Thanks, Meg and Nikki • Introducing Jackie Rose • WAPL Conference • Grants for WI Author Events • Useful URLs • Reflection

May 2-4 Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries Conference, The Plaza Hotel and Suites, Eau Claire

May 15 Effective Library Marketing and Advocacy, 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., NWLS

May 21-22 Philosophy and Practice: The Preservation and Conservation of Native American Materials

June 14 Library Directors Meeting, 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Land O' Lakes

June 15 Library Directors Meeting, 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Webster

Summer 2007 UW-Madison SLIS Continuing Education Courses in Madison (If you have questions please contact Anna Palmer, ahpalmer@wisc.edu or 608-263-4452. Visit the School of Library and Information Studies for course descriptions and registration information.

Continuing Education Courses in Madison:

• June 4-7 Grant Writing, Instructor: Jane Pearlmutter
• June 25-29 Summer Camp by the Lake: Public Library Administration, Instructor: Kelly Krieg-Sigman
• July 14-25 Travel Opportunity-Librarians' Tour to Scotland, Tour Director: Jane Pearlmutter
• August 13-17 Summer Camp by the Lake: Cataloging, Instructor: Debra Shapiro
• August 20-24 Puppets in the Library, Instructor: Susan Santner

Online Graduate Credit Courses June 18 - August 12: Cataloging and Classification, Collection Management, Digital Libraries

Online Skills Courses: In cooperation with a national network of educational institutions, we offer online courses on a variety of technical topics and a few non-technical topics. While the courses do not have a library focus, they may be useful to anyone who needs to develop these skills.

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Thanks, Meg and Nikki
From Jim Trojanowski, NWLS Director

NWLS bids farewell to Meg Krause and Nikki Bolka as they leave their employment here and enter exciting new phases of their lives. Meg and Nikki have been colleagues and friends for a combined total of nearly 25 years. We say good-bye with a mix of sadness for ourselves and joy for them as they work to achieve dreams they have long held.

If you’ve used the Merlin catalog you’ve benefited from the work of Meg Krause. She is primarily responsible for assuring that all records entered into the Merlin catalog are complete, accurate, and that there is only one record for each unique title. Meg also maintains the authority file, assuring that correct subject headings are assigned to each item in the catalog and that author’s names are entered consistently. This work requires great attention to detail, a strength Meg has brought to her job for the past 15 years. This work is critical in making the Merlin catalog user-friendly.

Pleasant and always willing to help out a co-worker who needs a hand, Meg is a delight to work with. She is quick to laugh at my jokes, no matter how bad they may be, and she has an infectious smile. Meg is an excellent baker and she generously shares what she makes with her colleagues at NWLS.

Meg plans to spend more time traveling and enjoying the outdoors. We hope she will find time to visit and share stories with us. Her last day at Northern Waters is Friday, April 27.

Nikki Bolka has worked for Northern Waters for nearly ten years, first as a VISTA volunteer literacy coordinator and later in a variety of positions, including cataloging and interlibrary loan. For many Mail-A-Book patrons she is the voice of NWLS, taking their requests and answering their questions. Nikki has a loyal following of Mail-A-Book patrons who ask for her by name and invariably remind me how fortunate NWLS is to have her as an employee. Nikki also assembles the content of Streams and assists with database maintenance.

A creative person, Nikki enjoys music, dance and literature. She is also a great cook and we always look forward to whatever new treat she’ll bring to the next staff potluck.

Nikki plans to attend library school and I am pleased she will continue to contribute to our profession. Nikki has family in the Ashland area and I hope she will find time to visit Northern Waters whenever she comes to see them. Her last day at Northern Waters is Friday, May 4.

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It is my pleasure to announce that Jackie Rose will join Northern Waters Library Service on May 21 as its new Database Assistant. Jackie joins us after working for the Bad River Tribe for several years, most recently as a grant writer. Jackie has also held a number of leadership positions, including a term on the Tribal Council.

In filling this position, the search committee sought a self-motivated individual who learns quickly, gives careful attention to detail, has outstanding interpersonal skills, and works equally well alone and as a member of a team. After meeting with Jackie and speaking with several of her former supervisors and colleagues, we are confident that she brings all of these skills and more to Northern Waters.

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Upcoming WAPL Conference
From Rhonda K. Puntney, 2008 WAPL Chair-Elect

The theme for next week's Wisconsin Association for Public Libraries Annual Conference is "Wisconsin Public Libraries: Raising Your Community's Net Worth." Visit the Wisconsin Library Association website for information regarding conference registration, accomodations, and programs. There's a great variety of programs to choose from to help you increase your library's visibility and viability in your community.

The conference will be held May 2-4 at the Plaza Inn and Suites in Eau Claire. You can still register to attend! See you there!

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The Wisconsin Center for the Book will award up to ten grants of $250 each to qualifying organizations wishing to sponsor a Wisconsin author or illustrator at a public event. For the purposes of the grant awards, any author or illustrator who has lived in Wisconsin for a significant period of time, including someone who may no longer be living in the state, is considered a Wisconsin author or illustrator.

The event must be free to the public and involve community outreach and collaboration. Applications are due by July 1, 2007. Winners will be notified by July 30, 2007. Programs must be scheduled between the dates of September 1, 2007 through April 30, 2008.

Visit the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters for applications and additional information. With questions, please contact Sarah McGowan, WAIS 2007-08 Chair, 920-346-2784 or windsong@centurytel.net.

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Wisconsin Council on Children and Families
From Wisconsin Council on Children and Families, Inc.

The Council is a multi-issue child and family advocacy organization, providing research, policy analysis, public education and advocacy that lead to improved outcomes for children in the areas of health, economic security, safety and education. We believe that children need strong voices representing them, and so are committed to using research, policy analysis, and public education to raise voices to make every kid count.

Brain Development and Early Learning is the first in a series called "Quality Matters: A Policy Brief Series on Early Care and Education." This policy brief focuses on research on early brain development and the implications for public policy. (March 2007)

Your Child: Television
From Librarians' Internet Index

This article considers the effects of watching TV on children's health and family life. Topics include how TV affects brain development, TV violence, TV's influence on children's attitudes toward themselves and others, and the relationship between watching television and obesity, alcohol use, and smoking. Includes links to related sites. From the University of Michigan Health System.

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The best of my education has come from the public library... my tuition fee is a bus fare and once in a while, five cents a day for an overdue book. You don't need to know very much to start with, if you know the way to the public library.

- Lesley Conger

Contact NWLS for subscription services to the Streams news: newsletter@nwls.lib.wi.us

NWLS · 3200 E. Lake Shore Dr. · Ashland, Wisconsin 54806 · Telephone: 715.682.2365

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