Idaho Commission for Libraries Blog

Free Courses

Shirley Biladeau — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:45:41 -0600

This 8 minute video clip takes all the fear out of using the WebJunction online courses. If you have not taken advantage of the free courses as an affiliated member of WebJunction Idaho, make some time to do so! Here are a couple of good reasons:

You access to the course content for one year, so you don't have to complete it all in one setting!
You get to print your own certificate of completion for any course.
There are 300 course units waiting to be used. They need to be accessed by December 31, 2009 -- or they will go away!

Buddy up with a colleague and take a course today! Learning is always more effective when doing it in groups!

Summer Brain Drain?

Anne Abrams — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:57:01 -0600

We are Teachers provides great resources for both public and school librarians. Here are their recommendations that can give you ideas to help parents prevent summer brain drain!

Partnership ideas & more:

National Center for Summer Learning, Johns Hopkins University, School of Education

Link from your website:

Election reform

jan.wall — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:07:07 -0600

With the passage of election reform legislation, library districts (and cities, etc) will see a difference in how elections are handled. The legislation, HB 372, is 98 pages long, but fortunately only a handful of pages pertain to libraries.

Library districts will hold an election as usual in May 2010, but after January 2011, counties will conduct elections. Here are some highlights:

There will be only 2 elections a year - in May and November. (The May election date will change to the third Tuesday in May rather than the fourth.)
Counties will designate polling places and will handle notification etc. (Here's an excerpt from what the law will say in 34-1401: "...The county clerk shall conduct the elections for political subdivisions and shall perform all necessary duties of the election official of a political subdivision including, but not limited to, notice of the filing deadline, notice of the election, and preparation of the election calendar.")
Petitions will still be picked up at the library.
District trustee elections will be held in odd years, and terms will be for 6 years rather than five. If a trustee resigns during his/her term, the trustee who is appointed to replace will serve until the next election (in an odd year) and then will serve out the rest of the term.
There will be a staggered implementation that can be a rather complicated formula, but we will let you know more as the time gets closer.

2010 LSTA Grant Allocation Plan

sonja.hudson — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 07:57:22 -0600

The FY 2010 Library Services and Technology Act.(LSTA) Allocation Plan is posted on this website under Funding. This document is a brief overview of Idaho's LSTA grant programs and the Eligibility Checklist provides information for potential applicant libraries to verify their eligibility to apply.

In the past we have mailed this document and the Eligibility Checklist, to every public, school, academic and special library in the state of Idaho. In order to conserve on resources, this year our website will be our distribution point for this document and no mailing will be sent.

The FY 2010 LSTA Grant Kit will be ready for release very soon and will also be posted to this website. The Kit provides all the information needed to apply for an LSTA grant in the state of Idaho. Upon its release, hard copies will be available from your regional Library Consultant or the Commissions Grants Contracts Officer.

If you have questions or concerns give me a call, Sonja Hudson at (208) 639-4136.

Idaho Kids Get Free Books

peggy.mcclendon — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:32:10 -0600

The Idaho Commission for Libraries is pleased to announce the receipt yesterday of a $15,000 grant from the Fred Meyer Fund for the “Books for Summer Readers” project. One hundred eighteen Idaho public libraries applied by the May deadline to receive free paperback books to distribute to their summer readers. Approximately 6,200 children will receive books. The books should arrive at the Commission in early July and we anticipate mailing them to libraries between July 7-17.

State Librarian Ann Joslin expressed her gratitude saying, “Quality books and a variety of titles will brighten the future of Idaho children as they develop into independent readers and become lifelong learners. Thanks to the Fred Meyer Fund, Idaho kids in 118 communities will discover summer reading fun at their library.” Last summer, Kuna District Library staff remarked on the impact of the books, saying, “The Fred Meyer titles were great, and we feel they helped cement bonds between young readers and the library and library programs. Those bonds are likely to hold all year long, as those kids will continue to seek out literacy-related activities at the library.”

United We Serve (originally Summer of Service) opportunity for libraries

Teresa.Lipus — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:51:16 -0600

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. On June 22, the White House will announce a call to action and challenge all of their campaign volunteers to participate in "United We Serve" (originally "Summer of Service"), suggesting that people go to an online portal at www.serve.gov, where they will be directed, based on their zip code, to volunteer opportunities that have been posted on numerous volunteer-matching databases (such as Volunteer Match and United Way). The ALA is encouraging libraries to post volunteer opportunities at this site, with the hope that it will bring new people into the libraries and will further advocacy efforts.

The ALA set up a webpage with more information about the initiative at www.ala.org/unitedweserve and will provide updates, tips and resources for volunteer ideas, best practices, and ways to contribute your own information, ideas, and stories.

On September 11th, 2009, President Obama plans to hold an event to celebrate the success of the United We Serve initiative. ALA is hoping to share library success stories and have President Obama highlight library stories during the event.

Coordinating a volunteer force requires planning. Following are links to some valuable resources to help you get started if you are new to recruiting and managing volunteers:

Energ!ze (www.energizeinc.com) is a resource for volunteer managers with a library and articles on current volunteer-related issues.

Points of Light (www.pointsoflight.org) is a national organization to promote volunteerism and support volunteer managers.

The WebJunction pathfinder at www.webjunction.org/volunteers links to WebJunction resources and other outside links.

At Volunteer Match (www.volunteermatch.org) volunteers can search for opportunities and volunteer managers can post their volunteer needs.

The Governor's Commission on Service and Volunteerism is found at www.serveidaho.org

2009 Changes to Open Meeting Laws

Shirley Biladeau — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 15:23:32 -0600

Be sure to check out the changes in the Idaho Open Meeting Laws -- these impact the boards of both city and district libraries. You can read more on the Idaho Commission for Libraries' Website under Library Laws.

Career Information System / Idaho Works

Shirley Biladeau — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 11:37:40 -0600

The Idaho Commission for Libraries and the Idaho Department of Labor are collaborating to bring Idaho public libraries access to Career Information Systems database for one year. This workforce related database offers career information, education information and self-assessment tools for anyone who is interested in a new -- or changing -- work pathway. To find out more about this free opportunity for public libraries go to http://libraries.idaho.gov/page/career-information-system-idaho-works or contact Shirley Biladeau, Continuing Education Consultant -- 208-639-4149 or shirley.biladeau@libraries.idaho.gov

School Librarians...drop in

Anne Abrams — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:27:29 -0600

...for an hour or more on this web conference on 21st Century Skills,* June 1-12.
If you missed one, link to the archives.

This is your opportunity to:

Engage in a nation-wide discussion to formulate recommendations for education practices and policies
Lend your voice to help forward the 21st Century Skills Movement
PARTICIPATE FOR FREE in a unique nation-wide, online event

See you there!

Idaho Board of Library Commissioners Meeting

pam.bradshaw — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 14:13:55 -0600

The Idaho Board of Library Commissioners will meet in a regularly scheduled meeting on Friday, June 12, 2009, at 10:00 AM MDT at the Idaho Commission for Libraries Table Rock Room, 325 West State Street, Boise.

Notice of Executive Session - Pursuant to Idaho Code 67-2345(b) to consider evaluation of a staff member.

Agenda items are available from the office of the State Librarian or this web site at http://libraries.idaho.gov/boarddoc/bymeeting/2009-06-12.