Index
- Bruce Deming to receive SCLS Foundation’s 2019 Cornerstone Award
- Aug. 30 is deadline to submit 2019 SCLS Foundation library award nominations
- Member/Staff News
- Register now for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Symposium on Sept. 24
- Still time to register for Trustee Training Week
- Competitive Grant Inventory
- Perspectives on Reading; Call for story submissions
- Continuing Education Calendar
Bruce Deming to receive SCLS Foundation’s 2019 Cornerstone Award
Bruce Deming’s career in the library furniture business began innocently as a college business major when he took a summer job in a furniture manufacturing plant. After a subsequent position in sales serving Wisconsin and its public libraries, Deming made the life choice to start his business here instead of Illinois or Michigan.
He will come full circle later this year when he retires and closes the doors on Embury Ltd.
In recognition of his efforts to serve libraries with quality furniture and shelving, and his support of libraries through regular participation at Wisconsin’s Library Legislative Day, Bruce Deming will receive the South Central Library System Foundation’s 2019 Cornerstone Award. The award will be presented Thursday, Oct. 17, at Buck & Honey’s Restaurant, 804 Liberty Blvd., Sun Prairie, WI. More information, plus a link to a map and directions, is available on the Foundation website at www.sclsfoundation.org/cornerstone/.
Bruce grew up in a small western Michigan town of about 500 people. He chose to attend Miami of Ohio University and later transferred to Michigan State. He worked in a furniture factory for four summers and during winter breaks, and upon graduating with a business degree he returned to work as the plant manager. “This was my start in the furniture industry,” Bruce said. He was the plant manager for several years, then moved into sales and at 25 years of age became the national sales manager.
Bruce’s next career move was to join the Worden Company in Holland, MI, which is a library furniture manufacturer. He worked in sales and sales support for several years, then joined a firm in Chicago selling library furniture primarily in Wisconsin. In 1986 he decided to part ways and start his own business and chose to locate in Wisconsin. He started out as a sales rep not a dealer, but soon decided it would be better to be a dealer, so he started Embury LTD in 1988.
“If I had thought then that I could run the company for 30 years, I would have been shocked,” Bruce said. “It has been a good run and I have enjoyed what I have been doing.” He said working with and serving libraries has been very enjoyable. “They are pleasant, logical people who ask good questions, respect professionalism, and pay their bills on time,” Bruce said of libraries.
The company’s market is public libraries and academic libraries. They work primarily in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, the Dakotas, Iowa, and Michigan.
“I’ve always tried to be very honest with people,” Bruce said. “My job has not been so much about sales as it is about solving problems. You need to provide good information so libraries can come to realistic decisions about what they need.”
Bruce said he has long-term relationships with many libraries, which often means directors and boards turn to him as a sort of consultant to help find the best solutions. “That doesn’t always result in a sale, but I’m happy to provide that kind of support to help libraries be successful.”
Once they were working on a project in Waukesha and to save money and get the job done quicker, they actually worked late into the night and slept in the library. “I’m not sure we could do that today, but that was a result of the relationships we had with the director,” Bruce said.
One of the ways Bruce chose to support libraries was by attending Wisconsin’s Library Legislative Day. “I really wanted to support the industry I was in,” Bruce said. “I wanted to try and give legislators another perspective—from the role of vendors—about the import role libraries play in our communities.”
Bruce said participation in Legislative day really opened his eyes to the pressures under which libraries operate, and he learned a great deal more about what libraries do to serve communities.
“As we wind down our business and are cleaning out files, we are realizing how many contacts we’ve had and how many friends we’ve made,” Bruce said, explaining that they believe they have done more library projects in Wisconsin than any other vendor. He said they have probably worked with nearly 1,000 libraries over the years, and short- and long-term friendships came out of most of them.
Bruce said he learned early that as a business they needed to listen to the wants and needs of librarians because they are speaking from experience. He said at one job in a Chicago suburb they were installing 42-inch high double-face shelving and the director wanted it anchored to the floor. “We were trying to convince her that wasn’t necessary, and we really challenged her on that,” Bruce said. “We finally gave in when she said, ‘Well, you just wait until the seventh-graders come in here with ropes and tip it over.’ We said, ‘Okay, we will floor anchor them if that is your situation.’”
Once when preparing a quote for a prison in Michigan, Bruce was explaining to the warden that they should avoid the black shelving because it needs to be dusted more frequently. “The warden stopped me and said, ‘Bruce, I’ve got plenty of people here to dust.’ We installed the black shelves.”
Bruce said there is no question that libraries continue to be relevant today.
