System Spotlight
By Staff
Halloween at Member Libraries
Future Dates & Training Opportunities
Nov 1 – 3, 2023 – KLA Conference/Wichita, Registration Link
Nov 7, 2023 – 2:00 pm Train UP “Unite Against Book Bans”/ Registration Link
Nov 8, 2023 – 1:00 pm “Library Programs for Homeschoolers: A Guide” Niche Academy Webinar/ Registration Link
Nov 15, 2023 – 1:00 pm CT, CSLP’s ‘Naturally Inclusive: Engaging Children of All Abilities Outdoors” Webinar/Registration Link
Dec 15, 2023 – 10:00 am CT, SWKLS Full Board Meeting (Online Only)
Consulting
By Richard Brookman
Image provide by pixabay.com contributor geralt
Don’t Forget to Reset Clocks
This weekend Daylight Savings Time ends November 5. So remind your staff to set their clocks back one hour. 8 o’clock will become 7 o’clock and I doubt anyone wants to get to work an hour early.
Image provided by pixabay.com contributor geralt
Homeschooling Webinar
On Wednesday, November 8 at 1:00 p.m. CT, Niche Academy is having a free webinar entitled “Library Programs for Homeschoolers: A Guide”.
In the latest US Census Bureau’s household survey, it was reported that there are over 4 million homeschooled students. With this statistic raising these parents that are decided to homeschool they will be needing local support. Part of this support can be provided by the local public library.
This webinar features Christina Giovannelli Caputo, author of Library Services for Homeschoolers: A Guide. This workshop will go into how to engage homeschoolers and alternative learners within your community, by providing tips and tricks, proven programs, and more.
If you are interested in attending this workshop you can register through this link.
Cataloging, Collection Development, and ILL
By Sara Wilson
Collection Development Inspiration
Adult Fiction
Children’s & YA Fiction
Congratulations to Scott County Library on receiving the Rob-See-Co Rural Library Grant! Way to go!!
Also . . .
Congratulations to Greeley County Library on completing our Very Merry VERSO catalog clean-up project! You rock!!
November Train UP: Unite Against Book Bans
New Resources for You
The following are new items that have been added to our Professional Collection & StoryWalk Collection this week. If you would like to check one of these items out, please feel free to reach out to us in any one of these ways that you prefer: 1.) Request it yourself through SHAREit. 2.) Ask your ILL personnel to request it for you on SHAREit. 3.) Call the SWKLS office. 4.) Email Sara at swilson@swkls.org. We will send the book or StoryWalk to you over the courier. Check-out periods are 30 days. Renewals are allowed.
The CSLP Inclusion Committee is hosting a free webinar on November 15th at 2 PM CST (Click here to register), led by Ruth Wilson, Ph.D., about her book, Naturally Inclusive: Engaging Children of All Abilities Outdoors and how it connects to this year’s theme of “Adventure Begins at Your Library.”
We now have this book here at SWKLS for you to check out! 🙂 From Amazon: “In this inspiring book, Dr. Ruth Wilson explores the great potential of connecting young children with special needs to the natural world. Drawing on her knowledge of research and her decades of work with children in nature, she weaves together advice, real-life examples, and testimonies from educators and families on the healing, nurturing power of nature in the lives of young children with diverse abilities.”
We also have the Kansas Reads to Preschoolers book, “My Heart Fills With Happiness: Mi corazĂłn se llena de alegrĂa” available as a StoryWalk!
For All VERSO Users:
October’s Versed in VERSO is Now Available
From VERSO Product Manager Rae Schneider:
The October Versed in VERSO is now available in the customer portal and VERSO Support pages.
To access the recording and slides, go to Staff Dashboard > Support > VERSO.
Topics/questions covered:
- The New Reports Module
- A-G CAT Module Update
- Is there a way to run a report for items due on a certain date (e.g., Oct 23)?
- What is the best way to delete items from the catalog?
- Can a carousel be added to the library website outside of Verso?
- We would like to change the length of how long a patron can go before their library card must be renewed. I want to change it from one year to three years.
- What does “not defined” mean in circulation statistics?
The next Versed in VERSO will be held on Tuesday, November 14th, at 11:00 AM ET / 10:00 AM CT / 9:00 AM MT / 8:00 AM PT.
The question form for the November Versed in VERSO session is open. Please submit questions here: https://forms.office.com/r/g611y0f4Q5
Registration for the November Versed in VERSO is open. Registration link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8765797513376280918
Technology
by Christopher Dressler
No More Dust Bunnies
It now Fall and it’s time to get that some cleaning done. This can apply to your computer and other electronics as well. Dusting, wiping the dirt off, and deleting files can extend the life of your computers and other electronics.
First, let’s take some time to move old photos and videos from your phone to cloud storage. OneDrive and Google Drive are the most popular, just to name a few. Some users will even use social media for storage. Now that we have freed up some space for all the Christmas/Winter pictures and videos, we can clean the outside.
Supplies
Most electronics can be wiped down with 50/50 91% isopropanol and distilled water (there are cleaners specifically for electronics) and a microfiber cloth.
Cellphones/Tablets/Monitors
When wiping down a cellphone for example, a couple of pumps of this solution on a microfiber cloth should be enough. You can wipe the screen and the camera lens as well as the case that was protecting your phone. These recommendations also will work for cleaning off tablets. Canned air is good to removing larger pieces of dust and debris from your screen before wiping it down. This can help reduce the possibility of scratching your screen. Using the same cleaner, you can wipe down the screen of your laptop. Be sure to use a lint free microfiber cloth to prevent scratches.
Computers
Slightly more involved than a cellphone or tablet, cleaning a computer requires the addition of a screwdriver. If you are not comfortable doing this, place call the office. In order to get to the fans and heatsinks of a computer, you need to take the cover of the CPU off. This is an important part of cleaning out a computer but use caution when doing so. In many cases there are metal heat dispersing blocks with fins that love hanging onto dust and debris. These metal objects are fastened to chips with clips or adhesives. Using canned air at all angles at the heatsink will allow those chips to stay cooler and therefore extend the life of your computer. Once the case cover is back in place. You can spray a cloth with the same cleaning solution from above and wipe down the cover, monitors, keyboard, and mouse.
Cables
The final thing to wipe down before turning the computer back on, (often overlooked) is the cables. Make sure you unplug them first, run the cloth over them and take time to check for breaks in the shielding. If you notice any, throw the cable away and replace it before turning your computer on again. Cables the run under desks get stepped on and the shield can wear and crack and tear.
Always feel free to contact me for training requests, library cards, or technology issues at cdressler@swkls.org or (620)225-1231. – Christopher Dressler – 10/6/2023