WAPL Conference is Getting Closer!

What better way to spend the beginning of May in the lovely city of Lake Geneva?

 

The 2013 WAPL Conference, “50 Shades of Libraries,” will be held May 1-3 at the beautiful Grand Geneva Resort and Spa.  We’re going to explore how libraries have changed in different ways and shades.

Advance registration can be done online or through the form by April 15th!

Wednesday, May 4 begins with the WAPL Conference Chair’s Reception: Apps ‘n’ Apps at 7 pm. This will informally showcase some of the amazing apps available for mobile devices. We’ll have apps to eat and apps to tap.  Be ready to share your favorite app and you will be rewarded!

Start your Thursday, May 5th, off right with Mindfulness: A Guided Meditation Experience either at 7 am or 7:45 am.  This 30-minute session led by a Buddhist nun, Bhikkhuni Vimala, will teach you meditation techniques to be more attentive in your daily life.

Carolyn Brewer

The keynote presentation, “50 Shades of Laughter,” will be given by Carolyn Brewer at 9 am. Carolyn is a former social worker and currently the Executive Director for the North Texas Library Partners. She will entertain and enlighten us on why it's important to maintain a sense of humor in library land.

Morning sessions will take place, followed by a luncheon with Wisconsin’s newest Poet Laureate, Max Garland. Max will read from his poetry and discuss how libraries can select poetry, promote it, and support Wisconsin poets. 

More fantastic sessions will take place in the afternoon, covering everything from programming to building websites.

Lesley Kagen

The conference continues on Friday, May 6, with morning sessions, followed by a luncheon Wisconsin author Lesley Kagen. Her books will be available for purchase and signing after she speaks.

As if the conference content weren’t enough, the room rates of $99 a night at the Grand Geneva Resort and Spa might be enough to lure you. Your conference room rate includes amenities such as:

●     free wireless Internet in guest rooms and meeting rooms

●     valet parking, if needed, or free parking throughout the resort

●     trolley transportation on the grounds via regularly scheduled routes and times

●     access to the fitness center, locker room, sauna, steam room, lap pool and classes

●     local, credit card and toll-free calls

●     2 bottled waters per day

●     daily paper

Hotel reservations can be made through the WLA website by April 8.

So what are you waiting for?  Get your registration in now, or check out the WAPL conference page on the WLA website for more information.

See you in Lake Geneva!

WLA's Blog Has Moved!

WLA has a new website at http://wla.wisconsinlibraries.org and a new blog.


Some features of the site include:

• New design to improve overall look and usability of site (in case you didn't notice)
• New sections on careers and marketing
• Search box to help you find what you need
• Better organization of favorites, like the WLA Literary Awards winners
• Improved integration with MyWLA - your online profile and other features from MemberClicks

Because the site is built in Joomla!, an open-source content management system, it will be easier to make changes in the future. We look forward to your feedback to help us improve usability, select new features and build content.

Take our quick MyWLA poll about your first thoughts.

If you have comments about things you like, ideas for improvements, or questions about some aspect of the site, please use the comments feature of this blog article. Or, email Lisa Strand, WLA Executive Director, at strand@wisconsinlibraries.org.

Stay tuned for more improvements and added features in the coming months.

Thanks to the many individuals who helped build this website:
WLA Communications Advisory Committee (Barbara Kelly, Chair; Pete Gilbert, Karen Dunn, Tasha Saecker and Julie Fricke)
WLA Foundation Campaign Action Committee (Peter Gilbert, Chair; Martha Gammons, Mark Ibach, Kris Stabo, Lia Vellardita, Anne Rauh, Valerie Edwards, Pat Eschmann)
Joy Schwarz, Casey Schacher, Cheryl Nessman, unit leaders, and many other members who contributed insights about the usability of the site (an ongoing project)
And especially, thanks to Susan Lewandowski, The SWC Group, for putting it all together.

