NETLS Updates & Information 3/29

FINAL! FINAL!

Submit nominations for NETLS Awards by Tuesday! The process is easy and the goodwill created by this recognition is immeasurable. If you have a problem with the form or want to confirm that we have received your nomination, please call us. It is also not too early to register for the meeting.

MARCH 31 Annual Reports are due Tuesday. If you don’t have your Bibliostat login or password, don’t panic – we have those on file. This online annual report is the information needed by TSLAC to accredit libraries for system membership. The application for membership is signed by your governing authority and received by TSLAC by April 30.

March 31 -Loan Star Library Interim Financial Status Reports due

More dates below….
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Info You Can Use … This link is from a 2007 article describing the strategic role that libraries can play in a community and how the manager's leadership can contribute to the success of libraries..
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About Lead in Children’s Books… According to ALA's District Dispatch U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.) has introduced a bill to amend the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) to exempt ordinary books from the lead limit within the act.
Concerned parties may also be interested in this notice to PubLib regarding the proposed legislation
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Free Color Printer … Of course there is a catch (purchase supplies directly from the vendor) but it still might be a good offer for your library.
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Check Your TexShare Benefit … The reports here show the cost of TexShare databases to your library and the license fees your library would pay for these benefits if not part of the database consortium.
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TLA Annual Conference March 31 – April 3, Houston

March 30 – April 1 Computers in Libraries Conference, Arlington VA

April 3 Webcast Diversity beyond the obvious

April 6-8 SirsiDynix Users Groups Joint Conference, Dallas

By April 7 Dreyer's Foundation Small Grants and Product Donation, Requests must be made at least 8 weeks prior to event.

April 10 Deadline for grant application to National Book Fund grant to support adult literacy.

April 12 - 18 National Library Week

-- National Library workers day is April 14

By April 15 Libri Foundation Books for Children For small libraries (under 10,000 service population) in rural areas (30 miles from city with population over 40,000). Match your fundraising up to $350 2:1 so max available to spend is your $350 + $700 grant = $1,050

By April 15 Citizenship Grant, partner with your city, county, school district, etc. Agencies should notify by April 15 www.grants.gov Search by Funding Opportunity Number - DHS-09-CIS-010-001

By April 15 Early (discounted) registration deadline for Amigos Member Conference

April 16-17 KohaCon 2009, Plano

By April 20 (Expanded deadline) PLDS If you participate in the Public Library Association's (PLA) annual Public Library Data Service (PLDS) Statistical Report, please note the extended the deadline for receipt of completed questionnaires.

April 24 Irving Para Los Niños

April 30 ROSA - Reaching our Spanish-Speaking Audience 6CEUs Denton, 9:00am - 4:30pm (Registration starts at 8:30am)

By May 1 - Payment for Membership Meeting Luncheon(s) due in NETLS office.

May 4 -- NETLS Membership Meeting, Garland

May 6-7 Amigos Membership Conference

May 14-15 Small Library Management Program, Lewisville

May 14 – 16 Book Sale, Garland South Branch

By May 18 Woman's Day article contest for your library users

May 18-21 Innovative Users Group Annual Conference, Anaheim, CA

May 20-22 Evergreen (ILS) International Conference, Athens, GA

By May 22 Applications due for Save America's Treasures Program

By May 22 Advanced registration deadline for ALA Conference

By May 29 Harry Potter's World: Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine

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Got news, book sales, special events or collections? Let us know and we’ll share your news as we can.

Libraries circulate books for average of 3 years?

Excerpt regarding library books and lead in children's materials...

Link to the entire letter from Acting Chair of Consumer Product Safety Commission to Congress

NETLS Updates & Information 3/20

Library staff -- remember, lay representatives and supporters (board, FOL, foundation members) are welcome - and encouraged - to sign up for the NETLS News listserv.

Listserv registration is here.
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NOW is the time to nominate your outstanding individuals and programs for recognition at the May 4 Membership Meeting. Use our online nomination form.

