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 ALA’S 3RD ANNUAL NATIONAL LIBRARY WORKERS DAY (APRIL 4, 2006)
 Do you work in a library? Are you a library trustee? Are you a member of a library support group like the Friends or a foundation? If so, it’s time to enthusiastically thump each other on the back for the wonderful things we do to create and maintain a better world through open access to information. If you don’t think that’s a mighty important thing to do with your life, then just go see how comfy it is to live in some other countries whose governments don’t think it’s a good idea for their citizens to know too much (if it seems like we’ve been hearing a bit of that in our own media lately, you’ll recognize the value of those library folks who are being called ‘hysterical’, ‘radical’, and ‘militant’ just because they stand up and speak out about the importance of guarding our freedoms). Being a part of library service and upholding the lofty aspirations of providing open access is not always easy but it is absolutely essential in a democratic society. I’m proud to work in this profession and I’m proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with each of you as we carry out our mission.

An editorial, in the 1/05/06 issue of the Wausau Daily Herald, pointed out that we were granted an extra second of life on the last day of 2005. It happened when the keepers of the world’s atomic clocks added a ‘leap second’ to account for a discrepancy in the earth’s rotation. Chances are you didn’t notice at the time. But that’s OK. What’s to stop you from using that extra second any time you choose, in any way you like? There are some very worthwhile things you can accomplish in one second, such as:

(1) giving a hug
(2) smiling at someone
(3) saying thanks to your colleagues, your librarian and/or your trustees for a job well done.

Take advantage of the earth’s slowed rotation. You don’t have another leap second to waste.

OPEN MEETINGS - AGAIN
I recently received a note reminding me that a ‘pick-up’ meeting of the WVLS nominating committee (following a regularly posted board meeting) might well be seen as an illegal meeting because it wasn’t properly posted according to Wisconsin’s Open Meeting Law requirements.

I announced this ‘irregularity’ at the next board meeting. It was agreed that we needed to be more careful and that, from now on, a meeting of the newly appointed Nominating Committee would be held immediately following the meeting where the committee was appointed. This meeting would be noted on the agenda of the full board meeting.

I’m telling you about this situation for two reasons:

(1) to point out that, well-intentioned though we might be, we all make mistakes in trying to meet the requirements of the Open Meeting Law, and
(2) to point out that you must do something to correct an illegal situation once you become aware of it.

WVLS has asked that all member public library directors send copies of their board minutes to the WVLS director. The purpose of this is to help keep the system office aware of the issues being dealt with by our member libraries. Once in awhile we can tell that you are not all abiding by the requirements of the Open Meeting Law either.

Let’s continue to remind each other that ALL meetings of a governmental body (AND ITS SUBCOMMITTEES) must be properly posted. Meetings of library board sub-committees such as nominating committees, personnel committees, buildings and grounds committees, etc. must be posted in the same way that you post notice of your regular library board meetings.

Review the words of the Wisconsin Open Meetings Law with your board. Since we all are expected to obey the law, every once in a while we need to be reminded of just what it says. Check out www.doj.state.wi.us  and click on the “Open Meetings/Public Records” button.

-- Heather Eldred

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IN THE SYSTEM

LIBRARY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR 2006
The 15-member WVLS Library Advisory Committee is charged with advising the WVLS staff and Board of Trustees on matters relating to promotion and implementation of programs of cooperation and communication among all libraries and other information sources in the counties which have membership in the Wisconsin Valley Library Service.

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Let Your Patrons Know!
AUDIOBOOKS ARE NOW JUST A DOWNLOAD AWAY!
As a member of the Wisconsin Public Library Consortium (WPLC), Wisconsin Valley Library Service is pleased to announce that digital audiobooks are now available to all member libraries and patrons having a V-Cat library card.  Remember, even if your library is not a V-Cat member, you and your patrons can get a V-Cat card from any WVLS public library that is a member.  (Note:  A Marathon County Public Library card may also be used to access the digital audiobook service.)  

