Northwest District Office Hours

This Week

Join us for Northwest District Office Hours this week: either Tuesday August 23 OR Thursday August 25. 

Note Upcoming Schedule Changes

My vacation last week bumped Office Hours to this week instead.  And because of special c.e. events in September and October, there are schedule changes to Office Hours in those months as well.  Check the schedule below for the second half of 2022 and read on for news of education opportunities.

Upcoming Schedule

August

Tuesday 8/23 OR Thursday 8/25 [ NOTE Fourth Week Of The Month ]

September

Tuesday 9/20 [ NOTE Tuesday Only This Month ]

October

Tuesday 10/18  [ NOTE Tuesday Only This Month ]

November

Tuesday 11/15 OR Thursday 11/17 

December 

Tuesday 12/20  [ NOTE Tuesday Only This Month ]

Log in from 10:30-11:30AM each time by clicking the link below ...

Bonnie McK  ZOOM Room

In September: Sioux County Staff Day

September 22 ... You Are Invited!

In September, NW Office Hours will only happen on Tuesday September 20 because: thanks to the public libraries of Sioux County, personnel from Northwest Iowa libraries are invited to Sioux County's Annual Staff Development Day on Thursday September 22. 

Sioux Center Public Library is hosting (102 South Main Ave phone 712-722-2138) Registration begins at 8:30AM, with the program running from 9:00AM-2:00PM. The cost is $15.00/person which includes a light breakfast and lunch. That price is good through September 9, after which the cost goes up to $20.00/person. Once the registration deadline has passed, everyone registered will receive an invoice for the amount owed. 

Among the topics planned for the day include a demo of Brainfuse, a tech "petting zoo," self care to reduce stress, and customer service tips. Continuing education credit is in the offing, State Library staff will make that happen. Event registration is open at the link below.

Many thanks to the public libraries in Sioux County for extending this invitation to their colleagues
in Northwest Iowa!

Sioux County Staff Development Day

In October: State Library Learning Circuit

In-Person Statewide October 20th

In October, NW Office Hours will only happen on Tuesday October 18 because: the State Library's Learning Circuit lands on Thursday October 20.  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 derechos can wreak havoc on community infrastructure and city services.  Public libraries have a proud track record of serving as information centers when emergencies happen.  Samantha Bouwers 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 NW Bulletin space 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. 

About NW District Office Hours

NW District Office Hours are informal gatherings in ZOOM, casual conversations as we talk about whatever issues are top-of-mind.  It's an ideal chance to pose questions of each other and share solutions that work for you.  

And for newly hired directors, these sessions are a good networking opportunity--think of this as a virtual meet-and-greet with new colleagues.  

Hoping to see many of you take up this opportunity for conversation and collaboration. Choose the dates above that work best for you and join your Northwest Iowa library colleagues in NW Office Hours!