Index
- Technology planning committee survey results available online
- Delivery Advisory Committee to discuss delivery frequency
- Member/Staff News
- New SCLS Mugs available
- List of Wisconsin libraries eligible for Gates Grant to be released next week
- Poynette Public Library seeks new director
- Harris Poll adds to data about the value of libraries
- Blogs encourage librarians to observe ‘work like a patron day’
- Order 2008 Wisconsin tax forms now
- Continuing Education Calendar
Technology planning committee survey results available online
The Technology Planning Committee met Sept. 30 to begin discussing the results of the work it completed this summer. Information about the group’s progress can be found on the SCLS Technology Planning Blog at http://scls.typepad.com/techplan/.
The most current post on the blog shares information related to comments found in the surveys and focus group results. There were some comments for which we’d like to offer help, but since the results are anonymous, our only hope of helping is by publicly responding to the comments.
One of the comments from the survey said: "I don't know how much longer my library can afford some of the things that may be considered 'bells and whistles,' such as databases (My Board questions how often they are used by our patrons)."
If your board is wondering about database usage, we can help! We can get you some statistics about how often your patrons use the databases. It isn't a perfect number (there are some quirks), but it's a ballpark figure to share with your board. If you're interested, contact Kerri Hilbelink, electronic resources support specialist, at (608) 246-7971
And if you aren't all that happy with the number you see, we can help! We can help with publicity, with making them more accessible on your website, with teaching your staff about them, and more! If you'd like more help in any of these areas, see our Topical Directory for contact information by subject.
The Blog’s Aug. 29 post provides links to the survey and focus group results.
You can more easily use the blog by subscribing to the feed. If you don’t know how to do this, or if you encounter problems, contact Rose Ziech, web services specialist, at (608) 246-4521.
Delivery Advisory Committee to discuss delivery frequency
The PLAC Delivery Advisory Committee will meet at SCLS Administration on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All members of the SCLS community interested in delivery are welcome to attend.
The agenda for the meeting is a discussion of frequency of service to SCLS libraries, managing and allocating costs, delivery volume growth, and communication between delivery and libraries. There also will be the opportunity to discuss any other thoughts attendees want to bring to the table in regards to the future direction of delivery and how service is currently provided and funded.
If you need more information, contact Bruce Smith, delivery coordinator, at (608) 266-4695.
This is a reminder that you can view the LINK Update blog at http://scls.typepad.com/link/. If you don't remember the username and password to access this page, it can be found at http://automation.scls.lib.wi.us/announce.html.
The September 2008 LINK Library Statistics Summary is posted at http://automation.scls.lib.wi.us/reports/circulation/circindex.html. An Excel version of the report also is now available.
The October issue of WSLL @ Your Service has been published at http://wsll.state.wi.us/newsletter/0810.html.
SCLS travel mugs were free to all who attended the SCLS Annual Meeting in May, but Mugs also may be purchased at SCLS programs or meetings held at the Administrative offices. The cost is $1, and you are limited to one mug.
If you’re interested in purchasing additional mugs for personal use, they are available for $3 each and will be sent to you via delivery. To place an order, send an email to Jean Anderson. If paying by check, make payable to SCLS and send to Jean Anderson, 5250 E. Terrace Drive, Suite A-2, Madison, WI 53718-8345.
Our goal in providing these mugs is to encourage their use in place of disposable cups at SCLS meetings and programs. When you bring your mug to an SCLS meeting or program, your name will be entered to win a prize. Drawings will be held monthly at SCLS Administration. Winners will be notified via email and prizes will be sent via delivery. Winners so far are Sue Martin, SCLS Board, and Jennifer Endres, director of the Prairie du Sac Public Library.
List of Wisconsin libraries eligible for Gates Grant to be released next week
The September 25 issue of Channel Weekly (http://dpi.wi.gov/channel/chwk1103.html) had an article on Wisconsin being part of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's "Opportunity Online" hardware grant program. Next week the Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning (DLTCL) will post a list of the public libraries eligible to apply for PCs through this grant program.
The list, along with other information on the program, will be available at http://dpi.wi.gov/pld/gatespcgrant.html. If you have any questions, review the Sept. 25 Channel Weekly article or contact Bob Bocher, DLTCL Technology Consultant, at (608) 266-2127.
--From Channel Weekly (Volume 11, Number 5 – Oct. 9, 2008)
Poynette Public Library seeks new director
The Poynette Public Library seeks a new director responsible for selection and cataloging of resources, and operation of the library. Qualified candidates will possess a minimum of a bachelor's degree and have knowledge of operation and administration of a public library. Candidates must be eligible for Wisconsin Public Librarian Certification. Preference will be given to candidates with a Master's Degree.
