decade was one of the worst for CD sales. First there was Napster, then came iTunes, both affordable and easily accessible..." The article predicts that CDs will very soon go the way of the vinyl records.

New College Textbooks: College kids have caught onto this sooner than faculty. Kids are acquiring their textbooks online via sites like Cheapest Textbook, Booksprice, Coursesmart, and TextbookMedia...

External Hard Drives: As people use personal computers increasingly for photo sharing, downloading music and audio books, they need lots more storage. And these days, rather than buying external hard drives, consumers are opting to subscribe to online backup services like Carbonite and Mozy.

Might these trends have application for libraries? At least, awareness issues...hhhmm.... Smart Money. December 21, 2009


3) Spring PLM, Kid Lit Booktalks, Board Classes

Take note of these upcoming classes for new directors, children's librarians, and trustees -- it's a smorgasbord! The spring 2010 round of Public Library Management courses are now in the C.E. Catalog. PLM1 starts on Thursday, March 25 (registration deadline March 1). For PLM1 and PLM2, the first day of class is F2F in the Des Moines area; thereafter the remaining 7 classes are held over the ICN. All details in the C.E. Catalog.

Iowa's LSAs and AEAs are teaming up again this year to sponsor the New Children and YA Literature Booktalks on Wednesday February 24. This one is statewide over the ICN and runs from 8:30-12:00noon. Find registration and all ICN sites in the C.E. Catalog.

And for library boards, next month Northwest LSA reprises our online series called The Board's Role in Human Resources. Based on Human Resources For Results, this 5-part series addresses the impact that library boards have on personnel issues. From hiring the director, to determining staff salaries, to setting personnel policies, board decisions have a powerful impact on productivity and success in the library workplace. This 5-part series lands on Tuesday evenings 6:00-7:30pm and it starts on February 2 with "Recruitment & Retention" (diector job descriptions included here...) When you register in the C.E. Catalog you'll receive the link to the NWILS Adobe Connect Classroom.

4) Meetings / Events This Week

NWILS Board meets tomorrow Tuesday, January 26 at our office in SIoux City. The meeting is open to the public and starts at 1:00pm. The agenda is posted on our website, area libraries are welcome to attend.

Friday January 29 is the next program in our online "For Results" series, this time it's Policies For Results. Learn how to draft policies in a refreshing new way by breaking them down into 4 parts: The philosophy, the regulations, the procedures, and the guidelines. We'll also look at policy topics least often addressed and link you to good samples on the web. Of special value for boards and again - it's online in NWILS Adobe Connect Classroom - that's about as convenient as it gets! :) Once you register in the C.E. Catalog you'll revieve the link to the NWILS Adobe Connect Classroom. That's Policies For Results, online Friday January 29 from 9:30-11:30am.

Monday February 1 is a staff furlough day, brought on by state budget cuts. As a result, NWILS office will be closed on February 1; Eye-Opener is back on February 8.

Countdown to Winter Games..18 days

http://www.vancouver2010.com/

Olympic Schedule February 12th & 13th

February 12, 2010
10:00 - Ski Jumping - NH Individual Qualification Round
18:00 - Opening Ceremony

February 13, 2010
9:45 - Ski Jumping - NH Individual 1st Round Medal Event
10:45* - Ski Jumping - NH Individual Final Round Medal Event
11:45 - Alpine Skiing - Men's Downhill Sweden vs Switzerland
12:00 - Ice Hockey - Women's Preliminary Round - Group A Game 1 Medal Event
12:00 - Speed Skating - Men's 5000 m Medal Event
13:00 - Biathlon - Women's 7.5 km Sprint
16:30 - Freestyle Skiing - Ladies' Moguls Qualification Canada vs Slovakia
17:00 - Ice Hockey - Women's Preliminary Round - Group A Game 2
17:00 - Luge - Men's Singles Run 1
17:00 - Short Track - Men's 1500 m Heats
17:42 - Short Track - Ladies' 500 m Heats
18:18 - Short Track - Men's 1500 m Semifinals
18:50 - Short Track - Ladies' 3000 m Relay Semifinals
19:00* - Luge - Men's Singles Run 2 Medal Event
19:18 - Short Track - Men's 1500 m Finals Medal Event
19:30 - Freestyle Skiing - Ladies' Moguls Final

Monday Morning Eye-Opener 1/18/2010

Good Morning! In today’s EYE-OPENER …….


