Index
- System Celebration canceled
- Member/Staff News
- Order your SLP school visit video now
- Strong libraries needed to improve the state’s economy
- Planning for May 4 e-book summit continues
- The library card as a pop-culture fiend's ticket to geek paradise
- Continuing Education Calendar
System Celebration canceled
One of the first casualties of the proposed 10% reduction in Public Library System Aid, and the subsequent need to realize cost savings, is the cancellation of our annual System Celebration. This cancellation also includes our annual award program.
The recommendation was presented to the SCLS Board of Trustees at its meeting on Monday, April 11, and the board agreed that the resulting cost savings are warranted. The plan is to cancel System Celebration for both 2011 and 2012, and then revisit the issue at a later date.
Still to be held is the SCLS Foundation’s Cornerstone Award Reception in November, which is funded from donations to the SCLS Foundation. This is an ideal time to gather in celebration of libraries and pay tribute to an individual(s) who have made significant contributions to libraries.
Member/Staff News
The March 2011 LINK Library Statistics Summary is posted on Automation's website. Both PDF and Excel versions are available.
Madison Public Library recently hired Madeleine Diemer, Librarian I (Youth Services), at its Lakeview Branch.
The April issue of WSLL @ Your Service has been published at http://wilawlibrary.gov/newsletter/1104.html.
Order your SLP school visit video now
In preparation for the 2011 Summer Library Program (SLP), libraries can once again obtain a personalized school visit video from the South Central Library System.
We were unable to produce our own video this year, so we’re using the short video from the Collaborative Summer Library Program. To that we will add a brief introduction and ending that promotes your library’s SLP dates., as well as a photo of your building and/or staff.
To view a sample video (and other extras), to order your video, and submit a photo, please complete the form on the SCLS website. If you’ve ordered a video before, and you’ve submitted a photo of your building, there is no need to send another photo. If you’re building has changed, or you want to submit a photo of 2011 SLP staff, please do so when submitting the form.
Since we’ll provide one video for each of your schools, please be sure to indicate how many DVDs you need.
In addition to the customized video, the DVD will also include a Spanish version of the video (not customized), as well as four shorter video clips that can be used as public service announcements (PSAs).
The DVDs are available at no cost to SCLS member libraries. Be sure to order early so as to ensure delivery before you begin your school visits.
If you have questions about the video, or other SLP promotional materials, contact Mark Ibach.
Strong libraries needed to improve the state’s economy
by State Superintendent Tony Evers
Wisconsin’s public, school, academic, and special libraries improve the state’s economy and the quality of life for residents of our state. Libraries have always been a source of community pride, and they are especially valuable in today’s knowledge and information-based world. Strong Wisconsin libraries support a stronger Wisconsin economy.
Our state is struggling with high unemployment and shrinking paychecks. This difficult economy requires smart investments and careful spending. Wisconsin libraries are models of frugality, using technology and working cooperatively to reduce costs and share resources. In fact, Wisconsin is first in the nation in per capita interlibrary loan, which saves taxpayers an estimated $100 million annually by sharing resources rather than purchasing more copies of library materials. The cuts proposed in the 2011-13 budget strike at the heart of library efficiencies. Elimination of the requirement that communities continue to support their local libraries will threaten Wisconsin’s resource-sharing services, creating a system of haves and have-nots.
Libraries are one of the best investments a community can make. Libraries help families cope with tight budgets by providing Internet-connected computers, books and other materials, and professional assistance at no cost to the user. Libraries support a competitive workforce through literacy programs, partnerships with job training programs, and other resources that help children and adults learn to find, evaluate, and use information they need for their education, health, and careers. Studies show that good school libraries effectively improve student performance. And, research has shown that libraries return more than $4 to the economy for each tax dollar invested.
In recognition of the importance of libraries to our economy and the services they provide to their communities, the American Library Association and libraries across the nation are sponsoring National Library Week, April 10 to 16. No matter your interest or need, libraries and library staff members are there to help. In honor of National Library Week, I encourage everyone to visit their local library to take advantage of the wonderful resources that are available, and to thank their librarians and library staff for making information and education accessible to all.
Planning for May 4 e-book summit continues
As reported in the March 17, 2011, Channel Weekly, the Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning (DLTCL) will hold a one-day e-book "Summit" on May 4 in Madison. The summit website has been updated to include the following:
- reference to the keynote address by Tom Peters;
- a draft of the day’s agenda and activities;
- a list of the five key issues that will be discussed (The goal at the end of the day is to have specific recommendations for the five issues.); and
- a list of the participants, who were selected on advice from the external e-book advisory committee and from library organizations.
The division has also created a Google docs site. In the Homework and Resources section is an extensive list of resources related to e-books that is available to anyone. The Google site also has an area for public comments.
The library card as a pop-culture fiend's ticket to geek paradise
There's a big public library literally across the street from my bank and the supermarket where I most frequently pick up stuff like milk and paper towels. Across the street. As in: first I buy Diet Coke, then I dodge one SUV careening around the corner, and I'm there.
And yet, until this weekend, I'd never been in it and I had no library card.
You can read the entire article on the National Public Radio website.