Online Update

SCLS Strategic Plan needs you

There are probably as many ways to do strategic planning as there are organizations developing strategic plans. The SCLS Strategic Planning Committee, which is made up of three SCLS Board members, three members of the Public Library Advisory Committee, and Peter Hamon and Phyllis Davis, has decided to try a method that we hope will accomplish these goals:

• get input from every member library;
• require as little time as possible from member libraries; and
• allow quick and inexpensive repetition, as needed.

Within the next week, each library director is asked to complete an online survey consisting of two open-ended and about 15 closed-ended questions. There are also options for additional (anonymous, if you choose) comments.

Please feel free to consult with anyone you choose to formulate your response, but there should be only one response per library. There is a PDF copy of the survey questions on the SCLS website for review before you visit the survey website. Completing the survey should not take more than 20 to 30 minutes. You will find it at www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=110831126394.

When responses are received from every library, the planning committee and an independent consultant will analyze the resulting data, which will be shared with member libraries. This data will become the basis for identifying strategic directions for the future of SCLS.

Remember, participation by every library is critical. If you have questions, please contact Phyllis Davis, associate director, at (608) 246-7975 (or by email).

 

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Posters still needed for System Celebration 2005

System Celebration 2005 is approaching quickly (Thursday, Sept. 15, at Morels restaurant in Middleton), and as of today only two libraries have agreed to present posters during the evening’s social hour.

Individual libraries are encouraged to prepare posters about a new construction or renovation project, a successful or unusual library program, a successful advocacy project, or a project to raise funds or obtain volunteer support for the library. These posters are a good way to network with your peers in other libraries, and to share what you have learned with others.

If you are interested in preparing a poster for the session, or would like to suggest an idea for a poster, contact Mark Ibach at (608) 246-5612 (or by email) by July 15, 2005.

System Celebration is our annual thank you to the staff, trustees, and mayors/village presidents of SCLS member libraries for their support and efforts throughout the year.

 

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Wepking contact information

Mary Wepking, who began work this week as the Continuing Education Coordinator for the South Central Library System, can be reached by phone at (608) 246-5613 (mwepking@scls.lib.wi.us).

 

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Member/Staff News

The Columbia County Librarians will meet at 9:30 a.m. July 15 in Wyocena rather than Poynette.

The Monroe Public Library will be closed on the 4th of July holiday and will remain closed through July 18 for replacement of a building transformer and re-carpeting of the first floor. Due to the potential back-up within the delivery system, the library was removed from the LinkCat pick-up location menu on June 17 and won’t return to the list until July 16. Monroe Patrons who want to place holds during this time will designate other libraries as their pick-up location.

Photographs from Jo Zipsie’s retirement reception are now available on the SCLS website at www.scls.info/pr/aroundscls.html. The reception was held June 8 at the Baraboo Public Library.

 

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Toy safety warning from CSLP

The Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) this week sent a warning to Wisconsin librarians about a possible toy safety problem involving the "Squishy Mace Yo-Yo" offered by Upstart on page four of the CSLP 2005 order form. Karen Drevo, CSLP Vendor Relations Committee chair, indicated there have been some safety problems with a yo-yo similar to that sold by Highsmith for the "Dragons, Dreams & Daring Deeds" program.

The toy in question is not a typical yo-yo that goes up and down on a string. This toy is a ball filled with liquid attached to an elastic string with a finger loop on one end. The danger comes when children swing the ball over their heads. As the ball slows down, or if children lower their arms, the elastic string quickly wraps multiple times around their necks, choking them. In some reported incidents it took the intervention of an adult to quickly cut the elastic to get the child breathing again. There have been several near death incidents and over 400 reported accidents with various versions of these toys. Even though the safety problems were in regard to a larger, similar type balls on a string, Upstart has discontinued sales of the yo-yo.

If Wisconsin libraries purchased the "Squishy Mace Yo-Yo," Drevo said they can either

• cut off the string and use the yo-yo's as balls, which are considered safe for children over the age of three, or
• call Upstart to return them.

If there are any questions, librarians can contact Karen Drevo at (402) 844-2108 (kdrevo@ci.norfolk.ne.us).

Kris Ault at Monroe Public Library brought the safety concerns to the attention of CSLP and Upstart.

 

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Getting a response from TechSoup

Libraries can order reduced priced software from TechSoup, but dealing with them has often proved to be difficult. I worked with Aggie from Waunakee and found some tips that help:

• When ordering Microsoft products, make sure you are ordering from the library area. Microsoft has a special library donation program, and libraries don't have to supply information on 501(c)(3) status if they order from the area set up for this program: www.techsoup.org/stock/Category.asp?catalog_name=TechSoupMain&category_name=Microsoft+MLDP&Page=1
• To get a response, post to the public forum. The public forum is: www.techsoup.org/fb/index.cfm?fuseaction=forums.showSingleForum&forum=2028&cid=117&. Calling them often results in a wait time of 45 minutes or more, or the option to leave a message, and they won't call back for days and days. Posting to the public forum got Waunakee results the next day. Their order was straightened out and shipped in a couple of days!
• Consider purchasing someplace else and using a plain old educational discount. Particularly for Microsoft products, it may not be worth the staff time and hassle because libraries are eligible for significant educational discounts anyway!

-- Submitted by Stef Morrill

 

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Database page redirects begin next week

An article in the May 27 issue of Online Update informed SCLS member libraries that a new Electronic Resources web page has been created to give users a more efficient interface. It features a quick list of resources by name, and links to more information about each resource.

