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.