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Show Me Libraries

Missouri State Library
Volume 1, Issue 4
Summer 2007

 

Inside this Issue

2007 Letters About Literature Winners

by Marge Kudrna and Ann Roberts

Twelve Missouri students won awards in the 2007 Letters About Literature contest, sponsored by the Missouri Center for the Book, the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress and Target Stores.

The annual competition invites students to write a personal letter to an author explaining how his or her work changed their view of the world or themselves. This year, 2,268 Missouri students entered the contest, and entries were divided into three competition levels: Level I (grades four through six); Level II (grades seven and eight); and Level III (grades nine through twelve). A first place, second place and two honorable mention winners were awarded for each of the three competition levels.

The Letters About Literature contest encourages young readers to explore their personal responses to books and then express those responses in a creative, original way. Readers can select authors from any genre—fiction or nonfiction, contemporary or classic.
The Missouri winners were honored on April 10 at the Kirkpatrick State Information Center in Jefferson City, where they received certificates and cash prizes for their efforts. First place winners also received a $50 Target gift card. Secretary of State Robin Carnahan presented the awards to the students at the ceremony. Awards were presented to:

Level I First place: Brian Phan, Olivette
Second place: Megan King, St. Louis
Honorable Mention: Alaina Sonksen, Linn Creek; Ariana Ha, St. Louis
Level II First place: Catherine Moore, Kirkwood
Second place: Avery Wagner, Columbia
Honorable Mention: Mallory Weise, Wildwood; Lucas Showalter, Rolla
Level III First place: Kelsey Ray, Fenton
Second place: Bennett Holden, St. Louis
Honorable Mention: Katie Shellhorn, Stockton; DeAndre Gates, St. Louis

Deb Pease and Julie Cook, representatives of the Jefferson City Target store, presented the Target GiftCards to the first place winners.

The Missouri Center for the Book has sponsored the contest for thirteen years, and in that time nearly 16,000 Missouri students have submitted entries. Missouri is consistently among the top states in the nation in number of entries. The winning letters and a group photo have been published on the Missouri Center’s Web site http://books.missouri.org.

YNK@your library Teen Summer Reading Program Workshops

by Marge Kudrna

RoseMary Honnold, author of 101+ Teen Programs That Work, More Teen Programs That Work, The Teen Reader’s Advisor, and Get Connected: Tech Programs for Teens, presented the “YNK@your library” Teen Summer Reading Program workshops in St. Louis, Carrollton, Columbia and Springfield. She shared ideas, tips and expertise to help Missouri librarians plan and implement terrific summer reading programs for teens. Approximately 150 public and school librarians attended these workshops to learn new ways to promote and conduct summer reading programs for teens and share ideas about collaborating with each other. Starting with the basics regarding involving teens in the planning process, RoseMary shared ideas for structuring teen summer reading programs, partnering with neighborhood agencies and publicizing the program. In addition, RoseMary shared ideas for programming, promoting and incorporating books in every aspect of the summer program. Regardless of the size of the library or staff, this workshop motivated and prepared public and school librarians to plan the best teen summer reading program ever. RoseMary began the workshop with a discussion about the benefits a teen summer library program can have in a teen’s life, specifically addressing the Search Institute’s 40 developmental assets (the assets and the impact the library has on each are listed in the summer reading manual).

RoseMary told the audience about her successful efforts in promoting teen programs in her library and shared a number of programming ideas, ranging from PowerPoint Jeopardy (featuring “mystery literature” and movies), to crafts, mystery dinners and forensics.  Librarians can find a wealth of programming suggestions and ideas for teens in public libraries shared at the workshop and more at RoseMary Honnold’s Web site at www.cplrmh.com/.

Libraries Fare Well In 2007 Legislative Session

by Margaret Conroy

Good news! Missouri’s libraries will receive more funding in the 2008 state fiscal year due to several budget increases approved by the legislature. State aid for public libraries will increase by $1 million, which restores a 25% cut to the fund made several years ago, and brings the total for state aid to $4,004,456. Half of the state aid appropriation is distributed to qualifying public libraries as a per capita payment, and the rest is distributed in equalization payments to the most economically challenged libraries.

