Index
- New SCLS website goes live
- Wyocena Public Library seeks new director
- Member/Staff News
- Solar power array installed at McMillan
- Continuing Education Calendar
New SCLS website goes live
The new SCLS website launch occurred yesterday, Sept. 7. The website is a work in progress and we will continue to revise the design and layout and improve the content in upcoming months. You can let us know about any problems you find or give us feedback about the new website by filling out this online feedback form. We appreciate your patience as we learn the ropes and fix any issues!
Most of the SCLS website content has been migrated, and in the coming weeks SCLS staff will finish that migration and iron out the wrinkles.
Library staff will continue to access password-protected content in the same way (with the same usernames and passwords) as on the former site.
Thank you to everyone who provided feedback during our re-design process, and thank you all for your patience.
Wyocena Public Library seeks new director
The Wyocena Library Board is seeking a Library Director for the Wyocena Public Library. The position requires a minimum of a Grade 3 library director certification, or working toward certification. Some in-library experience is preferred. The position is 10-15 hours per week (schedule is flexible) at the rate of $11-$11.75 per hour. No residency requirement. By Oct. 13, 2017, send letter of interest, resume, copy of college transcript and references to:
Linda R. Balsiger, Wyocena Library Trustee
P.O. Box 682
Wyocena, WI 53969
Wyocena is a small village with a population of 768 (2010 census), located just 30 miles north of Madison and 9 miles southeast of Portage. Wyocena has village parks and a county park, creeks and a lake. Easy access is gained to the interstate to larger area cities. Several employers are in the village, but many residents commute into Madison or surrounding communities.
The Wyocena Public Library is housed in the Wyocena Community Center building. The library began as a gift bequeathed to the village by Olieve Huggett Hiller, and the well-equipped facilities are a beautiful gem. The Library staff provides many activities and services, and a very active Friends of the Library group assists the library.
Erin Williams Hart (right) is the new Head of Adult Services at the Sun Prairie Public Library. She previously worked for more than a decade at the Brookline (Massachusetts) Public Library, wearing many hats from Library Assistant to Periodicals Librarian and just about everything in between. Most recently she spent three years as an Information Specialist with the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, supporting libraries and providing training and consultation to library staff, trustees and Friends groups. She received her MS in Library and Information Science from Syracuse University in 2008. Erin is thrilled to be returning to her roots both in Wisconsin and in the public library setting. She is looking forward to expanding services and outreach at the already stellar Sun Prairie Public Library, and working closely with their fantastic Friends group.
The September issue of WSLL @ Your Service is now online. As always, your comments are welcome. Please direct them to the editor, Kristina Martinez. In this issue: Log In to LLMC Digital; New Books; Tech Tip; Library News; September Snapshot.
Solar power array installed at McMillan
McMillan Memorial Library has installed the largest solar project in Central Wisconsin, a 235 kW / 470 panel system that will produce enough electricity for 25 average homes. The project is being funded by Viking Electric (which will own the project for the first six years) and the Library's Endowment Fund. The array went live on August 14 and an open house is planned for September 20. The library has an album of photos and videos on Facebook.
In the McMillan Memorial Library 2015-2020 Plan of Service, the Library Board called for taking steps toward a more sustainable facility. While the priority was on reducing energy usage, the Plan called for exploring power generation too. In the Fall of 2016, the Library began looking at how to implement rooftop solar, despite the lack of operational or capital funding for such a project in either the Library’s or City’s budget. Working with the Mayor’s Sustainability Council and the T.B. Scott Free Library of Merrill (which was undertaking a similar project), the Library developed several proposals, one of which was accepted by the Library Board in June.
The project is a 235 kW (DC) rooftop solar array, with a total cost of $420,000. This utilizes much of the Library’s roof, and triples the installed solar capacity in Wisconsin Rapids. Most of the power will be used by the Library, but some will be sold back to the grid.
Viking Electric is serving as both contractor and tax sponsor for the project. They have funded 70% of the cost, overseen the installation and own the solar array for the first six years. During this time, they will sell the electricity produced to the Library at a reduced rate and benefit from various tax credits. Viking Electric is owned by Lincoln High School graduate Scott Prahl. Prahl became interested in the project as a means of benefitting the community he grew up in and the Library he used as a child.
The Library Endowment Fund has funded 30% of the cost of the project. The Endowment exists to undertake projects that benefit the Library but that are above and beyond the regular budget. The Endowment consists of funds donated to the Library over many years by community members and organizations.
After six years, the Library will be able to purchase the project, for about 30% of the original cost. The Library plans to fundraise this amount, with details still under development.
No City operational or capital funding is involved in this project, though there is incidental Library operational funding. Library, City, and Water Works & Lighting staff helped in the development, evaluation and implementation of the project.
“We are very excited about this project” said Library Director Andy Barnett. “Finding a solid private partner to bear part of the costs and utilize the tax credits was the key to the project. Scott and Viking Electric bring a great deal of expertise to the project and we look forward to working with them.”
Mayor Zach Vruwink noted “As the first and only solar installation on a city building, we’re thrilled to advance our desires to be more sustainable- operationally to save taxpayers money and environmentally by introducing more renewable energy- all the while, offering an educational opportunity to our community.”