Programming, Digitizing, Archiving
This information is thanks for Dr. Shanna Stuart with the Carnegie Libraries in Iowa Project (CLIP) Starting with a “Did You Know” fact: 2025 marks the 190 birthday of business leader and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.
To celebrate that milestone and to offer educational programs around Iowa’s Carnegie libraries, CLIP Project Director Stuart is available to provide presentations tailored to those communities that were gifted with a Carnegie library in the early 1900’s. Making this a great opportunity for adult programming 😊
A central goal of CLIP is to digitize any remaining documentation held by communities regarding the establishment and operation of their Carnegie buildings. Dr. Stuart writes: “At this point, 75 of the 99 Iowa communities are represented; we look forward to including documentation from the remaining cities. CLIP is now affiliated with Cornell College and has received funding for student workers from the State Historical Society, Inc. for the past nine years. Currently, there are over 11,400 items in the CLIP database, including original blueprints, accession books, dedication programs, and many other records of these library buildings between 1900 and 1920.”
About the Carnegie Libraries in Iowa Project
CLIP works to preserve Andrew Carnegie’s impact on the 99 communities that received funding for public libraries, as well as the 7 small colleges that received funding for academic libraries and the 23 additional towns that received funding for church pipe organs. Dr. Shanna Stuart invites everyone to visit the CLIP website and to contact her regarding your town’s Carnegie library materials or to request a presentation this year to celebrate Mr. Carnegie’s 190th birthday 😊
In 1935, the portrait of Andrew Carnegie above was sent out by the Carnegie Corporation to the libraries to commemorate the 100th anniversary of his birth. A very high percentage of Iowa’s Carnegie libraries still have this image hanging in their libraries today.
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Bridges Enrollment Reminder
For current Bridges member libraries and those not yet members, this month marks the annual enrollment period. Current members will need to complete a Bridges Letter of Agreement; libraries wishing to join Bridges for the first time this year will need to sign a Bridges New Member Enrollment Form. Both forms are now accessible on our website, both are due on March 31, 2025--access at the button below.
Note: In the first year of membership, there is a $400.00 start-up fee for first-time libraries, in addition to the annual subscription. Service will be activated for first-time libraries on July 1, 2025. Whether a current member or a soon-to-be member of the Bridges group, find your Bridges fees for FY2026 at this webpage
Bridges Quick Facts
There are currently 496 member libraries. At the end of FY 2024 the consortia collection held 102,625 eBook copies / 49,379 audiobook copies / 5,436 magazines. Circulation numbers: 1,293,626 eBooks / 1,462,016 audiobooks / 283,628 magazines with over 601,000 unique users across the state.
About Bridges
This is an eBook and audiobook buying consortium for Iowa public libraries. The State Library facilitates this program and manages the contract on behalf of all participating libraries. OverDrive is the vendor; OverDrive is a leading digital distributor of eBooks, e-audiobooks, and e-magazines. Libraries that participate in Bridges pay an annual formula-based fee to the State Library that covers the materials budget, the purchase of MARC records, and a small packet of promotional materials for new members.
If you’re ready to roll—as a continuing Bridges member or as brand new member—then access the Letters of Agreement on our website at the button below. Again, the sign-up deadline is March 31, 2025. You can double check your enrollment status in the Iowa Library Directory. Note: this action does not update automatically; wait at least one business day after you submit the LOA before looking for your status. Questions? Contact your District Consultant.
Sponsored by League of Cities
Public libraries are provenl civic partners, so Eye-Opener readers, consider getting in on this action: nominate your city for an All-Star Community Award! Sponsored by the Iowa League of Cities, the All-Star Community Awards acknowledge excellence in local government and provides recognition to city officials and city workers for their innovative efforts.
From the League’s website: “additionally, this program provides a means for sharing Iowa’s best public service ideas and demonstrates that those involved with local government are progressive, caring, and committed to their communities.“
All-Star Community applications are due on April 7, using an online form linked at the button below. Entries must describe programs or projects successfully operating or completed between in calendar year 2024. Projects eligible for an All-Star Community Award include, but are not limited to: city service improvements, quality of life enrichment, and local government partnerships. Potential entries could include urban renewal, neighborhood or business development, historic preservation, sharing of services or facilities, or improving the quality, quantity, or efficiency of city services.
Entries are divided into three population categories: cities less than 3,000; cities between 3,000-9,999, and cities larger than 10,000. Independent judges knowledgeable in local government will evaluate each project. One winner will be chosen from each populationcategory.
Judges will look for each project’s impact on the community, including how it met community needs, its value to residents, how many people it affected, and the project’s longevity. Projects will also be judged based on originality, cost-effectiveness, use of inter-government collaboration, and innovation. The League encourages communities of all sizes to apply.
Find many more details at the button below, including a link to the application form and a listing of past All-Star Community Award Winners
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Happy March!
We're Rolling With
STEM Fairs & Summer Reading Summits
Sponsored by the State Library, the 2025 STEM Fairs and Summer Reading Summits began last week and continue this week. Here’s a look at the remaining schedule in case you haven’t yet registered for these events nearest you
REMAINING Dates & Locations
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District
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Location
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STEM Fair Date
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SR Summit Date
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Southwest
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Green Hills AEA, Avoca
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Monday, Mar. 10
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Tuesday, Mar. 11
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Northeast
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Oelwein Public Library
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Monday, Mar. 24
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Tuesday, Mar. 25
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North Central
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Algona Public Library
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Thursday, Mar. 27
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Friday, Mar. 28
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Northwest
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Rockwell City Public Library
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Monday, Mar. 31
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Tuesday, Apr. 1
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You’ll need to register for each workshop separately; the link below
takes you to our webpage for more details on each event and
direct registration links to each one.
Summer Library Programming 2025: Adult Programming & Materials. March 12. Online 10:00-11:30AM
Why should kids have all the fun ? 😊 Include your adult patrons in a summer reading program, too. “Level Up” with adults and learn lots of great ideas for programming you can use any time, but especially with this year's summer reading theme. Discussion will include programs for adults, families, and teens, with a focus on reaching adults ages 20-30. Plus promotions, prizes, and more.
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