Libraries, Archives, Museums: New Librarian Toolkit : Home

SLED Databases

The Statewide Library Electronic Doorway (SLED) was designed to support Alaskan's right to information. SLED provides easy subject access and links to various commercial databases, statewide services, and stable, high-quality Web pages about Alaska and for Alaskans.

SLED
Information resources for, about, and by Alaskans.

Interlibrary Loan & Reference Backup Service

#800 Reference and ILL Assistance is a toll-free statewide service available to public and school librarians who need help answering reference questions and identifying library materials for interlibrary loan.

#800 Interlibrary Loan Webinar
A poster, guidebook and archived recording of 800# Interlibrary Loan and Reference Backup Service webinar that was presented by Eleanor Spees on June 10, 2014 is available on this webpage.

Early Literacy

Best Beginnings
"Best Beginnings is a public-private partnership that mobilizes people and resources to ensure all Alaska children begin school ready to succeed through support from businesses, foundations, nonprofits, government, and individuals."
Get Ready to Read!
Share this home literacy environment checklist with parents and care givers of young children who visit your library.
Ready to Read Resource Center
The Ready to Read Resource Center loans free reading kits to parents/caregivers, organizations and libraries that serve infants and toddlers.
Storyline Online
"The Screen Actors Guild Foundation records well-known actors reading children’s books and makes graphically dynamic videos so that children around the world can be read to with just the click of a Storyline Online video book image."

Services for Alaskans with Disabilities

Talking Book Center
The Alaska State Library Talking Book Center is a cooperative effort between the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, the Alaska State Library, and the Utah State Library to provide Alaskans who cannot read standard print with talking books and Braille service.
Described and Captioned Media Services
"Provides free loan of described and captioned educational media. Clearinghouse of information related to educational media access and a gateway to Internet resources related to accessibility. Free registration and services."

Library Salary and Job Descriptions

Public Library Salaries
Links to salary information for various states within the U.S.
O*NET OnLine
O*NET OnLine is an occupational database that providing descriptions of job duties and wage ranges by state.

Library Development

An excellent library in every community for every Alaskan.

Our Core Values:

Collaboration: We believe the pathway to sustainable and relevant libraries is through cooperation, collaboration and partnership.
Professionalism: We believe that libraries benefit when we model positive, respectful and forward-looking leadership. Library development staff are committed to developing our personal expertise through continuous learning.
Service: We believe that providing compassionate, equitable and responsive support to libraries fosters the development of a literate and empowered citizenry.

Grants for Alaskan Libraries & Schools
Public Library Assistance Grants, Interlibrary Cooperation Grants, Continuing Education Grants and more.
Summer Reading Program
Each year, the Alaska State Library makes a basic starter kit of materials available to public libraries in Alaska that plan to offer a summer reading program to children, teens or adults in their communities.
Alaska's E-rate
Valerie Oliver, Alaska State Library E-Rate Consultant is available to help you with any of your e-rate questions or concerns. Valerie's email address is erate@alaska.gov
Alaska Library Law
Links to statutes and administrative code relating to Alaska library law.
For Librarians: Library Development webpage
Library Development staff have gathered and organized pertinent and useful library related resources that may be of interest to Alaskan librarians.
Library Development Staff
Library Development staff are consultants who specialize in public and school libraries and areas of library management. Scroll down the list of Alaska State Library employees to find the contact information for Library Development staff. If we cannot answer your question, we will help you find someone who can.

Glossary of Library Terms for Alaska Libraries

Intellectual Freedom & Censorship
Report instances of questioned materials which cannot be settled at library level to the chair of the Alaska Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee, Mike Robinson in Anchorage, at mcrobinson@uaa.alaska.edu.

Alaska State Library - Alaska Library Catalog
We purchase many practical books about library science with holdings in both the Anchorage office and in the general collection at the State Library in Juneau. These materials are available to check out. Look for titles by searching the Joint Library Catalog.

Alaska Online With Libraries (OWL) Program

Our mission is to provide all Alaskans with the benefits and opportunities that come hand in hand with high speed Internet. This includes areas such as e-government services, distance education opportunities and increased access to professional development.

