As the United States continues to experience difficult economic conditions, public libraries continue to provide a significant range of E-government services and resources to its users.  The 2010-2011 findings from the Public Library Funding and Technology Access Study (PLFTAS) regarding E-government and job seeking support paints a very active  picture of how public libraries have been an important contributor to helping folks access E-government and find job opportunities.

Additional summary and analysis of the PLFTAS data suggests the following key points:

• 90% of public libraries help people understand and use government websites;
• 89% of public libraries report that providing access to government information and services is important to their community;
• 80% of public libraries help people apply for E-government services; and
• 68% of public libraries help people complete E-government forms.

The report summarizing the PLFTAS data goes on to state that while public libraries are heavily engaged in E-government services, the library also faces many challenges – which the report further describes. But oftentimes, the demand for such E-government services outpaces the capacity of the library to meet those demands.

A number of local, state, and federal websites have language similar to that at the US Department of Education (FAQ 7) that directs individuals who do not have a computer to the public library.  Indeed, my experience in dealing with E-government services provided by local, state, and federal agencies suggests that many of these agencies regularly refer people for both assistance and computers to their local public library.  In short, these agencies regularly promote the use of public libraries for E-government services, in some instances because the agency has inadequate staff to do so itself.

An important resource for assisting libraries with E-government services is an E-government Toolkit developed by the American Library Association (ALA). Another good example is the Pasco County Library System (FL) Online Government Services Website.  But a key issue in the provision of E-government services and resources to the public is the library’s ability to meet the demand and cost for these services – many of which are described in the ALA Toolkit or at the Pasco County website.

We’d look forward to hearing the experiences of readers in the provision of E-government services from their libraries – what are some of the critical success factors that need to be in place for successful E-government services? How can libraries best meet these E-government needs given the difficult economic times we have currently?  Please offer your comments (“reply”) below to share with others.

We’ll explore these comments, some of the issues raised, critical success factors in the provision of E-government services, and especially consider the costs, benefits, and broadband needs for successful E-government services in the next blog.

Dr. McClure is the Director of the Information Institute, Florida State University,cmcclure@lis.fsu.edu.

Source: Libraries Connect Communities

Source: Torrington Telegram

Pushing the Limits: Making Sense of Science

A Reading, Viewing, Discussion Series for Rural Libraries

Application deadline: March 5, 2012

Date posted: January 18, 2012

I.  Program Description

The CALIFA Group (a California-based library consortium) presents Pushing the
Limits: Making Sense of Science: a Reading, Viewing, and Discussion Series for Rural
Libraries. This program extends the building blocks of science literacy to two new
audiences: rural librarians and adults in the communities they serve.

Pushing the Limits

Since the beginning of time, humans have imagined and achieved ways to push the
boundaries of the physical world. We want to be stronger, smarter, and more aware, and
we create stories to bring those dreams to life. But many of those stories are no longer
just stories; and with great new advances in science and technology, we are finding ways
in which all of us are able to push the limits every day.

The Pushing the Limits public programs will explore these ideas through a discussion led
by a STEM professional (science, technology, engineering, math) and the local librarian,
using a blended science café and book club model that integrates feature film quality
videos and a recommended (popular) book reading. The overarching theme is one of real
people, real stories, and real science.

The program will launch with 20 pilot sites (stage 1) and using feedback from the pilot
phase, will expand to 100 additional rural public libraries (in stage 2). It is the work of a
unique team of library professionals, scientists, and filmmakers from Dartmouth College,
The Association for Rural and Small Libraries, The Califa Group, Dawson Media Group
and Oregon State University.

In phase one, 20 pilot public libraries in the United States will receive a grant of $2,500,
program materials including videos, and will participate in an on-site training program in
fall 2012, Portland, Oregon.

Access the grant application at http://califa.org/limits.php

Online applications must be submitted by March 5, 2012.

II. A programming grant opportunity: Engage your
rural community in science adventure

The CALIFA Group is opening a national search for 20 rural libraries to join as pilot
sites in a grant project funded by the National Science Foundation. The goal is to
strengthen adult science programming and resources in small and rural public libraries
and to enhance public interest and involvement in STEM topics– science, technology,
engineering and math.

Your application will have a narrative component. Before you compose the narrative part
of this proposal, we strongly recommend that you read these guidelines carefully. If you
do not, your proposal is unlikely to be competitive.

