Reminder: WiscNet work on January 9, 2009

On Friday, January 9 from 6 am to 6:05 am, WiscNet will be doing some work that will affect all libraries in SWLS.

It's possible that the online catalog will not be available during that brief period of time. OverDrive access may also be affected.

Online Continuing Education Courses from UW-Madison SLIS-CEU

From Anna Palmer:

Continuing Education Services
School of Library and Information Studies University of Wisconsin-Madison http://www.slis.wisc.edu/continueed

Online Continuing Education Courses
Winter/Spring 2009

Public Library Administration
January 7-March 31
http://www.slis.wisc.edu/continueed/plaadmin.html

Basic Reference
February 9-May 2
http://www.slis.wisc.edu/continueed/basicref.html

Fundamentals of Cataloging
February 9-May 2
http://www.slis.wisc.edu/continueed/funcat.html

Adult Book Discussions in the Public Library February 16-March 13 http://www.slis.wisc.edu/continueed/adultdiscuss.html

Connecting Teens with the Best in New Teen Lit February 23-April 5 http://www.slis.wisc.edu/continueed/connectteens.html

Library 2.0: 101
March 2-March 29
http://www.slis.wisc.edu/continueed/lib20.html

Children, Technology, and the Library
March 9-April 3
http://www.slis.wisc.edu/continueed/kidtech.html

Graphic Novels in the Library
March 11-April 8
http://www.slis.wisc.edu/continueed/graphicnovels.html

Spanish for the Library
Begins the 1st of each month
http://www.slis.wisc.edu/continueed/spanishtutorial.html

Questions? Contact Anna Palmer, ahpalmer@wisc.edu

OPAL programs of interest

From Tom Peters:

Beginning this Sunday afternoon and running through early March the Henry Flagler Museum will offer a series of free online lectures via OPAL (www.opal-online.org). Sunday's lecture will be about P.T. Barnum, the legendary showman. On Feb. 1st a series of presentations will begin about sports legends of the Gilded Age.

Everyone is welcome to attend online. There is no need to register. Each presentation will last approximately one hour. See below for details. We plan to record these lectures, too, and add them to the OPAL Archive (http://www.opal-online.org/archive.htm)

These presentations also will be made in person at the Henry Flagler Museum in Palm Beach, Florida. If you find yourself in or near Palm Beach sometime during the next three months (Don't we all wish for that?), you are welcome to attend these lectures in person. Please note that there is an admission fee to attend the in-person lectures, with refreshments. Attending online via OPAL is free, but you'll need to supply your own refreshments.

More information about the Barnum lecture can be found at http://www.flaglermuseum.us/html/p_t_barnum.html.

More information about the sports legends series is at http://www.flaglermuseum.us/html/lecture_series_2009.html

To learn more about all the upcoming OPAL online programs, please visit:

http://www.opal-online.org/progschrono.htm

To see a webpage of information and tips for first-time users of OPAL, please visit:

http://www.opal-online.org/firsttimetips.htm

Sunday, January 4, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, 2:00 Central, 1:00 Mountain, noon Pacific, and 8:00 p.m. GMT:

P.T. Barnum: America's Greatest Showman Author Philip B. Kunhardt, III, will speak about his book, P.T. Barnum: America's Greatest Showman. Kunhardt will discuss the genius and vision of America's unmatched impresario and entrepreneur, P.T. Barnum. A man of complex motives, a master of merchandise, and inveterate self-promoter, Barnum was a brilliant businessman who had unbelievable perseverance, and a keen understanding of what would excite people’s interest. From humble beginnings, he struggled to become a legendary entertainment mogul. Sponsor: BNY Mellon Wealth Management Host: Henry Flagler Museum Location: Flagler OPAL Room

Sunday, February 1, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, 2:00 Central, 1:00 Mountain, noon Pacific, and 8:00 p.m. GMT:

"Major Taylor: The World's Fastest Human Being": A talk by Todd Balf Both a world and national champion, Marshall "Major" Taylor bicycled to glory on three continents. He set seven world record times on the track in 1898, before earning a world championship title 1899. His name ensured high profits as people flocked to see his incredible speed. Though he earned a substantial fortune he went on to many failed business ventures and even attempted to go to college, but was unbelievably denied entry. He died in a Chicago charity ward in 1932 at age 54, a forgotten and broken man buried in an unmarked grave. A surprising resurgence of interest in his life has led to multiple memorials and sports organizations rallying to secure Major Taylor’s place in American Sports history. Todd Balf, a former senior editor for Outside magazine, has profiled the iconic personalities in pro bicycle racing for numerous national magazines, including Men’s Journal, ESPN The Magazine, andBicycling. He is the author of The Last River and The Darkest Jungle.The theme of the 24th annual Whitehall Lecture Series is Sports Legends of the Gilded Age. The Series presents expert scholars, authors, and speakers from prominent museums, universities, and cultural institutions from around the world. The 2009 Whitehall Lecture Series is sponsored by the National City Private Client Groupand The Palm Beach Post. Host: Henry Flagler Museum Location: Flagler OPAL Room

Sunday, February 8, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, 2:00 Central, 1:00 Mountain, noon Pacific, and 8:00 p.m. GMT:

