Index
- Hello to all SCLS member libraries’ staff
- Member/Staff News
- Madison Public Library eliminates overdue fines
- Crisis Text Line materials available
- LJ Day of Dialog is Sept. 25
- ALSC 2020 Equity Fellowship application cycle opens
- Social media & staying connected with your community
- Closing the Gender Gap: Developing Gender Equitable STEAM Programs
- Continuing Education Calendar
Hello to all SCLS member libraries’ staff:
Thank you for your dedication and commitment to your library, your community, and the South Central Library System community during this pandemic.
The South Central Library System Foundation Board wanted to acknowledge these are unprecedented times. Libraries that are traditionally open and welcoming patrons are asked to create social distancing. Some libraries are asked to close their doors for the safety of patrons and staff. The exciting summer reading programs look different this year. The scheduled speakers and activities you spent hours brainstorming and planning may have been cancelled or moved to an online format. You may be looking at your library budget and anticipating tough decisions. The daily routines of our personal lives are different too. Despite all of this, you have persevered and you continue to be a beacon for your community.
On behalf of the South Central Library System Foundation Board I wanted you to know we see the good work you are doing. Your work matters and it is important. You empower individuals to participate in school and medical appointments because your Wi-Fi reaches to the parking lot. You give hope when individuals are able to schedule a time to use the computer and internet to search for jobs, look for needed resources, and connect with family and friends. You give company when you spend extra time on the phone visiting with an individual who called you for a quick question. You give diversion by allowing individuals to check out books and materials despite tripping over those red bins. You give enjoyment to individuals through wonderful and creative summer reading programs. We want you to know we see your strength, your resiliency, and your magic.
Thank you for being you. Thank you for sharing you with your greater community during this unprecedented time.
Cordially,
Theresa Walske, Foundation Board President
South Central Library System Foundation
Columbus Public Library launched a mobile pop-up library, “Words On Wheels,” on June 16, and response from the citizens of Fall River has been growing ever since. The library offers the service as an outreach to the community. It is not the book mobile in the conventional sense. Staff members pack up books, DVDs, audio books and more. They are loaded into a library vehicle and driven to Fall River Village Park, 196 Kane St. From 1 to 3 p.m. each Tuesday materials are spread out on picnic tables under the park shelter for patrons to see and select. (read more at www.wiscnews.com)
The August issue of WSLL @ Your Service is now online. Please send comments to the editor, Carol Hassler. In this issue: Sidewalk Service -- We're pleased to provide sidewalk pickup service to our users! Use this service to borrow and return materials (read more); New Federal Court Records Search -- PACER is the federal court system's website for filing and searching federal district, bankruptcy, and appellate court cases. The redesigned website features updated account access, a new, more accessible design, and helpful research tips (read more): New Books -- Our two featured titles this month are Commercial Real Estate Transactions in Wisconsin andFamily Law Casenotes & Quotes. Our new book list is also available (read more): State Law Library Art Tour (Part Two) -- During this time of social distancing we connected the artwork in the library to the gravesites of prominent figures of law, and Wisconsin and Madison history. This month we feature Jared Comstock Gregory and Burr Jones (read more): Library News -- Get updates about our fall classes, and library outreach (read more): August Snapshot -- Cicadas are everywhere these days (read more).
Madison Public Library eliminates overdue fines
Effective immediately, Madison Public Library will no longer charge overdue fines on library materials.
“Madison Public Library is proud to support our commitment to equity and literacy,” said Library Director Greg Mickells. “By eliminating nearly all overdue fines and ceasing to use a collections agency, we want to encourage even more Madisonians to use the library by removing those barriers to library services. Especially now, we need to make our libraries more accessible.”
“Madison Public Library has joined public libraries across the nation that recognize library fines as an equity issue,” said Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway. “By eliminating fines, nearly 10,000 library users will be able to check out library materials again and take advantage of all that our award-winning libraries have to offer.”
In August of 2019, the Library Board and library staff began to explore the costs and benefits of moving to a fine-free model, and in July 2020, the Library Board passed a proposed 2021 operating budget that included the elimination of fine revenue. At its Aug. 6, 2020, board meeting, the Library Board formally passed an updated policy eliminating the charging of overdue fines and eliminating the use of a collections agency, which had been used to collect outstanding library charges of over $50. The library has not assessed fines since closing due to COVID-19 on March 17, 2020.
In 2019, library staff reviewed data on borrowing trends, cardholder trends, use patterns of other fine-free libraries, and revenue generated by overdue fines. At that time, it became clear that overdue fines, and the blocked library cards that often result from fines, disproportionately affected libraries serving neighborhoods with lower incomes and higher percentages of residents of color.
“We know that some library customers are unable to check out library materials due to fines, and in keeping with our commitment to equity and access to public libraries, we felt that this was the right time to eliminate overdue fines and the use of a collection agency,” said Jaime Healy-Plotkin, Madison Public Library Board President. “We made this decision during a particularly difficult budget discussion, but now more than ever, public libraries are valuable community assets that should be available for all.”
