Thursday, May 23, 2002

{Subject: Books, Neurosurgery & Punts OR Why we are not going to touch Little Sues's college fund to pay for the operation on her brain tumor. OK now what does this mean in highway funds. According to IDOT it costs about $8,425,436.00 to build one mile of urban highway w/ROW. That is about $1600/running foot. SO....} To all librarians, trustees and customers in the Iowa library community: {Harken yea well!!!} I have news to share that requires your immediate attention. {O-yea, o-yea, o-yea} The Republicans released their proposed budget for FY03 this week, and {it stinketh, like onto a dead skunk on the (urban) highway!} the news is not good for Iowa libraries, particularly the State Library of Iowa. The new budget proposes: * Cutting the funds available for Enrich Iowa by 24%, or more than $600,000. The budget eliminates the $600,000 allocation for Enrich Iowa {Or about the length of a football field, w/end zones, of highway. Or about 2/3 of an ISU Head Coach or 1.5 UofIA Head Coaches} from the RIIF (Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund), as well as cutting $39,000 for Enrich Iowa from the general fund. {Not quite the distance from the 40 yard marker to the 30 yard marker in highway OR aStratum grounds keeper} * Cutting an additional 24%, or $250,000,from the State Library {Three cab over long haul rigs (snub nose w/refer box) parked end to end. OR A little less than an U of IA Associate Professor} operating budget, which would bring its total operating budget to $1,250,000. This new proposal represents a 31.30% cut from the State Library's FY01 operating budget. * Cutting an additional 2.2% ($31,759) from the Library Service Areas' budget. {about the length of a pickup or parking space or another grounds keeper Damn, we keep losing those groundskeepers the players might have to cut the lawn.} {Then think about this: All of the cuts are about $921,000.00 ISU Head Coach Eustachy makes (FY01) $970,000.00 OR think about this: The best paid Professor in the system is paid 40% of the coach. {Jonh C. Vangilder -- Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics:} Good hands but what does he know about punt returns? AND If you had a golf ball lodged in your head which would you rather have 3 Vangilders OR A head Coach and a grounds keeper.} Requested Action: Contact your legislators immediately. Governor Vilsack has called a special session for Tuesday, May 28, to resolve budget issues. It is imperative that you contact your legislators before Tuesday so they are aware of the disastrous impact this will have on library services for all Iowans. {OR think about it like this: DON'T call, IF Iowans are so ignorant that a coach is three times as important as a Neurosurgeon, maybe they don't deserve library service, or Nerosuregory). } Please CALL (rather than email) your legislators. Most legislators are currently at home. Their home phone numbers are available on the Iowa General Assembly website. Representatives' numbers can be found at http://www.legis.state.ia.us/GA/79GA/House/Members/. Senators' numbers can be found at http://www.legis.state.ia.us/GA/79GA/Senate/Members/. Our Message to Legislators: The Republican budget proposal for FY03 hurts students and all other citizens of Iowa by denying them access to materials and services that libraries provide with state funds. Reducing Enrich Iowa funding by nearly 25% diminishes local libraries' ability to provide high quality library services, including the astonishing 2.9 million books and other materials that were made available to citizens throughout the state through the Open Access statewide library card program. Cuts to the State Library also directly affect Iowa librarians and Iowa library customers. The proposed 24% cut means that critical services that Iowans and Iowa librarians depend on are jeopardized, including: - strategic planning for the Iowa library system - maintenance of the SILO (State of Iowa Libraries Online) electronic network - accreditation for Iowa libraries - continuing education for librarians - specialized information services in library science, law, medicine and public policy. These cuts are disproportionately higher than has been proposed for other state programs. The Iowa library community understands everyone must do their part in resolving our state's serious budget challenges. However, these proposed cuts are unreasonable and simply put, too high and too costly in terms of their negative impact on libraries' efforts to support education and literacy. **************************************************************** Thanks to all of you for contacting your legislators and advocating for libraries! In addition to calling your legislators, please ask your board members and other library supporters to make phone calls. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to email or call me. Also, I would greatly appreciate you sharing any feedback or comments you get from legislators. This is an election year and we want to be sure that as redistricting takes effect, that we know who among our elected officials understand the importance of libraries in supporting literacy andeducation efforts throughout Iowa. Take care, Gina {Give'em hell, Ken} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8:48:50 PM

