Index
- Collective Knowledge survey debuts with eBook readers
- SCLS Foundation Annual Meeting is Oct. 10
- Member/Staff News
- Instructions for calculating exemption from county library tax
- Detailed help available to use Kindle with OverDrive
- BadgerNet contract extension almost complete
- OverDrive adds ebook samples to Digital Download Center
- Schedule a ‘typical week’ tally for October
- Rome Seeks Library Assistant
- Deadline extended for National Library Week Grant
- Public libraries invited to apply for Building Common Ground programming initiative
- Continuing Education Calendar
Collective Knowledge survey debuts with eBook readers
In an effort to create a clearinghouse of usable information for SCLS member libraries, SCLS this week is launching a new project called “Collective Knowledge.”
Designed to collect and report “Who’s done what?” Collective Knowledge will serve as an information exchange between member libraries on current practices in the libraries, and to make this information available for future reference
The first survey, which looks at the use of eBook readers in libraries, is now available as a Google Doc survey. You don’t need a Google account to access the survey.
Every other month, a brief survey of library staff members will be created on some topic related to library practices. Topic suggestions may come from member libraries or from SCLS staff members. Survey questions will be created by the appropriate staff for the topic, and reviewed by the consultants group. Surveys will be announced in Top 5 and Online Update. Survey results will populate a publicly accessible Google spreadsheet, and is linked from a new blog. You will be able to subscribe to the RSS feed for the blog, or choose to receive new posts via email.
A form is available for suggesting topics, and there will be a Google Doc where suggestions will be collected. The topic for each survey will be selected by the consultants at their monthly meetings.
Surveys will be announced in Top 5, Online Update, and in the news section of the SCLS homepage. The announcement will include a link to the survey and a link to the page where results will be reported.
As soon as the survey is available, results will begin to go into a Google spreadsheet that will be published as a web page and will be dynamically updated as libraries complete the survey. At the end of the month a survey is first available, a blog posting will be done by the responsible consultant with the following information:
- Date of the survey
- Topic of the survey
- Summary results from the survey
- Relevant categories
Survey categories will include topics like:
- Board
- Collections
- Personnel
- Policies
- Programming
- Services
- Technology
Additional categories will be added if appropriate, which will be determined when the survey topic is selected.
SCLS Foundation Annual Meeting is Oct. 10
The 2011 annual meeting of the SCLS Foundation will be held Monday, Oct. 10, at the SCLS Headquarters, 4610 S. Biltmore Lane, Madison. Representatives from M&I Wealth Management will be on hand to explain fund performance for the year, and to answer questions.
For more information, contact Martha Van Pelt at (608) 246-7975.
Member/Staff News
Columbus Public Library is currently involved in several new projects, including publishing a new newsletter that features programs for all ages at the library. Upcoming programs include adult crafts, a healthy living series, teen murder mystery, and a Teen Read contest through which kids will submit photos of the library. These photos will be used in PR next year when Columbus celebrates its 100th anniversary in the current building. Columbus also has started a new book club for tweens.
The Wisconsin Rapids Tribune published an article about the McMillan Memorial Library in Wisconsin Rapids, touting the value to users. Mayor Mary Jo Carson calls the library the community's living room. "I can't tell you the value it brings to our community,” Mayor Carson said. "Many people consider the library the heart of the community, and that's a good explanation of what the library is." Library director Ron McCabe describes the educational nature of the library's programs and services, including the cultural education provided by events showcasing jazz and blues, along with movies and other programs. Read the complete article online.
The October issue of WSLL @ Your Service has been published at http://wilawlibrary.gov/newsletter/1110.html.
Instructions for calculating exemption from county library tax
Since the “Maintenance of Effort” funding level for public library system membership was eliminated this year, cities and villages may be tempted to sharply reduce public library funding levels. However, many towns, villages and cities with public libraries have traditionally exempted from the county library tax, as provided under Wis. Stats. 43.64.
In essence, in order to exempt from the county tax, the municipality must appropriate and expend for the library fund an amount at least equivalent to the county library tax. Step-by-step instructions on calculating the exemption amount are available from the DLTCL website.
Not all municipalities with public libraries are eligible for this exemption, but those that have exempted in the past may wish to calculate the amount in order to qualify before finalizing their library appropriation.
-- from Channel Weekly (Vol. 14, No. 6 -- Oct. 6, 2011)
Detailed help available to use Kindle with OverDrive
If you’d like more detailed instruction for using a Kindle with OverDrive downloadable books available through the Wisconsin Public Library Consortium’s (WPLC’s) Digital Download Center, then turn to a new FAQ.
This is also a site that may be particularly helpful to library customers who have questions. There is a short video tutorial, as well as screen shots of what they can expect to see when they go through the selection and download process.
Promotional materials for using the Kindle with OverDrive are also available from the SCLS website. If you’d like copies of any materials, please contact Mark Ibach.
BadgerNet contract extension almost complete
When the state Department of Administration (DOA) declined the federal BadgerNet fiber grant last February, it then opened negotiations with AT&T to extend the BadgerNet contract to 2016. The current contract expires in November 2012.
One of the major benefits of the extended contract will be significant reductions (often 50%) in BadgerNet circuit costs. The lower costs will allow the TEACH program to fund more school and library requests for additional bandwidth. At a recent meeting of the BadgerNet Advisory Council, both DOA and AT&T indicated that all substantive issues have been resolved and AT&T is now taking the contract to the 70 other smaller telecommunication carriers for their approval. All parties are hopeful the approval process will be finished soon. Once this is done, AT&T will submit the signed contract to the Department of Administration (DOA).
