Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Quick Resource Update; Criticas Online Magazine

I've added myself to the email list for Criticas online Magazine. I get an email link once a month to their online magazine (http://www.criticasmagazine.com/enewsletter/CA6579081/2712.html?nid=2712), In it there is a list of recommended and reviewed Spanish-language materials for all ages and in all formats (http://www.criticasmagazine.com/section/Latest+Reviews/48660.html) as well as articles. I found this great Q&A with NYPL's Yolanda Bonitch about collection development mostly (http://www.criticasmagazine.com/article/CA6578298.html?nid=2712).

I'd encourage you to sign up for the online Magazine too. Quite useful I think, and free.

Friday, July 25, 2008

Another SLO Grant

A final SLO grant has been awarded.

The Belgrade Community Library will receive a $250 SLO grant to purchase selected materials for the collection including "Teach Yourself English for Spanish-Speakers" (on CD); "Immigration and You: How to Navigate the Legal Maze and Triumph" (in Spanish), by Lourdes Alcaniz; and "Waiting for My Baby: A Guide to Pregnancy for the Latina Woman" (in Spanish).

It's exciting that the library and staff have identified materials that address important topics and issues for their Spanish speaking patrons. Congratulations to Belgrade Community Library!

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Montana SLO resource librarians

Just an update on the SLO project in Montana.

Molly Kliss and Kathy Robins have both enthusiastically agreed to continue serving as resource librarians for the MT SLO project. Using the SLO blog and email, they'll keep providing us with great ideas and pointing us to valuable resources for Spanish language outreach activities.

Catherine McMullen will no longer be officially serving as a SLO project resource person. We thank her for her work on the project and invite her to keep sharing information about the SLO activities going on at her library.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Amy's Dilemma
My most valuable Latino contact seems to be out of reach. Francesca and her family (husband, 2 kids, mom)moved to Montana from CA 3 years ago. They were originally from Mexico. Her husband went to work at a dairy. Recently he was deported to Mexico to resolve some immigration problems. That was 2 months ago. The family were evicted from their farm house that was a benefit of the dairy job. Francesca found a new home and moved July 1st. She was able to expand her work schedule at an assisted living site which made it more difficult for us to meet. Francesca and I had plans to meet last week to plan our brainstorming session about recruiting members of our SLO advisory board. She did not show up or call me, which is not like her. I tried to call her but her number is no longer in service. Now I am worried about her well being and wondering how to locate her.
My next step will be to contact the area assisted living facilities to find her. More on this as events occur.
Meanwhile, I will draft a budget and time line for the SLO grant to be completed by October 1st.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Medicare/Medicaid toolkit in Spanish

Maggie Meredith shared this resource with me -- it was mentioned in a recent WJ newsletter. Since some libraries are working to provide healthcare information for Spanish speakers in the community, we thought this might be of interest.



English-Spanish Medicare Library Outreach Toolkit

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have developed an extensive toolkit to help librarians direct Medicare beneficiaries/seniors to the right place when they need help regarding Medicare issues. The toolkit provides resources in English and Spanish. You can download the toolkit from http://www.webjunction.org/do/Navigation?category=10555 .

Monday, July 7, 2008

Grant Awards

Greetings,


Thanks to the libraries that posted SLO grant proposals on the blog. Some really great ideas for outreach are in the works!


Catherine, Kathy, Molly and I reviewed the proposals and decided all should receive SLO grants. The amounts awarded are based on the proposal details and outreach activities being planned. Here are the awards:

North Valley Public Library-- $500.00

Dillon Public Library -- $400.00

Flathead County Library-- $350.00

Lewis & Clark Library -- $350.00

In addition, the three libraries that generously donated staff to provide SLO training around the state -- Bozeman Public Library, Missoula Public Library, and Parmly Billings Library -- will each receive $785 grants for local SLO activities.

Congratulations to all!!!

Grant letters and agreements are being mailed today to the seven libraries receiving awards. Once the signed agreements are returned to MSL, checks will be issued and outreach activities can begin! All SLO grant funds must be spent by October 1, 2008. A report of grant activities is requested at the end of the project. Please give credit for activities/materials funded by the SLO grant to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Montana State Library.

Again, thanks for your interest in the SLO project. Keep sharing your plans and activities on the blog, OK? And, remember that Molly, Kathy, and Catherine are a great resource as you start putting your SLO proposals in motion.