The State Library of Kansas and the Independence Public Library are pleased to announce the Kansas EZ Library of digital books available to all Kansas library users.  Acting on behalf of Kansas libraries, the State Library of Kansas has entered into agreements with OneClickDigital (for downloadable audiobooks) and 3M (for downloadable eBooks).

OneClickDigital for audiobooks is available via the State Library of Kansas and the Independence Public Library.  Books can be accessed at this site www.kslib.info/digitalbooks.  Users must have a Kansas Library card at the Independence Public Library, 220 E. Maple Street, Independence, KS 620-331-3030.

Regular users of the download service will find the new interface with OneClickDigital much simpler and faster to use.  Video and written tutorials are available at www.kslib.info/digitalbooks to assist individuals in using the new service.

In addition, the State Library will begin offering an ebook solution through 3M Cloud Library soon.  Updates for the beginning of this service can be found on the www.kslib.info/digitalbooks site. The Kansas EZ library page also features other free audiobook and ebook resources available to Kansas readers.

On Dec. 5, Kansas ended its six-year contract OverDrive, a source for downloadable books. The books previously available for checkout through OverDrive and possibly on hold for patrons will no longer be accessible. However, thanks to the diligence of the State Library, many of the titles popular with customers have been transferred to the new vendors’ platforms, and now are available through the two new services.

 DUC Program Video

Descriptive List: http://artipl.blogspot.com/

1. Felix Gonzalez-Torres
2. Laurie Simmons
3. Bearing Witness
4. John Kelsy/Nicolas Guagnini
5. Class Pictures:  Photographs by Dawoud Bey
6. Mary Lee Bendolph:  Gee’s Bend Quilts, and Beyond
7. Jim Love:  From Now On
8. Bruce Nauman:  Drawings for Neons
9. Claes  Oldenberg  Drawings 1965-1973
10. Barnet Newman Drawings 1944-1946
11. Franz West:  Early Work
12. Living, Looking, Making:  Giacometti, Fontana, Twombly, Serra
13. David Smith
14. Christopher Wool:  Roma Termini
15. Gary Schneider:  Portraits
16. Twelve Artists from the German Democratic Republic
17. Lucas Blalock:  Toward a Warm Math
18. Phantasmagoria:  Specters of Absence
19. High Times, Hard Times:  New York Painting 1967-1975
20. Jess:  To and From the Printed Page
21. Charles Ray:  Log
22. Public & Private
23. Cut Film as Found Object in Contemporary Video
24. Conversion to Modernism:  The Early Work of Man Ray
25. Paris 1900:  The “American School” at the Universal Exposition
26. Barbara Probst:  Exposures
27. Inconvenient Stories:  Portraits & Interviews with Vietnam Veterans
28. States of Mind:  Dan and Lia Perjovschi
29. Michael Light:  Bingham Mine/Garfield Stack
30. Joan Watts
31. David Taylor:  Working the Line
32. Ed Moses
33. Land/Art New Mexico
34. Mapping Water:  Judy Tuwaletstiwa
35. Violet Isle:  Alex Webb & Rebecca Norris Webb
36. Johnnie Winona Ross
37. Beaumont’s Kitchen:  Lessons on Food, Life and Photography with Beaumont Newhall
38. Renate Aller:  Oceanscapes-One View, Ten Years
39. Michael Lundgren:  Transfigurations
40. Fred Wilson:  Black Like Me
41. Cathrine Opie:  1999 & In and Around Home
42. Karakhana:  A Contemporary Collaboration

October, 2011

The IMPACT Survey is an online tool that allows public libraries to collect information about how their community’s use and benefit from the library’s computers and Internet connection.

Prepared for Independence Public Library by the University of Washington Information School with generous support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Library Use

71% visited the library once a week or more frequently.

24% visited the library abut 1-3 times a month.

5% visited the library less than once a month.

79% used the library’s computers to access library resources such as the online catalog, placing holds or renewing library materials, downloading eBooks or Audiobooks, or to access the library’s databases.

67% accessed library resources through the library’s website from outside the library, (e.g. from home, school, or work).

17% accessed library resources through a handheld mobile device such as a cellphone, Blackberry, or iPhone.

