2024 Iowa Library Association Fall Conference

Intersections looks at 3 major areas where city governments and city libraries must meet in the middle of policy and practice when dealing with library buildings, budgets, and personnel.
The presenters will begin with a discussion of the library’s physical facility: library buildings are city property, covered under the city’s contents and liability insurance. Why then are so many library boards told that they are responsible for building maintenance and even capital improvements? The presenters will also touch on service hours and keys to the library.
(a) Through lecture and small group discussion, library staff and trustees will understand the need for compromise when representing the city library as a department within city government (b) Participants will be able to identify at least 3 areas of Iowa law that authorize cities to intervene in matters of library policy and practice (c) Participants will share their own experiences in maneuvering through these “intersections” in their own city-library environment

Few libraries offer the wealth of historical information offered by Iowa’s largest university libraries - yet very few Iowa citizens will travel to these often distant and imposing campuses. Fortunately, there are many, many freely available online historical primary sources that could be used locally by Iowa residents and the librarians who serve them - IF - they can find them. Jaycie and Chris have plenty of ideas and plenty of experience on where to look and how to look, and they are eager to share.

Participating librarians will gain a deeper understanding of evolving digital archives and the treasures they offer. Participating librarians will learn why so many free resources are “hidden” from researchers using Google. Participating librarians will learn how to use specialized Google search strategies to help locate relevant digital archives. Participating librarians will be able to identify and search digital archives that offer freely available historical newspapers, magazines, and other sources. Participating librarians will learn strategies and skills for searching and browsing archival finding aids and sources.

We will learn all about book repair using Cover One, a thermal machine. By the end of class the participants will successfully bind and repair books using our thermal machine and bind participants’ writing projects into books that can be taken home.
*Participants should bring 2-4 books from their collection in need of repair. We will repair as many as time permits*