July - CTLS, Inc.

CTLS Newsletter
July 2015
IN THIS ISSUE:
A Life Well Lived
Page 1
No. 148
A Life Well Lived
By Laurie Mahaffey
Shopper’s Corner
Page 2
Library Tech Reviews
Page 3
Rescuing Texas History
Grants
Page 4
Around the Stacks
Page 5-6
What’s Happening
Page 6
Texas Book Festival
Grant Winners
Page 7
CTLS Calendar & Staff
Directory
Page 8
Image from http://www.tocker.org/
Dr. Robert Tocker was a man of many talents. He and his lovely wife Barbara reared four sons, one of whom is current Tocker Foundation Executive
Director Darryl Tocker. He was a dentist in Austin after having served in the
military during the Korean War. Dr. Tocker was a generous man who helped
create the Tocker Foundation, which serves public libraries in small communities across Texas.
CTLS
Board of Directors
Larry Ringer
Chair
Gretchen Pruett
Vice Chair
Alice Nixon
Secretary
Nicki Stohr
Treasurer
Eileen Altmiller
Karen Ellis
Larry Koeninger
Jean Phipps
Nicki Stohr
I have worked in Texas public libraries long enough to know what it was like
before the Tocker Foundation started. The impact of this man and this foundation is incredible. The smiles on the faces of patrons and staff of libraries
in communities where grants were given are amazing. The daily struggles of
keeping a library going in a small town with little industry and depressed agriculture are daunting. When the Tocker Foundation began to give grants,
the librarians realized they had a true friend in Dr. Robert Tocker and a
source, at last, for extra help to make a difference in their libraries.
The foundation has improved library interiors in countless buildings, has
given grants for automation, and has enlarged the collections of libraries,
giving library staff the chance to update and bring their libraries into the new
century. It is heartening to observe all the progress this foundation has
brought about. Dr. Tocker helped funnel the resources and provided the
guidance that made this progress happen. His good works will live on in our
libraries and we cannot thank him enough.
Shopper's Corner
By Samantha Simpson
Vendor Spotlight
Tony Marcum joins us this
month to tell us about new
Commercial Partnership Program member, ProLine Digital.
“Any product originates from an idea and ideas come from people. The people at
ProLine Digital have been developing product ideas and specializing in those products
for the Technology, Media Packaging, Media Storage and Media Care markets for over
35 years.
Early on, ProLine Digital produced and marketed products for the days of records and
tapes, home video tape recorders, computer industry beginnings and was there to welcome the compact disc to the world. Having customers throughout the world has
taught us that there really is meaning to, “quality products go a long way.”
Although, we never stand still with new technology that frequently comes along, our
roots run deep with Media Packaging, Storage and Disc Care. ProLine Digital has developed many patented products and designs from our disc preservation formulas to
disc filing systems to our recyclable multi disc albums for circulation that are widely
used in several diverse markets including libraries and schools throughout North America.
Today, we deliver the solutions for instant communication and promotion through Digital Signage that joins the power of enhanced audio and video anywhere.
The accumulation of product design awards along with the numerous media credits that
our products and company have received over the years has been continually inspirational; however, the greatest inspiration is our complete customer satisfaction.
Please call on us whenever we can be of service to you and help you save.”
Thanks, Tony! If you’d like to place an order with ProLine Digital, visit www.ctls.net/discounts
and login to view purchasing instructions for CTLS members. If there’s a vendor you’d like to
recommend for the CTLS Commercial Partnership Program, email [email protected].
Don’t forget to follow CTLS, Inc.
on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!
Library Tech Reviews:
Children’s Tablets, Part 1
By Paul Waak
This is the first installment in a new series reviewing technology that may be relevant for library use. This
review looks at the VTech InnoTab® 3 Plus and the LeapFrog® LeapPad2 GLO. Both are intended for
young children, aged 3-9, and have no Internet connectivity. We purchased each tablet for $60, although
more expensive packages are available.
