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Library Events & Resources
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Eligible staff members of Oklahoma public and tribal libraries are invited
to apply for a grant to attend the 2025 Oklahoma Library Association Annual Conference. Offered through the Institute of Museum and Library Services, this LSTA grant opens the door to development opportunities for library
staff members.
The conference will delve into crucial topics like career advancement, hiring best practices, and innovative strategies that set libraries up for success in this modern Information Age. It will be held in Norman, Oklahoma from March 13-14. Visit the OLA Annual Conference page for more details.
ODL will reimburse conference registration, travel, lodging, and per diem for approved recipients. Registration expenses must be paid up front, and contact hours will be awarded following conference attendance.
Please check the terms and conditions to confirm your eligibility before submitting an application through ODL's grant management portal, Foundant. After logging in, you will be asked to provide your library’s information first, then your own information. For those unfamiliar with the platform, Foundant tutorials are available under the "Resources" tab.
The grant submission deadline is January 15.
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The Friends of Libraries in Oklahoma (FOLIO) have invited Oklahoma library employees to apply for a scholarship designed to support continuing education. This is a fantastic opportunity for those developing their career through a range of educational programs from workshops and seminars to a master's degree.
FOLIO is proud to invest in the future of Oklahoma libraries by supporting its dedicated professionals. A number of $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to full- or part-time staff members working in public, academic, or special libraries across the state. Scholarship recipients will be announced on March 14 at the OLA Conference.
The application form is available below with more details regarding eligibility requirements. The deadline to submit is January 15, 2025. Please send your completed application to scholarships@okfriends.net.
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Get ready to connect and learn! ODL is offering monthly meetings for youth services staff. These online gatherings offer a unique opportunity to network with fellow librarians, share expertise, and earn valuable CE credits. Mark your calendars for 2 p.m. on the first Monday of every month.
Looking for more community? Join the Oklahoma Youth Librarians (OKYL) group for news, updates, and important information about youth services.
Sign up by contacting Trisha Hutcherson.
In addition to our monthly gathering, we're offering a series of workshops! Start 2025 off strong with a series of exciting, hands-on trainings covering youth services. Classes will be held in February and March at various locations. Attend a workshop in your region to garner inspiration and resources for combating the summer slide.
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Stay tuned for updates! Contact Trisha at trisha.hutcherson@libraries.ok.gov
or (405) 522-3315 for more information about the workshops or group.
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Oklahoma libraries now have a chance to apply for up to $4,000 in LSTA funding and invest in E-Rate Category Two Internal Connections. This competitive grant prioritizes libraries with budgets under $1,500,000 as well as those not funded for Category Two in FY24. March 24 will be the final day to submit a draft of Form 471 for ODL funds.
Through E-Rate, the Federal Communications Commission provides discounts for telecommunications, internet access, and internal connections to qualified schools and libraries. If this grant would aid your library in upgrading network equipment such as Ethernet cabling, switches, or wireless access points, consider filling out Form 470 to request bids on equipment! Please note that cable installation is not eligible.The submission deadline is February 26. Remember, filing Form 470 only initiates the bidding process and does not commit you to a purchase. The final Form 471, however, can be filed by as late as March 26.
Important E-Rate Dates:
January 9: Interested in applying for E-Rate? Please review and update your library's contact information before the administrative window closes.
January 15: The Form 471 filing window opens on the 15th, meaning your library can begin the process of renewing contracts.
February 26: This is the last day to file Form 470. The form is required to request bids for eligible telecommunications and internet services.
March 26: On this day, the Form 471 filing window closes. Boost your library's connectivity goals by making a submission by then!
Need assistance or have questions? Contact Rachel Walker at 405-522-5591
or rachel.walker@libraries.ok.gov for help navigating the E-Rate process.
Take advantage of these resources and secure funding for your library!
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Want to learn how to connect with your patrons on a deeper level and help them discover their next great read? Take this chance to learn from an expert with three dynamic webinars led by Becky Spratford of Readers' Advisory For All. Monthly trainings will take place in February, March, and April. April's session, "Demystifying Genre," also serves as one of the required certification classes in this year's Current Trends in Public Libraries (CTPL) webinar. All three trainings will be recorded and made available for one year on our Niche Academy.
RA for All: Flip the Script and Think Like a Reader
1-2:30 p.m. | Friday, February 21, 2025
Using her “Ten Rules of Basic RA Service” as a guide, Becky Spratford will use your own love of your favorite books to show you how to help any patron find their next great read. Learn why a staff that can harness the power of sharing a great read will become a stronger team and connect with customers.
Booktalk Your Way to the Friendliest Library in Town
1-2:30 p.m. | Friday, March 28, 2025
Join experienced Readers’ Advisor Becky Spratford as she shares the secret behind deepening patron engagement, creating relationships, and increasing circulation, all by simply rediscovering the power and joy that comes from sharing a good read.
Demystifying Genre
1-2:30 p.m. | Friday, April 18, 2025
Readers’ Advisory expert, Becky Spratford, will teach you the basic appeals of the major genres, give you the inside track on what a fan of that genre is most drawn to, and provide you with talking points to get your genres
readers to tell you what they want.
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