Footnotes1 State Library of Iowa 1The Official Newsletter of the State Library of Iowa

VOLUME 24, NO. 5/6 May/June 2000 Enrich Iowa funds increase by ICN trustee workshop fees $300,000 dropped "This (education) bill sends a strong reduced by $48,000. This is in addition to Beginning July 1, 2000, message that education in Iowa the cut taken earlier this year. the $5 participant fee for doesn't end with a high school or Vetoed was a provision requiring the library trustee work- college degree. If Iowa is going to Iowa Commission of Libraries to coordinate, shops will be elimi- realize its promise...we must continue with the Area Education Agencies and nated. Libraries will to create more lifetime educational Regional Libraries, a study of the support continue to be charged opportunities." Governor Tom Vilsack, functions currently provided by the Regional for adding ICN sites. education bill signing, May 10, 2000. System and to develop a plan to provide said services more effectively and effi- Enrich Iowa funding will grow by ciently. The Iowa Commission of Libraries Two new trustee $300,000 in FY2001, bringing the total is undertaking a broader study of the amount of direct state aid to Iowa program videos delivery of library services in Iowa. (See public libraries to $1 million. "Notes from the State Librarian," pg. 2.) available "Given the outstanding ways Iowa The State Library's librarians used FY2000 Enrich Iowa Internet Filtering. Audiovisual Services funds to improve local library services, I unit has the following can't help but be excited about the Libraries receiving Enrich Iowa funds in trustee program videos prospects for the coming fiscal year," FY02 will be required to have an Internet available: said State Librarian Sharman Smith. use policy. The new language in the "We are all grateful to the Iowa General appropriations bill is as follows: Grantwriting - #11164 Assembly and Governor Vilsack for showing their support of public libraries "A public library that receives {Enrich Raising our Standards and the importance of library services." Iowa} funds in accordance with this lettered (library standards paragraph shall have an Internet use policy related to Enrich Iowa) Other legislative issues: in place, which may or may not include #11165 Internet filtering. The library shall submit a Regional Libraries. report describing the library's Internet use To borrow the videos, efforts to the division {State Library}." call the State Library Drastic cuts in the Iowa Regional Audiovisual Services Library System budget and a study to Over 90 percent of Iowa libraries are in unit, 1-800-248-4462. begin disassembling the system were compliance with this regulation. averted. The Regional Libraries' budget Audiovisual Services remained at the FY00 level with no School Library Media Centers. to be phased out. funding for technology specialists nor (see article on page salaries. The requirement for school library/ 3.) media specialists in public and accredited State Library. private schools in Iowa was not reinstated.

The State Library FY01 budget was FOOTNOtES

Notes from the State Librarian Over the years we have all With all of this in mind, the Iowa The time heard and had to answer Commission of Libraries, upon my has questions such as: Why don’t recommendation, is convening a come for we have more joint school/ task force to study the delivery of members public libraries?; Does Iowa library services in Iowa and to of the need a State Medical Library?; make recommendations for Iowa What is the role of the State improvement. The task force, will library Library?; Why do we need represent all types of libraries and commu- libraries when we have the include library users and governing nity to Internet?; How does loaning a authorities. We will have a great take a book cost a library when the deal of work to do in a very short hard look book is just sitting on the shelf?; time. Outside consultants will be at ourselves and how we Shouldn’t Regional Libraries’ used to ensure a balanced, provide services to the services be provided by the objective process. residents of Iowa. State Library or the area education agencies or the The larger library community will Iowa has a strong tradition community colleges?; Why do be included in the process through of library service with 540 we need trained school a series of open forums. Upon public libraries, 1700 school librarians/media specialists? review and acceptance of the task library/media centers, 79 Why do we have so many force recommendations, it is the academic libraries, and 113 independent libraries?; and intent of the Commission to make special libraries, as well as, Why don’t school libraries, recommendations to the Governor the State Library, seven public libraries, and community and to the Iowa Legislature in Regional Libraries and 15 college libraries cooperate January 2001. Area Education Agency Media more? The list goes on. Divisions, each with its own It is my hope that we, as a governance and funding Because of these questions library community, can approach structures. The mission and and the need to continually this self-analysis with the same primary customer base of improve, the Iowa library enthusiasm, realism, and objectiv- each type of library is different, community must analyze how ity as we have with Open Access, yet cooperation among services are currently delivered Access Plus, and Enrich Iowa. libraries is strong and benefits to Iowans, compare our system This is a critical juncture for all Iowans. But as strong a to systems in other states, and libraries in Iowa. We must seize library network as Iowa has, determine the best model for this opportunity to develop a model there are always things we can the future delivery of library for the delivery of library services do to make it better. services to Iowans. that will provide Iowans with responsive and effective library services for years to come. 2 May/June 2000 FOOTNOtES

