Task Force Formed
A Recruitment and Retention Task Force has been created to recommend
strategies and actions to attract new workers to library service careers,
and to train and support current library workers. The task force was
created by the Library Commission based on a recommendation from the
Nebraska State Advisory Council on Libraries. The recommendation was
prompted by the need to fill current and expected job vacancies. National
trends indicate that a high number of library workers will retire over
the course of the next decade. The task force met at the Nebraska Library
Commission in November and January.
Recruitment and Retention Task Force members include:
• Jim Bothmer, Creighton University Health Sciences Library
• Gail Formanack, Omaha Public Schools
• Kevin Leapley, Republican Valley Library System
• Beth McNeil, University of Nebraska–Lincoln Libraries
• Deb Robertson, Northeast Community College
• Rose Schinker, La Vista Public Library
• Wally Seiler, Alliance
• Ruth Seward, Lexington Public Library
• Susan Steider, Lincoln City Libraries Steering Committee Members
include:
• Becky Baker, Seward Public Library, representing Nebraska Library
Association
• Nancy Busch, Nebraska Library Commission
• Karen Drevo, Norfolk Public Library, representing State Advisory
Council on Libraries
• Becky Pasco, University of Nebraska at Omaha, representing Nebraska
Educational Media Association
• Richard Miller, Nebraska Library Commission
• Rod Wagner, Nebraska Library Commission
For more information, contact Rod Wagner, 402-471-4001, 800-307-2665,
e-mail: Rod Wagner.
This year, public libraries must use Bibliostat™ Collect to report statistical data to be eligible for state aid. The deadline for data submission is January 31. State aid award letters will be mailed to libraries on February 15.
A portion of the data submitted via Bibliostat™ Collect is reported to the federal government. That data is made available through Bibliostat™ Connect. Bibliostat™ Connect is a Web-based statistical tool that allows for simple, powerful analysis of library data. Library directors can use this program to create tables and graphs demonstrating how a library compares with others in a variety of ways. No proficiency in using spreadsheets or databases is required. For an introduction to this product, access the tutorial on the Library Commission’s Web site, <nlc.nebraska.gov/Statistics/UsingBibliostatConnect.html>.
Library directors can use their assigned Username and Password for access to both Bibliostat™ Collect and Bibliostat™ Connect. For more information about either of these products contact Kit Keller, 402-471-3216, 800-307-2665, e-mail: Kit Keller.
Public Administration is one of four basic skills classes that are a part of the public librarian certification program sponsored by the Library Commission. Library staff members with provisional certificates in the certification program are required to complete all four basic skills classes within the initial three year certification period. Librarians are also encouraged to take the basic skills classes as a “refresher course” to keep up with changes in the library environment. Librarians taking the basic skills classes as a “refresher” receive six hours of continuing education credit.
The next class to be offered is Public Services, planned for the spring of 2003. For more information about the public librarian certification program and basic skills classes contact Pam Scott, 402-471-2694, 800-307-2665, e-mail: Pam Scott.
