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July
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It’s July – the month that loudly and colorfully reminds us of our freedoms. Those of us in the library field know how important our roles are in the preservation of those freedoms. We know that there really aren’t any other professions whose task it is to provide open access to the world’s information and we know that it’s VERY MUCH OK for us to be proud of what we do.
It’s summer – a time that positively transforms those of us who live in the north. For nine months (or so) each year, we’re pretty much indoor creatures but…give us a little warmth and sunshine and we blossom, we become outgoing people, we grow things, we are even brave and un-self-conscious enough to display our winter-white limbs in public – now that’s REAL transformation!
What about our libraries? How can we transform them? Leslie Burger, 2007 ALA President, offers some transformational tips in her blog. For her full list click on http://burgerforala.blogs.com/burger_for_ala/2006/01/leslies_tips_fo.html
Now, back to those rights and freedoms we protect. Many surveys lately have reported that there aren’t many students or even adults who know and can list those First Amendment Rights that we all talk about protecting. Can you? I had a junior high civics teacher who helped us to remember them this way… Think of a judge and his gavel. What does he do with it? He raps (or in this case RAPPS) it. If you can remember RAPPS, this mnemonic device may help you remember those rights you should always be mindful of:
R = religion A= assembly P = press P= petition S= speech
Happy 231st birthday, America! Hey, let’s go have a red, white and blue cupcake! ;->
Heather Eldred
The Wisconsin Valley Library Service Presents…
Collaboration 2.0, Gaming & RSS
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
UW-Marathon County, Terrace Room
518 S 7th Avenue, Wausau
| 9:00 a.m. | Registration and Refreshments |
| 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Collaboration 2.0: Making blogs, wikis, and other tools work for you and your library The latest technology and newest tools claim to help you improve your productivity; the hard part is knowing what to use and when. This session, will help you determine the best and the worst of the latest collaborative tools. The entertaining duo of Stef Morrill (Associate Director at the South Central Library System) and Beth Carpenter (Library Services Manager at the Outagamie-Waupaca Library System) will lead attendees through, what promises to be, a very lively session! |
| 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | LUNCH ($8.00 for the lunch buffet) Report of the Gaming, Learning, and Libraries Symposium During lunch, Matthew Sackel, Librarian at Marathon County Public Library, will provide highlights of the Gaming Symposium that he will be attending on July 22-24 in Chicago. |
| 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. | RSS – Stop Walking Through the Internet Buffet and Start Getting Your
Favorite Information Served to You on a Platter Kim LaPlante, Library Services Manager at the Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay, will show workshop attendees what an RSS is and what it can do, how RSS can help save time, and, how to set up an RSS by yourself. |
Space is limited! Please register by Friday, August 17, 2007
If you have questions or comments about this event, please contact Marla Sepnafski
at 715/261-7252 or msepnafs@wvls.lib.wi.us
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TO REGISTER: Send this completed form along with check to WISCONSIN VALLEY LIBRARY SERVICE for lunch to: Marla Sepnafski; WVLS; 300 N First Street; Wausau, WI 54403.
Name ________________________________________________________ Amount Enclosed ________
Library _______________________________________________________________________________
Collaboration, Gaming and RSS August 21, 2007 UW-Marathon Campus
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GRANT WRITING FOR DIGITIZATION & PRESERVATION PROJECTS
If you are interested in writing grants for digitization and/or preservation projects, Debbie Cardinal, Wisconsin Heritage Online (WHO) Coordinator, has made arrangements with Tom Clareson of PALINET to offer a personalized grant writing workshop, especially for those located in the northern half of the state. Grant Writing for Digitization & Preservation Projects will be held on July 12, 2007, at the Marshfield Public Library, from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.. The cost is $125 per person.
Since most digitization and preservation grants are funded through the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), and the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), this session is based upon those particular granting entities’ requirements. Developing proposals for state, local and foundation funding sources will also be addressed. The workshop includes matching your institution’s project with the appropriate funding agency and preparing to write a proposal. The majority of the day is spent covering the elements of a grant proposal and practicing writing those elements. Outcomes: The ability to properly choose and prepare a grant proposal including evaluating appropriate funding sources, project preparation, and hands-on practice in preparing a proposal.
