Library Technical Support in 2005

The Northeast Texas Library System has once again applied for Technical Assistance Negotiated Grant (TANG) funding for SFY 2005.

The purpose of the TANG grant is to “help public library staff use and maintain information resources technology.” 

In previous years, NETLS has negotiated contracts for training library staff members or anyone whose responsibility includes maintaining library computers.  One of the first types of training included an A+ Certification course, which helped librarians understand how to disassemble and repair a computer.  The same A+ course included a detailed survey of a Windows operating system.  Other courses provided by NETLS with TANG funds included networking essentials and managing a Windows NT network. 

In 2004, NETLS began a new program, Emergency Technical Support (ETS).  This program was intended to provide a means for NETLS libraries to repair, maintain or replace a device, such as a computer, monitor, router or other equipment critical to a library computer network.  The ETS program has made it possible for 26 libraries to repair and/or maintain their networks. 

Secondly, NETLS offered a lecture series on network security. Library staff members who attended the series learned about the necessity of network security and why it is important to protect a library network. 

Finally, NETLS offered certification level training to larger libraries that needed training for IT staff.

In SFY 2005, NETLS is again planning to provide three technology options using TANG funds:

:     Option 1 will provide emergency technical support for at least 15 libraries with grants up to $1,000 for each library.

:     Option 2 will address the needs of medium to large libraries by providing at least 10 libraries with a copy of Desktop Authority, a Windows maintenance software that automates the process of updating Windows computers. 

:     Option 3 will provide certification level training for 50 staff members at NETLS libraries.  Certification level training may involve three to five days of consecutive training for those who participate.

Directors or staff members at NETLS member libraries who find any of these activities of interest or have questions about any other TANG-related event may contact Library Technology Consultant Jerry McCulley at <jmculley@netls.org>, 972.205.2569.

MEDIA

CDs Available from U.S. Air Force Band

The United States Air Force Band produces and distributes compact disc recordings to complement its live performing mission. These recordings are approved by the Dept. of the Air Force for use in public service broadcasting, recruiting, educational activities, troop morale and retention. The Band's CDs are not for sale, but are distributed to radio stations, public libraries and educational institutions.

        The Band would like to send a collection of their recordings to interested public libraries. They only ask that the CDs be placed in the organization's permanent holdings so that everyone in the community may enjoy them for years to come. 

 

Library staff members may mail or fax a request on official organizational letterhead to:

The USAF Band
Office of Public Affairs
201 McChord Street
Washington, D.C. 20032-0202
Fax:  (202) 767-6474

Please allow up to six weeks for delivery.

---

Names in the News

Danita Barber-Owusu, formerly of Fort Worth Public, is the new director of FARMERS BRANCH MANSKE LIBRARY.

 

Roger Carroll, manager of the Fine Arts Div. of DALLAS PUBLIC, retired in June after 38 years of service.

 

Rhonda Detro, director of CELINA COMMUNITY LIBRARY, retired in June.

 

Pam Dotson, director of THE LIBRARY AT CEDAR CREEK LAKE (Seven Points), retired in April.

 

Janice Dowlearn, director of CRANDALL-COMBINE COMMUNITY LIBRARY, retired in June.  She will be returning to the library part-time in September.

 

Paul Eddy, formerly with Dynix, is the new Technology Librarian at ROWLETT PUBLIC.

 

Laurie Evans, formerly Asst. Director of DALLAS PUBLIC, is now Acting Director.

 

Tina Hager, formerly youth librarian with CARROLLTON PUBLIC, is now the director of Little Elm Community Library.

 

Marc Marchand is the new director of THE LIBRARY AT CEDAR CREEK LAKE (Seven Points).

 

Caroline Moses has resigned as Library Manager at ROYSE CITY LIBRARY.

 

Ramiro Salazar, formerly director of DALLAS PUBLIC, has been appointed interim asst. city manager for the City of Dallas.

 

Mary Lynn Saxton is the new Children’s Librarian at UNIVERSITY PARK PUBLIC.

