Index
- Marshfield Public Library adds to OverDrive Advantage
- LearningExpress Library 3.0 promotional materials available
- Member/Staff News
- Poynette Public Library seeks new director
- Social media policy webinar
- Pew World-wide Web 25th Anniversary Study
- ALA 2012-13 Annual Report highlights initiatives, milestones
- Resource for 2014 Holocaust Days of Remembrance program planning
- Continuing Education Calendar
Marshfield Public Library adds to OverDrive Advantage
Marshfield Public Library Director Lori Belongia last week informed SCLS that her library is committing an additional $15,000 to the OverDrive Advantage program. Late in 2013 member libraries began the program with total contributions of $27,758.95.
“Marshfield Public Library knows that our patrons appreciate access to e-books, but are often frustrated by long waits for the titles they want the most,” Belongia said. “Adding our funds to the OverDrive Advantage program is best way for us to improve this service for our patrons. We strongly encourage other libraries to consider doing the same.
According to South Central Library System Director Marty Van Pelt, “These additional funds from Marshfield Public Library will have a significant positive impact on the number of e-book titles that will be available in the future to SCLS member libraries. On behalf of all member libraries, I’d like to thank Marshfield for this additional support of OverDrive Advantage.”
To date, here are the expenditures for OverDrive Advantage:
- December 2013 -- $5,167
- January 2014 -- $1,511
- February 2014 -- $1,309.70
In addition to these direct expenses, about $74 has been spent for cataloging record costs, leaving a balance (before the additional Marshfield funds) of $19,697.75.
More information about the OverDrive Advantage program funded by SCLS member libraries (including the budget) is available on the SCLS website.
LearningExpress Library 3.0 promotional materials available
On Jan. 3, 2014, LearningExpress was updated to LearningExpress Library 3.0, and SCLS has prepared updated promotional materials for use by member libraries.
LearningExpress library is a collection of web-based test preparation tools and skill-building materials for children, teens, and adults who want to improve academic skills, achieve educational goals, and prepare for new careers.
LearningExpress Library 3.0 offers improved functionality and content, including
- new and improved site design,
- easier to use navigation,
- new interactive tutorials,
- multiple test modes for study and practice, and
- recommendations for additional study.
Links to the promotional materials for LearningExpress 3.0 are available on the SCLS website.
Madison’s $30 million transformation of its Central Library has been named a 2014 Project of the Year by the Wisconsin chapter of the American Public Works Association, and is in the running for a top prize from the national organization. Read more in the March 7, 23014, issue of the Wisconsin State Journal.
Madison Public Library welcomes Todd Cox (Meadowridge, Page 2), Ely Phan (Sequoya, Page 2), Abby Wanserski (Alicia Ashman, Page 2), and Emily Wilcox (Monroe Street, Page 2).
The March issue of WSLL @ Your Service has been published at http://wilawlibrary.gov/newsletter/1403.html.
Poynette Public Library seeks new director
The Poynette Area Public Library Board of Trustees is seeking a dynamic leader to serve as Library Director. This is a full time position requiring the ability to accomplish the following:
- Supervise the library staff to create a harmonious ‘team’ atmosphere
- Develop and monitor the budget
- Long- and short-range planning
- Advocate for and promote the library in the community
- Possess a strong technology background
- Administer children’s and intergenerational family programs
- Organize and manage collections
- Commitment to courteous patron service
- Grant writing and donor development
- Manage maintenance of facility
- Coordinating fund raising with the Friends of the Library
The new director must be creative, enthusiastic and capable of taking our library to the next level without sacrificing any of its present GREAT reputation.
Qualifications for this position include:
- Grade II Wisconsin certification
- Knowledge and experience with PCs and automated library system software
- Valid Wisconsin drivers license for required travel to professional meetings
- Residency within 30 miles of Poynette
- Exceptional ability in oral and written communications
Interested applicants shall submit the following by mail:
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Completed Village of Poynette Employment Application
- Three written professional letters of recommendation with necessary contact information
Applications should be sent to: Director Committee, Jenny Van Schoyck Teeter, Chairperson,
P.O. Box 368, Poynette, WI 53955. The application deadline is March 21, 2014.
Infopeople, a librarian training website based in California, is offering a free webinar entitled "Writing a Social Media Policy for Your Library," by Laura Solomon on April 2, 2014, at 2:00 p.m.
Many libraries do not have a social media policy or may have a policy that is not legal. This webinar will discuss why your library needs a social media policy, essential components of this policy type for staff and patrons, and will help you understand current best practices for drafting such a policy. Additional information and a link to register can be found on the InfoPeople website. If you are unable to attend the live event, you can access the archived version the day following the webinar..
-- from Channel Weekly (Vol. 16, No. 20 – Feb. 27, 2014)
Pew World-wide Web 25th Anniversary Study
The Pew Research Center released the first part of a project celebrating the 25th anniversary of the World-wide Web created by Sir Tim Berners-Lee. This creation has facilitated arguably the biggest shift in the way information is shared, created, and received by the public. The report displays the results of the data Pew has collected on internet use in the United States from 1995 until 2014.
Some of the results might surprise you:
- 87% of American adults currently have access to the internet;
- 68% of adults connect to the internet with a mobile device;
- 76% of internet users say the internet was good for society, compared with 90% of internet users who say that the internet was good for them personally;
- Smart phone ownership has grown from 35% in 2011 to 58% currently;
- 76% of internet users said the people they encounter online were mostly kind;
- 90% of the people surveyed stated that the internet was a good thing for them; this view applies for all major groups across the demographic spectrum.
Additional information about the survey, and a link to the complete report, is available at www.pewinternet.org/2014/02/27/the-web-at-25-in-the-u-s/.
-- from Channel Weekly (Vol. 16, No. 20 – Feb. 27, 2014)
ALA 2012-13 Annual Report highlights initiatives, milestones
The American Library Association (ALA) has released its 2012-13 Annual Report, an overview of the association’s initiatives and accomplishments on behalf of the library profession, libraries and the public.
The report shows how ALA and its members continue to lead the way in the transformation of libraries and library services in an increasingly global digital environment. These efforts include initiatives led by 2012-13 ALA President Maureen Sullivan, who continued the work of her predecessor, Molly Raphael, in the area of community engagement. Those efforts included the first “Leading to the Future” ALA Leadership Institute, which brought together a diverse group of 40 ALA members, who returned to their communities ready to lead change in a digital age.
As part of this effort, ALA forged a partnership with the Harwood Institute for Public Innovation and launched a new national initiative called “The Promise of Libraries Transforming Communities.” Initially funded through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the initiative aims to provide thousands of libraries of all types with the tools and training needed to help their communities find innovative solutions through library-led community engagement.
The report shows ALA’s ongoing support for intellectual freedom, as well as its high profile work in the areas of making e-book content available through libraries and in protecting patron privacy. Also highlighted are the association’s work in supporting literacy, equity of access to information for all and in enhancing the professional development of its members.
Read the 2012-2013 ALA Annual Report.
Resource for 2014 Holocaust Days of Remembrance program planning
Holocaust Days of Remembrance will be held April 27-May 4, 2014, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum is offering a free copy of the 2014 CD/DVD Planning Guide and Resources for Annual Holocaust Commemorations.
The museum has updated the planning guide for the 2014 Days of Remembrance theme, “Confronting the Holocaust: American Responses.” The guide includes a poster set and film related to the theme, memorial readings, musical suggestions, personal histories and other resources.
If you would like to request your copy of the 2014 CD/DVD resource, please complete this form. For more information about the theme, visit the museum’s website.