Boost Your Library's Budget with Private Gifts

With local and state budgets tighter than ever, every smart librarian works to develop private support for library services and programs. Whether you want to help your Friends move beyond the book sale, create a Foundation or develop funding partnerships for specific programs, the WLA Foundation pre-conference program will set you on the path to success.

Join the WLAF and well-known fundraising consultant Marcy Heim for "The Magic, Power and Joy of Philanthropy – Embracing and Enhancing the Role of Private Gifts in Managing Your Library Budget" on Tuesday, November 2, 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the Kalahari Resort & Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells. Cost is $60.00.

If you've already registered for the WLA conference but would now like to add this pre-conference, complete the pre-conference registration form. If you wish to participate in the philanthropy pre-conference and also register for the WLA Conference, please use the WLA Conference Advance Registration form through October 15.

WLA Conference - Call for Volunteers

Are you heading to the Dells for WLA 2010? We need your help with the following conference activities. Consider volunteering for a few hours, sometime during the conference week. It's an excellent way to meet and greet new colleagues!

For more information about volunteer opportunities and areas of need, please contact the following WLA 2010 committee members:

Registration Desk: Linda Hartig (lhartig@carrollu.edu)

Local Arrangements: Ann Vogl (ann.vogl@uwc.edu)

Autograph Garden: Claudia Backus (clbackus@wcfls.lib.wi.us)

Internet Café: Adam Brisk (adam.brisk@witc.edu)

WLA 2010 will be held at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells, November 2-5. For more information, visit the conference Web site.
--Vicki Tobias, Publicity Chair, WLA 2010 Conference Committee

David Polodna, Winding Rivers Library System Director, Announces Retirement

David Polodna, director at Winding Rivers Library System, announced to his board on September 22 that he will be retiring on April 15, 2011. David provided his announcement well in advance to give the board adequate time to conduct its first-ever director search.

David says "I'm approaching this retirement as an adventure and it is not being driven by problems but by opportunities.  That being said, I don't have specific plans for what I will do with my time, though I'm sure I'll have no difficulty filling it meaningfully.  I'm often reminded of a statement Morrie made, at one of those Tuesday meetings, that seems especially appropriate now: don't leave too soon, but don't stay too long. This seems like the right moment."

Congratulations, David.

Don’t Miss "Bowling & Boards" - Foundation Fundraiser November 3

Be sure to sign up for the WLA Foundation (WLAF) fundraiser at this year’s Conference on Wednesday, November 3 from 8:00 – 11:00 pm!   This is stacking up to be a fun event not to be missed – and the bowling alley is part of the Kalahari Resort, so no need to drive anywhere!    For those of you who haven’t bowled in a while, this is not your “grandmother’s bowling alley” – but a hi-tech facility that promises to be a lot of fun for bowlers – and non-bowlers alike.

We’ve designed the evening so there’s something for everyone to enjoy.  For those of you who want to bowl – it will be a fast-paced evening of bowling one regular game of tenpins, plus a second “Baker’s Game” designed to go much faster. For those of you who enjoy rooting for (and ribbing) your bowling colleagues, there’s comfortable seating and large tables at the lanes to accommodate the snacks, beverages, and gourmet pizza you’ll be enjoying during the evening.  (Bowlers, take note!  You will need SOCKS to use the bowling shoes the alley supplies.  So … BYOS!  Socks are available from the Kalahari at a cost of $3.00/pr but are NOT part of your registration fee).

If you’d like to test your skills in a more “relaxed” setting, the alley houses an adjacent area of tables and comfortable booths where there’ll be a variety of board games available to challenge your mind and enjoy time with friends and colleagues – a fast-paced game of Trivial Pursuit, fun-filled game of Taboo, cribbage boards, and playing cards are just a few of the choices you’ll have.

And don’t forget the comfortable and inviting bar area (open all evening) where you can simply enjoy conversing and catching up with friends. 

Look for dozens of prize packages to be given out that evening … door prizes … …“mystery” numbers posted throughout the evening that could win you a prize ….  trophies awarded at the end of the evening!

Register your team of four (bowlers AND “boarders”) before the evening’s event and each member will get one ADDITIONAL beverage ticket (which you’ll receive when you arrive at the event). To register your team, send the list of names to Bernie Bellin. Don’t have a team and want to participate?  Not to worry, sign up and come anyway --- we’ll make sure to accommodate you. 

So … unpack that retro bowling shirt or your Campaign for Wisconsin Libraries red t-shirt … register for Bowling & Boards!! … and get ready to enjoy a fun-filled evening with friends and colleagues at the Kalahari!
--Bernie Bellin, WLAF Fundraiser Chair

Madison Elementary School Library Gets Facelift

Ralph Waldo Elementary Library in Madison received 2,000 new books, new, eco-friendly technology, lighting, flooring and furniture, according to a Channel3000 report. An organization called Heart of America partnered with Target Stores and the Madison Public School District to do the renovation.

WLA Bylaws Amendments Proposed: Vote at Annual Business Meeting

The WLA Board has approved bylaws amendments for presentation to the membership at the annual business meeting, scheduled Thursday, November 4, 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the WLA Conference in Wisconsin Dells.

The purpose of the amendments is to foster a leadership focus on benefit for members, and respond to members’ interests and needs more adeptly. The changes invite participation and engagement of the members. They also improve accountability of all programs to the association membership by creating shared financial and strategic goals.  The amendments also seek to adopt consistent practices throughout the organization to streamline operations.