Friday Notes. IF you know of someone who could (trustees) or should (library staff) be getting copies of the Friday Notes PLEASE let us know their e-mail address. Friday Notes 2 Index - what is on the blog. CE: Here's what's coming up in NEILSA CE.: Be sure to call us at 800-772-2023 or email conted@neilsa.org to sign up soon. There will not be a separate flyer. For online registration Check http://www.neilsa.org/classes/current.html. Accreditation Workshop: June 5, 2002 Waterloo Public Library Rm's A & B 9:00 - 11:30 3ce's WebConnect {Bibliostat} Workshop: June 5, 2002 Waterloo Public Library - Learning Center lab 1:30 - 4:50 4ce's Next Library 101 on June 12, 2002. West Union & Hudson PLEASE sign up right away. How to do a Community Study: July 18, 9am - 1:00 pm, Dyersville, Susan Henricks OTHER CE: You must register with the listed provider. Public Library Management I & II http://www.silo.lib.ia.us/Certification/cecat.htm#September Self-Directed Learning Opportunities: http://www.silo.lib.ia.us/Certification/alternate.htm University of Washington Offers Free Web Mini-Courses ANNOUNCEMENTS: Van Summer Schedule: Do we still need public libraries? EVALUATION OF INFORMATION FROM THE WEB Winnabago User Group - June 6 at the Fayette Community Library SEUSS Link: http://users.ntplx.net/~dmiller/fstuff/seuss.htm Eye Opener grabs: 2) FirstSearch Contracts Due May 31st: 3) EBSCO Databases Coming Soon: NEILSA Office Closed Memorial Day: Consortia e-rate Blue forms received: NOTE: DEADLINE: June 1, 2002 7 days Last two weeks only, for total list xx blog 5/16 Ossian Volga 5/24 Carnegie-Stout Lansing Winthrop FN2FN2EN2FN2FN2FN2FN2FN2FN2FN2FN2EN2FN2FN2FN2FN2FN2FN2 FN2FN2EN2FN2FN2FN2FN2FN2FN2FN2FN2EN2 blog - Friday Notes 2 http://fridaynotes2.pitas.com or http://radio.weblogs.com/0108327/ Friday Notes 2 Index - CE: Here's what's coming up in NEILSA CE.: Be sure to call us at 800-772-2023 or email conted@neilsa.org to sign up soon. There will not be a separate flyer. For online registration Check http://www.neilsa.org/classes/current.html. Accreditation Workshop: June 5, 2002 Waterloo Public Library Rm's A & B 9:00 - 11:30 3ce's WebConnect {Bibliostat} Workshop: June 5, 2002 Waterloo Public Library - Learning Center lab 1:30 - 4:50 4ce's Next Library 101 on June 12, 2002. West Union & Hudson PLEASE sign up right away. How to do a Community Study: July 18, 9am - 1:00 pm, Dyersville, Susan Henricks OTHER CE: You must register with the listed provider. Public Library Management I & II http://www.silo.lib.ia.us/Certification/cecat.htm#September Self-Directed Learning Opportunities: http://www.silo.lib.ia.us/Certification/alternate.htm University of Washington Offers Free Web Mini-Courses Last week the University of Washington offered free mini-courses from the OpenUW ( http:// www.outreach.washington.edu/openuw/ .) Courses include Greek Mythology, HTML Basics, and Business Communications. After you've agreed to the terms of service and registered (registration requires name, zip code, e-mail address, and the confirmation that you're above 13 years old) you'll be given access to the mini-courses. The ones I looked at were multi-part discussions of a particular topic, with quizzes at the end of each part and a concluding quiz. These courses are non-credit and are designed to take just a few hours (though the may take a fast reader considerably less time than that.) They're nothing like an actual credit course or even a good book, but they're nicely designed and impart a digestible amount of information. Worth a look. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Van Summer Schedule: Van 7 - Last day(s): June 3rd/4th Van 1 - May 31 - Last delivery (for the summer) Van 7 - Summer start: June 11th/12th NONE Van 7 - Last Summer day(s): August 6th/7th NONE Van 7 - Fall Start: August 15th/16th Van 1 - August 16 Winnabago User Group - June 6 at the Fayette Community Library Do we still need public libraries? - "The phenomenal growth of technology and the Internet is changing for ever the way we gather information" http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,564-303322,00.html Use of the Internet at Major Life Moments - "The survey showed that notable numbers of Americans turn to the Internet as a basic reference tool to gather information and, in some cases, to compare alternative courses of action. The