Index
- Around The System
- New Leader for DPI’s Division for Libraries and Technology
- OverDrive Everyone Reads Program
- Privacy Audits for Public Libraries
- Check Out Wisconsin State Parks Partnership Program
- Continuing Education Calendar
Around The System
Announcement of the Passing of Bob Blitzke.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Robert “Bob” K. Blitzke on Wednesday, February 1, 2023.
A visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday, February 9, 2023, at Ryan Funeral Home, 220 Enterprise Drive, Verona, WI.
Memorials can be made out to the South-Central Library System Foundation, to Second Harvest, PLATO or organization of your choice.
The obituary link can be found at Ryan Funeral Service
The February 2023 issue of WSLL @ Your Service Available Online.
In this issue New Wisconsin Jury Instructions for January New releases for all three sets of the Wisconsin Jury Instructions are now available on our website. The most recent supplements to the Wisconsin Criminal Jury Instructions, Wisconsin Civil Jury Instructions, and Wisconsin Children Jury Instructions have been approved by the Wisconsin Judicial Conference Committees. Updates are summarized (and linked) in this article. Read more New Books New books for February include updates to the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Worker's Compensation Handbook and James Publishing’s Trial Objections. The full new book list is also ready to read! Read more Tech Tip Looking to lose yourself on a website that is NOT social media related? Try Omni Calculator. Read more Library News In this issue, we welcome new staff to the library, share an article on business contract research, and advertise sign-ups for our free spring classes. Read more February Snapshot Faisal Abdu'Allah's Blu³eprint is pictured in this issue, in front of the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art. Read more
SCLS Seeks Field Services Technician
The South Central Library System (SCLS) seeks a Field Services Technician. The primary responsibility is to provide front-line support in the field at libraries and through the help desk at SCLS headquarters. SCLS provides dynamic technical support for over 1400 PCs and the network for 57 public library sites. For a detailed description of the Field Services Technician position check out Employment Opportunities on the SCLS website.
Carnegie-Schadde Memorial Public Library, Baraboo, WI Receives Grant
Congratulations to Carnegie-Schadde Memorial Public Library, Baraboo, WI on receiving a Penguin Random House in-kind grant for small and rural libraries. These grants help to provide much-needed support for collections and library programming in small and rural libraries nationwide. Thanks to the team at PRH Giving for helping to make this grant possible for the second year in a row!
Marathon County Public Library Update
The Marathon County Public Library voted in January to stay with the Wisconsin Valley Library Service.
Cambridge Library Director Search Extended
Due to an upcoming retirement, the Cambridge Community Library, part of the South Central Library System, is seeking a dynamic, community-minded Library Director. The successful candidate must be a well-organized, dedicated, and energetic individual with excellent interpersonal skills to direct the daily operations of our library as well as a willingness to enhance the library and its role in the community, provide leadership, and offer innovative and equitable library services.
Located in Dane County (and bordering Jefferson County), the Cambridge Community Library has been in existence for 45 years and the current library facility was built in 2015. The library has a staff of 3.5 FTE and a budget of $275,000. The Library Director position requires possession of a bachelor's degree, possession or willingness to work towards a Grade 3 Wisconsin Public Library Certification, and progressively responsible library experience. Salary range commensurate with education and experience starting at $45,000 and includes an excellent benefits package. This is a full-time position; some weekend and evening hours are required.
To apply, submit a letter of interest, current resume, and contact information for three references by email to cambridgelibraryhiring@gmail or by post to Cambridge Community Library Hiring, PO Box 490, Cambridge, WI 53592.
New Leader for DPI's Division for Libraries and Technology
State Superintendent Jill Underly has announced the appointment of Dr. Darrell L. Williams as the Assistant State Superintendent for the Division for Libraries and Technology. Dr. Williams succeeds Dr. Barbara Van Haren, former Assistant State Superintendent for the Division for Learning
Support, who selflessly stepped out of retirement to return to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) as the interim division leader.
Prior to his appointment, which started on January 17, 2023, Governor Tony Evers chose Dr. Williams as the Administrator of the Division of Wisconsin Emergency Management (WEM). Dr. Williams led the COVID-19 response throughout Wisconsin for WEM – the lead state agency charged with coordinating the state’s efforts for all natural and man-caused disasters.
Prior to joining WEM, Dr. Williams served more than 25 years in the field of education as a teacher and administrator including Interim Superintendent of Schools in Beloit where he worked collaboratively to implement the district-wide Early Childhood Literacy Initiative and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library Initiative to improve literacy skills and increase student achievement in Rock County. He has been recognized as the 2017 UAW Local 95 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil Rights Service Award honoree and the 2013 National Principal of the Year honoree from the National Alliance of Black School Educators.
As a strong advocate for libraries and technology in education, Dr. Williams said, “Our libraries are one of the most important places in our schools and communities. It is the only place where our children can go everywhere without have to go anywhere. We must use all of our technology and other precious resources to bring learning to the homes and fingertips of every child to reduce equity gaps in access and success for ALL Wisconsin students.”
Dr. Williams (Major-Retired) served for 29 years in the United States Army, which included combat tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan where he was awarded several decorations for his military service including the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.
Dr. Williams earned his Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi; Master of Arts .in Administrative Leadership and Supervision from Marian College in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin; and his Ph.D. in Urban Education from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
(In Photo L-R: Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, Gaenslen Elementary School Library Media Specialist Susan Plewa, DPI's Monica Treptow, MPS Superintendent Keith Posley, and DPI's Dr. Williams)
OverDrive Everyone Reads Program
OverDrive is committed to providing your library with no cost, simultaneous access collections to help meet increased demand for digital content. As part of our Everyone Reads program, OverDrive will donate a collection of over 200 simultaneous use Adult Fiction and Nonfiction titles at no cost to your library.
The collection includes ebooks and audiobooks from leading publishers with simultaneous access through January 31, 2025.
OverDrive will add the Everyone Reads - Adult collection to your digital collection on Wednesday, February 8, 2023.
Privacy Audits for Public Libraries Webinar
Wednesday, February 8, 1:00p.m.
Unprecedented threats to the privacy and security of library patrons have emerged in recent years, from book challenges to online data and general AI advances that can prey on our most vulnerable populations. More than ever, it is critical to protect our patrons from the tremendous risks they face when enjoying the resources within our walls.
Join Matt Beckstrom and Brady Lund for this webinar on privacy audits. Matt and Brady will provide a primer on library privacy audits for ensuring the physical and electronic privacy of patrons, including understanding data flows, access, and policy issues. They will further discuss how to train your staff and patrons to be “risk aware” and contribute to the vitality of the library.
Participants completing this webinar will understand the value of the privacy audit and how to conduct one for their organization, whether large or small. Relevant design, policy, and training issues will be learned. Though this session focuses primarily on public libraries, several aspects of the discussion will be relevant to other types of libraries as well.
If you're interested but not able to attend the live webinar, go ahead and register. We'll send a recording to all registrants after the fact.
To Register: Privacy Audits for Public Libraries (nicheacademy.com)
Check Out Wisconsin State Parks Partnership Program
“Check Out Wisconsin State Parks” is a new initiative from the Wisconsin DNR, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and the Wisconsin Library Association to increase access to Wisconsin’s state park system.
The pilot program launched November 2022 and runs through March 2023, offering 1,000 day passes to 50 libraries across the state, for checkout from library cardholders.
With positive press and high interest from libraries and library patrons, increasing the program is in high demand! For details on how to participate, contact the DNR at 1-888-936-7463.