Here is a summary of the proposed changes:

•    While the purpose of divisions would remain the same as currently stated in the bylaws, the purpose of sections and round tables would be modified to focus on sharing knowledge. The current purpose of sections and round tables is to promote the study and development of a particular function or aspect of librarianship. The new purpose: To explore, develop and share knowledge about particular functions or issues related to the library profession or workplace which have relevance for one or more types of libraries, library workers or supporters.

•    Units (divisions, sections and round tables) would have authority to adopt unique policies only where WLA policy is silent. The Committee on Organization would work to create uniform procedures, where necessary, to avoid duplication of effort, while seeking the involvement of unit leadership to refine and establish sound practices across the association. For instance, policies on conference speaker compensation and planning documents have varied from unit to unit, causing confusion and duplication of effort. 

•    Units can retain their current authority to elect officers, but only elected chairpersons will be required for unit viability.

•    All unit projects would be incorporated into the overall WLA operating budget, rather than retain segregated unit project funds. This allows greater accountability for all programs and also ensures that smaller units have access to project funds for strategic initiatives. Divisions would no longer be able to impose dues in addition to those imposed by WLA.

Read the amended bylaws proposal for more information.

Library Legislative Day is February 22, 2011

Invite a friend, don't be late, prepare for the most important advocacy event of 2011: Library Legislative Day, Tuesday, February 22, at the Concourse Hotel in Madison. Because the new governor of Wisconsin will be introducing a budget (and facing a nearly $3 billion deficit), because local budgets are stretched tighter than ever, your voice is more essential than ever at Library Legislative Day.

Co-sponsored by the Wisconsin Library Association and the Wisconsin Educational Media & Technology Association, Library Legislative Day is our chance to make the case for state support of libraries - whether it's public library systems, the UW System's Digital Research Commons, BadgerLink, the Common School Fund, or other library-related budget items.

Registration will open in December, but make plans to attend now.

Barrett Seeks to Increase Hours at 4 Libraries, Hold Line on Property Taxes

The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports today that Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett is calling for a small cut in property taxes and a boost in hours for four libraries in the 2011 city budget he will unveil Thursday.

The $1.48 billion spending plan would shave $2,112, less than one-thousandth of 1%, off this year's $247.4 million property tax levy. Because the city's total assessed value has declined nearly 3%, the tax rate would rise 2.7%, from slightly less than $8.89 per $1,000 assessed value to slightly more than $9.12.

Bay View, East, Washington Park and Zablocki libraries would be open 45 hours a week, up from 35 hours now. This year, hours were sliced at 11 of 12 neighborhood libraries, running afoul of state rules that limit library budget cuts.

Banned Book Happy Hour

Banned Book Happy Hour
Friday, October 1  |  5:00 - 7:30 PM
Venue: Mickey's Tavern
Presented in partnership with the Intellectual Freedom Round Table of the Wisconsin Library Association, the ACLU, and others: When books are challenged in community libraries and in public schools, courageous people defend the right to read. As a kick-off for the American Library Association's annual Banned Books Week, hear stories behind book challenges in Wisconsin and the people who fought censorship in their hometowns.

Postcript: See the fun that was had by all at this event: 
http://capcityliberty.blogspot.com/2010/10/madison-aclu-celebrates-banned-books.html

Update on DOA BadgerNet Fiber Grant

The BadgerNet Advisory Council provides the following update on the four main activities related to the BadgerNet fiber grant.  These  activities are:  (1) Federal interest in long-term use of the fiber; (2) BadgerNet contract extension; (3) Environmental Assessment;  (4) Finalizing the list of participating schools and libraries and the project’s budget.  All four of these activities must reach a final resolution before the project can move forward.

(1) Federal interest in long-term use of the fiber.  The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA, the  grant agency) is understandably concerned that the $23 million in federal funding will have a long-term impact.  The primary way to ensure this is to make certain that the schools and libraries can access the fiber for many years into the future.  Attorneys from DOA, NTIA and the Wisconsin BadgerNet Access Alliance (WBAA) are working now to address this issue.  (The DOA’s request that this condition be waived was denied by NTIA.)

(2) BadgerNet contract extension.  The current State contract with the WBAA consortium expires in November 2011, but the contract also has a provision for five one-year extensions -- to November 2016.  AT&T staff (representing WBAA) and DOA administrators are meeting on a regular basis to resolve several outstanding issues on a contract extension. 

(3) Environmental Assessment.   One of the federal conditions placed on funding the grant is that DOA needs to have an approved Environmental Assessment done for all 467 locations scheduled to receive fiber.  Work on the EA is now underway with a target completion date of mid-October.  Once completed, the information will then be sent to NTIA for review and approval.  Assuming there are no major issues, approval is expected by mid-November.

(4) Finalizing participation and project budget. DOA staff continue to work on finalizing the budget and finalizing the list of participants. It is expected that this work will be done in October.

In light of the above information, an obvious question is:  What is the time frame for fiber installation and bandwidth increases?  The approximate target date to get the first three above activities completed is mid-November.  After the three tasks are done the WBAA will prepare a new set of work-plans based upon the season and taking into account work that requires trenching and work that does not.  We will share this work-plan with you as soon as it is published.

What does all this mean for a the 2011 E-rate application cycle?  The DPI recommends that schools/libraries now on BadgerNet wait until at least mid-November before making any E-rate decisions related to bandwidth increases, new router requests, etc.  This assumes the 2011 E-rate application time frame will be the same as in past years.

The Advisory Council will post out more updates as more information becomes available.