Monday Morning Eye Opener 07/13/09

Monday Morning Eye Opener 07/13/09

Good Morning. How about this...a new fiscal year and a new look for the EYE-Opener!

1. July Display Idea

2. Plymouth County Libraries Win Grant

3. Enrich Iowa Reports Due

4. Meetings / Events This Week

1) July Display Idea

Knowing my fondness for milestone anniversaries, how could I have missed touting this earlier? This week marks the 40^th anniversary of the first moon landing, leading to one of the most famous quotes of the 20^th century: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” So how about a book display and reading list on the Apollo Missions and all things lunar :-)

For some great resources and retrospectives on Apollo 11’s historic moon walk, check out these sites:

· NASA www.nasa.gov

· Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum www.nasm.si.edu

· The History Place www.historyplace.com

· NASA Regional Educator Resource Center at Northwest AEA in Sioux City

http://www.nwaea.k12.ia.us/en/programs_and_services/nasas_regional_educator_resource_center/

This site should be especially cool: We Choose the Moon www.wechoosethemoon.org goes live on Thursday July 16, 90 minutes before 90 minutes before the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 launch from Cape Canaveral, Fla. It will track the capsule’s route from the Earth to the Moon, ending with the moon landing and Armstrong’s walk — in real time, but 40 years later.

40 years after the first moon walk, the crew of Space Shuttle Endeavor launched last night at 6:15pm enroute to the International Space Station. You can follow this shuttle mission in real time on the Smithsonian website above…

2) Plymouth County Libraries Win Grant

Good news for two libraries in Plymouth County: Akron and Le Mars Libraries received a grant totaling $17,700.00 from the Iowa State Historical Society. The grant will be used to digitize 107 rolls of microfilm. This grant, in combination with a grant from the Plymouth County Local Option Sales Tax monies, will make it possible to digitize 50 rolls of the Akron Hometowner and the Akron Register (essentially all of their collection) as well as another 57 rolls of the Le Mars Sentinel. These digitized newspapers will be then be accessible and searchable online. The process began July 1; the work is being done by Heritage Microfilm. Thanks to Sue Kroesche for sharing this story!

3) Enrich Iowa Reports Due

Last month, libraries were required to renew their participation in Enrich Iowa. (Enrich Iowa includes Open Access, ILL Reimbursement, and Direct State Aid) This month—by July 31 actually—libraries are required to report their Enrich Iowa transactions for FY2008—2009.

Here’s what’s expected: for Open Access, report how many items your library checked out to Open Access patrons. For ILL Reimbursement, report how many items your library loaned to others via interlibrary loan. But here’s a nice shortcut: you only need to report if you have ILL lending transactions done outside of SILO and OCLC. If all your ILL lending transactions were done through SILO and OCLC, there is no need to report because the State Library can access those statistics. And for Direct State Aid, report how your library spent its DSA money for FY09. You’ll see categories to indicate whether you spent it on collections, technology, furniture, programming, etc.

Find all three report forms on the State Library’s website here
http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/ld/enrich-ia. There’s also a link there to check the status of whether your Enrich Iowa reports have been received. Again, the deadline here is July 31^st…

4) Meeting / Events This Week

The George Public Library Board meets tonight July 13 at 5:30PM to discussion automation plans.

Also, area libraries are welcome to join Albert City Library Board on Thursday July 16 for a program called “Building Effective Boards.” Beginning with a light supper at 5:00PM, the program follows from 5:30—7:30PM. Register quickly via the c.e. catalog so the Albert City crew knows how many to expect.

One more date reminder, this time a deadline: the fall Public Library Management courses are open for registration, but the deadline to register for PLM1 is this Thursday July 16; deadline for PLM2 is July 24. Again, that’s done via the c.e. catalog.

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

Monday Morning Eye Opener 7/6/09

Good Morning!

1) Fall Public Library Management Classes Open
2) Board Development Days
3) Top 100 Picture Books Poll
4) Meetings / Events This Week

1) Fall Public Library Management Classes Open: The State Library has finalized the schedule for the fall 2009 Public Library Management Courses. Both PLM1 and PLM2 are open for online registration in the c.e. catalog.
This fall, Sarah Willeford with Ankeny Public Library is teaching PLM1, which starts on Thursday August 20 (registration deadline is July 16…) Susan Henricks with Dubuque Public Library is teaching PLM2, which starts on Tuesday August 18 (registration deadline here is July 24…)

Completing both PLM1 and PLM2 are required of newly hired directors in order for their libraries to continue receiving Direct State Aid funding. Each course runs 8 weeks. The first class is held face-to-face in the Des Moines area; thereafter, the remaining 7 classes are held over the ICN. Great courses, great training—so for all new directors who need to complete the PLM courses, please register soon. More details of time and place found in the c.e. catalog.

