November 2020 Edition
A Message from the State Librarian
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

The upcoming Thanksgiving holiday is such a great opportunity to reflect on the people in our professional as well as personal lives that we value and to let them know how much we appreciate them. This year has been especially challenging, and Arizona library staff have truly stepped up to meet those challenges while supporting one another and serving your communities. Expressing recognition and gratitude for going “above and beyond” is something we all can do.

To help us think about how to create a culture of appreciation in our libraries year-round, the PCI Webinar for Thanksgiving week will feature Andrew Sanderbeck’s Recognition and Gratitude: Why it Matters to Our Customers, Community and Profession. This program will focus on how recognition and gratitude create a lasting and impactful difference in our libraries, communities and to the profession of librarianship. We invite you to attend.
 
The State Library sponsors free registrations to PCI webinars for Arizona library staff. The weekly Wednesday webinar is moving to Tuesday on November 24th, from 8:30 – 9:30 am, for one week due to the Thanksgiving holidayRegister through our website; however, if you can’t make the live webinar, the recording will be available on the Academy for Arizona Library Staff on Niche Academy. Email Ann Marie Creegan at acreegan@azlibrary.gov for access.
 
Enjoy the cooler temperatures this month and have a safe and healthy holiday,

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

November 3 - 30

November 3 - 30
 
November 4, 10:30 - 11:30 am

November 5, 1:00 - 2:00 pm
 
November 10, 12:00 - 1:00 pm
 
November 11, 10:30 - 11:30 am

November 12, 11:00 am - Noon

November 13, 2020

November 17. 1:00 - 2:00PM

November 17 - December 14

November 18, 10:30-11:30 am
Resources & Opportunities
Gale Petersons Career
Help Job Seekers and
Test Takers
with These Gale Resources
Discover Career Tools in Your Gale Resources
Looking to support jobseekers building résumés, job hunting, or searching for new careers? Join this session to explore how patrons can get personalized career recommendations, craft professional résumés and cover letters, search for jobs, get advice, and prepare for career certification and entrance exams with the Testing & Education Reference Center and Gale Presents: Peterson’s Career Prep.
Tuesday, November 17, 2020, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM MT Register Here

Gale Presents: Peterson's Test Prep (Formerly Testing & Education Reference Center)
Gale Presents: Peterson's Test Prep provides users with access to practice tests, test prep materials and information on thousands of colleges and graduate schools. In this session we will review the available content and recently enhanced platform.
Thursday, December 10, 2020 11:00 - 11:30 AM MT Register Here

Recorded Webinar:
Gale Presents: Peterson's Career Prep (Formerly Career Transitions)

Tutorial Video:

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.
Writers in Residence in Libraries
2021 Mini-Grant
The Arizona Center for the Book Writers in Residence program promotes writing in communities by connecting local, professional authors to serve as Writers in Residence at public libraries. In a typical year, Writers in Residence spend time at the library during their residency composing new works and providing education for community members. The project looks a little different during the coronavirus pandemic, but it has the same intent: to support Arizona content creators to inspire and aspire!

The program uses LSTA funds to provide for stipends for two (2) writer’s residencies, each for a three-month period. Applying libraries will select two authors, one for a residency from February-April and a second for May-July. Recipient libraries will receive a grant for $4,800 to pay the writers’ stipends, which is set at $800 per month.

Applications for the Grant program are due by 11:59 PM, November 13, 2020.
For additional guidelines and a link to the online application, go to the Arizona Center for the Book webpage. Contact Jaime Ball for more information.
Free Virtual Conference for Small & Rural Libraries -- Thursday, November 19
Registration is open for the LEADING BIG IN SMALL SPACES mini-conference This is a free, virtual conference designed for and presented by leaders in Michigan's small and rural libraries, but the session content is relevant to all small and rural libraries across the country. Sessions are short and snappy, and the conference is scheduled so you won't miss school dropoff or pickup! The mini-conference will be held on Thursday, November 19.

