Introducing "Found in Wisconsin"

The Reference and Loan Library has just released Found in Wisconsin, the updated Wisconsin Online Collection. Found in Wisconsin makes it easy for patrons of all ages to search for and link into digitized books, photographs, videos, and other resources available on the websites of libraries, historical societies and museums statewide. The database contains entries for materials that are either about Wisconsin or which were created by Wisconsin residents, authors and scholars.

Found in Wisconsin allows you to search for individual items, or entire collections of digitized objects, such as “Let’s Go to the Circus,” a compilation of nearly 100 historic photographs of circus activities. The site offers “one-stop shopping” for digital content and collections hosted by libraries, museums and historical societies statewide, and it offers links directly into content, regardless of which organization hosts the collection itself.

Found in Wisconsin, available on the BadgerLink homepage at http://www.badgerlink.net, offers more tools for user interaction and a more robust technical platform than its predecessor, the Wisconsin Digital Collection. The database was created and is maintained by the staff of the Wisconsin Reference and Loan Library, and we welcome your feedback.

Users of Found in Wisconsin can subscribe to an RSS feed that provides updates on sites newly added to the database. You can also send a note recommending specific content that you’d like to see added, or a general recommendation for types of materials you’d like to have included in this growing collection. Users of Found in Wisconsin can even rate individual entries and send comments on their favorite sources!

We invite you to explore Found in Wisconsin and enjoy this growing assortment of books, videos, photos and available online collections. - Channel Weekly, Vol. 12, No. 11 -- December 3, 2009

It's WISCAT renewal time!

WISCAT Community,

It is that time of year again to renew your WISCAT license(s) for the upcoming year. Please complete the form and return by Friday, December 11, 2009.

Extend your collection and services to meet student, patron and staff needs with the power of the Wisconsin resource sharing community. WISCAT remains an excellent value for libraries of all types and sizes:

- Full-featured resource sharing technology includes mediated or unmediated patron-initiated requests, patron status checking, one-screen request management, automatic lending policy checking, Z395.0 catalog status checking, and on-demand library-specific statistics;
- Reference and community-building features such as reader reviews, splash pages, and bibliographies;
- Locally customizable interface and branding;
- Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) reviews;
- Z39.50 searching of union catalog, library catalogs, and the BadgerLink databases;
- Great source of MARC records for your catalog;
- Inexpensive option to meet school ILL policy requirements;
- Experienced, free training and support from Reference and Loan Library staff for ILL, customization, holdings updates, and loading records;

The cost for an annual license remains at a modest $200 per building per year. You can find the order form at:

Individual libraries http://dpi.wi.gov/rll/wiscat/pdf/wiscat_order_form_2010.pdf
Public library systems http://dpi.wi.gov/rll/wiscat/pdf/system10.pdf

WISCAT license renewals are not automatic. Individual libraries and public library systems (on behalf of member libraries) must submit an order form each year.

WISCAT—web-based, union/virtual catalog and resource sharing software system--is built upon the AGent software from Auto-Graphics. The Wisconsin Dept. of Public Instruction, Reference and Loan Library, administers WISCAT for all libraries in Wisconsin. The current edition of the WISCAT union catalog, one of the largest physical statewide union catalogs in the country, contains 7+ million titles and more than 32 million holdings from over 1200 contributing libraries. The catalog contains material in all formats, including books, serials, video recordings, sound recordings and other audiovisual formats.

If you have questions or concerns regarding licensing (or any WISCAT topic), please contact me directly.

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

EMAIL: david.sleasman@dpi.wi.gov
PHONE: 888.542.5543, Extension 1

Name Change for Wisconsin Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

The Wisconsin Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped has changed its name. It is now the Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library (the Library). It is located in the Milwaukee Public Library's Central Library in downtown Milwaukee, all other contact information remains the same:

Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library
813 W. Wells St.
Milwaukee, WI 53233
414.286.3045 (Milwaukee)
800.242.8822 (Wisconsin toll free number)
414.286.3548 (TDD)
414.286.3102 (FAX)
lbph@milwaukee.gov
regionallibrary.wi.gov

Source: Barb Huntington 11/10/2009

New format, features available on OverDrive starting November 2, 2009

Starting on Monday, November 2, the WPLC OverDrive collection will include a new format and some new features.

eBooks
The initial WPLC collection of eBooks contains over 200 titles. New links on the left navigation pane will help users find these titles in the collection. Two formats will be included, Adobe EPUB and Adobe PDF (Digital Editions). To learn more about these formats and how to use them, please follow the link "Learn more" in the introductory paragraphs at the top of the WPLC OverDrive website, where you will find a lot of helpful information. (The new help pages will be available beginning on Monday.)