pattern of responses to the questions suggests that the Internet is relatively more important in episodes where the abundance of information online is especially helpful, where the activity is focused on learning new material on a complex subject, and where the ability to compare information is especially significant" http://www.pewtrusts.com/index.cfm?image=img1 (middle of the page "NEW at PEW") EVALUATION OF INFORMATION FROM THE WEB: http://www.virtualchase.com/quality/index.html "Why do we need librarians if we have the Web to answer all of our questions." Put this up next to your computers. http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/epaper/editions/Sunday/personal_tech_c37e9149d4e2515500e6.html SEUSS Link: http://users.ntplx.net/~dmiller/fstuff/seuss.htm Eye Opener grabs: 2) FirstSearch Contracts Due May 31st: Is your library currently a FIRSTEARCH participant? Do you want to re-enlist or sign up for the first time? Either way, FirstSearch contracts are due at Central Library Service Area by May 31st. At this writing, every library should have received a FIRSTSEACH contract--if you can't find yours, we'll fax you a blank one.FIRSTSEARCH is an expansive, impressive collection of databases supplied to Iowa's public libraries by the State Library. 10 of the 60+ databases are free with unlimited searching; these are referred to as SUBSCRIPTION DATABASES and include WORLDCAT, ARTICLES FIRST, ERIC, and MEDLINE. A larger grouping are referred to as PER SEARCH DATABASES, wherein you're allowed 100 searches per month. Any searches over the 100 threshold will cost .82cents per search. So don't miss out on this opportunity to access FIRSTSEARCH. And remember, too, that refresher training in using FIRSTSEARCH is always available through Northeast LSA. Eunice can provide workshops, individual staff training, tutorials, and self-directed learning packets. Feel free to call Eunice for help in using FIRSTSEARCH @ your library. Again, by May 31st mail FIRSTSEARCH contracts to Beth Marie Quanbeck, Central Iowa Library Service Area, P.O. Box 22100, Clive, IA. 50325. (FAXED COPIES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED) As always, call NEILSA with any questions... 3) EBSCO Databases Coming Soon: Due to repeated cuts in the State Library's budget, ELECTRIC LIBRARY will no longer be offered. However, a new suite of databases comes on the scene effective July 1st called EBSCO. As a direct result of budget cuts, EBSCO will not be free: each public library will need to pay a $25.00 base price plus 2cents per capita. Among the EBSCO databases are: MASTERFILE PREMIER: "designed especially for public libraries, MASTERFILE contains full text for more than 1,900 magazines covering health, education, business, and general science..." MAS ULTRA: "full text of more than 460 popular high school magazines..." MIDDLE SEARCH PLUS: "full text of more than 100 popular junior high magazines..." PRIMARY SEARCH: "full text of more than 50 popular elementary level magazines..." PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COLLECTION: "450 full text education and library science journals..." In the coming weeks, libraries will receive a letter from the State Library, explaining the EBSCO project in more detail and inviting your participation. All libraries expressing interest will be invoiced (again, for public libraries a base amount of $25.00 plus 2 cents per capita) There will be lots of opportunities to learn more about EBSCO. In the short term, please protect this dates on your calendars: June 7th, a statewide ICN program will introduce the EBSCO databases. Tentatively scheduled from 9:00--11:00AM; ICN locations pending. NEILSA Office Closed Memorial Day: Next Monday, May 27th, is Memorial Day. NEILSA office will be closed for the holiday. CHANGES: None reported Consortia e-rate Blue forms received: NOTE: DEADLINE: June 1, 2002 7 days Last two weeks only, for total list xx blog — 63 of 84 in Previously Listed: Allison, Alta Vista, Aplington, Arlington, Aurora, Beaman, Calmar, Cascade, Clarksville, Clermont, Colesburg, Conrad, Cresco, Decorah, Dike, Dubuque County, Dumont, Dunkerton, Earlville, Edgewood, Elkader, Elma, Fairbank, Farmersburg, Fayette, Fort Atkinson, Fredericksburg, Garnivillo, Greene, Grundy Center, Harpers Ferry, Hudson, Ionia, Janesville, Jesup, Lamont, Lawler, Lime Springs, Manchester, Maynard, Monona, Nashua, New Hampton, Oelwein, Readlyn, Plainfield, Postville, Reinbeck Shell Rock, Spillville, Strawberry Point, Sumner, Tripoli, Wadena, Waucoma, Waukon, Wellsburg, West Union NEW - Received after 5/16/2 5/16 Ossian Volga 5/24 Carnegie-Stout Lansing Winthrop FN2FN2EN2FN2FN2FN2FN2FN2FN2FN2FN2EN2FN2FN2FN2FN2FN2FN2 FN2FN2EN2FN2FN2FN2FN2FN2FN2FN2FN2EN2 blog - Friday Notes 2 http://fridaynotes2.pitas.com or http://radio.weblogs.com/0108327/ 4:02:24 PM