Channel Weekly--Vol. 7, No. 40, June 30, 2005

Table of Contents

  1. 2005 E-rate funds start to flow
  2. Wisconsin libraries' delivery service network member use policy
  3. Resource on library career opportunities can be borrowed from RLL
  4. Grants awarded to improve Native American libraries
  5. New program on library merchandising available on DVD and VHS from the Reference and Loan Library
  6. U.S. public libraries providing unprecedented access to computers, the Internet, and technology training
  7. American Library Association seeks input from libraries
  8. Milwaukee institutions receive grant to collaborate to recruit new librarians
  9. Position classifications for Wisconsin public libraries 
 10. UW-SLIS Book Cart Drill Team wins all at ALA
 11. Survey plat maps available on-line
 12. Website of the Week - Nolo.com
 13. Calendar

1. 2005 E-RATE FUNDS START TO FLOW 

This week the federal Schools and Libraries Division, which administers the E-rate program, announced that the first funding commitments for the July 1, 2005, E-rate year are being sent out to schools and libraries this week.  In Wisconsin ninety-eight schools, school districts and public libraries received a total of $2,427,833 in this first wave of funding commitments. Milwaukee Public Library is the single largest recipient of wave 1 with $332,874 in E-rate discounts.  Nationwide just over 7,700 schools, school districts and public libraries received a total of $265.2 million in E-rate funding.  The Schools and Libraries Division will release biweekly funding waves throughout the second half of 2005.  Over the past several years Wisconsin has averaged about $25 million annually in E-rate funding.  The DPI E-rate Website is at http://dpi.wi.gov/pld/erate.html.

2. WISCONSIN LIBRARIES' DELIVERY SERVICE NETWORK MEMBER USE POLICY

The Delivery Services Advisory Committee met May 24 in Madison and discussed a draft written policy for use of the delivery service, including the return of materials not checked out at a library through the delivery service.  If you have comments about the policy, please contact Sally Drew at sally.drew@dpi.state.wi.us or 608-224-6161. 

The current statewide delivery service policy is an open one:

The delivery network is made up of Wisconsin public libraries, UW System libraries, private university and college libraries, Wisconsin Technical College libraries, public and private K-12 school libraries, government and institutional libraries, corporate and other special libraries.  In addition, via a connection with MINITEX, the Wisconsin network connects with libraries in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.  Material routing information and a current full listing of network members is available at the South Central Library System Delivery Service web site, http://www.sclsdelivery.info.

Any member of the Wisconsin Libraries' Delivery Service Network can send and receive the following items to any other member of the same network using the statewide backbone delivery service operated by the South Central Library System (SCLS).

* Resource-sharing materials

* Return materials - Note:  Library materials owned by one participating delivery network library, but returned at another participating delivery network library, may not always be able to be checked in at the library the item was returned to. When this is the case, the item(s) remains checked out to the borrower until the owning library receives it and checks it in. When these items are placed into the delivery network for return to the owning library, the responsibility for the replacement cost of these items, should they become lost while in transit, remains with the borrower.  The handling library is not responsible for the replacement cost of these items if lost.

* Gift materials - If there are only a few items, use a routing label and place in the red delivery basket.  If you are sending a larger quantity please place items in a sturdy cardboard box, no larger than a red basket, and place routing label on outside of box.  If sending more than 2 boxes, please contact SCLS delivery in case other arrangements are needed to handle the extra volume in the delivery vehicle.

* All-library distribution materials, library equipment and bulky items - Transportation of All-library distribution materials, library equipment and bulky items requires prior approval and coordination of both the statewide delivery service (SCLS) and the respective public library system delivering materials to and from its member's libraries.  Special requests to transport items beyond the scope of the routine red basket exchange can be made with the SCLS Special Request Coordinator.  Contact information and an online special request form can be found at the Special Services page of the SCLS Delivery Service web site.  SCLS will make deliveries outside of scheduled routes to or/and from non-network members on a cost recovery, time and mileage basis.  Contact the SCLS Special Request Coordinator with requests or questions at (608) 266-4643 or specialrequests@scls.lib.wi.us.

