NETLS Updates & Information 3/6 -- Long, sorry!

REGISTRATION and NOMINATION FORMS for the May 4 Membership Meeting are available on our website.

We are accepting Award and Advisory Council nominations.

We're still collection response to our (very) short survey.

Check the updates archive by following the blog link on the Contact Us page of our website.

New in the NETLS Professional Collection:

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LEAD (as in metals) in children's books.

There is a lot of interest in the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.

Consumer products for children 12 and under cannot contain more than 600 parts per million of lead in any accessible part (this 600 ppm is expected to be reduced to 90 ppm), the Commission said it would "not impose penalties against anyone for making, importing, distributing or selling" a list of specified products, including "an ordinary children's book printed after 1985." Ordinary books are not toy books with moveable parts or noise/sound.

The good news is that 1985 is now 24 years ago. A children's book published before 1985 that has survived this long is likely to be rarely used and not needed in most library collections or worn and in need of replacement. If older books are retained for historical importance, they are likely to be used by adults and are not subject to the act as in the case of vintage collectibles.

Updated on March 3, the Guide to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) for Small Businesses, Resellers, Crafters and Charities focuses on sales and distribution provides this information:

" Question 17: Can I sell vintage children's books and other children's products that are collectibles?

Yes. Used vintage children's books and other children's products sold as collector's items would not be primarily intended for children. Because of their value and age, they would not be expected to be used by children. Therefore, they do not fall into the definition of children's product and do not need to comply with the lead limits."

Here is the draft guidance for the CPSIA.

COMMENTS ARE SOUGHT: Comments should be filed by e-mail. Comments also may be filed by fax to (301) 504-0127 If commenting by mail send 5 copies to Office of the Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland 20814..

Comments should be captioned ``Notice of Availability of Draft Guidance Regarding Which Children's Products are Subject to the Requirements of CPSIA Section 108.'' Depending upon comments received

in response to this notice, the Commission will consider issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking addressing these issues.

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Hot Dates:

March 6 ** today ** FY08 TexShare annual surveys are due today, March 6th. So far they've only received 125 responses. http://www.texshare.edu/surveys/annualreport/FY08/annualreptIntro.php

March 8 daylight saving time begins

March 13 Deadline for grant applications to First Lady's Family Literacy Initiative for Texas

March 16 Ebsco database training - Frisco

March 18 - Webinar: Coalition Building in Your Community 4:00 - 5:00 EST (Note time zone)

March 19-22 Christian Book Expo, Dallas

March 20 deadline for Gordon M. Conable Conference Scholarship, which will enable a library school student or new professional to attend ALA's 2009 Annual Conference.

March 20 application deadline for Literacy and Gaming initiative grants funded by Verizon.

By March 20 -- participate in ALA's survey of the library's role in providing electronic links to government services

March 21 Twilight released on DVD -- read one librarian's plans for a library screening.

March 27 Ebsco database training - Balch Springs

March 30 Award nominations for NETLS area libraries are due. (See our website)

March 31 - Due date for submitting the Annual Report Filing instructions are on TSLAC's website.

March 31 - April 3 -- TLA Conference, Houston

April 3 Webcast Diversity beyond the obvious

April 10 Deadline for grant application to National Book Fund grant to support adult literacy.

By April 30 Submit Application for System Membership. Libraries submitting application forms after April 30 will NOT be eligible for system membership (Rule §1.85).

By May 1 - Payment for Membership Meeting Luncheon(s) due in NETLS office $15.00 per person..

May 4 -- NETLS Membership (and friends) Meeting, Garland

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From Christine McNew, TSLAC

The Texas State Library has experienced delays in producing and distributing the CD-ROMs for the 2009 Texas Reading Club and Texas Teens Read! manuals due to some equipment malfunctions. We will begin mailing them this week. The manual is online. The posters, reading logs, certificates, and bookmarks for both programs are on schedule to be mailed to participating libraries by March 31, 2009.

(Note: don't like the theme or artwork? Artwork and manuals from earlier years are also available online for your use.)

NETLS Updates & Information 2/27

Take our quick, easy, 5 question survey --

Something new ... Check out the video craft segment.

Look -- TexShare promo & training stuff

Whew! TSLAC Grant applications were due today.