Secretary of State Robin Carnahan requested full funding from the Non-resident Athletes and Entertainers income tax. The governor recommended, and the General Assembly supported, a 50% funding level, and libraries will share an appropriation of $1,300,000 in the coming year. This represents an increase of $750,000 to the current year’s funding level. A&E payments will be made to qualifying libraries in the spring of 2008.

The REAL Program fund will be increased by $150,000 to allow the purchase of a curriculum support database to be added to the other databases available to MOREnet members. The availability of the new database depends on the contracting process and is targeted for early 2008.

  Perhaps the best news of the session was that MOREnet was appropriated $2.5 million more than the governor’s request. This reflects a growing understanding on the part of legislators of the importance of MOREnet to the educational technology infrastructure in Missouri. The concerted lobbying efforts on the part of library staff and trustees in the last few years have contributed greatly to this understanding and they are encouraged to continue.

In other legislative action, a bill to enhance the ability of county library subdistricts to expand was passed the last day of the session. Introduced by Representative Ron Casey from Jefferson County as HB 93, the proposal was shifted to other bills and ended up being contained in SB 22 which was finally passed the last day of session. SB 22 also contained some TIF reform language.
All in all, a good year! Thanks go out to everyone who lobbied on behalf of funding and other legislation favorable to libraries. Remember to thank your legislators and share stories about the impact of their decisions.

Library Ballot Issues Meet Mixed Success

by Margaret Conroy

Four library improvement issues were on the ballot this April, but only one held enough appeal for voters to pass. The city residents of Windsor agreed to tax themselves at a rate equal to that of the Henry County Library District, paving the way to a possible merger of the Windsor city library with Henry County Library. Unfortunately, residents of Boone, Butler and Clinton counties were not so amenable to library tax issues.
The Clinton County Commission established a library district several years ago, and yet failed for the third time to set a tax levy to provide funding for library service. According to statute, a library district established by commission order will automatically dissolve after five years if a tax levy is not set, and that deadline is near for Clinton County.

In Butler County, Poplar Bluff library director Jackie Thomas led an effort to establish a county library by vote and to merge the existing libraries in Fisk and Poplar Bluff into the unified county district. Undeterred by a slim margin of failure, Thomas will evaluate the election results and try again. 

The Boone County Library District board, part of the Daniel Boone Regional Library system, attempted to raise the operating levy in order to build and operate new facilities in southern Boone County and in north metro Columbia.  In spite of general strong library support for the services of the Daniel Boone Library Regional Library the issue failed in all but one precinct. Community public meetings are being held to garner feedback about the election and to provide direction to the board.

If your community is planning a ballot issue, please keep the State Library apprised of your progress.

LSTA Plan Priorities Discussed at Planning Symposium

by Barbara Reading

Twenty-six librarians, trustees and constituent representatives met for a two-day planning symposium on May 10–11 at Osage Beach. The Symposium conferees worked with State Library staff to sift through the input from the twelve Town Hall meetings held around the state in February and March. Alan St. John of the Missouri Training Institute had compiled the findings from the Town Halls and facilitated the Symposium.

State Library staff served as discussion leaders for the major themes that had emerged from the Town Halls, including technology, training, programs and services, statewide planning and collaboration. Each group refined the themes into statements of goals for the LSTA Plan for 2008-2012 and presented them to the full group for review and discussion. Following the meeting, staff developed the goal statements into the format needed for the new plan, which was submitted to the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in late June. Once approved by IMLS, projects, training and grant programs will be developed to meet the plan’s goals. The plan will be available on the State Library Web site once it is approved by the IMLS.

A big thank you goes to the following Symposium participants:

Missouri Participates in Collaborative Meeting on Summer Reading

by Marge Kudrna

The Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP), a grassroots consortium of states working together to provide high-quality summer reading program materials for children at the lowest cost possible for their public libraries, met for its annual meeting in Portland, Oregon on April 11-14. Marge Kudrna, youth services consultant, attended the meeting on behalf of the Missouri State Library.

