Monday Morning Eye Opener 05/18/09

Good Morning! Today in EYE-OPENER…

1) Gaming Survey From Game Lab
2) Scholarship Announcement for Small Libraries
3) Spring Paper Order Through IEC
4) Meetings / Events This Week

1) Gaming Survey From Game Lab: The Library School at Syracuse University, in cooperation with Champaign-Urbana University in Illinois and ALA, has been researching gaming programs in libraries for about 2 years. Via an online survey, they’re asking input from libraries of all types that held gaming programs in 2008. Since many of you gamers are freshly back from Northwest’s “Get Your Game On” workshop in Storm Lake, you’ll be interested in this survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=_2f7OHgA9CgOiCtqEc_2bjGnug_3d_3d

Here’s a description “…Time for the census of 2008 library gaming programs! Did your public, academic, school, or special library run a gaming program in 2008? Did you have Chess, Scrabble, Computer games, Console games or ANY other type of gaming as a library program? It's time to tell us about it. These surveys have been valuable in helping us to understand how libraries are using the data. Additionally, survey answers are useful in getting grant funding for the field and helps us to demonstrate how we are taking gaming seriously…You can take the survey at—the survey will be open until May 31st…”

From the Library Game Lab of Syacuse “…Many libraries are integrating gaming into their offerings for users, targeting younger members of the community. Libraries are bringing in teenagers through gaming programs who haven’t visited since their parents brought them to storytime, and many are being exposed to other library services in the process. Cleverly placed books and media on computers, games, and other related activities go home with the users. One role of many libraries is to serve as a community center where people living in the same area can meet and enjoy activities together. Games, as the next new media, are quickly being integrated into library services as an offering for groups of users who may not frequent the library for other reasons. As with any phenomenon, scientists wish to understand more about this intersection of gaming and libraries…”

To see the publications that have come from previous surveys, click here http://gamelab.syr.edu/publications/

2) Scholarship Announcement for Small Libraries: Very cool news from the Iowa Small Libraries Association (ISLA) The Exec Board has approved offering a $500.00 scholarship for one ISLA member to attend the Association For Rural and Small Libraries Annual Conference in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The national conference is September 11-13 in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

ISLA has finalized the application criteria; an email went out last Wednesday with full details. It’s too much to reprint here, but essentially an essay contest will determine the winner. Applicants must be able to verify that they’ll have the full support of their board and can pay for travel and other incidental expenses beyond the scholarship amount. In fact, essays must be accompanied by a letter from the board confirming that very thing. The $500.00 scholarship is slated to cover conference registration and hotel expenses. Essays are not to exceed 1,000 words. Applications will be accepted until June 15, the winner will be notified by July 1.

Have you heard of the ARSL? Here’s their mission statement “… “The mission of the Association for Rural and Small Libraries is to provide a network of people and materials to support rural and small library staff, volunteers, and trustees to integrate the library thoroughly with the life and work of the community it serves…” For more information about the Association For Rural & Small Libraries, visit their website.

So there are membership opportunities aplenty here! Again, scholarship applicants must first be members of ISLA; find out about how to do that at their website. And I’ll bet whatever Iowa library staff is awarded the scholarship will want to join ARSL, too.

Again, full scholarship details were posted on IOWALIB last Wednesday. If you didn’t see it come through, you’re welcome to contact NWILS office and we’ll gladly forward the information. Wouldn’t it be great if a Northwest library is the lucky winner?!

3) Spring Paper Order Through IEC: If it’s time to load up on your paper supplies, then there’s no time like the present. And no way to beat the prices through the Iowa Educator’s Consortium. The IEC spring paper bid was awarded to the Paper Corporation in Des Moines and the bid offers excellent pricing on a large variety of copy paper, colors, and sizes. Orders are due by May 26. From the IEC website, you can see all the paper choices and download an order form. This is a very good option for libraries large and small. Northwest LSA buys our paper this way and we just ordered 6 cases of varied colors (10 reams per case) for approximately $185.00 including shipping. Act quickly and visit the IEC website for this paper deal—and lots of other good deals!

4) Meetings / Events This Week: Another Career Reading Roundtable this Friday May 22nd—online in Central LSAs Wimba Classroom. The time is 9:00AM—11:00AM and the book under discussion is Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping by Paco Underhill. It’s a good book for all you shopaholics out there! Registration is still open in the c.e. catalog; the roundtable is worth 1 c.e. credit. Here’s the link to Central LSA Wimba Classroom
http://webj.wimba.com/launcher.cgi?room=ia_cilsa

We’re closing in on one full year of Career Reading Roundtable, an online book discussion group with a twist: a chance for library staff to read books on topics like public speaking, customer service, communication skills—books outside of library literature. But it’s the online discussion that sparks conversation about how to apply the ideas to library service. It’s a neat concept and one that lots of people statewide have been enjoying.

