Adult Programming Ideas

NWILS Monday Morning Eye-Opener has started a series of articles on adult programming ideas. We're anxious to learn of the programs you've hosted in your own libraries for adult and senior audiences. Have you brought in Iowa authors, Humanities scholars, or storytellers? Have you taken a new angle with book discussion groups? How about unique exhibits and displays? What types of fundraisers has your library sponsored?

Please share your ideas with Northwest libraries by adding your ideas and comments below. We'll cull through the ideas from week to week and include them in EYE-OPENER too. Thanks!

Computing Tips & Tricks @ LAKESIDE LEARNING

Thanks to all who attended LAKESIDE LEARNING 2005 at Storm Lake! You all made it our highest attendance yet!

The program on Day 1 shared an assortment of computing tips & tricks, along with valuable websites for reference work and library management.

Here's your chance to chime in with your favorites. Share a trick or an especially fun feature of any software application (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.) Or share some favorite websites that you turn to often in your library.

If you share--and post your favorites on NWILS blog--you'll receive extra c.e. credit points. So join in. Blogging is fun--and you'll come away saying "hey, that was easy!"

Wireless Connections & Laptop Computer Policies

One Northwest library recently asked our office for sample laptop policies, specifically for libraries with wireless Internet connections. Another good question, but a topic for which we have very few samples.

There's a good article on this topic at Web Junction Iowa: “Web Junction’s Focus on Wireless Internet Access in Public Libraries.” Here’s the link: http://ia.webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=11027

Without sample policies on the topic to share just yet, this becomes another good question to pose to you practioners out there and see who can chime in. Just click on "comments" below to read answers from your colleagues in Northwest Iowa libraries.

Insurance on Library Contents

One Northwest library director recently asked our office about how other libraries determine the right amount of insurance to carry on the building's contents. Knowing that many libraries use the BOWKER ANNUAL to help with average book prices in various categories...but what about the rest of the library's furniture and fixtures?

A good question, indeed! So I turned to actual practitioners out there: starting with our group of back-up reference libraries, along with our Advisory Council. Just click on "comments" to read several thoughtful answers from your colleagues in Northwest Iowa libraries.