Colorado Public Library Association (CoPLA)
CoPLA Vision Statement
Colorado Public Libraries and Librarians will be:
- leaders in providing free and equal access to the intellectual and recreational content of our culture;
- neutral sponsors of civic discourse, promoting and committed to democratic ideals;
- catalysts of economic development
- engaged and responsive public service providers, giving individuals opportunities for lifelong learning and personal enrichment;
- strong advocates for literacy, intellectual freedom and privacy of user records;
- partners in the forging and furthering of community, through establishing positive human connections and inviting places to gather;
- effective stewards of public funds
- leaders in meeting the needs of increasingly diverse populations
As a consequence, public libraries in Colorado will be fully supported by the public, and by local, state and federal government.
Adopted March 2006
Join Us!
Colorado Library Circulation Network
The Colorado Library Circulation Network is an informal group of circulation folks who get together quarterly at different libraries in the Front Range (from metro Denver areas including, Jeffco, Aurora, ALD, Douglas Cty, Denver, Boulder; to Ft Collins, Longmont, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo) The purpose is to talk about common issues, networking with others, and working through major transitions in staffing and patron self-help options. Anyone interested is welcome to join! For more information contact the CLCN facilitator, Joanna McNeal, Circulation Manager at Lafayette Public Library 303-665-5200 X3814.
Front Range Library Directors
Please contact Tony Tallent if you are interested in attending the Front Range Library Directors meetings.
River Path Library Leaders (RPLL)
RPLL is an informal group of librarians from all types of libraries in the former Three Rivers and Pathfinder Regional Systems. The group meets quarterly usually from 10-2 at rotating host libraries to discuss Western Slope library issues, network with colleagues, hear latest CLiC and other statewide news. Marmot is graciously hosting a listserv for the group, signup here. For more information contact Ross Callender, CLiC Consultant 970-250-4968.
San Luis Valley Librarians Group
San Luis Valley Librarians is an informal group librarians from all types of libraries who meet quarterly rotating the hosting library. The group usually meets from 1-3pm meeting where we discuss current issues, ask questions of the group, network, hear the latest CLiC and other statewide news and workshop information, and collaborate to make things happen in San Luis Valley of Colorado. For more information contact Mark Skinner, Alamosa High School Librarian 719-587-6014 or mskinner@alamosa.k12.co.us.
SEADS (SE Area Library DirectorS)
Please contact Judy Van Acker if you are a Public or Academic Library Director and want to join us for our quarterly meetings in southern Colorado. The group meets from 10-2 pm in Pueblo, CO. We discuss current issues, ask questions of the group, network, hear the latest CLiC and other statewide news workshop information. We are here to support rural librarians in SE Colorado.
Southwest Area Librarians Group
SW Area Librarians is an informal group of southwest area librarians from all types of libraries who meet quarterly rotating the hosting library. The group usually meets from 11-3 pm for a pot luck lunch and meeting where we discuss current issues, ask questions of the group, network, hear the latest CLiC and other statewide news and workshop information, and collaborate to make things happen in rural SW Colorado. For more information contact Ross Callender, CLiC Consultant 970-250-4968.
Tech Forum
The goal of Tech Forum is to provide a 'top of mind' resource for technology reference and discussion. The intent of the forum is to benefit all participants through minimizing the duplication of efforts, sharing real life experience and results, and aligning statewide technology efforts with the purpose of gaining leverage and realizing cost savings through a larger purchasing base.
Tech Forum was established in 2006 as a central point for collaboration and information sharing. The forum currently has over 60 members. Visitors are welcome to browse the site. To request an account to participate in the group or for assistance with an existing account email SOGrady@clicweb.org.
Public Library Resources
Special Resources:
Colorado Library Law
The legal framework for library operations and responsibilities in the state of Colorado. Includes information on public library filtering.
Financial Advice
Have you ever wondered how other libraries handle putting a value on their library items for insurance purposes? Should salaries and benefits be separate line items in a budget? What in the world does DOLA have to do with libraries? The Front Range Finance Officers (a very friendly and generous bunch) would love to help. If you have a question, they have the answer. Please contact Chris Brogan, CGFO, Chief Financial Officer @ the Pueblo City-County Library District with your questions. The response time is amazingly fast!
From Awareness to Funding: A study of library support in America
OCLC report exploring attitudes and perceptions about library funding and to evaluate the potential of a large-scale marketing and advocacy campaign to increase public library funding in the U.S. Cathy DeRosa "findings" presentation - ALA Midwinter 2009
Public Library Standards
Revised in 2005 by the Colorado State Library. Essential, enhanced, and comprehensive standards for public libraries. Also includes the legal definition of a public library in Colorado.
Public Library Statistics
Annual statistical data for Colorado public libraries. Includes peer profile comparisons. Historical statistics go back to 1987.
Group Emails
Libnet - Topics of interest for all library types and all levels of library and education staff in Colorado
Publib - General public library questions/issues discussed
Web4Lib - Public librarians involved in website creation/maintenance.
Ngc4Lib - Discussion about "next generation catalogs" (more theoretically than practical)
RRA-L - Discussions about romance books. Helpful with romance reader's advisory or collection development. Several prominent romance authors belong to this listserv which make it particularly interesting.
DorothyL - Mystery listserv group. Reader's advisory and collection development
Project Wombat - Librarians discuss reference questions they couldn't answer or don't have the resources to answer.
Colorado Public Library Directors - Contact jlarue @ jlarue.com for more information.
Blogs
Colorado Libraries - share news, innovations, events, photos, and ideas
Blyberg.net - primarily OPAC usability discussions
Librarian.net - discussion on libraries and librarians
Library Stuff - discussion on libraries and librarians
LISNews - not a blog per se but has posts on library related news around the country
The Shifted Librarian - discussion on libraries and librarians
Lorcan Dempsey's weblog - more philosophical than practical and very interesting
Colorado State Publications Library - blog by librarians at the State Library highlighting available resources
OPL Plus - Originally created as a blog for "one person libraries" and contains a lot of interesting links
Catalogablog - blog on cataloging subjects
Library Grants - blog about grant opportunities in libraries
Access to Professional Collections
District #11 Professional Resource Center (PRC)
This is the website to access the Colorado Springs District #11 library catalog with a default to the Professional Resource Center. The Plains and Peaks Regional Library Service System’s (PPRLSS) book collection was assimilated into the PRC collection in August 2004. The PRC is located in the Tesla Building, 2560 International Circle, Colorado Springs, 80910. Contact: Jan Veteto at (719) 520-2743.
Aims Community College, Jerry Kiefer Library
High Plains RLSS donated their professional collection to the Kiefer Library at Aims Community College in Greeley. Items that have been added to the collection can be located by using keyword "High Plains RLSS Donation" in the online catalog. The HPRLSS professional collection is located at Kiefer Library, 5401 West 20th Street, Greeley, CO 80632. Contact: Ellen Willis at 1-800-301-5388 x 6227.
The Colorado Library Consortium (CLiC) Professional Collection
CLiC maintains a small number of books, DVDs, videos, and resource guides. Please browse our catalog and contact us at 303-422-1150 to ask about borrowing our resources.