Meanwhile, TEACH staff are working on a process to communicate to over 960 schools and libraries on how it plans to move forward on any requests for bandwidth increases. (Library systems will help coordinate bandwidth requests from their member libraries.) TEACH is also in the final stages of developing an online portal through which schools/libraries can submit bandwidth orders, review the status of their orders, etc.
If you have any questions, or need more information, contact Bob Bocher at (608) 266-2127.
-- from Channel Weekly (Vol. 14, No. 4 -- Sept. 22, 2011)
OverDrive adds ebook samples to Digital Download Center
In a continued effort to improve the user experience, OverDrive has added thousands of free “ebook samples” to the catalog for immediate access on reading devices and platforms. Patrons can experience stories immediately on their computer or mobile device and decide if they are right for them, ultimately reducing holds and wait lists.
When available, the word “Sample” will appear below a jacket. Curious customers can easily click and enjoy 10 percent of each title before deciding to check it out or not.
The ebook sample will show up in readers’ bookshelf and look just like a regular ebook download. With thousands of popular and bestselling titles to choose from, ebook samples will reinforce the library as the first stop for discovering and enjoying books, both online and off.
Read more in the OverDrive Blog , or visit the WPLC Digital Download Center to see samples.
Schedule a ‘typical week’ tally for October
There are several questions in the Library Services section of the public library annual report that require the public library to either tally counts throughout the year, or, if that is not feasible, to collect data for a “typical week.” If your library does not routinely count each patron coming into the library (visits), each reference question, or each patron using a computer, then the library must conduct a tally during a typical week in October each year.
The questions on the annual report that might be answered with data collected during “typical week” counts are all included in Section III of the annual report, under “Library Services”:
- Reference Transactions,
- Library Visits (patron count), and
- Number of Users of Public Internet Computers
Libraries may use electronic or mechanical means of collecting the data throughout the year, such as infrared door counters, or software to manage public access to Internet workstations. But if the library does not count use throughout the year, then the library should schedule at least one week in October to collect appropriate data (for comparative purposes, the national guidelines dictate that the one week survey should be done in October).
Under no circumstances may the library estimate the numbers to be reported, or report the number submitted in prior years. For instance, libraries should not adjust their previous year’s count for reference based on circulation changes, or as a ratio of their door count numbers, or other criteria.
For more information, please see the article “Preparing for the Annual Report: Scheduling a ‘Typical Week’ Tally” on page nine of the Summer 2009 issue of Channel.
-- from Channel Weekly (Vol. 14, No. 4 -- Sept. 22, 2011)
Rome Seeks Library Assistant
The Lester Public Library of Rome is seeking a part-time (10-15 hours per week) Library Assistant. Major duties include planning and executing youth and adult programs, circulation desk duties, and processing interlibrary loans. The ideal candidate will have the ability to work independently, and work without supervision within 3 months. Teaching basic computer classes to the general public through one-on-two sessions is required. Graphic design experience is a plus. Some nights and Saturday’s are required, and one year of library experience is preferred.
A complete position description is available by searching online at https://jobcenterofwisconsin.com/Exit.aspx. Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume to: Lester Public Library of Rome, Attn: Lore Ponshock, 1157 Rome Center Dr., Nekoosa, WI 54457. A municipal application must be included with the resume, and can be found at www.romepubliclibrary.org/documents/employment-application.pdf.
Application materials will be accepted until Oct. 14 at 5 p.m.
Deadline extended for National Library Week Grant
Your library has something for everyone, and this National Library Week celebrate the ways your library provides a place where everyone belongs.
The deadline for the 2012 grant has been extended to Friday, Oct. 28, 2011. U.S. libraries of all types are invited to apply for a $3,000 grant that will be awarded to the best public awareness campaign promoting the theme ‘You belong @ your library’ during National Library Week (April 8-14, 2012). To apply, visit the grant website at www.ala.org/nlwgrant.
All proposals must use the “You belong @ your library” theme, which incorporates the Campaign for America’s Libraries’ @ your library brand, on promotional and publicity material supporting National Library Week activities. Guidelines for using the brand are available on the campaign website at www.ala.org/@yourlibrary under the “Public Awareness Tools” section.
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).
The winner will be notified and announced following the 2012 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Dallas. Information on last year’s winner, Southern State Community College library of Hillsboro, OH, and the winning application can be viewed at www.ala.org/nlwgrant.
Public libraries invited to apply for Building Common Ground programming initiative
The ALA Public Programs Office is accepting applications for Building Common Ground: Discussions of Community, Civility and Compassion, a multi-format discussion program for public audiences to spark action, engagement and reflection within the community. More information, including programming resources and the online application, is available at www.ala.org/commonground.
The goal of the Building Common Ground: Discussions of Community, Civility and Compassion project is to engage the public in contemplation and discussion of the importance of community, civility and compassion in their daily lives. By bringing adult audiences together in the library for programs and events that include reading, viewing, reflection, discussion and civic engagement initiatives, Building Common Ground: Discussions of Community, Civility and Compassion programs will support public libraries as they strive to enhance the quality of life and learning in their communities.
In December 2011, 30 public libraries nationwide will be selected to host a series of four to eight events between Feb. 1, 2012, and Nov. 30, 2012. The selected libraries will receive:
- a $2,500 grant to support program-related expenses;
- access to program models and templates, including recommended reading and viewing lists, discussion facilitation guides, video shorts and more;
- access to a series of online, professional development and project resource sessions; and
- promotional materials, including posters, bookmarks and a selection of digital promotion tools to support local audience recruitment.
Resources to begin building a competitive application, including programming guides, a list of potential community partners and ideas for programming that will inspire the community to action, engagement and reflection are available at www.ala.org/commonground.
Applications are due Nov. 18, 2011. The Fetzer Institute supports this programming initiative.