I DIDN’T KNOW THE LIBRARY DID THAT!
Surely you’ve heard that note of surprise in a person’s voice when they learn that the library has materials or services they didn’t know about. You wonder (only silently and to yourself, of course) what you have to do to tell people that these materials and services are available at/through their very own local library.

Responses to a recent WVLS survey on this topic revealed the following:

• articles in local newspapers
• library newsletters
• radio/TV spots
• posters
• classroom visits/handouts
• e-mail contacts to library patrons (addresses collected at library card registration time… list used ONLY for library business… short notices sent out every few weeks or so… never include attachments, illustrations or other ‘byte eaters’… always include an ‘unsubscribe’ notice… always include library’s web address so patrons can ‘read more about it.’…have your system automatically delete ‘bounce backs’
• fliers handed out at check-out desk, iPACs, and Internet stations
• notices on library’s web page
• tell professional colleagues in other types of libraries in your area about new services at your library and make sure he/she/they receive needed training/handouts/etc. Ask them to share information with their library’s users.
• volunteer to provide bookmarks/brochures about library services for inclusion in Newcomer’s baskets, service club packets, Chamber of Commerce racks, utility bills, church bulletins, grocery bags, etc.
• hold ‘open house’ events at the library

• one-on-one tutoring (upon invitation)
• directional signs by new equipment
• group training sessions (sometimes run by high school students)
• instructional brochures
• web-based training opportunities
• make sure library staff know about (and how to use) library services so they can alert patrons to availability of the service

In other words, libraries don’t seem to have any particularly unique methods of informing their communities about available library services nor do they offer exceedingly creative ways to teach patrons how to make use of services. We all just keep plodding along because we can’t afford to spend much, if any, money on publicity and public relations…we’d rather spend dollars on expanding our services. Some national library agencies are developing ads to tell the world about the value of libraries. Wouldn’t it be nice if those ads were made available free (or at least at a reasonable price) so that we could all benefit from them?

Hey, isn’t that one of the new fund-raising goals of the Wisconsin Library Association Foundation (WLAF) this year?

LIBRARIES WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE WLA’S FOUNDATION BOARD CAN RAISE THE PUBLIC’S AWARENESS!
Just so you know, WLAF’s Campaign for Wisconsin’s Libraries will provide a collective voice in behalf of Wisconsin libraries of all types. This centralized state level campaign will benefit all libraries, but especially those with limited promotional resources. The campaign will take advantage of any national level efforts to promote libraries that are in keeping with the purpose of Wisconsin’s campaign. You’ll be hearing a lot about WLAF’s fundraising events. If all libraries, Friends groups, etc. each contribute the little they can afford, together we can ‘speak’ with a loud voice.

Please give when asked but you don’t have to wait to be asked. Volunteer to help raise dollars for this most valuable WLAF project. Contact me at heldred@wvls.lib.wi.us  (I’m a member of the WLAF Board of Directors) or Rick Krumwiede at rick@mail.owls.lib.wi.us , (current WLAF Chair) if you would like more information or if you would like to contribute.

Need more information about the Campaign for Wisconsin’s Libraries? Check out the WLA website at http://www.wla.lib.wi.us 

THE ADVOCACY ACTION PLAN
Trying to think of ways to get your trustees and friends excited about being library advocates? The American Library Association has developed The Advocacy Action Plan and Workbook as a step-by-step way for libraries to craft, prioritize, and communicate their advocacy messages effectively. For this 16-page workbook, go to: http://www.ala.org/ala/issues/MW05_AI_workshop_guide.pdf 
(WLA E-News, 2/24/05)

A WVLS WORKSHOP FOR DECISION MAKERS!

Thursday, April 28, 2005
Marathon County Public Library
300 N. First Street, Wausau

This dynamic workshop will feature nationally acclaimed speaker, Pat Wagner, President of Pattern Research in Boulder, Colorado. Pat has been conducting workshops for libraries and library organizations, including ALA, for 22 years. Pat conducts training programs and consults on management and personnel topics at all levels, from one-person rural libraries to large urban districts, from library boards to state libraries, and in all types of libraries and library organizations. She has been invited to speak at ALA, SLA, ARMA, MLA, and AALL national events, as well as for statewide programs in 42 states, from Alaska to Hawaii. A summary of her recent library speaking engagements is available at http://www.pattern.com/ 

