Index
- ‘Libraries for Real Life’ helps libraries collect and share patron stories
- Member/Staff news
- SCLS Board Member Biography
- SCLS offers library editorials/columns
- Newsletter available for libraries with public performance movie license
- WiLS sponsoring Recollection Wisconsin
- Joint Finance approves motion for study of library systems
- SRLAAW looking for feedback on recommendations
- 2014 LSTA information and grant training session recording
- Continuing Education Calendar
‘Libraries for Real Life’ helps libraries collect and share patron stories
Libraries are places for new
beginnings. Whether you are getting your first library card, learning new
computer skills or planning a trip, the library is the place where stories
begin. Collecting and sharing these stories is a powerful advocacy tool for
public libraries, and the SCLS resource “Libraries for Real Life” simplifies the process.
“Libraries for Real Life” is an online resource through which customers of SCLS member libraries can tell their personal stories about how libraries have impacted their lives. The project’s name -- Libraries for Real Life -- reinforces the reality that today’s public libraries are vibrant, dynamic community resources that meet the information, education, and recreational needs of residents of all ages.
This project is an opportunity for residents to share the meaningful ways public Libraries have positively impacted their lives. Every day, libraries across the country are helping people create their own unique stories. Whether it is by opening a book and exploring distant lands, or by learning how to use new technologies to find a job, people at libraries are creating new stories for themselves.
This is a great advocacy tool because it helps put a personal face on your library, and the services and resources you provide. It’s also simple to use because we collect and manage the stories for you. You just copy the stories for use in newsletters, annual reports, or presentations to local groups or elected officials.
Promotional materials for the “Libraries for Real Life” project are available online. You can either print the materials yourself, or you can send a print request to Mark Ibach. These promotional materials will be printed at no cost to SCLS member libraries. We also have small images available for your library’s website so you can easily link directly to the online story submission form.
After a count of the votes received, the Friends of the Verona Public Library will receive a $5,000 donation from the Navigant Lending A Hand Foundation. “Thank you for voting and showing your support for the library!” said director Brian Simons.
This is a new regular feature of Online Update to help acquaint member libraries with members of the SCLS Board of Trustees.
Kathy
Schneider Michaelis -- I am a Wisconsin native from Pewaukee (Waukesha
County), which was a very small village back in the 1950’s. We had a library, that
was open about 15 hours per week, located above the fire station. Like many
others, I came to Madison to attend the UW and basically never left. I got my
undergraduate degree in English in 1972, finished Library School in 1973, and
earned an MA in Public Policy & Administration in 1980.
My first professional job was with the DPI Reference & Loan library, where I worked for seven years as Government Services Librarian, the last four of which were under the direction of Peter Hamon of South Central fame. I became the Director of Wisconsin Library Services (WiLS) in 1980, and retired 30 years later, in March 2011. I currently work as a volunteer at Second Harvest food bank, study Spanish, and spend one day a week caring for our 1-year-old granddaughter.
I volunteered for appointment to the SCLS Board following a small bit of arm-twisting by Peter Hamon. It did seem like a great way to stay connected to the library community. One of the best things about WiLS was that we worked with all types of libraries so I have been somewhat tied-in to public library systems for many years. And it was always clear to me that SCLS was the best of the best.
A little known fact about me is that during my teen years I was an avid sailor; in fact, my first non-babysitting job was teaching sailing school at the Pewaukee Yacht Club.
I recently read Brave Girl Eating by Harriet Brown (author who spoke at Madison Library Foundation Book Club café) and Jane Austen’s Emma. (Got on a Jane Austen kick after re-reading Pride and Prejudice for the Tuesday Morning Book Talks class I take)
I am currently reading The Wizard of Oz and Philosophy: Wicked Wisdom of the West edited by Randall Auxier and Phillip Seng, 2008.
SCLS offers library editorials/columns
SCLS has developed seven editorials/columns that SCLS member libraries can use locally. These editorials/columns are in Microsoft Word, so you can easily edit and copy to your library's letterhead. The current editorials/columns are on the following topics:
- Business Support
- Death of Libraries
- Early Literacy
- Education
- Internet & Computer Access
- Job Training and Skills Development
- Third Place
In addition, we will draft additional editorials/columns based on suggestions from member libraries. If you have a topic idea, contact Mark Ibach.
