Lamplighter morphs into new format on bi-monthly basis. Beginning with this issue (February 2003), the Lamplighter is developing a split personality and becoming an 'on-again, off-again' publication, i.e., in the odd-numbered months (Jan., March, May, etc.) it will be in its recognizable print/paper format but, in the even numbered months (Feb, April, June, etc.), it will be on-line. You will be notified of the on-line availability via wispublib so, if you haven't yet subscribed to this list serve, we encourage you to do it now. Here's how…………

go to http://www.dpi.state.wi.us/dpi/dltcl/pld/index.html  Click on 'WISPUBLIB' in the second paragraph. Scroll down to "How do I Subscribe to WISPUBLIB?" and follow directions.

If you don't want to subscribe to wispubib (although I can't think of any reason you would purposely avoid getting lots of good info), you'll still be able to find all versions of the Lamplighter by going to the WVLS web site http://wvls.lib.wi.us  and clicking on 'The Lamplighter.'

Is the world getting too heavy? What with a humongous state budget deficit, the Columbia disaster, a foot plus of snow, wind velocities that put the chill factor in the minus numbers, the groundhogs seeing their collective shadows, the looming possibility of war with Iraq, AND annual reports to be filed, I thought you might need a break…here are a few more reasonable things to ponder…

• Why does the sun lighten our hair, but darken our skin? 
• Why can't women put on mascara with their mouths closed? 
• Why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle? 
• Why don't we ever see the headline, "Psychic Wins Lottery?" 
• Why is "abbreviated" such a long word? 
• Why is a boxing ring square? 
• Why is it that doctors call what they do "Practice"? 
• Why is it that rain drops but snow falls? 
• Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food? 
• and, my brother spends his time wondering whether there is a name for those chunks of snow/ice/slush that collect in our auto wheel wells and fall out onto the streets and parking lots…and…what happens to the rubber that wears off our tires, i.e., why don't the roads get thicker?

Can't keep up with postal increases? You're not sure how much postage to put on a bulky letter but you'd rather eat sand than wait in line at the post office to find out. Use this rule of thumb: Five sheets of printer paper in a letter size envelope weigh an ounce and need a 37-cent stamp. Up to 2 ounces (6-11 pages) requires 57 cents, and up to 3 ounces (12-17 pages) calls for 80 cents. If you're using heavier paper stock, try this trick from Yankee magazine's Living Well on a Shoestring: Set up a homemade scale by placing a six-sided pencil on a flat surface. Lay a 12-inch ruler across the pencil at the six-inch mark. At one end, stack five quarters (which equal one ounce.) If your envelope lifts the quarters off the table, it needs more than 34 cents. Use additional rulers and quarters for envelopes that may weigh up to two or three ounces. (from a recent issue of Reader's Digest) On the other hand, maybe standing in line at the P.O. (especially if you remembered to bring a book along) isn't so bad after all.              --Heather Eldred

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INFO TO GO…

Reference & Loan Announces New Contract with Baker & Taylor 
The Reference & Loan Library has announced a new contract for discount purchasing with the vendor Baker and Taylor effective through January 31, 2006. The contract may be seen at the R & LL web site- www.dpi.state.wi.us/dltcl/rll/  Under "Services," click on Library Materials Purchasing Contract. Information includes terms and discounts; contacts and account instruction; and category definitions. Discounts are available to any publicly funded agencies, including public libraries, academic and school libraries. - Ellen Buchberger

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New Features for netLibrary 
You and your patrons are now able to request availability notification for checked out eBooks. netLibrary's new notification enhancement will take the guesswork out of accessing in-demand eBooks in your collection. When an eBook is checked out, patrons can simply click on the request notification link and provide an e-mail address. When the eBook is once again available, netLibrary automatically sends patrons an e-mail that includes the title of the eBook and a direct link to the eBook's summary page. From the summary page, patrons can check out or browse the contents of the eBook. And while we're talking about e-books don't forget that netLibrary provides a variety of materials that you can use to promote e-book use at your library, including some pretty nice free stuff. The updated web url to the tool kit is http://www.netlibraryebooktoolkit.com . (NewsFlashes, 2/12/03)

netLibrary is also starting a pilot project which allows librarians and patrons the chance to preview e-books, and if a patron wishes to continue using an ebook, he or she has the option to purchase, rent, print or copy portions for a fee. Traditionally, vendors require the library to purchase a collection of titles up front, and circulate those. In this on-demand model, the entire catalog from a publisher could be available, and the patron accesses the service according to his needs, and the library pays per use. (Library Futures Quarterly, Spring 2003)

