State Library Discontinuing
Email Service To Public Libraries
Last Monday, Iowa library directors received a bulletin from State Librarian Michael Scott. Michael announced the news that as of May 1, 2025, the State Library will no longer offer email service to public libraries.
AtMail, the State Library’s vendor for email service, is currently used by 299 public libraries. Michael’s announcement, along with what will be several more bulletins in the months to come, allowing ample time for affected libraries to start planning and making arrangements to find a new email service provider. Michael also shared our agency’s reasons for this significant service change, he writes:
- "First, we have been aware of and share your frustration with the ongoing technical issues from AtMail’s email service. We know your satisfaction with AtMail has been low and we do not want to renew the contract next year."
- "This past year has also brought up some difficult questions in regards to the handling of FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) requests. Because state and local government emails are considered public records, providing email service to libraries puts the State Library in the time consuming and potentially sensitive position of being in the middle between the city handling the FOIA request and the email service provider. Legally, these situations are best handled in their entirety by the city."
- "As we have shared before, the State Library began offering email service when it was tied to the first generation of PLOW library websites, in the early days of the Iinternet. At the time, few libraries had email service or the staff expertise to set it up. Now, email is ubiquitous, and can be likened to phone or internet service, which the State Library does not subsidize for libraries. We are also not aware of any other state library agency that provides the same level of email service to public libraries on a statewide basis."
So as Michael explained, with these reasons in mind—and after over 20 years of providing email service—it’s now time for our agency to discontinue this service and assist local libraries in making other arrangements. We've already started gathering resources to help work through this process and answer many commonly asked questions, all at the button below.
As Michael wrote in his message last week, he welcomes your feedback
and thoughts—contact him at michael.scott@iowa.gov
Moreover, your District LRT is standing by to help with questions and to provide support through this transition. Bookmark the webpage below:
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Happening In September
Since 1987, Library Card Sign-Up Month has been promoted in September to mark the beginning of the school year. During the month, the American Library Association and libraries unite in a national effort to ensure every child signs-up for their own library card.
Throughout the school year, public librarians and library staff assist parents by saving hundreds of dollars on educational resources and services for students. Library staff work to remind parents and youth that signing up for a library card is the first step towards academic achievement and lifelong learning. Not to mention a very cost-effective back-to-school item!
The 2024 theme is “Libraries: More Than Meets The Eye.” This year, ALA is teaming up with multiplatform entertainment company Skybound Entertainment and leading toy company Hasbro to encourage people to roll out to their libraries with the Transformers franchise, featuring Optimus Prime, as part of Library Card Sign-Up Month.
Public and school libraries nationwide are urged to participate in Library Card Sign-Up Month and amplify the message that libraries are an imagination place. Find free toolkits from ALA, including posters, bookmarks, social media messages, public service announcements, and more.
ALA’s website includes free graphics to download, including flyers, bookmarks, posters, and social media promos. Remember to share your plans for promoting Library Card Sign-Up Month with Iowa colleagues on Library Talk!
"Trending Technology"
Statewide September 26th
The State Library’s annual fall continuing education
event—The Learning Circuit—is coming up on
Thursday September 26. This is a full-day of continuing education, actually a blended day including two keynote speakers joining via ZOOM. The day runs from 9:00AM-3:30PM, the cost is $25.00 (includes continental breakfast and box lunch) Earn 5 CE credits for the full day. Registration is being handled through Seamless Docs at the button below.
Virtually every library and library worker will be impacted by AI at some point in the near future. This event will help you feel more informed and prepared for changes to come. As in previous years, we’ll have national experts Zooming in to set up the topics for us; your District Staff will be on hand to guide you through the hands-on portions of the day.
Learning Circuits happen simultaneously across the state, with each District hosting a location. This ensures a greater number of library staff statewide will have chance to attend. Our thanks to all the people overseeing local arrangements at each location:
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Northwest: Western Iowa Technical College in Cherokee
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North Central: Clear Lake Public Library
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Northeast: Central Rivers AEA in Cedar Falls
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Southwest: Carroll Public Library
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Central: Ankeny Kirkendall Public Library
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Southeast: North Liberty Public Library
About The Theme: Trending Technology and
the Future of Your Library
Throughout 2024 we’ve discussed how “Libraries are Forever.” We’ve seen how partnerships, sustainability, and thinking “green” all lead to the long-term success of libraries. With the Learning Circuit, we’ll pivot the discussion technologies that are already impacting libraries of all sizes.
The morning opens with a keynote address from librarian Philip Carter highlighting the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in library service. He’ll cover the basics of AI and what to watch for in this quickly-evolving field. In the afternoon, we’ll have a chance to try our hand at using AI games and activities that will make us more AI-Savvy in the real world. And we’ll finish the day with our closing keynote speaker Reed Hepler with a presentation on the ethics of AI.
Register at the link below by Tuesday September 12. The $25.00 fee can be paid online by credit card or e-check; checks will also be accepted by mail but must be received by September 12. The registration fee is required whether eating meals or not. More information on the event, including specific location addresses, the full agenda, keynote speaker bios, and more are available on the Learning Circuit webpage.
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