Official Website for Texas Elections

Another source of information about voting in Texas, how primaries work in Texas, etc., is the official Texas elections website at http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/index.shtml

At that site, voters can find out whether or not they're registered by visiting https://team.sos.state.tx.us/voterws/viw/faces/SearchSelectionVoter.jsp

To find out the location of their Election Day voting site, voters need only enter the Voter Identification ID (VUID) from their Voter's Registration Certification or, if they provided a drivers' license number when they registered, they may enter that license number when visiting https://team.sos.state.tx.us/voterws/viw/faces/SearchSelectionPolling.jsp

Bedford Public Library Wins Teen Tech Week Mini Grant from ALA/YALSA

Bedford Public Library is the only library in the state - and one of ONLY 20 in the nation - named to receive a Teen Tech Week Mini Grant from the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), the fastest-growing division of the American Library Association (ALA). The grants give each winning library $450 cash and $50 worth of Teen Tech Week products to offer inventive activities, resources and services to celebrate Teen Tech Week, March 2-8.

The 2008 Teen Tech Week Mini Grants are made possible by Teen Tech Week 2008 Corporate Sponsor Dungeons & Dragons, a subsidiary of Wizards of the Coast, Inc.

For a complete list of the winners, visit http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/teentechweek/ttw08/contests/winners.cfm

Additional information about Teen Tech Week is available at http://wikis.ala.org/yalsa/index.php/Teen_Tech_Week

To list your library's plans, or to find out more about Teen Tech Week events, visit http://wikis.ala.org/yalsa/index.php/Tune_In_%40_Your_Library_resources#Teen_Tech_Week_2008_.40_.2Ayour.2A_library (Registration required to post.)

For more information, contact YALSA at 1-800-545-2433, ext. 4390 or yalsa@ala.org.

NPR highlights video games in libraries

Gaming and libraries - hear what Michigan is doing...
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=19141461

Texas Voter Information

Calling out to all Texas Libraries!
The Secretary of State's campaign Votexas needs all of the Texas libraries to help educate Texans about voting. Because this is an election year, it makes it even more important to have this information out and available to all Texans.
We have comprehensive, bilingual brochures available for distribution at your branches. Also, we would love to have our logos and links on your websites and to be included in any newsletters or community postings.
If you are interested in participating in this voter education effort please contact me as soon as possible. In the mean time, please check out our new website at www.votexas.org
Thank you and I look forward to working with you!
Enea Bañales
ThinkStreet
3601 South Congress Avenue
Building B, Suite 300
Austin, Texas 78704
512.444.7900
512.444.7950 (f)

Consider WILLA CATHER SPEAKS for your library

The Weatherford Public Library will be bringing Betty Jean Steinshouer from Florida to do her nationally-acclaimed WILLA CATHER SPEAKS program on THE MAKING OF MY ANTONIA for the Big Read project on April 17. Since her travel expenses to Texas will be paid, she has offered to stay for up to a week after and make her programs available to other libraries that are within a few hours' drive of Dallas-Fort Worth.

Some of you may remember the very successful MEET LAURA INGALLS WILDER tour that she did in the fall of 2003, under a mini-grant from the Texas Humanities Council. She would be willing to work with any libraries who might need funding assistance again. Be in touch with her as soon as you can at bjsteinshouer@mindspring.com or her voice mail at 727/826-6217.

Although she is coming to Texas to do Willa Cather, other authors in her repertoire besides Cather and Wilder include Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Gertrude Stein, Sarah Orne Jewett and Marjory Stoneman Douglas. She also does combined programs such as ON HEMINGWAY and AMERICA AT WAR.

Texas Municipal Library Directors Association 2008 Membership Dues Renewal

Greetings from your TMLDA President Kerry McGeath,

We would like for you to join us in the Texas Municipal Library Directors Association (TMLDA) for 2008. You can save time and postage by joining online with a credit card at www.tmlda.org/duesrenewal.html . An instant confirmation will be sent to you for your records.

By your commitment to TMLDA, you strengthen the ability of your Association to meet your informational needs and represent your interests.

Remember, too, that membership is now open to Library Directors, Assistant Directors, Department Heads, County Librarians and System Coordinators. Please encourage others to join as well.

