System Spotlight
By Staff
Minneola Public Library Receives American Heart Association Grant
Meet Helena! This library superstar saw a need in her community and answered the call! Concerned for those in Minneola and surrounding areas who may be on a fixed income or otherwise unable to afford blood pressure cuffs, she researched and applied for a grant through the American Heart Association to offer blood pressure monitors for in-library use or check-out. Now, we can confidently say that having a library card may just save a life! We heart this!
Consulting
By Staff
- June 9th: 10 AM – 11 AM – Leading Through Uncertainty: Embrace, Adapt, Advance | Webinar | Register Here
- June 10th: 1 PM – 2 PM – Advocacy at Your Library: Hosting Legislator Visits | Webinar | Register Here
- June 10th: 1 PM – 2 PM – 2025 Fall Youth Preview (Booklist) | Webinar | Register Here
- June 11th: 10 AM – 11 AM – Sparking Community Connections: Rural Public Library Partnerships | Webinar | Register Here
- June 11th: 1 PM – 2 PM – Nurturing Potential: A Toolkit for Engaging Unsupervised Youth and Teens at Your Library | Webinar | Zoom Link
- June 11th: 2 PM – 2:50 PM – Doing More with Less: Skillsets and Tools to Make it Possible | Register Here
- June 12th: 1 PM – 2 PM – Graphic Jam: Graphic Novels Book Buzz Part 1 | Webinar | Zoom Link
- June 20th: 10 AM – 12 PM – SWKLS Online Only Board Meeting | Virtual Meeting | Register Here
Don’t forget to check our wiki for these archived, on-demand trainings!
Opt In to Receive FREE Kansas Reads to Preschoolers Books!
In case you missed it:
Good morning, all!
This year, Kansas Reads to Preschoolers is working a little differently. The State Library is asking all those libraries that wish to receive books to individually opt in and commit to running at least one program in which the book is used. Those libraries who do not opt in will not be receiving free books this year. Please read Valerie’s email below very carefully and complete the form if your library wishes to opt in. The deadline is June 24th. Thank you!
Valerie’s Email:
Kansas Reads to Preschoolers promotes reading to all Kansas children from birth through age five. The 2025 featured title is Little Nita’s Big Idea by Anna W. Bardaus, illustrated by Carolina Farias.
Please use this form to let the State Library know your library will participate in the 2025 program. By opting in you commit to reading Little Nita’s Big Idea during a storytime or other event in November 2025 and will receive 2 free copies. Deadline: Tuesday, June 24
In early autumn the Kansas Reads to Preschoolers site will have promotional material to make it easy to advertise the 2025 Kansas Reads to Preschoolers program at your library.
Valarie Lamoreaux
Deputy State Librarian
Kansas Center for the Book Coordinator
Image provided by pixabay.com contributor mylns65hoasphn
Director’s Note – RB
Almost half a year has gone by for all of us. All of you are in the midst of your Summer Reading Program connecting with your community. For the System as a whole we are still in a stage of transition for some of our libraries.
I have been working with Greeley County Library on a variety of things and have enjoyed getting to know Whitney. I’ve helped with her 1st budget prep and presentation and with the rest of the System Staff going through the training with her for new directors. We also transitioned Dawn Thorp as the Interim Director for Kinsley Public Library.
The System Office is prepping to continue the new director training with Cesilia Enriquez (Kearny County Library) and Jessica Knoell (Kinsley Public Library). The staff will schedule in this training after Summer Reading.
We have had additional transitions for the System office and have welcomed Tonia Pfaff, as our new Office Manager and Ryan Miller as our new Technology Specialist. I appreciate our members giving them grace in learning their respective positions. For Tonia, becoming a secondary cataloger, has taken a bit of time. We were in a holding pattern for Auto-Graphics to assign her the proper rights to do this within the Verso App. Miguel received word at the middle of this week that her account rights have been finalized so he will be able to train her in the coming weeks.
I have had the pleasure of going to several library boards for training. I enjoy visiting with the boards and if you wish to schedule me to come out to a board meeting don’t hesitate. It will be counted towards their continuing education training for the year.
