Footnotes1 State Library of Iowa 1The Official Newsletter of the State Library of Iowa VOLUME 24, NO. 2 February 2000 State Library receives grant for Westgate Lecture and Author's consumer health information Conference set for April 24 website (see pg. 6 for details) The State Library of Iowa has received a Medical Library; $40,000 grant from the National Library of serve as the focal point for training public Change in Medicine to develop an Iowa-focused librarians, health professionals and the Summer Library consumer health information website, with general public in the effective use of Workshop schedule authoritative content that ranges from electronic health information. national databases to regional and local In addition to the State Library, other The Summer Library links. participating organizations include: Workshop scheduled for the Iowa Department of Public Health March 15 in the East The website will: Hardin Library for the Health Sciences, Central Region will now provide guidance and support for University of Iowa be held at the Coralville consumers in searching for and evaluating libraries at Methodist/Lutheran/Blank Public Library. electronic health information resources; Childrens hospitals in Des Moines create and provide access to a database Ames Public Library of Iowa-specific consumer health information Iowa Substance Abuse Information Center, Newbery / Caldecott collections, resources and agencies; Cedar Rapids Public Library awards and M.L. create links to regional, state and local Printz Award consumer health information resources; The steering committee for the grant will announced provide direct access for consumers to begin meeting in March to begin work on the the services and collections of the State website and training program. Christopher Paul Curtis, author of "Bud, Not Buddy," and Simms Brandau takes helm at Library Taback, illustrator of "Joseph Had a Little of Michigan Overcoat," are the 2000 winners of the John Newbery and Randolph Caldecott Medals, the Christie Brandau, Assistant State Librarian most prestigious for nine years, will begin her new duties as Christie Brandau awards in children's State Librarian in Lansing, Michigan next literature. More month. The following are her thoughts on information is available librarianship, Iowa and the challenges at the American Library ahead. Association's website, www.ala.org/news/ When did you decide to become a 2000winners.html/ librarian? club, or work at the Special Services Library. The Michael L. My husband John was stationed with the Luckily for everyone (especially the NCO club Printz Award, which Army in Germany when we were married, members), I chose the library. It turned out to exemplifies excellence and I needed a job. There were only three be a terrific experience, and I was hooked on in young adult litera- choices for civilian jobs: check out grocer- the work from the beginning. ture, was awarded to ies at the commissary, sing at the NCO Walter Dean Myers for (Cont. on pg. 3) "Monster." FOOTNOtES Notes from the State Librarian provided leadership in the needed some major reorganiza- It is with deployment of the new federal tion. Over the last couple of years, mixed Library Services and Technol- we have developed a new feelings ogy Act (LSTA), creation of architecture, a new look, and a lot that I SILO, revision of the public of new information for the site. begin my library quality measures, Someone told me the new site column implementation of Enrich Iowa, now has more than 1500 pages this and development & delivery of and will continue to grow. The month. public library trustees training State Library sees this web As you programs. There is no doubt, presence as an extension of our have Iowas loss is Michigans gain. services. As we all know, the read, Best wishes to Christie and her Internet has become as important Christie Brandau, our Assis- husband. to our business as the telephone. I tant State Librarian, is leaving hope you find the site useful. Any to assume the position of State suggestions for how we can make Librarian of Michigan. My On a happier note, I am proud it more useful are always wel- mixed feelings come from my to announce that the State comed. Look for new information pride in Christie and her Librarys new website is up! regularly. If you havent done so, abilities to do the job, Iowas While the original site served us please visit our web site at: loss of such a bright, articulate, well, it was four years old and www.silo.lib.ia.us and caring leader, and my loss of a very good friend. Christie and I met just seven and one half years ago when I came to Iowa. We instantly formed a professional bond and friendship. Christies contributions to the develop- ment of library services in Iowa are numerous. From her days as a Regional Library consult- ant, to her Iowa Library Association presidency, to her nine years as Assistant State Librarian and, for a time, Acting State Librarian, she Christie Brandau, center, at a Commission meeting in the mid-1990's with, from left, Dwight Carlson, Gordon Greene and State Librarian Sharman Smith. 