To register for this workshop, visit the WiLS web site at http://www.wils.wisc.edu/events/multireg.html
JOB VACANCY
Library System Director. The Wisconsin Valley Library
Service (WVLS) seeks a progressive and experienced professional to direct a
7-county federated public library system headquartered in Wausau (WI). WVLS
provides service to 25 public libraries and 212 non-public libraries in its
service area. Population served: 285,809. Funding in 2007: $1,049,374. 10.5
FTEs. Web site: http://wvls.lib.wi.us
WVLS operates under Chapter 43 of the Wisconsin Statutes and is governed by a
15-member Board of Trustees. Director is responsible for the development and
enhancement of the system and its services, and for administration of the
internal operations of WVLS. Qualified candidates must have ALA-accredited MLS,
at least eight years of professional level library experience (including at
least five years in a major administrative position) and be eligible for a Grade
I Library Director Certification issued by the Wisconsin Department of Public
Instruction. Candidates must have strong communication, organizational, public
relations and supervisory skills; have experience with budgets, planning,
grant-writing, administration, and library-related technologies; provide proof
of eligibility to work in the United States; and, have a valid driver’s license,
and the ability to travel independently. Beginning salary range:
$55,000-$60,000, depending on experience and qualifications. Attractive benefits
package. Position will be available October 1, 2007. Send cover letter
(including e-mail address), resume, and the names and contact information for
three professional references, by August 17, 2007, to: Alice Sturzl, President,
WVLS Board of Trustees; 5170 East Silver Lake Road; Laona, WI 54541-9255.
Position will remain open until a qualified candidate is found. WVLS is an equal
opportunity employer. WVLS does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion,
color, sex, age, national origin or disability.
New!
ONLINE PROGRAMMING AVAILABLE FOR ALL LIBRARIES!
As a part of the WVLS 2007 LSTA technology grant, WVLS has subscribed to the Online Programming for All Libraries (OPAL) program. WVLS has subscribed on behalf of its libraries & the web site is: http://www.opal-online.org/index.html.
OPAL is a collaborative effort by libraries of all types to provide cooperative web-based programming and training for library users and library staff members. OPAL allows library patrons and library staff members to participate in online library programs from anywhere.
Live, online events are held in an online auditorium where participants can interact via voice-over-IP, text chatting, synchronized browsing, and other functions. Everyone is welcome to participate in OPAL programs. Usually there is no need to register. Many of the programs have been archived on the site and can be accessed at any time. Go to the site & take a look at the archived programs and the upcoming programs.
This is a means for WVLS and its area libraries to create and host webinars. It is very economical compared to any other similar service that we have looked at. It does not require a phone line along with a computer as the audio is over the web. It will be helpful for participants to have microphones for their computers so they can ask questions. It can be used to host Board meetings and committee meetings and it meets the requirements of the Wisconsin open meetings law.
Examples of OPAL public online programs include book discussion programs, interviews, special events, library training, memoir writing workshops, and virtual tours of special digital library collections.
OPAL is administered by the Alliance Library System, Illinois. --Linda Orcutt, WVLS Technology Consultant
Another 2007 SLP Idea!
THE SECRET’S OUT – NOW YOU HOLD THE CLUE!
Tell your patrons to marshal their pots and pans to make their own Nancy Drew Movie Star Lemon Bars display. The recipe for these yummy Summer Reading Program enhancements is printed on Lemon Bar Bookmarks, which may be found, along with a poster and word game, on the Lemon Bar Page at http://www.summerreading.cla-net.org/nancydrew.html
Thanks to Warner Bros. Pictures and Simon & Schuster for providing photos and granting participating SLP libraries permission to use them.
(Stephanie Stokes, California Summer Reading Program Coordinator; Publib listerv post; 6/18/07)
RESOURCES FOR HARRY POTTER PROGRAMS
Libraries across the country are happily gearing up for another round of Harry Potter mania – which is at a fever pitch as young and old alike eagerly await the July 21 release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the seventh and final installment in J.K. Rowling’s blockbuster book series. There are several resources available for libraries planning for the big event:
AMAZON DEEPENS ‘POTTER’ DISCOUNT
Amazon is keeping up the pressure in the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows sweepstakes. The e-tailer, which is already selling the $34.99 title for $17.99, announced on July 2nd that all customers who order the book before publication on July 21 will receive a $5 gift certificate for a purchase in August. According to Amazon, the company has taken almost 1.6 million orders worldwide for the book, which breaks all records set by the other Potter Books.