"John L. Sullivan: The World’s First Gloved Heavyweight Champion": A Talk by Adam Pollack John L. Sullivan, nicknamed the Boston Strong Boy, was the World's First Heavyweight Champion when fighting was bare-knuckle and regulated under the brutal London Prize Ring rules. Sullivan’s prowess and panache were legendary. At five feet eleven inches and 220 pounds, he fought hard, and he drank hard. Sullivan was the last bare-knuckle champion, and the first one to use gloves after a highly publicized, 75 round fight, against Jake Kilrain 1889. The Kilrain bout helped steer boxing towards the Marquess-of-Queensbury rules, which are still evident in boxing today. The big differences were the use of padded boxing gloves and timed limited rounds. His charisma and popular appeal during this transitional period contributed greatly to making boxing a nationally popular, “legitimate” sport. Sullivan became boxing’s first superstar and arguably the first of any sport. Upon retirement he gave up alcohol and smoking and tried to maintain his life as a good role model for young men and sportsmen. Author Adam J. Pollack is not only involved in boxing as a coach and writer, but is also chair of USA Boxing's Judicial Committee, chair of USA Boxing's Rules and Regulations Committee, a member of its Women’s Task Force, and a certified official, judging and refereeing amateur bouts. The theme of the 24th annual Whitehall Lecture Series is Sports Legends of the Gilded Age. The Series presents expert scholars, authors, and speakers from prominent museums, universities, and cultural institutions from around the world. The 2009 Whitehall Lecture Series is sponsored by the National City Private Client Groupand The Palm Beach Post. Host: Henry Flagler Museum Location: Flagler OPAL Room

Sunday, February 15, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, 2:00 Central, 1:00 Mountain, noon Pacific, and 8:00 p.m. GMT

"Crazy '08: The Greatest Year in Baseball History": A Talk by Cait Murphy Often regarded as the greatest season for pennant races in baseball history, the antics of the 1908 season is full of iconic performances by baseball's first generation of heroes. Honus Wagner may have the best season of the century. Ty Cobb would kick, snarl, and manhandle the Tigers into contention; Cy Young, the only man with more than five hundred wins, has his last good season, Shoeless Joe Jackson would play for five games, and decide it wasn't for him. Beyond the legend making games there was corruption, greed, stupidity and downright weirdness that makes today's sport of sanctimony and clean behavior look boring. It isn’t surprising that 1908 is considered the year that baseball came of age. From the colorful heroes it produced to being remembered as the last year the Chicago Cubs went to the World Series, only to have a game considered a tie after riots left two people dead. The era's brawling, vivid ugliness, and plain bizarre moments led Fortune magazine editor Cait Murphy to pen "Crazy '08: How a Cast of Cranks, Rogues, Boneheads, and Magnates Created the Greatest Year in Baseball History." Her book has been hailed in publications nationwide, from Sports Illustrated to theChicago Tribune. It got a glowing review by political columnist George Will in The New York Times. Murphy has also written for theEconomist magazine and the Wall Street Journal. The theme of the 24th annual Whitehall Lecture Series is Sports Legends of the Gilded Age. The Series presents expert scholars, authors, and speakers from prominent museums, universities, and cultural institutions from around the world. The 2009 Whitehall Lecture Series is sponsored by the National City Private Client Groupand The Palm Beach Post. Host: Henry Flagler Museum Location: Flagler OPAL Room

Sunday, February 22, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, 2:00 Central, 1:00 Mountain, noon Pacific, and 8:00 p.m. GMT:

"The Wonder Crew: The Untold Story of a Coach, Navy Rowing, and Olympic Immortality": A Talk by Susan Saint Sing Coach Richard Glendon led a humble Annapolis rowing team to victory against illustrious Ivy League teams, and broke the class barrier in a sport dominated by the privileged. After the miraculous victory, the U.S. Naval Academy team won a shot at the Olympics. Their mission: to defeat the British Navy, whose supremacy of the seas for hundreds of years naturally made them the dominant rowing team. With the hopes of a nation, Annapolis went into the heart of Europe and in thrilling fashion defeated the heavily-favored Brits to win the gold medal in 1920. With Glendon's new American style, the U.S. won Gold for forty straight years, the longest winning streak in any single sport in Olympic history. Susan Saint Sing has participated and coached rowing, and was a member of the 1993 U.S. World Rowing Team. She is the author ofThe Wonder Crew: The Untold Story of a Coach, Navy Rowing, and Olympic Immortality. The theme of the 24th annual Whitehall Lecture Series is Sports Legends of the Gilded Age. The Series presents expert scholars, authors, and speakers from prominent museums, universities, and cultural institutions from around the world. The 2009 Whitehall Lecture Series is sponsored by the National City Private Client Groupand The Palm Beach Post. Host: Henry Flagler Museum Location: Flagler OPAL Room

Sunday, March 1, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, 2:00 Central, 1:00 Mountain, noon Pacific, and 8:00 p.m. GMT:

"Golf's Golden Age: The Legendary Players of the 10s and 20s": A Talk by Dr. Rand Jerris The golden age of American golf featured the sport's greatest players at the peak of their careers. Legends such as Bob Jones, Gene Sarazen, Walter Hagen, and Glenna Collett intersected with mass media to generate massive exposure for the game, and established the gentlemen's game as a major American pastime. Few came to define the golden age of sports more than Bob Jones, whose skill, grace, and integrity captured the nation¹s imagination. The legendary amateur from Atlanta, Georgia, rallied a gallery of 18,000 to watch him take on Eugene Humans in the 36-hole U.S. Open. In 1930, Bobby Jones captured golf¹s greatest achievement, the Grand Slam, by winning the U.S. Amateur, British Amateur, U.S. Open and British Open Championships in a single season, an unprecedented and unmatched feat in the history of the game. Dr. Rand Jerris is the Director of the United States Golf Association Museum, and author of Golf¹s Golden Age: Bobby Jones and the Legendary Players of the 10s, 20s, and 30s. He holds a B.A and M.A. from Williams College, and a Ph.D. in Art and Archaeology from Princeton University. The theme of the 24th annual Whitehall Lecture Series is Sports Legends of the Gilded Age. The Series presents expert scholars, authors, and speakers from prominent museums, universities, and cultural institutions from around the world. The 2009 Whitehall Lecture Series is sponsored by the National City Private Client Groupand The Palm Beach Post. Host: Henry Flagler Museum Location: Flagler OPAL Room

OverDrive Media Console for Mac is Here

The wait is over! OverDrive Media Console for Mac is now available for download at http://overdrive.com/software/omc/download.asp. The free software for Apple computers maintains the superior audiobook listening experience of the original OverDrive Media Console for Windows-based PCs, which is installed on more than 3 million computers worldwide.

Your Mac users can now download OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks from your digital library website and transfer titles to Apple® devices such as the iPod® and iPhone.

Like OverDrive Media Console for Windows, OverDrive Media Console for Mac was designed with the audiobook listener in mind. Patrons can listen to downloaded MP3 audiobooks on their computer, transfer titles to Apple devices using the built-in Transfer Wizard, or burn audiobooks to CD where permissions allow. The OverDrive Media Console for Mac also offers your favorite features, including Parts and MediaMarkers, skip back 15 seconds, resume from furthest played point, and bookmarking. The software has built-in organization, allowing patrons to easily find downloaded titles grouped by author, title, and subject.

OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks downloaded from your digital library website will automatically expire at the end of the lending period, and OverDrive Media Console (for both Mac and Windows) will prompt the patron to delete the expired title from their computer.

From: Digital Dispatch


NOTE: The WPLC initial MP3 collection contains 81 titles. A separate search easily retrieves a list of the MP3 titles.

Wisconsin's Water Library Launches New Web Site

Wisconsin’s Water Library is happy to announce the launch of its new web site at http://aqua.wisc.edu/waterlibrary .

This site provides one place for users to locate resources available for the Water Library. This site combines three earlier library sites—the original Water Resources Library site, a newer WWL site developed for Wisconsin’s Year of Water, and the Wisconsin’s Water Library for Kids.

The site is intended to extend the reach of the library’s services to residents across Wisconsin and offers new navigational tools to provide easier access to information. An important tool on the site is the “Recommendations” feature, which allows users to browse reading lists by topic, finding books and Web sites on frogs, fish, the Great Lakes, or water pollution. Any adult resident of Wisconsin can check out books online from the library and pick them up at their local public or university library. The site was constructed with the help of ASC staff members Tina Yao, Tom Dellinger, Rich Dellinger, Julia Cameron, and Jennifer Champoux.

A new Recent Acquisitions List for November 2008 is now available http://aqua.wisc.edu/waterlibrary/Default.aspx?tabid=87. Some new titles cover such topics as Climate Change, Ocean Science, and Invasive Species.

Check it out and let us know what your think. We’d love to hear from you--Anne Moser and Jennifer Champoux, Wisconsin’s Water Library staff

From Ask Water Resources 11/25/08

Spring Scholarship for Public Library Director certification course

UW-Madison SLIS Continuing Education Services announces its spring scholarship for a public library director certification course. The award is limited to directors currently pursuing their certification in Wisconsin. The winner may take Public Library Administration, Basic Reference, or Fundamentals of Cataloging online free of charge during the Spring 2009 semester. This is a $415 award!

The application is attached as a Word document. It may be emailed or mailed to Susan Santner, sbsantner@wisc.edu or Room 4284 Helen C. White Hall, 600 N. Park Street, Madison, WI 53706. *December 12* is the deadline. The recipient will be notified by December 22. Complete scholarship information is available here: http://www.slis.wisc.edu/continueed/certscholarship.html

Questions? Contact Susan Santner, sbsantner@wisc.edu or 608-890-0364.

Beginnings Report available

Follow this link https://blog.uwgb.edu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/coland/coland-draft.pdf to the Beginnings Report on the Future of Libraries. Share your comments on the COLAND blog http://blog.uwgb.edu/coland/ .