Award categories are:

• Citizen of the year
• Library employee of the year
• Library director of the year
• Government official of the year
• Library project of the year (with redistributed size categories)
• Library volunteer of the year
• Lifetime achievement award
• Library leadership award

SEEKING nominees for NETLS Advisory Council - three terms end August 31. We will elect three individuals, two for 3-year terms and one alternate for a 1-year term. Current members with terms ending are eligible for nomination (there is a limit of two consecutive terms). Nominees must be NETLS lay representatives, not staff or alternate lay reps.

REGISTRATION is open, register online and mail your check or money order meal payment. Lunch is a Tex-Mex meal catered by Desperados and is $15.

ENJOY featured speaker, Rose-Mary Rumbley and the company of your favorite library supporters.

INVITE people in your community who have made a mark on your library or NETLS. Retired directors, former library and NETLS staff, vendors, performers, former Lay Representatives -- invite them all!

SEE YOU at the Atrium at the Granville Arts Center, Garland on Monday, May 4 Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. -- Meeting 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

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Over the next few weeks you will see several grant opportunities that refer you to the online process on http://www.grants.gov/. These applications require prior registration that may take several weeks. Ask your 501(c)(3) or local government to register now. The opportunities will likely involve libraries as partners rather than applicants.

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TODAY -- deadline for Gordon M. Conable Conference Scholarship, which will enable a library school student or new professional to attend ALA's 2009 Annual Conference.

TODAY -- application deadline for Literacy and Gaming initiative grants funded by Verizon. /

TODAY -- participate in ALA's survey of the library's role in providing electronic links to government services

By March 23 Register for EBSCO's Public Library Database Luncheon *April 2, Noon*, Hilton Americas-Houston, Grand Ballroom C, 4th Floor 1600 Lamar Houston, TX 77010

March 24 Technology on a Shoestring: Big Tools for Small Budgets Webcast sponsored by Polaris Library Systems, 1:00 PM. Scroll down to register

