Windows 10 Support Ends October 14, 2025: Here’s What You Need to Know

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, so too does the software that powers our daily computing experiences. As announced by Microsoft, the support for Windows 10 will be ending on October 14, 2025. For individuals and organizations relying on this operating system, this marks a significant transition point. Let’s delve into what this means for Windows 10 devices and the steps that can be taken to prepare for this change.

Understanding the End of Support

The end of support for Windows 10 signifies that Microsoft will no longer provide technical support, software updates, security updates, or fixes for the operating system after October 14, 2025. This is a standard practice in the tech industry, allowing companies to focus resources on newer, more secure, and more advanced products.

Security Implications

Running an unsupported version of Windows can pose significant security risks. Without regular updates, systems become vulnerable to emerging threats. Therefore, planning a transition before the end of support date is critical to maintaining a secure computing environment.

Choosing a New Path

The primary litmus test for upgrade eligibility is the CPU (central processing unit) model and generation. Generally speaking, all Intel® and AMD® processors that are 8th Generation and higher meet the system requirements for Windows 11. The SWKLS Technology Department has added a column to the member library computer inventory page that denotes whether a given computer is Windows 11 compatible. Member library computer inventories can be accessed here (available only while using your library Internet):
https://forms.swkls.org/inventory/index.php

If your computer(s) support Windows 11, a free upgrade can be installed by the SWKLS Technology Department. Our current plans are to roll out upgrades where possible beginning in 2024.

If your computer(s) do not meet the hardware requirements for an upgrade to Windows 11, the options are to either replace the computer(s) with new ones, retire the computer(s) without replacement, or retire the computer(s) and augment with iPad tablets. Many of our member libraries have begun decreasing patron computer counts as the need for those machines has decreased in some communities. In some cases, libraries have purchased iPads to augment their patron computers when needed. Please note that iPads used in this manner (by patrons) would require a mobile device management (MDM) solution which the SWKLS Technology Department can provide for a small monthly fee per tablet. For current computer or laptop pricing information, please contact Steve Andrews at SWKLS. For more information regarding hardware procurement and disposal, please read the following policies:
Hardware Procurement:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ceNJpdXAhzfYeNxqGRMiLB1IA7cXbRSn_mvgYMT_NAE/edit?usp=sharing
Technology Disposal:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RdbKNY1eRw8vfYvDa1wPQsVlFDqumB_SCBOOBb2tS1A/edit?usp=sharing

Posted in FYI

Weekly Wrap-U.P.! July 30 , 2021

Future Dates & Training Opportunities


All times are in Central Standard Time (CST).

August 3, 2021, 2PM – Train U.P.! Registration Link

August 6, 2021, 9 am – Frist Friday with Friends/Zoom Link

August 20, 2021, 10 am-Full Board Meeting Hybrid -August-RNR Hearing and 2022 Budget Hearing/Registration Link– Please note there will be an option to attend through zoom or in-person as well as the option to eat lunch.

September 1 at Haskell Township Library – Very Merry VERSO Launch
– Next volunteers: Ransom, Meadowlark, and Fowler

September 7, 2021, 2PM – Train U.P.! (topic TBD)

September 24 at Gray County Fairgrounds – Tech Day+ 2021

October 1, 2021, Virtual Tech Day+ 2021

October 5, 2021, 2PM – Train U.P.! (topic TBD)

October 20-23, 2021 Association for Rural & Small Libraries / Registration Link

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

November 2, 2021, 2PM – Train U.P.! (topic TBD)

December 10, 2021 – 2nd Annual Crafting Your Collection 2021


Consulting


First Friday with Friends

The next session of First Friday with Friends will be August 6, at 9:00 am CT / 8:00 am MT. Join in with other librarians and staff for a discussion on “Who is on Fire: Preventing Burnout”. See the above calendar for the Zoom Link.

Contracts Reminder

This is for contracting libraries that have membership with SWKLS. If you haven’t already done so please turn in your signed contracts for 2022 via Tandy’s email. If you have any questions please call or e-mail Tandy. Thank you.

SWKLS Representative Reminder

This is for all of SWKLS membership. If you haven’t done so, please return you System board representatives form via Tandy’s email. If you have any questions you can call or e-mail Tandy here at the office. Thank you.


Cataloging, Collection Development, and ILL

Registration will become available in the fall.
Save the date, catalogers!

Copy-Cataloging Map

Catalogers may find this document helpful when VERSO does not have a record to copy from, and it includes information about CatExpress. / Link

Details about the SWKLS Costume Collection are available in the bibliographic records in VERSO and on the Wiki. / Link


Technology

How Secure are Smart Speaker?