WeLead Mentorship Program Now Accepting Applications

MADISON, Wis. – The WeLead Task Force is seeking applicants for its revised initiative to identify and mentor four new or emerging librarians.  Established in 2004 by the Wisconsin Library Association (WLA), the Task Force’s mission is to foster leadership skills in a select few members of the next generation of library professionals, be they public, academic, school or special librarians.  Chosen participants will receive financial support to attend WLA conferences, be assigned a designated mentor, and be provided professional development opportunities.

Eligible applicants must be students, paraprofessionals and professionals currently in the field of library science and have demonstrated potential to be future library leaders.  To qualify for this program applicants may either 1) never been a member of the Wisconsin Library Association or 2) have been a member for three years or less (not including student memberships).  More information is available at the online application.

Since WeLead began, three classes of protégés have completed the program.  A member of the first class, Jennifer Snoek-Brown, a Reference & Instruction Librarian at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, Oregon, notes, “I appreciated and enjoyed my WeLead experience during my three years as part of that initial cohort; I appreciate my WeLead experience even more now, looking back.”  She goes on, “WeLead provided me a mentor I am still in contact with today; colleagues who became friends; a path into professional committees and further friendships I could not have anticipated; support for ideas and passions I wanted to explore but didn't know quite how to get started; in short, a beginning.”

There have been changes to the program since that initial class.  The revised WeLead Initiative now requires only a two year, rather than a three year commitment.  As a result, mentors and protégés will have the opportunity to build their relationship while focusing on a WLA committee assignment, which now occurs within the first year of the program.  Potential mentors, who also receive complementary registrations for the WLA conference, are encouraged to apply.

Another former protégé, Katharine Clark (Madison Public Library-Sequoya Branch), concludes, “Being a part of the WeLead program was an outstanding experience for me. It gave me the opportunity to meet librarians from all over the state and become involved with WLA in a more direct way than just paying my membership dues. I continue to be impressed with the supportive people I've met through WLA and look forward to attending conferences and serving on committees in the future.”

If, like Katharine, you’re looking for an opportunity to become more involved in a professional organization - to grow as a librarian and a leader - please consider applying for this program.  The application deadline is July 31, 2012.

For more information, please contact Pamela O’Donnell, Chair of the WeLead Task Force for the Wisconsin Library Association by telephone, 608-263-2014, or email: pkodonnell@wisc.edu.

WLA Foundation Scholarships Available: Apply by June 15

Save yourself some cash; apply for a continuing or library education scholarship by June 15.  The WLA Foundation offers 2 continuing education and 4 library education scholarships each year. If you are working towards your MLS or need extra support to attend an upcoming conference, take advantage of the opportunity to earn one of these scholarships.

In addition, some WLA units offer grants to attend the WLA Conference. Deadlines for these grants vary.

Awards Nominations Due June 1: Recognize Excellence!

Recognize excellence in libraries by submitting a nomination for a WLA award by June 1. Librarians, trustees, friends, community leaders and libraries are all eligible to be nominated for one or more of these awards:

• Library of the Year
• DEMCO/WLA Librarian of the Year
• Citation of Merit
• Special Service Award
• Highsmith Award
• Muriel Fuller Award
• Trustee of the Year

Check out more information about each award, including nomination forms, and help WLA recognize excellence!

Book Your WLA Hotel Accommodations Now!

Book Your WLA Hotel Accommodations Now!

The 2012 Wisconsin Library Association Conference, “Libraries: For the Common Good,” is quickly approaching!  Mark your calendars for October 23-26 for a great educational sessions, opportunities to network with your colleagues and a chance to visit with exhibitors.

Hotel lodging will be available at the Radisson Hotel La Crosse, located at 200 Harborview Plaza, La Crosse, 54601.

You can reserve online or by calling the hotel.

To reserve online, go to Radisson Book a Hotel at http://www.radisson.com/reservation/itineraryEntrance.do?tool=more&newSearch=true (this is the link for Radisson‚s Book a Hotel/Redeem Gold Points).  The online reservation promotional code is: WILIBR

Under Book a Hotel/Redeem Gold Points, enter your date for Check-in and Check-out plus # of Rooms, Adults, Children
Below is a box labeled Promotional Code: enter WILIBR
Far right of Check-in and Check-Out, click on Find Rate (this provides the standard hotel rate of $129, plus upgrades)

To call in, phone the Radisson Hotel La Crosse at (608) 784-6680 or their national toll-free reservation line at (800) 333-3333.

