LCO Library Opening Ceremony • Teen Workshop Report • September NWLS Workshops • Free WebJunction Courses • Library Card Sign-up Month • Read On Wisconsin • What is a Blog? • Merlin Popular Holds • Useful URLs • Reflection

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

September 15 NWLS Board of Trustees Meeting, 10:00 a.m., Weiss Community Library, Hayward

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

September 29 Library Advocacy at the State Level NWLS for Library Trustees and Directors, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., NWLS

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

Online Courses (Online courses on a variety of technical topics are also offered.)

• 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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LCO Library Opening Ceremony
From Jim Trojanowski, NWLS Director

On Friday, August 17, I had the privilege to attend the opening ceremony of the new Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa College Community Library and see for myself this new facility that has been planned and built over the past two years.

The opening ceremony, which featured an address by Winona LaDuke, was wonderful. The best part of the day, however, was the chance to see the new library, which is beautiful. The highlight is a fireplace, which is semi-enclosed in a stylized wigwam, the traditional home of the Ojibwa. The semi-enclosed fireplace area allows small groups to meet and prevents casual conversation from disrupting other library patrons.

The colorful artwork, some of which is not yet on display, was created locally and it tells the story of the Ojibwa. For example, seven pieces in the children’s area tell the story of the migration of the Ojibwa from the east to their home in the northern Great Lakes region. I was fortunate to meet one of the artists and have him tell me the story reflected in these pieces.

As a believer that libraries should reflect the community they serve, I found the new LCO library a model of what I look for. Congratulations to library director Caryl Pfaff, the LCO library board, the LCO Ojibwa College, and all the people of Lac Courte Oreilles on their new gem.

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NWLS Teen Workshop Report
From Michael Sheehan, NWLS

On August 17th at NWLS, Peg Burington, Assistant Director and Young Adult Services Coordinator for the Waupaca Area Public Library, presented a workshop on building a collection to bring young adults to the library.

When asked to describe how the librarians in attendance found their teens using the library, the responses ranged from stories of sucess to tales of frustration. Common restrictions were small library budgets and YA area space limitations. Success stories were made possible because (a) school staff helped promote the collections and services of the local public library; (b) teens were allowed some decision making on how the YA area was displayed, designed, or used; and (c) incorporation of young adult book discussions kept teens involved.

The catalysts that have made teens more interested in coming to the library are exciting authors (such as J.K. Rowling), and emerging technologies like MySpace and FaceBook which encourage teens to discuss books they are reading. Peg also suggested recruiting sixth graders since at this age level, once they are interested in libraries, they are more likely to remain patrons.

Peg also went through the plots of many different types of books that could be introduced to teens that satisfy their dramatic and edgier tastes. She explained how one can cautiously maneuver graphic novel choices, gothic reads, and other unusual formats.

Peg also plugged some unique web sites that can aid in developing relationships with our young adult groups: Library Thing (an online book club); del.icio.ous (a social bookmarking site which has links on creating free blogs); and Bookblurb (kind of an eBay for books).

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September NWLS Workshops

We have some great speakers lined up this fall for our continuing education workshops. More details are available on the CE Workshop page. Be sure to give Linda Stobbe at least a week's notice if you plan to attend any of the following September workshops:

• September 7 Directors Meeting
• September 17 Supervisory Skills for Library Leaders, Managers, Trustees and Staff by Pat Wagner (register by September 10)
• September 27 Puppetry in the Library by Susan Santner (register by September 20)
• September 29 Library Advocacy at the State Level for Library Trustees and Directors by Becca Berger (register by September 24)

In addition to these workshops, free online classes are provided by WebJunction (see article for details) and SirsiDynix Institute. Visit the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for a Continuing Education Activity Report to be submitted to Linda Stobbe for each online course completed.

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Free WebJunction Courses
From Channel Weekly, August 23, 2007

In early September the Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning will make available some of remaining funds from the Gates Foundation's Rural Library Sustainability grant to subsidize WebJunction online courses. Courses would be available at no cost to librarians serving a community with a population below 25,000, and would need to be completed by December 15, 2007. Almost three hundred courses are available on a wide variety of technology topics. The complete course listing is on the WebJunction Course Catalog site.

The division is in the process of establishing a deposit account with WebJunction for the course offerings. Most courses are eligible for CE credits. Staff from eligible libraries are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity. A follow-up announcement with more details will be made when the program becomes operational. If you have any questions, contact Bob Bocher at 608-266-2127 (robert.bocher@dpi.state.wi.us) or John DeBacher at 608-2667270 (john.debacher@dpi.state.wi.us).

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Library Card Sign-up Month

"Smartest Card in Your Wallet" is the theme for promoting Library Card Sign-up Month in September. Visit American Library Association (ALA) to access the five new radio public service announcements (PSAs) and other free tools including "Smartest Card" logos, sample press materials, a list of "52 Ways to Use Your Library Card," and publicity examples from libraries.

