NETLS Information and Updates 5/21

There have been lots of questions about the stimulus presentation I summarized on Tuesday.  I haven’t received the Information Kit and resources but I have been cleared by the presenters to share all the information they send with you.  Until then you may find portions of this powerpoint interesting  it was prepared the primary presenter of the webinar. Coming Soon Tuesday, May 26, at 11 am and possibly Wednesday, May 27, Trevor Taylor from Library Interiors of Texas is going to be demonstrating “Lock A Shelf” an alternative DVD security system/dispenser made by Frich Corporation. His mobile demonstration vehicle is going to be at East Regional Library in Fort Worth. The dispenser combines self-checkout with display shelving. It does away with the need for security cases. By May 22  Apply for Dollar General Grants range in amounts up to a maximum of $3,000 each. Dollar General offers support for youth literacy and school programs in areas served by Dollar General stores By May 22  Applications Available for 2009 'Save America's Treasures' Program Matching grants of up to $700,000 will be given to nonprofits and government agencies working to preserve nationally significant intellectual and cultural artifacts, structures, and sites....   By May 22 Advanced registration deadline for ALA Conference   May 26  Demo at Fort Worth (see above the line) May 27  Find Your Inner Zombie: How to Involve All Staff in Teen Programs  Parr Library – Plano  (3 CPE) May 28-30 Zula B. Wylie Library Friends book sale at the library May 29-30 Friends of the Sunnyvale Library Book Fair, library parking lot.  (10-6 Friday, and 9-6 Saturday)   By May 31  Target Early Childhood Reading Grants online application for programs taking place between October 1, 2009, and September 30, 2010. Notification about your request status  by September 30, 2009. Most grants are between $1,000 and $3,000. June 5  Scanning for Historic Preservation and Other Use: the Basics Made Simple  Sulphur Springs Public Library (2 CPE)   June 6  Large Loan Star grants over $20,000 3rd Quarter Performance Reports due. June 12  Attack Your Collection: Weeding with Crew  South Garland Branch – Nicholson Memorial Library System (5.5 CPE)   By June 15 – Enter your library’s Loan Star status for SFY2010 into GMS (see above) June  Community Partnerships: Moving from Talk to Action  o        June 17 Rockwall County Library (3 CPE) o        June 18  Palestine Public Library (3 CPE) o        June 24  Paris City Council Chambers (3 CPE) o        June 25  Longview Public Library (3 CPE) By July 1  The Preservation and Access Education and Training program is central to NEH’s efforts to preserve and establish access to cultural heritage resources. July 10  Collaborative Digitization:  Preconference @ 2009 ALA Annual Conference By July 15  Libri Foundation Books For Children Grants will match $50 to $350 raised by local sponsors on a 2-to-1 ratio to help small, rural public libraries buy children’s books. By July 15  The Humanities Collections and Reference Resources program supports projects that provide an essential foundation for scholarship, education, and public programming in the humanities.  Bottom of the page Oh no, they are poking fun at our weeded materials! To view previous Updates, follow the blog link on this page.

 

Stimulus Opportunities (maybe, long)

There was a great webinar on How to Get Stimulus Bill Funding for Your Library's Technology Infrastructure offered by Userful and Librarian’s Yellow Pages today. I’m really glad I attended. Here’s my summary of the presentation, the presenters expect to send follow-up materials as well. If you attended and you heard something differently or I’ve forgotten something important – let me know and I’ll share. The broadband technology opportunities program specifies (in part) that: o The overall purposes of the broadband language in the ARRA are: o To provide broadband service (e.g. faster Internet access) to consumers in unserved areas of the country and improved broadband service to consumers in underserved areas. o To provide broadband education, awareness, training, access, and support to libraries, educational institutions and other organizations to facilitate greater use of broadband including more use by low-income, unemployed, aged, and otherwise vulnerable populations. o Funding can be used by libraries and other organizations to undertake projects consistent with the above purposes. More specifically, funding can be used: o To acquire equipment, networking capability, hardware/software, and digital network technology. o To construct and deploy broadband services Not less than $200,000,000 shall be available for competitive grants for expanding public computer center capacity, including at community colleges and public libraries; not less than $250,000,000 shall be available for competitive grants for innovative programs to encourage sustainable adoption of broadband service … The rules for the grant are not yet ready so applications cannot be submitted yet .. the speaker, John Windhausen is a Washington D.C.-based telecom policy consultant. Among other points he made is that opportunities for libraries lie primarily in expanding computer center capacity, deployment grants and grant managed by the Rural Utility Service (rural being serving a 75% rural population). The rules are not yet set (repeated for emphasis) but the speaker indicated the following *might* be considerations for applications related to computer center capacity: building expansions or remodel to accommodate more computers; building power upgrades; computer hardware and software; furnishings for computers and computer users; wiring inside buildings; routers and internal equipment; conduit (trenching, etc); outside wire; one time charge to connect. Mr. Windhausen also suggested that deployment grants provide broadband education, awareness, training, access, equipment and support. Also suggested was the likelihood of broadband providers seeking libraries at partners to strengthen their applications. The rules are expected to include (rules are not yet set): a 20% local match for the federal funds (ALA has requested waiver of this requirement for libraries), a requirement that projects are substantially complete within two years. Favorable conditions for grants likely include the ability to rapidly move on projects, projects that increase affordability and serve the greatest number of people, indications that the project couldn’t be completed as quickly or as well without the funding, projects to reduce costs, save energy, reduce redundancies, (job creation). Some projects may be considered under more than one section – the parts may be “assigned” to an application. Disclose other funding requests or applications (no duplication of funding). May 28-30 Zula B. Wylie Library Friends book sale at the library May 29-30 Friends of the Sunnyvale Library Book Fair, library parking lot. (10-6 Friday, and 9-6 Saturday) Contact Kathi Mehan (972-205-2550) if your library is interested in this local history item: Author: Sanders, Barrot Steven. Title: The Caruths : Dallas' landed gentry / Barrot Steven Sanders. Publisher: Irving, Tex. : Sanders Press, 1988. Description: 326 p. : ill. (ports.) ; 23 cm. Subjects: Caruth family. Bottom of the page In Times Square a NETLS Award is featured! BLOG Link