With Recorded Webinars

The State Library has made important changes to earning continuing education credit for watching our recorded webinars.  Our past practice has been to make most webinar recordings available on our website shortly after the live events; watching them and completing a “Learning Activity Written Summary” qualified for credit.

But we’re now taking a new approach.  Continuing Education Coordinator Alysia Peich explains: “…our webinar recordings are still available for informational purposes; trustees will especially benefit from using recordings as one way to fulfill the board education standard.  But now for credit purposes, recorded webinars will be developed into self-paced classes accessible through the C.E. Catalog.  

Another significant change: our recorded webinars are now posted to the State Library’s YouTube channel, divided into small segments that can be watched from beginning to end in a playlist. Or they can be watched a la carte depending on which segments interest you most.  YouTube also allows for closed-captioning, which is now available for our most recent recordings…”

To receive c.e. credit for watching recorded webinars, log into your C.E. Catalog account.  Search for self-paced courses—note these have the same titles as the original programs.  Select any self-paced course, then select “on demand.” After registering, go to “My Learning” to find the course you’ve chosen.  Click on the “Launch” button to the right of the course title.  The launch button takes you into Moodle, where you’ll see links to the YouTube recordings, along with a quiz. 

To complete a self-paced course, you must watch the entire video and earn 100% on the accompanying quiz.  Upon successfully completing the quiz, a c.e. certificate is then unlocked.  

Remember, your attendance at live classes and your completion of self-paced classes is all saved in your c.e. catalog account under “My Learning.”  This is a great way to track completed credit hours needed for re-certification. Thanks to Alysia for this explanation about this new process.  Be sure to check out the self-paced courses in the C.E. Catalog and let us know if questions!    

C.E. Catalog

Fall Registration Is Open

The fall round of Public Library Management courses are open for registration.  Required of most new directors hired in Iowa libraries, PLM1 and PLM2 are each 8-week courses.  The first class is held in-person, the remaining seven classes are held online.  PLM1 provides an introduction to library management, including board-director relations, budgeting, policies, and more.  PLM2 builds on the first, with topics such as planning, marketing, and community analysis.

These courses must be taken in order: new directors must complete PLM1 before registering for PLM2.  While support staff are eligible to register for these management courses, library directors are allowed first admittance because of the standard requiring director certification

PLM1 runs from September 18-November 6; PLM2 runs from September 10-October 29.  Registration is open in the C.E. Catalog, but deadlines are fast approaching.  Note that registering for the first class automatically registers you for the entire course.

If you are headed for either PLM1 or PLM2 come September, be sure to acquire a solid headset/microphone before then because participation in all classes is expected and factors into the accumulating point scores.

Nominations Open

Surely there is a museum or library in Iowa that deserves national recognition--we believe that's true! The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is currently accepting nominations from Members of Congress for the 2019 National Medal for Museum and Library Service.

Now in its 25th year, the annual IMLS National Medal recognizes libraries and museums whose programs and services contribute demonstrably to the well-being of their communities.  “These institutions exceed typical levels of community outreach by supporting community cohesion and by helping to catalyze positive change. Winners’ collaborative, adaptive programs, co-created with their communities, demonstrate exemplary service…”

Senator Grassley is happy to nominate any Iowa libraries that are interested. Send an email with the name of the institution and contact information including email address to James_Rice@grassley.senate.gov before August 31.  Senator Grassley will submit the nomination to IMLS and the institution will then receive an application packet to complete and submit to IMLS to be considered for the medal.

Nominees should review the IMLS Strategic Plan and highlight how their local work aligns with the goals of promoting lifelong learning, building institutional capacity, and increasing access to their information and collections. Successful applications will showcase how their local work with these contexts is making a difference for their communities.  Click below to read more about the medals and to watch recent medal highlights.

IMLS National Medal

This Week ...

Big Ideas Book Discussion happens this Friday August 24 when the title is Dear Fahrenheit 451 by Annie Spence.  (online 9:30-11:00AM)

More infographics workshops are happening around the state this week, with one more next month.  Conducted by State Library staff Emily Bainter, Becky Heil, and Bonnie McKewon, you’ll find details about Presentation Pointers: Using Infographics in the C.E. Catalog. Open for registration, these are hands-on classes, with attendees trying their hand at creating an infographic using Canva software.  Take a look at the remaining classes and register for a location near you:

• August 21 @ Oelwein
• August 22 @ Harlan
• September 19 @ Humboldt