- ‘Libraries for Real Life’ drawing to be launched during National Library Week
- TechBits celebrates birthday with reader survey
- Member/Staff News
- Libraries should ignore requests for broadband letters of support
- 2010 Census needs space donations for survey collection
- WAPL Conference is April 28-30 in Sheboygan
- LearningExpress now offers password retrieval
- Barton College Library plays off “Brady Bunch” theme song for library video
- Continuing Education Calendar
‘Libraries for Real Life’ drawing to be launched during National Library Week In an effort to increase the awareness of the “Libraries for Real Life” website, and to encourage more story submissions from library users across the South Central Library System, the Work Group behind the project will launch a prize drawing during National Library Week (April 11-17, 2010).
After the formal announcement that week, anyone who submits a story is automatically entered in a drawing for the following prizes: $100 grand prize, $50 first prize, four $25 prizes, and 10 gift bags filled with books and other items.
To help libraries promote this drawing, and the “Libraries for Real Life” website, we’ll create and distribute some new promotional posters and postcards that will be sent out closer to National Library Week. Library directors will soon receive a packet with a press release, a sheet with ideas about how to use the stories submitted by your patrons, and several samples of existing materials (all available at no cost).
The Work Group also is developing a campaign to promote the stories, which can be a powerful advocacy tool. However, we first need to expand awareness of the site and get more libraries involved.
To that end, the Work Group is asking that all libraries request and distribute the promotional materials, use the National Library Week press release, and put one of the buttons on their library website to direct people to the “Libraries for Real Life” website.
If you have questions about this advocacy project, contact Mark Ibach.
TechBits celebrates birthday with reader survey TechBits, the SCLS Technology Blog written by SCLS staff members, observed its first birthday recently, and celebrated by conducting a reader survey to help ensure the blog continues to meet reader needs. You can read the survey results in the TechBits blog.
TechBits features short articles about technology, covering technology both at SCLS and out in the world. Our goal is to help you stay informed about technology and discover ways it can benefit your library and the people you serve.
You can subscribe by email or by RSS feed reader to automatically receive updates when they are posted. Posts are also archived and searchable, so it is easy to go back and look up information if you need it.
Member/Staff News
The February 2010 LINK Library Statistics Summary is posted on Automation's website.
Marc Gartler has accepted the Branch Supervising Librarian 3 position for Madison Public Library’s Hawthorne and Lakeview branches, effective May 10, 2010. MPL also welcomes Henry Wideman, Elise Fiers and Casey Thayer (Central Library, Page 2), Michael McGrath (South Madison Branch, Page 2), and Michelle Kelley (Pinney Branch, Page 2). Jean Cudnohfsky, a Librarian at the Pinney Branch, will retire in March.
McMillan Memorial Library in Wisconsin Rapids seeks a new Youth Services Librarian to provide a broad range of public services. Under the direction of the Head of Youth Services, this person will serve children and young adults by providing reference and readers’ advisory assistance, developing collections and services, presenting special programs, and participating in community-wide efforts in support of young people. Qualifications include an ALA-accredited MLS, with experience in programming and young adult services preferred. The application deadline is April 7, 2010. Send a letter of application with resume (and three references) to Ronald B. McCabe, Director, McMillan Memorial Library, 490 E. Grand Ave., Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494.
Leonard "Len" Swift, 82, of Stevens Point, died Feb. 25, 2010, in Wausau. He served as director of Portage County Public Library for 17 years.
Emily Koelbl is back on the road again as a full time driver for SCLS Delivery. Emily previously worked for SCLS Delivery from 1998 to 2003. She is replacing Toby Heidke, who is finishing his studies to become a school teacher.
Libraries should ignore requests for broadband letters of support
The Division for Libraries, Technology and Community Learning (DLTCL) announced last week that some Wisconsin libraries have received letters from broadband installers requesting letters of support.
