In the System

What's New with WVLS Electronic Databases?
While most libraries these days are facing shrinking budgets and collections as well as losing hours and staff, WVLS would like to remind area librarians and their customers of some great resources available at their fingertips. For the past few years, WVLS has purchased subscriptions to several Gale electronic database products. These "invisible web" resources tend to eliminate huge lists of irrelevant search results and provide reliable and up-to-date information. This fall, WVLS has added Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center, a valuable new tool for anyone doing research on social issues facing modern society.

Should parents be held responsible for the crimes of their minor children? Is affirmative action a leg up or a hand out? What are the potential benefits-or repercussions-of cloning? As the issues confronting our society become increasingly complex, citizens need to be informed about what's really at stake and how to think critically about them. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center draws on the acclaimed social issues series published by Greenhaven Press, as well as core reference content from other Gale and Macmillan Reference USA sources and full-text articles from more than 45 major newspapers and news magazines. Check out this dynamic and user-friendly online library of current event topics-the facts, as well as the arguments, of each topic's proponents and detractors by following the "Electronic Resources" links on the WVLS http://wvls.lib.wi.us  or MCPL www.mcpl.lib.wi.us  websites. Other WVLS libraries may have created links on their websites, so contact your local public library for more information.

Anyone with a valid library card from a WVLS area public library can access the following online databases - from home, school, or office - 24 hours a day, seven days a week by typing in their 14 digit library card barcode number (no spaces):

• · Contemporary Authors
• · Contemporary Literary Criticism Select
• · Gale Health and Wellness Resource Center
• · Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center
• · What Do I Read Next?

AncestryPlus, the "genealogy gold mine" database, does not offer remote access but is available from public library workstations connected to the Internet via WVLS or MCPL central site Internet connections. (Neillsville and Wabeno Public Libraries do not have access to this resource)

Training:
The Gale Group website at www.gale.com offers a number of excellent training materials (including some Power Point presentations) for their databases. These can be reviewed online or printed into hard copy. Simply click on "Customer Service & Education" from the menu on the left side of the home page, and then click on "Product Education." Fact sheets, FAQs, guided tours, navigation guides, and sample searches are offered. Most of these are in PDF, so you will need Acrobat or some type of reader.

***Keep in mind that WVLS has a limited number of simultaneous users for each database (Contemporary Authors: 3; Contemporary Literary Criticism Select: 2; Gale Health and Wellness Resource Center: 3; Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center: 2; What Do I Read Next?: 3; AncestryPlus: 4).

If you have any questions or need assistance in using these electronic resources, please contact WVLS staff members Beth Sillars sillars@wvls.lib.wi.us  or Leora Young lyoung2@wvls.lib.wi.us  at 715/261-7255.

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Mailing The Lamplighter Will Cease in 2004
Beginning in January 2004, the WVLS newsletter, The Lamplighter, will no longer be printed and distributed to 550 library staff, trustees and legislators on the mailing list. Instead, The Lamplighter, and its back issues, will be available electronically to anyone interested in reading it. It may be accessed in three different ways depending on the reader's preference:

Subscribe to the WISPUBLIB electronic mailing list. To subscribe to WISPUBLIB, send an email message to: wispublib@badger.state.wi.us  In the body of the message (subject line is ignored) type: subscribe WISPUBLIB. Then send your email.

Get on the WVLS group email list to receive the electronic version directly. To be included on the WVLS newsletter group email list, contact Barbara Freimund at 715/261-7252, or email freimund@wvls.lib.wi.us 

Visit the WVLS home page at http://wvls.lib.wi.us  and click on The Lamplighter to read the current issue as well as past issues. Web links in past issues are not checked for currency and may no longer work.

If you have any questions about the electronic version of The Lamplighter, please contact Marla Sepnafski, newsletter editor, at 715/261-7252 or msepnafs@wvls.lib.wi.us 

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"People are always blaming circumstances for what they are. I do not believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they cannot find them, they make them." (George Bernard Shaw)

H-m-m. How could we apply that thought to library and system funding? The Patriot Act? Permission to carry concealed weapons in libraries?