(PW Daily; 7/2/07)
BEWARE POTTER COMPUTER WORM!
As if the usual threat of spoilers and hoaxes weren’t enough, now Harry Potter fans must beware of a computer virus. Sophos, a company known for its IT expertise and anti-virus and anti-spam products, has warned Potter fans not to open an email that claims to contain Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Those who click on the email of the text will not get a sneak peek, but will rather find their PC infected by a virus known as the W32/Hairy-A worm, which will then spread via use of removable storage devices.
Once it has invaded a PC, the W32/Hairy-A worm continues its destruction by creating a number of new users, named for key characters in the Potter books. As a finishing touch, each time users open Internet Explorer, they will automatically be redirected to an Amazon.com web page selling a Potter spoof book entitled Harry Putter and the Chamber of Cheesecakes. (PW Daily; 7/2/07)
HARRY POTTER READALIKES
Following is a list of web sites which contain lists of Harry Potter readalikes to help you prepare for the inevitable “what to read after HP7” questions. Children’s, YA, and adult titles are included.
(Compiled by Rhonda Putney for CEO [Children’s Event Organizer]; newsletter of the Lakeshores Library System and Mid-Wisconsin Federated Library System; 6/28/07)
INFO TO GO
WANT AN AUDIOBOOK WITH THAT?
Beginning in late June, Wendy’s fast food restaurants are offering four of Random House Audio’s Listening Library children’s audiobook titles as a featured giveaway item in their Kid’s Meals. More than 6,000 restaurants are taking part in the promotion, which runs through late July, and is estimated to incorporate roughly 10 million Wendy’s Kids’ Meals. Over the month-long span, the Kids’ Meal bags will include CDs of one of the following: Arthur’s Mystery Envelope by Marc Brown; Magic Tree House: Dinosaurs Before Dark by Mary Pope Osbourne; Junie B. Jones Has a Monster Under Her Bed by Barbara Park; and, Geronimo Stilton’s The Curse of the Cheese Pyramid. Each audiobook comes packed with special puzzles and games based on the story. Participating restaurants are also featuring the Listening Library titles in display cases, at pick-up windows, and on glass front doors, as well as on the company’s Web site in the Kids’ Meal section at http://www.wendys.com/kids_meal/index.jsp
(PW Children’s Bookshelf; June 28, 2007)
New!
A YOUNG PERSON’S GUIDE TO INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM
The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), has just released Kids, Know Your Rights! A Young Person’s Guide to Intellectual Freedom. The four-page, full-color PDF brochure is free to download at:
http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/alscpubs/KidsKnowYourRights.pdf Written by members of ALSC’s Intellectual Freedom Committee, the brochure speaks directly to kids in grades five and up, using simplified, kid-friendly language to tackle difficult, abstract ideas. After an introduction that explains intellectual freedom, the brochure forges ahead to discuss: challenges to the First Amendment; censorship, how it affects children and how they can defend their right to read; privacy and confidentiality; and, respecting the opinions of others. A bibliography of suggested nonfiction and fiction titles for children on these subjects is also included.
ALSC encourages librarians and educators to download, print and use Kids, Know Your Rights! with children and students in their community. It is an ideal giveaway for libraries that celebrate Banned Books Week and The September Project. (Publib listserv; 6/25/07)
NEW ADVOCACY WEBSITE TARGETS THE PUBLIC
ALA launched its new public advocacy website, I Love Libraries (http://www.ilovelibraries.org/),
at the start of the ALA 2007 Annual Conference, June 21–27. The site strives to increase the visibility of today’s library, and enhance awareness about the issues facing libraries in communities throughout the country. The site contains a variety of features designed to attract — and hold the attention of — library lovers of all kinds: reviews of new and award-winning books, fast-breaking library news, library spotlights, a “find a library” feature, blogs and newsfeeds, as well as library-related links on YouTube and flickr. Interactive software allows users to share their library stories, connect with other library lovers, and contact Congress about library issues.
