Index
- Mobile circulation kits available
- July ‘Talk of the Town’ available
- Member/Staff News
- Portage County Public Library re-posts director position
- It's almost Luau time...
- Grants for digitization projects
- ALA offers free advocacy webinar series
- Continuing Education Calendar
Mobile circulation kits available
Interested in taking your checkout desk on the road?
As part of our Mobile Hotspot Pilot Project, the South Central Library System (SCLS) has two mobile circulation kits available for reservation by libraries until Dec. 2016. Each mobile circulation kit includes:
- laptop (with charger, case, and mouse)
- Verizon hotspot and charger
- battery-powered receipt printer and charger
- USB barcode scanner
- surge protector
- extra receipt printer paper
- setup guide
It's a great opportunity for libraries without hotspots to try one out, or for Koha libraries to test out a battery powered receipt printer for doing checkout outside the library.
Libraries may reserve a mobile circulation kit for up to two weeks.
July ‘Talk of the Town’ available
The July edition of “Talk of the Town” is now available. It features Mark Ibach, SCLS Consulting Services Coordinator, talking about how public libraries are funded.
The August edition of “Talk of the Town” will feature Cindy Fesemyer, director of the Columbus Public Library, and a library customer talking about their "Root for Columbus" community outreach initiative that uses ideas and resources developed by the Harwood Institute.
If you have been into the Columbus Public Library recently, you may have seen or met Jenni Frencham (right). Jenni is the new Youth Services Director and came to Columbus from California, where she was a children's librarian at the South San Francisco Public Library. Jenni loves LEGOs, Star Wars, and Harry Potter, and she really loves reading stories with kids!
Jessica Bergin (left) has been named director of the Portage Public Library, and she will begin her appointment on July 11. She is leaving Delaware Township Library in Valley Falls, KS, where she has been director since 2014. Previously she worked in Electronic Resources and Reference for four years at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. Prior to that appointment she served the public in Senior Outreach Services and Reference at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library. Jessica holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Painting from the University of Kansas, and a Masters of Library and Information Studies from the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO.
Craig Braunschweig (right) is the new director at Rock Spring Public Library. He was born in Oconomowoc, WI, in 1990, and in 1997 he moved to the Reedsburg area, and later attended UW Sauk County/Baraboo and UW-Oshkosh. Craig has been involved locally with numerous organizations such as the Reedsburg Area Historical Society (as president), Reedsburg Kiwanis Club, Reedsburg Lions Club, and has been active with the local government. He is a real estate agent with First Weber Group and a circulation assistant at the Reedsburg Public Library. Craig also helped establish the Reedsburg Bar Buddies, a designated driving program. Craig is a local historian as well as a published author, and he worked with other Reedsburg residents to write Images of America: Reedsburg. Craig has always enjoyed history and was known to memorize presidential facts. He was referred to as “Mr. President” by his teachers. Craig is also a sports enthusiast, and enjoys going to Packer, Brewer and Badger games. In his spare time, he enjoys watching historical films and documentaries. Craig said he is excited to be part of the Rock Springs Community Library.
Portage County Public Library re-posts director position
Join the library board and staff of the Portage County Public Library (PCPL) as it continues to play its important role as cultural center and community partner.
Serving 70,380 people, PCPL operates four facilities: the 45,000 Square foot Main Library located in Stevens Point and three smaller branch libraries located in Almond, Plover, and Rosholt.
With a team of 27 full-time equivalent employees and a $1.6 million dollar budget, the Library circulates 450,000 items annually to more than 22,000 registered card holders.
Opportunities for the new director include strategic planning, implementing a new RFID/self-check system, and developing alternative funding streams for library services and programs.
The Area
Stevens Point is centrally located in Wisconsin and boasts a historic and cultural downtown home to museums, art galleries, the Wisconsin Riverfront Park, and dozens of unique restaurants.
In 2014, the Stevens Point Mid-State Technical College relocated downtown with a beautiful new campus, just a block away from the Main Library. The UW-Stevens Point (UWSP) is also located only a short drive away, and offers a wide range of cultural events and attractions such as the Carlsten Gallery and the UWSP Museum of Natural History. It is home to the Nelis R. Kampenga Archives and Area Research Center as well, which houses collections from the Wisconsin and the Portage County Historical Societies.
Nearby, the Green Circle trail will take you on a 26 mile loop through the Stevens Point area that will bring you past outdoor activity areas such as the Stevens Point Sculpture Park, Schmeeckle Reserve, and Yulga Park, which is known for its 18-hole championship level disc golf course.
These and many other attractions and events make Stevens Point a wonderful area to live in and explore.
