Index
- SCLS seeks LTE Workforce Development Specialist
- Wisconsin’s Digital Library celebrates 4.25 million digital checkouts in 2017
- Member/Staff News
- Virtual Reality kits now available
- Mount Horeb Public Library lends Caregiver Kits
- Continuing Education Calendar
SCLS seeks LTE Workforce Development Specialist
The South Central Library System (SCLS) seeks a Limited Term Employee (LTE) Workforce Development Specialist to assist member libraries with local workforce development needs, such as serving residents who are unemployed, under-employed, or who need assistance upgrading their skills and abilities. The specialist will bring together libraries and other community partners, with an emphasis on training and documentation in order for libraries to become self-sufficient in providing patrons with the resources they need.
While the focus of this position is on workforce development and the needs of job seekers, this position may also address related needs that arise from joblessness or underemployment, including poverty, food insecurity, housing, family support, and transportation.
We are looking for someone with strong oral and written communication skills, good listening skills, adaptability/flexibility, and strong technical/communication skills (web page content, computer, writing, etc.). Candidates must be able to travel independently, must have access to a car, and must be able to provide proof of auto insurance and a copy of a valid driver’s license annually. We also need some who has the ability to perform tasks accurately with minimum supervision. We’re also looking for people who are self-motivated and detail oriented, and who have a flexible schedule to best address the needs of libraries.
Essential Functions
The Workforce Development Specialist will:
- Develop and manage a new web page to organize existing online and local resources to make them more accessible to public library staff.
- Work in partnership with community agencies and organizations to develop training opportunities for public library staff so they can better serve patron needs.
- Work in partnership with library staff, community agencies and organizations to develop materials and organize resources that staff can use with job seekers and others needing employment assistance, those wanting to add or enhance their technical skills, and those who need help with resume writing and interview skills.
- Travel regularly within the South Central Library System (Adams, Columbia, Dane, Green, Portage, Sauk & Wood Counties) to help staff at 54 member libraries develop and implement new programs and resources, to be involved in training opportunities for library staff, and to facilitate relationships with community agencies and organizations.
- Have the ability to reflect on experiences and lessons learned in one community and apply new knowledge toward related service and projects in other communities.
Required Qualifications
MLS preferred, or a Bachelor’s degree supplemented by training or experience in a related field. Library or other community outreach experience desired. Reliability, ability to reason and think logically, ability to work independently, and attention to detail are essential to this position.
The starting salary is $20 per hour, and the hours are 20-29 hours per week (maximum of 1,040) between the hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F through Dec. 31, 2018.
The SCLS job application and position description are available at http://www.scls.info/hr/. Please complete the SCLS job application and attach your resume, three references, and cover letter outlining your qualifications and vision for this position. E-mail submissions to Kerrie Goeden, HR & Finance Coordinator, at [email protected] no later than March 9, 2018. Position is available immediately.
The South Central Library System is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Wisconsin’s Digital Library celebrates 4.25 million digital checkouts in 2017
Readers borrow record number of eBooks & audiobooks
The Wisconsin Public Library Consortium (WPLC) announced this week that readers borrowed over 4.25 million digital books through its OverDrive-powered Wisconsin’s Digital Library in 2017, a new record. Of that statewide total, South Central Library System (SCLS) libraries accounted for 912,532 checkouts, including 551,083 eBooks, 358,723 audiobooks, and 2,726 e-video. That represents about 22 percent of the statewide use of OverDrive’s digital materials.
With an ever-expanding digital collection of eBooks and audiobooks, Wisconsin’s Digital Library experienced year-over-year growth of 6.9 percent from 2016 as they joined the "Million Checkout Club" of 58 libraries worldwide. Users of SCLS member libraries have access to 164,910 eBooks, 47,643 audiobooks, and 1,058 eVideos.
Wisconsin Public Library Consortium launched Wisconsin’s Digital Library in 2005, providing readers 24/7 access to eBooks and audiobooks. Reader interest and usage has grown every year since.
