State Senator Wants Libraries to Keep Minors From R-rated Movies

Sen. Tom Reynolds (R-West Allis) is circulating a bill (LRB 2213/1) that would require parental consent before libraries loan R-rated movies to minors. Responses to an informal WLA survey indicate that most responding libraries already have policies that restrict minors’ access to movies in some way. The Motion Picture Association of America has issued a memo in opposition to the bill, stating it would be unconstitutional. For more information go to the Legislative & Budget Status Report, and see LRB 2213/1.

Bill Proposes Repeal of "Maintenance of Effort" Funding for Public Libraries

Rep. Mark Gottlieb (R-Port Washington) recently introduced AB-483, which would repeal the maintenance of effort funding for public libraries as a requirement for membership in a public library system. WLA is opposed to the measure.

WLA's position on this matter was outlined in a reply to a May 16 Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (JS-Online) editorial that supported repeal of maintenance of effort funding. WLA President Terry Dawson stated, "Current law sensibly ensures that a municipality does not take undue advantage of neighboring libraries (and property taxpayers) while failing to support its own library...[and] that a municipality does not take undue advantage of state funded library system services while failing to support its own library." Dawson also pointed out that if the state provided adequate library system funding, fewer costs would fall to the local property taxpayer. He noted that the average local plus state per capita support for Wisconsin's public libraries is still under 65 cents per week, less than a can of soda.

Co-sponsors of the measure include Representatives Ainsworth, Gielow, Hines, Jensen, Jeskewitz, LeMahieu and Towns. WLA legislative leaders will be meeting with Rep. Gottlieb on July 13 to discuss the bill.

WLA Foundation Launches the Campaign for Wisconsin’s Libraries
The Wisconsin Library Association Foundation has embarked on an ongoing state level campaign to promote a wider understanding of the value and importance of Wisconsin’s libraries. The Foundation has made a commitment to raise a minimum of $100,000 each year to fund the campaign, and has set aside $15,000 of its current funds to develop an action plan for the campaign. The Foundation is also pleased to announce that the WLA and the Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries have agreed to become the first Supporting Partners in the Campaign for Wisconsin’s Libraries with a contribution of $5,000 each.

The Campaign for Wisconsin’s Libraries will provide a collective voice in behalf of Wisconsin libraries of all types. The campaign will take advantage of any national level efforts to promote libraries that are in keeping with the purpose of Wisconsin’s campaign. Some possible messages include: the impact that libraries have on the State’s economy; the importance of libraries to lifelong learning; and the overall contribution libraries make to the quality of life of the state’s residents.

The Foundation will use a variety of strategies to raise the funding necessary to finance a successful ongoing campaign including the recruitment of additional funding partners. Individual members of WLA can support the campaign by becoming a member of one of the Foundation’s clubs (see http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/wlaf/wlafjoin.htm ).

Online Training
The Media and Technology Section (MATS) has been working on gathering sites that offer online training on a variety of library-related topics. Take a look at the Online Classes page of the MATS web site to see what we have so far. If you know of other good sites, please email them to bcarpent@mail.owls.lib.wi.us, and we'll consider adding them. Thanks!

Beth Carpenter
2005 MATS Chair

Library-related Legislation: Opportunities and Threats
In addition to the state budget, several library-related bills and proposals will occupy WLA this session. First, the Common School Fund (CSF), the only source of revenue for many school libraries, continues to be a target for raids. AB 40 and AB 130 are both attempts to decrease the percentage of fines and/or forfeitures sent to the state for the CSF while increasing the percentage that localities can retain. WLA and WEMA share the concern that these efforts ultimately will decrease the funding available for school libraries. Proponents say the bills will provide an incentive to localities to collect and process fines and forfeitures and will actually lead to increased collections that will benefit the CSF.

Rep. Stephen Freese (R-Dodgeville) has agreed to reintroduce two public library bills from last session. One would modify statutes governing public libraries (language bill) and the second relates to the organization and funding of public libraries and public library systems (reform bill). Rep. Freese is also assisting WLA with the drafting of a bill to enable public library districts, but he has not yet decided if he will introduce bill.

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Budget Snapshot for Libraries
On February 8, Governor Doyle proposed his biennial budget; for a summary of this and other legislative issues affecting libraries, view the WLA's Legislative & Budget Status Report. The governor:

• increased public library systems aids by about $2 million
• provided $136,000 more for BadgerLink to cover the cost to continue
• flat-funded state service contracts (with WiLS, Milwaukee Public Library, Regional Library for the Blind and the Physically Handicapped, and CCBC), providing a victory on one hand, because contracts were not subjected to DPI agency operations cuts as they had been in the past, a decision WLA had lobbied for with DPI and Governor Doyle. Unfortunately, the total amount budgeted for contracts was held at base, and DPI will need to decide how to allocate the funds amongst the four agencies.
• did not approve the UW System’s request for $6 million to fund “One System, One Library”. According to one source, cuts to UW administration will likely mean cuts to libraries, as "administration" has been defined as everything not directly related to classroom instruction.
• cut DPI’s agency budget by 5 percent, rather than the 10 percent applied to other agencies. Apparently, Gov. Doyle felt that DPI had already suffered its fair share of cuts under previous administrations when other agencies’ budgets were increased.

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Ballot on WLA Constitution & Bylaws Amendments Out December 2
Major amendments to the WLA governing documents which eliminate 10 committees and merge the constitution and bylaws will be the subject of a membership vote, with a ballot to be issued December 2. These significant amendments include provisions for closer ties with the Wisconsin Educational Media Association (WEMA), future electronic balloting, and new rules of order. The amendments also simplify language throughout the document.

All members were sent a postcard notification of the proposed amendments. Members were also able to ask questions at the annual business meeting November 4 in Lake Geneva; no additional amendments were proposed there. For the text of the amendments and comments, frequently asked questions, and a timeline of the amendment process, please go to "Rethinking WLA's Structure."

Annual Awards Showcase Excellence in Library Service

The WLA's Awards and Honors Committee is pleased to announce the following award recipients for 2004: DEMCO/Librarian of the Year, both Rob Reid, formerly with Indianhead Library System, Eau Claire, and Peter G. Hamon, director of the South Central Library System, Madison; Library of the Year, Carthage College Hedberg Library in Kenosha; Trustee of the Year, Sandralee Thiele, president, Darien Public Library Board of Trustees; Special Service Award, Donald Bulley, Trustee, South Milwaukee Public Library; WLA/Highsmith Award, Marathon County Public Library, Wausau; and Muriel Fuller Award, Laura Moss Gottlieb, Reference Librarian, Hedberg Public Library, Janesville.

The award winners will be honored at the annual Awards Banquet at the WLA Conference in Lake Geneva, Thursday, November 4, 7:00-9:00 p.m. The WLA website contains more information about the award winners. Congratulations to all for setting a high bar for library service!

Scholarship Winners Announced

The WLA Library Careers Committee recently selected recipients of the library and continuing education scholarships funded by the WLA Foundation. Jo Ann Gustavson, director of Neillsville Public Library, was this year's winner of the Scholarship for the Education of Rural Librarians in memory of Gloria Hoegh ($550) and the Diversity Scholarship ($450). Gustavson is working toward her MLIS. Sue Abrahamson, youth services librarian at Waupaca Area Public Library, received the George Bauer Continuing Education Scholarship of $450. Alycia Sellie, a student at UW-Madison, received the $950 Library Education Scholarship. The committee applauded her involvement with the Madison Zine Fest, which demonstrated Alycia's goal of promoting community involvement and inviting new programming into library settings. Lynn Schneider, also a UW-Madison student, received the $950 Sally Davis Scholarship. The committee found commendable Lynn's goal of influencing public policy to support library service for children and young adults.

The deadline for applications for the Vida Stanton Scholarship, granted to master's students at UW-Milwaukee SOIS who are pursuing a career in youth services or school librarianship, was extended to November 15.

Public Library District Legislation Key Part of 2005 Agenda

The Library Development & Legislation Committee has created a Library District Subcommittee, chaired by Jessica MacPhail, to shepherd district legislation from the drafting stage to passage. An important part of that process will require input from WLA members, and achieving consensus within WLA will be required for the success of this bill. Interested members are invited to attend "Rethinking Wisconsin Libraries" at the WLA Conference on Wednesday, November 3, 8:45-10 a.m., to learn more about library districts. There will also be a program devoted to "Top 10 Political Issues" in 2005 with discussion about districts and other library legislative and funding issues. Check the conference website for details. In addition, the Library District Subcommittee will hold a meeting at the conference on Wednesday, November 3, 2:15 to 3:00 p.m. in Galewood D.

The WLA website has more information about library districts, including a summary of the current proposal.