 

9:00 – 9:30	Registration, Coffee and Conversation
9:30 – Noon	Evaluating & Improving Staff Performance
	Learn simple and effective ways to evaluate employee performance with less stress and better results. Setting goals, supervising without micromanaging and and ending the employer-employee relationship are just some of the topics to be covered.
Noon – 1:30	Lunch
1:30 – 3:00	Making Hard Choices
	It’s a challenging time for public libraries. While use of traditional services remains strong, demands for new services and materials grow. While funding is decreasing, frozen or stagnating, public libraries are grappling with space needs, adding new formats, participating in shared systems, planning and providing interesting and enlightening programs, keeping pace with new technologies, and finding, training and paying staff. Join in a presentation and discussion of how boards and staff can make the hard choices needed to keep the public library a key community center during challenging times by re-examining libraries’ core principles and "business as usual" practices in the light of a whole new set of challenges.

Please R.S.V.P. by Tuesday, April 26th -

- by phone - Marla Sepnafski, WVLS, 715/261-7252
- or online on the workshop page : http://wvls.lib.wi.us/Workshops/workshop.html  

  Back to top

HELP YOUTH RESOLVE CONFLICTS WITHOUT VIOLENCE
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 March:

When arguments occur, model non-violence at home by being respectful of others. Confront people when a problem exists instead of waiting for a bigger problem to develop. Use "I" statements – instead of saying, "You made me mad because you took the car without asking," say, "I felt mad when you took the car without asking. Next time, please ask for my permission before taking the car." Using polite words or phrases like, "please," "thank you," "excuse me," and "I’m sorry" can prevent conflicts resulting in violence. Read Dr. David Walsh’s book Why Do They Act That Way? to learn more about adolescent brain development, and to understand the science behind teenage emotional outbursts. Keeping calm and defusing conflict is far more effective than engaging in angry power struggles with young people, and helps them learn peaceful conflict resolution skills.

PUBLIC LIBRARIES AS PARTNERS IN YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
With growing numbers of teenagers visiting libraries to socialize, do homework, and use computers as well as the Internet, libraries have found themselves pressed to address the needs of this group.  Although nearly a fourth of library patrons are teenagers, libraries traditionally have devoted less of their space, personnel, and financial resources to services for teens than to any other age group.  An evaluation of the Public Libraries as Partners in Youth Development, a nine site demonstration project funded by the Wallace Foundation, suggests that communities should take a closer look at the role that public libraries can play in strengthening the skills of teenagers, and connecting libraries more closely to communities.  The study suggests that library-based youth programs, especially in low-income communities, can teach teens specific job skills at the same time that they make libraries more visible assets in the community.  The following link will take you to the abstract, and to a link for the article.  http://www.chapinhall.org/article_abstract_new.asp?ar=1381&L2=62&L3=106 
(Chapin Hall Alert, 2/24/05, as seen in the Monday Memo, 3/7/05)

DRAGONS, DREAMS & DARING DEEDS RESOURCES NOW AVAILABLE
Great resources from the many workshops given at the "Dragons, Dreams & Daring Deeds" SLP kick-off on March 18th, 2005 are now available on line at: http://psw.scls.lib.wi.us/ce/program/handouts/index.html  and include the following:

• Royale Romp
• Festive Feasts
• Dare to Dance
• Renaissance Costume
• Practice thy Crafts
• Professor Snape's Potions

• Fantasy for 9 to 12 year olds: Borrowers, Boggarts, Broomsticks and Beyond
• Fantastic Fiction: Great Fantasy Books for Ages 11 to 17

Mister Anderson's Company puppets were also featured at the day long event with lots of dragons, princesses and other SLP theme puppets. My personal favorite, a big friendly and "poseable" 'Dragon Plush Display Toy' that was 40" long and x 20" high would make for a great display! They have an even bigger very elegant 'Francesca Dragon Jumbo' who sits up and is 40" high! I think they would make a delightful greeter to the children's section of any sized library, and you could take them along for the ride for your school visits to promote the Dragon Theme. Check out the Mister Anderson’s Company web site for lots of free "Helpful Information" for useful web sites, activities, tips, lessons, and games that support the 2005 summer reading theme "Dragons, Dreams & Daring Deeds." Go to http://www.misterandersons.com/helpful/index.htm  and click on the Castle Icon. You can also sign up for free dragon resources via e-mail just follow the link to sign up.
--Stephanie Stokes, Coordinator; California Summer Reading Program Collaborative; Phone: 818-980-7476; stephanie@casummerreading.org  ; URL: www.casummerreading.org 
(pubyac listserv, 3/24/05)