Free webinar on Picturing America programs for your public library

Learn how to create exceptional Picturing America programs for your public library with Nancy Davenport, library services director for the DC Public Library and experienced Picturing America project director. This live presentation will be broadcast through OPAL, a free online meeting space, on November 7, 2008 at 3 p.m. EST. Join fellow grant recipients as Nancy shares how she has used Picturing America to enhance her library’s outreach by incorporating the Picturing America collection in to library programming. Nancy will discuss using the Picturing America collection to increase visual literacy through children’s programming, and will provide examples of discussion guides and reading lists to help you get started on creating your own remarkable programs.

Prior to joining the DC Public Library, Nancy Davenport served as director of acquisitions in both the Rare Books and Special Collections and the Prints and Photographs divisions of the Library of Congress. Nancy currently serves on the Board of Directors of the National Information Standards Organization. She holds a presidential appointment on the National Historical Publications and Records Commission at the National Archives, and is an active member of the American Library Association and the Public Library Association.

Picturing America is a free educational resource that helps teach American history and culture by bringing some of our nation’s greatest works of art directly to classrooms and libraries. For more information, visit http://picturingamerica.neh.gov.

OPAL is a free, online meeting space where library patrons and staff can gather to participate in library programs and training sessions. For more information on OPAL, visit http://www.opal-online.org. Contact the ALA Public Programs office at publicprograms@ala.org with questions.


From PLA e-News 10/31/08

STUDY SHOWS POSITIVE LINK BETWEEN CHILDREN’S PUBLIC LIBRARY USE AND READING SCORES

A recent study done by Keith Curry Lance and Robbie Bravman Marks published in the September 2008 “School Library Journal” observes that the factors affecting children’s reading scores are complex. However, data about reading scores and children’s services in public libraries supports the widespread belief that the efforts of public libraries to promote early literacy pays off in terms of higher reading scores during elementary school. There is a positive and statistically significant relationship between children’s services in public libraries and early reading success.

Since 1990, National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) has been collaborating with the 50 states and the District of Columbia to compile basic statistics about public libraries, including the circulation of children’s materials and attendance at children’s programs. According to the Lance/Marks study, comparison of the reading scores (fourth-grade NAEP reading scores) with children’s circulation statistics shows “a strong, positive link, while comparison of the same reading scores with attendance at children’s programs demonstrates a positive, if somewhat weaker, link.”

Of states ranking in the top half of all states on reading scores, 82 percent also ranked in the top half on circulation of children’s materials per capita. Conversely, four out of five states in the bottom half on reading scores also rank in the bottom half on children’s circulation. Of states ranking in the top half on reading scores, 70 percent ranked in the top half on attendance at children’s programs per capita. Seventy-one percent in the bottom half on reading scores also rank in the bottom half on children’s program attendance.

Wisconsin ranks in the top half of all states on the reading scores, and also ranks in the top half for attendance at children’s programs and children’s circulation.

These findings support the position that public library children’s services make a significant, measurable difference in early reading success.

To read the complete article, go to http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6590044.html.




From Channel Weekly Vol. 11, No. 8 10/30/2008

Federated Searching and Improved Authentication Come to BadgerLink

The Wisconsin Reference and Loan Library staff continues to improve BadgerLink. Two exciting new features will be available August 25, 2008. Users will now be able to search multiple BadgerLink databases simultaneously! And, the authentication process has been redesigned using a user-centered approach. The authentication is now more streamlined and intuitive.

BadgerLink is a project of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning. Its goal is to provide access to quality online information resources for Wisconsin residents in cooperation with the state's public, school, academic, and special libraries and Internet Service Providers. BadgerLink resources are available through this site and through links on many library web pages. Most libraries also provide access to BadgerLink from public access computers within the library.


Federated searching

Federated searching will allow BadgerLink users to search multiple vendor databases at one time by entering search terms in a single search box from the BadgerLink website. This feature frees users from searching each vendor individually to collect the widest possible search results. Users will be able to search EBSCO, ProQuest, and Gale LitFinder databases simultaneously in this way.

After a search, a single list of full citations will be displayed on the right side of the results page presented by vendor and interface. Results will be listed in the order as each are returned from the vendor’s server. Once a citation is selected, users will be taken to the vendor’s native interface for the full text of the article.

Those users who want to select the specific BadgerLink vendor to be searched can still click on the vendor icon or the links on the BadgerLink home page. Those users who want to select a specific subset of databases to be searched can use the Advanced Search feature to select the specific databases to be accessed through the federated search methodology.


Improved Authentication

The process of authenticating users for BadgerLink access has also been improved. The new process allows for a single point of authentication to access all BadgerLink resources. The change improves service to BadgerLink users as well as boosts the efficiency of the BadgerLink staff as they support and management these services. Currently, Reference and Loan Library staff works with each vendor separately to provide authentication through IP address and library card number. The new system will centrally administer authentication via a single interface. It will provide a streamlined process of authentication and will improve the consistency of a user’s experience.

When users initiate a search the IP address of his/her computer is matched directly to the new system automatically. When a match is made the search results are displayed directly. If users cannot be authenticated with an IP address, they will be prompted to select their local library and enter their library card. The prompt and the instructions will be the same regardless of whether they are conducting a federated search or a search within a single vendor database or interface. When it is not possible to authenticate users by either of the above processes, Library ID and Passwords will be made available on an individual basis when Wisconsin residence can be confirmed.