77% used a library computer to access the Internet in the past 12 months.

36% accessed the library’s wireless network connection using their own computer.

82% used a public access computer or the library’s wireless network connection to access the Internet in the past 12 months.

Uses of Public Access Technology

Library printers:  54%

email:  72%

Search Engines:  78%

Instant Messaging:  33%

Video Chat:  2%

Blogs:  19%

Wikis:  17%

Social Networking:  52%

Streaming Video:  31%

Streaming Audio:  13%

31% of users reported having received one-on-one technology help from library staff or volunteers in the past 12 months.

20% of users attended computer-related training or classes at the library during the past 12 months.

56% or users found information or performed tasks for family or friends using the library’s computers or Internet connection.

Public Use By Area

Education:  37%

Employment:  48%

eBusiness:  2%

Health:  46%

eGovernment:  39%

Civic Engagement:  44%

eCommerce:  46%

Social Inclusion:  78%

Education Activities

In the past 12 months education tasks performed

26%  Learn about a degree or certificate program

6%    Apply for a degree or certificate program and 4% were admitted to the program

15%  Take an online class or workshop

28%  Do research for class

22%  Complete course work or homework

2%  Prepare for a standardized test

15%  Take any school related test online and 2% had a librarian serve as a proctor

7%  Apply for financial Aid and 6% received financial aid

Employment

Ages of patrons using public access technology for employment

14-24:  12%

25-34:  15%

35-44:  19%

45-54:  27%

55-64:  15%

65+:  12%

Employment Activities

41%  Look for job, 26% applied for a job, 13% got an interview, and 4% got a job

19%  Work on resume

13%  Receive skill-based training

31%  Research/find info related to job/profession

17%  Do work for current job

Health and Wellness

33%  Learn about Diet or Nutrition and 94%  Made a change to their diet

26%  learning about exercise or fitness and 79% made a change in their exercise habits

eGovernment Activites

24%  Seek help from government agency

11%  Access justice system

20%  Get government forms and 11% submitted forms online

24%  Learn about laws/regulations

11%  Learn about permits/licenses and 2% applied for permit/license

20%  Seek legal assistance/advice

31%  Learn about government programs/services and 9% applied for government programs/services

Civic Engagment

37 % Keep us with news/current events

24%  Learn about political activity/candidate or social cause and 17% got involved with political activity, candidate, or cause

4%  Start a new civic or community group

13%  Participate in a civic or community group

9%  Organize/manage club, civic/community/church group, or non-profit

eCommerce

9%  Find housing

26%  Bank Online

19%  Pay Bills

9%  Get investment info

26% Research products/services

28%  Purchase online

13%  Sell Online

28%  Make travel arrangements

11%  Look up credit rating

11%  Learn about getting out of debt

Patron Satisfaction with the public access technology at Independence Public Library

58% Very satisfied

38%  Satisfied

2%  Neither Satisfied or Dissatisfied

2% Dissatisfied

Importance of Computer Access and the Internet for Themselves

47%  Very important

28%  Important

14%  Moderately Important

8%  Of little importance

3%  Unimportant

Importance of Computer Access and the Internet for their Community

69%  Very Important

23%  Important

5%  Moderately Important

3%  Of Little Importance

0%  Unimportant

Demographic Information

White 73%, Two or More Races 9%, African American 3%, American Indian 5%, Refused 8%

Female 64%, Male 36%

Ages 14-24 21%, 25-34 17%, 35-44 17%, 45-54 18%, 55-64 18%, 65+ 9%

Education Level: Post graduate study 23%, High school or GED 20%, Some college 18%, 4 year degree 20%, 2 year degree 6%, some high school 9%

Languages spoken at home:  English 89%, Other than English 8%,  Refused 3%

The Statistical Abstract of the United States is the standard summary of statistics on the social, political, and economic organization of the United States. It is also designed to serve as a guide to other statistical publications and sources. The latter function is served by the introductory text to each section, the source note appearing below each table, and Appendix I, which comprises the Guide to Sources of Statistics, the Guide to State Statistical Abstracts, and the Guide to Foreign Statistical Abstracts.

