Nebraskans will once again reap the benefits of the energy and creativity of Nebraska young people as they serve as interns in their local public libraries. The Nebraska Library Commission recently awarded Nebraska Library Internship Grants totaling $27,000 to twenty-one Nebraska public libraries. These internship grants will support public library interns, who will contribute to the scope and value of the diverse programs and activities in Nebraska’s public libraries.

“The internships are a great opportunity for students to get involved in library work. Beyond earning money and gaining valuable work experience, the student is exposed to the broad range of library services and programming. Internships provide an opportunity for the student to view the library as a viable and satisfying career choice. In addition, interns bring a fresh perspective and their own unique talents to the library,” said Nebraska Library Commission Director Rod Wagner.

Student interns will learn about library work as they shadow staff, assist with day-to-day library operations, and implement special projects. Some of the activities that students will participate in include:

• plan and implement programs such as summer reading programs for all ages, storytime sessions, book discussions, and teen/tween activities;
• assist with events such as annual book sales, NE150 celebrations, and contests;
• organize Makerspaces and Maker Clubs, as well as other STEAM learning activities;
• create book displays, bulletin boards, and craft activities;
• assist with outreach events outside the library;
• update the library’s website and social media sites (Facebook, Pinterest, blogs, etc.);
• assist with circulation activities, book selection, and collection management;
• teach technology classes and assist library customers with electronic devices and research;
• create flyers, newsletters, newspaper articles, and other promotional materials; and
• assist with verbal and written Spanish⁄English communication.

The following TRaiLS Nebraska public libraries were awarded internship grant funding:

Columbus Public Library

LaVista Public Library

Neligh Public Library

Norfolk Public Library

Omaha Public Library (4 branches)

Plainview Public Library

Schuyler Public Library

Verdigre Public Library

Wayne Public Library

Funding for the project is supported in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the Nebraska Library Commission, in partnership with the Nebraska Library Systems.

As the state library agency, the Nebraska Library Commission is an advocate for the library and information needs of all Nebraskans. The mission of the Library Commission is statewide promotion, development, and coordination of library and information services, bringing together people and information.

Nebraska’s Regional Library Systems consist of four non-profit corporations governed by boards representative of libraries and citizens in the region. The four systems were established to provide access to improved library services through the cooperation of all types of libraries and media centers within the counties included in each System area.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute’s mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. To learn more about IMLS, see www.imls.gov/.

The most up-to-date news releases from the Nebraska Library Commission are always available on the Library Commission Website, http://nlc.nebraska.gov/publications/newsreleases.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
JoAnn McManus, joann.mcmanus@nebraska.gov
402-471-4870
800-307-2665

Check out the Golden Sower Award Winners below.

See the Nominees for the 2017-2018.

Meet some of the 2017-2018 Nominees at the 23rd Annual Norfolk Literature Festival. 

We are proud to announce the 2017 Golden Sower Winners!  Winner:   Gaston by Kelly DiPucchio, illus. by Christian Robinson  Honor:    Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla by Katherine Applegate, illus. by G. Brian Karas   Ninja Red Riding Hood by Corey Rosen Schwartz, illus. by Dan Santat Winner:   The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley  Honor:     El Deafo by Cece Bell                   Loot by Jude Watson Winner:   Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard          Honor:     Famous Last Words by Katie Alender                         Torn Away by Jennifer Brown   Thank you to all of the 68,769 students who read the Golden Sower Award nominees this year and voted for their favorite book.  And also a big THANK YOU to all of the teachers, media specialists and librarians who promoted the books in their schools and libraries.  You help make the program a success!   Kathy Schultz Chair, Golden Sower Award Committee

Check out the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Information Science and Learning Technologies (SISLT) open house! Click the flyer below to see all the information:

Are you looking for a way to engage in libraryland but not sure how to get started? The Three Rivers Library System board of directors is an excellent way to become involved. As a board member you have the opportunity to guide system services and events, meet fellow librarians, and see the libraries of northeast and eastern Nebraska. The TRaiLS Nominating Committee would appreciate recommendations for candidates for the Three Rivers Library System Board of Directors 2017 election. You may nominate yourself or someone else by completing the following form http://bit.ly/TRLSBoardNominations.

The TRaiLS board will accept nominations from April 10 through May 3. Voting will take place in June with new board members attending their first meeting in August.

Board responsibilities:

• Oversee the governance of TRaiLS
• Evaluate executive performance
• Set long range vision and goals

Board meetings: Though in-person attendance of board meetings is ideal, occasional virtual attendance is an option. Meetings are held quarterly with the annual meeting in August.

Future Board meeting dates are – May 5, 2017; August 4, 2017 (Annual Meeting); November 3, 2017; February 2, 2018

As always we’re making changes at the TRaiLS Office to better help our system members. Our newest change concerns our office hours and beginning March 6th 2017, the office will be open Monday through Friday from 10:30am – 5:00pm.

Naturally, you can always give our office a call and leave a message at 402.330.7884 or email Chelsea at trls.assistant@gmail.com and Anneka at trls.director@gmail.com.

Congratulations to Bellevue Public Library who is a recipient of the TEI Landmark Audio Grant!

TEI Landmark Audio, an Indianapolis-based provider of products and services to libraries and schools, announced the winners of their 25th Anniversary Children’s Literacy Grant Awards. Hundreds of public and school libraries from across the country applied to receive one of the twenty-five $1,000 grants to fund literacy programs in their libraries.

Bellevue Public Library will be using the funding for the library’s Storytelling Club. The Storytelling Club provides participants with 21st century skills, such as personal expression, creativity, public speaking, and adaptability, while learning the art of storytelling from two storytellers, Dorothy Bockerman and Molly Strong, from Omaha Organization for the Purpose of Storytelling (OOPS). This program is open to current 1st through 12th grade students. Storytelling Club meets on Tuesdays from 3:30-4:30pm from January 10th – March 14th.

The One Book One Nebraska 2017 book kit is finally here! The TRaiLS Office currently has 15 copies of Black Elk Speaks to lend out.

Black Elk Speaks is the story of the Oglala Lakota visionary and healer Nicholas Black Elk, as well as his people, during the nineteenth century. Whether appreciated as the poignant tale of a Lakota life, as a history of a Native nation, or as an enduring spiritual testament, Black Elk Speaks is unforgettable. –back cover description

To see if the book kit is available please visit our Libib page to place a hold. If you’d like to request the kit in advance, feel free to let Chelsea know when she emails you so she can get a schedule together.

Remember, first time borrowers will have to email Chelsea at trls.assistant@gmail.com to get their Libib account set up. As always, if there are any questions, please get in touch!