In This Issue: 08.22.08

Library Alphabet Soup • Badgerlink and WISCAT Enhancements • Web Junction Project • Library Funding Support Study • Outreach Services Award • OverDrive Training • 2008 Pulitzer Prizes • Introducing TechSoup • Useful URLs • Reflection

August 23 Tony Weds! in Ashland at 2:00
August 25 Library 2.0, NWLS, 10:00 - 2:30
September 20 NWLS Board of Trustees Meeting, NWLS, 10:00
September 22 Using Statistics to Protect Your Library from the Budget Knife, NWLS, 10:00 – 2:30
October 2 Sharing Your Love of Great Books, Telemark Lodge, Cable, 10:00 – 3:00
October 2-3 Northwest Children’s Book Conference, Telemark Resort, Cable

UW-Madison SLIS Continuing Education:

• Readers' Advisory in the Library, September 8 - November 28
• Genealogy Library Services, September 8 - October 3
• Collection Development, September 17 - December 10
• Basic Public Library Management, September 22 - December 12
• Library 2.0: 101, September 29 - October 26
• Back in Circulation Again: A circulation services conference, September 26-27

Library Alphabet Soup

From Jim Trojanowski, NWLS Director - Librarians, like government bureaucrats, seem to like nothing better than a good acronym. I am aware, however, that acronyms can be a source of confusion, a secret language that hides knowledge rather than revealing it. Since the open sharing of knowledge is a basic principal of librarianship, it seems appropriate to share a few commonly used library acronyms and why they are important.

ALA – American Library Association: ALA is the national professional organization for librarians in the United States. Web: http://www.ala.org/

WLA – Wisconsin Library Association: WLA is the statewide professional organization for librarians in Wisconsin. Web: http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/

WAPL – Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries: WAPL is a division of the Wisconsin Library Association. It is specifically dedicated to the interests of public librarians. Web: http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/wapl/

DPI – Department of Public Instruction: DPI is Wisconsin’s state department of education. It works closely with libraries through its Division for Libraries, Technology and Community Learning. Web: http://dpi.wi.gov/index.html

DLTCL – Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning: DLTCL is the library division of the Department of Public Instruction. It is divided into several teams, including the Public Library Development Team (primarily public library oriented) and the Instructional Media and Technology Team (primarily school library oriented). It also includes the Interlibrary Loan and Resource Sharing Team, which is sometimes referred to as RLL, or the Reference and Loan Library. Librarians sometimes refer to DLTCL as “the Division.” Web: http://dpi.wi.gov/dltcl/

NWLS – Northern Waters Library Service: NWLS is one of 17 public library systems in Wisconsin. It serves libraries in Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Sawyer, Vilas, and Washburn counties. The purpose of library systems is to assist in the development of public libraries and to assure open access to public library service to all residents of the state of Wisconsin. Web: http://nwls.wislib.org/

SRLAAW – System and Resource Library Administrators Association of Wisconsin: SRLAAW is composed of the directors of the 17 public library systems and the directors of the 17 resource libraries (there is one resource library for each system). It considers legislative and policy issues that affect Wisconsin’s public libraries. Web: http://www.srlaaw.org/

COLAND – Council on Library and Network Development: COLAND was created in 1979 as an advisory body to the State Superintendent, the Governor, and the Legislature on library issues. It is composed of librarians and members of the public. Its primary function is to assure that all Wisconsin residents have access to library and information services. Web: http://dpi.wi.gov/coland/index.html

WiLS – Wisconsin Library Services: WiLS is a consortium designed to provide services and support in areas such as training, library information technology, and library resource sharing. Web: http://www.wils.wisc.edu/

WPLC – Wisconsin Public Library Consortium: WPLC is a cooperative of public libraries and public library systems that pool resources to provide services and undertake projects that members cannot afford individually. OverDrive downloadable audio books and netLibrary ebooks are two services NWLS offers through its membership in WPLC. Web: http://www.wplc.info/

Badgerlink and WISCAT Enhancements

Exciting new features will be available in Badgerlink and WISCAT beginning August 25. Users will be able to search multiple BadgerLink databases simultaneously and the authetication process will be more streamlined and intuitive. WISCAT searches will also be able to include multiple databases and catalogs. The BadgerLink searching features will also be accessible from WISCAT.

