Grand Opening: Prairie du Sac Public Library

Join the Prairie du Sac Public Library in his new location and under its new name:  Ruth Culver Community Library, 540 Water Street. 

The library plans a day long celebration with special activities on Saturday, June 16, 9:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.: 

• 9:30 a.m. Ribbon Cutting & Dedication

• 10:00 a.m. Music by Bob and Marita Kelter

• 11:00 a.m. Little Miss Ann (Musical Children's Performer)
  Sponsored by Tracey and Patrick Taggart, II

• 12:30 p.m. Music by Matt Brennan and an ensemble of students

• 12:30 p.m. Meet Scoopie!

• 1:45 p.m. Music by Wrannock (Mike Mossman & Lisa Hartmann) 

 
Congratulations to the Prairie du Sac library and community!

ALA Urges Public Libraries to Fill Out Internet Use Survey

CHICAGO - The American Library Association (ALA) is encouraging public libraries to participate in the 2011-2012 Public Library Funding and Technology Access Study online survey.


The survey provides an important opportunity for libraries to share information on computer and Internet resources and infrastructure, as well as funding, technology training and other uses of public libraries, such as providing public access technology centers in their communities. The current year’s online survey, available at http://www.plinternetsurvey.org, will be available through Nov. 11, 2011.


"The record-high response rate for last year’s survey clearly demonstrates that library leaders recognize the impact this study provides for their advocacy efforts,” said ALA Associate Executive Director Cathleen Bourdon. “The strength of the study rests on the level of participation. We encourage libraries to keep the momentum going to create the most current and complete snapshot of technology in U.S. public libraries.”
Recent study findings have been cited in hundreds of media outlets, including USA Today, The Washington Post, Fast Company, and The Huffington Post. Data has informed the National Broadband Plan and has been used in congressional and state-level testimony, as well as in comments to national agencies such as the Federal Communications Commission.


The study, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and ALA, continues work begun by John Carlo Bertot and Charles R. McClure in 1994. The survey is managed by the Information Policy & Access Center at the University of Maryland.


More information, including results from the 2010-2011 study, is available at http://www.ala.org/plinternetfunding. Related news, insights and free resources from the study are available on the study blog – Libraries Connect Communities – and Twitter feed (ala_ors).

ALA Issues State Fact Sheets

The American Library Association has issued State Fact Sheets on LSTA funding, Improving Literacy Through School Libraries (LSL) and public library data. Formatted for printing and sharing, these handy fact sheets can be used for library users, elected officials and other stakeholders who may need help understanding the variety and importance of these library programs. Thanks, ALA!

ICMA Releases Report on Public Library Innovations

The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) has just released a report entitled "Maximize the Potential of Your Public Library" as part of its Public Library Innovations Project, supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The report details the results of nine grant projects that connected local public libraries with other local government and community partners. The report describes six themes that emerged from the grant projects:

1. Library and local government leaders need to connect on community priorities.
2. Building partnerships is the key to innovation.
3. Leadership happens at all levels of an organization.
4. Successful partnerships require commitment to the effort.
5. Innovation occurs in communities of all sizes.
6. Not every effort will be successful.

The report suggests that "when libraries are actively involved in important and strategic issues, local governments have more assets and capabilities to address community concerns."

WiFi Access in U.S. Public Libraries (Map)

From the American Library Association (ALA). Wisconsin looks pretty good, doesn't it? http://www.ala.org/ala/research/initiatives/plftas/2009_2010/wifimap0910.cfm

Milwaukee Public Library Breaks Ground on New Neighborhood Library

Groundbreaking for the new Milwaukee Public Library at Villard Square took place on September 17 at the corner of N. 35th St. and Villard Avenue.  The Villard Square project is a mixed-use development that will include the new MPL branch on the first floor of the building, with 47 apartment homes on three stories above for families where grandparents are the primary caregivers for their grandchildren.  The grand opening of the new library is scheduled for Fall 2011.

The new library will replace an aging, energy-inefficient building located 1-1/2 blocks away at 3310 W. Villard Ave.  The new Villard Square Library will cover 12,871 square feet, and will include 50 desktop and laptop computers for library customers, community meeting and study rooms, children’s and teen areas, and self-checkout stations.  An on-site parking lot for 32 cars is part of the plan.  Local architectural firm Engberg Anderson is the interior architect.

MPL’s partners in this project include the City of Milwaukee, WHEDA, the Northwest Side Community Development Corp, and Gorman & Company, a development and construction company.

Photo shows Villard Square groundbreaking participants left to right:  Milwaukee Public Library Board of Trustees President Ald. Ashanti Hamilton, Library Director Paula Kiely, Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, WHEDA Executive Director Antonio Riley, Northwest Side CDC Executive Director Howard Snyder, Board of Trustee member Ald. Nik Kovac, and Ald. Michael Murphy, chair of the Milwaukee Common Council’s Finance & Personnel Committee.

New Location for Madison Public Library's South Madison Branch

The new Goodman South Madison Branch Library is scheduled to reopen on October 11 in its new location at 2222 S. Park Street on the first floor of the new Urban League of Greater Madison’s Center for Economic Development & Workforce Training.  The current location will close to the public on October 5, 2010 at 8:00 pm and is scheduled to reopen at the new location on Monday, October 11.

For more information or photos of the new library, see www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/southmadison

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