Online Update

Index

Automation contact reminder
WorldCat change coming Feb. 1
PLAC sets guidelines for use of SCIDS/SCILS funds
Member/Staff News
Register now for Library Legislative Day
DCLRCBlawg debuts
Gates Foundation grant to help train library staff
Include DCLRC in program planning
Area librarians featured in DuPage teleconference
Answers.com now available free of charge
WebJunction focus is demonstrating impact
NLM offers new consumer-oriented databases
CEs

 

Automation contact reminder

As we move into a new year, it’s a good time for a reminder that there are two main numbers that should be used to report problems to LINK Automation staff.

The first is to call the Help Desk at (608) 266-6394 with questions of a general nature, or if you need assistance troubleshooting problems with LINK hardware, Windows, e-mail, anti-virus software, LINK network connections, and locked stations.

SCLS Automation logs calls and uses the data for planning and reporting purposes, so libraries should not call Kerri or Craig directly. Questions and problems referred directly to them must be logged first, so they will have to redirect calls to the Help Desk. Because they are frequently out of the office on calls, answers or resolution to problems will be provided more quickly by the Help Desk staff.

Libraries also can call the Applications staff at (608) 261-9109 with questions about or assistance with Dynix software, Dynix types and codes, linking and cataloging, report requests, workshop registration, holds, notices, collection inventory, and barcode orders.

For a more complete list for either of the two areas mentioned, visit automation.scls.lib.wi.us/contacts.html.

 

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WorldCat change coming Feb. 1

Beginning Feb. 1, WorldCat users will notice a slight change in how items held by LINK libraries are displayed.

When you search WorldCat now and find an item owned by LINK, it is indicated by the words "SOUTH CENT LIBR SYS.” This indicator will be changed to "SCLS LINK.” (see graphic)

Also beginning Feb. 1, items owned by Marshfield Public Library will be indicated by the words "SCLS MARSHFIELD.”

 

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PLAC sets guidelines for use of SCIDS/SCILS funds

On Jan. 6, 2005, the Public Library Advisory Committee (PLAC) made the following decisions about the use of SCIDS/SCILS funds.

• These funds will be used to buy VHS format titles ONLY when an item is not also available in DVD.
• The wide-screen version of an A/V title will be purchased whenever possible. It was recommended that member libraries also follow this practice.
• These funds will not be used to buy copies of TV re-run compilations, even if the holds-to-copies ratio is exceeded.
• These funds will be used to buy NC-17 rated titles only when Madison selectors deem an item to be “valuable.”

 

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Member/Staff News

Michelle Dries, an SCLS Automation software application technician, and her husband Tyler are the parents of a baby girl born Wednesday night, Jan. 19, in Madison. Sienna Jade is 19 inches long and weighs about 6.5 pounds.

Recent changes at the Poynette Public Library include:

• live on LINK;
• getting six days Delivery service;
• part of BOCC (Books on Cassette Circuit);
• now with 5/8 time Librarian Assistant II (daytime) with circulation/serials duties -- Eva Schneider;
• library assistants for evening/weekend -- Dawn Ballweg and Gerry Heuer (new);
• will complete 2005-09 Strategic Plan efforts this month;

“We are glad to be part of the wider LINK world,” said Jay Robinson, director.

 

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Register now for Library Legislative Day

The Wisconsin Library Association’s (WLA's) “Library Legislative Day” will be held Feb. 8 in Madison, and will feature keynote speakers Sen. Judy Robson (D) of the 15th Senate District (Beloit and surrounding area); Rep. Stephen Freese (R) of the 51st Assembly District (Dodgeville area); and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Elizabeth Burmaster.

In addition to these speakers, Gov. Doyle's office has proclaimed that February is Library Lovers Month in Wisconsin. TheWLA hopes to have someone from the governor’s office read the proclamation in the capitol rotunda.

To allow WLA ample time to make legislative appointments for you, be sure and register today at www.wla.lib.wi.us/legis/documents/LLDflyer.doc. Print and complete the registration form then fax or mail it with your registration fee to the WLA offices. All of the needed information is on the registration form. The deadline is listed as Jan. 17, but the WLA says interested individuals may still register.

