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/
Friday, August 14, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
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).
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).
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
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!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
$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.
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
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
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
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
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
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