PROPOSAL NARRATIVE

Please write a brief narrative describing your plans for hosting Pushing the Limits:
Making Sense of Science: a Reading, Viewing, and Discussion Series for Rural Libraries.

•

Describe your program plan, including overall goals, description of target
audience(s), any plans for related programs, and name(s) and role(s)
of your partner(s). (When possible, include letters of support from any
partner.)

•

Provide the name and title of the local project scholar, the scholar’s
highest degree, and his or her discipline. In lieu of academic credentials,
discuss his or her knowledge of science and why he/she would be a good
choice for project scholar. (Note: Applications without a confirmed
project scholar will not be considered.)

•

Describe the publicity efforts that will be used to attract participants.

•

Describe the methods that will be used to evaluate how well your program
met its goals and objectives.

•

Summarize your library’s commitment to adult programming in general,
including any prior successful programming, if any.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE

If selected, you will be required to submit a Program Schedule, indicating
proposed dates, times and projected attendance for the Pushing the Limits series
of programs.

View the entire calendar here.

Feb 21st

The Accidental Library Marketer

Your library at Webscale: How radical collaboration is redefining library management services

Books for Youth Alert: New Titles for 2012

Proposal Budgeting Basics

Feb 22nd

NCompass Live: Learning to Live Without a Statistical Abstract

Leadership Presence: How to Build Personal Influence in Your Organization

Taking Library Data From Here to There

Facebook Features Update

Library P.I.: Process Improvement Library-Style

Feb 23rd

Census 2010 and American Community Survey

Twitter for Job Seekers: Tips for Helping Your Library’s Job-seeking Patrons

Successful Volunteer Recruitment Strategies

Feb 24th

Directors’ Summit: Discover a 21st Century Roadmap for Community Outcomes

View the entire calendar here.

Feb 14th

SLJ Teen Spring Book Buzz

Using LiveText Successfully

Top Tech Trends in Materials Handling

Feb 15th

Breezing Along with the RML

NCompass Live: Turning Your Library Around

Meet the Power Patron: Insights from Patron Profiles

Proof of Concept: Applying Project Management Principles to Your Workplace

Redesigning Collections for the Customer Centered Experience

Feb 16th

Libraries as Content Collaborators & The Life of a Production Librarian

Building a LibraryAware Community: Making the Connection

Libraries, We Mean Business: Best Ideas from LJ’s Best Business Books of the Year

Feb 17th

Windows Live SkyDrive – you can take it with you.

If you would like to be added to the mailing list, please email Tina at: tina.lyles@wyo.gov.

Basic Job Description:

The responsibilities of the individual in this position will be to provide vibrant, engaging library outreach to the children of Laramie County with the goal of creating lifelong library users and avid readers in underserved and at-risk populations. Outreach will include providing services, programs and partnerships to a variety of community groups that work with children and teens.

Other requirements include:

An MLS degree or MLS in-progress is required. The successful candidate must be an enthusiastic, self-motivated individual who enjoys working with children and teens. Experience working with children, a general knowledge of children’s literature, exceptional written and oral communication skills, and the ability to perform comfortably before large groups are all qualities that will lead to success in this position.

Salary range:

With MLS is $32,500-$36,500 annually. Salary with MLS pending is $31,000-$33,500.

A variable schedule with 38+ full-time hours

Benefits are available.

Application instructions:

Please submit a cover letter, resume and completed Laramie County Library application to Search Committee, c/o Carey Hartmann, Laramie County Library, 2200 Pioneer Avenue, Cheyenne, WY 82001 or to chartmann@lclsonline.org by noon March 7, 2012. Complete details and application are available atwww.lclsonline.org/opportunity/work

Full Job Description (docx)

Fact sheet (doc)

As always, find all of our jobs in our jobs section of the website.

www.kidscount.wykids.org

In the 2012 Wyoming Kids Count Data Report, the fifteen most populous Wyoming counties are ranked using 12 equally weighted key child well-being indicators.

Albany county ranked 1^st in Wyoming for child well-being. Fremont County is ranked last among the fifteen selected counties, making it the community most obviously in need of further sustained investments in kids. The complete rankings appear in Table 1 of the report.

Congratulations to Diana Currah of Lander on winning a New Amazon Kindle for most correctly ranking the counties!!!!

The news release is available on the website along with the complete report and profile pages for all 23 Wyoming Counties.

visit: www.kidscount.wykids.org.

Please contact Kids Count Director Marc Homer if you have any questions.

Source: The Sheridan Press

Source: The Sheridan Press