TBLC News

In celebration of the sixth anniversary of the Spoonfuls of Stories® program, Cheerios® will be distributing 100,000 children’s books by John Lithgow to programs serving children in need across the country.

YOU can help decide where the books will be donated by answering trivia questions from now through Sunday, June 15, 2008. Every correct answer counts as one vote, so the more questions you answer correctly, the more votes you cast. Cheerios will donate 20,000 children’s books to programs in each of the five states that receive the most votes.

Cheerios’ nonprofit partner First Book will be identifying programs that will receive the books in each state where the books will be donated.  To be eligible to receive books from this special donation:

• Programs must be registered with First Book (http://register.firstbook.org).
• At least 80% of the children the programs serve must be from low-income families.  

Please note: This challenge will benefit local community and nonprofit programs serving low-income families. Schools, school-based programs, and PTA programs are not eligible to receive books through this particular challenge. If you are a school, school-based group, or related program, please visit http://register.firstbook.org to register to receive updates about future First Book distributions.

To learn more about how to receive books through this challenge, please visit http://register.firstbook.org.

Communication Skills that Bring Real Results: 
A Toolkit for Library Managers

Program Description
The symposium will directly address two key skill sets that are indispensable for professional leaders: (1) The Art and Practice of Asking Effective Questions, and (2) The Nine Key Ground Rules to foster productive workplace conversations that lead to satisfying and rewarding interaction among library staff at all levels.  The Institute will be directed toward Library Middle Managers – library directors, branch managers, or department heads.

The combination of instruction and practice sessions will give each participant an introduction to the practical skills identified that will be of immediate use to them when working in any group situation.  Everyone will have the opportunity to learn about each skill or tool and to discuss its potential usefulness in small group settings.  Everyone will gain experience in actually using the skills by practicing together.  Tasks will focus on existing challenges in the library work environment.  The instructor will provide examples and descriptions of each tool or skill and will give suggestions for additional resources.
 
Presenter: Lou Wetherbee & Associates LLC
Lou Wetherbee is a library consultant based in Dallas, Texas, and has extensive experience in academic and public libraries, library networks, and the nonprofit sector.  She is an expert on the organizational implications of emerging technologies for libraries and specializes in the re-design of library services in the electronic environment.  Lou has assisted numerous client organizations to devise innovative strategies and practical solutions to address uncommon challenges.  She is a frequent seminar and conference speaker in the area of emerging technologies, library resource sharing, and library leadership development.
 
Dates and Locations
June 2, 2008  (9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
Broward County Library/North Regional Library
Meeting Room 154
1100 Coconut Creek Blvd.
Coconut Creek, FL  33066 
 
June 3, 2008  (9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
Winter Park Public Library
460 E. New England Ave.
Winter Park, FL 32789 
 
June 5, 2008  (9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
Tallahassee Community College
444 Appleyard Dr.
Tallahassee, FL 32304  
 
Online Registration
State Library and Archives of Florida Middle Management Symposiums

Fee
There is no registration fee to attend the symposiums.

Congratulations to the FLA award winners for 2008. Award presentations will be at the closing session of the FLA conference, April 25, 2008, at the Tradewinds Resort Hotel in St. Pete Beach.

Libraries in bold are TBLC members. Congrats!!

Library of the Year Award - Pasco County Library System, Linda Allen, Director
Betty Davis Miller Youth Services Award - Clearwater Public Library System, Barbara Pickell, Director
Leader of the Year Award - Bradley Ward, NEFLIN, Executive Director
Chavez-Herndandez Libraries Change People’s Lives Award - Kathleen Mayo, Lee County Library System (new this year)
Trustees and Friends Award - Bettye Stevens Coney, Leesburg Friends of the Library
Public Library Web Site Award, Osceola Library System, Edward Kilroy, Director

Friends, Foundations & Boards Member Group Awards:
Special Projects Award - Friends of the Elsie Quirk Library (Sarasota County)
Outstanding Program Award - Friends of the Bloomingdale Regional Library (Hillsborough County)
Newsletter of the Year, Friends of South County Regional Library (Lee County)

**Edited April 9: She’s been adopted!**

The ladies at the TBLC have been feeding this very sweet stray female cat, and we’re trying to place her into a good home. We believe she’s 6 to 9 months old, and she appears healthy. She’s beautiful, sweet and affectionate (and hungry!), and she would make someone a wonderful pet.

Please contact Karyn Bardes at (813) 622-8252 (ext. 235) or bardesk@tblc.org if you’re interested or if you have any questions.