Index
- Annual Report: Before, during, and after
- Apps, kids and libraries
- Rome Library building project update
- Grants available for digitization projects
- SLIS online professional development classes, MA program information
- Wisconsin Historical Society family history records available in BadgerLink
- LSTA grant application deadline is Oct. 14
- Continuing Education Calendar
Annual Report: Before, during, and after
Whether you are new or experienced with the library annual reporting and LibPAS, this program the afternoon of Nov. 17 (immediately following the All Directors Meeting) is for you.
Jamie McCanless, who oversees the annual report for the Division for Libraries and Technology, will present the workshop, and he’ll be joined by Tessa Michaelson Schmidt who will help answer questions about Youth and Inclusive Services data and help during the hands-on exercises.
Find out how to utilize LibPAS features for the annual report and other types of reports. This hands-on workshop will cover the annual report process, what you can anticipate will be new, practice using data to fill out the online report form, and the different reporting features.
Through this workshop, you will…
- understand the annual report process (who does what and when),
- learn what DPI does with annual report data,
- find resources and support documents,
- know more about the annual report (including report attachments) and what’s new,
- know where to find resources and support documents,
- understand how to report literacy offerings, drop-in activities, and programs, and
- learn more about LibPAS
- find the information needed for the annual report
- learn about other reporting features and how you can use them
- find out how to run reports to compare your library to others
Do you have any questions or specific areas that you want the presenters to address? Be sure to include your questions when you register. Jamie and Tessa will use them to prepare for this workshop. Registration information will be available soon through the SCLS Continuing Education Calendar.
by Carissa Christner, Youth Services Librarian
Alicia Ashman Neighborhood Library, Madison
In the fall of 2012, I began hearing about librarians using apps in their programs. I wondered how exactly that worked since there’s not really a way for libraries to loan apps to patrons. Did we really have any business telling parents what apps they should buy? We’re a library and are supposed to be able to share materials with our patrons for free, right?
As I spent more time studying apps for kids, the role of librarians in the conversation became much more clear to me. There are a ton of apps made for kids available in the various app stores. The vast majority of them are horrendous (Princess Shaving Salon? Colonoscopy Simulator (“fun for all ages!”)? Ack!!!), then there are the thousands that claim to be educational but are really just tired tools that don’t actually teach the concepts the app claims to teach (flashcards, memory match games, jigsaw puzzles), and then… there are a few absolute gems. Librarians have been guiding families to the best media for years -- books, music, movies, even magazines and video games.
Apps are just a new type of media and although they aren’t easily lendable, if there are families that are using apps with their kids, I believe we have a role to play in helping them to find the best ones (and not settling for “Celebrity Mommy’s Hospital Pregnancy Adventure” just because it’s free). And just like we talk to families about early literacy tips, we can also talk to them about best practices for how to incorporate apps into their family life in a healthy way (hint: Joint Media Engagement).
If you’re new to the world of apps, here are a few companies you should know:
- For the very young: Sago Mini -- These apps are designed with the very youngest users in mind (ages 2+). They are friendly little virtual worlds to explore where there are no wrong answers. This company does a ton of app testing with children and makes sure that their apps are intuitive, easy to use and engaging. Although they are simple enough for toddlers, I’ve seen elementary age kids gravitate towards the Sago Mini apps when given a range of app options simply because they’re so much fun!
- Play-based apps for slightly older children: Toca Boca -- A sister company to Sago Mini, these apps are aimed at a slightly older audience, but still keep their apps focused on pure play (rather than trying to teach didactic lessons). Toca Boca is also very conscientious about keeping their apps gender neutral and populated by a diverse community.
- Educational Explorers: Tinybop -- If you are seeking apps that do have educational content, try out Tinybop. Their apps teach lessons in a very organic way, encouraging kids to explore and sink deeply into a topic rather than simply bouncing from idea to idea. They have two collections: The Explorer’s Library and Digital Toys. Try them both!
- Teaching Reading Effectively: Originator -- Zillions of apps claim to teach your child to read, but in my experience, very few actually achieve that lofty goal. One exception are the “Endless” apps by Originator. I have seen actual results from these simple but engaging apps, and the silly monsters that star in the apps make both me and my son laugh, which keeps us coming back to learn more. Highly recommended despite their relatively high cost (although… compare it to buying a brand new picture book! Tons more content for about the same price!).
If you would like to discover more of my favorite apps, check out my app recommendation page at www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/kids/apps or watch some of the app reviews I’ve done for NBC15. If you want to learn more about media mentorship, read the new book, Becoming a Media Mentor, by Claudia Haines and Cen Campbell, or stay tuned for the release of my upcoming free, self-directed online course about apps in storytime (created in conjunction with Wisconsin DPI) that should be available later this fall. I also talked about libraries and apps for children during the September Talk of the Town on CW57.
Rome Library building project update
Seven weeks into the Lester Public Library of Rome building project and the new library addition has a roof overhead. The Building Committee membership for this project includes members of the community, library staff and library trustees.
Everyone is asking, “So, when will it be done?” At this point the best estimates for a completion date are near the end of January 2017.
When the addition is complete, the contents of the existing building will be moved over to the addition. At that time, there will be some renovations to the existing space at which time the library will be closed. Depending on particular variables such as weather, these dates may change. During the closed period the library staff and trustees will need volunteers to move shelving, books, boxes, and furniture. As November approaches we should know a clearer timeline and will offer updates on the Library Facebook page and at www.romepubliclibrary.org. Please visit and check out the construction. It’s quite exciting to see the work of so many volunteers and 12 years of fundraising coming to fruition.
