Libraries = Strong Communities

National Library Week 2019 is right around the corner: this year to be celebrated April 7-13.  National Library Week is a premier time to publicly recognize the many and varied contributions that libraries make to American society as trusted sources of information, research, and programming for all ages.

Originating in 1958, NLW has been sponsored by the American Library Association and observed each April since, with a focused theme. The 2019 theme for NLW is “Libraries = Strong Communities.”  This year’s honorary NLW Chair is Melinda Gates.  Among many programming ideas for your library to latch onto:

• New public service announcement by actor and comedian Ken Jeong; download his PSA video clip to for free to post on your website and social media.  
• April 10 marks the first-ever Library Giving Day.  Founded by the Seattle Public Library Foundation, Library Giving Day is a national one-day fundraising effort that promotes donating to local libraries. Libraries can find a sign-up form, campaign tools, and ways to connect with other participating libraries at 
• Watch a trailer for the new movie The Public, written and directed by Emilio Estevez.  This film was screened at ALA Midwinter in Seattle and is scheduled for theatrical release on April 5. “The Public follows the story of a group of homeless people who stage an “occupy” sit-in at a large public library. From the movie trailer “…what begins as an act of civil disobedience becomes a stand-off with police and a rush-to-judgment media constantly speculating about what's really happening. This David vs. Goliath story tackles some of our nation's most challenging issues—homelessness and mental illness—and sets the drama inside one of the last bastions of democracy: your public library.”

Find lots more National Library Week info by clicking below, including promotional materials, video clips, press releases, and more.   Don’t forget Library Talk—that’s a great place to share your plans for celebrating National Library Week 2019!

National Library Week

April 12th Online

ISLA—Iowa Small Library Association—is a subdivision of ILA, working to meet the needs and interests of the state’s small and rural libraries.  ISLA is holding its spring meeting on April 12, this year conducted online using ILA’s ZOOM web conferencing software. 

ISLA 2019 Spring Meeting theme is all about website design, content strategy, and ADA compliance.  The day begins with a business meeting from 8:15-8:45 AM, with the education portion following.  From 9:00-10:30AM Melissa Rach, founder of Digital Studios, will speak about website content strategy.  From 10:30AM-12:00PM Julie Brinkhoff, Associate Director of the Great Plains ADA Center, will speak about websites in terms of ADA compliance.

The cost is $10.00 for ISLA members, $20.00 for non-members.  The ISLA Newsletter, linked on the ILA website, has more details, including registration instructions.  And this note: there are various scholarships available for people who attend this spring meeting, scholarships to offset the cost of conferences later this year.  It will pay to read this newsletter thoroughly, there could be money in it for you!  

Register--ISLA Spring Meeting

Letter of Agreement Due March 31

There’s an important deadline coming up: by March 31^st, all BRIDGES libraries mush renew their subscription by sending in a Letter Of Agreement.  This is an annual commitment pledging to continue with the BRIDGES consortia.  Follow these easy steps to renew:

1. From the State Library’s website, navigate to the BRIDGES page at the button below 
2. From the left-hand menu, choose “Membership Documents”
3. Choose “Bridges Letter of Agreement for FY2020”
4. Complete the agreement and return it to the address shown on the bottom of the form.  DEADLINE for receipt of the agreement is March 31.

Note that you will receive an invoice for your annual subscription fee in July. Please DO NOT send payment before you have your invoice in hand.  Then follow instructions for issuing and mailing the checks.  

And for libraries wanting to join BRIDGES for the first time, the process is much the same.  From the button below, choose “Membership Documents” then choose “Bridges Enrollment Letter of Agreement For New Libraries FY 2020.”  Return deadline is the same—March 31.  There is a one-time fee of $400.00 for newly enrolling libraries, in addition to the annual fee for the first year. Pricing information is available on the Membership Documents page.

Renew BRIDGES Agreement

    DALINK Hosts Daylong Workshop

While Summer Reading Roundtables take a break this week, there’s more education ahead when looking into April.   

DALINK (Dubuque Area Library Information Consortium) is hosting a daylong workshop on April 12 (9:30AM-3:30PM)  Held at Loras College in Dubuque, this workshop is open to academic and public library staff.  The day’s theme is Events That Work, featuring a keynote presentation, followed by three breakout sessions focused on practical programming and event planning.  Learn more about event planning from an expert.  Learn about the educational benefits of gaming.  And take away creative adult programming ideas in the bargain.  The cost is $75.00 which includes lunch and snacks.  Registration is limited to 120 people, deadline is March 29.  Find registration and more details at the DALINC website 

DALINK Info and Registration

    Sioux County Staff Development Day

On the opposite side of the state, Sioux County Libraries have scheduled their annual Staff Development Day on April 16.  Sioux Center Public Library is hosting this daylong program, with registration @ 8:30AM, intros at 9:00, and sessions beginning at 9:15; the day concludes at 2:00PM.  Here’s a look at the topics on tap:

• Intellectual Freedom, Privacy, and Confidentiality
• Health Resources
• Tech Workshops (choose from OverDrive, Brainfuse, and Newspapers)
• Roundtables (choose from Support Staff, Programming, Cataloging, Adminstration)
• State Library Update
• Reference Service Tips
• Readers' Advisory

This event is sponsored by the Sioux County Library Association.  Library staff inside and outside of Sioux County are welcome to attend.  However, program planners do ask for advance registration by April 5.  The cost is $15.00 per person, which includes a light breakfast plus a  soup & sandwich lunch.  Once your registration has been received, your library will receive an invoice.  Please make checks payable to Sioux Center Public Library.  

Register For Sioux County Staff Day