Estherville Public Library
Staff Development Day

This invitation comes courtesy of Estherville Public Library Director Tena Hanson.  Area library staff are invited to attend the afternoon portion of EPL’s Staff Development Day—October 9th from 1:00-3:00PM.  Mark Gruwell of Learnacre is presenting a program titled “Throwing out the Book: New Demands for Rural Public Libraries.”

Here’s more:  “If you were to ask community members the first word or phrase that comes to mind when they hear the name of your local public library, how would they respond? More importantly, how do you want them to respond? Too often, rural public libraries are perceived as quiet places with books where one can read or study.  But as you and your colleagues know, rural public libraries offer so much more: research, technology, and engaging programming. Want to change your community’s incomplete perception of your local library?  It’s just a matter of creating new demand—that is, new audiences.  And it can be done.  

Our engaging, interactive two-hour learn-shop offers a rare and valuable opportunity to collaborate in real time with colleagues from other rural public libraries and to learn an effective system to create new audiences for local libraries. By the end of the learn-shop, participants will leave with a preliminary plan to discuss, share, and implement. Don’t miss this opportunity to transform the (mis)perceptions of your rural public library…”

The afternoon session has been approved for 2 c.e. credits from the State Library; attendance certificates will be provided on-site.  This is free of charge, but Tena is asking people to pre-register so that EPL can ensure adequate seating.  Register by emailing info@estherville.lib.ia.us or by calling 712-362-7731.  On behalf of the State Library, our thanks to Tena Hanson for opening this education opportunity to area libraries.

Estherville Public Library

And Top 10 Voting

It’s next month already—Teen Read Week 2018 will be celebrated October 7-13.  This is the week when libraries nationwide have great options for teen programming.   When you participate in Teen Read Week, your library is joining a national literacy project sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) of ALA.

The 2018 theme is “It’s Written in the Stars—Read.”  This is your chance to spotlight all the resources and activities you provide for the teenage crowd.  From the YALSA website: “…Teens are not simply ‘older children’—the have reached a developmental stage that requires a different strategic approach in order to effectively understand, connect with, and serve them.  In addition, the needs and developmental abilities of younger teens ages 13 to 15 vary from those of older teens ages 16 to 18.  YALSA helps libraries increase their outreach to teens and serve them better…”

One fun activity is to get your teen patrons  involved in Teens Top 10 Voting.  Now through October 13, teens can vote for their favorite three titles from this year’s list of nominees.  Find the 2018 nominees, watch a promotional video, and encourage your community’s teens to vote early and often!  Find those details at the button below. 

Also visit YALSA’s website http://www.ala.org/yalsa/ YALSA is a division of the American Library Association; its website is a great spot to find promotional materials, along with  collection development lists, top YA titles, STEM and STEAM toolkits too. 

How will you encourage participation from teens in your community?   
Share your plans for Teen Read Week @ Your Library!   

Teen Read Week

Equals 20 Years of Reading Magic

As seen in a BRIDGES newsletter, this story is still timely and worthy of local book displays or bulletin boards.  June of this year marked the 20th anniversary of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rolling.  

Hard to believe that it’s been 20 years since Harry Potter became a household name.  But now a new generation of readers are discovering Harry’s wizarding world.  This is an easy local promotion—every library has plenty of Harry Potter titles to display.  But if you find that your copies are beyond dog-eared, consider purchasing 20th anniversary editions from Scholastic https://harrypotterbooks.scholastic.com/20th-anniversary-editions/   

Don’t forget about the movie adaptions for your DVD collection.  And with Halloween right around the corner, the timing is perfect for a Harry Potter Costume Party.  Target and Party City among other outlets carry the costumes.  Amazon has a Harry Potter chess set.  The Harry Potter Shop.Com is probably the premier shopping site.  Easy ways to highlight all things Harry Potter @ your library!

The Harry Potter Shop

This Week ...

Another webinar in The Boardroom series happens tomorrow evening September 25 (6:00-7:30PM)  Tomorrow night’s topic is “Toward Tech Savvy Trustees.”

Northwest libraries are invited to a reception for director Sherri Peterson, who is leaving Newell Public Library.  The board-hosted open house is scheduled for this Thursday September 27 from 2:00-4:00PM. 

Catch another Friday Tech Focus this week on September 28 (9:30-10:00AM) Friday Tech Focus is an online tech demonstration conducted by NE District Consultant Eunice Riesberg. Attend every calendar quarter to learn about a new techie product or web tool and discuss how it might be used in a library setting.  Register in the C.E. Catalog.

Edge Assessment Work Sessions have been happening in many locations across the state in September, with more yet this week.  Offered ahead of the State Library Leaning Circuits in October, these work sessions are a chance to complete the Edge Assessment together as a group, with laptops and assistance on-site.  Look for the one nearest you in the C.E. Catalog.

C.E. Catalog