Iowans named to State Library to discontinue National Advocacy Audiovisual Services

Honor Roll The State Library will discontinue video 1. Effective immediately, no new video services effective August 31, 2001. titles (except management and library The State Library is pleased to The change, adopted by the Iowa science) will be purchased. announce that the following Iowa Commission of Libraries, was based 2. The current collection will be library advocates have been named on a number of factors, including: maintained and circulated until August to the National Advocacy Honor Roll • Changes in usage patterns, 31, 2001. by the Association for Library technology, and materials formats; 3. Staff will be reassigned to other Trustees and Advocates (ALTA) of • Escalation of costs State Library programs and services. the American Library Association. • Need to redeploy staff and 4. A plan outlining the disposition of resources to meet increased the existing collection will be devel- Tom Harkin, U.S. Senator customer demands. oped over the next few months. Dale Ross, Chair of the Iowa Discontinuation of the service will be Commission of Libraries phased in as follows: Kay Runge, Director, Davenport Public Library Christie Vilsack, First Lady of Iowa Tom Vilsack, Governor of Iowa

The purpose of the National Advo- cacy Honor Roll is to identify and Photo temporarily celebrate those individuals who have actively supported and strengthened unavailable library services at the local, state or national levels. The honorees will be recognized at a banquet on July 7 in Chicago in conjunction with the American Library Association's Summer Conference. Libraries win, lose Participants at the Library of Congress Commemorative Postage Stamp Congratulations to the M.M. Hoffman event in Des Moines included State Librarian Sharman Smith (left) and Public Library, Dyersville. On May 8, Joleen Baxa, district manager, Hawkeye District, U.S. Postal Service. Also residents passed (by 72%) a referen- in attendance was First Lady Christie Vilsack. dum for a new library. Unfortunately, Independence voters The State Library of Iowa and the U.S. Postal Service celebrated the Library of Con- defeated a one-cent sales tax option gress Commemorative Postage Stamp with a special event May 11 in the law library, that would have provided $253,843 a State Capitol. The State Library provided special cachet envelopes which are post- marked with a line drawing of the State Library and a special commemorative postage year, and help pay for a new library. stamp of the Library of Congress. The envelopes, available through the State Library, are on sale for $1.33. Checks should be made out to the State Library of Iowa. Send requests to State Library of Iowa, E. 12th and Grand, Des Moines, IA 50319. For more information, contact Lisa Manley or Geri Mallett, 1-800-248-4483; (515) 281-6788, or e-mail requests to [email protected]. 3 May/June 2000 FOOTNOtES

Iowa Commission of Libraries - Minutes April 25, 1999 - Kirkendall Public Library, Ankeny (These minutes are considered draft until approved by the Iowa Commission of Libraries)

