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Dr. Betsy Diamant-Cohen, author of Mother Goose on the Loose will present this early literacy program in Wilkes-Barre on Friday, September 12, 2008.

Hear about the structure of Mother Goose on the Loose and how it combines language, books, illustration, music, movement, drama, and creative interaction to create an optimal learning environment. Connect the program components with best practices for developing school readiness skills.

The benefits of attending the workshop are:

*Learn how to create an optimal learning environment through early childhood programs in the public library.
*Discover how school readiness skills are developed through the Mother Goose on the Loose program.
*Learn at least four activities form Mother Goose on the Loose that can be easily integrated into your own library programs.
*Hear about ways to integrate parenting tips into baby and toddler programs.
*Learn how to model the use of positive verbal reinforcement by setting up age-appropriate activities for very young children that have achievable goals.

Location for this workshop is:

Touch of Class
228 George Ave.
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18705

The cost of the worksop is $20.00 which includes lunch. Public library staff will be granted five hours of continuing education credit. Refer to the attached link for more information, agenda and registration form. Registration deadline is Monday, September 8, 2008. There is a limit of 45 people, so register now.

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North America’s largest technology conference and exhibition for librarians and information managers will be at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia from March 30-April 1, 2009.

Creating Tomorrow: Spreading Ideas and Learning is the theme for this event. Along with the theme there will be:

*Leading edge technology tools for libraries
*Innovative library processes and practices
*Information discovery and visualization
*Next generation catalogs and Metadata schemes
*Building learning communities and environments
*Search engines, intranets and portals
*Strategies for digital information operations
*Implementing social media and 2.0 initiatives
*New way to connect people and technology
*eContent and digital libraries

More information on this exciting conference can be found on www.infotoday.com.

North America’s largest technology conference and exhibition for librarians and information managers will be at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City in Arlington, Virginia from March 30-April 1, 2009.

Creating Tomorrow: Spreading Ideas and Learning is the theme for this event. Along with the theme there will be:

*Leading edge technology tools for libraries
*Innovative library processes and practices
*Information discovery and visualization
*Next generation catalogs and Metadata schemes
*Building learning communities and environments
*Search engines, intranets and portals
*Strategies for digital information operations
*Implementing social media and 2.0 initiatives
*New way to connect people and technology
*eContent and digital libraries

More information on this exciting conference can be found on www.infotoday.com.

Commonwealth Libraries will be awarding up to six grants next spring. Successful applicants would attend training in fall of 2009 and complete the requirements of the grant by June of 2010. If you want your library to be the community hub for young childern and their families please consider applying. The only qualification is that a library must have a dedicated youth services staff member who works at least 30 per week. If you have applied before and did not receive the grant please consider applying again. We had 15 applications last year and were only able to fund six. Information on the program is included in the application, as well as a link to Family Place Libraries. Applications and the Internet Safety Document are due on or before Friday, October 10, 2008.
Attached is a copy of the 2009 Application to become a Family Place Library.
2009-10-family-place-application1internet-safety-document2

Celebrating the freedom to read is observed during the last week of September each year. This year is the 27th anniversary of Banned Books Week. Since 1987, this annual ALA event reminds Americans not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted. It celebrates the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one’s opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular. It stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them. Intellectual freedom can exist only where these two essential conditions are met.

Banned Books Week is September 27-October 4. Go to the ALA website-http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bannedbooksweek.cfm - for more information and promotional items available.

Celebrating the freedom to read is observed during the last week of September each year. This year is the 27th anniversary of Banned Books Week. Since 1987, this annual ALA event reminds Americans not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted. It celebrates the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one’s opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular. It stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them. Intellectual freedom can exist only where these two essential conditions are met.

Banned Books Week is September 27-October 4. Go to the ALA website-http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bannedbooksweek.cfm - for more information and promotional items available.

This workshop is for executive directors, development directors or board members of a nonprofit agency that is struggling with its development/fundraising program. In this session we will discuss the reasons a development plan can help assure success in your fundraising efforts, how to involve your organization’s leadership (staff and volunteers) in the process, how to assure that the plan will be implemented and how to evaluate success. Participants will leave with preliminary development planning goals for their organization.

Learning Objectives:

*Develop a plan to involve board, staff and volunteers in the planning process
*Develop a plan to involve board, staff and volunteers in implementing the plan
*Outline the components of the development plan
*Develop preliminary development planning goals

This workshop will be in Harrisburg on September 22, 2008 from 9:00am until 4:00pm.
Register online at www.pano.org

Competitive Grantwriting in a Challenging Economic Environment

Grant seeking has never been more competitive than today. With information on grant opportunities so broadly available, most grant making foundations and agencies receive hundreds more worthy grant proposals for each funding cycle than they could ever fund. Learn to pre-judge your grant proposals by thinking like a grant maker. Give your proposals the competitive edge of a serious grant seeder. If you’re ready to get serious about grant writing, invest a day honing your skills with proven techniques for generating support.