Audiobook titles may be accessed via the “Digital Book Catalog & Download Center,” a service from OverDrive, at the WVLS web site at http://wvls.lib.wi.us/Databases/ElectronicDatabase.html.   Prior to downloading an audiobook, the OverDrive Media Console must be installed, and Windows Media Player (series 9 or newer) must be on the computer.  Both can be downloaded for free from the OverDrive web site at http://www.overdrive.com/MediaConsole/download.asp 

In order to place a hold on a title or check-out an item, one needs to go into My Account, sign in by selecting WVLS from the library system dropdown list, and entering a V-Cat library card number in the library card number field.  (Marathon County Public Library patrons would select MCPL from the dropdown list, and enter their MCPL card numbers in the library card number field.)   Audiobook titles may be downloaded to personal computers, copied to PDAs or MP3 players that support the Windows Media Format, or burned to CDs. 

Late in 2005, when WPLC rolled out this service, the number of available audiobook titles was very limited.  Since that time, many new titles have been purchased and some of the ‘technical glitches’ with the service have been ironed out.  Even though the supply of titles still doesn’t meet the demand and circulation remains high for the collection, Leora Young, WVLS OverDrive trainer, gave the nod to start promoting this service to WVLS libraries and patrons.  

 For more information, contact Leora at the WVLS office at 715/261-7252 or lyoung2@wvls.lib.wi.us.  Or, if interested, contact her to do an Overdrive training session for your library staff.  Also you might want to check out the Winnefox Library System website at http://www.winnefox.org/er/Overdrive/  for some excellent instructions in the use of OverDrive.

YOUTH MATTERS

Mark Your Calendars!
19^th ANNUAL CHILDREN’S BOOK FEST
Attention Wisconsin, Minnesota and Upper Michigan librarians, teachers, parents, reading specialists and members of the general public who are interested in learning about the best books for young people!  You are invited to attend Children’s Book Fest 2006, a two-day conference held at the Rhinelander Holiday Inn (Rhinelander, WI) on March 14 and 15. 

Megan Schliesman and Merri V. Lindgren from the Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC) in Madison, Wisconsin will discuss books for children and young adults at an evening presentation on Tuesday, March 14, as well as at a day presentation on Wednesday, March 15.  Both sessions will include a CCBC exhibit of the best 2005 books for young readers. 

Registration information for Children’s Book Fest is on the WVLS web site at http://wvls.lib.wi.us/Workshops/workshop.html   All registrations must be received no later than March 10.  Payment of $6.00 per person must accompany each registration.  No purchase orders, please. 

Children’s Book Fest participants will receive a copy of the 150-page recommended best books list as part of their registration package, as well as other booklists.  The registration fee also covers the cost of refreshments and a CCBC honorarium.  Please Note:  Meals are on your own.

 Plans include an opportunity on both March 14 and 15 for individuals to purchase award-winning books highlighted by the speakers through an independent arrangement with Brown Street Books of Rhinelander.

 Telephone inquiries regarding the Wednesday presentation may be made to Kris at the Rhinelander District Library (phone number and email below).  More information about the Tuesday presentation is available from Headwaters Reading Council member Joan Belongia (day: brnstbks@newnorth.net or 715/362-5111; evening: 715/362-3844).  –Kris Adams Wendt, Director; Rhinelander District Library; 106 N. Stevens St.; Rhinelander, WI  54501; kwendt@wvls.lib.wi.us; 715/365-1070

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From Babbling to Books TELECONFERENCE
Young children who perform better than their peers in reading do so for several reasons, but one of the most overlooked is this – lots of family talk.  Far too many young children come to school with poor oral language skills because they just don't know enough words.  The good news is that helping a young child is simple.  By engaging kids in rich stories and having meaningful conversations with them, you – as a parent or a daycare provider or a preschool teacher or librarian – can help improve their oral language skills, which will eventually help them become better readers. 

