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October '99 Vol.13 No.10 ISSN 0895-0806 phone: 402-471-2045, 800-307-2665
Timely information from the Nebraska Library Commission

typewriter [Announcements]

Newsline®, a service that allows individuals who are blind or visually impaired to use phone lines to access national newspapers through synthetic speech, is available free of charge through a site in Lincoln. A product of the National Federation of the Blind, Newsline® provides access to The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, and USA Today, with future plans to include local access to the Lincoln Journal Star. The Library Commission awarded a $10,000 grant to the Nebraska Rehabilitation Services for the Visually Impaired for promotion and outreach to potential listeners. Applications for Newsline® are available through the Library Commission's Talking Book and Braille Service, 402-471-3109 or 800-742-7691. For more information, contact Bob Deaton, 402-471-8175 or 800-809-2419.

On behalf of all Nebraska libraries, the Nebraska Library Commission is arranging for a trial of netLibrary, which offers the world's largest library of eBooks that can be viewed on computer screen, October 15 through November 14. Librarians interested in participating should fill out the required forms on the Library Commission home page, to be submitted directly to netLibrary. The form is expected to be available by October 7 and may be found on or around that date by searching on netLibrary on the Library Commission home page, nlc.nebraska.gov.

What if you ran your library like Amazon.com? Steve Coffman, the author of the controversial article "Building Earth's Largest Library" will discuss his library philosophy during a live national satellite teleconference Thursday, October 28, 2 - 3 p.m. CDT at INCOLSA, Indianapolis, Indiana. The Nebraska Library Commission will pay the downlink fee for each site. Eleven sites in Nebraska have signed up to downlink this teleconference. For additional information or to register your site go to nlc.nebraska.gov/netserv/nst.html. For questions, contact Jeannette Powell, 402-471-7740 or 800-307-2665, e-mail: Jeannette Powell.

The Nebraska Humanities Council will again participate in the Choices for the 21st Century Library Project. Any library is eligible to apply, and applications from small rural libraries are particularly encouraged. Materials are pre-packaged and explicit instructions are included. An orientation session and assistance from the Humanities Council are included. Choices for the 21st Century is a public policy values-based discussion program, focusing on America's role in the world in the next century. The series is designed for citizens with no prior knowledge of foreign policy. Reading materials are provided free of charge. For more information or for an application, contact Lisa Johnston, Nebraska Humanities Council, 402-474-2131.

A list of participants' suggestions from the NEBASE Annual Meeting brainstorming session on Resource Sharing is on the Library Commission home page at nlc.nebraska.gov/netserv/resourcesharing.html. Since feedback is needed to prioritize these items Nebraska library staff are asked to designate their top five priorities and make comments.

N3, the Nebraska Library Commission Network Services News, is now available via e-mail for quick delivery and easy retrieval. The latest issue will be sent to subscribers via e-mail. N3 continues to be available on the Library Commission home page at nlc.nebraska.gov/netserv/n3.html. If you do not wish to receive N3 via e-mail and need to continue receiving a paper copy, complete the form at nlc.nebraska.gov/netserv/n3paper.html.

The Nebraska Library Commission has negotiated for discounts for Nebraska libraries and staff on Fatbrain.com, an online bookstore. Knowledge Products for the Technical & Professional Mind, including books, training products, and documentation are offered online. All Nebraska libraries and staff are eligible for free standard US shipping on every order and reduced overnight shipping, guaranteed minimum discount of at least 5% and up to 40% off every title ordered, and orders for in-stock items placed by 6 p.m. CST are shipped that day. To access this new service, see www1.fatbrain.com/partners/99b/nebraska2054/home.asp. For information about the store and its services or volume discounts, contact Fatbrain.com, Kenneth Travis, 877-845-0100 ext. 267.

OCLC's new FirstSearch is now available for public use. Check out the information and links at nlc.nebraska.gov/netserv/nebase/newfsinfo.html.

Fall CD-ROM Group Purchase is organized by the Bibliographical Center for Research (BCR), in conjunction with NEBASE, on behalf of Nebraska libraries and media centers, allowing some of the lowest prices ever on over 200 popular CD-ROM titles. If you did not receive an order form through the mail, see nlc.nebraska.gov/netserv/cd.html and print the form. The deadline for orders is October 14. Send to Jeannette Powell, Nebraska Library Commission, The Atrium, 1200 N Street, Suite 120, Lincoln, NE 68508-2023, or fax it to 402-471-2083, attention: Jeannette.

Manuals and order forms for the 2000 Summer Reading Program, "Cosmic Connections at your Library" will be mailed in October. The deadline for ordering materials is December 1, 1999. Late orders may not be filled completely. The next three Summer Reading Program themes are: 2001, "Road Trip U.S.A.;" 2002, "Be a Winner at Your Library;" and 2003, "Lighten up at Your Library."

Fall Children's Book Review tapes and lists will be available the second week in October. You may request the tapes from your System office or from Library Commission Reference/Information Services at 402-471-4016 or 800-307-2665, e-mail: Information Services Team.

The first Library Commission Youth Advisory Board meeting for the 1999-2000 year was held September 17. For a copy of the minutes and a list of representatives see the Library Commission home page, nlc.nebraska.gov, search on Youth, or contact Mary Jackson, 402-471-4006 or 800-307-2665.