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More Resources on the USA PATRIOT Act… 
WVLS recently purchased Safeguarding Our Patrons' Privacy: What Every Librarian Needs to Know about the USA PATRIOT Act & Related Anti-Terrorism Measures, a videotape of the December 11, 2002 teleconference sponsored by the American Library Association, Association of Law Libraries, Association of Research Libraries, Medical Library Association and Special Libraries Association. This 120-minute tape and accompanying 27-page manual are available to purchase ($35 plus shipping and handling) by calling 301.362.8196 or emailing pubs@arl.org  or this resource may be borrowed through regular interloan channels.

Also, the Indianhead Federated Library System recently added several links to sample policies and guidelines regarding the PATRIOT Act to their web site. To review these resources go to http://www.ifls.lib.wi.us/links  (the Patriot Act links are in the Policies section). (NewsFlashes, 2/12/03)

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SPECIAL NEEDS

NLS Announces Two Telecommunications Initiatives Available to the Blind 
According to Public Libraries (Jan.Feb. 2003), the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicaped (NLS) in the Library of Congress is collaborating with NFB-NEWSLINE and Bookshare.org, in a move that will benefit eligible blind and physically handicapped readers.

NFB-NEWSLINE, a service of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB), will provide audio versions of daily newspapers through a toll-free telephone number to eligible readers. This FREE, 24/7 service will provide access to USA Today, New York Times, Wall Street Journal and other daily newspapers. The goal of NFB-NEWSLINE is to provide at least two newspapers from each state. For more info about NFB-NEWSLINE, see www.nfb.org or call 410.659.9314.

Bookshare.org, launched earlier this year by its nonprofit creator Benetech, offers blind, dyslexic, and other individuals with disabilities access to more than 10,000 books on the web. Until now, Bookshare.org has operated exclusively as a subscription service, where members register on the web site, provide proof of a qualifying disability, and pay an annual subscription fee to access book files. Subscribers download books to listen to on their computers using a synthetic voice or to read using a refreshable Braille device. Now, through a partnership with the Braille Institute, Bookshare.org can make its books available to a wider audience, including school libraries, parents or friends, wanting to give the gift of a book, or the individual Braille reader who prefers to purchase only a few books instead of the annual Bookshare.org subscription. For more information, visit www.benetech.org or call 650.475.5440. A demonstration of the service can be seen at www.bookshare.org/demo 

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Serving Hispanic Customers 

• A five-part series from National Public Radio is devoted to educating Latinos. Read the reports at http://www.npr.org/programs/atc/features/2002/nov/educatinglatinos/index.html 

• 25 Latino Crafts Projects, by Ana-Elba Pavon and Diana Borrego, presents literature-based crafts for preschoolers, and also provides tips on developing and publicizing unique cultural programs to make lasting impressions on your community. Available from the American Library Association. 

• The Learning Light www.thelearninglight.org/  is a site that helps libraries, schools, and community organizations meet the needs of their Spanish-speaking customers and students. This site provides handouts that can be printed which explain the Dewey Decimal System in Spanish, lists of phrases that library staff use the most often when communicating with customers, and pronunciation assistance. 
  (The Library Connection, January 2003)

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YOUTH MATTERS
This month's Featured Kit

971P   Pets: dogs & other pets kit

For more information visit the
WVLS AV & Programming Materials Page

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Children's Book Awards Announced 
ALA has announced the winners of the 2003 best books for children. And the winners are… 

• 2003 ALSC John Newbery Medal (for distinguished writing for children): 
  • Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi. This book, which is Avi's 50th title, is the story of an orphaned 13-year -old boy in search of his identity in 14th-century England. 
• 2003 ALSC John Newbery Honor Books: 
  • The House of Scorpion by Nancy Farmer 
  • Pictures of Hillis Woods by Patricia Reilly Giff 
  • Hoot by Carl Hiassen 
  • A Corner of the Universe by Anne M. Martin 
  • Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie S. Tolan
• 2003 ALSC Randolph Caldecott Award (for distinguished illustration for children): 
  • My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann. My Friend Rabbit is an illustrated story about a good-intentioned, but trouble-causing, rabbit. 
• 2003 ALSC Randolph Caldecott Honor Books: 
  • The Spider and the Fly illustrated and written by Tony DiTerlizzi 
  • Hondo & Fabian illustrated and written by Peter McCarty 
  • Noah's Ark illustrated and written by Jerry Pinkney

