Index
- SCLS Board opposes MacMillan eBook embargo
- Census 2020 webinars and resources
- Member/Staff News
- Libraries can order Wisconsin tax forms
- Girls Who Code Clubs hit 100 in Wisconsin
- PLA announces two free webinars
- Continuing Education Calendar
SCLS Board opposes MacMillan eBook embargo
Wisconsin libraries are all about equal access and convenience, but a decision by Macmillan Publishers to limit libraries to only one copy of newly-released titles in digital formats runs counter to that philosophy.
Wisconsin libraries primarily purchase digital book titles through Wisconsin’s Digital Library (https://wplc.overdrive.com) hosted by OverDrive, and the plan announced recently by Macmillan Publishers will impose an eight-week embargo on purchasing additional copies of those new titles. That means all public library users in Wisconsin will be limited to sharing a single copy of each new Macmillan eBook statewide for the first eight weeks after it is released. The change took place Nov 1, 2019.
“At a time when libraries are increasing their investment in eBooks to improve the access of residents, Macmillan has dealt a devastating blow to customers by dramatically increasing wait times for their new titles,” said Jaime Healy-Plotkin, President of the South Central Library System Board of Trustees.
According to Healy-Plotkin, Macmillan’s decision is based on the premise that public libraries undercut publishers’ profits by providing free access to eBooks. However, other top publishers have re-evaluated their library lending models without imposing an embargo. For example, Hatchette Book Group and Penguin Random House have eliminated long-standing “perpetual access” for libraries in favor of a two-year access model. This equates to electronic expiration dates on titles that require libraries to purchase more copies but does not limit them to a single copy initially.
“It’s also important to remember that public libraries are already required to pay higher rates for eBooks and eAudiobooks,” Healy-Plotkin said, “at prices four or more times higher than what consumers pay.” Public libraries regularly purchase multiple copies at these inflated prices to meet customer demand.
Public libraries have embraced new technologies and formats to remain relevant and meet customer demand, and in recent years eBooks have become a vital component of statewide library service. To meet demand, libraries adhere to specific “Purchase to Holds” ratios that help to reduce wait times for popular titles. Wisconsin’s Digital Library attempts to maintain a 5:1 holds ratio, which means that for every five holds placed on a title, the consortium purchases one copy. The goal is to meet a maximum wait time of 1.5 months.
Wisconsin’s Digital Library includes 63,773 eBook titles and 21,678 eAudiobook titles, with more than 239,923 items in the statewide collection. In 2018, 5.1 million items were borrowed by library customers across the state, with South Central Library System customers comprising more than 22% of the statewide use at 1,080,875 checkouts.
“Libraries within the South Central Library System are proud of their commitment to excellent customer service,” Healy-Plotkin said. “But those efforts are undermined by the Macmillan eBook embargo, which members of the SCLS Board of Trustees feel will damage library reputations and reduce service to customers. The SCLS Board encourages Macmillan to reverse its policy.”
Library customers who are interested in signing a petition by the American Library Association can do so at http://eBooksForAll.org.
Census 2020 webinars and resources
Last month at the WLA Conference, Cindy Fesemyer from the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) presented on Say Yes to Census 2020. If you weren't able to attend the in-person program, Cindy has offered to do a webinar version of the same presentation on Dec. 3 at 1:30 p.m. You can register here, and the webinar will be recorded.
If you haven't already, you can download the Libraries' Guide to the 2020 Census from the ALA 2020 Census website.
And last, but not least, SCLS created a 2020 Census Outreach Information (pdf) that you includes information from the DPI, American Library Association, US Census Bureau, AARP, and the Government Accountability Office. This is a great resource to share with your library patrons and staff.
Roxanne Staveness (pictured at right)is the new director at the Rio Community Library. Prior to coming to Rio, she was at the Manitowoc Public Library and Milwaukee Public Library. Roxanne also worked as the Outreach Librarian for Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library. “I am looking forward to reconnecting with the community where I grew up and bringing the ongoing stories of the shenanigans of my cats -- Yseabeau (aka IzzyBizzyButt) and Hobbes,” Roxanne said. “At present I am determined to finish listening to all of the Eve Dallas books, I am on 27, and am on the lookout for my next favorite series.” She earned her MLIS from UW-Milwaukee.
The November issue of WSLL @ Your Service is now online. Your comments are welcome! Please direct them to the editor, Carol Hassler. In this issue: Neuroscience and the law research guide -- Our libraries can help you to research emerging topics in the law. The examination of how neuroscience intersects with our justice system is a growing area, with recent articles and new books tackling the issue (read more); New books -- Our two featured titles this month are Vacant and Problem Properties: a Guide to Legal Strategies and Remedies and Neuroscience in the Courtroom: What Every Lawyer Should Know about the Mind and the Brain. Our November new book list is also included (read more); Tech tip -- Get tips for using Firefox to take an easy screenshot, and some early thoughts about holiday shopping (read more); Celebrating 30 Years of Library News -- In the winter of 1989, the Wisconsin State Law Library published its first newsletter. Before we published online, the library printed and distributed this as a short four page newsletter (read more); Library news -- Learn about upcoming conference opportunities to talk to a librarian, After Hours signup for 2020, and upcoming classes and holiday closures (read more); November snapshot -- Carol Hassler and Jaime Healy-Plotkin spoke to librarians and handed out information about the library at the Wisconsin Library Association Annual Conference in October (Read more).
Libraries can order Wisconsin tax forms
Libraries provide many services to local residents, one of which is making Wisconsin tax forms available. Libraries have until Dec. 13, 2019, to order 2019 Wisconsin Tax forms from the Department of Revenue (DOR).
