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Currently Youth Coding and S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programs are highlighted in schools and communities all across the country. Did you know that there are already a number of these types of programs based in Nebraska and available to be hosted in your community library? Today’s webinar will be a coding example based on the Walt Disney movie Frozen using Code.org modules that you can complete during the demonstration. The webinar will also highlight...

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is one of the largest technology trade shows of its kind, featuring new product releases, updates, and a chance to experience the latest and greatest technologies from companies big and small. Join Brian Pichman of the Evolve Project who attends the show to spread the word about libraries to the exhibitors at CES, securing partnerships on behalf of libraries so that libraries may have more opportunities to innovate and bring new technology in for their...

The staff at the Nebraska Library Commission are readers. And we enjoy talking about what we've read. Join Michael Sauers and Sam Shaw, from the Library Commission, as they share some of their favorite books. You'll be sure to find a few good additions for your library's collection. Video (YouTube) Presentation Links (Delicious)

Have you found yourself responsible for cataloging with no previous experience? Is "cataloger" only one of many hats you wear at your library? Attend this session to learn about free tools to innovate your cataloging process, make your life easier, and get your library's materials cataloged and in the hands of your patrons. Presenter: Emily Nimsakont, Cataloging Librarian, Nebraska Library Commission. Video (YouTube) Presentation (SlideShare) Links (Delicious)

While providing innovative services and programming helps draw new library patrons, excellence in customer service is what keeps them coming back. Kearney Public Library has recently embraced a more patron-focused approach to library policies, which has included changing many policies to create a more positive experience for patrons. Staff members will discuss their new "Extreme Customer Service" model, and how it has changed many of their library practices over the past year. This session...

JD Thomas, a white-hat SEO and WordPress consultant, will discuss how to improve the appearance of WordPress posts and pages in search engine results and when shared on social media. He will be focusing on the features built into Yoast's WordPress SEO and the metadata that it adds to your website that lets you control exactly how your content looks when shared on Facebook and Twitter. In this monthly feature of NCompass Live, the NLC’s Technology Innovation Librarian, Michael Sauers, will...

'Tis the day before Christmas and all through the land, librarians brace for the upcoming influx of patrons with new tablets wanting to know how to access OverDrive.... Sound familiar or prescient? If so, join us for this December 24 edition of NCompass Live for a refresher/review of how to install the OverDrive app on a tablet and start checking out and downloading eBooks and audiobooks from your library. (We'll be using an iPad, but the app works similarly on Android devices .) We'll...

Sally Snyder, Coordinator of Children and Young Adult Library Services at the NLC, will give brief book talks of new titles that could be good additions to your library’s collection. Titles for preschool through older teens will be highlighted. Video (YouTube) Presentation (SlideShare) Handouts

In this talk, John LeMasney will discuss the trials, tribulations, and successes of creating and teaching classes on Arduino as programming at several New Jersey libraries across the state. Arduino is an open source hardware platform for learning about and making electronics prototypes to scratch your own itch. It is a well-supported, low-threshold-of-entry approach of inviting those new to electronics to create their own working circuits at a low monetary cost and little existing...

Are you prepared for a disaster in your library? If you think it can't happen to you or if you think 'My library is only a few years old - it's in good shape'--think again. Denise Lawver at the Wahoo (NE) Public Library will share her experiences after a 3" water pipe burst in the ceiling of the meeting room--in a library only 7 years old! Video (YouTube) Links (Delicious)

New internet tools, technologies and websites appear every day that you can integrate into your personal and professional life. Librarians can harness the full potential of these tools to provide innovative library services and programming, stay organized, be creative and improve productivity. Christa Burns, from the Nebraska Library Commission, will introduce you to new and emerging online tools that will motivate you to accomplish great things at your library. Video (YouTube)...

Join Amanda Roberson, Youth Coordinator - Children and Teen Services at Harford County (MD) Library, to learn about Harford County's innovative STEM programs for early learners and school age learners: LEAP: Science is Fun! Program that was launched in 2007 by Harford County Library, targeted toward third to eighth grade children. Little Leapers, pre- and early-literacy kits that focus on fostering and developing pre- and early literacy skills through STEM (science, technology, engineering...

Learn how theater group participation can bring diverse groups of teens together to express themselves creatively, gain leadership and collaborative skills, and engage with the larger community. A wide range of programs will be discussed - including year-round clubs, summer programs, readers' theater and murder mysteries - for all levels of experience, sizes of libraries, and budgets. Take away tips and resources to kickstart your own production. Presenters: Jennifer Cottrill, Midlothian...

Many times your book club members select a title that doesn’t come with discussion questions or someone selects a book that you anticipate will be challenging or difficult to discuss. How can you prepare and what are some tips and tricks for making the group run smoothly and the discussion meaningful? Join Vicki Wood, Youth Services Supervisor at Lincoln City Libraries and Lisa Kelly – Nebraska Library Commission - as they present lessons learned from leading book groups. Video (YouTube)...

In this month’s Tech Talk, Michael will be speaking with Laura Marlane, the Executive Director of the Providence (RI) Community Library, and Katherine Messier, the Managing Director of Mobile Beacon, about how libraries can provide mobile WiFi hotspots to their patrons. Laura Marlane is the Executive Director of Providence Community Library, a non-profit organization that was formed in 2009 to save the nine former branches of the PPL. Laura has 28 years of experience working in academic,...

As part of a federal grant, the Nebraska Public Service Commission has been working over the last 4 years to determine where broadband has been deployed throughout the state. Through bi-annual data submissions by providers, the PSC has developed a website targeted to consumers to determine where broadband has been deployed in Nebraska. The website has several functions to allow users to investigate broadband anywhere in the state. The PSC has also been working to verify mobile broadband...

In this session, Melissa Techman, School Librarian, Broadus Wood Elem School, Earlysville, VA, shares her easy-to-duplicate public library events, in which teens explore coding, writing, and remixing. Starting with 2 templates made with Mozilla’s Thimble, a free online html edit-and-create, participants can tinker and customize according to their interests. In the process, they learn a little coding and explore connected and creative learning and writing. Video (YouTube) Presentation...

Have you heard the catalogers in your library mumbling about RDA, FRBR, and other mysterious acronyms? Would you like to find how recent cataloging changes could affect you? Resource Description & Access (RDA) is the new cataloging code that replaced AACR2 early in 2013, and in this session, Emily Nimsakont, the NLC’s Cataloging Librarian, will provide a translation of "cataloger-ese" to explain what RDA is. She will also discuss how the new cataloging rules will affect libraries’ OPACs,...

In May 2014, Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library went through an RFID conversion process. In one week. While closed. But we didn’t stop there. We also installed self-check kiosks, replaced our security gates, retrofitted our automated materials handler, and gutted the circulation lobby at the same time. David explains what his library did to prepare for this, and how they pulled it off. David Lee King is the Digital Services Director at Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, where he...

Are you planning to apply for the Youth Excellence Grant this year? Attend this webinar to make sure your application rises to the top! Sally Snyder, Coordinator of Children and Young Adult Library Services, and Devra Dragos, Technology & Access Services Director, from the Nebraska Library Commission, will talk about how to answer the application questions to best present your youth project. Many of the items they will talk about will also be useful when applying for other grants as well....