Index
- Libraries encouraged to apply for ‘We the People’ Bookshelf grants
- Member/Staff News
- October & November Continuing Education Opportunities
- 2007 MATS ‘Webbies Award’ winners announced
- 2008 WAAL conference scheduled April 16-18 in Manitowoc
- Deadline approaches for ‘Best Small Library in America’
- Travel Grant Opportunities available for ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim
- OCLC invites librarians to try out ‘WorldCat Identitiies’
- Continuing Education Calendar
Libraries encouraged to apply for ‘We the People’ Bookshelf grants
The American Library Association (ALA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) invite libraries to apply for the fifth annual We the People Bookshelf grant.
This year ALA is offering 2,000 sets of classic books for children on the theme “Created Equal.” To apply, complete the online application by describing how your library will create a theme-related program that highlights the Bookshelf titles. Applications are due by Jan. 25, 2008.
Successful applicants will receive a set of classic hardcover books for young readers, all related to the “Created Equal” theme. The set includes 17 books in English, four in Spanish translation, and a bonus set of History in a Box resource materials on Abraham Lincoln created by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Libraries also will receive supplementary materials for programming, including bookplates, bookmarks, and posters. A total of 3,000 libraries will be selected to receive the “Created Equal” Bookshelf. Awards will be announced on March 31, 2008.
Guidelines and the application are available online through Jan. 25, 2008. For programming ideas and tips, access to the guidelines and application, book titles, and other details, visit www.ala.org/wethepeople. For more information, contact [email protected].
Oversight and management of the SCLS professional collection has changed hands, so if you have questions about the collection you should now contact Jean Anderson, SCLS Continuing Education Coordinator.
Barbara Werth is the new director of the Lettie W. Jensen Library in Amherst. She began her new duties on Monday, Oct. 1.
The October issue of WSLL @ Your Service has been published at http://wsll.state.wi.us/newsletter/0710.html.
October & November Continuing Education Opportunities
Here are some brief descriptions of September CE programs being sponsored by SCLS.
- Working with Families Under Stress -- Friday, October 26, from 9:30 to11:30 a.m. at SCLS Administration Offices, 5250 E. Terrace Drive, Suite A-2, Madison, with presenter Joan Laurion, Dane County UW Extension -- What do you do when it seems like families are using the library like a daycare? Or when problem behavior isn’t just with the kids but with their parents as well? Just because you have patrons who are living under stress doesn’t mean that you have to be, too. Joan Laurion from Dane County UW Extension will explore how to handle those hard-to-handle situations.
- Finding the Trends that Matter: Getting your Environmental Scan On -- Friday, October 26, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. delivered to your desktop from the College of DuPage -- The first Soaring to Excellence program of the 2007-08 season starts with a look primarily at high-level trends in business and economy, and how these trends can impact on our local library—even if it seems they are quite remote from our routine practices.
- Library Online Refresher -- Thursday, November 1, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at SCLS Administration Offices, 5250 E. Terrace Dr., Suite A-2, Madison, with presenter Nichole Fromm, SCLS Technology Project Support Specialist -- This workshop is intended for staff at libraries that use Library Online for time management at their public access computers. New staff, or those who would like to sharpen their skills, are encouraged to attend. Topics to be covered include troubleshooting and making exceptions for extended time use. Bring your questions for Q&A time, too.
- Fundraising for Libraries -- Wednesday, November 7, from 8:30 a.m.-Noon at SCLS Administration Offices, 5250 E. Terrace Dr., Suite A-2, Madison, with presenter Peter Pearson, Library Strategies -- Many libraries are turning to fundraising projects and foundations to supplement existing public support. After a brief introduction to the SCLS Foundation, Peter Pearson of Library Strategies will address topics like fundraising trends, what works, what doesn’t, advice on fundraising, and things to remember. You’ll also learn how to cultivate relationships, you’ll hear about the “care and feeding” of donors, and you’ll learn about the importance of teamwork between the library and Friends groups. Finally, Peter will give you information to answer the common question of “Why fundraise?” so you can explain things to community residents, and he’ll explain how to best use your website to fundraise.
- Brain Snack: Introduction to Genealogy -- Friday, November 9, from Noon-1:30 p.m. in the SCLS OPAL Room, with presenter Nathan Rybarczyk, Baraboo Public Library -- This session is for those who have little knowledge of genealogy, but want to know the basics to help patrons when general questions arise. Nathan Rybarczyk, Baraboo Public Library, will introduce elementary genealogy research and family narratives. The use of various forms and records will be discussed, and Nathan will explain some helpful print and online resources to aid in research and information compilation.