For more award-winning titles and printable lists go to: 
http://www.ala.org/alsc/newbery.html  
http://www.ala.org/alsc/caldecott.html 
http://www.ala.org/pio/media_awards.html 

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New CSLP Web Page 
The Collaborative Summer Library Program, the multi-state group that manages the summer program that many Wisconsin libraries participate in has a new web page at http://www.summerlibraryprogram.org/index.html  Graphics for this summer's theme, "Laugh It Up @ Your Library," are available, as are links to many sites that will provide ideas for programming, crafts, books, and other interesting sites that relate to humor. Particularly interesting is http://fisher.osu.edu/~tomassini_1/whotext.html  (the complete text of Abbott and Costello's famous comedy routine "Who's on first?") and http://www.worldsfastestclown.com/makeup1.html  (complete step-by-step instructions for applying clown make-up). (The Library Connection, January 2003)

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CSLP 2004 "TRAILS OF DISCOVERY" ILLUSTRATOR WILL BE MARK BUEHNER 
Mark Buehner will be the illustrator for the 2004 CSLP theme, "Trails of Discovery." Mark has illustrated numerous books for his wife Caralyn. They include: Snowmen at Night, 2002; I Did It, I'm Sorry, 1998; Fanny's Dream, 1996; The Escape of Marvin the Ape, 1995; It's a Spoon, Not a Shovel, 1995; A Job for Wittilda, 1994.

He has also illustrated books for other authors including: Christmas Day in the Morning, 2002, by Pearl S. Buck; I Am the Cat, 1999, by Alice Schertle; My Monster Mama Loves Me So, 1999, Laura Leuck; The Adventures of Taxi Dog, 1990, by Debra and Sal Barracco; Maxi the Hero, 1991, by Debra Barracco; My Life with the Wave, 1997, Catherine Cowan; Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm, 1994, Jerdine Nolan.

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Youth Need 40 Developmental Assets 
Based on research conducted since 1958, Search Institute has identified 40 developmental assets that all young people need to grow up to be healthy, principled and caring adults. The more assets a young person has developed, the more likely they are to make positive choices. Conversely, the fewer assets a young person has developed, the more likely they are to become involved in risk-taking behaviors. It has been found nationwide that most students have fewer than half of these 40 assets.

The list of 40 developmental assets as well as tips for focusing on each one is too long to include in its entirety here, but following are a few of them:

Asset #10 - Safety 

• Kids who have this asset feel safe at home, at school and in their neighborhood. Let children and youth know that you value them and want them to be safe in all activities. At home, don't tolerate hurtful words or actions and set clear family ground rules about maintaining physical and emotional safety. If children, even teenagers, will be home alone, establish and enforce rules about telephone use, answering the door, using appliances, and Internet use. Get to know as many people in your neighborhood as possible so that your children feel comfortable seeking help if they need it. Don't tolerate bullying, disrespect or cruelty toward anyone at any time. Teach children to avoid others who are mean, hurtful or disrespectful. In school, support activities like peer mediation training, embracing diversity and peaceful conflict resolution. Make sure that youth have access to services like hot-lines, counselors and others they trust for times when they feel their safety has been violated.

Asset # 11 - Family Boundaries 

• Kids have this asset when their parents set clear rules and consequences for their kids' behavior, and when parents monitor their children's' activities and whereabouts. Parents need to agree on appropriate boundaries for kids' behavior and be as consistent as possible in communicating and enforcing them. When talking to kids about boundaries, be concise. Long lists of rules that cover every possible situation are not effective. Tell kids what you want them to do, not just what you don't want. As children get older, renegotiate boundaries. It makes sense to have different requirements for children in elementary school, middle school and high school. And remember that even 18 year olds need boundaries that help them contribute to the family.