WISCAT licensed libraries also benefit from these changes!

From within WISCAT, federated searching allows for simultaneous searching of the WISCAT union catalog, individual library catalogs, and the BadgerLink databases. With one search users have direct access to approximately 4,000 periodical titles, 700 newspapers (including Wisconsin newspapers), children’s and adult literature, business, medical, and education sources, in addition to the 7,320,115 book and periodicals records in WISCAT and 42 library Z39.50 searchable catalogs representing over 400 libraries. That is a lot of information at your fingertips!


Related Upcoming Webinars More details soon!

For BadgerLink users:
August 28 (Thursday), 10-11:00 a.m.
BadgerLink - New Features
For WISCAT users:
August 28 (Thursday), 9-9:30 a.m.
WISCAT - New Access to BadgerLink Databases


During the afternoon of August 25th BadgerLink and WISCAT both will be available. Users might experience a brief service interruption. If the issue persists for more than a day please contact the BadgerLink staff at http://dpi.wi.gov/rll/wiscat/bl_sup.asp for help with these issues.


Cheers,David J. Sleasman
Wisconsin Reference and Loan Library
WI Dept. of Public Instruction

Potosi Branch Library Reopens Saturday

The Potosi Branch of the Schreiner Memorial Library will reopen Saturday, August 9 at 10:00 a.m. and resume its normal schedule of hours. The library has been closed for two months due to water damage from the heavy rains in early June. The entire contents had to be removed and stored off-site, with some items at the Potosi High School and others at the Schreiner Library in Lancaster.

The library’s flooring and part of the walls have been replaced. Only a few books were damaged, and new books have continued to be added during the closing, so patrons will find an even slightly larger supply of materials for check out. Computers were not affected by the flooding, and three public access computers will be available for use.

“We’re grateful for the dedication and hard work of Village officials, the Potosi School District, Epic Construction, the library staff of Lancaster and Potosi and the many volunteers who helped evacuate the library and later put it back together, “ said Library Director Alan Tollefson. “I’m sure Potosi area residents will be pleased to see their library back in operation, looking as good as new. And any books returned during the month of August will not incur any late charges,” he added.

The hours of the Potosi Branch are: 3:30 – 8:00 p.m. Tuesday & Thursday and 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Wednesday & Saturday. The phone number is 763-2115.

Source: Schreiner Memorial Library Director, Alan Tollefson

Scholarship available for Public Library Management course

UW-Madison SLIS Continuing Education Services will offer a scholarship this Fall for a public library director certification course. The award is limited to directors currently pursuing their certification in Wisconsin. The winner may take either Basic Public Library Management or Collection Development online free of charge during the Fall 2008 semester. That is a $415 award!

The application is attached as a Word document. It may be emailed or mailed to Anna Palmer, ahpalmer@wisc.edu or Room 4285 Helen C. White Hall, 600 N. Park Street, Madison, WI 53706.

*August 15* is the deadline.

In Spring 2009, the award will be repeated for Fundamentals of Cataloging, Public Library Administration, and Basic Reference (all online).

Complete scholarship information is available here: http://www.slis.wisc.edu/continueed/certscholarship.html

KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR TO BE LIBRARY CARD SIGN-UP MONTH HONORARY CHAIR

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the National Basketball Association's (NBA) all-time leading scorer and a prolific author, has been named honorary chair of Library Card Sign-up Month. Held in September, Library Card Sign-up Month is a time to remind parents and children that a library card is the most important school supply of all.

Abdul-Jabbar led UCLA to three consecutive National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) titles and the Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers to six NBA championships. But Abdul-Jabbar's achievements go far beyond the court. He has written several books, including "On the Shoulders of Giants: My Journey Through the Harlem Renaissance; "Giant Steps"; "Black Profiles in Courage"; "A Season on a Reservation"; and "Brothers in Arms." Four of his books reached bestseller lists.

Abdul-Jabbar said, "The library has always been my own personal time machine. I can walk through the doors and land in any place, any time period in history. I didn't have to wonder what their worlds were like; I could experience it first hand."

Library Card Sign-up Month was launched in 1987. Since then, thousands of public and school libraries join each fall in a national effort to ensure every child does just that. Free tools to help libraries promote Library Card Sign-up Month are available at http://www.ala.org/librarycardsignup.

Guidelines Announced for Bank of America/IMLS American Heritage Preservation Program

From the PLA blog: July 10th, 2008 by Kathleen Hughes

The Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Bank of America Charitable Foundation are pleased to announce the 2009 guidelines for the American Heritage Preservation Program.

This new public-private partnership will fund the preservation of endangered and fragile art works, rare books, scientific specimens, and historical documents (photographs, maps, deeds, etc.) held in small and medium-sized museums, archives, and libraries. To access application guidelines instructions, please visit www.imls.gov/collections/grants/boa.htm.

“It is through the preservation and care of our collective heritage that America’s communities stay vital,” said Anne-Imelda M. Radice, Director of IMLS “These grants are intended to assist institutions, as our nation’s stewards of cultural collections, with activities that ensure the safekeeping and care of these precious artifacts and with sharing the impact of these activities with their communities.”

