Index

Public library annual report workshop is Jan. 28
Patrons urged to send legislators cards during ‘Library Lovers Month’
Links to tsunami resources available on SCLS website
Temporary SCLS contacts
Portage County Public Library featured in Library Journal article
Scholarships available for MALC members
McMillan offers patrons wireless internet access
Member/Staff News
MGE donation helps expand library collections
CCBC announces graphic novels workshop
Babelplex offers bilingual internet searches
BBC America sponsors writing competition
CEs

 

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REMINDER: The grand opening of the Wyocena Public Library is this Saturday, Jan. 8, from noon to 3 p.m. at 165 E. Dodge Street.
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Public library annual report workshop is Jan. 28

The WisLine workshop “Filing Your Public Library Annual Report” will be held Jan. 28 from 10-11:30 a.m. Trainer Cheryl Becker will present an introduction and overview on completing and filing the State Annual Report, and will emphasize:

• filing the report online;
• understanding the report’s format;
• interpreting the instructions;
• gathering and identifying required information; and
• identifying and discussing possible problem areas.

The workshop is especially useful for new directors or others completing the report for the first (or nearly first time), or anyone who has recently experienced questions or problems with the report. Those who have years of experience filing the report online also are welcome to attend.

For more information, or to register, visit www.scls.info/ce/program/annual.html. Questions about the annual report should be directed to Cheryl Becker at (608) 246-7973 or by email.

 

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Patrons urged to send legislators cards during ‘Library Lovers Month’

Picture this: your legislator swamped with postcards from library patrons explaining why their library was important to them. How many postcards would get their attention? Imagine what they’d think when they read those personal reasons for loving their libraries.

The Library Advocacy Round Table (LART) of the Wisconsin Library Association encourages libraries to make this happen, so the South Central Library System is printing cards for use by our member libraries. This is another way patrons can “speak up” for their libraries.

We will soon send a limited quantity of cards and instructions for use to each SCLS member library. To obtain more postcards, or for more information, contact Mark Ibach, SCLS Marketing and PR Coordinator, at (608) 246-5612 or by email.

 

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Links to tsunami resources available on SCLS website

SCLS Youth Services and Outreach Coordinator Shawn Brommer has compiled a list of sites to help libraries provide ready reference for their patrons -- particularly children and their families -- who have questions about the recent tsunamis and earthquakes in southern Asia.

There are links to information about weather, geography, organizations that are accepting donations, and information for parents about helping kids cope with images in the media.

The resource list is available on the SCLS youth services page at www.scls.info/ys/progideas/seasia.html and it is a featured site in the News & Events section of the youth services page.

 

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Temporary SCLS contacts

With the retirement of Donna Hussin, Continuing Education Coordinator, libraries are reminded to contact the following SCLS staff members until the position is filled. For questions about:

 

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Portage County Public Library featured in Library Journal article

The Nov. 1, 2004, issue of the Library Journal featured an article titled “Technoplans vs. Technolust: A well-thought-out technology plan can help libraries stay on course” that featured the Portage County Public Library. Below is the copy that highlights the library’s technology plan.

The mission of the Portage County Public Library, WI, is to "provide information, support lifelong learning, and promote reading and literacy." Its vision for technology is to guide library customers in their use of electronic information and provide access to information with the necessary hardware, affordable products, and services. This includes creating and maintaining a state-of-the-art infrastructure incorporating objectives such as implementing wireless telecommunications and the Z39.50 protocol to connect to other library holdings.

To read the complete article, visit http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA474999?display=searchResults&stt=001&text=technoplans.

The library’s 2003-06 technology plan can be viewed online at http://library.uwsp.edu/pcl/techplan_backup.html.

 

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Scholarships available for MALC members

The Multitype Advisory Library Committee (MALC) of the South Central Library System annually sponsors two scholarships that provide funds for non-public library staff to attend library-related educational programs and conferences. These awards can be used to meet the expenses associated with meetings, workshops, courses, conferences or other activities that promote professional growth.

The scholarship application form and guidelines are available at www.scls.info/malc/services.html#scholarships. The application form must be sent by Feb. 1, 2005, to Shawn Brommer, Youth Services and Outreach Coordinator, South Central Library System, 5250 East Terrace Drive, Suite A-2, Madison, WI 53718-8345.

