Index
- Plan to attend Nov. 19 Cornerstone Award reception in Portage
- Above and Beyond: Hiring Good Organizational Citizens
- Member/Staff News
- Save the date: Feb. 9 is WLA Legislative Day
- Why Americans love their public libraries
- ALA launches ‘Libraries Transform’ public awareness campaign
- Project Outcome: Helping libraries capture their community impact
- Continuing Education Calendar
Plan to attend Nov. 19 Cornerstone Award reception in Portage
In three weeks, the SCLS Foundation will honor one individual who has had a significant and long-term impact on enhancing public libraries within the South Central Library System. The 2015 Cornerstone Award will be presented to Patricia Townsend from Adams County.
Each year the SCLS Foundation presents the Cornerstone Award to an individual who represent the values and mission of the SCLS Foundation. In addition to the Cornerstone Award, three libraries will also be honored with special awards from the Foundation – Super Awesome Library Award, Program Wizard Award, and the Giddy Up Partner Award (more information).
This year’s fundraising award reception will be held from 5-7 p.m. at 205 Vino, 205 De Witt Street in Portage, immediately after the All Directors meeting at Portage Public Library. The awards presentations will take place at 6 p.m., and the reception is open to everyone and will feature light snacks and a cash bar.
Pat Townsend moved to Adams County in 1979 after a busy professional life in nursing and began her involvement with public libraries. On Nov. 19, 2015, she will be recognized for her countless efforts as the recipient of the South Central Library System (SCLS) Foundation Cornerstone Award. You can make a contribution to honor Pat at www.sclsfoundation.org.
“This year marks the seventh award to honor an individual who has made significant contributions to the improvement of library service in their own communities, throughout the South Central Library System, and statewide,” said Cindy Fesemyer, foundation board president and director of the Columbus Public Library. “Pat is an excellent choice because of her selfless service since 1979.”
“Libraries have always been a part of my life, so naturally I became a patron when I moved to Adams County in 1979,” Pat said. “One of the first tings I did was help develop a “Friends of the Library” group that sponsored the first “Chocolate Affair” fundraiser.” That fundraiser continues today, and Pat said the Adams County Public Library Friends also promotes classic film shows, children’s programming, and many other events as needed. The group has also sponsored art shows of local artists and other local presentations of music and art.
After years of involvement, Pat said she was asked to serve on the community committee assigned to plan a new community center that would include a new library, senior center and space for UW-Extension. “It was so exciting because the new library would more than double the space of the previous building,” Pat said.
Pat continues to serve on the Adams County Library Board, a position she said she hopes to fill for many more years to come. She has also served as a member of the South Central Library System Board of Trustees, and continues to participate when needed.
According to Fesemyer, the seventh annual Cornerstone Award Reception continues a fundraising tradition that has raised more than $70,000 for the foundation in six years.
“The annual Cornerstone Award fundraising reception is an excellent opportunity to shine the spotlight on someone who has given so much of herself to public libraries,” Fesemyer said. “It’s also a great way to raise money for the Foundation, which in turn makes funds available for projects that benefit all member public libraries.” This year the Foundation made $5,000 available to purchase ebook titles for Wisconsin’s Digital Library (OverDrive collection), thereby reducing library costs, and about $3,900 for the purchase of 10 Lego Mindstorms robot kits.
Above and Beyond: Hiring Good Organizational Citizens
For most managers, it isn't too hard to identify our best employees. These are the staff who are not just excellent workers, they are also collegial, helpful, and proactive. But how do we screen for these characteristics before a new staff member is brought on board?
This workshop, to be held at Portage Public Library from 1-4 p.m. on Nov. 19, 2015, will introduce the concept of organizational citizenship, review best practices in interviewing techniques, and provide you with tools for hiring a high-performing staff of good organizational citizens. (register)
Following that morning’s All Directors meeting, this afternoon workshop is open to all interested individuals. Immediately following the workshop will be the annual Cornerstone Award fundraising reception (see article above).
