Index
- 2014 Annual Report PSTAT review to be sent out
- Nominate your library for new awards
- 2014 CE grant funds exhausted
- Member/Staff News
- Please complete Continuing Education Survey, 2015-16
- Continuing Education Calendar
2014 Annual Report PSTAT review to be sent out
As the South Central Library System continues to refine the process of prepopulating sections of the annual report, sometime during the week of Oct. 20-24 library directors will receive an email request to review a PSTAT spreadsheet.
This review was performed last year, but this year we have made some additional changes and have added more PSTATs for municipalities in Dodge and Jefferson counties. These codes will provide more granularity for circulation to residents in adjacent counties outside the South Central Library System. Because of these changes, we need directors to review the spreadsheets again.
To support those directors who may want or need some assistance with this process, we will offer a brief webinar on Thursday, Oct. 30, at 10 a.m. (registration required).
As you know, your library’s PSTATs -- and the circulation they identify -- are directly connected to the money your library will receive via in-county and adjacent county reimbursements.
Please watch your email for the note from Mark Ibach. The deadline for responding is Nov. 21.
Nominate your library for new awards
Public libraries are unique local institutions, touching the lives of residents in untold ways. In recognition of the unique role libraries play, the South Central Library System (SCLS) Foundation will award three new library awards as part of the 2014 Cornerstone Award fundraising reception on Nov. 20 in McFarland.
The sixth annual Cornerstone Award reception, which has already raised in excess of $10,000, will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. at the 5100 Bar, 5100 Erling Avenue in McFarland (www.5100bar.com). There is no cost to attend, and there will be a cash bar and free refreshments.
This year’s recipient of the Cornerstone Award is Francis Cherney, who has served libraries as a member of the Wood County Library Board, the SCLS Board of Trustees, and the Council on Libraries and Network Development (COLAND). You can make a contribution to honor Francis at www.sclsfoundation.org.
In addition to the Cornerstone Award presentation, library staff members, trustees, friends, or residents can nominate their library to recognize the amazing work public libraries do every day while serving their communities. The awards and descriptions are listed below. To make an online nomination, simply click on the award name. All nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 27, 2014.
- Super Awesome Library Award -- For the library that was overall awesome in 2014. Maybe they handled a tough situation with grace. Or took a new approach. Or found a lot of money under a rock and did something really cool with it. Or got a lot of local support and kudos because they play well with others. Or are just plain super awesome every day.
- Program Wizard Award -- For a super creative, innovative and fun library program created by library staff. In the library or out. For babies or seniors or anyone in between. A one-off or a regular series. If Dumbledore thinks it's worthy of Wizard status, nominate it!
- What a Great Idea Award -- Have you ever heard yourself say "Wow! What a Great Idea" to a fellow library nerd? Then nominate that great idea for a Great Idea Award.
The Foundation contributed $6,188 this year to purchase ebook titles for Wisconsin’s Digital Library (OverDrive collection), thereby reducing library costs, and will contribute another $5,000 in 2015. An additional $3,975 was allocated for the purchase of 10 Lego Mindstorm robotic kits recommended by the Library Innovation Subcommittee. These kits have arrived at SCLS and are being prepared for circulation in early 2015.
SCLS Tech Staff are currently taking inventory of the kits, packaging them for use, preparing the 10 laptops for use with the kits (installing and updating software), and updating the software on the “bricks” (or mini computers) that are the heart of the Lego Mindstorms. Tech Staff are also learning a little about the programming options so they can provide support to members of the Innovation Subcommittee and member libraries.
After the Tech Staff are finished, the Innovation Subcommittee and SCLS staff will develop a “curriculum” that libraries can use for programs. We plan to bring the Lego Mindstorm kits to the February 2015 Programming Workshop and give demonstrations and hand-on experience, then Jean Anderson and Tech Staff will conduct training for member libraries in March.
We anticipate that the two kits (5 Lego Mindstorms each) will be available for library use starting in April 2015.
As of earlier this week, the South Central Library System 2014 CE Grant Fund has been exhausted. That means we can no longer accept any CE Grant applications for 2014.
The changes that we made to the CE Grant program in 2013 and 2014 have helped as the funds lasted a few weeks longer this year. We'll be reviewing the program again to see if any changes are needed in 2015.
This does not affect WLA Memberships for Directors (SCLS will pay up to $100 towards the director's membership). If you haven't renewed your WLA membership yet, you still can. If you need the instructions, contact Jean Anderson.
Madison Public Library recently announced that Jane Jorgenson is the new manager of the Hawthorne and Lakeview Libraries. “Jane has always been an outstanding contributor for Madison Public Library,” said Director Greg Mickells, “ and I am looking forward to her contributions in this new role.” MPL also announced that Janetta Pegues is the new manager at the Goodman South Madison Library. Janetta has an extensive background in community engagement beginning with her days in Chicago and working her way to the UW-Madison. She recently returned from Lyons, France, where she was selected to attend an International Library Conference. She has also worked on developing plans for library services in Haiti. “I’m looking forward to working with Janetta and the fresh perspective she will bring to our management team,” Mickells said.
Please complete Continuing Education Survey, 2015-16
In order to ensure that the South Central Library System (SCLS), Arrowhead Library System, and Southwest Wisconsin Library System Continuing Education programs continue to offer programs that are relevant to you and your library, please take a few minutes to share your ideas and suggestions.
The easiest way is to complete the Continuing Education Survey on the SCLS website. Please contact Jean Anderson if you have any questions about SCLS Continuing Education programs.