Too Many Teen Books, Too Little Time! • The Wisconsin Library Association Conference • Public Library Consortium Survey • The State of American Libraries • Outstanding Achievement in Children's Literature • Your Action Needed on Key Budget Issues • Rebuilding the National Library and Archives of Iraq • National Security Letters Act Introduced • DVDs to Help Prevent Obesity in Children • Free Online Library Seminars • Library Terms That Users Understand • Useful URLs • Reflection

August 17 Too Many Teen Books, Too Little Time!, 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., NWLS

September 7 Directors Meeting, 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., NWLS

September 17 Supervisory Skills for Library Leaders, Managers, Trustrees and Staff, 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute, Ashland

September 27 Puppetry in the Library, 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Telemark Resort, Cable

September 28 Northwest Children's Book Conference, Telemark Resort, Cable

UW-Madison SLIS Continuing Education Courses in Madison Visit the School of Library and Information Studies for more information.

• Library 2.0, Sept 10-Oct 6
• Basic Public Library Management, Sept 17-Dec 7
• Collection Development, Sept 17-Dec 7
• Readers’ Advisory in the Library, Sept 19-Dec 12
• What's New in Children's Books?, Oct 15-Nov 11
• Consumer Health Reference, Oct 15-Nov 11
• Cataloging Web Sites, Oct 29-Nov 25

Madison Courses

• Conference: Insights and Solutions for Customer Service, Sept 10-11
• Course: Basic Spanish for Librarians, Oct 1-Oct 29
• Workshop: Preserving and Exhibiting Local History Collections, Oct 4-5

Travel Opportunity

Books and Beauty in Western Ireland: A Librarians’ Tour will feature the Ennis Book Club Festival in County Clare, February 28 - March 9, 2008

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Too Many Teen Books, Too Little Time!

At NWLS on August 17th Peg Burington will present Too Many Teen Books, Too Little Time!, a workshop of ideas for building a collection that brings young adults to the library. Learn about resources for selecting titles, the decision to add graphic novels, working with teen book clubs, involving teens in making collection decisions, and more. Peg Burington is the Assistant Director and Young Adult Services Coordinator for the Waupaca Area Public Library. Visit Peg's blog to view the news page she provides for her Student Library Advisory Group.

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The Wisconsin Library Association Conference

Libraries: Here and Now is the theme for the 2007 WLA Annual Conference in Green Bay this October 16-19. The conference will feature topics such as marketing, weeding, reference, leadership, training, grant searching, customer service, library technology, the Open Meetings law, and mental health issues.

What can WLA do to remain relevant to you? The WLA strategic plan is being updated with a focus on Advocacy, Community, and Education. Librarians are encouraged to review the draft and submit ideas for improvements by emailing wla@scls.lib.wi.us.

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Public Library Consortium Survey

The Wisconsin Public Library Consortium (WPLC) just released "The Wisconsin Library User and Non-User II: Outcomes of a Second Statewide Survey (2003 - 2007 comparisons)" pdf format, 475 kb. Results indicate continuing strong support for public libraries. The public perceives libraries and donations to the library favorably and feels libraries deserve more funding. People also expressed an interest in home delivery service and a willingness to pay a fee for it.

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The State of America’s Libraries
From American Library Association

The State of America’s Libraries in 2006 (pdf), released in April 2007, highlights the activities of a profession that has time and again shown itself to have its communities’ interests at heart — and the courage to act on its convictions. Public library use continues to grow and the public expressed its continuing strong support for public libraries in 2006 in positive votes on library funding referenda and other local ballot measures, and expressed strong support for improving public libraries in 2006.

In spite of public support, almost half of U.S. public libraries report no increase or a drop in program funding for 2006. With inflation, increased personnel and benefits costs, and a greater demand for technology enhancements, flat funding in many cases amounts to budget cuts that directly affect the quality of library services. Only 21 percent of public libraries say they have enough computer workstations. Nearly half report that their connection speeds cannot always meet user demands. Rural public libraries are particularly vulnerable, as they tend to have fewer computers and lower connection speeds.

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Outstanding Achievement in Children's Literature

The Children’s Book Award Committee named Jim LaMarche the 2007 Notable Wisconsin Author/Illustrator for his contribution to the world of children’s literature. The Committee also selected 10 books for Outstanding Achievement in Children’s Literature, written and/or illustrated by Wisconsin book creators:

• Love, Football and Other Contact Sports (Holiday House) by Alden Carter
• Hearts of Stone (Dutton) by Kathleen Ernst
• Rash (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers) by Pete Hautman
• Lilly's Big Day (Greenwillow) written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes.
• Up (Chronicle Books) written and illustrated by Jim LaMarche.
• Jackie's Bat (Simon & Schuster) by Marybeth Lorbiecki; illustrated by Brian Pinkney
• Gone Wild : An Endangered Animal Alphabet (Walker & Company) written and • illustrated by David McLimans.
• Story of Salt (Putnam) by Mark Kurlansky; illustrated by S.D. Schindler.
• Busy in the Garden (Greenwillow Books) by George Shannon and illustrated by Sam • Williams
• Flotsam (Clarion) by David Wiesner

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Your Action Needed on Key Budget Issues

A library serves a community in countless ways often with limited resources and funding cuts that directly influence the quality of its services and threaten their very survival. Whether you're a library professional, Friend, trustee, patron or a citizen who rarely sets foot in your local library, voicing your support to a Mayor, a State Representative, and a U.S. Senator can help your library succeed. Representatives rely on you to let them know how much you value the library in your community and speak out on your behalf at the state and national levels. Contact your representatives TODAY.

