SWKLS Accreditation
By Emily Sitz, Director, Southwest Kansas Library System
October Newsletter Excerpt
November is the time for public
libraries in SWKLS to apply for
System accreditation. We in the
Kansas library world have been
hearing quite a lot about accreditation
and /or certification over the
last several years. The State Library
of Kansas together with the Kansas
Library Trustees Association developed
a program of certification for
library trustees. The State Library
also put forth a program of certification
for public library administrators.
In both cases, the librarian or
trustee completes a certain amount
of continuing education within core
learning areas in order to become
certified.
Read more…
Kansas Reads to Preschoolers Nov. 15-21
October Newsletter Excerpt
The Kansas Center for the Book at the State Library of Kansas is once again proud to promote the importance of
reading to Kansas preschoolers and other youth. This year’s book, written by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Scott
Menchin, is Wiggle. Supporting this endeavor, the web page (http://www.kcfb.info/wiggle/) will provide program suggestions
and opportunities for you to share your related ideas, comments, and activity pictures on a blog!
Read more…
Copyright—Did you know?
Under federal copyright law, libraries cannot be held liable for copyright infringement committed by the public on unsupervised reproducing equipment, but only if a notice is posted on the equipment. The prescribed wording for the notice is:
NOTICE: The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material; the person using this equipment is liable for any infringement.
Reproducing equipment refers not only to photocopiers, but also to computer printers and other equipment capable of making copies.
The situation is MUCH more complicated if library staff members make photocopies for the public. Producing copies for the public involves more liability on the library’s part. The legal notice required for such a service is much longer and patrons requesting copies should sign to say that they have read the notice. Library staff must be aware of what types of materials might be covered by copyright, when infringement may be occurring and staff must refuse a copying order when it may violate copyright law. If your library operates copying equipment for patrons and you have not posted the prescribed wording you can contact, Sara McFarland, smcfarland@swkls.org , and she will send you the wording.
CONTINUING EDUCATION GRANTS
The importance of training and education to Southwest Kansas
Libraries System member libraries has been consistently recognized and expressed
by member library directors and boards, system board members, staff and
administration. It is fitting that SWKLS budgets funds to offer grants to
supplement what libraries are able to provide, in financial support for
southwest Kansas library employees and trustees who want to take advantage of
educational programs. The grants provide financial aid toward improving the
library skills of the recipient and enabling him/her to become better informed
about library management and services. Personnel and trustees of taxing county
libraries and libraries contracting for two or more services including
Continuing Education and Training are eligible to apply. SWKLS offers two types
of continuing education grants.
Continuing Education Grant Application Form
Courier Update
Kansas Library Express began service July 6 with 198 delivery locations and 14 additional locations receiving service through another library. Since that time, three have joined as delivery locations, and three other locations have begun receiving indirect service. Two locations have requested their service be increased from 3 to 5 days per week. Read more…
Google and LIFE Sponsoring Website
Google is hosting an image archive for LIFE magazine, not just the amazing published photos, but also the millions of archived photos that nearly no one has before seen. The dates of these photos range from the 1750s to the present. In November about 20 percent of the photos had been scanned and Google expects to finish the project in just a few months.
