Weekly Wrap-U.P.! June 25, 2021

Future Dates & Training Opportunities


All times are in Central Standard Time (CST).

June 14, 2021 at 2:00 pm – American Recovery Plan Act Kansas Grant Overview Workshop/Zoom Link

June 18, 2021 at 10:00 am – Online only Full Board Meeting/Registration LinkBoard Meeting Zoom Link

June 21 – July 9, 2021 – System CARES Grant Registration Time Period

June 21 – July 29, 2021 – American Rescue Plan Act Registration Time Period / Information Page

June 21 – September 16, 2021 – American Library Association Libraries Transforming Communities / Information Page

June 23 – 29, 2021 – American Library Association Virtual Annual Conference/Registration Link *President Obama is the closing speaker.*

June 29, 2021 – Emergency Connectivity Fund Application Open

July 1, 2021 – SWKLS CatExpress renewal year begins with new amounts for every library. (See below for details.)

July 5, 2021 – SWKLS office will be closed.

September 1 at Haskell Township Library – Very Merry VERSO Launch

September 24 at Gray County Fairgrounds – Tech Day+ 2021

October 27-29, 2021 – Kansas Library Association Conference (Wichita) / Information Page


Consulting


2022 System Plan & Director Certification

I wanted to relay here what I relayed at the Full Board Meeting Friday. The 2022 System Plan has been approved and I have been certified as the director of the System by the State Library of Kansas Advisory Board meeting on June 11, 2021.

Full System Board Meeting & ARPA/ECF Grant Discussion

If you were unable to attend last Friday’s Full Board Meeting and the American Rescue Plan Act & Emergency Connectivity Fund discussion afterwards here is the link to our Wiki to view the videos: Full Board Meeting Video / ARPA & ECF Discussion

Libraries Transforming Communities focus on Small & Rural Libraries

American Library Association has opened applications for the next round of grant funding in their Libraries Transforming Communities Grant. The filling time period is June 21 – September 16, 2021. Information on the grant can be found at this webpage. Some of the funding has supported in libraries have been: media literacy; COVID-19 safety; and Unemployment.

CARES System Requests

The System Office will start ordering for the public libraries that have submitted their CARES request forms, that have been approved, on Monday. Remember there is still time to put in a request. Public libraries have until July 9 to do so.

Major Continuing Education Grant

With conference season starting up don’t forget that the System still has the Major Continuing Education Grants for 2021. If you are interested in applying for one of the Major Continuing Education Grants please feel free to do so at this link.

Tumble Books is Coming Back

Jeff Hixon, of the State Library, let the System directors know that the State is in negotiations to place Tumble Books back on the State’s Website of Online Resources. He wanted us to inform our members that this version will be the teachers version and encourage us to let your local school district teachers know that they will be able to use it in the classes. Once all the details are worked out the State Library will set up workshops for training.

Costume Update

All costumes have arrived at the office. We are in the process of cleaning them after shipping with a lent roller. Also after they costumes have been in boxes for so long we are leaving them out so they can start reforming to the shape they are meant to be in.

We already have some libraries that have reserved certain costumes. If you are interested in reserving a costume for Richard or a local staff member to dress up in please email or call Tandy or Richard.


Cataloging, Collection Development, and ILL

CatExpress Update

Each SWKLS member has an updated number of units to use in CatExpress, and our system will save $1,360 this year. (Thank you to Lori Juhlin at DCPL for making this possible!) We have a document for your reference on the Wiki. It is very important to keep track of your units, otherwise the system will be charged $2.73 for each overage. / Link

A message was sent out to all our catalogers via the SWKLS cat listserv. If you did not receive this message and would like to be added to the cataloging listserv, email Kelly.

Experiencing Problems with Cover Art?

SWKLS has an annual subscription with Baker & Taylor for the use of its cover art service called Content Café. Cover art images belonging to popular titles and well known authors should appear automatically when a new record is added to the catalog (SWiftnet). (Cover art for rare or self-published titles often needs to be added manually.) While performing original cataloging, I have noticed that Content Café does not work properly. I have written a help desk ticket with B&T, and additional system feedback would be greatly appreciated. If you are experiencing a problem or delay with the automatic addition of cover art, please let me know! Email the ISBN or title/author to Kelly, and it will be forwarded to B&T. Thank you!


