Index
- Remember to make advocacy part of your daily work
- Help make work fun by attending Monkey Business Playshop
- Member/Staff News
- Recent Technology Blog posts should be of particular interest to member libraries
- Survey responses needed about SCLS bus to ALA Conference
- PLA Virtual Spring Symposium
- LEAP Grants available through Better World Books
- Continuing Education Calendar
Remember to make advocacy part of your daily work
We are only two months into a new calendar year, and many libraries are already starting to think about next year’s budget process. Part of that process should be a renewed effort toward library advocacy.
Proactive advocacy remains vital, and getting an early start will be a key component of achieving more positive budget outcomes. Libraries are only one of the many public services competing for a finite pool of tax dollars, and to do so effectively you should turn to the most convincing spokespeople for your library's programs and resources -- those you serve on a daily basis.
Their stories and support are
powerful, but using those positive feelings to benefit the library does not
happen automatically. You’ve done the hard work because they already value the
library and the services and resources it provides. Now you need to get them to
take the next step and voice that support publicly. That is Advocacy!
If you’d like help creating a library advocacy plan, as well as advocacy messages and materials to be used in your community, contact Mark Ibach and schedule a time to have him visit your library. More information about developing an advocacy plan is also available at www.scls.info/pr/advocacy/. If you’d like your Library Board to learn more about the importance of Advocacy, Mark is available to conduct a 45-minute session about the ease of doing grass-roots advocacy.
Another important advocacy tool libraries can use is the “Speak Up for Your Library” card project, which is 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 email lists of all those who indicate 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. All you have to do is return the cards, or have people sign up on our website, and we take care of the rest. When you need the list of emails, just contact Mark Ibach. It also allows SCLS to create a base of support for system-wide and state-wide outreach needs.
As an added advocacy effort, libraries can link to the SCLS “Library Use Value Calculator,” which is an excellent opportunity for library users to attach a financial impact to their personal library use. Annual data updates for the calculator are performed once by SCLS staff, even if you put the calculator on your library’s website. That ensures that the return on investment data is always current and accurate, and it make it an easier tool to use.
Help make work fun by attending Monkey Business Playshop
It’s just a little over a month away, so now is the perfect time to register for the special Continuing Education “Playshop,” featuring The Monkey Business Institute. The program is scheduled April 10 at The Barn at Harvest Moon Pond, N3540 State Highway 22, Poynette (just south of Wyocena).
The Monkey Business Institute has been spreading the secret benefits of improvisation for almost 10 years. They have helped countless individuals, groups and corporations learn how to use improvisational skills to improve their personal and professional lives.
In this session, you will:
- learn effective methods of collaborating with others in a positive way.
- understand how to build ideas rather than resisting them.
- see the value of being as aware as possible of your environment and the people around you.
- be able to use that awareness to improve your connections to others.
- become more effective at being in the moment and rolling with changes.
- most importantly, have a whole heck of a lot of fun!
More information and a link to registration is available on the SCLS Continuing Education Calendar. There will be a $12 fee for lunch, and vegetarian options will be available. You can pay at registration, or send a check (made out to SCLS) to Heidi Moe at SCLS.
Madison Public Library has named Conor Patrick Moran as the new Book Festival Event Coordinator, effective March 1. Moran previously served as the Development Director for REAP Food Group, and he has extensive background in organizing large literary events through his past experience as the assistant events coordinator and floor manager for Washington, D.C., bookstore “Politics & Prose.” The Madison Public Library Foundation has committed $100,000 in funding for the festival, including a $5,000 gift from the UW-Madison Libraries. (press release).
Erica Loeffelholtz is the new Library Assistant at New Glarus Public Library. She is a long-time resident of the New Glarus community and a New Glarus High School graduate. Erica holds a degree in Middle School Education from the UW-Platteville, and has extensive knowledge of children’s and young adult literature and experience in creating literature-based activities. “Combining this knowledge with her writing and computer skills and her excellent customer service makes her a valuable member of the New Glarus Library staff,” said Director Maggie Waggoner. “Welcome, Erica!”
Recent Technology Blog posts should be of particular interest to member libraries
Several
recent Technology Blog posts should be of particular interest to SCLS member
libraries. Below are some brief descriptions, with links to more detail in the
Technology Blog.
In the past, the SCLS wired network was available exclusively for use by SCLS-supported computers. With the approval of the SCLS Technology Committee in December, SCLS has added an “SCLS as ISP” option that is designed to allow libraries to plug non-SCLS supported devices into the wired SCLS network.
What will this mean for libraries? Library-supported devices like Macs, specialized PCs for microfiche, HVAC, or games, or other PCs that the library wishes to maintain and support, may be added to the wired SCLS network and receive access to the internet and other resources. (read more)
Changes to Library Online Support
Library Online time management and print management basic support will now be handled by the Help Desk. Cindy Weber will be taking on primary responsibility for Library Online management, and Brian Hahn will be providing routine support when you call the Help Desk. (read more).
Survey responses needed about SCLS bus to ALA Conference
ALA is in Chicago this summer and SCLS is exploring the option of chartering a one-day bus to the conference. We need your input.
The exhibits are open on Saturday and Sunday, June 29 and 30, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., and Monday, July 1, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Please complete this short form to indicate your interest in participating. If there's enough interest, we'll move forward with the plan.<
SCLS has registered as a group for the PLA Virtual Spring Symposium on Wednesday, March 20, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. This is a full day of rich education that features eight programs, lunchtime updates highlighting digital learning, and a closing session with keynote speaker Garry Golden (futurist).
SCLS member library staff should register now to reserve a spot for this all-day event.
LEAP Grants available through Better World Books
Thanks to thousands of libraries that participate in the Better World Books Discards and Donations program, the organization is able to offer library grants for the third consecutive year.
Better World Books is acutely aware that the needs and opportunities of the communities libraries serve vary widely and there are countless worthy projects to support. This grant process is patterned off of the California State Library's Pitch An Idea program and is intended to solicit a wide range of applications that reflect this diversity.
It is a very brief and simple application process, through which $30,000 in funding is available, with a maximum grant amount per project of $15,000. For more information, or to apply, visit the Better World Books website. The application deadline is April 5, 2013.