March 25 Collaborative Text Message Mobile Reference Information Session

Alliance Library System and Altarama will cohost an informational meeting for libraries interested in the possibility of joining InfoQuest(IQ), a six-month collaborative text message reference service. The online meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 25 from 10:00 am central - 12 noon. Participants will need to log into an online site and call into a teleconference number. If you would like to attend, please contact Lori Bell at ALS at lbell@alliancelibrarysystem.com. The meeting will include an introduction to the Altarama software, an overview of the project, and timeline and expectations of participants.

~~~ Want the entire announcement? Let Connie know and she'll forward it to you. ~~~

March 27 Ebsco database training - Balch Springs

By March 27 Complete TLA's Automation & Technology Round Table Survey of Top Technology Trends in Texas Results will be presented at April 2 TLA session 12-12:50 Rm 370

By March 30 NETLS AWARDS NOMINATIONS DUE

March 31 -Loan Star Library Interim Financial Status Reports due

By March 31 - Due date for submitting the Annual Report and the Application for System Membership.

Libraries submitting application forms after April 30 will NOT be eligible for system
membership (Rule §1.85). The instructions for filling it out are on the survey website or through TSLAC's website The Application for System Membership form is also on this webpage.

March 31 - April 3 -- TLA Conference, Houston

By April 1 Books for Babies Matching Grants

April 2 TLA Program Using the Data You Didn't Know You Had: TLA's Public Opinion Poll Results. 10:30-11:50 Ways to use the poll's results in grant writing

April 2 TLA EBSCO's Public Library Database Luncheon Noon, Hilton Americas-Houston, Grand Ballroom C, 4th Floor 1600 Lamar Houston, TX 77010

April 3 Webcast Diversity beyond the obvious

By April 7 Dreyer's Foundation Small Grants and Product Donation, Requests must be made at least 8 weeks prior to event.

April 10 Deadline for grant application to National Book Fund grant to support adult literacy.

April 12 - 18 National Library Week

Quick, someone tell Hallmark -- National Library workers day is April 14

By April 15 Libri Foundation Books for Children For small libraries (under 10,000 service population) in rural areas (30 miles from city with population over 40,000). Match your fundraising up to $350 2:1 so max available to spend is your $350 + $700 grant = $1,050

By April 15 Citizenship Grant, partner with your city, county, school district, etc. Agencies should notify by April 15 Search Grants.gov by Funding Opportunity Number - DHS-09-CIS-010-001

April 24 Irving Para Los Ninos

April 30 ROSA - Reaching our Spanish-Speaking Audience 6CEUs Denton, 9:00am - 4:30pm (Registration starts at 8:30am)

By May 1 - Payment for Membership Meeting Luncheon(s) due in NETLS office.

May 4 -- NETLS Membership meeting, Garland

May 14-15 Lewisville Small Library Management Program

By May 18 Woman's Day article contest for your library users

By May 22 Applications due for Save America's Treasures Program

By May 29 Harry Potter's World: Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine

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Bottom of the page treat...

Dominoes!!

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Just Fun!

NETLS Updates & Information 3/16

Just the new things are listed here!

OPPORTUNITIES -- Citizenship Grant, partner with your city, county, school district, etc. Agencies should notify by April 15 Search by Funding Opportunity Number - DHS-09-CIS-010-001

TLA PRECONFERENCES --

• If you plan to attend TLA and a preconference, please register ASAP to help planners. If not enough early registrations, preconferences may be cancelled.
• Don't miss the "Baby Boomers Back in the Library" -- $75 for full day preconference with the "Aging Guru" Allan Kleiman
• "Connecting to Collections: Constructing the Future" is $65 with the possibility of stipend to attend. A limited number of stipends (ranging from $65-$400) are available to assist attendees from small institutions with travel and registration costs. To apply, send an email to Danielle Plumer, danielle.plumer@tsl.state.tx.us, including your name, the institution you represent, and a short description of how attendance at this workshop would benefit your institution and region. Please also include a short budget with the funds you are requesting, including travel, workshop registration fee, and up to one night's lodging. Recipients will be asked to complete a short report on the workshop within six months of attending, describing their experiences and how they have shared their knowledge with others. Reports may be included in the project website or other publications.

Live Homework Help from tutor.com is being revamped into a suite of learning tools, with the addition of GED, ESL, and other adult learning topics. Register for a webinar to get the scoop.


March 19 Rural Business Enterprise Grants - ARRA link goes live

April 16 Webcast An Ounce of Prevention: Health Reference Basics 11 - 12:30 (1.5 CEU)

May 22 Closing of applications for Save America's Treasures For list of previously awarded projects

The bottom of the list

• ... and find some good ideas (and bad) here
• .... some have a story I'm sure

NETLS Updates & Information 3/13

Hot Dates:

March 13 Deadline for grant applications to First Lady's Family Literacy Initiative for Texas

March 16 Ebsco database training - Frisco

March 17 24HoursTutor.com vendor demo 9:30 -10:30 am

This is another homework product like Live Homework Help and Brainfuse demo offered to gauge interest.~~~Contact Connie for connection details.972-205-3852

March 17 TutorVista.com vendor demo 2:00 p.m.~~~ Contact Connie for further details if you would like to participate. 972-205-3852

Mar 17 Webinar Understanding Open Source 1pm, reserve a seat now if you want to attend

March 18 - Webinar: Coalition Building in Your Community 4:00 - 5:00 EST (Note time zone)

March 19 -- TSLAC CELEBRATION

March 19-22 Christian Book Expo, Dallas

March 20 deadline for Gordon M. Conable Conference Scholarship, which will enable a library school student or new professional to attend ALA's 2009 Annual Conference.

March 20 application deadline for Literacy and Gaming initiative grants funded by Verizon.

By March 20 -- participate in ALA's survey of the library's role in providing electronic links to government services

March 21 Twilight released on DVD -- licensing a special public performance is now easier

March 30 - NETLS Awards nominations due

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Stimulating News!

The TLA website now has a document detailing funding possibilities for libraries contained in the ARRA.

Also from TLA's Gloria Meraz: Just a quick update about the stimulus information. We have had some feedback from the Workforce Commission. Most of the $$ they receive (over 90%) have to be drilled down to local workforce development boards. Local libraries may apply for some of those funds by submitting proposals in specific workforce board designated areas. One pot of money-that for the youth worker programs-seem to hold some promise.