Technology


ALERT! Receipt Printers

We contacted Star Micronics and they have confirmed an issue with the latest Windows 10 update and their thermal receipt printers. Their development team is working on a fix and we will monitor for the announcement of it’s release. In the mean time, many of our member library receipt printers will not function properly. The affected models are primarily USB connected TSP113 and TSP143 units, but we have had calls on other models such as the networked TSP143’s. As soon as a fix is available, we’ll work on getting everyone printing again.

SWKLS Office Telephone System

The SWKLS office telephone system upgrade is nearly complete! We have requested that our phone numbers be moved (ported) from our current provider into our new system. This may cause those numbers to be temporarily unavailable for a brief period at some point during the next few weeks. Our fallback numbers will be active beginning today and will remain active indefinitely. If you have an issue contacting us via our regular telephone number(s), please use one of the fallback telephone numbers:
1-620-646-9440
1-888-310-9096


System Spotlight


System Spotlight

If you would like to highlight your library, we’d like to hear from you. Whether it’s about your activities, programs or anything else that is going on that you’re proud of we can hold a spotlight on your library here in the Weekly Wrap UP if you email Jody at jhattrup@swkls.org


Weekly Wrap-U.P.! June 11, 2021

Future Dates & Training Opportunities


All times are in Central Standard Time (CST).

June 14, 2021 at 2:00 pm – American Recovery Plan Act Kansas Grant Overview Workshop/Zoom Link

June 18, 2021 at 10:00 am – Online only Full Board Meeting/Registration LinkBoard Meeting Zoom Link

June 23 – 29 – American Library Association Virtual Annual Conference/Registration Link
*President Obama is the keynote.*

September 1 at Haskell Township Library – Very Merry VERSO Launch

September 24 at Gray County Fairgrounds – Tech Day+ 2021


Consulting


American Recovery Plan Act

Alice Smith, of the State Library of Kansas, will be holding a workshop on how libraries can apply for funds through the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA). It is a fast turn around with the workshop being this next Monday, June 14, at 2:00 pm CT at the following Zoom Link.

Full System Board Meeting

The next Full System Board Meeting is fast approaching. The meeting will be held June 18 at 10:00 am. This meeting will be an online only meeting. Registration is open and the link is above in the calendar section. Here is the Zoom Link for the June Online Board Meeting.

ALA Virtual Annual Conference

The American Library Associations annual conference and exhibit is being held virtually. Registration is open at this time. The conference will be held June 23-29, 2021. With conference season starting up don’t forget that the System still has the Major Continuing Education Grants for 2021. If you are interested in applying for one of the Major Continuing Education Grants please feel free to do so at this link.

After-Lunch Course

If you attended this Thursday’s After-Lunch Course: Customer Service with Pat Wagner please send an email to Richard so he can update your Continuing Education File. The next After-Lunch Course will be on September 9, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm CT. The topic will be “Library Ethics” with Pat Wagner again. When registration opens we will place it in the Weekly Wrap-U.P.

Outdoor Movie Viewing

Heather Thompson, director of Hanston City Library, recently reached out to Swank Movie Pictures Inc., whom we receive the indoor blanket movie licensing from, on showing a movie outdoors. Heather was wanting to show a movie outdoors and placed the call to facilitate the showing. The Swank representative she visited with relayed that the company has waved viewing rights for specific movies through the rest of 2021.

You will need to visit Swank’s website to see what movies are available and still fill out the request form to view the outdoor movies. This can be a great way to augment your Summer Library Programs and after until the end of 2021 at no cost to your library. Many thanks to Heather for letting me know about this and sending me the information to post for all of our other members.

Costume Update

We have received the first costume that the System ordered. It is the Cat costume that resembles the Skippy John Jones character. The other 3 costumes are still at port in China.


Cataloging, Collection Development, and ILL


Scoping Problem in VERSO = Finally Solved!

With few exceptions, all members will have these two resources. SWiftnet is the default; DCPL and SCCC will be searched only when you click the box next to “Non-SWiftnet Members”. Let Kelly know if this is not the case.

