Public Library Annual Survey Is Open

Deadline Is October 31st

Two weeks ago—on August 8 precisely—library directors should have received an email from State Library Consultant Scott Dermont announcing that the FY22 Public Library Annual Survey is open for filing.  Scott’s email included a very detailed set of instructions for completing the survey online, including the necessary usernames and passwords, along with tips about answering new questions.

The FY22 Annual Survey (July 2021-June 2022) has new programming questions, including a section about passive programs and indirect activities; you’ll find those in Section G of the survey.  Because these will be new data elements for some libraries, Scott’s advice is to enter N/A if you don’t have those numbers available. Scott writes “It normally takes a few years for data elements to become statistically useful.”  Read a few of Scott's filing tips here and more in his August 8th email ...

Scott's Filing Tips

- Data can now be prefilled for those libraries using the WhoFi service to collect programming statistics. There is also an option to enter numbers for any statistics that don’t use the WhoFi service. For each question, there will be a WhoFi prefill, a non-WhoFi question, and a total.

- Children’s programming is now divided into two sections: 0-5-year-old and 6-12-year-old. If your children’s programs are not age specific, use the 6-12-year-old category.

- The signature page is electronic only this year. The link to the signature form is at the end of the survey and listed on the webpage.

- If this is your first time using Bibliostat Collect, or if you would like a refresher, we have some short videos on our website that give a brief overview of various features of the software. One thing to keep in mind with this software is that Google Chrome is the most reliable browser. The help videos can be found at our website at the link below.

About the Annual Survey

The data provided on the Public Library Annual Survey helps Iowa library directors, staff, and boards compare library performance, justify budget requests, track patterns over time, and describe the condition of public libraries in Iowa. Local, state, and federal officials also use your data to help them make funding and program decisions. Gathers current information about public service outlets, holdings, staffing, income, expenditures, circulation, services, and hours open.

This is national data collection; library use statistics are collected  by all 50 states according to guidelines established by the Public Library Statistics Cooperative (PLSC). The information contained in the Iowa Public Library Statistics is based on definitions approved by PLSC.  In Iowa, this annual data collection is authorized by Iowa Code 256.51 (1)(h)

Find the survey itself, along with all needed information and instructions at the button below.  Remember the filing deadline is October 31.  Contact your District Office or go directly to Scott Dermont with questions. Your efforts are important and appreciated!

FY22 Public Library Annual Survey 

Learning Circuits Coming This Fall

In-Person Statewide October 20th

This recap of an upcoming October workshop is thanks to Samantha Bouwers.  Save the Date--October 20--and join us for the State Library’s Learning Circuit.  Back this fall as an in-person event, we're planning a one-day hybrid workshop on the topic of emergency preparedness with local and national speakers. 

Tornados, fires, floods, and derachos can wreak havoc on community infrastructure and city services.  Public libraries have a proud track record of serving as information centers when emergencies happen.  Sam writes “All communities were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, not to mention other disasters or trying events that have impacted many of us. This day-long event is designed to get you thinking about how your library could respond if the worst happens.”

About Learning Circuits

The Learning Circuit has been a staple of the State Library Continuing Education calendar for many years. Formerly known as "Town Meetings," the goal of the Learning Circuit is to offer in-depth educational opportunities from trainers representing national initiatives, innovative programs, trends in library services, and more.

Future C.E. Newsletters, LibraryTalk, and this space in the Eye-Opener will have more information soon, with the full day’s agenda.  While we work to firm up the details, save the date--October 20--and watch for registration opening soon inside IALearns. 

ILA Conference Schedule Announced

The Iowa Library Association Annual Conference is coming up—October 12-14—this year in Coralville.  The theme for 2022 is “It’s All Connected: Libraries, Communities, Equity, Information.” The ILA Conference Planning Committee has released this year’s schedule.  As you look ahead to your October calendars and make plans to attend, here’s a look at the schedule:

Three pre-conferences kick off the week:

- They Didn’t Teach That in Library School: Principles of Education Programming for Lifelong Learners

- Local Arts Tour: City of Literature and University

- Basic Book Mending That Every Librarian Should Know

Thursday and Friday of conference week boasts many breakout sessions to choose from, with keynote speakers each day.  The keynote speakers include an author, a standup comedian, and an Iowa journalist.  Numbering among dozens of breakout sessions:

- Connecting Through Community Collaborations: Fostering Relationships Between Your Library and City Government

- Unboxed: Subscription Book Boxes For Every Budget

- Book Challenges Affect Us All: Best Practices for Supporting Our School Library Colleagues

- Refugees and Immigrants in Iowa: Sharing Stories, Welcoming New Neighbors

All that and much more to choose from at the Iowa Library Association Conference this fall.  The conference venue is the Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel & Conference Center. Discounted room rates are available until September 20^th.  For a complete look at the keynote speaker biographies, pre-conference events, and breakout sessions during ILA Conference Week, visit ILA’s website.  Then make plans to attend!

ILA Conference October 12-14

This Week ...

Pop YS Book Club
August 22. 11:00AM-12:00PM

This month, we will be discussing the anthology Fools In Love: Fresh Twists on Romantic Tales edited by Ashley Herring Blake and Rebecca Podos. This text is required reading. Microphone access is also required, or participants may use a phone (cell or landline) to access audio.

Back to School: Best Practices for Promoting
Brainfuse HelpNow. August 24. 10:00-11:00AM

As the school year begins, it’s an ideal time to promote Brainfuse HelpNow. Diane Bizzle, Director of Outreach, will provide a brief overview of the services within the Brainfuse HelpNow program focusing on the popular online homework help, writing lab, and practice tests.

Friday Tech Focus. August 26. 9:30-10:00AM

Join us to learn about a new tech or web tool and discuss how it might be used in a library setting. We’ll show a “library-ish” (i.e., might be useful to librarians) app and invite others to share their favorites.

Register in IALearns