2) Board Development Days: More countywide collaboration is always a good goal. And one easy approach is to schedule board development days for the libraries in your county. Experience shows that a 2-hour evening meeting is the best bet for optimum trustee attendance. Choose a topic and location and voila—countywide board development!

It’s a great way for trustees, directors and staff in a county (or adjoining counties, that works too!) to come together for shared learning and conversation. It’s close, convenient, and a classic way to establish not only working relationship, but also friendships.

In May, NWILS sponsored a trustee workshop on county funding issues in Le Mars. The boards of Cushing and Correctionville came together this spring for “Building Effective Library Boards.” Albert City Library is choosing that same program; it’s scheduled for July 16 and it’s wide open to all boards in Buena Vista County. Sac City, Lake View, and Auburn libraries are following suit, setting this up for Sac County boards.

There’s a pattern here. The trustee program I’m pushing these days is “Building Effective Library Boards.” It’s freshly updated and serves as a good orientation for new trustees. But with new angles tossed in, there’s good stuff for experienced board members, too. A brief description:

“…Essentially, 5 characteristics make up effective boards. These are boards that:
• Understand their authority
• Establish sound meeting practices
• Commit to trustee education
• Adapt to change / adopt new technologies
• Enjoy healthy, respectful relationships

This workshops explores these important attributes of board behavior, with plenty of examples and opportunity for discussion. Currently available F2F; online version being planned…”

The fall calendar is already filling up, so it’s not too soon to schedule a board program for your county. Contact NWILS office to get the ball rolling!

3) Top 100 Picture Books Poll: If you’re on the lookout for a good list of children’s picture books, then check out the list recently compiled by Elizabeth Bird and posted on the School Library Journal’s blog. Ms. Bird is a children’s services manager with the New York Public Library System. She has served on the Newberry Committee and has written articles for Horn Book Magazine. In mid-June, the SLJ blog debuted the “Top 100 List of Picture Book Poll Results” for 2009. Many titles are not surprising, some you may not have heard about. In no particular order, here are some of the titles:

Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
Knuffle Bunny
Good Night Gorilla
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse
In the Night Kitchen
Where the Wild Things Are
The Lorax
Stelaluna
Possum Magic
Who Needs Donuts?

Check out the complete list at the SLJ Blog:
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/blog/1790000379/post/540044254.html?nid=3713. But don’t stop reading: linked from the School Library Journal website, there are dozens of kid lit blogs to read, complete with book reviews, author stories, video clips, and more. You can spend some happy hours here, so pour a cup of coffee and blog on!

4) Meetings / Events This Week: “Welcome to WILBOR Days” happens Tuesday July 7 here in Sioux City at NWILS Office; the program repeats at Emmetsburg Public Library on Wednesday July 8. We’ll provide background explanation of the WILBOR Consortium and offer instruction in using the WILBOR website, along with tips for promoting this new service. Oh yeah—there’ll be ice cream sundaes, too!

The WILBOR Day workshop runs from 1:30—3:30PM each day for 2 c.e. credits. Although aimed at libraries new to WILBOR, others are welcome to attend. Register through the c.e. catalog. but hurry—registration closes at 5:00PM today!


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

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…

Monday Morning Eye Opener 6/22/09

Good Morning and Happy Father’s Day to All

1) Preview of Summer Workshops

2) Staff Development Days

3) Book on Parkersburg Tornado

4) Meetings / Events This Week

1) Preview of Summer Workshops: There’s a surprising number of workshops coming up in the next 2 months, some prompted by welcoming new WILBOR libraries. Here’s a preview, and with the exception of the OverDrive webinar, 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 16 = “Building Effective Library Boards” hosted by Albert City PL. Light supper served at 5:00PM; program follows from 5:30—7:30PM. Open to Buena Vista County library boards and any others nearby.

· 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…

· July 29 = Career Reading Roundtable. This time, the title is How to Talk About Books You Haven’t Read. 9:00—11:00AM online in Central LSA’s Wimba classroom.

· July 29 = “The New Annual Survey” @ Sioux Center PL. 9:00AM—12:00PM OR 1:00—4:00PM [choose one] Sponsored by the State Library

· July 30 = “The New Annual Survey” repeats @ Storm Lake PL. 9:00AM—12:00PM OR 1:00—4:00PM [choose one] Sponsored by the State Library

· August 4 = ILL Summit @ Denison PL. 9:30AM—12:00PM. Good opportunity for a refresher class on effectively providing ILL service, from using new forms on NWILS website to incorporating WorldCat as a search strategy. WorldCat is a FirstSearch database and an important resource for interlibrary loan. This workshop is aimed at staff whose job is handling ILL routines.

