Nov/

Dec
2015

North Central Library District

Going the Extra Mile for Libraries

Coming Soon

Become a PA Forward Library

The North Central Library District will be participating in a pilot project that's designed to provide our members with the tools you need to fully participate in moving PA Forward! The PALS Branding Team has come up with tools and templates that can be used along with your programs to become a PA Forward Library. Look for more information soon about how you can participate in what we hope will become a statewide initiative!

Tree Fest at the Gelnett Library in Selinsgrove

It's Tree Fest time at Rudy Gelnett Memorial Library in Selinsgrove. Tree Fest has been happening at the library for many years. The trees and wreaths on display are decorated by area individuals and organizations. Every tree and wreath is decorated to represent a children's book. For a small fee, the public can vote for their favorite tree or wreath. The proceeds go to the Friends of the Library. Voting ends December 18th. Trees pictured: Priestley Forsyth Memorial Library's Polar Ex press, Mara Marius and Jennifer Johnston's Alice in Wonderland, and Selinsgrove French National Honor Society's Noel Chez les Schtroumpfs (Christmas with the Smurfs). What holiday fun!

LSTA Update

The Office of Commonwealth Libraries is moving toward finalizing the Library Services and Technology Act grant procedures and processes for the coming year. OCL will be scheduling webinars about the application process soon. There are 4 grant categories: Try It! $3,000 to $10,000 for projects that are new and support LSTA priorities, Moving PA Forward, $5,000 to $25,000 for the development of programs targeting PA Forward's 5 literacies, Creation, up to $50,000 to create opportunities for users to experience hands-on creation, Mobile Technology, up to $50,000 for the development of technology infrastructure that enhances public access to information and its development. Now's the time to plan projects!

Project Outcome: Measuring the True Impact of Public Libraries

Project Outcome was conceived, developed and launched by the Public Library Association(PLA) on June 26, 2015. This online data collecting tool is available to all public libraries. Its purpose is to assist libraries in collecting data that will truly reflect the impact they have on their communities through outcome based evaluation.

All the information you need to get started is on the Project Outcome website. It's easy to get started and it's free! Here are some of the basics:

What is the goal of Project Outcome?

The goal of Project Outcome is to help public libraries understand and share the true impact of essential library services.

How is outcomes measurement different from other types of performance measurement?

Public libraries commonly measure services in terms of "how much we do," focusing on the volume of outputs like the number of activities or services offered. Project Outcome seeks to capture the benefits (or outcomes) of library services in terms of "what good we do."

Why is measuring outcomes important for my library?

Measuring and understanding outcomes is important for a number of reasons. At the most basic level, data about the impact of your library services provides insights you can use to 1) demonstrate the value of those services, 2) make plans to improve them, and 3) decide how to allocate limited resources.

How does Project Outcome work?

Project Outcome provides simple survey instruments that public library staff can use to help them measure the outcomes of their library services.

What does Project Outcome cost?

Nothing, it's free.

PA One Book, Every Young Child

Don't forget to order your 2016 PA One Book. The book for 2016 is Will Hillenbrand's Kite Day: a Bear and Mole Story. Click here to get the order form.

Don't Forget the Compendium

Don't miss out on news at the state level. The latest Compendium is packed with information about workshops, webinars, the recent PEW Research Report, library news and more.