Coordinator’s Column

You Get Out of It What You Put Into It

If there were a way to grow the benefits and value your library could deliver to your patrons and prospective patrons, would you not grasp that opportunity? If there were ways to protect your existing benefits today and gain access to resources to grow them in the future, would you not do the same?

Among the multitude of resources available today for libraries are our professional associations, including your Library System, otherwise known as NETLS. Some people argue “too many organizations”, while others speak volumes of the value they receive from the System organization, and there a few people who complain about the System’s “lack of worth” to their library situation. BUT, one thing is clear: when working with any association, you “get out of it” what you “put into it”.

My observations of successful library directors and managers, as well as my experience with various state and national associations and their memberships for the last twenty years, point to the inescapable conclusion that the more you participate and the more active you become in any group, the more benefits and value will accrue to you and to your library; value that you can deliver to your patrons.

Substitute the word “System” for “association” in the preceding paragraphs and see how those system benefits pay off for NETLS members.

Membership in the Northeast Texas Library System is based on criteria established by the Texas Library Systems Act and articulated in the Rules for Administering the Library Systems Act.

Membership in NETLS is extended to a library agency. However, the term member is applied to all persons who have an interest in their community’s library. This includes library staff and volunteers, friends and supporters, elected officials and city and county employees.

There has been a lot of grumbling this year regarding the reduction in Collection Development funding in SFY2006. Many members have suggested keeping the “old formula” rather than looking at alternatives. Ironically, according to our projected funding figures, the “old formula” would result in allocation reductions very similar to those in the new formula. However, one important component of BOTH formulas is the involvement of NETLS members in their System, through attendance at NETLS Membership, Geographic, and Committee meetings; TLA Conferences and meetings; and NETLS and TSLAC workshops, training sessions, and videoconferences.

So, if your library is not getting much out of NETLS membership, perhaps you need to look at your involvement in NETLS.

The greatest benefit of NETLS to its members is to provide a forum for the exchange of information and ideas. When successful managers collaborate as contributing System members, that System’s ability to “foresee” issues, opportunities and threats – and provide tools that will allow the membership to address them – is greatly enhanced.

NETLS supports a geographically and professionally diverse membership. You should attend NETLS membership meetings, as many as you can. Often enough that you don’t need to wear a name tag because everyone already knows you. Increased participation also translates into increased fund allocations for your resources.

If you truly want to become involved, join various NETLS committees. Our committees need your input. As library staff members, you probably talk to 100 business and residential patrons per week, up to 500 people per month. They know you; they trust you and they generally speak their minds to you. When these patrons talk to politicians, it’s likely to be a tactful conversation, and they tend to choose their words carefully. When they talk to you, as their librarian, the discussion is more to the point and reveals the way they really feel on issues. You are the eyes and ears of your community.

When you become part of a NETLS committee you bring invaluable knowledge of your distinct user group. In committee work you will soon find your ideas, observations and personal opinions are respected. You are the most valuable tool a NETLS committee could ever hope to have. Join a committee that interests you and become part of finding solutions; it is far more effective than just complaining about all the problems.

The primary strength of NETLS is the broad-based support for and awareness of the organization by the various stakeholders in the region. It is in the best interest of all libraries in the region to build on and increase that support.

The success of your library is up to you. Your library system membership can be one of your greatest assets, but you only get out what you put in. If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always gotten. It takes members who will volunteer, who care and are dedicated.

Of course, that’s where you come in. Stay involved, do not ever give up and use your System to help you win.

SFY 2006 NETLS Membership Meeting Dates

All meetings will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the following locations:

Membership Meeting – Tue., Sept. 6, 2005 – ALLEN CIVIC AUDITORIUM
Vendor Fair – Thurs., Dec. 1, 2005 – ATRIUM at the GRANVILLE ARTS CENTER (Garland)
Membership Meeting – Tue., Mar. 14, 2006 – MINEOLA CIVIC CENTER
Annual Awards Membership Meeting – Tue., June 6, 2006 – ATRIUM at the GRANVILLE ARTS CENTER (Garland)

NETLS SFY 2006 Geographic Committee Meeting Dates

All sessions will meet from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the following locations:

Northeast Region – Mon., Oct. 3 – FRANKLIN COUNTY (Mt. Vernon)
Southwest Region – Tue., Oct. 4 – ENNIS PUBLIC
Mid-East Region – Tue., Oct. 11 – VAN ZANDT COUNTY (Canton)
Northwest Region – Wed., Oct. 12 – WHITESBORO PUBLIC
South Region – Thurs., Oct. 13 – JACKSONVILLE PUBLIC
Metroplex Region – Fri., Oct. 14 – PLANO PUBLIC – Gladys Harrington Library

All Geographic Committee Meetings are open to all NETLS libraries, regardless of their regional location. Library staff members may attend a meeting in any region if they cannot attend the meeting scheduled at the region located closest to them.