The deposit policy for individual reservations is one night (plus 13.5% tax) at the time your reservation is made.  Cancellation is 48 hours prior to arrival to avoid penalties.  Parking for overnight guests is complimentary.

Your reservation in the WLA Conference Room Block supports the conference and the Association!

Rhonda Puntney Gould

2012 WLA Conference Publicity Chair

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!

Bob Bocher, Retiring But Not Entirely (Whew)

As most probably know, Bob Bocher, Library Technology Coordinator at DPI, is retiring in mid-June. While we had an informal party for him (and colleagues Roxane Bartelt and David Weinhold) at the recent WAPL Conference, we are heartened to learn that he'll continue helping libraries through his work as an ALA OITP Fellow. Here's a tribute to Bob in a recent ALA District Dispatch:

http://www.districtdispatch.org/2012/05/thanking-a-friend/

There's a comment in the post about Wisconsinites liking beer. Everyone knows we only drink it because Bob likes it.

Don't miss the Lake Superior Libraries Symposium (and Taco Bar)!

Time is running out to join the Lake Superior Libraries Symposium (and enjoy Glorious Taco Bar.)


The 2012 Lake Superior Libraries Symposium would like to extend an invitation to our inaugural conference on June 1^st, 2012 at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in Superior, WI.  Join archivists, technologists, librarians, directors, technicians, and students from around Minnesota, Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula. Just consider all of the experiences, resources, and ideas that are being gathered for this unique conference!   Attendees will:

·     SEE ELI NEIBERGER, 2011 Library Journal Mover and Shaker, offer a keynote address on the future of providing materials and services entitled “Access Schmaccess.”

·     EXPERIENCE FOUR SESSIONS of informational presentations full of dynamic content featuring all aspects of librarianship. Sessions on digitization, leadership, assessment, children’s literature, collaboration, web-design, long term planning, and more.

·     NETWORK THANKS TO ample time devoted to networking and sharing ideas This is an opportunity unlike any other to collaborate, develop relationships, and help create a stronger future for libraries. Imagine this:

o   Minnesotans shaking hands with Wisconsinites!

o   Librarians from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan speaking to you! 

o   Academic librarians and public librarians exchanging pleasantries!

o   Archivists, Catalogers, and Reference Librarians conversing!

·     SHARE WITH COLLEAGUES because our Call for Posters has been extended!  Take a minute to sign up and share your research, organization, or future plans.

·     EAT DELUXE TACO BAR, an amazing amalgamation of beans, tortillas, tacos, spices, lettuce, proteins, and joy!

·     BE FRUGAL AND economical! all of this (and more) for the low, low price of 25 Dollars! A full conference experience for a webinar price! Penny Pinchers Rejoice!


So, what are you waiting for?  Register by phone by calling 715-468-2815, or online at via the WITC Classfinder.  Registration, due to fiduciary and organizational structure, requires personal information; all information is secured and used only by the state Wisconsin to better serve its community.

For more information, visit our site at https://sites.google.com/site/lakesuperiorlibrariessymposium/

Questions, comments, suggestions and condemnations should be directed to adam.brisk@witc.edu

The Lake Superior Libraries Symposium is marketed, staffed and supported by the collaborative efforts of librarians from University of Minnesota-Duluth, WITC, UW-Superior, Superior Public Library, the College of St. Scholastica, Superior Middle School, Northern Waters Library Service, and many others!

Wisconsin Contingent at National Library Legislative Day

Support Staff & Circulation Conference is May 23

Working Together - Blending, Merging, Transforming - is the theme for the May 23 one-day conference sponsored by the Support Staff and Circulation Services Section of WLA in Appleton at the DJ Bordini Business & Industry Center.

