Streams

• Library 2.0:101: January 28 - February 24
• YA (Young Adult) Services and Literature: February 4 - March 28
• Basic Reference: February 4 - April 13
• Fundamentals of Cataloging: February 4 - April 13
• Graphic Novels in the Library: February 6 - March 5
• Eco-Librarians: Changing Our Communities One Step at a Time: March 31 - April 21

Badgerlink: EBSCOHost New Features

In early 2007, EBSCOhost, which is part of Badgerlink was enhanced to include a link to a New Features screen, enabling users to learn about, and in many instances try, the latest new features developed. Also included on the New Features page is a Coming Soon! box, which lists features under development. To access the main EBSCOhost databases, go to http://www.badgerlink.net/ and choose EBSCOhost (All Databases). Some of the new features are as follows.

Create your own account for more functionality:
Creating your own account in EBSCOhost allows users to access extra features. Multiple folders can be created. Then you can add links, saved searches, web pages, search alerts and journal alerts to the folders. Multiple article selections can be printed, emailed or saved via checkboxes within their folders. By creating an account, all of the information added to folders will be there the next time you log in. To create a new account, choose the "Sign In" link at the top of the page. Choose the "I'm a new user" link, fill out the required fields and then submit. Coming soon to EBSCOhost is "Shareable Folders" to allow users to easily share folder items with peers.

Create web pages using EBSCOhost
Once you have created an account and have signed in, you can create your own web pages to save in the folder. Go to the "Folder" link at the top of the page and choose "Web Pages" on the left side of the screen. Then you will see a Page Composer link near the top right. The Page Composer allows you to choose backgrounds, text, folder items, links and images to your web pages.

Autocomplete Keyword Functionality Added to Preferences
This feature automatically offers keyword suggestions, as you begin to enter a search term in the "Find" field. Suggestions are based on popular and commonly misspelled search terms. Users will be able to turn the Autocomplete Keyword feature on or off during EBSCOhost sessions from the Preferences section.

Direct Export and Bib Text Format
EBSCOhost’s bibliographic manager export functionality is now easier to access. They have an "Export" link to the article detail and folder Print/E-mail/Save toolbar, which takes you directly to the export options. Save and email EBSCOhost records to generic bibliographic manager software or export in MARC21, BibTeX or other formats.

Visual Search
If a Visual Search tab appears at the top of your screen, you can search EBSCOhost and have your results presented in an interactive, visual map. To conduct a visual search, click the Visual Search tab, enter your search terms in the "Find" field and click "Search." Your results are displayed in columns (or blocks) - whichever you choose. You can change the style of the Result List at any time by selecting either "Block style" or "Column style" from the "Display Style" menu. To see different ways to group, sort, or filter your search, click any of the buttons above the Result List. You can select these options at any time – before you run your search, or after, when you are viewing your results.

Author Email Addresses
Author email addresses are being added to EBSCOhost article abstracts.

BadgerLink Library card access
All NWLS libraries using Merlin circulation software are now registered for library card access. Many of the larger companies that provide internet access can't be registered with Badgerlink. If Merlin patrons can't automatically log into BadgerLink and can't register their Internet service provider, they can:

The passage of Act 420 caused most libraries to focus on one aspect of the new law: that dealing with library funding. While library funding is an important result of Act 420, there are other changes that take effect in 2008:

• A public library must pay the certified head librarian for a minimum of 10 regularly scheduled hours per week of work in the library building during time the library is open to the public.

• A public library must provide a public library facility open to the public a minimum annual average of 20 hours per week. However, existing public libraries continue to qualify for library system membership even if the library is open less than 20 hours per week, so long as the library is open no fewer hours than the library was open during 2005. New libraries will be required to be open at least 20 hours per week by 2008 in order to qualify for library system membership.

• A public library must annually spend a minimum of $2,500 on library materials by the year 2008. [The 2008 collection development grants distributed by NWLS will be $2500. Grant funds may be applied to things other than materials as long as this new minimum standard for materials is met from other funds and the library receives prior permission from NWLS].

Joint public libraries (of which NWLS has three), should be aware of the following new requirements:

• New, modified or renewed joint library agreements must have a provision for review and adjustment of the number of library board appointments allocated to each participant based on the latest federal decennial census.