Star-rating
Starting on Nov. 2nd, users will be able to rate a title. Once signed in, users will be able to rate titles on a scale of 1-5 stars. If a user has previously rated titles, the user can review and, if desired, change or remove these ratings at a new 'My Ratings'
page. Average ratings are displayed to all users.

Share via Social Networking
Starting on Nov. 2nd, in addition to the existing option of sharing information on a title with a friend via e-mail, users will also be able to share information on a title via Facebook and Twitter.


Source: Linda Miller

Website of the Week from DPI's Channel Weekly

USA.gov: Health and Nutrition -- http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Health.shtml -- The U.S. government’s official web portal offering access to government resources on health care, insurance, diet, fitness, public health, and more.

Source: Channel Weekly, Vol. 12, Number 7---October 29, 2009

Ordering Wisconsin Tax Forms

New Procedures for 2009

The department has implemented a new e-mail application for libraries to use in placing orders for 2009 Wisconsin tax forms. This new application is easier to use and offers a better process for monitoring library orders and tracking shipments. Although some libraries may have already placed their order for 2009 Wisconsin tax forms using the online ordering system, you must now resubmit your order using this e-mail application.

We Need Your Help!

Last year Wisconsin libraries ordered approximately 1.6 million tax forms and instructions (1 million forms + 600,000 instruction booklets). Based on the unique barcode assigned to forms provided to libraries, the department was able to determine that less than 75,000 of the 1 million forms were actually filed with the department. We know that some of the forms that were not submitted to the department are used for draft versions or kept as a copy, but certainly not all 925,000.

Help us reduce the number of forms that are being wasted. While we want to continue to provide forms to taxpayers who need them, we must reduce the waste associated with forms that are not being used. We urge you to order fewer forms this year!

More E-filing - Less Paper

More than 71% of Wisconsin taxpayers filed their income tax returns electronically. Last year the department introduced a new e-file application called Wisconsin e-file. This application is Free, Secure, and Accurate. Plus, refunds are available within 5 business days.

We encourage you to refer your customers to this free application. Wisconsin e-file is available from the department's web site at http://www.revenue.wi.gov/.

In addition, all Wisconsin tax forms are available online at http://www.revenue.wi.gov/html/formpub.html.

How to Order Forms

Step 1 Open the attachment below (Form P-744L, Library Tax Form Request) and fill in your name, address, and contact information.


Step 2 Fill in requested quantities.

Step 3 Save completed form to your computer.

Step 4 E-mail the completed request form (as an attachment) to DorLibraryFormsOrders@revenue.wi.gov

Please submit your order by November 13th.

We thank you for your time and effort in providing assistance to Wisconsin taxpayers. If you have any questions or need assistance with placing your order, feel free to contact Laurie Yahr at (608) 261-5106 or e-mail at laurie.yahr@revenue.wi.gov.


Sincerely,

Jeffrey W. Hanson
Staff Specialist
Wisconsin Department of Revenue
Mail Stop 6-40
PO Box 8933
Madison, WI 53708-8933
Phone (608) 266-8474
Fax (608) 261-6240

Source: email sent 10/29/2009

Introducing ReadyWisconsin

ReadyWisconsin is a one-stop portal for information and resources related to any type of emergency that could threaten Wisconsin residents.

Free Outreach Materials

A unique feature of ReadyWisconsin is the wide array of free outreach materials that can be customized and branded for use by any governmental entity, volunteer organization or emergency preparedness stakeholder.

For instance, downloadable pre-produced television and radio messages addressing dozens of themed preparedness issues can be used and tagged by a sheriff, fire chief, county executive, school superintendent, civic leader or any individual or entity that chooses to deliver preparedness outreach messages to the public.

Other turn-key products include streaming video, children’s materials, brochures, posters, checklists and templates, and PowerPoint presentations. New materials are continually being developed.

