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Stay Informed: E-Government in Florida Public Libraries Newsletter

April 2014
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Upcoming Events
Health Happens in Libraries: Technology Planning for eHealth
  
 
Wednesday, May 28
2:00-3:00 p.m. EDT

 

In this Health Happens in Libraries webinar, learn how public libraries can leverage their technology infrastructure to better serve the health information needs of patrons.

Stay Informed: 
E-Government in Florida Public Libraries
 
  

Tuesday, May 13

2:00-3:00 p.m. EDT

 

Join Pam Thompson for an online discussion of E-Government services in Florida libraries. 

Transforming Library Space for Community Engagement
  
Thursday, May 22
1:00-2:00 p.m. EDT
  
Learn how some key alterations to existing library space can refresh public perceptions. This 
webinar will explore how library spaces can be configured to enhance and expand community engagement in the digital age. 
Webinar Recordings
 

Did you miss the Florida Lawyers in Libraries webinar?

 

You can access archived recordings  of this and other Division webinars. 

 

 

Spring has finally arrived, and I know that libraries are busy with many projects. This month's newsletter focuses on resources, both old and new, that you can use to help your patrons. 

 

Please let me know what I can do to assist you in your work for Florida's libraries. 

  

Pam Thompson 

850.245.6633 
Smart Investing @ Your Library

 

Smart Investing @ Your Library is a grant
funded program developed collaboratively by the American Library Association (ALA) and the FINRA Investor Education Foundation. The program addresses the growing need for unbiased financial and investor education at the grassroots level.

 

Since its launch in 2007, participating libraries have helped people find the information they need to improve their financial decisions.

 

Developed by innovative librarians during tough financial times, the website's tools are patron tested, practical and free, to help start a financial education program at your library soon.

 

Examples of the learning materials available include: Home Equity Advisor for older middle and lower income homeowners; Love Your Money for college students; and Gen i Revolution to help high school and middle school students learn about personal finance skills.

ACA Open Enrollment  

    

March 31 marked the end of open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act through the HealthCare.Gov marketplace. Florida is leading in enrollment numbers for federally facilitated marketplaces, with over 440,000 enrolled.

 

The next open enrollment period is scheduled for November 15, 2014, through February 15, 2015. Your patrons can find information on coverage options outside open enrollment, or they can call the Help Center at 800.318.2596.

Rebranding Workforce
   

In February, after 15 months of research and development, Florida's workforce system launched its new statewide brand, CareerSource Florida. The new brand replaces the state's workforce policy and investment board, Workforce Florida. Each of the state's 24 regional workforce organizations, and nearly 100 career centers, will also use the new brand with regional identifiers. Here is a complete list of the new names and contact information.

The work to develop Florida's unified workforce system brand began last year in response to the Regional Workforce Boards Accountability Act of 2012, which called for the evaluation of the means to establish a single, statewide workforce system brand.

Florida is among a growing number of states moving to a common brand name for local boards and/or career centers. Others include: California; Illinois; Kentucky; Maryland; Ohio; South Carolina; Texas and Virginia; with Florida as the first to achieve a unified brand and logo for all of its state and regional workforce development boards and career centers.

LibEgov Becomes Lib2Gov
     

The American Library Association (ALA) and the Information Policy & Access Center (iPAC) at the University of Maryland at College Park, have announced the relaunch of Lib2Gov, an online E-Government resource for librarians.

 

Over the past few months, both organizations have worked to transition LibEGov, a project supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through a National Leadership Grant, into Lib2Gov.

 

This redesigned website allows libraries and government agencies to collaborate, share resources and build a community of practice. A dedicated space is provided where librarians can share materials, lesson plans, tutorials, stories and other E-Government content. The website offers a variety of resources from government agencies and organizations, including information on immigration, taxation, social security and healthcare.

 

Both organizations are hosting a new webinar series, "E-Government @ Your Library." The webinars will explore a variety of topics, including mobile government and emergency preparedness, response and recovery. The webinars are free, and will be archived on the Lib2Gov site. Registration information is available online.

Free Websites for Florida Small Businesses
 
Ninety-seven percent of consumers look online for products or services, yet 68 percent of Florida's small businesses do not have a website.
  

Google has partnered with Intuit and Governor Rick Scott to offer free website design, free domain name, and free server hosting, for a year to small businesses in Florida. Google is targeting businesses with 25 or fewer employees.

 

Florida businesses can go to Florida Get Your Business Online 

to use simple templates to create their own websites, choose customized domain names, and sign up for free Web hosting for one year.

 

Libraries can sign up to be notified of future training events in their areas.
Step Up for Students
 
Since 2002, Step Up For Students has offered scholarships for low income students in grades K-12. The program, which administers the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program, empowers families to choose the school that best meets their child's needs.

 

Families have two options to choose from: a scholarship to help cover private school tuition and fees, or a scholarship to assist with transportation costs to attend a public school in another county.

 

To be eligible, a student's household income must qualify for the free or reduced price school lunch program (185 percent of the federal poverty guidelines). Children who are in foster care, or who are homeless, may also be eligible.

 

 

Can You Help?
HelpWanted
Share your E-Government experiences with other libraries by emailing Pam Thompson, or calling 850.245.6633. 

This program is made possible by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the Florida Department of State's Division of Library and Information Services.