Vision: * Libraries move communities into the future. Every resident of Colorado will discover their library to be a place of curiosity & discovery; ideas & experiences; inspiration & imagination. They are places of endless possibilities.

Mission: * Libraries are excited about patron’s questions, we assist patrons with their needs during transitional times in their lives. What’s Next?!

Goals: * To shift the general public’s perceptions so they understand that libraries change with the times, are not just books and provide critical help to people during times of personal or community transition.  * To reinvigorate the value of libraries and secure future funding of Colorado Libraries.

Tagline: * What’s Next?! Your future. Libraries help get you there

We are moving forward and have the logo, mark, fonts and style guide. Please refer to the style guide for explanations on file types. These are all available on the Brand Items page.

We are working on the website and marketing kits which should be ready by the CAL conference in October 2010.

Contact Debbi MacLeod with any questions.

• * Share with you the latest services and resources we can offer Colorado libraries
• * Hear how libraries have transformed your lives

CSL at CAL 2009 – Schedule (PDF)

Current CSL Funding Initiatives

• Broadband – Round 2 of the Broadband Technology Opportunity Program (BTOP) should be available by December. The CSL will work with libraries on a proposal to create regionally-based mobile computer labs for library and community use. The B&M Gates Foundation has offered consulting assistance for the application and to fund the required 20% match, if awarded. The Governor’s office announced on Oct. 16 nine proposals for consideration by BTOP, totaling $338M. (List includes Denver Public Library and High Plains Library District proposals as well as vendors working with libraries including Eagle Net.)
• Race to the Top part 1- One competitive grant opportunity is open only to state education agencies. CDE is working with the Lt Gov’s office on a proposal. A recommendation has been made to fund e-resources statewide. Results of the request won’t be known until proposal is completed. Details at http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/OIT-2/OIT2/1240228834570.

• Race to the Top part 2 -A second competitive opportunity, Investing in Innovation (i3) will open later for schools, consortia of schools, and non-profit organizations. Work is underway to craft a statewide or multi-state proposal to fund electronic resources, homework help, and other tools in libraries and schools to support learning outside of the classroom.

Public Library Standards
A committee/task force will be formed this month to review information from recent focus groups, establish a plan for the revision, with completion by fall, 2010.

Virtual Learning for staff
CLiC and the State Library announced the joint venture “I’m an Online Learner” on October 1 which allows access to WebJunction courses for $10.  Learn more at:  I’m an Online Learner.

LSTA grants
Nearly $400,000 in LSTA grants were announced in October. Press release and background items at www.ColoradoStateLibrary.org/lsta.

General Updates

• The Library Development Council meets on October 26 to talk about direction, and future trends and issues in libraries.
• The Continuing Education Forum changed its name to “Reach! Leading learning in libraries” and will continue to focus on CE collaboration, opportunities, and innovations.
• Butterfly (library marketing campaign): the advisory committee requested additional work on the concepts by the design firm. This will move the theme selection into December instead of October.

The Colorado Library Consortium (CLiC) invites submissions for presentations at our Spring Workshops in 2010 in the following locations:

Grand Junction, March 1 & 2

Fort Collins, April 8

Pueblo, April 15 & 16

Our annual workshops serve as a fun forum to learn, network, and stimulate discussion about library related topics. The workshop program will include competitively-selected presentations, as well as a small number of invited speakers. Sessions may be either 75 minutes or half day. Topics appropriate for submission to this conference include, but are not limited to the following:

• Technology, including social computing, tools, gaming technologies, open source, etc.
• Library administration
• Services to children, teens, adults, disadvantaged, e.g. programs, booktalks
• Library development – including marketing, fundraising, grant writing
• Reference
• Collaboration between libraries
• Community involvement 
• Academic, school, public library issues
• Intellectual freedom
• Board, volunteers

Please keep in mind the following:

• CLiC staff will review all submitted proposals for their content, timeliness, and relevance and reserves the right to choose and accept proposals based on the criteria.
• CLiC will treat all submissions as suggestions and guideposts.
• Time management issues and reimbursement guidelines generally limit each session (both 75 minute and half day) to two speakers.
• We are seeking programs geared for newcomers to the profession as well as experienced library staff.
• We are interested in sessions for public, school, and academic librarians.
• Presenters may attend the full conference for free and will receive assistance with travel expenses.

Proposal application is available at:  http://tinyurl.com/CLiCSpringWorkshops

The deadline for this call for proposals is October 15, 2009. You will be contacted about the status of your proposal by November 15, 2009.

The purpose of the campaign is to ensure the future of libraries statewide and build the Colorado library brand by increasing awareness of the transformational aspects of libraries and the positive impact libraries have on their communities. The spirit of the campaign will be courageous, humorous, and the final messages will be delightful and unexpected.

The CSL management team has convened an advisory committee of statewide library representation and together we are working with Barnhart Communications, the same firm that worked on the Wyoming campaign.

I will post updates at this blog and welcome your comments as we move forward.  To find out more, please visit:
http://ColoradoStateLibrary.org/Campaign

Debbi MacLeod, of the Colorado State Library, is the project lead.  Please direct questions to her or comment here.