Archive for the 'funding' Category

First issue of “YS News” now available

Check out the first issue of the new monthly newsletter for youth services librarians! YS News will feature articles on learning development, summer reading updates, timely tidbits like grant opportunities and interesting resources, children’s and teen literature news, and an exchange of what’s going on in CO libraries.

See the first issue here (PDF)

Would you like to see a topic covered in the newsletter? Want to share info about your programs? Or perhaps contribute an article? Contact the State Library’s Youth & Family Services Consultant, Beth Crist, 303-866-6908.

Apply Now for a 2012 Summer Reading Mini-Grant

Public libraries may now apply for a 2012 Summer Reading mini-grant! The Colorado State Library will award a limited number of mini-grants of $200 each for public libraries to support, enhance, and promote the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) statewide summer reading themes in their local communities.

The themes for 2012 are “Dream Big – READ!” (children), “Own the Night” (teens), and “Between the Covers” (adults). Priority will be given to libraries below 10,000 Legal Service Area population and libraries in non-metro locations. Per IMLS guidelines, the mini-grant funding should be spent on books.
Summer Reading 2012
To be eligible for a 2012 mini-grant, libraries must have submitted the 2011 summer reading report AND be registered for the 2012 statewide summer reading themes.

APPLY NOW!

DEADLINE: Friday, January 31, 2012

Questions:
Beth Crist, 303-866-6908
Youth & Family Services Consultant, Colorado State Library

Public Library Funding & Technology Access Survey (PLFTAS)

60% is the magic number!

A magic percentage for public libraries, really. “How is it magic,” you ask. It is 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). Reports like the State Briefs found here.

Want to be part of the magic?

  1. Take the survey here
  2. Look up you library’s survey id here
  3. More information here Continue reading ‘Public Library Funding & Technology Access Survey (PLFTAS)’

FY11-12 LSTA Grant Project Discussion Webinar

Bring your questions regarding potential projects addressing this year’s LSTA goal:

“Colorado students and adult learners receive services from libraries and librarians that support educational achievement and lifelong learning”

The session will begin with a 10 minute overview of this year’s LSTA grant application and timeline. After answering your questions we will open up the session to discuss your project ideas. We can address your technology concerns; tell you if your project fits this year’s goal; help determine if your project is feasible; and much more! Come prepared for a lively discussion!

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

RSVP to Jean Heilig at heilig_j@cde.state.co.us, 303-866-6731, by Monday, June 20th. Identify which session you will be attending. You will be provided with login information. Attendance is limited to 25 people per session. Additional sessions will be planned as needed.

See the State Library’s LSTA page for more information

AIRS Announces 2011-12 Statewide Package

Posted on behalf of Linda Sturgeon, AIRS Chair—–
The AIRS Committee (Acquisition of Information Resources Statewide) 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. Details about the FY11-12 program are available on the AIRS web site. The AIRS Committee was able to keep pricing stable for FY2011-2012 even while many libraries with shrinking budgets were forced to drop out last year and may be dropping out during the coming year.

Changes in E-rate for Libraries

I recently attended an excellent e-rate webinar presented by WebJunction. Even if you have applied for e-rate in the past, I would highly recommend viewing the archived webinar because there have been several changes to the e-rate process.

For instance, certified technology plans are only required for those seeking Priority 2 services. If you are applying for telecommunications or Internet access only, you are no longer required to submit a technology plan for certification. (Although no longer required for all libraries, technology planning is a crucial part of an organizations strategic planning, and highly recommended). Continue reading ‘Changes in E-rate for Libraries’

2010 Public Library Funding & Technology Access Survey Launched

Each year, the American Library Association and the Center for Library & Information Innovation, with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, surveys a national sample of public libraries regarding their Internet connectivity and computing access resources. The 2010-2011 Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study survey (PLFTAS) is now open and survey announcement postcards should be arriving at libraries this week.

The survey portal is www.plinternetsurvey.org – respondents can find FAQs and other support, and then head to “start survey.”  That is also where you will find the 4 issue briefs (Broadband, Community Access, E-government, and Employment), as well as state summaries for Employment and E-government. The survey closes November 5, 2010.

Why participate in this survey? Continue reading ‘2010 Public Library Funding & Technology Access Survey Launched’

AskColorado Celebrates Seven Years, Nears 300,000 Questions

This Thursday AskColorado is celebrating its seventh anniversary. Since Sept. 2, 2003, AskColorado, your statewide cooperative virtual reference service, has quietly and efficiently answered nearly 300,000 questions from students, parents, business owners, military personnel, and other residents of Colorado. Thank you to all Colorado librarians, who, over the years, have helped us to make AskColorado the high quality, personalized service that it is today. Continue reading ‘AskColorado Celebrates Seven Years, Nears 300,000 Questions’

Erie wins $5,000 from HISTORY™

Erie (High Plains Library District) wins $5,000 from HISTORY™.

NETWORK’S LARGEST EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVE CONNECTED TO THE TV SERIES AMERICA THE STORY OF US.

HISTORY™ announced the winners of a special contest for libraries connected with its landmark 12-part television series, AMERICA THE STORY OF US. The series, which premiered on April 25, 2010 and concluded on Memorial Day, was accompanied by the largest education outreach effort in the network’s history. The Library Outreach Contest encouraged libraries to create themed exhibits, media projects, and public programming about the role their community played in the broader national story.
Continue reading ‘Erie wins $5,000 from HISTORY™’

Losing Libraries site

On behalf of Gene Hainer:

Francine Fialkoff, Library Journal Editor-in-Chief, has asked me to bring this site to your attention if you haven’t already seen it: www.LosingLibraries.org.

Reduced hours in Boulder and Lafayette, and the closures in Aurora are listed, as is the BHAG advocacy initiative.

The prominent “Report Cuts” button allows sending of newspaper stories and annotations…and to report successes. The site seems geared toward public libraries, but doesn’t appear to restrict inclusion of layoffs, reductions, or closures in other types.

I encourage you to keep the site updated as changes happen in your library. While no one wants to flaunt bad news, showing an accurate picture is important as Colorado braces for further budget battles locally, and at the state level.

Once the site is more fully populated, Library Journal will send out press releases to major media around the country.

Thank you for your help on this.