3. RESOURCE ON LIBRARY CAREER OPPORTUNITIES CAN BE BORROWED FROM RLL

An unprecedented numbers of librarians will retire over the next decade.  If you are encouraging someone to explore library work as a career, you may want to borrow from the Reference and Loan Library CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE by Linda P. Carvell.  This book explores both support level and professional positions in academic, government, K-12, public, and special libraries, as well as jobs outside the library.  Each job profile includes a summary of duties, alternate titles, salary ranges, employment prospects, advancement prospects and prerequisites.  Up-to-date appendixes list professional associations, accredited degree programs and a comprehensive bibliography.

Public and academic libraries may request this title through their local interlibrary loan network.  School library media specialists and librarians at special libraries may request these titles by sending an e-mail to rllill@dpi.state.wi.us.

4. GRANTS AWARDED TO IMPROVE NATIVE AMERICAN LIBRARIES

The federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) awarded Native American tribes across the country $1,361,000 in LSTA grants to improve library services.  In all, 229 grants will strengthen library service for 237 Native American tribal communities and Alaska Native villages.

Seven Wisconsin tribes will receive these grants:  Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians - Odanah, WI - $6,000;  Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians - Hayward, WI - $6,000;  Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians - Lac du Flambeau, WI - $5,000;  Menominee Indian Tribe - Keshena, WI - $5,000 ; Oneida Nation of Wisconsin - Oneida, WI - $6,000;  Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians - Bayfield, WI - $5,000;  and Stockbridge Munsee Community - Bowler, WI - $6,000.  A list of grant recipients organized by state is available at: http://www.imls.gov/whatsnew/current/062805NatBindex.htm.

Each $5,000 Native American Library Services Basic Grant supports general operations and core library services. Applicants also have the opportunity to apply for an additional $1,000 supplement that can be used for staff development and/or professional assessments of library services. This year library service in 176 tribal communities and Native villages will benefit from the Education/Assessment supplement, 117 more than last year.

5. NEW PROGRAM ON LIBRARY MERCHANDISING AVAILABLE ON DVD AND VHS FROM THE REFERENCE AND LOAN LIBRARY

"Merchandising Strategies" (Library Video Network, 2005; 22 minutes; closed-captioned; with manual) uses the Baltimore County Public Library as an example to present the basics of library merchandising and to show how to create displays that increase circulation of library materials and return visits. The manual includes further tips and techniques for promoting a library collection. This program is available for free loan on DVD (DVD V-85) or VHS (VHS V-7484) from the Reference and Loan Library.

DVDs and videos may be requested from Reference and Loan through normal interlibrary loan channels; by calling R&LL's circulation/AV booking department at 888-542-5543 (in-state) or 608-224-6169; by fax at 608-224-6178; or by email at rllill@dpi.state.wi.us.

Of related interest are audiocassette recordings of sessions presented at three recent Public Library Association National Conferences. They are: "How to Develop Professional Displays in Your Library" (PLA National Conference, 2000) (C-3680/NO.10); "The Merchant Librarian" (PLA National Conference, 2002) (C-3692/NO.72); and "Attention Shoppers: Are Libraries Taking the Retail Concept Too Far?" (PLA National Conference, 2004) (C-3721/NO.51). These audiocassettes are also available for free loan from the Reference and Loan Library.

6. U.S. PUBLIC LIBRARIES PROVIDING UNPRECEDENTED ACCESS TO COMPUTERS, THE INTERNET, AND TECHNOLOGY TRAINING

Nearly every U.S. public library offers free access to computers and the Internet, but overall libraries are challenged to provide enough workstations to meet demand, pay for ongoing Internet connectivity costs, and plan for necessary upgrades to the technology, according to a report released at the opening of the 2005 American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference. The report was conducted by the Information Use Management and Policy Institute at Florida State University (FSU) and commissioned by the ALA and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

New data shows that 98.9 percent of all public libraries offer free public access to computers and the Internet-a growth of more than 400 percent since 1996, when just one in four libraries did.

Millions of Americans use computers in public libraries to access government services, research health information, enroll in distance-learning classes, and start small businesses. Library computers have become so popular that more than 85 percent of libraries say they are not able to meet demand for computers at certain times during the day.

The new report reveals that, in the past year, technology budgets for most public library systems have stayed level with no increase for inflation or expansion of service (50.6 percent). More than one-third of public library systems reported an increase in their technology budget (36.1 percent) while more than one in 10 systems reported a decrease (13.3 percent).

