Recent Messages to Libraries

Organization and delivery of support services for Iowa libraries (2/18/10 from Mary Wegner, State Librarian)

The central question is not whether the Library Service Areas or the State Library deliver great services.  Services provided by both are essential to the Iowa library community. 

The question that the legislature – and the Iowa library community – is struggling to answer is what is the best way to organize the Iowa library system in order to preserve essential support services to libraries and achieve cost savings?  Variations of this difficult question are being asked all over state government, and are made necessary by the state’s large budget shortfall.

The Commission of Libraries is the governing board of the State Library, and is responsible for ensuring that the State Library fulfills its role to improve library services in Iowa.  At its February  15 meeting, the Commission considered these issues.  They have asked me to share the following summary of their meeting. 

Approximately ten librarians attended the Commission meeting, and spoke during the public comments.  All expressed their strong appreciation for the excellent services they receive from their Library Service Area, and how important those services are.  Most expressed a desire for more dialogue and more information about proposed changes.  Commissioners thanked the librarians for attending the meeting and made clear that they appreciated hearing from them. 

I reported to the Commission that I had been specifically asked by the legislature’s government reorganization committee to recommend ways to streamline the statewide delivery of library services, particularly in the area of combining the functions of the Library Service Areas under the management of the State Library.  Most state agency administrators received similar requests for information about streamlining government and reducing costs.

 My reply to the legislators provided the information requested and also addressed the closure of the State Medical Library and needed changes in Iowa’s library district law (Iowa Code Chapter 336.)

My response to the legislators included these points:
•    Continuation of high quality support services for Iowa libraries is essential, and the services must be hands-on and delivered through regional service points around the state.
•    The functions of the Library Service Areas could be combined under the management of the State Library by adding 8 new positions to the State Library (7 Library Development consultants and one support staff position) and closing the LSAs.  LSA librarians would be eligible to apply for the new positions and would bring their seniority with them if hired.
•    Each of the 7 consultants would be assigned to one of 7 geographic areas of the state, corresponding to the 7 LSA regions; the consultants would live within their assigned area, work from home, and be provided with a laptop, internet access, a cell phone and mileage reimbursement or a state car.  The consultants could focus on providing services to the libraries and would not have to deal with administrative issues such as board meetings, payroll, supplies, and so on.
•    The new consultants would meet with State Library staff one or two times per month and work closely with the State Library’s existing 5 subject consultants; they would be expected to provide high quality in-person training and consulting to Iowa librarians, with a special emphasis on small and rural libraries and on the development of library core competencies.
•    This structure would continue the availability of personalized, one-on-one library support services for Iowa libraries large and small; would ensure the delivery of well coordinated, consistent and equitable library support services across the state; and would facilitate consistent statewide communication regarding library programs, standards, and services.
•    The State Library would continue with as many existing LSA contracts, services and programs as possible.
•    Cost savings have been validated by the Legislative Fiscal Agency and are estimated at $600,000 annually.  This represents 13% of all general funds spending on libraries each year.

I reported that I was informed on February 16 that legislation regarding library services had been filed (House amendment H8066).  I notified LSA administrators that same day, and the rest of the Iowa library community the next day. 

It is important to note that (1) the legislature, not the State Library, initiated this conversation, and (2) the information the State Library provided to the legislature stressed the vital importance of continuing hands-on high quality support services for libraries.  The issue is not whether the services should be delivered, but how the service delivery should be structured.

During their discussion of this issue, Commissioners made the following points:

•    State budget cuts in the coming years are expected to be severe
•    It is important to deliver services consistently all across the state – not equitable if high quality services are only available in some regions and not statewide
•    Having two organizations – LSAs and State Library – with similar missions makes it more difficult to receive adequate state funding and thus dilutes the strength of both.
•    Moving from a decentralized to more centralized model is happening in other fields, from health care to higher ed – and even with more centralization, it is important, and possible,  to respond to variations around the state
•    Several Commissioners spoke of their roots in small-town Iowa  and their appreciation of the important role of libraries in Iowa communities, both large and small
•    We need to try to move beyond the fear of the unknown, and see the budget crisis as an opportunity to build a new single structure for providing even better services to Iowa’s libraries
•    The delivery of services to libraries must remain, but the structure for the service delivery could change

Following the discussion, the Commissioners unanimously voted to support a plan to consolidate library support services under the State Library, with the provision that at least 8 additional staff positions must be added to the State Library so it can successfully carry out the new responsibilities, and with the further recognition that the new Library Development consultants are deployed regionally and have hands-on consulting as their primary job responsibility.