Since last summer, this book group has read Made to Stick, Everything is Miscellaneous, The Power of Nice, The Back of the Napkin, Good in a Room, and this Friday’s title Why We Buy. This book group has been a great way for me to stretch my personal reading choices. And it’s always fun to hear how others make the connections to library service. And one more benefit: these titles are highly recommended business books to buy for your library collection.

Upcoming titles on deck:

How to Talk About Books You Haven’t Read, Grown up Digital, and The Power of Small. Watch the c.e. catalog for dates. And join us this Friday for Why We Buy!

Next Monday is Memorial Day—already. NWILS office will be closed and EYE-OPENER takes a holiday too. With Memorial Day and a vacation following, EYE-OPENER will be back on June 8. Enjoy a safe holiday weekend!

Past issues of Monday Morning Eye-Opener are archived on NWILS website…

Monday Morning Eye Opener 5/11/09

Good Morning and Happy Mother’s Day to All

1) Games in Libraries Podcast:

2) Scholarship Announcement for Small Libraries

3) Children’s Choice Award Winner

4) Meetings / Events This Week

1) Games in Libraries Podcast: For everyone who attended our workshop last week called “Get Your Game On,” here’s a timely follow-up piece. Every month, the website Games in Libraries.Org posts podcasts about gaming programs in libraries. Eli Neiburger and Beth Gallaway are well-known technology specialists and frequent contributors. Neiburger is the author of Gamers…in the Library? The Why, What, and How of Videogame Tournaments for All Ages (ALA, c2007) At Games in Libraries.Org, the May podcast was posted last week and includes

· Winners of the $5,000.00 Verizon Foundation Gaming Grants

· Review of Oregon and Board Game Podcasts

· The upcoming Wii Motion Plus

· Free gaming in libraries class on YouTube

Scroll down the page for more archived gaming podcasts. And remember to visit the new toolkit from ALA called Libraries, Literacy, & Gaming: An Online Toolkit for Building Gaming Programs @ Your Library. Great resources here…

2) Scholarship Announcement for Small Libraries: Very cool news from the Iowa Small Libraries Association (ISLA) The Exec Board has approved offering a $500.00 scholarship for one ISLA member to attend the Association For Rural and Small Libraries Annual Conference in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The national conference is September 11-13 in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

An essay contest will determine the winner; applicants must be able to verify that they’ll have the full support of their board and can pay for travel and other incidental expenses beyond the scholarship amount. The $500.00 scholarship is slated to cover conference registration and hotel expenses.

Have you heard of the ARSL? Here’s their mission statement “… “The mission of the Association for Rural and Small Libraries is to provide a network of people and materials to support rural and small library staff, volunteers, and trustees to integrate the library thoroughly with the life and work of the community it serves…”

So there are membership opportunities aplenty here! Again, scholarship applicants must first be members of ISLA; find out about how to do that at their website. And I’ll bet whatever Iowa library staff is awarded the scholarship will want to join ARSL, too. Look for more details about ISLA’s scholarship coming later this month. For more information about the Association For Rural & Small Libraries, visit their website.

3) Children’s Choice Award Winner: We have a winner…the Iowa Children’s Choice book for 2008—2009 is Abduction! by Peg Kehret. This year, 659 votes came in from students and patrons of 273 public schools and home schoolers. Other titles in the running were No Dogs Allowed and Larry, the King of Rock & Roll. This year’s teen award winner is Just Listen by Sarah Dessen. For a complete list of the Iowa Children’s Choice books, along with past Iowa Teen Award Winners, visit the Iowa Association of School Libraries website—a subdivision of ILA.

4) Meetings / Events This Week: Cushing Library Board, along with Correctionville and Anthon, have scheduled a trustee orientation for tomorrow night, Tues May 13. Cushing Library is hosting this program, starting at 6:30PM.

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!

C.E. Jamboree May 5 - 6

Good Morning! Last call for C.E. Jamboree next week.

1) Last Call For C.E. Jamboree: We’re one week away from C. E. Jamboree next Tues—Wed May 5-6 at Prairie Lakes AEA in Storm Lake. “Get Your Game On” on Tuesday May 5th in a fun-filled workshop about gaming programs @ your library. Kim Kietzman from Southeastern Library Services will lead off the day with a focus on using the Wii device. Dave Netz will lead a discussion to learn about what kinds of gaming programs are happening in your libraries. There’ll be studious time, too, for participants to draft a gaming policy. But not to worry—we’re building in time for a little bowling and golf, too—we’re even planning a tournament. And that’s just Day 1!

Day 2 May 6th brings back the multiple breakout sessions. Amanda Winseck, Iowa’s EBSCO representative, presents the general session to explain EBSCO’s new features. Breakout sessions follow with these topics:
• The Buddy System: Collaborating on the Web (Tena Hanson & Sarah Willeford)
• Merchandising Your Collection (Kim Kietzman)
• EBSCO Continued (Amanda Winseck)
• NWILS Website—New & Improved (Janie Beaulieu & Jean Chesterman)
• A Few Dollars More—Grant Writing Success (Nathan Clark)
• Director Roundtable Discussion (Valerie Haverhals)
Each day runs from 9:30AM—3:30PM for 5 c.e. credits each day, with breakfast and lunch catered ($15.00 fee each day) Registration required through the c.e. catalog—but hurry because registration closes Wednesday this week.

