Notes

Notes from the Snowpack!

The sun is shining right now, but who knows how long it will last.  The kids are even tired of snow days and for those of you who remember him -- I think Jim might even be tired of shoveling by now. 

Iowa Small Libraries Online Conference Summary

Though it was an icy January day the Library Service Areas’ third annual Iowa Small Libraries Online drew record numbers to keynote and concurrent sessions, poster sessions and the virtual exhibit hall.

Keynote speakers Sarah Houghton-Jan (The Librarian in Black) and George Needham (OCLC) shared ideas and perspectives on making good, if tough, choices in tough times.  Concurrent session topics included customer service, emerging trends in youth services, adult programming, social media marketing, using appreciative inquiry for dealing with change, and friends groups.  Poster sessions featured screencasts, trustee training videos, and “going green” at the library.   In the virtual exhibits, participants could visit with automation vendors, summer library program providers, and more.

The conference was held entirely online, in Adobe Connect Pro classrooms, provided to the Library Service Areas by the State Library of Iowa.  Total attendance for all the sessions was 659, and at one point the exhibits had more than 120 people in the virtual hall.  All the sessions were recorded, and can be viewed at anytime, following the link on the Conference’s Resources page:  http://www.swilsa.lib.ia.us/isloc/resources.htm

“I haven't done too many of these but it's very nice to be able to sit in the comfort of your office!”

“This was an amazing program!”

“Great virtual conference, good idea to hold it. :) “

“I'm needing to change automation systems and was delighted to find the links in the exhibits!”

“There were so many great ideas today - I think I need someone to do a program on organizational skills to keep all this information organized! ”

Upcoming CE

You should have received a copy of the CE Roundup last week, but if you need another it can be downloaded at http://www.neilsa.org/classes/CEroundupfebmar2010.pdf.  Remember, all online classes are open to librarians across the state.  They are a joint project.

Watch for Summer Reading Warm-Up later next month.  We're still working out the location details on 2 sessions, but it should be up in the Statewide CE catalog soon.

The next Library 101 has been scheduled for April 13th.

If you have any requests or suggestions for CE, let Denise or Eunice know.  We're working on extending the schedule right now.

Legislative Day - March 3rd

Denise is taking reservations for van rides.  Call or email if you want to be added to the list.

If you'll be driving yourself and are open to taking passengers, let us know and we'll put you in touch with people needing rides.

Around the LSA

Lobby Display at the Robey Memorial Library
Jewelry Collection of Callie Irons  - http://www.waukon.lib.ia.us/archive/2010/02/ld-2-2010

Wii Sports Resort Swordplay Tournament - at the James Kennedy Public Library in Dyersville
Anyone 12 and older is invited to participate in a single elimination tournament of Wii Sports Resort Swordplay.  Bring your friends and play against each other.  Equipment will be provided by the library and the games will be played using the projection system and big screen.   Competition will begin at 1:00 pm and continue until all matches are complete.  Ages 12 and up are welcome.  Come for fun, “fighting”, and food.  Registration is recommended as participation is limited to 24.  Walk-in’s are welcome if space is available. Sign up by calling 875-8912 or visiting the library.  Feb. 27, 2010

Used Book Sale - Elkader Public Library
Join us for this used book sale at the library sponsored by the Friends of the Elkader Public Library.

THIS IS BAG SALE DAY. WE'LL PROVIDE THE BAGS YOU JUST HAVE TO FILL THEM! Mar. 20, 2010

Special Story Time Help at the Kothe Memorial Library in Parkersburg
The library was privileged to have some very special guest presenters for last Thursday morning’s Story Time. Nate Houts (age 11), of rural Dike, volunteered to lead our morning along with sisters Katie (6) and Izzy (3). They belong to the Home School Assistance Program and earned leadership credit for their involvement in the library.  Nate read some silly stories about one of his favorite subjects: dogs. That’s because he has two of his own that he loves. Not only did he do an excellent job reading to the boys and girls, he also sang an interactive song about waking up the animals that his sisters assisted with.

After the stories were completed, Katie gave instructions for making a dog puppet. She cut out all the pieces at home before bringing everything along to organize for our craft time.

We want to thank the Houts’ for doing a FANTISTIC job!

Ideas

Humanizing your Facebook Pages | David Lee King
Why do these Pages have more friends? Glancing through them, it looks like they are doing one thing – they are humanizing their Facebook Pages. What do I mean by that?

They’re “doing stuff.” Stuff like this:

• Posting regular status updates
• Interacting with visitors in the comments of status updates – some status updates have 20-30 comments, as well as “Likes”
• Pointing to stuff that’s happening in the library (ie., lectures)
• Regularly add photos and videos – sometimes hundreds of them.
• They use Facebook’s Events feature to list events.

Theme Kits available
Theme Kits are available for two age groups, from 18 to 24 months and 24 months to age 5. Kits provide a teaching web, manipulatives, books, activities for art, social studies, science, and more! We also offer storytelling aprons, storytelling props, oversized books, and more!
To see a list of themes available in kits, additional storytime props and fun activity helpers, visit http://www.sls.lib.ia.us/sls-services/early-childhood-literacy-kits.

From the Eye-Opener
The Winter Olympics got underway last Friday Feb.12 with opening ceremonies in Vancouver.  Always great TV viewing, so libraries could bring TVs front and center for people to watch some of the broadcasts.  And when not watching the coverage, the TV will still be handy to hold Olympic contests of your own with a new Wii game Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games.  This Wii game includes downhill skiing, snowboarding, bobsledding, hockey, and more—27 events in all. And if you don't have a game like that, be creative.  Even bowling was an Olympic Demonstration Sport in 1988.

17 February 2010 - 14:38

riesberg - notes - No comments / No trackback - § ¶

Iowa's ARRA Grant Opportunities: Government and Vendor Collaboration

The State of Iowa is encouraging collaboration between prospective applicants for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) funding.

This website is designed to help prospective applicants for ARRA funding find broadband project partners, so interested parties can contact each other to partner in potential projects.

Use this website to find broadband project ideas and partners, find complementary resources, combine expertise, and create stronger proposals to apply for potential ARRA funding.

http://collaboration.iowa.gov/

03 February 2010 - 09:42

riesberg - notes - No comments / No trackback - § ¶