"Libraries connect communities with information and knowledge, but we must work together to ensure they stay connected for generations to come," said Martha Choe, director of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's Global Libraries program. "Libraries need ongoing support from government, businesses, foundations and citizens to pay for ongoing costs such as Internet access fees, technology upgrades, and technical assistance."

Public libraries rely on federal, state and local funds, as well as private donations to pay for computing services. The federal E-rate program, which helps offset telecommunications costs, has been credited with helping libraries purchase high-speed connectivity sooner than they could have afforded otherwise. Public libraries received approximately $60 million annually in E-rate discounts.

The FSU report reveals disparities in public library computer services between urban and rural communities and between states. Rural public libraries are much more likely to have lower levels of broadband connectivity, while libraries serving urban and high poverty areas are more likely to report an inadequate number of workstations for patrons.

Urban libraries also offer more technology training for patrons (64 percent) than rural libraries (16 percent). Seniors are the most likely of all audiences to receive technology training at libraries (57 percent), followed closely by people who do not have Internet access at home and adults seeking continuing education.

Training and distance learning require that public libraries have current technology and fast Internet connections; however, most libraries have no set upgrade schedule for hardware (70 percent) and no set schedule for software (77.4 percent). Many public libraries are continuing to increase the speed of their Internet connections and are exploring wireless Internet connectivity. Nearly 18 percent of public libraries have wireless Internet access, and 21 percent are planning wireless access within the next year.

"U.S. public libraries have gained a tremendous amount of headway as it relates to connectivity and access," said John Bertot, co-author of the report, Associate Director of the Information Use Management and Policy Institute, and professor at Florida State University. "The challenge lies in ensuring that libraries continue to get the support they need to provide necessary improvements to the technology."

The full 115 page report is available at http://www.ala.org/ala/washoff/oitp/GatesFinalJun05.pdf.

7. AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION SEEKS INPUT FROM LIBRARIES

The American Library Association's Public Awareness Committee is soliciting input from libraries to help plan the future of the @your library campaign. The Committee invites you to fill out a brief member survey about The Campaign for America's Libraries. The survey was developed to collect feedback from members on goals and activities for the next 5 years of the Campaign. It can be found online at http://www.ala.org/@yourlibrary/planthefuture and only takes a few minutes to complete. It will be online until July 31.

In addition, the Public Awareness Committee is seeking written testimony about the Campaign that addresses how your library or library organization has participated in the campaign to date, what tools and resources proved to be most helpful, what key issues members would like to see ALA address through the Campaign over the next 5 years, and what new tools and resources would be most beneficial to local public awareness and advocacy efforts.

Written testimony may be emailed to Deborah Bloom at mailto:dedavis@ala.org or mailed to her c/o the ALA Public Information Office, 50 East Huron Street, Chicago, IL 60611. She suggests that the letter be addressed to Executive Director Keith Michael Fiels or to the ALA Executive Board. The deadline for submitting testimony is July 22.

8. MILWAUKEE INSTITUTIONS RECEIVE GRANT TO COLLABORATE TO RECRUIT NEW LIBRARIANS

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Information Studies, in collaboration with the Marquette University Libraries, the Milwaukee Public Library, and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries, will receive $991,246 in federal LSTA Librarians for the 21st Century funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in Washington.  The funds will be used to produce highly skilled information professionals from diverse backgrounds. Twenty students will be admitted to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Information Studies program. Students will be matched with a faculty mentor, provided with a funded internship, and receive tuition and support for a range of activities.

A total of $21,087,684 in grants was awarded to 37 universities, libraries, and library organizations across the country to recruit and educate a new generation of librarians.  The grants are designed to help offset a current shortage of school library media specialists, library school faculty, and librarians working in underserved communities, as well a looming shortage of library directors and other senior librarians who are expected to retire in the next 20 years.*   A list of the organizations funded, with descriptions of their recruitment and education projects, is available at http://www.imls.gov/whatsnew/current/L21.htm.

Since the national LSTA recruitment program began in 2002, IMLS has funded 1,537 master's degree students, 119 doctoral students, 660 pre-professional students, and 378 continuing education students.  The grants can include tuition assistance, curriculum development, service expectations, job placement, recruitment of non-traditional library students, support for doctoral candidates to teach library science, and research.  The 2005 grants will benefit 22 doctoral, 567 master's, 378 continuing education, and 538 pre-professional students, and fund two research projects.

