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.