The Commissioners are fully aware that this is a difficult and complicated issue, and that not all will agree with their conclusions.  They believe that we all want what is best for Iowa libraries, and ask us to keep our common goal in mind – support for Iowa libraries in providing the best possible library services for Iowans - as we continue to engage in discussions about the organization of the Iowa library system.

Library Funding in Iowa (2/17/10 from Mary Wegner, State Librarian)

 
There have been several questions recently about state funding for library services.  Here’s some information about how it works:
 
The state of Iowa’s budget shortfall this year is estimated at between $500 million and $1 billion – that’s the amount of money that will need to be cut from the budget for the year that begins on July 1, 2010.  The situation is described as the worst national economic recession since the Great Depression. 
 
The operating budgets of the State Library and the Library Service Areas are funded with dollars from the state’s general fund.  Neither budget has done well in recent years.  The State Library’s current budget is down 13.52%, or $245,966, from the FY01 level.  The Library Service Areas budget is down 13.69%, or $231,011 from the FY01 level.  Overall state spending from the general fund is up 16% for the same time period.
 
The umbrella Enrich Iowa (EI) program provides three types of funding for libraries:  Direct State Aid (DSA) for public libraries, Open Access (OA) reimbursement, and Interlibrary Loan (ILL) Reimbursement.   Enrich Iowa is funded with a combination of general fund dollars and Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund dollars, also known as infrastructure or RIIF funds.   RIIF funds come from gambling revenues.  Funding for the Enrich Iowa programs as a whole is up about 9.1% over the FY01 level. 
 
The current FY10 Enrich Iowa funding level is $2,566,473:  $1,616,473 from the general fund and $950,000 from RIIF.  Direct State Aid is funded at $900,000, and the remaining $1,666,473 funds Open Access and Interlibrary Loan Reimbursement.  In addition to public libraries, almost all of the academic libraries in the state, along with a handful of school libraries, receive Open Access and Interlibrary Loan Reimbursement funding. 
 
A link to a chart of the history of state funding for the State Library, Library Service Areas and the Enrich Iowa programs is here:  Funding History – Iowa Libraries   You can also find the chart by clicking on the “About Us” tab and then “Funding History – Iowa Libraries” on the State Library Web page.
 
For FY11, the governor’s proposed budget reduces RIIF funding for Enrich Iowa by $500,000, and leaves the State Library and Library Service Areas at their current funding levels.  This proposal would result in a 19.5% cut to overall Enrich Iowa funding.  However, the legislature determines the actual funding levels through the appropriations process.   The Education Appropriations Subcommittee handles monies from the general fund – which means they determine the State Library and Library Service Area operating budgets, and the general fund monies for Enrich Iowa, which is about 63% of the total Enrich Iowa program.  The Iowa Library Association lobbyists provided information today that the Education Appropriations Subcommittee must cut $11.5 million from the current general fund education budget – that is, $11.5 million below the level reached after the 10% mid-year cut.

USDA Funding for Rural Libraries (1/27/10 from Sandy Dixon)

Iowa libraries in rural communities with a population under 20,000 that meet median household income (MHI) guidelines are eligible for United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) funding to construct, enlarge or improve the library.  Since the installation of Tom Vilsack as Agriculture Secretary last year, the USDA has shown an increased interest in public libraries.  

The State Library is pleased to work with the Iowa office of USDA Rural Development to inform libraries about the USDA’s Rural Development Community Facilities Grant Program, http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ia/cp_cf_grant.html .  This program has been designated by Secretary Vilsack to receive additional grant funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).  Libraries that meet the population and median household income guidelines have always been eligible for the Community Facilities program, which provides loans, grants or a combination of the two for construction, improvements, equipment and other services.  What's different now is that because of ARRA, the cap on the grant funding amount has increased from $100,000 to $500,000! 

Use of the Funds

These funds may be used to build new or improve library facilities, as well as enhance library services including internet access.  Additional examples of how a library might use the funds are: handicapped accessibility, roof, parking lot, sidewalks, restrooms, lighting, shelving, energy efficiency including windows, heating / AC, sprinkler system, teen area, furniture, Wi-Fi, computers for the public, desks for the public access computers.

