Thursday, March 4, 2010

NETLS Updates & Information 3/4


BROADBAND APPLICATION UPDATES

Latest updates to application grant guidance for Personal Computing Centers, released March 1, PCC applications are due March 15.

From Benton’s Headlines:

BTOP/BIP DEADLINE EXTENSION
[SOURCE: Government Technology, AUTHOR: Andy Opsahl]
Applicants who are pursuing broadband stimulus grants intended for building broadband infrastructure received an 11-day extension Tuesday, March 2, for the second and final funding window established by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and Rural Utilities Service (RUS), the two agencies disbursing $7.2 billion set aside in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for broadband projects. The deadline for infrastructure grants to the NTIA moved from March 15 to March 26. Applications to the RUS are now due March 29. The deadline for grants intended for public computing center and broadband adoption initiatives is still March 15 for both agencies.


Grants awarded in Texas (none PCC)


NETLS NEWS – THE LISTSERV

Did you know the NETLS NEWS listserv subscribers can post questions to the other subscribers? The list is open to anyone interested in libraries – staff, board members, and friends are encouraged to register.

Recent questions on the list have been about Internet policies, author programs, and arrangement of genre fiction collections. Posts to NETLS NEWS are archived and searchable for subscribers logged in through the web interface.

More information about NETLS NEWS (and the Tekkies list) is here.


WOW FOR THE WILDCARD!

Be sure to complete your LE@D classes. Signup for these classes was phenomenal ! Nearly 800 registrations processed. Let the learning begin!

There is a new TexShare website! Check it out here. This promotional video is available as a screensaver for your library computers. Find it and other promotional items here.

Texas Reading Club / Texas Teen Read

Materials are now available – don’t miss the Governor’s proclamation declaring June 5 Texas Reading Club Day and June 7 Texas Teens Read! Day.


2009 ANNUAL REPORTS

Submit annual reports as soon as possible. TSLAC staff is trying a new review tactic this year: “In the past, we have contacted libraries several times over the course of several months via email, as we analyzed each section of the report. This year, we are trying out a new system that will allow us to contact each library one time with feedback on all sections of the annual report.”

I’ve only seen one report and it looks like this approach may streamline things for you – get all the questions at once instead of throughout the spring and summer.


SURVEY THESE GRANTS

Wells Fargo

Local Walmart request guidelines

Some communities may be interested in Playful City USA opportunities for recreation


A TECH TIP
Sometimes staff or library users are hindered from using library technology because their computers don’t permit pop-up windows to open. Use these nifty resources to check for the presence of pop-up blockers and instructions on how to turn off the blockers if needed.


CENSUS ONLINE – NOT!
The 2010 Census does not have an online component. The answers to the 10 questions will be obtained through mailed surveys or in-person home interviews. Protect yourself and your community by sharing this information from Symantec in your newsletters, classes, etc.


LET’S ALL SHARE…
If your library or funding authority has a gone through a formal bid process for some library commodity let us know. We’ll announce the awards as we become aware of them and perhaps save other libraries some time and expense if they can piggy-back on your contract.

LOOKING FOR COMPACT SHELVING?
Local source has several ranges of use moveable compact shelving available for sale. The shelves are removed from a medical office and move on a rail. Shelving is thought to be appropriate for periodical backfiles or other items that may be restricted to staff access. Contact Connie if you are interested, she’ll forward photos, contact info, etc.

VENDOR OFFER to NETLS LIBRARIES..

“…First, we realize that many libraries need extra book carts during special events, book sales, etc. Vance Hunt Libraries has a number of book carts available, and we are inviting the libraries in your region to borrow as many as they need for up to two weeks at no charge. The only requirement is they have to pick up and return the book carts. …We continue to offer free no obligation floor plans for interested NETLS area libraries. … We will offer a 50% discount off of the list price for any library in your region. That does not include shipping and installation charges…”

Interested parties contact Craig Tappe at Vance Hunt

2629 Aero Dr Grand Prairie, TX 75052

972 641 5985 (Office) 972 641 5986 (Fax)

DESPERATELY SEEKING ….

Well, maybe not desperate but if you can help us out …

  • Meeting room policies – if you have your policy online please send me the link through this form and I’ll share on our website
  • Links to long range or strategic plans, post to the form above and your link will be shared on our website.
  • Needed – one book truck for forming church library
  • Needed – tables and chairs for library use (From the request: If another library has discarded tables chairs or any other furniture please call me and I will be glad to pick them up.)
  • Needed – used laminator for 16X20 film

NETLS Training Resources:

May Magazine Management Mutation

Non-NETLS webinars

From TSLAC

March webinar calendar. Did you miss a webinar? Check the TSLAC webinar archive for a second chance to attend the Annual Reports and Grants webinars.

From WebJunction

Programs of interest to public libraries at upcoming 2010 TLA Annual Conference


Ongoing Gale database training webinars(newest products are listed first)

Ongoing NETLS *Wildcard* LE@D classes

Ongoing E-Library training – see blog post here

Also available: Archives of SirsiDynix Institutes

Librarian Live Podcasts

March 7 – 13 Teen Tech Week

March 9 Focus Groups: Perceptions for Planning webinar

March 11 Getting Grounded: Legal Issues Facing Libraries Non-technical issues. Free webinar.