The grants of up to $3,000 are aimed at completing stand-alone conservation projects that convey the essential character and experience of the United States. Examples of fundable projects are provided in the grant guidelines.

The partnership builds on IMLS’s Connecting to Collections: A Call to Action, a multi-year, multi-pronged initiative to raise public awareness and inspire action on the care of America’s collections. That initiative implements recommendations of an IMLS-supported study, A Public Trust atRisk: The Heritage Health Index Report on the State of America’s Collections, which found that nearly 190 million objects in U.S. collections are in immediate danger of deterioration and need restoration or conservation.

For questions about museum projects, please contact Christine Henry, Senior Program Officer, at 202-653-4674 to discuss your questions. For questions about library or archival projects, please contact Susan Malbin, Senior Program Officer, at 202-653-4768.

The deadline for application is September 15, 2008. IMLS and Bank of America will notify applicants of final decisions in January 2009, with projects to begin no earlier than February 1, 2009.

To learn more please visit www.imls.gov.

Upcoming programs at Soldiers Grove PL

Our first guest is cultural geographer, Geri Weinstein-Breunig. Geri has 18 years experience in management of public land and water, working with citizens to define a river or stream in their community as a cultural landscape steeped in shared history and value. Her written cultural histories of Midwestern rivers have been a catalyst for citizen stewardship initiatives. “The river is just being itself, we have to decide how to interact with it.” Ms. Weinstein-Breunig will share her perceptions on people & rivers on
Thursday, July 10th , 7pm at the Soldiers Grove Library.

Our next speaker will be Dr. Kenneth Potter, professor of civil & environmental engineering at UW-Madison, on the subjects of flood management & restoration of aquatic systems. Ken has studied flooding in Wisconsin for 30 years and has written about the benefits of conservation practices on flood control. Ken invites people to email him prior to his visit with any questions concerning this topic, to help him shape the nature of his talk. Please visit his university website for more information. http://www.engr.wisc.edu/cee/faculty/potter_kenneth.html
This program, sponsored by the Soldiers Grove Library, will be held at the
Gays Mills Community Center, Thursday, July 24th, 7pm. Everyone is welcome.
From Soldiers Grove Library News

Wisconsin Way forums--round 2

According to a news release issued by the Wisconsin Way, billed as an effort to improve the fairness of Wisconsin’s tax system while preserving the quality of public services, more than 5,000 state residents have participated in the process through town hall meetings and organizational briefings.　

Now, the Wisconsin Way leaders are working with a nonpartisan team of budget experts, policy advisers, economic development leaders, academics and financial industry members to turn the public’s priorities into a workable blueprint for the state.　Together, members of the Wisconsin Education Association Council, Wisconsin REALTORS® Association, Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association, Wisconsin Counties Association, and Wood Communications Group will kick off the second round of Wisconsin Way public forums June 24 in Eau Claire through August 19 in Madison.

Forum locations close to SW Wisconsin include:　

La Crosse, July 29
Platteville, August 5
Madison, August 19

For more information and/or to register for a forum, visit http://www.wisconsinway.org/Template0.aspx?pid=1&lif=1

　
As with the first round of meetings, which took place from October through January, the public forums are free and designed to draw citizens from all walks of life. Participants from the first round of meetings are strongly encouraged to continue the conversation by returning, while new participants also are welcome to add their voices as the blueprint takes shape. 　

Gates Grant Round 2

At Tuesday's State Technology Meeting, Consultant Bob Bocher spoke about the upcoming round of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation grant to libraries for computer hardware.

Here is what is known so far:

• Wisconsin is eligible starting in 2009
• Eligible libraries will once again need to be serving communities where 10 percent of the population live in poverty. The same criteria used in 2002 will be applied this time too.
• Eligible libraries will need to show that their computers and internet services are in danger of becoming obsolete.
• There is a matching component to this grant--25% in the first year and 50% in the second year. Matching funds must come from local or state funding sources--not federal LSTA funds; however, private funds are acceptable.
• Participating libraries must run scans on their PCs and attend a workshop

At this time, the grant amount is believed to be $2500-$3500 per PC, depending upon community size. Funds will be dispersed by DPI, probably sometime in the second quarter of 2010.

DPI will know more specific details in September of 2008, so we'll keep you posted on any changes that occur in the grant structure or requirements.

A unique source for book reviews

Check out WritersareReaders.com http://www.writersarereaders.com/!

Run by husband and wife authors, Katherine Stone and Jack Chase, this web site offers reviews of books by other commercially published authors.

Continuing Education courses from UW-Madison SLIS

Improve your skills this summer!
Below are the Summer Continuing Education courses from UW-Madison SLIS-CES.

Collection Development in Green Lake July 21-25 Learn to better manage your collection while enjoying a week of state rates at the Heidel House Resort.

Basic Reference in Madison August 4-8 Spend a fun week on campus and improve your reference skills.

Bilingual Storytime Workshop in MadisonAugust 11-13 You will gain an understanding of cultural differences and learn how to effectively incorporate elements of Hispanic, Native American, and Hmong cultures into your children's programming.

