System Spotlight
By Staff
Book Dress Displayed at Stevens County Public Library
Check out this cool book dress created by local artist Bridget Knopp! She has been gracious enough to let the library display the dress for awhile, so stop in and check out her beautiful design.
Future Dates & Training Opportunities
Jan 29, 2024 – 10 am – 3 pm CST, State Reports Workday at SWKLS Office in Dodge City/Registration Link
Jan 30, 2024 – 10 am CST, Statewide Services from the State Library of Kansas Webinar/Zoom Link
Jan 31, 2024 – 10 am – 3 pm CST, State Reports Workday at Scott County Library in Scott City/Registration Link
Jan 31, 2024 – Kansas Library Legislative Day in Topeka, KS
February 2, 2024 – 2 pm – 3 pm CST – Library QuickBooks Users Discussion: Transition from Desktop to Online/Registration Link
February 5, 2024 – State Reports DUE
February 7, 2024 – 10 am CST – SEKLS Summer Library Program 2024 Adult Idea Share (on Zoom)/Registration Link
February 13, 2024 – 2 pm – 3 pm – Twosday Takeaway: Benfits of Children’s Pictureless Books/Registration Link
February 23, 2024 – 10:00 am – 3:00 pm CST, Summer Reading Workshop Featuring Will Stuck/Registration Link
Consulting
By Sara Wilson
February’s Twosday Takeaway
Picture This: Benefits of Pictureless Children’s Books
Join SWKLS Consultant/Program Coordinator Sara Wilson as she shares with you the many benefits of providing pictureless books and services to the blind and vision impaired in your community. SWKLS Director Richard Brookman will also be sharing Talking Books resources for the blind and vision impaired that are available to your library. This presentation is in affiliation with the SWKLS DEI Taskforce. Register Here!
KLAEF Scholarship Opportunity
From Mary G. Boller, KLAEF Board President:
The Kansas Library Association Educational Foundation is currently accepting applications for the 2024 KLAEF Scholarship. One scholarship in the amount of $1,000 will be available for this program in 2024. Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Must be a current member of the Kansas Library Association
- Must be enrolled as a graduate library school student or a student pursuing a library media specialist endorsement as part of a graduate degree program
- Must be at least enrolled in the second semester of the program
- Must be a student in good academic standing, i.e. not on probation
Applicants should review the guidelines before completing and submitting the application. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. Central Time on Friday, April 19th 2024.
2024 Year-At-A-Glance
Be sure to check your email for the 2024 Year At a Glance that was sent out on the SWKLS and Directors listservs. Your feedback is valuable to us, so please let us know what you think and if you have any suggestions for improvement. Thank you!
Cataloging, Collection Development, and ILL
By Sara Wilson
Collection Development Inspiration
Adult Fiction
Children’s & YA Fiction
Better World Books
If you are weeding and have found yourself in need of a company to send your discarded books to, Better World Books just might be what you’re looking for. They accept fiction and non-fiction hardcover and paperback, children’s books, rare books, textbooks, and foreign language books. They don’t accept Time Life or Reader’s Digest books, reference books, books in poor condition, etc. and they only accept print books – no audiobooks, playaways, DVDs, or VHS.
They do not charge a service fee, monthly fee, or shipping fee and your library may receive a check for a percentage of the books they’re able to sell.
Here is a link for more information: https://services.betterworldbooks.com/libraries/program-overview/
For ILLers: SHAREit Update January 25th
From SHAREit Product Manger Deborah Hensler:
We will be doing a SHAREit release on Thursday, January 25, 2024, beginning a little after 7:00pm Pacific (10:00pm Eastern). Downtime is usually about 15 minutes but may be longer if issues come up.
Please see the attached release notes [link below] for the details on the defects that have been fixed plus an improvement for the patron view of their “Items from Other Libraries.”
For All VERSO Users: VERSO Update January 25th
From VERSO Product Manager Rae Schneider:
We will be doing a VERSO release on Thursday, January 25, 2024, beginning a little after 7:00pm Pacific (10:00pm Eastern). Downtime is usually about 15 minutes but may be longer if issues come up.
