State Requirements for Summer Programs & Activities

Don't forget that the Office of Commonwealth Libraries requires a participant survey for your Summer Programs.  If you need a copy of this survey, contact Melinda at mtanner@citlib.org.
It has not changed since last year's reporting.

Your online report for Summer Programming is due mid-late August.  You can find that report on the same site as your library's Annual Report:  https://pa.countingopinions.com

Don't forget The Compendium!

The Compendium is the online newsletter/bulletin board for OCL (Office of Commonwealth Libraries).  http://compendium.ocl-pa.org/

Please subscribe to updates and encourage your board members to do so as well!

You will find information about grants, current and future initiatives, announcements/deadlines/updates from OCL, as well as exciting projects from around the state.

The Compendium is compiled by Diana Megdad (OCL) and hosted by HSLC. 

HSLC is a not-for-profit organization founded to promote information and resource sharing among libraries in Pennsylvania. HSLC hosts the POWER Library Portal, which includes the Access PA Catalog and ILL System (Books, movies, and more in a PA Library, Chat with a librarian (Ask Here PA), PA Photos and Documents, E-Resources, POWER Library – For Librarians, and Contemporary Authors.  HSLC also hosts many special projects for the Office of Commonwealth Libraries such as ILEAD, Pennsylvania Demographic Profiles, Digitization Activities, and more!

Diana is always in search of tid-bits for The Compendium.  Please share any major items, awards, grants or projects with her for inclusion.  dmegdad@pa.gov

How do I request a book that isn't in WAGGIN or ShareIt?

OCLC is the Online Computer Library Center  ( it is a also a nonprofit cooperative organization).   OCLC and its member libraries cooperatively produce and maintain WorldCat, the largest online public access catalog in the world.

District Library Centers (DLC) are required to be members and to provide both lending and borrowing through OCLC.  The District Center's collection is uploaded into  OCLC's WorldCat.

Since the DLC is the only library with access to their ILL system (Worldshare),  district member libraries would need to go through the District's Inter-Library Loan Office (extension 225) to borrow books for WAGGIN cardholders.

If there’s ever any item you can’t get through WAGGIN or SHAREit, just email it to Bret and he will get it through Worldshare .  

If there is a fee to borrow the item, the WAGGIN cardholder would have to go through Citizens Library, but that usually only happens with microfilm and genealogy materials.

First Woman Librarian of Congress!

Watch the entire swearing in ceremony:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKQmcJWz058

You won't be disappointed!

September is Library Card Sign-Up Month!

One of the campaigns thought ALA (American Library Association) is Library Card Sign-Up Month.

You can find more information at:  http://www.ala.org/conferencesevents/celebrationweeks/card

September is back-to-school and a great time to encourage your community to sign-up for a library card.

I will be sending over an 8 1/2 x 11" of the Snoopy poster as well as some stickers:  "I got my library card!".  I had a few WAGGIN ones printed, but have also ordered the ones from ALA.  I hope to get them this week. 

Watch for these items in an upcoming delivery.

THANKS!

District Meetings

Please anticipate the district meetings September - December being held on the second Thursdays.
They will begin at 10:30 a.m. here at the district center unless other-wise indicated.

September 8
October 13
November 10
December 8


The November 10th session will be on Privacy & Confidentiality.   Two sessions will be held:  one in Uniontown, the other here at the District Center.  It is open to staff and boards.
With a unified ILS, it is SO VERY important that your staff is trained in these areas. 
We are still seeing examples of "breaches" -- let's call them "bad habits" -- that need to stop.

I am working on a session on Tinkering that will include your children's/programming staff.  District Services has purchased several new Maker items with an LSTA Grant from Commonwealth Libraries.  I am working on a brochure for September 8th as well as an overview of the items until training can be scheduled.

Please take advantage of any workshops being held by Commonwealth Libraries.  It is important to not only get together to network, but to also get out and about to network with others within the region. 

There are an abundance of webinars available.  Webinars are promoted on PAMAILALL AND in the Compendium.  I also try to share information on ones that look helpful. 

Rural Library Directors Webinar

'WebJunction Webinar for New Rural Directors'

On August 11, Jennifer Pearson, Director, Marshall County Memorial Library (TN) shares Ten Practical Tips for the New Rural Library Director.

Your job description as a library director may not cover some of the unique challenges and opportunities that come with serving a small or rural community.

Juggling the nuances of a new position can be overwhelming, [...]

You may view the latest post at

http://compendium.ocl-pa.org/webjunction-webinar-for-new-rural-directors/