Details of your 2018 tax form orders are available on the DOR website. Determine your 2019 tax form needs based on how many forms you used last year and reduce that number if you had forms left over. The DOR wants to provide Wisconsin tax forms to taxpayers who need them and reduce waste associated with unused forms. With the growth of electronic filing and the availability of free filing options, last year over 87% of Wisconsin individual income tax returns were filed electronically.
How to Order 2019 Wisconsin Tax Forms
Order your 2019 Wisconsin income tax forms using the DOR library forms order system. You can also access this application at www.revenue.wi.gov. Follow these steps:
- Click the 'Governments' tab
- Click 'Libraries'
- In the Order Forms box, select 'Forms Order System'
- Step 1: Enter complete information in the Library screen.
- Step 2: Click on 'Next', which opens the Selection screen. Enter the number of forms needed in the box in front of each form type.
- Step 3: Click on 'Next', which opens the Review screen.
- If your order is not correct, click on 'Previous' to correct information
- If your order is correct and you want to print a copy of your order, right click and select 'Print'
- Click on 'Place Order'
- Click on 'Print Confirmation Code' and 'Exit Forms Ordering System'
More E-filing, Less Paper
The DOR said it appreciates libraries encouraging customers to use the following services:
- Wisconsin e-file -- it's free, secure and accurate! -- Each year, more Wisconsin taxpayers file their income tax returns and receive their refunds more quickly using the DOR’s e-file application called Wisconsin e-file. Wisconsin e-file is available on the DOR website.
- Online Forms -- All Wisconsin tax forms are available on the DOR website.
For more information, or if you need assistance placing an order, contact [email protected]. Please submit your order by Dec. 13, 2019.
Remember to sign up for the DOR’s library electronic mailing list to receive important communications specifically related to libraries.
Girls Who Code Clubs hit 100 in Wisconsin
Many schools and libraries in Wisconsin are supporting young females in the field of computational thinking through Girls Who Code Clubs. An exciting milestone was passed recently: Girls Who Code officially has 100 free coding Clubs in Wisconsin!
However, we're not just sharing the good news. It is a call to action -- let's keep this momentum going and give even more Wisconsin girls the opportunity for a career in technology. Please join the many libraries in Wisconsin who have Girls Who Code clubs and gain access to all of the following:
- Girls Who Code's completely free coding curriculum & tutorials!!
- Options for both 3rd-5th and 6th-12th grade clubs.
- A $300 Clubs fund for each Club, free t-shirts, and free fiction books for our 3-5 grade Clubs.
- 6th-12th grade club members work together on a group project that positively impacts their community.
- No computer science experience required to facilitate a club!
Just submit the Club Application and you'll get access to all of our free resources and curriculum. The application is non-binding, so even if your club doesn't launch this fall you can sign up to access Girls Who Code club lesson plans and tutorials! If you'd like to learn more, feel free to sign up for one of our informational webinars as well. Please help spread the word!
PLA announces two free webinars
Two upcoming Public Library Association (PLA) webinars will be available free of charge to library staff. The first of the webinars will be Tuesday, Nov. 19, and the second will be Wednesday, Nov. 20. They are on separate topics and unrelated to each other.
“Reaching the Uninsured: Libraries Work to Reduce Disparities in Health Insurance Coverage” will be held Tuesday, Nov. 19, from 1-2 p.m. (Central Time). Join PLA for this webinar on how public libraries can educate uninsured patrons and build awareness about health insurance coverage. Participants will learn about PLA’s second annual initiative, Libraries Connecting You to Coverage, with tips and tools to help libraries start or increase their efforts to educate and build awareness of coverage. These efforts will help reach the uninsured, many of whom are people of color, and increase health insurance literacy for better health outcomes. Register Now!
As part of its ongoing work to support the public library’s role in creating healthy communities, PLA offers public libraries a suite of free tools and resources to prepare for the next Open Enrollment period of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), November 1–December 15, 2019.
Learning Outcomes
At the conclusion of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Identify the needs for promotion, education, and outreach around the 2019 Open Enrollment process and health insurance literacy;
- Take advantage of free resources and tools to promote awareness about health insurance coverage options; and
- Explore strategies for advocacy and developing partnerships to create a healthier community.
Presenters are:
- Emily Vardell is an assistant professor in the School of Library and Information Management at Emporia State University (Emporia, KS).
- Sally Jones is the head of Information Services and interlibrary loan coordinator at Washington County (VA) Public Library.
- Leighann Wood is a program manager with the Public Library Association (PLA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA)
“Project Outcome: Taking Action Using the Results” will be held Wednesday, Nov. 20, from 1-2 p.m. (Central Time. You've surveyed your patrons, collected great outcome data, and learned more about what your patrons value. Now, how can you begin implementing changes based on the outcomes you’ve gathered? In this free webinar, you’ll learn how your peers have taken action—and how you can, too—using results gathered from Project Outcome surveys. Learn how outcome data can be used to guide programming changes, strategic planning, communication, advocacy, or new funding requests. Register Now!
This webinar is open to everyone. PLA’s Project Outcome is a free online toolkit designed to help public libraries understand and share the impact of their programs and services by providing simple surveys and an easy-to-use process for measuring and analyzing outcomes. Learn more at www.projectoutcome.org.
Learning Outcomes
At the conclusion of this webinar, participants will be able to:
- Confidently take the next steps after gathering data;
- Understand how they can make changes using their survey results; and
- Apply what they learned to better understand and use their Project Outcome data.
The presenter is Emily Plagman (pictured at right), manager of impact and advocacy for the Public Library Association, manages PLA’s performance measurement initiative, Project Outcome. Prior to joining PLA, Emily worked as a project manager at the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning on an energy efficiency grant. Emily received her Master’s in International Public Affairs from the LaFollette School of Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin and her Bachelor’s in Political Science at Marquette University. Additional presenters to be announced.