« Previous Entries
» Next Entries

Grants

Grants, Resources
Ten Simple Ways to Preserve Your Collections
February 11th, 2009 | Permalink | Comment?
Kara M. McClurken, Preservation Services Librarian, SOLINET
Everyone has a role to play in preserving our cultural resources. What can you do to preserve the materials in your public library? Here are ten simple things anyone can do to get started:
1. Make sure materials are shelved properly. Proper shelving does wonders to reduce wear and tear—this includes using bookends that are wide enough to hold the materials snugly on the shelves, storing oversize items spine side down, and not stuffing too many books onto one shelf.
2. Handle items with care. Proper handling during photocopying (and copiers designed for book copying) can prevent damage to spines and pages. Teaching patrons how to remove books from shelves without pulling on the top or bottom of the books can help reduce the number of books with broken spines.
3. Implement good housekeeping practices. Dust provides food for pests and speeds up deterioration of acidic materials. It can also damage photographic materials and films. Dusting regularly can extend the life of your collections. Picking up the trash on a regular basis is a good way to prevent pest infestations.
4. Learn how to properly repair materials. Simple repairs performed by trained individuals can prevent future, more costly repairs as well as the need to rebind the materials by a commercial binder. [Bad repairs, unfortunately, can actually reduce the useable life of materials, so be sure to be trained in appropriate repair techniques.]
5. Limit damage from book drops. Not only can materials be damaged when placed in a book drop, but folks are often tempted to use book drops as garbage cans or worse. Consider closing book drops while the library is open. This will encourage people to come into the library again to return their materials and limit damage. If you must have a book drop, make it self-contained, so that a fire (accidental or created on-purpose) cannot spread to the rest of the building. Also, look for ways to adapt the book drop that reduces the distance to the bottom of the unit or protects the materials as they are dropped into it.
6. Monitor the environmental conditions in your library. Controlling the environment is the single most cost-effective thing you can do to preserve every item within your collection. It is important to monitor your environment in order to see what the current conditions are and to be made aware of potential problems. If you don’t have your own monitoring equipment, SOLINET can loan out equipment for free (plus the cost of shipping/insurance) for up to a month at a time. More information about SOLINET’s monitor equipment loan program is available online.
7. Turn off the lights when not in use. Ultraviolet light can be quite damaging to collections. Ultraviolet light is present in both natural sunlight and fluorescent lights. Whenever possible, closing the blinds and turning off the lights not only saves on energy costs, but can help your collections last longer.
8. Maintain your HVAC system. Make sure that your filters are replaced regularly and that the system gets its regular check-ups. Just like a car, an HVAC system runs best when properly maintained.
9. Remain vigilant against potential building problems. Be on the lookout for water leaks or pest infestation. The sooner you can stop such problems, the less damage will occur to your collections.
10. Hand out rainy day bags. Give your users a bag to protect materials on rainy days. This could be as simple as reusing plastic bags from the grocery store or you can buy bags with the library’s logo on it from a library vendor. Empower your users to play a part in protecting the materials.
If patrons and staff work together to preserve library resources, we can ensure that these materials will be available for all of us well into the future.

Online Resource Connects Libraries to Grant Opportunities
If you’re currently seeking grants or philanthropic gifts, or if you simply want to know where to start, get connected to a handful of fantastic grant resources now available at http://www.in.gov/library/grants.htm.

On the State Library’s Grants for Libraries webpage you’ll find links to local and nationwide grant opportunities. Check out links to top library grants clearinghouses like Library Grants Blogspot and the Michigan State University—Library Grants Web Portal, visit top charitable-giving foundations and endowments, or look for national library funding initiatives through the American Library Association and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

You know where to find grants. How do you get them? The Grants for Libraries webpage can connect you to a handful of online resources available for free to Indiana libraries. Free eBooks, including The “How to” Grants Manual and From Idea to Funded Project: Grant Proposals for the Digital Age, are available through the Indiana’s Shared eBook Collection found on INSPIRE. Additionally, WebJunction Indiana offers a Grant Writing Basics course through the University of North Texas’ Lifelong Education @ Desktop (LE@D) program. The one and one-half hour course covers each phase in the grant writing and submission process, including preparation; focusing on library priorities; developing the grant project; researching funders and finding appropriate grants; writing the grant proposal; and implementing, evaluating and continuing the process.

