Complete Survey to Win a
Prize Pack of Books!
To close out the 2021 summer season, the State Library is asking Iowa public libraries to complete a survey regarding this year’s Summer Reading Program. The survey asks about the number of in-person, online, and passive programs offered, as well as the total number of attendees at in-person programs in June, July, and August. Questions also ask about the 2021 theme "Reading Colors Your World, along with resources, training, and support offered by the State Library.
The main goal of this survey is to gauge the impact of Iowa's summer library programs. Results will be shared with the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) which provides funding for the State Library to provide the summer library program materials and training. Your feedback will also help the State Library and our newly hired Youth Services Consultant know how to enhance the program for next year and beyond.
By entering your contact information and completing the survey, your library will be entered into a drawing to win a prize pack of books for children and teens. Complete the survey at the link below by Thursday September 30 in order to qualify for the drawing:
a prize pack of books!
Directors: if you were not directly in charge of your library's summer program, please forward this email and survey link to the appropriate staff member.
Thank you in advance for your participation and feedback!
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Track Programming Stats With
Program Planner
This article is a reminder about a very impressive and convenient feature from WhoFi—it’s called Program Planner. And with the FY21 Annual Library Survey looming—due on October 31st—this article is also timely. Because if you begin using Program Planner now, you’ll have all the programming stats you’ll need at this time next year for the Annual Survey.
About Program Planner
While wireless stats have been available for two years, Program Planner is newer, available since March 2021. Program Planner is a programming report tool, designed to schedule, manage, and track attendance at library programs and events. This tool is available to current WhoFi library customers; access it by logging into the same WhoFi account you already use for tracking wi-fi iusage.
Librarians who attend District Office Hours in the coming weeks can expect to see WhoFi rep Nate Rakestraw join those ZOOM discussions with a demonstration of Program Planner. If you can’t make your District Office Hours, you can learn more by watching a 9-minute video overview demonstrating how to use Program Planner. Questions are best directed to WhoFi support https://whofi.com/contact-us/
About WhoFi
Two years ago, the State Library contracted with WhoFi to provide a new service for Iowa public libraries: a usage counter to monitor and track the number of devices on a wireless network. WhoFi provides public libraries with wireless usage statistics and easy-to-read reports. Data from Who-Fi allows directors to easily complete questions on the Public Library Annual Survey related to wireless usage. In addition, insights from the reports can help convey the story of the library’s impact on the community and help make data-driven decisions on technology, programming, and more.
For both the wireless counter and the new programming counter, the State Library pays the entire cost of the subscription to WhoFi for any public library that is interested. Libraries that are not currently using WhoFi should contact their District LRT to request setup. More information, including a Program Planner brochure and training video, is available at the link below.
Funding for WhoFi is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act
(LSTA) as administered by the State Library of Iowa.
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Banned Books Week September 26-October 2
This year, Banned Books Week, ALA’s notable public awareness campaign, is September 26-October 2. Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to read by promoting the value of equal access to information for all ages. The 2021 theme is “Books Unite Us.”
This national recognition brings together the entire book community—libraries, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and trustees—in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider controversial and unpopular. By focusing on frequent efforts by groups and individuals seeking to remove or restrict access to books, Banned Books Week draws national attention to the dangers of censorship.
The ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom (OIF) compiles lists of challenged books as reported in the media and submitted by librarians and teachers across the country. Each year, ALA tracks incidents of challenged books in public and school libraries; ALA has posted a video clip of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books in 2020 on its website.
Find Banned Books Week resources and promotional materials at ALA clicking the button below. And don’t forget to share your plans and pictures of tabletop displays for Banned Books Week with each other on LIBRARY TALK.
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