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October 2004 |
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"…on the subject of burning books: I want to congratulate librarians, not famous for their physical strength or their powerful political connections or their great wealth, who, all over this country, have staunchly resisted anti-democratic bullies who have tried to remove certain books from their shelves, and have refused to reveal to thought police the names of persons who have checked out those titles. So the America I loved still exists, if not in the White House or the Supreme Court or the Senate or the House of Representatives or the media. The America I love still exists at the front desks of our public libraries." (By Kurt Vonnegut, as seen in http://www.inthesetimes.com/site/main/article/I_love_you_madame_librarian/ August 2004)
VOTE BACK
The election is approaching, and pundits are
telling you all the good reasons why you should vote – civic duty,
responsibility, yadda yadda. I’m going to give you a bad reason to vote, and a
very American one: sheer orneriness. Vote because you know for a fact that
somebody really doesn’t want you to. Whoever you are, whatever your politics,
you can bet there’s somebody who thinks you’re too something to be trusted:
too poor, too uneducated, too female, too redneck, too black, too gay, too
Christian, too pro-union, too pro-life, too pro-gun, too whatever…
…If you don’t like the idea of voting because it’s the basic act of citizenship, think about the people who would like very much to prevent you from voting. Doesn’t that get your back up? Doesn’t that make you want to say, "And who the hell are YOU to stop me?" It’s a funny thing about Americans: the more somebody tries to push us around, the more we fight back.
So, go out there and vote. Not only will you defend your rights, you’ll annoy politicians. Isn’t that an irresistible twofer?" (Marylaine Block at http://marylaine.com/myword/index.html 9/21/04)
LEGAL ADVICE FOR LIBRARY BOARDS
In the July-August 2004 issue of Channel,
Mike Cross reminded library trustees about where they can go for help when they
need legal advice (and who will pay the bills). He said, "For matters
involving Wisconsin’s public library law (Chapter 43) you should first contact
your library system staff. Every library system has staff members that are quite
familiar with Wisconsin library law. If your library system staff has questions,
they can contact appropriate DLTCL staff. Often library system staff can also
help with common questions about Wisconsin’s open meetings and public records
laws and other matters. The basics of many common legal issues that concern
library boards are covered in the Trustee Essentials
(available online at http://www.dpi.state.wi.us/dltcl/pld/handbook.html
For complex legal issues, such as those involving state or federal employment laws, your municipal attorney (or county corporation counsel for a county library) is probably the best person to turn to for help. Wisconsin Statutes provide that if a claim is brought against the library board because of an act or omission of the library board, and the claim is disallowed by the library board, the claimant may bring action against the municipality or county [Section 43.58(3)]. Because the municipality or county is ultimately liable for any legal missteps by the library board, municipal and county attorneys are very willing to assist the library board with any legal questions.
Under most circumstances, municipalities have a legal responsibility to provide legal counsel to officers and employees (including library officers and employees) in proceedings brought because of actions taken while carrying out the duties of the office or position. Generally, under these circumstances, the municipality must also indemnify or pay for judgments for damages as well as other costs and legal fees. [See Wisconsin Statutes Section 895.46(1) for the details, including the limitations, of this law.]
In situations involving a legal dispute between the library board and other municipal or county officials, it would be a conflict for the municipal attorney (or county corporation counsel for a county library) to represent both parties. In such a dispute, the municipality or county should provide qualified outside counsel to represent the library board."
Thanks to Mike for reminding us of these laws and practices.
KEEP UP WITH LEGISLATIVE ACTION
There are a few good places to check to monitor
the status of legislative activity that impacts libraries:
http://capwiz.com/ala/home/ …and… http://www.ala.org/PrinterTemplate.cfm?Section=issues&Template=/ContentManagement/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=48699
These are sites that give the status of federal legislation and provide an opportunity to easily ‘write’ and send letters in support of or against proposed federal legislation. They are good sites to keep an eye on to help stay abreast of what’s going on legislatively.
http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/legis/LegislativeStatus.htm
This is a part of the Wisconsin Library Association’s web site that monitors and reports on the status of library-related bills. The site also reports on WLA’s position on the bill and provides a brief background on the bill.
--Heather Eldred
Buenos días. ¿Tiene usted una
tarjeta de la biblioteca?
¿Necesita usted ayuda?
No hablo mucho español.