2) Meetings / Events This Week: For libraries joining the WILBOR Consortium this spring, NWILS is offering orientation sessions this week as an overview of what WILBOR is all about. This happens online in Northwest’s Wimba classroom
http://67.202.209.252/launcher.cgi?room=ia_nwils

Four scheduled sessions; they all repeat, so choose the one most convenient.
• Wednesday April 29—9:30AM OR 1:30PM
• Friday May 1—9:30AM OR 1:30PM

Certainly, any WILBOR library past-present-future is welcome to attend. Hear background and highlights, along with reminders of the various resources available to help with support, promotions, and troubleshooting. It’s not considered training or “c.e. worthy,” just an informal discussion, a chance to chat and answer questions. No advance registration required.

WILBOR is a consortium providing affordable access to downloadable audio books. This brand new service launched in June of 2008 and now boasts a collection of over 1,800 digital audio books. Approximately 65 titles are added each month. The average cost per title (based on opening day collection) is $51.00. That’s what’s meant by “affordable access”—few small libraries could provide a collection of over 1,800 audio books in any format. That’s what makes WILBOR such a great deal—and the fact that you’re introducing current technology in an entirely new format.

How much? The cost to join is $300.00 plus .10cents per audiobook circulation in FY07-08. This is an annual fee assessed by the Consortium. To that number, add a one-time $500.00 setup fee. The initial setup fee is assessed by OverDrive, the vendor behind the content. But again, that’s a one-time-only charge; in subsequent years, the cost goes down to the annual $300+ Consortium fee.

For newcomers, the service will begin on or about July 1. To meet this spring enrollment, new participants are required to complete 2 Letters of Agreement; copies are available at Northwest LSA office. Signed Letters of Agreement must be returned to Central LSA office by May 30. Your first payment will be due in mid-July. Central LSA office invoices all participants; checks are made payable and sent back to Central LSA. Call NWILS office with questions and to request copies of the Letters of Agreement (again, due by May 30…)

The spring enrollment has been extended to May 30, so there’s plenty of time to put WILBOR on your May board agendas. 96 libraries across four LSAs are participating; 31 of those are Northwest libraries—so why not yours? The spring enrollment means there’s room for more! Directors, staff, and trustees are encouraged to attend this week’s orientation sessions to learn more!

For more information on this newsletter check out http://www.nwils.lib.ia.us.

C.E. Jamboree May 5th & 6th

Mark your calendar for Northwest LSA’s C.E. Jamboree 2009, coming up May 5-6 at Prairie Lakes AEA in Storm Lake. “Get Your Game On” for Day 1 as we spend the day learning about how to bring gaming programs to your library. Kim Kietzman from Southeastern Library Services will facilitate, including a Wii game demonstration. Time for participants to draft a gaming policy plus…there’s always time for bowling and golf ... And that’s just Day 1…

Day 2 brings back multiple breakout sessions. Amanda Winseck, Iowa’s EBSCO representative, presents the morning general session to share EBSCO’s newest features. Breakout sessions follow to include these, with more in the offing…

· More About EBSCO

· The Buddy System: Using Technology to Connect & Collaborate

· Show Off Your Cyber Self

· New Services @ Your Northwest LSA!

Register online in the c.e. catalog—see you at C.E. JAMBOREE!

Monday Morning Eye Opener 4/13/09

Happy Easter and Happy National Library Week!

1) It’s WILBOR Time
2) For Trustees: Evaluating the Library Director
3) Meetings / Events This Week

1) It’s WILBOR Time: This is big news—another enrollment window is now open for libraries to join WILBOR, a consortium providing affordable access to downloadable audio books. There are currently 96 participating libraries across 4 LSAs—and 31 of those are Northwest libraries! WILBOR is a multi-type consortium, with Iowa Lakes Community College in Emmetsburg, Sioux City Community Schools, and Northwest AEA in the mix.

WILBOR launched in June of 2008 and now boasts a collection of over 1,800 digital audio books. Approximately 65 titles are added each month. The average cost per title (based on opening day collection) is $51.00. That’s what’s meant by “affordable access”—few small libraries could provide a collection of over 1,800 audio books in any format. That’s what makes WILBOR such a great deal—and the fact that you’re introducing current technology in an entirely new format.

How much? The cost to join is $300.00 plus .10cents per audiobook circulation in FY07-08. This is an annual fee assessed by the Consortium. To that number, add a one-time $500.00 setup fee. The initial setup fee is assessed by OverDrive, the vendor behind the content. But again, that’s a one-time-only charge; in subsequent years, the cost goes down to the annual $300+ Consortium fee.

