Index
- Libraries asked to update online directory information by Dec. 22
- Open meeting Brain Snack slides available online
- SCLS will pay $100 toward WLA memberships for directors
- Reference blog now available for public library staff
- Member/Staff News
- MPL, MID again recognized in annual HAPLR rankings
- Social networking and DOPA
- Mazomanie seeks library assistant
- UW Memorial Library reaching out
- Columbus Public Library accepting applications
- EBSCO will have new interface for Searchasaurus in 2007
- LINK seeks cataloging & PAC support specialist
- Grants for books through collection development award
- ALA announces two new traveling exhibits for libraries
- Continuing Education Calendar
Libraries asked to update online directory information by Dec. 22
As we move toward the end of 2006, it’s time to begin working on the 2007 South Central Library System Directory of Public Libraries. This printed resource is made available to member libraries each year, but we need your help.
To facilitate this annual project, and to try and get the directory printed and distributed as soon as possible in 2007, we’re asking that you take some time before Friday, Dec. 22, 2006, to ensure that your library’s information is up to date.
Simply visit www.scls.info/pro/directory.html and select your library from the list, then review the information presented there. You’ll need to log in because this is a protected site. If you don’t remember your library’s log in, contact Mark Ibach at (608) 246-5612 (or by email). If anything is missing, or needs to be changed, you can update the information by using the online form at www.scls.info/directories/directoryform.html (there is also a link to the form at the top of the directory homepage).
Even if there are no changes to your information, we ask that you still submit the online form so we know that all libraries have reviewed their information. Simply enter your library’s name and put “no changes” in the address field.
Open meeting Brain Snack slides available online
The slides from the Nov. 10, 2006, Open Meeting Brain Snack are now available at www.scls.info/management/brainsnackmtgs/index.html, and should be helpful for all library directors. This is particularly good information to share with library board presidents and other board members.
Wisconsin's open meetings law places specific requirements on governmental bodies, including public libraries, regarding noticing and conducting meetings. Be sure your board meetings are in compliance with the law, avoiding potential significant penalties for its violation.
If you have questions about Wisconsin’s Open Meetings law it they relates to Public Libraries, contact Cheryl Becker, SCLS Public Library Consultant, at (608) 246-7970 (or by email).
SCLS will pay $100 toward WLA memberships for directors
It’s time again to think about WLA memberships and to remind directors that SCLS will pay up to $100 toward the WLA membership of directors of SCLS member libraries, or their designees.
To take advantage of this offer, simply complete your renewal form from WLA and send it to Cheryl Becker, SCLS Public Library Consultant, at 5250 East Terrace Drive, Suite A-2, Madison, WI 53718-8345. If your membership dues exceed $100, please include a check for the difference made out to SCLS.
If your WLA membership expires at some other time of year, just follow these same procedures whenever you receive your renewal form.
For those directors whose memberships expire at the end of 2006, send the completed renewal form (plus a check if necessary) to Cheryl Becker by Dec. 31, 2006. For more information, contact Cheryl at (608) 246-7973 (or by email).
Reference blog now available for public library staff
Jan Dibble (Oshkosh PL) and Rochelle Hartman (La Crosse PL) have started a reference blog called Wisconsin Reference Klatch for public library staff. The purpose is to share ideas, issues, successes, problems, concerns, anecdotes, conference or workshop notes, etc., and/or to discuss the "future of reference" in public libraries. The URL is www.wisconsinref.blogspot.com/.
Take a look at the blog, which is just getting started. Feel free to post comments, or if you have something provocative, interesting or new to say about the future of reference, become a contributor by sending your email address to Rochelle at [email protected] or Jan at [email protected].
Madison Public Library is acknowledged in the new book “Madison: The Illustrated Sesquicentennial History, Vol. 1, 1856-1931,” by Stuart D. Levitan. He spent a good deal of time pouring over microfiche at MPL while researching his book. See MPL’s What's New blog posting for more information.
Also at MPL, planning for a new Sequoya Branch Library is underway, since the Midvale Plaza development received all the necessary city approvals. For more information, visit www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/about/sequoyanew.html#pix.
MPL, MID again recognized in annual HAPLR rankings
Two South Central Library System member public libraries again rank in the top 10 of their respective population categories nationally in the 2006 Hennen’s American Public Library Ratings (HAPLR).
Madison Public Library was rated fifth nationally in 2005 among libraries serving communities from 250,000 to 500,000, and Middleton Public Library ranked 10th among libraries serving communities from 25,000-49,999. Both ranked in the top 100 libraries nationwide. The other Wisconsin library in the national rankings was Brown Deer Public Library, which was listed fourth among libraries serving communities from 10,000-24,999. Wisconsin ranked eighth nationally among states.
The 2006 HAPLR library ratings are based on data filed by libraries in 2004 for 2003 activities. The Federal-State Cooperative System compiles into a single data set the annual reports from state library agencies for nearly 9,000 libraries nationwide.
For more information about the annual ranking, which is compiled by Thomas J. Hennen Jr., director of the Waukesha County Federated Library System, visit www.haplr-index.com.
The Resource Shelf recently posted a PDF file called “Social Networking and DOPA,” which is a compilation of reasons posted by YALSA bloggers about "how social networking can be used by teens in positive ways.” To access the file, visit http://donwood.alablog.org/blog/_archives/2006/11/13/2497074.html.