The Value of Libraries - Librarians often feel that libraries are a self-evident good like apple pie, babies, and a sunlit lake. We shouldn't have to explain why they're important. Everyone knows they are.

Unfortunately, everyone does not know they're valuable, and even those who do often think of them as a community asset that doesn't and shouldn't require much money. In some ways Wisconsin's state laws support that point of view by permitting any community to establish a public library without specifying any particular level of financial support. Good libraries, like good fire and police service, require funding and trained staff, as well as a wide range of resources and up-to-date equipment. Library patrons, staff and trustees often realize that, but saying it to a local or state legislator doesn't make a case. Why does the community need the library? We have the Internet, why do we need a library too? If you clutch when you're faced with these or similar questions, here are some possibilities to keep in mind...The library supports democracy…levels the playing field…helps businesses…nourishes learning and creativity…fosters community…helps transform data into knowledge… We frequently hear that libraries are not essential services in the way that fire and police services are, and there is, of course, truth in that. WE must have life and safety before we can enjoy either; but we want life and safety so that we can enjoy and learn about and perhaps contribute to the richness of our world and culture. That's when libraries become essential (Greta Thompson, Assistant Director, OWLS…for full article go to http://owls.lib.wi.us )

Board Cliques - Library boards certainly are not immune to the problem of cliques forming among board members. And cliques can be as detrimental to the teamwork of a library board as they can be to any other organization's board. To be a good board member one must be open to learning about issues. The trouble with cliques begins when two, three or four board members come into a meeting with their minds made up before hearing any discussion. Sometimes the worst seven words a board president can hear is "Well, some of us have been talking…" How should the board resolve the problems of cliques? Usually indisputable facts can eventually take the unity out of cliques. I believe virtually all trustees join boards to help their libraries, not to push personal agendas. I think they eventually will see the light when it comes to agendas of their fellow board members. And facts usually are what help them see how counterproductive personal agendas can become. (Excerpts from an article by David Miller, State Library of Ohio Board member, as seen in Steppingstones, 9/03)

1. Inventory the notable organizations and associations in the community. Identify those that do and do not have a library voice among their leadership. Make it your goal to place a voice on those boards where it is lacking.

2. The library director or a member of the Friends or Trustees should participate in the Rotary Club; the Chamber of Commerce should be aware of the necessity of a good library system to the business economy.

3. City or village-wide celebrations should list the library as one of their sponsors. Whether it's a display at the library or a booth or float at the event, the library through its Friends should participate.

4. Produce publications about the library, or a periodic column in local newspaper. Letters to the editor are another opportunity to gain attention.

5. Nurture media contacts to receive notices ahead of time when there is a special Friends' program. Don't abuse this, as TV time and editorial space is limited

6. Local elected government officials should be on the Friends regular mailing list even if they're not members. They should receive invitations to library events, followed up with phone calls when there's a good photo opportunity. They should also be invited for occasional private briefings on library issues.

7. Ask for liaisons to other institutions or clubs or invite a representative from them to brief your board about events or issues of mutual interest. Plus, serve on community boards as a representative of the library.

8. Co-produce when possible if there is some event or display in the community that could be further illuminated by a library program. Don't be afraid of capitalizing on the interest generated.

9. Take advantage of any opportunity or venue to bring up the library. The Friends should provide a Speaker's Bureau, with information from the library. (From Friends of the Library USA website http://www.folusa.org/html/fact15.html)

YOUTH MATTERS

Children's Book Week is November 17-23
Free to Read is the theme for this year's Children's Book Week celebration, November 17-23. The Children's Book Council has materials available to help celebrate Children's Book Week at http://www.cbcbooks.org/html/book_week.html 

A good selection of support materials are available including: a Book Week poster by David Wiesner; a frieze by Maira Kalman; streamers by Henry Cole, Marla Frazee, and Charles Santore; and a bookmark with a poem by Bell Hooks, illustrated by Chris Raschka.