Photo by Mati Mango from Pexels

Smart Speakers, Virtual Assistants, and Voice Command Devices go by many names but many people have wondered how secure are they. Know4Be.com has a 5-minute video on why you shouldn’t have them in the workplace. Click here to log in and, to view the video go to your Training and choose “Restricted Intelligence Season 7: Ep 01 – Not So Smart (Virtual Assistants)”. If you are unable to access the video please contact Jody at jhattrup@swkls.org to add you to Know4Be.com. Remember these videos count for C.E. Credits.

VERSO Update

A recent update to the Chromium open-source browser project has caused issue in both VERSO and SHAREit where certain operations cannot be completed. This is affecting both the Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge web browsers as they share the common Chromium codebase. We have implemented a temporary workaround to most staff computers system-wide, but if you are experiencing issues please call the SWKLS office for assistance.



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

SWKLS Summer Socials

Look who was in the Scott City’s Parade.

Haskell Township Library invited Skippyjon Jones.

Weekly Wrap-Up November 13, 2020

November 13, 2020

Contributions to the Weekly Wrap-up are from all SWKLS staff.

On the calendar

November 16 – Tandy and Richard will be visiting CKLS for the day.

November 17 – Verso/Auto-Graphics Q & A Session.  Registration Link

November 18 Verso/Auto-Graphics Q & A Session.  Registration Link

November 20 –  System cloudlibrary Workshop

November 26 & 27 – System Office Closed for Thanksgiving

December 2 – Target date for the State Library to complete transfer of all audiobook purchases to the Cloud Library.

December 4 – Full Board Meeting (Online with Zoom)

December 9 – Verso/Auto-Graphics Q & A Session.  Registration Link

December 11 – Richard, Jody, and Kelly will visit Seward Community College.

December 16 – Verso/Auto-Graphics Q & A Session.  Registration Link

KPERS:

 If you haven’t already, you should be receiving an e-mail from KPERS to verify your service quarters for the 2021 year. You must verify and submit service quarter info, even if you don’t make any changes. Submit to KPERS by November 20, 2020.

Another Scam:

This email was sent to one of our System Libraries.  If you get this do not respond to it.  Any unemployment paperwork will come to the library by mail from the Kansas Department of Revenue.

One or more unemployment insurance claims have been filed indicating your company is a party to the claim.

Please complete the request for separation information at http://uisides.org by selecting the “Separation Information” radio button and entering your federal employer identification number (FEIN) and your PIN. You can also log into your tax account at http://www.kansasemployer.gov and complete the notices from there. Please submit your response within 10 calendar days. Failure to submit your response within 10 calendar days will prevent you from protesting any subsequent decision made regarding this claim.

Completion of this request for separation information is required by law K.S.A. 44-709(b); K.S.A. 44-710(c)(3).

If you are submitting attachments, they cannot be password protected or encrypted.

PLEASE NOTE:

This e-mail was sent from a notification-only address that cannot accept incoming e-mail. Please do not reply to this message.

Summer (Reading) Library Program:

I have sent out a “form” for any libraries that are interested in doing the Reader Zone app again this year.  If you could get that back to me by December 2, 2020, then I can forward the information to Alice Smith at the State Library.

Talking Books

If you have a patron that is need of the Talking Books Service here are the links to the Webpage

Kansas Talking Books, and the the Application Form, Kansas Talking Books Application Form.  You can download the application and have the patron or family member complete the form and then turn it in to you at the library.  If you can verify the patron’s condition you can be the approving signatory.  If you can’t verify the patron’s condition then they will need to visit their local doctor for authorization.

If you have any questions please contact Richard at the System office.

Friends of Kansas Libraries

If you haven’t done so already, be sure to go to the FoKL Facebook page and “Like” the page to keep up with their activities. If you would like to become a member of the Friends of Kansas you can do so here Friends of Kansas Membership Form.

To get more information you can visit their Friends of Kansas Webpage

Kansas Reads to Pre-Schoolers

The month of November is Kansas Reads to Preschoolers month.  This program is set for the whole month so libraries can contact their local preschools to set up dates and times to read to the classes and/or hand out the selected book for this year which is Groovy Joe: Ice Cream and Dinosaurs written by Eric Litwin and art by Tom Lichtenheld.

Groovy Joe StoryWalkⓇ will soon be available for ILL.

Here is the link to the State Libraries webpage that contains PR content (poster, bookmarks, and Facebook Banner): https://kslib.info/1017/Kansas-Reads-to-Preschoolers

CloudLibrary

Andy Schafer, of the state library is looking to do additional workshops for the transition from RB Digital to cloudLibrary for those that missed this workshop on the 3rd.  No dates set as of yet.

