- SCLS migration to Koha is postponed until the end of 2010
- Phyllis Davis retirement party scheduled June 4
- Member/Staff News
- TeenRead publicity materials available
- System Celebration award nominations due June 25
- Friends of Fitchburg Public Library recognized with ALTAFF’s Best Friends Award
- Fitchburg seeks library director
- NEH small grants for libraries
- Royalty free music for all Wisconsin schools from ECB, BadgerLink
- Project Compass summits help state libraries develop strategies for workforce assistance
- Create your own story @ your library named official theme
- Continuing Education Calendar
SCLS migration to Koha is postponed until the end of 2010
Work is progressing on the Koha ILS, but the “Go Live” date for the SCLS migration to Koha has been postponed until the end of 2010.
As many of you are aware, PTFS recently acquired LibLime, the vendor that is supporting our Koha ILS. Patrick Jones of LibLime/PTFS met with SCLS staff recently and provided an update on the status of the SCLS development project. The good news is that about 50 of our 110 active development features are in some stage of completed development. The not-so-good news is that the remainder of the features have had little or no work done on them. It is relatively certain that the core functionality determined by member libraries would not be completed in time for our projected “Go Live” date of Sept. 7, 2010.
Given the options of going live with less than our full slate of core development projects, or postponing the migration to the end of 2010, SCLS has decided, based on feedback received from member libraries both at a meeting with libraries and Jones on May 13 and throughout the migration process, that it is important to have the system functioning as we need it on the Go Live date.
There are other benefits to delaying the migration. The summer training program was proving problematic due to staff vacations and the Summer Library Program. Postponing to the end of year means that the cataloging and acquisitions cutoff will be at a time when this activity declines naturally. There will be one year-end process (on Dynix only) which means that libraries will have just one set of reports to work with for the state annual report. Acquisitions libraries will be able to begin on a new fiscal year, instead of in the middle of a year in progress. Migrating over one of the December holidays will mean that more libraries are closed for more days than if we migrated over the Labor Day holiday.
Given that the end of the year seems a more ideal time to migrate, you may wonder why we picked Labor Day to begin with. The reason was that we expected that we would need to be off our Dynix Classic system by the end of November 2010. However, when the 2010 budget was set, it was decided to extend the Dynix maintenance agreement to the end of February 2011. The end-of-the-year migration still gives us breathing room between the migration and the end of the Dynix maintenance agreement. We have not selected an actual migration date, but here is a rough timeline based on the postponement:
- May-July: Migration committees continue development testing, data migration testing and setup
- August: Staff Koha “sandbox” with SCLS library data made available for training
- August-September: Provide webinars and online tutorials to introduce staff to Koha
- October-November: SCLS staff conduct regional hands on train-the-trainer workshops
- October-December: In-library training (done by library trainers)
- Late November/Early December: Acquisitions and cataloging cutoff
- December: SCLS staff conduct online refresher workshops
- End of December: Migration
For more information about the migration or the timeline, contact Vicki Teal Lovely, ILS Project Manager.
Phyllis Davis retirement party scheduled June 4
In recognition of her years of service to SCLS member libraries, Phyllis Davis’ retirement party will be held Friday, June 4, from 3-6 p.m. at SCLS Headquarters, 4610 S. Biltmore Lane, Madison. Phyllis will make some brief remarks at about 5:30 p.m.
Phyllis requests no gifts, but attendees are welcome to share something from their garden if they’d like.
Member/Staff News
The new director of the Monroe Public Library is Suzann Holland, who is currently the director at Oskaloosa, IA. Her beginning date will be June 23. You can read more about her in The Monroe Times and The Oskaloosa Herald.
The New Glarus Public Library is pleased to announce its newest collection -- children's board and picture books in German (see photo). This project was made possible through a grant from the Anonymous II Fund, a component of the Community Foundation of Southern Wisconsin Inc. A special English/German preschool storytime on Friday, May 21, officially unveiled the collection. All titles are cataloged in and available through LINKcat. The New Glarus Public Library will continue to grow this collection and hopes to add titles for older children as well.
The article "Too much TV for toddlers takes a toll" was recommended by Portage County Public Library Director Robert Stack. He encourages all librarians to give it a read, and to share it as widely as possible. The article was mentioned last weekend by Dr. Zorba Paster on Wisconsin Public Radio.
Prairie du Sac Public Library is closing in on it’s $1.25 million goal to remodel a downtown building. The Ruth Culver Memorial Community Library is closer to becoming a reality with more than $825,000 in donations so far. Read more in The Sauk Prairie Eagle.
SCLS is in need of a part-time, limited-term Computer Operator, Monday through Friday, 5–7 a.m. (more information).
Carol Anderson, director of the Spring Green Community Library, is a WeLead mentor for the Wisconsin Library Association.
Verona Public Library was in the news last week because it just keeps getting busier and busier. You can read about it in The Verona Press.
