For Teen Read Week

Here’s an opportunity for Teen Read Week programming this year, but with a looming deadline.  Thanks to the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, the Young Adults Library Services Association (a division of ALA) is offering ten $1,000.00 grants to help fund Teen Read Week activities.  Teen Read Week 2018 is October 7-13, the deadline for grant applications is June 1st.

Teen Read Week is an annual event designed to promote the best of YA books, as well as promote teen services in libraries nationwide.  The 2018 theme is “It’s Written in the Stars.” Grant applicants should demonstrate how the funds will help support teens in thinking and reading outside the box by discovering fantasy, science fiction, and other out-of- this-world reads. Grant recipients will be announced in early July.

To determine grant eligibility, you must answer YES to the following questions:

1. Is your activity organized through a library?
2. Is your program open to all teens in the community?
3. Do you work directly with teens?
4. Are you a personal member of YALSA?
5. Is your library within 20 miles of a Dollar General store?  Find out at Dollar General Store Locator

 Find the grant application plus more about Teen Read Week...click the button! 

Teen Read Week

State Library Program Director Nancy Medema has this news regarding the Kids First Conference.  Normally held in odd-numbered years, the 2019 Kids First Conference will be on hiatus next year.  Suspending this event in 2019 is based on several factors, as Nancy explains: 

“…After 8 years with the State Library, our Youth Services Consultant Merri Monks will be retiring this fall.  Due to the lengthy hiring process at the state level, we don’t anticipate having a new consultant on board until early 2019, just a few short months before the conference would normally be held.  We will have many expectations for the new youth services consultant, with the first year focused on traveling around the state to meet youth librarians, provide training on various programs, and help develop continuing education classes.

The State Library will also begin exploring partnerships and collaborations for future Kids First conferences; these discussions and plans need time to develop and coalesce. We will spend the 2019 hiatus pursuing partnership opportunities to make the event even better.   If you have any suggestions for possible partners, I'd love to hear them. 

Finally, due to state-level budget cuts already enacted, we anticipate a reduction in matching LSTA funding from the federal government in the near future. A portion of this appropriation funds the State Library Youth Services staff person and program, and we would like to absorb these reductions before moving forward.

I want to assure you that we believe Kids First is a valuable program and that we will work to make sure it continues!”

You are welcome to contact Nancy Medema with questions or comments: nancy.medema@iowa.gov

"Engage at Every Age"

Since 1963, May has been designated as “Older Americans Month.”  Originally titled “Senior Citizens Month” by President Kennedy, it was President Carter’s administration that re-named it “Older Americans Month” in 1980.

The 2018 theme is “Engage at Every Age,” emphasizing that people are never too old (or too young) to take part in activities that can enrich physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It also celebrates the many ways in which older adults make a difference in all  communities. The purpose of Older Americans Month is to acknowledge the vitality, aspirations, and contributions of older citizens, in particular those who defended our country.  Every President since JFK has issued a formal proclamation in May asking that the entire nation pay tribute in some way to older persons in their communities.  Making Older Americans Month a perfect occasion for library book displays, bulletin boards, and programming. 

The Administration on Aging, along with the Administration for Community Living are major sponsors of Older Americans Month.  From their websites you can find logos and posters to help with your local promotions, along with activities and resources to use in local programming.  Learn more about Older Americans Month here 

Older Americans Month

This Week ... And Next

This Tuesday May 22 there’s  another installment in The Boardroom webinar series; this month’s topic is Policies For Results (6:00-7:30PM) 

Another Friday Tech Focus rolls around this Friday May 25—online @ 9:30AM.  This demonstration takes a new tech or web tool and discusses how it can used in a library setting. Spend 30 minutes learning about a new tool, then stay for informal discussion if you have time.

Director Roundtables continue in various locations across the state this week, as do on-site PLOW classes.  Complete with c.e. credits, these are great opportunities to meet up with colleagues face-to-face for conversation and learning.  Find the remaining dates and locations for spring Director Roundtables and PLOW classes in the C.E. Catalog and register for the one nearest you! 

C.E. Catalog

Next Monday is Memorial Day, 

State Library offices will be closed.

Look for the next Eye-Opener on June 4.  
Have a great Memorial Day holiday weekend!