The top five titles readers borrowed through Wisconsin Public Library Consortium's OverDrive-powered digital collection in 2017 were:
- The Girl on the Train, Paula Hawkins
- The Whistler, John Grisham
- Turbo Twenty-Three, Janet Evanovich
- Small Great Things, Jodi Picoult
- Truly Madly Guilty, Liane Moriarty
Readers just need a valid library card to access digital books from Wisconsin’s Digital Library. Readers may use any major device, including Apple(R), Android™, Chromebook™ and Kindle(R) (U.S. only). Visit https://wplc.overdrive.com or download the Libby app to get started and borrow eBooks and audiobooks anytime, anywhere.
About OverDrive and Libby
OverDrive is the leading digital reading platform for libraries and schools worldwide. Libby is the highly rated "one-tap reading app" for libraries. We are dedicated to “a world enlightened by reading” by delivering the industry’s largest catalog of eBooks, audiobooks and other digital media to a growing network of 40,000 libraries and schools in 70 countries. Founded in 1986, OverDrive is based in Cleveland, Ohio USA.
The Oregon Public Library recently welcomed Kara Ripley (pictured at right) to the team as the Adult Services and Outreach Librarian. Kara received her MLS from Indiana University in 2007 and for the past seven years has been the BadgerLink Training Librarian at the Department of Public Instruction. Kara said she is thrilled to be returning to work in a public library and is excited to develop activities for lifelong learners.
Virtual Reality kits now available
by Emily Waring, Computer Technician
In my last TechBits post, I wrote about the new technology coming to SCLS libraries this year. I am happy to report that the Virtual Reality kit is now available for libraries to check out! Not only that, but we also purchased a second kit, which means more libraries and their patrons will be able to experience and play with VR.
These kits include the PS4 gaming console, VR headset, VR camera, controllers, and lots of cables. All you will need is a projector or TV. These kits are only to be checked out by SCLS librarians and are for in-library use only.
Visit the SCLS equipment page to check availability and reserve the kit. Reservations will be handled on a first-come, first-serve basis and will be confirmed with an email from myself or Craig. The kits can be checked out for up to 10 days, but only one kit at a time.
If you have any questions, you can leave them in the reservation form or send me an email at [email protected].
Mount Horeb Public Library lends Caregiver Kits
The Mount Horeb Public Library unveiled Caregiver Kits last year. Created to support caregivers helping people with memory loss, these kits are filled with a variety of books, pictures, videos, music and other items designed to evoke memories and invite sharing. Five separate kits, each with a different theme, are available to check out.
Melissa Roelli, the librarian who created the kits, was inspired by the BiFolkal Kits Dane County Outreach Librarian Mary Driscoll shares with nursing homes. “The BiFolkal kits are valuable resources,” Roelli said. “As soon as I learned about them I wanted individual caregivers to have these tools. I brought the idea to our library director, Jessica Williams. She immediately agreed that these kits would be beneficial to our community.”
Roelli worked closely with the Dane County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) in selecting items to be included. She wanted to make sure the items would be helpful and safe. The kits include items for multiple senses, and most have a book, a video, a cd and a manipulative (something to feel) included. All items are easy to clean. Along with utilizing the resources from the ADRC, Roelli used the website www.enasco.com extensively, which contains hundreds of items for seniors, with a special category for memory loss.
The initial kits were designed for older senior community members. Staff recently became aware of the need for items for early-onset diagnoses, and in the coming weeks the library will add items such as puzzles (designed for memory loss) and tangrams.
When the ADRC learned the kits were finalized, Joy Schmidt, ADRC Dementia Specialist, shared the idea with other ADRCs throughout the state. The Mount Horeb Public Library immediately started receiving emails and phone calls asking for help creating kits. She has since met with various groups, presented at the Dane County ADRC and taught a class on Creating Caregiver Kits at the Wisconsin Library Association conference. Everyone at the Mt. Horeb Public Library is thrilled that this idea has spread and hopes even more libraries will add tools for caregivers. “Libraries continue to evolve and help their communities in such engaging, evolving ways,” Roelli said. “Caregiver Kits are just one more resource we can give our communities. It feels wonderful to be able to help.”