For just $45 for members ($60 for non-members), you'll get a full day of programming on current topics in library management - and some just for fun:

• The Tattooed Librarian (Keynote)
  Amelia Osterud is the Director of Information Services and Circulation Librarian at Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin, as well as being the author of "The Tattooed Lady: A History." Join Osterud for a discussion about her research, the research process, and the long road to publishing a book that seeks to clear up the mystery and misinformation surrounding tattooed ladies in the historical and scholarly record.

• All Together Now: Library Advocacy, Front Line Service, and the Wisconsin Library Community
  Ron McCabe, WLA President, will describe how we can work together to demonstrate the vital importance of the services that libraries provide. 

Other topics:

• Implementing RFID Technology: From Tagging to Automated Materials Handling
• Understanding and Serving Patrons on the Autism Spectrum
• Wisconsin Public Library Consortium (WPLC) Access and Navigation
• ILS Transition From III Millennium to Koha
• ResCarta: Create, Collect and Display Local History
• Chair Yoga
• Overdrive and eReaders in a Public Library
• Telling the Library's Story

Iowa Library Association-ACRL Spring 2012 Conference Invitation

We received the following invitation for those of you interested in the Iowa Library Association - ACRL Spring Conference:

Registration for the ILA-ACRL Spring 2012 Conference is now open, and we wish to extend an invitation to the librarians in neighboring states. We will be meeting on May 25th in Decorah on the beautiful Luther College campus.

You can find the registration information, including a link to the online registration form, at http://www.iowaacrl.org/content/ . Be sure to check out the Registration info, schedule and other details link for a sneak peak of the concurrent sessions and information about accommodations in Decorah.

Members of other state library associations may sign up at the "Member" rate for the conference.

Dining and Tourism During WAAL 2012

The WAAL Conference, taking place next week at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva, not only provides you with excellent professional programming, but a chance to unwind in luxurious accommodations near diverse local dining options and attractions.

For dining opportunities during the WAAL Conference in Lake Geneva try the following link:
http://www.lakegenevawi.com/c/Dine.aspx

Use the sidebar for a breakdown of dining by categories such as ethnic, fine dining, fast food, etc.

To explore activities, attractions, and shopping destinations in the Lake Geneva area visit
http://www.lakegenevawi.com.
--Charles Elftmann, WAAL Conference Co-chair

Governor Walker Signs AB 224; New Options for Library and School Fund Management

Assembly Bill 224 was signed into law by Governor Walker on March 29. The bipartisan bill, authored by State Representatives Dean Kaufert (R-Neenah) and Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) gives schools and libraries greater flexibility in the management of gifts and grants to their institutions.

Formerly, the state law had been amended to give public libraries the authority to transfer gifts and grants to a related foundation. This new law, Act 163, would expand the authority to schools and allow both types of institutions to transfer funds to community foundations. There are many benefits of working with a local community foundation, not least of which is their expertise in managing investment funds.

Read the complete news release from the Wisconsin Legislature.

For more on this topic, don't miss the WAPL Conference program, "Making the Most of Donor Dollars" on Thursday, May 10, which will discuss the benefits of using foundations to manage gifts and grants. Speakers are Victor Schultz, M&I Wealth Management of BMO Financial Group, formerly in private practice advising clients on creating trusts and foundations; Paula Kiely, Director, Milwaukee Public Library; Sharon Cook, Trustee, Milwaukee Public Library, and member of the Not-for-Profit Team at M&I Institutional Trust Services.

UW/Tech College Accessibility Bill Passes

AB 322, a bill to require accessibility of instructional materials for students with disabilities enrolled in the UW System or technical college system was signed into law by Governor Walker as Act 124. The new law allows institutions of higher education to request that publishers provide instructional materials in accessible formats. The law also requires that publishers provide such materials, within defined parameters. WLA registered in support of the bill, which had a broad support from a variety of organizations and legislators.