What I am calling the System Tour, checking in with all members in regards to the System. I am approximately 1/3 through the System. With all the other travel I have done and visiting with the directors and staff this has taken longer than I anticipated. However, I think this will prove beneficial. I am pausing for Summer Reading. I know all of you are busy during this time of year and don’t want to rush this process. I want to thank all the libraries that have visited with me up to this point.
I have also been busy with the State Library Board and visiting with individuals and libraires on concerns as part of my board duties. Ray Walling, State Librarian, has sent out an email stating that the State Library will be receiving IMLS funding for the rest of the 2025 year. He looked at the numbers and the State for year 2025 will receive approximately $2.1 Million. However, as President Trump did during his first term, he has removed IMLS funding from the Federal 2027 Budget that is front of the Senate at this time. It will be determined by Congress if they put the IMLS funding back in the next Federal budget year, as they have done in the past.
I know this is a bit long but I just wanted to give you a brief note. I know all of you have been busy as well. Thank you to each and every one of you, your staff, and your boards. You are working continuously to support your communities.
Friday Funny
What patrons are afraid is going to happen when they turn in a really, reallllly late book . . .
Cataloging, Collection Development, and ILL
By Miguel Coca
Collection Development Inspiration
Adult Fiction
Children’s & YA Fiction
From the SWKLS Pro Collection
This all-new edition gathers a range of contributors to explore real-world uses of library marketing technology, perfect for novices ready to dive in as well as practitioners on the lookout for ways to improve existing efforts. Inside, librarians share insights on how they use their favorite social media tools to promote their library and build community. Applicable to all types of institutions, this guide
- covers popular tools such as Snapchat, Tumblr, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter;
- shares four easy-to-use tools for creating memes, tips for creating short videos, and ways to integrate blogs into social media;
- demonstrates how to use reaction GIFs and tagging to boost your Tumblr posts;
- shows how to tailor messages to communicate effectively with different generations and audiences; and
- includes screen shots, illustrations, sample social media policies to help you navigate controversies, and free online training resources.
Versed in Verso
On June 10th at 10 a.m., Auto-Graphics will host its next Versed in Verso webinar, featuring a special presentation by Tony Saadat from Soutron Global.
You can sign up using this link!
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8553429054205831772
Atriuum ILS Demo
On June 9th at 1:30 pm, Scott from Book Systems Inc. will be demonstrating Atriuum ILS. This is part of our ongoing research into alternatives to Verso.
You can join using the Zoom link below.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/6497640710?pwd=L2tVUGxaOUZuMnoybGpWQ0w2eHN5QT09
Audiobook and the accessibility revolution
Not only are audiobooks fun to listen to, but they also help give access to those who can’t read. Here is a short documentary from PBS.
Technology
Introductions are in order
My name is Ryan Miller & I am the new technology specialist with SWKLS. Some of you have already met me from some onsite visits or when calling the office, but for everyone else, hello! I figured for my first weekly wrap up I would share a little bit about myself. I grew up on a farm north of Ingalls Kansas where I developed an interest in 2 things, history and technology (with the latter only after my family got off of dial up internet, those were dark days). I took a computer class in high school (primarily so I could learn to build a gaming PC to play games with my friends) but that led me to go to K-State Salina. While there I was president of the LAN gaming club and also involved in the Student Government Association. I also worked in the IT department as a student aid while attending. I left K-State Salina with a Bachelors in Technology Management & an Associate in Computer Science. Then due to a variety of factors I won’t go into, I went back to K-State Manhattan and quickly got a Bachelors in History. Since then I’ve worked at a couple of different jobs. I worked at Staples version of Geek Squad (Easy Tech), was briefly a full time substitute teacher where I taught one semester of high school freshmen social studies, then most recently worked at an MSP doing contract IT work.
With that out of the way, I just want to say I look forward to helping all of our member libraries as best I can. Also, if you are thinking of clicking that random link in your email, don’t. Please don’t.
by Ryan Miller
Online Safety / Cybersecurity Resources
Courtesy of the national Cybersecurity Alliance
Tread Lightly Online: How to Check and Manage Your Digital Footprint
6 Cybersecurity Myths Debunked
Best Vacation and Travel Cybersecurity Tips
E-Rate News
SHLB, More Than 80 Others Urge House Not to Repeal Hotspot Order