• New, modified or renewed joint library agreements must provide that one of the participant organizations agree to act as the fiscal agent for the library, handle the payroll and benefit administration for library staff, pay library insurance costs, and handle library financial record-keeping and auditing. Documented costs for providing these services may be included toward the participant's required financial support for the library.

• New, modified or renewed joint library agreements must provide a procedure for division of assets and liabilities in case the joint library is dissolved.

Senate Bill 214 has been passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Doyle, allowing a library director to disclose video surveillance records without a court order if:
(a) they are pertinent to the alleged criminal conduct.
(b) they are produced by a video surveillance device.
(c) the video surveillance device is under the control of the library.

SB 214, published as 2007 Act 34, does not affect any other types of records. The Wisconsin Library Association is now pursuing legislation that would enable libraries to turn over library records for the purpose of enforcing library regulations. This would, for example, permit libraries to turn records over to law enforcement or collection agencies for overdue library materials without a court order.

Through Picturing America, NEH will provide 25,000 schools and public libraries with a collection of 20 laminated, double-sided posters (24” x 36”) depicting works of American art; a 125 page resource book with information about the paintings, sculpture, architecture, and crafts reproduced on the posters; and a project based Web site with curriculum resources for educators, including lesson plans, recommended reading lists, and more.

To access guidelines, FAQ, and the online application, visit http://picturingamerica.ala.org/. Applications take less than one hour to complete and are due by April 15, 2008. If you have questions, please contact the ALA Public Programs Office at publicprograms@ala.org or 1-800-545-2433, extension 5045.

NWLS Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes
January 19, 2008, 12:00 Noon, NWLS Headquarters, Ashland

1. Call to Order/Roll Call
Mary Poretti called the January 19, 2008 meeting of the NWLS Board of Trustees to order at 12:01 p.m.

Present: Martye Allen (Douglas County), Buzz Byrne (Burnett County), Carol Eder (Bayfield County), Richard Ehlert (Sawyer County), Tuula Harris (Douglas County), Shirley Harrison (Vilas County), Karen Livingston (Douglas County), Mary Poretti (Burnett County), Carolyn Sweeney (Superior Public Library), Tom Thompson (Iron County), Marcia Wellnitz (Bayfield County), Jim Trojanowski (NWLS Director), Linda Stobbe (NWLS Office Manager)

Excused: Michael Bobin (Washburn County), Kathy Byrns (Iron County), Joseph Crawford (Ashland County), Bill Ferris (Washburn County), Charles LaBelle (Vilas County), Al Lundquist (Ashland County), Kathy McCoy (Sawyer County).

4. Approval of the November 10, 2007 NWLS Board Meeting Minutes
Marcia Wellnitz moved to approve the minutes of the November 10, 2007, Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes. Buzz Byrne seconded. Carried unanimously.

5. Election of Officers
The nominating committee recommended Mary Poretti, President; Chuck LaBelle, Vice-President; and Carol Eder, Treasurer. Buzz Byrne moved to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for the slate of officers. Tuula Harris seconded. Carried unanimously.

6. Approval of November and December 2007 NWLS Expenditures
Marcia Wellnitz moved to approve the November and December 2007 NWLS Expenditures. Karen Livingston seconded. Carried unanimously.

7. Approval of December 31, 2007 Financial Statement and Budget Report – Pending Audit
Karen Livingston moved to approve the December 31, 2007 Financial Statement and Budget Report, pending audit. Buzz Byrne seconded. Carried unanimously.

8. Approval to Purchase 2 New Laptop Computers, a Desktop Computer, and a laser printer
Tuula Harris moved to approve purchase of 2 laptop computers, 1 desktop computer and a laser printer at a cost not to exceed $7,500 from the Equipment Fund. Shirley Harrison seconded. Carried unanimously.

9. Approval of Travel Policy
Carolyn Sweeney moved to approve the Travel Policy as presented. Second by Marcia Wellnitz. Carried unanimously.

10. Director’s Report
Jim Trojanowski provided updates on the following:
· Red Cliff library.
· Arbor Vitae residents’ use of Minocqua library.
· Lake Nebagamon library efforts.
· Tribal libraries.
· Hayward library.
· Delivery.