The University of Missouri-Columbia Library and Information Science Online Job Fair will take place October 24-30. All candidates are welcome and there are no fees for participation. All candidates will have the opportunity to post their resume online and view job openings. Employers pay a $35 registration fee which gives them unlimited access to resumes and the ability to post all their positions. Academic libraries, public libraries, school libraries, special libraries, and database vendors are all welcome. Candidates and employers can register online at www.coe.missouri.edu/~career/virtual.html. For more information contact Linda Kaiser, Career and Program Support, College of Education, University of Missouri-Columbia, 104 Hill Hall, Columbia, MO, 65211, 573-882-7831, e-mail: <kaiserl@missouri.edu>.

WNBA basketball player Rebecca Lobo and NFL football player Tim Dwight have joined world champion figure skater Michelle Kwan as spokespeople on the "Read Team" for Teen Read Week, October 17-23, sponsored by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association. Libraries interested in participating in Teen Read Week are urged to register at www.ala.org/teenread/register.html. For more information, contact YALSA at 800-545-2433, ext. 4390, or <yalsa@ala.org>.

If you do not have access to the Internet World Wide Web, contact Mary Geibel, 402-471-2045 or 800-307-2665, e-mail: Mary Geibel for print information about the previous announcements.

Preparation of this newsletter was supported in part by funds allocated through the Library Services and Technology Act administered by the United States Institute of Museum and Library Services.

lightbulb [Continuing Education & Training]

Fundraising Training for Public Libraries

October 12, 4 - 9:30 p.m. (registration 3:30 p.m.), Northeast Community College, Norfolk, Lifelong Learning Center. Contact: Northeast Library System, Carol Speicher, 800-578-1014, e-mail: <speicher@nol.nol.org>.
October 16, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Dvoracek Memorial Library, Wilber, 419 West Third St. Contact: Southeast Library System, Brenda Ealey, 800-288-6063, e-mail: <bealey@cornhusker.net>.

The Nebraska Community Foundation presents fundraising training sessions for public libraries, cosponsored by the Nebraska Library Commission and Nebraska's Regional Library Systems. Library Friends, Trustees and staff are invited. This training focuses on fundraising basics and techniques necessary to form and implement public-private partnerships to support and sustain local library services. Trainer: Jeff Yost, Vice President for Development, Nebraska Community Foundation, Inc. Cost: $12 for one meal and refreshments. CE Credit=5. Preregistration is required. Complete registration and return to your library system at least three days before the training session. Make checks payable to your system office. For more information and registration, see nlc.nebraska.gov, search on Fundraising.

Libraries, Copyright, and the Internet

October 14, 1:30 - 3 p.m. CST,
Lincoln: Nebraska Educational Telecommunications, 1800 N. 33rd , 2nd Floor Board Room;
Bellevue: Bellevue University, R. Joe Dennis Learning Center, Room 520;
Peru: Peru State College, PSC Student Center, Bur Oak Room;
Norfolk: Northeast Community College, Maclay building, Room 100A.
Contact: Ellen Van Waart, Continuing Education Coordinator, Nebraska Library Commission, 402-471-4004 or 800-307-2665.

The Nebraska Library Commission will downlink the satellite event, "Libraries, Copyright, and the Internet" on October 14, at 1:30 - 3 p.m. CST at four locations. The program will explain the way fair use and cyberspace law apply in a library setting and the liabilities of patrons, librarians, and libraries for copyright violations. You may attend at any of these sites. No registration or fee is required. CE Credit=2.

OCLC Cataloging Micro Enhancer For Windows Version 1.11

October 27, 9 a.m. - 12 noon, Nebraska Library Commission Heron Room, The Atrium, 1200 N Street, Suite 120.
Contact: Jeannette Powell, 402-471-7740 or 800-307-2665, e-mail Jeannette Powell.

The OCLC Cataloging Micro Enhancer for Windows software increases productivity and reduces costs by combining online searching and processing with offline editing. Topics covered in this workshop include: loading the software from CD-ROM or the OCLC Web site; customizing options; searching for bibliographic records and authority file records in batch-mode and interactively; editing offline; original cataloging workforms; printing labels and record lists; and workflow. Audience: New and current users with questions. Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of the OCLC cataloging system and the Windows95 (or higher) environment. What to Bring: Questions and comments on what you have found useful or not. Format: Lecture, demonstration, and hands-on experience. CE Credit=3. Instructor: Devra Dragos, Library Commission OCLC Member Services Coordinator.

College of DuPage Teleconference Series

November 19, 1999, 11 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. "Success in the Library Workplace: You have the power"
January 14, 2000, 11 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. "Internet Power: How to keep it, How to Pass it on"
March 24, 2000, 11 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. "Information Power: What is it, How to Know when you see it, How to use it in your library"
Contact: Ellen Van Waart, Continuing Education Coordinator, Nebraska Library Commission, 402-471-4004 or 800-307-2665.

The Nebraska Library Commission will sponsor "Soaring to Excellence 2000" from the College of DuPage. The theme of this year's series is "You Have the Power." The three programs in this year's series may be downlinked at any satellite receive site in Nebraska. If you are interested in viewing or taping these programs, contact Ellen Van Waart, see above. CE Credit=2 per session.

Continuing Education (CE) Credits are issued by the Nebraska Library Commission as part of the Nebraska Public Librarian or Board Certification Program.

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