Continuing Education Grant Awarded
The Nebraska Library Commission awarded training and continuing education grants in 2002 totaling approximately $28,288. The Nebraska libraries and organizations that received the grants address a goal listed in the Nebraska Library Commission’s Library Services and Technology Act Plan for 2003-2007, “Nebraska library personnel will have the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to provide quality library and information services for all Nebraskans.” Grants were awarded to projects providing training and education for Nebraska library personnel, helping to ensure that Nebraska libraries have skilled and knowledgeable information specialists to serve citizen information needs.
Grant recipients are:
• Atkinson Public Library
• Bassett, Rock County Public Library
• Battle Creek Public Library
• David City, Hruska Memorial Library
• Grand Island Public Library
• Kearney Public Library & Information Center
• Imperial Public Library
• La Vista Public Library
• Nebraska Library Association Paraprofessional Section
• Pierce Public Library
• Southeast Library System
• Wayne State College, Conn Library
• York, Kilgore Memorial Library
For more information see the Library Commission Web site, <nlc.nebraska.gov/libdev/conedgrants/0802grantsawarded.html>, or contact Pam Scott, 402-471-2694, 800-307-2665, e-mail: Pam Scott.
State Records Board Funds Wireless Network
The Nebraska State Records Board awarded a $25,000 grant to the Nebraska
Library Commission for a wireless training network to enhance statewide
access to government information and other Library Commission services.
Grant funds purchased twelve laptop computers, wireless networking hardware,
a printer, and a projector for training aimed at small, rural communities
throughout the state. Training will cover locating government information
online, using public library statistical data online, and locating and
evaluating authoritative online reference resources.
For more information, contact Kit Keller, 402-471-3216, 800-307-2665,
e-mail: Kit Keller.
Since 1999, the Library Commission has provided electronic databases to Nebraska libraries free of charge, using state funding. The Commission renewed contracts with all five vendors for July 2002–June 2003. Nebraskans will continue to enjoy access to these high quality databases at no cost to their libraries:
• FirstSearch—base package, including WorldCat and ten other database indexes
• Wilson OmniFile Full Text Select—more than 1,600 full text journals and magazines
• Wilson Biographies Plus—more than 100,000 full text biographies
• Books In Print
• Kiplinger Forecasts
• Electric Library—full text magazine, journal, and newspaper articles; wire service stories; television and radio transcripts; photographs; maps; and reference books (licensed for public and academic libraries only)
Access these databases from the Library Commission home page, <nlc.nebraska.gov>, click on Electronic Databases. Register for these databases at <nlc.nebraska.gov/netserv/dbreg.html>
Electric Library recently became eLibrary, with a new
interface, as well as expanded search options, curriculum integration
support, and full-text content.
The H.W. Wilson databases, Wilson OmniFile Full Text Select and
Wilson Biographies Plus, recently migrated to the redesigned WilsonWeb
system, with improved Help and Information Center features.