This course will be on October 13, 2008 from 9:00am until 4:00pm in Harrisburg.
Register at www.pano.org

Do you have room to improve your leadership skills? Leadership is often a balancing act between running your organization and managing your people. This course will provide you with the strategies and techniques to become a more effective leader within your organization. Additionally, we will provide you with tools and tactics to use in improving your team productivity and effectiveness. By attending this session, you will learn the secrets of high achieving leaders:

*What is your leadership style?
*Communication skills & listening skills
*Building an effective team
*Motivation and productivity
*Managing team dynamics
*Delegation and empowerment achieving team synergy
*Recruitment and retention setting team goals
*Coaching and mentoring

This course will be in Harrisburg on October 16, 2008 from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Lunch is included with registration. Register online at www.pano.org.

PANO is providing an insightful course on recognizing and removing performance barriers. This four-hour course is designed to help bring out the best in your associates and employees. It is very informative for administrators, managers and supervisors.

This course will help you:

*Identify your own behavioral style and describe implications of the four behavioral styles
*Explore how to adapt your managerial skills to peoples’ differences
*Develop “people reading” skills based on behavioral cues
*Explore creating a work-situation where people can be energized and committed
*Identify factors of “ability and willingness” to guide your performance management

This course will be presented by Balinger “Skip” Brown.
It will be held on September 19, 2008 from 9:00am to 1:00pm.

For more information and to register for this event go to: www.pano.org

PANO’s Annual Golf Outing will be held Wednesday, September 24, at the beautiful Dauphin Highlands Golf Course in Harrisburg. Join us for a time well spent with friends and clients while we thank people for their generosity during the year. Come network with others who share a love for golf and an interest in PANO. Form your own foursome for the scramble format or we can pair you up. Individuals can purchase $20 super tickets. Each ticket includes two mulligans, a chance in the 50/50 drawing, and the opportunity to participate in the longest drive and closest to the pin contests.

Top 5 reasons not to miss PANO’s Annual Golf Outing:

5)Golf is MORE FUN than sitting in the office.
4)Golf is EASIER than making cold calls.
3)Golf provides 7 hours of networking and exercise.
2)Golf cleanses the soul.
1)Did we mention 7 hours of networking?

Agenda

7:30-Registration
8:30-Shotgun start
1:00-Lunch
1:30-Awards
2:00-Head home

Prizes will be awarded to the top finishing teams and the individual contests for longest drive and closest to the pin. Door prizes will also be awarded. If you would like to donate door prizes or know of someone who would, please call (717)236-8584.

Register online at www.pano.org

Learn more about our alternative to the State Unemployment Tax. PANO partners with First Nonprofit Companies (FNC) to provide you with turnkey solutions to save up to 60% on unemployment tax costs. FNC’s Unemployment Savings Program may well reduce your unemployment costs if you currently participate in the state program and can provide you with a safety net if you have already chosen the reimbursable option.

Participation in our program provides claims representation in unemployment hearings and audits, stop-loss insurance to support the organization in the event of catastrophic layoffs, and access to training and services that can decrease the number of invalid claims. As a Member of PANO, you receive a 20% discount on the one-time enrollment fee. At this informational session you will:

*Learn preventive measures within your organization which can eliminate or reduce your potential liability.
*Discuss the eligibility requirements that determine when claimants meet the qualifications for benefits.
*Discuss the pros and cons of covering your unemployment through the state unemployment tax pool, a third party, or self-insuring

The date, time and place for this seminar is:

Wednesday, August 27, 2008
9:30am-11:30am
Penn Grant Centre
777 East Park Drive
Harrisburg, PA

Go to: www.pano.org for registration form or call 1-800-526-4352 to register.