Some of the benefits you get from being a TMLDA member are:
* A forum for Directors and Administrators to get together and share common concerns;
* Participation in the TML legislative process, a critical arena for Texas libraries;
* A program at the Texas Municipal League's (TML) Annual Conference held in the Fall;
* Eligibility to apply for “Achievement of Excellence in Library’s Award”; and,
* Reduced subscription rates for TML's monthly magazine Texas Town & City, and/or the Texas City Officials Directory and Buyer's Guide.

For more information about TMLDA, visit our web site at www.tmlda.org. If you have any questions regarding your renewal, please contact me at (817) 748-8384 or KMcGeath@ci.southlake.tx.us.

We would be grateful for your support and hope to work with you through your participation in TMLDA this year.

2008 TLA Conference Stipend Available

Biblionix is offering a $500 travel stipend for attendance at the 2008 conference of The Texas Library Association (TLA) in Dallas April 15-18, 2008. A committee designated by the TLA Small Community Library Round Table (SCLRT) will choose the recipient.

Eligibility requirements:
* Library director or staff at a public library
* Member of TLA and SCLRT

The funds may be used to cover the following conference expenses:
* Conference registration
* Pre-conference workshop
* Travel costs
* Meal functions at the conference
* Expenses (meals, cabs, etc.)
* Cost of replacement staff if needed

Requirements:
* Volunteer for a minimum of 4 hours at the conference, at least 2 of which must be at the SCLRT booth
* Attend pre-conferences, workshops and/or sessions such that you attain a minimum of 8 CE credits
* Attend the SCLRT business meeting
* Attend the SCLRT dessert social
* Complete a one-page summary of your experience, discussing highlights of what you did, what was most rewarding, and how this grant process could be improved. Send to the same address as the grant submittal by May 15, 2008.
* Serve on the Biblionix TLA/SCRLT Stipend selection committee in 2009.

Recognition:
* Coverage (including recipient’s name, position, and library) on SCLRT, TLA, Texas Library Systems, and Biblionix communications.

Schedule:
* 02/29/08, 5 p.m. - The application must be received no later than this date/time.
* 03/07/08 - Notification/Announcement of recipient
* 04/01/08 - Stipend check mailed to recipient

The stipend application does not register you for the conference or make any other travel reservations. Attendees should register directly with the TLA, airline, hotel, etc.

For application information, visit http://www.biblionix.com/tla-stipend.pdf .

Public Libraries Using Spanish

Great website!

Public Libraries Using Spanish (PLUS) seeks to lend a hand by gathering useful resources that can help you make your library a more welcoming place for Spanish speakers. Card applications, brochures, programming suggestions, signage, press releases and news articles―many in Spanish with a side-by-side English translation―are collected here and are yours to use as you wish.

NASA and Gaming

Nasa investigates virtual space


The game could inspire the next generation of Nasa employees
The US space agency is exploring the possibility of developing a massively multiplayer online (MMO) game.

The virtual world would be aimed at students and would "simulate real Nasa engineering and science missions".

The agency has published a "request for information" (RFI) from organisations interested in developing the platform.

Nasa believe the game would help find the next generation of scientists and engineers needed to fulfil its "vision for space exploration".

Any excuse for a Program!!!

If you're looking for a light-hearted reason to celebrate with a program at your library, consider Bonza Bottler Days - dates when the number of the day is the same as the number of the month.

2/2/08 is the next one we'll see; then 3/3/08 and 4/4/08 and so on.

According to their website, "When Australians like something, they might exclaim, 'Bonza!' which means 'super,' "great,' or 'fantastic.' 'Bottler' is slang for 'something excellent.' Thus, the celebration each month is now known as Bonza Bottler Day.'"

For information, contact
Gail M. Berger
Bonza Bottler Day
14 Fernwood Dr.
Taylors, SC 29687
bonza@bonzabottlerday.com
www.bonzabottlerday.com

Awards for Library Instruction / Library Instructor

Do you know an outstanding instruction librarian who deserves to be recognized? The Library Instruction Round Table is accepting nominations for the Outstanding Service in Library Instruction Award. This award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions related to the advancement of library instruction in Texas. This award, which may not be made every year, is made based on factors such as: the impact of the nominated person on multiple libraries and educational initiatives; the extent of the individual's contributions in the area of library instruction; and the innovation of ideas or projects developed by the nominated person.

