Index
- Poster session volunteers, ideas needed by June 2
- Library reform bills are now law
- Member/Staff News
- SCLS seeks new associate director
- New abstracts added to EBSCOHost
- Watch for changes in SCLS online resources pages
- Albany to hire new director
- Horizon migration plan available online
- Black Earth accepting applications for new director
- Sign up now for WILS World 2006
- UW-Madison SLIS to present special awards
- June 8 teleconference will provide information about 2007 LSTA funds
- Continuing Education Calendar
Poster session volunteers, ideas needed by June 2
Just a reminder that we’re still in need of volunteers and ideas for the 2006 System Celebration poster session. This year’s event will be held Thursday, Sept. 21, 2006, at the Wintergreen Resort & Conference Center in Wisconsin Dells. It is our annual thank you to the staff, trustees, and mayors/village presidents of SCLS member libraries for their support and efforts throughout the year.
Individual libraries are encouraged to prepare posters about a new construction or renovation project, a successful or unusual library program, a successful advocacy project, or a project to raise funds or obtain volunteer support for the library.
If you are interested in preparing a poster for the session, or would like to suggest an idea for a poster, contact Mark Ibach by June 2, 2006, at (608) 246-5612 (or by email).
Library reform bills are now law
Two legislative proposals -- SB 272 and SB 273 -- relating to libraries were approved this spring by the State Senate and Assembly, and both have been signed into law by Gov. Jim Doyle. They were based on recommendations of State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster’s Task Force on Public Library Legislation and Funding. The task force, which included representation of the statewide public library community, as well as citizen and legislative members, conducted a comprehensive review of issues facing Wisconsin’s 387 public libraries and 17 library systems and made recommendations for statutory improvements.
SB272, which since it’s signing by the governor is now 2005 Wisconsin Act 420, relates to the organization and funding of public libraries and public library systems. Among other things, it requires (as of 2008 budgets) that each county pay for the library use of its residents in adjacent counties, even across system borders. Act 420 is available at www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/acts/05Act420.pdf. A summary of the bill’s provisions is available at www.wla.lib.wi.us/legis/SB272.htm.
On March 27, 2006, the governor signed 2005 Act 226 (formerly SB 273) that will lower costs for library operations, improve organizational efficiency of library services in the state, and provide greater clarity in Wisconsin library laws.
Referred to as the “language bill,” Act 226 updates and makes technical changes to the language in Chapter 43 relating to public libraries and public library systems. One of these changes is to allow counties to appoint more members to a local library board, based on the level of county support provided to that library. Act 226 is available at www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/acts/05Act226.pdf. A summary of the bill’s provisions is available at www.wla.lib.wi.us/legis/SB273.htm.
Some job duties have changed for staff members at SCLS. Bruce Smith is now coordinating our entire Delivery service and Bob Blitzke is moving into a "second career" at SCLS by taking on the responsibility of building the SCLS Foundation. Bob’s new title is Development Coordinator and he will be moving from the Delivery site to the SCLS Administration office later this summer.
Columbus Public Library is reaching out to area businesses as part of its Strategic Plan for 2006-09. Director Peggy Kindschi is contacting and visiting area businesses to share information on what the library can do for them. As part of this outreach, each business will receive a folder containing a copy of the strategic plan, library brochure and the new business newsletter (to be published in April, June, August, and October). The newsletter and brochures also are available at www.columbuspubliclibrary.info.
If you’d like extra copies of the materials handed out at the May 17, 2006, SCLS Annual Meeting, they are available online. To download a copy of the pdf file visit www.scls.info/pr/pdf/annual_meeting.pdf.
SCLS seeks new associate director
The South Central Library System is seeking a creative and energetic Associate Director to work collaboratively with its committed staff and 52 member public libraries to provide innovative programs and services for the public in a seven-county area.
Primary responsibilities include ongoing assessment of library and community needs, coordinating the development and evaluation of services and guiding the implementation of the SCLS strategic plan. The Associate Director coordinates employee recruitment and provides leadership in staff development and communications; independently develops and manages major projects involving multiple agencies; works in partnership with the Director to manage current SCLS programs and explore new opportunities, and acts on behalf of the System Director in a variety of venues as the need arises.
Qualified candidates should hold an MLS from an ALA accredited library school and have at least 4 years of related post degree experience. They also should have a thorough understanding of current trends and developments in library services and technology. They should also have had success working with library personnel and community leaders; experience in budgeting, program and project management, and personnel supervision; an understanding of legislative and regulatory processes; and substantial experience working in a cooperative environment. A sense of humor, a passion for service and strong verbal and written communication skills are required. This position also requires a car and the ability to travel independently. The compensation range is $77,820- $83,812.
To apply, send cover letter, resume, and names of three references by June 22 to South Central Library System, 5250 East Terrace Drive, Suite A-2, Madison, WI 53718. The SCLS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
New abstracts added to EBSCOHost
“Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts” (LISTA), which indexes more than 600 periodicals -- plus books, research reports, and proceedings -- has been added to EBSCOHost.
Subject coverage includes librarianship, classification, cataloging, bibliometrics, online information retrieval, information management and more. Coverage in the database extends back as far as the mid-1960s.
To access EBSCOHost, visit www.scls.info/resources/index.html.
