Volume 5, October 15, 2009 for the WSL Updates mailing list

Topics include:

1) FREE TRAINING FROM WSL

2) ALASKA-YUKON-PACIFIC EXPOSITION 1909 – 2009

3) TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT COURSE FROM PLA

4) DISASTER READINESS FROM WEBJUNCTION

5) GRANTS FOR YOUTH-LED LITERACY PROJECTS

6) SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISING IN A TOUGH ECONOMY

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1) FREE TRAINING FROM WSL

Washington State Library is pleased to offer two free online courses from Amigos. Space is limited, so register soon.

• Tech Topics: Quick and Easy Open Source Software – November 19, 1:30-3:30 p.m. PST.
• Core Reference Skills, a two-part online course – January 5 & 12, 8:30-10:30 a.m. PST or February 3 & 10, 8:30-10:30 a.m. PST (the November dates for this course have already filled up).

Visit www.secstate.wa.gov/quicklinks/calendar for more information and to register.

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2) ALASKA-YUKON-PACIFIC EXPOSITION 1909 – 2009

October marks the end of the Centennial Celebration for the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (AYPE), Seattle’s first World’s Fair, held on the University of Washington campus, which was largely undeveloped at the time. This exposition highlighted the importance of the Pacific Rim to world trade. Over 3.7 million visitors entered through the opening gates of the fair.

Twenty-five years ago, Carla Rickerson created an exhibit for the AYPE’s 75th anniversary. For the current centennial celebration, she has been instrumental in the creation of several exhibits, housed in the UW Suzzallo/Allen libraries: The Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition: When the World Came to Campus, Women’s Work at the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition, and Capturing the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition: Frank H. Nowell, Exposition Photographer. These exhibits will be open to the public through Wednesday, October 27th.

Please join us as we learn about life in 1909 Seattle, and the impact the AYPE made on the Pacific Northwest: Thursday October 22, 2009, 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. The Washington State Library is located at 6880 Capitol Boulevard South, Tumwater, Washington.

For more information call 360-704-5269 or email [email protected].

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3) TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT COURSE FROM PLA

Join PLA and the Washington State Library for an in-depth class on how to manage technology in public libraries taught by Michael Porter. Learn the knowledge and skills necessary to determine the appropriate role for technology in the delivery of your library’s services. Participants in the Management of Technology class will leave the workshop with a thorough understanding of computer and communications technologies and learn how to:

• Make decisions about sustaining, expanding, or phasing out current technologies, and create an environment of on-going technological assessment and implementation.
• Identify and evaluate new technologies for implementation.
• Identify the costs, needed skills, and timelines for new and expanded projects.

WSL is co-sponsoring this course, so all Washington library staff members are eligible for the $250 PLA partner rate. The class is November 12-13, at the Mountlake Terrace Library. For more information, and to register, visit www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/pla/plaevents/cplacourses/technology.cfm.

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4) DISASTER READINESS FROM WEBJUNCTION

On October 21 join guest presenter Joe Ryan, project manager of a new initiative to make better use of public libraries for hurricane and disaster preparation and recovery. The project helps libraries address the needs of the broader community through partnerships with fellow emergency responders and to become a safe haven, a recovery center, information hub, and evacuee resource. From this webinar you will learn how your library can play an important role in community preparedness and recovery. Register at evanced.info/webjunction/evanced/eventsignup.asp?ID=1619.

Become a Master of Disaster: In addition to the related webinar and articles, you can also take an online course by LibraryU, Master of Disaster: Developing a Disaster Plan. This approximately one-hour self-paced course covers the three main areas of disaster preparedness that are critical to your library’s ability to respond to, and even prevent major and minor disasters: identify potential hazards, devise a course of action, and document your plan. For more information, use this shortcut link: www.secstate.wa.gov/quicklinks/master-of-disaster.

WebJunction classes are free to Washington library staff. Be sure to affiliate with Washington State when you register your membership at WebJunction Washington: wa.webjunction.org.

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5) GRANTS FOR YOUTH-LED LITERACY PROJECTS

Youth Service America is partnering with the National Education Association to offer Youth Leaders for Literacy grants to children and youth, ages 5-25, who offer innovative ways to increase literacy skills and appreciation for reading among their peers. Thirty young people from across the U.S. will each receive a $500 grant and $500 worth of books for projects that address an established literacy need in the applicant’s school or community. Funded projects should also include an activity that will occur during the NEA’s Read Across America Day on March 2, 2010.

Applications may be submitted through October 30, 2009. For program details and application guidelines, visit the Youth Service America website via this shortcut link: www.secstate.wa.gov/quicklinks/YouthLiteracy.

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6) SUCCESSFUL FUNDRAISING IN A TOUGH ECONOMY

The Library Journal Directors’ Summit, Successful Fundraising in a Tough Economy, will be held November 9-10 at Chicago Public Library (CPL). This free event is designed to provide library directors with direct access to some of the most respected leaders in the library fundraising world. Jointly hosted by LJ, CPL, and Library Strategies and underwritten by sponsor Gale Cengage Learning, this event will bring together experts in a small group environment that enables ample face-to-face consultation and networking.

The evening of November 9 will kick off with a reception and keynote from Terry Axelrod, noted for her success in sustainable fundraising for nonprofits and author of Raising More Money. November 10 features a full day of presentations, breakouts, and small group “speed consulting” with experts, among them Peter Pearson and Sue Hall (Library Strategies) and a host of library leaders and foundation and Friends directors.

Attendees will have the opportunity to submit their own scenarios for discussion in the breakouts as well as come away with a template for writing a development plan. Topics to be covered include creating support for buildings, technology, and endowments, building strong personal relationships with potential donors, and maneuvering amidst a challenging economy.

For a detailed schedule, and to register, visit www.libraryjournal.com/info/CA6678891.html.

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