Professional Support
Agencies and Associations
American Library Association - Provides leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.
Wisconsin Library Association - Brings together people from all types of libraries to advocate and work for the improvement and development of library and information services for all of Wisconsin.
Division for Libraries and Technology: The website of Wisconsin’s state library agency
Association for Library Service to Children (ASLC)
A division of the American Library Association whose mission is to support the profession of children's librarianship by enabling and encouraging its practitioners to provide the best library services to our nation's children.
Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA)
A division of the American Library Association that represents state library agencies, specialized library agencies, independent libraries and multitype library cooperatives.
Public Library Association (PLA)
A division of the American Library Association whose purpose is to advance the development and effectiveness of public library service and public librarians.
Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)
A division of the American Library Association that advocates extensive and developmentally appropriate library and information services for young adults, ages 12-18.
Certification
Wisconsin statutes require public library directors to be certified by the Wisconsin Division for Libraries and Technology. Linda Stobbe, the Northern Waters Library Service validator for continuing education, can answer questions about certification and continuing education requirements. She can be reached via email or by calling 715-682-2365.There are three grades of certification:
Grade 1 certification is required for the director of a public library in a community with a population of 6,000 or more. A bachelor’s degree in any field of study and a master’s degree from a library school accredited by the American Library Association are required for grade 1 certification.
Grade 2 certification is required for the director of a public library in a community with a population between 3,000 and 5,999. To be eligible for grade 2 certification librarians must have a bachelor’s degree and three semester credits or the equivalent in each of the following areas: public library administration; selection of library materials; organization of library materials; and reference and information services. Library coursework must be approved by DLTCL.
Grade 3 certification is required for the director of a public library in a community with a population of less than 3,000. Grade 3 certification requires successful completion of not less than 54 semester hours of college level work, at least half of which must be in the liberal arts and sciences. The coursework must include or be supplemented by three semester credits in each of the following areas: public library administration; selection of library materials; organization of library materials; and reference and information services. Library coursework must be approved by DLTCL.
Temporary certification may be granted to new directors who apply within three months of their employment date. Temporary certificates are good for one year; Grade 2 and Grade 3 certificates may be eligible for renewal up to three times; temporary Grade 1 certificates may not be renewed.
RecertificationRegular certification is valid for five years and may be renewed upon completion of at least 100 contact hours of continuing education. Northern Waters Library Service offers a variety of programs and workshops that qualify for continuing education credits.
Directories
News and Discussion Groups
- Wispublib: Statewide public library discussion list
- Northern Waters Library Service discussion list: An email list discussion list available to staff of member libraries
- Northern Waters Library Service Discussion Board: A web discussion platform serving a variety of topics.
- Channel Weekly: The weekly e-newsletter of the Division for Libraries, Technology and Community Learning
- Streams: The e-newsletter of the Northern Waters Library Service
- Wisconsin Library Association Blog - The Wisconsin Library Association engages, inspires and advocates for library workers and supporters to improve and promote library services for the people of Wisconsin.
- Wisconsin Public Library Consortium: A decision-making and fiscal model for public library cooperation that allows libraries to work together to collaborate on efficient information technology services.
- WebJunction: Find discounts, seek advice, take classes and more at this online library community. Begun with a three year grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Training Resources
The Administrative Essentials: A Handbook for Wisconsin Library Directors is in the process of being written and chapters are available in draft format. They will be an important resource for new and experienced directors alike.
Public Library Space Needs: A Planning Outline A narrative outline and corresponding worksheet to help public library staff and trustees estimate their library's future space needs to determine whether more comprehensive facility planning should be conducted.
BadgerLearn is a Wisconsin collaborative learning space for sharing and exploring a wide variety of resources of professional value including budgeting, technology, management, and advocacy.
Archived NWLS Webinars
Achived webinar presentations require the free download of Windows media player . If you do not have GoToMeeting software installed, please install the codec software required for viewing GoToMeeting webinars.
2013
- Effective Meetings • March 14 webinar
- NonFiction Readers' Advisory • February 28 webinar • resources
- Five Powerful Email Maintenance Techniques • February 12 webinar
- Triple Your Efficiency • January 31 webinar
- Wild Wisconsin Conference • January 16 webinar
- OverDrive Advantage • January 9 webinar
- Using Google Drive • January 8 webinar
2012
- Play More, Learn More, Fear Less - Tips for staying on top of new technology trends. • Slides • Presentation
- Services for Job Seekers - A discussion of workforce recovery services libraries can promote. • Presentation • Handouts • What you can do
- OverDrive Advantage - The following webinars offered directors a chance to discuss the OverDrive Advantage program: • October 22 webinar • December 4 webinar • December 5 webinar
- Teachingbooks An educational outreach coordinator for the Teachingbooks database demonstrates how to access the storytime, reading readiness and study resources through the BadgerLink. • Presentation
- Policy Development - A discussion on developing policies that reinforce quality library service. • Presentation • Slides
2011
- Food Security: How Libraries Can Help - An overview of the FoodShare benefit program with helpful tips for helping people apply for benefits. • Slides
- Think Like Your Customer: How to Promote the Library's Benefits - Pat Wagner provides tips for effectively promoting your library services. • Slides • Part One • Part Two
- Facebook and Your Library - A guide to building a Facebook presence for your library. • Slides • Presentation
- Graphic Novels - A presentation on current and classic famly-friendly titles. • Presentation
2010
- To Budget or to Budge It - An overview of the library budget process and tips for weathering economic storms. The webinar is presented by John Debacher, Public Library Administration Consultant for the Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning. • Slides • Presentation
- Social Networking and the Public Library - A presentation on using Facebook to promote your library. • Slides • Presentation
Other Continuing Education Opportunities
Resources from Wisconsin Library Systems
Online Training Resources
• BadgerLearn • WLA Conference resources • WI Department of Public Instruction • UW-Milwaukee School of Information Studies and the Professional Development Institute • UW-Madison School of Information Studies • Ebsco • Web Junction • Infopeople • Internet Library for All Librarians • Online Programming for All Libraries