[Libs-Or] Letter to Libraries Online - May 2010

[April Baker]

Letter To Libraries Online

An Electronic Newsletter from the Oregon State Library.......Volume 20, Issue 5, May 2010


Library Board News


STATE LIBRARY BOARD APPROVES PLAN TO LICENSE MORE DATABASES

At their April 23rd meeting in Yoncalla, the State Library Board approved a plan developed by the Statewide Database Licensing Advisory Council to purchase two new statewide database licenses. The State Library will license the Opposing Viewpoints database from Gale Cengage Learning. The Library will also license online test preparation and skill building resources. The Opposing Viewpoints database can be licensed without a procurement process as an addendum to the license the Library already has with Gale. The online test preparation and skill building resources will have to be procured working with the State Procurement Office. Opposing Viewpoints should be available in early May. The Library hopes to make the online test preparation and skill building resources available in September.

PLAN TO PROVIDE MORE SERVICE TO THE UNSERVED MOVES FORWARD

In other action at their April 23rd meeting, the State Library Board approved using LSTA funds to provide more services to the approximately 150,000 Oregonians without public library service. The Board has had a subcommittee working on a plan to make progress on Oregon Benchmark #38 that measures the percentage of Oregonians with access to library services. There are two parts to the plan that the Board approved in April. The Library will use LSTA funds to offer competitive grants to public libraries in counties with unserved population to extend their services to the unserved. It is the hope that some libraries will undertake demonstration grants that can eventually be sustained with local funds. The Board is especially interested in projects that would extend library services to children and low income families. The other component of the plan is a "virtual public library" that would be created in partnership with Oregon State University Libraries using LSTA funds. The web portal, called The Library of Oregon, would bring together all the resources that are already available to unserved Oregonians, such as statewide database licenses, L-net, the Oregon School Library Information System, and digital library collections to make them easier to access. The portal would also provide information on how to purchase a non-resident library card and other information about Oregon libraries. Other features, like a statewide library catalog, could be added in the future. The Board also approved three other LSTA Advisory Council recommendations for the use of 2009 LSTA funds. The Library will make a grant to Josephine Community Libraries, Inc. for consulting assistance to create a feasibility plan for a library taxing district. The non-profit group is planning to be on the ballot in 2012 to create the new district to support the Josephine County Library that was closed for a year, but has since reopened with limited hours. The Board also approved supplementing the grant that the Board made last year to Eastern Oregon University for the Sage Open Source ILS project. Lastly, the Board approved spending $30,000 to fund an evaluation of early literacy services in Oregon public libraries.
State Library News


STATE LIBRARY ANNOUNCES NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH ENERGY TRUST OF OREGON

In the next several months, Energy Trust of Oregon will launch the Check Out Energy Savings program in partnership with the State Library. The program will begin to provide public libraries in the Energy Trust electric service territory with Kill A Watt devices for libraries to circulate to library users. Kill A Watts can be connected to a household appliance, allowing users to see exactly how much energy each appliance uses. The Eugene Public Library has had a very successful Kill A Watt lending program for the past two years and the Check Out Energy Savings program is based on Eugene Public Library's project. About 100 libraries in Energy Trust's electric service territory will be given the opportunity to apply for the program in May. Energy Trust will then select libraries to be included in a pilot project. Once the pilot is completed, Energy Trust hopes to work with all the public libraries in its electric service territory. Participating libraries will receive Kill A Watts in quantity to check out, instructions on how best to use them, energy saving tips, and publicity materials to make their communities aware of the program.

FREE OREGON SUMMER READING CERTIFICATES COMING SOON

Oregon Summer Reading Certificates are made available to libraries, schools, and teachers at no cost thanks to a collaboration between the Oregon State Library, Oregon Department of Education, and Oregon Library Association and is funded by a generous donation from the Oregon Education Association. Teachers, reading specialists, and school librarians may present Oregon Summer Reading certificates to students who read or listen to ten books over the summer. Children and teens may also get certificates at their public library by completing the library's summer reading program or providing the library with a list of the ten books they read. This year we are pleased to offer a children's and teen certificate, both in English and Spanish. You may view the draft versions of the 2010 Oregon Summer Reading Certificates on the Summer Reading<http://www.oregon.gov/OSL/LD/youthsvcs/oregon.srp.certificate.shtml#Order_Hardcopies> website. Libraries who placed pre-orders by April 29th should receive their certificates the first week in June. If you did not a place a pre-order, you may order hard copies while supplies last by emailing Mary Mayberry<mailto:mary.l.mayberry at state.or.us> with the subject "Summer Reading Certificate Order."

ANNOUNCING THE OREGON SUMMER READING SWEEPSTAKES

The Oregon 529 College Savings Network, Oregon State Library, and Oregon Library Association are partnering to present the first Oregon Summer Reading Sweepstakes. Children and teens 0-18 years old who participate in their local public library's summer reading program are eligible to enter a drawing to win a $1,000 Oregon 529 College Savings Plan. Fifteen winners will be selected statewide; three from each congressional district. Libraries identified on winning entries will receive $500 for their next summer reading program. Contest materials will be distributed to public libraries by June 1, 2010. Materials include a cover letter explaining more about the sweepstakes, an information sheet to post by circulation and reference desks, a poster, bookmarks, entry forms, and an order form for additional quantities. All materials are free. Libraries may distribute entry forms in whatever way works best with their local summer reading program.