TeenRead publicity materials available
The following publicity materials for this year's TeenRead blog are now available.
- full-sheet posters (with book jacket art)
- half-sheet flyers (with book jacket art and book descriptions)
- half-sheet flyers (with book jacket art - NO book descriptions)
- bookmarks (no jacket art - blog design and text)
- web button
Samples of these materials are available at www.scls.info/pr/slp/teen_read/. Contact Mark Ibach to request copies of these materials for your library. You also may print any of these materials from the SCLS website.
The TeenRead Blog is available at http://teenread.scls.info/.
System Celebration award nominations due June 25
Planning is underway for System Celebration 2010, which is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 21, at Wintergreen Resort in Wisconsin Dells. One of the first orders of business is to submit nominations for the annual awards, the deadline for which is June 25.
To submit nominations, visit www.scls.info/about/systemceleb/ and click on the award name to access the online form (all nominations must be submitted online). These awards are selected by SCLS staff and approved by the Advocacy Committee, but suggestions and formal nominations from the SCLS community are welcome.
The 2010 awards are:
- Library of the Year Award -- Recognizes a public and/or multitype library for its innovative user service(s). You may nominate your own library or any other library of any type that you think deserves the award. The library will be recognized with a certificate and a check for $200 (if one award is given) or $150 each (if both a public and multitype award are given.)
- Public Official Award -- Recognizes the outstanding contributions to a library or libraries by a mayor, village president, city administrator, supportive council member, legislator, or any other public official who does not serve as a library trustee and whom you feel should be recognized.
- Special Award -- Recognizes an individual or group that has worked to promote and/or improve library services. Individuals may be a resident, a trustee or a library friend (does not have to be a member of an official Friends group). This award is NOT for a library, librarian, or public official.
- Chester Pismo Snavely Award for a Nifty Activity -- Recognizes a library, other organization, or persons' out-of-the-ordinary nifty library activity or service.
- Partnership Award -- The SCLS Partnership Award is presented each year to a community organization, agency or business that works with the South Central Library System or its member libraries to provide new and innovative library programs and services. In some cases, a member library may also be acknowledged in conjunction with the community partner.
Friends of Fitchburg Public Library recognized with ALTAFF’s Best Friends Award
The Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (ALTAFF), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), has recognized 14 Friends of the Library groups with Best Friends Awards, including the Friends of the soon-to-be built Fitchburg Public Library.
ALTAFF’s Best Friends Awards are given to Friends groups for outstanding publicity and marketing materials that promote the group and its programs and projects. The awards do not evaluate the type or scope of Friends programs; rather, they evaluate the quality of the print and electronic materials used to promote Friends programs. Award categories include newsletters, membership materials, advocacy materials, websites, program publicity, fundraisers, special project publicity and book sales.
Winning groups receive a certificate and are recognized in ALTAFF’s newsletter, The Voice. Winning materials are posted on ALTAFF’s website.
Fitchburg seeks library director
Fitchburg, Wisconsin, a suburban community of 25,000 residents adjacent to Madison, seeks a dynamic, innovative, and collaborative leader to develop and manage the city’s first public library. The new library is scheduled to open June 2011.
The director will work with the city during construction and furnishing of the new 38,000 square foot, $14 million building; hire and train a staff of 18.5 FTE; develop service policies and procedures; and build an opening day collection of over 60,000 items. Ongoing administrative duties include working with a seven-member library board; preparing and managing the budget; managing the new facility; and representing the library to the public and governmental agencies.
Applicants must have an ALA-accredited MLS with at least six years progressively responsible experience in a library and a minimum of three years post-MLS experience in administration and supervision in a public library.
The Library Director is an exempt, non-represented position with a hiring salary of $64,090 to $69,917 per year, depending on qualifications. The 2010 salary range, based on a combination of years of service and merit, is $64,090 - $89,581. Salary increases occur according to the non-represented compensation plan, usually on an annual basis, with budgetary approval. Current budgetary projections indicate a salary increase of three (3) percent in January of 2011, bringing the hiring salary to near or above $70,000. Besides a competitive salary, people choosing the City of Fitchburg will find a comprehensive benefit package, including State of Wisconsin health Insurance, employer funded retirement plan, life and disability insurance. Dental insurance, flexible spending plan, deferred compensation programs and an on-site fitness center are also available.
Application materials, including a complete job description, are available online at www.city.fitchburg.wi.us, or at Fitchburg City Hall, 5520 Lacy Road, Fitchburg, WI 53711. Completed applications must be received at City Hall by 4:30 p.m., Friday, June 18, 2010, in order to be considered. Applications received via fax or email will not be accepted.
NEH small grants for libraries
The NEH Small Grants to Libraries program brings traveling exhibitions and other types of humanities public programming to libraries across the country.
