NETLS Information & Updates 6/14

The state budget bill is still not signed but our SFY2010 budget is not expected to be reduced. We are reminded that some of the dollars available for library programs were freed from other uses by in influx of stimulus dollars into other programs. There is a happy surprise for Texas libraries in the IMLS budget for 2010. A fiscal outline prepared by state library staff for the last commission meeting is available from this office. Library Boards NETLS has a number of items in the professional collection about working with library boards. Our colleagues here in North Texas authored the original Public Library Advisory Handbook, now revised. TSLAC has a DVD copy of the Wyoming State Library’s video shorts called Trustee Trouble -- Dawn Volger blogs about the series, which is particularly useful for governing boards. If you decide to use the videos with your board be sure to preview and prepare for questions. Links to use.. Household products database Health and safety information on household products. Occupational Outlook http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm and Occupational Outlook Quarterly http://www.bls.gov/opub/ooq/ from Bureau of Labor Statistics http://myproject.serve.gov/ From ALA, slightly edited for space reasons The ALA is working with the White House, in partnership with the Corporation for National & Community Service, to get libraries involved in a national volunteer initiative that will run from June 22 to September 11, 2009. Volunteer opportunities can be posted right now by visiting http://myproject.serve.gov/ , list your project as soon as you are able. Please visit www.ala.org/summerofservice to find a one page fact sheet on the initiative from the Corporation for National & Community Service. The ALA will also be providing tips and resources for volunteer ideas, best practices, and ways to contribute your own information, ideas and stories, all of which you can access at www.ala.org/summerofservice. Prior to the public launch of the service initiative, the Corporation for National & Community Service is looking for volunteer opportunities that will take place on June 22nd to use as potential examples. If you do have such a volunteer opportunity going on in your library, we encourage you to fill out the form posted at www.ala.org/summerofservice and send it back to library@ala.org no later than June 17. Thank you so much for all that you do to ensure your community has access to great library services and resources! Sincerely, Keith Michael Fiels Executive Director American Library Association Seeking a good home for 30+ Weston Woods filmstrips with audio cassette. Contact Rodney Bland in Corsicana if you are interested in these items. Got Hang Ups? Garland library has several hundred Monaco Hang-up bags in assorted sizes, available free to any NETLS library that wants them. Contact Kathi Mehan 972-205-2550, for more information. By June 15 – Enter your library’s Loan Star status for SFY2010 into GMS 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 25 Longview Public Library (3 CPE) Contact By June 19 Emergency Preparedness in Pittsburg on Thursday, June 25. Contact Steve Seale by June 19 to arrange NETLS payment for registration (includes lunch and supplies) for this workshop sponsored by the Texas Historical Commission in partnership with the Texas Association of Museums 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 Humanities Collections and Reference Resources Funding from this program strengthens efforts to extend the life of important collections and make their intellectual content widely accessible, often through the use of digital technology. July Helping Your Community Get Back to Work o July 16 – Aubrey (3 CPE) o July 17 – DeSoto (3 CPE) o July 22 – Greenville (3 CPE) o July 23 – South Garland Branch, NMLS (3 CPE) o July 24 – Coppell (3 CPE) July 28-30 TLA Annual Assembly Austin Now through July 31 Everyone Wins -- When School and Public Libraries Cooperate! – Online 4 CEUs for school and public librarians. Now through July 31 Loan Star Library Program Revision Requests accepted, if needed Below the line Job Hunting Wit and Wisdom (The path I used to find this thing is interesting. From the President’s serve.gov link I followed a link on the bottom right that read “Additional Opportunities to serve include State and Local Government and then I explored their links!)

NETLS Information & Updates 06/05

It’s been a busy week!  I was able to attend BookExpo America (BEA)in New York last week. (Don’t worry – NETLS didn’t pay for it or for my time, it was a true busman’s holiday.)  There was lots of discussion about new and downloadable formats.  Some of these formats are a far bigger challenge to traditional bookstores than to libraries.  It is a great experience primarily for people interested in authors and publishing, so mostly for selectors and acquisitions library staff.  BEA is a great place to get advanced reading copies, new releases and to meet authors.  Wonderful name dropping opportunities – if you want to stand in line!  Librarians interested in reviewing books for publication may register at www.netgalley.com to access new titles.

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Available through NetLibrary during JUNE --  each month NetLibrary features a new title.  The title is temporarily available for free to all TexShare database participants.  The June eBook of the Month is The Career Clinic, eight simple rules for finding work you love (it is on the right side of the NetLibrary page when the user is logged in.).  Using eBook of the Month Resources libraries have an array of bookmarks, banners, and art for print or web use to promote use of the book.  Visit NetLibrary to view the featured title.