Hurry... if you are interested in attending any of the Midwest Tape demonstration sessions, contact Elaine s@midwesttapes.com

Sign up is ending for Online Course, Change Management & Leadership: If Change Is So Wonderful Why Aren't We Having Fun Yet?

Apply today for NETLS Grant to prepay registration for ARSL Conference.

Hot Dates:

March 8 daylight saving time begins

March 16 Ebsco database training - Frisco

March 19-22 Christian Book Expo, Dallas

March 20 deadline for Gordon M. Conable Conference Scholarship, which will enable a library school student or new professional to attend ALA's 2009 Annual Conference.

March 20 application deadline for Literacy and Gaming initiative grants funded by Verizon.

March 27 Ebsco database training - Balch Springs

March 31 - deadline to submit the 2008 Annual Report through Bibliostat Collect

March 31 - April 3 - TLA Annual Conference - Houston

May 4 - NETLS Membership meeting

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FREE from MaintainIT Register for free webinars online

... also from MaintainIT check out this page featuring one of our NETLS colleagues

... then dream about installing this project in your library

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More about ILL

After months of careful study, the Interlibrary Loan Task Force is seeking an ILL model that "fits" Texas. Help yourself and the task force by visiting their blog and providing your ideas.

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Going green with TechSoup

A first year subscription to MyFax available through TechSoup (for $25 administrative fee) allows you to send and receive faxes through up to five different email accounts, and it integrates with Microsoft Outlook and Office to make faxing even easier. You can send up to 100 pages and receive 200 pages per month (there's a fee for additional pages). You also have a choice of a local or toll-free dedicated fax number. Second year cost is $90.

From Marcine McCulley (Rockwall)

shelving for sale -- steel shelving that was used in our old Rockwall County Library building is being auctioned by our county auditor's office at GovDeals.com. Most of it came from Cultural Surroundings and it includes regular metal shelving in various heights and depths as well as some paperback shelving and periodical shelving. There are also a few wooden shelving units and a small card catalog. The shelving was in good condition when we moved out, but I'm not sure how carefully it was dis-assembled and stored. We moved much of our shelving to the new building. I estimate that the shelving we sent to county surplus would hold 8,000 to 10,000 volumes.

From Kathi Mehan (Garland)
Free to NETLS members for the asking. I have one (1) copy of each title. Contact me directly, Kathi Mehan Phone: 972-205-2550

1. Room, Adrian. Brewer's dictionary of modern phrase & fable / compiled by Adrian Room. London: Cassell, 2000. 0304353817
2. Ayto, John. Brewer's dictionary of phrase & fable / revised by John Ayto. New York: Collins, c2005. 0061121207
3. Tresidder, Jack. The complete dictionary of symbols / Jack Tresidder, general editor. San Francisco, Calif.: Chronicle Books, c2004. ISBN 0811847675
4. Steele, Valerie. Encyclopedia of clothing and fashion / Valerie Steele, editor in chief. New York: Scribner/Thomson, c2005. ISBN 0684313944 [3 vol. set]
5. McClellan, Elisabeth, 1851-1920. History of American costume, 1607-1870. Illustrated by Sophie B. Steel and Cecil W. Trout. With a new introd. by Robert Riley. New York, Tudor Pub. Co. [c1969]
6. Cassin-Scott, Jack The illustrated encyclopaedia of costume and fashion: from 1066 to the present / Jack Cassin-Scott. London: Studio Vista; New York: Distributed in the United States by Sterling Pub. Co., 1994. ISBN 0289800935
7. Merck & Co. The Merck manual of diagnosis and therapy. 18th ed. 2006. Rahway, N.J.: Merck, 1950- ISBN 0911910107 Siegmund, Otto H.
8. The Merck veterinary manual. 9th ed. 2005 Rahway, N.J.: Merck and Co., 1955-
9. Tyler, Ronnie C., 1941- The new handbook of Texas / Ron Tyler, editor in chief; Douglas E. Barnett, managing editor; Roy R. Barkley, editor; Penelope Anderson, Mark F. Odintz, associate editors. Austin: Texas State Historical Association, 1996. [complete 6-volume set] ISBN 0876111517
10. Knowles, Elizabeth (Elizabeth M.) The Oxford dictionary of quotations / edited by Elizabeth Knowles. Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 2004. ISBN 0198607202
11. Savageau, David. PlacesRated almanac. 2007 ed. Chicago: Rand McNally & Co., 1981-
12. Dorling Kindersley Limited. World atlas / DK; [Dorling Kindersley Cartography]. London: Dorling Kindersley; New York, N.Y.: DK Pub. [distributor], 2007. ISBN 978075663175

NETLS Updates & Information 2/23

Need an OPAC stand? The University Park Library has OPAC stands they are willing to pass on to interested libraries. Each stand holds one computer. Contact the library if you are interested in getting one or more of these items.