Rural Wisconsin Awards Recognize Three Wisconsin Libraries

The DPI announced on March 8 that State Superintendent Tony Evers has recognized nine projects as “Standing Up for Rural Wisconsin” award winners. The projects were chosen for fostering partnerships and developing the habits of literacy, farm safety, environment stewardship and community service. Libraries were involved in two of the award-winning projects:

Baby Time, Toddler Time, and Rhyme Time are outreach programs of the Weyauwega-Fremont School District’s 4-year-old kindergarten program. The Weyauwega Public Library and Neuschafer Community Library of Fremont host programs to provide academic, developmental, and social enrichment for children 4 years of age and under, while also introducing services to older children and adults to boost literacy.

In Three Lakes, the Story Hour Reading Program has been going strong, based on a partnership of the Edward U. Demmer Memorial Library the school district, since 1963! Weekly story hour times for children are augmented by adult programming offered concurrently. Funding comes from the school district, library and the towns of Three Lakes and Sugar Camp.

Bill to Delay WiscNet Changes Dies

Despite contacts from library supporters and others around the state, AB 473/ SB 375 (to delay changes to WiscNet) died without being scheduled for a floor vote in either chamber of the state legislature. Therefore, the provisions of the original legislation that passed as part of the 2011-13 biennial budget bill will take effect on July 1, 2013. The exact ramifications of a separation of WiscNet from the UW are not yet clear. An audit of the program by the Legislative Audit Bureau is underway and is required to be completed by January 1, 2013.

Original Post 2/21/12:
AB 473, a bill to delay until July 1, 2014 the restrictions on participation by the UW System in selling or providing telecommunications services (commonly known as the WiscNet bill), was the subject of a public hearing on February 16 in the Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities. Chaired by Rep. Stephen Nass (R-Whitewater), who is a cosponsor of the bill, the committee heard from several groups in favor of the bill: UW officials, technical colleges, as well as WEMTA and WLA. Opponents of the bill are telecommunications companies, represented at the hearing by Wisconsin State Telecommunications Association (WSTA) and AccessWisconsin.

The committee will hold its executive session (to vote on the bill) on March 1, a schedule that leaves very little time for getting the bill scheduled and passed by both houses of the legislature. At this writing, the companion bill, SB 375, has not been scheduled for a Senate vote. (It was recommended for passage by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry and Higher Education on January 23.)

For background information and talking points on the bill, please see our CapWiz legislative alert and contact your legislators to urge passage.

Wisconsin Candidates for ALA Office Announced

The following Wisconsin librarians will be candidates for American Library Association leadership positions in elections that start today:

• Rhonda K. Puntney Gould is a candidate for ALA Councilor-At-Large, a position she currently holds. Rhonda is the youth services and special needs consultant at the Lakeshores Library System, Watertown, and a member of the WLA Board of Directors as the immediate past president.
• Francine D. Eppelsheimer seeks to be the ISS Representative to the AASL Board. She is Middle School Librarian/Library Department Chair PK-12, at the University School of Milwaukee.
• Megan Schliesman is a candidate for an ALSC Board Vacancy. Megan is a librarian at the Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) and currently serves as the WLA IFRT newsletter and web editor. 
• Allison G. Kaplan seeks a seat on the ALSC 2014 Sibert Committee. Allison is Faculty Associate at UW-Madison SLIS and currently serves on the WLA Board of Directors.
• K.T. Horning seeks a seat on the ALSC 2015 Wilder Committee. K.T. is director of the CCBC.
• Linda S. Vincent will run for ASCLA Designated Director, Special Populations Constituency. Linda is the director of the Talking Book and Braille Library in Milwaukee. She is the WAPL Chair-elect and a member of the WeLead Task Force.
• Kyung-Sun “Sunny” Kim is running for LRRT Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect. She is Associate Professor at UW-Madison SLIS.

Good luck to you all!

Culver's Celebrates National Library Week with Libraries

In celebration of National Library Week,  April 8-14, Culver's and WLA will again join local public libraries and Culver's restaurants in the "You Belong @ your library" drawing campaign for children 11 and under.

This is the 16th year local Culver's restaurants in Wisconsin have sponsored this event, which encourages children to read and celebrate their favorite book characters.