CIPA - These are the only two children’s tablets in this review series
that do not have WiFi based Internet access. This lack of Internet access makes these tablets useful for libraries that are using Federal
money and wish to avoid triggering CIPA regulations.
Software and Media - Updates and additions are performed by attaching the tablet to a computer (via USB) and using proprietary software
to manage the tablets. Apps may be purchased online and installed via
the USB cable. Each eBook, App, Video, or Song only needs to be
purchased once and then becomes useable on up to three (3) of the
library’s LeapPad or all (∞) of the library’s InnoTab devices. Both tablets also support game cartridges. Each cartridge focuses on a skill set
such as reading, math, science, art, or preparation for a grade level.
The reading cartridges are particularly interesting because some of
them tell the same story at varying difficulty levels, adding detail as the
difficulty increases. Some of the eBook apps are similarly designed.
VTech Inno Tab 3 PLUS
User Profiles and Statistics - The LeapPad allows up to three named profiles and
provides a guest profile. The InnoTab allows up to four
named profiles and also provide a guest profile. The guest
profiles have full access to the downloaded apps and media. Both tablets only collect usage statistics for the named
profiles, which may be created, modified, and deleted without requiring a password. The statistics collected include
the amount of time spent on the device, in certain programs, and advancement through the programs. Again, no
statistics are collected when the guest profile is used.
LeapFrog® LeapPad2 GLO
Security - Both VTech and LeapFrog have privacy policies
which may be found in the footer notes of their websites. They primarily collect information about children’s learning behavior and parental (library) spending behavior. Both tablets also feature cameras. The
LeapPad has two cameras, one on each side of the tablet. The InnoTab has one camera which may be
swiveled front to back or somewhere in between. This makes it easier to know how the camera is being
used on the InnoTab. Pictures and videos created in the guest profile are deleted between sessions but
the named profiles save them. Pictures and videos may be deleted from the tablet management software
provided by each company.
Other Things of Interest - Speed : The LeapPad starts and transitions faster than the InnoTab. The LeapPad also feels more responsive during use. Advertisements : The LeapPad includes advertisements for
new or upcoming downloads and cartridges. The InnoTab does not have advertisements. Power : The
LeapPad uses 4 AA batteries. The InnoTab uses proprietary removable rechargeable batteries.
Licensing : LeapFrog has confirmed in writing that public libraries may use their products without any licensing issues. At the time this review was finalized VTech has not yet responded to questions about
whether use by a public library falls under their definition of commercial use.
Apply Now for a Rescuing Texas History Mini-Grant
Reprinted from Humanities Texas, May/June 2015
The Portal to Texas History at the University
of North Texas is accepting applications for its
Rescuing Texas History Mini-Grant program.
Each grant will provide up to $1,000 of digitization services to libraries, archives, museums, historical societies, and other groups
that house historical materials. All of the materials will be scanned at UNT Libraries and
hosted on The Portal to Texas History. Both
newspapers and archival collections will be
considered for digitization. Deadline for receipt of applications is July 31, 2015.
Since 2006, the UNT Libraries have awarded over 140 mini-grants, enabling organizations and
individuals to provide online access to their historic collections through The Portal to Texas
History. Over the last few years, The Portal to Texas History has partnered with the Digital
Public Library of America, which brings together digital collections from across the United
States. This collaboration between the DPLA and the Portal to Texas History has brought with
it an even larger user base to discover Portal partners’ items.
Through seven years of projects funded with Rescuing Texas History, the combined results
enabled free public access to 37,901 historic items, comprising 106,142 individual files, which
have to date received over 4.1 million uses.
Visit the Portal to Texas History online for more information and to download the application.
Don’t forget the
CTLS Professional Collection
Don’t see something in our collection that you are interested in?
Shoot us an email! If we have the funds, we will get it for the collection!
Our latest addition is Training Library Staff and Volunteers to Provide Extraordinary Customer Service by Julie Todaro and Mark
Smith.
You can search for this and other titles in our catalog!
Do Tell!
We love to hear from our members! Please don’t forget to let us know what is going on in your library!
Brag, share photos, share success stories, and share lessons learned! With your permission, we will
always pass it along on our website, in the newsletter, or through social media.
