Season’s Greetings!

With 2021 closing, we want to thank you for all you’ve done throughout this year to provide excellent library services to your communities during the continuing pandemic. Your creativity and flexibility have continued to be demonstrated as you restored in-person services while retaining the most valued of the alternate service models during this transition.

As I visited Arizona libraries last month, I was able to see examples (large and small!) of how libraries used the time when their doors were closed or public hours reduced to do remodeling, painting, weeding, and other projects to refresh their spaces. Their work exemplifies principles discussed at Library Journal’s November 30^th Virtual Design Institute. Architects and librarians working together recommended that in renovation projects, as well as in new construction, areas be created with moveable furniture so that the space can be used in different ways at different times, according to the needs of the community.

The Snowflake-Taylor Public Library completed a project to expand their existing children’s area and create an adjoining multi-use community room, supported in part by an SGIA-C grant. Their ribbon-cutting ceremony held on November 2^nd was well attended by community members enthusiastically looking forward to making use of the new spaces.  

On November 5, the Maricopa County Library Council arranged for a visit to Arizona State University Hayden Library. Those of us in attendance were given an excellent tour of the five-story building, originally built in 1966, that has been reinvented and reopened. As described on the website, it “now features nearly double the student space, enhanced study areas, community-driven book collections, two reading rooms, a variety of research services and interdisciplinary learning labs, and an entire floor devoted to innovation.”

Mark your calendar for upcoming Training Opportunities, Wisdom Wednesdays, Grant Deadlines and Events.

The Arizona State Library has a special opportunity for libraries to apply for pre-selected collections of Playaway® Launchpads or Wonderbooks.   

On April 9, 2021, the Arizona State Library was awarded over $3.6 million in The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to help "communities respond directly and immediately to the pandemic, as well as to related economic and community needs.” The State Library is committed to supporting Arizona libraries in their efforts to provide informal education opportunities for all. The Launching School Readiness opportunity will provide access to digital content to meet community needs and encourage literacy. These collections are meant to be added to your circulating collection and will be especially beneficial to those community members who do not have access to the internet. 

Apply here https://azsos.libwizard.com/f/Launching_School_Readiness by December 15, 2021. Awarded collections will be mailed to the selected libraries in January 2022. 

This project is supported by the Arizona State Library, Archives & Public Records, a division of the Secretary of State, with federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. 

In response to COVID-19, Swank Motion Pictures has created a program for libraries to show outdoor movies free of charge on library property through June 30, 2022. This is an excellent opportunity for summer reading programs. Guidelines and an event request form can be found on Swank’s website.

For more information, please visit the ProQuest website at https://bit.ly/32DeKyU.

Connect Arizona Digital Navigators are a team of library staff from around the state who provide one-on-one support to assist Arizona communities in thriving online. We serve as a free tech help hotline for all things tech including computers, phones, tablets, apps, Zoom, email, telehealth, discounts and deals on internet plans and devices. This is a free service to share with your community who may need assistance signing up for internet service, finding devices, or developing computer skills.

connectaz.help@gmail.com

Promotional materials are available to be widely shared here: https://tinyurl.com/ConnectAZpromo

Does your library offer free public computer access? Computer skills training? Device lending? If yes, you should be added to the Arizona Digital Inclusion Directory. The directory is a forthcoming resource on Connect Arizona, a collaborative digital inclusion initiative led by the State Library. Our goal is to make this a valuable public-facing resource to connect people with the information and support needed, as well to amplify the work of the organizations doing the work. You can list info for your library by completing this form: https://forms.gle/Mi1jo2bs9rT35Bgk7

Launch your next big idea with a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant! Staff in all types of eligible Arizona libraries are urged to apply for funding that improves access to information, enhances informal education, and encourages community engagement. Recently awarded projects include teen digital media programs; early literacy and school readiness materials; oral history collection and preservation; and access to XR technologies for K-12 educators.

We are expanding this year with two new Express Grants categories: Teen Connections internships and Community Memory archiving and digital preservation. We continue to offer other Express Grants, including Collection and Programming (CAP), Citizen Science, Staff Development Day, and WiFi Expansion and Hotspot Lending.

The LSTA 2022 grant guidelines are available on https://azlibrary.gov/libdev/funding/lsta. Applications will be accepted online beginning in January 2022.

For more information, contact Jaime Ball at jball@azlibrary.gov.