For newcomers, the service will begin on or about July 1. So to meet this spring enrollment, newcomers are required to complete 2 Letter of Agreement; copies are available at Northwest LSA office. Signed Letters of Agreement must be returned to Central LSA office by May 15. Your first payment will be due in mid-July. Central LSA office invoices all participants; checks are made payable and sent back to Central LSA.

Staff at Central, Northwest, Southwest, and Southeast LSAs make up the WILBOR Management Team. We also have lots of help from participating library staff who serve on various committees. And the staff at OverDrive also conducts webinars to familiarize people with the product.

We encourage you to grab hold of this opportunity to provide a brand new service for your patrons! Toward that end, Northwest LSA will be holding WILBOR Information Sessions in our online classroom. The information sessions are scheduled for April 29 and May 1 (9:30AM and 1:30PM each day—choose whichever time is most convenient) These sessions are informal, without c.e. credit, just a chance to explain the program to new comers (might serve as a nice refresher for current WILBOR members, too) No registration required; classroom link will be provided at a later date.

It’s definitely WILBOR Time. And once you sign up, well then it’s Miller Time! Call NWILS office with questions and to request copies of the Letters of Agreement.

2) For Trustees: Evaluating the Library Director: The State Library is sponsoring an ICN program for library boards next Tuesday April 21. The title is “Evaluating the Library Director” from 5:30PM—7:00PM. From the catalog description “…One of the responsibilities of the library board is to regularly evaluate the library director. In this program, we'll discuss why an annual evaluation is important, what needs to be in place before an evaluation can take place, evaluation format, setting up a systematic process, & acting on results…”
The State Library reports that this topic of director evaluations is among the classes most frequently requested by library boards. If that’s the case, we should see a full house  Sandy Dixon and myself will be co-presenting. Northwest Iowa ICN locations are the public libraries in Hawarden, Orange City, and Spencer, plus BVU in Storm Lake and Western Iowa Tech in Sioux City. Please register online in the c.e. catalog, where you’ll find specific directions to the ICN rooms.

3) Meetings / Events This Week: Well, it’s National Library Week so you’ve got that going on  If the festivities are winding down by Friday, then catch “Keeping Current in Library Land” (April 17) sponsored by the Plymouth County Libraries. Even though this is billed as Plymouth County Staff Development, staff from libraries near or far are welcome to attend. At this writing, we’re expecting people from Sheldon, Larchwood, Sanborn, Ruthven, Alta, and Ashton. How great—the more the merrier—plus 3 c.e. credits.

Le Mars P.L. is hosting; registration at 9:00AM; program from 9:30AM—12:30PM. Online registration is open through Wednesday. Here’s a peek at the agenda:
• Welcome & Intros
• Keeping Current = means current awareness but also using new tools for new efficiencies
• Vocabulary Quiz
• Journal Alerts in EBSCO
• Subscribing to Online Newsletters
• MS Office 2007
• An Assortment of Cool Tools

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

Monday Morning Eye Opener 04/06/09

A pretty Monday morning here, as Sioux City escaped a major snow storm. Admittedly, other towns around Siouxland were not quite so lucky. This has to be the end of winter weather, right? Today in EYE-OPENER:

1) Bus Trip to ALA Exhibits
2) Hawarden’s Healthy Hike Kickoff
3) April is National Poetry Month
4) Meetings / Events This Week

1) Bus Trip to ALA Exhibits: You’ve got to hurry to catch this opportunity—not the mention this bus—to the ALA Exhibits in Chicago this July. East Central Library Services is sponsoring an overnight bus trip to visit the exhibit hall at the American Library Association Conference. The bus departs from Cedar Rapids approx 6:00AM on Saturday July 11 and leaves Chicago the afternoon of July 12. Overnight lodging is at the Wyngate by Wyndham Hotel in Schaumburg. Cost of the room is $90.00, which included 2 double beds, breakfast, and all taxes—plus it’s ½ mile from Woodfield Mall.

At this writing, East Central LSA reports they have 14-18 seats available, depending on the size of the charter bus. Cost of the bus ticket is approx $60.00. So the first leg of the trip, you’ll need to reach Cedar Rapids by Friday evening to catch the bus on Saturday morning. Still, the AEA Exhibit Hall is an impressive and very social part of the ALA Conference. In 2008, there were 5,752 exhibitors and over 16,000 people at the exhibits. This year, a new exhibit called “What’s Cooking at ALA: The ALA Cookbook Pavilion” features live demonstrations from Chicago chefs, complete with taste-testing, a display of food-related cookbooks, reference books, magazines, and more.

