Bring the Zoo to You
This message comes courtesy of the education staff at Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines. If you’re still looking for summer programs @ your library, the Zoo may have some dates available for in-person visits or virtual visits.
Can't come to the Zoo? Have the Zoo come to you! Blank Park Zoo offers both in person and virtual programs for libraries, daycares, preschools, senior centers, and community groups. The Zoo to You Program options and request form can be found at the button below.
Madison offers this suggestion: “Our program prices will be changing with the start of our new fiscal year (April 1, 2022) Book today to lock in current pricing. If planning in-person events, you can also split mileage with nearby libraries, some restrictions apply.”
To inquire if there are still available dates, contact Madison at 515-974-2550 or email education@blankparkzoo.net Looking for free Zoo passes to give to your summer readers? Check in with Dori Buls at the State Library to learn what quantities are available--email or call dori.buls@iowa.gov ( 515-281-5790 )
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New to BRIDGES? It's Enrollment Time
Last week’s Eye-Opener announced BRIDGES enrollment for any library that is not yet a member. Today, this notice for all current BRIDGES members—it’s time to renew your participation for FY2023. The enrollment period for libraries new to BRIDGES, as well as for current members, 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 renew your membership and ensure continued eBook service for your community. Note that BRIDGES access is not part of the Open Access agreement; each library must subscribe in its own rite to provide the service to its residents.
Find your library’s annual subscription cost on the State Library’s BRIDGES webpage linked on the button below. Look for the invoice to arrive in July. And note—please do not send payment until you have your invoice in hand, then follow instructions for mailing the check or for paying online.
There’s also a Letter of Agreement required, find that on the BRIDGES page as well, along with a background about the service. Note the deadline to return the Letter of Agreement is March 31.
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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