 

Donna Senter is the new director of CELINA COMMUNITY LIBRARY.

 

Cassie Wilson has recently joined the staff of ROWLETT PUBLIC as Children’s Librarian.

 

 

Happenings at Area Libraries

ZULA B. WYLIE LIBRARY (Cedar Hill); Pat Bonds, director; 972.291.7323

Thanks to a partnership between the staff of ZULA B. WYLIE LIBRARY and Cedar Hill ISD, a card from the public library is now included on the 2005 school supply list for students in grades K-6.

 

UPSHUR COUNTY (Gilmer); Ruth Semrau, director; 903.843.5001

The patrons and staff of UPSHUR COUNTY (Gilmer) were recently the beneficiaries of a valuable collection of genealogical materials from Mr. & Mrs. Wendell Horton of Rosewood.  The donation of over 1,000 items of local interest nearly doubled the genealogy collection at the library.

 

PLANO PUBLIC; Joyce Baumbach, director; 972.769.4300

The W. O. Haggard Jr. Library, part of the PLANO PUBLIC system, closed in July for expansion and major renovations.  The project will take from 9 to 12 months.  Library staff members will be temporarily relocated to other buildings in the system.

 

ROCKWALL COUNTY; Kathleen Melston, director; 972.882.0340

The library’s recent “Rock and Read” fundraiser raised over $12,000 for literacy/ESL programs.  Local artists decorated 13 rocking chairs that were used by the volunteer readers and then auctioned off.  The one of a kind chairs, pictured as a part of the Literacy link on the library’s Web site <www.rocklib.com>, have generated considerable interest.  People are already asking if they will be available next year.

 

2003 Texas Book Festival Grant Winners

The eighth annual Texas Book Festival (TBF) was held in Austin in November 2003.  TBF is the only festival of its kind that specifically serves as a fundraiser for public libraries.  

Funds raised during the 2003 Festival were awarded to public libraries at the Texas Library Assn. Annual Conference in San Antonio in March.  Grants were presented to 36 libraries – all of which were first time recipients. 

The amount raised for 2003 totaled $88,945.  Since 1995, TBF has raised $1.53 million for 513 libraries statewide.

The following NETLS-area libraries received awards of up to $2,500 from the 2003 Texas Book Festival:

DALLAS PUBLIC

Forest Green Branch

Casa View Branch

Park Forest Branch

Fretz Park Branch

FERRIS PUBLIC

UPSHUR COUNTY (Gilmer)

IRVING PUBLIC

Central Library

North Lake Community Library

Southwest Branch

JACKSONVILLE PUBLIC

LANCASTER VETERANS MEMORIAL

NAPLES PUBLIC

WASKOM PUBLIC

 

Dora the Explorer: Accept No Substitutes 

A man purporting to be an official portrayer of Nickelodeon’s popular cartoon character “Dora the Explorer” disappointed both young fans and city officials in Palestine when he turned out to be a fraud. 

Arthur Allen presented himself to PALESTINE PUBLIC director Carol Herrington and other city officials as the performer beneath the costumed Nickelodeon character and offered to do a “Dora the Explorer” performance as a free library program.  Allen also contacted Sparky the Firedog, the mascot of the Palestine Fire Dept., to perform in the program with him.

The event, scheduled at the Palestine Civic Center to a full house, was such a disappointment that library and local fire department officials became suspicious and contacted Nickelodeon.  They were informed that the station had no knowledge of Allen and had not sanctioned his activities.  At that point, local authorities were brought into the picture.

No charges have been filed against Allen, who surrendered the Dora costume to the police department.  Nickelodeon has a legal team investigating the situation.

In light of these events, it is recommended that library staff members request and double-check references, and/or conduct full background checks on any performers that they have not worked with before.

For further details on this story, contact Palestine Herald reporter Sherryl-Lynn Williams, <swilliams@palestineherald.com> or PALESTINE PUBLIC director Carol Herrington at 903.729.4121, <cherrington@palestine.lib.tx.us>.

