Friday, February 18, 10-11 am

via Zoom

Register by February 16!

It’s smart for libraries to understand the environment in which they operate. But assessing community needs can be expensive, complex, and, all too often, confusing. Former library director and current consultant Jamie LaRue will describe a staff-led community interview process that has been field-tested and proven to yield real results.

LaRue is the CEO of LaRue and Associates. Author of “The New Inquisition: Understanding and Managing Intellectual Freedom Challenges,” LaRue was a public library director for many years. From January of 2016 to November of 2018, he was director of the Freedom to Read Foundation, and ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom. He has written, spoken, and consulted extensively on intellectual freedom issues, leadership and organizational development, community engagement, and the future of libraries.

This activity is supported in part with funding from the State of Nebraska and the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provision of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Nebraska Library Commission.

On Friday, December 3, from 9:30 to 12:30, we will hold our annual Summer Reading Workshop, “Oceans of Possibilities.” This year, due to the pandemic, we will again hold this workshop via Zoom. Although we do not have any oceans in Nebraska, we will be keeping as much as possible to the aquatic theme, including aquatic life in Nebraska. Building on the workshop will be the workshop AQUATIC Wild on January 14th. Register here by December 1.

We will have the following presentations:

“Great Books for Next Summer” with Sally Snyder
“Nebraska Extension 2022 Summer Programming” with Jackie Steffen & Team
“Wildlife & Aquatic Educational Resources from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission” with Monica Macoubrie & Grace Gaard
“How to Create a Great Summer Storytime” with Nancy Chmiel
“Balloon Twisting Fun!” with Ethan Boggs

This year the retreat will be held on Thursday, September 2, via Zoom, 1-5 pm.  Register here by August 31!

Presentations and workshops at the retreat will include:

1:00-1:50  American Indian Youth: Living and Learning in the Twenty-First Century with Dr. Barbara Buttes. 

With slides and video Dr. Buttes will introduce American Indians living, learning, working, and playing in today’s United States, while also providing background on American Indian experiences during colonization. Her presentation will weave in American Indian authors who have written about their lives in fiction and in non-fiction. 

1:55- 2:15 “Movin and Groovin” at the Library with Adina Bell 

How to create a fun storytime using music and movement! 

2:20-2:50 “Best” Children’s Books with Dana Fontaine and “Best” Teen Books with Sally Snyder 

This presentation will highlight a few of the very best children’s and teen books. A list of additional recommended books will be provided. 

2:55-3:25 Building Your Social-Emotional Core Strength with Sheila Palmquist 

Movement, breathing, and centering tools to deepen your connections. 

3:30-4:00 Author Talk with Sarah Prineas 

Sarah will speak for 20 minutes about her writing process and how she gets her ideas. Then she will take your questions. We encourage you to read one of her books beforehand, if you haven’t already. Her most recent book is Trouble in the Stars. 

4:10-5:00 Time for Networking 

This is your time to share ideas and successes, brainstorm solutions to problems, and more. 

Sarah Prineas is the author of the award winning Magic Thief series, which has been published in 22 languages around the world, plus a bunch of other books.  Her thirteenth novel, Trouble in the Stars came out from Philomel (Penguin Random House) in April 2021. Sarah has a PhD in English literature, is deeply involved in political activism, works two afternoons a week at local independent bookstore Prairie Lights, rows on the Iowa River, and lives in Iowa City with her mad scientist husband, two perfectly normal cats, and the best dog in the world.  www.sarah-prineas.com

Join us on May 17 from 1 to 5 pm on Zoom!

Here is what we will cover in the workshop:

• What should I put on my library website?
• New website page layouts and design.
• Using the new WordPress editor.
• Using responsive design.
• Share ideas and best practices.

Please click here to register by May 16! Attendance will be capped at 20.

If you would like a chance to get acquainted with all the potential 2022-23 Golden Sower picture nominees at once, then this event is your chance to do so!

You may visit Seward Memorial Library on any of the three days. We request that you wear masks and social distance. Please register at http://bit.ly/2021gsower.

The 2021 online SELS Training Extravaganza will be held on May 7 from 9:30 – 12:30. We are excited to announce Dean Jacobs will be our keynote speaker and will speak on the topic 7 Wonders – 7 Lessons: Reasons to Have Hope in the World. We live in a world that is filled with negative news and conversations that rob the oxygen of our curiosity to be engaged in the world. Exploring 58 countries taught Dean some valuable lessons, including that the world is far more kind, generous, and beautiful than what it is given credit. Dean says that making the world a better place begins with ourselves and the story we wish to create to do so.

Other presentations will include “Fact vs. Fiction: Critical Thinking in the Age of Fake News” with Dr. Chris Haeffner and “What You Need in a Patron Behavior Policy” with Christa Porter.

Register by May 5 at https://bit.ly/2O21extrav