“Louisa May Alcott: The Woman Behind Little Women -- Library Outreach Programs” is a collaboration between the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the American Library Association (ALA), and Nancy Porter and Harriet Reisen for Filmmakers Collaborative. The library programs associated with “Louisa May Alcott” are funded by a major grant from NEH to the ALA Public Programs Office.
The project has been designated as part of the NEH’s We the People initiative, exploring significant events and themes in our nation’s history and culture and advancing knowledge of the principles that define America. Libraries selected for the project will receive resources and financial support to deliver five programs. The grant deadline is July 30, 2010 for projects beginning in 2011. For more information about program requirements and the application, visit www.neh.gov/grants/guidelines/SGL_Alcott.html.
Royalty free music for all Wisconsin schools from ECB, BadgerLink
All Wisconsin residents may now use Soundzabound, a collection of royalty free music and sound effects designed specifically for K-12 school use. ECB is providing access to the complete Soundzabound collection through BadgerLink, Wisconsin’s connection to the world of information.
To use Soundzabound, go to BadgerLink and click on “Soundzabound” under “ECB VideoLink,” or visit www.ecb.org and click on “ECB VideoLink.” If you would like to post a direct link from your library website to Soundzabound, use http://www.wiscat.net/homepages/CustomerWide/ValidateGlobalIP.asp?cuid=stwi&lid=stwi&dataid=1072&term_. For tutorials on how to use Soundzabound audio, click on “Community” -- “Licensed Users – “Tutorials” when you are on the Soundzabound site.
Soundzabound provides music and sound effects that are copyright compliant, content safe and royalty free for use in student projects and other school productions. For example, students may download and use these Mp3 audio files in podcasts, videos, digital storytelling or any type of multimedia production. The audio may also be used at assemblies, theater performances and other public performances, or as soundtracks to productions such as video yearbooks or sports videos.
ECB VideoLink is a free online service for Wisconsin residents from ECB and BadgerLink. The ECB is a state agency committed to ensuring that public radio and television programs and services are made available throughout Wisconsin and that these programs and services reflect and respond to the educational and cultural needs of the state’s residents. The ECB plans, develops, constructs, and operates statewide public radio, public television, and educational telecommunication systems. Wisconsin Public Radio and Wisconsin Public Television are services of the ECB and the University of Wisconsin-Extension.
Project Compass summits help state libraries develop strategies for workforce assistance
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is funding an innovative yearlong project linking libraries nationwide to share strategies for helping unemployed patrons find work. Project Compass, launched by OCLC WebJunction and the State Library of North Carolina, features four regional summits where state library officers are sharing best practices on meeting the workforce needs of their communities.
“In the last 12 months, approximately 30 million people used library resources to help address career and employment needs,” said Marsha L. Semmel, acting director of IMLS, citing the new IMLS/Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation-supported report, Opportunity for All: How the American Public Benefits from Internet Access at U.S. Libraries. “Project Compass is developing the tools libraries need to help patrons who are already using library resources.”
One of the regional summits identified three key needs:
- Training for library staff to meet the needs of job seekers.
- Strategies for funding, including information about how to maximize support, gain visibility, and minimize budget cuts.
- A website with centralized resources on workforce recovery provided by the state library. For examples of state websites that have been established, go to http://wiki.webjunctionworks.org/index.php/Workforce_Resources.
The project has great potential for national impact because states are coordinating their efforts and sharing information and resources, Gutsche noted. In addition to working together in person, Project Compass is facilitating development of a “community of practice” with an online hub to help librarians share ideas and resources designed to help get their communities fully employed. To reach greater numbers, Project Compass staff will adapt the in-person summits into live, online sessions and self-directed work that will be offered for free in June.
Additional IMLS resources:
Libraries to the Rescue is the story of how libraries in five states -- North Carolina, Washington, Connecticut, New York and Michigan -- are helping citizens access all types of employment assistance. A list of Online Resources for Libraries and Jobseekers is available at www.imls.gov/news/2009/062409_list.shtm.
The DLTCL maintains a web page on Wisconsin library job support efforts at http://dpi.wi.gov/pld/lstajobs.html.
-- from Channel Weekly (Volume 12, Number 32 – May 20, 2010)
Create your own story @ your library named official theme
Libraries across the United States are invited to apply for the $3,000 Scholastic Library Publishing National Library Week Grant, which will be awarded to a single library for the best public awareness campaign incorporating the 2011 National Library Week theme, Create your own story @ your library.
The grant is sponsored by Scholastic Library Publishing, a division of Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education, and media company, and is administered by the Public Awareness Committee of the American Library Association (ALA). This year’s application deadline is Oct. 1, 2010. National Library Week is April 10-16, 2011.
A grant application form and guidelines are available on the Scholastic Library Publishing National Library Week Grant website.
Information also is available from the ALA Public Information Office at (800) 545-2433, ext. 2148 ([email protected]).
-- from Channel Weekly (Volume 12, Number 32 – May 20, 2010)