- Summer Library Program Workshop -- Friday, November 16, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Olbrich Gardens, Madison
- 9-11:30—Catch the Reading Bug with Rob Reid!—A perennial favorite, Rob Reid is back to introduce new ways of looking at bugs and insects in this year’s SLP workshop! Rob will discuss a variety of programming ideas for next summer’s program, and is sure to include humor, music and wit in his presentation. Rob is a lecturer for the Foundations of Education Department at UW-Eau Claire, and many of us remember him from his years at Indianhead Federated Library System and Eau Claire Public Library. He is the author of four ALA Editions books: “Cool Story Programs for the School Age Crowd,” “Something Funny Happened at the Library,” “Family Storytime” and “Children’s Jukebox,” as well as articles for “LibrarySparks, The Shy Librarian” and “School Library Journal.” Rob’s presentation is sure to leave us buzzing with ideas for next summer’s program!
- 11:30-12:30—Lunch ($10, payable that day)
- 12:30-2:45—Tabletalk presentations—Join us for South Central Library System’s first-ever SLP tabletalk presentations! Six individuals will present 20-minute sessions about a program, craft or activity that is ideal for Catching Reading Bugs. Every 20 minutes a bell will ring and participants will move from one presenter’s table to the next—by the end of the afternoon you will leave with six new program outlines to take back to your library for next summer! You’ll be well on your way to having your summer program schedule planned!
- 2:45-3—Wrap up discussions—Did something we discussed spark ideas? Do you want to talk a little more with your colleagues? You can use the final 15 minutes to wrap up your day and make important schemes!
To register for any of these programs, visit the CE Calendar.
2007 MATS ‘Webbies Award’ winners announced
The Media and Technology Section (MATS) of WLA is pleased to announce the winners of the 2007 Webbies Awards for excellence in Wisconsin website design. The winners are:
- “Best Reference Site” -- InfoSoup (Webmaster: Beth Carpenter)
- “Best Site for Kids” -- Menasha Public Library (Webmaster: Jody Cleveland)
- “Coolest Design” -- Northern Waters Library Service (Webmaster: Marsha Sorensen)
- "Most Accessible Site" -- L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library "Fun and Games" Page (Webmaster: Jeff Burns)
- "Best of the Best" -- Menasha Public Library (Webmaster: Jody Cleveland)
The winners also can be viewed at www.wla.lib.wi.us/mats/webbies/. Join the recipients at the WLA conference to celebrate!
2008 WAAL conference scheduled April 16-18 in Manitowoc
Mark your calendars now for the Wisconsin Association of Academic Librarians annual conference, which will be held April 16-18, 2008, at the Holiday Inn in Manitowoc, WI.
More information about the conference will be available online soon at www.wla.lib.wi.us/waal/conf.html.
Deadline approaches for ‘Best Small Library in America’
There are many great small libraries across the country—and right here in the seven-county South Central Library System area—and nominations are due Nov. 5, 2007, for Library Journal’s “Best Small Library in America Award.
Sponsored jointly by Library Journal and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the award was founded to encourage and showcase the exemplary work of these libraries. Now in its fourth year, the award honors the public library that most profoundly demonstrates outstanding service to populations of 25,000 or less.
The winning library will receive a $15,000 cash award, a feature story in the Feb. 1, 2008, issue of Library Journal, membership and conference costs for two library representatives to attend the Public Library Association Biannual Conference in 2008, and a gala reception at the conference.
For detailed nomination guidelines, as well as submission requirements, visit www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA606273.html.
Travel Grant Opportunities available for ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim
It’s not too early to start thinking about next year’s annual American Library Association (ALA) Conference, especially if you’re interested in obtaining some form of travel assistance.
Thousands of dollars in travel awards are available to ALA members (and interested professionals) through the generosity of vendors and other benefactors. For the most part, the deadline for applying for these travel grants is Dec. 1, 2007. While it seems early, acting now can mean a free ticket, registration and even a per-diem. Check out the requirements for these grants… and apply! Or, if you are a supervisor and you know your travel funds won’t go as far as you’d like, nominate someone! (All URLs were checked prior to posting.)
For a list of travel grant/award opportunities for the ALA Annual Conference in Anaheim June 26-July 2, 2008, visit the ALA website.
OCLC invites librarians to try out ‘WorldCat Identitiies’
WorldCat Identities is a new OCLC project that is worth checking out. To give it a try, go to www.oclc.org/research/researchworks/ and click on “WorldCat Identities.” It will take you to a tag cloud of the 100 most widely represented identities in WorldCat.
When you click on “Twain,” for example, you'll see an overview of his works and a publication timeline at the top of the page. Scroll down or use the menu at the top of the page and you'll see all kinds of works about Mark Twain and by Mark Twain, associated subjects and more. On the right side of the page you'll see alternative names, languages and cover art. You can even search for an author by typing his or her name in the box at the top of the page.