CALENDAR
December 9 Directors Meeting, Winchester, 10:00 – 2:30
December 10 Directors Meeting, Shell Lake, 10:00 - 2:30
UW-Madison SLIS Continuing Education:
- Public Library Administration, January 7 - March 31
- Basic Reference, February 9 - May 2
- Fundamentals of Cataloging, February 9 - May 2
- Adult Book Discussions in the Library, February 16 - March 13
- Connecting Teens with the Best in New Teen Lit, February 12 - April 5
- Children, Technology, and the Library Instructor; March 9 - April 3
- Graphic Novels in the Library, March 11 - April 8
- Library 2.0: 101, dates to be announced
CURRENT EVENTS
Planning
From Jim Trojanowski, NWLS Director - Trustee Essentials, Wisconsin’s handbook for public library trustees, notes in its chapter on planning that, “Nobody would ever think of building a house or starting a business without a plan.” Yet in the next sentence, the handbook notes that, “…it is often hard to convince library directors and boards to create a long-range plan.”
Planning has been much on my mind. A little more than a month ago I submitted the Northern Waters Library Service Budget and Plan of Service to the Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning. While many do not think of it this way, a budget is a plan. It communicates to stake-holders – trustees, staff, customers, and funding bodies – how much funding we need to accomplish our goals for the coming year. A good budget, because it is a plan, is accompanied by a narrative description of the library’s goals for the budget year.
The Northern Waters Library Strategic Plan is now two years old and in need of review. I am in the process of developing a method for reviewing the plan with system staff, trustees, and member library directors to assure it is relevant and that it remains an appropriate guide for us through 2011, by which time we will need to develop a new plan.
At the same time, I am working with the Vilas County Library Committee to develop a county library planning process. The county’s plan is now several years out-of-date and it should be rewritten to reflect changes in library services since the last plan was written. I encourage other counties with old plans to develop new ones.
But why is planning so important? As Trustee Essentials notes, “Planning for libraries is a process of envisioning the future of both the community and the library and setting a direction for the library movement toward a chosen future vision. Planning helps the staff and board understand the situation of their community, set priorities, and establish methods for achieving those priorities. The planning document also becomes a guide for decision-making and action by staff and board.”
Unfortunately, approximately two-thirds of the libraries served by Northern Waters Library Service do not have an up-to-date long-range plan. As public funding grows tighter and requests to private donors grow in number, library boards and trustees will find it increasingly important to develop long-range plans that effectively communicate their vision of the library’s place in the community.
Planning can be a daunting task, particularly for those who have never participated in the process. Next spring, an experienced library planner will conduct a workshop for Northern Waters Library Service on the importance of planning, the elements of an effective library plan, how to develop an effective plan without spending too much time on it, and how to present the plan to stake-holders. Library directors and trustees will be encouraged to attend. Details will be released soon.
David Wroblewski Visits Mellen
From Jennie Thewis, Legion Memorial Library Director in Mellen - David Wroblewski wrote a book, he describes as a story about a boy and a dog for grown-ups, “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle”. The building, “. . . a large squarish building with an unlikely looking cupola . . .” is Mellen City Hall, home to Legion Memorial Library for 81 years. He has spent time in the library and the museum upstairs reading the Mellen Centennial Books, “A Journey into Mellen,” edited by Mayor Joe Barabe. The Mayor received an early copy of David’s book and said, “You know I don’t read fiction. I’ll have Dee (his wife) read it and then donate it to the library.” It has yet to arrive. The copy I purchased in June has been in constant rotation since, as has Mayor Barabe’s copy. There are now over 100 holds in Merlin/NWLS on this title in its various forms.
I always have plenty to read, so when a book is in high demand, I wait. I was still waiting when I received a call from an Associate Producer from the Oprah Winfrey Show. She was interested in Mellen and wondering if I had read David’s book. This is an insight to my love of books and how magical storytellers are to me: This person from THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW is calling me and referring to “David” like he was just another person, of course he is. But he’s an AUTHOR, a BEST SELLING AUTHOR!!! He had spent time in our library, at our table, reading the Mellen centennial books. And I had to admit that I hadn’t read “David’s book”.
I was given a heads up as to a possible visit from the Oprah crew a few days earlier. I asked myself, could our book clubs possibly be a part of the Oprah Show??? I ordered 20 copies of the book and I was busy rushing all over town to get them to our Book Club members in time.