This bus trip is sure to be a fun way to meet your colleagues to the east—and an affordable way to experience ALA Exhibits. Contact Lily Lau at East Central LSA quickly to reserve your seat. (llau@ecls.lib.ia.us )

2) Hawarden’s Healthy Hike Kickoff: Hawarden Public Library is participating in the Healthy Hike Reading Program sponsored by Iowa Public Television. This is IPTV’s initiative designed to inspire children across the state to start exercising and reading this spring. Dan Wardell, host of IPTV’s Kid’s Clubhouse, leads the effort and makes personal appearances at many of the locations.

One elementary school classroom and one public library in each county has been selected to participate; Hawarden Public Library is Sioux County’s designate. Newell, Aurelia, and Holstein are among the other 19 Northwest participating libraries. At Hawarden Library’s kickoff last Wednesday, kids and library staff hiked for 30 minutes. Even better, all the kids have pledged to hike 30 minutes each day—and read 30 minutes each day—throughout April.

At program’s end, participating classrooms take a “Healthy Hike” to their public library for a storytime and party. The top 10 hiking / reading counties will be treated to a surprise visit from Dan Wardell. Find cute photos on Hawarden Library’s blog and read more about IPTV’s Healthy Hike Reading Program at their website. Thanks to Valerie Haverhals, Director of Hawarden Public Library, for sharing this story!
3) April is National Poetry Month: Started by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month is now held every April, when publishers, booksellers, libraries, schools—and poets—come together to celebrate poetry and its place in American culture. Thousands of libraries, businesses, and non-profit organizations participate through poetry readings, festivals, book displays, workshops, and other events. Our own Akron Public Library is celebrating National Poetry Month in a big way, with a 2-day event April 17-18 (see article below…)
From the Poets.Org website, there’s a spring book list of new poetry titles—think collection development. Find suggestions for many easy, low cost activities that libraries can sponsor. On a national poetry map, find out what’s happening state-by-state. And this is a cool feature: clicking the Poem-a-Day link let’s you sign up to receive a new poem every day of the month via email. The Info Please website has lots of good ideas too, loaded with links to famous poets—check that out, too. Is it time to bring out your inner poet?

4) Meetings / Events This Week: Don’t forget about “Rhyme Time on the Prairie” hosted by Akron Public Library. The library is sponsoring this original 2-day event April 17-18. It begins on Friday April 17 with a dinner and poetry readings by 3 guest poets: Jeanne Emmons from Briar Cliff College, Jan D. Hodge from Morningside College, and Yvonne Hollenbeck from South Dakota. On Saturday April 18, there’s a luncheon and a series of 3 poetry-writing workshops. Each guest poet will have their books for sale both days. A brochure containing bios and background information about their books is available from Akron Library or from NWILS office.

“Rhyme Time on the Prairie” takes place at the Hole in the Wall Lodge in Akron, Iowa (14396 Diamond Avenue) Cost for Friday’s dinner and poetry readings is $32.00; cost for Saturday’s workshops and luncheon is $25.00. Interested area library staff and trustees are cordially invited, but aware that this event is open to the general public and seating is limited. Make reservations by April 9th by contacting Jeannie Frerichs at Akron Public Library (phone 712-568-2601 / email akronlib@hickorytech.net )

And for our school library partners who faithfully read EYE-OPENER each week: a reminder that Northwest AEA Media Advisory Committee meets on Wednesday April 8 at the Le Mars Conference Center (940 Lincoln St) beginning at 9:30AM.

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

Happy Easter Weekend To All 

Monday Morning Eye Opener 03/30/09

Good Morning! Today in EYE-OPENER:

1) Book Lovers Book Sale in Sioux City
2) Still Time for Online Resource Trials
3) April Workshops and Promos
4) Thanks for Attending Legislative Day

1) Book Lovers Book Sale in Sioux City: Spring brings so many nice things, among them the annual “Book Lovers’ Book Sale” in Sioux City. Sponsored by the Friends of Sioux City Public Library, this yearly book sale is a big fundraiser for the Friends Group. This year, you’ll find the sale set up at the Mayfair Shopping Center (in former TJ Max store—4280 Sergeant Road) The sale runs from April 24 through May 2. Hardcover books sell for $2.00, recordings for $2.00, and paperbacks for $1.00. Here’s a look at the sale hours:

April 24—6:00PM to 9:00PM (preview sale requires $1.00 admission at the door)
April 25—10:00AM to 9:00PM
April 26—12noon to 6:00PM
April 27-30—4:00PM to 8:00PM
May 1—4:00PM to 9:00PM
May 2—10:00AM to 9:00PM

2) Still Time for Online Resource Trials: There’s still 2 weeks left to get in on this action: the State Library is holding a spring trial period for online resources. From now until April 15, you can try out several online products to see how useful they would be in your library. These represent some of the best Internet-based resources available for K12, college, and public libraries, including:
 Access Newspaper Archive = a database of digitized Iowa newspapers
 BookFLIX from Scholastic = videos and read-along helpers to favorite children’s books; very child friendly
 EBSCO = add-on databases like Hobbies & Crafts, Small Engine Repair, Home Improvement, and Novelist; these are add-ons, not currently available in the current statewide EBSCOHost contract
 Facts on File = topic-focused database
 ProQuest = similar to EBSCOHost