Specialized Links

ReadyWisconsin aims to make it easier for the public to access disaster information by inviting them to a single site from which they can then be linked directly to the most comprehensive and up-to-date information at the state, national and international levels.

In the case of pandemic flu, for example, ReadyWisconsin is partnering with the Wisconsin Departments of Health Services and Public Instruction in the creation of outreach materials and in identifying links to essential information for the public.

For additional information, please go to http://ReadyWisconsin.wi.gov or contact Susan Burleigh at 608-242-3324 or susan.burleigh@wisconsin.gov.

Source: email 9/22/09

Here’s What We Know About Libraries...and What Your Local & County Officials Need to Know

Need some talking points for your 2010 budget development? Here are a few suggestions.

1. Libraries are essential to economic recovery.

Libraries provide valuable materials, programs, and services to get people back on their feet and skilled staff to help them find what they need.
· Resources to learn about resume writing, and how to complete job application forms
· Resources to learn financial management
· Resources to help create small businesses
· Resources to learn about health, nutrition and wellness activities
· Online databases that provide valuable information for businesses
· Computers and Internet access for applying for jobs online
· Computers and Internet access for virtual classes and training
· Computer training on email, searching, work processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint and more software programs
· Free email access to apply and receive correspondence about jobs
· Assistance in setting up free email accounts
· Resume writing software and assistance
· Referrals to agencies that provide loans, food, shelter and other essentials
· Meeting places for businesses to conduct interviews and group meetings
· Meeting places for tutors and students
· Staff to proctor exams for correspondence classes, virtual universities, and job qualification tests
· Practice tests, both print and online

2. Libraries are models of cost-efficient operations.
For years, libraries have set the standard for working together, sharing resources, and creating efficiencies – always with an eye to enhancing customer service and making the best use of taxpayers’ dollars. The examples are numerous:
· Shared pulic access computer systems
· Access to online databases
· Access to materials in digital formats
· Interlibrary loan: physical delivery of materials
· Interlibrary loan: document delivery
· Electronic reference services (Instant messaging/chat)
· Long-range planning (e.g., Council of Libraries and Network Development report on future of Wisconsin libraries)
· Continuing education
· Special needs (e.g., Regional Library for Blind & Physically Handicapped)

3. Libraries are experiencing increased demands for service.
The current economic climate has made libraries an even more vital part of their communities; they’re busier than ever. It’s a national phenomenon.

Key quote*: "Whenever you have tough economic times, public libraries are a place people go because they have no other alternatives or because they know they are going to get the kind of powerful information that will make a difference in their lives."
--Kristin McDonough, Director of the Science/Industry/Business Library of the New York Public Library.

“Frugal readers drive up library circulation 30%.” Chicago Sun-Times, 6/28/2009.
“Downturn Puts New Stresses on Libraries”. The New York Times, 4/1/2009.
“Libraries Stressed, Yet Needed More Than Ever.” The Denver Post, 3/22/2009.
*“Hard Economic Times a Boon for Libraries. CNN.com, 2/28/2009.
“In Slumping Economy, Library Use Shoots Up”. Greater Milwaukee Today, 2/10/2009.
"Libraries many benefits rediscovered in hard economic times". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 1/22/2009.
"Folks Are Flocking to the Library, a Cozy Place to Look for a Job". Wall Street Journal, 1/15/2009.
"Library use up with economy drop." Racine Journal Times, 1/4/2009.
“Check it out: As the economy sags, library use is booming.” The Boston Globe, 1/4/2009.
"As economy goes down, traffic at the library goes up." Wisconsin State Journal, 1/1/2009.







Wisconsin Library Association 5250 East Terrace Drive, Suite A1 Madison, WI 53718Telephone: 608.245.3640 On the web at http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/

Free DVDs and Electric Meter from Alliant Energy

Times are tough right now, and everyone is looking for ways to save money – including your library patrons. Give them the resources they need to help make it through with Alliant Energy’s PowerHouse TV series – the energy-saving, money-saving program that shows homeowners how to make the most of their energy usage and save money.

The complete set of 51 PowerHouse episodes on DVD is now available to libraries in the Alliant Energy service territory at no charge. Also available for free – a portable electric meter to help patrons find out how much electronic appliances and devices cost to operate.

