ILOC Call for Proposals Open

The State Library of Iowa invites you to submit session proposals for the annual ILOC conference to be held on Thursday, January 25, 2024. The theme for this year’s conference is “Libraries are Forever!” The ILOC conference will encourage attendees to consider sustainable operations, long-term outcomes, and positive community differences the library makes.

Library staff and trustees who have demonstrated ways to prove the library is “there to stay and make a difference” are encouraged to apply.  Ideas for presentation topics may include:

• Sustainability in building operations (i.e. “green” improvements)
• Library collaborations within a county or region
• Positive interactions with other city services or departments
• Programs that are making a noticeable impact in your community
• Sustainable and alternative funding options
• Innovative practices in strategic planning

Not sure if your idea is a good one? Watch this Kernel (IA Learns Link | YouTube Link) for some suggestions on what makes a good conference proposal. Please complete the 2024 ILOC Proposal Application by December 1, 2023.  Selected presenters will be notified by December 8.

Submit a Proposal Today

Newly-Added Events

Library for the Blind (December 2023): Accessible Youth Programming

Thursday, Dec. 14, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

In this webinar, learn about the accessible programming being put into motion by the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled. Discover brand new methods in just 5 simple steps that will add layers to your own library programs that all can enjoy.

More Information & Registration

Check it Out (December 2023)

Tuesday, Dec. 19, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Check it Out! is a monthly webinar series from the State Library of Iowa spotlighting the best new books for ages 0-18. Youth Services Consultant Janeé Jackson-Doering will share collection development tips, programming ideas, and of course, new titles galore for kids and teens. This is a fun, fast-paced session that will fill both your library shelves and your TBR list!

More Information & Registration

Additional Upcoming Events

Check it Out (November 2023)

Due to scheduling conflicts, we won't be offering a live version of Check it Out this month. Janeé will prerecord her usual book talk, however! Once it is recorded and processed, we'll post this direct-to-video version of Check it Out to IA Learns and alert those who had registered that it's ready to view. Feel free to register for the live, classroom version of the course to be notified that the recording is ready.

Register to Receive the Recording Alert

“Early Bird” Summer Reading Planning Virtual Training

Wednesday, Nov. 29, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

It’s never too early to start planning for Summer Library Programming! In this workshop, State Youth Services Consultant Janeé Jackson-Doering will guide participants through the best practices, activities, ideas and resources for youth ages 0-18. Come share ideas - and learn new ones - with other youth librarians across the state in breakout rooms, and get inspired to Read, Renew, and Repeat in 2024!

The first part of the session will be a presentation from Janeé, the second part will be spent in breakout rooms. Participants may leave early (and earn less CE Credit) if they do not wish to participate in breakout room discussions. Feel free to bring items you used last summer to share with others.

A version of this webinar will be repeated early in 2024. For our full calendar of Summer Library Program training, please visit out website.

More Information & Registration

Boardroom Series (November 2023) | Intersections (Part 3): Personnel

Thursday, Nov. 30, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

The final installment of the “Intersections” series reminds us that all library staff are city employees. Any HR policy in place to support other city workers should apply to library staff as well! We’ll cover Board and City roles in setting and applying personnel-related policies such as travel reimbursement, holidays, leave, and compensation.

More Information & Registration

Security for Rural Librarians: Staying Safe at Work When Help Is Far

Wednesday, Dec. 6, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

If you work in a rural library location you need to consider every available safety and security option. This webinar is here to help. This 60-minute webinar is sponsored by the State Library of Iowa and presented by Dr. Steve Albrecht; Library Service, Safety and Security Consultant and Author, Library Security (ALA, 2015) and The Safe Library (Rowman, 2023). It will be recorded.

More Information & Registration

Lunch with the State Library (December 2023): State Data Center

Thursday, Dec. 7, 12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.

Are you ready to take your community research and planning activities to the next level? The mission of the State Data Center is to increase the availability of census data in Iowa and to help people use it. Coordinator Gary Krob will review resources available to you through and walk you through some Census data basics.

More Information & Registration

The FCC's Affordable Connectivity Program and your Library

Tuesday, Dec. 12, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Did you know that your patrons may qualify for discounts on their home internet? The federally-funded Affordable Connectivity Program is an FCC benefit program that helps ensure that households can afford the broadband they need for work, school, healthcare and more. A presenter from the FCC outreach team will explain the program, the application process, and how you can promote the program to your community.

More Information & Registration

Pop YS Live (December 2023): Best Books of the Year

Wednesday, Dec. 13, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Pop YS joins the “best of” bandwagon to showcase what we think are the best books we read this year. We’ll cover picture books, chapter books, teen titles, and of course, graphic novels. We’ll want to hear from you in chat as well! Did we nail it? Leave off an obvious choice? This fun, interactive session is sure to engage and who knows, maybe add to your YS collection.

More Information & Registration

New Kernels

Kernels is an ongoing series of prerecorded videos from the State Library. 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! Mapping Circ Data Using GIS

Join Becky Heil (State Library of Iowa) and Alecs Mickunas (Fairfield Public Library) as they chat about how Fairfield mapped data using GIS tools to make the case to County Supervisors.

• View the GIS Kernel

Kernels! Game Collections

Join Samantha Bouwers (State Library of Iowa) and Jacy West and Alison Brown (Indianola Public Library) as they chat about how Indianola PL built up and managed (what just might be) the largest game collection in Iowa.

• View the Game Collections Kernel

View All Kernels

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."

IA Learns Login

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.

Request for External CE Credit

Click Here for more information.