Federated searching will allow BadgerLink users to search multiple vendor databases at one time by entering search terms in a single search box from the BadgerLink website. This feature frees users from searching each vendor individually to collect the widest possible search results. Users will be able to search EBSCO, ProQuest, and Gale LitFinder databases simultaneously in this way.

After a search, a single list of full citations will be displayed on the right side of the results page presented by vendor and interface. Results will be listed in the order as each are returned from the vendor’s server. Once a citation is selected, users will be taken to the vendor’s native interface for the full text of the article.

To limit a search to a specific BadgerLink vendor, click on the vendor icon or the links on the BadgerLink home page. To limit a search to a specific subset of databases, use the Advanced Search tool to select databases for the federated search.

The process of authenticating users for BadgerLink access has also been improved. The new process allows for a single point of authentication to access all BadgerLink resources. Currently, Reference and Loan Library staff works with each vendor separately to provide authentication through IP address and library card number. The new system will centrally administer authentication.

When users initiate a search the IP address of his/her computer is matched directly to the new system automatically. When a match is made the search results are displayed directly. If users cannot be authenticated with an IP address, they will be prompted to select their local library and enter their library card. The prompt and the instructions will be the same regardless of whether they are conducting a federated search or a search within a single vendor database or interface. When it is not possible to authenticate users by either of the above processes, Library ID and Passwords will be made available on an individual basis when Wisconsin residence can be confirmed.

WISCAT licensed libraries will also benefit from these changes! From within WISCAT, federated searching allows for simultaneous searching of the WISCAT union catalog, individual library catalogs, and the BadgerLink databases. With one search users have direct access to approximately 4,000 periodical titles, 700 newspapers (including Wisconsin newspapers), children’s and adult literature, business, medical, and education sources, in addition to the 7,320,115 book and periodicals records in WISCAT and 42 library Z39.50 searchable catalogs representing over 400 libraries. That is a lot of information at your fingertips!

During the afternoon of August 25th, BadgerLink and WISCAT both will be available. Users might experience a brief service interruption. If the issue persists for more than a day please contact the BadgerLink staff at http://dpi.wi.gov/rll/wiscat/bl_sup.asp for help with these issues.

Library staff is encouraged to learn more about the new features:

• WISCAT Webinar, August 28 (Thursday), 9-9:30 a.m., see the WisLine Web guide
This session explains the authentication process for using the BadgerLink website and how to use the new federated search functionality.

• Badgerlink Webinar, August 28 (Thursday), 10-11:00 a.m., see the WisLine Web guide
This session for library staffs will provide tips for searching the new BadgerLink reference databases and how to manage the search resources (library catalogs and BadgerLink databases) to meet their preferred workflow when logged in as Staff to WISCAT.

• A basic introduction of the new Badgerlink feature is available as a PowePoint presentation.

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Web Junction Project

WebJunction (WJ) has launched a new online platform to facilitate social and learning experiences for the library community. WebJunction is the online learning community for librarians and library staff. The new site builds on helpful content, relevant courses, and active discussions:

• Share knowledge and experiences with other librarians using powerful new social tools such as friends, public profiles, groups, discussions, tagging, and recommendations;
• Create content, conversations, and spontaneous communities with fast, fun and easy-to-use tools;
• Learn career skills covering general business, technical, and library skills with online courses complimented by powerful social and learning management tools.

"WebJunction and our partners have been helping libraries take advantage of collaboration and e-learning tools for the past five years," said George Needham, Vice President, OCLC Member Services. "This latest release continues that work, and also brings some of the social tools of the modern Web to the library community in a unique and tailored way."

Guides, tips, and documents are available to help you learn more about how you can take advantage of the new (WJ) social web tools.

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Library Funding Support Study

From OCLC - “From Awareness to Funding: A study of library support in America” is a recently released report that explores attitudes and perceptions about library funding and evaluates the potential of a large-scale campaign to increase funding. The research was conducted with a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and is available from OCLC, the Online Computer Library Center. Among the findings from the report:

• Library funding support is only marginally related to library visitation
• Perceptions of librarians are an important predictor of library funding support
• Voters who see the library as a 'transformational' force as opposed to an 'informational' source are more likely to increase taxes in its support
• Successful marketing targets key voters to influence support for libraries.

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Outreach Services Award

Nominations are being accepted for the annual Frances de Usabel Outreach Services Award to a “library or librarian who has provided exemplary library outreach services to underserved populations.” Public, academic, school or special libraries and librarians who are members of the Wisconsin Library Association are eligible to apply for this award. The $500 award will be presented during the Award Ceremony at the WLA Annual Conference in November.

