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   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.
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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!
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    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.