Newsletter available for libraries with public performance movie license
For those libraries that have purchased a public performance movie license, the Check It Out newsletter from Movie Licensing USA is an excellent resource for programming, publicity and outreach ideas to help make the most out of the license.
For more information about public performance movie licenses, or for help building programs around the movies, contact Shawn Brommer, South Central Library System Youth Services and Outreach Consultant.
WiLS sponsoring Recollection Wisconsin
This spring and summer, WiLS -- in partnership with the Milwaukee Public Library, the UW-Madison, and the Wisconsin Historical Society -- is collecting memories of work and play in Wisconsin.
The collaborative project called Recollection Wisconsin is looking for stories and photos of your first job, what you make or
do now, or what lessons your work life has taught you. Share stories about your
summer vacations or your summers at camp. Just about any topic is welcome
within the theme of Wisconsin at Work, Wisconsin at Play as long as it
is a personal narrative with a strong connection to Wisconsin.
Recollection Wisconsin is also using the photo-sharing website Flickr to uncover local histories from across the state, and all libraries, archives, museums, historical societies, and other Wisconsin cultural heritage institutions that hold materials related to Wisconsin history and culture are invited to become contributing partners of Recollection Wisconsin by building digital collections and sharing digital content. Project staff also can recommend software solutions to help you organize and display your digital collection.
The Recollection Wisconsin program was first developed in 2005 as a collaborative effort of Wisconsin academic libraries, public libraries, archives, museums, and historical societies. From 2005-2012, the program was known as Wisconsin Heritage Online (WHO).
The founding mission of Wisconsin Heritage Online was “to inspire education and discovery by making Wisconsin’s cultural heritage available to the public via the World Wide Web.”
Joint Finance approves motion for study of library systems
On Tuesday, May 21, the Joint Finance Committee voted 12-4 to approve Motion #283. The motion, if included in the final budget bill, would require the Department of Administration (DOA), in consultation with the Department of Public Instruction (DPI), to conduct a study of Wisconsin's public library systems to identify the potential for savings by:
- consolidating regions;
- using technology;
- reducing duplications and inefficiencies;
- utilizing LEAN practices; and
- increasing the sharing of services between individual library systems.
The DOA would be required to submit a report on this study to the Joint Finance Committee by July 1, 2014. The motion will be incorporated into the budget bill to be considered by the Wisconsin legislature.
SRLAAW (System & Resource Library Administrators' Association of Wisconsin) has been conducting a review of system organization, structure, and services (see article below).
--from Channel Weekly (Vol. 15, No. 30 -- May 23, 2013)
SRLAAW looking for feedback on recommendations
This year, the System & Resource Library Administrators' Association of Wisconsin (SRLAAW) is undertaking a multi-part process to examine how public library systems can remain effective in meeting member library needs into the future, including the possibility of reconfiguring systems. This process, while organized by SRLAAW, has involved, and will continue to involve, input from others in the library community. The ultimate goal is to better serve Wisconsin library patrons now and in the future.
On May 2, 2013, a document entitled Progress Report and Preliminary Recommendations, which was prepared by the SRLAAW subcommittee and partially supported with funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), was presented at the Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries Spring Conference.
This report marks the beginning of the next phase of the process: vetting the proposed recommendations in the library community and with others who have an interest in public libraries. The subcommittee will gather feedback during the next few months, revise the recommendations based on this feedback, and plan to present a final report to SRLAAW for action in August.
All interested parties are encouraged to review the report and to offer feedback. Channels for providing feedback can be found, along with the report, at www.srlaaw.org/2013Process/process.asp. A Google Group has also been established to share collected feedback.
--from Channel Weekly (Vol. 15, No. 30 -- May 23, 2013)
2014 LSTA information and grant training session recording
The 2014 LSTA grant application training webinar took place May 23, 2013, hosted by members of the Department of Public Instruction’s Public Library Development Team, including Terrie Howe, LSTA Program Coordinator; Tessa Michaelson Schmidt, Youth and Special Services Consultant, and John DeBacher, Director of Public Library Development.
Grant category descriptions are now posted in the online 2014 LSTA Information and Guidelines (http://pld.dpi.wi.gov/files/pld/pdf/guide14.pdf).
Please use this link to view and listen to the LSTA information session through Blackboard Collaborate: http://tinyurl.com/o8jtnqv.
--from Channel Weekly (Vol. 15, No. 30 -- May 23, 2013)