RESOLVED
| AG-2863 CS-78127 | In Advanced Search, if all search resources were selected and then a facet, such as a format, was selected on the results page to further narrow the results, the list of facets would no longer display to the left of the results. This has been corrected. | ||
| AG-2935 CS-78428 CS-78420 | We have added the ability for staff users to access the prior two calendar year’s Top 30 circulated titles. The additional filter provides the user the ability to select either this year, last year, 2 years ago or a combined view of the past two calendar years and current year to date. |
IMPROVED
AG-2573 – Updated Date Range Selector
We have enhancedthe date range selector with new features in the Fines Summary report. The enhanced selector provides the user the option to use quick access keyword date ranges (listed below) or the ability to create custom date ranges limited to a 2-year span.
KEYWORD DATE RANGES
• Today • This week (Sun-Sat) • This month (First-End) • This year (Jan-Dec)
• Yesterday • Last week (Sun-Sat) • Last month (First-End) • Last year (Jan-Dec)
• The Fiscal Year report can be created using the custom date range option.
Library Automation Perceptions Survey
Also from VERSO Product Manager Rae Schneider:
The 2023 edition of the Library Automation Perceptions Survey will be closing soon.
If you have not completed the survey, please take a few minutes to do so. We appreciate your feedback and participation!
This survey gives you the opportunity to provide valuable information about your level of satisfaction with the technology products you use every day as well as your perceptions of the quality of service and support you receive. The results not only help Auto-Graphics refine our support services and product development, but they also provide tangible data that you may find useful as you formulate your future technology strategies.
Your participation in this survey every year gives you a chance to add your opinions and knowledge to the greater library community!
The survey can be accessed via the link below through the end of January 2024. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have questions.
2023 Library Automation Perceptions Survey: https://librarytechnology.org/perceptions/2023/invite/
Technology
by Christopher Dressler
Hey there! So, imagine your personal info is like a treasure, and we want to build a fortress around it in the online world. Cool, right? Let’s chat about some easy, everyday things you can do to keep your digital life safe and sound. From tweaking your privacy settings to giving your passwords a superhero upgrade – it’s like giving your data its own bodyguard crew. So, buckle up for some simple tips to make sure your online adventure stays awesome and worry-free!
- Review Privacy Settings: Regularly check and update privacy settings on your devices, apps, and online accounts. Many services provide granular controls over what information is shared.
- Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Create strong and unique passwords for each of your online accounts. Consider using a reputable password manager to help you generate and store complex passwords.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Whenever possible, enable two-factor authentication for an extra layer of security. This usually involves receiving a code on your mobile device in addition to entering your password.
- Be Cautious with Personal Information: Avoid sharing sensitive personal information on social media or other public platforms. Be mindful of the information you provide, especially in online forms and profiles.
- Regularly Update Software: Keep your operating system, software applications, and antivirus programs up to date. Updates often include security patches that protect against vulnerabilities.
- Check App Permissions: Review the permissions granted to mobile apps. Only give apps the access they need to function properly, and reconsider those that request unnecessary permissions.
- Secure Wi-Fi Networks: Use strong passwords for your Wi-Fi networks to prevent unauthorized access. Additionally, consider using encryption protocols like WPA3 for enhanced security.
- Review and Understand Privacy Policies: Take the time to read and understand the privacy policies of the services and websites you use. Know how your data is collected, stored, and shared.
- Regularly Backup Your Data: Ensure that your important data is regularly backed up. In the event of a security incident or data loss, having backups can be crucial.
- Educate Yourself: Stay informed about current privacy threats, scams, and best practices. Understanding common tactics used by cybercriminals can help you avoid falling victim to phishing or other attacks.
Remember that these are general tips, and the specifics may vary based on your individual circumstances. If you have specific concerns or questions, feel free to ask for more targeted advice.
If you missed the Twosday Takeaway: Netizen 101 – Teaching Patrons Internet Safety with Steve on Wednesday, you can find the archived video here.