According to Keith Michael Fiels, ALA Executive Director, “Ilovelibraries.org will provide the information necessary to help library lovers make the case for libraries of all types, at the local, state and national levels … We know that we need to be reaching out to the millions of people that care deeply about libraries, and want to help … [ilovelibraries.org] is a big step for ALA, but it’s just the beginning.”
(ALA Press Release; 6/23/07)
WLA SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
The Media and Technology Section (MATS) of the Wisconsin Library Association will be awarding one $250.00 scholarship to a MATS member to cover registration and/or lodging costs for the WLA conference in Green Bay, October 16-19, 2007.
The winner will be required to attend as many MATS-sponsored sessions as possible, and write a conference summary for the Winter MATS newsletter. The preliminary list of MATS-sponsored sessions at WLA is:
Any MATS member interested in applying for the scholarship should send their name, contact information and a short statement about why they want to attend the conference to Nichole Fromm via email (nfromm@scls.lib.wi.us) by August 15, 2007. The scholarship will be awarded by the members of the MATS board. Preference will be given to those who have not received this MATS scholarship in the past.
DISNEY MINNIE GRANTS SUPPORT YOUTH-LED SERVICE PROJECTS
The Walt Disney Company and Youth Service America, through Disney Minnie Grants, are supporting youth-led service projects that are planned and implemented in communities. Service can take place between October 1 and November 26, 2007, and projects can address the environment, disaster relief, public health and awareness, community education, hunger, literacy, or any issue that youth identify as a community need. Maximum Award: $500. Eligibility: teachers, older youth (15-25), youth leaders, and youth service organizations that engage younger youth (5-14) in planning and implementation. Deadline: August 30, 2007. For more information, visit http://www.YSA.org/awards
(pubyac listserv; 6/29/07)
New from WebJunction!
TECHNOLOGIES COMPETENCIES GUIDE
Technology has permeated 21st century libraries; impacting the environment for both patrons and staff. At all levels of library service, a host of new skills and knowledge are now required as an integral part of working in a library. This is particularly true of public access computing, a service that is now in high demand by patrons and replete with expectations for keeping current with emerging technologies.
To help library staff identify and assess skills needed for sustaining public access computing programs, WebJunction has developed a new library technology management guide entitled Sustaining Public Access Computing Programs: Technology and Management Competencies. Available in PDF (http://data.webjunction.org/wj/documents/16963.pdf), this guide outlines the skills required for managing public computer programs, keeping equipment operable and satisfying patrons using them.
Competencies is divided into three sections:
The general orientation of Competencies is toward all public libraries across the spectrum with an emphasis on smaller and more rural libraries. This is a resource that all libraries really should take the time to review. (Adapted from Streams, newsletter of the Northern Waters Library System; 6/29/07)
WOULD YOU PASS THE U.S. CITIZENSHIP TEST?
Among the hurdles that U.S. citizenship applicants must clear is a test on American history and government. The test typically consists of 10 questions selected from a list of 144 available on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services web site (http://www.usimmigrationsupport.org/index.html), though questions other than those listed on the site may be included.
How would you do? These 10 questions are typical of those asked …
(NOTE: Refer to the bottom for the answers to these questions.)
WEB SITES OF INTEREST (tourist traps on the information superhighway!)
MS Dewey Search Engine http://www.msdewey.com:80/
This search engine, suggested by someone on the Horizon listserv, shows Ms. Dewey patiently waiting for someone, anyone, to give her some work to do. So visit with her, type in some search terms, and give poor Ms. Dewey some work to do!
A Simple Book Repair Manual http://www.dartmouth.edu/~preserve/repair/repairindex.htm
Bookworms, loose pages, and broken spines got you down? Check out Dartmouth’s Book Repair Manual for information on book repair and preservation.
