A Message from the State Librarian |
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Happy New Year!
Listening to recaps of 2020 and hopes for 2021 in the media, I’ve heard a recurring theme that seems most appropriate for Arizona libraries. While there were many events to challenge us that we don’t care to keep front and center in our memories, there were lessons learned that we do want to carry into this new year.
Reading the LSTA project summaries for our year-end state report we submitted to IMLS last week, I made notes on the draft and used words such as “creative,” “tenacious,” and “resilient” to describe the way libraries had overcome obstacles and adapted projects planned pre-pandemic to make them more responsive to new or increased community needs. This was true of Arizona libraries in general – not just with LSTA projects. Libraries tried successfully to provide services in new ways, working from different spaces and places, such as delivering books to customer’s vehicles curbside and providing storytime in online rooms!
The value of expressing appreciation for one another was also seen. Recognition is much more a part of meetings now where library highlights are shared.
As we start this year, we look forward to seeing the positives from the past year continue along with lots of new accomplishments.
Thank you for all you do to serve your communities. We hope that the opportunities offered below will be of help to you. Please reach out to us with any questions or suggestions for additional ways we may assist you.
With all best wishes for a healthy and happy 2021,
Holly Henley
State Librarian
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Dates & Deadlines to Note |
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Mark your calendar for upcoming professional development events, grant deadlines and other important dates.
JANUARY 2021
January 6, 12:00-1:00 pm
January 6, 1:00-2:00 pm
January 8, 2021
January 12 - February 22
January 12, 12:00 - 1:00 pm
January 13, 12:00 -1:00 pm
January 14, 11:00 am
January 14, 12:00 -1:00 pm
January 14, 1:00 - 2:00 pm
January 15, 2021
January 19, 10:00 - 11:00 am
January 19 - February 1
January 20, 12:00 - 1:00 pm
January 20, 1:00 - 2:00 pm
January 22-26, 2021
January 22 - February 5
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January 26, 1:00-2:00 pm
January 26 - February 8
January 27, 2021
January 27, 12:00-1:00 pm
January 29, 2021
FEBRUARY 2021
February 2 - March 1
February 2 - 11
February 3, 12:00 -1:00pm
February 5, 12:00 -1:00 pm
February 10, 12:00-1:00 pm
February 10,12:00 -1:00 pm
February 11, 11:00 am - Noon
February 17, 2021
February 17, 2:00 - 4:00 pm
February 18, 1:00-2:30 pm
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LSTA 2021 Grant Application Webinar
Join Stacy Nykorchuk, Arizona State Library grants coordinator, for an informational overview of what you need to know to apply for the 2021 LSTA Grants. You'll explore what's new, refresh on the basics, and answer any questions you may have. If you plan to apply for an LSTA grant, attending this webinar is strongly encouraged.
The live event will be on Tuesday, January 19 at 10AM through Webex. A meeting link will be shared after registration. A recording will be available for registrants who cannot attend.
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NEA Big Read Program Grants
Applications Due January 27, 2021
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The NEA Big Read annually provides support to selected nonprofit organizations around the country to host dynamic community-wide reading programs. Each awarded organization works in collaboration with local community partners to develop and conduct engaging virtual and/or in-person events and activities.
Each NEA Big Read program includes: a kick-off event to mark the start of the program; book discussions; events inspired by the content and themes from the book(s) (e.g., panel discussions, lectures, film screenings); and projects that engage the community and/or respond creatively to the book (e.g., art exhibitions, theatrical and/or musical performances, poetry slams, writing workshops and contests, activities related to collecting and sharing oral/written stories from members of the community). The programming period is September 2021 through June 2022.
Selected organizations receive a grant, access to online training resources and opportunities, digital educational resources, and promotional materials designed to support widespread community involvement.
Grants range from $5,000 to $20,000 each.
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Public Libraries Invited to Apply for $5,000 American Dream Grants |
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The American Library Association (ALA) and Dollar General Literacy Foundation invite public libraries to apply for grants to expand services for adult English language learners or adults in need of basic education and workforce development.
