Opportunity Out of Adversity: Digital Access in Rural and Small Libraries
Thursday, August 6, 2020 ◆ 2:00 pm Central ◆ 60 minutes
Opportunity often hides behind adversity. As libraries look to a future of post-pandemic challenges, from looming budget cuts to increasingly urgent community needs, David Lankes, in The "New Normal" Agenda for Librarianship, encourages us to consider framing the positive opportunities, rather than loss, in the changes that lie ahead. If we are intentional, we can use these circumstances to grow our organizations and to address the digital access disparities in small and rural communities.
This presentation will explore how one rural library has improved internet access in partnership with an internet service provider, hosted telehealth appointments in collaboration with healthcare providers and transportation agencies, worked with schools to ensure opportunities for youth through esports, and improved digital literacy skills for patrons and local businesses.
Register at https://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/opportunity-out-of-adversity.html
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Professional Development: Digital Bytes in the Time of COVID-19
Take some time to look at Digital Bytes, a virtual training series provided by the Wisconsin Valley Library Service (WVLS). All of the pieces of training are 30 minutes or less, with some of them being only 2-3 minutes long.
Two topics were covered regarding libraries opening in the midst of the coronavirus. One is on tips for having unpleasant conversations, and another is on library communication when wearing a mask.
To access WVLS Digital Bytes, visit the WVLS website.
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Tips for Leading Productive Meetings with Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams offers a variety of ways to conduct and lead professional and effective meetings. During this webinar recording, you'll learn tips and tricks to see how you can utilize other applications in conjunction with Teams to have a productive meeting. You'll also gain a solid foundation on how to lead a successful online meeting.
Click here to access the recording (you will be asked for your contact information).
Click here for the handout.
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Resilient Communities: Libraries Respond to Climate Change
Resilient Communities: Libraries Respond to Climate Change, an initiative of the American Library Association (ALA), will help libraries engage their communities in programs and conversations that address the climate crisis.
The pilot program project will fund film screenings, community dialogues and related events based on local interest in 25 public and academic libraries in 2020, and it will fund the creation of a suite of free programming resources about the climate crisis that will be available to all libraries.
Libraries are invited to apply between July 1 and August 28, 2020.
Learn more and apply here.
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Mini-grant Opportunity: Support Health Insurance Enrollment in Your Community
The Public Library Association, in partnership with Community Catalyst and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, are working together to inform communities about the open enrollment period of the Affordable Care Act for 2021. Applications are now being accepted to offer financial and staff support for public libraries to become Certified Application Counselor Designated Organizations (CDOs) for the 2021 open enrollment period of the Affordable Care Act.
- Up to 30 public libraries in states that utilize the Federally Facilitated Marketplace (FFM)* at healthcare.gov will receive $1,000 to support their organization in becoming a Certified Application Counselor Designated Organization (CDO) and certifying at least one staff member and/or volunteer as a Certified Application Counselor (CAC).
- Up to 10 of the awarded public libraries will also receive an additional $1,000 in funding to support efforts to increase communication, awareness and education about the upcoming open enrollment period.
Click here to learn more about this grant opportunity.
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IMLS Opens Library Grants for National Leadership, Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Programs
The Institute of Museum and Library Services is now accepting FY 2021 proposals for National Leadership Grants for Libraries (NLG-L) and the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian program (LB21).
Applicants have through October 2, 2020, to submit their two-page preliminary proposals.
Click here to learn more about these two grant opportunities.
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Upcoming Events, Deadlines & Celebrations
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