(Support Lines; a newsletter of the Support Staff Section of the Wisconsin Library Association; June 2007)
Sky and Telescope Interactive Observing Tools http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/objects/javascript
This comprehensive, interactive web site from Sky and Telescope magazine has lots of cool stuff available to satisfy the astronomy geeks and also those who may have a passing interest in “what’s up there.” The SkyandTelescope.com’s “Almanac” presents basic astronomical data customized for your location, for any date from A.D. 1600 to 2400. Other utilities include “The Phase of the Moon” which shows and tells the moon phase for any date, AD or BC; “The Martian Moons in 2007 and 2008” (If you’ve never spied Mars’ two satellites, Phobos and Deimos, the end of the year is the best chance you’ll ever get.); “The Minima of Algol (The star Algol was the first eclipsing variable star ever discovered, and it’s still the most famous one.); “Chasing the Moons of Jupiter”; and many more. Don’t leave the site without trying the “Interactive Sky Chart,” which allows you to build ‘a custom naked-eye map of the whole sky for any place on Earth, at any time of day or night, on any date from 1600 to 2400.’ Wow!
(Resource of the Week; Resourceshelf.com; 6/28/07; http://www.resourceshelf.com/)
Top 100 Webware Applications http://www.webware.com/html/ww/100.html
Over the course of 20 days in May and June, the community of Webware.com users voted for its favorite web applications. This site provides the results: the top 100 web applications, 10 in each of 10 categories. There were more than 5,000 nominations for sites to be included in this awards program, which Webware’s editors pruned to a list of 250 finalists. Users then voted on those finalists – there were 489,467 votes cast – to come up with the top 100 sites for 2007.
(edited from American Libraries Direct; 6/27/07)
July 11 – The movie, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix will be released.
July 12 – Grant Writing for Digitization and Preservation Projects – Marshfield Public Library – 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. - $125. For more information, refer to the article in this issue of the Lamplighter. To register, visit http://www.wils.wisc.edu/events/multireg.html
July 17 – WVLS Board of Trustees meeting – Marathon County Public Library – 9:30 a.m.
July 21 – The seventh and final book in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, will be released.
July 24 – Federal Minimum Wage to increase to $5.85 per hour. On May 25, 2007, President Bush signed legislation that included increasing the federal minimum wage for the first time since 1997. The Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 will further increase the minimum wage to $6.55 on July 24, 2008, and to $7.25 on July 24, 2009.
July 25-26 – WiLSWorld Conference – Pyle Center, Madison – http://www.wils.wisc.edu/events/wworld07/
August 2 – WVLS V-Cat Council meeting – Edward U. Demmer Library, Three Lakes – 9:30 a.m.
August 7 – WVLS Library Advisory Committee meeting – Northcentral Technical College, Wausau – 9:30 a.m.
August 16 – WVLS Executive Committee meeting – Marathon County Public Library – 9:30 a.m.
August 21 - Collaboration 2.0, Gaming & RSS – a WVLS Technology Workshop – UW-Marathon County, Wausau – for more information, see article in this issue of The Lamplighter.
September 27 – Serving the Legal Information Needs of the Public: A Program for Wisconsin Public Libraries – co-sponsored by the Neillsville Public Library and WVLS – Neillsville American Legion Hall – look for more information about this workshop in the August issue of The Lamplighter.
September 27-28 – Northwest Wisconsin Children’s Book Conference: Learning, Literacy & Leisure at the Lodge! – Telemark Resort and Conference Center, Cable (WI) – more information is available at http://www.telemarkeducation.com/book_conference.html
October 14-20 – YALSA’s 2007 Teen Read Week – theme: LOL @ your library – for more information, visit the TRW web site at http://www.ala.org/teenread or YALSA’s wiki at http://wikis.ala.org/yalsa
October 16-19 – WLA Annual Conference – theme: “Libraries in the Here and Now” – Regency Suites and KI Convention Center, Green Bay – for more information, visit http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/conferences/2007/general/index.htm
Answers to the sample questions from the U.S. Citizenship Test: 1. The original 13 states; 2. Patrick Henry;
3. 27; 4. 435; 5. The Speaker of the House of Representatives; 6. John G. Roberts, Jr.; 7. A natural-born citizen of the U.S. … at least 35 years old by the time the term begins … have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years; 8. The Bill of Rights; 9. Francis Scott Key; 10. There is no limit.
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“Believe there is a great power silently working all things for good, behave yourself and never mind the rest.” -- Beatrix Potter
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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
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.)
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EDITOR: Marla Sepnafski |
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
You may copy, reprint or forward all or part of this newsletter to friends, colleagues or customers, so long as the use is not for resale or profit and the information/article is attributed to this issue of the WVLS newsletter, The Lamplighter.