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Hot Dates ....

February 27, (this Friday) TSLAC Grant applications due in Austin.

March 20 Grant due - Literacy and Gaming initiative funded by Verizon

April 30 Application deadline Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes honors outstanding young leaders (8 - 18) who have made a significant positive difference to people and our planet.

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NETLS Continuing Education classes

By February 28 register for online course, Change Management & Leadership by Saturday -- take the class at your convenience in March.

February 27 Greenville and Saturday, February 28 in Dallas... Advanced Google classes.

March 16 Frisco and March 27 Balch Springs .... EBSCO Databases

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Co-Sponsored Continuing Education
Para Los Ninos

March 13 in Irving 8:30 a.m. Workshop begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m.

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Interested in hosting a workshop?

Texas State Library has partnered with WebJunction to bring you Reaching Our Spanish-Speaking Audience (ROSA). This professional development program will equip library staff with knowledge and resources to reach out to Spanish speakers in your communities and increase their access to technology. ROSA workshops will be offered throughout Texas – contact Dawn Vogler (512) 936-4449 if your library is interested in hosting a full day workshop for 15 or more attendees.

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Announcing
March 19-22 in Dallas Christian Book Expo ... Perhaps just what you need if you are developing a Christian fiction collection. Discounted pre-registration deadline is probably March 12 (the full refund deadline) Registration is open now.

Explore the website, they have provided a discount code for retailers and librarians to share with their clientele and offer a special gift to professionals.

NETLS Undates & Information 2/19

Talking about libraries

One of the most interesting aspect of working in the systems office is that you never know what the next question will be!  Yesterday, I fielded questions from two libraries on the same topic – resources for talking to the press, funding body, or community activists.

Mark these resources for your next presentation on the value of libraries:

TLA’s Texas Voter Survey, November 2008

Check these links and more at  ALA’s page on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 101

ALA’s  – What librarians need to know about the stimulus package  and Talking points on libraries in this economy

ALA’s Job seeking in public libraries  and Libraries helping America get back to work

and don’t forget Advocating in tough times

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By February 28

Registration will be open until February 28 for the online tutorial, "Change Management & Leadership: If Change Is So Wonderful Why Aren’t We Having Fun Yet?"  Students will be able to complete the course in March.

After completing this course, students will be able to:

o       Assess both the benefits and the costs of change in your job, department, branch, library, institution and community

o       Understand how change impacts people in your library differently and have more empathy for their points of view

o       Identify what mistakes are likely and how to lower their impact on youand your staff

o       Feel more calm and confident, even when the world is unraveling

o       Be more influential during times of change

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March 13

In collaboration with the NETLS the Texas State Library will host a Para los niños / For the Children workshop.  The workshop will be offered at the Irving Public Library on March 13, 2009.  Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the workshops will be from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Participants will receive 6 hours of continuing education credit. The workshop is SBEC Eligible for school librarians (SBEC Identification #500799).

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Computers!!

Refurbished Computers through TechSoup 

           Non 501 (c) (3) libraries are eligible, too!

  

This donation is available to U.S. nonprofits with 501(c)(3) designation and to U.S. public libraries. Public libraries must either have valid 501(c)(3) nonprofit status or be listed in the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) database. 

 Each qualifying 501(c)(3) organization or public library may request 10 computers and 10 monitors within a fiscal year — July 1 to June 30 — up to a total of 20 products.

Organizations may request up to 10 computers and 10 monitors each fiscal year (July 1 – June 30).

Multiple affiliate or branch locations of an organization may receive separate donations in a single TechSoup fiscal year, provided that each location is listed on its parent organization's 501(c)(3) Letter of Determination.

REFURBISHED XP Notebooks under $450.