Present: Dale Ross, Chair; Nancy Ross, the recommendation. Carlson moved the Iowa figures are as follows: Enrich Iowa $300,000; Vice-Chair; Mary Wegner; Eldon Huston; Commission of Libraries appoint a task force to Regional Library budgets - same as FY2000; Dwight Carlson; John Bennett study the delivery of library service in Iowa State Library - decrease of $47,876 (1.5% Absent: Berta Van Ekeren; William O’Brien with the task force recommendations decrease) from FY2000 appropriation after Guests: Myrna Anderson, Librarian, presented to the Commission in December earlier recission. Regions are not included in Kirkendall Library; Emily Navarre, Southeast 2000. Second, N. Ross. Roll Call Vote: D. salary bill. Regional Library Ross - yes; N. Ross - yes; Bennett - yes; 2. Assistant State Librarian’s position – Staff: Sharman B. Smith; Beverly Beck; Alison Huston - yes; Carlson - yes; Wegner - yes. Advertised in American Libraries; Library Brinker; Annette Wetteland; Sandy Dixon; Motion carried unanimously. Journal; Hotline; and the Des Moines Sunday James Alsip 4.0 Communications Register. May 12th is the closing date for 1.0 Set Agenda E. Host Library - Myrna Anderson, Director, applications. Expect to conduct interviews in Due to other commitments of Commission Kirkendall Public Library mid-June with new person on board in members, the following adjustments were Anderson shared with the Commission the August. made in the agenda: Order: 6.0 Action Items budget presentation she did for her City 3. Correspondence from Bert Wagoner – moved up after Financial Report. Presentation Council and distributed handouts. We will advise Mr. Wagoner of the closing of by Myrna Anderson from 4.0 E to after 6.0. A. Special Reports the A/V department. 7.0 A Commission Retreat moved to 4.0 A 3. 1. Statewide Database Licensing Advisory 4. SILO Changes – SILO staffing is being Additions: 7.0 D. 2000-2001 Plan of Service Committee - Jim Alsip. The goal of this project reorganized to provide programmer backup Presenters. 4.0 D, Emily Navarre, Southeast is to obtain the best possible pricing for and to free lead programmer to do more Region replaced Katherine Von Wald, Central electronic information databases for libraries system development. Region. throughout the state. Libraries are being 5. Census 2000 - The Commission 2.0 Minutes surveyed to determine what databases are received a copy of a Census 2000 flyer from Minutes approved as mailed. Motion by being used. An advisory committee Congressman Greg Ganske’s office. Carlson; second, Huston. representing all types of libraries will review [Information provided by Beth Henning, State 3.0 Financial Report the results of the survey, determine criteria for Census Data Coordinator.] Brinker reviewed the budget reports for year- selecting databases, and assist in the 6. Commemorative Stamp – The State to-date thru March 31. After discussion, evaluation of the databases, etc. The first Library and the Des Moines Post Office will Huston moved to receive the financial report. committee meeting will be held in June. host a ceremony celebrating the Library of Second, N. Ross. Motion carried. 2. Iowa Stories 2000 Initiative – Sandy Congress’ Bicentennial with a special issue 6.0 Action Items Dixon, Annette Wetteland. First Lady Christie stamp on May 11th, at 10:00 a.m. in the Law A. Bylaws - Sharman Smith Vilsack announced the creation of Iowa Library. A State Library cachet (commemora- At the December meeting, the Commission Stories 2000 at a news conference April 10th tive envelope) will be available. First Lady asked Smith to check on items 9 and 13 in the at the Law Library. Seven Iowa communities Christie Vilsack and the Des Moines Post bylaws to see if they were required by (Ames, Bayard, Belle Plaine, Cherokee, Master will be present at the ceremony. statute. Item 9 will stay the same, item 13 will Independence, Oskaloosa, and Algona) have 7. Vacancies – Beverly Beck, will be read The State Librarian shall ship send the been selected as pilot sites. Information retiring at the end of June. meeting packets (including the agenda) to packets containing Project Plan, Pilot 8. ALA Legislative Day – Sharman B. Commission members at least seven (7) Communities, Guidelines for Community Smith, Annette Wetteland, Dale Ross, Eldon days prior to Commission meetings. Smith Participation, Background information were Huston, Berta Van Ekeren, and Mary Wegner also reformatted the bylaws by category. distributed to the Commission. will be going from State Library. The Iowa Commission will vote on bylaw changes at 3. Commission Retreat – Sandy Dixon. The delegation will also include Gina Milsap and the June meeting. Huston suggested the retreat has been scheduled for June 15-16 at Carol French Johnson. Also attending will be bylaws changes be reviewed by Bill O’Brien Lake Panorama, beginning with dinner on the four Slovakia librarians, two interpreters, and or the State Library’s Attorney General. 15th and ending at 3:00 p.m. on the 16th. The Matt Kollasch from UNI. B. Recommendation - Service Changes - focus of the retreat will be the Iowa D. Iowa Regional Library System Report - Smith Smith recommended elimination of Excellence – Self Assessment project. Emily Navarre, Southeastern Library Services Audio Visual Services and provided the B. Commission Reports – Navarre distributed a brochure of rationale behind the recommendation. After 1. Public Library Association Conference Southeastern Library Services. There are discussion, Huston moved to adopt the [PLA] - Dale Ross. Very useful conference. It fifty-four libraries served by Southeast. recommendation but to closely monitor is smaller than ALA and concentrates on public LeClair is breaking away from the system and customer impact. Second, Wegner. Roll Call libraries. Next conference will be held in going on their own due to a bequest. Vote: D. Ross - yes; N. Ross - yes; Bennett - Phoenix, AZ in 2002. Jim Alsip attended and The Regional System trustees have been yes; Huston - yes; Carlson - yes; Wegner - agreed, the conference was on target and working on a new funding formula. Under the yes. Motion carried unanimously. current. current formula, population declines in C. Recommendation - Task Force on 2. N Ross stated she had attended a Southwest and North Central Regions will be Statewide Delivery of Library Services - Smith legislative breakfast in Harlan and Council devastating to Regional funding. Current Smith recommended the Commission appoint a Bluffs. funding models being explored will require task force to study the delivery of library C. State Librarian’s Report decreases in funding for Central, Southeast, service in Iowa and provided the reasons for 1. Legislative Update – FY2001 budget and East Central Regions. 4 May/June 2000 FOOTNOtES

