USPTO National Summer Teacher Institute Focus on Intellectual Property
The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will conduct its 5th Annual National Summer Teacher Institute on Innovation, STEM, and Intellectual Property July 29-August 3, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. The central focus of this year’s Institute is on the creation and protection of intellectual property, which will be modeled as both a teaching and learning platform to help inspire and motivate student achievement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, computer science, and other fields of study such as innovation and entrepreneurship. Apply by June 8.
Public Innovators Lab for Libraries to be Held October 9-11
The American Library Association (ALA) and The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation announce a three-day training opportunity to help libraries strengthen their role as agents of positive change in their communities. The Public Innovators Lab for Libraries will be held Oct. 9 to 11, 2018, in St. Louis, Missouri. Librarians, community partners and stakeholders in libraries of all types — public, academic, school and special libraries — are invited to attend. Participants must register online by Friday, Sept. 28. The cost is $995 per person, and team participation is encouraged.
IMLS Releases FY16 Public Library Statistics
The Institute of Museum and Library Services has released the latest data from its 2016 Public Libraries Survey. The Public Libraries Survey examines key indicators of public library use, financial health, staffing, and resources. The data are collected from approximately 9,000 public library systems comprised of over 17,000 individual main libraries, library branches, and bookmobiles in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. For Wyoming statistics, see our statistics page, or contact Thomas Ivie, WSL Research & Statistics Librarian, at thomas.ivie@wyo.gov or (307) 777-6330.
Libraries Celebrate June as GLBT Book Month™
The American Library Association (ALA) and hundreds of libraries will celebrate June 2018 as GLBT Book Month™, a nationwide celebration of the authors and writings that reflect the GLBT experience. GLBT Book Month™ is held annually in June and honors the authors and writings that reflect the lives and experiences of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community. GLBT Book Month™ is coordinated through the ALA’s Office for Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Round Table.
Host a Community Screening of NOVA’s Decoding the Weather Machine
On April 18, NOVA aired its newest climate change documentary, Decoding the Weather Machine, and you can bring a screening to your school or library. NOVA will provide local partners with a free DVD of Decoding the Weather Machine and a screening guide for planning the event. It will include more information about climate science, as well as sample discussion questions and panel formats to inspire community conversations once the film is over. Contact Outreach Coordinator Gina Varamo with any questions at gina_varamo@wgbh.org.
White Paper Examines Eliminating Fees on Children’s Materials
Whether to charge fines is an oft-debated topic in libraries. The Colorado State Library issued a white paper in 2016, Removing barriers to access : eliminating library fines and fees on children’s materials. Their conclusion from their research was that libraries should eliminate fines and reconsider fees for lost or damaged items, on children’s materials.
AASL Position Papers on School Libraries and Librarians
The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) offers a number of position papers addressing issues such as the definition and role of an effective school library program, appropriate staffing, and the preparation and instructional role of school librarians.
Selection & Reconsideration Policy Toolkit for Public, School, & Academic Libraries
Every library should have a policy guiding the selection, deselection or weeding, and reconsideration of library resources. This toolkit from the American Library Association (ALA) has sample policies to guide you through updating or creating these policies. It includes an appendix an appendix with core intellectual freedom documents and additional resources.
Surveys and Questionnaires: A Short Course for Library Staff
The Montana State Library has a three part mini-course on creating surveys on its Vimeo channel. View the archives of Part 1: “To Survey or not to Survey,” Part 2: “Good Questions/Poor Questions,” and Part 3: “Measuring Up.”
The 5 Early Literacy Practices: PLAY
From Pamela Mejia de Rodriguez at Colorado Virtual Library: “Play has been called ‘the work of children’ and for good reason! It is through play that children learn to interact in their environment, discover their interests, and acquire speech, language, new vocabulary, and cognitive, motor, and social-emotional skills (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2007) – so we can say that play is not just a game. Play is a learning process!” Learn more in the full post, one in a series about the five literacy practices of sing, play, read, talk, and write.