 

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McMillan offers patrons wireless internet access

McMillan's new wireless network allows patrons to access the internet using a laptop with a wireless card or other wireless device. The network covers the Adult Department and Lobby on the Upper Level and the newly remodeled area on the lower level. All use of the network is governed by the Library's Acceptable Use Policy and Rules of Conduct, which are available online and at the service desks.

The high speed Internet connection is provided courtesy of Charter Communications, a long time community partner of the library. They also provide wired internet access in the Adult Department. Funding for the equipment used in the wireless network was provided by the library's endowment fund, which is made up of donations to the Library.

January 2005 is Wireless Month at the Library. When patrons use a wireless device to connect to our network, their photo will be put (with permission) on the library’s website.

 

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Member/Staff News

Barbara Brewer is new director at Monroe Public Library. She is currently director of the Johnson City (Tennessee) Public Library, and will begin her duties in Monroe on Feb. 7.

The Rosemary Garfoot Public Library will be moving to a temporary location during construction of their new library. Brett Duhr, owner of B&B Laminates, donated space in his facility -- a value of $40,000. His family made the donation in memory of their Mother who was a retired school teacher. The State Bank of Cross Plains also surprised the library with a donation of $100,000 for the library building project.

On Monday, Dec. 20, 2004, the Verona City Council passed a funding resolution for a new 31,000 square foot library. The $6.4 million project passed unanimously and the city hopes to start construction on the project by May with a projected opening in March or April of 2006. The new library, which will double the size of the present facility, will be located at the edge of Badger Prairie Park. It will have a dedicated storytime area, a young adult room, a quiet reading room for adults and several small study rooms, as well as space to accommodate future collection growth.

The grand opening of the Wyocena Public Library, the newest addition to the South Central Library System, will be held this Saturday, Jan. 8, from noon to 3 p.m. at 165 E. Dodge Street in Wyocena. Patrons and other visitors will be able to enjoy refreshments while checking out the new library. Two public access internet terminals will be available for use and patrons will be able to register to borrow library materials that day.

 

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MGE donation helps expand library collections

Dane County libraries serving customers of Madison Gas & Electric (MGE) received a year-end boost to their collections in the areas of energy and the environment when MGE distributed over $12,000 to those libraries as part of their effort to help customers make informed energy decisions today and for the future.

MGE has maintained an active partnership with public libraries in their service territory for 10 years. Prior projects have included the placement of energy meters for patron checkout, public workshops on energy efficiency that have attracted more than 1,000 participants countywide, and a variety of popular children's programs on energy topics, as well as ongoing significant contributions to the informational resources available at libraries.

--From Julie Anne Chase, Director, Dane County Library Service

 

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CCBC announces graphic novels workshop

“Comics in the Classroom: Multiple Literacies through Graphic Novels” is a day-long workshop being taught by the staff of the Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) on March 3, 2005, at the Pyle Center at UW-Madison.

This workshop will introduce the graphic novel format and explore the many ways this exciting storytelling medium can be used in the classroom to support and enhance learning across the curriculum.

The workshop brochure (PDF) is available at www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/events/downloads/comics.pdf.

 

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Babelplex offers bilingual internet searches

Babelplex allows users to conduct a bilingual search through Google, Yahoo or Altavista, and currently offers English, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.

The results screen is split in the middle with search results on one side, and the translated search term on the other. To use Babelplex, visit babelplex.com.

 

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BBC America sponsors writing competition

Do any of your patrons have a tale to tell? BBC America invites them to write a short story inspired by Canterbury Tales. An Apple iBook will be awarded to the writer of the best short story!

Each story must be 1,900 to 2,000 words and inspired by the themes, such as lust, greed or revenge, of Canterbury Tales -- BBC America's interpretations or Chaucer's originals.

Entries will be accepted through February 21. Writers must be 18 years of age or older and a U.S. resident. Submissions will only be accepted from novice writers. Entries are subject to submission guidelines, so interested patrons should read the rules at the website below.

For publicity purposes, SCLS has a limited number of promotional cards available for member libraries on a first come, first served basis. Contact Mark Ibach at (608) 246-5612 or by email.

For more information, including official rules, visit www.bbcamerica.com/getwriting.

 

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