 

Texas Book Festival 2004

The ninth annual Texas Book Festival will be held Oct. 28-31 on the grounds of the State Capitol and the Capitol Extension; Colorado Street between 11^th and 13^th streets in Austin.   Among the nationally renowned authors to be featured in 2004 are Joyce Carol Oates, James Ellroy, Susan Isaacs and S. E. Hinton.  Texas favorites include Kinky Friedman, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson, Molly Ivins, and Elmer Kelton.

An author’s pre-party will feature documentary film producer Ken Burns and his collaborators, who will discuss the creation of such award-winning productions such as Jazz, Lewis and Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery, Baseball, and The Civil War.

Book Festival organizers are putting out a call for volunteers.  Last year, over 800 volunteers gave their time and talent to help make the Festival the most successful ever. Even more people will be needed this year.  Most volunteer shifts are two or three hours. 

 Volunteers must be 16 years of age or older and will receive a free Texas Book Festival t-shirt to wear during volunteer shifts, and training instruction prior to the weekend Festival.  Job descriptions and an online application are available on the Texas Book Festival Web site.  

To receive additional information about the Festival, featured authors and volunteer opportunities, visit <http://www.texasbookfestival.org> . 

 

 

Banned Books Week

The American Library Assn. (ALA) sponsors Banned Books Week annually to raise public awareness on censorship and the First Amendment.  This year’s theme for Banned Books Week, Sept. 24 - Oct. 1 is Elect to Read a Banned Book.

Libraries, schools and individuals that would like to celebrate the freedom to read are invited to visit the ALA Web site and save the 2004 Banned Books Week image for use on their own Web sites.

Additionally, a 2004 Banned Books Week Kit, which includes 3 full-color posters, the 2004 Resource Guide, 100 bookmarks, and 1 Banned Books Week pin is available for only $55.  For more information on Banned Books Week, a list of banned books, or to order the kit, visit <http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bannedbooksweek.htm>.

 

New PLA Public Awareness Campaign

The Public Library Assn. (PLA) will launch its new public awareness campaign The Smartest Card - Get It. Use It. @ your library during Library Card Sign-up Month this September.  While September is just around the corner, there are a few very simple things that library staff members can do to support this effort and help PLA extend its media reach.

1)  Let PLA know that your library is participating in the launch so they can include you in their media relations materials.

2)  Reach out to a local elected official – governor, mayor, city council member – and ask him or her to be photographed with a library card featuring the new Smartest Card logo and the name of your library.

3)  Schedule the photograph and develop a short press release announcing that "Governor Joan Smith has the Smartest Card - Do You?" and sharing information about the campaign and your library.

4)  Send your local press release to your local media contacts; also send a copy of the release and the photo to PLA.

PLA will use as many photographs as possible in a future issue of Public Libraries and also make them available to American Libraries magazine.

Send your stories, press releases and photos to PLA at <pla@ala.org>; subject line: “September Launch Story”; or fax the information to 312.280.5029.

PLA is currently working with the American Library Assn. (ALA) Public Information Office on sample media and marketing materials that library staff members can easily customize and use to help get out the message that a library card is the most valuable card in every wallet.  The materials will include downloadable oversized library cards in English and Spanish.  These materials will be available for use by early August at <http://www.pla.org> . 

 

ABFFE Introduces New Harry Potter Merchandise

Harry Potter will help raise funds for the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE).  Warner Brothers, the producer of the movies based on J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter books, has authorized ABFFE to issue a limited edition t-shirt and button that urge people to "Fight for Harry Potter and Free Speech for Kids!"

Proceeds will support ABFFE's anti-censorship activities, which have included two successful efforts to overturn bans on Harry Potter books in school libraries. "We are very grateful to Warner Brothers for the opportunity to offer a Harry Potter shirt and button that promote the freedom to read," ABFFE President Chris Finan said.

