Colorado State Library News
2011 Archive
 

December 20, 2011
Mini-Grants for Summer Reading 2012
Public libraries may now apply for a $200 mini-grant for summer reading 2012. Grants are to be used for books. Applications are due January 31.

December 19, 2011
Project Management with Pat Wagner: REGISTER NOW for all 3 sessions!

1. Project Management Foundations: What’s the Big Fuss?
   January 18, 12:00-1:00pm
2. Project Management Case Studies: Who Forgot to Measure the Bookcases?
   February 1, 12:00-1:00pm
3. Proof of Concept: Applying Project Management Principles to Your Workplace
   February 15, 12:00-1:00pm

December 14, 2011
CSL In Session - Beyond Management: Growing Library Staff for Organizational Effectiveness
Are you a manager? Join the conversation! We’ll discuss going beyond typical ways of viewing staff and organizational development. Learn about common management pitfalls and discuss strategies to avoid and remedy them. Based on new models from human resources and the business world.

December 8, 2011
School Library Hotline
A new email list that provides support, ideas, collaboration, professional development opportunities, and more for school librarians statewide. Participants have access to the collective expertise of their colleagues and peers as well as school library leaders throughout Colorado.

November 16, 2011
Rescheduling of CSL In Session
Due to an unrecoverable tech issue with our web conferencing system, we've cancelled today's CSL In Session "Taking Off the Blinders: Customer Service Lessons from Other Industries" and are rescheduling it.

New date and time: Wednesday, December 7 from 12:30 to 1:30.
Apologies for the inconvenience on this, and thanks to all who got in touch about it!

November 14, 2011
AskColorado/AskAcademic Holds First UnWorkshop
ASK has held an annual workshop for the past seven years, but this was the first unworkshop. While new to participants, the majority were excited about the format.

• See attendees having fun and participating in the event
• For more info about AskColorado & AskAcademic, please contact Coordinator Kris Johnson, 303-866-6922.

November 1, 2011
Deadline Extended for 2011-12 Colorado School Library Survey
The deadline for completing the 2011-12 Colorado School Library Survey has been extended to November 30, 2011. Participation by all public school libraries is vital!  We have made substantial revisions to the survey based on respondents’ comments to better reflect the current state of school libraries, and we look forward to getting the input of all Colorado public school librarians!

The data gathered in the annual school library survey provides library professionals with important information for planning, evaluating, and budgeting. For questions regarding the survey, or to obtain your username and password, feel free to call Library Research Service at 303-866-6900 or email lrs@lrs.org.

October 25, 2011
Next Webside Chat: Wednesday, November 2, at 3:00 pm
Redesigned conceptually, architecturally and graphically, the Colorado Virtual Library is the latest web service to be *shocked* into life by the State Library. Visit www.coloradovirtuallibrary.org first and explore the new site, then join us for an online chat! We’ll discuss the brief history of the CVL (a quick journey down memory lane), then the strategic vision of the new, next-generation CVL. Are we on the right path? Maybe you have ideas for how we can expand and grow this site to better serve your patrons? We want your feedback!

October 18, 2011
Public Library Funding & Technology Access Survey
60% is the magic number! It's the response rate each state must reach in order to have state-level reports from the National Survey of Public Library Funding and Technology Access (PLFTAS). Want to be part of the magic? Take the survey.

CSL at CAL 2011 (PDF)
View the complete list of CSL programs and involvement at the 2011 CAL conference.

October 12, 2011
Lt. Governor's Early Literacy Tour - Please Attend!
Lt. Governor Joe Garcia is touring CO to find out what communities are doing related to early childhood literacy (birth - 8). Please attend and discuss what your library is doing. Tour dates: Oct. 17-21, Nov. 7 & 21.

October 4, 2011
Highly Effective School Library Programs for the 21st Century
Workshops to explain big changes in the newly revised Power Libraries Program. Learn how the new program can help ALL school librarians become 21st century learners & leaders who will improve student achievement.

New CVL Is Right Around The Corner
The new Colorado Virtual Library (CVL) will be launched the week of 10/10 with 3 content collections: CO Histories, Tech Help, and Tools for Tough Times. Stay tuned!

Colorado Teen Literature Conference
Save the date for March 31, 2012, 8:30am-3:45pm at Auraria Campus in Denver. View flyer (PDF)

September 29, 2011
RFPs for Mile High United Way's "Early Literacy Social Innovation Fund" Grant
Mile High United Way was awarded a grant to partner with organizations & expand the number of children who read at or above grade level by the end of the third grade. Please apply and forward to interested parties.
See also: Application assistance conferences

September 21, 2011
Next Webside Chat: Wednesday, September 28, at 3:00 pm
Curious about EAGLE-Net? You should be!  Never heard of it? You should know what it is, and what it means for Colorado’s broadband environment.
Join the State Library and representatives from EAGLE-Net on Wednesday for this important overview and Q/A session exploring the highlights of this ambitious project.

