Schools and Libraries
February 8, 2023
From: State Library of IowaNews from the CE Team
Lots going on! And scroll down for new Kernels.
Usually I reserve this space for a special announcements from the CE Team... For this newsletter I'll just content myself to say WE'RE BUSY! Whew! Scroll down to see all the fun stuff.
Plus! New Kernels have popped. Janeé shows off her "Smash Journal" skills, and I chat with Kellee Forkenbrock from North Liberty about supporting the local workforce. We'll be highlighting interesting partnerships like North Liberty's in Kernels throughout the year. So keep an eye out for those.
Stay Warm,
Samantha Bouwers | CE Consultant
Newly-Added Events
Connecting Librarians (And Their Patrons) to IowaWORKS
Thursday, February 23, 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.
Career Planners from IowaWORKS will host an information session on the IowaWORKS system. They will share a brief overview of unemployment reporting in the new system, how to navigate the IowaWORKS site, and virtual services offered to job seekers.
More Information & Registration
Pop YS Live (March 2023) | The Dynamite Dozen: Showcasing 50 Teen Programs from 12 Simple Items
Wednesday, March 8, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
School snow day? Rainy summer day? Teens getting rambunctious? With twelve inexpensive items - AKA The Dynamite Dozen - (and a few staple items), you have access to over 50 programs you can instantly break out to keep teens or tweens occupied! Presented by Cathy Pescincki, Teen Librarian from the Shawano County (WI) Library.
More Information & Registration
Library for the Blind (March 2023): Audio Book Production through the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled
Thursday, March 9, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
This webinar will provide information regarding audio books in the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled's collection, how patrons can access the collection, digital players, and the BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download) app.
More Information & Registration
Additional Upcoming Events
Summer Library Programming 2023: Adult Programming & Materials
Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2022, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
With Summer 2023 right around the corner, it's time to start thinking about how your patrons can "Find Their Voice" at the library this summer. From music programming to community engagement and beyond, there's sure to be something for everyone at the library! Participants may leave early (and earn less CE Credit) if they do not wish to participate in breakout room discussion.
More Information & Registration
Pop YS Live (February 2023): How a bunch of stressed out, rural librarians came together to Impact 3rd Grade Reading Scores
Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2022, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
According to national data, 65% of 4th graders are not proficient in reading. When Lisa Leuck heard this scary statistic, and found that it was also true in her community, she wanted to do something impactful to help. In this presentation, Lisa will describe her project called “Level Up with the Library.”
More Information & Registration
Iowa Public Libraries Psychosocial Needs Assessment Results with Dr. Beth Wahler
Thursday, February 9, 2023, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
This project involved the participation of many public library staff and administrators around the state in surveys and focus groups designed to help us understand the psychosocial needs (mental health, poverty-related needs, substance use, housing instability, etc.) of library patrons and how those needs are impacting staff. In this presentation, Dr. Wahler will review the findings of the needs assessment and will discuss the recommendations and next steps.
More Information & Registration
Library for the Blind (February 2023): Storywalks and Accessibility
Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
This webinar will walk librarians through the simple process on how to make a StoryWalk accessible. Learn more about specific strategies on how to implement different formats and develop the tools necessary to help ensure accessibility.
More Information & Registration
Big Ideas Book Discussion (February 2023) | Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual
Friday, Feb. 17, 2023, 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
The 2023 Big Ideas Book Discussion series starts with “Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual” by Luvvie Ajayi Jones (c2021). This is a great pair with the iREAD summer theme – “Find Your Voice” – as it’s all about encouraging us to learn “how to use our voice for a greater good...”
More Information & Registration
All Iowa Reads 2023: Exploring the Shortlist
Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
This webinar will introduce you to the 2023 All Iowa Reads shortlists. Attendees will hear ideas for spotlighting these titles and the All Iowa Reads finalists in your library.
More Information & Registration
Check It Out | February 2023
Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Join us for our webinar series spotlighting the best new books for ages 0-18. Join Janeé every month for booktalks on the latest titles. Check It Out! gives you collection development ideas and looks at trends in publishing and more.
Check it Out Programming Note: we'll take a break from this program in March, while State Library staff heads to the STEM Fairs + Summer Reading Summits. Back at it in April!
More Information & Registration
Boardroom Series 2023 (February) | Policy Watch: Policies Lost and Found (Continued)
Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
The Boardroom Series begins a new year with a continued discussion of some policy topics not commonly addressed. State Library consultants Bonnie McKewon and Samantha Bouwers point to policy issues surrounding library programming, social media, and more.
More Information & Registration
STEM Fairs & Summer Reading Summits
Two-Day Events throughout March | One Per District
The first day will feature a full day of STEM Fair activities, while day two will include a half-day Summer Reading Summit. Come for one or both days and earn not only CE Credit, but the chance to win a STEM or Early Literacy Playaway kit for your library! Note: STEM Fairs are filling up but plenty of room remains at all of the Summer Reading Summits!
More Information & Registration
New Kernels
Kernels is an ongoing series of prerecorded videos from the State Library of Iowa. Each installment in the series offers an overview of a program, service, or library methodology applied in a public library setting. They feature in practice librarians talking about what they're up to, so others can benefit & apply that idea in their library.
View on YouTube for informational purposes or in IA Learns for CE credit.
Kernels! Smash Journals
Join Janeé Jackson-Doering and Samantha Bouwers (both from the State Library of Iowa) as they chat about "Smash Journals" and how they help library users "Find Their Voice" (the 2023 iREAD Summer Library Program theme).
Partners in Kernels! Workforce Development
Join Kellee Forkenbrock (North Liberty Public Library) and Samantha Bouwers (State Library of Iowa) as they chat about the North Liberty Public Library's many initiatives to support the local workforce and build workforce development partnerships.
Webinar Archive
View in IA Learns to access the evaluation & see the CE Hours on your transcript. Watch the whole recording, click next in the upper-right, and follow the prompts to get to the evaluation. Remember to type something in every field before hitting "Save."
If you don't track CE hours, or only want to view for informational purposes, you can also view recorded webinars on the State Library of Iowa CE Team YouTube Channel. Subscribe for alerts when new content is added!
State Library CE YouTube Channel
External CE Training Opportunities
The Wyoming State Library maintains a great list of CE events going on around the country. It's a good place to browse if you're looking for hours, or something on a specific topic. Our thanks to our colleagues in Wyoming for compiling this list. Please note, all times listed are in Mountain Time.
Wyoming State Library Training Calendar
Watch a course from that list or another CE training offered by someone other than the State Library of Iowa? Please complete the "Request for External CE Form" within 45 days of participating in the training.