LIRT is also soliciting nominations for the Library Instruction Project of the Year Award. This award recognizes an innovative or creative library instruction project or initiative in Texas. The project may relate to new models, methods, and techniques in areas such as:

* New services and resources developed for library instruction
* Assessment of a library instruction class or program
* Marketing of a library instruction program or service
* Collaboration between library staff and other members of an institution or related organizations
* Cooperative ventures between different institutions

Self nominations are encouraged for both awards and will receive equal consideration. Please visit http://www.txla.org/groups/lirt/awards.html for additional information including eligibility requirements, submissions, and selection criteria.

Nominations for both awards must be postmarked, emailed, or faxed by February 29, 2008. Nominations must be sent to the Awards Committee Chair:

Danielle Cunniff Plumer
Library Resource Sharing Division / THDI
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
PO Box 12927
Austin, TX 78711-2927
512.463.5852 (phone) / 512.936.2306 (fax)
dplumer@tsl.state.tx.us

A selection committee will review all nominations and notify awardees at least four weeks prior to the TLA Annual Conference.

Dallas Officials Will Try To Restrict Porn At Library

DALLAS -- Top city officials said they will review ways to restrict pornographic Web sites on public library computers in response to a newspaper study that found the viewing of explicit material to be commonplace.

A Dallas Morning News examination of Internet use at the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library during a 45-minute period on Dec. 19 found that about 7.5 percent of Web pages viewed by library patrons contained pornography.

The log of Web pages, which the newspaper obtained using the Texas Public Information Act, showed that about 5,200 of the more than 69,300 Web pages viewed during the time period contained material such as full nudity, sexual intercourse or sex acts.

For complete article: http://www.nbc5i.com/news/15051015/detail.html

Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program

NOTE: This article, with active links and additional information, is available at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon/

Starting January 1, 2008, all U.S. households will be eligible to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each, to be used toward the purchase of up to two, digital-to-analog converter boxes. For more details on the federal regulations, including the budget information, please see the DTV Converter Box Coupon Program Rules.

For a quick overview, see the Associated Press (AP) video about the digital TV converter boxes with Technical Writer Peter Svensson at AP Online Video Network www.ap.org/ovn/)

See also an interview with John Kneuer, Assistant Commerce Secretary for Communications & Information, on the C-SPAN television program "The Communicators" on February 3, 2007. Mr. Kneuer discussed the conclusion of the transition to digital TV by February of 2009.

For a brochure explaining the basics of the Coupon Program, click here. (PDF 245 Kb) [Folleto en español (PDF 245 Kb)]

Coupon Program Fact Sheet (Printable version Acrobat PDF 138 PDF)

BOOKS FOR CHILDREN grants

The Libri Foundation is currently accepting applications for its 2008 BOOKS FOR CHILDREN grants. The next deadline is Jan. 25.

The Libri Foundation is a nationwide non-profit organization which donates new, quality, hardcover children's books to small, rural public libraries throughout the U.S. Since October 1990, the Foundation has donated over $3,500,000 worth of new children's books to more than 2,300 libraries in 48 states, including Alaska and Hawaii.

In order to encourage and reward local support of libraries, The Libri Foundation will match any amount of money raised by your local sponsors from $50 to $350 on a 2-to-1 ratio. Thus, a library can receive up to $1,050 worth of new children's books. After a library receives a grant, local sponsors (such as formal or informal Friends groups, civic or social organizations, local businesses, etc.) have four months, or longer if necessary, to raise their matching funds.

The librarian of each participating library selects the books her library will receive from a booklist provided by the Foundation. The 700-plus fiction and nonfiction titles on the booklist reflect the very best of children's literature published primarily in the last three years. These titles, which are for children ages 12 and under, are award-winners or have received starred reviews in library, literary, or education journals. The booklist also includes a selection of classic children's titles.

Libraries are qualified on an individual basis. In general, county libraries should serve a population under 16,000 and town libraries should serve a population under 10,000 (usually under 5,000). Libraries should be in a rural area, have a limited operating budget, and an active children's department.

Please note: Rural is usually considered to be at least 30 miles from a city with a population over 40,000. Town libraries with total operating budgets over $150,000 and county libraries with total operating budgets over $350,000 are rarely given grants.

Applications are accepted from independent libraries as well as libraries which are part of a county, regional, or cooperative library system.

A school library may apply only if it also serves as the public library (i.e. it is open to the everyone in the community, has some summer hours, and there is no public library in town).

