Online Update

Index

Update on move to OCLC from WISCAT ILL
2003 Library Statistics provide valuable background information for listening sessions
Mazomanie succeeds with Library Card Sign-Up Month promotion
Member/Staff News
August 2004 CE grants
Cambridge Library Friends’ Craft Fair scheduled Nov. 6
2004 WLA CE Grants
Resources address Hmong resettlement
October ECB Surf Report features Elections websites
New monthly magazine will highlight Wisconsin’s Asian Americans
WebJunction to host presentation on technology needs at small libraries
CEs

 

Update on move to OCLC from WISCAT ILL

As you know, SCLS is moving from WISCAT ILL to OCLC WorldCat for all interlibrary loan activity in the system. At the beginning of September, libraries received an e-mail explaining the three or four most important things they needed to know about this switch, in addition to directions to find more information.

In an effort to keep members libraries informed, and keep the switch “on schedule,” additional information was released this past week by e-mail and is being repeated here. Libraries should make time to review the information at www.scls.info/ill/oclcmembers.html. Here you will find background information on why we are making this change, answers to Frequently Asked Questions, and the implementation schedule.

Libraries should pay particular attention to an item mentioned in both the schedule and the Frequently Asked Questions. That is, if after attending training and trying WorldCat, you decide you would like to continue to use WISCAT ILL, you are welcome to do so independently (at your own expense). Read more about what this entails at www.scls.info/ill/oclcmembers.html#alternatives. Please note that we have agreed to let Reference and Loan know by October 15 the name of those libraries that intend to continue to use WISCAT ILL.

If you have questions about this impending change, contact Cheryl Becker, SCLS Public Library Consultant, at (608) 246-7973 or by email.

 

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2003 Library Statistics provide valuable background information for listening sessions

As you prepare for the Library Listening Session in your area (except Sauk County, which was Sept. 21), you may want to review the 2003 public library services statistics update in the latest issue of Channel (from the Division or Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning). There is a 3-page pdf of that information available on the SCLS website at www.scls.info/temporary/library_statistics_03.pdf.

This report provides excellent background information on library usage from a statewide perspective, and will be useful as you prepare to ask or answer questions during the listening session in your State Senate District.

Below are the dates for the upcoming meetings:

• Senate District 27 and Assembly Districts 79, 80 & 81 -- Oct. 5, 7 p.m., Middleton Public Library, 7425 Hubbard Ave.
• Senate District 16 and Assembly Districts 46, 47 & 48 -- Oct. 16, 1 p.m., DeForest Public Library, 203 Library St.
• Senate District 26 and Assembly Districts 76, 77 & 78 -- Oct. 19, 6:30 p.m., Madison Public Library: Sequoya Branch, 513 South Midvale Blvd.

Dates for Senate District 24 (Adams, Portage & Wood Counties) and Senate District 14 (Columbia County & Baraboo) are being finalized.

Background materials on library issues are available as pdf files at www.scls.info/pr/listening/index.html. Microsoft Word versions of the press releases for the Library Listening Sessions already scheduled also are available on this page. If you need additional copies of the color posters to promote the session in your Senate District, contact Mark Ibach, Marketing and PR Coordinator, at (608) 246-5612 or by email.

 

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Mazomanie succeeds with Library Card Sign-Up Month promotion

To promote September as Library Card Sign-up Month, the Mazomanie Free Library displayed a sandwich board sign in front of the library that proclaimed, "Show Us Your Library Card!"

For the entire month of September, whenever a patron used their library card to check out materials their name was entered in a weekly drawing. Each week library staff drew two names, each of whom could choose one item from a fabulous prize stash (donated mint condition books, videos, CDs, stuffed animals, etc.). One grand-prize winner will be selected to win a Mazomanie Free Library canvas book bag!

This slightly provocative statement generated quite a bit of good-natured curiosity and a noticeable increase in traffic at the library. When staff explained that using library cards helps reduce errors, patrons were usually happy to dig into their wallet to fish out their card -- especially with the added incentive of a chance to win a music settlement CD! Try it!

 

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Member/Staff News

Gretchen Asmus, from Lake Mills, is the new Youth/Children's Librarian at Cambridge Community Library. She is a former teacher and currently works as a piano instructor.

Kerri Canepa is the first director of the new Wyocena Public Library, which is tentatively scheduled to open January 8.

 

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Cambridge Library Friends’ Craft Fair scheduled Nov. 6

The 22nd Annual Friends' of the Cambridge Community Library Craft Fair will be held Saturday, Nov. 6, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Cambridge High School. More than 90 vendors will offer their arts and crafts in this juried event. Food is available and raffle tickets for a variety of items may be purchased. There will be a $2 admission fee.

 

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August 2004 CE grants

South Central Library System awarded $300 in CE grants in August 2004 to Wendy Collins, Reedsburg Public Library, for participation in the online course “Top Five Steps to Better Serve Teen Patrons.”

 

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2004 WLA CE Grants

A total of $1,637.88 for WLA CE Grants has been awarded in 1004. Grants went to:

• Dan Calef, Adams County Public Library;
• Diane Jaroch, Monona Public Library;
• Trudy Lorandos, Verona Public Library;
• Gisela Newbegin, DeForest Public Library;
• Maureen Palmer, Kraemer Library and Community Center, Plain;
• Kim Ropson, Marshfield Public Library; and
• Ann Trow, Albany Public Library.

 

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Resources address Hmong resettlement

State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster recently announced new resources to help schools and communities welcome Hmong immigrants to Wisconsin, including the commitment of $900,000 from a federal Immigrant Children and Youth grant for schools receiving new immigrants, and funding of $970,000 from a federal Refugee Children School Impact grant.

Burmaster also introduced the School District Information Packet about Hmong Refugee Students, available on the Department of Public Instruction's website at www.dpi.state.wi.us/ell/pdf/hmgpkt.pdf.

The complete announcement article is available at www.dpi.state.wi.us/seachange/sea0323_3.html.

 

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October ECB Surf Report features elections

With state and national general elections just a little over one month away, it’s a good time to begin gathering information about the election. October's Surf Report from the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board (ECB) will have everything from breaking news to historical debate footage, so there should be something for everyone. Visitors can learn how the Electoral College system works, enjoy historic political cartoons, or see what the rest of the world is voting about.

To visit the Surf Report, go to www.ecb.org/surf/.

 

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New monthly magazine will highlight Wisconsin’s Asian Americans

A new monthly magazine -- Asian Wisconzine -- will begin coverage of and for Wisconsin’s Asian communities starting in January 2005.

The purpose of the publication will be to connect diverse Asian cultures in one publication. Monthly features will include Asian American columnists (from Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, and South Asia), Asian American success stories, and a focus article on one Asian culture.

For more information about the magazine, or to subscribe, visit www.asianwisconzine.com.

 

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WebJunction to host presentation on technology needs at small libraries

The WebJunction community is hosting a free live presentation particularly geared to the technology needs of small libraries -- "Accidental Systems Librarianship," by author and speaker Rachel Singer Gordon.

The online presentation, which will take place Sept. 30 from 2-3:30 p.m. (CST), is limited to 50 participants, so be sure to register soon at www3.oclc.org/app/request/bin/request.asp?specialCode=wj093004.

WebJunction also has compiled a new set of materials on "Systems Librarianship for Small Libraries," details of which are available at webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=7420.

 

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Continuing Education -- www.scls.info/ce/