Four major budget issues affecting library support need attention now as the final state budget is being negotiated. They include the proposed elimination of both the maintenance of effort requirement for system membership and the levy limit exemption for county payments to public libraries under s. 43.12, proposed cuts to the UW System, and a provision that would ultimately reduce funding for school libraries. Contacting your legislator on this important matter affecting library support increases the chances of success. If you do not know who your legislators are, or if you need their contact information, please visit http://waml.legis.state.wi.us/.

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Rebuilding the National Library and Archives of Iraq

Following the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, Dr. Saad Eskander moved from England to accept the directorship of the National Library and Archives of Iraq. The library was the most damaged institution in the country and has already become a relatively safe haven for intellectual activity, accessible to the public, with a state-of-the-art computer center. Saad Eskander was interviewed April 14 from Baghdad by American Libraries Editor in Chief Leonard Kniffel. The transcript of their conversation was posted by American Library Association May 7, 2007.

Dr. Eskander’s diary of his life in Baghdad is being published as a blog by the British Library in London. The journal describes the dangerous situation that the Iraq National Library and Archive is operating under. A background piece on this interview is available on the American Libraries CentenniAL blog.

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National Security Letters Act Introduced
From American Library Association

The National Security Letters Reform Act of 2007 was introduced July 26 by a bipartisan group to counter Justice Department abuse of National Security Letters (NSLs) as reported in an internal FBI audit in March. The proposed legislation would give an NSL recipient the right to challenge the letter and its nondisclosure requirement, place a time limit on NSL gag orders, give notice to an NSL recipient if the records obtained are to be used in a subsequent proceeding, and grant an NSL recipient the right to legal counsel and to challenge the use of obtained records.

“We need to bring the NSL authority in line with the Constitution, enhance checks and balances, and, in doing so, better protect our national security,” Rep. Jerrold Nadler (N.Y.) said at the bill’s introduction. On June 27, ALA’s governing body unanimously passed a resolution condemning the use of NSLs to obtain library records.

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DVDs to Help Prevent Obesity in Children
From the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Lively, interactive DVD programs on preventing and treating childhood obesity and overweight are available for families and clinicians at no cost through the Department of Health and Human Services and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) in partnership with Discovery Networks, U.S. The DVD, "Max's Magical Delivery: Fit for Kids" for children ages 5 - 9 and their families, offers suggestions for better nutrition, and how to become more physically active. For a free copy order online or by phone: Call the AHRQ Publications Clearinghouse at (800) 358-9295 to order (product no. 04-0088-DVD); or download at www.ahrq.gov/child/dvdobesity.htm for more information and links to streaming video for dial-up and broadband connections."

Free Online Library Seminars

The SirsiDynix Institute offers free access to seminars on current topics important to library professionals, presented by compelling leaders in librarianship and information technology including Pat Wagner. You can register to participate in an upcoming seminar or view any of the past seminars. Upcoming seminars include topics on implementing Library 2.0, strategic planning, adapting service to customer needs, social bookmarking, and developing a resume.

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Library Terms That Users Understand

A reference librarian at the University of California, Berkeley offers an online guide for labeling key library resources and services users can understand. This serves as a clearinghouse of usability test data evaluating terminology on library websites, and suggests test methods and best practices for reducing cognitive barriers caused by terminology.

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Internet Safety Guides

Cybersavvy.org offers guides to using the Internet safely for family, new user's, educators and librarians.

Fantastic Fiction

Fantastic Fiction provides information on series, bibliographies for over 10,000 authors, and information on over 200,000 books. Throughout the site, clicking on a book will will link its cover picture, description and publication details.

Donating Books to Needy Programs

Visit American Library Association for information on book donation programs. People with books to donate are encouraged to first contact their local library. There are private groups that distribute new book donations, and several organizations that distribute books to other countries at no cost other than shipping costs to the U.S. facility.

Establishing a New Library

Establishing a new library involves several functions: creating the oversight or governance structure, defining the mission and purpose of the organization, securing funding, planning, hiring a fully credentialed staff, developing a collection, securing or building an appropriate space, equipping the space, and marketing services. American Library Association provides a resource guide with fact sheets and lists of guidebooks on starting up a library, library administration, creating policies, developing good collections, and managing volunteers.

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My guess is (it will be) about 300 years until computers are as good as, say, your local reference library in search.

- Craig Silverstein, Director of Technology, Google.com

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, Wisconsin 54806 · Telephone: 715.682.2365

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