The crew from Oprah included a producer, Jill; associate producer, Denise; an assistant, Heather; two cameramen, Dan and Nate; and the sound guy, Tony. They arrived Tuesday with David after spending a number of early morning hours outside, shooting footage of Mellen’s outdoor beauty. Of course all of us locals were wishing they had been here a month ago, when the fall colors were at their peak. They began David's interview in the museum, followed by a lunch prepared by the local Penokee Mountain Deli eaten at our library table, and continued the interview right here in the library. I was thrilled! It is here that David found one of our community’s greatest treasures, a treasure that has been tended with love and care for the past 81 years, the library and its books. From what I understand the footage will be a part of the Oprah Book Club webcast. As it turns out our book clubs won’t appear on the Oprah Show, but our beautiful building will be featured, at least I think so. Once the crew left City Hall they headed to Sara (President of the Friends of the Library) & George Schultz’s farm to film their red barn and their dogs.
I’m now comfortable calling author Wroblewski, David. I did get to talk to him on the phone prior to his arriving in Mellen. He was excited about his return visit and eager to hear and discuss his book with the people of Mellen. I asked if he would be willing to visit our school. He was happy to spend time with the students to discuss writing, dogs and his story. There are two articles in the Ashland Daily Press by Claire Duquette (11-13-2008 & 11-14-2008) and Christa Lawler’s story will run in the Duluth News Tribune on Sunday.
I read Edgar's story as quickly as I could, in anticipation of David’s visit so I could honestly tell him I loved his book. Late Wednesday night following his reading and book signing I started reading “The Story of Edgar Sawtelle” again. With my little Yorkie, Ginger, tucked under my arm and David’s book balanced on my pillow, I was able to begin again, this time savoring the words and lingering over passages as long as I want. His description says it best (without giving anything away) . . . a story about a boy and a dog for grown ups. Well worth reading and reading again. David touched my heart, first through his book and then in person. An amazing event here in Mellen, an even more amazing person, in author David Wroblewski.
WLA Conference Report
From Linda Bailen, NWLS - The 2008 WLA Conference programs I attended included the following:
BadgerLink Update! - Lisa Reale, BadgerLink Coordinator at Reference and Loan Library reviewed BadgerLink:
• Google Scholar linking to BadgerLink - Patrons can now set their web browser to search for BadgerLink articles through Google Scholar (http://scholar.google.com/). Choose "Scholar Preferences" and check the box next to "Wisconsin BadgerLink - EBSCOhost Full Text". "Save Preferences" to access the full text through Google Scholar, click on the EBSCOhost Full Text link next to the article description in the results list.
• My EBSCOhost Page Composer - If you create an account in BadgerLink using EBSCOhost, a web page composer allows you to create customized web pages that could include searches and persistent links. Web pages can be saved and stored for future use or management.
• Federated Searching through BadgerLink- Through WISCAT ILL (AGent) software, the WISCAT database, Z39.50 online catalogs, and BadgerLink databases can be searched at the same time with one search.
• BadgerLink Library Card Login - If a patron's IP address is not registered with BadgerLink, a library card login page will automatically be displayed when the patron tries to access the database.
How to Reach Hard-to-Reach Populations - This program focused on marketing library services through community groups and agencies, such as the Justice Coalition to access to local jails; the local Rotary or other groups; the Domestic Violence Agency; United Way; Children's Services Network; Alcohol & Drug Recovery Centers, Inc.; Social Services; Head Start; Aging Resource Centers (sometime through Human Services in your county). A resource to use for more information is the Journal of Extension (http://www.joe.org).
Intermingling Worlds: How Access Services, ILL and Reference Can Work Together - Heather Weltin, UW Memorial Library; Martha Farley Berninger, Reference and Loan Library; and Connie Von Der Heide, Director of Reference and Outreach Services, Wisconsin State Law Library. The librarians discussed how their skills complement each other (citation searching, customer service, supervision and training). They also discussed virtual reference and how it has improved patron services. They talked about the overlapping of job duties, and the importance of training more staff to handle reference and interlibrary loan requests.
Keeping It All Together: One Library's Strategy for Electronic Resource Management - William Doering, Librarian, Uw-La Crosse Murphy Library has created a Microsoft Access database to manage licenced electronic resources. It can track everything from vendor contracts, passwords, journal subscriptions, and database payment information to ILL rights and collecting statistics for electronic resources. He is offering the ERM software free to libraries at http://murphylibrary.uwlax.edu/erm/.
