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Inspiring Library Stories
May 21, 2021
The second title in Big Ideas Book Discussions this year is Inspiring Library Stories: Tales of Kindness, Connection, and Community Impact (c2020) by Oleg Kagan. Having come
through an incredibly challenging year in our home lives and
work lives, this collection of stories lends credence to the role
that libraries play in the life of communities. This Big Ideas discussion is scheduled for May 21st, 9:30-11:00AM, for 1.5
c.e. credits.
From Amazon: “…According to a 2019 Gallup poll, visiting the library is the most common cultural activity Americans engage in. Here are 43 true stories that show you why. Shared by library workers, volunteers, and patrons from around the United States, these funny, insightful, and moving tales are sure to be a welcome treat for library lovers and an education for anyone who has ever wondered what makes libraries such a uniquely treasured institution. The stories are book-ended by five essays further exploring the
value of libraries in the digital age…”
In Big Ideas Book Discussions, State Library staff and partners facilitate discussions using books outside of library management, but with plenty of application to library management. Choosing books on leadership, civic engagement, presentation skills, etc. we connect those ideas with public library service. In addition to a great assortment of non-fiction titles there are other spin-off benefits of Big Ideas:
- titles help with collection development for participating libraries
- titles are good choices for local book discussion groups
- this program serves as another model for how to facilitate local book discussions
We encourage participants to purchase books used throughout the Big Ideas series for your own collections. And join us for the next good read: Inspiring Library Stories!
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Inspire Your Community
With Inspiring Stories
May 25, 2021
The second installment in The Boardroom 2021 series is “Inspire Your Community With Inspiring Stories.” This year’s Boardroom webinars bring in concepts from a variety of books, as we connect the books’ ideas to the business of library boards. This webinar is scheduled for May 25 from 6:00-7:30PM.
Inspire Your Community With Inspiring Stories suggests that the ability to tell impact stories about how the library matters in people’s lives leads to the most memorable conversations with friends, funders, and advocates. And it’s not just the stories we tell, but also how we tell them.
The May 2021 program is based on the book: Inspiring Library Stories: Tales of Kindness, Connection, and Community Impact (c2020) by Oleg Kagen. As described above, this is a collection of true stories centering on the role that libraries play in community life, including five essays highlighting the value of libraries in the digital age.
There is no obligation to read the book prior to the program. Attendance: at this webinar helps meet standard #8 "all members of the library board of trustees participate
in a variety of board development training each year..." http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/ld/a-b/accr-and-standards/6thed.pdf
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And Free Zoo Passes, Too
If you have some room in your summer schedule, Des Moines’ Blank Park Zoo staff is traveling again, resuming in-person programming beginning April 15.
The Zoo’s children’s themes this summer are Tales of Tails, Rockin’ in the Rainforest, What’s a Reptile? and Animals Have Class. And new in 2021: specialized adult programs surrounding these themes: Tarzan of the Apes (a book study) They Still Roam Among Us, and What’s New at the Zoo?
Plans For This Summer
A statement from Blank Park Zoo in early February explained their protocols for summer 2021:
- For live shows, Ambassador Animals will be limited to 8 hours (round trip) of out of enclosure time. This means animals will only be able to travel to programs that allow them to be back within 8 hours of their departure from Blank Park Zoo
- Only 2 Ambassador Animals will be visiting each program. Program lengths will still be 45-60 minutes. Reducing the number of animals visiting locations will increase the amount of time each animal is able to spend outside of their crates and allow audiences more time to observe and learn about each animal. Reducing the number of animals traveling on programs also allows the Zooto provide the appropriate amount of “time off” or amount of time that animals are not leaving their enclosures which reduce animal stress levels.
- Ambassador Animal visitors cannot be touched by audience members. Zoo officials have found that animals experience higher levels of stress when they are touched by large groups of people. With this change, staff will bring more artifacts and biofacts that audience members can explore and touch during or immediately following programs.
How Does This Affect Your Library?
- The Zoo’s changes to their summer 2021 program encourages collaboration among libraries close to Des Moines. For instance, libraries located less than eight hours round-trip from Des Moines can collaborate on scheduling and sharing mileage costs, as long as the round-trip time is under eight hours. Example given: the libraries in Cedar Falls, Waterloo, and Dysart could book the Zoo on the same day and share mileage if each library books just one hour of programming (3 hours of programming + 4.5 hours of travel)
- For libraries farther away from Des Moines, Zoo staff will offer virtual animal programming, supplying the necessary technology for the virtual programs
- Virtual animal visits include visits with any of the Ambassador Animals or any of the exhibit animals. Virtual animal visits finally give Zoo staff the opportunity to “bring” a rhino, giraffe, or tiger to Iowa libraries!
Again this year, Blank Park Zoo is giving away free passes to families planning a trip to Des Moines this summer. To order Zoo passes to give away @ your library, contact Dori Buls at Central District Office ( dori.buls@iowa.gov / 515.281.5790) To book a Blank Park Zoo program @ your library, call 515-974-2550 or email education@blankparkzoo.net.
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Plenty of Youth Programming This Week:
Summer Library Roundtables
Starting with “Color Your World Summer Roundtables" tomorrow April 13th. There are two sessions to choose from based on community size. For libraries in size codes A, B, C register for
the 10:00AM-12:00noon session. For libraries in size codes D and above, register for the 1:00-3:00PM session.
Come to brainstorm ideas for a colorful, fun summer outside. After
a brief overview of programming and a handful of ideas, attendees will spend the majority of the time in breakout rooms leading the discussion on their own, so bring plenty of thoughts and questions!
The discussion portions will not be recorded, so be sure to join the live conversation and have a working microphone turned on. Web cams are great for ZOOM conversations, too!
POP YS Live
Then on April 15, it’s Pop YS Live with this topic: Summer Food Service Programming and Collaboration @ Your Library. As a valuable community resource, public libraries can nourish kids’ minds and bodies! Join this session with Stephanie Dross, Lead Consultant for the Summer Food Service Program and the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program with the Iowa Department of Education. Learn more about the summer food service program, including eligibility requirements, partnership opportunities, and next steps to get started. This is a wonderful opportunity to provide a critical service to your community, while also enhancing your summer offerings for children and families.
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