Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Survey Results Available

The results for the survey are now available on the Iowa Library Association's website.  Here is a direct link: http://www.iowalibraryassociation.org/associations/2221/files/SummaryofLibraryServicesReorganization%20PlanSurvey.pdf

Thank you for taking the time to participate in the survey and share your comments. This will assist in preparing for the ILA business meeting and the report to the legislators.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Complete the Survey

 If you haven't completed the reorganization plan survey, please take a moment to do so. The survey will close at midnight today, Friday, October 8th. The online survey link was sent via email to IowaLib,  IA-ACRL, Community College Librarians, Public Library Directors, and Iowa Library Association members.

This survey is not limited to ILA members. The survey provides another way for the whole library community to provide input into the reorganization process.

Thanks to those who have completed the survey!

Friday, October 1, 2010

Related Legislation

A few people have asked about the original legislation that was the impetus for this process. The legislation is in House Amendment 8516 to Senate File 2376, which was passed by the legislature in late March and signed by the governor on April. The language in the amendment that specifically refers to the committee’s work is as follows:

“3. a. The library services areas and the state library** shall work collaboratively to conduct a study of ways to streamline state-funded library operations and services. The study shall, at a minimum, address the following:
(1) Library service area service delivery strengths
(2) Best practices for delivering continuing education
(3) The use of social networking tools to provide consulting services
(4) Consolidation of bookkeeping and auditing functions
(5) Locally based creative collaborations among all types of libraries
b. The library service areas shall collaboratively submit their findings and recommendations in a report to the general assembly on or before November 1, 2010.”

The text of the amendment can be obtained through the legislature’s Web site: http://tinyurl.com/2anmla9

** Although the plan calls for “the library services areas and the state library” to conduct the study, at meetings held before the passage of the amendment , Dale Vandehaar, current president of the Iowa Library Association, offered to have ILA facilitate/broker the agreement to be presented in November. Legislators, legislative staff, LSA staff, and State Library staff who were present at the two meetings agreed that ILA would serve as broker/facilitator.