A few of the 40 developmental assets and six key points to asset-building action were mentioned previously in the June/July 2002 issue of the Lamplighter. For the complete list of 40 assets, contact Beth Sillars at the WVLS office (715.261.7255 or sillars@wvls.lib.wi.us) or Debi McGregor, Community Initiatives Coordinator (715.848.2927 or dmegregor@unitedwaymc.org)

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Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets DVD 
Warner Brothers announced BURBANK, CA (January 21, 2003): On April 11, unlock the magic with Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets on an extra features-loaded double disc DVD and VHS. The DVD delivers another adventure with more magic, more laughs and more thrills and with 19 additional/extended scenes, self-guided tours including background characters, an exclusive interview with author J.K. Rowling and screenwriter Steve Kloves and all-new interactive challenges. - Warner Brothers Harry Potter Website (Monday Memo, 2/24/03)

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GRANT UPDATE

Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Update 
The FY 2003 federal budget for LSTA, the FY 2004 federal budget for LSTA, and LSTA reauthorization are all in the library news these days.

• FY 2003 Budget - Congress still has not completed action on the FY 2003 federal budget. Federal government programs have been running on a series of continuing resolutions since the start of the federal fiscal year on October 1, 2002. A House/Senate conference committee continues to meet to work out the budget details, and indications are that agreement on the budget bill is close. 
• FY 2004 Budget - While action on the FY 2003 federal budget has not been completed, the first step in the Fy 2004 budget process began with the release on Feb. 3 of the President's budget proposal. The budget is available online at http://www.omb.gov  The American Library Association says it is a rare occurrence that the budget for FY 2004 would be presented before the completion of the budget for FY 2003. The budget request includes $207.6 million for the LSTA program, including $166.4 million for grant to states (a portion of which would come to Wisconsin). States received $149 million in FY 2002. The budget will have to be considered by both the House and Senate and signed by the President before final approval. 
• LSTA Reauthorization - The LSTA program was authorized for a 5-year period - through 2002 - and must be reauthorized by Congress to be continued. LSTA is part of the Museum and Library Services Act administered at the federal level by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The LSTA reauthorization process began early in 2002 and bills for reauthorization were introduced in both the House and Senate. Unfortunately, work on the bills was not completed in 2002 and the reauthorization process had to start over again in 2003. On January 7th, a bill reauthorizing LSTA was introduced in the House (H.R. 13), and on January 29th a bill was introduced in the Senate (S. 238). It is hoped that the reauthorization process will proceed quickly this time around. The chief sponsors of the LSTA bills are requesting cosponsors, and to date Wisconsin Representatives Thomas Petri and Mark Green have signed on as cosponsors of the LSTA bill in the House. For more information about LSTA, contact Peg Branson at 608.266.2413 or peg.branson@dpi.state.wi.us  (Channel Weekly)

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FROM HITHER AND YON

"Beware the Ides of March" We've all heard that phrase… thank you, William Shakespeare!

But what are the Ides of March? Is there any such thing as a single Ide?

The Ides of March are what Romans called March 15. There's no such thing as a single Ide. The word "ides" was derived from the Latin "to divide." The ides were originally meant to mark the full moon - since the solar calendar months and lunar months were of different lengths, the ides quickly lost their original intent and purpose.

Do other months have Ides? Most people don't know that the Ides only falls on the 15th of the month one third of the time. Every self-respecting month has Ides. Is April 15th the Ides of April? No, but a little knowledge is always a dangerous thing. Inevitably someone will refer to the tax deadline as the Ides of April. The Ides of April falls on the 13th. Confused yet? Hey, Roman numerals are confusing… why wouldn't the Roman calendar be?

OK, I'm going to make it worse. The Roman version of "30 days hath September" is: March, July, October and May, the Nones fall on the 7th day.

See what I mean…no help there! But here are the clues: 

The Romans did not count the days of the month from 1 through 30. Instead, three days in every month had names:

• the Kalends fell on the 1st 
• the Nones on the 5th or 7th 
• the Ides on the 13th or 15th

And before you ask, there's no such thing as a single Kalend or None either.

When a Roman wanted to say "March the 14th," she had to say: "the day before the Ides of March" (it goes faster in Latin). March the 6th would be: "The day before the None of March," (you never counted after, always and only before). April fool's day fell "On the Kalends of April." After the Ides (the 13th or 15th, according to the month) you counted the days to the Kalends of the next month. March the 16th was "17 days before the Kalends of April," (with March 16 and April in ancient fashion counting as full days). It was complicated stuff.