FOCUS ON CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULT INSTITUTE: SAVE THE DATE

The biennial Focus on Children and Young Adults Institute will take place September 26-29, 2010, at the Menucha Retreat Center. The Focus Institute is an opportunity for library staff who do not have a Masters in Library and Information Science to obtain professional development in library youth services. For details and registrations information, please visit the State Library website<http://www.oregon.gov/OSL/LD/youthsvcs/focusinstitute.shtml>.

LETTERS ABOUT LITERATURE AWARDS CELEBRATION

The Letters About Literature Awards Celebration on April 19 was a great success. 12 of the 15 honored students attended and read their award-winning letters. The students read aloud personal letters they had written to authors about changes in themselves or the way they view the world to an audience of approximately 50 people. State Representative Michael Dembrow and author Pamela Smith Hill joined the student's families, friends, librarians, and teachers to celebrate their achievements. More information about this annual reading and writing contest is available on the Letters About Literature<http://www.oregon.gov/OSL/LD/youthsvcs/aboutlit.shtml> website.

NATIONAL PUBLIC LIBRARY STATISTICAL COOPERATIVE APPROVES NEW QUESTIONS AND CHANGES TO FORTHCOMING PUBLIC LIBRARY SURVEY

Oregon coordinates key questions in our annual public library with other states through the Public Library Statistical Cooperative. Most of Oregon's survey is comprised of these national questions or data elements. Among new data elements that will be appearing in the survey are separate counts of physical and downloadable audio and video items. Several questions are moving down to the branch or outlet level including number of weeks open in a year (in case of natural disasters), hours open, and internet connection data. The count of electronic serials will be deleted.

COMMUNITY-WIDE READS PROGRAMS AND TBABS

Talking Book and Braille Services has just wrapped up another successful season of Community-Wide Reads events. This year TBABS assisted eight libraries across the state with serving print-disabled Oregonians. From Kathryn Stockett's The Help to The Ghost Map to The Whistling Season, TBABS filled over 100 individual requests for audio books. TBABS can help serve all of the patrons in library service areas with books for library programs. When it comes time to plan a Community-wide Reads program, please contact TBABS. We will do our best to make sure we have selected titles on hand. TBABS will send letters to all mutual patrons notifying them of events and direct them to library websites and contact information. TBABS will then compile a list of interested patrons in the area and make sure all mutual print-disabled patrons have a copy of the Community-Wide Reads program book in time for the event.
Other Library News


OREGON LIBRARIES WILL GET FREE TRIAL MEMBERSHIP IN LYRASIS

On April 5th, BCR announced that it was joining forces with LYRASIS<http://www.lyrasis.org/>, the nation's largest regional library organization. LYRASIS was formed in 2009 when SOLINET merged with PALINET and NELINET. BCR will bring 11 more Midwestern and Western states to the consortium. Oregon has been a BCR member since 2001, so Oregon libraries will be included. Oregon libraries will become members of LYRASIS effective October 1, 2010. Unlike BCR, LYRASIS relies on individual library memberships. However, the agreement between BCR and LYRASIS provides that BCR libraries will not be asked to pay membership fees to LYRASIS until July 1, 2011. This will give Oregon libraries the opportunity to experience the benefits of LYRASIS membership before having to make decisions about whether to join. "I applaud BCR and LYRASIS for coming together to offer Oregon libraries even more services and more buying power," commented State Librarian Jim Scheppke. "I hope Oregon libraries will discover that being a member of LYRASIS can provide them with discounts, training, and other services that are well worth the cost of being a member." For more information about the transition of BCR members to LYRASIS, go to the transition website<http://bcr.org/transition/>.

OASL EXECUTIVE BOARD CREATES HB2586 RESOURCES FOR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS

HB 2586<http://gov.oregonlive.com/bill/HB2586/> became law in January, and one requirement is that school districts must plan for a "strong school library program" as part of their Continuous Improvement Plans (CIP). In response to this, members of the Oregon Association of School Libraries Executive Board created three documents to assist school administrators in addressing the library portion of the CIP. At the end of April, a letter, position statement, and list of resources were mailed to every superintendent and principal in Oregon with the encouragement to ask questions of their library staff or any OASL member. The resources<http://www.oasl.info/resources/HB2586.html> are also available on OASL's website.

HORNER EXCHANGE BRINGS THREE CHINESE LIBRARIANS TO OREGON

In April three librarians from Oregon's sister province in the People's Republic of China visited Oregon for three weeks. The visit was sponsored by the International Relations Roundtable of the Oregon Library Association as part of the Horner Library Staff Exchange Project. The project, funded by the State Library, brings Chinese librarians to Oregon every three years. Later this year, three Oregon librarians will be hosted by Fujian libraries for three weeks. The librarians from China were Mr. Sheng Chen, Deputy Director of the Fujian Provincial Library, Ms. Xiaohui Chen, Deputy Director of the Xiamen University Library, and Ms. Hui Wang, Head of Serials at the Fujian Provincial Library. During their time in Oregon they visited libraries and consulted with professional colleagues in the Portland area, Salem, Corvallis, Eugene and Tillamook. They also took a trip to Seattle and visited the Seattle Public Library, King County Library and the East Asia Library at the University of Washington.