 

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DCLRCBlawg debuts

Stay up to date with news from the Dane County Legal Resource Center (DCLRC) and its new DCLRCBlawg. The new service is designed to keep you informed of changes in local laws and tips on completing your own legal research.

Visit dclrcblawg.blogspot.com/, and while there sign up to receive notifications of new posts.

 

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Gates Foundation grant to help train library staff

State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster announced last week that the Department of Public Instruction Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning (DLTCL) received a $192,800 “Staying Connected” grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “Staying Connected” grants are challenge grants, with the Gates Foundation matching funds raised by the state at a 2-1 ratio.

The majority of the grant will be used by Wisconsin’s 17 regional public library systems to offer workshops and other support for technology to their member libraries. The DLTCL will use a portion of the grant to support training for its sponsored programs, including the statewide library catalog (WISCAT) and BadgerLink (the state’s on-line library), which provides free access to more than 700 newspapers and 11,000 magazines, photographs, maps, book reviews, and reference materials. BadgerLink patrons conduct more than 8 million searches annually.

For the complete article, visit www.dpi.state.wi.us/seachange/sea0401_3.html.

 

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Include DCLRC in program planning

Starting to think about spring, summer, or fall programming for your library? Consider hosting a "Legal Research in a Nutshell" class from the Dane County Legal Resource Center (DCLRC).

Information about hosting a class can be found at wsll.state.wi.us/branch/dclrc/misc/nutshellclass.pdf, or contact Paula Seeger at (608) 266-6316 (paula.seeger@wicourts.gov).

 

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Area librarians featured in DuPage teleconference

While it’s too late to register for the DuPage teleconference "Dealing with Difficult People,” you’ll soon be able to reserve a copy and see some familiar faces.

Middleton Public Library, Sun Prairie Public Library, and UW-Madison Library staff members were featured in this morning’s national "Soaring to Excellence" teleconference on "Dealing with Difficult People." The broadcast, which originated live from the College of DuPage, included taped interviews with local library staff members.

Watch future issues of Online Update for information about reserving a copy of the teleconference VHS tape.

 

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Answers.com now available free of charge

Answers.com, which used to be available only through subscription, is a free, ad-supported, reference search service created to provide you with instant answers on over 1 million topics.

In contrast to standard search engines that serve up a list of links for you to follow, Answers.com displays quick, snapshot answers with concise, reliable information. Its editors use content from over 100 authoritative encyclopedias, dictionaries, glossaries and atlases, carefully chosen for breadth and quality.

To try this resource, visit www.answers.com.

 

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WebJunction focus is demonstrating impact

Amid the shifting, swirling political and economic environment libraries face each day, how can you show your community the true value of your library? To help answer that question, WebJunction’s January 2005 focus is demonstrating impact.

For more information and resources, visit WebJunction’s summary page at webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=8630. Since the Demonstrating Impact focus a year ago, many more resources have emerged for libraries looking to tell their story in compelling ways to citizens, city/county councils, and other funding sources.

On Feb. 1, 2005, at 2 p.m. (CST), WebJunction will host a live event to talk through the Road Map and discuss practical ways you can plan and carry out a Demonstrate Impact campaign of your own.  Space is limited, so register soon! Go to www3.oclc.org/app/request/bin/request.asp?specialCode=wj020105.

 

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NLM offers new consumer-oriented databases

The Specialized Information Services Division of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) (part of the National Institutes of Health) recently announced three new consumer-oriented databases for librarians and patrons.

DIRLINE, Tox Town, and Household Products will help answer questions about organizations that provide consumer health information, environmental health, toxic substances, and the contents of household products.

• DIRLINE (Directory of Information Resources Online) is NLM’s online directory, containing detailed up-to-date location and descriptive information for more than 8,000 organizations concerned with health and biomedicine -- dirline.nlm.nih.gov.

• Tox Town is an interactive database that uses color, graphics, sounds and animation to add interest to learning about connections between chemicals, the environment, and the public‘s health. The target audience is secondary and college level students, educators, and the general public -- toxtown.nlm.nih.gov.

• Household products provides information about ingredients in brand-name products such as household cleaners, detergents, pesticides, auto products, personal care products, and much more -- householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov.

 

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