From Babbling to Books: Building Pre-Reading Skills will stress the importance of working with young children early to develop language and pre-reading skills. I t will provide adults who work with young children with research-based strategies that can help lay the foundation for building strong readers.

You can participate in this live teleconference on March 22 (or watch the webcast version for FREE starting April 1!) to learn about the importance of early oral language skills.  For more information, go to http://www.readingrockets.org/profdev/teleconferences#building
(Rhonda Putney’s CEO; Lakeshores Library system and MidWisconsin Federated Library System Youth Services Update; 3/1/06)

REFURBISHING OF SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA CENTERS CAN LEAD TO HIGHER STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
Funding from the New York Life Foundation allowed Public Education Network (PEN) and its member local education funds (LEFs) in Minneapolis, San Francisco, and Tampa to update and refurbish library media centers in four high schools. This pilot program has invested in computer technology, revised collections, revamped library design, and extended hours of school library operation facilitating use before school, during school (including lunch hour), and after school.

The Revitalizing High School Libraries (RHSL) initiative has increased the number of students reading for fun as well as for class. Survey results suggest that students are talking more about books and reading with family and friends. These behaviors are strongly associated with higher reading and academic achievement. Download the PDF article at http://www.publiceducation.org/pdf/Publications/High_School/Adolescents_Read2.pdf
 (Channel Weekly; 2/2/06)

TROUBLE READING A COMPUTER SCREEN?
New software that enlarges text on a computer screen or reads it out loud can help visually impaired people or those with learning disabilities or low literacy to read email and get information from the Web.

Though these two computer stations are specially equipped for people with special needs, they are open to anyone to use.  A person not needing the special software may be asked to move if a patron needs to use it.  (Library Matters; newsletter of the Hedberg Public Library; 12/05)

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INFO TO GO

ARE YOUR EMPLOYEES ‘LEGAL’?
A question came in from a member library recently that reminded us of I-9 Forms. “What’s that?” you ask.

An I-9 Form must be on file (in your office) for anyone on your staff who was hired AFTER November 6, 1986.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA) bars employers from hiring individuals, including illegal aliens, who are not legally entitled to work in the United States. Employers must verify that individuals are eligible to work by obtaining an Employment Eligibility Verification Form, known as Form I-9, and inspecting the required supporting documents at the time of hiring. I-9 forms must be retained for 3 years after the worker is hired or for 1 year after termination, whichever is longer.

IRCA applies to all employers. Employers are required to verify that all employees hired after November 6, 1986 are legally entitled to work in the United States. Employees must provide employers with documents that show (1) identity and (2) employment eligibility. Employees must also complete a Form I-9, attesting under penalty of perjury that they are either U.S. nationals or aliens authorized to work in the U.S. This law is administered by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) – formally the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) which is part of the Department of Homeland Security.

Employers may be assessed civil penalties for hiring or continuing to employ unauthorized aliens, failing to comply with Form I-9 requirements, or not requiring identification. Employers are also subject to criminal penalties for engaging in a pattern or practice of knowingly hiring or continuing to employ unauthorized aliens; engaging in fraud or false statement; of misusing visas, immigration permits, or identification documents. Employers that hire illegal aliens can also be debarred from federal contracts for 1 year.

If you don’t have the required I-9 forms on file for each of your affected employees (those hired AFTER November 6, 1986) do it now…better late than never.

Further information about IRCA and downloadable I-9 forms (which can be photocopied) can be found on the USCIS website at http://www.uscis.gov  If you have questions about this form, contact your district USCIS office:

For Forest and Langlade Counties, contact:

Milwaukee District Office of USCIS
310 Knapp Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202.

For Clark, Lincoln, Marathon, Oneida, and Taylor Counties, contact:

St. Paul District Office of USCIS
2901 Metro Drive, Suite 100
St. Paul, MN 55425

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PROGRAMMING IDEAS

Launching April 28, 2006
LIBRARIES – STEP UP TO THE PLATE!
It’s just a few short weeks until the baseball season’s opening day, and registration is now open for the American Library Association’s (ALA) 21^st century literacy program that teams up libraries and baseball. 

