Index
- LINKcat session timeout changed for pilot test
- Member/Staff News
- LSTA meeting and public hearing scheduled
- List of libraries eligible for Gates Grant finalized
- DWD launches new website for job seekers
- New Gates Foundation grants seek innovative approaches to using community libraries
- Reading is good for you
- Apply for free materials to bring great American art to your library
- Apply now for the big read
- Continuing Education Calendar
LINKcat session timeout changed for pilot test
The session timeout on LINKcat will be changing from five minutes to 15 minutes on Nov. 11, 2008, as part of a six-month pilot project. Under current LINKcat settings, after five minutes of inactivity LINKcat automatically resets, meaning that searches are lost and patrons are logged out of their accounts.
This change is being made in response to patron complaints about the short session timeout, specifically from patrons who are using LINKcat from home. However, having a session timeout is important for patrons who are using public workstations. If a patron logs into his/her LINKcat account on a public computer, and then walks away without logging out, other people could access the patron's LINKcat account. Increasing the session timeout from five to 15 minutes could increase the likelihood of this happening, so it's important to remind patrons using public workstations that they should always log out after they are finished using LINKcat. The session timeout is a global setting, so it cannot be increased for patrons using LINKcat at home while keeping it shorter for patrons who are using LINKcat in a library.
A six-month pilot is being used to determine whether it negatively impacts the LINKcat server and also to give library staff a chance to give feedback on the change. If you receive feedback from patrons, please pass it along to Amy Gannaway at (608) 261-9109. Feedback will be shared with LINK's User Education and PR committee, which will decide whether the change should be permanent.
Katharine Clark, Madison Public Library, was quoted in the Capital Times article covering Judy Blume's Charlotte Zolotow Lecture. The article can be found at http://77square.com/arts/books/fest/story_309831.
The Friends of the Marshall Community Library's annual Friends Week Recognition dinner was a bit more interesting this year. Library Director Diana Skalitzky recently attended the ARSL (Association for Rural and Small Libraries) conference in Sacramento, CA, and came home with an idea borrowed from there -- a Technology Petting Zoo. SCLS had the technology available and Jean Anderson helped set it up. Library patrons, staff, and board members were able to "pet" the latest gadgets; cameras, kindle (ebook), mini laptop, etc. Diana also borrowed a Guitar hero system from a patron, and that was a hit. The Friends sponsored the event and Diana used it to show patrons and board members that libraries can help patrons understand, use and benefit from the newest technologies.
Oct. 16 & 17 after school story and craft time programs at the Rosholt and Almond branches of the Portage County Public Library drew crowds of children ranging in age from 3 to 14 years of age (see photo). They enjoyed Halloween-themed stories, made bat crafts, and had refreshments of goldfish crackers and witches brew lemonade.
LSTA meeting and public hearing scheduled
Wisconsin's Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Advisory Committee will meet in Madison Nov. 11 and 12, 2008, at the Crowne Plaza, 4402 E. Washington Avenue, Madison, to discuss grant proposals and make award recommendations for LSTA projects to take place in 2010.
As a part of the meeting there will be a public hearing beginning at 10 a.m. on Nov. 11 for individuals to make suggestions on the LSTA program for 2010. Final guidelines for the 2010 LSTA program will be developed in April 2009.
If you are unable to attend the public hearing, written comments may be submitted by letter, fax, or e-mail to Terrie Howe, P.O. Box 7841, Madison, WI 53707-7841; FAX (608) 266-2529. Testimony must arrive by 4 p.m. on Nov. 10 for inclusion in the hearing.
List of libraries eligible for Gates Grant finalized
The list of libraries eligible for the Gates Foundation's Online Opportunity personal computer (PC) grant program (as well as a Frequently Asked Questions document) are available at http://dpi.wi.gov/pld/gatespcgrant.html.
If you have any questions, review the FAQ or contact Bob Bocher, DLTCL technology consultant, at (608) 266-2127.
DWD launches new website for job seekers
Wisconsinâs Department of Workforce Development (DWD) has launched a new Website -- http://JobCenterOfWisconsin.com -- that is available at no-cost to both employers and job seekers. Available 24-hours a day, users can search for jobs by keywords and can further narrow searches to a particular geographic area.
Job seekers can establish a free account that will allow them to create or upload a resume. The DLTCL encourages libraries to add a link to the Job Center of Wisconsin to their website.
New Gates Foundation grants seek innovative approaches to using community libraries
An initial study of International City/County Management Association (ICMA) members found some communities using their public libraries for compelling new projects, like providing services for teen and immigrant residents and supporting recycling and public safety. Over the next two years, with the help of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, ICMA intends to multiply those novel practices and demonstrate the value of public libraries in supporting sustainable communities.
In November 2008, local governments will be able to apply for an ICMA Public Library Innovation Grant. The grants will be 18 months in length, and will focus on using the public library to address community priorities and issues. ICMA will provide $500,000 in Public Library Innovation Grants to cities, towns, and counties, and individual grants will range from $25,000 to $75,000.
Applications for the Public Library Innovations Grants will be available in November, and grants will be awarded in February 2009
For more information about ICMAâs Local Government and Public Libraries Initiative, visit www.icma.org/public_libraries.
A six-month study by Duke University researchers found that girls who read experienced a significant decrease in their BMI scores (-.71%) when compared to a control group of girls who hadn't (+.05%). The research was conducted by Alexandra C. Russell, MD, a fourth-year medical student at Duke who presented the findings at the Obesity Society's annual scientific meeting.
You can read more at http://healthorbit.ca/NewsDetailfwd.asp?opt=1&nltid=158300908.
Apply for free materials to bring great American art to your library
Picturing America, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities, brings masterpieces of American art into libraries nationwide to help foster a deeper appreciation of our countryâs history and character through the study and understanding of its art.
Applications are being accepted through Nov. 14, 2008, with delivery scheduled for spring 2009. Application information and testimonials can be found on the Picturing America website at http://PicturingAmerica.neh.gov. Previous recipients of the Picturing America collection are not eligible for a second award.
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), recently announced the fifth deadline for The Big Read, the purpose of which is to revitalize the role of literature in American popular culture. Grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 are available to encourage local communities to inspire reading by developing and carrying out programming revolving around a single work of literature. Programming must be conducted between September 2009 and June 2010. The application deadline is Feb. 3, 2009, and this will be the only application deadline in 2009.
Big Read grants require the participation of a library as a lead applicant or a partner. IMLS strongly encourages museums of all types to apply as lead applicants or as partner organizations. Communities nationwide have strengthened their Big Read projects by enlisting the support of art, science, history, and childrenâs museums, as well as aquaria, arboreta, botanical gardens, nature centers, and zoos.
The Request for Proposals can be downloaded at www.NEABigRead.org. Questions should be directed to Arts Midwest at (612) 238-8010.