Two exceptions to this policy include:
- Items checked out from South Central Library System libraries that still charge overdue fines
- Items borrowed from non-South Central Library System libraries
In addition, library customers will still be charged replacement costs for items that are lost or damaged.
Library staff will work with all partners and vendors in the month of August and will work with affected customers during the transition period.
Crisis Text Line materials available
Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7 support via text message. The organization spends its days (and nights!) helping texters and now they can reach people in their moments of crisis. Libraries can use these digital assets and printable materials to get the word out about 741741.
How does it work? When someone is in crisis, they can text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor who will help them move from a hot moment to cool and calm.
Who are Crisis Counselors? They are trained volunteers who -- with the support of full-time Crisis Text Line staff -- use active listening, collaborative problem solving, and safety planning to help texters in their moment of crisis.
The URL above includes more information about the service, as well as links to promotional materials like tweet copy, Facebook graphics, flyers, and business cards. SCLS has ordered a batch of business cards from the Division for Libraries’ and Technology (DLT) and will make those available to libraries upon request. SCLS will also print other materials for member libraries upon request. More information about the service is available on the FAQ page.
Contact Mark Ibach if you have any questions.
Fall's most anticipated day-long gathering of librarians is back by popular demand, still fully virtual and free to attend!
The next all-day Library Journal (LJ) Day of Dialog is scheduled for Sept. 25 and will feature a close-up look at the biggest forthcoming books from winter/spring 2021.
Once again, you’ll hear from top authors in genre fiction, literary fiction, and nonfiction and learn about more titles and trends from speakers on our popular Audio panel.
Visit the virtual exhibit hall to network with leading publishers, enjoy additional author chats, and download digital galleys as well as other free resources and giveaways. Certificates of completion will be provided to submit for CE credits.
As during the spring event, Library Journal is anticipating an unprecedented number of library professionals to attend this virtual Day of Dialog, so you may find the environment or live sessions become full during the day.
But fear not! Many sessions will be concurrent, and all sessions and author chats will be available for viewing on-demand within an hour of the initial broadcast. In addition, the entire event will be available on-demand until Dec. 25, 2020.
Program details are forthcoming, but don’t wait! Register for free today and you’ll receive program details as they become available.
Registration is open to librarians.
ALSC 2020 Equity Fellowship application cycle opens
The Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC) recently announced that the ALSC Equity Fellowship application cycle is open. The program will award five fellowships to American Indian/Alaska Native/First Nations, Asian, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, Middle Eastern, and/or Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander individuals who commit to service within ALSC and demonstrate a capacity for future leadership.
Fellowship recipients will receive funding for two-year ALSC and ALA memberships and one year of conference registrations and travel stipends, if applicable, for ALA Midwinter and ALA Annual Conference. Fellowship recipients will also receive mentorship from members of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) within ALSC Implementation Task Force.
Each application will be reviewed based on the following:
- Demonstrated commitment to providing direct service to children
- Potential for ALSC leadership
- Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion
The application deadline is Aug. 31, 2020. For more information, visit www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/scholarships/equity-fellowship.
Funding for this fellowship is provided by ALSC. ALSC also thanks members of Storytime Underground for their contribution to the Equity Fellowship program, which will support two of the five 2020 Equity Fellowships.
Social media & staying connected with your community
Even with some libraries opening up, or providing curbside service, social distancing is still the norm and will likely stay that way for a while. Libraries have used social media to connect with their communities for years, but with this new reality they're taking the engagement to a new level.
Recent editions of the WebJunction Social Library series have showcased innovative approaches to overcoming physical distancing and connecting with patrons and community members. You can browse the entire series, including a searchable spreadsheet that compiles all of the past posts.
If you'd like to see your library featured in the Social Library series, please let us know via social@webjunction.org, or visit on Facebook.
Closing the Gender Gap: Developing Gender Equitable STEAM Programs
Are you interested in making your library programs more equitable, where all patrons can “see themselves” in your STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities? STAR Net is teaming up with the Emmy-award winning PBS SciGirls to explore the importance of gender equitable programs where all patrons can develop positive STEAM identities. Be part of the change in closing the gender gap by offering empowering programs and activities that strengthen girls’ interest and confidence in STEAM, and learn strategies that use the latest research in engaging all patrons in science learning.
This webinar (Sept. 1, 2020, at 2 p.m. Central Time) will include an activity demonstration for you to follow along at home. To participate, please have the following household items handy:
- At least three materials from this list:
(Plastic wrap, tissues, paper towels, plastic bags, tissue paper, coffee filters, handkerchiefs) - 1 toy minifigure (LEGO, for example)
- String or thread
- Scissors
- Tape
- Paper and pencil