Questions? Contact Anna Palmer, ahpalmer@wisc.edu or 608-263-4452. Full information is available here: http://www.slis.wisc.edu/continueed/

Horizon Database Replacement scheduled

The Horizon Database server will be replaced on Tuesday, July 15, 2008.

Please plan on being down all day.

The replacement will also affect access to the OverDrive database as well.

For Platteville PL, the Envisionware software will be affected.

We apologize for any inconvenience this downtime causes.

Date Change for Round the table

The Round the Table discussion has been rescheduled for Friday, June 13.

Community Programming with Cele Wolf

This morning our own Cele Wolf presented a program on her very successful community program series at the Soldiers Grove Public Library, in a community of 653.

So, why do we do this?

• Follows the library's mission
• Enrichment of the community
• Puts library into the public eye--helps to bring the library to the city government's attention in a good way

There are a wealth of resources available:

• Wisconsin Humanitites Council Speakers Bureau
• Univ. of WI Speakers Bureau
• Local folks with unusual talents or projects (sometimes they don't even charge!!)

It all started with programming for children. Cele noticed over time, however, that the parents enjoyed the programming as much as the children. She approached her board for more money to bring in speakers from the WI Humanities Council Speakers Bureau.

So just where do these ideas come from? Successful ideas grow out of an existing community interest. The librarians needs to know what's "in the air". Is there something going on in the schools or with a community group that the library can tap into? Over time, your patrons can be a great source of ideas for programs.

What about failure? Well, that happens too. There will be times when you think you've hit upon the perfect topic at the perfect time, but no one shows.

Putting the program together:

1. Pick your topic (intergenerational is good!)
2. Find your expert ( make all of the arrangements)
3. The Promotion (80% of what makes a program successful)
4. The Event (setup to cleanup, refreshments--get help)
5. Evaluation/Recap (count your attendance, what were your expenses, get your audience response)

Use posters, flyers, handouts and your library newsletters. Send press releases to area newspapers and radio stations. Don't forget to talk-it-up!!! Word of mouth is sometimes the most effective advertising you can get.

Be sure that the library is open during the program. People will check out materials during and after a program. Follow-up (thank yous, post event articles)

So why do this??? BECAUSE IT'S FUN!!

Also it can transform the library into a place to meet friends--old and new. Builds community in a age of computers. Almost every single program brings someone into the library that has never been there before.

Think you'd like to start a community program series? Contact Cele for more information.

Commentary on pubic library materials

You may have seen this article already.

If not, follow the link http://www.wpri.org/Commentary/2008/5.08/Sc5.05.08/Sc5.05.08.html t0 Christian Schneider's commentary, "Public libraries--no longer just for the literate".

Economic Impact of Wisconsin Public Libraries

The results are in!

According to the economic study performed by NorthStar, the annual return per dollar of public tax support is $4.06.

More interesting facts from the study:

• Direct spending economic impact in 2006: $326 million (Spending benefits Main Street businesses and jobs)
• The value of Wisconsin Public Library Services: $427 million
• Total jobs related to the economic impact of Wisconsin Public Libraries: 6280 FTE
• Total Economic Impact: $753 million--just over three-quarters of a billion dollars!

According to David J. Ward, founder of NorthStar Economics, Inc, the economic message for public libraries is as follows:

1. Public libraries are a good and necessary investment in a rapidly changing economy.
2. Public libraries are a consistent source of information and technology. They won't be acquired, closed down or moved off shore.
3. With an increasing gap in income levels, public libraries level the information and technology playing field.

To see the full study, visit the DPI website at: http://dpi.state.wi.us/pld/econimpact.html or on the NorthStar Economics, Inc website at: http://www.northstareconomics.com/index.html

Green Earth Book Recyclers

Green Earth Book Recyclers will be bringing a truck to SWLS headquarters on Wednesday, June 11th to pick up weeded/withdrawn books and CDs. Any library wishing to dispose of unwanted books and CDs may send them to SWLS for stockpiling for that pick up date .
Green Earth Book Recyclers does have some guidelines for packaging and SWLS has a few additional one:

 Green Earth book Recyclers will not take wet or mildewed material
 SWLS will be making a green label to attach to boxes of material that you intend to recycle. You will need to separate the books and CEs and label the boxes as such.
 You do not need to remove CDs from the cases
 Pack material in sturdy boxes—liquor boxes are great for packing
 All boxes must have lids that are securely closed flat—no bulges in lid
 Boxes must be packed fully so that they can be stacked without caving in
 Boxes must be of reasonable size—you need to be able to pick it up and carry it around your library

The last date for delivery to SWLS is June 3rd. The Green Earth Book Recyclers truck driver will call to see how many boxes are here to determine the size of the truck needed to haul the material.

As this is a trial run, SWLS will only stock pile the material until the cut-off date of June 3rd. If this service works out, SWLS may repeat it again later this year at the convenience of SWLS. You would be notified in advance when SWLS would start stockpiling material.

Each library may send up to three (3) boxes on their scheduled date. Contact Jo if you have more than three boxes and she will arrange for the material pick up after May 21st as time and room on the van allows. If any library does not plan to participate in this service, please let Jo know so she can revise the pick up schedule.