Up to 16 grants of $5,000 each will be awarded on February 17, 2021. Public libraries are eligible if they serve adult English language learners and are located within 20 miles of a Dollar General Store, distribution center or corporate office. Visit the Dollar General Store Locator.
ALA hosted a free webinar for people interested in learning more about the American Dream grants. The recording is available at https://youtu.be/Gjwp19tKAtk.
The American Dream Literacy Initiative strives to develop tools and resources for libraries and library staff to provide effective literacy services to adult English language learners in their communities and across the country. Since 2008, 204 libraries in Dollar General communities have initiated or expanded literacy services for adult English language learners. The grants allow libraries to augment print and digital English as a Second Language (ESL) collections; increase computer access and training; provide job training; hold English Language Learning (ELL), General Educational Development (GED) and citizenship classes; and raise the visibility of services for immigrant populations.
The American Dream Literacy Initiative is made possible through the generous support of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. It is administered by ALA’s Public Programs Office and Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services.
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Resources & Other Opportunities |
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Media Literacy in the Library: A Guide for Library Practitioners
The American Library Association has created a suite of free resources to help libraries respond to the need for adult media literacy training. There is a downloadable Practitioner’s Guide that provides media literacy strategies for library staff. Beginning in 2021, there will be a series of webinars with even more information. All sessions are an hour long and start at 12:00 pm.
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Arizona Archives Alliance (AzAA) Scholarship Program in Support of Institutional Internships
AzAA invites Arizona-based institutions interested in directing archival internships to apply for the AzAA Scholarship Program. A number of grants, up to $1,000 each, are available to institutions in support of student internships. Host institutions may also match or contribute to the funds provided by these grants. The objective is to provide interns with hands-on experience working with a wide variety of archival collections in order to gain a better understanding of archival principles and fundamental practices. The institutional host/supervisor will determine project responsibilities, internship length, and learning objectives and outcomes. Upon completion of the internship, the submission of a short, written summary detailing the internship experience of both the student intern and the project supervisor will need to be completed and submitted within two months of the project’s end.
This year, in addition to traditional in-person internships, we are also accepting proposals for virtual or online internship projects.
How to apply:
If your institution is interested in applying, please contact Renee D. James, Internship Coordinator (Renee.d.james@asu.edu) for a grant application.
Applications are due February 17, 2021 and awards will be announced on March 22, 2021.
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Professional Development News |
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Transforming Teen Services with Computational Thinking
Online Course Begins February 4, 2021
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Computational thinking (CT) is a set of skills teens can leverage to tackle hard problems of all kinds. Developing these skills in teens will prepare them for life.
These skills include:
- Algorithms: developing a step-by-step solution to the problem
- Decomposition: breaking down a complex problem or system into more manageable parts
- Abstraction: focusing on the important information only, ignoring irrelevant detail
- Pattern recognition: looking for similarities among and within problems
The T3 online course will be a combination of asynchronous and synchronous activities each week. We will meet weekly via WebEx at 1:00 PM for 4 Thursday sessions in February to discuss the concepts of Computational Thinking and applying them to our work with teens.
Participation will be capped at 20. Applicants that are available to attend all 4 sessions will be given priority to participate.
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2021 Arizona Teen Services Virtual Summit
Registration Now Open!
Through a collaboration with the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records and the Arizona Library Association, the 2021 Arizona Teen Services Summit will connect and enlighten library staff on best practices for meaningfully engaging teens. A full day of professional development for library staff that serve teens in libraries. Opportunities to interact and engage with your colleagues from across the state.
January 15, 2021 8:45 am – 4:15 pm
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8:45 am - Restorative Justice: The Key to Creating Spaces for Teens presented by Stephen Jackson, Oak Park Public Library
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10:30 am - Virtually Yours @ the Library: Teen Programming presented by your Arizona library colleagues
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1:00 pm - You Can Transform Teen Services presented by Linda Braun of YALSA
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3:15 pm - One Book, One Summit Book Discussion Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas, facilitated by Patty Jimenez
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Virtual Leap into Science Training:
Light & Shadow
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Leap into Science is a nationwide program developed by The Franklin Institute Science Museum that integrates open-ended science activities with children’s books, designed for children ages 3-10 and their families. The program empowers educators to offer workshops in community settings like libraries, museums, and out-of-school time programs to engage underserved audiences in accessible and familiar settings.
Cohort 1 - Noon on Thursdays - January 14, 21, and 28 (Hurry! These sessions are almost full.)
Cohort 2 - 2:00 pm on Tuesdays - February 09, 16, and 23
Cohort 3 - 10:00 am on Fridays - February 12, 19, and 26
NEW! Upon completion of the 3 training sessions, each organization (up to 50 organizations) will receive supplemental material for "take and make kits" to complement the Leap into Science Virtual Programs.
If this is your first year participating you may also receive an educator kit that provides materials needed to present a Leap into Science Light and Shadow workshop.To receive the educator kit, you are committing to the following:
- Leading at least three (3) Leap into Science workshops for children and families by Fall 2021.
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Posting each workshop to The Connectory, a searchable directory for STEM programs across the country.
- Leading Leap into Science activities during National Leap into Science Week, (June 7-13, 2021)
- Completing a workshop report following each workshop.
- Participating in quarterly calls with other trained educators in your state.
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Video Editing for Public Library Staff |
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Public libraries, and more specifically public programming librarians, have unique needs when it comes to video creation and editing. From live-streaming library programming, to pre-recording demonstration videos and creating fun promotional material, video creation and editing opens up a whole new world of service and outreach for public librarians.
There are lots of different video creation and editing tools to choose from, including both open access and proprietary tools. However, for a novice video creator, the process can feel overwhelming. This workshop can help!
Join Carly Lamphere for this series of trainings on Video Editing for Public Librarians. There will be two sessions:
Register now!
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The American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Conference is going virtual this year. The Arizona State Library has purchased a limited number of scholarships to the conference that will be offered to Arizona library staff on a first-come, first-served basis.
ALA Midwinter Virtual consists of five days of education, engaging speakers, the Library Marketplace, live-chats, networking, and more. The conference will take place from January 22-26, 2021.
Register on our website to be considered for a scholarship. As a requirement for attendance to the conference, scholarship recipients will present on a session that they attended in a virtual sharing session on February 3, 2021 at 10:00 am.
Deadline to request a scholarship is January 8, 2021 at 5:00 pm.
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Library 101: Intellectual Freedom and Values and Ethics of the Profession |
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Don’t miss the next sessions of our series of workshops on Intellectual Freedom and Values and Ethics of the Profession presented by Dr. Richard E. Rubin and Dr. Rachel Rubin. We are excited to bring their knowledge to Arizona Library staff in a new series of webinars that address Intellectual Freedom. We hope you can join us for these exciting trainings!
Register for these trainings here:
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Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Trainings
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There many trainings that are available on the topic of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion through the Arizona State Library. All of the trainings listed are free and open to Arizona library staff. For questions, contact Ann Marie Creegan at acreegan@azlibrary.gov
Niche Academy
Infopeople
Texas State Library Courses and Webinar Series: The Inclusive Library
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Did You Miss These Trainings?
Watch the Recordings
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Here are some very valuable trainings that you may have missed but are now available on demand.
Ready Reference, More than Google: Have you ever caught yourself answering every reference question with a simple Google search? Information is on-demand and at nearly all our fingertips and what makes libraries special is the quality of information they provide. This webinar will help you identify credible online information and give you the tools to be ready for any reference question.
Libraries Supporting Online Learning: This webinar will help turn your library's existing skills and innovative energy into compelling online learning experiences for your students and patrons. Learn how to create interactive online instruction, plan virtual outreach events, and build user-friendly online portals to your library services and resources.
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The Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records is a division of the Secretary of State. Programs and activities of Library Services and Archives are supported in part with federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Holly Henley
State Librarian and Director of Library Services, Archives and Records
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