Legislative Day

Some discussion was done on how to structure Legislative Day.  It looks to become another online event and if it is how will KLA entice lawmakers to join in for an online session.

The Governmental Affairs Committee has started working on a position statement for the upcoming 2021 legislative session. One major point of focus will be broadband access and availability. 

Will you please consider sharing stories about broadband use? For example, just yesterday, a middle school in western Kansas had to quarantine the basketball team. Luckily the library had several circulating hotspots and was able to lend them to the students. Now those students will be able to continue school off site without skipping a beat. To me another awesome part of the story is the librarian was at the school teaching database use. 

That’s a great story that will carry a big impact with our legislators. I know you have great stories and request you share them. You can send your stories to me and I will collect them for the Governmental Affairs Committee. Just email me at gsanty@ckls.org

Thanks,

Gail

Gail Santy

Central Kansas Library System/Great Bend Public Library

1409 Williams St

Great Bend KS 67530

800-362-2642

620-792-4865 x. 107

Courier Information

If you need to contact Caroline Handwork you will need to use her email chandwork@nekls.org.  She is in the process of getting a line in her home for a telephone.

Who to contact at SWKLS

If you are uncertain who at SWKLS to contact with specific questions, we have created a sheet to assist. Here is the link to the sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14f3yUesarAyedYG7ShSyta_2-8R_WfLwioQOVUfvF4E/edit?usp=sharing

Available trainings

Auto-Graphics Q & A Dates at 10AM: 11/17, 11/18, 12/9, and 12/16.  Registration links are above and are limited to 15 seats per session.  Everyone is welcome!  Any questions you have will be answered.

Website Workday

We are having a Website Workday on Monday, November 16th, 2020

from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST

at Dudley Township Public Library.

We have two available spots open. 

It will be a small group of only five.

If you would like to join us please register on Eventbrite. 

Audiobook update & KSLC Refresher Webinar

Audiobook Update and KSLC Refresher Webinar – Tuesday, November 3, 2020, 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM

 Join the state library for an exclusive update on our marketing efforts, the upcoming transfer of our audiobook collection from RBdigital to cloudLibrary, and everything you need to know to help patrons access our collections and prepare for the change.

 This training will be recorded and archived for later viewing.

Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://kslib.zoom.us/j/95247393987

Audiobooks will be transferred statewide to cloudLibrary by 12/2/20: 

Due to a change in ownership of the RBdigital Media Company and the new owners’ announced intent to discontinue the RBDigital apps and website in the near future, the State Library of Kansas has entered an agreement with bibliotheca to migrate all licensed audiobooks that could be moved to their cloudLibrary platform on December 2, 2020.

 This means that we need to get the word out to all RBdigital patrons and get them ready for the change. Since access to the RBdigital registration page originally required a Kansas Library eCard, our hope is that many of our RBdigital users already have an eCard that they can use right now to log into cloudLibrary. However, one of the main targets of our messaging will be RBdigital patrons who, for whatever reason, don’t have a current Kansas Library eCard. In order for them to continue accessing our collection once it’s moved to cloudLibrary, they’ll need an eCard.

But don’t fret! We’re going to do everything we can to prepare you and your patrons. We’ve put together a NicheAcademy tutorial to that answers some of the most frequently asked questions about the transfer, instructions on how to download personal data from RBdigital, and guidance on how to access audiobooks through cloudLibrary. Additionally, we’ll be presenting a webinar next week giving you everything you need to know to guide your library and patrons through the transfer.

Check out our tutorial on the transfer now and keep an eye on the KANLIB-L listserv for more information about the webinar.

Join us November 6th or the 20th for this new adventure of setting up the cloudLibrary App as well as navigating within. 

Register on Eventbrite 

November 20th Register

Can’t wait to see you there!!

Auto-Graphics Help Desk

SWKLS Staff recommend that you contact the office when there is a problem with Verso or ShareIt.  For the libraries who would like to access the AG Help Desk directly, please email Kelly with a list of staff members, their full names, and complete email addresses by EOD ON 11/18. 

PLA Webinar on Nov. 18th: Providing Senior Services in a COVID-19 World.  

Click here for details and pricing.

Lane County Library Update

LACO is borrowing ILLs through Kelly; the library is not lending at this time.  If LACO has an overdue ILL, a renewal would be much appreciated.  The library is open and accepting courier deliveries as normal.  Available staff members are Mona and Gayle.

SWKLS StoryWalkⓇ Collection: Coming Soon!