Volume 5: March 19, 2009 for the WSL Updates mailing list Topics include: 1) LETTERS ABOUT LITERATURE 2008-2009 2) SUPPORTING STUDENT SUCCESS GRANT CYCLE OPENS MARCH 23 3) WASHINGTON STATEWIDE DATABASE TRIALS 4) FEDERAL STIMULUS FUNDING AND GRANT OPPORTUNITY 5) FREE WORKSHOP ON DIGITAL STORAGE NEEDS FOR VIDEO 6) MATH & SCIENCE WORKSHOPS FOR LIBRARIANS 7) OPEN GOVERNMENT NATIONAL WEBCAST AND LOCAL DISCUSSION Click below to read more about these topics. 1) LETTERS ABOUT LITERATURE 2008-2009 Washington State’s Letters About Literature Champions for 2008-2009 have been announced. Read the champions’ letters, semi-finalists names, and more at www.sos.wa.gov/library/lal/default.aspx. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) SUPPORTING STUDENT SUCCESS GRANT CYCLE OPENS MARCH 23 For a second year, the Washington State Library is offering grant funding for public libraries and public school libraries that work together on projects supporting successful student completion of the CBAs. Washington schools are required to report on their implementation of Social Studies Classroom Based Assessment (CBA) as a result of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 28A.230.095. For small project grant awards up to $4,000, applications received that are complete and that meet all the criteria will be funded on a first come-first served basis. For competitive grant awards up to $40,000, a review committee will score applications and make award recommendations. Details, including application forms, will be available March 23, 2009 at www.sos.wa.gov/quicklinks/grants. Grant applications are due Friday, May 8^th, 2009. For more information, contact Martha Shinners, [email protected] or toll free at 1-866-538-4996. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) WASHINGTON STATEWIDE DATABASE TRIALS These aren’t your garden-variety database trials. We’ve changed formats from previous trials to bring you subject specific databases, allowing you to compare one database directly against another. We’re also including hand-picked free resources from the web which offer similar functionality. Who knows, maybe you don’t have to spend all that money after all? Current trials began Monday, March 16^th and will run through April 30^th. Our subject for this time period covers language-learning products, and features Mango Languages and Tell Me More (from Auralog). We’ve also included nine free language-learning resources from across the web that could help you save some money. Check out the trials now on our website: www.sos.wa.gov/quicklinks/DBTrials2009. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) FEDERAL STIMULUS FUNDING AND GRANT OPPORTUNITIES Recent posts to the Serving Washington Libraries blog, blogs.sos.wa.gov/libdev/, on federal stimulus funding and grant opportunities can be located by selecting the “Stimulus Funding” and/or “Grants” links under “Categories” in the right-hand column. · National Endowment for the Arts grant applications are due April 2. See www.sos.wa.gov/quicklinks/NEA. · There are several posts on Broadband Stimulus Funding – See how USDA, Dept of Commerce and FCC view libraries participating in grant opportunities at www.sos.wa.gov/quicklinks/broadband3. · Community Service Employment for Older Americans: Contact the state liaison now to get a list of seniors available as volunteers. See the blog article at www.sos.wa.gov/quicklinks/seniors for more information and contact information. · Web sites to watch are listed at www.sos.wa.gov/quicklinks/recovery. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) FREE WORKSHOP ON DIGITAL STORAGE NEEDS FOR VIDEO How much digital storage is needed for video? BCR is offering a Free Friday Forum on the subject, online March 27, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. or from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. See a description of the program at www.bcr.org/training/schedule/programdetail.php?programid=335. Register for the (limited seating) program at www.bcr.org/training/workshops/register.html. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) MATH & SCIENCE WORKSHOPS FOR LIBRARIANS Washington State is one of three states participating in a Vermont Center for the Book grant, What’s the Big Idea? Making Math and Science Come Alive for Children and Families in Your Libraries as part of their Mother Goose Programs funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). Training is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is capped at 25 for each session. · April 3, 2009 at the Spokane Public Library · May 8, 2009 at the Tumwater Timberland Branch Library Register at www.sos.wa.gov/quicklinks/math. WSL will reimburse travel costs for participants. For travel arrangements and reimbursements contact: Leanna Hammond at [email protected] or 360-704-7133 or toll free 866-538-4996. For questions about the training contact Martha Shinners at [email protected] or 360-570-5567. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) OPEN GOVERNMENT NATIONAL WEBCAST AND LOCAL DISCUSSION Join a free national webcast and local panel discussion, Opening Doors: Finding the Keys to Open Government, at the University of Washington Odegaard Library, Room 220, on Friday, March 20, from10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Find more details at www.openthegovernment.org/article/articleview/353/. Register at www.sos.wa.gov/quicklinks/open. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------- Washington State Library Updates (WSLUPDATES) A mailing list for news and information relevant to Washington libraries of all types.