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Monthly Newsletter
I N T H I S B U L L E T I N
From the Director
Resource Sharing
News & Announcements
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Dear Readers,
Welcome to the August edition of our newsletter! We are excited to bring you enriching programs and stories that celebrate the joy of reading and community engagement.
This month, we highlight the launch of Oklahoma Humanities' new season of Let’s Talk About It (LTAI), a dynamic book club connecting readers across Oklahoma with discussions led by experts on a wide range of themes.
Libraries should also be on the lookout for information regarding bipartisan voting info sheets, ensuring that every library has the resources to keep the public well-informed.
Our spotlight story features Connie Cronley’s heartfelt tribute to libraries, sharing her journey from a small town without a library to becoming a lifelong library lover. Read an excerpt below and find the full letter on TulsaPeople’s website.
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Natalie Currie
Director, State Librarian and Archivist
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Resources
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Explore our refreshed Library Development area on the website! This section will be the one-stop shop for librarians and library staff, offering valuable tools and information from the Oklahoma Department of Libraries. Users can explore professional training opportunities, grant resources, youth services updates, access to library reporting, and find helpful guidance on navigating
E-Rate funding.
The Public Library Academy website has also been wrapped into this new section, including certification information, course materials, and insight on the renewal process. You will also find links for the online certification courses and trainings for contact hours in Niche Academy.
Be sure to bookmark this page!
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Financial support for libraries that provide WiFi hotspots is now available through the E-rate program!
Any Oklahoman may soon be able to check out a hotspot just like they would a book. Already, this vital resource is being provided by nearly half of the public libraries in our state, but making sure patrons have internet access will be essential as we promote digital equity across Oklahoma.
The Federal Communications Commission has updated E-rate to support hotspots at public libraries and schools. According to FCC News, this initiative will provide patrons and students with internet access and high speed broadband, empowering them to "learn without limits."
“Libraries are the go-to place for millions of people who need a connection to the internet and the technology to use it," Cindy Hohl, President of the American Library Association, explains. "Library hotspot lending programs bridge digital divides, closing the homework gap by equipping students to complete assignments and communicate with teachers, and enabling everyone—jobseekers, adult learners, and families—to connect with community services.”
The Oklahoma Department of Libraries celebrates this new point of access to federal funding for each library that serves as a much-needed cyber gateway
in its community.
Questions? Email taylor.meriwether@libraries.ok.gov for more info!
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The Institute of Museum and Library Services is accepting proposals for Laura Bush 21st Century and National Leadership grants. These grants fund program development and updates to library services; they also apply to professional development and staff training.
A new option for applicants rolled out this year with a focus on maintaining programs already in motion: "Community-Centered Implementation." Not only does this initiative make the grants more accessible to libraries of all types and sizes, but it also focuses on local impact. Libraries may put forward a model, tool, or practice that already exists, with a project span of 1-2 years, and a funding range of $25K-100K (no cost share required). There is only one application per institution for this project type.
Other project types include planning, forum, national implementation, and applied research.
All applications are due by September 20, 2024. Help spread the word to other libraries, check out the IMLS bulletin for more information, or connect with an IMLS Program Officer listed on the grant pages below:
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Laura Bush 21st C. Librarian Program
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National Leadership Grants for Libraries
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Library reporting season is in full swing. As you know, you'll be inputting data into the new annual reporting software named LibPAS by Counting Opinions. ODL conducted four training sessions this summer, and now that they're all concluded, you can watch the recordings on Niche Academy.
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General Annual Report Overview
In this training, State Data Coordinator
Sadie Bruce briefly covers the purpose of
the annual report and each section.
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State Aid Training
Go over the new LibPAS Software and
prepare for how to file the report with Ryan Patrick, Counting Opinion representative.
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Reporting Feature
in LibPAS
Ryan Patrick from Counting Opinions
walks users through how to navigate the reporting feature to make the most of
their library's data.
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LibPAS Software Training
Go over the new LibPAS Software and
prepare for how to file the report with
Ryan Patrick, Counting Opinions Representative.
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News
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Oklahoma Humanities (OH) is launching its new season of Let’s Talk About It (LTAI), a dynamic book club connecting readers across Oklahoma since 1985. Free and open to all, this year’s program runs from July through December at twenty-four public sites—including new locations in Claremore, Tulsa, Oklahoma City's National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Ardmore, Hulbert, and many more.
Selected book themes range from true crime and sports to Native American writers and canon classics. Experts open each book discussion with an analysis of the text and its recurring themes; revelations about the author’s life; and historical context. Readers reflect on their own experiences, exchanging thoughts and ideas while also considering new perspectives. These programs are made possible by a grant from Oklahoma Humanities with generous funding and support from the Kirkpatrick Family Fund, Oklahoma City University, Oklahoma City Community Foundation, and the McCasland Foundation.
Interested in applying to bring the program to your library? Email Rayne McKinney at rayne@okhumanities.org. For a list of upcoming book club meeting times near you, visit the Oklahoma Humanities events page and look for Let's Talk About It.
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Love Letter to Libraries
Connie Cronley's love letter to libraries is the spotlight for this month's story section. In it, this award-winning author looks back on growing up in a small town with no library. She recalls how she came to be a lifelong lover of the wisdom and community that libraries offer. Read an excerpt below and the full letter on TulsaPeople's website.
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"I grew to love libraries so much I
dedicated one of my books to the
librarians of Oklahoma. I once did a
book-signing tour to public libraries
in central Oklahoma and believed the
setting enhanced the experience for
all of us. When we talked about what
we were reading, we talked about our
deepest interests, hopes and fears.
The libraries sheltered us..."
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Share Your Story with ODL
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Sharing stories from the public library field is a powerful advocacy tool
for securing support from state and federal governments. These narratives highlight the tangible impact libraries have on communities, showcasing
how they foster literacy, provide access to information, and support lifelong learning. By humanizing the data and statistics with real-world examples, these stories can effectively convey the value of library services, inspiring lawmakers to allocate funding and create policies that support and enhance library programs. Click the button below to share your story so we can advocate
on behalf of your organization.
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