These featured titles and other database news are found in TSLAC’s TexZine newsletter.  The newsletter is here.  To be notified when a new TexZine is posted and for other TexShare information sign up for the Texshare users email list.

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America Speaks Spanish offers the Essential Guide to Spanish Reading for Children and Young Adults a 2009 guide to books in Spanish.   This resource is free.  Explore the website for the 2007 Essential Guide to Spanish Reading – a core list of 500 titles, as well as lists of bestsellers here and here. 

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Online MLS degree?  Here is a site for anyone thinking about earning an online MLS.

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Seeking a good home for 30+ Weston Woods filmstrips with audio cassette.  Contact Rodney Bland in Corsicana if you are interested in these items.

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Immediate Opening – Van Alstyne has an immediate opening for a circulation/children's assistant. This is part time, 20 hrs per week, $10.39 per hour. Contact Juanita Hazelton for more information.

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Broadband Opportunities for RURAL libraries –- Accepting applications through June 19, review the application guide. If your community/town/county applies be sure to ask for dollars for salaries for the first two years of implementation – the plan is to create jobs and provide access to broadband computing!

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June 6  Large Loan Star grants over $20,000 3rd Quarter Performance Reports due.

 

June 9  Cultivating Grantmaker Relationships  (NOT FREE)  Arlington  (or go online, $39.00 for six months of access of Grant Seeking Basics for Nonprofit Organizations)

June  Helping Your Community Get Back to Work

o         June 10 Van Zandt County Library - Canton

o         July 11  Rusk County Library - Henderson 

June 10, TechSoup will be holding a webinar to help librarians learn how to take advantage of Microsoft Training Resources registration is open now. 

 

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  

 

By June 19 – RURAL library broadband grant applications due.  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 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

July  Helping Your Community Get Back to Work

o         July 16 Aubrey Area Library (In cooperation with NTRLS)

o         July 17  Desoto Public Library

o         July 22  W. Walworth Harrison Public Library - Greenville

o         July 23  South Garland Branch – Nicholson Memorial Library System

o         July 24  William T. Cozby Public Library - Coppell

July 28-30 TLA Annual Assembly  Austin

 

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Below the line

     Cute, eh?

 

NETLS Information & Updates 5/26

We have our TANG contractor on board. Jerry Brock, will begin working with us tomorrow. Jerry Brock will be doing technology assessments under direction from Jerry McCulley (this name business will be interesting). Jerry Brock is a former employee of the City of Garland, and in that role served on the NETLS Technology Committee and was active in ILS user groups. Welcome, Jerry!

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Here is the webinar from Userful and Librarian’s Yellow Pages on possible uses of broadband stimulus funds in libraries. This report is overkill for most of us but it does contain the expected timelines for BTOP grant program. Congressional Report: BTOP Quarterly Program Status Report (Acrobat PDF 98 Kb) May 18, 2009

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Your Interlibrary Loan comments are greatly appreciated and will help writing the RFP for a new interlibrary loan system. The comments can be viewed on the blog. The RFP for the new interlibrary loan system is currently being written. The goal is to release the RFP in mid-July 2009. Once a new system has been chosen, TSLAC will be looking for libraries to participate in the pilot project to begin in SFY2010. If your library is interested in becoming part of the pilot project, please contact Sue Bennett.

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Free seeds are available from America the Beautiful’s Operation Green Plant Program

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About book sales -- library and Friends groups usually buy things tax-free but they cannot generally sell without collecting sales taxes. If your library or Friends group has an ongoing book sale, taxes on those sales are due to the state. Many organizations suggest per item donations rather than have a sales price because donations are not taxable. Another option is to take tax from the proceeds to pay the taxes due on the sales.

Non-profit groups that sponsor traditional books sales can hold two one-day sales each year tax free. See page 3 of this document.

Auctions, Rummage Sales and Other Fund Raisers
Each chapter of an organization qualifying for sales tax exemption under the religious, educational or charitable category, as well as organizations exempted from sales tax based on their IRS Section 501 (c)(3), (4), (8), (10) or (19) status, can hold two one-day, tax-free sales or auctions each calendar year. During each one-day sale, the organization does not need to collect sales tax. For purposes of the exemption, one day is counted as 24 consec­utive hours. The exemption does not apply to items sold for more than $5,000 unless the item is manufactured by the organiza­tion, or the item is donated to the organiza­tion and not sold back to the donor.

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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 9 Cultivating Grantmaker Relationships (NOT FREE) Arlington (or go online, $39.00 for six months of access of Grant Seeking Basics for Nonprofit Organizations)

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

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

July 28-30 TLA Annual Assembly Austin

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Below the line
Espresso!

Espresso Book Machine

How to get stimulus funding - Userful/Librarians' Yellow Pages Webinar

Userful Stimulus Video from Userful on Vimeo.

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