Administration - 603-271-2392

The State Library has signed a contract with OVERDRIVE to provide downloadable audio books to New Hampshire libraries. The digital content that will be available to patrons of libraries that become members of the consortium is currently being formed. Our goal at the State Library is to run this program very much like the statewide database program NHewLINK. Unlike the databases that are paid for by the State Library, the Audio book consortium is a financial partnership of the State Library and those libraries that want to provide this service.

The fee to join the consortium is $1,000 per year for libraries serving more that 10,000 and $500 for those serving fewer than 10,000. The set-up fees and the annual fees will be paid by the State Library. The individual library set-up costs from OVERDRIVE estimated to be $600 can be paid for with a grant that libraries may apply for to the State Library. All money collected from annual membership fees will be used to purchase content form OVERDRIVE. All public libraries are eligible to become members of the consortium. There are no penalties accessed for leaving the consortium and none of the fees paid will be refunded to the library if it chooses to with draw at any time.

Membership payments are currently being accepted from libraries that want to join the consortium. Any library wishing to join should send an e-mail to Michael York at myork@library.state.nh.us indicating interest. An e-mail will be sent with an invoice attached; return the invoice via regular USPS with a check per the instructions on the invoice and you will be on the membership list. If you have any question please contact Michael York at the State Library.

The New Hampshire State Library is offering conservation grants through the Conservation License Plate Program to non-profit or public institutions for the preservation and conservation of publicly owned cultural resources. Grants are awarded for activities that will enhance access to resources and safeguard rare or endangered treasures.

The New Hampshire General Court passed the Conservation License Plate or “Moose Plate” initiative in 1998 as a way to supplement existing state conservation and preservation programs with funding through voluntary public purchases of the plates. The Conservation License Plate supports the protection of critical resources in New Hampshire, from scenic lands to historic sites to wildlife. Revenues from the sale of the plate are distributed through five state agencies.

Janet Eklund, Administrator of Library Operations for the State Library said, “Since the program began in 2003, the State Library has received 63 applications totaling $351,998 and funded 34 awards totaling $162,316. It is very exciting to be a part of this process and to award these grants to all the very deserving communities and organizations making an important contribution to preserving New Hampshire’s treasures.”

Applications are due on August 31, 2006 and the Grants will be awarded in October 2006.  For more information, please visit www.nh.gov/nhsl/services/librarians/moose or contact Janet Eklund at 603.271.2393 or at jeklund@library.state.nh.us.

Electronic and Government Information Services - 603-271-2143

Bobbi Slossar, previously a reference librarian at the state library, is now the Technology Services Coordinator. In her new position, Bobbi will provide training as well as technical and professional assistance to public libraries throughout NH. She can be reached at 271-2143.

Library Development Services - 603-271-2865 (Concord) -1-800-462-1726 (Lancaster)

Please check the training calendar for continuing education opportunities available through the state library and other agencies. See www.nh.gov/nhsl/calendar/calendar.htm.

The FY05 NH Public Library Annual Report survey is online, unlocked, and ready to be filled out by local librarians; the deadline is May 22 If you need help, please call Sue Palmatier at 1-800-462-1726, 603/788-0914 or at home at 788-3019. Sue offers the following tips:

• yes, you do have to retype information that's already there in last year's column and hasn't changed; I know it's a nuisance, but it's the way the system was programmed by people outside NH
• yes, you do have to fill in the hours for days that you're not open -- just enter 0 (that's zero, not a capital oh)
• no, you cannot put a number in 9b (the Office of Energy and Planning's population data) -- that's for me to use later, since the current population figures don't come out until mid summer
• your usernames and passwords use zeroes, not ohs, and number ones, not lower-case els
• those usernames and passwords are *not* case sensitive; however, don't try putting spaces inside them
• you cannot access the survey on a Mac; you *must* use a PC
• you must access the survey via Internet Explorer 4 or higher; Netscape or any other browser will not work
• in order to submit your survey, you have to answer all *required* unanswered questions (you can leave other unanswered questions blank if you really need to; I'll be the only one who's upset -- the feds won't care)
• in order to submit your survey, you also have to explain the edit checks to the computer's satisfaction; if you've never encountered an edit check, let me know and I'll walk you through it -- it's not hard at all, and you'll have the fun of seeing lettering on the screen change magically from red to green!

The first winner of the Flume: NH Teen Readers' Choice Award goes to The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. Teens in grades 9-12 cast their ballots at 34 schools and libraries around the state and chose Brown's novel from the list of 13 Flume titles. The Flume Award is sponsored by the NH Library Association.

Kids, Books and the Arts grants totaling more than $14,000 went to 51 libraries around the state. These grants are given so that libraries can bring artists and performers to their communities for performances and workshops during the summer reading program. The grants are sponsored by the Byrne Foundation, CHILIS, the Cogswell Benevolent Trust, the Saul O. Sidore Memorial Foundation, and the New Hampshire State Library.