Educational Opportunities Ahead
There are several important continuing education events scheduled in the coming months, thankfully when it’s cooler 😊 One such event is the 2023 Learning Circuit. We'll follow the same format as last year: keynote speakers via ZOOM, plus hands-on workshops in each District.
The topic follows our 2023 continuing education theme "Productive Partnerships." Each participant will leave with actionable and practical insights to take home and apply in their library and community. We will announce the agenda and open registration early August; in the meantime, Save the Date and make plans to join us for Learning Circuits on September 28 at a location near you!
Also mark your calendars for the 2023 Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL) Conference September 20-23 in Witchita, Kansas. That’s driveable for western Iowa people. But if you’re not able to attend in-person, the ARSL Conference includes a virtual component as well. Which is a great option because for ARSL members, the virtual attendance fee is $55.00. Among the many breakout sessions planned are these
- AI: The Time-Saving Superhero for Libraries Everywhere
- Adults Need to Play, Too
- No More Summertime Blues: Shaking Up Summer Reading Programs to Make Them Work for You
- Strategic Plan-It: Creating Your Evergreen Strategic Plan That Saves You Time & Money
- Advocacy Solutions for Solo and Rural Libraries
The Association for Rural & Small Libraries is a professional network dedicated to the positive growth and development of libraries serving rural and small communities. It is widely considered to be the premier organization representing rural and small libraries across the country.
Finally save the date for the 2023 Iowa Library Association fall conference October 11-13 in Dubuque, Iowa. The venue is the Grand Harbor Resort Hotel. Conference room rates hold through September 10th at $109.00 per night. Keynote speakers have been announced, among them:
Rebekkah Smith Aldrich is the Executive Director of the Mid-Hudson Library System in New York State, co-founder and president of the Sustainable Libraries Initiative, and principal author of the award-winning Sustainable Library Certification Program.
KC Davis is the bestselling author of How To Keep House While Drowning. A licensed therapist, she is the creator of the popular Struggle Care website and the Domestic Blisters TikTok, where she shares her revolutionary approach to self care and home care for those dealing with mental health issues, physical illness, and hard seasons of life.
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Affordable Connectivity Program
Last month, LibraryTalk was buzzing with conversation about public libraries lending hot spots. This newest facet of library service has been described as both a blessing and a headache. Many of the LibraryTalk posts revolved around exempting hotspots from fine-free policies; in other words, most libraries do charge a modest fee for overdue hotspots even if other materials are fine-free. Many posts also shared circulation policies like how many times a hotspot can be renewed, how to handle loss or damage, etc. But all libraries lending hotspots commented on the obvious community need and what a beneficial service this has become.
This LibraryTalk discussion prompted Angela Forret, State Library Resource Technician to add this tip to the hotspot conversation: the Affordable Connectivity Program. At the national level, the Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare, and more.
The benefit provides a discount of up to $30 per month toward Internet service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households can also receive a one-time discount of up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers if they contribute more than $10 and less than $50 toward the purchase price.
As Angela Forret suggests: “If some folks are repeat users because of the prohibitive cost of securing Internet services, then promoting the Affordable Connectivity Program to your library patrons might be helpful. People sometimes are not aware that if they receive SNAP or reduced lunches, they can apply for this program."
Take Note of Today's Deadline
All libraries that receive Enrich Iowa funds through the Open Access, Interlibrary Loan, or Direct State Aid programs must submit reports by today July 31. Library directors will need to file Enrich Iowa Reports indicating your library’s Open Access and ILL transactions. In addition, directors need to report what was purchased with your library’s share of Direct State Aid funding.
Open Access enables eligible Iowans to check out physical materials at over 600 participating Iowa public and academic libraries. As a result, Iowans have greater access to more library resources, more choices in library service, and the convenience of using a library where they work, shop, or visit Open Access Report Form for FY23
Interlibrary Loan provides Iowans with equal access to library materials by supporting resource sharing among all types of libraries. Participating libraries agree to lend their materials to other libraries across the state; the lenders receive a subsidy per loan. More than 200,000 interlibrary loans are made annually through the program. Important Note: No report is necessary if all loans were made through the SILO ILL System or through OCLC Resource Sharing. Use the ILL Request for Reimbursement Online Form only if you have any ILL loans beyond those made through the SILO-ILL or OCLC-ILL to report.
Direct State Aid is the funding awarded to Iowa’s public libraries for meeting service standards. The standards program, outlined in the document In Service to Iowa: Public Library Standards, is intended to achieve consistency in library service statewide and to uphold best practices. Direct State Aid Online Report Form FY23
The Open Access and Direct State Aid Reports require a user name and password. Hint: it’s the same user name and password assigned to your library for completing the Annual Survey. If you need help accessing this information, contact your District Office or Toni Blair at the State Library Des Moines Office.
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State Library Survey In Progress
If you haven’t yet completed the State Library service survey mentioned in recent weeks, there’s a little time left—it’s due today. This survey asks for your satisfaction level with some of the programs, tools, and resources offered by the State Library of Iowa. Thank you for your input!
Iowa Library Directory Updates
Here’s one more: if you haven’t already, please review your library’s information in the Iowa Library Directory because some necessary housekeeping is overdue. The Iowa Library Directory serves as the definitive resource the State Library uses to track information about Iowa libraries including open hours, phone numbers, current staff emails, current board information, and more. This Directory is also available to the general public as a tool to locate and connect with Iowa libraries.
To make updates to your library’s Directory details, you must log in with a username and password unique to your library. If you are unsure of your library’s username or password, contact your District LRT. Once you have your username and password in hand, then you can proceed to login from the page linked below.
Our “Collection Cultivation” webinar series begins this week with “Weeding Basics.” This series then continues on three more Thursdays in August. See All Dates & Topics
Our “Lunch & Learn” with State Library Staff continues this week. Over lunch this Thursday August 3, we’ll look at Brainfuse. Bring a sammie and a soda and join us!
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