Stoughton Public Library recently finished its four-month construction project, a major part of which encompassed the 16,000 square foot library’s second floor. That space now boasts a dedicated teen zone as well as expanded collection space and browsing room. There is also additional exhibit space, updated lighting and furnishings, new flooring, more electrical outlets, and enlarged meeting rooms. First-floor work includes a reconfigured entrance and extra lighting to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The work in the library cost $650,000, funded by the City of Stoughton and the library. A Renovation Open House will be held Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015, from 5-7 p.m. You can read more about the library renovation at ConnectStoughton.com.
Save the date: Feb. 9 is WLA Legislative Day
Please reserve Feb. 9, 2016, for Library Legislative Day at the Concourse Hotel in Madison. The usual venue at the Inn on the Park will be undergoing renovation.
The 2016 Library Legislative Day Planning Committee chaired by Nick Dimassis (Director, Beloit Public Library) is working in partnership with the committee chaired by Paul Nelson planning events for the 125th anniversary of WLA.
This will be a one of a kind celebration of libraries with presentations in the Capitol rotunda by high-level state dignitaries. Mark your calendar and plan to participate in a unique and enjoyable day that highlights the importance of all types of Wisconsin libraries.
Why Americans love their public libraries
Indisputable fact — Americans love their public libraries. Evidence to support this statement abounds. A 2013 report by the Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project noted that in the previous decade “every other major institution (government, churches, banks, corporations) has fallen in public esteem except libraries, the military, and first responders.” (read more)
--by Wayne A. Wiegand,
Special to Oshkosh Northwestern Media
ALA launches ‘Libraries Transform’ public awareness campaign
On October 29, American Library Association (ALA) President Sari Feldman officially launched Libraries Transform, a national public awareness campaign that will highlight the transformative nature of our nation’s libraries and elevate the critical role libraries play in the digital age.
As part of the national launch, Feldman toured a variety of libraries in Washington, D.C. to view the power of libraries in action and to gather best practices that will be shared with the library profession and the public at large. Feldman toured Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library, George Washington University’s Gelman Library, Thomson Elementary School library, and she joined Smithsonian library staff for a tour of the museum’s Fantastic Worlds exhibit.
Rapid advances in technology are fueling a library renaissance. No longer just places for books, libraries now offer an assortment of free digitally-based programs and services including 3-D printing, ebooks, digital recording studios and technology training. Such tech-based resources are transforming lives through digital literacy and lifelong learning, contributing to education, employment, entrepreneurship, engagement and empowerment. Yet libraries are often overlooked as catalysts for powerful individual and community change.
“Today’s libraries are not just about what we have for people, but what we do for and with people,” said Feldman. “The goal of the Libraries Transform campaign is to change the perception that ‘libraries are just quiet places to do research, find a book, and read’ to a shared understanding of libraries as dynamic centers for learning in the digital age. Libraries of all kinds foster individual opportunity that ultimately drives the success of our communities and our nation.”
This is an exciting time for libraries, as institutions of all types continue to transform to meet the digital and print information needs of their users, Feldman said. “It is through the transformation of library organizations that library professionals can continue to fulfill their role in leveling the playing field for all who seek to transform their lives through education and lifelong learning.”
For more information about Libraries Transform please visit http://www.librariestransform.org.
Project Outcome: Helping libraries capture their community impact
Project Outcome is PLA’s latest field-driven initiative, helping libraries to capture their impact in the communities they serve. In 2013, libraries and researchers formed a task force with a mission to develop and test a simple set of outcome-based surveys for any library type to use when measuring the outcomes of their services and programs. Project Outcome builds on the task force’s work by providing resources and support to help any library set strategic goals, measure outcomes, communicate their findings, and successfully achieve their goals.
PLA officially launched Project Outcome on June 26, 2015. Sign up to participate in this exciting new project, available to libraries of all sizes.
Public libraries offer a broad range of vital community services: digital readiness training, preschool literacy education, employment counseling, workforce development, and outlets for creative expression and communication. Typically libraries rely on simple attendance counts and anecdotal success stories to measure the effectiveness of their services; however these statistics are not enough to guide internal strategy or build persuasive arguments to secure library funding. Enhancing existing service data with outcome data offers tremendous potential in many areas of the public library.
While some libraries have taken the initiative to do this on their own, there are no standard outcome measures widely in use. PLA leadership recognized this gap and saw an opportunity for the association to lead a wide-spread conceptual shift in the field by proactively developing and disseminating outcome measures and support tools.