Children can enter the drawing event by picking up drawing sheets from their local library beginning April 1.  Children are encouraged to draw book characters that they would like to meet at the library.  Every child who completes a drawing will receive a "Be Our Guest" coupon for a free single scoop of frozen custard from Culver's and be entered into a random drawing to win an additional prize of a free Team Scoopie Kids meal coupon. Drawings will be displayed at the local library or Culver's Restaurant through the month of April.

All materials were delivered to local libraries the week of March 12 and are also available on the Youth Services Section website.

About National Library Week
First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and state library associations and libraries across the country each April.  The Wisconsin Library Association and WLA Foundation, along with the WLA Youth Service Section, strive to support libraries and the people who work in them to improve and promote library service in Wisconsin.

About Culver’s
Culver’s serves fresh food with genuine family values to each and every guest. Culver’s is an expanding franchise system with more than 450 independently owned and operated restaurants in 19 states. The restaurants’ award-winning customer service is based on small-town, Midwestern values, genuine friendliness and an unwavering commitment to quality and cleanliness.  Signature items include the ButterBurger®, made from fresh, never frozen U.S. Beef, and fresh frozen custard, including the famous Flavor of the Day program. Supporting local communities is a cornerstone of Culver’s giving efforts. For more information on Culver’s, visit www.culvers.com, www.culvers.com/facebook and www.twitter.com/culvers.

All trademarks belong to Culver Franchising System, Inc.

AB 543 / SB 531 Dies in Senate

Update on 3/19/12:  AB 543/SB 531 died in the Senate during in this legislative session.

AB 531 was recommended for passage by the Senate Committee on Labor, Public Safety and Urban Affairs (on a party vote of 3-2), but the bill was not scheduled for a vote on the floor of the Senate. The   companion, AB 543, was approved on a 61-33 vote in the Assembly but was not scheduled in the Senate.

Thanks to all who contacted legislators with their concerns about the bill.

Update on 3/14/12: The Assembly passed AB 543 on a vote of 61-33 on March 13. The bill was messaged to the Senate, where it awaits scheduling. If your library will be adversely affected by this measure, contact your State Senator today.

Original Post
WLA remains concerned about the latest attempt to provide municipalities with an alternative method of exemption from the county library tax.  AB 543 is the latest attempt to change the exemption method.

The Legislative Reference Bureau analysis states:

Under current law, a county board may levy a tax for the purpose of providing public library services to county residents. A city, town, village, or school district located in the county is exempt from the county tax if the city, town, village, or school district levies a tax for public library services at a rate that is equal to or greater than the county library tax rate.

This bill provides an exemption from the county library tax if the city, town, village, or school district levies a tax for public library services and spends for a library fund an amount that is not less than the average of the three previous years, the county board approves the exemption, and (for the first year of exemption under this new method) the city, town, village, or school district qualified for the exemption using the current law method described above in each of the three previous years.

WLA has expressed its concerns about the bill in a memo to the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means, which held a public hearing on the bill on February 9. An executive session (where a committee vote takes place to determine if the bill is recommended for passage and sent to the whole Assembly) is scheduled February 23.

First, as written, the bill would allow a municipality to establish a new library at a substandard level of funding and request exemption from the county library tax. In other words, a new library would have no funding history to determine an average of the prior three year’s of support, and a municipality could exempt from the county library tax at an extremely low level of funding.

Second, to allow an exemption from the county library tax as long as it is not less than the average of the previous three years provides little protection. As a consequence of approving the last biennial budget bill, the legislature eliminated the “maintenance of effort” (MOE) requirement that libraries be funded at no less than the average of the past three years.  Because the MOE requirement could be met through flat funding, and its elimination means library funding can be reduced even more, over time a municipality could fund its library at an amount much lower than the county library levy rate and still qualify for exemption from the county library tax.

WLA agrees that any such exemption should require county board approval for this new type of exemption under the three-year-average method. Still, we feel that additional safeguards are important to address potential problems from occurring with new libraries. For instance, prohibiting new libraries from exempting in the manner allowed by the bill for the first three years of operation would be one solution. This prohibition would obviously not affect existing libraries which feel they would be helped by the provisions of AB 543.

If your library would be affected by this bill, please contact the WLA office at (608) 245-3640.