CSLP began in 1987 when ten Minnesota regional library systems developed a summer library program for children. State libraries and systems continue to join and CSLP continues to evolve, but its guiding principle remains the same—librarians sharing ideas, expertise and costs to produce a high-quality summer reading program for children. By combining resources and working with a commercial vendor to produce materials designed exclusively for CSLP members, public libraries in 43 participating states or systems can purchase posters, reading logs, bookmarks, certificates and a variety of reading incentives at significant savings. Participating libraries have access to the same artwork, incentives and publicity, in addition to an extensive manual of programming and promotional ideas.

For 2008 the children’s slogan will be “Catch the Reading Bug” and the teen slogan will be “Metamorphosis @ Your Library.” The membership also selected the 2009 themes while meeting in Portland. “Be Creative @ Your Library” will be the children’s slogan and “Express Yourself @ Your Library” will be the teen slogan.

2007 Missouri Building Block Picture Book Nominees Chosen

by Marge Kudrna

A meeting by the Missouri Building Block Picture Book award committee was held at the Daniel Boone Regional Library in Columbia to decide on the 2007 Building Block nominees. The nominees were chosen from approximately 100 books that were nominated by librarians from all over the state of Missouri.

The 2007 nominees are:

Ashman, Linda Starry Safari
Beaumont, Karen Move Over, Rover
Bloom, Suzanne A Splendid Friend Indeed
Cronin, Doreen and Betsy Lewin Dooby Dooby Moo
Cronin, Doreen Wiggle
Durango, Julia Cha-Cha Chimps
Fallon, Jimmy Snowball Fight
Root, Phyllis Looking for a Moose
Willems, Mo  Edwina, the Dinosaur Who Didn’t Know She Was Extinct
Wilson, Karma Sakes Alive a Cattle Drive

The committee members are working on the activity sheets now. Please visit the Building Block Web site to order a set of the activity sheets. Voting for the Building Block titles will begin on September 1 and end on December 31. Enjoy reading these great titles with your children and students.

The Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award, sponsored by the Children’s Services Roundtable, a special interest group of the Missouri Library Association, began in 1996. Each fall, Missouri children not yet in first grade and younger are invited to listen to at least five of the ten nominated titles and vote for their favorite. Voting takes place in local public libraries.

For more information about the award, go to http://molib.org/BuildingBlock.html or contact any of the committee chairs: Kim Flores, kimf@mail.sgcl.org; Christy Schink, scenic4@real.more.net; Hollis Stolz, hstolz@dbrl.org [.

Technology Plan Dollar Benefits

by Debbie Musselman

Libraries that belong to the REAL program must submit new technology plans every three years and have them reviewed annually so that MOREnet can receive e-rate reimbursements for the Internet access, state network connectivity and data connections it provides to its members. From FY2003 through FY2005 and with anticipated awards from FY2006 e-rate applications filed by MOREnet, this will amount to approximately $4,228,500 received by MOREnet on behalf of public libraries alone. These funds help to offset REAL program fees and were instrumental in mitigating what might have been a true disaster during budget cuts experienced in recent years.

Public libraries have also applied for and received e-rate funding for other e-rate eligible services during this timeframe resulting in awards totaling close to $3,148,793. Between MOREnet and funds awarded to individual public libraries, e-rate has brought an estimated $7,377,293 into Missouri for public library services.

The effort by each library to write their Technology Plan and have it approved by the State Library directly relates to the dollars that are received and is greatly appreciated as we strive to make effective use of all of the financial resources available to support public library services in Missouri.

If you have questions about or for assistance with the e-rate application process, please contact Rebecca Miller, National E-rate Program Manager at MOREnet at 573-884-2146 or by e-mail at millerrj@more.net.

Check Out the College of DuPage Press Teleconferences

by Brenda Sites

The Missouri State Library partnered with College of DuPage Press to offer the 2007 Library Learning Network teleconferences at no charge to Missouri libraries and 71 different libraries registered for the series. College of DuPage Press produced five teleconferences this spring on a variety of current library topics. The teleconferences could be received live via satellite link or desktop streaming video. Participants interacted with the expert panelists and asked questions by e-mail or phone during the teleconference. Those who were unable to participate during the live feed may still register for the teleconference and receive a link to watch a recorded version on the internet.