From Tony Kriskovich, NWLS - Ever find yourself searching everywhere for a newly created document to email as an attachment? Sometimes when you save a document it might be in a different location then you first thought. Check out the Recycle Bin first (click on the icon, locate the file, right click, restore.) Sometimes if you select a file and hit the wrong key it will get deleted.

If the file isn’t in the Recycle Bin, click Start > Search. This will open the Search Results window; you will see a list of things you can pick from on the left column. For this example, we will pick All files and folders. If you remember what the name of the file was go ahead and type it in. You can also perform an Advanced Search. If you scroll down in the left column you will see a list of search options. You can even search for all of the MS Word documents you have done in the last week; this may help if you don’t remember document name. If you find the lost file, be sure to save it to a location you will remember.

If you come up empty handed, you may be able to recover the file with an undelete utility. If you are going to try using one of these programs, refrain from running any other software that saves to the hard drive or device where the file may be located. Doing so may overwrite recoverable data (the file you are trying to recover). Two free utilities: PC Inspector File Recovery and FreeUndelete are worth a try.

From Channel Weekly; December 13, 2007 - A second online manual of useful guidelines, tips, suggestions, and plans for addressing public access computing issues in small, rural libraries has been published by MaintainIT, a project of TechSoup, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Like the first Cookbook for Small and Rural Libraries, this edition, Recipes for a 5-Star Library, offers specific “meal plans” on technology-related topics. The new guide addresses topics such as setting up, maintaining, and establishing policies for wireless networks, PC reservation and time management, public print management, and laptop checkout programs. The MaintainIT Project gathers and distributes success stories about how libraries are maintaining and supporting public computers.

The tips and techniques collected from libraries are spotlighted in free guides (called Cookbooks), in articles, and on their web site, http://www.maintainitproject.org, MaintainIT staff encourages users to contribute feedback and ideas, as well as participate in a new discussion forum on WebJunction (linked from the MaintainIT page). Information on the cookbooks, download options, links to the forum, and options for participation can be found on their site at http://maintainitproject.org/cookbooks.

When browsing through the Merlin Library Catalog, patrons will come upon new features. The dropdown list of library locations now lists "View All Locations" first. The library list has also been enhanced to include media types and audience level for limiting initial searches. For example, results for the search Ocean's Thirteen can be limited to display both wide-screen and full-screen DVDs, or results for the search dinosaurs can be limited to materials for children. Initial search results can be further limited to a library (location) or publication date.

(Holds/Merlin copies)
20/3 . . . 3:10 to yuma [videorecording(DVD)]
55/8 . . . 7th heaven / James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
20/2 . . . 1408 [videorecording(DVD)]
25/10 . . The appeal / John Grisham
15/15 . . Beverly Hills dead / Stuart Woods
26/10 . . The Bourne ultimatum [videorecording(DVD)]
45/27 . . Double cross / James Patterson
14/17 . . Eat, pray, love : one woman's search for everything across Italy, India and Indonesia / Elizabeth Gilbert
16/4 . . . Fracture [videorecording(DVD)]
14/3 . . . Gilmore Girls: The complete seventh season [videorecording(DVD)]
15/1 . . . Gone baby gone [videorecording(DVD)]
11/4 . . . I now pronounce you Chuck and Larry [videorecording(DVD)]
23/4 . . . Knocked up [videorecording(DVD)]
19/5 . . . License to wed [videorecording(DVD)]
11/4 . . . Live free or die hard [videorecording(DVD)]
18/2 . . . Lost. The complete third season [videorecording(DVD)]
19/3 . . . The nanny diaries [videorecording(DVD)]
12/5 . . . Ocean's thirteen [videorecording(DVD)]
15/12 . . Pirates of the Caribbean: At world's end [videorecording(DVD)]
35/19 . . Plum Lucky / Janet Evanovich
12/3 . . . Rush hour 3 [videorecording(DVD)]
23/5 . . . The Simpsons movie [videorecording(DVD)]
12/6 . . . Sizzle and burn / Jayne Ann Krentz
17/2 . . . The Sopranos. Season six. Part 2 [videorecording(DVD)]
14/6 . . . Stardust [videorecording(DVD)]
70/30 . . T is for trespass / Sue Grafton
22/6 . . . The waitress [videorecording(DVD)]