The new T-shirt and button, which are based on the cover art for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, may be purchased individually or for resale. Individual T-shirts are $20; for quantities of 12 or more, the price is $10. Imprinting is available for $1 per shirt. A bag of 100 buttons is $50. ABFFE members receive a discount.

Orders can be placed online, <www.abffe.com> ; by downloading an order form, <http://www.abffe.com/HarryPotterOrderForm.pdf>, or by calling ABFFE at 212.587.4025.

According to the American Library Assn. (ALA), the Harry Potter books were the most challenged titles in the country from 1999 to 2002. The protests have come mainly from people who believe that the books promote witchcraft.

Last year, ABFFE filed an amicus brief supporting parents who overturned a ban on the Potter books in an Arkansas school district. In 2000, ABFFE helped organize a campaign in Michigan that persuaded a school superintendent to rescind most of the restrictions that he had imposed on the use of the Potter books in classrooms and school libraries.

The efforts to ban the Potter books created enormous interest about censorship among kids. In response, ABFFE created kidSPEAK!, <http://www.kidspeakonline.org>, a Web site that details the many challenges to their free speech rights.

 

Charitable Raffles: Know the Law

By Greg Abbott, Attorney General of Texas

My office receives numerous calls from Texans across the state who are hoping to raise money for a good cause.  Many Texans decide they want to do a raffle. But is it legal to raise funds with a raffle?

It depends.  The Charitable Raffle Enabling Act which has been in effect since Sept. 1, 1999, establishes the guidelines for conducting a legal raffle in the State of Texas.  The Act was established to provide certain charitable and non-profit membership organizations a means to generate income to support their causes.

The Act defines the types of organizations that can hold raffles.  In general, a qualified organization is defined as:

·   An association organized primarily for religious purposes that has been in existence in Texas for at least ten years.

·   A voluntary emergency medical service that does not pay its members other than nominal compensation.

·  A volunteer fire department that operates fire fighting equipment and does not pay its members other than nominal compensation.

Other organizations may qualify.  You can hold a raffle if your non-profit organization:

·  is at least three years old;

·  elects its governing body;

·  has a 501(c) tax exemption;

·  has members;

·  does not distribute income to its members;

·  does not participate in any political campaign.

These are the ONLY organizations allowed to hold raffles in Texas.  Any other type of organization, business or individual conducting a raffle in Texas would be doing so illegally.

The law also regulates what types of prizes may be offered.  Qualified organizations may offer any prize except money.  There is no value limit on prizes donated to the organization.  However, if raffle organizers offer a prize they have bought or given other consideration for, the value of the prize may not exceed $50,000.

There are a few other restrictions.  For example, a qualified organization may only hold two raffles per year.  Raffle tickets may not be advertised statewide or through paid advertisements.  Each ticket must provide the name and address of the organization holding the raffle or the address of an officer of the organization.  Tickets may only be sold by members of the organization.  Additionally, the ticket must include the price of the ticket and a general description of each prize that has a value of more than $10.

A raffle that violates the Charitable Raffle Enabling Act is considered illegal gambling under the Texas Penal Code. Conducting an illegal raffle is a Class A misdemeanor and participation is a Class C misdemeanor.

My office would not be permitted to advise you about whether your particular organization, or any particular proposed raffle, would be legal. We can only provide these general guidelines. If you have doubts about the legality of a raffle, consult a private attorney.

For information on conducting a legal raffle in Texas, read Chapter 2002, Charitable Raffles, Occupations Code, Texas Codes Annotated. We also offer an online brochure on charitable raffles that can be found on our Web site at <http://www.oag.state.tx.us>

 

Information sources:

Registration and taxation requirements for nonprofit organizations in Texas: Secretary of State; POB 12697; Austin 78711; 800.648.9642; <http://www.sos.state.tx.us>.

Comptroller of Public Accounts; POB 13528; Austin 78711; 800.463.4600; <http://www.cpa.state.tx.us>.

