STEM Scale-Up Applications Open... Applications Due in February

 Public libraries are eligible to receive STEM materials thanks to awards from the  Governor's STEM Council.  The acronym should be familiar: it stands for Science-Technology-Engineering-Math.  Referred to as awards rather than grants, this latest round of applications is due by February 28, 2023.

The Governor’s STEM Council recently released the programs that are part of the 2023 Scale-Up Menu. This program provides materials that can be adapted to library programming suitable for K-12 STEM related events.  Here are just a few of the topics in this round:

• Discover Drones—Suited for 7-12 Grades. Prepares students for emerging drone careers with lessons in engineering, iterative design, and applied science that encourage collaborative learning.
• Codelicious—Suited for K-6 Grades.  Computer science that builds fluency in procedural, computational and problem-solving skills while also learning the fundamentals of digital citizenship and safety.
• Storytime STEM Packs—Suited for PreK—2^nd Grades. Incorporates age-appropriate STEM+C concepts into children’s programming. Children collaboratively explain phenomena or solve the problem, thereby making sense of the STEM concept.

The materials are free for libraries to keep.  Scale-Up is a great way for librarians and other education partners to begin building a STEM collection of materials and package youth programming around it.  And even better, training in using the materials is included in the process so that library youth services staff will be able to quickly put STEM programming into practice. 

Southwest District Consultant Misty Gray shares this advice “This year, there are 13 programs on offer. No program says it's intended for in-school use only, but some programs may be easier to implement in settings like public libraries than others.  Also, some programs have ongoing costs, so librarians will want to be aware of those before applying for those programs…”

Awards will be announced in April, training will be offered in the summer months. Direct any questions to your area’s Regional STEM Manager.  Then consider completing an application linked at the button below

Apply For STEM Scale-Up Program 2023

New Year, New Library Management Books

Buy, Borrow, or Download

A recent promo from ALA Publishing  prompts this collection development suggestion.  But this time, for a staff professional collection.  Granted, many small public libraries don’t often spend book budget money on building a professional collection.  But doing so can be very beneficial; even having a small collection at hand can boost staff training and development. 

The ALA promo suggested these titles as “New Year’s Resolutions For Libraries,” here are some of the library management titles advertised:

• Take care of yourself and your colleagues with Fostering Wellness in the Workplace
• Learn the how’s and why’s behind protecting patron privacy with The Ultimate Privacy Field Guide
• Advocate for intellectual freedom with The Intellectual Freedom Manual
• Learn about community sustainability programs with Libraries and Sustainability
• Learn how to curate a collection that people will actively use with The Weeding Handbook
• Encourage people of all ages to explore new interests with Makerspaces in Practice

If budget money allows, these and hundreds more library management resources are  available from the ALA Online Store  Otherwise, consider accessing these and many other library science titles by way of these options:

(1) Search the Bridges Collection. The State Library contributes money to Bridges so we can occasionally add library science materials

Search Bridges

(2) Search the State Library Collection. This becomes an ILL proposition: search the State Library’s online catalog, place an ILL request, the material will be sent to your library via IAShares. Great options for good reading, click the button to browse the State Library Catalog

Search the State Library’s Catalog

New Year, New Boardroom Webinars

Policy Watch Part 2 

The Boardroom Series begins a new year of webinars next month with a continued discussion of some policy topics not commonly addressed. We started this topic last November in discussing the library board’s role in disaster planning.

Our 2023 series begins on February 28 (6:00-7:30PM) with Policy Watch Part 2. State Library consultants Samantha Bouwers and Bonnie McKewon continue the conversation by pointing to policy issues surrounding library programming, social media, and more. We’ll also cover tips to clarify roles among the library support team (The Board, Director, Staff, and City) and assist with writing by highlighting an approach to policy development known as “The 4 Parts of a Policy.”  You do not need to have attended the November session to attend this one.

About the Boardroom Series

 In these sessions, we aim to inform and encourage Iowa library trustees. We present best practices and current trends in library board service. Participation in these webinars helps satisfy Standard #8: “All members of the library board of trustees participate in a variety of board development training each year”

Register in IALearns

Coming Up ...

Following last Thursday’s highly attended ILOC Conference—with 350 people registered—continuing education classes take a recess this week before webinars resume in February.  In the meantime, this reminder

Accreditation Apps Due In February

For all libraries in the FY24 accreditation cycle, applications for re-accreditation are due at the State Library by February 28.  Find all public libraries’ current Tier status updated on our website every year; that's linked at the button below. along with ample information regarding the re-accreditation process.  Scott Dermont, along with District Consultants, are happy to answer questions—feel free to CONTACT US

Standards / Accreditation Application

From ILA’s Intellectual Freedom Committee

This upcoming webinar is sponsored by the Iowa Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom Committee. Titled Trustees on the Front Lines: Intellectual Freedom in Public Libraries and Your Role is scheduled for February 16 from 7:00-8:00PM. 

Description: “Library trustees are finding themselves facing book challenges and other intellectual freedom controversies. Be ready if it comes to you. Anne Mangano, Collection Services Coordinator at the Iowa City Public Library, presents this webinar for library boards (and others!) to learn more about the basics of Intellectual Freedom and the role of trustees, staff, and communities in supporting and defending it."

Contact IFC Chair Amanda Vazquez with questions.
Register for the webinar at Meeting Registration - Zoom

Click Here for more information.