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<H1><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><A name=Top></A>Letter To
Libraries Online</FONT></H1>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">An Electronic Newsletter from
the Oregon State Library.......Volume 19, Issue 2, February
2009</FONT></P></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
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<DIV align=center><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><B><A
name=Board></A>Library Board News</B></FONT></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<P align=center><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">STATE LIBRARY BOARD
DELIBERATES ON L-NET CONTRIBUTIONS</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">At their February 20, 2009, meeting
at the State Library, the State Library Board will hold a public hearing and
then deliberate on whether public and academic libraries should begin to
contribute to the cost of the L-net statewide e-reference service. Since 1994,
when L-net began, it has been supported entirely with LSTA funds, under contract
to the Multnomah County Library. This year the L-net budget is $279,000. During
the past year the Board has been considering a plan to raise $30,000 in 2009-10
from public and academic libraries, and increasing that by another $10,000 in
2010-11 and again in 2011-12. Costs would be allocated in much the same way as
for the Statewide Database Licensing Program, with the smallest public and
academic libraries exempt from contributing. Libraries would be required to help
pay for L-net as a condition of their participating in the Statewide Database
Licensing Program. Implementing this plan requires a change in the Oregon
Administrative Rules. The State Library has sent information about the plan and
an opinion survey concerning the plan to all public and academic library
directors. The public hearing is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. on February 20th in
Room 103 at the State Library. Testimony will also be accepted in writing up
until the day before the hearing. It may be sent to <A
href="mailto:marykay.dahlgreen@state.or.us">MaryKay Dahlgreen</A>.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><BR></FONT></P>
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<DIV align=center><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><B><A
name=OSLNews></A>State Library News</B></FONT></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<P align=center><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">TBABS USERS GET ACCESS
TO MP3 AUDIOBOOKS</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Talking Book and Braille patrons
who subscribe to the Unabridged downloadable audiobook service now have access
to a small but growing collection of MP3 audiobooks in addition to the large
collection of protected WMA audiobooks. Unabridged, like Oregon's <A
href="http://library2go.lib.overdrive.com/E6A9BAE4-3E5C-44CA-81CC-8DAC5EEDF25B/10/346/en/Default.htm">Library2Go</A>,
is a cooperative project. Libraries for the blind from across the U.S. work
together to create access to downloadable audiobooks through a website specially
designed to be accessible to blind users. On the Unabridged website each title
contains a set of icons that indicate if a particular edition may be played on a
PC, a Mac, burned to disc, transferred to portable playback device, or even
played on an iPod or iPhone. Unabridged users now may also construct “wish”
lists of titles they would like to read. Visit the <A
href="http://unabridged.lib.overdrive.com/">Unabridged</A> website for more
information.</FONT></P>
<P align=center><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">2007-2008 READY TO
READ ANNUAL REPORT NOW AVAILABLE</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The Ready to Read Annual Report for
2007-2008 is now available on the <A
href="http://oregon.gov/OSL/LD/youthsvcs/aboutready.shtml#Annual_Reports">Ready
to Read Grant</A> webpage. The long and short term results are now reported
using four metrics that measure the effectiveness of the Ready to Read Grant
program over time. The metrics provide longitudinal data on public library youth
services and public library usage statistics. This data allows public libraries
to see how their efforts impact library services to children in Oregon, and
serves as a tool for setting local youth service goals. The 2007-2008 grant
cycle was the first to benefit from the funding increase to $1 per child and the
$1,000 minimum grant. Libraries received a total of $144,871 more funds in
2007-2008 than they did in the previous grant cycle. As a result, the number of
libraries using the Ready to Read Grant to fund one or more library youth
services best practices increased significantly. Early literacy training
increased by 32%, summer reading programs increased by 49%, and outreach to
children and caregivers increased by 68%. </FONT></P>
<P align=center><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">2007-2008 OUTSTANDING
READY TO READ GRANT PROJECTS AWARDED</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Each year the State Library staff
recognizes several public libraries for their outstanding Ready to Read Grant
projects. The criteria for this recognition are: the library adheres to the
original intent of the Ready to Read Grant, focuses on one or more of the three
Ready to Read Grant best practices, promotes partnerships both in and out of the
library, and creates a project that is replicable in other libraries, or
enhances current library services. Libraries recognized for their Outstanding
Ready to Read projects in 2007-2008 are: Emma Humphrey Public Library (Vale),
Lakeside Public Library, Siuslaw Public Library, Scappoose Public Library,
Klamath County Library, and Beaverton Public Library. The <A
href="http://oregon.gov/OSL/LD/youthsvcs/aboutready.shtml#Outstanding_Projects">Ready
to Read Grant</A> webpage provides more information about these outstanding
projects.</FONT></P>
<P align=center><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><BR>STATE LIBRARY
LECTURE SERIES CELEBRATES OREGON'S SESQUICENTENNIAL</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">To commemorate the State's
sesquicentennial, the State Library's Spring Lecture Series will feature two
Oregon historians, an Oregon political scientist, and the Oregon Poet Laureate.