“The usage of libraries is still there,” Bruce said. “Carnegie’s vision of the need for libraries is still as important as it was all those years ago.” He said they’re actually installing less shelving today, but they are doing more to provide furniture for gathering spaces, coffee spaces, computer stations, and other uses that weren’t there only several years ago. “Libraries are being used differently, but they are definitely still being used,” Bruce said. “We see that every day in every community we serve.”
Aug. 30 is deadline to submit 2019 SCLS Foundation library award nominations
Time is running out to nominate your library or special volunteer for one of four awards to be presented at the South Central Library System Foundation’s 2019 Cornerstone Award Reception. The nomination deadline for this year's awards is Friday, Aug. 30, 2019, at 5 p.m.
The Cornerstone Award reception honors an individual or individuals who have had a significant and long-term impact on enhancing public libraries in South Central Wisconsin and represent the values and mission of the South Central Library System Foundation. The 2019 Cornerstone Award recipient is Bruce Deming, the owner of Embury, Ltd., which for years supplied furniture and shelving for public libraries. Bruce has also been active for years at Library Legislative Day.
This year's reception will be held Thursday Oct. 17 from 5-7 p.m. at Buck & Honey’s Restaurant, 804 Liberty Blvd., Sun Prairie, WI (map & directions). This year's reception sponsor is First Business Bank.
The awards and descriptions are listed below, and the links will take you to the online nomination forms.
- Super Awesome Library Award -- For the library that was overall awesome in 2019. 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.
- Outstanding Library Volunteer Award -- This award recognizes that outstanding volunteer who is instrumental in making your library what it is. This new award is presented annually to an individual who through their contributions has had a significant impact on library service in a single community.
Lisa Renier Thomas (pictured at right) is the new director of the Spring Green Community Library. She most recently served as a continuing education director with the UW System, and previously worked in youth services at Mauston's Hatch Public Library. Lisa's passions are the arts, lifelong learning, and the outdoors, and she is currently section hiking the Ice Age Trail. She has undergraduate and graduate degrees from UW-Madison.
Congratulations to Waunakee Public Library, which held the ribbon cutting/grand opening of its new library on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2019. Photos are available on the SCLS Facebook page.
The August issue of WSLL @ Your Service is now online. Your comments are welcome, and should be directed to the editor, Carol Hassler. In this issue: Welcome to the library -- August is the month of back to school sales and the last of family vacations, but for the Library it's time to welcome new users (read more); Wisconsin briefs database -- The Wisconsin Briefs Database houses more than 100,000 appellate briefs and appendices filed in cases that were decided from around 1992-2009 (read more); New books -- Our two featured titles this month are Marital Property Law & Practice in Wisconsin, andScience Bench Book for Judges. Our August new book list featuring all our new and updated titles is also available (read more); Tech tip -- Get tips for filtering email by registering your own domain name and then adding email services to the hosting package (read more); Library news -- Learn about August classes, librarian speaking events, the Labor Day holiday, and read an AALL conference report (read more); August snapshot -- We are grateful to Ismael Ozanne, Dane County District Attorney, for setting aside time in July to talk to our library staff and answer questions about the District Attorney's office and criminal procedure (read more).
Register now for Sept. 24 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Symposium
In a recent South Central Library System survey, participants reported regular interactions with community members who struggle with addiction and substance abuse disorders. This special symposium on Sept. 24, 2019, at the Wintergreen Resort in Wisconsin Dells, will use a people-first, anti-stigma perspective to explore trauma, addiction, and substance abuse. Learn more about the symposium, and find a registration link, on the SCLS Continuing Calendar.
The morning session is titled “Addiction, Substance Abuse Disorder, Trauma, and the Human Brain: Information for Public Library Staff.” Library staffs across the country find themselves in the heart of a substance abuse epidemic that is attacking entire communities and civic life. Morning session speakers will address trauma, addiction and substance abuse from a people-first, anti-stigma, perspective. With an understanding of our roles as public library staff, our speakers will identify appropriate methods for recognizing and responding to potential overdoses in the library, will provide an overview of the neurobiology of addiction, and will discuss ways that library staff members can practice healthy mental and emotional habits.
Presenters: Sarah Johnson, Public Health Madison & Dane County; Skye Tikkanen, Safe Communities; and Sheila Weix, Family Health Center of Marshfield
The afternoon session is titled “Mindfulness: Skillful Responding During Times of Stress.” Mindfulness has been shown to be beneficial to people in many ways. In particular, we’ll explore the application of mindfulness to the experience of stress and stressful events such as those discussed in the morning workshop. In this workshop, Michael will explore what mindfulness is, what the benefits can be, and how it can support library staff during times of difficult interactions with patrons. This will be a "hands on" presentation and will include exploring mindfulness practices.