The Step up to the Plate @ your library program will officially launch Friday, April 28, but librarians can visit the program web site now to register for FREE promotional tools to help prepare for the new program.  Tools include program logos in both English and Spanish and a toolkit that includes sample press materials and programming ideas. 

The first 100 libraries to register will receive a Jackie Robinson History Lives poster from ALA Graphics.  Librarians can also win incentives for participation in the program.  The library that brings in the most entries will receive a $100 bookstore gift certificate, a copy of Lawrence Hogan’s Shades of Glory: The Negro Leagues and the Story of African-American Baseball, and three copies of Satch and Me by Dan Gutman.  The next three libraries will receive a $50 ALA Graphics gift certificate and these books. 

Step up to the Plate is a partnership between ALA and the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, The Campaign for America’s Libraries’ newest Founding Partner.  The initiative continues the program originally developed with Major League Baseball, which successfully concluded in 2005. 

The library staff at the Hall of Fame has created all new baseball trivia questions for the program that will be available when the program launches.  Baseball fans and library users of all ages answer the trivia questions in the ‘Playbook’ that corresponds to their age group using the resources in the library to look up the answers.  Questions address five topic areas:  women in baseball; African-Americans in baseball; Hispanics in baseball; Major League Baseball; and ball parks. 

Every player who answers four questions correctly will be entered into a drawing to win the grand prize, a trip for two to Cooperstown to attend the Museum’s World Series Gala event on Saturday, October 21, as well as a behind-the-scenes tour.  Twenty first-place prize packages also will be awarded (five in each of the four age groups).  They will include a commemorative hardbound copy of the Hall of Fame Yearbook; Hall of Fame t-shirt; commemorative set of 20 Hall of Fame baseball cards; DVD copy of the classic baseball movie, The Sandlot; miniature souvenir Akadema Pro baseball glove; and a Jackie Robinson History Lives poster from ALA Graphics.   

To find out how your library can ‘step up to the plate’, visit http://www.ala.org/ala/pressreleases2006/februray/baseballreg.htm

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ORGANIZE A VIRTUAL LEGISLATIVE DAY!
Libraries that cannot send a representative to Washington, DC, on May 1st and 2nd can still create an impact locally.  Hosting a Virtual Legislative Day and gathering grassroots supporters to phone, fax and email Congress is crucial to the success of the library legislative events.  Your Congressional representatives want to know how libraries and library programs impact the lives of their constituents.  For more information about Virtual Legislative Day, visit the ALA website at http://www.ala.org/ala/washoff/washevents/nlld/vertld.htm

BOOKLETTERS
Have you ever wondered if there was a way to seamlessly create a dynamic electronic library newsletter – a web-based service that alerts library customers to the latest book and library news – that connects to your library’s web site, e-resources and catalog?  BookLetters may be the service you’re looking for.  Libraries use the BookLetters Tool Kit to access rich content for creating professional quality communications when reaching out to their customers.  And they don’t lose their brand identity either.  All BookLetter e-newsletters and web pages are branded with the library’s identity and automatically link back to the library’s web site and online catalog to increase usage of library resources.  Web page creation and e-mailing is controlled by the Library, but automatically performed by BookLetters computers.  Take a look at BookLetters at http://www.bookletters.com/   The site does an excellent job of explaining its services and includes examples of working library web sites where BookLetter products are operating.
(Marketing Library Treasures; December 2005)

FROM HITHER & YON

 WELCOME TO THE POST 9/11 WORLD OF LIBRARY VOLUNTEERS
I often follow the discussions that come up on the FOLUSA-L listserv where Friends of Libraries from all over ask and answer questions.  Given today’s political climate (terrorism, sexual harassment, identity theft, etc.), a recent ‘discussion’ on the need for background checks for library Friends/Volunteers/etc. proved to be very interesting.  Some responses even indicated that in addition to a straight background check, they were also asked to provide Social Security and driver’s license numbers for the ‘record.’ 