Next week we will begin redirecting www.scls.lib.wi.us/cgi-bin/pbauth.cgi to www.scls.info/resources. Libraries must change bookmarks and direct patrons to the new URL. If you have questions about the new page, contact Stef Morrill at (608) 245-5799 (or by email).

 

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New Glarus seeks assistant director

New Glarus Public Library currently seeks applications for a full-time Assistant Library Director, the duties for which include circulation supervision, reference assistance, reader's advisory, serials, interlibrary loan, teen programming, and outreach.

The library seeks candidates who are familiar with public library procedures and have the ability to utilize technology and the Internet. A Bachelor's degree is required, with preference given to qualified candidates with a library science degree.

Interested candidates should submit a letter of application, resume, and contact information for three references to: Denise Anton Wright, Library Director, New Glarus Public Library, 319 Second Street, P.O. Box 35, New Glarus, WI 53574. Applications will be reviewed beginning July 6, 2005, but the application period will remain open until the position is filled.

 

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Updated list of SCLS elected representatives posted

An updated list of State Senate and Assembly representatives for SCLS member libraries has been posted to the SCLS website at http://www.scls.info/pr/pdf/SCLS_representatives.pdf.

Paper copies were sent to all system members several months ago. If you notice any errors, please contact Mark Ibach at (608) 246-5612 (or by email) so he can update the file.

 

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WISLR conference scholarship available

The Wisconsin Small Libraries Roundtable (WISLR) of the Wisconsin Library Association is offering a scholarship to promote attendance at the Wisconsin Library Association Annual Conference. This scholarship is available to librarians who meet the following criteria:

• employed in a library or information agency in Wisconsin;
• must be able to communicate knowledge gained, especially how this knowledge can be applied to small libraries, to fellow WISLR members; and
• must be a member of the Wisconsin Small Libraries Roundtable.

Applicants will be evaluated (by the WSLR Board) based on the need and desire for the scholarship, previous conference attendance opportunities, and small and rural library leadership potential. The scholarship for 2005 will be up to $300 for the first option (lodging, registration, meals and mileage) and up to $150 for the second option (registration, meals and mileage), depending upon need. Applications must be postmarked by Aug. 12, 2005, and the recipient will be notified by early September.

The scholarship recipient will be expected to:

• attend the entire conference for which the scholarship has been awarded;
• submit a newsletter article to Whistlestop (WISLR newsletter) sharing what has been learned/gained from conference; and
• attend WISLR meetings while at the conference.

Scholarship applications, available at www.wla.lib.wi.us/wislr/WISLRscholarship.htm, should be sent to Janean Miller, chair elect, Wisconsin Small Libraries Roundtable, Boscobel Public Library, 1033 Wisconsin Ave., Boscobel, WI 53805.

 

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Regional Library offers special SLP materials

The Wisconsin Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped once more is working with the statewide Summer Reading Program and will make special materials available to local public libraries.

Libraries can request Braille copies of activities from the summer reading program manual by calling Sally Snyder at the Nebraska Library Commission at (402) 471-2045. The regional library has a computer jpeg file with the Braille equivalent of the phrases “Dragons, Dreams and Daring Deeds: A Summer of Medieval Madness and Magic” and “Joust Read.” Also available is a list of books about dragons, fairies, monsters and unicorns that children can request in large print, Braille, tape, or e-text format.

For any of these Summer Library Program materials, contact the regional library at (800) 242-8822 or (414) 286-3548 (TDD), by email at lbph@mpl.org. Other library materials can be ordered online at http://wmbph.mpl.org/opac.

 

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

Upcoming CEs

August 25 -- Reader's Advisory on the Latest Titles and Hot Authors, with Jane Jorgenson, Reference Librarian, Madison Public Library-Ashman Branch. Site and time (1.5 or 2 hours) to be announced.

September (date TBA) -- Reference USA Business, with Tana Elias, Madison Public Library, 9-11:00 a.m., SCLS Training Room E.

September 9 -- Lapsit Programs for Babies and Walkers, with Jane Marino, director of the Bronxville (NY) Public Library and author of "Babies in the Library" and other books for the very young child, 9 a.m.-noon, with broadcast sites at SCLS Administration and Portage County Public Library, Stevens Point.

September 22 -- Bridging the Generation Gap (compressed Video Broadcast), with Deborah Spring Laurel, Laurel & Associates Ltd., Madison (WI), 9 a.m.-noon, with broadcast sites at SCLS Administration and Portage County Public Library, Stevens Point.

September 26 -- Ancestry Library & HeritageQuest, with Jean Anderson, Sun Prairie Public Library, 9-11:30 a.m., SCLS Training Room E.

October 14 -- Literature Resource Center (LRC), with Dawn Foster, Portage Public Library, 9-11:30 a.m., SCLS Training Room E.

October 20 -- The Boomers are Coming! What Do They Want? (compressed video broadcast), with Allan Kleiman, Chair, RUSA/RSS Library Service to an Aging Population Committee (ALA) and Head of Reference, Westfield Memorial Library, (NJ), 9-11:30 a.m., SCLS Administration & Portage County Public Library, Stevens Point.

November 3 -- What Do I Read Next? with Liz Amundson, Madison Public Library, 9-11 a.m., SCLS Training Room E.

November 17 -- Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales: 2006 SLP Workshop, with Kathy Ross (keynote), Geri Ceci Cupery, Kim Ropson, and Karen Wendt, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Olbrich Gardens, Madison.

November/December (date TBA) -- Reference USA Business, with Tana Elias, Madison Public Library, 9-11:00 a.m., SCLS Training Room E.

 

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