Julius Ceasar didn't pay enough attention to the calendar rhyme and see where it got him! Forgetful Caesar would have been better off to be very careful and stay home on the 13th of March, but on the 15th of March his guard was down.

…and there's quite a story to that too.

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THE INTERNET

The Electronic Frontier Foundation http://www.eff.org/Privacy/eff_privacy_top_12.html  The Foundation presents their tip sheet on the 'Top 12 Ways to Protect Your Online Privacy.' Suggestions range from, 'Do not reveal personal information inadvertently' to 'Remember that you decide what information about yourself to reveal, when, why, and to whom.' (Today's Refdesk Link of the Day)

Cook It Quick http://lancaster.unl.edu/food/ciq.htm  Imagine it's 4 p.m. on a typical weekday. Do you know what you're having for dinner tonight? A Restaurants and Institutions survey found about 70% of the adult U.S. population doesn't decide what to eat that night until 4 p.m. or later. This site by the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension, guides you through how to prepare healthy foods in a hurry. (Today's Refdesk Link of the Day)

Home Safety Council http://www.homesafetycouncil.org/  Includes a home safety encyclopedia with plenty of tips on disaster preparedness, fire safety, home security, child safety, etc. (and a Spanish language version). Current features include The State of Home Safety, Plan Your Escape, and games to teach safety to children. (02/13/03, Neat New Stuff I Found This Week, http://marylaine.com/neatnew.html  Copyright, Marylaine Block, 1999-2003.)

 Virtual Reference Service Launched Feb. 10 http://lepton.wils.wisc.edu/askwisconsin/  On Feb. 10 a multi-type consortium of 20 libraries launched the AskWisconsin virtual reference service. The consortium uses software developed by the Library of Congress and OCLC for the global collaborative reference service known as QuestionPoint. E-mail reference requests may be sent to individual libraries in the consortium, and chat service is provided on a collaborative basis Monday through Thursday from 1-9 p.m. and Friday from 1-5 p.m. - (Education Forum)

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

March 11-12 - 16th Annual Children's Bookfest - Rhinelander. For details see page 1 of the December 2002 issue of the Lamplighter and the flyer included.

March 15 - WVLS Board of Trustees meeting - location to be announced - 9:30.

April 3 - WVLS V-Cat Council meeting - Rib Lake Public Library - 9:30.

April 4-5 - Biennial Children's Literature Conference - sponsored by UW-Madison School of Library and Information Science. Contact Linda Mundt at LEMundt@facstaff.wisc.edu  or visit www.slis.wisc.edu/academic/ces/index/html 

APRIL - NATIONAL POETRY MONTH

April 6-12 - NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK

April 14 - Fundamentals of Cataloging - online; April 14 - June 22, when it fits your schedule; 3.0 CEU; $385; for more information, contact Linda Mundt at 608.263.4453 or LEMundt@facstaff.wisc.edu  registration deadline March 25th.

April 17 - WVLS Executive Committee meeting - Marathon County Public Library - 1:30.

May 7-9 - WAPL Spring Conference, Stevens Point Holiday Inn.

May 12 - E-Mail as Public Record - for details, contact Anne Moser, WU-Madison School of Library and Information Studies, Madison, at 608.263.2919 or amoser@slis.wisc.edu or visit www.slis.wisc.edu/county/index.html 

May 17 - WVLS Board of Trustees meeting - location to be announced - 9:30.

June 6-7 - Back in Circulation Again - biennial circulation conference - contact Linda Mundt at 608.263.4453 or LEMundt@facstaff.wisc.edu 

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ATTENTION: WESSLER SCHOLARSHIPS are available to cover some/all costs associated with attendance at reference and/or interlibrary loan continuing education events. If interested in becoming a Wessler Scholar, contact the WVLS office (715/261-7250) for more information. The application form and more information are available at http://wvls.lib.wi.us/About/wessler.htm 

LAMPLIGHTER

a newsletter of the Wisconsin Valley Library Service
300 N. First Street / Wausau, WI 54403

Contributions are welcome! News items should be submitted by the first of the month.
WVLS serves Clark, Forest, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Oneida, and Taylor counties.