The State Library partners with Iowa Area Education Agencies and the Iowa Educators Consortium to provide these free statewide trials. To access the trial databases, go to Iowa Educators Consortium website and follow the on-screen instructions. Consider this a chance to test drive some of the best information products on the market—for free during this trial period! Nothing to lose, everything to learn—give it a whirl  Contact Jay Peterson at the State Library with any questions (jay.peterson@lib.state.ia.us )

3) April Workshops and Promos: It’s nearly April—can warmer temps be far behind? There are several workshops coming up around the region and around the state. And course…National Library Week, too. Please share news of these training opportunities with your staff and board and sign up for whatever looks good. Actually, it’s all sure to be good! Here’s a preview:

April 17 = “Keeping Current in Libraryland.” In person @ LeMars Public Library, 9:30AM—12:30PM for 3 c.e. credits. Sponsored by the Plymouth County Library Association as a county staff development day, but attendance is open to everyone. Topics will include tips like subscribing to online journals, setting journal alerts, using web-based tools to find efficiencies and time-savers. Plus a fun vocabulary quiz to help make sense of techie jargon and acronyms. Hands-on computer practice, too. Register in the c.e. catalog…

April 21 = “For Trustees: Evaluating the Library Director.” Statewide over the ICN, 5:30PM—7:00PM for 1.5 c.e. credits. Sponsored by the State Library. “…One of the responsibilities of the library board is to regularly evaluate the library director. In this class we'll discuss why an annual evaluation is important, what needs to be in place before an evaluation can take place, evaluation format, setting up a systematic process, & acting on results. For a list of all ICN locations, and to register, see the c.e. catalog…

April 24 = “ISLA Spring Meeting.” Held at 7 ICN locations across Iowa, 10:00AM—3:00PM for 2 c.e. credits. Sponsored by the Iowa Small Library Association. The morning session is a business meeting. After lunch, the program continues with a 1-hour presentation called “Small Libraries: How to be the Answer in Tough Times;” that’s followed by a roundtable discussion. ICN locations include
 Okoboji High School in Milford
 Onawa West Monona High School in Onawa
 Ankeny Public Library
 Solon Public Library
 Creston Public Library
 Waverly Public Library
 Oskaloosa Public Library

Note that ISLA members attend for free; otherwise, ILA members $5.00 registration fee / non ILA members $10.00 registration fee. Online registration is expected to be through the c.e.catalog. In the meantime, direct any questions to Nathan Clark, ISLA President, at nclark@emmetsburg.lib.ia.us

April 27—29 = “Kids First Conference” In person at the Gateway Inn and Conference Center, Ames. Conference registration is $30.00 each day. “…Kids First is a three day conference, April 27-29, 2009 specifically focused on youth services in libraries. There will be five nationally known speakers and classes dealing with all aspects of youth services - babies through teens. We invite you to attend all three days if possible or any one or two days as per your schedule. Please click on this link for more detailed information and a registration form: http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/ld/youth-services/kidsfirst/kf2009
Kids First is sponsored by the State Library of Iowa in cooperation with Children and Young Peoples Forum of the Iowa Library Association. Funded by federal Library Services and Technology Act funds and the Hazel Westgate Endowment.

And the promo piece in all of this is National Library Week. Celebrate April 12-18 with a great theme this year: “Worlds Connect @ Your Library.” Actress Jamie Lee Curtis is the national spokesperson. For even more promotional ideas, there are a couple of neat spin-offs with National Library Workers Day on April 14 and Support Teen Literature Day on April 16. Read all about it on the National Library Week website, where you’ll find tons of online resources, public service announcements, and more!

4) Thanks for Attending Legislative Day: Thanks to all Northwesterners who traveled to Des Moines last week for ILA Legislative Day. Library staff and trustees from Spencer, Peterson, Storm Lake, Emmetsburg, Ruthven, Lorhville, Carroll, Coon Rapids, and Briar Cliff College were are represented and had lively conversations with Northwest Iowa legislators. Admittedly a long drive in for all of you, not to mention a bleak budget year. Please know that Northwest LSA staff and board truly appreciates your time. And your steady support of Northwest Library Services—working alongside you!

