Index
- Library Legislative Day registration now open
- Member/Staff news
- Baraboo seeks new director
- Pardeeville seeks new director
- Join The Fold: Origami mural dedication is Dec. 2
- Help in positioning libraries
- Access NewspaperARCHIVE fully released
- e-Gov: Make It Work @ your library
- Trustee award applications due Dec. 15
- Continuing Education Calendar
Library Legislative Day registration now open
With new political leadership in the Capitol, dozens of freshmen legislators to engage, and an ambitious library agenda, your attendance at Library Legislative Day (LLD) is more important than ever! Registration is now open to attend the Feb. 22, 2011, event at the Concourse Hotel and Governor's Club, One West Dayton Street, Madison. (Note the new location.)
Your challenge now is to get to know your legislators and engage them before Library Legislative Day! This event should not be your first contact with your legislators. If you have a brand new senator or representative, or if your incumbent was re-elected, start by sending him or her a note of congratulations.
Make it your mission to inform your legislators about current library issues and how valuable your library is to your institution or community. Make sure that the information you provide about your library also intersects with your legislators' main interests. For instance, in 2010, WLA developed the "Common Agenda" approach to library issues, focusing on the role libraries play in jobs and economic development, information access and technology, and education. Take a look at our materials for ideas on tailoring your message.
Contact information for legislators is provided for your convenience, as newly elected individuals are still in transition from campaign headquarters to their legislative offices.
Member/Staff news
Jennifer Collins is the new executive director of the Madison Public Library Foundation. Jennifer currently serves as the Director of Development and External Relations for the Madison Children’s Museum, and in that role she provided leadership for the successful $10 million capital campaign to raise money for a new children’s museum in downtown Madison. She previously was responsible for development and marketing at the New York Hall of Science and the Brooklyn Children’s Museum and has assisted nonprofit organizations in a number of other positions. Jennifer was recently named the Outstanding Fundraising Professional for 2010 by the Greater Madison Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She is a native of Illinois and has a B.A. degree from the University of Illinois and an M.A. degree from Tufts University. She lives in Madison with her husband and two daughters. Jennifer will join the Madison Public Library Foundation on Dec. 6.
Erick Plumb has been named director of Monona Public Library. He came to Monona in 2006, had been serving as the library's assistant director since 2009, and as interim director following the sudden illness and passing of former director Demita Gerber in 2010. Plumb begins his new position immediately. "Erick has shown true leadership and innovation during a challenging time for our Library," said Library Board President Andrew Taylor. "He has been a key partner in the work that led to our selection as the Wisconsin Library Association's Library of the Year in 2010. And he is a great choice for our next evolution in service and support to the community." Erick said he is thrilled that he will continue to serve the people of Monona. "Over the past four years, I've come to care deeply about this community, and have been amazed at the extraordinary level of support the community gives to its library," Erick said. "We have a terrific staff that is always looking for innovative and improved ways to serve Monona." He is a graduate of Knox College in Galesburg, IL, and received his MLS from Indiana University in Bloomington. He was honored with a Mayoral Award in 2009 for valuable contributions to the city of Monona, and a "Webby Award" from the Wisconsin Library Association in 2008 for his design and development of the Monona Public Library web site.
Michael Spelman is the new branch manager of Madison Public Library’s recently-expanded Goodman South Madison Branch Library. Formerly a Reference Librarian at Boston Public Library, he holds an MS from the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at Simmons College and earned his BA in History from Beloit College. While at Boston Public Library, Michael worked extensively with youth and community organizations, often using emerging technology to create or strengthen community relationships. Michael is an active participant in professional organizations and was chosen as a 2008 American Library Association Emerging Leader. Michael joined Madison Public Library on Nov. 22.
Baraboo seeks new director
The City of Baraboo seeks a dynamic and enthusiastic director responsible for all aspects of library administration. The position requires strong management and communication skills, an ALA-MLS, eligibility for Wisconsin Grade 1 Public Librarian Certification, and five years progressively responsible library experience. The library in 2011 will embark on an ambitious fundraising program to support a planned building and expansion program and the director will play a key leadership role in internal planning and community outreach.
The library has an annual circulation of over 268,000 and a staff of 10.5 FTE. The starting salary range is $45,000 to $53,000 with excellent benefits.
A complete position description is posted at www.baraboopubliclibrary.org/Jobs.html. Applications will be accepted until Dec. 10, 2010, or until the position is filled. If interested, send cover letter with three references and resume to: Library Director Search Committee, 230 Fourth Avenue, Baraboo, WI 53913 or [email protected]. The City of Baraboo is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Pardeeville seeks new director
The Village of Pardeeville is seeking a library director for the Angie W. Cox Public Library. Candidates must hold a minimum of Grade 3 library certification, or be working toward certification. The position is 30 hours per week with a salary of $26,000 - $34,000, commensurate with education and experience.
Benefits include vacation, sick leave, health insurance and state retirement. To apply, send a letter of interest, resume and references, along with a completed Village of Pardeeville application form (contact the village clerk at [email protected] or 608-429-3121; or the Angie W. Cox Library at [email protected] or 608-429-2354 to request form) to George Grimsrud, Search Chairperson, 105 Morton Street, Pardeeville, WI 53954. The application deadline is Jan. 2, 2011.
