Index
- Register now for April 17 SCLS Annual Meeting
- AMH, MPL & WID honored with ‘star’ ratings by Library Journal
- Member/Staff News
- SCLS and member library technology responsibilities
- ALA Conference Coach Tour available
- Broadband funding in federal stimulus act
- Joint Finance budget hearing schedule announced
- Americans turn to libraries for personal finance help in tough economic times
- Survey invites members to evaluate, shape ALA strategic plan
- Ten Libraries, Literacy and Gaming Grants announced
- Woman’s Day magazine seeks stories on using the library to save money
- Continuing Education Calendar
Register now for April 17 SCLS Annual Meeting
The SCLS Annual Meeting is scheduled held April 17, 2009, at Spring Brook Resort in Wisconsin Dells, and registration is now open at www.scls.info/about/annualmeeting/. You also can access the meeting agenda at this URL.
The theme for this year's meeting is "Customer Service: Putting the Pieces Together," and the featured speaker will be Donelle Hintermeister, a professional trainer with experience in manufacturing, health care, schools, retail, service, non-for-profits, and government. As part of her presentation, Donelle will lead audience participation activities on the theme.
During lunch the “Baraboo Bookers” book card drill team will perform on the patio (weather permitting).
The afternoon session will begin with a facilitated discussion of the Library Responsibilities document from the Technology Planning Committee. Since this document and planning process ties in with our theme of customer service, we would like to use this time to discuss and get buy-in for the work the committee has done.
The final activity of the afternoon session will be Library & System Staff joint presentations with small-group discussions (more information to be announced).
AMH, MPL & WID honored with ‘star’ ratings by Library Journal
The Lettie W. Jensen Public Library in Amherst, Madison Public Library, and Kilbourn Public Library in Wisconsin Dells are among 256 libraries (the only three in Wisconsin) that received “Star Ratings” in a new Library Journal (LJ) Index that rated 7,115 libraries nationwide.
The new LJ index rates libraries on four output measures that indicate public service-circulation per capita, visits per capita, program attendance per capita, and public Internet uses per capita-based on 2006 data collected by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and published in late 2008. The top libraries in each category, organized by ranges based on operating expenditures, were then assigned five, four, or three stars based on a statistical methodology using the scores of the four measures and how they related to the whole of the category.
The Lettie W. Jensen Public Library received four stars in the category for library expenditures of $10,000 to $49,000. Madison Public Library received three stars in the category for libraries with expenditures of $10 to $29.99 million (the second largest category, after very large urban libraries with budgets of $30 million and over), and Kilbourn Public Library received five stars in the $200,000 to $399,000 expenditure category.
Read more about this rating system on the LJ website.
Baraboo Public Library is one of 20 libraries selected nationwide to receive $450 Teen Tech Week mini grants. The award also includes $50 worth of Teen Tech Week products to offer inventive activities, resources, and services to celebrate Teen Tech Week, March 8-14.
Lisa Cihlar of Brodhead, former director of the Monroe Public Library, has been named a runner-up in the Wisconsin People & Ideas/Wisconsin Book Festival 2009 Poetry Contest for her entry “Asemic.” The winners were announced in Wisconsin People & Ideas, the quarterly magazine of the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters.
SCLS and member library technology responsibilities
The SCLS Technology Planning Committee spent the past year studying how technology is chosen, deployed and managed among our member libraries. We hosted focus groups and surveys, gathered the data, and researched how other libraries and organizations that rely on technology make decisions. For information about the Technology Planning Committee, see the Technology Planning Process blog.
In response to the feedback gathered by the committee, SCLS has made some changes, including a discussion of alternatives to current LINK governance.
The Technology Planning Committee also created some important "responsibilities" to assist in communication between SCLS technology staff and member libraries. Communication and expectations for technology staff were issues mentioned over and over in the focus groups and surveys. Two documents were created:
One document focuses on responsibilities of SCLS staff, and the other focuses on responsibilities of member libraries. The information in these documents is distilled from common themes the committee found in transcripts from focus groups and written comments in surveys. These two documents were presented to PLAC (Public Library Advisory Council) on Thursday, March 5, and will be discussed at the SCLS annual meeting on April 17.
