Big Talk From Small Libraries Conference

Sponsored By Nebraska February 24th

Just last month, the State Library of Iowa held our annual online conference called ILOC.  Now this month, our neighbors at the Nebraska State Library hold their annual online conference on Friday February 24 (8:45AM—5:00PM)  Nebraska’s online conference is called Big Talk From Small Libraries and their website actually credits Iowa with the idea “Big Talk From Small Libraries was inspired by the Iowa Libraries Online Conference—which they call ILOC—our event wouldn’t exist without their advice and encouragement."

From their website: “…This free one-day online conference is tailored for staff from small libraries, the smaller the better.  Each of our speakers is from a library serving fewer than 10,000 people or is directly partnered with a small library.  This event is a great opportunity to learn about the innovative things your colleagues are doing. Everyone is welcome to attend, regardless of how big or small your library. If  your library serves a few hundred to a few thousand people, this is the day for you!”

A handful of breakout sessions show here, find lots more on the Big Talk From Small Libraries site at the button below

• Programming Opportunities for Adults with Disabilities
• We Want Snacks, Too! Adapting a Big Outreach Program for a Small Library
• Effective Staff Evaluations Made Easy
• No Zombies Were Harmed in the Making of This Teen Event

Big Talk From Small Libraries is broadcast online using the GoTo Webinar online conference platform. Login instructions will be emailed to registered attendees the day before the event. Just like our own ILOC conference, Nebraska’s Big Talk Conference is a free, fun day of learning and all from the comfort of home.  Registration is open at the button below, where you'll find the full day's schedule. 

Register For Nebraska’s Big Talk Conference

Newbery & Caldecott Medals 2023

ALA Announces Literary Award Winners

Last month, the American Library Association announced its 2023 literary award winners in youth and children’s literature. Including books, digital media, eBooks, and audiobooks, these anticipated award winners lead to ideal purchases for library collections, promotions, and programming. Here are just a few of the 2023 winners:

The John Newbery Medal, given for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature = Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson

The Randolph Caldecott Medal, given for the most distinguished American picture book for children = Hot Dog illustrated and written by Doug Salati

The Coretta Scott King Book Award, recognizing an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults = Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson

The William C. Morris Award, given for a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens = The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen written by Isaac Blum

YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults = Victory. Stand! Raising My Fist for Justice written by Tommie Smith and Derrick Barnes

The Theodore Seuss Geisel Award, given for the most distinguished beginning reader book = I Did It! written and illustrated by Michael Emberley

Find the full listing of ALA’s 2023 Award Winners and Honorable Mentions for Youth and Children’s Literature

ALA Award Winning Book Lists

STEM Scale-Up Awards Open

Public libraries are eligible to receive STEM materials thanks to awards from Governor Reynolds’ 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.

Last month, the Governor’s STEM Council 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’s a look at 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 into the process so that library youth services staff will be able to put into practice the STEM materials that are awarded through this program.

Here’s a look at the full menu of STEM Scale-Up topics https://iowastem.org/scale-up/menu  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 found by clicking the button below.

Application: STEM Scale-Up Program 2023

This Week ...

Two webinars of note this week: 

Trustees on the Front Line: Intellectual Freedom in Public Libraries and Your Role.  February 16. 7:00-8:00PM.

This upcoming webinar is sponsored by the Iowa Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom Committee: “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.”  This is a free program from ILA, contact IFC Chair Amanda Vazquez at [email protected] with questions.

Register Here

Big Ideas Book Discussion: Professional Troublemaker.  February 17. 9:30-11:00AM

The first title in 2023’s Big Ideas Book Discussion series is Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual by Luvvie Jones (c2021) Given this summer’s reading theme—Find Your Voice—and whether applying the author’s ideas to kids or adults, this book is a timely lead-off for our 2023 discussion season. Luvvie Jones is a nationally known speaker, with a TEDTalk speech to her credit. She is a best-selling author, blogger, and host of her podcast also titled Profesional Troublemaker. The TEDTalk website describes Luvvie Jones as “a sought-after speaker who thrives at the intersection of humor, media, and justice.”

Register in IALearns