The series offered the following topics:

If you missed one of the teleconferences, College of DuPage Press provides the State Library with a recording of each event on DVD and all will be available through the circulating collection.

Libraries Invited to Join State Publications Access Program

by Annie Moots

Is your library interested in electronic versions of state publications? Through the State Publications Access Program, the Missouri State Library is making them available, already cataloged, to any Missouri library who would like them since we are no longer sending out paper versions. We have collected important publications from every department in state government (such as annual reports, strategic plans, and audits), placed them in a trusted digital repository and included links to the repository in the bibliographic records.

The State Library is currently seeking libraries willing to participate in this program by providing access to these electronic state publications through their library catalogs. If you’d like more information on the State Publications Access Program, e-mail Annie Moots at the Missouri State Library at statepubs@sos.mo.gov.

Summer Grant Awards Announced

by Diana Very

Nine grant awards were approved for the short term summer grants in the amount totaling $37,588. These grants are made possible by funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services under provision of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Missouri State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State.

Bring in an Expert

University of Missouri-Columbia Libraries—$2,829
Diane Rein from Purdue University will conduct a six hour workshop to provide librarians with a basic knowledge of bioinformatics and related resources to help determine what new services and resources should be offered to aid the research of life sciences at the university.

F.W. Olin Library, Drury University—$5,000
Firm of Engberg Anderson Design Partnership, Inc. will send two associates to Drury University to provide space planning design to create a commons area in the library. The aim is to create a flexible space where students are able to work, study and socialize in an intellectually stimulating area.

Inman E. Page Library, Lincoln University—$2,313
Professional archivist will advise the staff about the best way to reorganize the existing Ethnic Studies Center/University Archives department to create a user-friendly research facility for the University and the community.

Rolling Hills Consolidated Library—$4,320
Ellen Miller Group of Lenexa, KS will conduct a strategic planning workshop that will revitalize the diminishing membership of the Friends of the Library group.

Webster Groves Public Library—$5,000
Contract with an architect to provide space planning design that will allow the existing building to be used to implement specific strategic planning goals, such as providing a children’s area and improving technology services.

Planning and Standards

Trails Regional Library—$15,000
Contract with a consultant to facilitate public, staff and library board focus groups to elicit suggestions for improved library services. Consultant will provide analysis of the focus group output and will work with staff to discuss and prioritize strategies to achieve the goals requested.

Senior Fair

Rolling Hills Consolidated Library—$1,309
Library will host a Senior Fair that provides program activities that provide lifelong learning and educational information opportunities to the older adult patrons. The library will collaborate with community agencies and organizations to inform citizens of the opportunities within the library.

Training and Professional Development

North Kansas City Public Library—$1,391
Warren Graham, author of Black Belt Librarians, will do a one day workshop for library staff.

Joplin Public Library—$426
A workshop called Introduction to Facility Management for area library staff and trustees will instruct them to think proactively about the library facilities and maintenance instead of taking a reactive stance in their maintenance and upkeep.

MCDC Provides GIS and Web Data Training

by Lindsay McCarroll

As a network of more than 1,700 agencies nationwide, the Data Center Program has provided access and education on Census Bureau products as well as other statistical resources to millions of data users for more than 25 years. Administered at the state level, each state has a network of affiliates that serve their constituents. They can be the government agencies, businesses, not-for-profits, educators or anyone in need of economic and demographic data. This Web site is here to serve that network, providing resources and information to assist all of us in our work with the Census Bureau. The Missouri Census Data Center (MCDC) Program operates under a memorandum of understanding between the Office of the Secretary of State and the U.S. Bureau of the Census. The Missouri State Library in the Office of the Secretary of State is the agency responsible for the program.

The MCDC recently sponsored two workshops dealing with geographic information systems (GIS) and web data access. The workshops were held in Columbia, Springfield, and Kansas City in May and June. John Blodgett, UMC Office of Social and Economic Data Analysis, presented “Accessing Census Data on the Web.” The topics covered included a MCDC Web Site Tour, the MCDC Data Archive and Uexplore/Dexter web tools.

