Index
- SCLS Outreach and Inclusive Services Resources Page Now Live
- Member/Staff News
- RENEW Wisconsin ‘Solar for Good’ Grant Supports Albany Library Solar Installation
- Ask Legislators to Support Your Digital Historical Collections
- Digipalooza Conference for Library Staff
- ALA Announces $1.25 Million Emergency Fund for Libraries Impacted by COVID-19
- Upcoming Webinar; Picture Books for Summer & Beyond
- SSCS call for program proposals
- StarNet News
- Continuing Education Calendar
SCLS Outreach and Inclusive Services Resources Page Now Live
Check out the new Outreach and Inclusive Services Resources page located in the SCLS Member Resources & Services menu and sidebar. This resource is intended for library staff, library directors, and library trustees. It is a comprehensive set of resources covering inclusive services in libraries based on, and inspired by, the Inclusive Services Assessment and Guide for Wisconsin Public Libraries -- a resource made by Wisconsin public library staff for public library staff. The Outreach and Inclusive Services Resources webpage is intended to complement and expand on content and topics covered in the Assessment and Guide. Starting off with an introductory video about inclusion developed by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, the resources follow the framework of the Assessment and Guide with sections:
- Who is responsible? (Governance)
- What the library has to offer (Service)
- Where the interactions take place (Access)
- Engaging with the community (Relationships)
Clicking on each topical area opens a separate page with links to: web resources, webinars, and organizations. Find out about EDI (equity, diversity, and inclusion) training for library trustees, inclusive booklists, actively anti-racist readers advisory, self-care for library staff, and many other topics.
Have ideas or suggestions for inclusive services resources? Or looking to strategize ways to make for a more inclusive library? Please contact Mark Jochem or Shawn Brommer.
Bailey Anderson (at right) said she is excited for her new position as Library Director at the Black Earth Public Library and is looking forward to serving the Black Earth community. Bailey earned a Bachelor's degree at Central College in Pella, Iowa, and a Master’s degree in Library and Information Studies at UW-Madison. She previously served as the Circulation Supervisor at Stoughton Public Library. She lives in Madison with her partner, Nick, and their 12-year-old Shiba Inu, Emi, and in her spare time she loves reading, embroidery, hiking, and cooking.
RENEW Wisconsin ‘Solar for Good’ Grant Supports Albany Library Solar Installation
The Friends of the Albertson Memorial Library has received a grant from the RENEW Wisconsin Solar for Good project to support its installation of a solar array at the Albertson Memorial library in Albany. Additional funding will come from a State Focus on Energy grant and a gift from Mary Ann Sucharski, a former librarian in Albany.
There are 72 solar panels in this solar array that will generate about 60 percent of the library’s current electrical use, according to Director Carolyn Seaver. It is projected that this will reduce the library’s annual electrical operating costs by about $3,500 per year (at current rates). This will increase the operating budget in future years without incurring any debt for the cost of the installation. The savings does not take into account additional savings to the library of not having to pay electrical price increases and the impact of inflation on the energy that this system will produce. Seaver said this installation is really an investment because of the cost savings that the library will realize. The return on this investment is calculated to be about 8 percent per year over the 30-year expected life of the solar array.
This solar installation will reduce the library’s carbon footprint. Over the life of the system, 747 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) will be eliminated from the library’s footprint. Seaver said this is equivalent to:
- planting 17,405 trees;
- driving reduced by 1,494,000 auto miles, or 76,194 gallons of gasoline;
- recycling 2,361 tons of waste instead of sending it to landfill;
- displacing CO2 emissions from the annual electric use of 85 homes;
- eliminating 727,893 pounds (363.9 tons) of coal burned; and
- avoiding the use of up to 18,210,000 gallons of water by Thermoelectric Powerplants.
The electrical infrastructure work for the installation of the solar array is underway with the installation of the inverters that will convert the energy produced from the solar panels into electrical current that can supplement the library’s electrical use.
Seaver said the next step was to replace the center portion of the library roof so that the life of that portion of the roof coincides with the expected life of the solar array. The installation of the solar panels is being done now with the array projected to be operational in June, 2021.
This installation project is managed by Full Spectrum Solar of Madison. Full Spectrum has been installing solar systems in Wisconsin since 2002 and has installed over 750 solar energy systems. Their commercial work has included projects for the City of Monona, Holy Wisdom Monastery, Oregon High School, Brooklyn Elementary School, Willy Street Co-op, and Home Harbor Racine Assisted Living. They also have completed many residential projects.
Albany has used this installation as an opportunity to expose groups of local students to solar energy. Pictured is the Albany High School photography class, who have been taking pictures of the project.