September 13, 2011
State Library Awards LSTA Grants (PDF)
Grants of nearly $200K were awarded to 1 library consortium, 1 BOCES, 1 school district, 1 academic library & 6 public libraries for innovative projects to improve library services & life-long learning.

September 12, 2011
New Study: As School Librarians Increase, So Do Reading Scores
A new study by Library Research Service staff past and present finds that in states that gained school librarians between 2004 and 2008, NAEP 4th grade reading scores increased at a greater rate than in states that lost librarians during this time period. These differences were particularly pronounced for poor, minority, and ELL students.

September, 2, 2011
AskColorado/AskAcademic Celebrates Eight Years, Reflects on Importance of Collaboration and Change
Friday, September 2, 2011 - Today the AskColorado/AskAcademic Virtual Reference Cooperative is celebrating its eight-year anniversary and wishes to thank all the libraries and librarians, who, over the years, have worked collaboratively toward helping AskColorado/AskAcademic to become the high quality, personalized service it is today.

August 31, 2011
Register Now for Fall Youth Services Workshops
Network, learn about the 2012 statewide summer reading program, and more. Workshops are in late October/early November and are hosted in Rifle, Eagle, Pueblo, Englewood, Boulder, and Dolores.

August 12, 2011
NRS Hittin’ the Road, Traveling to Ignacio September 15
This summer the Networking and Resource Sharing (NRS) Team of the Colorado State Library is hitting the road and visiting libraries around Colorado to share updates on all of our Statewide Services, answer your questions, and hang out and feed you. Register for the final road show in Ignacio

It's Summer Reading Report Time
Public libraries, please submit your Summer Reading 2011 report and, if applicable, your LSTA Mini-Grant 2011 report by Friday, September 30th.

July 26, 2011
Next Webside Chat: Wednesday, August 3, at 4:00 pm
This important webinar will brief you on the recently released “Colorado Blueprint: a bottom-up approach to economic development”, at www.colorado.gov/coloradoblueprint. Reviewing the document in advance is highly recommended. The webinar will focus on pages 5 - 17.

The plan outlines the steps that will be taken by the Hickenlooper Administration over the next few years to support and promote economic development across Colorado — yet does not mention libraries. This is your chance to hear the State Library’s perspective and solidify ideas on what kind of coordinated feedback could come from those of you in libraries.

Who should attend: anyone who wants to know about this plan, or thinks libraries play a role and should be included in the state’s plans for developing technology, economy, business, capital, and workforce.

July 20, 2011
You CAN Write Well!
See the Colorado State Library's Slideshare account for Erica MacCreaigh's presentation, “You CAN Write Well!” The slidecast is in 4 parts and covers some basics of business communication.

   [Part 1]   [Part 2]   [Part 3]   [Part 4]

July 19, 2011
CTBL Celebrating 80 Years (PDF)
At today’s Patron Open House the Colorado Talking Book Library will celebrate 80 years of service and the anniversary of the program. Patrons are served locally through a national network of 113 cooperating libraries. The network is connected through the Library of Congress’s National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS). In the beginning there were just 19 libraries across the country and Colorado was one of the original libraries.

July 7, 2011
Service Frontiers in BVIP (Blind and Visually Impaired Patrons) (PDF)
Interested in working with an internationally acclaimed consultant on developing a partnership in your community between your library and the blind and visually impaired community? See this flyer to arrange how to bring this very important program to your library.

June 24, 2011
NRS Roadshow
Would you like a free lunch? Would you like to relax on a lovely summer day with library
colleagues from your area of the state? Would you like to learn more about the services available from
the Networking and Resource Sharing unit of the Colorado State Library, including AskColorado/AskAcademic, Plinkit, Swift, Historic Newspapers, and/or the Colorado Virtual Library?
If you answered YES to just one of the above, you're a fantastic candidate to attend one of a series of FREE Regional Meetings/Picnics that will be occurring around the state this summer. RSVP now!

BTOP Training Calendar
These library staff training events are offered by the Colorado State Library as a part of the Broadband Technology Opportunity Program (BTOP). All training events are FREE and open to all libraries. There are a limited number of seats available, so please register in advance.

Channel 2 Everyday Book Club
Each month, The Everyday Show on Channel 2 will pick a book for its viewers to read together. Check out the book at your local Colorado public library. Then, comment on the Facebook page and be a part of the discussion.

June 17, 2011
FY11-12 LSTA Grant Project Discussion Webinar
RSVP to Jean Marie Heilig by Monday, June 20th and indicate which session you will attend:

• Tuesday, June 21st at 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM and
• Wednesday, June 22nd at 9:00AM – 10:30AM

This year's LSTA goal is: “Colorado students and adult learners receive services from libraries and librarians that support educational achievement and lifelong learning”. Webinar will include overview of this year’s LSTA grant application and timeline, time to discuss your project ideas and tech concerns, and we can tell you if your project fits this year’s goal, if it feasible, and much more.