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Read On Wisconsin
From First Lady Jessica Doyle

Read On Wisconsin is a statewide book club for everyone who enjoys reading and talking about good books. Literacy has always been important to me, and we all know that book clubs can be motivating and just plain fun.

Read On Wisconsin welcomes all new and continuing members. Whether you are a student who loves to read or wants to become a stronger reader, a teacher or librarian who wants to provide your students with engaging literacy opportunities, or a parent looking for new titles or great books, Read On Wisconsin is for you!

Each month I recommend a book to each of the five age groups. The books, selected by my Literacy Advisory Committee of teachers, librarians, and students, are great for discussion. I encourage students in the Intermediate, Middle School and High School book clubs to talk about the books online on the Read On Wisconsin web log.

You only need to register online to become an official member of the book club. Members of Read On Wisconsin will be eligible for classroom books and will be the first to learn about Reading Days at the Residence and other Read On Wisconsin events. As soon as you register, you will also get advance notice of the book list for the year.

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What is a Blog?
From Tony Kriskovich, NWLS

I’m sure you have heard of the term "blog" used in the last couple of years. A blog is basically a journal or newsletter that is available on the web. The activity of updating a blog is "blogging" and someone who keeps a blog is a "blogger." Blogs are typically updated frequently using software that allows people with little or no technical background to update and maintain the blog. I am more of a hands-on person myself, so visit my example. To learn more about blogs, visit WordPress: Introduction to Blogging.

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Merlin Popular Holds
From Deanna Regan, NWLS

22/35 . . 6th target / James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
30/1 . . . 300 [videorecording(DVD)]
11/6 . . . Apocalypto [videorecording(DVD)]
22/8 . . . The astronaut farmer [videorecording(DVD)] / director, Michael Polish
13/5 . . . Because I said so [videorecording(DVD)]
28/2 . . . Blades of glory [videorecording(DVD)]
11/7 . . . Bones to ashes / Kathy Reichs
23/5 . . . Book of the dead: a Scarpette novel / Cornwell, Patricia Daniels
17/6 . . . Breach [videorecording(DVD)]
10/6 . . . Crossroads / Belva Plain
21/1 . . . Disturbia [videorecording(DVD)]
13/10 . . Eclipse / Stephenie Meyer
16/7 . . . Ghost Rider [videorecording(DVD)]
12/4 . . . God is not great : how religion poisons everything / Christopher Hitchens
25/73 . . Harry Potter and the deathly hallows / J. K. Rowling
31/23 . . Harry Potter and the deathly hallows [sound recording(BookCD)] / J. K. Rowling
12/7 . . . Harry Potter and the deathly hallows [sound recording(BookTape)] / J. K. Rowling
34/22 . . High noon / Nora Roberts
16/2 . . . Hot fuzz [videorecording(DVD)]
46/32 . . Invisible prey / John Sandford
10/7 . . . Keeping the house : a novel / Ellen Baker
65/39 . . Lean mean thirteen / Janet Evanovich
12/29 . . The memory keeper's daughter / Kim Edwards
18/3 . . . Miss potter [videorecording(DVD)]
16/19 . . Play dirty : a novel / by Sandra Brown
27/6 . . . Premonition [videorecording(DVD)]
81/22 . . The quickie : a novel / by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
11/1 . . . Reign over me [videorecording(DVD)]
11/1 . . . The Santa clause 3. The escape clause [videorecording(DVD)]
15/7 . . . The secret [videorecording(DVD)]
10/2 . . . Shoot him if he runs / Stuart Woods
13/4 . . . Shooter [videorecording(DVD)]
10/3 . . . Summer / Karen Kingsbury
15/6 . . . Sweet land [videorecording(DVD)]
14/6 . . . Sweet revenge / Diane Mott Davidson
10/5 . . . T is for trespass / Sue Grafton
10/7 . . . The tenderness of wolves : a novel / by Stef Penney
84/27 . . A thousand splendid suns / Khaled Hosseini
10/6 . . . Twilight / Stephenie Meyer
18/3 . . . We are Marshall [videorecording(DVD)]
13/ . . . . The weight loss cure "they" don't want you to know about / Kevin Trudeau
35/8 . . . Wild Hogs [videorecording(DVD)]
29/7 . . . You've been warned / James Patterson and Howard Roughan
11/4 . . . Zodiac [videorecording(DVD)]

[print version]

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Book Adventure
From Librarians' Internet Index

Book Adventure is "a motivational reading program for children in grades K-8." Lists of over five thousand titles help children pick a book; quizzes earn the readers points for winning prizes. There are sections for teachers and parents, with many links and information for helping children learn and read; parents can monitor their child's activities in the Reports section. Registration is required for some features.

Building With Books
From Librarians' Internet Index

Building with Books offers an alternative for disposing of undesirable books: build them into furniture. The site documents the exhibition of lamps, umbrella stands, picture frames, and related objects, along with "photographs of the process, [and] publicity posters." The project was the result of a classroom and library collaboration at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

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Everything in the world exists to end up in a book.
- Stephane Mallarme

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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