NWCENTRAL UPGRADES -RENEW YOUR RSS FEEDS

NWCentral has been busy behind the scenes with a major Drupal update. Now the site is stronger than ever and the Oregon library community is invited to use the site to find or share library continuing education events and resources. During the upgrade RSS feeds were disabled, so everyone is asked to please take a moment and re-subscribe<http://www.nwcentral.org/rss> to your favorite RSS feeds. We apologize for the inconvenience. RSS feeds are a great way to learn about upcoming library trainings in your region and new resources for your job, so everyone is invited to take advantage of this service. Send questions or comments to admin at nwcentral.org<mailto:admin at nwcentral.org>.
P.S. (From the State Librarian)


It's a good thing that the Public Library Association only holds their national conference about once a decade in Portland. If they held it more often the Oregon Library Association would go broke. It's tough on OLA to have to forego the revenue they normally get from their spring conference. But there would be no way to compete with PLA. Fortunately, PLA allowed OLA to organize two dynamite preconferences featuring local talent like Sara Ryan, Traci Glass and Aaron Schmidt, and to keep the proceeds. That will help, but it still will make for some tight budget years for OLA.

That being said, hosting PLA is a thrill because we get to show off our great state to a national audience of librarians who tend to be the kind of people who appreciate what Oregon has to offer. I probably got the most comments on Portland's wonderful mass transit system, that began for conferees with a $2.30 fare from the airport on the Red Line to their hotel. And if that wasn't good enough, how about riding back and forth from your hotel to the convention center for free. It made me proud to be an Oregonian. Coming back from one of my meetings I ran into a state librarian, who will go unnamed, who was riding the streetcar just for the joy of riding around a civilized city.

Other highlights of PLA for me included selling "Socialize Reading" bumper stickers at the OLA booth, a benefit for the OLA Scholarship fund. The OLA banquet was a treat, especially getting to surprise my recently retired State Library Board chair, Yvonne Williams, with a much-deserved Honorary Life Membership in OLA. The following night I got to share in the spotlight with the Baker County Library as they received their finalist award in the Best Small Library in America<http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6716260.html> contest from Library Journal and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The Gates Foundation always knows how to throw a good party, and it was great hanging out with Perry Stokes and his staff, library director emeritus Aletha Bonebrake, and Doug Henrichs from the State Library Board.

I haven't mentioned any programs at PLA, but there were some great ones. Library Consultant Sandra Nelson's program on how public libraries need to change, starting now, to continue to be viable in the 21st century was worth the price of admission.

But the peak experience for me at PLA came when I was selling bumper stickers and I spotted a grandmother and her two grandsons in the foyer in front of our booth. The two young boys were holding signs they made that said "Thank You Librarians," and they were all handing out half-page messages that they had printed themselves to conferees. The message read (in part): "The last few years have been very tough for our country. Thank you for your cheerful service, commitment to reading and education, and wise penny-pinching to get the most out of every dollar. You are our heroes! Blessings to you for all that you do - A Portland family of library patrons." How great was that? - Jim Scheppke.
Contacts at the Oregon State Library


Library Development: 503-378-2525, MaryKay Dahlgreen<mailto:marykay.dahlgreen at state.or.us>, Mary Mayberry<mailto:mary.l.mayberry at state.or.us>, Darci Hanning<mailto:darci.hanning at state.or.us>, Ann Reed<mailto:ann.reed at state.or.us>, Jennifer Maurer<mailto:jennifer.maurer at state.or.us>, Katie Anderson<mailto:katie.anderson at state.or.us>.

Talking Book and Braille Services: 503-378-5389, Susan Westin<mailto:susan.b.westin at state.or.us>.

Government Research Services: 503-378-5030, Robert Hulshof-Schmidt<mailto:robert.hulshof-schmidt at state.or.us>.

State Librarian: 503-378-4367, Jim Scheppke<mailto:jim.b.scheppke at state.or.us>.

LTLO Editor: 503-378-2464, April Baker<mailto:april.m.baker at state.or.us>.Letter to Libraries Online is published monthly by the Oregon State Library. Editorial office: LTLO, Oregon State Library, 250 Winter St. NE, Salem, Oregon 97301-3950, 503-378-2464, editor: April Baker<mailto:april.m.baker at state.or.us>.Letter to Libraries Online is available free of charge and is available only in electronic form on the publications page at the Oregon State Library's homepage: http://www.oregon.gov/OSL. Opinions expressed in the articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Oregon State Library. News items or articles should be sent to April Baker<mailto:april.m.baker at state.or.us>, or mailed to LTLO, Oregon State Library, 250 Winter St. NE, Salem, Oregon 97301-3950.

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