Penguin Random House & United for Libraries Announce New Grants for Friends of Libraries

In celebration of National Friends of Libraries Week, we’ve teamed up with Penguin Random House to announce new grants for Friends Groups serving rural and small libraries across the country. Grants of $500 and $1,000 (totaling $25,000), will be awarded to support libraries in need. In addition, we’ll also be awarding: 
–One year of complimentary eLearning from United for Libraries (includes Learning Live sessions) for grant recipients.
Book donation grants of $500 for 20 libraries to purchase titles from Penguin Random House.
Free training on how to leverage the grant funds to build support for the library and the Friends group.

Applications will be open from Feb. 3-17, 2025. 

Register for free info sessions on this grant program, free training on grant writing and/or starting a new Friends group, or sign up to receive updates about this grant.
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Apply Now to Receive Up to $10,000 in Digital Literacy Funding from PLA

Digital Literacy Workshop Incentives

The Public Library Association (PLA) has expanded digital literacy funding opportunities and resources for public libraries, powered by a generous $2.7 million contribution from AT&T. Applications for the PLA Digital Literacy Workshop Incentives are open through Friday, October 18, 2024.

  • PLA Digital Literacy Workshop Incentive, supported by AT&T—This program will award $10,000 to large public libraries and $5,000 to small public libraries, as well as provide the necessary training resources, to conduct workshops that teach basic digital literacy skills using PLA’s DigitalLearn courses and training materials.
  • PLA Digital Navigator Workshop Incentive, supported by AT&T—This new pilot program will award $4,000 to public libraries with digital navigators to utilize DigitalLearn materials and resources. Libraries must already have a digital navigator to apply.

Learn More and Apply

 DigitalLearn is PLA’s free digital literacy training toolkit, which includes self-directed courses that teach basic digital skills, as well as resources for trainers. With support from AT&T as part of AT&T Connected Learning and the company’s commitment to bridging the digital divide, PLA has also been able to add and update more than a dozen online DigitalLearn courses and develop 9 new complete training packages – and even more new and improved courses are coming soon! DigitalLearn courses and materials are available in English and Spanish and are completely free to use.
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Make a Cemeterrarium!

If you watch the recording, don’t forget to turn in one CEU.

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Deb’s Preschool Projects

Get ready for October with this spooky craft. Please email Deb at cplsasst@gmail.com with the number of craft kits you need.

The children will assemble this quick and easy craft with the glue of your choice. This project will fit on an 8.5″ x 11″ background sheet of your choice. The design is 7.5″ w x 8″ h. The order deadline is September 23, 2024. There is no charge for this service.

Batty Book Suggestions:

Stellaluna by Janell Cannon                    

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Preschool – 3rd Grade

Fiona the Fruit Bat by Dan Riskin

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Preschool – 2nd Grade

Bats at the Library by Brian Lies

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Preschool – 3rd Grade

Bats at the Beach by Brian Lies

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Preschool – 3rd Grade

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Regional Jigsaw Puzzle Competiton

Click here for a printable registration form.

2024-Regional-Puzzle-Competiton-1
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New Edition of Booklist Reader

Click on the cover to read the full edition.

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Deb’s Preschool Project

These craft projects feature shapes made by the System’s die cutting
equipment. Our intent is to save our CPLS librarians valuable time
each month. Place your order for the craft materials before the
posted deadline by emailing Deb at cplsasst@gmail.com. There is no
charge for this service.

This adorable fox, made out of fall leaves cut from cardstock, is quick
and easy to put together. The children will use school glue or glue sticks to
attach the ears, the eyes, and the black pom pom nose. The finished size
of this craft is 4″ w x 5″ h. Please let us know how many you need for your
class by August 19th.

Book Suggestions:

Lawrence in the Fall
by Matthew Farina (ages 3-5 yrs.)

Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert
(ages 3-5 yrs. – 3rd grade)

Leaves Fall Down by Lisa Bullard
(ages 3-5 yrs.)


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Holdrege Area Public Library seeks new Director

Thriving Midwestern community with a population of 5,900 is seeking a library director. Must be an energetic individual with a strong public service orientation to supervise and develop staff, prepare and manage budget, maintain community relationships, assist with programming development, implement technology and troubleshoot technology issues, write grants, and oversee collection development. This individual should have proven success in supervision, budget management, and staff development. 

A dynamic leader passionate about the future of libraries is needed. Self-motivation, enthusiasm, and flexibility are essential.

The Holdrege Area Public Library is located in south central Nebraska, 150 miles west of Lincoln. The library serves all of Phelps County, which has a total population of about 9,700. The library is an active member of Apollo. HAPL has 10 staff members (four full-time and six part-time), circulates about 3,050 items per month, and hosts over 4,600 internet sessions per year. Originally a Carnegie Library, most areas of the facility have

been renovated. The Board is working toward a new building within the next five years, which the director will be expected to help the board implement.

A Bachelor’s degree in Library Science or a similar area of study is required; a Master of Library Science degree (MLS) or Master of Library and Information Science degree (MLIS) is preferred. At least five years of progressively responsible experience in a senior administrative/management position or any combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to successfully perform the requirements of the position. Experience in reporting to a policy-making board is highly desirable, and a Nebraska Public Librarian certification is required.

For a full description of the position visit https://tinyurl.com/HAPL-director. This position will be open until filled. Please submit a compelling letter of interest, a resume, and reference letters (if available) or contact information for a minimum of three work-related references to boardpresident@holdregelibrary.org, or mail to Holdrege Area Public Library; Attn: Director Search Committee; 604 East Avenue; Holdrege, NE 68949.

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PBS Books

I recently found, and personally subscribed to, this YouTube Channel, PBS Books. I thought maybe it would be new to you, too!

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We Have Another Winner!

…And it is Keri Anderson, Director at the Hoesch Memorial Library in Alma.

Thank you to everyone who entered the drawing for this guided journal.

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