Watch for changes in SCLS online resources pages
On May 30, the SCLS Online Resources By Name (www.scls.info/resources/index.html) and By Subject (www.scls.info/resources/subject.html) pages will be "flipped" so the By Subject page will be the one you see when you go to www.scls.info/resources/index.html. The pages will link to each other as they do now.
We hope this will make it easier to find the right online resource for the topics people need the most. Feedback on both pages is welcome (by email)!
The Albany Public Library is accepting applications for the position of director. Successful candidates must be eligible for Grade III library certification, which requires 54 earned college credits (at least half in the liberal arts & sciences), and an additional four library-specific courses to be completed within the first five years of employment. More information on library certification may be found at http://dpi.wi.gov/pld/cert.html.
The position is for 20 to 25 hours per week with duties including children’s programming, collection selection, material cataloging, budgeting, staff supervision, and library use promotion.
The Albany Public Library recently started construction on a new building in downtown Albany. The library averages monthly circulation of 2,900 items, and the current staff includes four individuals plus the director.
Applications may be requested be contacting the Albany Public Library at (608) 862-3491 (albpl@tds.net), and should be submitted by July 15, 2006.
Horizon migration plan available online
The Horizon Migration Plan has been posted to the Automation web page under "Migration Information." Remember to use the April (not May) password to access the site at http://automation.scls.lib.wi.us/HorizonMigrationPlan0506.pdf.
You will notice that this is a bare bones plan, not an extensive task list or a time line. As we receive updated information we will be providing more details and a projected timeline. LINK Committees will be involved in system parameter decisions, functionality testing and prioritizing Horizon module implementation timing.
For more information, contact Lauren Blough at (608) 266-6306 (laurenb@scls.lib.wi.us).
Black Earth accepting applications for new director
The Black Earth Public Library is seeking a new director, who will:
- develop and implement youth programming;
- prepare and maintain the library budget;
- train and schedule library staff;
- select materials for library collection;
- communicate and work with library board and Friends organization; and
- develop long range plans and library policy.
Candidates must be eligible for Grade III Wisconsin Public Library Certification, requiring 54 semester credits, half of which shall be in the liberal arts and sciences from an accredited college, university, or technical college. A public library management course also is required within the first year of employment. Additional library courses and continuing education are required to maintain state certification. Salary based on education and experience.
If interested, send a letter of interest, a resume, and three professional references to Library Director Search Committee, Black Earth Library, P.O. Box 347, Black Earth, WI 53515 (berstaff@scls.lib.wi.us). Applications must be received by June 23, 2006.
Sign up now for WILS World 2006
Now is the time to sign up for the WiLSWorld 2006 Conference, to be held in Madison July 26 and 27. The conference will once again offer a variety of interesting and important topics, including the following keynote presentations.
- Stephen Abram, Vice President-Innovation for SirsiDynix, is a leading library futurist well known for his keen insights and observations.
- Lorcan Dempsey, Vice President and Chief Strategist of OCLC, is extremely knowledgeable about complex technology trends, and how technology "fits" in the library world.
In addition to the keynotes, there will be a smorgasbord of sessions led by state and regional experts that will appeal to both the technologically-minded and those looking for an executive overview of technology (as well as many who are somewhere in between). This year there will be sessions on podcasting, Wikis, RSS, Endeca (which underlies the online catalog at North Carolina State University), a Michigan digitization project, Web 2.0 and Ajax, adding library finder aids to Google, and BadgerCat.
For complete information, go to www.wils.wisc.edu/wworld/. Even if you're going to ALA, don't overlook WiLSWorld; it's the premier Midwestern library technology conference.
Remember that you may request a Continuing Education grant from SCLS to help pay for events like WILS World. You'll find grant applications and guidelines at www.scls.info/ce/grants/index.html.
UW-Madison SLIS to present special awards
In honor of the UW-Madison’s School of Library and Information Studies Centennial Celebration, the SLIS Alumni Association is awarding five special Centennial Celebration Alumni of the Year Awards, in addition to the annual Alumnus of the Year Award. The special awards will be presented during the school’s Centennial Celebration, to be held Sept. 29 through Oct. 1, 2006. The annual Alumnus of the Year award will be awarded during the spring 2006 commencement weekend.
Nominations are due by June 1, 2006. For more information about the centennial celebration, including a tentative schedule of events, visit www.slis.wisc.edu/about/centennial.html. A Microsoft Word version of the nomination form is available from the SCLS website.
June 8 teleconference will provide information about 2007 LSTA funds
A teleconference information session for those interested in applying for 2007 LSTA funds for literacy projects and projects for those with Sensory and Mobility Disabilities is scheduled June 8 from 10 to 11 a.m. Topics to be covered in the session include the grant program timetable, the application form, and suggestions for possible LSTA-funded projects. Public libraries, public library systems, and libraries in the Department of Corrections are eligible to apply for grants in these categories.
Additional information on the LSTA grant program, including the Information and Guidelines manual for 2007, is available on the LSTA website at http://dpi.wi.gov/pld/lsta.html. Applications for 2007 projects are due Sept. 13, 2006.
Those wishing to attend this information session can register by contacting Peg Branson by June 5 at (608) 266-2413 (peg.branson@dpi.state.wi.us). Registration is required to ensure that adequate materials will be available.