The Mockingbird Foundation, Inc. is accepting applications
for its Disenfranchised Children’s Grants program. The purpose of this program is to support
organizations that benefit children, particularly disenfranchised children, including those with
low skill levels, income, or education; with disabilities or terminal illnesses; and in foster homes, shelters, hospitals, prisons, or other remote or isolated situations. Grants range in size from $50 to $5,000 and are made on a one-time basis.
Grants are typically made only to nonprofit organizations with tax-exempt status under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Service code, or who have a sponsoring agency with this status.
Public schools are eligible.
Deadline: Rolling (Letter of Inquiry).
More information on this worthy program can be found at:
http://www.mockingbirdfoundation.org/funding/guidelines.html

The Intercultural Harmony Program, an initiative of the Laura
Jane Musser Fund, promotes mutual understanding and cooperation between groups and citizens
of different cultural backgrounds within defined geographical areas through collaborative, crosscultural
projects. Support is provided to nonprofit organizations throughout the United States that
initiate programs that increase the level of interaction between the targeted groups. Funded
projects can be carried out in a number of areas, including the arts, community service, and youth
activities. Planning or implementation grants averaging from $7,500 to $20,000 are provided for
new projects within their first three years of operation. Detailed application guidelines are available
on the Foundation’s website. http://www.musserfund.org/harmony.php. Application deadline is October 1, 2008

The Mockingbird Foundation, Inc. is accepting applications
for its Disenfranchised Children’s Grants program. The purpose of this program is to support
organizations that benefit children, particularly disenfranchised children, including those
with low skill levels, income, or education; with disabilities or terminal illnesses;
and in foster homes, shelters, hospitals, prisons, or other remote or isolated situations.
Grants range in size from $50 to $5,000 and are made on a one-time basis.
Grants are typically made only to nonprofit organizations with tax-exempt status
under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Service code, or who
have a sponsoring agency with this status.
Public schools are eligible.
Deadline: Rolling (Letter of Inquiry).
More information on this worthy program can be found at:

http://www.mockingbirdfoundation.org/funding/guidelines.html

CCLS is an 18-member federated public library system in the
Philadelphia suburbs. The new administration at the Chester County Library System (CCLS)
in booming Chester County, PA is looking for a dynamic, self-starting
library professional to take ownership of the position of District
Consultant Librarian. The ideal candidate should welcome change and
exhibit creative thinking while working in a fast-paced but friendly
atmosphere.

This position serves on the senior staff of the District Center, System Headquarters Library and is liaison to member libraries and the State Library. Also provides directors and boards with assistance in advocacy, planning, budgets, policies, mgt practices, grants, CE, compliance with system and state standards. Monitors and files state reports, grant writing, e-rate applications.

Requires ALA accredited MLS, with 2-4 years relevant experience; knowledge of public
library principles & operations, excellent oral & written communication, public presentation skills; working knowledge of Microsoft Office; excellent organizational skills; and respected accomplishments and leadership. Salary Range: $46,665 - $70,000; full County benefits, EOE.

To apply, see www.chesco.org, or visit the CCLS website at www.ccls.org.

The Library Technical Assistant program at Northampton Community College
prepares you to enter the workforce as a paraprofessional capable of
employment in a variety of libraries and information centers. All
courses are offered online and are available to anyone across the
state.

The program’s courses focus particularly on information resources,
services for children and management of a small public library.
Technical skills in such vital areas as acquisitions, electronic formats
and cataloging of all types of materials are addressed. Students in
this program are required to perform online research, and visit
libraries to investigate print resources and explore types of library
services, in addition to reading assigned textbooks.

Although courses can be taken on an as-needed basis to improve skills
in specific areas, a specialized diploma is awarded upon completion of
15 LTA credits. Northampton’s Library Technical Assistant courses can
be applied toward the Pennsylvania Department of Education certification
program for public library assistants and provisional librarians.

Register today! The new semester begins August 25.

Call the Admissions Office at (610)861-5500 for information on
registration and course offerings or check our web site at
http://www.northampton.edu/distancelearn

Fredricksen Library Book Cart Drill Team 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8vropwOUkc

Check out this great presentation of Fredricksen Library’s ability to market themselves and libraries as a whole. Think about the great message they are sending! Thanks Fredricksen for showing the power of a great promotion!

Note: For those working in libraries without access to YouTube, take a minute at home to enjoy this. It’s worth it.
To know this is done by one of the libraries in our district makes me smile.

Visitation BVM is a Pre-K through Eighth grade Catholic Elementary School
located in Trooper, PA (outside of Norristown, PA) with a full-time School Librarian position available. The school has a new, fully automated, state-of-the-art library.

Qualifications require a BA in education and a strong interest in working in a school
library. Preference will be given to interested persons with library
experience and/or library certification. This position is required to teach
library skills as well as manage the day-to-day activities of the library.

For more information, please contact:
Sr. Diane Marie Corrado, CSFN at 610-539-6080, Ext. 110.

Or send letter of interest and resume to:
Sr. Diane Marie Corrado, CSFN,
Principal, Visitation BVM School,
196 NorthTrooper Road
Norristown, PA 19403-2665.

The dates for 2009 Institute for Trustees and Friends in Grantville will be April 24-25. More details to follow when available.