New Titles Published in Spanish


Technology


ALERT! Receipt Printers

We contacted Star Micronics and they have confirmed an issue with the latest Windows 10 update and their thermal receipt printers. Their development team is working on a fix and we will monitor for the announcement of it’s release. In the mean time, many of our member library receipt printers will not function properly. The affected models are primarily USB connected TSP113 and TSP143 units, but we have had calls on other models such as the networked TSP143’s. As soon as a fix is available, we’ll work on getting everyone printing again.

SWKLS Office Telephone System

The SWKLS office telephone system upgrade is nearly complete! We have requested that our phone numbers be moved (ported) from our current provider into our new system. This may cause those numbers to be temporarily unavailable for a brief period at some point during the next few weeks. Our fallback numbers will be active beginning today and will remain active indefinitely. If you have an issue contacting us via our regular telephone number(s), please use one of the fallback telephone numbers:
1-620-646-9440
1-888-310-9096


System Spotlight


System Spotlight

If you would like to highlight your library, we’d like to hear from you. Whether it’s about your activities, programs or anything else that is going on that you’re proud of we can hold a spotlight on your library here in the Weekly Wrap UP if you email Jody at jhattrup@swkls.org

Suzanne Woods Fisher

Join the Stevens County Library on June 17th at 7 pm for an Author Meet and Greet via Zoom Meetings with celebrated author Suzanne Woods Fisher.

Suzanne graduated from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California, and was a free-lance writer for magazines while her children were growing up. A former contributing editor to Christian Parenting Today, Suzanne’s work has appeared in many magazines, including Today’s Christian Woman, Worldwide Challenge, and Marriage Partnership.

Her first novel, Copper Star, a World War II love story, was published by a small press (Vintage Inspirations) and received three literary awards. It opened the door to a literary agent, Joyce Hart. The agent knew of Suzanne’s connection to the Plain People—her grandfather was raised Plain—and introduced her to an editor at Revell, a division of Baker Books. Amish Peace: Simple Wisdom for a Complicated World was the result of that first conversation. It was 2010 ECPA Book of the Year finalist…and it is the book Suzanne wants to be buried with.

You might have enjoyed The Haven, On a Coastal Breeze, or The Letters among many of her other works here at the library.  Her most recent book Moonlight School is inspired by the true events of the Moonlight Schools, which brings to life the story that shocked the nation into taking adult literacy seriously.  Call the library to reserve a copy today.

To join the meeting, contact the library at 620-544-2301 to get the Zoom link emailed to you ahead of time and remember to stop by the library to check out one of Suzanne’s books today!

New Logos in the SWKLS


Ashland City Library

Rachel Knowles Wins the Library Logo Contest

The Ashland City Library Board is proud to announce that local artist Rachel Knowles won the recent Ashland Library Logo Contest!  Her design is clean and streamlines and the board plans to use it with all library postings and as a header for our online presence as well.  We appreciate all the designs that were submitted, our community boasts some great artistic talents. 

Haskell Township Library

First Ever Haskell Township Library Logo Created by Sublette HS Student 

After 99 years in existence, the Haskell Township Library has its first logo.  Library Director Sara Koehn chose the Sublette High School Graphic Arts class to assist in the creation of a new logo to choose.  After much deliberation on the fabulous submissions by Ms. Jennifer Younger’s class, the Haskell Township Library Board chose the submission by Ms. Alejandra Munoz, a Senior in Ms. Younger’s class.  “We are very fortunate to have such talented students in our community”, said Koehn, “and Alejandra will now not only be a part of the library’s history but of the community’s history as well.”  

Dodge City Public Library

In and effort to coordinate and collaborate with local entities including the City of Dodge City, and the Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Dodge City Public Library recently underwent a rebranding effort with the help of A|D Creative Group of Billings, Montana. The logo incorporates design elements found in the other Dodge City Logo’s while creating a brand that is distinctive to the Library and it’s recent addition of the Kansas Heritage Center in the last few years.

Weekly Wrap-U.P.! June 4, 2021

Future Dates & Training Opportunities


All times are in Central Standard Time (CST).