The Iowa office of USDA Rural Development is especially interested in working with public libraries that would be able to bring a major building project to fruition with the addition of USDA funding.

Eligibility

Applicants are eligible to apply for grant assistance on a graduated scale, based on the median household income (MHI) and population of the service area.  Based on data from the 2000 census, grant assistance cannot exceed the following percentages of eligible project costs:

• 75% - community population of 5,000 or less, MHI less than $23,988
• 55% - community population of 12,000 or less, MHI less than $27,986
• 35% - community population of 20,000 or less, MHI less than $31,984
• 15% - community population of 20,000 or less, MHI less than $35,982
  

Libraries that appear to meet the guidelines will receive a follow-up message from the State Library. 

Applying for Funds

To pursue this opportunity, contact your local Rural Development office, http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/ia/Ia_locations.html .  Applicants are encouraged to apply for special ARRA funding as soon as possible. Funds will remain through September 30, 2010, or until all dollars have been awarded.  Please be aware that applicants will be encouraged to apply for both grants and low-interest loans.

If your library is eligible, we strongly encourage you to consider taking advantage of this opportunity.  The Iowa office of USDA Rural Development looks forward to working with public libraries.  “Rural communities are important to the lifeblood of country and the Obama Administration is committed to keeping them strong by providing Recovery Act funding to projects such as libraries that improve the quality of life in these communities,” said Bill Menner, USDA Rural Development State Director in Iowa. 

General Information

USDA Rural Development’s Community Facilities Program helps finance essential facilities in communities with 20,000 or fewer residents. These facilities include libraries, child care centers, hospitals, medical clinics, assisted-living facilities, fire and rescue stations, police stations, community centers, public buildings and transportation.

Further information about this and other USDA Rural Development programs is available by calling (515) 284-4663 or at www.rurdev.usda.gov/ia.

Invitation to Partner with Workforce Development (1/20/10 from Sandy Dixon)

As many of you know, the State Library and Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) have developed a partnership over the last year in order to better serve unemployed Iowans.  The partnership was formally kicked off with an ICN program on October 13, 2009 for public libraries and IWD managers, followed by two online sessions in December for library staff on how to navigate the IWD Web site.  Just last week the State Library and Iowa Workforce Development signed a letter of commitment between the two agencies.

And now it's your turn!  The State Library and Iowa Workforce Development invite all Iowa public libraries to sign a letter of commitment between your library ("library affiliate") and your regional IWD office.  Most of the expectations outlined in the letter are things libraries are already doing.  Since all of us want to meet the needs of our communities especially in difficult times, we are particularly pleased about this partnership.  The job seekers in your community will benefit and you will too.  Two concrete examples of how you will benefit are:  you and your community would have access to Microsoft Elevate America computer literacy training; IWD has agreed to provide library affiliates with hard copies of their most used guidebook:  Resource Guide for Job Seekers.
 
Less tangible, but equally important, your participation will demonstrate you are an "engaged" library, "an active and responsive part of the community and an agent for change."  And as we learned from some recent research, "Library support is an attitude. It all depends on how people perceive the role the library plays in people's lives and communities."  

We enthusiastically encourage you to sign the letter of commitment.  Our hope is that hundreds of Iowa libraries will sign up.

To become a library affiliate:

1.  Go to http://www.statelibraryofiowa.org/ld/iwd

2.  Print out, complete and sign the letter of commitment.

3.  On or before February 5, return it to the State Library:  State Library of Iowa, Toni Blair, 1112 E. Grand Avenue, Des Moines, IA  50319; e-mail - toni.blair@lib.state.ia.us; fax - 515 281-6191. 

A Plea:  Help Us Help You to Tell the Library Story (1/15/10 from Mary Wegner)

 
The State Library uses the statistics you provide to make the case for Enrich Iowa funding for public libraries, and to talk about the essential role that libraries play in Iowa communities.  And we regularly receive requests for statistics about public library use.  The most recent one came yesterday from the Iowa Legislature.   The question was "Do you know if public libraries keep statistics of how many people come in to access the Internet from the library's computers?"  Just a few weeks ago we received a similar question from the Governor's office. 
 