TLA District 5 Fall Meeting

The TLA District 5 meeting will take place on Sept. 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Robert E. Lee High School; 411 ESE Loop 323; Tyler, TX. Eva Poole, Director of Denton Public, will be the luncheon speaker. Her presentation will be “What is TLA? Clearing Up the Confusion”. Additionally, storyteller and banjo player Dan Gibson will provide music, smiles and a few tall tales.

Workshops at the meeting will include:

-- Providing Library Services to Diverse Communities

-- Policies and Procedures for Successful Volunteer Programs

-- Novels: What’s the Big Deal?

-- Library Standards and Legislative Update

-- Smoozing Up: How to Network with the Boss and City Hall

Onsite registration begins at 9:30 a.m. The registration fee is $20, which includes lunch.

For further information, contact District 5 Chair Dolores Greenwald; 972.919.9820; <dolores.greenwald@farmersbranch.info>.

Coming Soon – Changes to the ISBN

ISBN numbers will soon be changing from 10 digits to 13 digits. Many publishers have already begun to change to the new 13 digit numbers. All publishers are required to have made the transition to 13 digit numbers by January 1, 2007.

How will this change affect library staff members? In the future, publishers should automatically provide the new 13 digit numbers when books are ordered using ISBNs. Libraries that record and exchange ISBNs in automated systems need to ensure that their systems can accommodate the new 13-digit ISBN format.

What To Do With Unsolicited Materials

All libraries receive unsolicited materials from time to time. Should your library receive unsolicited books/materials through the mail or by other means, it is important to determine whether those items meet the criteria established in your Collection Development Policy before adding them to your collection.

Libraries are not required to add unsolicited items or gifts to their collections, nor are they required to pay for those items.

According to information obtained from the United States Post Office, a library may refuse delivery of any item, as long as it has not been sent by Registered or Certified Mail.

If your library is receiving unsolicited materials from the same vendor on a regular basis, that vendor should be notified in writing that the library address should be removed from their mailing list. In the letter, state that any unsolicited materials received in the future will be refused.

If the vendor then continues to send unsolicited materials, contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at <http://ftc.gov> and report that your library continues to receive unsolicited materials from the "XYZ Co." although a written request to be removed from their mailing list has been sent to them. The FTC will keep this information on file, and, if fraudulent practices are suspected, take a look at the company involved.

At that point, if the library still continues to receive unsolicited materials from “XYZ Co.” you are under no obligation to return or pay for the materials, and may do whatever you like with them.

Library staff members who have questions regarding this or other Collection Development issues may contact: Collection Development Consultant Marsha Barker at 972.205.2567, or by email at <mbarker@netls.org>.

Back Issues of Book Links Available

Book Links is a publication that connects books and learning. The magazine is designed for teachers, librarians, library media specialists, booksellers, parents, and other adults interested in connecting children with high-quality books.

The publisher is currently offering free back issues for public libraries to use with homeschool families. Libraries can request an assortment of issues to use as giveaways for homeschoolers or other interested parties. The offer is designed to inform parents and library staff members about the publication and encourage new subscribers.

Book Links provides comprehensive information for using books in the classroom, including thematic bibliographies with related discussion questions and activities, author and illustrator interviews and essays, and articles by educators on practical ways to turn children onto reading.

Book Links can help home educators take full advantage of public library resources. Parents can use Book Links to select recommended books that are appropriate for their children's reading levels, and for subjects their children are interested in. Most titles will be available on local library shelves or may be obtained through inter-library loan.