For a copy of the Charitable Raffle Enabling Act, visit Texas Legislature Online;  <http://www.capitol.state.tx.us>; State Law Library; 512.463.2178.

Online brochure, Charitable Raffles; <http://www.oag.state.tx.us>, or call 800.252.8011 for a free copy.

 

  

Texas Reads Grants Available

The Texas Reads grant program is a new grant opportunity available to public libraries from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC).  This grant funds public library programs designed to promote reading and literacy within local communities.  Programs may be targeted to the entire community or to a segment of the community.  Projects that involve collaboration with other community organizations are encouraged.

TSLAC will award $15,000 in grant funds this year.  Maximum grant award is $3,000. Funding for this grant program comes from the sale of the Texas Reads special license plate.

Library staff members are requested to help promote the plate within their communities, as the more plates sold, the more money that will be available for grants!  Information about the Texas Reads special license plate can be found at <www.tsl.state.tx.us/agency/txreads.html> .  TSLAC is producing posters and bookmarks, promoting this special license plate, which will be sent to libraries within the next month.  In addition, promotional tools will be forthcoming on the Press Pass for Texas Libraries Web page, <http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/news/presspass/> .

For complete guidelines and to download the application, please visit <http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ ld/funding/#txReads> .

Deadline for applications is Aug. 20.

 

Barbara Bush Foundation National Grants

The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy has announced their 2005 national grant competition.  The Foundation's grant-making program seeks to develop or expand projects that are designed to support the development of literacy skills for adult primary caregivers and their children.  A total of approximately $650,000 will be awarded; no grant request should exceed $65,000.

In order to be considered eligible for a grant, an organization must meet the following criteria:

·      the organization must have current non-profit or public status and have been in existence for two or more years as of the date of the application;

·      the organization must have maintained fiscal accountability;

·      the organization must operate an instructional literacy program that has been in existence for at least two years and includes one or more of the following components: literacy for adults, parent education, pre-literacy or literacy instruction for children pre-k to grade 3, and intergenerational literacy activities;

Program guidelines and application instructions are available at the Foundation’s Web site, <http://www.barbarabushfoundation.com/nga.html> .  Libraries that do not want to download the application and would like a hard copy may email requests to <plimjap@cfncr.org> .  Please make sure to include your organization's full name and mailing address.

Mail written requests to The Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy; 1201 15^th Street, NW, Suite 420; Washington, DC 20005, or call Patty Limjap at 202.955.6183.

Deadline for applications is Sept. 10.

 

Starbucks Foundation Literacy Grant

The Starbucks Foundation Literacy Grant Program is offering grants of $5,000 to $20,000 to support innovative community literacy programs that build upon reading curricula and encourage personal development through tutoring or mentoring.  Applications are accepted from any 501(c)(3) and other tax-exempt organizations that are located in a community that has a Starbucks store.  Priority is given to organizations that serve low-income, underserved children or youth and that have an ongoing relationship involving Starbucks and its employees.

The foundation uses the following qualifying criteria in choosing projects to fund:

·       Creativity in its approach to learning;

·       Support of diverse communities;

·       Outreach to at-risk, economically under-served populations in non-traditional learning environments or as a part of school-based programs;

·       Inclusiveness in its policies and practices regarding physical abilities, gender, race, age, sexual orientation, ethnic origin or creed;

·       Creative involvement of a Starbucks business unit and its employees.

For complete guidelines and qualifying criteria, visit the foundation’s Web site at <www.starbucks.com/aboutus/grantinfo.asp> . 

Grant deadlines are bi-annual; the next deadline will be Oct. 1.

 

We the People Bookshelf Grant

In 2003, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) collaborated with the American Library Assn. to inaugurate the We the People Bookshelf, a program to encourage young people to read and understand great literature while exploring themes in American history.

Applications are now being accepted for the second year of the program.  The theme for 2004 is “Freedom”.