1) Free Labor Law Posters
2) Census Posters Available
3) Newbery / Caldecott Winners Announced
4) Read Driftless This Year
5) Meetings / Events This Week

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1) Free Labor Law Posters

Libraries are often contacted by companies selling labor law posters. And while libraries are required to post some of the labor laws (others are recommended but not required) libraries do not have to purchase these. Because the necessary posters are available free for the printing from the Iowa Workforce Development website.

In their weekly newsletter “Hot CILSA,” Central LSA printed this advice from Jet Kofoot with North Central LSA office:

“...This URL http://www.iowaworks.org/reqposters.htm takes you to a webpage with links to all of the Iowa and Federal Labor Law posters. The list indicates which posters are required and which are recommended. This URL

http://www.iowaworks.org/news.htm#Iowa takes you to instructions for how to get—for free—a poster that includes all laws in one. This is called the 9-in-1 poster (lacking the smoking law poster) Find the smoking law poster and additional information about the law at this site http://www.iowasmokefreeair.gov/ …”
Thanks to Jet @ North Central LSA and Roy Kenagy @ Central for sharing this information…

2) Census Posters Available



Speaking of posters, your library can help promote the 2010 Federal Census by displaying census posters. Most measure 16”x20” and may be displayed February through May. View a selection of posters on the Census Bureau’s website here http://2010.census.gov/partners/materials/posters-materials.php

But to actually order posters and other promotional items—that’s done through a local bureau office. The office serving most of Northwest Iowa is located in Sioux City. Contact Joe De La Rosa at 712-435-9121 or email joseph.j.de.la.rosa@census.gov

Just last Friday at our Planning For Results workshop, we talked about many possible service responses for public libraries, one of which is “Be An Informed Citizen.” For libraries choosing that service, taking part in the 2010 census is a pretty great connection!


3) Newbery / Caldecott Winners Announced

Here’s a scoop, hot off the press: this morning ALA announced the 2010 Newbery and Caldecott award winners. The Newbery Medal is given to the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature; the 2010 winner is When You reach Me by Rebecca Stead. The Caldecott Medal is given for the most distinguished illustrations in American picture books; the 2010 winner is The Lion and the Mouse, illustrated and written by Jerry Pinkney.

Visit ALA’s website for a complete list of this years—and past years—winners in many categories. Pretty great lists for collection development in children’s lit...

4) Read Driftless This Year



The All Iowa Reads title chosen for 2010 is Driftless by David Rhodes. Marking his first new novel in 30 years, Rhodes returns to a Midwest setting with this fictional tale set in Wisconsin.

“…a fascinating and entirely unsentimental portrait of a town apparently left behind by the march of time. Home to a few hundred people yet absent from state maps, Words, Wisconsin, comes richly to life by way of an extraordinary cast of characters. Among them, a middle- aged couple guards the family farm from the mendacious schemes of their milk co-operative; a lifelong paraplegic suddenly regains the use of her legs, only to find herself crippled by fury at her sister and caretaker; a woman of conflicting impulses and pastor of the local Friends church stumbles upon an enlightenment she never expected; a cantankerous retiree discovers a cougar living in his haymow, haunting him like a childhood memory; and a former drifter forever alters the ties that bind a community together…”

To facilitate your local book discussions, visit the Iowa Center for the Book where you’ll find posters, book marks, discussion questions, and information about the author. Also note that each LSA office received 18 copies of Driftless; Northwest LSA is now taking reservations from libraries wanting to borrow multiple copies for book groups. Janie handles reserving and routing the books around the region; put your library on the waiting list by using our online reservation form here
http://www.nwils.lib.ia.us/spcollendpol/airform


5) Meetings / Events This Week



It’s ISLOC this week, Thursday Jan.21—an all-day online conference. Join us for “From Lemons to Lemonade…Thriving and Surviving in Tough Times.” Find registration and full details in the c.e. catalog.

