Idaho Commission for Libraries Blog

Idaho Trustee Manual Online!

Shirley Biladeau — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 09:40:53 -0600

The Idaho Trustee Manual for public libraries can now be found online at http://libraries.idaho.gov/trustees. You will find this a powerful resource in the management of your library. Be sure to bookmark the page so you can easily return! If you have any specific questions, contact your regional Field Consultant....

North Idaho: Jan Wall jan.wall@libraries.idaho.gov
Eastern Idaho: Frank Nelson frank.nelson@libraries.idaho.gov
Southwestern Idaho: Anne Abrams anne.abrams@libraries.idaho.gov

2010 LSTA Grants Awarded

sonja.hudson — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:03:14 -0600

On February 19th, the Board of Library Commissioners awarded all five of the 2010 LSTA Competitive Grant applications submitted. The libraries receiving grant funds are: Kootenai Shoshone Area Libraries received $70,826 to equalize the services across the existing district and the newly added Post Falls Public Library; Kootenai Shoshone Area Libraires also received an additional $32,437 to promote the seamless service across the newly expended district; Boise School District Libraries received $17,083 to train library staff and teachers in the Big6 teaching technique; Challis Public Library received $7,962 for their afterschool outreach homework assistance program; and Twin Falls Public Library received $6,757 to provide computer training to senior citizens as a outreach program as well as a library program.

New e-Branch in a Box skin

aubrey.ellis — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:14:19 -0700

The new skin allows for customization of the colors and the block corners so your e-Branch site can be even more individual! The "Fun Corners" skin will use the same colors that you have set for the "Default" skin so you don't need to re-configure.

To use the new skin:

Log in
Navigate to Administer >> Site Building >> Themes
Make sure that the GrandCentral theme is Enabled (i.e. the check box is checked) and it is the Default theme (i.e. the Default radio button is selected)
Click on the Configure Tab
Make sure that you are in the GrandCentral settings area (i.e. GrandCentral is underlined underneath the configure tab)
Scroll down to the theme specific settings area
Choose the skin you want to use from the drop down list

LSTA Advisory Council Seats Open

marj.hooper — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 08:21:41 -0700

The Idaho Board of Library Commissioners is seeking nominations for two seats on the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Advisory Council. One seat is for an At Large Member (a member from any type of library: public, school, academic, or special) from the northern Idaho area to fill a position vacated with one year remaining in the appointment. The second seat is for a Public Library representative from southwestern Idaho and is a five-year appointment.

Vicki Kreimeyer from Boise Public Library has completed one full term on the LSTA Advisory Council as a Public Library representative and is seeking a second term. There is no incumbent seeking a second term for the At Large Member position.

The LSTA Advisory Council is appointed by the Board of Library Commissioners in accordance with the Library Services and Technology Act, P.L. 104-208. The Council broadly represents the library community and library users, and serves to advise the Board on the development of the state plan for the Library Services and Technology Act, the annual LSTA program, and evaluation of LSTA grant applications and projects. The Board of Library Commissioners may also seek Council advice on other matters related to library services.

Council members, both individually and as a group, are expected to advocate for the improvement of library services in Idaho. Individual members may also be asked to represent the Council’s interest on other Commission-appointed advisory groups. More information about the Council is available at http://libraries.idaho.gov/page/advisory-council. Or contact Sonja Hudson or Marj Hooper or at 208-334-2150. The LSTA Advisory Council meets once a year in Boise for two days; additional input is solicited as needed via conference call or e-mail. Members are reimbursed for travel expenses.

Individuals interested in applying should send a letter to Ann Joslin, State Librarian, describing his or her interest in and experience with libraries. When sending an email notice of interest, please also include a mailing address and phone number where you may be reached. Letters may also be sent to:

325 W. State St.,
Boise, ID, 83702.

Council members are appointed for terms of five state fiscal years (July-June). Appointments are scheduled to be made at the June 4, 2010 Board of Commissioners meeting. All letters must be received at the Idaho Commission for Libraries by 5:00 p.m. on April 30, 2010.

