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/

ALICE Training

ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) Training

                                                                

On Tuesday, August 9^th, Chief Richard Horner of Trinity School District will be conducting two Workplace Violence training sessions at the District Center. 

This training is open to the district member libraries.

The two sessions will cover the same information. 

Session 1                               10 am – 12 pm

Session 2                               2 pm – 4 pm

Public Meeting Room (main floor)

Please RSVP to Melinda by August 3 with the name (s) of the staff member (s) attending from your library and the session they will be attending.    Trainings will begin promptly.  Please instruct your staff of parking/entrance instructions.

   

                                    http://www.alicetraining.com    

Free Webinar!

http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2016/07/free-webinar-how-create-new-revenue-streams-your-library

How to Create New Revenue Streams for Your Library.

Don't forget TechSoup!

http://www.techsoup.org/community/events-webinars

TechSoup has great webinars.
Two sessions for QuickBooks are upcoming.

PA One Book Program Survey Link

 

 One Book program survey is also due to Commonwealth Libraries;  that deadline is September 15th.   

Please go to  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/onebooklibrary  and tell us about the programs your  library has provided around the  One Book, Every Young Child initiative.   Please fully describe programs.  The survey will be open until September 15 to include programs done this summer.  You can enter programs completed now and then enter summer programs later.

Summer Learning Survey Submission Information

Libraries are expected to use the participant survey at the end of their programs to elicit outcomes from their participants; the information can be collected either via paper or an online survey. 

 

Both the participant survey and the survey/report questions that are in Counting Opinions.  It is the data collection software used by the State Library.  The online library survey will be available in August.  Susan Pannebaker will send  the link and directions for accessing it at the end of July.

 

The Summer Reading Report is accessible at:  https://pa.countingopinions.org 

The 2016 Report is not yet available; however, you have been emailed everything that needs collected in order for its completion. 

 

If at any time you need login/password information or assistance completing the report, don't hesitate to contact the District Consultant.

 

 

PA Budget Update

2016-2017 Pennsylvania Budget Update

Monday, June 27, the House Appropriations Committee voted 36-1 to approve budget amendment SB 1073. Tuesday, June 28 the House voted 132-68 on the $31.6 billion spending plan. The Senate tweaked the proposal and is expected to vote on the proposal today, June 29. The deadline to pass a budget bill is Thursday, June 30.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds Library Night: July 23rd

We were thrilled to hear that the National Summer Reading program theme is “On Your Mark, Get Set, Read.”  We are excited to partner with Washington, Greene and Fayette counties and see each one represented at our home game on July 23^rd.  During that game we would like to acknowledge the libraries and their members’ participation in the summer reading program. 

Here are some ideas for that night:

·         Each county would wear a specific color and sit together in designated section

·         Acknowledge the kids that have read a designated number of books

·         If #’s permit, we will have the kids make up the pregame player tunnel

We are thrilled that the Carnegie Library will also be collecting gently used children’s books at the start of the game to donate to our friends at Citiparks. 

July 23^rd is one of our Kids Day games.  These games include additional kid friendly activities such as face painting, a bounce house as well as a table set up by the Carnegie Science Center. 

If you are interested in being a part of this night, please contact Mike Warren @ Mwarren@riverhounds.com or call our ticket office at 412-325-7238.  The ticket discount will include getting a free kid’s ticket for every adult ticket purchased.

For all other details or questions please contact Christy Rife @ Crife@riverhounds.com

Thanks,
Christy Rife
Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Community Outreach

Regional Trustee Training: June 11

You are invited to attend the Southwest PA Region’s Trustee Training Institute, Libraries Engaging Their Communities.

Date/Time: Saturday, June 11^th from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Registration and coffee will be available at 9:00 a.m.)

Location: Hilton Garden Inn, Southpointe, 1000 Corporate Drive, Canonsburg, PA 15317

Cost: $15.00/person (to help underwrite the cost of lunch)

To Register:  Please click here to access the registration form.

 

Speakers/Topics will include:

·        Heidi Daniel, Director, Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County

§  How engaging in the Harwood Institute’s Transforming Libraries, Transforming Communities training (an American Library Association initiative) changed the library’s work in their community.

·        Cathi Alloway, Director, Schlow Centre Region Library

§  Developing relationships with individuals and the broader community.

·        Lisa Seel, Director, Millvale Community Library

§  How one small community came together to create a new library.