REFURBISHED XP Desktops (no monitor) under $260.

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From the President's remarks on signing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

Remarks by the President and Vice President at Signing of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

…. Libraries are mentioned!

“…..Because we know America can't out-compete the world tomorrow if our children are being out-educated today, we're making the largest investment in education in our nation's history. (Applause.) It's an investment that will create jobs building 21st century classrooms and libraries and labs for millions of children across America. It will provide funds to train a new generation of math and science teachers, while giving aid to states and school districts to stop teachers from being laid off and education programs from being cut.

In a place like New York City, 14,000 teachers who were set to be let go may now be able to continue pursuing their critical mission. It's an investment that will create a new $2,500 annual tax credit to put the dream of a college degree within reach for middle-class families and make college affordable for 7 million students -- (applause) -- helping more of our sons and daughters aim higher, reach further, fulfill their God-given potential. (Applause.) ….”

What the stimulus package contains for libraries and community places

ALA Creates One-Stop Source for Stimulus Information

February 17th, 2009

Completing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was a long and arduous process for the Obama Administration and the new Congress. Now that President Obama has signed the bill into law, our nation can begin the journey of restoring our economic stability through the programs and initiatives this law will make possible.

Throughout the process of creating this law, the library community demonstrated a steadfast commitment to the American public by working to inform our leaders in Washington about the programs and services libraries across the country are providing to help America get back to work, such as assistance with resume building and online job searching as well as free classes to teach the public 21st century job skills.

With many opportunities available to libraries through the stimulus bill, the library community must continue our efforts to educate our elected officials on the benefits of investing in libraries – focusing now on the state level.

Implementing the law will no doubt be as complex a process as creating it, and for this reason the ALA Washington Office has created www.ala.org/knowyourstimulus as a one-stop source with resources on how to make sure libraries benefit from the package and the most up-to-date information on the stimulus. As information becomes available, the ALA Washington Office will post updates on this page with details, such as how funding will be distributed and how to apply.

We have compiled a list of the programs that libraries can benefit from included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. More information will be posted on each section as it becomes available.

$7.2 billion for Broadband
This includes $2.5 billion for Rural Utilities Service and $4.7 billion for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's (NTIA) broadband grant program to increase broadband access and usage in underserved areas of the nation. This includes $200 million in competitive grants for expanding public computer capacity at public libraries and community college libraries. Additionally, this includes $650 million for DTV, of which $90 million may be used by organizations, including libraries, for education and outreach to vulnerable populations including one-on-one assistance for box installation.

$53.6 billion for the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund
This program includes $48 billion in block grants allocated among the states. Out of each state's allocation, 81.8 percent is reserved for education and 18.2 percent is reserved for the governor to use as he or she sees fit. $39.5 billion for education using existing funding formulas, which can be used for preventing cutbacks, preventing layoffs, school modernization (school libraries will benefit from this), or other purposes and $8.8 billion for state fiscal relief for high-priority needs such as public safety and other critical services (including public libraries), renovation and repairs of public school facilities and institutions of higher education facilities. Encouraging state officials to invest the funds they receive from Congress in public and school libraries will be critical. It is also important to note that with the billions of dollars states are receiving, there should be no need for drastic state cutbacks in services.

An additional $120 million for the Senior Community Service Employment Program
This funding will provide community service jobs at nonprofit and public facilities, including libraries, for an additional 24,000 older Americans. The Senior Community Service Employment Program is a community service and work-based training program for older workers. Program participants are placed in a wide variety of community service positions at non-profit and public facilities, including daycare centers, senior centers, governmental agencies, schools, hospitals, libraries and landscaping centers. There are currently 74 grantees. Grant awards are made to 18 national nonprofit organizations and 56 state and territorial governments. In most states, the governor has selected the State Office on Aging to administer the program. The contact information for all existing grantees is available by going to www.doleta.gov/seniors. Click the contacts link on the right and on that page go to grantees PY 2007.

An additional $130 million for the Rural Community Facilities Program
The Community Programs is a division of the Housing and Community Facilities Programs at the United States Department of Agriculture. Community Programs includes the Community Facilities Guaranteed Loan Program, the Community Facilities Direct Loan Program, and the Community Facilities Grant Program. These programs help develop essential community facilities for public use in rural areas. These facilities include schools, libraries, childcare, hospitals, medical clinics, assisted living facilities, fire and rescue stations, police stations, community centers, public buildings and transportation.