Contact any of the staff via email or share with us on Facebook or Twitter!
Around the Stacks
By Katelyn Patterson
Summer Reading Programs Going Strong!
We hope everyone is having successful Summer Reading Programs so far this year! After
months of planning, it can be satisfying to see it all come together. Though everyone is so
busy, a couple of libraries have shared what they have been doing with us!
Lago Vista Public Library kicked off opening day of
their Summer Reading Program with a bang.  They
featured our own local Magician Extraordinaire, Ryan Coleman (16) with a really great magic
show for the kids.  Then they talked about heroes
and featured their own “Local Heroes Wall” and listened while the kids gave their ideas of what a hero
is and then got all excited when they recognized
some of them as friends. Here is their “Heros”
poster.
Several of the Harker Heights Public Library part
time employees worked with the city’s incredible IT
department to make a “Power Up! READ” promotional video! Check it out. https://youtu.be/G8R3KQrIQM.
We would love to feature your library! Please tell us
about your programs… and don’t forget pictures!
James Patterson’s Gifts to School Libraries
You may have seen that in March of this year author James Patterson announced a large financial gift to be handed out to school libraries. Initially, Patterson announced he would be giving $1.25 million via grants through the Scholastic Reading club but he has increased the
amount to $1.75 million! Scholastic Reading Club will then match each dollar from Patterson
with bonus points for the teachers that applied for the grant. Those points can be used to purchase everything from classroom supplies to iPads through Scholastic.
Earlier this week the first round of recipients were announced. Several of these school libraries
are in Texas! Are any of them in your community? Congrats to these school libraries!
Ashley Richardson
Ault Elementary Library
Bebensee Elementary School
Chapa Middle School Library
Cockrell Hill Elementary
Gorzycki Middle School
Hood-Case Elementary
Rose Shaw Special Emphasis School
Tobias Elementary Library
Vines High School
Walt Disney Elementary
Dallas, TX
Cypress, TX
Arlington, TX
Kyle, TX
DeSoto, TX
Austin, TX
Alvin, TX
Corpus Christi, TX
Kyle, TX
Plano, TX
Continued on next page...
Alvin, TX
… Continued from previous page
Circulating Backpacks
Last year, three library systems in Massachusetts won a
Library Services and Technology grant to launch My
Own Backyard (MOBY), a program encouraging families
to explore the outdoors. The grant enabled them to put
on STEM programming, hire a science educator, and
make STEM-themed backpacks available for circulation.
One backpack encouraged exploring saltwater areas
with a net for looking at ocean life and a plant press. Another encouraged stargazing by having binoculars,
books about lunar phases, and star charts. Another
backpack available in the winter encouraged playing with
Contents of a Pond Life backpack
and learning about snowflakes. Also included were journals for patrons to record their findings to share with others who get the backpack.
You can learn more about these STEM backpacks and the MOBY program in this School Library Journal post.
What’s Happening Around the State
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Congratulations to the 6 CTLS libraries who went to New York for the Family Place Libraries Training Institute in May: Bertha Voyer Memorial Library, Honey Grove; Bryan+College Station Library;
McAllen Public Library; Nueces  County Library, Robstown ; Pasadena Public Library; Wilson
County Library, Floresville.
Congratulations to Jennifer Coffey, new Director of the Pflugerville Public Library! Jennifer has
worked at Pflugerville for 7 years & was named Assistant Director in 2011. She has her MSIS from
the University of Texas at Austin and now manages a staff of 22.
The Midland Public Library and Library Foundation are teaming up with the Midland Odessa Symphony & Chorale to present 7 free concerts at local libraries between now and November. The initiative has been funded by a grant from the Arts Council of Midland.
The McAllen Public Library is very proud to become a Community Partner with the Texas Health and
Human Services Commission meaning their patrons can come to any of the library's three branches
to apply for any part of the Texas Benefits program including SNAP food benefits, Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program, Medicare, and TANF cash help for families.