2 February 2000 FOOTNOtES Brandau takes helm at Library Attend statewide of Michigan (Cont. from Pg. 1) workshop on time capsules When I finished my undergraduate make art passe, or whether Nintendo games make sports arenas a thing of degree from Iowa State University in "Sending Today to Tomorrow: A Time 1975 (B.A. in Political Science), I the past. Libraries are more than the tools they house, and Internet access Capsule Workshop," jointly sponsored by worked in the Riceville and Osage Humanities Iowa and the Iowa Conserva- public libraries, and then went to work is just one of the tools. I am concerned, however, about the tion and Preservation Consortium, will be at the North Central Regional Library. available at 20 Iowa Communication There, Ann Swanson gave me the future of recruiting library staff, espe- cially in rural areas. We cannot Network (ICN) sites from 2 to 5 p.m. April opportunity of a lifetime by hiring me 26, 2000. and sponsoring me through library expect that people with dedication, education and service skills will Loren Horton, a historian from Iowa school. Then I came to the State City, will lead a session on selecting the Library, where I have had another continue to be willing to work at the low salaries and for the few benefits objects for the time capsule and explor- tremendous opportunity: working with ing the cultural implications of the Sharman Smith and the great staff at offered by many libraries. The heart of the library is the staff. selection. Other sessions include the State Library. conservators demonstrating methods for There is no work as varied and preserving the contents, and educators satisfying as library work, and I've What will you miss most about Iowa? giving tips on how to organize a time never regretted becoming a librarian. capsule project -- from the creation of the Just about everything. I was born capsule to the final opening ceremony. What have been the highlights of Participants will receive a time your position at the State Library? and raised here and I'll miss the land and the farms. But most of all I will capsule booklet compiled by conserva- miss the friends I have made over so tors, archaeologists, historians, librar- Definitely the SILO grant/project ians, and other educators to assist and Enrich Iowa. Those two projects many years. My kids used to tease me because individuals with local time capsule have enhanced library service across projects. the state, and I'm proud to have been almost everywhere we would travel in Iowa, I could say "Oh, I know the ICN sites include Ames, Belmond, part of them. Oh, and another high- Burlington, Cedar Rapids, Charles City, light was last year's Town Meetings librarian here!" And I know it really pained them when they would bring Creston, Davenport, Decorah, Denison, where I got to wear 1890's clothing and Dubuque, Elgin, Forest City, Fort Dodge, say "Well, la-ti-da Miss Sharman!" friends home from college and I would quiz them about the library in their Iowa City, Laurens, Le Mars, town. Marshalltown, Pella, Red Oak and What is your vision for libraries in Waterloo. the next 10 years? What are you looking forward to in The registration fee is $20 for ICPC or Michigan? Humanities Iowa members; $25 for non- I agree with a 1999 Gallup poll members. The workshop is open to the which found that all responders public. expected libraries to exist and be A whole new group of friends to meet, libraries to learn about, beautiful Call Kristina Venzke at (319) 335- important in the future. I get a bit 4153 or Nancy Kraft, (319) 335-3922 to irritated when I hear the question countryside to visit. My goal is to give my best and contribute whatever I can. register or for more information on ICN asked as to whether libraries will exist sites. Full ICN site information is also when everyone has Internet access. available at www.humanitiesiowa.org. I've read that that question is like asking Picasso if photography would 3 February 2000 FOOTNOtES Information Services Wellsburg library Highlights hosts film series Patents o ILL o Medical o Census o Public Policy o "The American People," part two of Library Science o Federal Documents the "From Rosie to Roosevelt: A Film History of Americans in World War II" will be the focus of a free, six-part viewing, reading and discussion series (The following is a new Footnotes Founding and Funding Family at the Wellsburg Public Library, March feature which will highlight new titles Literacy Programs 7 through April 11.