According to the DLTCL, such letters are not part of the grant process and libraries should not respond. Non response will in no way effect a library’s participation in the federal grant to improve the state’s broadband infrastructure.
2010 Census needs space donations for survey collection
As part of the 2010 U.S. Census, the Census Bureau is asking public libraries to serve either as a “Be Counted” (BC) site or a “Questionnaire Assistance Center” (QAC).
A BC site is a location where people who feel they have not been counted can go to pickup a blank Be Counted questionnaire to be completed and mailed. Questionnaires will be available in six languages at these sites (English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian, Chinese Simplified, and Korean). The Space requirements for a BC site include space for a box 9.5”x8”x19”and space for a poster. A QAC is a location where people who are having difficulty filling out their questionnaire can go to receive assistance. At these locations, sworn census workers will be available during the designated hours to answer general questions about the census, provide language assistance, and help people complete questionnaires.
Libraries may donate BC space only (no agreement needed) or BC and QAC space from March 19 through April 19. QAC space would be provided for up to 15 hours a week, and requires completion of the Donation of Space Agreement. If you are interested in supporting the 2010 Census, contact Ruth Myers, National Partnership Specialist -- Chicago Region, U.S. Census Bureau, 500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1600, Chicago, IL 60661-4555; (312) 454-5606, Mobile (847) 275-1946, or FAX (312) 454-2759.
More information about the 2010 U.S. Census is available on the Census website.
WAPL Conference is April 28-30 in Sheboygan
The 2010 WAPL Conference, scheduled April 28-30 at the Blue Harbor Resort in Sheboygan, has been organized around the theme “Anchoring the Past, Setting Sail for the Future.” The program is filled with fun and informative sessions related to all sorts of public library functions.
The keynote speaker is Keith Michael Fiels, executive director of the American Library Association, who will share information on national developments affecting libraries of all types, including the current financial crisis and its impact on library funding, and prospects for recovery. He’ll also discuss federal legislative opportunities and challenges for libraries, technological trends that are impacting the way libraries do business, the Google Book settlement and the rapid growth in e-books and hand held devices. Hear about the latest surveys and trend data, and what they tell us about the current state and future prospects for our libraries and librarians.
Other featured speakers include Joel McNally, a Milwaukee-area journalist, and John Gurda, a well-known Wisconsin historian. You’ll also get to hear from library workers from across Wisconsin who will share their success stories so you can improve your library's service!
You can register online at the conference website, or you can download a print registration form. SCLS continuing education grants are available (up to $300 per request) to help defray the cost of WAPL Conference attendance. For more information, visit the CE Grants page on the SCLS website.
LearningExpress now offers password retrieval
Effective March 3, 2010, patrons who use LearningExpress Library or Job & Career Accelerator can retrieve forgotten usernames and passwords by clicking on the "Forget your password?" link on the LearningExpress Library and Job & Career Accelerator login page and entering their email address. Users will receive, via e-mail, their username and a temporary login password. Once users log in, they can always change their password in the "My Center" section of LearningExpress Library.
All existing users will be prompted to enter a valid e-mail address upon login in order to use this functionality. Existing users who have not entered a valid e-mail address into their user profile can still retrieve forgotten information by clicking on the Customer Support link on the new automated retrieval page or by calling (800) 295-9556, ext. 2, during regular business hours.
It is important to note that all new users who register for an account on LearningExpress Library or Job & Career Accelerator will be required to include a valid e-mail address to complete the registration process.
LearningExpress says it will never use or share an e-mail address for any reason other than username and password requests.
If you have any questions, please call Customer Support at (800) 295-9556, ext. 2, or send an email to [email protected].
Barton College Library plays off “Brady Bunch” theme song for library video
Libraries are always looking for unique ways to make people aware of their services and resources, and the Hackney Library at Barton College (Wilson, NC) has created a video that plays off the musical theme of the ‘70s television show The Brady Bunch. Called the “Hackney Bunch,” the video introduces the staff of the library.
You can visit the library online at http://library.barton.edu.