Index
- SCLS Delivery volume declines
- SCLS seeks Public Library Administration Consultant
- Member/Staff News
- Library Legislative Day is Feb. 14
- Library visits at historic high in U.S.
- Continuing Education Calendar
SCLS Delivery volume declines
The number of materials carried by SCLS Delivery to and from member libraries dropped 4.1 percent from 2010 to 2011. In 2010, SCLS Delivery dropped off and picked up 13.4 million items at member libraries, and in 2011 that number declined by about 550,000 to a little less than 12.9 million items. For the most part the decline in delivery volume happened across the SCLS map, including a 4.1 percent drop at ILS libraries and an even higher 5.3 percent decline among non-LINK libraries.
After 14 years of solid growth in items transported, SCLS Delivery saw volume begin to decrease in 2010 and this seems to be a continuation of that. It also seems to match a trend SCLS Delivery has seen at libraries it serves across the state. The volume carried for the UW-System libraries dropped nearly 10% in the last year and the materials SCLS Delivery transports to and from the other 16 Public Library Systems in the state declined 5.5%.
This has been happening at academic locations for the last handful of years and they have determined their circulation decline is related to increased electronic text availability. With $79 Nooks and Kindles on the market for the holidays and the WPLC starting its $1 million e-content purchasing next year, we'll be watching to see if this trend continues or even accelerates in the next couple of years.
--by Bruce Smith, SCLS Delivery Coordinator
SCLS seeks Public Library Administration Consultant
With the Dec. 16 retirement of Public Library Administration Consultant Cheryl Becker only two weeks away, the South Central Library System is seeking applications from qualified individuals.
Under the general direction and oversight of the System Director, the consultant provides general consultative services to SCLS member public libraries, trustees and counties.
To qualify for consideration, candidates must have an MLS from an ALA accredited program and a minimum of three years experience in and/or consulting with libraries. Experience working in public libraries is preferred, and proficiency with computers, and familiarity with automation and technologies used in library applications is required. Experience with management, budgets, and Wisconsin library law preferred. Good presentation, communication, listening skills, and sense of humor essential. This position requires a car and the ability to travel independently.
To apply, submit your resume and cover letter to Kerrie Goeden no later than noon on Friday, Dec. 9, 2011. Candidates selected for an interview will be contacted after the closing date. A complete job description is available at www.scls.info/about/scls_admin_consultant.pdf.
Member/Staff News
Now is also a good time to get a supply of “Speak Up for Your Library” cards from Mark Ibach (available at no cost to SCLS member libraries). By involving your library users and supporters you strengthen the position of your library within the community because you can get the emails of all those who list your library as their home library. It’s an easy way to reach out locally to build support for your library. We also encourage libraries to link from their website to the online sign-up form at www.scls.info/pr/speak_up.
Stoughton Public Library will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 7, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. for staff training. The library will be open from 5-9 p.m.
The December issue of WSLL @ Your Service has been published at http://wilawlibrary.gov/newsletter/1112.html.
Library Legislative Day is Feb. 14
Library Legislative Day is Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012. "Libraries at the heart of the community" is this year's theme, whether your community is an academic institution, a K-12 school, a municipality, or a museum, law firm or hospital. Legislators need to hear from you about important library issues.
Major issues in 2012 include gaining support for:
- a bill extending the deadline for changes to the UW System’s research functions and WiscNet
- protection of the Common School Fund for school library use
- a bill to enable public library districts
- a bill to improve options for recovering overdue library materials
Participate in Library Legislative Day to learn what is important to public officials and, in the process, position yourself as a resource on library issues. Appointments will be made for you and others from your legislative district. Background materials and briefing provided in advance give you talking points on the issues. Professional lobbyists will provide tips on having an effective meeting.
Register at www.wla.lib.wi.us/legis/day/index.htm.
Library visits at historic high in U.S.
The ways in which Americans use libraries changed significantly in the decade ending in 2009 as libraries adapted to meet the evolving needs of their users. These changes are keeping libraries relevant, vibrant places as evidenced by a 24.4 percent increase in visits per capita in the last 10 years, with total visits increasing by nearly 40 percent. In 2009 (the most recent data available) libraries were visited a record-breaking 1.59 billion times, according to the Institute of Museum and Library Services’ (IMLS) report on the FY2009 Public Library Survey (PLS), a census of public libraries in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the territories conducted annually by IMLS.?
"People depend on libraries now more than ever," said IMLS Director Susan Hildreth. "Not only do visits and circulation continue to rise, the role of public libraries in providing Internet resources to the public continues to increase as well. Public libraries have also increased their program offerings to meet greater demand and provide more targeted services. Despite this demonstrated ability of libraries to adjust to meet the growing needs of the public, many libraries across the country face severe budget cuts. It’s important to remember that this data ends with 2009, before even more severe budget crises put so many libraries and library programs at risk."
The Institute’s analysis of the data showed that per capita visits and circulation rose in the century’s first decade. The number of public libraries increased during that period but not enough to keep pace with the rise in population. Library staffing remained stable, though the percentage of public libraries with degreed and accredited librarians increased.
The report also found that the nature and composition of collections in U.S. public libraries is changing, indicating that library collections are becoming more varied. Although the volume of print materials decreased over the 10 years studied, collections overall continued to grow because of increases in the number of audio, video, and electronic book materials.
The role of public libraries in providing Internet resources to the public also continued to increase. According to the report, the availability of Internet-ready computer terminals in public libraries doubled over the course of the decade.
The U.S. Census Bureau is the data collection agent for the PLS. The fiscal year (FY) 2009 survey is the 22nd in the series.
--from Channel Weekly (Vol. 14, No. 10 – Nov. 17, 2011)