We want to ensure that everyone gets a chance to contribute their thoughts! Our hope is that all of you will take the time to read these documents and respond on the TechBits blog or by email to Tana Elias.
Join fellow librarians and attend the American Library Association Annual Conference in Chicago, July 10-15, 2009. To make it more convenient, SCLS has contracted with Van Galder Bus for transportation to and from Chicago.
Our charter 56-passenger coach is equipped with a restroom, allowing us to drive directly to the McCormick Place from Madison. Please bring your own beverage and food needs for the morning trip. On the evening return trip, we will have the coach stop at a convenient fast food restaurant to allow you to purchase food. You will also want to plan for additional personal expenses while visiting the exhibits.
Registration is limited to SCLS public library members, including staff, trustees and Friends of the Library, and SCLS staff. If space permits, spouses, MALC member library staff, and members of other library systems are welcome. Priority will be given to SCLS member public library staff. The registration deadline is Monday, May 18, 2009.
There are several travel options available, so please visit www.scls.info/ce/alabus.html for more information, where you also can register for the bus. CE Grant funds may be used to cover the cost, and these grant applications must be submitted July 1, 2009.
Broadband funding in federal stimulus act
The federal stimulus act (officially the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - ARRA) includes $7.2 billion in broadband funding. Most of the funding will be in the form of competitive grants, but some will also be available as low interest loans. Here are some highlights of the broadband language.
- Funding can be used to provide access to broadband services (e.g., Internet access) to consumers in rural and other unserved areas.
- There is $200 million for competitive grants to expand “public computer center capacity.” Public libraries and community colleges are specifically referenced in the law as eligible for this funding.
- There is $250 million for competitive grants for innovative programs to encourage sustainable adoption of broadband services.
- Funding can be used by libraries, educational institutions and other organizations for education, training, access, equipment, and support to encourage greater use of broadband services in general and to targeted populations (e.g., low-income, unemployed, seniors).
It is expected that the federal agencies, which will be administering the funding, will likely have more information available in the next month or two. Meanwhile, the American Library Association has created a website on the stimulus act and its impact on libraries.
--from Channel Weekly (Vol. 11, No. 21 – Feb. 26, 2009)
Joint Finance budget hearing schedule announced
Joint Finance Co-Chairs Sen. Mark Miller and Rep. Mark Pocan this week announced the public hearing schedule for the State Biennial Budget. All of the hearings are scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Hearing dates and locations are:
- March 23: Sparta, American Legion Hall, 1116 Angelo Road.
- March 25: West Allis, State Fair Park, Banquet Rm 2, 640 s. 84th St.
- March 27: Eau Claire, UW-Eau Claire Haas Fine Arts Center, 121 Water St.
- March 30. Racine, Case High School theater. 7345 Washington Ave.
- April 1. Appleton, Lawrence University Stansbury Theater, 420 College Ave.
- April 3. Cambridge, Amundson Community Center, 200 Spring St.
More information about the state budget and pending legislative issues affecting libraries is available at the Wisconsin Library Association website.
Americans turn to libraries for personal finance help in tough economic times
The efforts libraries make to help patrons obtain accurate financial information were highlighted on CNN Money Feb. 28, and the web article “Hard economic times a boon for libraries” is available online.
Libraries report that they are providing accurate financial information to consumers all over the country. For example, “Smart Investing @ your library” has given away more than $1.7 million to help fund libraries’ efforts to provide library patrons with effective, unbiased financial education resources and empower library patrons to make smart financial decisions for both long-term investing and day-to-day money matters. FINRA Investor Education Foundation sponsors the initiative, which is administered by The Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), a division of the American Library Association.