But, we have a problem.  Too many public libraries are under-reporting their statistics.  For example, one public library reported that they had 52 Internet computer uses during the last fiscal year.  In other words, this library is reporting that they had one use per week for their library.  Other libraries have not even reported the annual number of visitors (that is, the door count.)
 
Under-reporting the use of your library weakens your and our ability to make the case for library funding at the local, state and federal levels.  Accurate statistics are critical if libraries are to successfully complete for limited public funding.
 
Our request to you is simple:  Please help us help you by providing complete and accurate statistics.  The most important statistics that appear to be under-reported are door count and number of users of public Internet computers.   With over five months left in the fiscal year, it is not too late to collect these statistics.  

Door count
 

Definition - The total number of persons entering the library annually for any reason.
 
To Collect:  Ideally you should collect this data all year round. But if that isn’t practical, you can collect for one week. For one typical week, collect the number of people entering the library and multiply by 52.  Choose a week in which the library is open its regular hours.  Include seven consecutive calendar days, from Sunday through Saturday (or whenever the library is usually open).  If you don't have staff to collect the count, ask board members, the Friends of the library, or other volunteers.  Since it's a very short, specific, and important assignment, chances are you have people in your community who'd be happy to help.    

Number of users of public Internet computers

 
Definition:  The total annual number of individuals that have used Internet computers in the library.
 
To collect:  Ideally you should collect this data all year round. But if that isn’t practical, you can collect for one week. For one typical week, collect the number of people using the library's Internet computers and multiply by 52.  One method would be for one week, have people put their name on a signup sheet each time they use a computer.   Total the number for the week and multiply by 52.  Shred the sign in sheets once the statistics have been obtained from them.
 
Libraries have traditionally used circulation as the main indicator of their use. Circulation count is still very important, but it is increasingly important for libraries to also track the number of patrons using the library for “non-traditional” purposes. Door count and computer user count have become two very useful ways of tracking this. In general, libraries in Iowa have done a good job of starting this process. We now need to make sure that the data we are collecting is as accurate as we can make it. 

2010 Census Posters (1/15/10 from Beth Henning)

2010 Census posters are now available. You can make your library part of this important nationwide civic event by displaying a 2010 census poster (or several) in your library. Most posters are 16”x20” and may be displayed from February through May 2010.

See the selection of posters on the Census Bureau’s Web site at http://2010.census.gov/partners/materials/posters-materials.php . 

You may request posters and other census promotional items through your local Census Bureau partnership specialist:

Wendi Muir, Sr. Partnership Specialist--Des Moines Local Census Office—Counties served: Adair, Audubon, Boone, Cass, Dallas, Guthrie, Madison and Polk --Phone:  (515) 867-1246; Email:  wendi.anne.muir@census.gov
 
Joe De La Rosa, Partnership Specialist--Sioux City Local Census Office—Counties served:  Buena Vista, Calhoun, Carroll, Cherokee, Clay, Crawford, Dickinson, Emmet, Fremont, Greene, Harrison, Humboldt, Ida, Kossuth, Lyon, Mills, Monona, Montgomery, O'Brien, Osceola, Page, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Pottawattamie, Sac, Shelby, Sioux, Webster and Woodbury--Phone:  (712) 435-9121; Email:  joseph.j.de.la.rosa@census.gov
 
Abbie Peterson, Partnership Specialist--Ames and Cedar Rapids Local Census Office—Counties served:  Adams, Appanoose, Cedar, Clarke, Clinton, Davis, Decatur, Des Moines, Henry, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Lee, Linn, Louisa, Lucas, Mahaska, Marion, Marshall, Monroe, Muscatine, Poweshiek, Ringgold, Scott, Story, Taylor Union, Van Buren, Wapello, Warren, Washington and Wayne--Phone:  (319) 601-1643; Email:  abbie.peterson@census.gov
 
Shavondia Hunter, Partnership Assistant--Waterloo Local Census Office—Counties served:  Allamakee, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Butler, Cerro Gordo, Chickasaw, Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Grundy, Hamilton, Hancock, Hardin, Howard, Mitchell, Winnebago, Winneshiek, Worth and Wright--Phone:  (816) 668-0493; Email:  vondia21@yahoo.com

Please feel free to pass this information along to others in your community. Senior centers, city halls, courthouses, employment offices, hospitals, clinics, schools, recreation centers, churches, and businesses are all suitable locations for posters encouraging residents to be part of the 2010 census.   