Marketing as a Team Sport - Peggy Barber, Librarian Communication Strategies, Inc., discussed what your staff needs to know about marketing and how it relates to customer service. For a handout from this workshop in PDF format, go to: http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/conferences/2008/postconf/index.htm
Peggy's favorite definition of market is: "Marketing is that function of the organization that can keep in constant touch with the organization's consumers, read their needs, develop products that meet these needs, and build a program of communications to express the organization's purposes." - Philip Kotler/SidneyLevy, Philip Kotler/SidneyLevy, “Broadening the Concept of Marketing" - Journal of Marketing, January 1969.
She outlined the key elements of a four step marketing program: 1-Research (Community demographics and defining your audience and their needs); 2-Plan (The library's mission and developing services and delivery methods to meet the needs); 3-Communicate (Public relation, advertising, advocacy, partnerships); 4-Evaluate (Are objectives being met?).
Project Play: Play more, Learn More, Fear Less - Project Play was a very successfull Library 2.0 learning project among three Wisconsin library systems. The project coordinators from South Central Library System, Outagamie Waupaca Library System and Winnefox Library System discussed what library workers learned and how your library can successfully replicate the project. The Project Play program included Web 2.0 tools and new technologies such as: blogging; RSS; audio podcasts; video & YouTube; photo sharing; book sharing tools such as LibraryThing; and productivity tools such as Google docs. To learn more about Project Play, go to their web page at http://projectplay.owlsweb.info/?page_id=5.
Challenges for Reference Excellence: Realities and Possibilities - Marie L. Radford, (Associate Professor, Rutgers University School of Communication, Information and Library Studies) challenged us to always prioritize library user's needs and to keep current on technologies that are useful to the library user. A video is available online and can be purchase by WLA members (visit http://www.conferencecaster.tv/organizations/wla).
Library users value good library service, even in the Google age. Patrons value quality reference resources, online databases, and interlibrary loan service. Today, library users are accessing reference service and notices through cell phones. Marie emphasized the importance of a good library web page displaying the library's address and telephone number on the home page. Useful reference web sites mentioned:
- Reference Renaissance (http://www.bcr.org/referencerenaissance/)
- Libraries in the Digital Age (http://www.ffos.hr/lida/)
- Reference and User Services Association (http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/rusa/index.cfm)
ALA Seeks Stimulus Funding
From American Library Association, October 29, 2008 - The American Library Association (ALA) is asking Congress for $100 million in stimulus funding to aid the nation’s working families during the current economic crisis. Aid is sought to stem the bleeding of critical library services that help Americans with job searches, small business development, financial literacy and other essential assistance in hard economic times.
“America’s free public libraries provide a lifeline for citizens in need across the country,” said ALA President Jim Rettig. “Ensuring Internet access, career workshops, business seminars and other economic support services are vital links in the nation’s financial recovery. This is no time to cut much-needed support, reduce hours or close library doors.”
ALA’s recommendation for stimulus funding seeks support for basic library services across the country as well as specialized assistance to help Americans deal with the current economic crisis. In particular, funds are being requested to:
* Expand critical employment activities and services such as resume development, job bank web searches and career planning workshops;
* Reinstate or supplement evening and weekend hours of operation at libraries to provide the greatest possible access to services;
* Promote financial literacy, housing counseling and small business development assistance; and
* Acquire additional resources and materials to help keep up with increased demand for economic services nationwide.
Investments in libraries often yield high dividends for communities. Studies show economic returns from salaries and wages paid to staff, construction costs, employment services and library purchases. A recent Pennsylvania study points out that for every dollar invested in the public library, the community receives a return of $5.50. A similar report from Florida shows a $6.54 return on investment.
“Economic studies demonstrate the positive impact of spending in local communities,” said Joe Matthews, an internationally recognized expert on library management with an MBA degree from the University of California, Irvine. “Known as the multiplier affect, every dollar spent in the community will ripple through the economy with an impact ranging from 7 to 11 times the initial spending,” he added. “The proposed stimulus spending for America’s public libraries will have an enormous impact on local economies, helping communities across the country get back on track financially.” Matthews is an acclaimed author and professor at San Jose University.
To view the entire article visit American Library Association.
New Gates Internet/Broadband Program
From Channel Weekly, November 13, 2008 - The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has launched a nationwide effort to collect detailed information about Internet connections in all public libraries in the country. This effort, named the Broadband Assessment Project, will help the foundation and its partners raise awareness of the need for high-quality Internet in public libraries and how to meet this need. The data collected will also help the Foundation improve support and funding for Internet services and broadband in our public libraries. Finally, the data collected through the project will inform future Gates Foundation investments to increase and sustain access to broadband Internet in public libraries.
The Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning (DLTCL) is starting to work with our library systems to collect the data requested by the foundation. It is also likely that some public libraries will be contacted directly by their system or the foundation to collect needed data on Internet connectivity. If your library is contacted, the DLTCL encourages you to provide the needed information. If you have any questions on this program, contact Bob Bocher by phone at (608) 266-2127 or by email at robert.bocher@dpi.wi.gov.
ICMA Public Library Grant
ICMA, the premier local government leadership and management organization, with the help of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, plans to demonstrate the value of public libraries as a vital tool in supporting community sustainability through the ICMA Public Library Innovation Grant. Local governments can employ these grants to develop new and creative ways of using their public library to deliver services in areas such as public safety, disaster preparedness, sustainability, health, immigration, civic engagement, and economic development.
Recognizing the importance of the manager/librarian relationship to create and sustain change, each Public Library Innovation Grant will be anchored by a partnership between the office of the chief administrative officer (city, town, and county managers) and the public library. A series of leadership workshops and project coaching will help grantees solidify the partnership, ensure the short-term success of the project, and secure new resources to support the long-term use of libraries in addressing community goals.
Through the program, ICMA will provide a total of $500,000 in Public Library Innovation Grants. Individual grants will range from $20,000 to $60,000. For more information about the ICMA Public Library Innovation Grants, contact Molly Donelan at mdonelan@icma.org. Applications, guidelines, and a budget template are available at http://icma.org/publiclibrarygrants.
New Federal Web Safety Education Law
From American Libraries, November 11, 2008 - Signed into law October 10 by President Bush, the Broadband Data Improvement Act (Public Law 110-385) requires schools receiving federal e-rate discounts on telecommunications services and internet access to educate their students “about appropriate online behavior, including interacting with other individuals on social networking sites and in chat rooms and cyberbullying awareness and response.”
The legislation establishes an Online Safety and Technology Working Group to evaluate safety education efforts, parental control technologies, and filtering and blocking software. The Federal Trade Commission is charged with carrying out “a nationwide program to increase public awareness and provide education regarding strategies to promote the safe use of the internet by children.”
The legislation effectively supplants the Deleting Online Predators Act, introduced in 2006 and passing the House but stalled in the Senate. DOPA would have required schools and libraries to block access to social networking sites and chat rooms. Many education groups, including ALA, opposed that bill, arguing that teaching children about safe and appropriate online behavior was a better approach.
However, Lynne Bradley, director of ALA’s Office of Government Relations, told American Libraries that the Association is reacting cautiously to the Broadband Data Improvement Act because the e-rate provision was attached hastily and no funding has been appropriated for the education program.
Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), sponsor of the bill, which also calls for tracking the penetration of broadband service, said it is the first step toward nationwide broadband access.
Merlin Popular Titles
The following titles are currently in high demand:
22/4 . . . 88 minutes [videorecording (DVD)]
27/9 . . . Against medical advice : a true story / James Patterson, Hal Friedman
24/13 . . Baby mama [videorecording(DVD)]
13/2 . . . Baitshop [videorecording (DVD)]
14/10 . . The bodies left behind / Jeffery Deaver
12/6 . . . A Bold fresh piece of humanity : [a memoir] / Bill O'Reilly
13/18 . . Bones : an Alex Delaware novel / Jonathan Kellerman
31/18 . . The brass verdict / Michael Connelly
27/27 . . Brisingr / Christopher Paolini
15/4 . . . Can't take my eyes off of you / Judith McNaught
23/1 . . . The chronicles of Narnia. Prince Caspian [videorecording(DVD)]
56/10 . . Cross country / by James Patterson
15/2 . . . Crossroads / Belva Plain
15/1 . . . The dark knight [videorecording(DVD)]
21/13 . . Dark summer / Iris Johansen
36/13 . . Divine justice / David Baldacci
18/15 . . Extreme measures : a thriller / Vince Flynn
