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Good Morning! December 4, 2017
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Automation System Survey
 2017 Marshall Breeding Automation Survey
This is the 11th year of
the Marshall Breeding Automation Survey, a valued tool in helping libraries in
the U.S. and abroad compare automation vendors.
Marshall Breeding is now collecting data for the 2017 International Library Automation Perceptions survey
conducted through Library Technology Guides.
This
survey provides an opportunity for library managers to register your perceptions of the
automation software used in your libraries, as well as your opinion about product performance and customer
service. The survey also asks
about plans to migrate to different automation systems and the level of
interest in open source products.
Iowa
libraries are invited to participate in the 2017 survey. Doing so helps library directors elsewhere
who are in the process of evaluating automation systems. Your assessment of software features, product
performance, and customer support are valuable to others making similar
decisions. This survey also provides
constructive criticism to the vendors themselves, helping them to address any
prevailing issues. Comments will be published in the survey results, though
redacted to conceal any text that might identify the individuals or
organization responding.
More information about the survey, participation instructions, and results of
previous years at the button below.
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E-Rate Filing Ahead
 Form 470 Filing Window Is Open
The window is open for filing your E-rate Form
470 and the district LRTs are ready to assist you with this process. If you are seeking funding for the library’s
monthly Internet bill, or are seeking funds for the hardware necessary to
deliver Internet to your patrons, you will want to file a form 470 now.
This is the opportune time to call your District LRT (Library Resource Technician) and set
up an appointment to file the form step-by-step with their assistance. Please note that there are changes in the
way this form was done last year, making it important to follow the new guidelines for the FY2018-2019 filing year. The instructions for these changes were
recently posted to LibraryTalk by Jay Peterson; District LRTs are
aware of the proper way to file, as well.
Toll Free contact
information for your district LRT:
- Northwest:
Amanda Grom @ 866-642-7920
- Southwest: Sue Gruber @ 866-642-7922
- Central: Doreen Buls @ 866-642-7917
- North Central: Trisha Hicks @ 866-642-7918
- Southeast: Deb Crane @ 866-642-7921
Northeast = your
county's assigned LRT shows here
- Allamakee, Clayton, Howard counties = Trisha
- Buchanan and Linn counties = Debbie
- Benton, Dubuque, Winneshiek counties = Dori
- Black Hawk, Bremer, Delaware counties = Sue
- Chickasaw and Fayette counties = Amanda
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 Book Club Central
This past summer, Monday Morning Eye-Opener reported on a
new reading initiative from ALA—Book Club
Central. This program
launched in June, with honorary chairperson
Sarah Jessica Parker at the forefront. From an ALA news release: “This online resource is a
one-stop shop for engaging content and helpful information for book clubs and
readers of all types, including author interviews, book recommendations and
reviews, as well as discussion questions and information on how to start and
moderate a book club…”
Sarah Jessica Parker’s pick for the first Book Club Central title was No One
is Coming to Save Us by Stephanie Powell Watts. ALA recently announced her second pick: Exit
West by Mohsin Hamid. Parker
describes her choice: “Mohsin Hamid's Exit
West gives a deeply real, beautiful,
intricate, and electrifying look at what it means to be an immigrant right
now. This tale of two people forced from their homeland and searching for
a home elsewhere is transporting and illuminating. I was swept away by this gorgeous,
otherworldly novel and I'm so excited to offer it as our second selection for Book Club Central, as I'm convinced
every reader will feel the same.”
Book Club Central is really just getting started. If you’re not familiar, the button below takes you there. And here's an in-depth story at American
Libraries Magazine https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/?s=book+club+central
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Library101 December 12th
New directors, staff, or
trustees—take note. The next Library101 is scheduled for December 12th (9:30-11:30AM) Sponsored by the State Library, LIBRARY 101 is
typically offered four times each year. This 2-hour online program introduces
newly hired directors to library support systems and services in Iowa.
It’s a friendly, helpful orientation: you’ll
meet State Library staff—at least virtually—helping you match names with faces.
We’ll discuss public library service standards and provide explanations of
popular statewide programs, with plenty of time to answer your questions.
People new to support staff positions, as well as trustees, are encouraged to
attend.
Look to the c.e. catalog to register for Library101. Doing
so ensures that you will receive
follow-up email with the link to the Adobe Classroom. New to your library job? Then join Alysia Peich and me online for Library101!
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