All four speakers will address different aspects of Oregon's history and
culture, beginning with historian William Robbins' reflections on the
sesquicentennial in February. The popular lunchtime lecture series usually draws
a crowd of state employees from the Capitol Mall and others from the Salem
community. Everyone is welcome to attend. Here is the schedule for
spring:</FONT><BR></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wednesday, February 18<BR>Oregon
Stories: Reflections on the Sesquicentennial<BR>Oregon historian and author,
William Robbins</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Tuesday, March 10<BR>Land of the
Empire Builders: the Story of the Lyrics to the Oregon State Song<BR>Public
historian, author, and archivist, Richard Engeman</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Thursday, April 16<BR>Poets
Laureate of Oregon – Reflections and Readings<BR>Oregon Poet Laureate, Lawson
Inada</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wednesday, May 13<BR>Innovation in
Oregon Politics; Imagery or Reality?<BR>Chair & Professor, Political
Science, Oregon State University, William Lunch</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">For more information visit the <A
href="http://library.state.or.us/services/training/lectures.php">Lecture Series
Website</A>.</FONT></P>
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<DIV align=center><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><B><A
name=OtherNews></A>Other Library News</B></FONT></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<P align=center><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">L-NET OFFERS FREE
LOCAL E-REFERENCE SOFTWARE</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">L-net, Oregon’s local statewide
e-reference service, is now offering software that any library can use to
provide e-reference service to their own community or campus. The open source
software was developed through a partnership between Multnomah County Library,
which administers L-net, and the Cleveland Public Library, with funding support
from the State Library of Ohio and the Oregon State Library. The software is
already being used by the <A href="http://campuslibrary.cocc.edu/">Barber
Library</A> at Central Oregon Community College . Other libraries, including the
State Library, are planning to use the software in the near future. Local
e-reference service is now offered by many academic libraries in Oregon and
public libraries are beginning to consider it. The <A
href="http://www.tillamook.plinkit.org/">Tillamook County Library</A> was one of
the first public libraries in Oregon to give local e-reference service a try.
For more information about the new L-net local e-reference software, go to the
<A href="http://www.oregonlibraries.net/local">L-net website</A>.</FONT></P>
<P align=center><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><BR>ANOTHER RECORD
BREAKING YEAR FOR PUBLIC LIBRARY CIRCULATION</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Oregon public libraries set a new
record for circulation in FY 2008 for the 36th year in a row. You have to go all
the way back to 1973 to find a decline in circulation. In FY 2008 Oregon public
libraries circulated 51.7 million items, a 2.5% increase over the previous year.
