Idaho Commission for Libraries

Congratulations to Coeur d'Alene Public Library, which has been nominated for a National Medal for Museum and Library Service. Democrat Congressman Walt Minnick nominated the library, calling it “a shining example of the great things that happen when a community comes together to work toward a common goal.”

Does your library offer “financial literacy” resources or workshops on topics such as home-buying, foreclosure intervention, debt elimination, loan qualifying, or investing? If so, here is a chance to highlight another valuable service that Idaho libraries provide to their communities:

Kudos to the planners and presenters for the 2009 Southwest Idaho Library Association Conference. The well-organized conference offered an abundance of sessions, which made it hard to choose! I loved learning more about technology and social networking, and the awesome ways that librarians are hooking teen readers. It was great to network and meet new people in the library field.

The Social Security Administration has asked libraries throughout the country to partner with them in sharing information with the public about initiatives involving retirement, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) stimulus package, and Medicare. They are asking libraries to inform their patrons of the following initiatives:

The American Library Association (ALA) is working with the White House, in partnership with the Corporation for National & Community Service, to get libraries involved in a national volunteer initiative that will run from June 22 to September 11, 2009.

The 2009 National Book Festival was held on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Marj Hooper and Pam Bradshaw from the Idaho Commission for Libraries represented Idaho in the Pavilion of the States, promoting reading, sharing information about Idaho literacy and library programs, and answering questions about Idaho writers and libraries.

Please help the Idaho library community document our growing needs for technology and connectivity by participating in the 2009-2010 Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study online survey, open through November 6, 2009 at www.plinternetsurvey.org.

What is this study?

Responses to the 2009-2010 Public Library Funding & Technology Access survey at www.plinternetsurvey.org increased significantly in the last week. A big thank you to those who have completed it!

The “What a Deal” fact sheet, designed to help you promote donations to your public library or library district is now available on the ICFL website at http://libraries.idaho.gov/page/public-library-contribution-tax-credit. To receive a deduction for 2009, individuals or corporations must give to the library by December 31, 2009.