12/4 . . . Fleeced / Dick Morris & Eileen McGann
16/4 . . . Forgetting Sarah Marshall [videorecording(DVD)]
17/2 . . . Get Smart [videorecording(DVD)]
14/16 . . A good woman / Danielle Steel
14/17 . . The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society / Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows
17/3 . . . The happening [videorecording(DVD)]
72/26 . . Heat lightning / John Sandford
13/1 . . . Horton hears a Who [videorecording(DVD)]
12/5 . . . The Incredible Hulk [videorecording(DVD)]
21/14 . . Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull [videorecording(DVD)]
25/5 . . . Iron man [videorecording(DVD)]
16/4 . . . Journey to the center of the Earth [videorecording(DVD)]
32/3 . . . Kung fu panda [videorecording(DVD)]
23/2 . . . Lost. The complete fourth season [videorecording(DVD)]
15/2 . . . The love guru [videorecording(DVD)]
45/21 . . The lucky one / Nicholas Sparks
27/8 . . . Made of honor [videorecording(DVD)]
13/2 . . . Mamma mia! [videorecording(DVD)]
13/1 . . . Never back down [videorecording (DVD)]
14/2 . . . Run, fatboy, run [videorecording(DVD)]
15/3 . . . Run for your life / by James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge
25/10 . . Salvation in death / J.D. Robb
19/4 . . . Scarpetta / Patricia Cornwell
38/20 . . The shack / by William P. Young
80/36 . . The story of Edgar Sawtelle / David Wroblewski
18/4 . . . The story of Edgar Sawtelle [sound recording(BookCD)] / David Wroblewski
30/30 . . Twilight / Stephenie Meyer
29/1 . . . Wall-E [videorecording(DVD)]
25/1 . . . You don't mess with the Zohan [videorecording(DVD)]
NWLS Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes
12:00 Noon in Ashland at NWLS November 8, 2008
1. Call to Order/Roll Call: Mary Poretti called the November 8, 2008, meeting of the NWLS Board of Trustees to order at 12:00 p.m.
Present: Michael Bobin (Washburn County), Buzz Byrne (Burnett County), Carol Eder (Bayfield County), Bill Farris (Washburn County), Charles LaBelle (Vilas County), Karen Livingston (Douglas County), Al Lundquist (Ashland County), Kathy McCoy (Sawyer County), Mary Poretti (Burnett County), Tom Thompson (Iron County), Jim Trojanowski (NWLS Director), Linda Stobbe (NWLS Office Manager), Michael Sauvola (NWLS Network Administrator).
Excused: Martye Allen (Douglas County), Kathy Byrns (Iron County), Joseph Crawford (Ashland County), Richard Ehlert (Sawyer County), Tuula Harris (Douglas County), Shirley Harrison (Vilas County), Carolyn Sweeney (Superior Public Library), Marcia Wellnitz (Bayfield County).
2. Guest Comments: None.
3. Approval of the September 12, 2008, NWLS Board Meeting Minutes: Michael Bobin moved to approve the minutes of the September 12, 2008, Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes. Kathy McCoy seconded. Carried unanimously.
4. Appointment of Nominating Committee for 2009 Officers: Michael Bobin moved to appoint Mary Poretti, Charles LaBelle, and Al Lundquist to the Nominating Committee. Al Lundquist seconded. Carried unanimously.
5. Approval of September and October, 2008, NWLS Expenditures: Buzz Byrne moved to approve the September and October, 2008, NWLS Expenditures. Karen Livingston seconded. Carried unanimously.
6. Acceptance of October 31, 2008, Financial Statement and Budget Report: Kathy McCoy moved to accept the October 31, 2008, Financial Statement and Budget Report. Al Lundquist seconded. Carried unanimously.
7. Amendment to 2008 Budget: Michael Bobin moved to approve the amendment to the 2008 NWLS Budget. Buzz Byrne seconded. Carried unanimously.
8. Financial Procedures Handbook: The board reviewed the Financial Procedures Handbook. No changes were made.
9. Director’s Report: Jim Trojanowski provided updates on the following:
· Red Cliff library.
· Vaughn Public Library.
· WLA Conference.
10. OPAL Demonstration: Mike Sauvola demonstrated OPAL, after which Mike and Jim led a discussion of the strengths and weakness of the software. Following the demonstration, the Board asked Jim to arrange to hold the January meeting via OPAL.
11. Adjournment: Michael Bobin moved to adjourn. Buzz Byrne seconded. Carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 1:40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Jim Trojanowsk
REFLECTION
“The future lies before you, like paths of pure white snow. Be careful how you tread it, for every step will show.”
- Anonymous
In this issue:
• Planning
• David Wroblewski Visits Mellen
• WLA Conference Report
• ALA Seeks Stimulus Funding
• New Gates Internet/Broadand Program
• ICMA Public Library Grant
• New Federal Web Safety Education Law
• Merlin Popular Titles
• NWLS Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes
• Reflection
Archived Newsletters: