Below are the headlines from the May 28, 2021 - 📢 Nic News Weekly:

• Door County Library: A Digital Readiness Case Study
• Apply Now: NASA@ My Library
• Wisconsin DNR Explorer Program
• Dismantling Racism in Collaborative Collections
• Digital Readiness Fairs
• Build a Better Library Website Boot Camp

The Door County Libraries will not require masks starting May 24, 2021, per the County lifting its masking advisory due to CDC guidance. The Library Board met Monday, May 17, and agreed with the change in masking practice.

Library Director Tina Kakuske said the safety of library users continues to be a priority so the cleaning protocol will remain, social distancing is encouraged, masks are available for those who wish one, and hand sanitizer is still available.

The masking change comes before the expansion of the library’s hours. As of June 1, libraries will be open with regular summer hours, with the exception of Sturgeon Bay, which will continue to close at 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, at 5 p.m. on Friday, and will be open until 5 p.m. on Saturday.

The library will hold most summer events virtually with library book clubs having the option to meet in person or as a hybrid event utilizing Zoom. Popular craft bags will continue to be available at all branches as a take home activity. Also, pickup service will continue to be offered, even beyond the end of the pandemic.

Keep updated with the latest developments at DoorCountyLibrary.org or on the library’s social media.

Below are the headlines from the May 21, 2021 - 📢 Nic News Weekly:

• Portable Sound System Recommendations
• WiLS Receives NEH Grant for Curating Indigenous Digital Collections
• Beanstack New Features Tour
• CEA Wisconsin Presents Live Webinar on Post-Incarceration Perspectives
• OCLC Cataloging Community Virtual Meeting
• Trustee 301 Set for July 7

Marinette County has four employment opportunities available in its libraries:

• Library Assistant - Wausaukee Branch
• Library Assistant - Stephenson Branch
• Library Assistant - Goodman Branch
• Adult Services Librarian - Throughout all County Libraries

Website design presents many challenges and considerations. From thinking about the user experience to accessibility to navigation, websites are a true extension of the library's services. Thanks to the New Jersey State Library, a new course is available in the WebJunction Course Catalog (for free) to help library staff improve their websites to better serve the community. The Build a Better Library Website Boot Camp is an online course made possible in part by a 2020 award from the Catalyst Fund at LYRASIS.

The training is designed to help libraries improve the overall look and function of their websites. Through the boot camp, learners have the self-guided instruction, tools, and support to improve the user experience and design of their websites.

Source: Crossroads newsletter from WebJunction

Below are the headlines from the May 14, 2021 - 📢 Nic News Weekly:

• Take the Marketing Toolkit Survey: Libraries Activating Workforce Development Skills
• Submit a PLA 2022 Program Proposal
• Grant Opportunities & News
  • Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Registration Open May 12, EBB Registration Webinar on May 19
  • National Preservation Program: Preservation Needs Assessment and Preservation Plan
  • Brown County Library Recipient of Grant to Fund Materials about East Asia
• Continuing Education Highlights
  • Registration Open for May 27th SSCS Conference
  • Customers Without Masks (by Ryan Dowd) - Free 1-Hour Webinar May 20th
  • Talking about the COVID Vaccine In Your Community

Below are the headlines from the May 7, 2021 - 📢 Nic News Weekly:

• 2021 Rural Libraries Summit: May 25-26
• Submit PLA Webinar Proposals through May 31
• ADANN 30th Anniversary Spotlight on ADA Resource Portals
• Grant Opportunities
  • WiLS 2021 Ideas to Action Fund Application Period Is Open
  • ARSL Conference Scholarship Applications Now Accepted
• Programming Resources
  • ARSL Program-Palooza Round Table: May 20th
  • CSLP Newsletter: April 2021
  • Stealing Away: Stories (by Wisconsin author Kevin Revolinski)
• The “Marketing Funnel” Approach to Customer Engagement
• Don’t Forget: Encourage Your Library Patrons to Share their Stories

Please check the NEWI list of free webinars to find online continuing education opportunities you may attend from where you are. Most sessions are 60 minutes long, and are provided – at no charge to you – by associations, agencies, companies, and library systems.

There’s a lot to choose from, so here’s a sample of topics that may be of interest to you.

Managing stress & building resilience webinars, click title to register:

• A Holistic Approach to Managing Anxiety - Noon on Wednesday, May 5
• Cultivating the Power of Resilience - 2pm on Wednesday, May 5
• Prioritizing and Promoting Self-Care to Avoid Burnout - 2pm on Tuesday, May 18
• From A to Z: An Amazing Array of Awesome Antidotes for Zoom Fatigue - 11am on Thursday, May 20

Equity, diversity and inclusion webinars, click title to register:

• Understanding the Present and Future of Diverse Children’s Literature - 1:30pm on Tuesday, May 4
• Tribal Nations at Your Library: Discussion and Reflection - 10am on Thursday, May 13
• Accessibility Features of Apple iOS Devices - Noon on Tuesday, May 18
• Spanish Language Collection Development - 2pm on Thursday, May 20
• Creating Accessible Virtual Programs for Children with Disabilities and their Families - Noon on Friday, May 21
• Indigenous Voices: Authentic Children's Literature in the Classroom and Library - 2pm on Tuesday & Wednesday, May 25 & 26
• Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA)'s Best of the Best Booklist: Ensuring Equity and Diversity in Public and School Libraries - 2pm on Thursday, May 27

A sample of webinars on other topics; click title to register:

• The Economic Power of Libraries: Introducing a Tool to Drive Meaningful Funding Conversations - Noon on Wednesday, May 5
• Police: How to Reduce Police Calls and Keep Everyone Safe in Your Organization - 1pm on Thursday, May 6
• Building a WOW Recognition Culture to Keep Employees Engaged & Motivated - 11:30am on Wednesday, May 12
• Managing Difficult Conversations at Work - Noon on Wednesday, May 12
• Designing for the Future: The Post-Pandemic Library - 9am on Thursday, May 13
• Be More Productive, Powerful & Persuasive with Board, Staff & Donors - 1pm on Thursday, May 20