Responsibilities
The library director plans, organizes, directs, and controls all functions, operations, and activities of the Library, either directly or through senior management staff. The director reports to a seven-member library board of trustees and serves as a county department head for Portage County. The director, under general direction of and within the policies set by the library board, is responsible for developing and presenting an operating plan, budget, and policies necessary to provide library service to community residents. The director is responsible for administering the programs of library service approved by the library board to accomplish the short- and long-term goals established in its mission statement and strategic plan.
Minimum qualifications
A Master’s degree in library science from an ALA accredited graduate library school; eligibility for a Grade 1 Wisconsin Library Certificate; a minimum of five years successful public library and/or library system experience, which includes at least two years of staff supervision and administrative experience; or such alternative or additional qualifications as the library board of trustees may find acceptable as listed in the job description. Essential attributes and skills include: vision, creativity, energy and enthusiasm; demonstrated success in effectively promoting library services to the community through partnerships; political acumen; working within a county budget and governance structure, collaborative and consensus-building skills; and a thorough knowledge of current trends and “best practices” for library service.
Proven success working effectively with a library board of trustees is desirable.
The deadline for applications is Monday, July 25, 2016, at 4:30 p.m. Apply online at
http://portagecountyjobs.applicantstack.com/x/detail/a2lt3os9me6q
Compensation
Portage County has undertaken a salary survey, which will determine the compensation of the position. The current salary is $69,052 to $88,781 per year.
Think Sunday, Aug. 21...the warm August air envelopes you as you relax outside while the afternoon turns to dusk. You take in the sunset colors of the sky and the beauty of the water; your toes curl in the sand on the beach. Someone walks by your chair and rests a lei of flowers across your shoulders. You sigh in relaxation and take a sip from the Mai Tai in your hand. Off to your right, the torches are being lit in preparation for the night's performance of live Polynesian music, Hula Dancers, and Fire and Knife Breathers.
Even though it might seem as if you're off on the beautiful island beaches of Kauai, tonight you are actually at the WLA Foundation Summer Fundraiser and the members of the Luau Fundraiser Committee are pleased to invite you to what is sure to be one of the best events of the year!
Simply go online to reserve your chair and be ready to enjoy good conversation, good food and good entertainment in an excellent setting!
The event begins at 3:00 p.m., with performances starting at 6 p.m. The bar remains open until 10 p.m. The WLA Luau will be held at the The East Side Club, 735 Monona Drive, Madison.
Ticket price includes indoor/outdoor venue on beautiful Lake Monona, traditional Pig Roast & sides, games, prizes and exciting Hawaiian performances by Hale O Malo Productions. The cost is $50 for adults, $15 for children ages 3-12, and children under 3 are free.
Grants for digitization projects
With support from WPLC, Recollection Wisconsin is researching grants available to public libraries for digitization projects, and sharing that information quarterly.
Details about grant opportunities from the Wisconsin Humanities Council, including tips for successful applications and a sample grant proposal from Kewaunee Public Library, have just been posted to the WPLC blog.
For more information, contact Emily Pfotenhauer, Recollection Wisconsin Program Manager, WiLS, at (608) 616-9756.
ALA offers free advocacy webinar series
Developed and presented by Libby Post of Communication Services, the Library Campaign Training Institute (LCTI) will teach attendees how to create, market, and implement an effective advocacy campaign for your library.
Registration is mandatory, and "seats" in the virtual room are first-come, first serve. All sessions will be recorded and archived for future viewing, and registrants will be sent a link after each session to watch the recorded webinar.
Part 1: Building your Base - July 14, 2016, 12:00, CST (register)
This workshop makes the connection between program and services outreach and building a library's base of support for advocacy. This workshop details:
- Using recent research as well as preparing public service return on investment calculations.
- How to map a community.
- Options for program development -- examples used are the Recreation market and local elected officials.
- Connection between customer service and advocacy.
- Use of social media.
- Managing data.
- Using volunteer messengers.
Part 2: The Best Defense is a Good Offense - July 21, 2016, 12:00, CST (register)
This workshop provides participants with the knowledge needed to:
- Create a campaign plan.
- Recruit volunteer leadership.
- Detail roles and responsibilities.
Part 3: Message, Marketing, & Media - July 28, 2016, 12:00, CST (register)
This workshop walks participants through:
- How to develop a campaign message using values and emotional branding.
- Integrating that message into campaign outreach.
- Public presentations.
- Using the media to advance the message.
Part 4: Connecting with YES Voters + Part 5: Get out the Vote (Immediately following Part 4): Aug. 4, 2016, 12:00, CST (register)
This workshop details the nuts and bolts of a library field operation including:
- Targeting through using enhanced voter files.
- Phone Banking/Direct Mail/Social Media/Email/Voter Tracking
This workshop brings the previous four together with the ultimate goal of reaching out to Yes voters and getting them to the polls.