The WLA Blog

ALA encourages you to participate in Presidential debates

2008-09-24T14:51:00.002-05:00

ALA President Jim Rettig reminds ALA members to submit questions to the Commission on Presidential debates via a new Web site, www.MyDebates.org. This site will become available in the days leading up to the first Presidential debate on September 26. The more questions submitted, the more likely a library question will be asked. This is an opportunity for the library voice to become an important part of the 2008 Presidential election.

On Tuesday, October 7, one of the three 2008 Presidential debates between Senators Barack Obama and John McCain will be held at Belmont University in Nashville, TN. This debate will be a town hall format moderated by Tom Brokaw. The moderator will call on members of the audience as well as select questions submitted online. You can make a difference!

Milwaukee's proposed budget includes library cuts

2008-09-24T14:07:00.002-05:00

Calling it the "toughest budget we have ever faced," Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett presented a budget this morning with $20 million in spending cuts and the elimination of 180 full-time positions, according to a report in WisPolitics.com. Among other cuts, the budget would require closing two libraries, cutting two fire companies and 56 police officers. Barrett also presented an alternative, "preferred" budget that included a 4.8 percent increase in fees and property taxes for the average homeowner. With the fee increase, there would still be $13 million in cuts, but no library closures, though hours would be reduced. His preferred budget also would freeze cost of living adjustments for managers, eliminate 100 positions, trim $1.5 million from the library system and reduce some public works services. While there are many cuts, his preferred budget also includes a $5.4 million increase for street maintenance, $1 million for the Villard Street library improvement project, $325,000 for a youth jobs program and $2 million for an automated materials processing and checkout system for the Central Library.

Business of Childen's Publishing program at Carthage College Oct. 17-18

2008-09-24T14:04:00.000-05:00

The Center for Children’s Literature at Carthage College in Kenosha will present an inside look at “The Business of Children’s Publishing,” October 17th and 18th, Hedberg Library, 9am to 2pm. This year’s program features: Publisher Dinah Stevenson, Marketing Manager Jason Wells, Agent George Nicholson, Editor Susan Pearson, Art Director Marijka Kostiw.

For more information, contact John Warren Stewig, Director, Center for Children's Literature, Carthage College, 2001 Alford Park Drive, Kenosha, WI 53140, (262)-552-5480.

First Lady invites libraries to participate in statewide book club

2008-09-24T13:57:00.003-05:00

Read On Wisconsin, the brainchild of First Lady Jessica Doyle, is a statewide book club for students and book-lovers across the state. Mrs. Doyle invites libraries to get involved in Read On by encouraging children to read the recommended books, then discuss and blog about them. This year’s top picks are recommended by students and educators across the state. Online tools and a book list for each age group are available at http://readon.wi.gov/.

ALA launches Web site upgrade

2008-09-24T13:56:00.000-05:00

ALA reports that it has launched its new, more user-centered Web site. The upgrade is the result of a two-year, member-driven redesign process. For more information, click http://www.pio.ala.org/visibility. Visibility @ your library provides librarians and library supporters with news and information about important communications issues from ALA’s Public Information Office and the Campaign for America’s Libraries.

UW-Madison libraries adapt to changing student habits

2008-09-07T11:12:00.002-05:00

Libraries at UW-Madison have added space for student seating, better views - and at College Library, even a coffee shop - in order to meet changing student research and study habits, according to news reports. Articles in the Wisconsin State Journal and Chicago Tribune discuss trends in campus libraries, which UW-Libraries director Ken Frazier says also result from the availability of information in digital form.

Lab Safety moves Highsmith operations to Janesville

2008-09-07T10:50:00.007-05:00

The Capital Times reports on September 5 that Lab Safety Supply of Janesville, which acquired Highsmith in July, will close the Fort Atkinson plant this fall and eliminate 86 jobs, moving the remainder of approximately 200 positions to Janesville. Highsmith, founded in 1956, distributes supplies, furniture and equipment to all types of libraries and schools. Lab Safety officials say they intend to build upon Highsmith's solid brand position. The company has also been a generous sponsor of ALA and WLA programs and activities, including the WLA Foundation's Campaign for Wisconsin Libraries.

Janesville library director will host five school librarians from Russia

2008-08-25T14:05:00.003-05:00

Bryan McCormick, director at Hedberg Public Library in Janesville, will host five school librarians from the Chuvashia region of Russia on September 28 to October 5 through Open World, which brings emerging leaders to the U.S. to learn more about the country, its democratic institutions and free-market economy. After spending three days in Washington, D.C., the librarians will come to Janesville to tour school libraries and businesses in the area, visit the State Capitol and take in cultural activities. There will be a public open house for the visitors at Hedberg Public Library Monday, September 29.

A federal program, Open World was set up in 1999 as a Russian-U.S. exchange pilot program administered by the Library of Congress. Since then, Congress has expanded Open World to operate in all countries. McCormick first got involved with Open World in 2003 when he was in Fairmont, MN. In 2004, he hosted a group of librarians, including a woman who became his wife in 2006! On July 30, 2008, Bryan won an award as an Outstanding Wisconsin Host.

E-government services: what's best library response?

2008-08-22T15:14:00.004-05:00

A blog posting by Retiring Guy (aka Paul Nelson) shares information about a Florida Study on e-government and libraries and notes that challenges facing Wisconsin libraries are similar to those detailed in the study. The study, summarized in a libraryjournal.com posting, recommends more staff training, direct support for libraries as providers of e-government services and resources from local, state, and national governments, and collaboration between libraries and government agencies on the design and implementation of e-government services.

Here in Wisconsin, the Department of Revenue is working with public libraries and systems to significantly reduce filing of paper tax forms by encouraging online filings at public access computers. Paul mentions that the Department of Workforce Development may be open to working with libraries on a redesigned jobs website and job assistance resources.

Read the full posting at Retiring Guy's Digest.

Madison's tight budget forces it to look at library cuts

2008-08-22T14:43:00.002-05:00

While news reports are that Mayor Dave Cieselewicz doesn't want to close the Monroe Street Branch of the Madison Public Library, that's one of the options as he faces tough budget decisions. According to the Wisconsin State Journal, all departments were asked to submit both a baseline budget and one trimming that by five percent. The Library Board voted to include the closure as a way of reducing their baseline request. Read more about neighborhood reaction and budget issues facing the city of Madison.

WI Public Library Consortium wins Digital Pioneer Award

2008-08-22T14:24:00.003-05:00

The Wisconsin Public Library Consortium was recognized for innovation and excellence in leading technologies for authentication for member libraries at Digipalooza '08. Digipalooza is a national library user conference sponsored by library vendors with a focus this year on online community building and advancing download technology. Read the complete story, which includes a list of all 13 winners of "Digies" and conference sponsors.

Milwaukee Public Library faces budget challenge

2008-08-22T14:03:00.002-05:00

Milwaukee's city budget director, Mark Nicolini, says final decisions have not been made, but libraries will lose funding in 2009. A report by Milwaukee Public Radio says that some concerned citizens are collecting signatures to petition to save neighborhood branches. City officials say national economic woes are affecting Milwaukee and requiring cuts of four to five percent, and there are not many positive alternatives.

Read the transcript of the full report by WUWM-FM.

Rhinelander library's circulation increases 3 percent

2008-08-21T13:54:00.002-05:00

Continuing a string of articles around the state about booming business at libraries, the Rhinelander Daily News reported that Rhinelander District Library circulation is up 3 percent from last year. The article also describes how support from the Bump Art Collection fund, the Northern Arts Council, and Rhinelander Library Foundation, among others, has allowed the library to feature author visits and develop special collections. The library was the 2005 WLA Library of the Year.

Library "whirlwind of information and convenience"

2008-07-28T10:40:00.003-05:00

Marathon County Public Library's traffic has grown 3.5 percent during the past year, according to a report on WSAW Channel 7. Touting wireless Internet, self-check, and a new drive-through window, director Phyllis Christenson also notes that rising fuel costs prompt many people to find resources and fun close to home. The Wausau Daily Herald also published a July 25 article about technology's impact on library service.

News Flash: Libraries are busy places!

2008-07-28T10:09:00.005-05:00

The libraries of Fond du Lac, North Fond du Lac and Horicon are praised as hip and happening places to be in yet another news report about how popular library services are these days. It's not your father's library, claims the Fond du Lac Reporter.

Waukesha County system proposes new funding formula

2008-07-22T11:56:00.003-05:00

Waukesha County proposes to disburse funding to county libraries based in part on each library's service to residents outside its municipal borders. The change would mean an increase in funding for some libraries, while others with less service to out-of-towners would likely see a decrease in funding. Reports in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel July 15 and July 18 describe the plan, which seems to have received mostly cautious, if mixed, reactions from Waukesha County libraries.

Fox Lake library accessibility ordered; new building project advances

2008-07-22T11:45:00.002-05:00

According to the Daily Reporter, the Fox Lake Public Library will be required to make accessibility upgrades to its existing library, even while it plans to launch a fund raising campaign and unveil renderings for a new library in mid-August. Though needed accessibility modifications could have cost up to $80,000, the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights will require spending only about $25,000 to address the most serious violations.

