December 2020 Edition
A Message from the State Librarian
Season’s Greetings!
 
As we approach the closeout of this calendar year, I want to express appreciation on behalf of the Arizona State Library for all that you have done this year to provide outstanding library services to Arizonans under very difficult circumstances. 
 
Arizona libraries serve so many diverse communities that the State Library has not tried to provide statewide guidelines for best practices during the pandemic. Instead, Library Development has provided research-based information and facilitated opportunities for you to connect to share practices, concerns, ideas, and plans with one another. We have moved our continuing education online and increased the number of trainings and webinars available to you at no cost. 
 
Thanks to IMLS, the State Library has been able to award over $657,000 in CARES ACT funding to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus. In the first phase, called CARES Express, 65 libraries from 13 counties were selected to receive a total of 392 Chromebooks, 47 video equipment packages, and 224 sanitation kits. During the second funding opportunity, CARES Expanded, 49 Arizona libraries received grants of $4,000 each to support internet access, digital literacy and other activities that respond to the pandemic. The third phase, Cares Supplemental, awarded $173,000 in grants throughout the state for more than 23 library projects. Public, tribal and special libraries from 10 counties are currently using the funds to respond to the coronavirus and to expand digital access for their communities.

As the pandemic continues, if there are additional ways that we can assist you in serving your communities, we hope you will reach out to us with suggestions.
 
With all best wishes for a healthy and happy holiday season,

Holly Henley
State Librarian
Dates & Deadlines to Note
Mark your calendar for upcoming professional development events, grant deadlines and other important dates.

December 2, 2020

December 2, 10:30 - 11:30 am

December 9, 10:30 - 11:30 am

December 9, 2020

December 9, 12:00 -1:00 pm 
 
December 10, 11:00 - 11:30

December 10, 11:00 am -Noon

December 10, 11:00 - Noon

December 15, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm 

December 16, 10:30 -11:30 am 

December 17, 12:00 -1:00 pm 
Grants & Funding
Stacy Nykorchuk
Welcome Stacy Nykorchuk!

We are pleased to announce that the State Library has a new Grants Coordinator!

Stacy Nykorchuk is the newest member of the Library Development team. She was recently a program manager for a globally recognized nonprofit and has also worked for several universities locally.

Stacy brings to the State Library a wealth of experience in program management, compliance, and education. We are confident that her enthusiasm for creating efficient program structures and processes will be an asset to the grant awarding process. 
Libraries Transforming Communities:
A Special Grant Opportunity for
Small and Rural Libraries

Apply September 21 – December 2, 2020
The American Library Association (ALA) invites libraries in small and rural communities to apply for grant funding to help them address issues of concern in their communities.

Up to 650 U.S. libraries in small and rural communities will receive $3,000 each to tackle issues ranging from media literacy to COVID-19 safety to unemployment. Grants will be awarded in two waves in 2020 and 2021. Applications will be accepted from Sept. 21 to Dec. 2, 2020.


Your Regional Contact is Lisa Lewis, llewis@ci.show-low.az.us. Please contact Lisa for more information.
Public Libraries Invited to Apply for $5,000 American Dream Grants
American Literacy Initiative banner
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. 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.

Read the project guidelines and apply online by Friday, January 29, 2021.

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 their 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.
NEA Big Read Program Grants
Applications Due January 27, 2021
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). Collectively, events and programming should: reach a variety of audiences; be held in a variety of spaces; when possible, encourage community participants to engage with one another and/or the book; and span a timeframe that makes sense for the community (as short as a week or as long as several months) within the programming period of 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. 

Visit https://www.artsmidwest.org/programs/neabigread for details about applying.
 
Contact Arts Midwest at 612.238.8010 or email neabigread@artsmidwest.org with any questions. 
Arizona History and Records Grant Applications Due January 1, 2021
 Awards from $200 to $2000 are available in 2021 from the Arizona Historical Records Advisory Board (AHRAB). AHRAB invites grant proposals from non-profit, public or private organizations for workshops, records preservation, and discovery efforts to: 
 
  1. Enhance access to historical records. 
  2. Increase citizen engagement with records. 
  3. Provide learning and development opportunities for students, citizens and archivists. 
 
