[Libs-Or] State Library Newsletter: Letter to Libraries Online (September 2020)

Tue Sep 1 15:51:04 PDT 2020

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Letters to Libraries Online: News from the State Library of Oregon
Volume 30, Issue 09 - September 2020

State Library News

State Library Manager Changes

We are excited to welcome Buzzy Nielsen to the State Library as our new Library Support and Development Services Manager. He most recently served as the Director of the Crook County Library and brings with him strong management experience, extensive understanding of the interests and needs of libraries throughout Oregon, and knowledge of Library Support services and programs. He has served in leadership roles with the Oregon Library Association and with his public policy education and background, he brings an understanding of state government and the legislative process.

Susan Westin has transitioned to a new role as Chief Operating Officer. Susan has been at the State Library for over twenty years and has worked in the Government Services Division, the Talking Book and Braille Library, and the Library Support Division. In her new role, Susan will oversee the Operations Division, manage fiscal and budget processes and procedures, and provide support for the implementation, tracking, and evaluation of agency-wide projects and initiatives. With her extensive background and experience, she will serve the State Library well in this new position.

Library Support and Development Services

Challenges to Intellectual Freedom in Oregon Libraries & Schools: The 2020 Annual Report

The 2020 Annual Report on Challenges to Intellectual Freedom in Oregon Libraries & Schools<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=0e2b5a8359&e=0d2401e925> is now available.

The Oregon Intellectual Freedom Clearinghouse<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=1b3c9099ae&e=0d2401e925> (OIFC) collects reports about challenges to intellectual freedom in all types of Oregon libraries and schools. Entities report the information to OIFC on a voluntary basis. Intellectual freedom issues include, but are not limited to: materials challenges, internet filters, patron privacy and confidential records, hate crimes, and services (public meeting room use, exhibits, programs, etc.).

This past year there were 25 challenges at 17 entities in Oregon, of which two were hate crimes and two were library service challenges. Read the report for details!

Please visit the OIFC<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=fe50ae20f5&e=0d2401e925> to learn about how to prepare your library or school for potential challenges, how to talk with patrons who express concerns, and how to report these challenges.

Direct any questions to the OIFC Coordinator, Tamara Ottum (tamara.ottum at state.or.us<mailto:tamara.ottum at state.or.us>).

CARES Act Distribution Plan

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) received $50 million dollars through the federal CARES Act of which $30 million is being distributed to each state and territor<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=68e1378197&e=0d2401e925>y based on population. On April 21, 2020, Oregon was allocated a total of $381,108.

At their meeting on August 14, 2020, the State Library Board approved the following distribution plan, which focuses on building infrastructure and capacity for digital inclusion and engagement in Oregon’s highest-need communities based on priorities identified by the IMLS. On September 1, 2020, the State Library is offering non-competitive subgrants to 55 public, tribal, and community college libraries.

To arrive at a list of eligible libraries and communities, the State Library applied the IMLS' three suggested criteria to identify areas of highest need:

  *   20%+ SNAP recipients (Percentage of residents receiving SNAP in May 2020<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=652e838a93&e=0d2401e925> (based on July 1, 2019 population estimates<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=70d444774c&e=0d2401e925>)
  *   15%+ unemployment rate (Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rate in May 2020<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=b40ef11cb7&e=0d2401e925> - State of Oregon Employment Department<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=6ba0bffb1f&e=0d2401e925>
  *   20%+ with no broadband coverage (https://broadbandnow.com/Oregon<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=a99bb3d078&e=0d2401e925> as of May 2020)
Based on those results, the funds will be distributed to:

  *   All legally established public libraries and community college libraries in counties which met at least two of the three criteria above. Those counties include: Baker, Coos, Crook, Curry, Douglas, Harney, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lake, Lincoln, Malheur, and Union
  *   The nine federally recognized tribes with which the State of Oregon works
Each library will be allocated a $2,000 minimum grant, and the remainder will be distributed based on service population:

  *   For public libraries – population served from 2019 Oregon Public Library Statistics<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=f489894879&e=0d2401e925> (PLS) data
  *   For community college libraries – 2018-19 FTE by Instructional Programs<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=764fdd2af0&e=0d2401e925>, from Higher Education Coordinating Commission<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=969c45db86&e=0d2401e925> (HECC) data
For tribes – 2019 populations, from Legislative Commission on Indian Services<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=90253e0874&e=0d2401e925>

For more information regarding the CARES Act, please visit our LibGuide on CARES Act Grants<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=f050e48e2a&e=0d2401e925> or contact Ross Fuqua<mailto:ross.fuqua at state.or.us>, Data & Programs Consultant at the State Library

Government Information and Library Services

State Publications Recognized by National Conference of State Legislatures

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Two recent Oregon state government publications received a 2020 Notable Documents Award<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=7405cf46e1&e=0d2401e925> from the Legislative Research Librarians section of the National Conference of State Legislatures.  The awards are given based on a number of criteria, including innovative presentation of material, clear and accurate information and organization, and expanding understanding of government processes.

The publications are:

Oregon Wasted Food Study<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=cda05c419a&e=0d2401e925> -- Oregon Department of Environmental Quality and Portland State University

Final report of Ginger McCall, Oregon Public Records Advocate<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=a1fc60a0ff&e=0d2401e925> –Oregon Office of the Public Records Advocate

These publications are part of the State Library’s Oregon Government Publications<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=ca61562068&e=0d2401e925> digital collection.

New Neighbors & Changes Inside the Library Building

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The State Library building may be closed due to the COVID pandemic.  However, there's been a great deal of construction, renovation, and relocation taking place in our building.

In preparation for building construction, Government Information & Library Services division and Operations division staff were temporarily relocated to our former reference room.  Due to the some delays in carrying out building plans, staff remained in the reference room a bit longer than planned.  About the time state buildings were closing due to COVID, construction began in earnest here.

LED lighting has been installed replacing all fluorescent and incandescent lighting throughout the entire building. The Government Services division has been relocated to the South end of the second floor.  A picture of our technical services area is above. The library Operations division is located just under the Government Services division on the first floor.

The main reason for our renovation and relocation was to accommodate the Governor's Policy Office staff which now occupies the entire third floor of the State Library building.  This means we will eventually have about 40 new building occupants and neighbors. This is also an opportunity for library staff to work even more closely with the governor's office.

When the building once again reopens, please come by for a visit and tour of our new workspace and the LED lighting. We think you'll be impressed.

Contacts

Library Support and Development Services:
Buzzy Nielsen, Ferol Weyand, Darci Hanning, Jennifer Maurer, Ross Fuqua, Tamara Ottum, Arlene Weible, Greta Bergquist
Contact information<https://oregon.us11.list-manage.com/track/click?u=91dd1172fce9a235a5e993c03&id=bc00a5cbda&e=0d2401e925>

Oregon Talking Book and Braille Library Manager:
Elke Bruton, 503-378-5455

Government Information and Library Services Manager:
Caren Agata, 503-378-5030

State Librarian:
Jennifer Patterson, 503-378-4367

Letter to Libraries Online is published monthly by the State Library of Oregon.

Mission
The State Library of Oregon cultivates, preserves, and delivers library and information services to foster lifelong learning and community engagement.

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