Iowa Commission of Libraries Minutes Cont. from Pg. 4 Public Library Management 7.0 Discussion Items A. Building Plans – State Library will occupy entire ground floor – federal and state 1 and 2 offered documents will occupy the east side of the ground floor and Technical Services will be on the west side of the ground floor along with a The State Library is offering Public Library Management 1 and 2 beginning in shared mail room and break room for the entire building, and archival storage. State Library August and September, respectively. The registration fee is $35. To request a will occupy east side only on first, second and registration form, contact Fran Fessler, State Library, (515) 281-5790; 1-800-248- third floors. First floor east will hold public 4483; [email protected]. policy materials and magazines, second floor east the Medical Library and third floor east Library Development offices. There will be Public Library Management 1 Public Library Management 2 information desks on all four floors of the Vicki Myron, Instructor library. In addition, the State Library will have Deb Tobias, Instructor a computer training lab, a traditional ICN Registration deadline - July 24, 2000 Registration deadline - July 31, 2000 classroom, and an enhanced conference room on third floor. The east wing is to be Tuesday, August 29, 2000 Wednesday, September 6, 2000; completed by fall 2000 and the west wing in 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Altoona Public 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Pleasant Hill Public two years. Smith displayed samples of Library carpeting and fabrics to be used in the Library Library and discussed the colors to be used throughout the building. Commissioners Tuesdays, 9 to 11:30 a.m., September Wednesdays, 9 to 11:30 a.m. Septem- received copies of the floor plans of the 5, 12, 19, 26; October 10, 17, 24 ber 13, 20, 27; October 4, 11, 25; building. November 1 B. ALA, Chicago July 6-12, 2000 – Smith reminded the Commission of the ALA Tentative ICN sites: Ankeny, Atlantic, conference July 6-12 in Chicago. Five Bellevue, Boone, Cedar Rapids, Tentative ICN sites: Algona, Ankeny, Iowans will be inducted into the ALTA/ALA Fayette, Fort Madison, Hudson, Bayard, Belle Plaine, Belmond, National Advocacy Honor Roll. Iowa inductees Osceola, Oskaloosa, Sac City, Bettendorf, Clarinda, Fayette, Gowrie, are First Lady Christie Vilsack; Governor Tom Spencer Iowa City, Manchester, Norwalk, Vilsack, Senator Tom Harkin, Dale Ross Ottumwa, Sloan, Spencer, Waverly Chairperson of Iowa Commission of Libraries; and Kay Runge, Director of Davenport Public Library. They will be honored at the ALA/ALTA National Advocacy Honor Roll Banquet on Covey Foundation sponsors library Friday, July 7, during the ALA Annual Conference. grant program C. Plan of Service – Smith distributed copies of the FY2000 - 2001 Plan of Service. The Lois Lenski, the 1946 Newbery plan will be on the June agenda for approval. their collections generally or to expand medialist for Strawberry Girl, had a life- In order to meet statutory requirements, the their holdings in special areas. The long concern that all children have report must be submitted to the Department of Foundation welcomes applications Education by May 1. access to good books. To help this from libraries with real need and limited goal she established the Lois Lenski book budgets. A two-page application Next Meeting: June 27, 2000, place to be Covey Foundation to provide grants to announced. form is available from The Lois Lenski public and school libraries serving Foundation, Attn: Arthur F. Abelman, disadvantaged populations. There being no further business the meeting Moses & Singer, 1301 Avenue of the was adjourned. The Lois Lenski Covey Foundation Americas, New York, NY 10019-6076. has annually awarded grants to rural To quality for year 2000 grants, com- and urban public and school libraries pleted application forms must be and to agency libraries serving at-risk received no later than September children. The grants have ranged from 30,2000 $500 to $5000. Successful applicants have proposed purchases to update 5 May/June 2000 FOOTNOtES