Public library circulation has doubled in Oregon just since 1992. The new record
was set despite the fact that the Josephine County Library was closed all year
and the Jackson County Library had greatly reduced hours of operation. In all
likelihood, FY 2009 will see circulation increases that surpass those in FY 2008
in most libraries. Reports to the State Librarian recently showed that many
public libraries are seeing double-digit increases in circulation compared to
the first six months of FY 2008. It’s been known for a long time that economic
downturns lead to spikes in public library use, and the affect of this recession
on public library circulation appears to be no different. Here are some examples
of the increases that public libraries reported for the first half of FY
2009:</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Harney County Library: 39%<BR>The
Dalles-Wasco County Library: 16%<BR>Deschutes Public Library: 10%<BR>Scappoose
Public Library: 23%<BR>Beaverton City Library: 12%<BR>Crook County Library:
8%<BR>Cornelius Public Library: 21%<BR>Tualatin Public Library: 35%</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">It’s not just the recession that
accounts for the increase in some cases. The Harney County Library relaxed their
circulation policies and Tualatin Public Library has a new building. But the
impact of hard times is very evident, not only in circulation, but in library
visits and Internet use as well. FY 2009 promises to be a banner year. Perhaps
the increases will be enough to see Oregon overtake Ohio for the #1 spot in
national public library circulation per capita.</FONT></P>
<P align=center><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">JOSEPHINE COUNTY
LIBRARY REOPENS</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The Josephine County Library had
its official reopening celebration on January 24th. A cheering crowd of several
hundred was there to cut a ribbon at the main library in Grants Pass. Two county
commissioners were on hand to present a matching grant of $300,000 to the
Josephine Community Libraries, Inc., the non-profit group that raised a similar
amount to reopen the library after it was closed for 19 months. JCLI will
operate the library under a contract with the County, under a three-year
agreement. The Library will be open 20 hours a week and employ three staff
members, including the new library director, Russell Long, who was formerly the
library director in Del Norte County in California. Three library branches
remain mostly closed (the branch in Wolf Creek opens once a week as a reading
room). The JCLI hopes to raise funds to reopen the branches before the end of
the year.</FONT></P>
<P align=center><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">ESTACADA LIBRARY STILL
CLOSED</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The Estacada Public Library will
not reopen for several months yet, following a flood on January 2nd that left a
foot of water and mud throughout the building. Library Director Katinka Bryk
reports that the library is having to replace HVAC equipment, carpeting and much
of the cabinet work, including the circulation desk. About 10% of the library
collection had to be discarded, and the remainder of the collection is in
storage. A small office is open at City Hall for patrons to pick up books that
they can order using the countywide online catalog. The Library plans to open
another office in donated space to resume some technical services work. Bryk
hopes to complete the clean-up and renovation and have the Library back in
business sometime in April.</FONT></P>
<P align=center><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">LSL GRANT APPLICATIONS
DUE MARCH 6TH</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The 2009 Improving Literacy through
School Libraries (LSL) federal grant competition is now open, and applications
are due March 6th. Awarded money may be used for school library media centers on
books, technology, professional development, and expanding access (like weekend
hours). There are two eligibility requirements to keep in mind. First, only
local education agencies (LEA) may apply, the most common form being a school
district. That means schools cannot apply individually. Second, at least 20% of
students within the LEA must be from families with incomes below the poverty
line. Determining data for this year’s competition comes from the 2007 census.
Click on <A href="http://www.ed.gov/programs/lsl/eligibility.html">Oregon</A>
for a chart indicating which districts qualify. Applicants should be aware that
the initial registration process at grants.gov can take up to ten days. Click <A
href="http://www.ed.gov/programs/lsl/applicant.html">here</A> for the official
application site. If your district qualifies, please consider alerting the grant
writers in your district office to this opportunity. For more information
contact <A href="mailto:jennifer.maurer@state.or.us">Jennifer Maurer</A>,
503-378-5011.<BR></FONT></P>
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<DIV align=center><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><A
name=PS></A><B>P.S. (From the State
Librarian)</B></FONT></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">In January the State Library made
its <A href="http://www.oregon.gov/OSL/LD/projects/">annual report</A> to the
Oregon Progress Board on our <A
href="http://egov.oregon.gov/DAS/OPB/obm.shtml">Oregon Benchmark</A> for public
library services, as we have every year for nearly the past two decades.
