What's New at the State Library
2012 Bismarck/Mandan Summer Reading Kickoff Announced
The North Dakota State Library in partnership with the North Dakota State Historical Society, the Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library, and the Morton Mandan Public Library invite you and your family to the 2012 Bismarck/Mandan Summer Reading Kickoff. The event will be Friday, June 1st, on the North Dakota State Capitol grounds. For additional information, please download the Poster or Brochure.
April 2012 Flickertale Issue Available
The March 2012 issue of the North Dakota State Library Flickertale newsletter is available for download at http://1.usa.gov/Jah4Js.
March 2012 Flickertale Issue Available
The March 2012 issue of the North Dakota State Library Flickertale newsletter is available for download at http://1.usa.gov/GBkV2i.
Winter 2012 Discovery Issue Available
The Winter 2012 Discovery issue is available for download at http://bit.ly/wCh2gv. The Discovery is the newsletter of the North Dakota State Library Talking Books department.
February 2012 Flickertale Issue Available
The February 2012 issue of the North Dakota State Library Flickertale newsletter is available for download at http://1.usa.gov/yoOEkg.
January 2012 Flickertale Issue Available
The January 2012 issue of the North Dakota State Library Flickertale newsletter is available for download at http://1.usa.gov/yRDOWV.
State Library Now Accepting Entries for Teen Video Contest
The Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) and the North Dakota State Library have partnered to offer the 2012 "Own the Night" Teen Video Contest. The contest was started in 2011 in an effort to promote summer reading programs among North Dakota teens. The winning teen or group of teens will win $275 and the winner's public library will receive prizes worth $150 from Upstart and CSLP.
The video entries will be judged by North Dakota State Library staff. The deadline for entries is March 15, 2012.
For additional information, including contest rules, entry forms, and a link to the 2011 winning videos, please visit http://www.library.nd.gov/videocontest.html.
December 2011 Flickertale Issue Available
The December 2011 issue of the North Dakota State Library Flickertale newsletter is available for download at http://1.usa.gov/v552SZ.
North Dakota State Library and North Dakota Library Coordinating Council Announce Grant
The Competitive Grants Program guidelines and application for Fiscal Year 2012-2013 have been posted at http://www.library.nd.gov/librarian.html.
2012 Summer Reading Program Workshops Announced
Summer reading workshops are scheduled for February, 2012. Attendees will have an opportunity to connect with other librarians, share ideas for summer reading, and have fun learning program ideas related to the 2012 themes. Click on your preferred location/date below to register!
February 13 - Bismarck Public Library
February 15 - Dickinson Public Library
February 16 - Minot Public Library
February 21 - Grand Forks Public Library
February 22 - Leach Public Library (Wahpeton)
February 23 - James River Valley Library (Jamestown)
2009-2011 Biennial Report Released
The 2009-2011 North Dakota State Library Biennial Report has been published and is now available at http://www.library.nd.gov/publications/biennialreport.pdf.
November 2011 Flickertale Issue Available
The November 2011 issue of the North Dakota State Library Flickertale newsletter is available for download at http://1.usa.gov/tvJVxC.
October 2011 Flickertale Issue Available
The October 2011 issue of the North Dakota State Library Flickertale newsletter is available for download at http://1.usa.gov/r7rPoT.
September 2011 Flickertale Issue Available
The September 2011 issue of the North Dakota State Library Flickertale newsletter is available for download at http://1.usa.gov/qMT8Ir.
North Dakota Library Coordinating Council Announces New Grant Round
The 2012 Grant Guidelines and Grant Application from the North Dakota State Library and the North Dakota Library Coordinating Council are now available. The guidelines and application are on the North Dakota State Library website and may be accessed at www.library.nd.gov/librarian.html.
Grant applications are due at the State Library by October 14, 2011. You may fill out the grant application and print it, but it cannot be saved. Secure the appropriate signatures on the signature page and then mail it back to the State Library. This grant opportunity has one category, which is to aid participation in the statewide online library catalog through WorldCat.
If you have any questions, please contact Cynthia Clairmont-Schmidt at 800-472-2104 or ccclairmont@nd.gov.
August 2011 Flickertale Issue Available
The August 2011 issue of the North Dakota State Library Flickertale newsletter is available for download at http://1.usa.gov/mWaHBO.
Grants Available for Association for Rural and Small Libraries Conference
Three $1250 scholarships are now available for North Dakota librarians to attend the Association for Rural and Small Libraries national conference in conjunction with a day-long workshop hosted by Project Compass, a national initiative focused on supporting public libraries as they strive to meet the urgent and growing workforce development needs in their communities. This Project Compass workshop is made as part of a grant funded by the Institute of Museum of Library Services.
The North Dakota State Library is excited to partner with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and WebJunction to provide the opportunity for three North Dakota librarians to attend the Project Compass Workshop and the ARSL Conference. By attending these two events, we believe that you will be prepared to better serve your patrons and will come back to North Dakota with greater knowledge of how to better serve all the citizens that you will share with other libraries across the state.
WebJunction will be hosting the day-long Project Compass workshop on September 8, just prior to the Association for Rural and Small Libraries Annual Conference in Frisco, Texas, September 8-11. The workshop will introduce library staff to programs and services covering job-seeker information, personal financial skills, and resources for small businesses and entrepreneurs. At the session, participants from small and rural libraries will learn and exchange ideas, information, and resources.