· August 6 = ILL Summit repeats @ Spencer PL. 9:30AM—12:00PM.

2) Staff Development Days: More countywide collaboration is always a good goal. Toward that end, one easy approach is to schedule staff development days for the libraries in your county. In planning this for staff, decide on ½ day or full day. Opt for 1 topic or several topics. Choose a location and voila—countywide staff development! It’s a great way for directors and staff in a county (or adjoining counties, that works, too) to come together for shared learning and conversation. It’s close, convenient, and a classic way to establish not only good working relationship, but also friendships.

In April, for example, Plymouth County Libraries chose a ½ day workshop called “Keeping Current in LibraryLand.” Cherokee County is going with a gaming program and a Wii demo when their group meets in October. And Dickinson County is right now planning their 3^rd annual cooperative training event. Last year, other counties chose EBSCO classes, online learning, and various “For Results” classes.

Depending on the topic and timing, Northwest LSA is happy to bring the training to you. (I’m pushing “Keeping Current in LibraryLand” because that one is freshly updated!) The fall calendar is already filling up, so it’s not too soon to start planning a Staff Development Day for your county. Find a list of classes to choose from on NWILS website here http://www.nwils.lib.ia.us/ce/staffclasses

3) Book on Parkersburg Tornado: A book that would make a good addition to Iowa history collections is a new compilation of stories from last year’s tornado that devastated so much of Parkersburg, IA. The Parkersburg Tornado Stories Book sells for $30.00 plus $5.00 shipping. Send orders to—and make checks payable to—
Parkersburg Tornado Book
P.O. Box 204
Parkersburg, IA. 50665

4) Meetings / Events This Week: NWILS Board meets this Wednesday June 24 at our office here in Sioux City. The meeting convenes at 10:00AM. The agenda is soon-to-be posted on our website…More next week!

Monday Morning Eye Opener 6/8/2009

Good Morning! Today in EYE-OPENER:

1) New WILBOR Libraries in Northwest

2) Reminder Scholarship for Small Libraries

3) Funny You Should Ask Feature

4) Meetings / Events This Week

1) New WILBOR Libraries in Northwest: Thanks to these Northwest libraries for joining WILBOR in the spring enrollment: Sioux City, Denison, Onawa, and the Palo Alto County Libraries of Emmetbsurg, Ruthven, Mallard, and Graettinger. The Palo Alto group came together and wrote a grant to pay the entry fees into WILBOR for the first year—now there’s a great county cooperative project! (Sioux County Library Association did the same last spring…) So welcome to the WILBOR Consortium!

2) Reminder Scholarship for Small Libraries: Here’s a deadline fast approaching: The Exec Board of the Iowa Small Libraries Association (ISLA) is 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. Applications will be accepted until June 15, the winner will be notified by July 1.

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. Wouldn’t it be great if a Northwest library is the lucky winner?!

Here’s what ARSL is all about: “… “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, along with the scholarship application form. Again, the deadline here is June 15….

3) Funny You Should Ask Feature: If you want to be guaranteed a weekly chuckle, then subscribe to this newsfeed from Gale Publishing called “Funny You Should Ask.” This weekly digest shares goofy reference question asked in all kinds of libraries. Yep, these are real reference questions asked by real people everywhere—here’s a sample:

· “Do you have a copy of Tammy and the Shrew?” (Lehi High School, Utah)

· “I need a list of all the books that weren’t published last year” (Los Angeles PL)

· “Where can I find a fake marriage certificate that doesn’t look like it comes from Barnes & Nobel?” (Campbell County Library, Virginia)

· “Do you have Sleepy Hollow by Harry Potter? It’s brand new” (Gadsen County Library, Florida)

· “I need to know who painted the Sixteenth Chapel” (Rayburn Middle School, Texas)

· “Who was the Pope when Christ was born?” (Los Angeles PL)

Reference staff are encouraged to share their weird-but-true questions with “Funny You Should Ask.” To do that—and to subscribe to this feature—go to Gale Cengage Learning; here’s the direct subscription link: http://www.gale.cengage.com/enewsletters/funny/index.htm

4) Meetings / Events This Week: Library101, originally scheduled for this Thursday June 11, has been cancelled. The next opportunity to attend Library101 will be September 15. This is an orientation for newly hired directors, typically offered four times each year by the Iowa Library Service Areas. Look for more information about the September 15^th show later this summer.

Monday Morning Eye Opener will return June 8th