If you have any questions about the Grants for Libraries webpage, LSTA Grants or for assistance with applying for and writing grants, please contact Amy Holliday at 317-234-6550 or aholliday@lib.in.gov.

More Library News:
Anderson Herald Bulletin: Lincoln: Bicentennial celebrated this year
Evansville Courier & Press: Library to host free anime convention
Greencastle Banner Graphic: DePauw’s Lincoln exhibit shows connections between the two
Indiana University Release: Lincoln remembered in Lilly Library exhibition
Indy Star: Lincoln’s 200th birthday is reason to celebrate
Indy Star: Hancock County Library director elected president of state association
Kokomo Tribune: Clifford’s Kokomo roots run deep
LISWire: Palinet and Solinet Teaming Up to Become Lyrasis
New York Times: Fresh Starts Digital Archivists, Now in Demand
South Bend Tribune: WorkOne, St. Joseph County library offer help filing claims
South Bend Tribune: St. Joseph County Public Library asks public to Give a Buck
Terre Haute Tribune Star: Economy puts Vigo library branches’ future in jeopardy
WNDU TV (South Bend): St. Joseph County Public Library brings Science Alive

State Library’s Reference Hotline
866-683-0008
eReference

HELPFUL LINKS:
Sign up today for the 2009 Library Career Expo on March 5, 2009

DWD Unemployment Assistance Tools
Grants, Resources
Black History Month Resources Available Through INSPIRE
February 4th, 2009 | Permalink | Comment?

The Gale Group is now offering a variety of free promotional and educational resources available through INSPIRE. This Website includes student activities, biographies, helpful links, and related literature to compliment your Black History Month programming.

Most of the resources provided by Gale are derived from their extensive Biography Resource Center: African Americans database. This resource includes more than 30,000 biographies on over 24,000 notable African Americans who have had an impact on society and are frequently researched. Drawn from the Biography Resource Center, the database includes 60 volumes of six respected Gale reference sources such as Contemporary Black Biography, Notable Black American Women, Who’s Who Among African Americans, and other titles. Biography Resource Center: African Americans also includes more than 42,000 full-text articles from nearly 300 magazines, as well as nearly 2,000 images.

Designed to provide easy access to biographies on prominent African Americans associated with the arts, business, current events, entertainment, government, history, literature, multicultural studies, politics, science, and sports, Biography Resource Center: African Americans gives researchers a comprehensive set of in-depth narrative biographies providing overviews of the subjects’ lives and accomplishments and thousands of thumbnail biographies. Covered are contemporary and historic figures such as Harriet Tubman, Tiger Woods, Rosa Parks, Usher, and Condoleezza Rice. Magazine articles bring coverage of the African Americans up-to-date, and “Recent Update” windows display summaries of recent news events associated with particularly active individuals. Approximately 250 vetted Web links point to additional information.

A widget has been placed on INSPIRE for instant access to the Biography Resource Center: African Americans database. Instructions for individual libraries to install this widget on their homepage are available at http://access.gale.com/widgets/.

This Gale resource is among several academic databases available for free to all Indiana residents through INSPIRE. INSPIRE is a service of the Indiana State Library and is supported by the Indiana General Assembly through Build Indiana Funds, the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, and in partnership with the Academic Libraries of Indiana.

This Library Mini Grant is for the Birds…in a good way!
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology is accepting applications for the Celebrate Urban Birds mini grants program. Celebrate Urban Birds events are neighborhood events that feature activities involving birds, community service, art, greening, and science. The Celebrate Urban Birds mini grants may be used to support a bird activity day at a local library, museum, or community center. It also may fund art and gardening activities at a club, school, business, senior center, or neighborhood.

The mini grants range from $100 to $500. The Celebrate Urban Birds program encourages groups that work with traditionally underserved communities to apply. The deadline to apply for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s mini grants is Feb. 15, 2009.

The Celebrate Urban Birds website includes great urban bird resources, public programming ideas, and an online application.

State Library’s Reference Hotline
866-683-0008
eReference

Sign up today for the 2009 Library Career Expo on March 5, 2009

More Library News:
Anderson Herald Bulletin: Libraries flooded as jobless rate climbs
Associated Press: State expands access to unemployment applications
Bradenton Herald (OH): Economic woes boost library use for job resources
Chesterton Tribune: Library merger bill clears committee
Fort Wayne Business Weekly: Documenting history
Greene County Daily World: Bills worth watching in the state legislature
Indy Star: Speedway library fights to stay independent
Indy Star: IMCPL reports record year of library use
Indy Star: Surplus computers to aid jobless claim search
Inside Indiana Business: State to Offer Training, Computers to Assist Unemployed
Lafayette Journal Courier: Library gains 3 youth computers
Library Technology: Equinox, NELINET Partner on Evergreen
LISWire: Fulton County Becomes 19th Evergreen Indiana Library
Marion Chronicle-Tribune: Bill looks to change library system
Marion Chronicle-Tribune: State-level changes may hit close to home
Richmond Palladium-Item: Leaders need to make hard decisions
Richmond Palladium-Item: Make change if change makes sense
South Bend Tribune: New program to help unemployed Hoosiers
South Bend Tribune: Science Alive! set Saturday
South Bend Tribune: Larger libraries are feeling economic impact
Terre Haute Tribune Star: Council presented cost-cutting ideas
Terre Haute Tribune Star: WoodsUp.com features Lincoln bicentennial materials
Washington Times-Herald: Economy forces library to cut budget
WLFI-TV (Lafayette): New computers at public library
WSBT-TV (South Bend): Computers to help unemployed arrive at Nappanee library
Grants, Resources
School Libraries Invited to Apply for Evergreen Indiana Pilot Project
January 14th, 2009 | Permalink | Comment?

After successfully migrating 15 public libraries into the Evergreen Indiana catalog, with at least nine more scheduled to go live in the first quarter of 2009, the Evergreen Indiana Consortium is now inviting school libraries to apply for the Evergreen school library pilot project. The project, scheduled to begin this spring, will migrate a limited number of school libraries to Evergreen. Following the pilot program, more school libraries may be eligible to be phased into Evergreen Indiana.

The Evergreen Indiana project is being funded by the State Library through Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants. The services provided by the State Library include purchasing and maintaining the central servers, personnel costs in operating the system, training, software development, data conversion, and other related expenses.

The Evergreen Indiana Consortium currently has 35 member public libraries. Once these members are live, approximately 396,000 Hoosiers will be patrons of an Evergreen Indiana member library. Also, among these 35 members are the Consortium’s first three libraries with non-automated catalogs. This spring, these libraries will begin the process of automating their catalogs and uploading patron data with the help of Evergreen Indiana staff.

The Evergreen Indiana Consortium will be accepting applications for the school library pilot project until January 31, 2009. School librarians interested in joining the pilot project should contact Catherine Lemmer, Evergreen Indiana Project Coordinator, at 317.234.6536, or clemmer@library.in.gov for complete application instructions.

Please visit the Information and Resources for Interested Libraries webpage to learn more about Evergreen Indiana and its potential benefits for your library and students.

Spread the Word: Take Advantage of ALA’s Online Advocacy Tools
The American Library Association recently released an advocacy portal with useful resources that focus on the value of building statewide coalitions during times of economic downturn and the concept of the “Library Ecosystem”, or how libraries of all types are interdependent.

Included among the advocacy resources is “Advocacy University”, which contains resources and tools, including news clips, op-eds, and statistics to help library supporters make the case for libraries in these times. Additionally, ALA provides case studies, examples, and resources from successful statewide and local advocacy efforts. ALA has also advocacy tools tailored to fit your type of library, as well tools that address common issues and situations that benefit from strong public advocacy.

In addition to the state and local tools, ALA’s advocacy portal keeps you up to date with its own advocacy efforts concerning Federal programs and legislation that effect librarians nationwide. Furthermore, ALA shares the latest developments in its national “Campaign for America’s Libraries” public awareness campaign about the value of libraries and librarians. To learn more visit the Campaign for America’s Libraries home page.

ALERT: Due to a significant upgrade to the State Library’s website, many webpage links have changed. Please update your bookmarks. We apologize for the inconvenience.

More Library News:
Brazil Times: New system for cataloging items at library installed
Chesterton Tribune: Library consolidation bill now filed
Chesterton Tribune: Twp. libraries under attack again
Chesterton Tribune: Brown and Tallian skeptical of library consolidation plan
Duluth (MN) News Tribune: Libraries: An investment speaking volumes
Fort Wayne Daily News: Lincoln digitization to proceed
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette: Texts for troubled times
Gary Post Tribune: Local author schedules reading…
Monticello Herald Journal: Library says ‘hola’ to new class
Muncie Star Press: Muncie Public Library to present WPA series
South Bend Tribune: Libraries are overwhelmed by unemployed filing for help
Terre Haute Tribune Star: Legislator: Difficult session ahead
Washington Times Herald: Library welcomes new director

Reference Hotline
866-683-0008
eReference
Events, Grants, Workshops
Free Spring Workshops Available Online, Regional Locations
December 24th, 2008 | Permalink | Comment?
Certified library professionals have an opportunity to earn several free LEUs this spring by attending SOLINET and State Library courses and workshops. Librarians of all types (special, school, academic, etc.) are welcome to register for these professional development opportunities.

This spring’s course lineup covers a diverse range of topics, including:
To register for these workshops or other free professional development opportunities, visit WebJunction Indiana’s online calendar.

New Listserv Focuses on Young Adult Programming

Librarians serving teens and young adults now have a new forum for exchanging ideas and dealing with issues that relate to service for those patrons between ages 12 and 18. The new YAPPERS listserv will provide information you need to maximize your teen/YA programming efforts.

You can sign up for YAPPERS online at http://www.library.IN.gov/listservs.htm. The State Library also has other listservs dedicated to groups such as children’s programmers and trustees, among others.

International Association Seeks Applicants for Innovation Grants

The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) is accepting applications for its Public Library Innovation Grants program. ICMA is a professional educational organization for chief-appointed managers, administrators, and assistants that are located in cities, towns, and counties. The Public Library Innovation Grants focus on using the public library as a tool to address community priorities and issues. The grant program will provide a series of leadership workshops and project coaching to ensure the short-term success of the project and secure support for the long-term use of libraries in addressing community goals.

The Innovation Grants will be anchored by a partnership between the office of the chief administrative officer (city, county, and town manager) or elected official and the public library. A series of leadership workshops and project coaching will support grantees in solidifying the manager/librarian partnership, ensuring the short-term success of the project, and developing the capacity to support the long-term use of libraries to meet community goals. The ICMA will provide 8–12 grants to cities, towns, and counties that are committed to using their public library as a vital tool in addressing community priorities and issues in a unique, non-traditional manner. Individual grants will range from $20,000 to $60,000 and be 18 months in length. There is no requirement for being an ICMA community or having a town manager to be eligible for the grant.

If you have any questions about the ICMA Public Library Innovation Grants, contact Molly Donelan at (202) 962-3645 or mdonelan@icma.org. The deadline to apply is Jan. 9, 2009. Awards will be announced in February 2009. More information is available on the Innovation Grant Webpage.

More Library News:
Associated Press: Elwood library keeps Nativity scene on display
Chesterton Tribune: Library hires new branch manager for Hageman
Choice Reviews Online: Indiana Tech on Cover
Elkhart Truth: From the unemployment line to the library lines
Fort Wayne News Sentinel: Novels are set in small-town Indiana
Gary Post-Tribune: Governor outlines more reforms
Gary Post-Tribune: Church, friends and family honor longtime librarian
Kokomo Tribune: Greentown children’s librarian retiring
Louisville Courier-Journal: Book sales support libraries’ programs
Terre Haute Tribune Star: Told she’d never walk, Cunningham Memorial Library dean is avid runner

Reference Hotline
866-683-0008
eReference

Click here to view Online Newsletter
Events, Grants, Resources
Save the Date: Library Career Expo Coming March 5, 2009
December 17th, 2008 | Permalink | Comment?
The Indiana State Library, the Indiana University School of Library and Information Science, (SLIS) and the IVY Tech Library Technical Assistant (LTA) invites high school seniors, collegians, library employees, and library professionals to come take a closer look at the myriad of educational and professional library opportunities available in Indiana at the inaugural Library Career Expo.