We hope you are able to take advantage of this exciting opportunity! Further information about the ARSL Conference can be found at http://www.arsl.info/annual-conference-awards-calendar/frisco-conference-2011/. If you are interested in being considered to receive one of the three available $1250 scholarships, please contact the State Library Field Services department by August 17th. Please call 701-328-4680 or 800-472-2104, or contact Eric Stroshane by email at estroshane@nd.gov.
July 2011 Flickertale Issue Available
The July 2011 issue of the North Dakota State Library Flickertale newsletter is available for download at: http://www.library.nd.gov/flickertale/2011july.pdf.
State Library to Host "Summer Breeze Colloquium"
All North Dakota librarians and public library board members are invited to attend the Summer Breeze Colloquium workshops, planned for August 8-10, 2011 at the Best Western Doublewood Inn, Bismarck. Attendees will have the opportunity to attend workshops featuring the following library-focused topics: Community Resources, Website Presence, Weeding, Library Policies, Long-Range Planning, Data Analysis, Basic Bookkeeping, Statistical Reporting, Social Media, Genealogy, Supporting Foundations, and Information Literacy.
North Dakota State Library Launches Online “Tutor ND” Service
Tutor ND, a new service being provided by the North Dakota State Library, will provide free tutoring services to North Dakotans of all ages, beginning July 1, 2011. Using the Tutor ND service, available at www.tutornd.com, users will be able to interact with professional tutors via the Internet in a “one-on-one” format. Students in public schools, private schools, home schools, as well as students of colleges and universities will benefit from this new service.
Expert tutors will be available to offer assistance in subjects ranging from English to math, science to social studies, and more. All tutors, many of whom are retired college and university professors, are professionally tested in their respective subject area. Also, all tutors are screened with full background checks, so parents can feel safe about their child’s interaction with tutors. North Dakota citizens can connect to Tutor ND for live help through any computer with Internet access, including computers at their public library or at home.
“We expect Tutor ND to help the student population of the state to excel as each student shall have the opportunity to increase their skills; the marginal student becomes an achiever and the exceptional student becomes truly outstanding,” said State Superintendent, Dr. Wayne G. Sanstead.
“All students in North Dakota will benefit from this service including our home-schooled population and college students who are adjusting to a campus setting and the rigors of higher education,” said State Librarian, Hulen E. Bivins.
The service will be available statewide Sunday through Thursday evenings, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM Central time, and may be accessed by visiting www.tutornd.com.
With a subject-certified instructor, the program will provide an outstanding service at a significant cost savings. Funding for this program is provided by the North Dakota State Library with the aid and support provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Washington, D.C.
Governor Dalrymple Proclaims June 3, 2011 “Summer Reading Kickoff @ Your Library Day”
North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple recently proclaimed Friday, June 3, 2011 “Summer Reading Kickoff @ Your Library Day” in support of summer reading programs throughout the state. The proclamation was issued as an encouragement for children and teens to visit their public library and become involved in summer reading activities.
Summer reading programs promote reading as a source of enjoyment and learning for young people. Hulen Bivins, State Librarian says, “North Dakota’s libraries play an important role in helping children of all ages sharpen their reading skills and develop solid, life-long reading habits that, in turn, aids the development of productive, literate citizens in the future.”
The Bismarck Public Library and Morton Mandan Public Library will kick off their summer reading programs during the Friday, June 3rd “One World, Many Stories” event. This 8th annual summer reading kickoff event, featuring celebrity readers, live music, hands-on activities, and more, will take place at the North Dakota State Library and the North Dakota Heritage Center in Bismarck on Friday, June 3rd, 2011 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
Please contact your local public library for details about summer reading activities in your community.
Talking Books and Braille Program Celebrates 80 Years
On March 3, 2011, the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), the Library of Congress’ talking book and Braille program, will celebrate 80 years of helping visually impaired and physically handicapped individuals enjoy reading their favorite books and magazines.
North Dakota patrons are served locally through the Talking Books service at the North Dakota State Library. “Talking books offer a wonderful opportunity for anyone who cannot use regular print materials because of blindness or a physical, visual, or reading handicap,” says Susan Hammer-Schneider, head of North Dakota Talking Books.
The Talking Books service delivers reading materials in digital audio and Braille formats straight to the homes of patrons. Braille books, books on digital cartridge, and digital talking book players are sent to registered patrons via the U.S. Postal Service at no charge. Talking Books patrons also have the option to download talking books and magazines over the Internet.
The NLS collection of more than 400,000 titles of bestsellers, classics, biographies, romance, and other genres delights even the most selective readers. Magazine-lovers enjoy free subscriptions to more than 40 periodicals in audio format, including Consumer Reports, National Geographic, and Sports Illustrated for Kids, and 30 periodicals in Braille, such as Ladies Home Journal, ESPN: The Magazine and the New York Times Large-Print Weekly. The NLS program also keeps pace with the latest book titles, adding 2,500 annually.
For more information about Talking Books service in North Dakota, please contact the State Library at 800-843-9948 or tbooks@nd.gov, or visit the North Dakota State Library online at www.library.nd.gov.