2010-2011 Book Award Orders (1/14/10 from Jay Peterson)

The Iowa Association of School Librarians, IASL, Book Award order form is now available for download on the Iowa Educators Consortium website. Please support your local school districts that are participating in this event by having these books available for checkout.

Orders should be sent directly to Perfection Learning and are due by February 12. All orders received by the deadline will be shipped by April 30. A PDF of the order form is available now on the IEC website:

http://www.iec-ia.org/vnews/display.v/ART/45071eee822c1

The Iowa Educators Consortium (IEC) selected Perfection Learning as the awarded vendor. This is the eighth year Perfection Learning has won the bid. They do an excellent job with order fulfillment and designing the posters. Prices are aggressively discounted and include free shipping.

2010 – 2011 Awards Books
•    NEW! - Goldfinch Award (19 books) - $179.46
•    Iowa Children’s Choice (23 books) - $204.80
•    Iowa Teen Award (15 books) - $144.02
•    Iowa High School Book Award (13 books) - $145.24

Most books will be a Cover Craft binding, however some are only available in the publisher’s hardcover.

A free color poster will be shipped with every book set ordered by the February 12 deadline. You can use these posters to help motivate students to read the books and participate in the voting process. (Additional posters are available through the IASL website.)

Catalog cards and automated cataloging kits are also listed on the order form. Orders may also be placed on the Perfection website. (See order form or IEC website for details.)

Budget Problems? Look for a local business to sponsor the award.

Please honor the integrity of this bidding process by purchasing from the awarded IASL vendor. If schools place orders with another vendor, future bids will be less competitive and vendors may drop out of the process. Remember that the other vendors are offering you aggressive pricing to compete with the awarded vendor. The awarded vendor is also providing posters with each order as well as extras for the IASL Award Book committees. Other vendors do not share this poster cost burden. If the IEC pricing goes away, prices will go up in the future and posters will no longer be furnished.

Support IASL by ordering from Perfection Learning!

New E-Mail List for Adult Programming (12/18/09 from Alysia Peich)

The State Library of Iowa is happy to announce a new e-mail list devoted to discussions about programming for adults. PALtalk, or Programming for Adults in Libraries, provides library staff with an interest in adult programming a space to discuss programming ideas and experiences with your colleagues throughout the state.

 Topics will include program ideas of interest to a variety of communities; suggested speakers and performers; successful marketing tactics; and where to find funding. PALtalk is not intended as a space for performers and speakers to promote themselves or their organizations for profit. Library staff is encouraged to provide honest recommendations for speakers and performers for the benefit of their colleagues.

 To subscribe: http://lists.silo.lib.ia.us/mailman/listinfo/paltalk

Headphones for the New Adobe Connect Classroom (12/15/09 from Jay Peterson)

The State Library has launched a new online web conferencing software called Adobe Connect.  This product is very similar to the Wimba classrooms that we have used across the state for online conferences.  We are very happy with Adobe Connect but we know that it greatly enhances the online experience if you have the right set of headphones for use with this product.  These headphones connect to your computer or laptop and have an attached microphone that you can use to talk to the rest of the class over the computer.  We wanted to provide libraries with some examples of the kind of headphones that work with this system while also giving you the opportunity to buy these headphones with a discount.   Below are links to the kinds of headphones that work best for online classrooms.  We are not recommending that you buy these examples only or that any other type of headphone and microphone product will not work but these are some good examples of what you can buy out there and what you should pay.  These headphones range in cost $15-$30.

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?edc=1309132&enkwrd=ALLPROD%3a(1309132)

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=1322482

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=1309124

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=1667651

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=679767

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=1725624

http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.aspx?EDC=1066201

These examples above are just a few of the many types of headphones that are out there.  These are just suggestions. You can get these headphones from just about any electronics vendor from Wal-mart to Best Buy.  BUT the State library is also encouraging libraries to take part in the discounts available through the Iowa Educator's Consortium. This group works for discounts for public libraries and schools across the state.  They have discount contracts with both CDW (where I got all the examples above) and Staples.  I have contacted Jamie Albertsen at the IEC and she related to me that there are two different ways to sign up for discounts on headphones (and thousands of other products! ) through CDW-Government and Staples.  You can set up an account through the link below or contact the representative listed below to set up an account for your library!

