Northwest Library Director Wins Conference Scholarship

           Sac City PL Director Brandie Ledford has won a scholarship to attend a library technology conference in St. Paul.  “LibTech2011” is a 2-day event held March 17-18 at Macalester College.  Boasting over 60 breakout sessions, this conference centers on many of today’s technologies affecting how users interact with libraries—and how libraries are using technology to create new and better ways to manage resources.  Here’s a sampling of some of the programs that Brandie and conference goers will enjoy:

· Blurring the Line: Using Blogging Software as Communication and as Website

· Creating Virtual Book Displays and Collections

· Creating Web Videos: An Introduction to iMovie

· Don’t Make Them Think: Create Easy-to-Use Websites and Catalogs

· The Face of Facebook: How Teens are Using Social Networking

              In sharing this good news, Brandie has already offered to share her LibTech2011 Conference experience with Northwest libraries, which means there will likely be a JAMBOREE session in her future. (she knew I would ask her anyway!)   Congratulations, Brandie, on receiving this scholarship!

American Libraries Article "When Small Is All"

The Jan/Feb 2011 issue of American Libraries contains a feature article called “When Small is All: The Successful Public Library Director Wears Many Hats Smartly.”  Jane Pearlmutter and Paul Nelson wrote the article, an excerpt from their upcoming book Small Public Library Management, coming from ALA Publications this spring.              The articles opens by pointing to some statistics worth noting: there are 9,214 public libraries in the U.S.  88% of those are located in small cities and villages serving populations less than 50,000.  Half of those serve populations less than 10,000.
“…these library directors wear many hats: liaison to the board of trustees, policy drafter, staff supervisor, budget director, collections and program manager.  When those hats sit smartly on the chosen head, library operations run more smoothly…”               The importance of directors maintaining healthy relationships figures prominently in the article, along with tips for being an effective boss.  “…personnel issues are often the first management test of a new library director…”              American Libraries Magazine comes with an ALA membership.  But get this: you can read American Libraries online via EBSCO—in full text!   I never get tired of saying that…

Tena Hanson Appointed to ARSL Board

         Milford Public Library Director Tena Hanson has been appointed to fill a 1-year term on the ARSL board.  The acronym ARSL stands for the Association for Rural and Small Libraries, a national organization with the interests of small libraries at heart.  The association’s mission is to “…provide a network of people and materials to support rural and small library staff, volunteers, and trustees, and to integrate the library thoroughly with the life and work of the community it serves…”

             From the website: “…the Association for Rural & Small Libraries is a network of persons throughout the country dedicated to the positive growth and development of libraries. ARSL believes in the value of rural and small libraries and strives to create resources and services that address national, state, and local priorities for libraries situated in rural communities…”  

            
             ARSL holds an annual conference each fall in some pretty great locations like Sacramento, Gatlinburg, and Denver; this year, the conference heads to Texas.  One perk of association membership is a discount off conference registration fees.  Membership levels vary based on library staff salary ranges. Find all the scoop about membership on the ARSL website here: http://www.arsl.info/

             One more note: check out the photo gallery on the website. ARSL always welcomes photos of small libraries from around the country, so why not contribute some pictures of Iowa libraries?!  Again, congratulations to Tena for being appointed to the ARSL Board—thanks for agreeing to represent small libraries in a big way!

Good List of Google Search Tricks

In late 2009 I published a short ebook containing 15 tips and tools for helping students improve their Internet search results. Then in late 2010 I shared with you a good presentation developed by Mark Moran and Shannon Firth about teaching search strategies. Today, I'd like to share with you a list of 100 Google Search Tricks. The list, compiled by Online College Courses, includes tips for refining searches using the tools built into Google and some tips for using operator words. Not all of the tricks are "new" or "secret" tricks, but I'm sure most readers will find something new to them on the list.

....Click HERE to Read More

Any Day - Love Your Library

     With Valentine's Day fast approaching, why not steer library fans everywhere to I Love Libraries.org.  A new public awareness campaign is underway there, a campaign that recruits authors as spokespeople for our nation's libraries.  The campaign theme is "Our Authors, Our Advocates".

     From the  I Love Libraries.org website "....authors are natural allies of libraries in these challenging times.  They understand the key role that libraries and library staff play in the economic, social, and educational fabric of our nation.  They are passionately speaking out on the importance of not only sustaining, but increasing, support for libraries..."

     Read about his new campaign endorsed by the American Library Association, watch video clips, and meet the authors who have signed on thus far - like Scott Turow and Sara Paretsky - at www.ilovelibraries.org

Northwest LSA's "For Results" Series is Back

    Northwest LSA presents a series of 3 online classes in February based on books from the Public Library Association.  From PLA's "For Results" books, these classes will feature planning, policies, and facilities, proving valuable for directors and trustees alike.