To Apply 
Submit the Arizona Historical Records Advisory Board Grant Proposal Form describing your project by January 1st, 2021. You can find the form at: https://azlibrary.gov/about/boards-and-commissions/arizona-historical-records-advisory-board. Proposals will not be considered if missing the budget portion. Proposals must be typed. Grants will be awarded in February and funds must be spent by June 30, 2021. 

Send proposals to: 
Dennis Preisler
Polly Rosenbaum State Archives Building 
1901 W. Madison St 
Phoenix, AZ 85009 

Regrant assistance by phone will be available to assist organizations with their proposals before submitting them for review. Please call 602-926-3720 for assistance and visit the AHRAB webpage for more information.

AHRAB is the state affiliate of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, a grant-making arm of the National Archives. It is administered by the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records.
Resources & Other Opportunities
Library Space:
A Planning Resource for Librarians
Library Space: A Planning Resource for Librarians creates a formal set of best practices for designing library space that may be applied to libraries across the nation. The guide empowers librarians, administrators, space planners, and architects with tools for the planning and design of public library buildings. It takes the user through the step by step process of determining what to consider when designing a new library for their community, and includes illustrations of different room types, adjacencies, shelving, and seating that can be considered for a building project. 

The resource can be viewed on ISSUU, or downloaded below. 
Download the resource (47mb). 
Note: it's best to download and view the pdf in two-page view. 

On Thursday, December 10 from 1 - 2 pm EST (11 am – 12 pm MST), we will hold a virtual orientation session for anyone who wants an introduction to this tool.Please join us online
 
Please send any comments or suggestions to lauren.stara@mass.gov
Call for 2021 Archives Summit Proposals
Planning for the 2021 Arizona Archives Summit is underway! The event will take place virtually via Zoom during the month of February and is open to archivists, records managers, librarians, and all others who work with archival materials. The Programming Sub-Committee has proposed the following ideas for sessions: 

  • Documenting 2020 - This session will focus on how archives and records management responded to events such as COVID, protests, a presidential election, and natural disasters. 
  • Update on Native American Protocols - This session will be an opportunity for institutions to provide an update on implementation efforts, what is going well, and what are some of the challenges.
  • Emerging technologies - This session will examine scenarios whereby future AI technologies displace existing roles and responsibilities of information professionals. 
  • Special Archives (Museum, Corporate, Political) - Examination of how private sector archives differ from public sector archives.
  • Black Culture and History in Arizona - A panel discussion/roundtable about how the history and culture of black communities is being documented in Arizona. 

Other topics include:
  • Certifications in Archives and Records Management
  • Records Management and the Pandemic  
  • Managing COVID in the Workplace
 
At this time, the Committee is soliciting ideas for panelists and/or guest speakers for the proposed sessions. There will be flexibility in determining the format of each session (panel presentation, Q&A discussion, roundtable, etc.) as well as the duration of each session and the use of break out rooms. 

Proposals are due December 18. Please send ideas/questions/feedback to the Committee via Laura Palma-Blandford at lblandford@azlibrary.gov. 
Invitation to Participate:
Copyright Education Research Project
You are invited to participate in the following survey regarding copyright-related professional development in all types of libraries in the Western region of the United States. The survey is part of a larger investigation into the experience of library personnel, including how copyright shows up in the workplace, the types of support received, and possible barriers to professional development opportunities.
 
We welcome and encourage participation from any individual who identifies as “library personnel” and lives or works in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming. Upon completion of the survey, you may choose to enter into a raffle for one of four $500 Amazon gift cards.
 
Participation in this study is completely voluntary and the survey is expected to take around 8-12 minutes to complete, and you may choose to stop and leave at any time. If you would like to participate, please use this link to access the survey: 

If the above link does not work for you, please copy and paste this URL into your browser: https://csuchico.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9GLrGGOKTjIMxwh

The survey will close on December 11, 2020. Thank you in advance for your interest!
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. 
Professional Development News
Transforming Teen Services with Computational Thinking
Online Course Begins February 4, 2021
Computational thinking (CT) is a set of skills teens can leverage to tackle hard problems of all kinds. CT is an essential skill that allows humans to solve complex problems. 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.