Portalwisconsin.org Promotes Library Events

Did you know that Wisconsin libraries can promote their author events, book clubs, kids’ activities and other public events free of charge on Portalwisconsin.org? Portalwisconsin.org is a statewide, nonprofit arts and culture Web site sponsored by the Cultural Coalition of Wisconsin. It reaches tens of thousands of Web users each month. To list events, classes and similar information on the site, you simply need to obtain a user name and password so that you can enter information directly into the Portalwisconsin.org database. To get a user name and password, just send your name, e-mail address and the name of your library to Jennifer A. Smith, project director of Portalwisconsin.org, at smithja@wpt.org. If you have questions, call Jennifer at 608-263-2166.

The Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) has recently produced their 9th annual list of Best free reference web sites. The list includes free sites in a variety of subject areas that meet the definition of ready reference and that would be of value in all types of libraries. RUSA also provides a 1999-2006 index of Best Free Reference Web Sites.

If you can solve your problem, then what is the need of worrying? If you cannot solve it, then what is the use of worrying?

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, Burett, Douglas, Iron, Sawyer, Vilas and Washburn Counties.

	Nothern Waters Library Service

	In This Issue: 01.25.08 Badgerlink: EBSCOHost New Features • 2008 Act 420 Changes • Library Video Surveillance Legislation • Picturing America Grant • NWLS Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes • How to Recover Almost Any File• Tech Tips Cookbook • Merlin Enhancement • Merlin Popular Holds • Useful URLs • Reflection C A L E N D A R January 29 Merlin Consortium Meeting, 10:00 - 2:00, NWLS February 6 Strategic Visioning Summit and Year of the Library's Future, 10:00 - 2:30, Great Lakes Regional Visitor Center, Ashland February 13 Pat Wagner on Library Leadership and LE@D, 11:00 - 12:00 PT / 2:00 - 3:00 ET, online WebJunction presentation February 20 Directors Meeting, 10:00 - 2:30, NWLS UW-Madison SLIS Continuing Education Courses in Madison. Visit the School of Library and Information Studies for more information. Online Courses: (Technical courses are also offered) • Library 2.0:101: January 28 - February 24 • YA (Young Adult) Services and Literature: February 4 - March 28 • Basic Reference: February 4 - April 13 • Fundamentals of Cataloging: February 4 - April 13 • Graphic Novels in the Library: February 6 - March 5 • Eco-Librarians: Changing Our Communities One Step at a Time: March 31 - April 21 Page up C U R R E N T . E V E N T S Badgerlink: EBSCOHost New Features In early 2007, EBSCOhost, which is part of Badgerlink was enhanced to include a link to a New Features screen, enabling users to learn about, and in many instances try, the latest new features developed. Also included on the New Features page is a Coming Soon! box, which lists features under development. To access the main EBSCOhost databases, go to http://www.badgerlink.net/ and choose EBSCOhost (All Databases). Some of the new features are as follows. Create your own account for more functionality: Creating your own account in EBSCOhost allows users to access extra features. Multiple folders can be created. Then you can add links, saved searches, web pages, search alerts and journal alerts to the folders. Multiple article selections can be printed, emailed or saved via checkboxes within their folders. By creating an account, all of the information added to folders will be there the next time you log in. To create a new account, choose the "Sign In" link at the top of the page. Choose the "I'm a new user" link, fill out the required fields and then submit. Coming soon to EBSCOhost is "Shareable Folders" to allow users to easily share folder items with peers. Create web pages using EBSCOhost Once you have created an account and have signed in, you can create your own web pages to save in the folder. Go to the "Folder" link at the top of the page and choose "Web Pages" on the left side of the screen. Then you will see a Page Composer link near the top right. The Page Composer allows you to choose backgrounds, text, folder items, links and images to your web pages. Autocomplete Keyword Functionality Added to Preferences This feature automatically offers keyword suggestions, as you begin to enter a search term in the "Find" field. Suggestions are based on popular and commonly misspelled search terms. Users will be able to turn the Autocomplete Keyword feature on or off during EBSCOhost sessions from the Preferences section. Direct Export and Bib Text Format EBSCOhost’s bibliographic manager export functionality is now easier to access. They have an "Export" link to the article detail and folder Print/E-mail/Save toolbar, which