And don’t forget Wednesday night Jan.20 for the All Iowa Reads book discussion of Driftless. That’s over the ICN from 6:30PM—8:00PM. In Sioux City, it’s Heelan High School’s ICN room; elsewhere in Northwest Iowa it’s Hawarden Public Library, Coon Rapids-Bayard HS, and Denison National Guard. Registration closes this very AM, so hurry to the c.e catalog.

Monday Morning Eye-Opener 1/11/2010

Good Morning! In today’s EYE-OPENER …….

1) Last Push for Online Conference
2) Library Supply Vendors 2010
3) Spencer Claims the Word Blizzard
4) Meetings / Events This Week

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1) Last Push For Online Conference

The 3rd annual ISLOC—Iowa Small Libraries Online Conference—is next week, January 21st. It’s an ambitious all-day-online event sponsored by the LSAs. With limited budgets and too few staff to allow long distance travel to far-flung conference cities, ISLOC fills an important niche for small libraries. And thanks to the State Library for their support, it all takes place in our new Adobe Classrooms.

Year 3 is loaded with great programs throughout the day. The theme for 2010 follows the “libraries in tough times” theme that’s been behind many LSA workshops this year. The title follows suit: “From Lemons to Lemonade: Libraries Surviving and Thriving in Tough Times.” This year, Sara Houghton-Jan as the morning keynote speaker, a popular conference speaker nationwide. She is the Digital Futures Manager with San Jose Public Library and the author of The Librarian in Black Blog.

The evening program is aimed at library trustees. The evening keynoter is George Needham, a nationally known speaker, consultant, trainer, and guest author at WebJunction. “…George understands the many challenges we face in the profession these days: how to stay relevant in a 24/7 networked world? How to make the case for continued funding from public sources in tough economic times?...”

Sandwiched between the AM and PM keynote presentations are plenty of breakout sessions like

· Youth Services Emerging Trends

· Customer Service from Trump Entertainment

· Marketing via Social Networking

· Outreach to Youth

· Beyond the Book Club—More Adult Programming Ideas

· Teaching Adult Learners in Your Library

Registration is open for another week. So Jan.21, why not stay home in your jammies, make a big pot of coffee, and join a great online conference from the comfort of your own hearth! Join us! Registration is open in the CE Catalog.


2) Library Supply Vendors 2010

When shopping for library supplies—from labels to mylar jackets, even shelving and furniture—school and public libraries should take advantage of discounts negotiated with supply companies like Demco, Highsmith, Brodart, Jones Library Sales, and more.

North Central LSA coordinates this project every year. All supply vendors are listed here and note: to be eligible for the discounts, you must reference the bid number assigned by each company:
http://www.nclsa.lib.ia.us/Supply%20Bids/LibrarySupplyVendors.htm


3) Spencer Claims the Word Blizzard

Estherville’s claim to originating the word blizzard is being challenged by nearby Spencer. All because Sharon Joy at Spencer Library was less than overjoyed by the snow dumping of recent weeks. So she did some research and now has evidence that Romanzo Coates, a Spencer pioneer, first coined the phrase—or rather, his wife did. Long story, but suffice to say that the Des Moines Register featured this story January 2nd on their website: www.desmoinesregister.com So it’s Spencer vs Estherville in the battle for blizzard—snowballs at 20 paces! Thanks to Kay and Sharon for sharing the Des Moines Register story!

4) Meetings / Events This Week

It’s Planning for Results this Friday, January 15, the first in a series of online classes from Northwest LSA this winter. Planning For Results describes new service responses for public libraries these days—and offers much easier ways to write mission statements, goals, and objectives. It runs from 9:30—11:30AM; once you register in the c.e. catalog, you’ll receive the link to NWILS Adobe Classroom. Registration is open in the CE CATALOG.