Jim Harlan, Missouri Spatial Center, UMC Department of Geography, presented an “Introduction to GIS.” The topics covered included exploring available Missouri GIS census data on the Internet via ArcIMS, downloading and importing various GIS and demographic data into ArcGIS, practical application and linkage of spatial GIS data and non-spatial demographic data using ArcGIS and an introduction to GeoPDF files for Missouri using Map_to_PDF and the GeoPDF_toolbar.

The MCDC can help libraries understand the demographics of public libraries and find statistics that strengthen grant proposals, assess potential for programs and events and assist with planning. One participant commented, “I never realized how easy it was to get good census data for library districts from the web.”

Public library demographics are posted on the Missouri State Library’s Web site at: www.sos.mo.gov/library/demographics.asp. For more information contact Lindsay McCarroll at 800-325-0131, ext.12 or lindsay.mccarroll@sos.mo.gov.

Six Missouri Librarians Elected to National Office

The American Library Association has released and posted results of its online election. Congratulations are extended to these Missouri academic, public and special library professionals:

Individual terms of office will vary with some beginning following the June 2007 Annual Conference in Washington, DC. Election information and details are available at www.ala.org/election2007.

Free Online Course on Outcomes-based Planning and Evaluation

Shaping Outcomes, an instructor mediated online course, is offered summer and fall of 2007. The training will introduce program design and evaluation concepts over approximately five weeks. Libraries will be able to apply outcome based principles to their own programs or grant-funded projects that will make a measurable difference in their communities. The online course was developed through a cooperative agreement between the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis (IUPUI). To learn more about Shaping Outcomes or registering for one of the courses visit www.shapingoutcomes.org/ or e-mail outcomes@iupui.edu.

Grants Available for Rural and Small Libraries Conference

Register now for the Association of Rural and Small Libraries 2007 Annual Conference to be held at the Holiday Inn on the Lane in Columbus, Ohio. This conference is jointly sponsored by the Center for the Study of Rural Librarianship and will be held September 26-28. Speakers include Librarian of the Year, Mary Baykan and Stephen Abram, Vice President of Innovation for Sirsi/Dynix. Breakout sessions will cover a variety of topics including: Forum for American Indian librarians, technology, WebJunction, staffing, bookmobiles, trustees, customer service, marketing and more. If you work in a rural or small library, or are a trustee of a rural or small library plan now to attend. Visit the Association of Rural and Small Libraries 2007 Annual Conference Web site to register and to see a complete line-up of events.

The Missouri State Library Show Me Steps grant program assists with funding for library personnel and trustees to attend conferences and workshops throughout the country. The ARSL 2007 Annual Conference would be an eligible event.  For more information on applying for a grant, visit www.sos.mo.gov/library/development/grants.asp.

Missouri Library News

State Library Staff

Maria Hines rejoined the State Library on May 10 as Administration and Management Consultant to libraries and library boards. In addition to providing guidance on policy, planning and operation issues she will also administer the state aid and equalization programs and provide selected grant project oversight. Her previous experience includes reference work, continuing education planning, and library and grant ad­min­is­tra­tion. She has worked in public and school libraries in Missouri as well as at the state libraries of Missouri and Illinois. Maria has a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Missouri.

Ann Roberts joined the State Library staff as Adult Services Consultant on April 30. Ann will be serving as coordinator for the Missouri Center for the Book, adult literacy projects, and services to seniors around the state. Ann has a master’s degree in music from Louisiana State University and a master’s in library and information science from the University of Pittsburgh. She served as the Assistant Director of Lincoln Parish Library in Ruston, LA, prior to moving to Missouri. She is a certified Archivist and former director of the Frontier Historical Society in Glenwood Springs, CO. She currently has a book about caring for archival materials and artifacts in a library setting in publication with Libraries Unlimited out of Connecticut.

Marge Kudrna has been named the new Youth Services Consultant for the Missouri State Library. Marge began working for Library Development in 2004 and most recently held the position of Adult Services Consultant. Her new duties will include coordinating the summer reading program, planning youth services staff training and collaborating with other agencies and organizations serving youth.
Diana Very has resigned as LSTA Grants Coordinator to join Georgia Public Library Services in Atlanta as Director of LSTA, Research and Statistics.

