Libraries on the Prairie FAQ

Answers to frequently asked questions about the workshops.

• I live nearby. Do I have to stay overnight?
• Can someone other than the director go to the workshop?
• Do I need to have a roommate?
• Do I need to pay for my room and how will I get reimbursed?
• Do I need to do anything before the workshop starts?
• What will be required of me after the workshop is finished?
• Do I need to attend both days?
• How much CE credit will I get for attending?

I live nearby. Do I have to stay overnight?

No, it is not a requirement that you stay overnight.  We do hope you will stay and have dinner with us!  Keep in mind that the State Library will only reimburse your library for mileage of one round-trip from your library to the workshop.

Can someone other than the director go to the workshop?

Because of the limits of the grant, we can only allow one person from each library to attend the workshop.  We would like to have the directors attend because we are spending much of Day Two talking about advocacy and telling our libraries' stories to our communities' leaders.  Day One focuses on technology, but the sessions will be geared toward those who do not have a technology background.

As the director, if you still feel that the program will be more worthwhile for someone other than yourself to attend, please consider the following: the last half of Day Two will be spent creating action plans that the participants will then need to go home and implement.  If you, as the director, can support the action plan that your employee creates and will help in the implementation of the plan, the State Library will allow someone other than the director to attend.

Before approving the alternate participant, however, the director must e-mail Michele Leininger and let her know who is being sent instead and that the director will support and help implement the action plans made in the workshop.  Only after receiving that e-mail will someone other than the director be approved to attend the workshop.

Do I need to have a roommate?

You may have your own room and be reimbursed for the full amount.  However, we are limited to 60 rooms at the Center and are hoping that more than 80 will attend.  So, if you are traveling with someone from your area, please consider sharing a room.  You may also have to share a room if you register near the end of the deadline and all rooms in our block have been taken.

Do I need to pay for my room and how will I get reimbursed?

Due to State of Iowa rules, the State Library is not allowed to pay housing costs for conference and workshop attendees.  Therefore, you will need to pay for your hotel room.  On Day 2 when you check out of your room, you will give your receipt to the State Library staff and have you sign a State reimbursement form which we will then submit (along with your mileage) for payment to your library.  The State will then cut a check and send it to your library.  This should take approximately three (3) weeks following the workshop date.  Each individual will need to work out with the library how he/she will get reimbursed.

Do I need to do anything before the workshop starts?

A week prior to the start of the workshop, you will receive a link to a pre-workshop survey.  It should take about 15 minutes to do and must be completed before the workshop begins.

What will be required of me after the workshop is finished?

The afternoon of Day Two will focus on brainstorming and creating an action plans, taking what you've heard, learned and experienced in the two-day workshop and finding practical applications for your library and community.  In the five months following the workshop, you will implement these action plans and share your experiences with other Iowa participants on WebJunction Iowa's web board.

Do I need to attend both days?

Due to grant requirements and the organization of the workshop, we are requiring participants to attend both days.

How much CE credit will I get for attending?

All participants will receive 11 CE credits for attending both days of the workshop.  These credits may be used for recertification in your current period or may be saved and used for your next recertification period.