Applications and supporting materials are due by December 20, 2021.

For more information and to apply, please visit https://bit.ly/32tVwvy

Up to 100 public and school libraries will be selected to receive an Inclusive Financial Literacy Programming Kit from ALA and the FINRA Investor Education Foundation to help them provide diverse financial literacy titles and programming for children and young people in their communities.

For more information and to apply for the kit, please visit https://bit.ly/3CEFX0o. Applications are due by January 3, 2022.

The FIRNA foundation is accepting applications for their library program grants.

Purpose: This grant program supports public libraries and academic libraries in their efforts to meet financial and/or investor education needs at the community level by providing high-quality education, services, and resources. The program also aims to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion in access to personal finance education and information.

Applications are due by March 1, 2022. Read more.

Has the Library Ever Been Neutral? Re-examining Traditions and Expanding Boundaries in Librarianship, Catherine Lockmiller, Megan McGuire, Michelle Miranda-Thorstad, Patricia Jimenez, and Sean George

Date: December 9, 2021

Time: 1 pm

Registration Link: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rQGq8gNtQ7aSfP0p52DUaQ 

Time: 9:00 am - 11:30 am

What's New in Children's Literature - Two Sessions being offered

Date: Wednesday, February 23, 2022 or Friday, February, 25, 2022

Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm

Location: Online

This program is for Arizona library staff only. Manuals will be available to the first 75 registrants (to be sent by mail or delivered to library).

If you have any questions please contact Ann Marie Creegan.

What's New in YA Literature - Two sessions being offered

Date: Wednesday, January 26, 2022 or Friday, January 28, 2022

Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm

Location: Online

If you have any questions please contact Ann Marie Creegan.

Join other library staff who understand that we must embrace new pathways to the future in order to succeed in the 21st century landscape of rapid change. Transformation for Libraries: The Futures School is a project funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and managed by the Connecticut State Library in partnership with The Futures School powered by Kedge.

Apply now to participate in a 3-day virtual professional development opportunity. Applications are due February 1, 2022 for the Southwest Cohort scheduled to convene in March 2022.

Niche Academy is hosting a webinar on December 8, 2021, Learn all about the Instagram app, including how to maximize your posts for engagement, best practices for accessibility, how to find inspiration, and how to get into Stories and Reels. Join librarian and web developer Tiffany Breyne for this practical webinar, perfect for beginner users who want to promote their libraries on this popular platform, and get into the "how-to's" of Instagram!

CORE Reference Fundamentals (LSSC approved)

Foundations of Library Services (LSSC approved)

If you are interested in taking any of these courses contact Ann Marie Creegan.

All library personnel employed full-time in Arizona libraries are eligible to apply for a scholarship to learn best practices of librarianship and provide continuing education at their libraries or to the Arizona library community at large.

To request a Continuing Education Scholarship, all applicants must submit a scholarship application and W-9 (for the individual or organizational payee) at least 60 days prior to the date of the event. For more information, check out Scholarships on our website or contact Ann Marie Creegan.

A two-day, in-person summit with hands-on activities and insightful sessions dedicated to the fundamentals of Early Literacy in Arizona Public Libraries.

So mark your calendars, save the date and get approval quickly! Capacity for this event will be capped at 100. 

Lodging information is available on the application.

Scholarships are available to full-time library personnel in Arizona. To request a Continuing Education Scholarship, all applicants must submit a scholarship application and W-9 (for the individual or organizational payee) at least 60 days prior to the date of the event. For more information, check out Scholarships on our website or contact Ann Marie Creegan.

The PLA 2022 Conference will reflect the innovation, creativity, adaptability, and diversity that has emerged in the public library field since the pandemic. The conference offers over 100 educational sessions, a dynamic slate of speakers, hundreds of vendors featuring the latest in library technology and solutions, and plenty of opportunities to explore the weirdness of Portland. Don’t miss this chance for public library professionals like yourself to reconnect with one another, recreate the services you provide, and revitalize the passion for the work you do every day.

Register now for early bird prices. Register Now (placonference.org)

Scholarships are available to full-time library personnel in Arizona. To request a Continuing Education Scholarship, all applicants must submit a scholarship application and W-9 (for the individual or organizational payee) at least 60 days prior to the date of the event. For more information, check out Scholarships on our website or contact Ann Marie Creegan.