takes you directly to the export options. Save and email EBSCOhost records to generic bibliographic manager software or export in MARC21, BibTeX or other formats. Visual Search If a Visual Search tab appears at the top of your screen, you can search EBSCOhost and have your results presented in an interactive, visual map. To conduct a visual search, click the Visual Search tab, enter your search terms in the "Find" field and click "Search." Your results are displayed in columns (or blocks) - whichever you choose. You can change the style of the Result List at any time by selecting either "Block style" or "Column style" from the "Display Style" menu. To see different ways to group, sort, or filter your search, click any of the buttons above the Result List. You can select these options at any time – before you run your search, or after, when you are viewing your results. Author Email Addresses Author email addresses are being added to EBSCOhost article abstracts. BadgerLink Library card access All NWLS libraries using Merlin circulation software are now registered for library card access. Many of the larger companies that provide internet access can't be registered with Badgerlink. If Merlin patrons can't automatically log into BadgerLink and can't register their Internet service provider, they can: Click on the following link: http://www.badgerlink.net/lib_card.html. Click on their library from the list. Click on the database they would like to access (EBSCO, ProQuest or LitFinder). Submit library card number. Page up 2008 Act 420 Changes The passage of Act 420 caused most libraries to focus on one aspect of the new law: that dealing with library funding. While library funding is an important result of Act 420, there are other changes that take effect in 2008: • A public library must pay the certified head librarian for a minimum of 10 regularly scheduled hours per week of work in the library building during time the library is open to the public. • A public library must provide a public library facility open to the public a minimum annual average of 20 hours per week. However, existing public libraries continue to qualify for library system membership even if the library is open less than 20 hours per week, so long as the library is open no fewer hours than the library was open during 2005. New libraries will be required to be open at least 20 hours per week by 2008 in order to qualify for library system membership. • A public library must annually spend a minimum of $2,500 on library materials by the year 2008. [The 2008 collection development grants distributed by NWLS will be $2500. Grant funds may be applied to things other than materials as long as this new minimum standard for materials is met from other funds and the library receives prior permission from NWLS]. Joint public libraries (of which NWLS has three), should be aware of the following new requirements: • New, modified or renewed joint library agreements must have a provision for review and adjustment of the number of library board appointments allocated to each participant based on the latest federal decennial census. • New, modified or renewed joint library agreements must provide that one of the participant organizations agree to act as the fiscal agent for the library, handle the payroll and benefit administration for library staff, pay library insurance costs, and handle library financial record-keeping and auditing. Documented costs for providing these services may be included toward the participant's required financial support for the library. • New, modified or renewed joint library agreements must provide a procedure for division of assets and liabilities in case the joint library is dissolved. Page up Library Video Surveillance Legislation Senate Bill 214 has been passed by the legislature and signed by Governor Doyle, allowing a library director to disclose video surveillance records without a court order if: (a) they are pertinent to the alleged criminal conduct. (b) they are produced by a video surveillance device. (c) the video surveillance device is under the control of the library. SB 214, published as 2007 Act 34, does not affect any other types of records. The Wisconsin Library Association is now pursuing legislation that would enable libraries to turn over library records for the purpose of enforcing library regulations. This would, for example, permit libraries to turn records over to law enforcement or collection agencies for overdue library materials without a court order. Page up Picturing America Grant The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office would like to invite your school or public library to apply for Picturing America, a project of the NEH’s We the People program. Public librarians, school librarians, and classroom teachers are invited to apply on behalf of their institutions. Through Picturing America, NEH