September 11-14 in Springfield, MA

Announced just last week, this is exciting news: the State Library is pleased to provide four grants to four Iowa libraries, allowing anyone on staff to attend the 2024 Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL) Conference in Springfield, MA, this year scheduled for September 11-14, 2024.  Each grant offers up to a $1,500.00 reimbursement for conference registration, hotel, and transportation.

The purpose of these grants is to help Iowa library staff improve service to their communities through continuing education for library personnel. The ARSL Conference is especially relevant to the majority of Iowa libraries which serve populations under 2,500.

The grants will be issued to the library—not to the individual traveling—in the form of a reimbursement of up to $1,500.  Other incidentals such as meals will need to be covered by the library or the employee. Because of the Massachusetts location this year, the conference cost can be estimated at approximately $2,000. The four winning libraries will need to pay the upfront costs and then submit receipts to the State Library for reimbursement.  Here’s a look at what these grants will reimburse: 

• Registration:grant recipients will be eligible for the Early Bird member rate of $295.00
• Hotel:the cheapest conference rate lodging is $169.00 plus taxes & fees.
• Transportation:travel to-from Springfield MA (air or train) and ground transportation to-from the airport or train station to the conference venue.  Parking at and ground transportation to-from the home airport or train station may also be included.

These competitive grants include a short application form and does require a paragraph (200 words or less) explaining why you want to attend, what you hope to get from the conference, and how you plan to share the information with your institution and the wider library community.

The deadline to apply is May 31, 2024.  See complete details about
the grant program and access the link to the application form at the button below. 
Good luck to all applicants!

2024 ARSL Conference Grants

Includes Four Iowa Librarians!

For 22 years, Library Journal has devoted an annual issue of its magazine to the year’s “Movers & Shakers,” heralding leaders in libraries nationwide. This year’s “Movers & Shakers” issue features 4 Iowa librarians: our  congratulations go out to Tyler Hahn @ Cherokee PL, Zachary Stier @ Ericson PL in Boone, Meredith Crawford @ Cedar Rapids PL, and Jenay Dougherty @ the University of Iowa on being named Library Journal Movers & Shakers in 2024!

This year, the Movers & Shakers leadership categories include Ban Battlers--intellectual freedom defenders—alongside Advocates, Community Builders, Change Agents, Innovators, and Educators to make up the 2024 group. From Library Journal’s site “the librarians recognized this year are developing programming for patrons with disabilities, providing a place for teens to land after school, creating and restoring balance to their boards, connecting libraries with federal funding, helping design sustainable facilities, teaching community members how to archive their collections, and more.  The 50 individuals profiled here demonstrate 50 different ways to move library values forward.”

Tyler Hahn, Cherokee Public Library Director.  Tyler is named in the category of Innovators. He started an e-sports program at Cherokee PL with the international nonprofit Network of Academic and Scholastic Esports Federations, enabling Cherokee youth to become better-informed global citizens thanks to interacting with fellow gamers from Mexico, Japan, India, and Europe. Tyler also began teaching game design and other STEM skills at the local middle and high school—where such classes were simply not available before—and created resources for libraries and schools in the region looking to bring in scholastic gaming.

Meredith Crawford, Community Engagement Librarian with Cedar Rapids Public Library.  Meredith is recognized in the category of Advocates.  She launched the Be Heard program at a local youth detention center with the goal of reducing recidivism by engaging students with literature and art. Meredith told Library Journal: “Something I am particularly proud of is the way that Be Heard impacts the greater community and raises awareness for the detention center, in addition to enriching the days of the kids at the center.” 

Zachary Stier, Children’s Services Librarian with Ericson Public Library in Boone.  Named in the category of Community Builders, Zach launched Little Engines, a collaborative pilot project that supports early learning through virtual resources. This program provides families with interactive engagement activities.  In addition, in 2023 he partnered with the Iowa Space Grant Consortium to develop To the Moon and Back, a curriculum for science programming in libraries throughout the state.

Jenay Dougherty, Undergraduate Engagement Librarian with the University of Iowa Libraries.  Also in the category of Community Builders, Jenay aims to increase representation of Pacific Islanders in leadership roles, both within librarianship and in everyday life. In her capacity as a primary contact for first-generation college students at the U-of-I Libraries, she participates in the 1stGen@Iowa mentor network, connecting first-gen students with faculty and staff who offer guidance, resources, and connections to various services and departments across campus.

Once more, our congratulations to Tyler, Meredith, Zachary, and Jenay for achieving this prestigious honor!  Read all about their projects and more in Library Journal’s Movers & Shakers issue linked below

 Read About LJ’s Movers & Shakers 2024

Two weeks ago, State Library Communications Specialist Emily Bainter sent a press release regarding the People’s Law Library.  Emily’s update bears repeating here because since its launch in October 2022, the People’s Law Library of Iowa has gained thousands of online visitors and even more content related to Iowa laws.

The People’s Law Library helps Iowans find the legal information they need in plain, easy to understand language.  The site has experienced steady growth of website traffic throughout the first year. Since last October, the site has averaged more than 7,400 visits per month, demonstrating the need for Iowans to be connected to trustworthy, reliable information as they navigate the complexities of the legal system. 

Users typically find the site through search engines, through libraries, or by being referred from partner organizations.  State Librarian Michael Scott writes “We know that the law can be intimidating.  Being able to offer the People’s Law Library as a resource for easy to understand legal information—especially at no cost—is so important.  You don’t have to create an account or sign up for a membership; you can come to the site, find the information you need, and come back when you have additional questions. We want people to feel empowered about their legal rights.”

State Law Librarian Mandy Easter reports a 42% increase in reference questions, hearing from more than 1,500 members of the general public, librarians, attorneys, and others. The growth is primarily attributed to the People’s Law Library visitors and the convenient “Ask A Librarian” button that appears on nearly every page of the website.

The State Library partners with the University of Iowa Law Library to develop content for the website. Initially, the People’s Law Library offered three legal topic areas: Consumer Law, Family Law, and Housing Law. The website now boasts nine topics, adding Guardianships and Conservatorships, Abuse of Older Persons and Dependent Adults, Public Benefits Programs, Life Planning, and Veterans Law.  The newest topic area—Work Law—launched just this month.

Please take time to visit the People’s Law Library at the button below.  We have promotional materials to help you share this resource with your community.  And be sure to link to this important resource on your own library’s website!

The People’s Law Library of Iowa is supported by the
Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the
Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the State Library of Iowa.

Learn About the People’s Law Library