Index
- Libraries need your help by April 3!
- Introducing the WPLC User/Non-User Research Program
- Nominate your library for 2017 SCLS Foundation awards
- 5-Part Collection Development webinar series
- Continuing Education Calendar
Libraries need your help by April 3!
The proposed federal budget will eliminate funding for the Institute of Museum and Library Service (IMLS), through which states receive Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants. These grants are used at the state level, by public library systems (like the South Central Library System), and by public libraries.
LSTA grants are used in a number of ways to:
- support statewide library delivery services
- purchase new and innovative library technology
- implement youth literacy projects
- support programs that help public library staff serve customers who are living in poverty or are homeless
- help public library staff connect patrons with employment resources and services that help them find meaningful employment and better jobs.
You can help by contacting Wisconsin's U.S. Senators and your Congressional Representative and asking them to support funding for IMLS. You can also encourage them to sign both the LSTA and the Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) "Dear Appropriator" letters that are being circulated. Without this input, the powerful Appropriations Committees will not make LSTA and IAL a priority, dramatically increasing the odds that they will be cut or eliminated next year.
Take action now by visiting https://tinyurl.com/scls-saveIMLS.
Introducing the WPLC User/Non-User Research Program
Have you wondered why customers use your library, or more importantly, why they don't? Surveys and other data gathering methods can help you find out, but creating and interpreting them can be difficult.
Every four years, the Wisconsin Public Library Consortium (WPLC) has surveyed Wisconsin residents to understand more about library users and non-users. This year, the WPLC and WPLC User/Non-User Survey Workgroup is taking a different approach -- rather than conduct a statewide survey, we're offering a series of webinars with Morrill Solutions Research to help library staff learn how to gather and interpret data that is meaningful to them. Each webinar will cover a different topic, including the development of research and survey questions, gathering different kinds of information, and understanding data. These will be held each Tuesday from April 4-25.
Those who have attended or watched the recordings of all four webinars will be invited to submit a proposal by May 26 to conduct their own library user and non-user research over the summer. Up to five projects will be selected to receive free private consultations with Morrill Solutions Research to refine and implement their projects and analyze the data gathered. A final webinar, available to all library community members, will focus on learning to analyze data.
All materials developed and data gathered from these projects will be freely shared with the WPLC community, and libraries will be able to use that material to develop their own surveys or research projects.
Read more about the program and register to attend the webinars at www.wplc.info/researchprogram.
Please contact [email protected] with any questions.
Nominate your library for 2017 SCLS Foundation awards
To help celebrate the innovative and important work public libraries do every day, the South Central Library System (SCLS) Foundation will again present three library awards as part of the 2017 Cornerstone Award fundraising reception. The date and location of the reception has not yet been determined.
There is no cost to attend the reception, and there will be a cash bar and free refreshments. The 2016 event raised about $12,000.
Library staff members, trustees, friends, or residents can nominate their library for any of the awards, which are described below. To make an online nomination, simply click on the award name. All nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1, 2017.
- Super Awesome Library Award -- For the library that was overall awesome in 2017. 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!
- Giddy Up Partner Award-- For those strong community partnerships that add value to the library and the community as a whole. It takes two, baby! Or three... or four. Nominate the library and its partner(s) and describe the amazing stuff they’re doing together.
5-Part Collection Development webinar series
A special 5-part collection development webinar series will begin April 10 and run through Nov. 3. This series is sponsored by Wisconsin’s 16 Library Systems. Register for one, all five, or anything in between. The webinars are as follows.
- April 19, 10-11 a.m.: Making Your Collection Count -- Presented by Holly Hibner and Mary Kelly -- Make your collection count! We will discuss collection development policies that balance popular with well-rounded content, reflect diversity and inclusion, and provide methods for dealing with (and avoiding) challenges. This session talks about how to measure a collection's quality. This includes the benefits and methods of taking a physical inventory, analyzing collection procedures and workflows, and the life cycle of a collection. Our holistic approach to collection management will help all types and sizes of libraries to keep pace with the demands and expectations of their communities. (Register).
- May 12, 1-2 p.m.: Adult Selection Tools -- Presented by Sarah Statz Cords, Michael Nitz, and Elizabeth Timmins -- Learn some tips and tools for keeping on top of selection, including a focus on nonfiction, non-traditional resources, and how to make things work in a small library. (Register).
- 7, 1-2 p.m.: Tips for Building a Well-Rounded Collection for Youth -- Presented by Sue Abrahamson and Shelly Collins Fuerbringer -- How do you keep on top of the avalanche of materials being produced for kids and teens? How can you make sure you are finding the best materials for your collection and your community? Collection budgets are rarely as big as we want them to be, so how can you make the best use of resources? And what about the salespeople? Join Shelly Collins Fuerbringer (Eau Claire) and Sue Abrahamson (Waupaca) for a lively discussion of the tips and tools they recommend. (Register).
- 26, 10-11 a.m.: Data Informed Collection Development -- Presented by Shanneon Grant -- Do you like language and stories far more than numbers and statistics? Do your feel like data is dull and uninspiring? Get ready to change your thinking and begin uncovering the clues that data can reveal for you! Join us for an exploration of Data-Informed Collection Development. (It is so much more exciting than it sounds…) It’s NOT about fancy data collection tools, it IS about using the basic data you have access to help you make informed decisions when developing and maintaining your collection. It’s about interpreting your data, rather than just blindly following the numbers. It’s about discovering correlations and connections that drive planning and decision making. (Register).
- November 3, 10:00 – 11:30 am: Promoting Your Collection: Merchandizing and More -- Presented by Kathy Dempsey -- Collections are the mainstays of libraries. After spending lots of money and time curating, processing, and making them available, you may think the work is done. But there’s one more vital step—promoting them! This final webinar of your series will help you go beyond basic book displays and posters. You’ll hear about using book talks and shelf-talkers, and will learn ways to publicize your collections outside of your buildings. This webinar will focus most on merchandising—what it really is, and how to do it effectively enough to boost your circulation. It will feature many colorful photos of great signage and merchandising from libraries around the world to get your creative ideas flowing. (Register).