New Test Prep Resource:
It's Mometrix, Coming In July
In last week’s Eye-Opener came this announcement: the State Library has signed a contract with Mometrix eLibrary, a new test preparation resource coming in July. Pronounced mo-MET-trix, this product offers digital access to study materials for over 1,500 different standardized exams.
This new resource will be available to Iowa’s public and academic libraries. The study materials include comprehensive study guides, interactive flashcards and practice tests. One unique feature of Mometrix is the ability to upload MARC records for the test prep resources into your local library’s catalog. This allows these test prep resources to show up in the results list when a patron performs a related search; your patrons will be linked to Mometrix with a few clicks.
Following last week's Eye-Opener, public library directors should have received an email last Monday with more information about the switch to Mometrix and how your library can gain access. We’re preparing webpages with more information, as well as developing marketing materials to be ready by July 1. In the meantime, you can watch a video overview of Mometrix
But wait, there’s more: there’s a webinar coming in July, a good chance to learn more about the product. This session will cover key functionality, highlight built-in marketing materials for your local use, and offer practical tips for connecting patrons with this new tool. Attendees will be able to ask questions via chat. Register below...
Getting Started with Mometrix:
Statewide Test Prep Access for Iowa Libraries.
July 18. Online 10:00-11:00AM
Project Outcome Sunsets In August
If your library team has ever used Project Outcome, this is important news: Project Outcome’s online platform will sunset in August. Free from the Public Library Association, State Library staff have long promoted the ease and time-savings of using Project Outcome because this tool allowed library staff to conduct specific evaluations by choosing from among 8 pre-designed surveys.
Why The Sunset?
This explanation from PLA: “The Board of Directors of the Public Library Association (PLA, a division of the American Library Association ALA) has approved a shift to sunset Project Outcome and instead support outcome measurement through a suite of resources that library staff will be able to customize to the needs of their libraries and communities. PLA is still finalizing a wider communication about this shift in support, but will post news and updates in the coming weeks on the PLA Data Driven Librarianship page.”
If you have used any of these surveys, you’re encouraged to download your data before July 31. This advice from PLA’s website:
- If your library plans to continue survey-based outcome measurement, use the Accessing Raw Survey Data tutorial to review how to download your patrons' individual survey responses.
- If your library just needs a summary of the patron feedback you've collected, use the Building a Custom Report and Interpreting Summary Reports tutorials to create custom summary reports for archiving.
- Only one user per public library is needed to download data or create reports. It is not necessary for every registered staff member to retrieve the data from the surveys they created.
More to learn thanks to a
Frequently Asked Questions page linked below
Some Changes Coming to
State Library Services
With the busyness of vacationing visitors and summertime programming, it’s easy to lose track of statewide library news. So today’s reminder of upcoming changes to some State Library services:
On May 15, Interim State Librarian Brenda Hall sent a news bulletin regarding some reductions to these resources—contracts for Candid Foundation Directory, OCLC First Search, and Brainfuse HelpNow will not be renewed once those contracts are up in June and July. Moreover, IAShares deliveries will transition to one-day-per-week later this summer. Planning and logistics are underway now and more information will be forthcoming soon.
We ask that you be sure to remove links to the resources above from your library website, from newsletter templates, remove promotional literature—essentially from any places that you used to advertise these products to your patrons by the ending service dates. And let us know if questions == Contact Us
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Check It Out. June 24.
Online 11:00AM
Also this week catch Check it Out, a monthly webinar series from the State Library spotlighting the best new books for ages 0-18. Youth Services Consultant Janeé Jackson-Doering will share collection development tips, programming ideas, the best books to use for storytimes, and new titles galore for kids and teens.
June 24. IowaWORKS: Demonstration of New Unemployment System. Online 1:00-2:00PM
Join Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) staff as we provide an overview of the state’s modernized unemployment system and answer questions. This session is intended for librarians and will also include tips on the best ways to engage job seekers in their communities when using the updated IowaWORKS system.
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All Iowa Reads Author Webinar
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This Wednesday June 25 (3:00-4:00PM) marks the third and final webinar featuring the 2025 All Iowa Reads authors: this week welcomes Byron Graves, author of the teen title Rez Ball.
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In an interview-style format, he will share insight about his book and his writing process, with time for Q&A. This is a classic reason to hold a watch party at your library, making for easy summer programming. Register inside WorkDay Learning.
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