will provide 25,000 schools and public libraries with a collection of 20 laminated, double-sided posters (24” x 36”) depicting works of American art; a 125 page resource book with information about the paintings, sculpture, architecture, and crafts reproduced on the posters; and a project based Web site with curriculum resources for educators, including lesson plans, recommended reading lists, and more. To access guidelines, FAQ, and the online application, visit http://picturingamerica.ala.org/. Applications take less than one hour to complete and are due by April 15, 2008. If you have questions, please contact the ALA Public Programs Office at publicprograms@ala.org or 1-800-545-2433, extension 5045. Page up NWLS Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes January 19, 2008, 12:00 Noon, NWLS Headquarters, Ashland 1. Call to Order/Roll Call Mary Poretti called the January 19, 2008 meeting of the NWLS Board of Trustees to order at 12:01 p.m. Present: Martye Allen (Douglas County), Buzz Byrne (Burnett County), Carol Eder (Bayfield County), Richard Ehlert (Sawyer County), Tuula Harris (Douglas County), Shirley Harrison (Vilas County), Karen Livingston (Douglas County), Mary Poretti (Burnett County), Carolyn Sweeney (Superior Public Library), Tom Thompson (Iron County), Marcia Wellnitz (Bayfield County), Jim Trojanowski (NWLS Director), Linda Stobbe (NWLS Office Manager) Excused: Michael Bobin (Washburn County), Kathy Byrns (Iron County), Joseph Crawford (Ashland County), Bill Ferris (Washburn County), Charles LaBelle (Vilas County), Al Lundquist (Ashland County), Kathy McCoy (Sawyer County). 2. Introduction of New Trustee 3. Guest Comments None. 4. Approval of the November 10, 2007 NWLS Board Meeting Minutes Marcia Wellnitz moved to approve the minutes of the November 10, 2007, Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes. Buzz Byrne seconded. Carried unanimously. 5. Election of Officers The nominating committee recommended Mary Poretti, President; Chuck LaBelle, Vice-President; and Carol Eder, Treasurer. Buzz Byrne moved to close nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for the slate of officers. Tuula Harris seconded. Carried unanimously. 6. Approval of November and December 2007 NWLS Expenditures Marcia Wellnitz moved to approve the November and December 2007 NWLS Expenditures. Karen Livingston seconded. Carried unanimously. 7. Approval of December 31, 2007 Financial Statement and Budget Report – Pending Audit Karen Livingston moved to approve the December 31, 2007 Financial Statement and Budget Report, pending audit. Buzz Byrne seconded. Carried unanimously. 8. Approval to Purchase 2 New Laptop Computers, a Desktop Computer, and a laser printer Tuula Harris moved to approve purchase of 2 laptop computers, 1 desktop computer and a laser printer at a cost not to exceed $7,500 from the Equipment Fund. Shirley Harrison seconded. Carried unanimously. 9. Approval of Travel Policy Carolyn Sweeney moved to approve the Travel Policy as presented. Second by Marcia Wellnitz. Carried unanimously. 10. Director’s Report Jim Trojanowski provided updates on the following: · Red Cliff library. · Arbor Vitae residents’ use of Minocqua library. · Lake Nebagamon library efforts. · Tribal libraries. · Hayward library. · Delivery. 11. Other Business None. The meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jim Trojanowski Page up T E C H N O L O G Y How to Recover Almost Any File From Tony Kriskovich, NWLS - Ever find yourself searching everywhere for a newly created document to email as an attachment? Sometimes when you save a document it might be in a different location then you first thought. Check out the Recycle Bin first (click on the icon, locate the file, right click, restore.) Sometimes if you select a file and hit the wrong key it will get deleted. If the file isn’t in the Recycle Bin, click Start > Search. This will open the Search Results window; you will see a list of things you can pick from on the left column. For this example, we will pick All files and folders. If you remember what the name of the file was go ahead and type it in. You can also perform an Advanced Search. If you scroll down in the left column you will see a list of search options. You can even search for all of the MS Word documents you have done in the last week; this may help if you don’t remember document name. If you find the lost file, be sure to save it to a location you will remember. If you come up empty handed, you may be able to recover the file with an undelete utility. If you are going to try using one of these programs, refrain from running any other software that saves to the hard drive or device where the file may be located. Doing so may overwrite recoverable data (the file you are trying to recover). Two free utilities: PC Inspector File Recovery and FreeUndelete are worth a try. Page up Tech Tips Cookbook