More information about the position is available at www.pardeevillelibrary.com.
Join The Fold: Origami mural dedication is Dec. 2
Everyone is invited to attend the Middleton Public Library Dedication Event for the Join The Fold: origami mural on Thursday, Dec. 2 at 6:30 p.m. The mural is the creation from many hands of hundreds of community members who folded over 3,000 models. The models were completed at workshops offered at the library and have now been assembled into one spectacular exhibit. The origami mural will be on permanent display behind the Circulation Desk on the main level at the Middleton Public Library.
The evening will focus on origami through several venues, beginning at 6:30 p.m. with a short presentation and recognition of the participants and sponsors on the Main Level of the Library. The presentation will be followed by a Meet the Artists session, with internationally-known local artist, Ruthanne Bessman and three-dimensional designer Shirwil Lukes. Also on the Main Level, in the storytime room, there will be a 7 p.m. showing of the documentary film Between The Folds, which chronicles 10 stories of “several fine artists and theoretical scientists who abandon more conventional career path to forge lives as modern-day paper folders. Through origami, these offbeat and provocative minds are reshaping ideas of creativity and revealing the relationship between art and science.”
The library board and staff will be hosting a reception in the Archer Rooms on the lower level; and don’t miss the exhibit in the front lobby, featuring artwork from school children from Chiba, Japan, and presented by the 2010 Goodwill Delegation, and the 1,000 paper cranes mobile created by Ruthanne Bessman, hanging near the circulation desk. Everyone attending will have the opportunity to take home a model created by community artists during the workshops, register for future origami workshops to be held at the Library, and to learn more about local and national paperfolding organizations.
Support for this project was made possible, in part, through The Japan Foundation/Center for Global Partnership, Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation, Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission, Overture Foundation, Evjue Foundation, Inc., Capital Times, Harbor Athletic Club, and through generous gifts of individuals in the community and local corporations and businesses.
Help in positioning libraries
Probably the most important thing that marketing does is position a product in the eye of the consumer. The Urban Libraries Council recently released a report that is a cogent, well presented positioning statement for libraries.
The 36-page report, called “Partners for the Future: Libraries and Local Governments Creating Sustainable Communities,” focuses on three areas for libraries:
- Economic Vitality: “Brainpower is the new currency of success in the 21st century. And libraries are often cities’ best assets in building up the brainpower of the community so that we have folks who can handle the most technical jobs all over the globe.”
- Environmental Quality: modeling green practices; test labs for innovation; connecting literacy with environmental awareness.
- Social Equity: “Libraries are among the most accessible and important public institutions that reach all populations in our community. The outreach capability that libraries bring to the table make them a crucial partner for a successful sustainability program.”
--reprinted from Bubble Room by Alison Circle on 11/23/10
Access NewspaperARCHIVE fully released
The new version of Access NewspaperARCHIVE has now been fully released. The enhancement goals were as follows:
- update appearance;
- increase user friendliness;
- improve Browse functionality of available papers;
- addition of Name Search and Keyword Search to Homepage;
- refine search ability; and
- search engine optimization.
For any questions or concerns, contact BadgerLink Technical Support.
e-Gov: Make It Work @ your library
Public library staff report that helping citizens interact with government agencies and access e-government resources is the second most critical service they offer, after providing services to job seekers. However, 53 percent of libraries report that staff do not have the necessary skills to meet patron e-government needs.
A Dec. 9 online seminar is designed to help give library staff the skills they need. By attending they will learn how to:
- Use new e-government resources and data to help patrons
- Develop and market e-government partnerships
- Address key challenges to meeting patron e-gov demands
- Use e-gov data to make the case for your library
Panelists include:
- Judy Hoffman, project manager, American Library Association, Office for Research and Statistics (moderator)
- Nancy Fredericks, e-government services manager, Pasco County Public Library Cooperative (Florida)
- John Bertot, director, Center for Library & Information Innovation, University of Maryland
- Bill Sudduth, head, Government Information and Microforms, Newspapers and Maps, University of South Carolina; contributor to Managing Electronic Government Information in Libraries: Issues and Practices (ALA Editions)
The webinar will be held Thursday, Dec. 9, from 1:30-3 p.m. (register). To prepare for this webinar, read the free downloadable report “U.S. Public Library and E-Government Services."
This webinar is co-sponsored by American Libraries, the ALA Office for Research & Statistics, and the ALA Washington Office.
Trustee award applications due Dec. 15
The Trustee Section of the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (ALTAFF) presents two awards each year: the ALA Trustee Citation and the ALTAFF/Gale Outstanding Trustee Conference Grant. The application deadline for both is Dec. 15, 2010.
The ALA Trustee Citation recognizes public library trustees for distinguished service to library development. Te ALTAFF/Gale Outstanding Trustee Conference Grant ($850) enables public library trustees to attend the ALA Annual Conference.
To apply for the trustee awards, visit www.ala.org/altaff/ and click on “Grants & Awards” then “Trustees.” For more information, send an email to [email protected].