Ask Legislators to Support Your Digital Historical Collections
Please consider reaching out to your state senators and representatives to share your organization’s efforts to connect your community with state and local history through your digitized materials.
This spring, the Wisconsin Library Association’s Library Development & Legislation Committee is advocating for support for libraries in Governor Evers’ 2021-2023 executive budget. This budget includes a new line item for Recollection Wisconsin, in the amount of $150,000 in FY22 and $300,000 in FY23, which will help ensure that our state’s one-of-a-kind historical resources continue to be made digitally accessible to anyone in the world.
As you know, digital collections work is neither simple, quick, nor inexpensive. It takes people, tools, skills, and infrastructure, often over many months or years, to develop and share a digital collection. We want to help those who make funding decisions better understand this work and, more significantly, understand why this work is so important to your community.
The Wisconsin Library Association provides some excellent tips for writing to your legislators and you can visit MyVoteWisconsin to find contact information for your elected officials.
In your letter (which could be on paper or an email), consider highlighting how Recollection Wisconsin has helped your organization:
- Build personal and community connections -- Has a local resident used your digital collection to uncover new stories about their ancestors? Has your digitization work inspired new donations to your collections?
- Serve students, teachers, or lifelong learners -- Have your digitized materials been used in a school program or project, a community celebration, or a local history publication?
- Do more with limited resources -- Has your organization saved money by using Recollection Wisconsin’s content hosting services? Did our free guidelines, toolkits, or online course help build skills for your staff or volunteers? Have you been able to use digitized materials to provide virtual reference services during the pandemic?
Now, more than ever, our combined efforts to make the collections of Wisconsin libraries, archives, museums, and historical societies available online are critical for building community around our shared history and ensuring that more Wisconsin residents can see their histories represented. Thank you for taking the time to help advocate for Recollection Wisconsin by sharing your unique story. We appreciate you!
If you have any questions send an email to [email protected]. Please feel free to use these general facts and figures about Recollection Wisconsin in your communications.
Digipalooza Conference for Library Staff
Mark your calendars -- Digipalooza is returning in 2021 for its eighth installment! OverDrive is bringing Digipalooza to you with a three half-day virtual conference, from Aug. 3-5, 2021. Registration is just $39 for all three half-days and is open to all OverDrive library partners.
Launched in 2006, Digipalooza is a biannual event designed with everyone in mind, with tracks available for public, academic and corporate libraries. This is your opportunity to join a global community of librarians, publishers, technologists and book industry leaders as they look to the future and continued growth of ebooks, audiobooks and other digital media. You’ll have the chance to learn from these experts and discover how data-driven decisions drive best practices, shaping the next chapter of digital content for readers everywhere.
Register now and be sure to add this virtual event to your calendar. To ensure you don’t miss out on key Digipalooza updates, make sure your email preferences are up to date and you are subscribed to our Events subscription list.
ALA Announces $1.25 Million Emergency Fund for Libraries Impacted by COVID-19
The American Library Association (ALA) announced recently that it will make available $1.25M in emergency relief grants to libraries that have experienced substantial economic hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic. The ALA COVID Library Relief Fund invites public, school, academic, and tribal libraries across the United States and U.S. Territories to apply for grants of $30,000 to $50,000. These funds are intended to bolster library operations and services including broadening technology access, developing collections, providing digital instruction, staffing, and expanding outreach, as well as maintaining and amplifying existing service strategies or adding new ones to extend impact through the end of 2021. Grant applications are accepted online through May 20, 2021 via the ALA website.
The ALA COVID Library Relief Fund represents some of the most significant grant opportunities available to libraries outside of federal funding. Funds will support libraries' ability to provide their users with the information services and digital access they need to retain or secure socio-economic mobility during a time of shift and upheaval. Libraries serving low income and rural communities, or communities that are predominately Black, Latino, Asian, Indigenous, and People of Color, are especially encouraged to apply.
“Libraries have demonstrated extraordinary innovation over the past year in creating new materials, program, and service delivery models, but they are being asked to do more with less. This new grant program recognizes those efforts and seeks to strengthen them, especially in communities where the need is greatest. We are delighted to offer this grant program to bridge the gap between what libraries have and what they and their users need to thrive,” said ALA Executive Director Tracie D. Hall. “This grant is just the first part of a larger ALA effort to support libraries. In the coming months, we will be announcing ambitious plans to raise additional funds to support and sustain the vital work of libraries and library workers as they tackle digital equity, supporting educational persistence, workforce reskilling, and other pressing issues.”