For the last thirteen years, Alliant Energy’s PowerHouse television show has given homeowners practical advice on a wide variety of energy-related topics, including energy efficiency, conservation, safety and the environment. The show focuses on do-it-yourself projects, with demonstrations of simple improvements that any homeowner can tackle.

Once you sign up to receive your free PowerHouse DVDs, we will send you the entire collection of PowerHouse DVDs, with each DVD containing about six episodes. You will also receive the new episodes of PowerHouse as they become available. Again, there is no charge for this service.

If you choose to receive the free portable electric meter, we will send you the meter, along with a laminated instructional card. This easy-to-use device – which is a bit larger than a deck of cards – will be helpful to patrons, who can check it out for home use to help control electricity costs.

To receive your free PowerHouse DVD library and/or the free portable electric meter, simply fill out our online form. If you have questions about this free offer, please call 1-866-ALLIANT (1-866-255-4268).

UW-Platteville Library looking for a library director

Follow this link: http://www.uwplatt.edu/pers/employ/Emp_Lib%20Dir.htm to learn more about this exciting opportunity!

$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 Woodland Pattern Book Center and the 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: 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 will be judged on the basis of community outreach and collaboration, thoroughness of planning, and rationale for the choice of speaker.


Applications may be obtained at:

http://wisconsincenterforthebook.wordpress.com/wais/


Time line:
• July 1, 2009: Applications due; if mailed, they must be postmarked on or before this date.
• July 30, 2009: Winners will be notified by this date.
• September 1, 2009 – April 30, 2010: 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 2009-10 Chair. Please contact her at 920-748-2784 or windsong@centurytel.net.

50 years of cooperative library services

The Southwest Wisconsin Library Systems has reached a major milestone.

We’re turning 50!

Here’s a bit of the history:

In 1959 the Southwest Wisconsin Library Processing Center began as a two year LSCA project serving Crawford, Grant, Iowa, Lafayette and Richland Counties as well as the Monroe Public Library in Green County. The Processing center was located in the basement of the Fennimore Public Library.

In 1962, when the federal funding ended, a proposal was made to the five counties who agreed to assume of costs of operating the processing center. A joint library board was formed.

In 1965, the processing center added more services and was re-named the Public Library Service Center of Southwest Wisconsin (PLSCSW).

In 1974, the PLSCSW was reorganized into what we are today—the Southwest Wisconsin Library System.

In the 35 years since, the System and its member libraries have seen many changes.

But what hasn’t changed in 50 years is the belief that by working together and pooling our resources we all benefit. What also hasn’t changed is the spirit that brought us all together. SWLS has been fortunate throughout the years to serve such an outstanding group of libraries.

We hope you will join us on June 19, 2009 as we celebrate 50 years of cooperative library services in southwest Wisconsin. You (or your library) will receive an invitation by mail in early May.

As part of the celebration, we will be presenting the following awards:

SWLS Library of the Year
SWLS Librarian of the Year
SWLS Member Library Trustee of the Year
SWLS Elected Official of the Year.

We hope that you will help us by nominating a colleague, your trustee, etc. The nomination forms are on the SWLS web site. Click the “Links for Librarians” button. Nominations are due April 30, 2009. The SWLS Board of Trustees will select the winner at their May board meeting.

So mark your calendars now, and plan to join us to honor our past as we move into the future.

—Krista

Mark your Calendars for April and May 2009

Important Dates in April & May

April 7: System Services Review, 1-3:30

April 10: System Closed for Good Friday

April 15: YS Brag and Swap meeting and Maris' Booksale 9-12

April 16: College of DuPage webinar: An Ounce of Prevention: Health Reference Basics 11-12:30

April 24: PLAC & Net SW meetings 9-12

April 28: Trustee mini-workshop: Evaluating Your Director, 6-7 Cobb Public Library

May 1: Adolescent Literacy Workshop, 8:30-3, Madison, WI

May 6-8: Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries Conference, Wisconsin Dells

May 19: Tech Tuesday: Outlook Web Access: Checking email when you're not on the network, 11-12:30 SWLS OPAL room

May 22: NetSW Tech Committee meeting, 9:30-11, Platteville Public Library

May 25: SWLS closed

May 28: Trustee Mini-workshop: Developing Essential Library Policies 6-7 Prairie du Chien

Opportunity for Help this Summer

Yesterday I received a visit from Ronald Coppernoll of the SW Wisconsin Workforce Development Board. It appears that they will be receiving federal stimulus money to help youth get job training. There target age is 14-24, but in our situation, he’s looking at the upper end of that range as opposed to the lower end.