The web site also includes a history of Children's Book Week, tips on how to celebrate it, crossword puzzles created by Sue Alexander, and tips on how to publicize programs. (CEO, 10/22/03)

October Asset: Kids Need Skills to Resist Peer Pressure
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 may be requested from 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 dmcgregor@unitedwaymc.org). Following is the featured asset for October:

October Asset: #35 - Resistance Skills

Kids who have this asset can resist negative peer pressure and avoid dangerous situations.
Teach children to communicate honestly and express their thoughts, feelings and beliefs at home. Allow them to respectfully disagree with you. Talk with young people about different techniques that work to resist, and then help them find the ways they are most comfortable with. Examples include walking away from the person, using humor, calmly saying "No," sticking up for yourself, calling someone nearby to help, confronting the person, or telling a caring adult. There are others, and each young person needs to practice these techniques to be prepared for the moment when the critical decisions are being made. Role-play different situations in which a young person may need to use resistance skills: being pressured to have sex, being invited to a party when the parents are not home, riding in a car with a driver who has been drinking alcohol, being encouraged to shoplift. Making decisions in advance about using tobacco, alcohol or drugs, being sexually active and all forms of violent or criminal activity, can make it a bit easier to resist when the pressure is on. Help young people understand the dangers of risk-taking behaviors so they are better prepared to resist.

Best Selling Graphic Novels of 2003

From Publisher's Weekly list of the best selling graphic novels of the year:

1) League of Extraordinary Gentlemen; Vol. 1
2) Sandman Endless Nights
3) Lizzie McGuire; Vol. 1
4) Chobits; Vol. 4
5) Yu-Gi-Oh!; Vol. 1
6) Chobits; Vol. 1
7) Chobits; Vol. 6
8) Chobits; Vol. 8
9) Wolverine Origin
10) Chobits; Vol. 2
11) Death at Death's Door
12) Love Hina; Vol. 1
13) Inu-Yasha; Vol. 1
14) Love Hina; Vol. 11
15) Chobits; Vol. 3
     (Monday Memo, 10/27/03)

Mark Your Calendars!

INFOPEOPLE WEBCAST: "Promoting Reading to Youth"
Want to pump up the excitement in your summer reading program? Need to recharge your services to get kid clamoring to check out more books? This webcast offers a wide range of fresh ideas for promoting reading at the early childhood, school age and teen levels, with practical suggestions for promotional materials, and flexible approaches to programs that can be adapted to individual libraries' needs and resources.

Promoting Reading to Youth will be held on December 4, 2003, from Noon-1:00 p.m. The speaker will be Katie O'Dell. There is no charge for Infopeople Webcasts. Handouts will be available for download 7 days in advance of the webcast. For more information and to participate in the December 4 webcast, go to http://www.infopeople.org/training/webcasts/12-04-03_reading.html 
(CEO, 10/22/03)

IN WISCONSIN

BadgerLink Training Available

A new training resource page has been added to the Department of Public Instruction's BadgerLink site. The page is linked under the "help" column on the BadgerLink homepage and is available directly at http://www.badgerlink.net/training.html 

From there, BadgerLink users can view a list of training opportunities currently scheduled with their full text vendors and register online. All training sessions from their vendors employ web conferencing technology that allows individuals or groups to attend real-time training using a standard web browser to view the session, and a phone for the audio portion. Registrants will receive a confirmation email from the vendor with session login instructions after signing up. If you have any questions about these sessions or the technology involved, please contact James Leaver, BadgerLink Coordinator, at 888/542-5543. Also, if libraries in the WVLS area have specific training needs you'd like to discuss, contact James Leaver at the phone number above, or contact Leora Young, WVLS Information Specialist, at 715/261-7255.
(Edited from article in Library Connection, 9/03)

ON COMMAND

Readability Scores
When Microsoft Word finishes the spelling and grammar checks, it can display information about the reading level of the document, including the following readability scores. Each readability score bases its rating on the average number of syllables per word and words per sentence. To turn on this feature, go to Tools, Options, Spelling and Grammar, and check the box, Show Readability Statistics. Following a spell and grammar check on the document, readability scores will be displayed.

