What's Completed, What's Ahead 

Based on discussions and recommendations from the Online Resources Task Force, the State Library is moving forward with the process for securing new online resources related to these topic areas:

• Online Encyclopedia / General Reference Tool
• Homework Help
• Legal Forms
• Business & Residential Directories
• Library Customer Engagement and Training
• Grant Research Tool

Understandably, there is not a one-size-fits-all package of resources that will meet the needs of every Iowa library.  But we believe that these types of resources will provide the most benefit to the broadest cross-section of Iowa libraries.

Next Step: RFP Process

State Library staff have begun the process of drafting RFPs (Requests For Proposals) related to the above topic areas and will work with State of Iowa Procurement to post these as bid opportunities soon. Once the proposals from vendors are received, we will turn to the Task Force again and ask for a few volunteers from that group to evaluate the proposals.

While we'll pursue an RFP for each type of resource, we cannot guarantee what, if any, resource will be selected or which vendors will be selected. Assuming a successful RFP process with various vendors, State Library administration will then weigh different funding options and choose the best method of paying for any of the selected products.

At this point, the timeline for the RFP process is variable; it is simply not possible to announce a target date when the new resources will be ready to roll out to libraries. We will continue to give updates on the RFP process and timeline as information becomes available.

Resources Discontinuing July 1st

As a reminder, the following resources will be discontinued July 1, 2021: 

• Gale Databases (including Chilton Library and Opposing Viewpoints)
• Credo
• Transparent Language
• Ebsco Wilson Core Collection
• OCLC FirstSearch (Note: we are working with OCLC to reach an agreeable subscription option for Iowa libraries that wish to remain with FirstSearch.  Also, this change does not affect the CatExpress consortium)

We will provide additional reminders and guidance in the coming months to ease the transition to the new resources. Other resources are under different contract timelines and will continue to be offered in FY2022; these include: Bridges, Brainfuse, and Bold360 Chat. 

Task Force Members

Our thanks to the Online Resources Task Force who contribute their time and effort during this process to review feedback from focus groups, attend meetings, and lend their voices to thoughtful discussions: Brianne Anderson (Ames) Michelle Andersen (Atlantic) Amy Muchmore (Carnegie-Stout/Dubuque) Tyler Hahn (Cherokee) Andrew Hoppmann (Lied/Clarinda) Joan Grothoff (Eldora) Sarah Clendineng (Fort Madison) Jason Paulios (Iowa City) Heather Libby (Knoxville) Shirley Taylor (Le Mars) Amy White (Lisbon) Katie Fink (Marshalltown) Ron Houk (Ottumwa) Teresa Dahlgren (Waterloo) and Louise Alcorn (West Des Moines)

Read More: Online Resources Review

The State of America's Libraries Report
2021 Edition

Each year during National Library Week, ALA releases a publication titled The State of America’s Libraries Report.  With each report, ALA editors look back on the year past with stories about library funding, programming, advocacy efforts, and more.  The look back at 2020 is a retelling of how library staff across the country stepped up to continue to provide library service in new and creative ways in the face of daunting challenges. 

ALA president Julius Jefferson writes “As we assess the state of America’s libraries, we find that 2020 was a year when library professionals answered the call to serve amid multiple emergencies.  And a year when library workers again proved to be essential ‘first restorers’ or ‘second responders.’  Libraries kept Americans connected in ways that brought our communities closer.  Buildings may not have been open, but libraries were never closed.”

From the full report, here are some statistics that impacted Americans and their libraries in the past year:

• 35% of rural Americans lack high-speed Internet at home
• The CARES Act provided libraries with $50 million to expand community Internet access
• In 2020, America’s libraries loaned 289 million eBooks, an increase of 40% over 2019
• Across 27 states, 90% of voters supported ballot measures in over 100 library-related referenda
• A book club in Connecticut took their discussions outdoors with their “Book Yak on a Kayak” program

The State of America’s Libraries Report also includes ALA’s tradition of including the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of the past year.  In 2020, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck made this list again, as is true nearly every year.  More recently published books on the 2020 list include The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas, Something Happened in Our Town by Marianne Celano, and All American Boys by Jason Reynolds.  

The full ALA report is a free PDF download. Read more about how the nation’s libraries responded to COVID19, as well as the Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2020. Alongside the full State of America’s Libraries Report, find social media graphics and messages at the button below.  Use this publication to help you tell library impact stories--across the country and closer to home!

The State of America’s Libraries Report 2021

Enrich Iowa Letters of Agreement
Due April 30th

REMINDER—April 30 is the deadline to return your library’s Enrich Iowa Letter of Agreement.  Returning this agreement is critical for all public libraries intending to participate in the Enrich Iowa program for the coming FY22 fiscal year.  The agreement is filed electronically; find it and a full explanation here 
https://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/ld/e/enrich-ia

Check It Out

This month’s session of Check It Out happens tomorrow Tuesday April 27 (11:00AM-12:00PM) This webinar series features Youth Services Consultant Angie Manfredi spotlighting the best new books for ages 0-18.  This program offers book talks on new kids titles and collection development ideas.

Screen Readers in Your Library

This month’s session from the Iowa Dept for the Blind and Print Disabled happens Wednesday April 28 (1:00-2:00PM)  This time, the information is about screen readers (JAWS, Voiceover, NVDA) with a focus on the free option NVDA.  Presenters will also explain how these screen readers can be installed and used on a library’s public computers.  This ongoing webinar series with the Iowa Dept for the Blind is a partnership with the State Library.

Register For Both Inside IALearns