Index
- SCLS launches 2012 TeenRead book discussion on Facebook
- Member/Staff News
- New titles added to SCLS Professional Collection
- McFarland seeks new director
- ‘Honoring Our Ancestors’ grant to Black Earth Public Library for research on ‘Honor Wall’ names
- 2012 E-rate requests exceed funds available
- Libraries part of early learning on federal level
- Continuing Education Calendar
SCLS launches 2012 TeenRead book discussion on Facebook
This summer’s Teen Read book discussion program will be conducted via Facebook at www.facebook.com/TeenReadSCLS.
This is the 8th year of the summer teen book discussion, which has previously been conducted through a blog. The 2012 discussion will take place through Facebook, but with one big difference. In past years, there was a pre-determined book list from which teens could read and discuss, but his year the discussion is open to any book teens may be reading.
To join the discussion, visit TeenRead. If you want to volunteer to introduce a book, contact Shawn Brommer.
Member/Staff News
May 21 was the release of the book Images of America: Waunakee and Westport by Waunakee Public Library staff member Katie Brenner. The library is hosting a release party on May 30 at 7 p.m. and everyone is invited to stop over and see this wonderful pictorial record of the history of Waunakee. There will be a slide show narrated by Katie and book photo contributors. Copies will be available for purchase that evening.
Cindy Fesemyer (left) recently traded the professional life of the non-profit fundraiser and administrator for that of the public library director at Columbus Public Library. After 14 years working with various non-profit agencies in and around Madison she followed her heart straight to library school at UW-Madison. After graduating in May, she started down her new professional path only to learn that running small libraries really isn’t all that different from running small non-profits. It’s MUCH better, though. In addition to joining the family at the Columbus Public Library, Cindy is a mother to 9-year-old twin girls and wife to a 41-year-old radio man. She is currently reading the 39 Clues series to her kids and all sorts of YA fantasy and sci fi to herself.
Prairie du Sac Public Library, located at 560 Park Ave., will be closing Thursday, May 31, at 8 p.m. The library will reopen at its new location -- the Ruth Culver Community Library -- at 540 Water St. with the Grand Opening on Saturday, June 16.
Erin Foley, director of the Rio Community Library, recently had a chapter published in the book Preserving Local Writers, Genealogy, Photographs, Newspapers, and Related Materials, ed. by Carol Smallwood and Elaine Williams (Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, 2012). Her chapter is "Keeping Scrapbooks Secure and Available."
The New Glarus Public Library has hired a new library director, Margaret (Maggie) Waggoner (right), 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.”
New titles added to SCLS Professional Collection
The following titles have been added to the SCLS Professional Collection, which is available to staff at member libraries.
- From Boardbook to Facebook: Children’s Services in an Interactive Age, by Adele M. Fasick
- Read On…Graphic Novels, by Abby Alpert
- Read On…Biography by Rick Roche
- The Librarian’s Guide to Negotiation: Winning strategies for the digital age by Beth Ashmore, Jill E. Grogg, and Jeff Weddle
- The Reference Interview Today by Susan Knoer
- Romance Fiction: A Guide to the Genre, 2nd ed., by Kristin Ramsdell
- The Library Renovation, Maintenance, and Construction Handbook by Donald A. Barclay and Eric D. Scott
- The Holiday Handbook: 700+ storytime activities from Arbor Day to Yom Kippur…from Diwali to Kwanzaa to Ramadan by Barbara A. Scott
- Ready-Made Book Displays by Nancy M. Henkel
- Librarian’s Guide to Passive Programming: Easy and affordable activities for all ages by Emily T. Wichman
- Gadgets and Gizmos: Libraries and the Post-PC Era by Jason Griffey
- Teens Go Green!: Tips, Techniques, Tools, and Themes for YA Programming by Valerie Colston
- Serving Teen Parents: From Literacy to Life Skills by Ellin Klor and Sarah Lapin
- Crash Course in Family Literacy Programs by Rosemary Chance and Laura Sheneman
- The Tech Set -- volumes 11-20
- Cloud Computing for Libraries by Marshall Breeding
- Building Mobile Library Applications by Jason A. Clark
- Location-Aware Services and QR Codes for Libraries by Joe Murphy
- Drupal in Libraries by Kenneth J. Varnum
- Strategic Planning for Social Media in Libraries by Sarah K. Steiner
- Next-Gen Library Redesign by Michael Lascarides
- Screencasting for Libraries by Greg R. Notess
- User Experience (UX) Design for Libraries by Aaron Schmidt and Amanda Etches
- IM and SMS Reference Services for Libraries by Amanda Bielskas and Kathleen M. Dreyer
- Semantic Web Technologies and Social Searching for Librarians by Robin M. Fay and Michael P. Sauers
McFarland seeks new director
E.D. Locke Public Library seeks a Library Director who will embrace the library’s mission: “to provide high quality materials and services to fulfill the informational, recreational, educational and cultural needs of the entire community in an atmosphere that is welcoming and respectful.”