Congrats to the Lake Travis Community Library for receiving a YALSA 2015 Teens’ Top Ten Book
Giveaway Grant!
Diane Insley, Director of the San Marcos Public Library, was asked to head her city’s Flood Donation/Distribution Center in an old Target store. People were able to get the items most needed for the
first ten days of emergency: cleaning supplies, food, new clothes, first aid stuff, pet food, water, and
tools.
Spotlight on 2015
Texas Book Festival Library Grant Winners
By Allison Baron on June 5th, 2015
reprinted from https://www.texasbookfestival.org/spotlight-on-2015-library-grant-winners/
This year, we gave grants to 34 Texas public libraries totaling more than $75K. Feedback from the
librarians and local communities has been overwhelmingly positive. We wanted to highlight a few
of the success stories: Hillsboro City Library, Marshall Public Library, Coleman Public Library, and
Abilene Public Library-South Branch. Below, you can read about the enhancements each library is
making thanks to the grant money as well as their words of praise for the Texas Book Festival.
Hillsboro City Library
The Hillsboro City Library is using the grant money to purchase recommended books from reading
lists sponsored by various committees and round tables of the Texas Library Association, including
bilingual and multicultural books. These recommended books are geared not only towards children
and young adults but high school students and adults as well.
In addition, the grant will be used to purchase books that have received special recognition from
the Coretta Scott King Book Awards, which are given annually to outstanding African-American
authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of
African-American culture and human values.
“We are extremely grateful to receive this grant. The funds will enable us to enhance our collection
and better serve our patrons and the residents of our community. The children and young adult
population of our community will benefit greatly from this grant award and our entire community
will ultimately be benefactors by having the resources available to make them more proficient
readers, students, and thinkers, which will, in turn, lead to a better prepared, well-educated workforce and better citizenry.”
-Russell Keelin, Assistant Library Director
Coleman Public Library
The Coleman Public Library will use the Texas
Book Festival grant to fund the MackinVIA, e-book
content of Accelerated Reading books for all Coleman County students. Students will have easy access to the collection 24 hours a day, seven days
a week accessed via the Coleman Public Library
website. (MackinVIA was originally funded by a
grant from The Friends of the Coleman County
Foundation in 2014.)
To take a video tour of the Coleman Public Library, click here.
“Public libraries cultivate literacy, learning and
imagination. They are the one place in the community that any person can visit to use the internet, research any topic of their choosing, or travel
to anywhere in the world through reading. Libraries serve as a critical public resource for career and job skills information and training, especially
during these tough economic times. Coleman Public Library is a vital community resource and one
that deserves every bit of support we can give it. That’s why we are grateful to the Texas book
Festival for awarding Coleman Public Library a collections enhancement grant. Thank you to the
Texas Book Festival, its patrons and its sponsors. The people of Coleman appreciate your support
and we look forward to visiting Austin on October 17th and 18th for the 20th annual Texas Book
Festival.”
CTLS Calendar of Events
July 3, 2015
Fourth of July
CTLS Office Closed
July 7-10, 2015
TLA Annual Assembly
Hyatt Regency, Austin, TX
For more information
July 10, 2015
Texas Library Districts’ Meeting
9:30am at the Wells Branch Community Library
July 17, 2015
CTLS Board Meeting
July 24, 2015
CTLS Long Range Planning Committee Meeting
August 21, 2015
CTLS Board Meeting
September 25, 2015
CTLS Membership Meeting
Temple Public Library
Register with the above links or go to www.ctls.net
CTLS, Inc.
Connecting Texas Libraries Statewide
Laurie Mahaffey , Executive Director
[email protected]
Paul Waak, Assistant Executive Director
[email protected]
Kim Lehman, Newsletter
[email protected]
Katelyn Patterson, Bots & Books
[email protected]
Samantha Simpson, Vendor Program Manager
[email protected]
CTLS, Inc
5555 North Lamar Blvd,
Suite L-115,
Austin, TX 78751
Toll Free (800) 262 - 4431
Office (512) 583 - 0704
Fax (512) 583 - 0709
We look forward to hearing from you!