 Here are the specifics on ordering through the IEC.

 CDW-G
www.cdwg.com/iowa has the contract pricing available, the pricing includes free shipping.  They can order through this site and set up an account, or contact the following CDWG rep to set up an account.

 Andrew Peck
(877) 826-1284
andrpec@cdwg.com

Staples
www.eway.com to browse contract pricing only (need to set up an account to be able to order)

username: iecbrowseonly

password:supplies1

Contact the following representative to set up an account.  Free shipping is included regardless of order size.

Tracy Pfeffer
(952) 250-0701
Tracy.pfeffer@staples.com

If you have any questions regarding the IEC and purchasing between CDW and Staples contact:

Jamie Albertsen
Coordinator
Iowa Educators Consortium (IEC)
(515) 270-0405 ext. 12346
jalbertsen@iec-ia.org

Iowa Libraries and the 2010 Census (8/4/09 from Beth Henning) 

Census Day is April 1, 2010. The Census Bureau has already started preliminary field operations and your community may be planning a census complete count committee now. Your library can be a leader for the census in your community by becoming a partner for the 2010 Census.

Why is the census important?

The U.S. constitution mandates a census every ten years to apportion the 435 seats in Congress among the states based on population. In addition, state legislative districts and local voting precincts are determined by population. Billions of dollars in federal and state funding are allocated on the basis of population, including part of your state library funding. A complete and accurate census count determines political representation and funding for your community for the next ten years.

What can you do?

You can help by signing up as a census partner. Census partners agree to serve on local census committees; provide space to the Census Bureau for training and meetings; display and distribute 2010 Census promotional materials and recruiting materials; or use 2010 Census drop-in articles, messages and logos in library media. Your library can volunteer to be a Be Counted site, a place where local residents can pick up a census form if they  did not receive a questionnaire at home. Your library can also serve as a Questionnaire Assistance Center, a site where paid census employees provide assistance to residents who need help to complete their census questionnaires. Census partners may also qualify for the Partnership Support Program, which provides up to $2,999 for promotional items, census awareness-building projects, and services that promote 2010 Census participation, motivation and cooperation.  

How do you get started?

To sign up as a partner for this once-in-a-decade event, fill out the attached Partnership agreement form and scan and e-mail a copy to wendi.anne.muir@census.gov or fax it to Wendi Muir at (515) 237-8575. A local Census Bureau employee will be in touch with you to assist you in getting started. Once you are an active partner with the U.S. Census Bureau, you may apply for funding under the Partnership Support Program. For questions, call Wendi Muir, senior partnership specialist with the U.S. Census Bureau, at (515) 867-1246.

Federal broadband stimulus funding and opportunities for libraries (7/2/09 from Mary Wegner)

The State Library has been receiving questions about federal funding for broadband projects that is being made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and how that funding might affect libraries.

Federal stimulus funding for broadband projects offers opportunities for libraries.   We all know that many of our public library customers rely on the library to meet their computing needs.  In addition to providing free access to computers and the Internet, many Iowa public libraries offer Wi-fi access, informational databases, downloadable media, and more.  As online services and programs become more sophisticated and use more bandwidth, the need for higher Internet access speeds for Iowa libraries is growing rapidly. 

Although many questions remain, information about the broadband funding programs is starting to become more clear.

The rules for the programs that will provide federal stimulus funding for broadband projects were released yesterday.  They are available at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/broadbandgrants/

Excellent information about federal stimulus funding is available at the American Library Association’ “Know Your Stimulus” Web site:
http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/advocacy/knowstimulus/index.cfm

ALA is sponsoring a Webinar next Wednesday, July 8, at 4 pm EDT for those who are considering applying for broadband funding.  REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED for this program – go to https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/589886179

Your library may be asked to partner with an internet provider or with a community group that plans to apply for this funding.  This could be a great opportunity, and I urge you to give it serious consideration. 

It is not yet clear whether there will be an application for broadband funding that is developed by state government.  The State Library is definitely interested in partnering on proposals to provide broadband services to libraries– I’ll keep you posted on developments.  State Library staff will be meeting with representatives of the Iowa Utilities Board, the ICN and other state agencies in the coming week.

For now, the best source of information on federal broadband stimulus funding as it applies to libraries is the Know Your Stimulus Web site, mentioned above.  We’ll continue to share news with you as we receive it.