· Flesch Reading Ease Score : Rates text on a 100-point scale - the higher the score, the easier it is to understand the document. For most standard documents, aim for a score of approximately 60 to 70.
· Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level Score : Rates text on a U.S. grade school level. For example, a score of 8.0 means that an eighth grader can understand the document. For most standard documents, aim for a score of approximately 7.0 to 8.0.
(Streams, newsletter of the Northern Waters Library System, 12/12/02)

FROM HITHER & YON

Would You Like Fries With That? If it works at McDonald's, it can work at your library. At the library, the burgers are the books and the fries are the additional library materials and services that are available. Just as McDonald's reminds us of the fries, so could staff members remind patrons of the library's materials and services. The reminders could be in the form of any one of several marketing questions. When these questions are asked during a checkout, they are both a courtesy and a way of marketing some of the library's materials and services. Here are some examples:

· Did you find what you were looking for?
· Do you need to place a reserve for anything that you did not find?
· Have you tried any of the books-on-tape?
· Did you know that we have CDs now?
· Would your children like to play some of the word games on the computer?

Just as the question about "fries" creates more sales of "fries," questions about library materials and services create more circulation of the materials and more usage of the services. The patrons are motivated to place reserves, to check out some CDs and tapes, or to try a word game on the computer.

With a few marketing questions, you have created a positive experience and helped your patrons to discover other library materials and services they may not have otherwise known about. -Peter Eager, Library Assistant, San Diego Public Library
(Support Lines, a newsletter of the Support Staff Section of the Wisconsin Library Association; September 1, 2003)

WEB SITES OF INTEREST

The New Color of Money http://www.moneyfactory.com/newmoney/ 
From the Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, this site is a 'source for information about the U.S. government's latest re-designs to … currency. The U.S. government has unveiled the new design for the $20 note that includes enhanced security features and background colors.' View a tutorial on design features of the new bill, report receiving a new bill on a 'money map,' and play currency-themed games. Includes a glossary and educational materials. (Copyright 2003 by Librarians' Index to the Internet, lii.org; 10/23/03)

Boone and Crockett Club http://www.boone-crockett.org/ 
Founded by Theodore Roosevelt, this organization aims 'to promote the guardianship and provide management of big game … and maintain the highest standards of fair chase and sportsmanship in all aspects of big game hunting.' The site features information about the club's trophy animal measurement and scoring system, including a FAQ, diagrams, and world records. Also includes photos, news, and sections on hunting ethics, education and conservation. (Copyright 2003 by Librarians' Index to the Internet, lii.org; 10/16/03)

¡Soy Unica! ¡Soy Latina! http://www.soyunica.gov/ 
From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this site is designed to help Hispanic girls ages 9-14 'build and enhance their own self-esteem, mental health, decision-making and assertiveness skills, and to prevent the harmful consequences of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs.' Find information about family history, planning for the future, Latina role models and homework tips. The 'Hablemos en Confianza' section provides information for adults. It is available in English and Spanish, and is searchable. (Copyright 2003 by Librarians' Index to the Internet, lii.org; 10/23/03)

E-Democracy - Presidential Launch Pad - Top 50 Links by Candidate
http://www.e-democracy.org/us/2004/president/ 
"Official Site" links go to the main sections on candidate sites. Related links include top "unofficial" sites from supporters, e-mail lists, hometown news, satire, etc. Includes links to speeches, pre-set searches through a variety of text, audio and video search engines. (NeatNew and ExLibris, 10/17/03)

Thesaurus.com http://thesaurus.reference.com/ 
This site is an online version of the thesaurus of English words and phrases. To use the thesaurus, simply type a word in the search box and click the "look it up" button. A list of synonyms and antonyms will be returned. (RefDesk Link of the Day, 9/12/03)

This month's Featured Kit 

LAMPLIGHTER

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

The Lamplighter is published monthly by Wisconsin Valley Library Service. 
Back issues are available at http://wvls.lib.wi.us/Newsletter/newsindex.htm 

Contributions are welcome! News items should be submitted by the first of the month.
The Lamplighter is published monthly alternating between paper and electronic issues. 
WVLS serves Clark, Forest, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Oneida, and Taylor counties.