A variety of library-related words and phrases in Spanish were practiced diligently this fall by twenty WVLS area library staff members who participated in a series of conversational Spanish classes. The classes, held in Abbotsford and Wausau, were part of the 2004 LSTA Special Needs grant targeting the improvement of library services for new Latino residents in our communities. "Maestra" Lydia Albright, an E.L.L. translator/interpreter for the Wausau School District and secretary for the Latinos Unidos organization, welcomed participants to each lively and interactive session with helpful hints for pronunciation and vocabulary, as well as invaluable insights into Hispanic culture. Participants gained more confidence in their abilities to bridge the language barrier and offer better service to Spanish-speaking library customers. The classes concluded with a fiesta, sharing the best in food, music, and customs.
 "Salud!" Linda Schuster, T.B. Scott Children’s Librarian, proposes a Fiesta toast at the Spanish Language for Librarians class in Wausau. (10/14/04) |
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The Wausau Class |
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The Abbotsford Class |
Give-Aways
WVLS makes withdrawn materials
available to any library via our "give-away" program. If you have
current items you’ve withdrawn or replaced with a new edition, please consider
making the item available for another library to use. Send it to us via the
courier, and we will add it to the "give-away" list. As items become
available we will add them to our web site. We will also be sending an e-mail to
area librarians alerting them to the items’ availability. Take a look at these
titles and see it there is anything you can use. In these times of shrinking
budgets, this is one way we can supplement collections with useful
materials. Contact Ellen Buchberger at 715/261-7255 or ebuchber@wvls.lib.wi.us
if you have comments or questions.
NEW
STATE PUBLIC LIBRARY CONSULTANT
John DeBacher has been appointed to
the position of Consultant for Public Library Administration with the Division
for Libraries, Technology and Community Learning. John will begin his duties
with the Public Library Development Team on December 1.
John was Director of the Monona Public Library for more than 10 years and previously served as the Director of the Big Rapids Community Library (Michigan). He has also worked for the Chicago Public Library and the Center for Children's Books. At the Monona Public Library, John expanded services, supervised a major renovation and expansion of the library, and established the state's first distance learning classroom in a public library.
John holds a B.A. in English from Grinnell College and a Master's degree in Library Science from the University of Chicago. John currently serves as Chair of the Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries.
WVLS
VIDEO SERVICE TO BE DISCONTINUED
At
its September meeting, the WVLS Board of Trustees voted to discontinue the
videocassette deposit collection service at the end of the year.
WVLS staff is still looking at ways to make the 3,000 titles in the
WVLS video collection available to interested area libraries.
Watch for more information in the next issue of The
Lamplighter.
If you have any questions or concerns about this matter, please contact
Marla Sepnafski (715/261-7252; msepnafs@wvls.lib.wi.us
) or Ann Mroczenski (715/261-7256; annmarie@wvls.lib.wi.us).
DO
YOU LOVE LIBRARIES AND DO YOU VOTE?
I love libraries and I vote! is
the slogan the Wisconsin Library Association has adopted this election year to
underscore the role libraries play in the democratic process.
Indeed, libraries have been called "the most democratic of American institutions" because they symbolize free and equal access to information and by so doing facilitate the electoral process.
Statistically, just over half of our nation’s voters do not vote for President; roughly 60% do not vote for their senators and representatives; and, even after the late Speaker of the House Tip O’Neil established that "all politics is local," upwards of 75% do not cast ballots in local elections.
Decisions that affect our lives are made for us on a regular basis, ranging from what happens in our schools and what recreational facilities our communities have, through national concerns like healthcare and education, to global issues such as national defense and the environment. These decisions affect us too extensively to be left to people we did not choose.
Libraries can’t do much to counteract voter apathy but they can definitely alleviate voter uncertainty.
As the election season progresses and partisan claims and counter-claims proliferate, even threaten to overwhelm us, libraries can clarify and facilitate the electoral process in various ways.
Libraries have the resources to help us:
Voting makes democracy work and libraries provide the means to help us vote intelligently. It is our responsibility to be informed voters and our privilege to have public libraries available to help us vote wisely. As this election season nears its climax, let’s be sure we avail ourselves of the opportunities provided by both voting and by libraries. In a democratic society, the two go hand-in-hand. – Doug Lay; 2004 WLTA Vice Chair/Chair Elect and WVLS Trustee
NOT SO EASY QUIZ!
The Questions…
- How long did the Hundred Years War last?
- Which country makes Panama hats?
- From which animal do we get catgut?
- In which month do Russians celebrate the October revolution?
- What is a camel’s hair brush made of?
- The Canary Islands in the Atlantic are named after what animal?