To apply, send a letter, resume, and at least three letters of reference to: Library Board, 118 N. Main Street, Poynette, WI 53955. The application deadline is Oct. 26, 2008.
Harris Poll adds to data about the value of libraries
You already know how important your library is to your community, but a new Harris Poll confirms that two-third of Americans (68%) own a library card. The poll also shows strong support for local libraries as an important community resource.
The poll of 2,710 U.S. adults, which was conducted between Aug. 11 and 17, reports that:
- Certain groups are more likely to have a library card than others -- Echo Boomers (those between 18-31) are more likely to have one over other age categories (70% versus 68-65%); women over men (73% versus 62%); Hispanics over African Americans and Whites (72% versus 67% and 66%); Midwesterners (72%) and Westerners (71%) over Easterners (65%) and Southerners (63%);
- Politically there is also a difference as Democrats are more likely to have a library card over Republicans and Independents (71% versus 67% and 61%); and,
- Three quarters (76%) of those with a library card visited their libraries last year, while two in five (41%) visited their library online.
Whether they use the library or not, all Americans have a point of view about their local library:
- Almost all Americans (92%) say they view their local library as an important education resource. Seven in ten agreed their local library is a pillar of the community (72%), a community center (71%), a family destination (70%), and a cultural center (69%);
- Overall, people are satisfied with their public library. Based on everything they either know or might have heard or read, three in five Americans (59%) are extremely or very satisfied with their public library and an additional one in five (22%) are somewhat satisfied; and,
- Among those that have a library card, the satisfaction is even higher -- over two-thirds (68%) say they are extremely or very satisfied and an additional one in five (22%) are somewhat satisfied with their public library. Even those who do not have a library card express satisfaction with their libraries as two in five (40%) are extremely or very satisfied while 21 percent are somewhat satisfied.
You can read more about this non-commissioned poll at www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=949.
Blogs encourage librarians to observe ‘work like a patron day’
There is an old saying that you can’t truly understand someone until you walk a mile in her or her shoes. That is the basis behind a proposal on the Swiss Army Librarian blog and the Walking Paper blog for a “Work Like A Patron Day” on Oct. 15, 2008.
The original list of recommended activities on the Walking Paper blog recommends that librarians:
- enter and leave the library through the public entrance (not the staff doors);
- use the public restrooms;
- use the public computers to do your work;
- reserve public meeting rooms for meetings; and
- follow all library policies (an amazing way to assess what works in your library and what's unusable).
To his list, the Swiss Army Librarian added:
- sit in the chairs/use the furniture meant for the public;
- use only the patron interface for searching your catalog;
- pay your library fines (no waiving them the day before!); and
- use a database you’ve never used before.
If all of this seems like it would be a challenge, the Walking Paper blog says you really ought to think about why you’re continually challenging your patrons. If it seems easy, you just might have an easy-to-use library!
Order 2008 Wisconsin tax forms now
In order to ensure the timely delivery of tax forms, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) asks that public libraries place orders online by Oct. 15, 2008.
Nearly 70 percent of taxpayers now file their income tax returns electronically, while only about 10% use the tax forms printed by the Department of Revenue (DOR). With this in mind, libraries are urged to consider ordering fewer tax booklets and forms this year. While DOR does want to provide forms to taxpayers who need them, the agency said it also wants to reduce waste and printing costs.
New for 2008,a separate Rent Certificate Form is now available for Homestead filers. In meetings with librarians it was suggested that certain library patrons (e.g., renters who may have moved during the year) may need an additional rent certificate, and by offering a form separate from the Homestead booklet you may need fewer Homestead booklets.
- Package WI-X is no longer available, and all of the information it contained can be found on the DOR website at www.revenue.wi.gov.
To order forms, use the following steps to aid in determining the quantity of forms to order this year.
- Step 1 -- Review your 2007 order at www.revenue.wi.gov/ise/library/2007.pdf
- Step 2 -- Determine order quantity (with consideration of the following information):
- Reduce your order to account for tax forms left over last year.
- Keep in mind the percent of e-filed returns is increasing each year and fewer paper returns are filed using DOR forms (many taxpayers use software programs to prepare their return, but file a paper return with DOR).
- Remember to order a small supply of Schedule H (Rent Certificates). Hopefully fewer Homestead booklets should be needed this year.
- Step 3 -- Place your order at https://ww2.revenue.wi.gov/GenericFile/application?interview=1153166.
All 2008 form orders placed by Oct. 15 should be delivered by Jan. 15, 2009.
If you need assistance, contact Jeffrey W. Hanson at (608) 266-8474.