The award is named in honor of the former Special Needs Consultant for the Wisconsin Division for Libraries, Technology and Community Learning, Frances de Usabel, who worked diligently and successfully to advance outreach services in Wisconsin public libraries for many years. The award is funded in part by the siblings of Frances de Usabel, who recognize the importance of outreach services and who wish to honor their sister’s work in this area.

You can find the application at http://www.wla.lib.wi.us//osrt/deUsabel.htm. If you have questions about this award, please contact OSRT chair Laurie Magee at magee@oshkoshpubliclibrary.org or 920-236-5207.

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OverDrive Training

September is OverDrive's Open Training Month! Five different training sessions will be offered four days a week throughout September. Please share this information with library staff members. Note that registration is required! To register for a specific course and time, please visit http://www.overdrive.com/products/dlr/training and select "Wisconsin Public Library Consortium" from the drop down list.

The five courses include:
1. Collection Checklist: 10 Steps to a Successful Download Collection
2. Digital Library 101: Browse, Check Out, and Download! (This is the basic, introductory course.)
3. Patron Support: Become an OverDrive Download Library Specialist
4. Community Outreach: Introduce New Patrons to Download Media
5. Real-Time Reports: Size-up Success and Stay on Track

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Fiction: The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz (Riverhead Books)
Drama: August: Osage County by Tracy Letts
History: What Hath God Wrought: the Transformation of America, 1815-1848 by Daniel Walker Howe (Oxford University Press)
Biography: Eden’s Outcasts: The Story of Louisa May Alcott and Her Father by John Matteson (W.W. Norton)
Poetry: Time and Materials by Robert Hass (Ecco/HarperCollins)
and Failure by Philip Schultz (Harcourt)
General Nonfiction: The Years of Extermination: Nazi Germany and the Jews, 1939-1945 by Saul Friedländer (HarperCollins)

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Introducing TechSoup

From Tony Kriskovich, NWLS - TechSoup is a nonprofit organization that offers nonprofits a one-stop resource for their technology needs by providing information and resources through their website. At the website you can find information on new technology and software that can help out your library. Have a question of your own? You can post it on TechSoup’s forum. They also have a wide range of white papers in the Learning Center that range from the most advanced user to the very beginner.

The most popular part of the website would be the TechSoup Stock. Started in 2002, this service is a unique collaboration with corporate and nonprofit technology providers. These partners (such as Microsoft, Symantec, Cisco, etc.) offer generous product donations and discounts on many of their well know products. Qualified nonprofits and public libraries can choose from a range of donated software and hardware applications. For example, one user license of Office Professional Plus 2007 from CDW would cost $410 compared to TechSoup’s price of $20!

There are requirements you must meet in order to purchase discounted items. You must be a U.S. nonprofit with 501(c)(3) designation and follow each company’s list of requirements/ restrictions that can be found at http://www.techsoup.org/stock/restrictions.asp.

To get started, you need to sign up for a free account and register your organization. You can get started here: http://www.techsoup.org/stock/overview_join_reg.asp

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LSTA Grants
The 2009 WI Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant applications are due by September 12, 2008. Grant application forms, information, guidelines, and templates for creating drafts are available from the LSTA website. Portions of the draft copy can be copied and pasted into the online grant forms found at (http://www3.dpi.wi.gov/FormFinder/). The LSTA grant application form (PI-2440-A) is live. REMINDER: Forms must be routed using the Internet Explorer browser.
URL: http://www.dpi.wi.gov/pld/lsta.html

WLA Conference
The 2008 Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) conference is scheduled for November 4-7 in Middleton at the Madison Marriott West Hotel and Conference Center, located at 1313 John Q. Hammons Drive. This year’s theme is Wisconsin Libraries: Building a Better Tomorrow. Visit the WLA website for information about registration, schedules, accomodations, events and program descriptions, etc.
URL: http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/conferences/2008/

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The goal in marriage is not to think alike, but to think together.

- Robert C. Dodds

Contact NWLS for subscription services or to submit an article for publication: email Marsha at newsletter@nwls.lib.wi.us or call 715-682-2365.

NWLS: 3200 E. Lake Shore Dr. • Ashland, WI 54806 • Phone: (715) 682-2365 • Web: http://nwls.wislib.org • Serving libraries in Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Sawyer, Vilas and Washburn Counties.