~~~ In North Central Texas, the COG is administering this program. They will begin accepting RFPs March 16 ~~~

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NETLS Area TALL Texans

The 2009 TALL Texans from the North East Texas Library System will be:

• Lynne Craddock, Dallas Public Library
• David Fettke, Dallas Public Library
• Gail Johnston, Texas A&M Commerce
• Marci Peschke, Kramer Elementary School, Dallas ISD
• Sara Tebes, Irving Public Library

Congratulations to both the individuals named and their institutions!

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Session dates have changed for several TSLAC programs.

Small Library Management Program, Confirm dates and register here.

Para Los Ninos Confirm enrollment and date here.

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"Connecting to Collections: Constructing the Future." TLA Preconference

Funding for this workshop is provided in part by a Connecting to Collections Statewide Planning Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Workshop cost: $65.

A limited number of stipends (ranging from $65-$400) are available to assist attendees from small institutions with travel and registration costs.

To apply, send an email to Danielle Plumer, danielle.plumer@tsl.state.tx.us, including your name, the institution you represent, and a short description of how attendance at this workshop would benefit your institution and region. Please also include a short budget with the funds you are requesting, including travel, workshop registration fee, and up to one night's lodging.

Recipients will be asked to complete a short report on the workshop within six months of attending, describing their experiences and how they have shared their knowledge with others. Reports may be
included in the project website or other publications ~~ Contact Connie for the complete announcement. 972-205-3852

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More Connecting to Collections

Webcast presentations on the challenges of caring for and sustaining living collections in zoos, aquaria, gardens, nature centers, and living history farms are now available from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

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From Neilsen reports

Social Networks & Blogs Now 4th Most Popular Online Activity, Ahead of Personal Email

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More dates

March 27 Ebsco database training - Balch Springs

March 25 Collaborative Text Message Mobile Reference Information Session

Alliance Library System and Altarama will cohost an informational meeting for libraries interested in the possibility of joining InfoQuest(IQ), a six-month collaborative text message reference service. The online meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 25 from 10:00 am central - 12 noon. Participants will need to log into an online site and call into a teleconference number. If you would like to attend, please contact Lori Bell at ALS at lbell@alliancelibrarysystem.com. The meeting will include an introduction to the Altarama software, an overview of the project, and timeline and expectations of participants. ~~~ Want the entire announcement? Let Connie know and she'll forward it to you. 972-205-3852 ~~~

March 30 Award nominations for NETLS area libraries are due.

March 31 -Loan Star Library Interim Financial Status Reports due

March 31 - Due date for submitting the Annual Report and the Application for System Membership.

Libraries submitting application forms after April 30 will NOT be eligible for system membership (Rule §1.85). Access the report at http://collect.informata.com/. The instructions for filling it out may be found on the survey website or through TSLAC's website -- the application for system membership is there as well.

March 31 - April 3 -- TLA Conference, Houston

By April 1 Books for Babies Matching Grants

April 3 Webcast Diversity beyond the obvious

April 10 Deadline for grant application to National Book Fund grant to support adult literacy.

April 12 - 18 National Library Week
Quick, someone tell Hallmark -- National Library workers day is April 14

By April 15 Libri Foundation Books for Children
For small libraries (under 10,000 service population) in rural areas (30 miles from city with population over 40,000). Match your fundraising up to $350 2:1 so max available to spend is your $350 + $700 grant = $1,050

By May 1 - Payment for Membership Meeting Luncheon(s) due in NETLS office.