A branch library may apply if the community it is in meets the definition of rural. If the branch library receives its funding from its parent institution, then the parent institution's total operating budget, not just the branch library¹s total operating budget, must meet the budget guidelines.

Previous BOOKS FOR CHILDREN grant recipients are eligible to apply for another grant three years after the receipt of their last grant.

Libraries that do not fulfill all grant requirements, including the final report, may not apply for another grant.

Application deadlines for 2008 are: (postmarked by) January 25th (NOTE:
THIS IS AN EXTENSION), April 15th, and August 15th. Grants are awarded January 31st, April 30th, and August 31st.

Application guidelines and forms may be downloaded from the Foundation's website at: http://www.librifoundation.org/.

For more information about The Libri Foundation or its Books for Children program, please contact Ms. Barbara J. McKillip, President, The Libri Foundation, PO Box 10246, Eugene, OR 97440. 541-747-9655 (phone); 541-747-4348 (fax); libri@librifoundation.org (email). Normal office hours are: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Pacific Time.

Why Disaster Planning is so important!

Sprinklers Rupture Damaging Medina's $20 Million New Library

MEDINA, Ohio -- The Medina County Library is set to open its new $20 -million main library on Friday, despite a freak accident that soaked a section of the building.

Two fire prevention sprinklers burst Saturday evening at the new library in Medina, sending water gushing over the adult fiction section.

The Medina Fire Department responded and library maintenance crews were able to shut the water off after about 10 minutes. But by then, Library Director Carole Kowell says 3,000 books were damaged, some beyond saving.

"They're actually on a truck being freeze dried and that's a process that takes moisture out of books and hopefully we can salvage probably, hopefully half of those books," explains Kowell.

Kowell says staff is still compiling a damage estimate.

High powered fans have been drying out the 3,000 square foot room that sustained the damage.

Kowell says investigators still have not determined what caused the sprinklers to rupture.

Side note: NTRLS will host a Disaster Planning Workshop in March 2008. Be watching the webpage for the flyer!

Explore UT March 1: The Biggest Open House in Texas

Explore UT communications consultant Barbara Langham has asked us to share the following information with our member libraries.

Explore UT, a yearly event that some have called an “academic Disneyland,” is open to all the people of Texas. It makes a great Saturday outing for families and offers a special opportunity for homeschools. We encourage libraries to post a link to Explore UT on their Web sites and include the information in newsletters or other announcements.

For more information, contact Barbara at 512-346-2261.

Explore UT Offers Education Adventure for Families

What: "Explore UT: The Biggest Open House in Texas!"

When: Saturday, March 1, 2008, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: The University of Texas at Austin

Who's invited: Students K-12, teachers and families - Everyone is welcome!

Cost: Free, no sign-up for activities

Web site: www.utexas.edu/events/exploreut

Choose from more than 400 educational activities on campus. Watch water flow uphill in a hydraulics lab, learn the Russian alphabet, see world-famous paintings at the new Blanton Art Museum, march with the Longhorn Band, and more. It’s a great educational outing for the whole family.

Plan a Field Trip.
Many schools in Texas are planning a field trip to Explore UT. Check with your school about riding the bus, or organize your own field trip with other families or a community organization. If you plan to come in a bus or van, register it online at the University’s Explore UT Web site: http://www.utexas.edu/events/exploreut/bus.html/ This helps the University plan parking and welcoming activities. (No registration for private automobiles.)

By return e-mail, you will receive instructions for where to enter campus and information about arranging lunch at Jester Center for $5. Of course, you may bring sack lunches and picnic on the lawn.

Check out Explore UT Activities for 2008.
The Explore UT Web site reflects 2008 activities. You can begin planning which of the 400 or more activities you wish to do. Many favorite activities from previous years will be repeated, and you’ll find new activities as well – such as building a rocket propelled by alternate energy sources, learning about Celtic life in the Iron Age, and dancing a chorus line routine from a popular Broadway show.

About mid-February, the Explore UT Web site will offer a PDF file that you can download and print. It will be the same as the printed program you get when you arrive on campus, complete with map and photos.

Questions? Check the Explore UT Web site above, contact Barbara Langham (512-346-2261, blangham@austin.utexas.edu), or call the University at 512-471-7753.

Feedback Needed Re: Term Contract - Class 525 - Library and Archival Equipment, Machines and Supplies

The Texas Procurement and Support Services (TPASS) office currently is evaluating the types of items covered under a state contract for "Library and Archival Equipment, Machines, and Supplies" that is planning to be bid in 2008.