Staff Changes

Cheryl Brewer is the new Dade County Library director.

Dixie Glynn is the new director of the Rich Hill Memorial Library.

Seth Hershberger is the new assistant director of Cass County Public Library.

Peggy McElfish has been hired as the new librarian of the Fairfax branch of Atchison County Library. She replaces Shirley Adams who recently retired after 35 years as manager of the Fairfax branch.

Felice Marlette is the new director of the Kimberling Area Library.

Kelly Pingleton is the newly appointed director at Hamilton Public Library.

Meredith Roberson will serve as the interim director of North Kansas City Public Library for the duration of the search process to replace long-term director Jobeth Bradbury who has accepted a consulting position in the private sector.

Dr. O.J. Thompson has been named the new director of the Taneyhills Community Library.

Announcements

Gayla Honeycutt of the Kansas City Public Library has been chosen to participate in the 2nd Annual Lifelong Access Libraries Leadership Institute sponsored by the Americans for Libraries Council.  This training and networking opportunity is hosted by the School of Information and Library Science and the Institute on Aging of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill from July 29 through August 3. Institute participants drawn from across the nation will be sharing ideas, solutions and challenges that can transform libraries into centers for active older adults. Funded by The Atlantic Philanthropies, the Institute is one of the strategies designed to bring about change in the library profession, in library education and most especially in the way libraries serve active older adults. Information on the Americans for Libraries Council is available at http://www.americansforlibraries.org.

Liberty High School library media center was recently named the Library Media Program of the Year by the Greater Kansas City Association of School Librarians. The library media center was recognized for its well established rapport between the librarians, students and faculty that has resulted in an effective balance between a dynamic book collection and extensive online resources and equipment to meet the needs of both user audiences. Full article posting is at www.kccommunitynews.com/articles/2007/03/22/liberty_tribune/schools/lt_edu03-22-07a.txt.

Anniversary

Wright County Library, established in April 1947, celebrates 60 years of official library service. The current county system currently maintains an administrative office and library at Hartville plus four branches located in Mansfield, Mountain Grove and Norwood. Early library service in the county was provided in the early 1940’s by libraries formed through the WPA program and maintained with membership dues and local funds.

Library Construction

Cedar County Library District continues to collect funds for the Geneva Sharp Library to be constructed in Stockton. The District received a significant commitment of $50,000 from Finis M. Moss Charitable Trust. Additional local donations added to the $605,000 already committed will ensure with building project construction before winter 2007. Award is contingent upon successful completion of the fundraising campaign. The total project cost is projected to be $800,867.

In Memoriam

The staff at the Missouri State Library mourn the passing of our good friend and colleague, Ann Sundermeyer. As longtime director of Hannibal Free Public Library, Ann became a mentor to many and set the bar for exemplary library service in a small to mid-sized community. A tribute to Ann’s life can be found on the Hannibal Free Public Library’s website at www.hannibal.lib.mo.us/ann_tribute.htm.

 

Stay Informed with Show Me Express!
Show Me Express is the Missouri State Library’s electronic newsletter that provides timely library news and updates as well as announcements of upcoming grants calls, training opportunities and professional development programs. The Missouri State Library produces and distributes Show Me Express weekly; subscribe by contacting the State Library at 800-325-0131,ext. 8, e-mailing maria.hines@sos.mo.gov, or online at www.sos.mo.gov/library/showme_express/.

Show Me Libraries
Summer 2007
Volume 1, Number 4

Show Me Libraries is published quarterly by the Library Development Division of the Missouri State Library, PO Box 387, Jefferson City, MO 65102; telephone 800-325-0131 in Missouri or 573-751-2680; fax 573-751-3612.

Contents of Show Me Libraries may be reprinted with reference given to the publication and its date of issue. The Missouri State Library is a division of the Secretary of State's Office.

Robin Carnahan

Secretary of State

Brenda Sites

Editor

Krista Myer

Director of Publications

Julie Stegeman

Graphic Designer


The former newsletter of the State Library, Newsline, is no longer published.  For archived copies, visit the Newsline Online Archives.