LIBRARY SERVICES HIGHLIGHTS UI names new Patents*ILL*Medical*Census*Public Policy* library director Library Science*State and Federal Documents* Audio Visual Services * Law The University of Iowa has named by Barb Corson Nancy L. Baker as the director of the State Library Reference Librarian university's main and 11 branch There are times in every library when difficulties arise between staff and libraries effective August 15. customers. These situations require librarians to have skills in dealing with Baker has been director of libraries difficult circumstances. To assist libraries in improving skills and developing at Washington State University, strategies for handling such situations, the State Library has a number of Pullman, Washington, since 1991. resources available. There, she led the overall administra- Serving the Difficult Customer: A How-to do-it Manual For Library Staff tion of operations and personnel at 11 Kitty Smith libraries, including branch libraries in Neal-Shuman, 1994 Spokane, Vancouver, Olympia, and This book addresses the attitudes, values, and communication problems the Tri-Cities area of south central experienced and presented by library staff and the majority of the people with Washington. whom they must interact every day. It explores a variety of difficult situations Baker replaces Sheila Creth, and their probable causes. Further, it recommends strategies and tactics that staff can use to empower themselves and better handle difficult and former University of Iowa Librarian, potentially difficult situations and behavior. who resigned December 1999. Customer Service Suzanne Walters Certification Neal-Shuman Publishers, 1994 Update Includes a chapter on problem solving and complaint management. “Com- plaints give us an opportunity to hear from our customers. They give us an opportunity to improve our service.” This how-to-manual gives very practical advice such as: respond immediately, stress what you can do for the Congratulations to the following public customer, not what you can’t do, don’t challenge the customer, and allow the library staff recently certified for the customer to express their anger. first time through the State Library's Iowa Certification Program for Public Managing the Problem Library Patron Librarians. (1996 videocassette, 30 minutes, VH11148) Tamara Filbert, Cedar Rapids Managing the Problem Library Patron trains library staff to anticipate and Carrie Haverman, Mediapolis recognize types of problem behavior and recommends specific procedures Mary Fran Nikolai, Garnavillo and approaches for elimination or neutralizing such behavior. The video recommends procedures to insure the safety and well-being of both library Teri Rogers, Coralville patrons and staff. Ricardo Sauro, Tipton Jane Seedorff, Lamont Enhancing External Communication: Managing Conflict Thomas Shepley, North Central (1996 videocassette, 25 minutes, VH11094) Regional Library, Mason City This program provides library staff with skills and strategies to help them prevent and effectively manage on-the-spot conflicts with external customers. Accompanied by Facilitation Guide. (Part of Series Library Staff Develop- ment.)

