Below are the headlines from the September 25, 2020 - 📢 Nic News Weekly:

• TeachingBooks' Diverse Books Toolkit: Recording Now Available
• WiLS Cooperative Purchasing Advisory Committee Seeks New Members
• $3,000 Grant Opportunity for Rural and Small Libraries

A June Library 2.0 mini-conference that is being co-organized by TechSoup. It is "Small, Rural, and Independent Libraries," which will be held online (and for free) on Wednesday, June 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Central time. Register for this free event here.

This mini-conference will focus on innovation and innovative thinking in rural, independent, tribal, and other small libraries, as well as the many unique challenges that libraries face in these strange times. A diverse array of keynote panelists and curated presenters will cover topics that will include:

• Innovations to provide Internet access and training to rural patrons
• New ways that small libraries can offer services that the big urban libraries offer
• Taking community partnerships to the next level
• How workers from small and rural libraries can easily connect with each other to get ideas and keep innovating
• Novel ways to fund special programs
• Unique Internet of Things offers that are tailored to specific communities
• Safety, security, and ways to deal with emergencies when the sheriff's department is far away

This event is being organized in partnership with Jim Lynch from TechSoup for Libraries, Kate Laughlin from the Association for Rural and Small Libraries, and The School of Information at San José State University, the founding conference sponsor.