Session topics include:
  • Leadership strategies
  • Programming ideas
  • Marketing and communication
  • Skills for working with staff
  • COVID-19 adaptations

You can find session details and a link to register at http://bit.ly/leadingbig
 
This conference is made possible in part by the University of Michigan School of Information, the Library of Michigan, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. This conference is the capstone project of the Next-Level Leadership in Small and Rural Libraries program. 
Free Tech Help & Internet Sign-Up Support
The Arizona Libraries Tech Access Phoneline (AZ LibTAP) is a team of library staff from 5 different libraries, supported by the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records. They provide free tech help over the phone, based on the National Digital Inclusion Alliance's Digital Navigators model: individuals who address the whole digital inclusion process — home connectivity, devices, and digital skills — through one-on-one support and repeated interactions if needed. Anyone from anywhere in the state can call and receive help getting online or using technology.

AZ LibTAP is a core piece of a broader digital equity initiative, Connect Arizona, a collaboration between the State Library, Common Sense Media, and School Connect. Connect Arizona includes a statewide map of free public WiFi hotspots as well as information about Arizona internet offers and low-cost computer options.
Feel free to promote AZ LibTAP and the WiFi map widely to your patrons and staff. Promotional materials are available here: https://tinyurl.com/azlibtap

If you have questions, please contact Nicole Umayam at numayam@azlibrary.gov.  
Arizona Public Library Survey (PLS):
New Videos
A series of short Public Library Survey (PLS) informational videos has been created and made available through the Arizona State Library's (LAPR) YouTube channel. These include:

·        Introduction to the Public Library Survey (PLS)
·        Arizona PLS - Online Reporting with LibPAS
·        Arizona PLS - COVID-19 Questions
·        Arizona PLS - Reporting on Sections 1 to 3
·        Arizona PLS - Reporting on Sections 4 to 7
·        Arizona PLS - Reporting on Sections 8 and 9
·        Arizona PLS - Reporting on Sections 10 to 14

These videos can be accessed either through the LibPAS portal (accessible to those with the appropriate credentials), or by going to the following URL: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxACChN1JiwkRv4N0ZSiuO1tkbjix3Idc.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Chris Guerra at cguerra@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!
Professional Development News
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 – January 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
The Arizona State Library is excited to bring a series of workshops on Intellectual Freedom and Values and Ethics of the Profession presented by Dr. Richard E. Rubin and Dr. Rachel Rubin. Richard E. Rubin is the author of “Foundations of Library and Information Science” which has served as the authoritative introductory text for generations of library and information science practitioners. In the latest edition of this book, he teams up with his daughter, Rachel G. Rubin, a rising star in the library field in her own right. We are excited to bring their knowledge to Arizona Library staff in a new series of webinars that address Intellectual Freedom and Values and Ethics of the Profession. Some topics that will be covered during these sessions are the values and ethics of the profession, combating fake news, the importance of social justice, and the role of critical librarianship; and intellectual freedom, legal issues, and copyright-related topics. We hope you can join us for one or all of these exciting trainings!
Register for these trainings here:


For more information, contact Ann Marie Creegan at acreegan@azlibrary.gov.
The Librarian’s Guide to Homelessness Virtual Training

Beginning on November 1, 2020, the Arizona State Library has purchased access for all Arizona library staff to participate in The Librarian’s Guide to Homelessness Training by Ryan Dowd. Along with the core training, there are many other webinars in the series including:
  • Managing Front-line Staff Who Work With Homeless Individuals
  • Burnout, Vicarious Trauma, and Compassion Fatigue
  • Advanced Body Language Skills​
  • Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Issues (in libraries) featuring Miranda Dube
  • Homelessness 201: Advanced Understanding of Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
  • Body Odor: The Most Dreaded Conversation
  • 1 Hour Q&A with Ryan (Parts 1 & 2)
  • Traumatic Brain Injury
  • COVID: How to Deal with Problem Behaviors Related to COVID-19

All of these trainings are available virtually at https://my.nicheacademy.com/asl-staff?category=6854 on the Academy for Arizona Library Staff.

