Early on it was recognized by Colorado libraries that despite the plethora of easily-obtainable information via the Internet, people were having trouble finding the “right information” and credible information. To address this problem, you joined forces to create AskColorado. Many librarians in the state, however, are not aware that not only was AskColorado one of the first statewide, multi-library-type, virtual reference services to open in the U.S., it remains one of only fifteen or so states that continue with such a service today.

“While states such as Massachusetts and California have discontinued their services, ours continues today to offer high-level service, along with other states such as Ohio, Maryland, and New Jersey,” said Kris Johnson, AskColorado Coordinator. “Our per-capita usage rivals that of those larger states.”

“We offer the human touch to an oftentimes impersonal Internet, and help put people in touch with information that they would otherwise be unable to locate themselves,” added Johnson. “And judging by our numbers, people need us!”

Recent comments from customers highlight the need and usefulness of AskColorado:

• Love that I can access a librarian 24/7 as I often am in urgent need for help when the regular library is closed and I can’t find what I need on the library website. Great friendly and quick service. Very impressed.
• I was so happy to find this service! I was lost navigating a variety of sites and the librarian helped me find the one I needed for my paper.
• The human touch was there. Doesn’t get any better than that!

Over the years, residents from every county in Colorado have logged in, with nearly 25% of those questions coming from rural areas. Questions range the gamut, from homework help for kids, to how to start a small business for adults. Recent research questions include:

• I am trying to find research studies on effective classroom routines or how such routines help with classroom management.
• What is the amount of water the entire state of Colorado uses in one day?
• I am researching the effectiveness of LinkedIn as a job search tool. I have lots of short articles but no substantial research. Help!
• I am sending invitations to our state senators and representatives. How do I address them on the envelope?

AskColorado has also received its share of whimsical questions:

• Can you help me find an article that has a list of the top 500 fictional villains…the evilest!?
• What is the circumference of a moose?

Interesting questions received on the service are posted at the AskColorado Twitter account  nearly daily. AskColorado also participates in popular social networking sites, including Facebook and Delicious.

The AskColorado service works on a model similar to public radio: it is grant-funded and paid for by member libraries. Federal monies through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) are supplied via the Colorado State Library, a unit of the Colorado Department of Education. In addition, member libraries contribute financially and through staff support.

Libraries throughout Colorado of every type — public, academic, school and specialized libraries — contribute money to pay for the software and 24/7 service. Local libraries also provide the staff time to work online with Colorado students and residents. If your library would like to join, or you would like additional information, please contact Kris Johnson.

Website: http://www.askcolorado.org
Twitter: http://twitter.com/AskColorado
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AskColorado
Operations Manager, Kris Johnson, johnson_k@cde.state.co.us, 303-866-6922

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.
Open to all libraries nationwide, the contest awarded a total of $35,000 in prizes to 13 libraries. The Grand Prize winner in the contest was awarded $15,000 along with two First Prize winners who were awarded $5,000 each and ten Second Prizes winners who were awarded $1,000 each.

The Erie Community Library part of High Plains Library District was awarded a first place prize in the amount of $5,000 for a project entitled Erie: From Working Coal Town to Suburban Boom Town. The portable slide show which was created by Carol Taylor, a Librarian for HPLD, showcases the town’s coal mining past. “Researching the town’s history and creating the project was fascinating. I learned so much and am grateful to have the opportunity to share what I learned with the world,” said Taylor.

Other winners included the Lower Macungie Library in Macungie, Pennsylvania (Grand Prize) for an exhibit entitled Six Days in April, Forty Years Ago: The Story of Apollo 13 and the Saratoga Springs Public Library in Saratoga Springs, New York (First Place) for their exhibit Honoring Saratoga Veterans. Second place winners include Haines Borough Public Library in Haines, Alaska for their project on the history of the local Tlingit tribe, the Illinois State Library for an exhibit entitled Writing Women Back into History and the Marian Wright Edelman Public Library in Marlboro County, South Carolina for an exhibit entitled Then and Now.

The Library Outreach Contest was a combined effort between HISTORY, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities to engage libraries to join a national exploration of the American past. “AMERICA THE STORY OF US provided a perfect catalyst for communities all over America to join in the conversation about the history of our country,” said Dr. Libby O’Connell, Chief Historian and SVP, Corporate Outreach for HISTORY. “Local libraries brought their grassroots focus to highlight the wonderful stories in their collections and in their backyards.”

“These winners are a testament to the power of libraries to connect communities to the American story,” said Marsha L. Semmel, Acting Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. “The rich diversity of the projects is impressive. And we are particularly delighted to see so many small libraries answer this call in a big way. Congratulations to all.”

The library contest criteria included the relevance of the exhibit to American history, the effectiveness of the exhibit or media project overall, and outreach about the projects to local communities.

article obtained from http://www.mylibrary.us/about_my_library/news_detail.asp?news_id=295

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.