The postings connected specific tools with youth development and learning, and included real ways that libraries and schools are integrating social networking technologies into their programs and services. The postings were a way to help librarians, their colleagues, and their communities understand that social networking isn't automatically bad.
More information also is available at the ALA's Interactive Web Applications Wiki at http://wikis.ala.org/iwa/.
Mazomanie seeks library assistant
The Mazomanie Free Library is accepting applications for the position of Library Assistant, a 20-hour/week permanent part-time position. The work includes some evenings and Saturday mornings, and the position is responsible for a wide variety of library services including daily circulation desk functions and assisting patrons. Computer knowledge and experience is essential.
For a complete job description, requirements or more information, contact Audrey Johnson at (608) 795-2104 ([email protected]). Applications will be accepted through Dec. 20, 2006.
UW Memorial Library reaching out
Access Services at UW’s Memorial Library has initiated a new pilot project that will allow area high school libraries access to our monographs. The purpose behind this initiative is to support the university’s strategic goal of promoting research and strengthening K-12 connections. The idea is to provide materials to high school students who might not otherwise have access.
School librarians will be able to submit requests through MadCat, and the items will be delivered to them using existing document delivery procedures available through the South Central Library System. The type of material that can be requested will be limited to monographs from Memorial and the CIMC library. The initial pilot will include only selected area high schools, but if the program is successful the service may be more widely extended to other high schools.
The CIMC library had been considering something similar, so they are a partner in the planning of this project. Anna Lewis, CIMC associate director, has had some preliminary discussions with area teachers and reports that they are delighted to hear that additional resources are now available to their students.
-- By Dineen Grow, Circulation Supervisor
Columbus Public Library accepting applications
Columbus Public Library is looking to fill two positions -- Library Assistant I & Children's Librarian. The library is looking for individuals with experience doing programming for and working with children/ and teens, storytelling ability, strong communication skills, and an ability to work independently. Experience with computers, specifically Microsoft programs and the Internet, is desired. Both are 28-hours per week with a varied schedule that includes nights and Saturdays.
Applications and job descriptions are available at the Columbus Public Library, 223 W. James Street, Columbus, WI 53925. The deadline for applications is December 4. For more information, contact Peggy Kindschi, director, at (920) 623-5910 ([email protected]).
EBSCO will have new interface for Searchasaurus in 2007
In early 2007, EBSCO will introduce a new interface for Searchasaurus, which is available through the BadgerLink site at www.badgerlink.net. Screen shots and details of the new interface are available online.
LINK seeks cataloging & PAC support specialist
LINK is seeking a librarian to provide cataloging and PAC (Public Access Catalog) software application support. Responsibilities include resolve cataloging and PAC problems, training LINK library staff in existing and new software functionality, maintaining local system parameters, testing and integration of software enhancements.
To apply, send a cover letter, resume and names of three references to Vicki Teal Lovely, Software Applications Supervisor, South Central Library System, 201 W. Mifflin St., Madison, WI, 53703. Applications must be received by Friday, Dec. 8 at 5 p.m. A complete job description is available upon request by calling (608) 261-9109 ([email protected]).
Grants for books through collection development award
For the fourth consecutive year, online bookseller Alibris is accepting applications from libraries for the Alibris Collection Award, which is designed to help libraries expand their collections in specific subject areas of interest to their respective communities. The application deadline is Dec. 1, 2006.
The Alibris Collection Award is a grant of up to $3,000 worth of books to an academic, public, special, K-12, or international library supporting specific collection development projects that advance the mission, priority areas, and goals of the selected library. The purpose of the award is simply to help provide books for otherwise under-funded libraries with replacement projects, retrospective collection development projects, or routine collection-building needs. Each applying library provides an online Donate-A-Book wish list of the desired titles along with the required statements of interest concerning the desired collection and needs of the applying library. All such approved Donate-A-Book applications will remain on the Alibris website until and after the award is granted, and are therefore eligible for specific book contributions from library patrons, constituents, and the general book-buying public. Complete award details are available at the Alibris for Libraries website.
—reprinted from Channel Weekly, Vol. 9 No. 9, Nov. 9, 2006
ALA announces two new traveling exhibits for libraries
The American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office recently announced that applications are now available for two new traveling exhibits for public, academic and special libraries. Applications for both "Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World" and "Lewis and Clark and the Indian Country" are available online at www.ala.org/publicprograms, and are due by Feb. 9, 2007. The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has provided major funding for both exhibits.
The "Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World" exhibit is based on an exhibition of the same title that was on display at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia until April 30, 2006. "Lewis and Clark and the Indian Country" is based on an exhibition of the same title that was on display at the Newberry Library from Sept. 28, 2005 through Jan. 14, 2006. Support for the exhibition at the Newberry Library was provided by the NEH, the Sara Lee Foundation, the National Park Service, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Libraries selected for the "Benjamin Franklin" and/or "Lewis and Clark" tours will host the 1,000-square-foot exhibit for a six-week period. Participating libraries are expected to present at least two free public programs featuring a lecture or discussion by a qualified scholar on exhibition themes. All showings of the exhibition will be free and open to the public.
For exhibition details, selection criteria, guidelines and an application, visit www.ala.org/publicprograms. If you require a copy of either application by mail, please send an email request to [email protected].