With a service area population of about 11,700, the library is housed in a modern, 17,820 sq. ft. facility, which opened in 2006. With a team of 8.07 FTEs, a vital Friends group and a $567,000 annual operating budget, the library circulated 232,000 items to 8,300 registered borrowers in 2011.
The Library Director plans, organizes, directs and controls all functions, operations and activities of the library, reporting to a seven-member Library Board. The Director, under general direction of the Library Board, is responsible for developing and presenting an operating plan, budget and policies necessary to provide optimal library service to the community.
Starting salary will range from $58,731-$65,311, with an attractive benefits package.
Minimum qualifications include: a Master’s degree in Library Science from an ALA-accredited graduate library school; eligibility for a Grade 1 Wisconsin Library Certificate; and successful public library and/or library system experience, including at least three years of progressively responsible experience in staff supervision and library administration.
Essential attributes and skills include: vision, creativity, energy and enthusiasm; success in effective promotion of library services; proven staff management skills; political savvy; working within a municipal budget and governance structure; success with short- and long-term planning; effective ability to communicate with a variety of stakeholders; collaborative and consensus-building skills; and a thorough knowledge of current trends and best practices for library service, including extensive knowledge of library technology.
For further information and application materials, please contact Village Administrator Don Peterson at (608) 838-3153. The application deadline is 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 15, 2012. The Village of McFarland is an equal opportunity employer.
‘Honoring Our Ancestors’ grant to Black Earth Public Library for research on ‘Honor Wall’ names
The Black Earth Public Library was awarded $500 from the “Honoring Our Ancestors” grant program, founded by Megan Smolenyak Smolenyak. (That is not a typo, it is truly her name.) Fans of the television show on celebrity genealogy, “Who Do You Think You Are?” may know that Megan is a real life history detective who loves to solve mysteries. She is a popular writer, speaker and television producer who for many years has brought genealogy into the public eye. Among her most notable research, she has proved Barack Obama’s Irish roots and she has discovered the next of kin for many long-missing and returned military personnel from all branches of the U.S. military from past wars. She is also the author of six books. Her grant program began in 2000 and 148 awards have been made.
Using the list of names on the Honor Wall in Veterans’ Park and the two-volume set “Data on Men Serving in the Civil War 1861-1865 from the Black Earth Area” that was completed by the Black Earth Historical Society, Library Director, Carolyn Shaffer hopes to continue the collection of information on all the remaining names for genealogical use by visitors to the library and the Honor Wall. She will be completing a workshop on military records at the State Historical Society in early June, and will host a meeting for any individuals interested in helping with this project on Wednesday, June 6, at 6 p.m.
If you are interested in learning more, or participating, contact Carolyn Shaffer at (608) 767-4905.
2012 E-rate requests exceed funds available
The Federal Communications Commission recently released information outlining the fund demand for the July 1, 2012, E-rate year. Here are some (sobering) highlights.
- Total demand for 2012 is $5.237 billion, an increase of 21.5 percent from the demand of $4.310 billion in 2011.
- Demand for Priority 1 funding (telecommunications and Internet services) is $2.444 billion. For the first time in the program, the Priority 1 demand exceeds the $2.3 billion in funding available, without rollover funds. Each year there are some funds not used from previous years. It is estimated that for 2012 this “rollover” may be about $400 million.
- Demand for Priority 2 funding (internal connections) at a 90% discount is $1.379 billion.
What does all this mean? Assuming no major changes in the above figures, all eligible Priority 1 applications will be funded. However, most Priority 2 applications cannot be funded. State E-rate coordinators were in Washington recently and met with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Schools and Libraries Program staff to review various E-rate issues, including the 2012 fund demand. Federal officials do not know how they will address the funding issue, although FCC regulations say that when there are not enough funds, they are to prorate discounts. (Note: DPI has routinely filed comments with the FCC requesting that the discounts be reduced to address this funding issue.)
It is expected that schools and libraries will start to be notified of approved applications for the July 1 funding year later in May.
--from Channel Weekly (Vol. 14, No. 32 – May 17, 2012)
Libraries part of early learning on federal level
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently recognized the role of public libraries in child development in a memorandum urging partnership between the offices of Child Care and Head Start and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The memo states, “Public libraries provide centers for learning in nearly every community in the United States, and it is important for children and families to learn about and recognize public libraries as a valuable resource. Libraries offer rich learning environments for children and their families and caregivers.”
IMLS director Susan Hildreth wrote, “I urge all public libraries to reach out to the early care providers in their communities and find innovative and effective ways to work together.” Read more on the IMLS blog.
--from Channel Weekly (Vol. 14, No. 32 – May 17, 2012)