Emily Sheketoff, Executive Director
ALA Washington Office
esheketoff@ala.wash.org

NETLS Information & Updates 2/16

Hot Dates!

February 18, 2009, Tekkies assemble at 9:30 am and meet at 10:00 am at the Carrollton Public Library at Josey Ranch Lake. The Library is located at 1700 Keller Springs Road in Carrollton. Meeting is open to all.

By February 20, The Automation and Technology Round Table (ATRT) of the Texas Library Association will make available two stipends of $700 for library employees who are involved in library automation and technology services to attend a TLA Conference and Annual Assembly.
February 20, 2009 -- Letters of recommendation from immediate supervisors must be sent via FAX or email.
February 20, 2009 -- Application deadline
Application form will be made available electronically online and via Adobe PDF , or a Microsoft Word document .

By February 23 RSVP to 1.800.875.2785 or elaines @ midwesttapes.com for Midwest tapes demonstration events March 4 in Greenville and March 5 in Longview.

By February 27 members of TLA and SCLRT (Small Community Library Round Table) apply for TLA Conference Stipend 2009 sponsored by Biblionix.

By February 27 NETLS is offering to pay the registration fee for several people to attend the Association for Rural and Small Libraries Annual Conference in Gatlinburg, TN in September.

Librarians from NETLS who have been to an ARSL Conference say they were the most beneficial, enjoyable library conference they had attended. They enjoyed the intimate feel and valued the opportunity to get practical ideas they could use in their libraries. Attendees also appreciated the opportunity for one-on-one meetings with staff members from libraries similar to theirs and with conference speakers. The conference registration fee includes a few meals. Housing at the conference hotel, which is where all activities are held, is a reasonable $70 per night.

If you and/or members of your library staff would like to be considered for payment of the ARSL Conference registration fee, please reply to Steve Seale by Friday, February 27, with the following information:
§ Library name
§ Staff member name(s)
§ In 100 words or less, how you think your community could benefit from your attending the conference
If you have questions, please contact Steve Seale, NETLS Continuing Education
Consultant, 972/205-6332.

By February 27 TSLAC grant applications http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/funding/lsta/

Until February 28 register for the online tutorial, Change Management & Leadership: If Change Is So Wonderful Why Aren’t We Having Fun Yet? Students will be able to complete the course throughout March.

Learn how to handle the rollercoaster of change After completing this course, students will be able to:
Assess both the benefits and the costs of change in your job, department, branch, library, institution and community
Understand how change impacts people in your library differently and have more empathy for their point of view
Identify what mistakes are likely and how to lower their impact on you and your staff
Feel more calm and confident, even when the world is unraveling
Be more influential during times of change.

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2009 Reading Club news from Christine McNew
The 2009 Texas Reading Club and Texas Teens Read! manuals are now online in HTML format.
Texas Reading Club manual
Texas Teens Read! manual
The manuals are also available in printable PDF formats, and CD-Roms will soon be mailed to participating libraries.
The posters, reading logs, certificates, and bookmarks for both programs will be mailed to participating libraries by March 31, 2009.

NEW CREW Manual announced by Dawn Vogler
The Library Development Division of the Texas State Library is very pleased to announce an updated and revised version of the CREW method written by Jeanette Larson!

For more than 30 years, The CREW Method has provided guidance to librarians and staff in small and medium sized public libraries about how to cull outdated and no longer useful materials from their collections. Although much of the basic information remains the same, the impact of changes in technology and its effect on library collections has been taken into consideration. The CREW guidelines by Dewey Class have been expanded even further and updated to reflect current practices. New sections have been added that explain in more detail the MUSTIE factors and types of disposal. The bibliography has been updated to include current editions of standard works, contemporary selections, and expanded online resources.

Access the pdf version of this manual.

An html version will be online in a few weeks and a print copy (for use right in the stacks!) of the new CREW will be sent to each public library in Texas over the next month or so. We hope you all continue to make great use of this very simple weeding method. Contact Dawn Vogler Dawn Vogler [dvogler@tsl.state.tx.us] if you are interested in receiving training on CREW.
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