Below is a list of the types of equipment, machines, and supplies that were covered under the previous contract that has expired. They are looking for feedback on what current items are utilized by libraries in these categories. Preferably by Friday, January 18th, 2008, please send any suggestions for possible items to be included to:

Chris Jowaisas
Administrator, Library System Grants & TANG
Library Development Division
Texas State Library & Archives Commission
512.936.2236 - 512.463.8800 (fax)
800.252.9386 (in Texas)
cjowaisas@tsl.state.tx.us

Please provide as much detail as is possible on each of the items, including the sub-class you think it would go in under the contract. Chris will compile the information and send it off to the TPASS staff.

NIGP Commodity Book CLASS 525 - LIBRARY AND ARCHIVAL EQUIPMENT, MACHINES, AND SUPPLIES

========================================================================The

NIGP Commodity/Services Code displayed here is copyrighted material that is to be used for reference purposes only and may not be downloaded without a license from Periscope Holdings, Inc.

CLASS: 525 LIBRARY AND ARCHIVAL EQUIPMENT, MACHINES, AND SUPPLIES

Item Number and Commodity Descriptions

05 Archival Storage Materials (Acid Free): Document Cases, Envelopes, File Folders, etc.

10 Binders, Covers, Jackets, Protectors, Sticks, etc. (For Books, Magazines, Newspapers, Pamphlets, Photographs, etc.)

20 Book Cards, Date Slips, Pockets, Protectors, etc.

25 Book Ends, Holders, Supports, etc.

30 Book Mending, Rebinding, and Repairing Supplies (See 590-68 for Binding Tape for Sewing Purposes)

40 Book Security Systems, Equipment, and Supplies

50 Books, Accession

55 Daters, Pencil and Band Type; and Supplies

60 Library Catalog Cards and Accessories: Cards, Guides, Protectors, Sorters, Trays, etc.

65 Library Forms, All Kinds: Circulation Record, Continuous, Strip, etc.

70 Library Labeling Supplies: Labels, Letters, Signals, etc.

75 Library Machines: Card Duplicators, Card Master Machines, Charging Machines, Pasting Machines, etc.

80 Library Supplies, Miscellaneous

95 Recycled Library Books, Equipment and Supplies

Free Mailshell anti-spam software at TechSoup Stock

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Mailshell's Anti-Spam Desktop software is licensed for one year of use. If you ordered this software in last year's campaign, December 5 is a great time to renew your licensing.

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* If your organization is already registered with TechSoup Stock, there's no need to register again; simply place your donation request on December 5 by visiting:
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Time to Apply for The Big Read

Washington, DC-The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), announces the fourth deadline for the Big Read program. The purpose of the Big Read is to revitalize the role of literature in American popular culture. Grants ranging from $5,000 th $20,000 are available to encourage local communities to inspire reading through the Big Read program. This will be the only application deadline in 2008.

The Request for Proposals can be downloaded at Big Read. The proposal deadline is February 12, 2008. Questions should be directed to Arts Midwest at 612/341-0755 or TheBigRead@artsmidwest.org.

Finally, a service to help people find information!

This morning I happened to catch The Today Show on NBC. My librarian ears went up when I heard them talking about Five Phone Numbers That Will Change Your Life.

One number listed was: Ask a question … any question!

Auburn University’s Foy Information Line, 334-844-4244
Students at Auburn University in Alabama, armed with the Internet and, as a last resort, reference books, will answer any question you can conceive of, 24 hours a day, Monday to Thursday (during the school year). The hot line started in the 1950s as a resource for students at Auburn who were trying to locate campus services and find information about grades or course schedules. Over the years, it has evolved into a no-holds-barred information database. It is one of the nation’s longest-running services of its kind. It’s technically the “Foy Information Line,” named after the Foy Student Union building that the phone service operates from, and it is free for anyone to call. They’ve gotten questions from callers as far away as Australia, about questions ranging from how many Oreos it would take to circle the globe to what’s the longest nontechnical word in the English language? It’s perfect for when you can’t get to Google. The hot line operates 24 hours during the week and until 9 p.m. on weekends.

I do give great credit for offering this service. I think as librarians we need to see what they are offering we might not be - such as 24 hour service to anyone. Also, I do have to wonder....
ummmmmm....has anybody at the Today Show heard of the reference librarian??