Questions? Please contact Jean Marie Heilig, 303-866-6731.

Colorado Public Library Standards - Video Overviews
The new Colorado Public Library Standards have an added element – short videos that give overviews of the Standards. These videos highlight best practices around Colorado and are delivered from staff from all 4 corners. The Standards are a great planning tool that help you create your own unique and local vision.

What's Next?! Needs Library Support Letters
The Colorado Public Awareness Campaign, What’s Next?! is moving forward. Volunteers from around the state are working on securing funding. Part of our efforts involve a campaign support letter from all library directors. If you’ve already sent yours back to the State Library – many thanks! If not, please get them back as soon as possible. We are hoping to get 100% support from our libraries!

May 27, 2011
New Fast Facts: Colorado's Library Job Climate
There appears to be more competition than ever for Colorado’s library jobs, based on recent activity on LibraryJobline.org. A new Fast Facts about the jobs posted on the site over the past four years has just been published: “Colorado’s Library Job Climate : 2007-2010: Insights from LibraryJobline.org” highlights trends in total job postings, salaries, degree requirements, and the most popular jobs from the site. Job postings are up slightly from 2009, but drastically more people are viewing them, and part-time, temporary positions continue to replace full-time, permanent ones.

May 20, 2011
New 60-Second Survey: What is the Value of an MLIS to you?
In 2008 the Library Research Service (LRS) launched their first 60-second survey, “What is the Value of an MLIS to You?,” in response to lively discussions about this topic on various email lists. Three years later, as libraries and the environments in which they serve continue to change and evolve, LRS wondered how has the value of an MLIS fared? Do you feel your MLIS degree was/is worth the time and money invested in it? If asked today, would you recommend pursuing an MLIS degree? You tell us.

May 18, 2011
Next Webside Chat: Wednesday, May 25, from 3:00-4:00pm
We've been slaving away over this site for months now, and the excitement is mounting! The site is being built with the patron in mind, and inside you'll find modules on navigating tough economic times, uncovering biographies on famous Coloradans, and technology training resources gathered from some of the brightest minds in Colorado Libraries. And we've only just begun! What's next?! Join Jim Duncan, Director of Networking & Resource Sharing, and host Gene Hainer for this Webside Chat where we'll also be gathering feedback from you on what you want to see us build into the CVL!

May 11, 2011
FY 2011-2012 LSTA Grant Application Now Available
LSTA Grants are provided by the Colorado State Library to assist libraries and library-related agencies develop or enhance programs and projects that enable Coloradans to receive improved library services. The proposals are funded through the federal Library Service and Technology Act (LSTA) allocation to the Colorado Department of Education and Colorado State Library. All grants must address the following goal in the long-range plan: "Colorado students and adult learners receive services from libraries and librarians that support educational achievement and lifelong learning." Applications are due August 1, 2011.

May 6, 2011
Protecting Cultural Collections – FREE Workshops
Register now for a FREE two-part workshop on Protecting Cultural Collections.

• Part 1: Prevention & Preparedness – 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Ft. Collins: June 22, 2011 – Colorado State University, Morgan Library
  • Colorado Springs: June 29, 2011 – University of Colorado, Kraemer Family Library
• Part 2: Response & Recovery – 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
  • Ft. Collins: July 26, 2011 – Colorado State University, Morgan Library
  • Colorado Springs: July 28, 2011 – University of Colorado, Kraemer Family Library

AIRS Announces 2011-12 Statewide Database Package
The AIRS Committee has negotiated with OCLC and EBSCO to provide selected databases covering general, business and K-12 information at a special Colorado statewide rate. For the coming fiscal year (July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2012), the statewide package of databases has been finalized.

New LRS Closer Look Report: U.S. Public Libraries and the Use of Web Technologies 2010
Do libraries like Facebook? R they txtng? Last spring, LRS completed the second round of an observational study of public libraries' use of web technologies. Read about the findings in the latest Closer Look Report or in the blog entry about the report

May 5, 2011
AskColorado / AskAcademic Seeking New Members, Renewing Current Members
The AskColorado/AskAcademic Virtual Reference Cooperative is seeking new members for the 2011-2012 fiscal year as well as renewing current memberships. Membership levels have changed to include new Gold and Silver level memberships.