The ALA COVID Library Relief Fund is generously supported by Acton Family Giving as part of its pandemic responsive grantmaking. Initial seed funding was provided by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation as part of its efforts to bolster educational and cultural organizations devastated by the economic fallout from COVID-19.
“Libraries are incredible community assets, especially during difficult times,” said ALA President Julius C. Jefferson, Jr. “Unfortunately, many libraries have suffered funding cuts that have significantly impaired their ability to provide services and resources at this critical time. We are so grateful to The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and Acton Family Giving for their tremendous support and for understanding the valuable role libraries play as inclusive institutions for all."
The application deadline is May 20, 2021, with awards announced at the end of June. Additional information and award guidelines are available on the grant application site.
ALA's Chapter Relations Office administers the ALA COVID Library Emergency Relief Fund. Additional information regarding Chapter Relations is available on the ALA website.
If you’d like to discuss the grant and possible projects at your library, contact the SCLS Consultant Team ([email protected] or 608-246-5612).
Upcoming Webinar; Picture Books for Summer & Beyond
With their wit, whimsy, and ability to spark the imagination, picture books remain a constant source of inspiration for readers of all ages. And what better time than now to peruse upcoming picture-book releases?
Please join Booklist’s Books for Youth senior editor Julia Smith on May 11 at 1 p.m. in this free, hour-long webinar, featuring representatives from Albert Whitman & Company, Archipelago Books, Blue Dot Kids Press, the Creative Company, Minedition, and Phoenix International Publications, Inc.
Register now for the Zoom webinar. If you can’t attend on May 11, by registering you’ll receive the archive information after the event so you can watch it later.
SSCS call for program proposals
Planning for the 2021 WLA Support Staff and Circulation Services (SSCS) Virtual One-Day Professional Development Conference is in full swing. The virtual conference will be held May 27 and centered around theme “Supporting and Serving Through Challenges.” The content will assist attendees with thriving in challenging times while still successfully serving their communities.
The conference planning committee is now accepting proposals and recommendations for presentations, panels, and workshops. Suggested topics include, but are not limited to; diverse hiring practices, adaptivity to constant change, how to approach state, federal, and city mandates, living in a virtual world, how to advocate for those without a voice, virtual fatigue, and staying relevant with limited services. What is it that makes you and your library stand out? Successful presentations should be approximately 45 minutes, include 10-15 minutes of question and answer, showcase effective and innovative practices, and be applicable to many types of libraries. Help yourself and your fellow library staff by sharing your expertise and presenting at the SSCS Conference.
We understand that it can be difficult to construct a conference presentation from beginning to end. Therefore, we are offering something new this year -- ready-made presentation topics. A couple of examples of these topics are:
- Workplace culture
- Knocking down silos: finding and transferring strengths
- Extra duties as assigned: building a culture of shared work
- Culture building
- Cross training: benefits and challenges
- Virtual services
- Virtual apps
- Virtual card: Dos and Don'ts
- How to use OverDrive
- Virtual borrowing beyond Overdrive
- Behind-the-scenes work
- Weeding
- Cleaning up records projects
- The projects we forgot to do
If you are interested in presenting a readymade topic or would like more information, contact Cynthia at [email protected] by Friday, April 30.
Presenters should fill out the online registration form (linked below) by Friday, April 30. Presenters will be notified of acceptance by May 5 at the latest.
*Please make sure are using this submission link. The previously issued link will not work.
https://forms.gle/1FvhSgK3oC1iL9r87
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Sign up to Host James Webb Space Telescope Community Events! -- With the launch in October 2021 of the James Webb Space Telescope, NASA will provide support to communities in celebrating this generational event, as part of the “Webb Space Telescope Community Events” initiative. For this, NASA will promote official community events on its website, help connect host venues to trainings about James Webb and the telescope’s launch process and science, as well as to subject matter experts to best engage with audiences either in person (where possible) or virtually. In addition, hard-copy event materials and handouts can be shipped to participating locations as resources allow. Institutions that engage populations or communities that are traditionally underrepresented or underserved in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) are encouraged to apply. To host an official NASA event for the Webb launch, submissions are due May 16 (more information)
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New Resources for Tweens from Urban Libraries Council and STAR Net -- Explore the Urban Libraries Council’s new Partners for Middle School STEM Strategic Playbook and Building the STEM Workforce: Quickstart Toolkit to discover strategies, tools and frameworks that libraries across North America are using to successfully advance STEM equity across their communities. These new resources expand on the Partners for Middle School STEM initiative, which ULC and SSI launched in 2019 to explore new ways that cross-sector community partnerships can increase STEM learning opportunities for low-income middle school youth.