June 8, 2021 at 8:00 PST – Talks with Ted/Registration Link & Submit Questions Link

June 10, 2021 at 1:30 pm – After-Lunch Course “Customer Service” with Pat Wagner/ Registration Link

June 18, 2021 at 10:00 am – Online only Full Board Meeting/Registration Link

September 1 at Haskell Township Library – Very Merry VERSO Launch

September 24 at Gray County Fairgrounds – Tech Day+ 2021


Consulting


Full System Board Meeting

The next Full System Board Meeting is fast approaching. The meeting will be held June 18 at 10:00 am. This meeting will be an online only meeting. Registration is open and the link is above in the calendar section.

Senate Bill 13 and House Bill 2104 Update

After setting in on the Kansas Department of Administration Municipal Services Budget Workshop, it is clear that several people still have questions about the new budget process for governmental entities. The main thing they emphasized is for department heads (which includes librarians) to get to know your county clerk and/or city clerk so you can work within the time frame and valuations they need you to work within.

The SB 13 and HB 2104 is in effect for the 2022 budget cycle and your county and/or city may have to have a Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR) Hearing this year between the dates of August 20 – September 20 depending on if they exceed the RNR.

The System Office is working on getting a workshop for our members through Kennedy, McKee & Co to explain the nuances of these two bills.

First Friday with Friends

June 4 is the “First Friday with Friends” session. It will begin at 9:00 am and last approximately an hour. During this session the discussion topic is “Making Memberships Meaningful”. The Zoom link is above in the Calendar Section and if you were unable to attend May’s session the recorded link is here: “May’s First Friday with Friends”

Talks With Ted through AutoGrahpics

The next “Talks with Ted” is on June 8 at 10:00 am CT. This is where you can ask Ted questions directly or you can send in your questions ahead of time on the System’s Verso ILS. The registration link and submit questions link are above in the Calendar Section.


Technology


Technology Plans

We have begun receiving and reviewing technology plans for the 2022-2023 cycle. Please remember that technology plans are now tied to the accreditation cycle and no longer on a three year cycle. You would submit your plan this year and it will be valid for Jan 1st 2022 to Dec 31st 2023. For more information on technology planning, please visit our wiki page here: https://wiki.swkls.org/index.php/Category:Technology_Planning


System Spotlight


System Spotlight

If you would like to highlight your library, we’d like to hear from you. Whether it’s about your activities, programs or anything else that is going on that you’re proud of we can hold a spotlight on your library here in the Weekly Wrap UP if you email Jody at jhattrup@swkls.org


Plains Community Library’s Reading Nook


Cataloging, Collection Development, and ILL


Scoping Problem in VERSO = Solved!

Last night’s release addressed this problem. If you wish, you can now search for results in your library’s catalog only. Let Kelly know if this is not the case.

Barcodes & VERSO

  1. In the quick search bar and advanced search, scanning one barcode yielded more than one result in one library’s catalog.
    This is due to an internal problem invisible to VERSO users. While searching, VERSO is confusing the barcode with another number. We have been assured that this problem will be resolved in a future enhancement. For now, this barcode confusion will NOT affect circulation. However, it is a best practice to always double-check the screen with the item in hand to ensure accuracy.
  2. Cover art could not be added by scanning the barcode (CAT Admin – Add local cover)
    This feature needs improvement and will not be available for a few weeks. If you need to add cover art, use the ISBN, title, or author. Give Kelly a call if you have difficulty.

40 New Titles in Spanish

Andy at the State Library has recently purchased 40 self-help titles in Spanish to add to Cloud Library. Thank you, Andy! If you would like a copy of this list, email Kelly. Spread this good news to your patrons!

A New Look for…

When a bibliographic record is being viewed, NoveList provides additional information after the sections “More About This Title” and the Goodreads reviews. (See image below.) NoveList will change its look and improve its functionality at the end of June. You will notice a difference in how Novelist looks.

CAT Express

The most recent SWKLS Quarterly CAT Express Usage Report is now available on the Wiki, and all libraries have been included. This is the last report for 2021, and our contract renews on July 1 for 2022. / Link