NEILSA - Friday Notes Archive

Question of the week: What does 0.00000006615739287669439348219674109837% represent? Answer below.

THE BUDGET:
It is that time of year again for begging, whining and groveling for adiquate funds for NEILSA to provide services to YOU, such things as van service, e-rate & consulting.
> "The Governor’s proposed budget includes flat funding for the Library Service Areas..."
Susan Craig, ILA President 01/17/2006
> Inflation for 2005 was 3.68% [http://inflationdata.com/Inflation/Inflation_Rate/CurrentInflation.asp]
HENCE in real terms the LSA's are taking a cut of 3.68%.

COMMENTS from IowaLib (used with permission):
We need to support both the State Library and LSAs as both have experienced dramatic budget cuts. Each plays a crucial role in the success of all libraries in the State. Each year both agencies have limped through another fiscal year with drastically reduced resources. The State Library has experienced a $500,000 cut! Their book budget used to be $400,000 and it is now $27,000. Personally, I feel it is SHAMEFUL that our State Library cannot be supported by our State Government and that they must fund operations with federal dollars. If the State of Iowa supported the State Library, there would be increased opportunities in programs, services, and no doubt money in the form of grants that ALL libraries in Iowa would be eligible to receive through freed-up federal money. Susan Henricks, Library Director
Carnegie-Stout Public Library

I think that if legislators are going to hear about how important LSAs are, then it must come from us, library workers, trustees, and friends. I have the feeling the LSAs do not have the visibility outside our library sphere that the State Library might have. I think a good deal of people go all the way through public schools and do not know what AEA is. Similarly, very avid library patrons may not know about our LSAs. Therefore, the burden is on us (public libraries especially) to let our legislators know how important LSAs are to us providing quality library service. I think if our legislature was not to hear from someone representing every public library in Iowa, then these agencies would be undersold. Please contact your legislator and let them know how your library benefits from having a regional agency there to provide the services you receive from your LSA.

Personally, I think any implication that monies already proposed to be given to either Enrich Iowa or the State Library of Iowa should be diverted elsewhere would be like shooting us in the foot. When lawmakers propose more money should be given in support of any state library agency, the library community should embrace the notion and advocate for its passage. As such, I have sent emails to the governor and my legislators, thanking the former for his support, and appealing to the latter for theirs, and I included my narrative about the importance of the LSAs and a request for their increased funding.
Nathan R. E. Clark
Library Director
Emmetsburg Public Library

What does 0.00000006615739287669439348219674109837% represent?

"While the governor's budget purports to spend $4.971 billion, it does not take into account shifted expenditures, salary and benefit increases and Medicaid supplements. With these added in, the governor's true total expenditures swell to $5.399 billion…” State Auditor David Vaudt NOTE a billion has 9 zeros not 12.

$4,971,000,000,000 into $3,288,684 yields the percentage of the state budget devoted to libraries; State Library, LSA’s and programs included. The number is so small my desktop calculator couldn't handle it

Here's the flyer some of you have been asking about for the New Children's & Young Adult Literature session this year. It will be held Feb. 22 at ICN sites around the area. You can register by printing the flyer and sending it in or online at http://www.neilsa.org/classes/ncyal2006.html. There is a chance that additional sites will become available -- if so, they will be added to the online registration. Registration closes on Feb. 3rd. Sites with insufficient registration will be canceled.
Let me know if you have any questions. Eunice

New this year are three regional summer library workshops especially for teens. Maria Levetzow, from the Bettendorf Public Library will be presenting three teen workshops in person across Iowa. If you have been

doing a teen summer program or are interested in providing one for the first time, this workshop is for you.

The 2006 teen summer theme "Creature Feature" will be highlighted during these three hour workshops. Your teen summer library manual is located at the back of the Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales Manual you received last October. We have a great program and wonderful door prizes ready for the workshop.

Workshops will be from 9:00 to 12:00 with registration beginning at 8:30. Morning refreshments will be served.

The dates and locations are:

March 14 Grant Wood AEA, 4401 6th St. SW., Cedar Rapids

March 15 Heartland AEA Annex, 6445 Corporate Drive, Johnston

March 16 Storm Lake AEA, 832 Flindt Dr. (Highway 7)

You may register by going to the State Library Website http://www.silo.lib.ia.us/ and clicking on "Continuing Education".

If you have not yet registered on the new State Library CE website, you will find easy instructions, including the Summer Library Program flyer by going to:http://www.silo.lib.ia.us/for-ia-libraries/continuing-ed/CE-handouts.htm

and clicking on Summer Reading 2006 Workshops.

If you need assistance or have questions, please contact Mary Cameron at the State Library or your LSA!

March 8 - Legislative Day, three classes (with the opportunity to take two of them) on Legal and Medical libraries, State Data Center (inc brief intro to Iowa Publications Online) and Telling the Library Story.
April 12 - Readers' Advisory for Children and Teens, 9:30-11:30 with a repeat session 3-5
April 17 - Medical Reference and HealthInfo Iowa, 9-11
May 3 - Beginning EBSCOhost, 9-11
May 9-12 - Tech Support on the Fly, 9:00-12:00, in Orange City, Clarinda, Knoxville and Anamosa
May 18 - Advanced EBSCOhost, 9-11