Many articles contain teaching strategies and discussion questions, making the publication ideal for homeschoolers. There are also interviews with authors and illustrators of children's books along with lists of the best books of the year and books that will have lasting appeal. There is also an online component to the magazine at <http://www.ala.org/ala/ProductsandPublications/periodicals/booklinks/booklinks.htm> where a wide variety of articles are available free of charge.

Libraries or home educators that would like to order sample issues should email the publisher at <booklinks@ala.org> or call 312.280.5713.

(from Jeanette Larson; Youth Services Manager; Austin Public; 512.974.7405; <jeanette.larson@ci.austin.tx.us>)

Symposium on Serving Homeschoolers

Public libraries can be gold mines for families engaged in home-based education. In turn, many librarians recognize local homeschoolers as valuable users of their services and have developed reciprocal relationships with them.

Simple, inexpensive ways to help homeschoolers will be a focus of the NETLS symposium, Making Homeschoolers Feel at Home, on Mon., Aug. 8, at ALLEN PUBLIC.

The homeschool movement has gained in popularity and quality from its early beginnings. It is estimated that approximately 300,000 Texas children now participate in homeschool education groups. This is a critical time to be aware of these customers and to start thinking about practical and innovative ways to work with them.

Facilitating the symposium will be Marcia Campbell, Director of FERRIS PUBLIC. Marcia has worked with the homeschool community for several years and maintains a unique resource sharing program at her library.

Tim Lambert, president of the Texas Home School Coalition, will be featured as special guest speaker. He will discuss challenges faced by homeschool families who use public libraries.

Some of the services homeschooling groups can find at public libraries are space, family-oriented programs, volunteer opportunities, access to technology, video/audio materials, and library tours. Ways to introduce homeschoolers to these valuable resources will be discussed by presenters and used as topics for group activities. Several NETLS librarians will share information on successful homeschool projects they have initiated.

Registration information for the Symposium is available at the NETLS Web site, <http://www.netls.org>. Questions about the program may be sent to NETLS Continuing Education Consultant Steve Seale, 972.205.2570, <sseale@netls.org>.

Library of Texas Training

The Library of Texas <www.libraryoftexas.org> is a new "meta-search engine" offered by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC). This Web site allows users to search most TexShare databases and 120 different Texas library catalogs with a single search - or tailor a search to fit their personal needs.

A new free six-hour workshop will teach participants to use the Library of Texas as a reference tool. Attendees will learn to perform basic and advanced searches on the Library of Texas, locate automatic help screens, and create a Library of Texas search profile.

They will also learn to train adult patrons to use the Library of Texas, as well as to run basic statistical reports on the Library of Texas and to contact appropriate technical support for connecting the participants' home library catalog to the Library of Texas if they so desire.

The workshop is intended for public and academic library employees and/or other library staff members who assist customers with reference questions.

· Aug. 9 — Austin—St. Edwards Univ., Scarborough-Phillips Library Computer Lab

NOTEWORTHY

Names in the News

Lori Evans, who has been serving as Interim Director of DALLAS PUBLIC for some time, has been selected for the Director position.

Judy Fagan, former NETLS Collection Development Assistant, has joined the staff of NICHOLSON MEMORIAL (Garland) as Accounts Technician.

Lee Ann Hamilton, director of ATLANTA PUBLIC, has resigned from her position in order to devote herself full time to her bookstore business.

Jennifer Johnson-Spence is the new director of COOKE COUNTY (Gainesville). She was formerly with a Brooklyn-area private library.

Mignon Morse, has left her position as director of the RITA & TRUETT SMITH LIBRARY (Wylie) to join the staff of NICHOLSON MEMORIAL (Garland) as Public Services Adminstrator.

Mary Musgrave, director of DESOTO PUBLIC, will be retiring in August after many years of service.

Paul Phelan, formerly with FARMERS BRANCH MANSKE, is the new director of W. WALWORTH HARRISON PUBLIC (Greenville).

Ramiro Salazar, former director of DALLAS PUBLIC and interim assistant city manager, is the new director of San Antonio Public.

Bill Slaughter, formerly an assistant director with DALLAS PUBLIC, passed away in May following a long illness.

Happenings at Area Libraries

Staff and supporters of BULLARD COMMUNITY are working hard on a $1.6 million capital campaign that will allow them to build a new facility and create an endowment fund to operate it.

City officials, friends of the library, staff members and supporters joined forces in April to celebrate the completion of the library’s renovation project with an Open House.