May 4 -- NETLS Membership (and friends) Meeting, Garland

By May 29 Harry Potter's World: Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine

If you made it this far you deserve a treat! Turn your speakers on! Here is a reporting form if you hear this on the radio.

... no Friday the 13th next month!

NETLS Updates & Information 3/09

Hot Dates:

March 13 Deadline for grant applications to First Lady's Family Literacy Initiative for Texas

March 16 Ebsco database training - Frisco

March 17 24HoursTutor.com vendor demo 9:30 -10:30 am
This is another homework product like Live Homework Help and Brainfuse demo offered to gauge interest. Contact Connie for connection details.

March 17 TutorVista.com vendor demo 2:00 p.m. Contact Connie for further details if you would like to participate.

March 18 - Webinar: Coalition Building in Your Community 4:00 - 5:00 EST (Note time zone)

March 30 - NETLS Awards nominations due

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Interesting report on use of the internet in the US by generation.
Did you expect this level of internet use among septuagenarians?

"The biggest increase in internet use since 2005 can be seen in the 70-75 year-old age group. While just over one-fourth (26%) of 70-75 year olds were online in 2005, 45% of that age group is currently
online."

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Stimulus Questions ...

I know you are getting questions from your funding bodies about the stimulus package. We still have no real answers to the questions about what the ARRA (American Recover and Reinvestment Act) will do for libraries.

Several sites of interest are:

• Top 10 things you can do now... to get broadband stimulus finding for your library. ALA's Washington Office What Librarians Should Know about ARRA.
• Much of the money is directed to the states for prioritization and distribution, here is the Texas link.
• Organizations that have significant been awarded NEA grants in the past 4 years will be interested in the additional grant opportunity here. Regional arts groups have another grant possibility here.

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Lead in childrens' books. This is the time to evaluate materials for children under age 12 that were published before 1985. Look at puzzles, picture books, readers, etc. These materials may contain lead paint and are banned for use by or distribution to children unless tested.

Books published after 1985 are *currently* exempted from enforcement under this act. (Books children are likely to put into their mouths such as cloth, plastic, or board books are NOT exempted.) Draft guidance for the CPSIA is posted here:

You may want to contact the commission to express your support of the exemption in the current rule or other comment.

COMMENTS ARE SOUGHT: Comments
may be filed by e-mail.

Comments also may be filed by telefacsimile to (301) 504-0127 or mailed, preferably in five copies, to the Office of the Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland 20814; telephone (301) 504- 7530. Comments should be captioned ``Notice of Availability of Draft Guidance Regarding Which Children's Products are
Subject to the Requirements of CPSIA Section 108.'' Depending upon comments
received in response to this notice, the Commission will consider issuing a
notice of proposed rulemaking addressing these issues.

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More dates

Mar 17 Webinar Understanding Open Source 1pm, reserve a seat now if you want to attend

March 19-22 Christian Book Expo, Dallas

March 20 deadline for Gordon M. Conable Conference Scholarship, which will enable a library school student or new professional to attend ALA's 2009 Annual Conference.

March 20 application deadline for Literacy and Gaming initiative grants funded by Verizon.

By March 20 -- participate in ALA's survey of the library's role in providing electronic links to government services

March 21 Twilight released on DVD -- read one librarian's plans for a library screening.

March 27 Ebsco database training - Balch Springs

March 30 NETLS Award nominations for area libraries are due. (See our website)

March 31 - Due date for submitting the Annual Report and the Application for System Membership.Libraries submitting application forms after April 30 will NOT be eligible for system membership (Rule §1.85). Access the report. The instructions for filling it out may be found on the survey website or through TSLAC's website --The Application for System Membership form is also on this webpage.

March 31 - April 3 -- TLA Conference, Houston

April 3 Webcast Diversity beyond the obvious

April 10 Deadline for grant application to National Book Fund grant to support adult literacy.

By May 1 - Payment for Membership Meeting Luncheon(s) due in NETLS office.

May 4 -- NETLS Membership (and friends) Meeting, Garland

NETLS Updates & Information 3/6 -- Long, sorry!

