Public libraries and the services they offer are a basic need in life. In rural Nevada, they often serve as the only means of obtaining educational and recreational materials. This is where bookmobiles come in.
The state provides support to three bookmobiles throughout Nevada: Elko-Lander-Eureka County Bookmobile, Humboldt County Bookmobile, and Lincoln County Bookmobile. To learn more about these bookmobiles see the reports below.
To learn how the state's public libraries utilize those funds, check out the following maps and for complete information, see their reports.
FY 2014-2015 Grant Program Executive Summary & Impact Statement
FY 2014-2015 Grant Program Report
Nevada State Allocation Dynamic Map, 2010-2011
Nevada State Allocation Dynamic Map, 2008-2009
Historical Distribution of State Collection Development Funds to Public Libraries
Reports and Documents
The Schools and Libraries Program of the Universal Service Fund (E-Rate) is administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) under the direction of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and provides discounts to assist school and libraries to obtain affordable telecommunications, Internet access, and advanced technologies. Schools and libraries can apply annually for discounts of from 20-90% on telecommunications services, Internet access and internal connections. The E-Rate program can be a source of additional funds for Nevada public libraries, and the Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records encourages all public libraries to apply for E-Rate. Libraries must meet the Minimum Public Library Standards for Nevada to be eligible for E-Rate.
Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA)
Libraries receiving e-rate assistance for products and services that provide access to the Internet must comply with the requirements of the Children’s Internet Protection Act. These products and services include Category One Internet access and all Category Two services – internal connections, managed internal broadband services, and basic maintenance of internal connections.
Applicants must certify compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) to be eligible for Schools and Libraries (E-rate) Program discounts on Category One internet access and all Category Two services – internal connections, managed internal broadband services, and basic maintenance of internal connections. The relevant authority with responsibility for administration of the eligible school or library (the Administrative Authority) must certify that the school or library is enforcing an internet safety policy that includes measures to block or filter internet access for both minors and adults to certain visual depictions.
CIPA requirements include three items: an Internet safety policy, a technology protection measure (filtering), and a public notice and hearing or meeting.
Information on various filter types and options can be found here:
In general, school and library authorities must certify that:
Nevada Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation, and Technology (OSIT)
OSIT was established with two major goals related to STEM and broadband:
The Nevada Connect Kids Initiative was created to increase broadband Internet access, adoption, and use across the state. As part of the Initiative, Governor Sandoval announced an investment of $2 million for a state matching fund to ensure schools have the infrastructure they need to access high-speed broadband.
The Office of Science, Innovation, and Technology will administer and manage the fund in order to draw down additional federal funding to assist school districts and libraries with their network upgrades.
E-Rate Central is an e-rate consulting firm dedicated to simplifying the e-rate program for schools and libraries. OSIT has contracted with E-Rate Central to assist schools and libraries in applying for e-rate.
Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC)
Schools & Libraries (E-Rate) Program includes E-Rate program information, tools and resources including how to get started, acronyms and forms, eligibility, how to apply, and samples and examples.
E-Rate Central publishes newsletters and webinars periodically. Click below to read the latest newsletter or view a webinar.
The Nevada State Library collects, edits, and disseminates statistical information on public libraries in the state. This information is shared with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and is part of a national effort to collect library data.
To access the 2021 Nevada Public Library Survey / Statistical Report tool:
Instructions for the interface can be found here and also by clicking on Help in the upper right corner once logged into the survey.
Login using the same username and password as last year. If you need your library’s username and password, contact Marie Markovich at 775-684-3339 or NSLAPR-Admin@admin.nv.gov.
Help/instructions are available for almost every question on the survey. Just click the gray question mark next to each data field. Download a full set of line-by-line instructions here. Alternately, a full set of instructions is available at the Instructions link in the upper right menu of every screen in the survey tool, but don't hesitate to contact Sherrie if you have any problems or questions!
A complete copy of the FY2020 Survey can be found here in case it might be helpful.
CHANGES FOR FY2020:
New questions regarding COVID-19 closures, response, programs, and services will be found at the end of the 2020 survey, as well as two questions that will be asked at the branch level (for libraries with more than one public service outlet).
For purposes of this survey, we will define the period of the pandemic as starting on March 12, 2020, the date of Governor Steve Sisolak's Declaration of Emergency, and going through the end of the reporting year, June 30, 2020.
Additional questions have been added in the programming section to incorporate all programming done this year - in-person, virtual live, and virtual recorded. Please read the instructions carefully and answer the questions to the best of your ability, but don't worry too much about the numbers. The programming statistics are going to be problematic for all libraries this year.
As in the past, some answers are pre-filled. In Section 6.6, Successful Retrieval of Electronic Information, statewide database statistics have been pre-filled; you will need to add successful retrieval information for your locally owned or consortially owned databases. (As shown on the spreadsheet of database statistics, statewide databases are World Book, Learning Express, ABC-CLIO, Teaching Books and Ebsco. Your library may own additional Ebsco databases - such as Novelist or AutoMate - that you purchased separately.) As you know, vendors provide use statistics in a variety of ways. For the databases you own, report the statistic or combination of statistics that most accurately describes how the user examined or downloaded the content. The number of logins, searches or sessions would not typically meet the definition as they are not retrievals, but for some databases, such as language databases, sessions would be an appropriate measure to count. Use your best judgment in determining which statistic to report.
