NFLS Blog - Nicolet Federated Library System

Farnsworth Public Library is Lending Playaway Launchpads

12/9/2019

The Farnsworth Public Library is now lending Playaway Launchpads.

These 12 Launchpads are preloaded, secure children’s learning tablets, with themed reading, spelling, and vocabulary apps designed to support early literacy.

They are available for lots of subjects and age groups, but the library chose to focus on early literacy and preschoolers. They also have no cameras or internet access.

The library has 12 different Launchpads available - check one out today!

The Launchpads were paid for by the Nicolet Federated Library System through its 2019 Library Improvement & Innovation Grant, which funds programs in the areas of workforce development, lifelong learning, and/or technology.

Check out what other NFLS libraries have purchased with their grants here.

Nic News Weekly: November 22, 2019

11/22/2019

Below are the headlines from the latest 📣 Nic News Weekly newsletter.

SAVE THE DATE: NFLS Regional Training December 5
2019 Library Improvement & Innovation Grant Purchase
NFLS Website Updates
Happy Thanksgiving!
Super Search Training Materials Updated (BadgerLink)
LearningExpress Library: New and Updated Content (Badgerlink)
Library Census Equity Fund Mini-Grant: APPLICATIONS DUE TODAY (ALA)
3-Question Survey: Feb. Youth & Teen Services Workshop (NEWI)
NFLS Librarians' Advisory Committee Meeting @ Gillett December 6th

View Newsletter Archive

Kewaunee Public Library Welcomes New Interactive White Board

11/19/2019

The Kewaunee Public Library recently purchased a new interactive white board with a 2019 Library Improvement & Innovation Grant from Nicolet Federated Library System (NFLS).

Carol Patrina, Director at Kewaunee Public Library, wrote:

"Thank you to NFLS for our CleverTouch Plus Interactive White Board. We are excited to use it in a variety of ways for programming for all ages. We've already used it for our Library Board Meeting to display the agenda and minutes of the last meeting. We are excited to use it for our youth programming especially. We can use this technology to engage every type of learner. We can brainstorm, collaborate, diagram, play games, stream, and involve groups in activities. Our Fun Newtons science club is excited to use it for watching research and experiments online. We are hoping to grab the interest and attention of our audiences with its large colorful display. Thank you NFLS for making this possible!!"

librarians standing beside interactive white board

Librarians Ann Reinke and Linda Aulik stand beside Kewaunee Public Library's new interactive white board.

NFLS is grateful for the opportunity to offer this one-time grant to its member libraries. Funds from the grant are be used in the areas of Workforce Development, Lifelong Learning, and/or Technology.

Check out what other NFLS libraries have purchased with their grants here.

Nic News Weekly: November 15, 2019

11/15/2019

Below are the headlines from the latest 📣 Nic News Weekly newsletter.

2019 Library Improvement & Innovation Grant Purchase
NSLA Summer Learning Awards: Win $10,000!
Census 2020 Webinar: Tuesday, December 3
2020 WAPL Conference Call for Proposals
Jeff Quinn's SRP Library Magic Show
ALA Accepting Applications for Library Census Equity Fund Mini-Grants (Apply by Nov 22)

View Newsletter Archive

Algoma Public Library Purchases New Maker Space

11/15/2019

Shelves of Maker Space Kits and Materials

Algoma Public Library recently created a great new maker space for patrons to enjoy during Maker Wednesdays, which are held the first Wednesday of the month and aimed for ages 9 and up.

The library will start branching out and hosting more programs using these items focused on adults and teens as well.

Items for the makerspace were purchased thanks to a grant from the Nicolet Federated Library System’s 2019 Library Improvement & Innovation Grant, which funds programs in the areas of workforce development, lifelong learning, and/or technology.

See more about the library's Maker Wednesdays on Facebook.

Check out what other NFLS libraries have purchased with their grants here.

NSLA Summer Learning Awards - Call for Submissions: Win $10,000!

11/8/2019

Application Deadline December 4, 2019

Learn More at summerlearning.org/summer-learning-awards

The National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) seeks applications from youth-serving organizations nationwide for the 2020 Summer Learning Awards sponsored by the New York Life Foundation. This coveted award recognizes exceptional informal or enrollment-based summer programs that keep students safe and healthy, support their academic growth and improve the well-being of our nation’s most vulnerable children and youth.

Eligible candidates for the Summer Learning Awards must submit their application by December 4, 2019 and demonstrate strong outcomes in promoting healthy youth development during the critical summer months through creative curricula, unique programming and effective family engagement strategies. This is a chance for you and/or your peers to be recognized as the best of the best in the field of summer learning and to shine a spotlight on all the amazing work you do for children and youth in your program.

Each award-winning program will receive:

NEWI List of FREE WEBINARS this Month

11/5/2019

Free webinars on walking book clubs, PLSR, low-tech STEM, going fine-free & more this month from NEWI:

Go to the NEWI list of free webinars to find continuing education opportunities in which you can participate without leaving your library; most sessions are 60 minutes long, and are provided – at no charge to you – by associations, agencies, companies, and library systems.

Here’s a sample of webinars offered this month:

CSLP 2020 "Imagine Your Story" Incentives & Decor Catalogs: Arriving Next Week

10/25/2019

Imagine Your Story catalog items

The new catalogs have arrived and will be arriving at libraries next week. They are also available online at https://www.cslpreads.org/shop/ using a CSLP login. In addition, each library has access to the 2020 "Imagine Your Story" online manual. Directions for accessing the manual are included with the catalogs arriving next week.

If you have any questions or problems with your registration process, please contact the CSLP office at contact@cslpreads.org or by phone at 866-657-8556 or 833-225-8661.

Membership to CSLP and statewide purchase of these manuals is possible through LSTA funding through the Public Library Development Team.

Nic News Weekly: September 27, 2019

9/27/2019

Below are the headlines from the latest 📣 Nic News Weekly newsletter.

2019 Public Library Public School LSTA Subawards
Libraries Transform Book Club
"Reimagining School Readiness" Training: for Library Staff Serving Families with Children Ages 0-8
Eastern Wisconsin Youth Services Storytimes
Marketing the Value of Your Library (Webinar)
Annual End-of-Summer Survey Due TODAY

Back to School Collaboration With School Librarians

9/26/2019

The following article is taken directly from the Fall 2019 WLA Newsletter.

In the spirit of work at the national level through ALA’s State Ecosystem Initiative and the new Public Library & School Library Collaboration Toolkit done through collaborative efforts of AASL, YALSA, and ALSC, WEMTA, WLA, and DPI are working together to support and foster communications and collaborations among Wisconsin public and school librarians in order to better support the communities we serve. Each quarter we will share a resource, strategy, or example with you that could be used as a talking point in your community. Please use these ideas to initiate or continue to build relationships with public and school librarians. . .