·        Panel of municipal managers

§  How libraries can position themselves more effectively in their communities.

·        And opportunities to network with board members and directors from libraries across Allegheny, Beaver, Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties!

 

Please register by June 3^rd!

National Summer Learning Day: July 14!

The National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) will celebrate National Summer Learning Day on Thursday, July 14, to raise awareness of the importance of summer learning and recognize the work of the many organizations that #keepkidslearning. Libraries are encouraged to connect to a vast network of education leaders by taking NSLA's pledge to keep kids learning this summer and adding their summer learning programs and events to NSLA's interactive map. Add your events by June 1 when NSLA launches the map more broadly!

Click here for a list of new and useful summer learning resources from the Urban Libraries Council (ULC), NSLA and YALSA, and thanks for all that you do to keep young people engaged and learning over the summer!

More than just a State Aid check!

Here is the list of everything paid for from the Public Library Subside.  Please make your boards aware that the subsidy also provides statewide services. 

State Aid to Public Libraries

                                                                      2015-2016
                                                              Final Distribution

Public Library Subsidy: 

 State Aid, County Coordination Aid & District Center Aid  

$54,470,000

 Library Services for Visually Impaired &Disabled                                                                                             $2,567,000

 Library Access: Statewide Services

·         POWER Library

·         IDS (Interlibrary Delivery System)

·         Electronic Library

·         ShareIt (formerly Access PA)

$ 3,071,000

Office of Commonwealth Libraries

State Library Operations        
   $ 1,832,000

 

Other funding available to public libraries:

Keystone (building and renovations)

 LSTA (grants to libraries;  special projects like Play K, Block Party, Wee Build, Family Place; Summer Reading Manuals and training; trustee training and other continuing education events.

Registration Information Available!! Regional Trustee Workshop, June 11

You are invited to attend the Southwest PA Region’s Trustee Training Institute, Libraries Engaging Their Communities.

Date/Time: Saturday, June 11^th from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Registration and coffee will be available at 9:00 a.m.)

Location: Hilton Garden Inn, Southpointe, 1000 Corporate Drive, Canonsburg, PA 15317

Cost: $15.00/person (to help underwrite the cost of lunch)

To Register:  Please click here to access the registration form.

 

Speakers/Topics will include:

·        Heidi Daniel, Director, Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County

§  How engaging in the Harwood Institute’s Transforming Libraries, Transforming Communities training (an American Library Association initiative) changed the library’s work in their community.

·        Cathi Alloway, Director, Schlow Centre Region Library

§  Developing relationships with individuals and the broader community is essential to fundraising success.

·        Lisa Seel, Director, Millvale Community Library

§  How one small community came together to create a new library.

·        Panel of municipal managers

§  How libraries can position themselves more effectively in their communities.

·        And opportunities to network with board members and directors from libraries across Allegheny, Beaver, Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties!

 

Please register by June 3^rd!

May 20th: Southwest Chapter (PaLA) Spring Workshop

Registration required: 

https://www.palibraries.org/group/swpla

Ensuring the Future: Preserving the Past

Friday, May 20, 2016 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

Westmoreland County Community College

Commissioner's Hall

 

Sessions include:

Using Library Statistics, by Diana Falk, Norwin Public Library

PreservingYour Past, by Dr. Barbara Zaborowski and Alex Kirby, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College

Attracting Authors, by Dan Hensley, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

Policy Checklist: Basic Policiees for Every Library, by Carolyn Blatchley, Cumberland County Library and Wendy McClure, Cleve J. Fredricksen Library

Quickbooks 101, by Maryam Phillips, HSLC

Time to schedule library audits/reviews!

Your library's annual report is not complete until the submission of the audit/review.

If your library's State Aid Revenue is $50,000 or more, an audit is due EVERY year.
If your library's State Aid Revenue is less than $50,000, an audit is due every THIRD year; a financial review due the subsequent years. 

To help save library's money, the State Library encourages library's to schedule their annual financial requirement during the months of June, July or August.  (After tax season.)  Better yet, lock in a 3-year price/contract!

The State's deadline is October 1--this means that your audit/review is keyed into their system by October 1.  NOT that your audit/review is mailed to be received by the State October 1.

The District Center's deadline is SEPTEMBER 1.  The District is collecting 22 audits/reviews!!  Each must have a cover letter with the appropriate wording as stated by the PA Library Code.