March 11 – 14 Tejas Storytelling Festival, Denton

March 12 Webinar, catalogers and techie folks ISTC: the International Standard Text Code

By March 15 Get your library and community ready Community Preparedness funding program

By March 31 Apply for Picturing America *programming grants* $2,000 to 30 libraries

April 7 Creating A Successful Teen Advisory Board webinar

April 11-17 National Library Week, Communities Thrive @ the library – see the pr tools

April 14-17 TLA Annual Conference San Antonio (Note room/ride share tool at the bottom of the page)

By April 15 Libri Foundation grant applications due (Small rural libraries, materials for children)

By April 30 Target’s Early Childhood Reading Grants

By May 3 Applications due Baker & Taylor’s grants (.pdf) to FOL groups (ALTAFF members only)

By May 18 Grant requests due for NEH Preservation Assistance Grants for Smaller Institutions

By May 19 Get early-bird librarian registration $95 for BookExpo rates May 25-27 NYC

By May 21 Dollar General Back to School Literacy grant applications due

By May 31 Final reports on Picturing American artwork awards due


Below the line

Sunday, February 28, 2010

NETLS Updates & Information 2/28


Use this site to help community members and library staff find job hunting and computer basics resources. We encourage you to link to the site from your website or library catalog. Be sure to check the “Who we are” section. This is part of the project funded by state funds (SYNG) through TSLAC.

If you are offering a community training session that you’d like listed in the schedule of classes, let us know!


Program for Job Hunters..A Model for Other Libraries?

The Noon Network The Irving Public Library Job Center’s monthly networking opportunity for job seekers continues at noon March 1 at the Central Library, 801 W. Irving Blvd. Attendees are invited to bring their lunches, business cards and to share job hunting tips, leads and interview stories. Program attendance has doubled each meeting since the inception of the program three months ago. For more information, call (972) 721-2606 or visit the Job Center online at www.cityofirving.org/library.

GRANT APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED …

Jenny Jones’ Hometown Heroes program accepts simple grant requests to better communities. Apply here, recent awards for $6,000 each.

ILL PROJECT

Track the progress of the ILL Pilot Program – NETLS region participants are the Atlanta, Frisco, and Texarkana libraries.


There is a new TexShare website! Check it out here. This promotional video is available as a screensaver for your library computers. Find it and other promotional items here.

Texas Reading Club / Texas Teen Read

Materials are now available – don’t miss the Governor’s proclamation declaring June 5 Texas Reading Club Day and June 7 Texas Teens Read! Day.


OPPORTUNITIES…Online

School-library cooperation and lap-sit self-paced workshops here.


SURVEY THESE GRANTS

Wells Fargo

Local Walmart request guidelines

Some communities may be interested in Playful City USA opportunities for recreation


A TECH TIP
Sometimes staff or library users are hindered from using library technology because their computers don’t permit pop-up windows to open. Use these nifty resources to check for the presence of pop-up blockers and instructions on how to turn off the blockers if needed.


DOMAIN CHANGED?
Let us know – we don’t want your mail to bounce back. We know you want to get everything we send you!


LET’S ALL SHARE…
If your library or funding authority has a gone through a formal bid process for some library commodity let us know. We’ll announce the awards as we become aware of them and perhaps save other libraries some time and expense if they can piggy-back on your contract.

DESPERATELY SEEKING ….

Well, maybe not desperate but if you can help us out …

  • Meeting room policies – if you have your policy online please send me the link through this form and I’ll share on our website
  • Links to long range or strategic plans, post to the form above and your link will be shared on our website.
  • Needed – one book truck for forming church library
  • Needed – tables and chairs for library use (From the request: If another library has discarded tables chairs or any other furniture please call me and I will be glad to pick them up.)
  • Needed – used laminator for 16X20 film

NETLS Training Resources:

Offered by NETLS

February & March Literacy For The Very, Very Youngest

May Magazine Management Mutation

Non-NETLS webinars

From TSLAC

March webinar calendar. Did you miss a webinar? Check the TSLAC webinar archive for a second chance to attend the Annual Reports and Grants webinars.

From WebJunction

Programs of interest to public libraries at upcoming 2010 TLA Annual Conference


Ongoing Gale database training webinars(newest products are listed first)

Ongoing E-Library training – see blog post here

Ongoing NETLS *Wild Card* LE@D classes. Finish this month!

Also available: Archives of SirsiDynix Institutes

Librarian Live Podcasts

Register NOW to receive an application for The Better World Books/NCFL Libraries and Families Award grants to connect families to their local libraries and expand their literacy efforts in new and innovative ways.

By March 3 Tocker Foundation stipend
applications for TLA Conference 2010

March 4 Storyline Online Oh, the places you’ll go read by iCarly’s Nathan Kress for Read Across America

March 7 – 13 Teen Tech Week

March 9 Focus Groups: Perceptions for Planning webinar

March 11 Getting Grounded: Legal Issues Facing Libraries Non-technical issues. Free webinar.

March 11 – 14 Tejas Storytelling Festival, Denton

By March 15 Get your library and community ready Community Preparedness funding program

By March 31 Apply for Picturing America *programming grants* $2,000 to 30 libraries

April 7 Creating A Successful Teen Advisory Board webinar

April 11-17 National Library Week, Communities Thrive @ the library – see the pr tools

April 14-17 TLA Annual Conference San Antonio (Note room/ride share tool at the bottom of the page)

By May 3 Applications due Baker & Taylor’s grants (.pdf) to FOL groups (ALTAFF members only)

By May 19 Get early-bird librarian registration $95 for BookExpo rates May 25-27 NYC


Below the line

Librarian charged!!