• Letter to Library Directors (PDF)
• AskColorado/AskAcademic Article (PDF)
• Contribution Schedule (PDF)
• Letter of Agreement (PDF)

April 21, 2011
Next Webside Chat: Thursday, April 28, from 12:00-1:00pm
As the first year of LYRASIS membership, paid by the State Library, is coming to an end, libraries need to consider options for the future. Now is a great time to learn more about the future and the products and services LYRASIS can offer your library. Regan Harper, Program Director for Regional Services will join host Gene Hainer for a Webside Chat that will cover Professional Development opportunities, discounts on products and services, special offerings like Mass Digitization and the LYRASIS 10^th Shared Collection of NetLibrary eBooks, and the Membership Structure for 2012. There will be a chance to ask questions about these topics as an ongoing LYRASIS member, or one curious to learn more.

April 7, 2011
Online Twitter Directory for Libraries - Add Your Name!
The State Library has put together a Twitter directory for the Colorado library and education community, and we invite you to add your Twitter username to the list. Please check out the directory and look for your Twitter username. If you don’t see it, you may add it by following the Submit an Account link at the top of the page. To edit or remove your information from this directory or to pass on any comments or suggestions, please email Michelle Gebhart. And don’t forget to search for colleagues; this new site makes it easy to search by username or category!

March 29, 2011
AskColorado/AskAcademic News

1. Our after-hours service is growing.
2. We have a client: Jones International University.
3. Our member libraries now have access to a Meebo-like widget.

March 23, 2011
Next Webside Chat: Wednesday, March 30, from 3:30-4:30pm
In today’s difficult economic times, many school districts are choosing to cut non-classroom teaching positions. This Webside Chat will teach participants leadership strategies and provide insight into upcoming CDE initiatives which can help you develop a highly-effective library program that impacts student achievement and makes you an indispensable teacher-librarian.

March 18, 2011
Summer Reading Program Mini-Grants Awarded
The Colorado State Library awarded 71 Mini-Grants of $200 each to public libraries to support and promote the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) statewide Summer Reading Program in their local communities. The 2011 themes are "One World, Many Stories" (children) and "You Are Here" (teens). Priority was given to libraries below 10,000 Legal Service Area (LSA) population and libraries in non-metro locations.

March 16, 2011
Literacy Enhanced Storytimes Workshop (PDF)
Want to juice up your library storytime? Make your storytimes better-than-ever? Attend a FREE all-day
interactive and hands-on workshop using the 6 skills and techniques of Every Child Ready to Read(ECRR) in your library storytimes. There are 20 seats available for this workshop, and preference will be given to Western Slope libraries.

Date: Friday, April 15, 2011, 8:30am – 3:00pm
Location: Durango Public Library, 1900 E 3rd Ave, Durango, CO 81301
Register Now

March 10, 2011
New Study Demonstrates that Colorado Public Library Use Increased During the Recession
The Library Research Service just released a study on the recession's impact on public library use. The findings indicated that in 2006 to 2007 (prior to the recession), use, as measured by visits, circulation, program attendance, and Internet use, remained relatively static or decreased in Colorado public libraries. In contrast, use increased by between 6% and 28% during the recession (2007 to 2009). View the complete report as well as a Fast Facts highlighting key findings.

February 18, 2011
Next Webside Chat: Wednesday, February 23, from 3:30-4:30pm
Do you have questions about statewide library services? Projects or programs of the State Library? Issues or concerns over recent budget news to share or inquire about? Join the Colorado State Library for our next Webside Chat. This installment offers you the chance to have an open conversation on topics of interest.

If you have any questions you would like answered by the State Librarian about the State Library or statewide programs in general, email them to Melissa Carlson by Tuesday, February 22, to be included in the Q & A. The late afternoon time is to provide school librarians or staff with a chance to participate.

February 3, 2011
School Library Survey Webinar on February 17
Library Research Service will be hosting a School Library Survey Webinar on Thursday, February 17, from 3:30 to 4:30 pm. The purpose of the webinar is to get feedback from school librarians about the annual Colorado school library survey—suggestions for improvements, changes, additions, deletions, etc. To participate in the webinar, you will need access to the Internet as well as a separate phone line. Interested in attending? Please email Linda Hofschire to get information about how to access the webinar. View the current school library survey (PDF)

January 25, 2011
2010 Public Library Annual Report
The 2010 Public Library Annual Report (aka annual survey) is now open. The survey is administered using Bibliostat Collect software, and the deadline is March 15, 2011.

January 24, 2011
The Across Colorado Digital Consortium
The Across Colorado Digital Consortium (OverDrive) is alive and well and always accepting new libraries. There are 15 libraries currently part of the consortium and 3 more signing up shortly. If you want more information please contact Shelley Walchak.

Next Webside Chat: Wednesday, January 26, from 11:30am-12:30pm
Join Erica MacCreaigh and Gene Hainer from the Colorado State Library for the next Webside Chat. Learn about restorative librarianship, a professional philosophy of community awareness and responsiveness to social problems.  Then glean some quick tips for making social services information readily accessible to those who need it most.

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For additional information, contact Gene Hainer, 303-866-6900.