Flash Rave at Marquette's Raynor Memorial Libraries

Techno, glow sticks, body surfing: Flash rave at Marquette's Raynor Memorial Library during finals week on December 16. See the stills and video:
http://www.pbnation.com/showthread.php?t=3278133

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-S-x38_i8SA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9HmdICccPo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8go_5_JpEI

Out of Work Librarians Need Your Help!

Out of Work Librarians Need Your Help!
Call NOW to Include Libraries in the Jobs Bill!
Take Action!
As you know, libraries are helping unemployed Americans get back to work not only by helping them acquire needed job skills, but also by offering no-fee access to the Internet for online job searching, computers for working on resumes, resources for building small business plans, and much more. Unfortunately, these very services are threatened by budget shortfalls in state and local funding; due to these budget cuts, many libraries may be forced to cut services that are so incredibly necessary during these tough economic times.Right now, the House of Representatives is debating the Jobs for Main Street Act, and this bill would provide funding to a variety of programs aimed at creating jobs. No other organization is as dynamic or as well-equipped to build jobs as libraries, yet neither the House nor the Senate version of this legislation mentions libraries. By including specific bill language that includes librarians, we can continue to help people look for jobs, help people obtain their GED, build valuable job skills, and much more. To read the full proposal, please click here.
The House is expected to vote on this legislation TODAY. Please call your representatives TODAY and your senators tomorrow; tell them you would like to see librarians included in the Jobs for Main Street Act and explain to them that those funds are critical in putting librarians back to work so they can help people get back to work.SPECIFIC STORIES MAKE AN IMPRESSION! Please tell them how your local library is using its resources to help people get back to the workforce. If you have had to furlough any library workers or had to reduce hours of operation, tell them that. If you see an increase in people using the free Internet access more for job applications than ever before, please tell them. If you see people attending your classes on word processing now more than ever before, please tell them. Please tell them how giving YOU the additional resources will help empower their constituents to get back into the workforce.

To find out who your members of Congress are, please click on the "Take Action!" link in the upper right-hand corner of this message. Every phone call is critical ... We MUST reach every member of Congress within the next 48 hours!BACKGROUND FOR JOBS FOR MAIN STREET ACT

1. Libraries play a key role in getting America back to work again. Nationwide, the library is the only source of no-fee Internet access for 71 percent of Americans. With more and more job applications only being accepted online, the public library is becoming the center of most American's job searches.

2. State Library Agencies reported in November 2009 that 77 percent of states cut funds that support local public libraries, which has meant layoffs, staff furloughs, and forced retirements. This has caused a 75 percent cut in services to the public including canceled statewide databases used for job searching, homework help, and cuts in 24/7 reference, which are used by small businesses and students.

3. Our proposal for saving libraries and helping America get back to work would be to provide a one-time $650 million to be distributed on a need basis through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS)

4. This proposal would create up to 13,000 library jobs in a few short months meaning this is a shovel-ready project.

5. The money would be used for library jobs that are focused on assisting patrons with getting back to work - thereby having the impact of assisting literally millions of Americans find employment. None of these funds would be used for facilities or equipment.

6. These funds would be distributed in a clear, concise, affirmative manner. Funds would be distributed to states using a formula through IMLS based 50 percent on population, and 50 percent on relative unemployment (similar to the Department of Labor's Dislocated Worker Program).

7. The Chief State Library Officer in each state would be responsible for distributing funds to local public libraries based on their local needs.

8. A minimum amount of funding per library could offer one library staff job per building based upon need and a maximum of five full-time staff.

9. Funds would be limited to hiring back staff released due to budget cuts, recruiting new staff and/or expanding staff services around job searching and employment skills training.

Coming Up Taller Awards

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in partnership with the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities (PCAH) invites nominations for the 2010 Coming Up Taller Awards. The program, now in its thirteenth year, honors excellence in afterschool, out-of-school, and summer arts and humanities programs for underserved children and youth. Other program partners include the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Each year, the Coming Up Taller Awards recognize and reward exceptional programs that cultivate character development and life skills in young people. Award recipients receive $10,000 each, an individualized plaque, and an invitation to attend the annual Coming Up Taller Leadership Enhancement Conference in Washington, D.C. The Coming Up Taller Awards ceremony has traditionally been held in the fall at the White House, with the awards bestowed by the President’s Committee’s Honorary Chairman, First Lady Michelle Obama.

At the Coming Up Taller awards ceremony held at the White House last month, Mrs. Obama called the Coming Up Taller awardees’ achievement in the arts and humanities “a bridge to achievement in life.”

IMLS encourages eligible museums and libraries to apply via the 2010 nomination application available at www.cominguptaller.org.

The deadline for nominations is Friday, January 29, 2010.

If you have questions, please visit www.cominguptaller.org or contact PCAH at (202) 682-5409.

Communique (WAPL newsletter) is posted

The Winter issue of Communique (the WAPL newsletter) is now available online in MemberClicks.

Highlights include:

• Reflections on a Visit to Libraries in South Africa
• Post WLA Conference Resources
• Why do you Need a Library Building?
• News from the Talking Book and Braille Library
• Help for Jobseekers
• . . . and more!
  

To access the newsletter, just go to the WLA home page (http://www.wla.lib.wi.us), and

• click on MemberClicks on the right hand side.
• On the MemberClicks page, click on "Resources."
• On the Resources page click on "WLA and Unit Newsletters."
• Voila!
  

The newsletter will also be posted on the WAPL home page at http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/wapl

Wisconsin Gets Broadband Mapping Grant; DPI Seeks Input

On Friday the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced it awarded grants to fund state broadband mapping to the Wisconsin Public Service Commission and to six other states. (Press release at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/press/2009/BBMappinggrants_091106.html.) The PSC has already contracted with LinkAmerica (http://www.linkamericaalliance.com) to conduct the mapping for Wisconsin.

**Your input requested.** Next week Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) will be meeting with LinkAmerica to discuss the state of broadband access, focusing on Wisconsin's K-12 schools and libraries. As part of this process both Steve Sanders and Bob Bocher invite you to send them any comments, thoughts, concerns, etc., you have about getting your schools and libraries adequate broadband at affordable prices. They are especially interested in connectivity issues for the large majority of schools which do not qualify for a TEACH discounted circuit. Send any comments to Bob Bocher by this Friday, November 13. All comments will remain anonymous. Thanks for your input.

Bob Bocher, Technology Consultant
Wisconsin Dept. of Public Instruction

Division for Libraries, Technology and Community Learning
Madison, WI 53707-7841 - 608-266-2127 - robert.bocher@dpi.wi.gov

House Re-Introduces SKILLS Act Emphasizing Role of School Librarians

The Strengthening Kids’ Interest in Learning and Libraries Act, or the SKILLs Act, was re-introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives this week with support from both sides of the aisle. This legislation is intended to ensure that all students will have the support and resources they need for a quality education by establishing a goal that all public school libraries employ no less than one highly qualified school library media specialist.

H.R. 3928 was introduced by Representatives Raul Grijalva (D-AZ-7) and Vernon Ehlers (R-MI-3) and was referred to the House Education and Labor Committee.

URGENT: Act Now to Reform the Patriot Act!

From ALA District Dispatch:

Call your member in the House of Representatives and urge her/him to reform the USA PATRIOT Act now! Please ask your representative to co-sponsor the USA PATRIOT Amendments Act of 2009 (H.R. 3845), introduced by Rep. Conyers (MI-14) and others on October 20, 2009.

Mr. Conyers and the other cosponsors should be thanked for introducing H.R. 3845.
A mark-up in the House Judiciary Committee is currently scheduled for Wednesday, November 4. Your calls are urgently needed before this mark-up! Call your individual representative’s office or the U.S. Capital switchboard at (202) 224-3121.

BACKGROUND: Three PATRIOT Act provisions are set to expire on December 31, 2009. This is the best chance we have had in the last eight years to get significant reforms to Section 215, often called the “library provision,” and to national security letters (NSLs).
The USA PATRIOT Amendments Act of 2009 protects constitutional speech and privacy rights by:

• Amending the NSL statute to ensure that the government only obtains financial, communication and credit records of people believed to be terrorists or spies;
• Requiring the government to convince a court that a national security gag order is necessary; and
• Ensuring that Section 215 does not authorize collection of library and bookstore records if they contain individualized information on the patron.

To find out who your member of Congress is, please go to the Legislative Action Center: http://capwiz.com/ala/home/

Library grassroots advocacy efforts have helped lead to the introduction of this strong Conyers bill to bring balance back to our civil liberties while allowing law enforcement to fight terrorist threats. We must do everything we can to ensure that the House of Representatives passes H.R. 3845, a bill that can lead to genuine reform of the deeply-flawed USA PATRIOT Act.

This is especially so because the Senate is set to pass a bill with far, far weaker reforms. Also, as expected, there is significant opposition to these reforms, including from the White House, the Department of Justice and the House Intelligence Committee. Many calls from library supporters and others will be needed to overcome this opposition. Call now with the following message:
THE MESSAGE:

• Pass H.R. 3845 to protect reader privacy and other First Amendment activities in libraries and bookstores;
• Reform Section 215 and national security letters so that a higher legal standard is required to obtain these types of orders;
• Ensure and maintain the legal right to challenge gag orders and require judicial review and reassessment to continue such gag orders;
• Continue the required audits and public reports so that Congress and the public can assess the impact of these laws; and
• Maintain the sunsets so that there can be regular Congressional and public oversight to protect against abuses of law enforcement powers.

Register Now to Attend Library Advocacy Day at the ALA Conference

On June 29, 2010, at 11 a.m., library advocates from all 50 states and Washington, D.C., will meet at Upper Senate Park on the U.S. Capitol grounds to participate in Library Advocacy Day (LAD).

Register now to attend!

LAD will feature guest speakers, photo ops, and a chance to cheer on libraries! After the rally, participants will meet with their elected officials and their staffs. The states with the most people will be featured front and center, which means they are the ones that will be in the majority of pictures. Make sure your state is the most represented so your group can be in the most pictures!

WLA 2009: "West Bend Librarians and Community Activists Share Censorship Stories"

Presented by Michael Tyree, director, Kristin Pekoll, young adult librarian, Barbara Deters, board president, and Mary Reilly-Kliss, former library board member, all of West Bend Community Memorial Library.

Though I had followed the case closely, I was anxious to hear first hand the entire story of West Bend's experience in addressing multiple changes to young adult and GLBTQ materials during 2009.

Oh, what a story they had to tell! As the board president said, it could be you. And it very well could be. Is your collection development policy in place? Do you have a process and procedure for dealing with reconsideration of materials? What about complaints about your website (which is actually how these challenges started)?

In West Bend's case, the challenge/complaint kept changing, while the complainants were backed, and advised, by national, conservative organizations. The library was tried in the press, and in several blogs. Library board members whose terms were up were not reappointed, something that had never happened before, or happens rarely.

A highlight of the presentation was a video recording of one of the meetings at which citizens on both sides of the issue testified. Little or no commentary was needed.

I'd like to think that we all, if confronted by similar challenges, would handle ourselves with such courage, resolve, and grace.

WLA 2009: "Motivational Magic: Keeping Your Passion in Times"

presented by Marcy Heim, The Artful Asker.

Although her main focus is working with groups to help them with fundraising, this session was about "13 factors for joy and success." The mnemonic is "RELATIONSHIPS."

R = Respect
E = Encouragement
L = Listening
A = Appreciation/Gratitude
T = Trust
I = Intuition
O = Order
N = Nurturing/Understanding
S = Sense of Humor
H = Hope and faith
I = Integrity
P = Passion
S = Sleep and eat (and exercise)

For each of the 13 factors she asked us to come up with one action we will try to do every day.

Why are relationships important? Relationships, more than any other factor, determine the quality of your life. Choose to focus on the people in our lives at work and home--this is what helps you keep your passion.

WLA 2009: "ADA Refreshed: Ensuring Access for Everyone"

Robin A. Jones, Director, DBTAC--Great Lakes ADA Center, University of Illinois at Chicago.

Excellent program, starting with a little review of ADA and its purposes, and legal obligations of entities under the law. Also takes a look at Wisconsin state law, which luckily for us, unlike some other states, apparently, is pretty consistent with ADA.

More citizens than ever are over age 55, and more citizens have disabilities. Jones spent time on educating us on the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 which will expand the definition of "person with a disability." In addition, limitations in the Act's list of major life activities may also constitute a disability.

Jones covered such topics of interest to libraries as: building access, service animals, communication, and virtual accessibility.

For more information see http://www.adagreatlakes.org.

WLA 2009: "Is Your Community Money Smart?"

Speakers: Lori Burgess, Fond du Lac Public Library, Christine Arkenberg, Milwaukee Public Library, Jeff Dawson, Lester Public Library (Two Rivers), Dave Mancl, Office of Financial Literacy.

This was great--The Office of Financial Literacy in the Department of Financial Institutions will help your library and others you partner with to sponsor workshops, seminars, programs, events, and other activities aimed at improving financial literacy. They'll help with printing, securing speakers, and other things. As Jeff Dawson of Two Rivers said, this is the 3rd year his library has participated in Money Smart week, "without lifting a finger."

Seems to me, given the current economy, these types of programs are a great idea. Partner with local college or tech school to offer programs for freshmen who are managing their money for the first time. Partner with senior centers to offer programs for senior citizens who are living on a fixed income. You get the idea.

Money Smart Week is October 2-9 in 2010. See http://www.moneysmartwi.org for more info!

New Members Round Table Events in Appleton

On Thursday, October 22, the WLA's
New Members Round Table sponsored two well-attended sessions at the annual WLA Conference in Appleton. The first, titled "Who Gets The Job and Why", had three diverse library managers with significant experience hiring employees discussing the job application process and offering tips for job-seeking librarians to rise to the top of applicant pools. The panelists were Kathy Schneider, Director of
WiLS; Peter Gilbert, University Librarian at Lawrence University's Seely G. Mudd Library; and Tasha Saecker, Director of the
Menasha Public Library. All offered excellent insights into the hiring process, which can be a bit of a mystery to those in the job hunt. There was ample time for a number of questions and the audience certainly had a lot of them. The wide-ranging discussion, I think, was helpful to those attendees with anxieties about the current job market and gave them a better understanding of how to approach future job opportunities.

The second session, "Networking is the Key", included four panelists and was moderated by the WLA's Lisa Strand, who also had much to offer to the discussion. The panelists included Pamela O'Donnell and Sheila Stoeckel, academic librarians at UW-Madison; Walter Burkhalter, Director of the Mid-Wisconsin Federated Library System; and Rhonda Puntney, Youth Services and Special Needs Consultant for the Lakeshores Library System. All have been heavily involved in the WLA and other organizations related to their specializations. They talked about the beneficial career relationships resulting from their involvement in their respective efforts and the challenges of balancing their work and volunteer obligations. These librarians offered those of us new to the profession something to model and showed us ways even new librarians can make a real difference. Thanks to all of our panelists and watch for future NMRT-sponsored events coming up soon!

Book Cart Drill Team on TV

Fox 11, WLUK, did broadcast a piece on the Book Cart Drill Team!

WLA 2009: "Library Services for the Homeless Population in Wisconsin"

Library Services for the Homeless Population in Wisconsin: Findings of a Study
Timothy Blomquist, UW-Milwaukee SOIS

• Sponsored by WLA Outreach Services Section
• Research for his Masters thesis
• Conducted survey April-May 2008
• 388 public libraries - sent survey
• 260 responses - 67% response rate, 1 invalid
• 16 questions
• questionnaire - had definitions
• He got the impression that people aren't aware of the issues

Statistics

• 2.5-3.5 million people homeless annually (in U.S.) - 39% children
• 700,000-2 million each night
• 12 million have experienced homelessness at some point (7%+ of population)
• 600,000 families with 1.35 million children experience homelessness each year
• Definitions vary - without permanent or adequate shelter
• Really, it's not just lacking a place to sleep - lacking storage for belongings, pulled away from friends/ family/ school/ support
• WI ServicePoint Homeless Management Information System
• Causative factors: Veterans, roommate/family conflict, eviction, low/no income, domestic violence, criminal history, addiction, institutional discharge, physical/mental disabilities, can't find affordable housing, disaster, illness, injury, moved to seek work, in transit, denied/delayed/term public assistance
• Response from small communities = "we don't have homeless," one said "because we don't have apartments"
• Every county has support system, based in larger population areas; Homeless Emergency Shelter Provider Regions
• Small towns often don't have best support systems, but libraries can provide simple resources (handouts etc. pointing to shelter)
• Emergency Shelter Use - 1/1-10/1/09 - 40.1% African-American
• no stats from privately funded shelters, such as one of largest in Milwaukee
• 1.3 million children/teens homeless nation-wide; 17,000 in Wisconsin
• Almost half are turned away from shelters each night because demand exceeds space
• Information needs = finances, relationships, childcare, literacy, housing, health, employment, education, transportation, public assistance (Hersberger 2001) - similar needs to general public
• library classification - many rural 73% - factor in why not services or interested in implementing
• Lack of funds, no need/homeless

Survey Questions

• Survey Question: would you attend a conference on public library services for the homeless? 15.2% yes, 41.4% undecided, 43% no
• 11.4% said they had services for the homeless
• Others said: existing support outside library, never thought of it, lack of funds/staff, lack of outside support/partner, patrons need an ID, other (7.7% - not problem, fear, all services available to all, no one would use it, no apartments, none have contacted us)
• stereotypes: smell, looks, argumentative, disruptive, sleep inside/outside, drink alcohol, violent, bring in food
• teenagers can be disruptive, too, but we still serve them
• libraries are a public space, people come because quiet, warm/cool, comfortable, safe, things to do, job resources, computers
• Survey Question: Will be offered in future? yes 1.6%, 47.6% undecided
• What needed to offer? homeless pop/demonstrated need, funds/staff/resources, evaluate/research/identify, training, partner, unsure 2.8%, other 3.6%, info/requests from social service agencies, more space 1.2%
• As simple as a card/handout with basic info = few resources to do
• other = update strategic plan, plan for lost/damaged, ID, if problem would identify, what entail showers/lockers?, hire new director
• one overly negative response, large urban library - shouldn't be a director - we treat all equally - people with many challenges - special services for the homeless"???"
• those that do have services = 11
• Survey Question: have you trained staff to handle? = 3
• Q: Do homeless share status with staff? A: Can't tell who's homeless [but they usually have to give an address which is in their record...]
• Survey Question: if can't check out, what else: onsite materials, computer/internet, temp card, other ID, need a shelter contact, restricted access (ex: 3 items)
• online in the library = 8, in and out library = 1
• Recommend shelter/other referral rather than ID if need such
• mailing address could include shelters, church, hotel, social service office, etc.
• maybe only 4 had specialized programs for homeless actually - housing consultation space/promotion
• would it work to have a union member database so that you can only have full membership at one library?
• "we're just trying to stay open" - if can provide game night, can print out a flyer
• Survey Question: actively promote? = 2 [he meant literature at services desk]
• homeless kit provided by county agency, fliers, newspaper articles, radio, tv, distro to agencies
• Survey Question: types of requests: housing, employment, other, education/training, literacy, legal. (other: meal programs, ESL, bus schedule, newspapers, trained staff for ref q's)
• Survey Question: what would it take to change? someone to take the lead, stengthen communication to serive providers, separate room for esl, limit checkouts to halfway houses/abuse shelters as we do for homeless
• some have homes but no heat/phone/etc.
• one library says they limit number and size of bags allowed to bring into library
• one library in a small community - someone will vouch for temporarily homeless

Existing & possible services

• Some libraries: collections in shelters, children's services, temp cards, computer access, outreach, listing services, cultural programs
• provide a handout listing local food, health, housing, welfare, legal aid, winter shelter, g.e.d. prep, locations for showers
• in homeless shelters: reading rooms, programming, films, parenting workshops, storytime, literacy (parents can be working 2-3 jobs, no time to support learning needs of children)
• take kids to cultural events, museums etc.
• provide transportation from shelters
• phone use for homeless needs
• "The Homeless Guy" Blog http://thehomelessguy.blogspot.com - newsletter - issues, information, advocate
• Resumes, email, contact other homeless, reaching out, communicating, create community
• can contact local agencies to know what's available, for referral
• partners: salvation army, emergency shelter, cots, head start, literacy coalition, health dept, safe and sound, pearls for teen girls, journey house, friends of the community/amigos de la communidad, domestic abuse shelter, food pantries, red cross

In closing

• libraries are doing good things - just a few were negative
• transient patrons only there for 1-2 weeks
• He doesn't think you need a social work background - librarians have breadth of knowledge
• You do need awareness, understanding, sympathy, non-judgemental attitude
• Both rural and affluent assume no homeless

WLA 2009: Lynda Barry "Writing the Unthinkable"

[How exciting to even be in the same room as Lynda Barry! I've got celebrity awe...]

Writing the Unthinkable
Lynda Barry, multi-talented artist

• Recent book "What It Is" won WLA award
• Born in Wisconsin, again living in Wisconsin
• nervous
• sweat will Roschach you into a past life
• first breakup figured might as well get my wisdom teeth out - it already hurts
• singing to tune of Coalminers daughter - daughter of meat cutter and janitor from Phillipines
• German Shepherd look "she doesn't look Filipino" - quarter Norwegian, and that'll suck the color right out of you
• All she ever wanted to do was move back to the Midwest
• Lives in "Greater Footville"
• Yahtzee - 2009 - award from Wisconsin libraries and now speaking to them - coma inducing excitement

Libraries

• emily dickinson poems can be sung to many tunes - gershwin - loneliness as a good thing - library can sustain that kind of loneliness, good kind, of wanting something
• Smelling books is all the antidepressant I need
• Librarians good at people watching - always look busy like not paying attention, but you know who's in library - which kids are trouble - handing kid a book or laying on a table

Images

• Went to Evergreen State College 1974 - how I got into college is cuz they needed hippies really bad, and not enough in area - all had to do was glue lentils into shape of a peace sign to get full scholarship
• "Images" class - marilyn frasca[sp?] - asked a q: what is an image?
• Anything we call the arts is a container for what she called an image
• Remember your first phone number? - we all remember it - how about 3 numbers ago? - different areas of brain
• image is spontaneous, not trying - it just comes up, and it feels alive - emotions attached
• biological function - kids with blankie - always something in their hands - like librarian with pen or pencil - kid in airport all he had left was the leg of his incredible hunk doll - first artwork - personality into it - is it alive? no, but don't say it's dead - something in between
• book somebody gave you - they say they thought about you the whole time - favorite part? main character and conflict, then resolution... - finally read it - tickling feeling 20 pages in "this could be a good book" - like falling in love - don't mess this up, man! - can't put it down - that world - slow down when reading the last 40 pages - you lay in bed and hold that book - you want to kiss it - the object is forever changed
• image is specific - I wanted to know how to get an imaginary friend - realized I could lie - i had an imaginary imaginary friend - I had a friend with a real imaginary friend - name Sprinkles - only talk through moving fan - you can't make that up - friend tried to keep a journal every day - he found it from high school - started reading, all feelings, no details - he was so upset it was lik original footage of battle of waterloo shot by monkey - just bananas, bananas, bananas
• image is satisfying even if it doesn't make total sense - The Rascals - groovin on a sunday afternoon - that would be ecstasy - you and me and leslie groovin - really you and me endlessly groovin - not as good, can't picture it

Writing & creativity

• reliable structure - thought you needed a symbol of death to fit story arc - didn't realize that it already existed - don't have a ribcage because it was drawn by doctors
• if I start drawing, kids will always talk to me - i tell them I'm a cartoonist, they say draw a chicken, and they say you are! in Footville they say you hold on to that dream - when they ask what kind of books I write, i say horror cuz that's the look on their face
• scribble game with kids - ooh ooh I have a story and you can draw it! - chicken attack by jack - chicken eaten by man, went to portolet, out came chicken, make chicken boss of construction site
• first book wrote in 10 days in really big handwriting - next one took 10 years - i already knew what story was ging to be, knew story arc, and wrote on a computer
• "if i was doing this, how would i do it?" - if I was a kid, how would i do it? first make the book with construction paper and staples
• babysat kid who dictated story to me word by word, wouldn't give me the next word until i'd written it down
• everybody smoked while doing everything - mom smoked while watching bambi at movie theater - cake decorator perfect writing in frosting - i thought after painting book i could do this - finished story in 9 months
• when people say i wish i could draw, wish i could dance... - we give up so early - radio: if you want to be a ballerina, have to begin by age 3 - you hear at age 9 and give up - art - we give it to professionals - can only sing happy birthday, only movement left is exercise and you need an outfit so people know what you're doing - drawing = doodling while on hold - i ask people who say they can't draw, sculpture = peeling label off beer bottle while someone tells you their crazy dream from last night - if you want someone to care, say "that you were in" "at the end"
• brain looks in deep concentration like kid in deep play - not "fun" - it's some other thing - not playing with truck, but truck is playing with you
• all around world, people know if you have a kid who wasn't ever allowed to play will become a psychokiller - we know first hand - you can't play, but let's watch a kid playing really well with legos (picture, video, live) - does that help? no - same with adults
• adults don't think they can make something for no reason, just for experience
• brother would fold paper and draw line, draw 2 stick men with grenades and stare at it in cereal trance - ingredients have never looked so beautiful - after, he'd draw the war in red crayon, and yell out the words "incoming! save yourself!" - the paper didn't mean anything, he didn't keep it
• element of anxiety in play
• moms are on cell phones while with kids - playing with food, not sure he knew he was playing until mom said "what are you doing?" - we have internal voice
• if I was in a bar having a beer - which you can say in wisconsin to anyone! - no one would come up to you and say why are you doing that? you could be cleaning.

Helping people to write

• story of your life - often sounds like an obituary - i was born in xxxx, my mom was xxx, my dad was xxx, i went to xxx college, and then she died.
• picture car from childhood - are you inside or outside? - which seat? - which part facing? - day or night? - season? - how old are you? - directly in front of you? - to right? - to left? - behind you? - feet? - above head?
• you can do that with any noun - haircuts, teeth, dogs, other peoples' mothers - gerunds - squatting
• local historical society in Footville area - people who want to write their lives but don't knjow how - first person present tense for 8 minutes like happening right now - coming from image - always contain history
• walk down street and smell something remind you to aunt and uncle's house - flooding - one moment you're there and then not - happens thousands times each day - just need to freeze in that and ask above questions
• mental health - does life feel like it's something worth living?
• you as librarians are the guardians of the images - platform of meaningful life, and not being bored
• state of mind when listening to a joke - neighbors introduced themselves: Donovan and Joni Mitchell - really - joni loves jokes a little naughty like a lot of wisconsin women - oh come here i've got one for you -dog snored so bad she could never get sleep - vet didnt kow what to do - heard something if you tie a ribbon around dog's balls, will stop snoring - dog named chainsaw - did it and he quit snoring - husband out with boys and goes to bed - starts snoring - does same - quits snoring - good night's sleep - husband goes to take a pee - i can't remember what we did last night, but by god we took first and second place
• to get that joke you had to hold your mind open, not trying to figure out joke - joke is image, image, image, image goes to that - wireless communication - now you're going to go out and tell it - doesn't belong to anyone, belongs to everyone

"What It Is"

• Reading from "What It Is" - thank you for the award - done without a computer -
• what is an image - the formless thing that gives things form* "something can only become an illusion..." when you experience disillusionment
• "there are certain children who are told they are too sensitive..."
• sculpture the thinker - doesn't he look like he's never going to get another idea ever? - i have the piece of paper i'm working on, and the one next to it to keep my hand working - most important thing someone could have told me growing up
• doris mitchell school teacher in hillsborough wisconsin - her nephew donovan mitchell - she had kept all students papers in basement of farmhouse - sedimentary layers - i take her wherever i go because she didn't get to travel

Importance of books and the arts

• phantom limb pain - ramachandran - was ruining guy's life - dr. r had idea - built box with mirror so he could see mirror image of other arm - made fist then opened and relaxed - his pain went away - that's what images are
• book that saved life relieved phantom limb pain - nothing other than image can open up certain things
• notion that arts are an option, expendable - where do you put it in bookstore? - let's just take it out of schools - we ignore it at our peril because they're about as hard to come by as opposable thumbs
• party trick - wisconsin people are good at it - they have one trick - guy who can dance with beer on head - how'd you learn that
• I can sing without moving my lips - puffs out cheeks and sings inside - you are my sunshine

Questions

• Q: writing on a computer? A: at a certain point does work, but after the fact - took first draft and copy it - i do that with my students - i let it expand if it wanted to - copied again on manual typewriter - no delete button - i knew the story by then - next copied on computer - rule that i couldn't think about swtory unless had brush/pen in hand - our brains and hands shape have a lot to do with each other - difference in brain - writing is drawing - spatial relationships - lines are different - when are using brush, supposed to be exhaling - something about hands, and using fingers, not having delete button - computers are email source, distracting, deals you make with your computer
• Q: your images are flooding experience for me - i need to go out and buy your book for 14 year old daughter on verge of voice of reason taking over - you and public school teachers are the last possible person who can keep people from becoming just observers - reading is participating. A: if past 11/12, probably will keep. if you met a 4 year old who was terrified to draw a line with a crayon, you'd worry - but not 40 year old? - kids go to a page to find something - adults think they have to make something - remember using your hand as template for drawing a turkey?

Parting words

• Arts are not an elective, we ignore it at our peril
• Award and invitation meant so much to me - I've never given a talk at 8:45 in the morning before

WLA 2009: Canoe the Open Content Rapids

Canoe the Open Content Rapids
Dorothea Salo, UW System Digital Content Group

• http://www.slideshare.net/cavlec/canoe-the-open-content-rapids [under Creative Commons Attribution license]

Instruction

• Digital storytelling - copyright issues over pulling from files found on Google Images - sets a bad example
• Scholarship reasons to provide copyright education, provide proper information sources
• Different from country to country
• Instructors tend to violate copyright, as well as avoid activities that are probably fine

Copyright

• Limited monopoly over original works that are fixed in a tangible medium (includes stuff on Internet)
• It's in the Constitution - not about making money, about promoting "progress of science and the useful arts"
• Life of author + 70 years; 95 years corporate entities
• OK to copy for scholarship, parody/satire, library preservation, classroom use; limited copying for other reasons = "fair use"
• You can: a) sell in whole/part, b) give it away for free, c) license it for free/payment
• Faculty generally fall into (b) without realizing it - they think because they wrote an article, they own it
• Fair use - only way you know for certain is if you're sued and win
• General guidelines do exist
• Legislation has become more and more restrictive; results - culturejamming

Public domain

• Prefer to think of things as "rising" into the public domain, not "falling"
• Google Books - includes items clearly in the public domain (pre-1923), others clearly under copyright, others are "orphan works" because we don't know who owns copyright (or if they're alive etc.)
• Hathi Trust will decide whether items Google is vacillating about are actually in the public domain
• Musopen - building collection of online recordings - raise money for your group to record a piece (long-dead composers, score acquired legally) and upload
• Flickr Commons - photographs in public domain; allows libraries and other digitizers to share and receive comments
• Project Gutenberg - one of the first; scanned, transcribed public domain texts
• Gov docs - work produced by fed employees in course of jobs is in public domain (except classified works); includes images
• State gov docs = depends on the state

Open access

• Includes peer-reviewed works, digital collections, working papers, technical reports, conference presentations, crowd-sourced solutions to mathematical problems
• "Green" open access - "self-archiving" (not really), repositories (Dorothea doesn't like the term)
• "Gold" open access - originally published open access, no subscription fees, no cost to access
• "Mandates" - FACULTY granting to their institutions the right to post their research results online (some places aren't considering publications towards tenure unless they're deposited in repository; controversy over whether open access publications are getting a citation edge); FUNDERS especially federal agencies want taxpayer-funded research results to be available freely to the public; LIBRARIES at research institutions]
• Biggest tool to find OA materials = OAIster (soon to become part of WorldCat); also DOAJ, Google, Google Scholar
• Open Courses - controversial - http://ocwfinder.com
• Learning materials - OER Commons, MERLOT (long-standing) - points to materials stored elsewhere, ODEPO directory
• Creative Commons - generate license granting specific rights for your works (attribution, no derivatives, non-commercial use, requirement to release the new work under the same license)
• Flickr has a Creative Commons search, or Flickr Storm has advanced CC license search
• Music (ccMixter, Incompetech, Jamendo)

To Do

• When you accept a work for digitization, educate the creator and ask for their desired status for the items
• Read all publication agreements, and ask for what you want - Dorothea hasn't heard of any publishers taking back their decision to publish based on copyright addenda
• Instead of libraries and librarians being the "copyright cop" - promote Creative Commons

Twitter hashtag for 2009 WLA Conference

If you’ll be attending the WLA Conference October 20-23, 2009 and plan to use Twitter to "tweet" about it, please use the #wla09 hashtag so others can easily find your updates.

As soon as the conference starts, we’ll be putting a Twitter widget here on the blog to aggregate all the #wla09 tweets.

See you there!

RSRT Newsletter (Sharing)--October 2009 issue

The most recent issue of Sharing, the newsletter of the Resource Sharing Roundtable (RSRT), is now available at http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/rsrt/newsletter/oct2009.pdf. We hope you enjoy it!

WLA and Unit Election Results

The WLA Nominations & Elections Committee, co-chaired by Mark Arend and Laurie Magee, announce that the 2010 WLA President-elect is Rhonda Puntney, Youth Service and Special Needs Consultant, Lakeshores Library System; WLA Treasurer is Jan Berg, Director, DeForest Public Library, and WLA Foundation Board member is Jane Pearlmutter, Associate Director, UW-Madison School of Library and Information Studies. Congratulations to all newly elected leaders, and a sincere thank you to all candidates who put themselves forward in service to the association. The complete elections results are available at http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/board/documents/2009ElectionResults.doc.

"Botany of Desire" Documentary Premier at WLA Conference

Join us on October 20, 7 pm, at the WLA Conference for a special Reel to Real event, a screening of the film adaptation of journalist Michael Pollan's best-selling book, "Botany of Desire." Two of Pollan's desires, sweetness and beauty, are featured in this screening; the entire documentary will air October 28, 7 pm, on Wisconsin Public Television.

The documentary begins in the author's own home garden before the film journeys to the apple orchards of Kazakhstan, the tulip markets of Amsterdam, a medical marijuana hot house and the potato fields of South America. These four famous plants share histories with corresponding human desires for sweetness, beauty, intoxication, and control over food production. The developmental relationship between human beings and the plants is what Pollan calls 'the botany of desire'.

This Reel to Real event is supported by program innovation funding from the UW Extension Chancellor's Office and UW Health. For more information about how you can get involved in Reel to Real showings at your library, please contact the WLA office.

WLA Recruiting New WeLead Class

We are extremely enthusiastic to announce that recruitment has begun for a new class of WeLeaders (Wisconsin Emerging Librarians Exploring and Developing). WeLead was an initiative that began in 2005 as part of the WLA Membership Committee. The program was created to cultivate a group of leaders that would in turn strengthen WLA.

For 2010, we are accepting application for three to five protégés. The WeLead program offers incredible benefits to the participants. The protégés receive a one-year WLA membership, stipends to attend the WLA annual conference for three years, a stipend to attend one additional conference (WAAL, WAPL, WEMA or SSS) during the three-year initiative, an appointment to a WLA committee, special leadership programming opportunities, and they are paired with a current leader within WLA to serve as their mentor.
Many of the previous protégés has become involved within the leadership of WLA, and we are proud of their accomplishments. Both Kelley Hinton and Kyle Neugebauer were on the planning committee for last year’s WAAL conference in Green Lake. Melissa McLimans and Katharine Clark have both participated in WLA leadership positions – in MATS and P2C2, respectively. To learn more about the experiences of the current class, we encourage you to attend their panel, After the Honeymoon: Strategies for Success as a New/Emerging Librarian, at the upcoming WLA conference,

We are also recruiting new mentors to work with our new class of protégés. The WeLead Task Force indebted to the mentors who have partnered with the 2007 class: Claudia Backus, Emily Rogers, Deb Shapiro, and Linda Vincent. These mentors have been checking in with their protégés to ensure that any questions they have are answered and have been helping them to network within WLA. The program would not work without them. If you are interested in sharing your expertise, please consider applying to be a WeLead mentor. The return on your investment is enormous!

We also wish to thank the tireless WeLead task force: Jess Bruckner, Kirsten Houtman, Ann Hunt, Gretchen Revie, Tasha Saecker, and past chair Anna Lewis. WLA is supporting the protégés through generous contributions from WAAL, WAPL, Embury, Ltd., the WLA Foundation, and CSRT. A sincere and hearty thank you to the WeLead contributors!

For more information on the program, as well the application form (for both protégés and mentors), please visit http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/welead. The deadline for applications is January 31, 2010 at 5:00 p.m.
-- Pamela O’Donnell, Chair, WeLead Task Force, podonnell@library.wisc.edu, 608-263-2014

UW-Oshkosh Renovates Polk Library with $500,000 Bequest

A gift from a former UW-Oshkosh student allowed the Polk Library to renovate its circulation area and lobby, as well as create an endowment for digital, educational and research materials. “The gift allows us to transform one of the busiest study areas of the library into a much better learning environment where students can comfortably work alone or in small groups,” said Library Director Patrick Wilkinson in an article in the Oshkosh Northwestern.

UW-Madison Gives Kindle a Try

UW-Madison has a $10,000 pilot project to try the Kindle in selected classes, and UW Libraries director Ken Frazier expects electronic readers with more interactive features in the future. Read more...

WLA Business Meeting: Discussion of Unit Structure on Agenda

Potential changes to the association's unit structure and viability requirements will be on the agenda of the WLA annual business meeting, scheduled at the WLA Conference, Thursday, October 22, 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Lawrence Room of the Paper Valley Radisson in Appleton. The WLA Board and unit leadership have been discussing proposed changes in light of the difficulties of recruiting new leaders and the scarcity of other association resources. Should there be more accountability? More flexibility? More units? Fewer? Join your colleagues at the business meeting to learn more.

WAPL 2010 at Blue Harbor Resort April 28-30

It's not too soon for public librarians to put WAPL 2010 on their calendar: Come to Sheboygan's Blue Harbor Resort April 28-30 for great programs and great amenities on a Great Lake! Budgets will be tight in 2010, but getting away from it all could still be in your budget with guest rooms at just $105, plus tax. That's a significant savings over regular resort hotel prices. Bring your family for the waterpark and other kid-friendly activities; adults can indulge themselves at the wine and tapas bar or the relaxing spa. The WAPL Conference Committee, chaired by David Weinhold, will be certain to make the conference worthwhile from a professional standpoint, as well. Watch for more information, coming soon!

RSRT Scholarship Reminder: Applications due September 15!

Just a reminder that the Resource Sharing Roundtable (RSRT) is offering a scholarship to defray the cost of attending the WLA Annual Conference in October. Applications are due September 15. Details, and application materials are available on the RSRT website.

CPSC to Libraries: No Independent Obligation to Test Library Books for Lead

The ALA Washington Office reports that on August 26, 2009, the CPSC’s final rule on children’s products containing lead was released. In the rule, CPSC confirmed that libraries have no independent obligation to test library books for lead under the law. CPSC also announced its intention to release a Statement of Policy specifically providing guidance for libraries with regard to the treatment of older children’s books that could potentially contain lead. According to our conversations with CPSC officials, that Statement of Policy should be released within the next several weeks.

While we await the Statement of Policy, ALA recommends that libraries take the following actions. If a library is aware that any children’s book does indeed contain lead above the legal limits or otherwise presents a danger to children, it should remove it from public access, for instance by moving it to the non-circulating collection. We would also ask that if libraries do learn of any books containing lead to please let the ALA – Washington Office know so that we might share that information with other libraries. When the Statement of Policy is released, we will promptly notify our members.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jessica McGilvray, Assistant Director of the ALA Office of Government Relations at jmcgilvray@alwash.org or 1-800-941-8478.

Madison's Mayor Includes New Central Library in 2010 Capital Budget

Saying renovation of the existing facility would ultimately cost taxpayers more than a new Central Library building, Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz announced he would include the Central Library project in his 2010 capital budget. According to a news report, the new building is expected to cost $37 million, including $17 million from taxes, $10 million from private donations, $6 million from tax credits and $4 million for selling the old library after the new library is completed. Redevelopment of the old library site is expected to generate additional property tax revenue for the city.

Minocqua Public Library to ask voters for $1.6 million

The Minocqua Public Library will ask voters to approve $1.6 million in borrowing for an 11,700-square foot expansion and remodeling project in a November 3 referendum. Director Mary Taylor, in a report from NewsoftheNorth.net, stated that the current library has just 4,800 square feet and no meeting rooms or rest rooms. She said that this past summer was the busiest ever, with 700 people per week using the Internet and computers.

Manitowoc Public Library Tightens Policy on Fines

Effective September 1, Manitowoc Public Library patrons with overdue fines will not be allowed to renew their library cards until they pay their fines in full. According to a report in the Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter, director Cherilyn Stewart expects the new policy to bring in an additional $20,000 in revenue annually.

South Milwaukee Public Library Celebrates 110 Years

South Milwaukee Public Library will celebrate its 110th anniversary with a civic dinner sponsored by the South Milwaukee Public Library Foundation. Tickets to the dinner Saturday, September 19 are $25 per person. For more information, go to http://www.southmilwaukee.org/. Congratulations, South Milwaukee!

WAPL newsletter (Communique) now available online

The Fall 2009 issue of Communiqué, the newsletter the Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries (WAPL), is now available!

Highlights include:

• Gary Warren Niebuhr’s new book
• Frank L. Weyenberg Library’s Chalk Art event
• WAPL programs at WLA
• Keys to Effective Meetings
• Levy Limits extended
• Potential changes to WLA structure
• and more!
  

Communiqué is available in WLA’s MemberClicks. Go to the WLA homepage and click on “MemberClicks,” or go directly there: http://my.memberclicks.com/wla. Click on “Resources,” then on “Newsletters.”

Back issues of Communiqué are also available on the WAPL home page: http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/wapl, and the fall issue will be there shortly as well.

2nd Annual Bookcart Drill Team!

Did you miss the loudest, silliest and rowdiest program of the conference last year? Well now with the 2nd Annual Book Cart Drill Team Competition, you can change all that! Join us as an entry in the competition and your name will go down in history. Or join us to cheer the champions on!

The competition is sponsored by DEMCO and will be held on Friday, October 23rd from 10:30 am to noon. It will be one of the culminating events of the WLA conference at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel in Appleton. Join emcee, John Ison from DEMCO and a panel of expert judges as they comment on the amazing skills of the competing teams.

Putting your own team together? It couldn't be easier! Just head to the WLA website and fill out the registration form which is part of the general WLA conference registration form. You will also find the rules posted on the website.

Good luck! We hope to see you there and cheer you on to victory!

RSRT Offers Scholarship

The WLA Resource Sharing Roundtable (RSRT) is pleased to offer a scholarship to help defray the cost of attending the 2009 WLA Annual Conference.

The scholarship is available to RSRT members, but you may join WLA and RSRT and apply for the scholarship, or if a member of WLA but not RSRT, you may join RSRT by contacting the WLA office.

Scholarship information, and application materials are available on the RSRT web page. Deadline for applications is September 15, 2009.

South Central Library System Delivery Service Blog "Get in the Van"

Did you know that there is a tool to keep you up to date about SCLS Delivery changes in delivery service, delivery cancellations, and items lost in delivery?

That tool is Get in the Van, the SCLS Delivery blog.

Can't remember to check it every day, or even "regularly"? Subscribe to email updates, to get an email any time the blog is updated. Or, subscribe through a blog news reader, to add it to the list of blogs you monitor.

Milwaukee's Central Library to Get Green Roof and Energy Cells

By spring 2010, visitors to the Milwaukee Central Library will be able to tour the "green" roof and learn more about how green technology is improving the building's energy efficiency. Director Paula Kiely said that the current roof needs replacing, anyway. The city of Milwaukee will fund the $950,000 green roof and the city's Metropolitan Sewerage District will provide a grant of $250,000 to provide education about the roof. Energy-generating photovoltaic cells will be added, as well, funded by the city's Energy Challenge Fund, We Energies, and Focus on Energy. More on the story...

Chippewa Falls Public Library Celebrates 40th Anniversary

Chippewa Falls Public Library will celebrate its anniversary with a party Wednesday, August 8, 6:00-9:00 p.m., featuring a talk by author Michael Perry. At the 40-year mark, the Chippewa Falls Public Library needs more space, due to expansion of the collection, more computers and popularity of new media, such as DVDs and gaming software. Director Rosemary Kilbridge and Friends member Mary Ann King, who is also a Chippewa County Board member, discuss the changes in library service in this news article.

Rock Springs Public Library Hopes to Reopen September 1

Last June 7, Rock Springs Public Library held an open house to show off their remodeled building. The next day, the library was flooded and has been closed ever since. After more than a year, the library may finally reopen September 1 - provided they raise about $20,000 more, according to director Norma Jean LeMoine. Learn more...

Bob Bocher, DLTCL Consultant, named ALA OITP Fellow

The American Library Association’s (ALA) Office for Information Technology Policy (OITP) has appointed Bob Bocher, Library Technology Consultant with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s Division for Libraries, Technology and Community Learning (the State Library Agency), as an OITP Fellow. Mr. Bocher will provide OITP with strategic advice [...]

You may view the latest post at
http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=3387

UWM Daniel M. Soref Learning Commons to Open August 24

The remodeled UW-Milwaukee Golda Meir Library now houses a learning commons that can hold up to 400 students in open and flexible study space, the Daniel M. Soref Learning Commons. Student surveys and focus groups were used to plan the project. Get more information about the space, which is part one of a two-phase library renovation and expansion.

Lawrence University's doggone study break

Check out Lawrence University's cool study break program featuring Sophie, the Best Dog in the World, and other canine friends.

CNN.com covers West Bend book challenge

The West Bend Public Library's defense against those who would remove, or relocate books they deem questionable has made national news again. CNN.com covers the most recent developments.

Planning Commissioners Journal Touts Public Libraries

The Planning Commissioners Journal offers a complimentary download of an article in their Summer 2009 issue, "Libraries at the Heart of Our Communities." Share it widely! Thanks to Tom Hennen for spying this article.

Want to catch up on technology? Come to WiLSWorld!

Registration is open for WiLSWorld 2009, scheduled in Madison on July 28th-29th at the Pyle Center at UW-Madison, with a great lineup of plenary and breakout speakers. See more information and register here.

The opening day keynote is Joan Frye Williams, a successful librarian, consultant, vendor, planner, trainer, evaluator, and user of library services. Since 1996, she has been an independent consultant specializing in innovation, technology, and the service needs and preferences of non-library "civilians." Her many clients include libraries of all types and sizes, library consortia, state library agencies, professional library associations, library boards, library vendors, and architects. Joan is best known as an acute—and sometimes irreverent—observer of emerging library trends, issues, and practices. She is an internationally recognized library futurist and designer of innovative library services.

Our second day keynote is Karen Schneider, Community Librarian at Equinox, the support and development company for Evergreen open-source library software. She is a writer and librarian who has published over 100 articles and two books. Schneider's technology writing has been recognized in a variety of venues for being both lively and learned. From 2005 through 2007 she contributed to ALA Techsource. From 1995 to 2001, as the Internet Librarian columnist for American Libraries, Schneider consistently ranked in magazine surveys as AL's most popular author. Schneider is an enthusiastic speaker, presenter, and educator who in 2000 was named by PUBLIB as one of the top ten speakers in librarianship.

Other speakers include Andrew Nagy, Senior Discovery Services Engineer for Serials Solution and the Lead Developer of VuFind; Dorothea Salo, Digital Repository Librarian at the UW-Madison; Tasha Saecker, director of Menasha Public Library.

Baraboo Bookers Compete at ALA Conference

The Wisconsin Book Cart Drill Team champions, the Baraboo Bookers of Baraboo Public Library, competed at the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago this past Sunday, July 12, but the Oak Park, (IL) Public Library Warrior Librarians took home first place. Other teams in the contest, sponsored by DEMCO, were “Delaware Diamonds,” The State of Delaware, the “Steel City Kings,” University of Pittsburgh, and the “Cart Wheels,” Des Plaines (IL) Public Library. A story on NPR features quotes from Baraboo's Gretchen Roltgen, who sported blue hair for the competition.

According to ALA, DEMCO provided book carts for the event as well as prizes. Award-winning children’s book author/illustrator Mo Willems (The Elephant and Piggie books) and Jon Scieszka (“The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fairly Stupid Fairy Tales”) served as Color Commentators for the event.

Wisconsin Library Heritage Center Seeks Hall of Fame Nominees

The Wisconsin Library Heritage Center Steering Committee invites your nominations for the Wisconsin Library Hall of Fame for 2009. Nominations are due by August 10, 2009. In 2008 the first group of individuals were inducted into the Hall of Fame. They are indicative of the kind of individuals which the WLHC Steering Committee feels should be included in the Wisconsin Library Hall of Fame.

This will be the first year that living individuals will be considered for the Hall of Fame. In lieu of multiple testimonials, the WLHC Steering Committee seeks documentation and supporting information of :
1) An individual's record of leadership in the Wisconsin Library Association and/or other statewide library organizations/institutions.
2) The overall importance and impact of an individual's contribution to the improvement of library service in Wisconsin.
3) An individual's contributions to the improvement of library service at the national level.
Once an individual has been nominated, he or she will continue to be considered in future years even if not selected for induction in 2009.

Induction of those individuals selected for 2009 will take place at the WLA Awards Banquet at the WLA Conference on October 22.

Please send your completed nomination forms (or questions about the process) to Larry T. Nix, Chair, Wisconsin Library Heritage Center Steering Committee, 608-836-5616, nix@libraryhistorybuff.org.

Milwaukee Public to Hold Community Meetings About Future Service

The Milwaukee Public Library announced in a July 8 news release that it will hold a series of eight community meetings in July and August to give Milwaukee residents "the opportunity to learn more about the need for new models of library service for the future."

"The Milwaukee Public Library remains committed to providing the best service for the City of Milwaukee that its citizens can afford," said Library Director Paula Kiely. The meetings will help MPL determine customer priorities for services, products and facilities.

Learn more about WLA's online directory

WLA members can learn about managing their WLA online membership directory profile by viewing this online video tutorial. Update your contact information, keep it private, view receipts and more in the new online directory. The directory is a great way to connect with peers from around the state. Only the primary contact information you provide at renewal is visible (to other members only) in the directory, such as name, title, institution, email, and a mailing address. Go to http://my.memberclicks.com/wla to give it a try.

Reclaim the Magic - Step One!

The 2009 Wisconsin Library Association Annual Conference is quickly approaching. Reclaim the Magic will be held at the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel in Appleton, October 20-23. The registration form is now available in pdf format at http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/conferences/2009 under General Information. You will also be able to access the form via MemberClicks for easy registration at http://my.memberclicks.com/wla.

At the conference link, you will also find some of the early highlights of the conference, such as keynote speaker and details on the preconferences that will be held. Here are some brief details about the two preconferences:

Make a Splash – Read! focuses on the 2010 Summer Reading Program for children and teens. The day will be filled with great speakers and a visit to A Building for Kids, the Appleton Children’s Museum.

The Ethical Fitness Workshop, presented by Nancy Zimmerman and Veanna Baxter, will explore the issues and challenges to acting ethically. Participants will receive the Ethical Fitness workbook as part of their attendance.

You can also join in the fun with the 2^nd Annual Book Cart Drill Team event which will be planned on a day with no conflicts so that we can all enjoy the skill and grace of the teams together and the laughter too.

Please join us in celebrating the magic that still resides in libraries across our state and register for the conference using either of the links above.

Kathleen (KT) Horning profiled in school Library Journal

Wisconsin's own KT Horning was profiled in a July 1 article in School Library Journal, in which she shares the story of her serendipitous visit to the CCBC that launched her career as a librarian, the perils of book discussions, and her fantasy job.

Sheboygan faces $2.2 million deficit in 2010

A July 5 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article reports that a $2.2 million projected 2010 deficit for the city of Sheboygan may make it difficult to fund the Mead Public Library at the "maintenance of effort" level, required for public library system membership. Maintenance of effort funding, mandated by state law, requires that libraries be funded at least at an amount equal to the average of the previous three years. Mead Library Director Sharon Winkle noted it is early in the budget process and said, "I'm certainly hoping we can work something out."

West Bend librarians and community activists to share their story at ALA Annual Conference

Librarians and community members who are fighting to keep library materials on the shelves in West Bend, Wis. will give a special panel presentation at this year’s American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference in Chicago, on Monday, July 13.

Newsweek issues "best books" lists

Newsweek issued it's "Top 100 Books: The Meta-List" on June 29, as well as a list of "What To Read Now." How many have you read? How many does your library own? Just as interesting as the lists are the comments, and suggestions for titles that didn't make the list, but should have.

WLA Awards Announced: Celebrating Excellence in Library Service

The Wisconsin Library Association is pleased to announce this year’s library luminaries, selected as outstanding for their contribution to libraries and librarianship:

Library of the Year
UW-Sheboygan University Library
Sheboygan
A new, state-of-the-art facility and a staff that have spent the last decade systematically building and enhancing progressive library services make this academic library a winner.

DEMCO/Librarian of the Year
Kathryn (Katie) Hanson, director, Graham Public Library
Union Grove
Library service improvements through technology, an expansion project and Katie Hanson’s personal touch have made the Graham Public Library a treasure in the community. WLA’s DEMCO Librarian of the Year will help Union Grove celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Graham Public Library this year.

Muriel Fuller Award
Darla Jean Kraus, director, Lakeview Community Library
Random Lake
Darla Jean Kraus is this year’s Muriel Fuller winner, recognizing her tireless advocacy for the Lakeview Community Library, from fundraising, management of remodeling and expansion projects, to increasing programming and collaboration with other community organizations.

WLA Highsmith Award
Ruff Readers Program – Racine Public Library
Racine
One of the first programs of its kind offered in the state, Ruff Readers gives the children of Racine an opportunity to practice their reading skills with non-judgmental listeners – certified therapy dogs that visit the library with their handlers.

Special Service Award
Chelsea Couillard, Christina Johnson, Catherine Phan
UW-Madison School of Library and Information Services
Madison
Conducted when all three were students at the UW-Madison School of Library and Information Studies, a Community Needs Assessment for the Red Cliff Tribal Library resulted in the restoration of some tribal library service, threatened by a lack of funding and other challenges.

Citation of Merit
Mead-Witter Foundation, Inc.
Wisconsin Rapids
The Foundation awarded noncompetitive grants totaling $382,000 to selected public libraries in central and northern Wisconsin for a variety of public use materials and equipment or programs. The Foundation has now given a total of $1,206,000 through grants that have provided libraries and their patrons innumerable benefits.

View more details about the award winners.

WLA congratulates these stellar winners and will celebrate their accomplishments at an Awards & Honors Banquet at this year’s WLA Conference in Appleton at the Radisson Paper Valley. The banquet will be held Thursday, October 22, 7:00-9:00 p.m.

WLA will present these award winners with a proclamation and plaque detailing their accomplishments. In addition to contributions from DEMCO and Highsmith, the WLA Awards program is supported by the WLA Foundation, through individual charitable contributions.

Budget stopping you from going to WLA? WISLR can help!

The Wisconsin Small Libraries Roundtable is once again offering scholarships for small library staff who are members of WISLR to attend WLA this fall. WISLR is offering a $300 scholarship to cover registration, lodging, meals and mileage or two $150 scholarships to cover registration, meals, mileage.Awards will be decided based on the applications received.

Applications must be sent via email to Karen Bernau AND a copy to Diana Skalitzky. The Deadline is August 3rd, 2009. Recipient(s) will be notified by August 17th, 2009WISLR goals remain the same; provide members with information and resources that will enable small libraries to better serve their communities; share ideas and disseminate information to staff and trustees; provide information to other organizations about the value of small libraries. These scholarships are vital to ensure that small library staff members get a chance to learn and share.

Is there a catch? Of course. Recipient must write an article for the WhistleStop newsletter that gives an overview of the value of attending the conference; you must attend the entire conference; and you need to attend the WISLR business meeting while at WLA. (day and time to be determined). Applications can be found on the WLA webpage. Any questions? please call Diana Skalitzky at 608-655-3123.

UW Colleges Libraries Face Potential $.5 Million Cut

A Budget Planning Work Group appointed by UW Colleges-UW Extension Chancellor David Wilson to resolve budget shortfalls has recommended a reorganization of UW Colleges libraries and a $.5 million cut to their base budget. The group's report dated April 1 states that the 13 campus libraries are staffed at a "high level" when compared with other UW and national institutions. It further states that "Library services should be restructured to take maximum advantage of the 'one institution - one library' model, while preserving the current level of campus-based oversight and services." According to a UW Colleges library staff member, a library task force has been assigned to develop more detailed recommendations by August 1.

Muckwonago Public Library Proceeds with Expansion Plans

Three architectural firms are presenting options on June 29 to the Muckwonago Community Library Board for a 24,000 square-foot expansion project. The current library, constructed in 1996, is about 12,200 square feet. More information....

Overdrive's Digital Bookmobile Visits Madison Public Library

The 74-foot Digital Bookmobile, with broadband Internet, computers, and portable music players will visit Madison Public Library July 2 as part of nationwide tour, sponsored by Overdrive, Inc. Visitors can experience how to download books, music and video, including the electronic resources available through the Wisconsin Public Library Consortium at http://dbooks.wplc.info/. Madison Public Library reports that by the end of 2009, the digital collection will have been used more than in the entire previous year.

The La Crosse Tribune also reported about the Digital Bookmobile's visit to La Crosse Public Library, and director Kelly Krieg-Sigman's take on the significance of digital materials.

UW school library consortium gets nearly $1 million for social media training

The United States Institute of Museum and Library Services Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program will award $989,495 that will be used to train 50 new school library specialists for Wisconsin’s rural and high-need urban public schools. The grant to the UW System School Library Education Consortium, administered at UW-Whitewater, was the only grant awarded in Wisconsin. Read the full article in BizJournal. A July 5 article in the Janesville Gazette provides more information about the way the funds will be used, including to develop materials for school administrators to understand the role of library specialists.

Lynda Barry's "What It Is" wins RR Donnelley Literary Award

The Literary Awards Committee of the Readers’ Section of the Wisconsin Library Association has chosen What It Is by Lynda Barry as the winner of the RR Donnelley Literary Award, given for the highest literary achievement by a Wisconsin author in 2009. What It Is appears at first to be an eccentric writer’s guide. In reality it is a densely-layered treatise on setting aside inhibition, following your dreams, and allowing your inner child to come out and play again.

Lynda Barry offers us insight into how she overcame self-doubt, as well as the doubts of others, to follow her muse, and in the process become one of America’s leading cartoonists. Part memoir, part writer’s guide, Lynda does a brilliant job of using her own experiences to illustrate that each of us has the power to create within us.

Two authors were chosen for their body of work as Notable Wisconsin Authors. Gene DeWeese is the author of multiple fiction titles for adults and children, including The Doll with Opal Eyes and Jeremy Case. Margaret Ashmun wrote fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books and her works include The Lake and the Isabel Carleton series.

2009 Outstanding Achievement awards for 2008 publications include the following ten titles by Wisconsin authors. They are:
Anthony Bukoski. North of the Port: Stories
Lauren Groff. Monsters of Templeton
Sharon Kaye. The Aristotle Quest: Black Market Truth
David Maraniss. Rome 1960: the Olympics that Changed the World
David McGlynn. The End of the Straight and Narrow: Stories
Rachel Pastan. Lady of the Snakes
David Rhodes. Driftless
Michael Schumacher. Wreck of the Carl D.: a True Story of Loss, Survival, and Rescue at Sea Lori Tharps. Kinky Gazpacho: Life, Love, and Spain
Jean Wilkowski. Abroad for her Country: Tales of a Pioneer Woman Ambassador in the U.S. Foreign Service

2009 Outstanding Achievement in Poetry awards for 2008 titles include the following four titles:
Matthew Guenette. Sudden Anthem
Judy Roy and June Nirschl. Two Off Q: a Conversation in Poetry
Austin Smith. In the Silence of the Migrated Birds
Ron Wallace. For a Limited Time Only

The 2009 Literary Awards Committee members are: Ellen Jepson (chair), Jean Anderson, Susan Belsky, Anne Callaghan, Caroline Haskin, Brian Kopetsky, Amy Lutzke, Rhonda Puntney, Deb Shapiro, and Cece Wiltzius.

The RR Donnelley Literary Award is made possible by RR Donnelley Company of Chicago, IL through a grant to the WLA Foundation.

For more information about the work of the Literary Awards Committee, go to http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/readers/WLAC/lac.html

--Submitted by Ellen Jepson, Chair, Literary Awards Committee