March
2023

two girls in library reading

Adult Services Notes

Library of Virginia Training

Marketing Find It Virginia Resources


Join your colleagues on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 1 p.m. to get tips and suggestions for how to market the Find It Virginia resources that are available from the Library of Virginia. Each session will look at the following topics: 

  • How the resource meets user needs and what user problems can it help solve (the value proposition you can use to promote the resource to users) 

  • Reviewing the marketing tools available to library staff (print, electronic, social media, etc.) 

  • Other marketing tips or ideas 

  • Library success stories 

Upcoming Sessions

Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative

What: Learn how to connect your users with an online entrepreneurship learning experience that opens up their eyes to opportunities and challenges.
When: Mar 14, 2023 01:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Register:https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUoce-rrjkpGdUjEIB27ke5tjL9OzpAVteP

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the training.

Accel5

What: Learn how to connect your users with a curated collection of business resources including book summaries, videos, and articles to build skills and knowledge.
When: Mar 28, 2023 01:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAqfuqvqT8rHdYAcslCuXuoH_ip8zUxPWMK

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the training.

News from Library Development & Networking

Adult Services Jam Session


Gather with your colleagues online to talk about all things Adult Services. Bring your questions, ideas, concerns to share. 

Wednesday, 3/8/23, 2 p.m.  https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84509096851?pwd=czY4UDFmMDhOSGxaZDhNQ1lHRU5TUT09

Professional Development Titles


Did you know that LDND has a collection of professional development titles available via ILL from the LVA collections? The collection has over 117 titles (with more being added) and is a great resource for building your knowledge and skills. With topics ranging from programming to planning, makerspaces to management, and copyright to community-centered libraries you are sure to find something here to help you in your practice. Use your library's ILL service to request a title. 

Search the LDND
Professional Development Collection

Niche Academy Spotlight


Checkout these great self-paced training opportunities in the LVA Niche Academy

Maker Space Brain Shares

Are you interested in maker spaces in libraries? Want to talk with your colleagues about policies, programs, and more around maker spaces? Join the Maker Space Brain Share on the 2nd Friday of every month at 2:00 p.m.

Contact Nan Carmack to be added to the group.

Grants and Opportunities

The ALA Great Stories Club is "a thematic reading and discussion program that engages teens who are facing difficult challenges through literature-based library outreach programs." Applications are due by 3/15/23.

Get more info and application 

Readers' Advisory Tips and Tricks

Readers' advisory can make for happy readers, but how to help a reader who asks for titles in a genre you are unfamiliar with? NoveList, available on your library website from Find It Virginia, can help.

NoveList's Genre Guides are a great tool for getting up to speed on areas you don't feel confident in, offering a definition of the genre, main themes and characteristics, why readers enjoy the genre, and key titles and authors. You will also find current trends in the genre, authors to watch for, and suggestions on helping readers find books they will love. In addition to being a great tool for working with readers, these guides also offer lots of opportunities for building RA skills. Try discussing one of the guides at your next staff meeting. Get started with NoveList Genre Guides and build your community of readers. 

Program Ideas

Operation Gardeners' Advisory


The Tulsa City-County Library in Oklahoma used their long-running seed library as a jumping off point for a new service providing seed bundles that were curated to the specific local climate. 

Read more about this innovative project.

Featured Virginia Programs

This section will offer features of interesting and engaging programs being done at Virginia libraries. If you have a successful or unusual library program that we could feature here, please submit a program description and images.

In the News

Have you been considering what ChatGPT might do for your library? Have your users been asking questions about it? Answer the one question ChatGPT survey below, results will be published in next month's newsletter.

And enjoy a triolet about Find It VA composed in ChatGPT. 

One Question Survey

Find It VA: A Triolet

In search of knowledge, we seek
Find It Virginia, our guide
Information within our reach

In search of knowledge, we seek
Libraries of old, now modern chic
A wealth of resources, no need to abide

In search of knowledge, we seek
Find It Virginia, our guide.

LVA: Library Development and Networking
800 E Broad St.
Richmond, Virginia 23219
(804) 692-3792

https://vpl.virginia.gov/