- What was King George VI’s first name?
- What color is a purple finch?
- What country do Chinese gooseberries come from?
- How long did the Thirty Years War last?
The Answers may be found at the end of this newsletter!
PARENT
INVOLVEMENT IN SCHOOL
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).
Following is the featured asset for October:
PARENT INVOLVEMENT IN SCHOOL – Asset #6
Young people who have this asset have parents who
are actively involved in helping them succeed in school.
Connect with your child’s teachers and touch base with them at least every other month. Don’t wait for them to communicate with you – call or email just to see how your child is doing in class. Regularly ask your children what they are learning in school. Offer to help with homework in appropriate ways – be available for advice, suggestions, to check assignments or to provide rides to the library or study groups. Don’t write the paper or do the science fair project for them. Volunteer to do what you can to help out at school. Be a room parent, provide treats for special events, chaperone school trips or cut out art project supplies at home. Parents tend to be most involved with their children’s education during elementary school and less involved during middle and high school. Stay actively involved as long as your child is in school.
FIRST
LADY DOYLE INITIATES ON-LINE BOOK DISCUSSION CLUB
"Read On Wisconsin!"
is the name of the new online book discussion club for children and adults
started by First Lady Doyle. Each month this web site will feature lists of
recommended titles for discussion. The following titles were recommended for
October:
- Birth to 2 years: Toddler Two: Dos Anos by Anastasia Suen
- 3-5 years: Tippy-Toe, Chick, Go! by George Shannon
- Early Elementary: The Good Luck Cat by Joy Harjo
- Intermediate: Nathaniel Talking by Eloise Greenfield
- Middle School: When My Name Was Keoko by Linda Sue Park
- High School: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon
For more information, or to join the "Read On Wisconsin!" book club, go to: http://readon.wisconsin.gov
"OUCH"
If you are unaware of
the SANS (SysAdmin, Audit, Network, Security) organization’s new newsletter, OUCH,
you may want to take some time to check it out. OUCH is meant to
help educate people about how to avoid identity theft and attacks to their
computers. OUCH is free from the SANS organization. To register
for the newsletter, visit http://www.sans.org/newsletters
(you will need to register for the NewsBites, as OUCH is a
new feature in that newsletter).
SANS experts are also the authors of the in-depth step-by-step security guides that may be downloaded from the MyWiscNet web site.
(https//mywiscnet.net/mywiscnet.asp?jump=002004017030000
) --Kika Barr, WiscNet Technical Support Manager; barr@wiscnet.net
(Monday Memo; 9/27/04)
NEW
MONTHLY MAGAZINE WILL HIGHLIGHT WISCONSIN’S ASIAN AMERICANS
A new monthly magazine
– Asian Wisconzine – will begin coverage of and for Wisconsin’s
Asian communities starting in January 2005. The purpose of the publication will
be to connect diverse Asian cultures in one publication. Monthly features will
include Asian American columnists (from Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, and
South Asia), Asian American success stories, and a focus article on one Asian
culture. For more information about the magazine, or to subscribe, visit www.asianwisconzine.com
--Online Update Posted, SCLS; Vol. 2, No. 19; 9/14/04
(Newsflashes from IFLS; 10/6/04)
WIRELESS
INTERNET NETWORKS ARE COMING!
Milwaukeeans with laptop
computers or handheld devices may use the Internet for free at any city of
Milwaukee public library location.
Milwaukee was among the first cities in the United States to provide wireless Internet access in public spaces. Pere Marquette Park and Cathedral Square Park have been "freespots"," or wireless access points for public use, since June 2003. Now Milwaukee’s public libraries have expanded that free Internet service to 13 more locations throughout the city.
The wireless network project cost $55,000 for equipment plus wireless installation charges. Federal e-rate funding covered 90% of the costs. The remaining amount was funded through a $15,000 grant from the SBC Excelerator grant program of SBC.
The laptop or handheld device on the wireless network at a
city of Milwaukee public library will respond as if the computer was being used
from home. People using computers on the wireless network will be able to use
the Internet, e-mail and library databases that are also offered remotely. They
will not be able to use those databases that must be accessed through a computer
at a library location. Access speed will depend on the device being used, but
will usually be as fast or faster than other broadband solutions, such as DSL or
Roadrunner.