From Channel Weekly; December 13, 2007 - A second online manual of useful guidelines, tips, suggestions, and plans for addressing public access computing issues in small, rural libraries has been published by MaintainIT, a project of TechSoup, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Like the first Cookbook for Small and Rural Libraries, this edition, Recipes for a 5-Star Library, offers specific “meal plans” on technology-related topics. The new guide addresses topics such as setting up, maintaining, and establishing policies for wireless networks, PC reservation and time management, public print management, and laptop checkout programs. The MaintainIT Project gathers and distributes success stories about how libraries are maintaining and supporting public computers. The tips and techniques collected from libraries are spotlighted in free guides (called Cookbooks), in articles, and on their web site, http://www.maintainitproject.org, MaintainIT staff encourages users to contribute feedback and ideas, as well as participate in a new discussion forum on WebJunction (linked from the MaintainIT page). Information on the cookbooks, download options, links to the forum, and options for participation can be found on their site at http://maintainitproject.org/cookbooks. Page up Merlin Enhancement When browsing through the Merlin Library Catalog, patrons will come upon new features. The dropdown list of library locations now lists "View All Locations" first. The library list has also been enhanced to include media types and audience level for limiting initial searches. For example, results for the search Ocean's Thirteen can be limited to display both wide-screen and full-screen DVDs, or results for the search dinosaurs can be limited to materials for children. Initial search results can be further limited to a library (location) or publication date. Page up Merlin Popular Holds (Holds/Merlin copies) 20/3 . . . 3:10 to yuma [videorecording(DVD)] 55/8 . . . 7th heaven / James Patterson and Maxine Paetro 20/2 . . . 1408 [videorecording(DVD)] 25/10 . . The appeal / John Grisham 15/15 . . Beverly Hills dead / Stuart Woods 26/10 . . The Bourne ultimatum [videorecording(DVD)] 45/27 . . Double cross / James Patterson 14/17 . . Eat, pray, love : one woman's search for everything across Italy, India and Indonesia / Elizabeth Gilbert 16/4 . . . Fracture [videorecording(DVD)] 14/3 . . . Gilmore Girls: The complete seventh season [videorecording(DVD)] 15/1 . . . Gone baby gone [videorecording(DVD)] 11/4 . . . I now pronounce you Chuck and Larry [videorecording(DVD)] 23/4 . . . Knocked up [videorecording(DVD)] 19/5 . . . License to wed [videorecording(DVD)] 11/4 . . . Live free or die hard [videorecording(DVD)] 18/2 . . . Lost. The complete third season [videorecording(DVD)] 19/3 . . . The nanny diaries [videorecording(DVD)] 12/5 . . . Ocean's thirteen [videorecording(DVD)] 15/12 . . Pirates of the Caribbean: At world's end [videorecording(DVD)] 35/19 . . Plum Lucky / Janet Evanovich 12/3 . . . Rush hour 3 [videorecording(DVD)] 23/5 . . . The Simpsons movie [videorecording(DVD)] 12/6 . . . Sizzle and burn / Jayne Ann Krentz 17/2 . . . The Sopranos. Season six. Part 2 [videorecording(DVD)] 14/6 . . . Stardust [videorecording(DVD)] 70/30 . . T is for trespass / Sue Grafton 22/6 . . . The waitress [videorecording(DVD)] [print version] Page up U S E F U L . U R Ls Portalwisconsin.org Promotes Library Events Did you know that Wisconsin libraries can promote their author events, book clubs, kids’ activities and other public events free of charge on Portalwisconsin.org? Portalwisconsin.org is a statewide, nonprofit arts and culture Web site sponsored by the Cultural Coalition of Wisconsin. It reaches tens of thousands of Web users each month. To list events, classes and similar information on the site, you simply need to obtain a user name and password so that you can enter information directly into the Portalwisconsin.org database. To get a user name and password, just send your name, e-mail address and the name of your library to Jennifer A. Smith, project director of Portalwisconsin.org, at smithja@wpt.org. If you have questions, call Jennifer at 608-263-2166. Best Free Reference Web Sites The Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) has recently produced their 9th annual list of Best free reference web sites. The list includes free sites in a variety of subject areas that meet the definition of ready reference and that would be of value in all types of libraries. RUSA also provides a 1999-2006 index of Best Free Reference Web Sites. Page up R E F L E C T I O N If you can solve your problem, then what is the need of worrying? If you cannot solve it, then what is the use of worrying? - Shantideva, Buddhist scholar 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, Burett, Douglas, Iron, Sawyer, Vilas and Washburn Counties.