Submit application to participate here before January 15, 2021.

Please contact Donna Throckmorton at dthrockmorton@azlibrary.gov with any questions.
Virtual Leap into Science Training:
Light & Shadow
Do you need a new virtual program to share with your community? Join the Leap into Science training to learn how to present a Virtual Light & Shadow program. 

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 libraries and informal 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.
 
Participants that complete the 3 sessions will receive the curriculum and a kit of supplies to get you started. The sessions will be offered on 3 consecutive Thursdays – Jan. 14, 21, and 28, 2021. 

Registration and kit requests can be completed with 1 simple form. Sign up to participate in a January cohort at https://forms.gle/DZnjAWRtjxPQrtdr6
 
To learn more contact dthrockmorton@azlibrary.gov.  
Library 101: Intellectual Freedom and Values and Ethics of the Profession
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: 


For more information, contact Ann Marie Creegan at acreegan@azlibrary.gov.
2021 Arizona Teen Services Virtual Summit


 
 

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 on January 15, 2021. The Summit is free! More information about sessions, and events coming soon.
 
Meanwhile, nominate a book for the One Book, One Summit book discussion! 
 
One Book Criteria: 
  • Published in the last 5 years 
  • YA title or a title that a teen would enjoy reading 
  • Title that would be interesting to discuss 
  • Title that will be easy to obtain in multiple formats 
 
Hurry! Nominate a title for the One Book, One Summit book discussion here by December 7. Voting of final list will occur between December 10 and December. 15. The One Book, One Summit title will be announced on December 16.  
 
Make sure to include your email in the nomination form to receive future updates about the Arizona Teen Services Summit 2021. 
Wednesday Morning Live Webinars
Every Wednesday morning, PCI webinars produces a live webinar and the Arizona State Library has purchased a subscription for Arizona library staff. These webinars are specifically designed for library staff. The subscription allows Arizona library staff access to both the online and archived webinars. To access the live webinars, follow the link below and register for the webinar. A link will be sent to you with log-in instructions. If you have missed any of the live webinars, they are all accessed on the Academy for Arizona Library Staff on Niche Academy. Email Ann Marie Creegan at acreegan@azlibrary.gov with your email for access.

Learn how to evaluate the organization’s current needs, identify potential partners, and cultivate healthy partnerships.
December 2, 2020 10:30-11:30 am

Join International Readers Advisory expert Becky Spratford as she walks you through her 10 Rules of Readers Advisory.
December 9, 2020 10:30-11:30 am

Compassion fatigue is a type of emotional labor that can cause library professionals to burn out and become overwhelmed by stress. 
December 16, 2020 10:30-11:30 am 

Even in these historically uncertain times, you can gain more control of your life by using one or more of the 20 Things we will discuss in this interactive program. 
December 12, 2020 12:00-1:00 pm 

This webinar lays a foundation to help non-native speakers of any language to strengthen their basic English skills. It covers a full range of do’s and don’ts in grammar, style, and linguistic etiquette. 
January 6, 2021 12:00-1:00 pm 

Learn the basics of construction and renovation projects to ensure yours will be a success!   
January 13, 2021 12:00-1:00 pm 
Upcoming InfoPeople Courses
Infopeople offers a variety of webinars and self-paced online courses on topics of high interest for library staff. Webinars are free, and the Arizona State Library has purchased a block of registrations for the online courses. Arizona library staff may register for courses by sending an email to Ann Marie Creegan with the following information:
  • The course name and dates
  • Registrant’s name
  • Registrant’s email
  • Library name
  • Library address
  • Library phone number

Here are the upcoming Infopeople courses:

Let's be honest: we could all use some unique and creative ways to help make the internet fun again. In this webinar we will delve into nooks and crannies of the internet to discover the variety of fun and awe-inspiring creations that are out there. This webinar will be of interest to: Anyone looking for fun and interesting sites to destress, inspire and have fun and, best of all, be shared with patrons via social media or passive programming.
When: December 9, 2020 1:00 pm

During this free 90-minute webinar, library staff will learn about current research on the use of digital technologies with young children and receive guidance and support to help navigate this challenging technological landscape with young patrons. 
When: December 16, 2020 11:30 am 
 
This four-week online course will provide an overview of library cataloging and classification and prepare you to do copy cataloging. Through reading materials, online forums, and individual exercises, you will gain knowledge of basic cataloging rules and tools, commonly used controlled vocabularies, the Dewey Decimal Classification system, and MARC21 format. Applying this knowledge, you will be able to decode MARC bibliographic records and perform basic copy cataloging. 
When: January 5, 2021-February 1, 2021  
 
This online course will provide you with opportunities to learn and practice an effective reference interview, as well as to explore a wide variety of print and web-based tools. Through individual and group exercises, you will discover ways to assist diverse groups of users, including those with physical disabilities and those with whom you do not share a common language. We will spend time examining and using a variety of print and web-based resources, as well as specialized resources for government research, and inquiries about images or sounds. The instructor will provide sample policies, templates, tip sheets and a webliography, as well as simple, practical techniques that can be applied immediately. 
When: January 12, 2021- February 22, 2021 

Infopeople also hosts all the courses required to earn the nationally recognized Library Support Staff Certification (LSSC). The Arizona State Library pays for Arizona Library staff to take these Infopeople courses in addition to those listed here. Please see this page on the LSSC website or contact Ann Marie Creegan at acreegan@azlibrary.gov for more information.
Upcoming WebJunction Webinars
WebJunction hosts free live webinars that are open to all. Each session covers a high-interest library topic presented by real-world practitioners and experts. Webjunction is hosting one live webinar in January but they have hundreds of archived webinars that are extremely informative.  

The live webinar is: 

Rally the troops, consolidate the message, and get it out there! These common and important steps are all part of the response when there’s a crisis challenging the library. But what can we do the rest of the time, before a crisis arises? Using both outward and inward facing tools, there are simple steps that boards and library staff can integrate into their communication processes, to be better prepared for unknown changes. Learn about these tools and how they can set the stage for dealing more effectively with any crisis your library faces in the future. 

This webinar is hosted in collaboration with the Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL). 

Presented by: Lori Fisher, Assistant State Librarian / Administrator of Library Operations, New Hampshire State Library 

When: January 13, 2021 1:00-2:00 pm 
More Online Learning Opportunities
Hopefully, in-person training will resume soon! Meanwhile, there are many opportunities for online learning. Below are just a few.

Webinars from around the Country
NCompass Live is the Nebraska Library Commision’s weekly webinar series covering a variety of library topics and activities. It is free and open for anyone to view. Registration for these webinars can be found here or explore archives of past webinars.

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission also offers many free webinars that are open to anyone in the library field. Registration for upcoming webinars can be found here. Links to archived webinars can be found here.

The Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) offers training for librarians on health topics. The list of upcoming trainings can be found on their website.

Every month, the Wyoming State Library compiles a training calendar that lists all of the free webinars and trainings offered for the month. The list can be found on their website.

Booklist offers free webinars on a variety of topics, offering immediate tips, tools, resources, and new ideas for collection development and readers’-advisory work. The list of upcoming webinars can be found on their website.

AASL, the American Association for School Librarians, offers free webinars specific to teacher librarians in their Learning Library.

Here are some other places that free webinars can be found. These are not specific to libraries but offer useful information:


  • Grantspace,a service of the Foundation Center, offers information and resources that are specifically designed to meet the needs of grantseekers. Many free webinars can be found at Grantspace on the topic of grant writing.

  • ICMA and GOV LOOP offer free webinars that are specific to leadership in government agencies.

  • TechSoup offers free nonprofit webinars on everything from social media, to marketing and outreach, to technology planning.
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