This year is turning out to be different at the library.

What I mean by this has nothing to do with how much our libraries are being used. Libraries are busier than ever. Our libraries are bustling places. I could not be prouder of a group of employees than I am of each of you who work conscientiously each day to deliver excellent library service.

Indeed, use of our libraries this year is greater than it ever has been. In every major measurable category we are at all-time record levels. Checkouts of books and other library materials is +22%. The number of people visiting our libraries is +20%. Attendance at library-sponsored programs and events is +41%. The number of people logging-on library public-access computers is +34%. We are seeing double-digit increases across-the-board.

In fact, it is turning out to be the busiest year ever at the Pueblo City-County Library. This isn’t any different, either. In each of the past five years, we continuously have set new records for use of libraries. I am pleased we also have been able to increase the number of employees on staff and to improve employee salaries and benefits during this time. I am happy our citizens are motivated to use libraries.It speaks well for our goal of insuring ours is a community of readers.

So, if so much is the same, what is different? What is different is how we are planning for next year. Normally, at this time of year, we would be preparing to gather groups of library employees and members of the Board of Trustees to develop goals and objectives to formulate a balanced budget for 2011.

Until recently, we were planning for flat or somewhat reduced revenues in 2011. This, by itself, is not unexpected. After all, most people are cutting back due to the poor economy. We had some confidence this could be accomplished by “tightening our belts,” just like almost everyone else right now.

But this year is turning out to be different. This year we also are making contingency plans to reduce or eliminate most library services. How can this be? The library is being used more than ever in its entire history, yet we are making plans to possibly curtail and do away with services. Clearly, something is wrong.

What has changed is this. There will be three referenda for voters statewide on November 2. If passed by the voters, each of the three will impact our library revenues dramatically and negatively. It has been determined Douglas Bruce from El Paso County is behind the three measures (http://www.denverpost.com/ci_15281356?source=rss_viewed).

The Bruce proposals are commonly known as Amendment 60, Amendment 61, and Proposition 101. If passed by the voters, the Bruce ballot issues will amend the state constitution and set law to severely cut taxes and slash revenues for nearly all public entities in Colorado, including our libraries in Pueblo County. If the Bruce referenda pass, taxes for libraries will be chopped by as much as nearly one-third in 2011 with more cuts in the years to come. This will result in striking reductions to library services. For example, if these referenda pass, we can balance the library budget by doing all these things:
Permanently close the Barkman Library
Permanently close the Lamb Library
Permanently close the Pueblo West Library
Permanently close the Library @ the Y
Permanently close all Library Satellites and Outreach Services
Permanently close the InfoZone Museum
Reduce hours and services at the Rawlings Library

I want to be clear. No decision has been made on how we will balance the budget in 2011 if the referenda pass. The example above is only illustrative to demonstrate the gravity of the situation.

Passing the Bruce referenda will cut taxes. For example, the average automobile owner currently pays an average of $4.06 annually in Pueblo County to support libraries. If Bruce’s Proposition 101 passes, this will be reduced to an average of six cents per year (http://www.thebell.org/sites/default/files/Pueblo1page.pdf). Another example, if Bruce’s Amendment 60 passes the average homeowner’s property tax paid for libraries will be rolled back to what the dollar amount meant more than fifteen years ago.

In conclusion, I should point out that I am neither advocating for nor recommending against Bruce’s Amendment 60, Amendment 61, and Proposition 101. However, as the Executive Director of the library it is my job to work to provide facts about the state of the library and to guarantee the best possible library services with the revenues provided.

It is a fact that voter approval of Bruce’s proposed Amendment 60, Amendment 61, and Proposition 101 on November 2 will both reduce taxes and cripple library funding.  For more on both sides of the referenda, see http://www.donthurtcolorado.com and http://www.cotaxreforms.com.

Please remember to vote on November 2.

The study, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the ALA, can be found online at www.ala.org/plinternetfunding.

• Monday, June 21st at 12:00PM – 1:00PM
  AND
• Wednesday, June 23rd at 9:00AM – 10:00AM

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

“Colorado libraries will provide services to support educational achievement and lifelong learning of Colorado residents, people with disabilities, ethnic populations, institutional residents, and those underserved by libraries.”

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!

Hosted by CSL Staff:

• Jean Marie Heilig, LSTA Grant Coordinator
• Jim Duncan, Director, Networking and Resource Sharing Unit
• Mary Beth Faccioli, Instructional Design and Technology Consultant

RSVP to Melissa Carlson by Friday, June 17th
Identify which session you will be attending. You will be provided with log in information. Attendance is limited to 25 people per session. Additional sessions will be planned as needed.

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

For the purpose of this grant, libraries must meet the following LSTA 5-year plan combined goal:
“Colorado libraries will provide services to support educational achievement and lifelong learning of Colorado residents, people with disabilities, ethnic populations, institutional residents, and those underserved by libraries.”