Books are available through SILO/ILL. To request items Audio Visual Services, call 1-800-248-4462. 6 May/June 2000 FOOTNOtES

Iowa delegates visit U.S. Congress Iowa wins ninth Several Iowa library advocates visited Iowa's Congressional delegation May 1 and 2 as part of National Library Legislative Day. Pictured in the first photo Keppel Award below are Berta Van Eckren, Iowa Commission of Libraries (ICL); Gina Millsap, Chair, Iowa Library Association (ILA) Governmental Affairs Committee; Mary Iowa received its ninth Keppel Award Wegner, ICL; Sharman Smith, State Librarian; Senator Charles Grassley; Carol at on March 28, 2000 in San Antonio French Johnson, ILA President; Annette Wetteland, State Library; Dale Ross; Texas. The award is presented each Chair, ICL; and Matt Kollasch, University of Northern Iowa, who was touring with year to the qualifying chief officers a delegation of Slovakian librarians in Iowa and Washington, DC. The second (Sharman Smith) and data coordina- photo shows the group with Congressman Jim Leach. tors (Gerry Rowland) of state library agencies. The award is given for submitting prompt, complete, and high-quality public library data. Iowa is the only state in the nation to be honored for nine consecutive years. McKewon selected for PLA seminar

Bonnie McKewon, director of North West Regional Library System in Sioux City, has been selected by the Public Library Association (PLA) to participate in a three-day "train-the- trainer" seminar in Nashville, TN. Twenty library professionals nationwide were chosen through a competitive application process to receive training on "Managing for Results," which will occur June 19-22, 2000. "Managing for Results: Effective Resource Allocation for Public Librar- ies" was written and published by PLA in January 2000. It is designed to give library staff the tools they need to gather information about their current resources, and to make better deci- sions about allocating those resources in ways to achieve the library's short- term and long-range plan. Upon completing the training, McKewon will be considered an official PLA Managing for Results trainer. She may conduct a workshop at this year's Iowa Library Association Conference. 7 May/June 2000 FOOTNOtES

Library Milestones

A booth sponsored by the North Cen- The Cedar Rapids Public Library tral Regional Library (left) won the has received a $2,500 grant from the prize for the "most skillful marketing of National Science Foundation and the product" at the North Iowa Business Alfred P. Sloan Foundation for a Expo held April 5 in Mason City. project titled "Fast Forward: Science, Technology and the Communications The Mediapolis Public Library Revolution" beginning in September. celebrated its grand re-opening May 13. The programs will focus on film, The library was completely remodeled telephone, radio, television and the after a devastating fire in July 1999. Internet.

1 Footnotes State Library of Iowa BULK RATE 1The Official Newsletter of the E. 12th and Grand U.S. POSTAGE State Library of Iowa Des Moines IA 50319 PAID www.silo.lib.ia.us Des Moines, Iowa Sharman B. Smith Permit No. 1195 State Librarian (515) 281-4105

Annette Wetteland Editor (515) 281-7574 e-mail [email protected]

This publication is partially funded under the Library Services and Construction Act administered by the State Library of Iowa. MEDIA SPECIALIST/LIBRARIAN Iowa Commission of Libraries

Dwight Carlson (Des Moines) Eldon Huston (Des Moines) William O'Brien (Des Moines) Dale Ross (Ames) Nancy Ross (Harlan) Berta Van Ekeren (Monroe)

State Library Services

Audio/visual services; Information services and medical library; Specialized consulting services; Law library; Network- ing; State Data Center; Publications; State documents program