The Friends of the Duncanville Public Library and the Duncanville Public Library Advisory Board are planning to throw quite a party in July when the library celebrates 50 years of service to the citizens of Duncanville. Special performers and refreshments will be on hand and a good time will be had by all!

Supporters, library staff members and city officials celebrated the Grand Reopening of their newly renovated facility in May.

The city of Lindale celebrates its 100^th birthday in June and the library will be at the center of some of the festivities. Historic photographs of the city and early settlers will be on display and storytimes will feature tales about the “good old days”. A craft market and street dance will also be available to entertain visitors.

MINEOLA MEMORIAL has served the citizens of Mineola for 55 years. Library staff members, the Board of Directors, city officials and library supporters celebrated that milestone in May with a birthday party. People who were instrumental in the founding of the library were honored as they shared their stories of the library’s history and development.

ROCKWALL COUNTY celebrated its 60^th birthday in May. The library’s annual literacy fundraiser, “Rock and Read,” coincided with other anniversary events. Rocking chairs decorated by local artists are used by celebrity readers and then auctioned off to collectors. The event was very successful last year.

Patrons, volunteers, and staff members at RUSK COUNTY are all enjoying the new look of their library as the building renovation project progresses. New carpet and wood flooring have been installed and the Friends of the Library ordered new furniture and rugs to finish out the look. An Open House held during National Library Week celebrated all the improvements.

TEXARKANA PUBLIC has received a $10,000 grant from the Union Pacific Railroad to assist in the library’s renovation project. Another $12,000 has been donated through the Texarkana Public Library Foundation.

Groundbreaking for a new addition onto the existing library building took place in January.

The new construction will double the size of the existing facility. The Friends of the Library are funding the addition with the assistance of a matching grant from the Rockwell Foundation.

The Friends of the Van Zandt County Library hosted a special Open House in April. The event celebrated the completion of a mural in the Children’s Area of the library by local artist Wendy Sasenbery and the dedication of the area to the memory of long-time library supporter Bobbie Paul.

Monterrey International Book Fair Stipends Available

The Monterrey International Book Fair (MIBF) will take place Oct. 7-10. The MIBF is one of the three largest book fairs in Mexico. Librarians have the opportunity to access over 75,000 titles and special format materials in Spanish from throughout Latin America, including children's and young adult books, reference products, university publications, science and technology materials, popular titles, and literary criticism. To facilitate purchasing, the Book Fair offers a special book jobber service for librarians. The Fair is a widely anticipated regional event for the book buying and selling communities. Fair organizers are offering travel stipends to qualified librarians.

To request additional information about the Fair, contact TLA Texas-Mexico Relations Committee Chair, Lisa Katzenstein; DALLAS PUBLIC; 214.670.1358; <lkatzenstein@dallaslibrary.org>.

To view the terms and conditions of the award and print an application, go to the Texas Library Assn. Web page, <http://fil.mty.itesm.mx/2005/ txla.htm>. Organizers of the MIBF will select stipend recipients and notify applicants by email.

Award for the Best Small or Rural Library in America

Library Journal, in cooperation with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has established a new annual award to “encourage and showcase the exemplary work of small and rural libraries”.

The award honors the public library that most profoundly demonstrates outstanding service to populations of 25,000 or less. Members of the editorial board of Library Journal, librarians from around the country, and a representative from the Bill & Melinda Gates foundation will judge nominations based on key factors, including:

· Creativity in developing services and programs that can be replicated by other libraries

· Innovations in introducing and supporting public access computing, educating patrons in its use and measuring the impact of this technology usage

· Success in developing cooperation with other libraries and partnerships with other agencies and businesses

The winning library will receive a $10,000 cash award, a feature story in the February, 2006 Library Journal, membership and conference costs for two library representatives to attend the Public Library Assn. Conference in 2006, and a gala reception at the conference.

Payless Foundation Grants

The Payless ShoeSource Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life in the communities where their associates and customers live. Through the Foundation, Payless supports programs that achieve measurable results in these communities.

Only tax-exempt organizations are eligible to apply for the grants. Grants for less than $5,000 are considered each month. The foundation will review grants for over $5,000 on a quarterly basis. For complete guidelines, visit <http://www.payless.com/en-US/Corporate/Foundation/Foundation.htm>.

