System Spotlight
By Staff
Haskell Co had a visit from Skippy Jon!
We had the Sublette Kindergartners come for a visit during National Library Week. They had a picnic under our pavilion, listened to a Skippy Jon Jones book, made cat masks and ate dirt and worms, played with our toys and Legos, and took a walk around our Storywalk and of course met Skippy! A few of the kids said it was “the best day ever!”
Kinsley Library Conducts an “Aprende Ingles” Class
The Kinsley Library conducted an “Aprende Ingles” class this spring. On April 24, eleven adults graduated in conversational English after meeting on Wednesday evenings for 12 weeks with librarian Yaneth Holguin as the instructor. Because learning any new language fluently consist of daily practice, Yaneth had every participant download the free Mango app from the State Library of Kansas so they could have a tool right at home to help with pronunciation and practice.
“One of the students compared the Mango App to having me at home with them,” said Yaneth. “It was so much better than staring at English words she had no clue about their meaning.”
Each week, Beside teaching new vocabulary and how to use verb tenses in their sentences, they reviewed what they had practiced on the app throughout the week. The last half hour of each class, Holguin introduced games to help the students practice listening and capturing English without trying to read a script.
“I could see each time we met and played games”, said Yaneth, “that their process of translating their thoughts to English was faster than when we started. They were all asking each other questions and answering them, talking about things we liked and shared, like childhood memories. We laughed a lot, which was a good break as learning a new language is a little nervous versus growing up with a language. I feel proud that I could break down language barriers so they can pursue their personal goals, and this too, was a learning experience for me! “
This was the first time the Kinsley Library offered a class in English to Spanish speakers and it was Yaneth’s first formal experience teaching it. Director Joan Weaver reports that it was a great success and they hope to repeat it in the future.
Rolla Library Story Hour: Rain Forests and May Baskets
From Librarian Phoebe Brummett: My Story Hour children walked through a “rain forest” display that the Rolla 5th and 6th grade science classes created. They learned about all kinds of animals that live in a rain forest. We then made May Day baskets with flowers from a local garden to deliver later in the day.
Future Dates & Training Opportunities (All Times in CST)
May 4th, 2024 – Star Wars Day
May 8-10, 2024 – MPLA Conference in Salt Lake City, UT
May 9th – 10 AM – 11 AM – Scholastic Bookflix Webinar/Zoom Link
May 14th – 2 PM – 3 PM – Twosday Takeaway: Cosplay and Anime: Creative Programming for Teens with Sara Wilson/Registration Coming Soon
May 15th – 2 PM – 3 PM – Addressing Body Shape and Size Stigma in Libraries: Getting Started Webinar/Register Here
May 27th – Humanities Kansas Culture Preservation Grant Applications Due/Click Here for More Info & to Apply
May 30th – 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM – Kansas Regional Library Systems Present – After Lunch Course: Advocacy in a Polarized World/Register Here
Consulting
By Sara Wilson
After-Lunch Course: Advocacy in a Polarized World
The Kansas Regional Library Systems invite you to join us for a webinar on Thursday, May 30, 1:30 – 2:30 PM via Zoom. Advocacy in a Polarized World will be presented by Peter Bromberg of EveryLibrary Institute. A link to the recording will be shared directly with all who register. You can learn more about this upcoming webinar on the regional system website: https://systems.mykansaslibrary.org/. There is no cost to attend this webinar – this course is on us! Zoom registration: https://kslib.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0vdO-hqzwrGtbhDuOLV6i2nvbhURot2ppv
Take a Hike! : Adventures on the Appalachian Trail
Are you looking for some adventurous programming for summer? From Bucklin Public Library Director Shelly Huelsman: About 6 years ago, I hiked a whopping 58 miles of the Appalachian Trail. I could come and do a program about my week long adventures and misadventures on the trail along with some do’s and don’ts. (Don’t do your first ever backpacking trip on the AT.) So, if you might be interested, let me know!
SWKLS Retreat Coming in September
This is a reminder that we have our retreat coming up on September 26th and 27th in Syracuse, KS. We have a speaker lined up and it’s going to be a fun, relaxing experience! Come get to know your area colleagues, share stories, laugh, learn, and get away from it all.
May the Fourth Be With You!
Break out the Wookie Cookies and Yoda Soda! It’s time to celebrate Star Wars Day!
Cataloging, Collection Development, and ILL
By Sara Wilson
Collection Development Inspiration
Adult Fiction
Children’s & YA Fiction
For ILLers: SHAREit Update
According to SHAREit Product Manager Jessica Kirk, SHAREit updated on April 30th. A defect was corrected and no new enhancements were added. Hopefully, your SHAREit will either be unaffected or running smoother. As always, if you have any issues please contact Nikki and let her know.
New Book Discussion Kit Titles
From State Library of Kansas Resource Sharing Librarian Nikki Hansen:
New titles have just been added to the Book Discussion Kit spreadsheet. Take a look! https://kslib.info/448/Book-Discussion-Group-Sets
While you’re there, take time to check your library’s own list of titles and Library Info to see if there’s anything you would like to update. If so, just let me know!
Cataloging Training
Although our WorldShare Record Manager pop-up trainings are done, I am always available to come to your location and train you and/or your staff on the new cataloging software. We want to make sure everyone is comfortable using the new platform. If you have any questions or concerns, please give me a call or email and I’ll be happy to work through it with you.
WorldShare Record Manager Cataloging Unit Renewal
Please be advised that next week, I will send out your Cat Express report (which will switch to being your Record Manager Report). I will also send out a reminder of how many units your library has alotted for the year and ask for your feedback in informing next year’s unit alotment for your library. Our renewal date is July 1, so I will have a deadline by which we need this information, as well. Please keep an eye on your email for this info, next week! Thank you!
Technology
by Christopher Dressler
Surviving the Internet with NCA
We’ve seen it all (actually, probably too much). So, we’ve compiled our best #online survival tips into a guide that you can take with you to all the corners of the internet.
If you plan to attend, please register, bring your laptop, and please also have your personal URL and login for OCLC WorldShare Record Manager. I can’t get that for you – you have to contact OCLC – and it will be much easier to train on if you can see what we’re looking at. If you need OCLC contact info, please let me know and I’ll get that to you. We will be doing a brief copy cataloging refresher, as well, so it will be beneficial info to new and experienced catalogers alike. Please also bring any questions you have about the platform, if you’ve already started poking around in it. Thank you!
