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CE NEWS

Alaska State Library Continuing Education Newsletter: A monthly publication highlighting continuing education opportunities for public librarians in Alaska.

March 10th, 2022

by Public Library Coordinator on 2022-03-10T11:11:18-09:00 | 0 Comments

Table of Contents


2022 AkLA Scholarship Recipients

This year's pool of scholarship applicants was particularly strong. After a review of the applications, the AkLA Scholarship Committee recommended awarding four General Scholarships and one Jo Morse scholarship.  

AkLA General Scholarships were awarded to

  • David Kreiss-Tomkins
  • Margot O’Connell
  • Elizabeth Kleweno
  • Heather McClain  

The Jo Morse scholarship was awarded to

  • Robin Rice

A big thank you to the members of the Scholarship Review Committee for their work on supporting these scholarships:

  • Jonas Lamb, AkLA President
  • Katie Conover Clark, AkASL President
  • Samantha Blanquart, AkLA Treasurer
  • Paul Adasiak, AkLA Secretary
  • Meneka Thiru, AkLA Continuing Education Committee Co-Chair
  • Teressa Williams, AkLA Continuing Education Committee Co-Chair

Upcoming Webinars You Don’t Want to Miss

Keeping Governance on Track - A FREE Webinar Series for Library Boards

Tuesday, March 29, 2022, 10:00 am
Part 1: Steps to Be Prepared & How to Handle Problems 

Thursday, March 31, 2022, 3:00 pm
Part 2: The Mock Board Meeting 

This two-part series is presented by the United for Libraries Intellectual Freedom Task Force and is made available FREE to all participants by the Jack Neal Fund. 

Bestselling Author Talk Series Info Session for Alaska Libraries

Thursday, March 31, 2022, 11:00 am

Library Speakers Consortium is a creative initiative that will begin in July. The idea is to create a national partnership of libraries to bring bestselling author talks to communities of all sizes. Each library system would pay an annual fee to access 2-3 interactive author talks each month, livestreamed on a microsite custom-branded for each library. Every author talk will include a live Q&A where patrons can ask questions. Pricing is based on library system size with the goal of making the program accessible for communities of all sizes across the state. 

Teaching with The New York Times: A Virtual Learning Summit for Educators and Librarians

Tuesday, March 22, 2022, 11:00 am

Wednesday, March 23, 2022, 10:30 am

This two-day virtual learning summit for educators and librarians will feature discussions led by Times journalists and columnists, leaders in education, and staff members who produce research and education tools at The Times.

Sessions will include:

  • panel discussions on media literacy and accountability
  • how journalism fosters critical thinking skills
  • a presentation on how to search the TimesMachine

AkLA CE Survey and Conference Recordings

Continuing Education Committee Survey

Co-Chairs Meneka Thiru and Teressa Williams are encouraging librarians of all stripes to complete a short CE Survey to determine the professional development needs of Alaska librarians. The survey closes April 15. AkLA will use the results to plan future statewide training webinars. 

Conference Recordings Offer

The Alaska Library Association has a special offer for anyone who missed the Virtual AkLA Conference, held February 24-27, 2022. Second Chance is an opportunity to access over 75 recorded AkLA conference sessions thru May 27, 2022. The cost to register is $50.00.

For more information, email Sue Sherif.


Upcoming Grant Opportunities

Interlibrary Cooperation Grants

Deadline: April 1
Each year, the State Library funds a limited number of grants which have statewide significance or direct impact on library users. Libraries of all types are encouraged to submit applications for interlibrary cooperation grants. Grants have been awarded for a wide variety of projects, such as reading incentive programs, automation projects, computers and printers for public use, and the development of special programs for patrons.


Below are some grant opportunities that were featured in Stephanie Gerding's Library Grants blog:


2022 EBSCO Solar Library Grants

Deadline: April 29, 2022
EBSCO Information Services (EBSCO) is accepting applications for grants that will fund solar installations at libraries around the world. $300,000 in grants are available to libraries looking to fund a solar project to reduce electricity costs. All academic, school, and public libraries that are current EBSCO customers are eligible to apply. EBSCO will pay for the initial installation through the grant. The library, town, or college will own the system and will be responsible for all post-installation/ongoing maintenance of the solar array.

The Pilcrow Foundation Rural Public Library Book Grants

Deadline: April 1 and October 1, annually
The Pilcrow Foundation's mission is to provide new, quality hardcover children's books to rural public libraries across the United States. The Children’s Book Project grants provide a 2-to-1 match to rural public libraries that contribute $200-$400 through local sponsors for the purchase of up to $1200 (retail value) in new children’s books. Grant recipients can select from a list of over 500 quality hardcover children’s books best suited for their community, including award-winning and star-reviewed titles from educational and literary organizations.

Believe in Reading Grants

Deadline: Ongoing 
Believe in Reading is funded by The Steve and Loree Potash Family Foundation. "Illiteracy has become such a serious problem in our country that 44 million adults are now unable to read a simple story to their children." Believe in Reading funds excellent programs dedicated to the teaching and encouragement of reading for all ages anywhere in the world. 

Believe in Reading’s grants are renewable for up to three years, but a first-year award does not guarantee any subsequent awards. At this time, the maximum grant amount is $10,000. New applicants are rarely funded for more than $3,000.

  • Believe in Reading awards grants to existing and provably successful literacy programs.
  • Believe in Reading awards grants only to organizations that have been designated as having tax-exempt status according to the IRS Code Section 501(c)(3), or its equivalent for educational institutions, including public libraries.
  • Believe in Reading will consider funding programs that serve any age or aspect of supporting reading and literacy, including adult literacy or English as a second language projects.
  • Believe in Reading targets successful literacy programs which serve populations that show out-of-the-ordinary needs, such as geographic areas with low reading scores and high poverty levels.

Library of Congress Surplus Books Program

The Library of Congress always has surplus books available for donation to eligible organizations and institutions. To be eligible, organizations and institutions must be in the United States and fall into one of the following categories:

  • Full-time, tax-supported, or nonprofit educational institution: school, school system, college, university, museum, or public library
  • Local, state, or federal government agency
  • Nonprofit institution or organization that has tax-exempt status under the provisions of section 501 of the IRS Code of 1954 (see 41 CFR 101-44.207 (a)(17)) and that operates a library and/or research center open to the public

Please note participating organizations must select materials in-person at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. Organizations from outside the area may designate a local individual to act on their behalf  (Library of Congress staff members are prohibited from making selections on behalf of participating organizations).


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