Index
- Don’t forget ‘Speak Up for Your Library’ materials
- Member/Staff News
- 5 Grants: Apply to Buy Books, Have a “Read Out” & Create a Learning Lab
- DPI files comments with FCC on digital literacy program
- Continuing Education Calendar
Don’t forget ‘Speak Up for Your Library’ materials
Local communities and libraries will soon begin crafting 2013 budgets, and proactive advocacy will be more important than ever. Budget development is an excellent opportunity to gather your library’s biggest supporters and talk to them about your library and its needs. Involving them early will give you stronger base of support as your budget works its way through the annual approval process.
To support this advocacy effort, you can also make available the SCLS “Speak Up for Your Library” materials, which will be printed at no cost to member libraries. As an added value, you can get the names of all those who list your library as their home library. It’s an easy way to reach out locally when the need arises.
Expanding this list of residents willing to speak in support of libraries is more important than ever. Of the list’s more than 2,300 members, however, a majority live in Dane County. To be most effective in our outreach efforts, we need to ensure that library supporters in all communities have an opportunity to speak up. That can only happen when all libraries make the cards available.
Cards can be printed on demand, and delivered to libraries in a day or two. Just contact Mark Ibach to place your request. We also encourage libraries to link from their website to the online sign-up form at www.scls.info/pr/speak_up.
As an added advocacy effort, we encourage libraries to promote the SCLS “Library Use Value Calculator,” which is an excellent opportunity for library users to attach a financial impact to their personal use of the library. We recently changed this resource so annual data updates for the calculator are performed once by SCLS staff, even if you put the calculator on your library’s website.
Member/Staff News
When the Lester Public Library of Rome celebrates its 10th anniversary May 19, it also will celebrate the launch of a three-year campaign to improve the facility. For almost a year, library officials have worked to determine whether the community would support an expansion of the library that was built in 2001. An anniversary party will be the first in a series of fundraising events to raise up to $900,000 during the next three years. "It certainly is an exciting time," said Lore Ponshock, library director. "We're creating a buzz, and people are excited about what is going on." You can read more in the Wisconsin Rapids Tribune.
On April 30 the Lodi Public Library officially dedicated the new outdoor reading room in memory of former director Peg Hilliker. Peg's Green Grove already has a lovely brick walk and several seating areas. Soon large trees and shrubs will be added to enhance the space. The morning of the event, a book stack bike rack was installed at the entrance to the space. This piece of functional art has attracted much positive attention. About seventy-five people attended the ribbon cutting ceremony and many more enjoyed the space during the library's open house. Pictures of the event are on the library's webpage.
The New Glarus Public Library Board has hired a new library director, Margaret (Maggie) Waggoner, who will start her new position on June 1. Maggie has been in her current director position for six years in Kaukauna (Kaukauna Public Library). According to the announcement, “The Board feels that the New Glarus community is very privileged to have two very well qualified professionals in the positions of director and assistant director. Janis Merkle, who is currently serving as interim director, will continue in her position as assistant director. Janis has done an excellent job of directing the library and the Board thanks her for her time, dedication and expertise. Both Maggie and Janis bring to their positions assets that will enhance and complement the staff at the library.”
Oregon Public Library has added a Keurig coffee/tea pot on a gorgeous cart (see photo). The coffee maker is available for patron use, programs and events. A donation of $1.25 per cup is suggested to help offset the cost.
The Prairie du Sac Public Library will celebrate the Grand Opening of its new home -- the Ruth Culver Community Library -- on Saturday, June 16, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 540 Water St. along the river in downtown Prairie du Sac. The Prairie du Sac Library will be closed starting June 1 while it moves. The Grand Opening Celebration will begin with a ribbon cutting and dedication at 9:30 a.m., a children’s performance by Little Miss Ann at 11 a.m., and a showcase of local musical talent throughout the day.
5 Grants: Apply to Buy Books, Have a “Read Out” & Create a Learning Lab
Lois Lenski Covey Foundation Grant -- Grants range from $500 to $3,000 -- The Lois Lenski Covey Foundation Inc. annually awards grants for purchasing books published for young people in preschool through grade 8. Public libraries, school libraries, and non-traditional libraries operated by 501(c)(3) agencies are eligible. The Foundation provides grants to libraries or organizations that serve economically or socially at-risk children, have limited book budgets, and demonstrate real need. Grants for 2012 are specifically for book purchases, and cannot be used for administrative or operational uses. Deadline: June 15, 2012
Dollar General Youth Literacy Grants -- Grants range up to $4,000 -- The grants provide funding to schools, public libraries, and nonprofit organizations to help students who are below grade level or experiencing difficulty reading. Grant funding is provided to assist in the following areas:
- Implementing new or expanding existing literacy programs
- Purchasing new technology or equipment to support literacy initiatives
- Purchasing books, materials or software for literacy programs
To qualify, your library needs to be located within 20 miles of a Dollar General store (store locator map), and provide literacy programs for new readers, below grade level readers, or readers with learning disabilities. Deadline: May 16, 2012
Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation Literacy and Education Grant -- Grants range from $1,000 to $5,000 -- These grants provide direct support for children in literacy and education programs such as summer reading programs, early childhood education programs and literacy programs for children with special needs.” These grants are for one-time purchases or to fulfill a short-term need, such as the purchase of materials or books. Deadline: August 31, 2012
Learning Labs in Libraries and Museums -- Grant amount: up to $100,000 Matching Requirement: Cost sharing of at least one third is encouraged, but not required -- These grants will support the planning and designing of up to 30 Learning Labs in libraries and museums throughout the country. The Labs are intended to engage middle- and high-school youth in mentor-led, interest-based, youth-centered, collaborative learning using digital and traditional media. Grantees will be required to participate, in-person and online, in a community of practice that will provide technical assistance, networking, and cross-project learning. Projects are expected to provide prototypes for the field and be based on current research about digital media and youth learning. Deadline: June 15, 2012
DPI files comments with FCC on digital literacy program
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in support of the FCC’s proposal to create a national digital literacy program. It is well documented that lack basic computer skills or lack of knowledge related to use of the Internet and the web is one reason why one-third of households still do not have broadband connectivity. The proposed digital literacy program will likely be funded at $50 million annually from the federal Universal Service program’s low-income fund.
Here are some specific highlights from the DPI filing:
- DPI agrees with the American Library Association (ALA) that funding should not come out of the federal E-rate program.
- The FCC recommends that libraries currently offering digital literacy programs be ineligible to apply. The DPI does not support this position and believes that all libraries should be eligible for the funds. Many libraries now offering digital literacy programs could likely increase their programming if they had more funding.
- The FCC recommends that all grants have a local funding match. Because library and school budgets are under severe fiscal pressures, the DPI does not believe that requiring a local match is realistic nor will it further the overall goal of increasing digital literacy.
- DPI agrees with ALA that consortia applications at a regional or state level be eligible to apply. The FCC should not just encourage this but give consortia grants some type of priority ranking.
The complete DPI comments are at http://apps.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/view?id=7021915168.
--from Channel Weekly (Vol. 14, No. 31 – May 3, 2012)