ILOC Call For Proposals

Submit a Session Idea for "Productive Partnerships"

A new year is right around the corner, which means a new ILOC Conference is, too.  The acronym stands for Iowa Libraries Online Conference and it’s  scheduled for January 26, 2023—Save the Date!  The 2023 theme is “Productive Partnerships;” in fact, that will be the theme that carries us through the new year of education and training from the State Library.  ILOC is a day-long event with something for everyone, including an evening program for trustees.

ILOC 2023 marks the 16th annual online conference and as in years past, we need your help to make it another successful day of learning.  Here’s where you come in.  We’re asking library staff from towns large and small to consider submitting an ILOC session proposal. Samantha Bouwers writes “While we focused on saying “yes” to opportunities last year, we realize that libraries cannot do all things. Being purposeful in determining what ideas to pursue, and with whom to undertake those pursuits, will make partnerships more productive in the long run.” The ILOC Conference will encourage attendees to implement partnerships that extend the library’s reach, build relationships with other groups and organizations, and make a difference in the lives of community members.  Your proposals could include these angles:

- Unusual partners like unique businesses or non-profits

- Partnerships that enable the library to reach underserved populations

- Library collaborations within a county or region

- Partnerships with other city departments

- Partnerships that enhance programming

- School / Library collaborations that have produced positive results

To be considered as a presenter, please complete the application form at the button below.  Proposals will be accepted until December 1, presenters will be notified by December 5.  So if you have successful partnership stories to tell, we’d love to hear from you.  As you consider an idea for a presentation, but would like some help fleshing it out, just contact a member of the ILOC Planning Team: Samantha Bouwers, Emily Bainter, Brenda Hall, Becky Heil, Bonnie McKewon, and Maryann Mori.  Join the ILOC Presentation Team!

Call For Proposals ILOC 2023 

Follow-Ups From The Learning Circuit

Continuing the Conversation

By all accounts and evaluation comments, everyone who attended the State Library Learning Circuit in October enjoyed a full day of learning and networking with colleagues on the subject of disaster preparedness.

Because that’s a big topic, we’re continuing the conversation this month and next with a variety of follow-up programs all online.  These webinars via ZOOM will be recorded and note that attendance at the October 20^th Learning Circuit is not a requirement to attend these upcoming webinars.  Here’s what's coming:

November 29: It's (Not) Going According to Plan: Panel Discussion on Disaster Preparedness Planning in Libraries @ 9:30AM
Listen to a panel of Iowa librarians who have led their libraries through various types of disasters. Each brings a unique perspective on how having a disaster preparedness plan in place (or NOT having a plan in place) contributed to the speed and success of the recovery process.

November 30: Boardroom Series 2022) | Policy Watch: Policies Lost and Found @ 6:00PM
Learning Circuit keynote speaker Rachel Onuf will be back to encourage your board members to get involved in the disaster planning process.  Samantha Bouwers and Bonnie McKewon will intro the program with policy topics beyond disaster planning that boards should consider.  

December 7:  Now What? Caring for Self, Staff, and Community After a Disaster @ 10:00AM
This webinar looks at the importance of taking care of staff during and after difficult times.  Discussion will include outlets for support, creativity, and not losing sight of self-care as you help family, friends, co-workers, and patrons.

December 13: I Didn't See that Coming! What to do With Your Collection When Things Go Sideways @ 3:00PM
Joy Stortvedt from the IMALERT team will teach us the best ways to not only recover your collection during and after a disaster, but more importantly, prepare before disaster strikes. 

Continue the Conversation: Register in IALearns

Next in the Boardroom Series ...

Policy Watch on November 30

The fourth installment of The Boardroom series for this year turns to policies, with a discussion of some topics not commonly addressed.  Policy Watch: Policy Topics Lost and Found is scheduled for Wednesday November 30 (6:00-7:30PM)

Standard #7 calls for library boards to adopt four required policies: personnel, circulation, collections, and Internet use.  All libraries meeting standards at a Tier 1 level have those policies in place and many others.  But there are some policy topics that are not as commonly found. State Library consultants Samantha Bouwers and Bonnie McKewon will point to some of those like determining closed holidays, as well as issues surrounding library programming and the library’s use of social media. 

November’s Boardroom webinar also welcomes guest speaker Rachel Onuf, Program Director with Vermont Historical Records.  Rachel has expertise in disaster preparedness, another topic not often addressed in libraries.  She will talk with trustees about their role in developing disaster-related policies.

Join this webinar to discuss policy topics with trustees statewide.  Attendance at this webinar helps satisfy Standard #8 “All members of the library board participate in continuing education each year … “

Register for November’s Boardroom Webinar

This Week ...

OverDrive’s Big Library Read

is underway with the title A Snake Falls to Earth by Dr. Darcie Little Badger.  This book draws on traditional Lipan Apache storytelling to weave a tale of monsters, magic, and family. A Snake Falls to Earth will be available in eBook and audiobook formats for simultaneous downloads from November 2-16.   

Big Library Read is literally a global reading program.  It’s a worldwide digital version of a local book discussion club.  Sponsored by OverDrive, this program presents an opportunity to connect your local readers with book lovers around the world as they read and discuss the same book at the same time without wait lists or holds. Spread the word about OverDrive’s Big Library Read this week and next!

Promote OverDrive’s Big Library Read

Webinar: Library For The Blind—Screen Readers in Your Library.  Thursday November 10, 2022.  1:00-2:00PM.  

In collaboration with the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled, this webinar will provide information about screen readers (JAWS, Voiceover, NVDA)  An overview of NVDA (free option) will be provided, including how it can be installed and used on public computers.

Register in IALearns

This Friday is Veteran’s Day and a state holiday. 
State Library offices will be closed on November 11, open again on Monday November 14.