5…4…3…2…1… Blast off to another fabulous Summer Library Program with A Universe of Stories, our annual workshop designed to get you ready for summer.

The NEKLS workshop will be held at Lawrence Public Library on Friday, March 8, 2019.

Find the library.

Here’s where to park.

The day will last from 8:30am to 4:00pm.

• 8:30-9am: refreshments and registration
• 9am: program begins
• Noon: working lunch
• 3:30: prize drawings—You must be present to win.

Here’s the agenda.

The $10 registration fee includes lunch and snacks through the day, plus tons of great content!

Pay by cash, check, or credit card at the event. To pay in advance: mail a check to the NEKLS office or call the office with your credit card information. Note that credit card transactions incur a small fee from our vendor.

Register here by Wednesday, February 20th. 

Our main presenter this year is Will Stuck, a youth services librarian and professional storyteller from St. Joseph, MO. Whether he is presenting workshop for various State Libraries, speaking at conferences, or just acting like a fool for laughs in front of children, Will’s passion for stories, books and libraries shines through.

The day will also feature a session, The Tween and Teen Universes, from Jennifer McCulley, a great librarian and Youth Services Coordinator at McPherson Public Library.

In addition, you will have an opportunity to talk to colleagues about one or two of the following topics:

• Nuts and Bolts of Running a Summer Library Program
• Adapting Programs for Various Age Groups and/or Families
• Serving Tweens and Teens During Summer and Beyond

Join us for a full day of learning, exploration and collaboration.

This project is funded in part through the Federal Library Services and Technology Act, with funds awarded to the State Library of Kansas by the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Michael Lang was kind enough to give the NEKLS staff a tour of the Kansas Talking Books facility in the Emporia State University Union. Here are a few highlights from our visit:

• Libraries may apply for Kansas Talking Books equipment for patrons to try out. Having a demonstration unit helps spread awareness of their services. Contact Jessi at NEKLS if you would like an application.
• Those experiencing temporary visual, or physical limitation may also qualify for Kansas Talking Books services.
• Libraries can contact Kansas Talking Books for promotional materials (static clings, bookmarks, pamphlets, information sheets, etc.) and to request a tour.

Photos from our visit:

Michael Lang, Director of Kansas Talking Books

Recording Studio

Braille Magazine

Talking Book Player and USB

Talking Book Case

Happy New Year! Many of you may be receiving advertisements for ready-made labor law posters. Remember that libraries do not need to purchase labor law posters to meet state and federal requirements. You can print them out for free! You do not need to keep old, or outdated posters. As long as you have the current posters displayed, you are meeting the requirements.

Here is the link to the State of Kansas required posters:
http://www.dol.ks.gov/laws/posters.aspx

Here is the link to the Federally required posters:
https://www.dol.gov/general/topics/posters

Printing the posters on standard-sized printing paper is perfectly
acceptable. Just be sure to display the posters where your employees can
easily view them.

If you would like to have NEKLS print the posters for you, email Jessi@nekls.org.

Baker Wetlands Discovery Center (Map)

Lawrence, KS 66046

February 26-27, 2019

Apply by February 12, 2019 to attend this FREE hands-on, space science-themed workshop that will provide activities and content to prepare public library staff for the 2019 Summer Reading program, A Universe of Stories.

 The workshop facilitators include NASA @ My Library team members from the Space Science Institute and the Lunar and Planetary Institute.

• Learn how to conduct a dozen space science activities geared for children and teens
• Discover resources to connect to NASA science and missions
• Network with others facilitating science and technology programs, and
• Connect to the broader online community through the STAR Library Network.

The workshop will begin on February 26 at 12:30pm at Baker Wetlands Discovery Center, and include a Night Sky Viewing that evening (weather permitting). It will conclude at 3pm on February 27. There is no fee for the workshop and most meals will be provided.

Here is the agenda.

For more information, please contact Anna, or Jessi at NEKLS.

NASA@ My Library is based on work funded by NASA under cooperative agreement No. NNX16AE30A.

NEKLS Staff and Executive Board are pleased to announce a new grant program exclusively for NEKLS school library members. We have allocated up to $50,000 to fund competitive collection development grants during the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 school years.

For full information on this program and application instructions, see the Program Description.

Applications require two parts:

• Application Form
• Administrator’s Certification

Both parts of the application will be completed online (at the links listed in the Program Description). Applications are due by 5pm (Central) on February 22, 2019.

To see an example of the Application Form, click here.

To see an example of the Administrator’s Certification, click here.

Assistance and Information

NEKLS staff will be available throughout the application and funding periods to answer questions and provide technical assistance. Contact Anna Foote, Youth Services and Continuing Education Consultant, at schools@nekls.org.