In the discussion, we learned that some libraries run background checks on all Volunteers who work in the library – including Friends – because wherever a Volunteer/Friend has access to children, money, or materials it is prudent to do this.  We’re assuming that those places also run background checks before hiring anyone for the permanent staff.  Some people said that they didn’t mind being asked for driver’s license numbers since many people already have them printed on their checks but they were vehemently opposed to giving SSNs. 

In some places, local police departments provide these checks for free.  In one place, the Volunteer/Friend was asked to pay for the initial check with a refund being made after an agreed-upon number of hours was worked.  Other places reported that they started to ask for this type of information and stopped because they risked losing their very close-knit, extremely invaluable, and mostly retired corps of volunteers.  Some reported that if there is really a compelling reason to collect the information, the asking group needs to provide assurances about the storage and use of the information.  Who will be responsible for securing the information?  How long will the info be kept?  Who has access to the info? 

Maybe there is a simpler way to deal with the ‘legitimacy’ issue…nametags, off-limit areas…always have at least two people counting and reporting on money…never leave a single volunteer in charge of a child (or a vulnerable adult) in a private place, etc.

 Another respondent pointed out that libraries don’t ordinarily require groups that use the library facilities (even on a regular basis) to provide background checks so why should the Friends – the very group that strongly and publicly supports the library and its mission – be made to feel that perhaps they can’t be trusted? 

Some libraries do background checks for Volunteers but not for Friends…some governmental agencies require checks for all of their departments… 

I asked various people in my ‘circle’ if they were involved in any activities that required a background check (just to get a little idea of the pervasiveness of this practice).  Those who worked directly with children were aware of such checks.  

In this ‘new world’ we live in, perhaps we all should incorporate the attitude of the man who said “…if the library wants to ensure the safety of its patrons by doing background checks on staff, volunteers or Friends, I am wholeheartedly in favor of it.  I try not to let my paranoia get in the way of common sense.” 

To sign up for the FOLUSA listserv go to the FOLUSA web site at http://www.folusa.com/
Then click on <Resources for Friends> and then click on <FOLUSA's Listservs -- Friend to Friend Discussions> and follow the directions to sign up.  – Heather Eldred

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DO YOU HAVE TYPOGLYCEMIA?  PROBABLY! 
Believe it or not, you probably can read the following pretty easily:

I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mind.  Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch taem at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Such a cdonition is arppoiately cllaed Typoglycemia.

    Amzanig huh? Yaeh and yuo awlyas thought slpeling was ipmorantt!

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WEB SITES OF INTEREST (tourist traps on the information superhighway!)

BEST OF THE BEST BUSINESS WEB SITES
http://www.ala.org/ala/rusa/rusaourassoc/rusasections/brass/brassprotools/bestofthebestbus/bestbestbusiness.htm
Annotated sites chosen by the business reference division of the American Library Association’s
Reference and User Services Association.  While you're at it, you can also check out their list of Core Competencies for Business Reference, a good place to start brushing up your skills.
(Marylaine Block’s Neat New Stuff; http://marylaine.com/neatnew.html; 11/22/05) 

NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR TRAVELERS   http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html
Overview and brief facts about the new law that (by January 1, 2008) will require travelers to and from the Caribbean, Bermuda, Panama, Mexico and Canada to have a passport or other secure, accepted document to enter or re-enter the United States.  From the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs.  (Copyright 2006 by Librarians’ Index to the Internet; LII New This Week; 1/26/06) 

SMALL TOWN LIBRARIAN    http://www.greenlakelibrary.org/smalltown/
A new blog from Tasha Saecker, director at Caestecker Public Library in Green Lake, Wisconsin.  For those of you in small libraries, it’s going to feel like you’ve got a new friend, speaking your language, about problems and issues faced by staff in rural libraries.  (Edited from Neat New Stuff I Found This Week; 3/2/06; http://marylaine.com/neatnew.html; Copyright, Marylaine Block, 1999-2006.) 