Feb. 10 - Planning For Results - lean the steps involved in this strategic planning model from PLA; discuss the many services that public libraries can deliver based on expressed community needs; and discover an easy formula for writing fresh mission statements, goals, and objectives.

Feb. 17 - Policies For Results - learn about the 4 parts of a policy - the philosophy, the regulations, the guidelines, and the procedures.  Apply the 4 parts of a policy to sample topics and discuss the board's role in policy development. 

Feb. 24 - Facilities For Results - the third in this series looks at the library's physical facility in terms of structure, furnishings, service spaces, and signage.  Plus policy discussion carries over when looking specifically at facility issues like inclement weather and safety.

      These classes land on 3 consecutive Thursdays in February - online 9:30-11:30am each time.  Registration is open in the CE CATALOG.  Register there to receive all correspondence for the classes, like the reminder emails, power point slides and the link to the classroom.  Join 1, 2, or all 3.

Friends of Libraries USA Merges with ALA

     Speaking of advocacy, library friends groups are great advocates, working alongside staff and trustees to bolster awareness, service, and funding for libraries.  A long-standing national advocacy group, Friends of Libraries USA merged with ALA's trustees division to become ALTAFF = Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends, and Foundations.

     ALTAFF is 5,000 members strong and boasts comedian Paula Poundstone as their national spokesperson.  She is featured in a public service announcement on their website, which is rich with articles, fact sheets, promo materials, and ideas for strengthening local Friends Groups.

     Check out the ALTAFF website and come away with wonderful advocacy ideas to try at your library.  http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/altaff/index.cfm

Afternoon ISLOC Session - Presentation ZEN with Brandie Ledford

ISLOC 2011 - George Needham - Keynote Speaker

George's presentation was AWESOME!

ISLOC 9:00am - Here We Are!

Bonnie Geared up and ready for ISLOC 2011

Janie is Ready!

ISLOC Is TODAY!

     This year's ISLOC conference has a great lineup of speakers, poster sessions, and virtual exhibits. From the keynote speakers, George Needham (we got a sneak peek at his slides and the presentation is going to be terrific) and Jim Connor (his enthusiasm and humor are infectious--don't forget to tell your trustees about his session in the evening) to guest presenters from around the country, and our own local Iowa library stars, we know it will be great day, with something for everyone.

      The conference is free and online, and thank-you to everyone who plans to attend!  See you in the room!

Children's Program Potential: No Name-Calling Week

     Next week January 24-28 is the annual No Name-Calling Week.  The concept is based on an idea from James Howe's book The Misfits.  The book tells the story of four best friends trying to survive the seventh grade in the face of all too frequent taunts based on their weight, height, and intelligence.  This line from The Misfits reveals Howe's idea "sticks and stones may break our bones, but names will break our spirit."

     No Name-Calling Week originated by GLSEN and Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Deivision.  Now with over 40 corportate sponsors nationwide, including Barnes&Noble, the project seeks to focus national attention on the problem of name-calling in schools, and to provide students and educators with tools to launch an on-going dialogue about ways to eliminate name-calling in their communities.

      So for potential children's programs that week - and nice partnerships between public and school libraries, too - look at these resources:

• From Barnes&Noble website, you'll find 17 video clips presented by authors and illustrators who talk about bullying; James Howe is one of the featured speakers. 
•  Here's the link:
  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/no-name-calling-books-childrens-books/379002621/
• Also, look to the website itself dedicated to  No Name-Calling Week.
• www.nonamecallingweek.org  A great site to bring into school or public libraries any time of the year, but especially next week.
  

Newbery and Caldecott Winners Announced

     Last week, the American Library Association announced the top books, video, and audio books for children and young adults.  Taking top honors in this year’s annual contest is Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool; this title won the prestigious John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature.  The Caldecott Medal for the most outstanding illustrations in a children’s picture book goes to A Sick Day for Amos McGee, illustrated by Erin Stead and written by Philip Stead.

            

Other winners include

· Ship Breaker by Paolo Baciagalup, winning the Michael Printz Award for excellence in young adult literature

· One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia, winning the Coretta Scott King Award for an African American author of outstanding books for children / young adults

· Dave the Potter illustrated by Bryan Collier, winning the Coretta Scott King Award for an African American illustrator of outstanding books for children / young adults

             Knowing these award winners helps library youth departments with collection development and with children’s readers advisory, so they’re good lists to know about.
Find the entire list of winning titles and those receiving honorable mention at this webpage from ALA http://ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pr.cfm?id=6048