Presenter: Michael Waupoose, Quartz Health Insurance
Lunch will be available onsite for a fee of $12 and will include a soup and sandwich buffet. Vegetarian options will be available. Let Jean Anderson know of any other dietary needs.
Still time to register for Trustee Training Week
There is still time to register for Wisconsin Trustee Training Week, which will be held Aug. 12-16, 2019. There will be one webinar each day from noon-1 p.m. on a topic that’s relevant to public library boards, friends, and trustees. Webinars are available free of charge, and open to anyone.
The schedule of presentations is as follows:
- Monday, Aug. 12 -- Governing Libraries that Inspire Investment -- A primary role of the board is to secure adequate funding for the library. Hear from Rebekkah Smith Aldrich about making the case for funding and inspiring stakeholders to invest in your library. With fierce competition for public and private funds and changing perceptions about what a library actually does, it has never been more important to talk about the essential nature of your library to those you serve to those who make funding decisions about your library. During this webinar you will receive an introduction to the basic building blocks that need to be in place to inspire investment of funding and good will into your library, and you’ll get a front row seat to some of the latest thinking in the profession on how to ensure your library's future in an uncertain world. (register)
- Tuesday, Aug. 13 -- Free is Key: Ensuring Your Library is Meeting its Mission -- Join Dawn Wacek for a discussion of your library's mission and how fine policies may be working against you! Learn the ins and outs of going fine free and what library research and best practice recommendations show about the benefits of making your collection more accessible. (register)
- Wednesday, Aug. 14 -- Effective Library Advocacy -- Hear advice for effective library advocacy from Library Development & Legislation Committee (LD&L) Co-Chairs Connie Meyer and Kathy Pletcher. Covering everyday advocacy to decision-makers and stakeholders as well as Library Legislative Day, hear tips on who to talk to, when, and how from our presenters. (register)
- Thursday, Aug. 15 -- What Does Inclusivity Look Like at Your Library? -- What does inclusive mean to your library and its daily operations? Is your library inclusive? Join Shauna Koszegi, Adult Services Librarian from the Sun Prairie Public Library, as she gives you an overview of the newly released Inclusive Services Assessment and Guide. This guide will help you reflect on how your library can be a place where everyone feels safe, welcome and respected. (register)
- Friday, Aug. 16 -- Recruiting and Retaining Library Directors and Staff -- Expectations are changing when it comes to how long library directors (and other library employees) stay at one job. Join Pat Wagner to learn more about how library boards can attract and retain quality leadership and personnel in a competitive market? What is the “new normal” in terms of director recruitment? Topics include improving board-director relations, reviewing finances and job descriptions, investing in support for better salaries and benefits, setting realistic goals, and being better talent scouts for future hires. (register)
You must register for each webinar individually using the links above, or at https://www.wistrusteetraining.com. More information is also available at that link, and you can also access recordings from the 2015-18 webinars.
Trustee Training Week is sponsored by the South Central Library System, with financial support from other Wisconsin Public Library Systems, plus the Division for Libraries and Technology and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
Recordings of other SCLS Continuing Education webinars are available on the SCLS website at https://scls.typepad.com/programs/.
The Department of Public Instruction recently published a Competitive Grant Inventory web page. The page is a summary of competitive state and federal grant opportunities administered by the DPI, with up-to-date information about available grants for which several entities may apply.
Eligible entities include:
- public school districts
- public schools or public charter schools
- independent charter schools
- tribal schools
- CESAs
- colleges
- libraries
- other private or public entities
- community-based organizations
Potential applicants can search the inventory to narrow the list, or sort the inventory by eligible entity, grant title, due date, or keywords. Each grant listed is linked to the appropriate web page for more information.
The competitive grant inventory is updated as needed.
Perspectives on Reading; Call for story submissions
Over a year ago, OverDrive launched Perspectives on Reading, a quarterly online magazine that focuses on trends in the reading world. In that time, they have published stories about using video games as a literacy tool and how to read like a writer and taken readers into the world of Denver’s Tattered Cover Book Store and behind the scenes at Penguin Random House with Skip Dye.
Many of the articles and essays that appear in Perspectives on Reading came from librarians and booklovers. It’s time to plan the fifth edition of Perspectives on Reading and OverDrive would like to hear from you. Has your library had a unique program you want to share? Do you have reading success stories from your library? Is there some element about your book-related job you think more people should know about?
OverDrive is accepting story ideas over the next few weeks, so if there’s something you think the reading world needs to know about, send your story submission.