Tech Trends MidWinter ALA 2010

Shirley Biladeau — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:54:43 -0700

This is a great hour-long overview of the what did and didn't happen at ALA Midwinter in Boston in January 2010 - in regard to technology. Four techys give their 10 minute overview with a few Q&A's. You will hear about

www.thecopia.com -- a new social e-book platform
www.blioreader.com -- a new ebook platform designed for the visually impaired
Mobile Discovery Tools: MyLibrary, Polaris Mobile PAC, OCLC/Red Laser, Library Thing/Local, SyrsiDynix BookMyne
Augmented Reality -- what it is and how it might be used by libraries
Discovery Systems
Failing to Win -- a cultural shift in viewing failure as a part of success, rather than a negative
Finally, flexibility, deconstruction, serendipity, and community as growing trends in the transition of the library world as well as the world as a whole.
Two more apps: Foursquare and GoogleBuzz

Get your favorite beverage or snack and enjoy! Listen

Let's Talk About It application for Fall 2010 - Spring 2011

Betty.Hoffman — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:37:29 -0700

Apply for the Fall 2010 through Spring 2011 programs. Get the application here. The deadline is Monday, April 26, 2010. Funding is available for fifteen libraries to participate. Participating libraries provide a $100 cash match.

Let's Talk About It is celebrating 25 years of bringing reading and discussion programs to Idaho libraries. Find out about our goals, project sponsors, staff, and program resources.

Idaho Board of Library Commissioners Meeting

pam.bradshaw — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 08:07:58 -0700

The Idaho Board of Library Commissioners will meet in a regularly scheduled meeting on Friday, February 19, 2010 at 10:00 AM MT. The meeting will be held at the Idaho Commission for Libraries, River Room, 325 W. State Street, Boise, ID.

Board Documents are available from the State Librarian or from this website: Board Documents, February 19, 2010.

Stay in the loop: subscribe to LibIdaho, the listserv for Idaho libraries

Teresa.Lipus — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:38:16 -0700

What is LibIdaho?
LibIdaho is an email discussion list for people interested in all aspects of libraries and librarianship in Idaho. Membership is not limited to librarians or Idaho residents, but the list is likely of greatest interest and value to those who are working in libraries in Idaho.

All posts represent the opinions of the poster. Posts are to be of a professional nature on topics relevant to Idaho libraries. Information, discussion, and news are welcome.

LibIdaho is provided by the Idaho Library Association (ILA). ILA welcomes diversity of opinions and respectful discussion. You do not need to be a member of ILA or ALA to join this distribution list.

To subscribe or unsubscribe:
To subscribe to LIBIDAHO, go to http://lists.ala.org/wws/info/libidaho and click on "Subscribe" or "Unsubscribe" in the left sidebar, and then click OK when the dialogue box comes up. Enter your email address and click Submit.

LibIdaho Policy:
The LibIdaho policy was recently updated and is effective immediately. The Executive Board of ILA met during the ILA Conference in Burley and approved the policy. View the updated policy at http://www.idaholibraries.org/libidaho.

Subscribing to ICFL newsletters

Teresa.Lipus — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:05:17 -0700

Did you know that you can subscribe to receive PDFs of Idaho Commission for Library newsletters via email? It’s easy.

Click on the links below, enter your email address, and click Submit. You will receive a Confirmation email from Idaho Commission for Libraries. Click on the Subscribe link in the email, which takes you to the Confirm subscription page, and then click Subscribe.

You can Unsubscribe to any of these newsletters at any time.

The Nexus
The Nexus newsletter for the Idaho library community is published 6 times per year and available as PDF-only. Go to http://libraries.idaho.gov/page/subscribe-to-nexus to subscribe.

The Scoop
The Scoop is a monthly e-mail newsletter containing fun, inspiring, and innovative ideas for library youth services. Go to http://libraries.idaho.gov/page/subscribe-to-scoop to subscribe.

Talking Book Service (TBS) newsletter
The TBS Books on Tape Update (recently renamed Connections: Talking Book Service News) is published quarterly. Go to http://libraries.idaho.gov/page/subscribe-to-books-tape-update to subscribe. The TBS newsletter is also available as a podcast at http://libraries.idaho.gov/publications/books-on-tape-update. If you are a TBS patron and wish to receive a large print version of the newsletter by mail, call the Commission at 208-334-2150.

These Idaho Commission for Libraries newsletters are available in PDF format at http://libraries.idaho.gov/publications.

The Envoy
The Envoy trustee newsletter is printed quarterly and mailed to all library directors and trustees who are listed in the Commission’s library directory. The Envoy is also available in PDF format at http://libraries.idaho.gov/publications

Transforming Life After 50 Fellowship

Shirley Biladeau — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:46:10 -0700

Here is an opportunity to get training and time to create dynamic adult programming. Transforming Life After 50 is a collaborative effort among Idaho, Washington, California and Oregon state library agencies to promote adult programming. It is a year-long fellowhip that is grant-funded. For more information go to: http://www.transforminglifeafter50.org/innovators/imls-fellowship

Application deadline in April 2, 2010.