The program would place someone in your library for 30 hr/wk, June through August. The program takes care of the salary and workman’s comp insurance. All you need to do is scheduling and supervising. Timesheets could be sent via the delivery to me and I’ll send them along to them. This seems very similar in structure to a Green Thumb program or the Older Worker’s program that some of you may have participated in.

They have set aside 2-3 positions for library placement. If you are interested, send me a detailed proposal on the types of job duties that this person would be assigned to perform. I’ll compile the proposals and pass them to Ronald and let him make the decision. Please send me your proposal by Wednesday, March 18, 2009.
One side note: SW WI Workforce Development Board covers all of our counties EXCEPT Crawford (your covered with the La Crosse area). For you in Crawford County, it doesn’t mean you cannot submit a proposal, it just means that the person placed will have to live in Grant, Iowa or Richland Counties.

Krista

Dollar General Adult Literacy Grants

By Pam MacKellar

Deadline: March 4, 2009

The Dollar General Adult Literacy Grants program awards funding to nonprofits that provide direct service to adults in need of literacy assistance. Applicant organizations must provide assistance in adult basic education, general education diploma preparation, and/or English for speakers of other languages. The Dollar General Family Literacy Grants provide funding to family literacy service providers. Applicants to both programs must either be a 501(c)(3) organization, a K-12 private or public school, a college or university, or a public library. Applicant organizations must reside in and provide direct service within Dollar General's 35-state market area and be located within twenty miles of a Dollar General store.

Visit the Dollar General Web site for program guidelines, grant zone map, and store locator.

Source: Library Grants Blog 2/6/2009

. VISTA VOLUNTEERS AVAILABLE FOR SUMMER 2009

From Channel Weekly, Vol. 11, No. 18, February 5, 2009

The Department of Public Instruction is participating in a Summer VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America) project. For the first time, VISTA volunteers will be available for summer-only assignments (8 weeks). Typically their service is for 12 months. The program is intended to involve the VISTA workers with anti-poverty efforts. This could involve having them work with summer reading programs, tutoring, mentoring, outreach, etc. Unlike their 12-month activities, the summer project allows more flexibility and the volunteers can do much more direct service.

Public libraries, as well as schools, are eligible applicants and can apply through DPI for a Summer VISTA Associate. A limited number of slots are available COST-FREE to sites; these will be available on a first come, first served basis. Otherwise, in rural communities the library would pay $1524, and in urban areas libraries would pay $1589 for 8 weeks of service.

In addition to a monthly stipend, the VISTA volunteers are eligible for a $1,000 scholarship to apply toward tuition or educational loans. For more information, contact Betsy Prueter at 608-267-7290 or betsy.prueter@dpi.wi.gov no later than Monday, February 16.

Library Legislative Day 2009

Braving bone-chilling winds, a group of seven from southwest Wisconsin traveled to Madison on February 3 to advocate for libraries at the State Capitol. Traditionally in late January-early February, WLA and WEMTA arrange for visits with legislators by library advocates. This day is known as Library Legislative Day (LLD).

This was my fourth or fifth trip to the Capitol for LLD. As someone with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, I admit that I’ve always found the process enjoyable. Given the impending budget shortfall both this fiscal year and for the next biennium, I expected that the discussions would be difficult and we would be told to expect the worst. What our group experienced, however, was something completely different.

Every one of the five legislators we visited was very positive and supportive about libraries and their role, especially in these hard economic times. And based on what other librarians had to say, our experience was the norm, not the exception.

I’ve been pondering why, in a year that is so difficult, was our reception so great? Our message was virtually the same as in years past, so that’s not it. Hmmm…. And then another article hit my desk about the importance of libraries in this economy. Could it be that the message reached our audience before we could deliver it? It’s been nearly impossible these days not to have heard about the increased demand for library services in Wisconsin and across the country in the current economic climate.