It can be difficult to determine how to count downloadable materials from services such as Overdrive, Freegal and Kanopy. This flowchart (adapted from one developed by the Washington State Library) may be helpful, but again, don't hesitate to ask if you have questions.
Full data from the FY2019 Public Library Survey is available on the spreadsheet below:
Information from previous fiscal years has been compiled into tables available in PDF format (below).
Reasons to become certified include improving library services; increasing customer satisfaction; upgrading quality of libraries, enhancing employees' abilities; increasing knowledge and skills; staying abreast of new technology; and meeting Nevada library standards.
The legal authority for certification of a librarian in a public library is detailed in the Nevada Revised Statutes 379.0073 and requirements are outlined in the Nevada Administrative Code 379. This program is targeted to employees of public libraries serving a population under 50,000 and public libraries which do not have a person with a MLS degree performing duties as administrator, reference, and children's librarian. It applies only to public libraries in Nevada and is not transferrable to other locations. The program of certification is not applicable to people who hold a master's degree in library science from an ALA accredited institution.
Nevada Revised Statute 379: Public Libraries
Nevada Administrative Code 379: Public Libraries
Before beginning the certification program, please notify Library Development at NSLAPR of your intent.
Upon approval by the local library board, this program provides for certification of a librarian in a Nevada public library. To be certified by the State Library, Archives and Public Records Administrator as a librarian, you must:
Submit a completed application accompanied by copies of academic transcripts and a letter of recommendation.
Have a bachelor's degree and at least 2 years of library experience; an associate's degree and at least 4 years of library experience; or a high school diploma or GED and at least 7 years of library experience.
Provide verification of required years of experience.
Pass a criminal background check.
An applicant must be a citizen of the United States or have filed a valid declaration to become a citizen or a valid petition for naturalization (NRS 391.060).
To become certified in Nevada, applicants must have completed at least 21 semester hours of credit from an accredited college or university which includes 3 semester hours of instruction in each of the following subjects:
Administration of a Library
Bibliography and Reference
Cataloging and Classification of Materials
Technology in the Library
Literature for Children and Young Adults
Selection of Library Materials
A course in the History and Organization of Libraries
All required courses taken for certification as a public librarian in Nevada must be at the 400/600 college/university level. These requirements cannot be satisfied by courses offered by a college/university as continuing education credit (CEUs) or at the 100/200/300 college/university level. It is recommended that students complete English 101 and/or 102 before enrolling in the above courses. Some courses are available through distance learning platforms.
All credits must be earned through a regionally accredited college/university, approved state, or foreign institution. Foreign transcripts much be evaluated for degree equivalency by an approved evaluator before certification is made.
Please see the Library Certification Application Checklist below which outlines all the requirements. The checklist should be initialed and returned with application packet.
A certificate as a librarian is valid for three years after the date on which it is issued. To renew the certificate you must submit to the Nevada State Library, Archives and Public Records proof (before the expiration date on the certificate) of satisfactory completion of:
(a) 3 semester credits for courses of continuing education approved by the Public Library Board of Trustees, or
(b) 5 units of continuing education established by a continuing education division of the University of Nevada in Reno or Las Vegas, or
(c) Any combination of (a) and (b)
1 semester hour credit at NSHE = 15 contact hours
1 continuing education unit at NSHE = 10 contact hours
The State Library, Archives and Public Records Administrator may issue a conditional certificate if an applicant has proof of completion of 15 semester hours of credit in courses required for certification of a librarian in a public library.
Amended 9/22/15
Notes
The notes are an integral part of the Minimum Public Library Standards for Nevada and are included as explanatory information.
Minimum Standard 1
Minimum Standard 5
Minimum Standard 6
Minimum Standard 7
Minimum Standard 8.d
Minimum Standard 11
Contact Us
Sulin Jones, LSTA Coordinator 775-684-3340, sulinjones@admin.nv.gov |
Nena Fresia, Administrative Assistant II 775-684-3373, nenafresia@admin.nv.gov |
NSLAPR strives to ensure all website users have complete access to our online content. NSLAPR's Website Team is continuously working on making our website compliance more robust and welcomes comments on how to improve our website's accessibility for users with disabilities. If site visitors experience issues while interacting with our website, they should contact the Website Team. The e-mail should include the nature of the accessibility problem, the web address and the preferred format in which to receive the materials, and the contact information for the site visitor.
100 N. Stewart Street
Carson City, NV 89701
Administration
Phone: (775) 684-3339
Fax: (775) 684-3311
Email Administration
Library Services
Phone: (775) 684-3360
Email Library Services
Ask a Librarian
Library Development
Phone: (775) 684-3367
Email Planning & Development
Talking Books
Phone: (775) 684-3354
Toll Free (800) 922-9334
Email Talking Books
Archives
Phone: (775) 684-3310
Fax: (775) 684-3371
Ask An Archivist
Records Management
Phone: (775) 684-3411
Fax: (775) 684-3426
Ask State Records
Imaging & Preservation
Phone: (775) 684-3414
Fax: (775) 684-3426