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

Monday Morning Eye Opener 03/23/09

Good Morning! Today in EYE-OPENER:

1) C. E. Jamboree May 5-6
2) Two April C.E. Opportunities
3) Sioux Rapids Receives Grant
4) Meetings / Events This Week

1) C. E. Jamboree May 5-6: Protect your calendar for Northwest LSA’s “C.E. Jamboree 2009,” May 5-6 at Prairie Lakes AEA in Storm Lake. On May 5th, “Get Your Game On” in a fun-filled workshop about bringing gaming programs to your library. Kim Kietzman from Southeastern Library Services will facilitate the day’s discussion, including a Wii game demonstration. There’ll be studious time for participants to draft a gaming policy, but there’ll be time for a little bowling and golf, too—we’re even planning a tournament  And that’s just Day 1…
Day 2 brings back the multiple breakout sessions. Amanda Winseck, Iowa’s EBSCO representative, presents the general session to explain EBSCO’s new features. Breakout sessions follow with these topics:
• The Buddy System: Collaborating on the Web (Tena Hanson & Sarah Willeford)
• Merchandising Your Collection (Kim Kietzman)
• EBSCO Continued (Amanda Winseck)
• NWILS Website—New & Improved (Janie Beaulieu & Jean Chesterman)
• A Few Dollars More—Grant Writing Success (Nathan Clark)
• Roundtable Discussion
Each day runs from 9:30AM—3:30PM for 5 c.e. credits each day, with breakfast and lunch catered ($15.00 fee each day) Registration required through the c.e. catalog—avoid the rush and register for “Jamboree 2009!” today!

2) Two April C.E. Opportunities: Before Jamboree, April sees two more workshops. On April 17, Le Mars Public Library hosts Plymouth County Staff Development Day. Planners chose “Keeping Current in Libraryland;” registration at 9:00AM, workshop 9:30AM—12:30PM for 3 c.e. credits. “Keeping Current” inspires library staff to use tools like journal alerts, online newsletter subscriptions, list serves, instant messaging and more devices to stay current and connected. A vocabulary quiz and hands-on computer time included. For 3 c.e. credits, please register online in the c.e. catalog.
And on April 24, the Iowa Small Libraries Association holds its spring meeting—this year at 6 locations across the state. At this writing, locations are the public libraries in Ankeny, Solon, Creston, Waverly, and Oskaloosa. Note: the 6th location will be in Northwest Iowa, but unexpected scheduling problems have us searching for a new site—we’ll let you know where it lands 
Beginning at 10:00AM, all 6 sites connect via the ICN for a morning business meeting. Join that discussion to help ISLA members further their mission to “empower Iowa’s small libraries.” Lunch on-your-own, after which the ICN format continues with a one-hour presentation entitled “Small Libraries: How to be the Answer in Tough Times.” A roundtable discussion follows.
Registration for ISLA members is free; otherwise the cost is $5.00 for ILA members, $10.00 for non-members. (Make checks payable to IOWA LIBRARY ASSOCIATION) Registration is open in the c.e. catalog. Please direct any further questions to Nathan Clark at Emmetsburg Public Library eclark@emmetsburg.lib.ia.us or phone 712-852-4009.

3) Sioux Rapids Receives Grant: Martha Landsness from Sioux Rapids Public Library reports that Sioux Rapids Public Library received a $1,000.00 grant from the Lois Lenski Foundation. The grant enables the library to purchase new children’s books—and just in time for the Summer Reading Program, too!
From the Foundation’s website “…Lois Lenski, the 1946 Newbery medalist for Strawberry Girl, had a life-long concern that good books be available to all children. In pursuit of this goal, she established a foundation to provide grants to public libraries, school libraries, and non-profit agencies serving disadvantaged populations…”
Find out more on the website…and thanks to Martha for sharing this good news from Sioux Rapids—congratulations!

4) Meetings / Events This Week: It’s an action-packed week, beginning today with a “Career Reading Roundtable” online book discussion. As you read this, we’re in Central LSA’s Wimba room discussing Good in a Room.

Tuesday Mar24: NWILS Board holds its March meeting online in NWILS Wimba Room. Physical locations at NWILS office in Sioux City and at Spencer Public Library. The meeting begins at 2:00PM and is open to the public; the agenda is posted on our website.

Wednesday Mar25: ILA Legislative Day in Des Moines. Briefing begins at 2:00PM in the Vocational Rehab Building; a reception with legislators follows at 4:00PM in the State Law Library at the Capitol Building. Find all details of time and place on ILA’s website. One last plea: we need all the library boosters we can get. And we’ll be most grateful if you’ll stand with us to convey how essential libraries are in tough times. Thanks!

Thursday Mar26: Public Library Management 1 begins on Thursday this week, with the first day of class meeting at Urbandale Public Library 9:30AM—3:30PM. Several new Northwest directors are in the mix this spring. It’s an 8-week extravaganza and I’m on deck to teach it in this spring rotation.
Come Friday, well…I’m sleeping in!

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

Northwest Iowa Library Services
Monday Morning Eye-Opener

Good Morning! Today in EYE-OPENER:

1) Akron Library Hosting a Poetry Event
2) Let’s Just Say…They’re on Roll
3) Time to Try Online Resources
4) Career Reading Roundtable March 23

1) Akron Library Hosting a Poetry Event: Akron Public Library will celebrate National Poetry Month in April in a big way. The library is sponsoring “Rhyme Time on the Prairie,” an original 2-day event April 17-18. It begins on Friday April 17 with a dinner and poetry readings by 3 guest poets: Jeanne Emmons from Briar Cliff College, Jan D. Hodge from Morningside College, and Yvonne Hollenbeck from South Dakota. On Saturday April 18, there’s a luncheon and a series of 3 poetry-writing workshops. Each guest poet will have their books for sale both days. A brochure containing bios and background information about their books is available from Akron Library or from NWILS office.