RFID in Wisconsin libraries

2008-07-21T10:17:00.003-05:00

Despite its high cost, several Wisconsin libraries are moving to RFID as a way of cutting staff time needed for materials handling, either leading to reduced staff or enabling existing staff to serve patrons directly. A July 19 Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel article describes the experience of New Berlin, West Allis, and Greenfield, among others, who have RFID or are exploring their options.

National Center for Education Statistics reports on academic libraries

2008-07-18T14:58:00.003-05:00

The NCES has released "Academic Libraries: 2006 First Look," a statistical profile of the libraries serving postsecondary, two- and four-year degree-granting institutions throughout the U.S. The report includes information on services, collections, staff, revenue, and expenditures. The full report, including supplemental tables, is available at: http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2008337.
The public-use data file is available at: http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2008348
For information about obtaining a restricted-use data license to use the 2006 ALS restricted-use data: http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/licenses.asp .
For more information about this survey, please go to the Library Statistics Program home page at http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/libraries/.
From:
CHANNEL WEEKLY
The DLTCL Electronic Newsletter
Volume 10, Number 38 - July 17, 2008
Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

Appleton takes another step toward new library

2008-07-18T14:50:00.002-05:00

The Appleton Public Library board voted 6-0 to endorse a consultant's recommendation to build a 138,000-square-foot library in the downtown area, according to a July 15 article in the Appleton Post-Crescent. Terry Dawson, library director, and other officials noted that other options provided in the report have not been ruled out.

OCLC study: connection between perception of libraries and support for funding

2008-07-18T14:38:00.002-05:00

OCLC was awarded a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to explore attitudes and perceptions about library funding and to evaluate the potential of a large-scale marketing and advocacy campaign to increase public library funding in the U.S. The findings of this research are now available in the OCLC report, From Awareness to Funding: A study of library support in America. Though this study was based on data from the United States, there are findings in the report that could be applicable to any library seeking to understand the connections between public perceptions and library support.

Among the findings from the report:
--Library funding support is only marginally related to library visitation
--Perceptions of librarians are an important predictor of library funding support
--Voters who see the library as a 'transformational' force as opposed to an 'informational' source are more likely to increase taxes in its support
--The report suggests that targeting marketing messages to the right segments of the voting public is key to driving increased support for U.S. public libraries.

Internet increases public use of libraries

2008-07-18T14:33:00.002-05:00

An article in the Green Bay Press-Gazette reports that library use has increased since the advent of the Internet, contrary to fears that it would bring the library's demise. Brown County Library Director Lynn Stainbrook says that her library has seen a steady increase in demand since 1993. "Libraries are being used more now than the pre-Internet days," Stainbrook said. "Libraries help to conquer the digital divide — between those who have computers and those who don't. All indications are that libraries are going to thrive in the digital age."

New Beloit Public Library project launched

2008-07-10T16:34:00.002-05:00

Beloit Public Library and community officials held a ground breaking ceremony Wednesday, July 10 for a new 55,000-square foot library to be constructed in a former JC Penney's building. According to the Beloit Daily News, the new library is expected to open in spring 2009.

Racine Public Library faces financial bind

2008-07-10T16:21:00.002-05:00

Two related articles in the Racine Journal Times describe financial challenges facing Racine Public Library. According to Jessica MacPhail, library director, quoted in the July 5 Journal Times article, "We've cut staff. We've cut materials. We've cut hours. There's nothing left to cut." Read more about it in the July 5 and the July 6 issues of the Journal Times.

Highsmith Acquired by Lab Safety

2008-07-10T14:14:00.004-05:00

According to MarketWatch, part of the Wall Street Journal's Digital Network, Highsmith, Inc. of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, has been acquired by Lab Safety, Inc., a direct marketing subsidiary of W.W. Grainger, Inc. Highsmith is a distributor of supplies, furniture and equipment to all types of libraries in the U.S. and abroad.

Larry Loizzo, President of Lab Safety Supply, said his company plans to build upon the strong Highsmith brand as part of their specialty catalog group.

For many years, Highsmith has supported ALA and state library association initiatives, including programs of the WLA and WLA Foundation. Highsmith sponsors the WLA/Highsmith Award at WLA's annual Awards & Honors banquet, providing $1,000 to a library who has developed an innovative service. In 2007, Highsmith became a Leadership Partner of the Campaign for Wisconsin Libraries, a program of the WLA Foundation, and provided cash and in-kind contributions totalling more than $12,000.