Dear Readers,

Welcome to the September edition of our newsletter! First and foremost, we are excited to launch the Grow with Google career certificates and AI Essentials course, a partnership between the Oklahoma Department of Libraries, the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES), and Google. This initiative offers Oklahomans free job training and certifications, accessible through their local libraries. Our libraries are pivotal in this effort, providing not just the technology, but the support needed to help our citizens gain skills that can change lives. We encourage you to promote this resource widely within your communities, ensuring that everyone, regardless of location or internet access, has the opportunity to thrive professionally.

Additionally, registration for the Fall 2024 Public Library Academy classes are now open. These classes are a fantastic opportunity for library staff across the state to enhance their skills and continue delivering exceptional service to our customers. With limited spots available, we urge you to register early to secure your place.

Finally, National Voter Registration Day is coming up on September 17, and we encourage all libraries to participate! As trusted community spaces, libraries play a crucial role in civic engagement by supporting voter registration initiatives and providing non-partisan environments where all community members feel welcome to learn about voting and candidates.

We hope you’ll join us in this important effort to ensure that every eligible citizen has the opportunity to make their voice heard in the upcoming elections. Thank you for your dedication and hard work. Together, we continue to make our libraries vital centers of knowledge, community, and opportunity.

Natalie Currie 

Director, State Librarian and Archivist 

The State of Oklahoma has partnered with Google to offer Oklahomans free job training through Grow with Google! Much like Brainfuse's JobNow, this initiative represents a leap forward in equipping citizens with the skills needed to compete in today's job market.

Grow With Google's online resources not only support an individual's career growth, but they also vitalize local businesses and build a market for new development across Oklahoma. The program offers two learning paths: Google Career Essentials and Google Career Certificates. Career Certificates will be available for enrollment later this month, as will AI Essentials training. Libraries will be primary locations where customers can learn more about Grow With Google and enroll in its courses.

Google Career Essentials courses provide tools for professional efficiency, organization, and inspiration. Each course is introductory and self-directed, sharing foundational knowledge on its subject.

One such course, AI Essentials, serves as an introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI is a rapidly emerging technology and a useful tool that can increase efficiency in many professions.

The AI Essentials training is available at no cost to Oklahoma residents; it's designed to help individuals cultivate safe skills in AI usage. This course is self-paced and can be completed in less than 10 hours. It takes a neutral stance, encouraging Oklahomans to use AI platforms in a responsible manner. 

Google Career Certificates serve as in-depth training programs, resume-builders, and paths to jobs in high-growth fields. Google supplies trainings in a wide variety of fields, from cybersecurity to project management. These programs typically require a more substantial time commitment. 

Stay tuned for more information on how to enroll for classes from Grow With Google! Learn more about the benefits of this initiative in a testimonial from an Oklahoman, Tayvon Lucas, who shares how earning a Google Career Certificate has impacted his life and professional journey.

National Voter Registration Day is coming up on September 17 and we're encouraging all libraries to get involved! Every year, millions of Americans find themselves unable to vote because they miss a registration deadline, don’t update their registration, or aren’t sure how to register. That's why National Voter Registration Day is so important. This day is an important reminder to check and update voter registrations, especially as rules and requirements may change. Public libraries play a vital role in this effort by hosting voter registration drives, offering information on voting rights, and raising awareness. As trusted community spaces, libraries help ensure every eligible citizen has the opportunity to register and make their voice heard in upcoming elections.

How to Get Involved

Libraries can encourage the public to register to vote by organizing voter registration events, offering resources that explain the registration process, and providing information about the importance of voting. They can also use their communication channels, like newsletters and social media, to remind people to register and update their information.

Resources

The Oklahoma Library Association and ODL have created a toolkit for libraries to promote National Voter Registration Day in their communities. Download this kit and remember to use the hashtags #NationalVoterRegistrationDay and #VoteReady. If you do plan to host an event and would like promotional pins and posters, email Misha Mohr with the Oklahoma State Election Board at mmohr@elections.ok.gov.

Distribute a 2024 Oklahoma Voter guide provided by the League of Women Voters at your library. These non-partisan fact sheets are available in English and Spanish upon request. Equip your customers to make informed decisions this election year. Fill out the survey by the deadline on September 15 in order for your library to receive these guides.

Explore additional resources on the National Voter Registration Day website. You'll find talking points, voter guidelines for each state, and promotional materials ready to download.

Encourage customers to visit the OK Voter Portal to register, update your information, find your polling place, and more.

The Fall 2024 Public Library Academy classes are now open for registration.

All registrations will be processed online using Eventbrite. This system allows you to verify you are registered. There is a limit to 20 per class (except for the webinar). If any classes are full, you will be able to place your name on a waiting list if you register with an email address.

Classes are open to staff in public and tribal libraries in Oklahoma. Please register early to reserve your spot.

PUBLIC LIBRARY ACADEMY

Fall 2024 Semester

How to Think Like a Librarian*

Programming and Outreach

Public Library Administration

Collection Development

The FOLIO Splash conference for statewide friends of libraries is coming up! A wide variety of events and programs means there's a lot to look forward to.

Oklahoma Book Award author Dr. Gwendolyn F. Mukes is the keynote speaker at this year's conference. Dr. Liz Willner, Education Program Coordinator of the Community Literacy Centers in OKC, will also share on a project at the centers called “Reading Partners: A New Way to Support Struggling Adult Readers.”

Panels will address topics like book sales, Oklahoma's literary landscape, and stories of creative fundraising success in local communities. Come ready to share your ideas!

The FOLIO Splash conference will celebrate Standout Friends who have been nominated and selected by groups from all over the state. This is a chance to acknowledge outstanding individuals who have welcomed new members, launched and sustained successful projects, or dedicated their time volunteering.

This event will take place Saturday, October 12 from 10am to 2pm at Moore Public Library. Registration is $10. Lunch will be provided by the Friends of the Moore Public Library.

Register below by Sept. 28, 2024!

A Highlight from Summer Reading 2024

Public libraries host Summer Reading Programs to provide fun learning opportunities for all Oklahomans and help combat the summer slide. Thousands across the state visited their local libraries to take part in this program.

For example, Drumright Public Library shared this chalk artwork that was drawn on the library sidewalk by a mom whose child participated in summer reading.

The Drumright staff loved it so much they turned it into a bookmark! As summer draws to a close, we celebrate just one example of how libraries serve as community hubs where customers can participate in sharing knowledge and creativity. 

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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Questions? Email info@libraries.ok.gov.

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