Benchmark #38 is one of 91 Oregon Benchmarks that are intended to measure the
health and well-being of our state. Oregon is one of the few states that
attempts to set strategic goals for the whole state and then measure them
annually to track our progress or lack of progress.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Benchmark #38 measures the
percentage of Oregonians who are served by a public library meeting minimum
standards (called “minimum service criteria” in the report) set by the State
Library. In the latest report for 2007-08, 81% of Oregonians were served by a
public library meeting the minimum standards and 19% of Oregonians were not.
That is up 1% from last year. The minimum standards are not to be confused with
the Oregon Library Association standards for public libraries. The lowest OLA
standards (called “threshold” standards) are higher than the State Library’s
minimum standards.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The 19% of Oregon who are not
served by a public library meeting our minimum standards break down into two
categories. Just over 10% did not have public library service at all, because
they lived outside the jurisdiction of a public library. Just under 9% could use
a public library, but their library did not meet the minimum standards for
things like staffing, open hours, and collections.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Our long term track record to date
on Benchmark #38 has not been good. Over the past two decades we have actually
lost ground, going from 86% in 1990 to 81% in 2008.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The Oregon Progress Board has set a
goal for 88% of Oregonians to be served by a public library meeting minimum
standards by 2010 and 92% by 2015. Before the November elections, I was not
optimistic that we might be able to meet the 2010 goal. But with the creation of
new library districts in Clackamas County and Malheur County (Ontario and
surrounding area), we might just have a shot a it. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">The Malheur County Library and a
number of libraries in Clackamas County have not met our minimum standard in
recent years, but beginning next year they should easily surpass it with the new
funding approved by their voters. The 344,619 Oregonians who were served by a
library that did not meet our minimum standards in 2007-08 might be down to only
150,000 by 2009-10.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Even though the reports we have
done on Benchmark #38 over the years paint a somewhat depressing picture of our
ability as a state to bring all our citizens up to at least a minimum level of
public library service, it’s good that we have Benchmark #38 to keep us focused
on what remains a very important goal for Oregon. – Jim Scheppke</FONT></P>
<P></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><BR></FONT></P>
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<DIV align=center><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><B><A
name=Contacts></A>Contacts at the Oregon State
Library</B></FONT></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Technical Assistance:
503-932-1004.<BR><BR>Library Development: 503-378-2525, <A
href="mailto:marykay.dahlgreen@state.or.us">MaryKay Dahlgreen</A>, <A
href="mailto:mary.l.mayberry@state.or.us">Mary Mayberry</A>, <A
href="mailto:darci.hanning@state.or.us">Darci Hanning</A>, <A
href="mailto:ann.reed@state.or.us">Ann Reed</A>, <A
href="mailto:patty.sorensen@state.or.us"></A><A
href="mailto:jennifer.maurer@state.or.us">Jennifer Maurer</A>, <A
href="mailto:katie.anderson@state.or.us">Katie Anderson</A>.<BR><BR>Talking Book
and Braille Services: 503-378-5389, <A
href="mailto:susan.b.westin@state.or.us">Susan Westin</A>.<BR><BR>Government
Research and Electronic Services: 503-378-5030, <A
href="mailto:robert.hulshof-schmidt@state.or.us">Robert
Hulshof-Schmidt</A>.<BR><BR>State Librarian: 503-378-4367, <A
href="mailto:jim.b.scheppke@state.or.us">Jim Scheppke</A>.<BR><BR>LTLO Editor:
503-378-2464, <A href="mailto:april.m.baker@state.or.us">April
Baker</A></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><I>Letter to Libraries Online</I>
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: <A href="mailto:april.m.baker@state.or.us">April Baker</A></FONT></P>
<P><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><I>Letter to Libraries Online</I>
is available free of charge and is available only in electronic form on the
publications page at the Oregon State Library's homepage: <A
href="http://www.oregon.gov/OSL">http://www.oregon.gov/OSL</A>. 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 <A
href="mailto:april.m.baker@state.or.us">April Baker</A>, or mailed to LTLO,
Oregon State Library, 250 Winter St. NE, Salem, Oregon 97301-3950.</FONT></P>
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