And while it’s easy to ride on this wave of positive feelings, it also a call to action. Just think of what we can accomplish if we simply promote ourselves every chance we get. I plan to make a point of sending news to our representatives on a regular basis from now on, and I encourage all of you to do the same.

Held a program with outstanding attendance? Take a picture and send it to your Mayor, City Council, State Representative and Senator. Take every opportunity to share your stories with those in positions of authority. I fear that if we don’t, we’ll have missed a golden opportunity. After all, we don’t want to highlight the value of libraries only in response to a crisis.

---Krista

As usual, these opinions are my own and do not reflect on SWLS.

Libraries as Investment

From the Director's Desk:

Just about everywhere you turn, from the internet, to newspapers to the national media, people are talking about libraries. In most areas, library usage has skyrocketed as the economy worsens. This is no surprise to us in the library world. We’ve been here before, and unfortunately, will be here again, I’m sure.

While the spotlight on libraries is good, there’s one aspect of it that concerns me—and that ‘s the continual use of the word “free”. “Free” books, DVDs, internet...the list goes on and on. And while we may think this is good to promote “free”, are we really being honest with our patrons?

Now wait a minute, you might say, library services are free! We don’t expect patrons to break out their checkbooks or credit cards at the circulation desk (well, apart from paying those pesky fines). And no one has to feed dollar bills into a machine to get an hour’s worth of internet, do they? And I will concede your points.

However, as any trustee or library director knows, library services are anything but free. Each and every month, bills are paid for materials, supplies and utilities. Every two weeks or so, staff is compensated for their time. Once a year, negotiations for funds to provide library services are held with municipal bodies. There is a cost to providing library services. And, taxpayers pay them once (or twice) a year.

Let’s consider a change in our thinking and rhetoric about library services:

Libraries are not free. They are investments.

The recent study by NorStar Economics showed that, in Wisconsin, for every dollar spent on libraries, there’s return of $4.06. And it’s not just in Wisconsin either. In Chicago, when the city targets a neighborhood for economic development, guess what the first thing they do is? Why, it’s a branch of the Chicago Public Library. Those branches are the first step in turning a neighborhood around.

Library services are not free—they are, however, provided at no addition cost to the patron. Patrons “invest” in the library at tax time. Library patrons get a return on their investment each time they use the library. The rate of that return is based on the amount of use. Heavy users get their investment back plus that of their neighbors. Non-users don’t see a return on their investment, but it is a choice they can review at any time.

I also fear that our focus “free” negatively affects another “f” word—funding. If people don’t associate costs with public libraries, then how to we expect them to advocate (yep, there’s that word again) for libraries when we need them. We need to be transparent about what it really costs to provide those much needed services. And how those services help promote the well-being of the community. We need to show people what they pay for library services and what a good deal it is.

I encourage all of you to reconsider your use of “free” when it comes to promoting library services. Remember— library funding is a sound investment in the well-being of your community, this state and country.


—Krista
**Note--this is MY opinion--not an official opinion of the Southwest Wisconsin Library System

Mark your Calendars

Upcoming events in late January/February

January 30: Annual Report Support at Headquarters--email Krista to RSVP

February 3: Library Legislative Day, Madison--register at http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/legis/day/index.htm

February 6: Annual Report Support at Headquarters--email Krista to RSVP

February 13: Annual Report Support at Headquarters--email Krista to RSVP;
College of DuPage webinar: "Targeting the Ages: Programming that hits theMark"

February 16: SWLS closed for President's Day

February 20: Annual Report Support at Headquarters--email Krista to RSVP

February 27: PLAC & Net SW Director's Council Meetings, Headquarters

Add it Up : Libraries make the difference

The ALA web site now has a new advocacy page targeting library services to youth. The site is filled with advocacy strategies, statistics and more on how important library services are to children of all ages, preschool to teen.

In this tough economic climate, it's more important than ever to have conversations with our local, state and federal officials on how libraries contribute to the well-being of a community, state and nation.

Check out the web page at: http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/advocacy/advocacyuniversity/additup/index.cfm

A President's view of Libraries

In preparing for Library Legislative Day, I ran across an article from American Libraries August 2005 which featured a speech that President Obama, then Senator Obama gave at the opening session of ALA conference.

Here's the link: http://www.ala.org/ala/alonline/resources/selectedarticles/obama05.cfm

It's worth a read.