THE MOTLEY FOOL    http://www.npr.org/templates/rundowns/rundown.php?prgId=15
With a title like “The Motley Fool”, visitors unacquainted with this program may wonder what exactly this series might be about.  Created in 1993, the program is essentially a down-to-earth guide to personal finance and investing offered by David Gardner on National Public Radio.  As might be expected, this lively program covers a wide range of subjects, including online wedding planning, helpful stock tips, and retirement funds.  First-time visitors to the site will want to listen to a sample program, and then perhaps examine the program’s online archives, which date back to January 2002.  One of the more recently added features to the site is the area dedicated to downloadable podcast programs.  A number of these are definitely worth downloading, and taken in tandem with the actual radio show, should be considered a fine guide to the compelling area of personal finance and business acumen.
(From The Scout Report, Copyright Internet Scout Project 1994-2006; http://scout.wisc.edu/; 2/17/06) 

TRANS FATS NOW LISTED ON FOOD LABELS http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/transfat.html
The Food and Drug Administration now requires food manufacturers to list trans fat (i.e., trans fatty acids) on Nutrition Facts and some Supplement Facts panels. Scientific evidence shows that consumption of saturated fat, trans fat, and dietary cholesterol raises low-density lipoprotein (LDL or 'bad') cholesterol levels that increase the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institute of Health, over 12.5 million Americans suffer from CHD, and more than 500,000 die each year.  (Refdesk Site-Of-The-Day; 2/6/06)

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

March

March 11 – WVLS Board of Trustees meeting – Marathon County Public Library – 9:30. 

March 12-18 – ALA’s Sunshine Week: Your Right to Know – The intent is to raise awareness of the importance of open government to everyone in the community.  Go to the events page at http://www.ala.org/ala/washoff/washevents/events.htm for other ALA Sunshine Week events. 

March 14-15 – 19^th Annual Children’s Book Fest – Holiday Inn Express, Rhinelander – 8:30-2:30 - $6.00 – for more information, refer to the article in this issue of the Lamplighter, or visit http://wvls.lib.wi.us/Workshops/workshop.html  

March 16 – WVLS V-Cat Council special meeting – Marathon County Public Library – 9:30. 

March 17 – Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

March 21-25 – 11^th National Public Library Association Conference – Boston.  Registration is available online at www.placonference.org   Visit the site often for conference announcements and updates. 

March 22 – “Workplace Culture: Building Positive and Productive Staff Relations – SirsiDynix Institute web seminar – FREE – 8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. (Pacific) – to register, visit http://www.dynix.com/institute/seminars.asp  

March 22-24 – 21^st Annual Computers in Libraries Conference – Hilton, Washington, D.C. – check www.infotoday.com/cil2006 for conference updates. 

March 28-31 – WAAL Conference –Country Springs Hotel and Conference Center, Stevens Point.  For more information, visit http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/waal/conferences/2006/ 

April   

SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA MONTH – For posters and other promotional materials, visit the ALA Online Store at www.alastore.ala.org  

April 2 – Major League Baseball Opening Day

April 2-8 – NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK – Sponsored by the American Library Association, the theme of this annual event is “Change your world @ your library®.”  For more information, including programming ideas and sample press releases, visit www.ala.org/ala/pio/campaign/nlw/NLW.htm  

April 4 – National Library Worker’s Day.   How will your library celebrate?  To download flyers or buy buttons, see http://www.ala-apa.org/about/nlwd.html

April 6 – WVLS V-Cat Council meeting – Antigo Public Library – 9:30. 

April 8 – WVLS Executive Committee meeting – Marathon County Public Library – 9:30. 

May

May 1-2 – ALA’s National Library Legislative Day – Washington, D.C. – for details, visit http://www.ala.org/ala/washoff/washevents/nlld/nationallibrary.htm or refer to the article on National Library Legislative Day in this issue of the Lamplighter. 

May 3-5 – Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries (WAPL) Conference – Wisconsin Rapids.

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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

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