This volume includes a selection of data from many statistical sources, both government and private. Publications cited as sources usually contain additional statistical detail and more comprehensive discussions of definitions and concepts. Data not available in publications issued by the contributing agency but obtained from the Internet or unpublished records are identified in the source notes. More information on the subjects covered in the tables so noted may generally be obtained from the source.

Although emphasis in the Statistical Abstract is primarily given to national data, many tables present data for regions and individual states and a smaller number for metropolitan areas and cities. Appendix II, Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas: Concepts, Components, and Population, presents explanatory text, a complete current listing and population data for metropolitan and micropolitan areas defined as of December 2009. Statistics for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and for island areas of the United States are included in many state tables and are supplemented by information in Section 29. Additional information for states, cities, counties, metropolitan areas, and other small units, as well as more historical data are available in various supplements to the Abstract.

Suggested citation:

U.S. Census Bureau, Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2012 (131st Edition) Washington, DC, 2011; <http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/>.

Kansas Statistical Abstract 2010

The Kansas Statistical Abstract 2010, contains the latest available state, county, and city-level data for Kansas on population, vital statistics and health, housing, education, business and manufacturing, exports, employment, income, finance, state and local government, crime, recreation, communications, transportation, agriculture, climate, and energy and natural resources. The Kansas Statistical Abstract is a PDF file and will require Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software available at http://www.adobe.com).
Kansas Statistical Abstract 2010

Individual chapters, tables, and maps,
are available in PDF and Excel formats at:
http://www.ipsr.ku.edu/ksdata/ksah/ksa34.shtml.

Originally published at: http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2011/sep/30/kansas-tax-collections-exceed-estimates-about-5-pe/

Impact Survey

We are asking our library patrons to please take a few minutes to take a survey related to the technology services offered to the public at the Independence Public Library.  The data collected from libraries throughout the country will be compiled to assist in showing the impact of public libraries in the United States.  We will also receive a comprehensive report detailing  the services our library offers to our community.  We hope to get understanding of how we can improve to meet the ever changing needs of people in Independence. 

See some of our goals for 2012 in our 2012 Budget Presentation Handout.  We have an ambitious desire to continue to meet the needs of our community, even during these difficult economic times.   Our main goal for 2012 is to be able to reopen Mondays, increasing our operating hours from 40 hours 5 days per week to 48 hours six days per week!  We finally feel we can maintain these extended hours over an extended period of time thanks to community support, legislative support, and patron support.

We are looking for people who are interested in helping our library thrive during these difficult times by becoming a volunteer, a member of the Friends of the Library, or by getting involved in our Geek the Library campaign by becoming a committee member.  If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please come by the library and visit with me anytime!  People working together is what makes our community great!

Julie Hildebrand
Library Director
620.331.3030 ext. 106

Included in the display are photographs, books, dug artifacts, buckshot, cannonball, bullets, canister shot, buttons, bridle rosette, eating utensiles, pocket knife, spur, and more.

We will have a silent auction for these items as a library fundraiser; the date and time is to be announced.

It is free to view and open to the public Tuesday – Saturday during our library’s operating hours:

Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10:00 – 6:00, Thursday 10:00 – 8:00, Saturday 10:00 – 4:00.

Did you know that this year marks the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War?

We also have a number of books on display

Lincoln on the Civil War: Selected Speeches by Abraham Lincoln

A Guide to the National Park Sites: Civil War Battlefields and Landmarks by Frank E. Vandiver

A Diary from Dixie by Mary Chesnut

1861: The Civil War Awakening by Adam Goodheart

The Civil War Battlefield Guide, The Conservation Fund Edited by Frances H. Kennedy

A Glorious Army: Robert E. Lee’s Triumph 1862-1863 by Jeffry D. Wert

Civil War Curiosities: Fascinating Tales, Infamous Characters, and Strange Coincidences by Webb Garrison

National Geographic Journey Through Hallowed Ground: Birthplace of the American Ideal by Andew Cockburn

There are a number of other Civil War titles available to check out!

Check out the photos and information about our Geek the Library campaign!

FYI:  Kansas Statute No. 12-1288 (c) states “The tax levy provided in this section shall not be considered to be a levy of the board of education, the city or county school district under any of the statutes of this state, but shall be in addition to all other levies authorized or limited by law.”

2011-1 Resolution