Grants available for digitization projects
Wisconsin libraries are already well aware of the “Digitization of Library Historical Material” grant category available through LSTA. The following grant opportunities for digitization projects have been posted to the WPLC website:
- Grants for Digitization Projects: LSTA
- Grants for Digitization Projects: Labor History, Material Culture
In addition, SCLS has LSTA funding for digitization and is currently working with four member libraries to help digitize materials, and we will continue that in 2017. You can contact Rose Ziech for more information about this ongoing SCLS project, and whether your library would like to participate in 2017.
SLIS online professional development classes, MA program information
A new list of classes for academic and public librarians, and everyone in between, has been posted by the UW-Madison iSchool (SLIS). Register two weeks before each class begins to receive a 10% discount.
Upcoming Online Courses
- Public and Community Library Services, Sept. 26-Dec. 16
- Friends Forever: the Optimal Library Relationship, Sept. 26-Oct. 22
- NEW! Programming for Millennials, Sept. 26-Nov. 4
- NEW! Introduction to Information Visualizations and Infographics, Oct. 3-30
- NEW! Government Information for Everyone, Oct. 3-Nov. 11
- NEW! Graphic Design for the Non-Designer, Oct. 3-28
- NEW! 'Tween Programming, Oct. 17-Nov. 20
- How Do You Manage That?!: Issues in Youth Services Management, Oct. 17-Nov. 11
- NEW! Introduction to Appraisal, Oct. 24-Nov. 18
- Spring Conference, March 30-31, 2017, Power Up! A Conference in Leadership for Youth Services Managers and Staff
More information about these and other programs is available from SLIS, the iSchool at UW-Madison.
You can also learn about the UW-Madison iSchool MA programs at upcoming info sessions, Oct. 12 and 21. The iSchool MA programs offer:
- small class sizes, accessible instructors, individual attention;
- friendly, supportive, and collaborative community of learners;
- flexibility in scheduling for full or part-time program of study;
- customizable curricula to meet your career interests
- real world experience through a required practicum course;
- highly regarded career services and very strong professional placement rates.
Students may pursue concentrations including:
- Librarianship, (e.g.., Academic, Public, etc.)
- Archives in a Digital Age,
- Organization of Information,
- Data Information Management and Analytics (DIA), and
- Technology, Information & People (TIP)
October 12, 7:00 PM Information Session for Prospective Online Students -- Please join faculty & staff virtually to learn more about the curriculum, balancing graduate school/work/family life, the admissions process and employment outlook. Register by filling out this survey. Join the October 12th webinar at 7 p.m. (CST) using Adobe Connect web cnferencing. (Sign in as a guest, using your name.)
October 21, 5:00 PM Information Session for Prospective On-Campus Students -- Please join faculty, staff and students to learn more about the curriculum, life on campus, the admissions process and employment outlook in information fields. Register by filling out this survey. An optional tour of the facilities will be offered prior to the session, at 5 p.m. (CST). Can't attend in person? Join us remotely via Adobe Connect at: http://wisc.adobeconnect.com/ocinfo/ (Sign in as a guest using your name.)
Wisconsin Historical Society family history records available in BadgerLink
For the last four decades the Library-Archives Division of the Wisconsin Historical Society has been working on collecting, processing, and scanning records from across Wisconsin. These records are the product of a collaborative partnership with FamilySearch, Ancestry, the state court system, and other institutions.
“Having access to [these] records online is very critical and important to family history research,” said Matt Blessing, Administrator for the Division of Library, Archives and Museum Collections for the Wisconsin Historical Society. Having digitized, searchable, online records allows amateur and professional researchers and genealogists to have easy access to primary sources that decode the past.
The Family History Records put together by WHS includes:
- Wisconsin, State Censuses, 1895 and 1905
- Wisconsin, Birth Index, 1820-1907
- Wisconsin, Deaths, 1820-1907
- Wisconsin, Marriage Index, 1820-1907
- Wisconsin, Wills and Probate Records, 1800-1987
The collection is hosted by Ancestry and access to the Wisconsin specific records is available to Wisconsin residents through BadgerLink, Wisconsin’s Online Library. To access the records, Wisconsin residents may need to log in to BadgerLink using a Wisconsin public library card.
“BadgerLink’s purpose is to provide quality online resources to Wisconsin residents, and the partnership with the Wisconsin Historical Society, providing access to this Wisconsin-centric collection is a great opportunity for both organizations to further our goals and provide Wisconsin residents with great online resources.” said Martha Berninger, director of Resources for Libraries and Lifelong Learning (RL&LL).
LSTA grant application deadline is Oct. 14
2017 LSTA grant applications are due Oct. 14, 2016, by 4:30 p.m. for funding from April 2017-March 2018.
Both the 2017 LSTA Application form and the 2017 Information and Guidelines are located on the Wisconsin Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) web page. (http://dpi.wi.gov/pld/lsta). Additionally there are frequently asked questions, links to abstracts of past grant applications, and lists of grants by category. Copies of past grant applications and evaluations can be acquired by contacting Terrie Howe at (608) 266-2413.
In this grant round there are four competitive grant categories: Literacy, Accessibility, Digitization of Library Historical Materials, and Content Creation. Funding levels are approximate and will be awarded based upon the quality of the application, available funding, and the number of applicants.
Assistance on category sub-award ideas or general application questions is available from the Public Library Development Team consultants. Please do not hesitate to contact one of them about the application process or for help in the design of a project. There was a blog post to other helpful links on Aug. 17.