For more information, visit the State Library’s LSTA page.

Andrew Romanoff, current US Senate Candidate and former Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives, will be providing background on current Constitutional fiscal restrictions and how they hinder legislative action in Colorado.
Rich Jones, Director of policy and research,  Bell Policy Center will discuss the fiscal impact on Colorado if the ballot issues are successful.
Jamie LaRue, Director of the Douglas Library District, will be discussing the impact on libraries and action we can take to prevent their passage.

Three ballot issues aimed at drastically reducing the taxes and fees required of Colorado’s residents will mean extreme cuts to all tax and fee-funded Colorado institutions if they are passed in November.  Every sector of Colorado’s economy and government will be affected by their passage.  As citizens, librarians need to be aware of the potential effects of their passage on education (pre K-12 and higher education), businesses, and municipal, county, special district, and state governments. How will corporate, school, academic, and public libraries continue to serve their communities if they are passed?

The Bell’s analysis on proposed ballot initiatives.

Where & When?

University of Denver Driscoll Center North Gallery and Ballroom

5:30–6:30pm Networking Reception & Vendor Showcase, 6:30pm Dinner, 7:00-8:30pm Presentation

Register here.

$25 for students, $35 for sponsor group members, $45 for non-members  (CHECKS ONLY) (Student scholarships will be awarded by drawing, register by March 26th)

Colleague Connection is an annual event sponsored by Colorado library organizations to encourage networking and learning among students, paraprofessional staff, librarians, trustees and friends of libraries. Anyone interested in libraries and the future of libraries is welcome to attend.

Questions? Please contact:  Tamara Phalen, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP, TPhalen@BHFS.com

Posted on behalf of Lynne Fox – AMLS, MA, AHIP, Education Librarian
Health Sciences Library, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado Denver

All FCC Forms 471 electronically filed or postmarked by that date and time will be considered IN WINDOW.

Download a PDF of this information

• This money is being offered through ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act).
• The funds will help rural communities up to 20,000 in population to improve their community facilities (including libraries), enhance educational opportunities, and improve economic conditions. Specifically, eligible purposes include:
  • Construct, enlarge, extend, or improve essential community facilities
  • Obtain necessary equipment for the operation of these facilities
  • Reasonable fees such as engineering, legal, administrative environmental analysis, surveys, and planning
  • Cost of acquiring interest in land; rights, such as water rights, leases, permits, and rights-of-way
• The loans and grants are available to public entities including municipalities, counties and special districts as well as non-profit corporations and tribal governments with the legal authority necessary for construction, operation and maintenance of the facility.
• Colorado has received $2.2M of the nationally available $100M. This money needs to be earmarked by September 30, 2010. Projects do not need to be completed by this date.
• 80% of this money will be available as loans, 20% of the money is available as grants.
• Community Facilities Grants are authorized on a graduated scale. Applicants located in smaller communities with low populations and low incomes will receive a higher percentage of grants. Grant funding limitations are based on population and income, economic feasibility and availability of funds.
• Applications are handled by USDA Rural Development field offices.

Due to Colorado Tabor laws, governmental entities such as municipalities, counties, and special districts will need to work closely with the USDA field officers and get legal advice on their eligibility for any loans. If you have a project in mind, please contact one of the following field offices listed at the bottom of this email and set up an appointment to discuss the opportunity. Field officers are available to come to your library to talk about the program.
Please note that should ballot issue 61 pass this fall, future revenues would have to be reduced by the average annual debt service payments after the borrowing term expired. Library boards and directors should understand the possible implications of the ballot issue (61) as they discuss any loans with field officers from USDA.

The State Library had planned to hold a webinar on this grant/loan opportunity, but the complexity of the issues make it more desirable for individuals who are interested to go directly to the USDA field officers for information. Visit the USDA website.

Alamosa (719) 589-5661 x4
(Alamosa, Chafee, Conejos, Costilla, Custer, Fremont, Mineral, Park, Rio Grande, Saguache and Teller)

Cortez (970) 565-8416 x4
(Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma, San Juan, and San Miguel)

Craig (970) 824-3476 x4
(Clear Creek, Eagle, Garfield, Gilpin, Grand, Jackson, Moffat, Rio Blanco, Routt, and Summit)

Delta (970) 874-5735 x4
(Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Lake, Mesa, Montrose, Ouray, and Pitkin)

Las Animas (719) 456-0120 x4
(Baca, Bent, Crowley, El Paso, Huerfano, Kiowa, Las Animas, Otero, Prowers, and Pueblo)

State Office (Lakewood) (720) 544-2903 or (800) 424-6214

Wray (970) 332-3107 x4
(Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Cheyenne, Douglas, Elbert, Jefferson, Kit Carson, Larimer, Lincoln, Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington, Weld, and Yuma)