OWL home page
Schedule a video conference on OWL, learn about OWL provided software and VTC equipment or view a list of participating video conference locations.
OWL KnOWLedge Center
Collection of digital literacy tutorials of specific interest to Alaskans.
OWL Project Staff
Interested in learning how the OWL Video conference Network could help your agency or non-profit? Please contact us!
Digital Literacy Guide
Online resource with links to self-paced digital literacy tutorials.

Alaska Facts, Figures & More

Alaska Community Database Online
Alaska Newspapers Online
Alaska Historical Library Collections
This brochure lists the types of materials (maps, manuscripts, still photographs and books, mufti-media and newspapers) found in the Alaska Historical Library.
Alaska Historical Collections
Guide on how to start your research at the Alaska State Historical Collections
Local Government Primer
The Alaska Municipal League has created a primer to explain how local governments work in Alaska.
Non-profit Community Association Handbook
"This handbook, prepared for nonprofit community associations organized under the state law known as the Alaska Nonprofit Corporation Act (Alaska Statute [AS] 10.20, provides board members and employees with the information they need to do their jobs. "
Research & Analysis
The Department of Labor and Workforce Development's Research and Analysis website has links to population, census, employment and unemployment data. The website also provides links to the current and archived editions of the Alaska Economic Trends magazine.

Alaska Mail Services/ Books-By-Mail Program

Alaska Mail Services provides library access to those living in Alaskan communities without public libraries or in communities with libraries that do not receive state funding. To learn more about Alaska Mail Services contact staff by phone (907) 586-5379, fax (907) 586-5383 or email mailsvcs@juneau.org

Alaska Mail Services
Alaska Mail Services webpage with a links to the online application, library catalog and testimonials.

Contact me!

Valarie Kingsland

Email Me

Contact:

907-465-6611

Library Guides

Libraries and Community Sustainability
This guide was developed to provide librarians with resources they may use to convey their library's effectiveness, vitality and influence in the community.
Professional Development Resources for Public Librarians
This resource guide was designed to provide public librarians with access to continuing education and professional development resources.
Resources for Library Trustees
An online guide designed to provide public librarians with quick access to reference materials that may be used for library trustee/board training.
Technology Planning for Libraries
An online resource guide to librarians on how to create a technology plan.

Library Associations

A statewide membership organization that offers a conference, a listserv, a newsletter, a library directory and opportunities to network with your Alaskan peers.

Alaska Library Association
AkLA website contains contact information for members of the Executive Council, Chapter, Committee and Roundtable Chairs. Also contains a link to the AkLA Handbook, library jobs in Alaska and scholarship information.
AkLA Listserve
Best way to stay current on library events and news is by subscribing to the AkLA Listserv.
Alaska Library Directory and Map
Join the Alaska Library Association Membership Brochure
Association for Rural & Small Libraries
Pacific Northwest Library Association
"Membership in the Pacific Northwest Library Association is open to anyone with an interest in the library and information profession."

Book Club in a Bag

Need multiple copies of a single title for a book discussion? Several libraries in Alaska offer Book Club in a Bag. Each bag contains 10 copies of a book, an author biography, discussion questions and book reviews. To identify available titles, search the Joint Library Catalog for keywords book club bag, then request a bag through ILL.

Library Catalog

Public Library Directors 101

Your New Role
"In Your New Role you'll hear about ethics, values, and leadership – all important traits for public library directors." (Duration: 11 minutes)
Community Relations
"The Community Relations module will introduce you to marketing, public relations, and outreach from the public library director perspective." (Duration: 15 minutes).
Planning & Project Management
"Planning and Project Management discusses essential steps in the strategic planning process, the benefits of strategic planning, and tools for successful project management." (Duration: 17 minutes).
Asset Management
"In the Asset Management webinar you'll learn about managing the varied assets of library systems, including staff, buildings, collections, and budget." (Duration: 28 minutes)
Public Library 101 Learner's Guide
Designed to be used in conjunction with the Public Library Director's series.