(News Release, Milwaukee Public Library, 4/7/04 as
seen in Library Administrator’s Digest, 10/04)
WEB
SITES OF INTEREST
(tourist traps on the information super highway)
Saving Seed from the Garden http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/hortihints/0008c.html
Tips for saving seeds from
flowers and vegetable plants for preservation and future planting. Discusses
hybrid and heirloom varieties of plants, when to harvest the seed, saving seed
from fleshy fruits (such as tomatoes and melons), and storage. From the
University of Illinois Extension, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
(Copyright 2004 by Librarians’ Index to
the Internet, LII; NEW THIS WEEK for September 30, 2004)
10 Legal Myths About Advance Medical Directives http://www.abanet.org/aging/myths.html
This American Bar Association site presents the "10 Legal Myths
About Advance Medical Directives" ranging from "Everyone Should Have a
Living Will," to "Advance Directives are a Legal Tool for Old
People." (RefDesk Site-Of-The-Day,
9/30/2004)
Quilter’s Cache http://www.quilterscache.com
For novice to expert quilters, this site provides a wealth of
information. Quilter Marsha Hone provides hundreds of free quilt block patterns,
an ever-changing photo gallery, a newsletter and lessons, and quilting links
galore.
Resources on the Flu Vaccine Shortage
From the Center for Disease Control
2004-2005 Flu Vaccine Shortage: Who Should Get Vaccinated
( http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/0405shortage.html )Flu Activity: Reports and Maps
( http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/fluactivity.htm )
From the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
(LLI New This Week, 10/21/04)T
- Flu Information ( http://www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/flu.html )
589P Wisconsin Resource Kit - Wisconsin Industries
For
more information on this kit visit the
WVLS AV & Programming Materials Page
OCTOBER
- NATIONAL COOKIE MONTH
- NATIONAL PASTA MONTH
- NATIONAL POPCORN MONTH
- NATIONAL BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
October 31 – Daylight Savings Time ends. Set clocks back one hour. See http://webexhibits.org/daylightsaving or http://www.timeanddate.com/time/aboutdst.html to learn more about the history and why we do it.
NOVEMBER
November 2-5 – "Your Library, Your Choice" - Wisconsin Library Association Annual Conference – Grand Geneva Resort and Spa, Lake Geneva – for more information, visit www.wla.lib.wi.us/conferences/2004/ or call 608/245-3640.
November 9 – TeachingBooks.com WisLine training session – 4:00-5:00 – to register, email James Leaver at james.leaver@dpi.state.wi.us
November 10 – The Polar Express opens in theaters. For program and pajama party ideas filled with bells, magic and trains, visit http://www.polarexpress.com and click on Teachers/Librarians, and http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/features/thepolarexpress/pdf/polarpartykit.pdf
November 15-21 – Children’s Book Week – for ideas for using children’s books in the classroom and for celebrating Children’s Book Week with students, go to www.cbcbooks.org/
November 19 - BadgerLink Training Session – Marathon County Public Library – 9:00-4:30 – other training sessions at MCPL will be on 12/7 and 12/8 – for details, visit the WVLS "Calender of Events" page ( http://wvls.lib.wi.us/Workshops/workshop.html ).
November 20 – WVLS Board of Trustees meeting – Marathon County Public Library – 9:30 a.m.
November 25 – Thanksgiving Day
November 26 – WVLS office closed.
DECEMBER
December 18 – WVLS Executive Committee meeting – Marathon County Public Library – 9:30 a.m.
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Let us read and let us dance, two amusements that will never do any harm to the world. - Voltaire
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Answers to the "not so easy" Quiz
- 116 years, from 1337 to 1453.
- Ecuador.
- From sheep and horses.
- November. The Russian calendar was 13 days behind ours.
- Squirrel fur.
- The Latin name was Insularia Canaria – Island of the Dogs.
- Albert. When he came to the throne in 1936, he respected the wish of Queen Victoria that no future king should ever be called Albert.
- Distinctively crimson.
- New Zealand
- Thirty years of course! From 1618 to 1648!
Wasn’t So Easy, Huh?
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
is a monthly newsletter of the Wisconsin
Valley Library Service.
300 N. First
Street / Wausau, WI 54403
Contributions are welcome!
Back issues are available at http://wvls.lib.wi.us/Newsletter/newsindex.htm
(Note: Web links in past issues are not checked for currency and may no
longer work.)
| EDITOR: Marla Sepnafski Phone: 715/261-7252 FAX: 715/261-7259 |
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.
When the most recent issue becomes available, readers are alerted by a notice
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to WISPUBLIB, contact Barbara Freimund at 715/261-7252, or email freimund@wvls.lib.wi.us