PROFESSIONAL READING

This updated and expanded edition of the earlier Complete Internet Companion provides additional coverage of things librarians need to know to keep up with the many changes taking place on the Internet and in their libraries. It is a resource prepared for librarians and is available in an updated multimedia format. Special features of this new edition include:

• The multimedia experience – how to provide your customers with what they want – everything from digital images to Web-based databases with video and sound clips.
• Your library as an electronic publisher – how to build and maintain your library home page and implement Web-based search engines and databases.
• Communication systems – the tips to troubleshoot e-mail and mailing lists.
• Virtually yours for free – where to find free search and indexing systems, statistical services, systems for distance education, and more.

Written in clear, easy-to-understand language, the Neal-Schuman Complete Internet Companion for Librarians is both comprehensive and user friendly. It is a tool that reference librarians, school library media specialists, Web masters, instructional librarians, and others will find useful.

This book is available through regular interlibrary loan channels. 
– Ellen Buchberger

GRANT UPDATE

TARGET STORES OPEN COMMUNITY GIVING GRANTS PROGRAM
Applications are now available for the Target Stores Community Giving Grants Program, which currently focuses on three areas: arts, family violence prevention, and reading. Target funds early childhood reading programs that promote a love of reading or encourage children to read together with their families. Programs that inspire young readers (birth through third grade) are a particular focus of the program. Target support for the arts includes grants to make art exhibitions, classes, and performances more affordable and accessible for families. Programs that bring arts to schools or school children to the arts are of particular interest. Target also supports family violence prevention, including funding for parenting education, crisis nurseries, family counseling, after-school programs, support groups, and abuse shelters. Most grants will range between $1,000 and $3,000. Applicants must be 501c(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organizations or public agencies. Organizations in Alaska, Hawaii, or Vermont are not eligible for this program.

Target will accept grant applications between March 1 and May 31, 2005. Applications must be submitted to a local Target store team leader, who will review the application and make funding recommendations. Applications will be reviewed as they are received; therefore, applicants are encouraged to apply early. Visit the Target web site for complete grant guidelines. Application forms are available at Target stores and online at http://target.com/target_group/community_giving/local_giving.jhtml 
(RFP Newsletter, 3/18/05, as seen in CEO, 3/23/05)

ON COMMAND

The library has the potential to save a great deal of money. For example, a cassette version of a typical Grisham novel costs about $72, a CD version is $90, but an MP3 version is about $18.
(Wired News, 3/3/05, and Hotline, 3/14/05)

FREE CREDIT REPORTS AVAILABLE IN MARCH
As a result of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act (FACTA) passed by Congress in 2003, consumers in Wisconsin and other Midwestern states are eligible to receive free annual credit reports as of March 1, 2005. The office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) encourages people to take advantage of this opportunity to check that the information on it is accurate and complete. Consumers may access their reports at www.annualcreditreport.com. The Annual Credit Report web site is a joint venture of the three national credit bureaus: Euifax, Experian, and Trans Union. The construction and design of the site were specified by FACTA and approved by the Federal Trade Commission. The site’s security protocols and measures are designed to protect the personally identifiable information consumers provide from unauthorized access or alteration. As an added security measure, consumers can choose to have the credit reports display no more than the last four digits of the Social Security numbers. In addition, only the initial portion of account numbers from creditors are displayed on the resulting reports.

Consumers can request their free annual credit report by calling 1-877-322-8288, or visiting the Annual Credit Report web site, or completing the Annual Credit Report Request Form available at http://www.ftc.gov/credit and mailing it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service; P.O. Box 105281; Atlanta, Georgia 30348-5281. Beyond their one free credit report each year, consumers can purchase their credit score at any time.

The Federal Trade Commission reminds consumers that www.annualcreditreport.com is the only authorized site to obtain free annual credit reports, and emails, pop-up ads or phone calls asking for personal information and claiming to be from the Web site or any of the three companies are "probably a scam."

RECOGNIZING A STROKE
According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and a major cause of serious, long-term disability. On average, someone has a stroke every 45 seconds. Someone dies of a stroke every 3 minutes.