If you have an excessive number of boxes—10 or more—you may need to make other arrangements to have the books brought to SWLS. A second option would be for you to contact Green Earth Book Recyclers directly and have them to come to your library.
http://www.greenearthbookrecyclers.com/

Please have your materials properly boxed, labeled, and ready for pick-up on the following dates:
Monday, May 5: Montfort, Livingston, Cobb
Tuesday, May 6: Fennimore, Cassville, Bloomington
Wednesday, May 7: Lancaster, Platteville
Thursday, May 8: Dodgeville, Barneveld
Friday, May 9: Prairie du Chien, Gays Mills, Soldiers Grove

Monday, May 12: Blanchardville, Argyle, Shullsburg
Tuesday, May 13: Viola, Lone Rock, Muscoda
Wednesday, May 14: Mineral Point, Darlington
Thursday, May 15: Benton, Hazel Green, Cuba City
Monday, May 19: Belmont, Dickeyville, Potosi
Wednesday, May 21: Richland Center, Boscobel

Happy National Library Week

It's National Library Week.

How is your library celebrating?

$300 Grants Available for Writers and Illustrators

Using grants awarded by the Wisconsin Center for the Book, communities can celebrate and explore the literature of Wisconsin with its authors and illustrators. The Wisconsin Center for the Book will award up to 4 grants of $300 each to qualifying organizations wishing to sponsor a Wisconsin author or illustrator at a public event. The event must be open to the public and free of charge. The grants are made possible through the cooperation of the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters and generosity of donors.

Wisconsin nonprofit organizations interested in books and reading are eligible to apply. Collaboration among groups is preferred. Such groups may include, but are not limited to, public libraries; public and private elementary, secondary, and post-secondary schools; community organizations; and places of worship. Libraries are encouraged to look beyond their Friends groups for partnerships.

Applications may be obtained at:

www.wisconsinacademy.org

Then under: About Us
Then under: Center for the Book
Then under: Grant Application Information

Time line
• July 1, 2008: Applications due; if mailed, they must be postmarked on or before this date.
• July 30, 2008: Winners will be notified by this date.
• September 1, 2008 – April 30, 2009: Programs must be scheduled between these dates. A final report must be submitted within 10 days of the event or the honorarium will be forfeited.

Definition of a Wisconsin author or illustrator: Any author or illustrator who has lived in Wisconsin for a significant period of time, including someone who may no longer be living in the state.

More information may be obtained by calling Sarah McGowan, WAIS 2008-09 Chair. Please contact her at 920-748-2784 or windsong@centurytel.net.

NEH and ALA "Soul of a People" Grantgs

.
"Soul of a People: Voices from the Writers' Project" is a collaboration between the National Endowment for the Humanities, the American Library Association (ALA), and Spark Media, a Washington, D.C.-based production and outreach company. The library programs associated with "Soul of a People" are funded by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to the American Library Association.

"Soul of a People: Voices from the Writers' Project" will give public audiences the opportunity to participate in library-sponsored humanities programs that explore the Works Progress Administration (WPA) Writers' Project through the American Guide series of state and regional travel guides, regional cultural studies, oral history interviews, films, and photographs. "Soul of a People" will also showcase works of important authors of the twentieth century who got their start in the Writers' Project. 30 libraries will be selected to receive a $2,500 grant from the NEH to present five different public outreach programs during the period of the national broadcast of "Soul of a People" (Spring 2009). The application deadline is July 11, 2008.

The application and guidelines for "Soul of a People" and complete instructions for registering and applying through http://www.grants.gov may be found at http://www.neh.gov/grants/guidelines/SGL_Soul_of_a_People.html. For more information about "Soul of a People: Voices from the Writer's Project - Library Outreach Programs," visit http://www.ala.org/publicprograms.

From Channel Weekly, Vol. 10, No. 27, April 10, 2008

PLAC & Net SW Director's Council Meetings

Mark your calendars:

The next meeting for the PLAC and Net Southwest Director's Council is Friday, April 25th, 9-12, at System Headquarters in Fennimore.

Trustee Mini-workshops are back

Starting April 22, SWLS will begin to hold mini-workshops for trustees. This series, which began in 2007, has been expanded for 2008. Two new locations, Prairie du Chien and Dodgeville, have been added.

Here's the schedule and topics for this spring's workshops:

Tuesday, April 22: "What's My Role?"* at Prairie du Chien City Hall

Thursday, April 24: "Open Meetings Law and You"* at Dodgeville Public Library

Tuesday, May 13: "Evaluating the Library Director" at Brewer (Richland Center) Public Library

Thursday, May 15: "Developing Essential Library Policies" at Platteville Public Library


*The first two workshops were held in 2007 at the Richland Center and Platteville locations, so for some of you, they may sound familiar.

Library Directors are welcome and encouraged to attend any and all of the trustee trainings.

Welcome SWLS library directors, staff and trustees!



SWLS News and Views is the newest way in which the System will be keeping you informed on important library issues and events at the State level as well as in our own backyard.

We've got a lot to share with you!