Index
- Library Legislative Day registration now open!
- Marketing Work Group video highlights Delivery process
- Member/Staff News
- WebJunction webinar encourages building support for library services
- Order 2012 Wisconsin tax forms by Dec. 10
- ARSL requests input from rural and small libraries
- PLA joins FTC to promote consumer education
- Continuing Education Calendar
Library Legislative Day registration now open!
Politics,
budgets, taxes, and protests have been part of life in Wisconsin for the past
two years, and while recent elections have moved the state past some of the
controversy, another state biennial budget cycle is about to begin.
Against the backdrop of all that is politics, the Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) is preparing for Library Legislative Day on Feb. 5, 2013. All libraries are encouraged to participate so that every legislator is visited by a contingent of library supporters who can share the positive stories of the incredible value public libraries provide to the communities they serve.
You can register for Library Legislative Day, and learn more about the WLA’s legislative agenda, by visiting the WLA website. The cost is only $15 per person, which helps defray the costs incurred by WLA. You also can order box lunches for an additional charge.
As in the past, WLA staff will schedule legislative visits for attendees, will provide printed materials to share, and will conduct a morning briefing with guest speakers.
To make legislative day as successful as possible, libraries are encouraged to bring board members, local elected officials, and residents who can speak to the value of the library in your community.
Register today and make your voice heard!
Marketing Work Group video highlights Delivery process
A new YouTube video (see below), which is the first product of the SCLS Marketing Work Group, is a brief explanation of the process for getting library materials to residents.
How that happens sometimes seems like magic, but it’s really just a well-orchestrated process that begins when a request is placed, and ends when the item is picked up at a local public library -- the “best bargain in town!”
Libraries are encouraged to link to the video from their Facebook pages and library websites.
Carissa Christner, the youth services librarian at Madison Public Library’s Alicia Ashman Branch, recently began writing a blog about some of the programs she conducts. It features mainly the "maker" type programs with hands-on activities like Toddler Art Class, Craft Lab (for middle and high school) and NeedleReads (a sewing class for teens and adults). You can read all about these programs and more at http://librarymakers.blogspot.com/.
Marshall Community Library will soon become a Village Post Office site through a program sponsored by the U.S. Postal Service. According to Director Diana Skalitzky, the primary reason for joining the program was the convenience to residents. The Marshall Post Office is going to remain open, but with dramatically reduced hours. There also isn’t currently a mail drop box on the end of town near the library, so Diana said they decided to step in the fill the void. Library patrons will be able to purchase stamps, and because the library can accept credit card payments people can pay for stamps with a credit card. Residents also can drop off prepaid packages at the library. According to Diana, community reaction to this new library service has been very positive, and people are excited about the increased level of service that will soon be available. Diana will give a presentation at the 2013 WAPL Conference about their experience with the Village Post Office program.
WebJunction webinar encourages building support for library services
WebJunction recently hosted the webinar “Energize your base: Tips and tools to raise awareness and build support for library services,” the archive of which is now available online.
In light of the economic challenges libraries are facing to continue providing all the services people want, and have come to expect, the video is a good jumping off point for the importance of library advocacy.
Order 2012 Wisconsin tax forms by Dec. 10
As the end of 2012 nears, public Libraries can now begin to order 2012 Wisconsin income tax forms.
In an effort to reduce the amount of unused paper tax forms, the Wisconsin Department of Revenue is asking that libraries not order more forms than were distributed last year.
While the DOR wants to continue to provide forms to taxpayers who need them, they would like to reduce the waste associated with forms that are not used due to continued growth of electronic filing and the availability of free filing options.
Details of 2011 library orders are available on their website at www.revenue.wi.gov/ise/library/2011.pdf.
The 2012 Wisconsin income tax forms may be ordered at http://tinyurl.com/bc3w2sl, or by following the directions at www.revenue.wi.gov/faqs/pcs/formsord.html.
Tax payers are encouraged to utilize the following services:
- Wisconsin E-file: www.revenue.wi.gov/wi_efile/index.html
- Online Forms: www.revenue.wi.gov/html/formpub.html
Questions may be referred to Kay Henry at (608) 261-7601. All orders must be submitted by Dec. 10, 2012.
--from Channel Weekly (Vol. 15, No. 8 – Nov. 15, 2012)
ARSL requests input from rural and small libraries
Over the next month the Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL) is conducting an online survey in an effort to more fully understand the important work of small and rural libraries. The survey will take approximately 10 minutes for non-members and approximately 20 minutes for ARSL members.
Responses will be kept completely confidential. Rainbow Research Inc. (www.RainbowResearch.org) will collect and analyze the data and will present findings in summary form. Participation in the survey is voluntary, but libraries are encouraged to take the survey now.
If you have questions or comments about survey content, contact Barry Cohen, Executive Director of Rainbow Research Inc., at (612) 824-0724 ext. 202.
--from Channel Weekly (Vol. 15, No. 8 – Nov. 15, 2012)
PLA joins FTC to promote consumer education
The Public Library Association (PLA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) have partnered to create a packet of new materials that are designed to be useful to American consumers.
These resources deal with credit, debt, identify theft, and avoiding scams, as well as budgeting, opening a bank account, shopping for prepaid cards, and managing money in general. The information is written in a plain and simple style for people with various levels of literacy, English language learners -- frankly, anyone who can benefit from concise and practical consumer information. The materials are free, and come in both English and Spanish.
The materials are available online at consumer.gov (English) and consumidor.gov (Spanish), and libraries can order printed materials free of charge at https://bulkorder.ftc.gov.
The mission of the FTC is to keep American consumers safe from fraud, deception, and unfair business practices. The FTC conducts investigations, enforces the law, and educates consumers about their rights -- and businesses about their responsibilities.