Learning to recognize the warning signs and acting quickly when they occur can mean the difference in surviving a stroke and minimizing long-term disability, or being physically and mentally devastated or dying from it. Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. However, thanks to research presented at the American Stroke Association’s annual meeting last February, non-medical bystanders may be able to recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

• Ask the individual to SMILE.
• Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
• Ask the person to SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE.

If he or she has trouble with any of these tasks, 9-1-1 should be called immediately.
For more information, visit the American Stroke Association’s web site at http://www.strokeassociation.org 

• Save the whales. Collect the whole set.
• I used to have an open mind but my brains kept falling out.
• I just got lost in thought. It wasn’t familiar territory.
• Honk if you love peace and quiet.
• I drive way too fast to worry about cholesterol.
• A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
• Plan to be spontaneous tomorrow.
• Okay, so what’s the speed of dark?
• Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.
• Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just don’t have film.
• If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy her friends?
• What happens if you get scared half to death twice?
• Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.
• Inside every older person is a younger person wondering what happened.

ANTIQUES ROADSHOW FYI http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/antiquesfyi/ 
This site is from the producers of Antiques Roadshow, the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) series about antique evaluation and appraisal. The site provides an overview of the series, which answers questions such as "What happens to the stuff after the owners leave the convention hall?" The site features information about "missing masterpieces," auction tips and advice, collecting resources, antique event listings, and related material. Searchable.
(Copyright 2005 by Librarians’ Index to the Internet; LII New This Week; 2/24/05)

AAA FUEL COST CALCULATOR http://www.fuelcostcalculator.com/ 
"Calculate the estimated fuel cost of your trip" based on current gasoline prices. Choose a starting point, destination, make/model/year of vehicle from dropdown menus and click "Calculate." A map showing current day’s average fuel costs in different regions of the country is included.
(ResourceShelf, 3/22/05, http://www.resourceshelf.com/ )

PHIL BRADLEY: FINDING WHAT YOU NEED WITH THE BEST SEARCH ENGINES http://www.philb.com/whichengine.htm 
Don’t know which search engine is the best one to research an answer to your question? To save yourself time, check out Phil Bradley’s search engine chart, which matches specific information needs with his favorite tools for finding those kinds of information. He also links to similar charts from several other search experts.
(Marylaine Block’s Neat New Stuff I Found This Week; 3/10/05; http://marylaine.com/neatnew.html)

The Hans Christian Andersen Center (http://www.andersen.sdu.dk/index_e.html);

Hans Christian Andersen Teacher Resource File (http://falcon.jmu.edu/~ramseyil/andersen.htm); 
Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales (http://www.classicreader.com/booktoc.php/sid.3/bookid.109/); 
EDSITEment–Hans Christian Andersen Lessons (http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=417);
Andersen Fairy Tales (http://www.andersenfairytales.com); and
The Hans Christian Andersen 2005 Foundation (http://hca2005.com/HCA2005)
(WEMA listserv, 3/18/05)

HOMETOWNLOCATOR GAZETTEER: CENSUS DATA http://gazetteer.hometownlocator.com/index.cfm 
This site allows you to browse physical and cultural features of the United States, arranged by individual state. From each state listing, you can learn about various physical and cultural attributes within each county, such as hospitals, bays, airports, oilfield, and post offices. After browsing a list of each type of feature, you can elect to view an aerial photograph of the feature and its environs as well. Census 2000 information may be browsed by city, town, village, county, or zip code. You can also use the My House feature to obtain a photo of the street you live on and use a distance finder to calculate the distance between two cities, towns, or zip codes. 
(Refdesk site-of-the-day; 3/8/05)

April 11-17 –YOUNG PEOPLE’S POETRY WEEK– This annual celebration is sponsored by the Children’s Book Council in collaboration with the American Academy of Poets and the Center for the Book. Classroom materials, including a Young People’s Poetry Week poster and postcards by Peter McCarty, are posted online for poetry enthusiasts at http://www.cbcbooks.org (School Library Journal; 2/05)

May

June

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

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.)

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 posted to WISPUBLIB, or sent an email.
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. To have The Lamplighter emailed to you without subscribing to WISPUBLIB, contact Barbara Freimund at 715/261-7252, or email freimund@wvls.lib.wi.us