New York Public Library is an example of a library holding such programs as “Mutual Funds for Beginners” and “Understanding the Foreclosure” and offering resume writing and real estate classes, career counseling sessions and lectures from guest speakers on how to create and implement business plans.
The ALA Public Information Office also has developed tools to help librarians publicize the surge in visits in their communities. Press releases, talking points and an FAQ can be found in the “Advocating in a Tough Economy Toolkit.”
Survey invites members to evaluate, shape ALA strategic plan
Members can strengthen and improve the programs and services the American Library Association (ALA) provides by participating in a member survey through March 15.
“The responses will remain confidential and help ALA evaluate its current strategic plan, guide the development of future plans and help ALA better meet the needs of all members,” said Jim Rettig, ALA President.
Every five years, ALA conducts a major evaluation of programs and services and plans for the future. “Members who participate in the survey can help ALA evaluate our progress in meeting the goals in our 2010 strategic plan and help shape our 2015 plan,” Rettig said.
To see the 2010 strategic plan, go to www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/missionhistory/plan/. A series of discussion forums will be held at state and regional meetings in spring and fall 2009 to solicit additional feedback.
Members can go to www.ala.org/2015survey/ and log in using their seven-digit ALA member number found on their membership card as well as the mailing label of “American Libraries.”
Ten Libraries, Literacy and Gaming Grants announced
The American Library Association (ALA) Office for Literacy and Outreach Services is seeking applications from public, school and academic libraries interested in developing and implementing innovative literacy gaming services for youth ages 10-18. This program is part of ALA ‘s Libraries, Literacy and Gaming initiative funded by Verizon.
Ten $5,000 grants will be awarded to libraries clearly demonstrating creativity, capacity, sustainability and a strong commitment to literacy-related gaming services. In addition, the winning libraries will receive ongoing support and technical assistance from a team of nationally recognized library gaming experts. Winners will be announced during National Library Week, April 12-18. The grant application is available online, and all applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm, Friday, March 20.
“There is no doubt that gaming and literacy go hand-in-hand. Board and video games come with text of all kinds including instructions, menus and much more. Learning the language and mechanics of any game, from chess to Little Big Planet, involves acquiring a new vocabulary and a new set of 21st century literacy skills,” said Dale Lipschultz, literacy officer, Office for Literacy and Outreach Services.
Gaming is one example of how libraries continue to change to meet the needs of their communities and users, offering innovative programs and services that educate, entertain and expand interaction with their patrons.
On Nov. 15, hundreds of libraries across the country celebrated the ALA ‘s first annual National Gaming Day @ your library. Libraries of all types joined in the celebration by registering for two national gaming activities: a national video game tournament and board game challenge.
For additional information about the grant, contact Dale Lipschultz, at (312) 280-3275.
Woman’s Day magazine seeks stories on using the library to save money
In its March issue, on stands now, Woman’s Day magazine announced a call for entries on a timely topic: using the library to help save money. Through May 18, women ages 18 and up are invited to send in stories in 700 words or less to [email protected]. Up to four stories will be profiled in the March 2010 issue.
Librarians can download free tools to help collect local stories from the Campaign for America’s Libraries website. Click on “Woman’s Day.” Tools include a sample press release, newsletter copy and a web button.
More information, including the official rules, is posted on the Woman’s Day website. This latest initiative continues an eight-year partnership between the magazine and ALA’s Campaign for America’s Libraries that has generated millions of dollars worth of editorial coverage for libraries. Since 2002, Woman’s Day has asked its readers to write in about “how the library has changed my life,” “Why I would want to be a librarian for a day,” and “How I started my business at the library.”
The March 2009 article features four readers who used the library to improve their health and wellness. Featured are a wife who turned to the library for solace during her husband’s illness, a new mom who sought answers about postpartum depression at the library, a retiree who learned how to find trusted medical resources at a free library class, and a reader who rediscovered books through the Library of Congress’ Talking Books program after she lost her sight.