New to BRIDGES? It's Enrollment Time
If your library is not yet a part of the BRIDGES eLibrary Service (or providing eBooks through another service) then now is the time to join. The enrollment period for libraries new to BRIDGES is now open.
BRIDGES is the eBook, audiobook, and streaming video buying consortium for Iowa public libraries. The State Library administers the program and manages the contract on behalf of all participants. The vendor behind the service is OverDrive. It is considered a consortium because member libraries pay an annual fee to belong; a portion of the fee is based on population. There are currently 482 member libraries, with over 75,000 unique users statewide.
The BRIDGES collection itself has grown considerably over the years to include magazines and streaming videos, in addition to eBooks and audiobooks. Here are some impressive facts about the BRIDGES consortium.
Collection Stats FY2021
- 57,638 eBooks (copies)
- 31,079 Audiobooks (copies)
- 3,864 Magazines
- 35 Videos
Circulation Stats FY2021
- eBook Checkouts = 1,225,118 ( yes, that reads MILLION ! )
- Audiobook Checkouts = 891,644
- Magazine Checkouts = 76,636
- Video Checkouts = 3,446
This is an annual enrollment period, so now is the only opportunity this year for your library to join BRIDGES and begin providing this important service for your community. Note that BRIDGES access is not part of the Open Access agreement; each city library must subscribe in its own rite to provide this service to its residents.
The first-year cost for a first-time participating library begins with a one-time $400.00 set-up fee; to that, add an annual subscription fee based on city population. Find the full cost on the State Library’s website at the button below.
For newcomers, please complete a Letter of Agreement The deadline to return the Letter of Agreement is March 31. For detailed information, visit the BRIDGES webpage at the button below. Further questions can be directed to your District Consultant.
Keynote Speakers Announced
Formerly known as Kids First, the State Library conference for youth services is now called Pop YS Con. And it’s making a comeback to an in-person event: April 4-5 in Ames, IA. The State Library is excited to announce this year’s conference keynote speakers:
Using Picture Book Biographies in the Classroom with Don Tate
As an illustrator, words frightened Don Tate. After all, artists create pictures, they don’t write stories. So how did a non-word person go about writing award-winning picture books? (ones that he did not illustrate) Don Tate will explain how creators of picture book biographies find and then zero in on the right information ... how illustrators find their writing voice ... how research determines what to include and what to leave out. Don shows how picture books are the ideal format to teach school subjects in elementary, middle and high school.
Reaching Teens Beyond the Library with Tirzah Price
How do we reach teens and really engage with them in our libraries? By meeting teens where they are and getting to know what matters to them. From there, youth services librarians can leverage their influence to connect teens with the resources at their disposal, building genuine connections with teens in the process. Speaker Tirzah Price will share her experience in building a teen library community and how she went from trying to entice teens to the library to becoming their allies and advocate.
Iowa Author Panel: Elizabeth Gilbert Bedia, Tina Cho, and Adrianne Finlay
Three Iowa authors—Elizabeth Gilbert Bedia, Tina Cho, and Adrianne Finlay—will be joined by Youth Services Consultant Tegan Beese to discuss their books, their writing lives, and how Iowa has influenced them. Prepare to learn and add some great titles to your TBR pile.
Registration for the 2022 Pop YS Conference is being handled through Seamless Docs. For detailed descriptions of the keynote presentations and breakout sessions, visit the webpage at the button below.
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Newbery and Caldecott Medals
Among Them
Last month, the American Library Association announced its 2022 literary award winners in youth and children’s literature. Including books, digital media, eBooks, and audiobooks, these anticipated award winners lead to ideal purchases for library collections, promotions, and programming. Here are just a few of the 2022 winners:
The John Newbery Medal, given for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature = The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera
The Randolph Caldecott Medal, given for the most distinguished American picture book for children = Watercress illustrated by Jason Chin, written by Andrea Wang
The Coretta Scott King Book Award, recognizing an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults = Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre written by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Floyd Cooper
The William C. Morris Award, given for a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens = The Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley
YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults = Ambushed: The Assassination Plot Against President Andrew Garfield by Gail Jarrow
Find the full listing of ALA’s 2022 Award Winners for Youth and Children’s Literature at ALA's website.
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