Bridges Fees To Increase In FY2025

Following the Bridges User Group Meetings in October, the Bridges Team at the State Library received helpful feedback regarding possible changes to Bridges membership fees.  When fees were increased two years ago, the State Library committed to keeping the cost static through FY24.  Now thanks to the User Group discussions and comments, the Bridges Team has a plan “that we believe will allow us to attack the average wait time problem, yet keep membership as cost-effective as possible.”

The new fee model for Bridges leaves the $300 base fee in tact, but increases the per capita portion of the formula by three cents. So the per capita amount will increase from the current 21cents to 24cents.  This amount will remain the same for FY25 and FY26.  Prior to FY2027, we will reevaluate costs again based on the results of this change and any population changes.

What Can My Library Expect To Pay?

The chart below shows an example increase in the annual membership fee using the median size library in each size code.

Size Code	Median Population	Membership Increase
A	250	$7.50
B	750	$22.50
C	1,750	$52.50
D	3,500	$105.00
E	7,500	$225.00
F	17,000	$510.00
G	35,000	$1,050.00
H	60,000	$1,800.00
I	30,000	$900.00

A full chart showing all Bridges member libraries' new costs for FY25 is posted at the webpage linked below.  At that same page, read about the Bridges service and find links to OverDrive marketing materials on the right sidebar. Please direct any questions to members of the Bridges Team: Misty Gray, Becky Heil, Jay Peterson, Eunice Riesberg

The Bridges eLibrary Service

Grants From Libraries Transform

Accessible Small and Rural Communities Grants

This story is thanks to Michelle Anderson, Director of Atlantic Public Library.  It’s all about a grant opportunity from the organization Libraries Transform.  The grant project itself is called Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities Grant. 

Michelle is happy to tell the story of how valuable receiving this grant has been to Atlantic PL, here’s why: “With the $20,000 my library got, we are essentially rebuilding an unreliable elevator. I held conversations with a group of retirees and a group of folks with various disabilities. Both named the elevator as a barrier to accessing services when it wasn't working for three months last year. This grant funding didn't even cover the cost of the down payment, but it did create urgency for the elevator to be funded in the city's capital improvement plan earlier than originally planned.”

About These Grants

There is a specific intent for these grants. Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities will offer more than $7 million to small and rural libraries to increase the accessibility of facilities, services, and programs to better serve people with disabilities. To be eligible, a library must have a legal area population of 25,000 or less and be located at least five miles from an urbanized area, in keeping with the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) definitions of small and rural libraries. ALA will award two rounds of grants to be distributed over the next three years ranging from $10,000 to $20,000. 

Michelle writes: “my one bit of advice for now: don’t get dissuaded by the application length. If you ever need any assistance, the staff at ALA’s Public Programs Office is very quick to help and respond to any questions you may have. And I’m happy to answer any questions from my own experience with the application and fulfilling the grant guidelines. If my library secured this funding, so can yours! “

The grant application closes on December 11, 2023.  So there’s still time to think this through!  And I’ll add my advice to Michelle’s: grant opportunities like this present a great time to turn to your library’s strategic plan.  Rely on goals in your plan—service, programming, funding, building goals—outlined in your plan and see if a Libraries Transforming Communities Grant might just help you accomplish those goals! 

Learn more at the link below, where you’ll also find grant guidelines, an FAQ page, an instructional webinar recorded on October 4, and the application form itself.  My thanks to Michelle Anderson for this news! 

Libraries Transforming Communities Grants

Save The Date For ILOC 2024!

Coming January 25th

Continuing Education Consultant Samantha Bouwers sends this invitation to Iowa library staff and trustees: “The State Library invites you to submit session proposals for the annual ILOC Conference to be held on Thursday January 25, 2024. The theme for the upcoming conference is “Libraries are Forever!”  With that theme in mind, we’re seeking proposals that will encourage attendees to consider sustainable operations, long-term outcomes, and all positive community differences that the library makes.”

The ILOC acronym stands for Innovative Libraries Online Conference, a popular kickoff to a new year of continuing education for now 17 years.  We’ve always encouraged ILOC day to be a staff development day, with library directors and boards allowing as many staff as possible to login all together and make it a day of learning. Some libraries are even able to close for the day, making the most of the ILOC Conference as staff development in real time.

To the 2024 theme “Libraries Are Forever,” staff and trustees who have demonstrated ways to prove that “our library is here to stay, making a difference in our community” are encouraged to submit a session proposal.  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 newly recorded Kernel for 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 Your ILOC Proposal Today!

This Week

Big Ideas Book Discussion:
The Art of Talking With Children  
November 17. 9:30-11:00AM  

This Friday is the final program for this year in the Big Ideas Book Discussion series.  We’ll take up the title The Art of Talking With Children: Simple Keys to Nurturing Kindness, Creativity, and Confidence in Kids by Rebecca Rolland. While the subtitle says a lot, here’s more: “[This book] arms adults with practical tools to help them have productive and meaningful conversations with children of all ages—whether it’s engaging an obstinate toddler or getting the most monosyllabic adolescent to open up…it shows us how quality communication—or rich talk—can help us build the skills and capacities children need to thrive.”

Register in IALearns

Form 470 Window Is Open 

For public libraries interested in participating in the E-Rate Program, the filing window has already opened for FY2024-25.  Under the auspices of the FCC, the federal E-Rate Program helps make Internet service more affordable by providing substantial discounts on monthly Internet bills from local Internet providers.  The program also offers discounts on internal Internet connections, all to eligible schools and public libraries.   

The now widespread use of digital resources for student achievement, coupled with the need for online job searching, for online retirement instruction, and for general work-life skills in the digital age has led to a critical need for excellent broadband Internet in school and public libraries.  Participating in E-Rate can help save local library budgets between 60-80% off the cost of monthly Internet service.

Form 470 is the first of three forms which must be filed in sequence to begin the process. Form 470 opens the required bidding process to let Internet vendors know that you are seeking service for your library. The Form 470 window is likely to remain open into early February; the closing date has yet to be determined by the FCC. 

The Library Resource Technicians (LRTs) at each District are ready and able to help you get started with E-Rate, including setting up an appointment to walk through filing Form 470 with you using Teamviewer Screen Share.  If you would like to set up an appointment for this purpose, simply contact your District LRT:

• Amanda Grom for NW / SW Districts [email protected]
• Dori Buls for Central / SE Districts [email protected]
• Trisha Frazier for NC / NE Districts [email protected]