REGISTRATION and NOMINATION FORMS for the May 4 Membership Meeting are available on our website.

We are accepting Award and Advisory Council nominations.

We're still collection response to our (very) short survey.

Check the updates archive by following the blog link on the Contact Us page of our website.

New in the NETLS Professional Collection:

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LEAD (as in metals) in children's books.

There is a lot of interest in the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.

Consumer products for children 12 and under cannot contain more than 600 parts per million of lead in any accessible part (this 600 ppm is expected to be reduced to 90 ppm), the Commission said it would "not impose penalties against anyone for making, importing, distributing or selling" a list of specified products, including "an ordinary children's book printed after 1985." Ordinary books are not toy books with moveable parts or noise/sound.

The good news is that 1985 is now 24 years ago. A children's book published before 1985 that has survived this long is likely to be rarely used and not needed in most library collections or worn and in need of replacement. If older books are retained for historical importance, they are likely to be used by adults and are not subject to the act as in the case of vintage collectibles.

Updated on March 3, the Guide to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) for Small Businesses, Resellers, Crafters and Charities focuses on sales and distribution provides this information:

" Question 17: Can I sell vintage children's books and other children's products that are collectibles?

Yes. Used vintage children's books and other children's products sold as collector's items would not be primarily intended for children. Because of their value and age, they would not be expected to be used by children. Therefore, they do not fall into the definition of children's product and do not need to comply with the lead limits."

Here is the draft guidance for the CPSIA.

COMMENTS ARE SOUGHT: Comments should be filed by e-mail. Comments also may be filed by fax to (301) 504-0127 If commenting by mail send 5 copies to Office of the Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, Maryland 20814..

Comments should be captioned ``Notice of Availability of Draft Guidance Regarding Which Children's Products are Subject to the Requirements of CPSIA Section 108.'' Depending upon comments received

in response to this notice, the Commission will consider issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking addressing these issues.

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Hot Dates:

March 6 ** today ** FY08 TexShare annual surveys are due today, March 6th. So far they've only received 125 responses. http://www.texshare.edu/surveys/annualreport/FY08/annualreptIntro.php

March 8 daylight saving time begins

March 13 Deadline for grant applications to First Lady's Family Literacy Initiative for Texas

March 16 Ebsco database training - Frisco

March 18 - Webinar: Coalition Building in Your Community 4:00 - 5:00 EST (Note time zone)

March 19-22 Christian Book Expo, Dallas

March 20 deadline for Gordon M. Conable Conference Scholarship, which will enable a library school student or new professional to attend ALA's 2009 Annual Conference.

March 20 application deadline for Literacy and Gaming initiative grants funded by Verizon.

By March 20 -- participate in ALA's survey of the library's role in providing electronic links to government services

March 21 Twilight released on DVD -- read one librarian's plans for a library screening.

March 27 Ebsco database training - Balch Springs

March 30 Award nominations for NETLS area libraries are due. (See our website)

March 31 - Due date for submitting the Annual Report Filing instructions are on TSLAC's website.

March 31 - April 3 -- TLA Conference, Houston

April 3 Webcast Diversity beyond the obvious

April 10 Deadline for grant application to National Book Fund grant to support adult literacy.

By April 30 Submit Application for System Membership. Libraries submitting application forms after April 30 will NOT be eligible for system membership (Rule §1.85).

By May 1 - Payment for Membership Meeting Luncheon(s) due in NETLS office $15.00 per person..

May 4 -- NETLS Membership (and friends) Meeting, Garland

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From Christine McNew, TSLAC

The Texas State Library has experienced delays in producing and distributing the CD-ROMs for the 2009 Texas Reading Club and Texas Teens Read! manuals due to some equipment malfunctions. We will begin mailing them this week. The manual is online. The posters, reading logs, certificates, and bookmarks for both programs are on schedule to be mailed to participating libraries by March 31, 2009.

(Note: don't like the theme or artwork? Artwork and manuals from earlier years are also available online for your use.)