The Expo, entitled “Indiana Librarianship in the 21st Century,” takes place on Thursday, March 5, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (EST) at the IUPUI Main Library in Indianapolis. Attendees may participate in equivalent morning (9:30 a.m. to 12:50 p.m.) or afternoon (1:10 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.) sessions in which they may attend 4 of 7 unique discussions led by leaders in the library field. The Expo is free and open to the general public.

The purpose of the Library Career Expo is to raise awareness of librarianship and career opportunities among Indiana residents. Each discussion will provide insight on a professional or educational subject matter. These topics include:
- Public Libraries Discussion
- Special Libraries Discussion
- Academic Libraries Discussion
- School Libraries Discussion
- Financial Aid for College
- Current MLS and LTA Students/Recent Grads Sharing Experiences
- Q& A with Lorelle Swader, Director, Office for Human Resources Development and Recruitment at the American Library Association, and SLIS Alumni Board member.
Participants will also have an exclusive opportunity to interact with the library employees, potential employers, and college education providers that will be located in the expo hall throughout the day.

Please stay tuned for the complete program schedule and registration to be announced in January Immediate questions may be directed to Marcia Smith-Woodard at: mwoodard@library.in.gov (317) 232-3719; or (800) 451-6028.

Wednesday Word eNewsletter Available Online
By now you’ve noticed The Wednesday Word’s new eNewsletter format. We hope that this new format is more engaging and user friendly. Like many new software programs, it may take a few weeks to work out all the “kinks” so to speak. Your patience is greatly appreciated during this time.

One major difference about the new Word is formatted using HTML (HyperText Markup Language), rather than plain text. This means anyone who receives “plain text” email messages will have difficulty viewing the new eNewsletter features. A link has been provided http://www.in.gov/library/files/WedWord.htm that will enable everyone to view the eNewsletter online and in its entirety.

We hope you enjoy the new Wednesday Word and please keep those story ideas and local news clippings coming.

NEH Seeks Applications for We the People
The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is seeking applications for the We the People Challenge Grants in United States History, Institutions, and Culture. This funding initiative is part of the NEH’s We the Peopleprogram. The emphasis of the We the People program is on grantmaking to scholars, teachers, filmmakers, curators, librarians, and others who submit proposals for projects that explore significant events and themes in the nation’s history and culture.

The We the People Challenge Grants in United States History, Institutions, and Culture funding program was designed to help institutions and organizations secure long-term improvements in and support for humanities activities that examine American history, “through the lens of the nation’s founding principles.” The deadline to apply is Feb. 3, 2009. If you have any questions about this grant program, contact the Office of Challenge Grants at either (202) 606-8309 or challenge@neh.gov. More information about the We the People grants is available online.

More Library News:
Brazil Times: Brazil Library selected for state pilot program
Elkhart Truth: Lawmakers given input from local officials
Evansville Courier & Press: Mr. Media
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette: Keeping Lincoln lore
Indianapolis Business Journal: State Museum lands Lincoln…
Indy Star: Train buff shares hobby at Zionsville library
Indy Star: Lincoln artifacts staying in Indiana
Kokomo Tribune: Plan B costs less
Library Journal: In Indiana, a Consolidation Battle
Northwest Indiana Times: Westchester library offers holiday treat for kids
Terre Haute Tribune Star: Comer named dean of ISU’s Cunningham Memorial Library
Terre Haute Tribune Star: Vigo County Library looking at closing branches, other meas…

Reference Hotline 866-683-0008 eReference

« Previous Entries
» Next Entries

BlogJunction Indiana

about

search

Links

Categories

Archives Last 12 Months

Archives By Year

Pages

feeds

Meta

Copyright

Category

Grants

Grants, Resources

Ten Simple Ways to Preserve Your Collections

Grants, Resources

Black History Month Resources Available Through INSPIRE

Grants, Resources

School Libraries Invited to Apply for Evergreen Indiana Pilot Project

Events, Grants, Workshops

Free Spring Workshops Available Online, Regional Locations

Events, Grants, Resources

Save the Date: Library Career Expo Coming March 5, 2009