Help with Spanish Language Signage

Libraries that need assistance with Spanish signage translations now have a new source to turn to. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) is pleased to announce their new online Signage Library which provides translations of common library signs in Spanish.

Library staff members who have suggestions for additional signs not listed on the site are asked to contact Myra Arredondo, Special Services Consultant at TSLAC; <myra.arredondo@tsl.state.tx.us> .

ALA Campaign for Reader Privacy

Link to the Campaign for Reader Privacy site

The USA PATRIOT Act contains provisions affecting privacy in bookstores and libraries. The Act gives the FBI the power to apply for a secret court order compelling the surrender of records of the books purchased or borrowed.

Section 215 is scheduled to expire on December 21, 2005, but many in Congress want to make it permanent. The book community opposes re-authorizing Section 215 unless it includes safeguards that protect the privacy of our reading records.

The American Library Association (ALA) has organized a national petition drive. To sign the petition today and spread the word for others to sign, go to: <http://www.readerprivacy.org/petition.jsp>.

Office for Intellectual Freedom
American Library Association
50 E. Huron St.
Chicago, IL 60611

Children’s Picture Book Database

Miami Univ. in Ohio has developed the Children's Picture Book Database. It is a bibliography for designing literature-based thematic units for all disciplines, including health education.

The database contains abstracts of over 5,000 picture books for children, preschool to grade 3. It may be searched by keyword (topics, concepts, and skills) to locate books with storylines adaptable to a curriculum or program topic.

Teachers, librarians, parents, students, and other professionals may find this multidisciplinary, learner-centered resource valuable. The Database is located at <http://www.lib.muohio.edu/pictbks/welcome.php> .

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is part of Senior Corps, a network of national service programs that provides older Americans the opportunity to apply their life experience to meeting community needs.

RSVP volunteers serve in a diverse range of nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and faith-based groups. Among other activities, they mentor at-risk youth, organize neighborhood watch programs, test drinking water for contaminants, teach English to immigrants, and lend their business skills to community groups that provide critical social services.

Local organizations, both public and private, receive grants to sponsor and operate RSVP projects in their communities. These projects recruit seniors to serve from a few hours a month to almost full time, though the average commitment is four hours a week. Most volunteers are paired with local community and faith based organizations that are already helping to meet community needs.

RSVP provides appropriate volunteer insurance coverage, and volunteers receive pre-service orientation and in-service training from the agency or organization where they are placed.

RSVP is part of Senior Corps, which also includes the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs. Senior Corps is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, which also oversees AmeriCorps and Learn and Serve America.

Together, the programs of the Corporation engage more than 2 million Americans of all ages and backgrounds in service to their communities each year.

More Information
To learn more about RSVP and other Senior Corps programs or to find opportunities to participate, call 800.424.8867 or TTY 800.833.3722 or go to <http://www.seniorcorps.org> and click on “RSVP”.

- Librarian (General); ALA/MLS or Masters degree in education with coursework and experience in children’s literature may substitute for MLS for position in children’s library; $37,604-$49,825/yr. depending on qualifications; bilingual English/Spanish skills a plus

- Librarian II; ALA/MLS; 2 yrs. experience and/or 2 yrs. supervisory experience; $41,364-$54,807/yr. depending on qualifications

- Librarian (Senior); ALA/MLS; 4 yrs. experience/ 2 yrs. supervisory responsibilities; $45,500-$60,288/yr. depending on qualifications

Director of Library Services; ALA/MLS, MLIS, MBA, or MPA from an accredited institution; 7-10 yrs progressive experience; $75,408-$90,480/yr. depending on qualifications

Director of Library Services; ALA/MLS preferred; Salary dependent on qualifications

Director of Library Services; ALA/MLS; 6 years of professional-level experience, State of Texas Librarian Grade 1 Certification; Salary range up to $65,029/yr. depending on qualifications

Librarian, Cataloging; District Services and Training Center; ALA/MLS; 2 yrs. cataloging experience; knowledge of MARC, OCLC, LC classification, LCSH, AACR2r and library automation systems; $40,189-$45,212/yr.

Asst. Director of Library Services; ALA/MLS; supervisory and library automation system experience; A-Plus, MCP or MCSA Certifications preferred; $24.81/hr.

NETLS NEWS