Contact Ann Marie Creegan at acreegan@azlibrary.gov for access.
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.
 
This is a fast-paced online event that will help you with the building blocks of a strong grant proposal.
November 4, 2020 10:30-11:30 am

In this webinar we will discuss our professional experience exploring race through age appropriate children and family programming.
November 11, 2020 10:30-11:30 am

Pat Wagner provides strategy, proven techniques and more to help stop bad behavior at your library.
November 18, 2020 10:30-11:30 am

This program will focus on how recognition and gratitude create a lasting and impactful difference in our libraries, communities and to the profession of librarianship.
November 24, 2020 8:30-9:30 am

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
Library Support Staff Certification Program

The American Library Association's Library Support Staff Certification (LSSC) program is a national certification program that allows library staff to demonstrate their competencies and be certified by the American Library Association (ALA). LSSC is supported by ALA and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Any library staff member is eligible to enroll in the LSSC program if you have a minimum of a high school degree or its equivalency and worked or volunteered in any type of library for a minimum of 1 year (1820 hours) within the last 5 years. LSSC is directed towards those who work in positions in libraries that do not require a graduate degree in Library Science. 
 
To earn the LSSC, library staff also must successfully complete six of ten competency sets. Earning the LSSC has just gotten more accessible because Infopeople has recently been approved to provide all these courses and they are offered online. Also, the Arizona State Library will pay for Arizona Library staff to take Infopeople courses so these courses would be free. 

See this page on the LSSC website for more information about the certification program or contact Ann Marie Creegan at acreegan@azlibrary.gov
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:

During this course, we will look at the neurological and psychological reasons change is difficult for everyone. We will cover the fundamentals of good change and transition management practices, paying special attention to using these tools and strategies under less-than-ideal conditions.
When: November 3-30, 2020

Join us for this four-week online course, in which practical learning will build upon a foundation of data and case studies regarding younger generations' library usage. Through useful tools and activities, interactive online sessions, and selected additional resources, you will leave this course equipped to engage younger generations in the work of library support.
When: November 3-30, 2020

When the library services we provide are informed by a basic knowledge of how traumatic experiences and traumatic stress may impact the people we are serving, things are likely to turn out better. However, while more libraries are adding social workers to their staff, those in small and rural libraries may be wondering how they can adopt a trauma-informed approach, without access to the resources that a larger library or a library in an urban community may have.
When: November 17-December 14, 2020

In this session, a panel of youth services presenters will share their approach to serving families in poverty, immigrant communities, and rural communities as examples of how library services and programs can be designed with the changing needs of today’s children and families in mind.
When: November 5, 2020 12:00 pm

In this webinar you will learn about web accessibility fundamentals for ADA compliance from a working specialist in the field. You will discover how to tie digital accessibility and ADA compliance in with other principles of design (UDL) to create the best and most seamless programming experience possible. Making your documents, presentations, and PDFs accessible online will set you up for further success, and it’s easier than you think.
When: November 18, 2020 1:00 pm

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
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 a few live webinars this month.

Now more than ever, the care of library buildings, from historic to new, demands greater attention. With occupant health and safety in mind, common issues, such as cleaning, plumbing, or HVAC systems, take on new urgency. Many library directors and staff become facilities managers by default, with no formal training. This webinar offers a primer on building systems and issues, along with tools for preventive maintenance, energy assessments, optimizing ventilation and filtration, and more. Presenters share what they learned the hard way, in large and small libraries, so that you can be more prepared and self-assured.
When: November 10, 2020 at 12:00-1:00 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.
Library Services is part of the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records, a division of the Secretary of State. The branches of Library Services include Library Development, the State of Arizona Research Library, the Arizona Talking Book Library, and E-Rate. Library Services programs and activities 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
Contact
Library Services