”Rhyme Time on the Prairie” takes place at the Hole in the Wall Lodge in Akron, Iowa (14396 Diamond Avenue) If you haven’t visited the Hole in the Wall Lodge, what a great chance! It’s a hunting resort that also doubles as a venue for wedding receptions and business meetings. And check out the menu for this poetry program: Friday night’s dinner includes winter prairie salad, French onion soup, choice of salmon or chicken marsala, wine and other beverages. Saturday’s lunch is chicken salad croissants, fruit salads, desserts, and beverages.

Cost for Friday’s dinner and poetry readings is $32.00; cost for Saturday’s workshops and luncheon is $25.00. Interested area library staff and trustees are cordially invited! Just be aware that this event is open to the general public and seating is limited. Make reservations or direct any questions to Jeannie Frerichs at Akron Public Library by calling 712-568-2601 or by emailing akronlib@hickorytech.net

2) Let’s Just Say…They’re On a Roll: Last week, EYE-OPENER tooted news of some nice grant-writing going on in Palo Alto County. Emmetsburg Public Library and their Friends Group each received grants from casino funding. Ruthven Library received 2 separate grants and the Palo Alto County Library Association also received 2 grants, one for digital projectors and one to pay WILBOR entry fees for all the libraries in the spring enrollment.

But wait, there’s more grant news: Emmetsburg Public library just learned that it’s the recipient of 50 books from the Toyota Corporation. Emmetsburg is one of 200 public libraries in the U.S. to receive a collection of 50 books translated from Japanese literature. In a mix of fiction and non-fiction, the library will receive translated works from award-winning Japanese authors in mysteries, historical fiction, fantasy, horror, as well as non-fiction books on Japanese history and culture. This particular grant is sponsored by Toyota and the International Relations Office of the American Library Association.

Thanks to Nathan Clark at Emmetsburg / Ruthven Libraries for sharing this impressive news about successful grant-writing and successful county library collaboration. Pretty good story, huh? That’s why Nathan is joining the line-up of speakers at NWILS C.E. Jamboree to share how they did it. C.E Jamboree is May 5-6 at Prairie Lakes AEA in Storm Lake. Registration is open in the c.e. catalog, so beat the rush and register today 

3) Time to Try Online Resources: The State Library has announced a spring trial period for online resources. From now until April 15, you can try out several online products to see how useful they would be in your library. These represent some of the best Internet-based library resources available for K12, college, and public libraries, including:
 Access Newspaper Archive = a database of digitized Iowa newspapers
 BookFLIX from Scholastic = videos and read-along helpers to favorite children’s books; very child friendly
 EBSCO = add-on databases like Hobbies & Crafts, Small Engine Repair, Home Improvement, and Novelist; these are add-ons, not currently available in the current statewide EBSCOHost contract
 Facts on File = topic-focused database
 ProQuest = similar to EBSCOHost

The State Library partners with Iowa Area Education Agencies and the Iowa Educators Consortium to provide these free statewide trials. To access the trial databases, go to Iowa Educators Consortium website and follow the on-screen instructions. Consider this a chance to test drive some of the best information products on the market—for free during this trial period! Nothing to lose, everything to learn—give it a whirl  Contact Jay Peterson at the State Library with any questions (jay.peterson@lib.state.ia.us )

4) Career Reading Roundtable March 23: Have you been part of “Career Reading Roundtable” yet? It’s an online book discussion with a twist: a chance for library staff to read books on topics like public speaking, customer service, communication skills—books outside of library literature. But it’s the online discussion (in Central LSA’s Wimba Classroom) that sparks conversation about how to apply the ideas to library service. It’s a neat concept and one that lots of people statewide have been enjoying.

The next Career Reading Roundtable is Monday March 23rd. This time, the book is Good in a Room: How to Sell Yourself and Your Ideas and Win Over Any Audience by Stephanie Palmer. “Good in a room” is an expression that comes from Hollywood, where scriptwriters pitch their ideas to movie studios. Author Stephanie Palmer worked for MGM for 7 years, where she heard LOTS of ideas pitched. In the book, she explains why some ideas make it and some ideas don’t. Join the discussion next Monday to talk about how to apply her advice toward furthering library projects important to you—we’ll talk about how to be “good in a room.” This program runs from 9:00AM—11:00AM and is worth 2 c.e. credits. Register online in the c.e. catalog; once registered, you’ll receive an email confirmation with a link to Central LSA’s Wimba Classroom. See you then!

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