School and public libraries are invited to apply to receive the We the People Bookshelf, which consists of 15 thematically related books and supplemental materials to help with publicity and the organization of public programs.  The titles selected for inclusion in the program were chosen with the help of librarians and a blue-ribbon panel of historians and authorities on children’s literature.  Titles are grouped by age ranges from kindergarten to 12^th grade.  A list of the selected titles is available on the NEH We the People Bookshelf Web site, <http://www.neh.gov/wtp/bookshelf/index.html> .

Guidelines and applications are available online for the first round of the We the People Bookshelf until Oct. 20.  Libraries wishing to apply should go to <http://www.ala.org/wethepeople>.  Please note that the online submission process must be completed in ONE session.  Applicants will not be able to return at a later time to update or alter the application.

 

Out-of-School Learning Initiative

The Out-of-School Learning initiative builds on The Wallace Foundation's long legacy in supporting youth development, after-school, urban parks, libraries, literacy and other cultural programs.  Together, with city leadership, the Foundation seeks to capture the lessons about using public and private resources effectively to sustain high-quality out-of-school systems and disseminate those lessons nationally to a rapidly growing field.  

Because the Foundation's programs are carefully focused to achieve certain goals and employ specific strategies, most grants are awarded as part of Foundation-initiated programs.  The Foundation usually solicits proposals from grantees identified through a careful screening process.  Given this, unsolicited proposals are rarely funded.

Nevertheless, organizations wishing to send a one- to two-page letter of inquiry describing the project, the organization, the estimated total for the project and the portion requiring funding should (please do not send videotapes or email inquiries) write to: The Wallace Foundation; General Management; Two Park Avenue, 23^rd Floor; New York, NY 10016.  The Foundation will acknowledge receipt of letters. If more information or a proposal is desired, the Foundation will request it within four weeks. Interested parties should visit the Foundation Web site at <http://www.wallacefunds.org/WF/GrantsPrograms/FocusAreasPrograms/Out-of-schoolLearning/> .

 

Travel Scholarship to Mexico

The Texas Library Assn. (TLA) Texas-Mexico Relations Committee is offering up to $750 for round trip airfare to send a Texas librarian to Pátzcuaro, Michoacan in Mexico for five days of free training in the Plazas Comunitarias program. The training, round-trip bus fare from Mexico City to Pátzcuaro, housing, and meals are all free, provided by the Instituto Nacional Para la Educación de Adultos-Consejo Nacional Para la Vida y el Trabajo.

The training sessions will inform participants about the teaching methods and the testing used in the Plazas Comunitarias program.  The program gives literacy instruction to Spanish speaking students in Spanish, English-as-a-second-language, and computers.

The selected TLA candidate would be expected to establish, maintain, and participate in a Plazas Comunitarias program in his/her library system if none exists already. If there is already a Plazas Comunitarias program in the librarian's institution, the candidate would be expected to maintain and participate in this program.

The Texas-Mexico Relations Committee has designed this training program for mid-career librarians in Texas as a vehicle for professional development and an opportunity to enhance knowledge that will better serve their organizations and their Spanish-speaking patrons.

Candidates should:

·      Be currently employed in a Texas public or school library.

·      Be a member of the Texas Library Association.

·      Have at least five years experience as a professional librarian.

·      Have basic knowledge of Spanish.

·      Submit a letter of support for the implementation or continuation of a Plazas Comunitarias program in the candidate's library system. The individual must be recommended by the library director or immediate supervisor, plus the Mexican Consulate.

·      Submit a written report to the committee upon completion of the program and take part in follow up evaluations. The individual must agree to write an article about this training experience that will be submitted to Texas Library Journal for possible publication.

To apply, please contact Lisa Katzenstein <lkatzenstein@dallaslibrary.org> .

Deadline for applications is Feb. 14, 2005.

 

 

IMLS Requests Proposals for Online Library and Museum Course

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is seeking proposals to develop, pilot, deploy, and evaluate a packaged instructor-mediated online course to train library and museum personnel to plan and evaluate outcomes-based projects.  The maximum award is $1,000,000 for up to three years. IMLS anticipates a single award for the project.