For more information on the Milwaukee project, contact Dr. Hope Olson, (414)229-3304; holson@uwm.edu, P.O. Box 340, Milwaukee, WI 53201.

* In May 2000, Library Journal magazine reported 40% of America's library directors plan to retire in 9 years or less. And, according to the July 2000 Monthly Labor Review, in 1998 57% of professional librarians were age 45 or older. The March 2002 issue of American Libraries magazine showed that based on 1990 Census data almost 58% of professional librarians will reach the age of 65 between 2005 and 2019.

9. POSITION CLASSIFICATIONS FOR WISCONSIN PUBLIC LIBRARIES

The 2005, all-revised 4th edition of Position Classifications for Wisconsin Public Libraries is now available. The book was prepared by Patricia Laughlin and Barbara Roark and revised by the Personnel and Professional Concerns Committee of the Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries. It includes dozens of job descriptions for positions in all sizes of libraries and all library positions, including new additions such as Public Information Coordinator, Computer Technician, and Storyteller.

This document has been reviewed by Marion Olson, the Labor Relations Coordinator at Michael, Best & Friedrich Law Firm in Milwaukee. It comes in a three-hole punch format for easy reference and copying, and includes a computer disk with PDF files.  Order forms are available on the WLA website at:  http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/forms/pubform.pdf.

10. UW-SLIS BOOK CART DRILL TEAM WINS ALL AT ALA

A team of students from the University of Wisconsin-Madison's School of Library and Information Studies won the first Library Book Cart Precision Drill Team Championship at the 2005 American Library Association Annual Conference in Chicago. The nine library school students and a UW-Madison staff member acting as choreographer organized a Book Cart Drill Team in just six weeks this summer. Their team, "Dewey et. Al for My Baby" competed against more than a dozen other teams, some of which have been performing for years.

On Thursday, June 30, in front of H.C. White Hall on the UW-Madison campus, WKOW-TV (ABC) videotaped a performance by library school students who created the Book Cart Drill. The choreography and gymnastic moves include breakaway costumes, break dancing, an Irish dance, and back flips in a precision four-minute drill around elaborately evolving arrays of decorated book carts. The team was also featured in the June 30, 2005 Wisconsin State Journal in a story titled "Cart cartel carries it off."

11. SURVEY PLAT MAPS AVAILABLE ON-LINE

The Board of Commissioners of Public Lands has made the original General Land Office survey plat maps available on-line.  These are the first maps of each township as defined by the original land survey from 1832 to 1866. These historically important maps and notes are valuable in the world of land surveys and also provide an interesting look at the beginnings of settlement in Wisconsin. These maps can be found as part of the Wisconsin Public Land Survey Records website at

12. WEBSITE OF THE WEEK

Nolo.com -- http://www.nolo.com/ -- Nolo is the nation's leading provider of do-it-yourself legal solutions for consumers and small businesses. Site goal is to help people handle their own everyday legal matters -- or learn enough about them to make working with a lawyer a more satisfying experience.

13. CALENDAR

July 8, 2005 - Council on Library and Network Development, Madison

July 18, 2005 - Interlibrary Loan work group, Madison

July 21, 2005 - DLTCL Public Library System annual meeting, Madison

August 16-17, 2005 - From Vision to Practice3: Digital Evaluation, Mosinee

August 18-19, 2005 - From Vision to Practice3: Digital Evaluation, Oconomowoc

August 19, 2005 - Interlibrary Loan work group, Madison

September 9, 2005 - Council on Library and Network Development, TBA

September 15, 2005 - Resource Sharing Technology Vendor Demonstration, Madison

September 16, 2005 - Library Information Technology Advisory Committee meeting, Madison

September 19, 2005 - Interlibrary Loan work group, Madison

October 6-9, 2005 - American Association of School Librarians Conference, Pittsburg, PA

October 25-28, 2005 - Wisconsin Library Association Annual Conference, La Crosse

November 11, 2005 - Council on Library and Network Development, TBA

November 29-30, 2005 - LSTA Advisory Committee meeting and public hearing, Madison

December 9, 2005 - Library and Information Technology Advisory Committee (LITAC), Madison

For more details about these and other meetings, see the WISDOM calendar at http://dpi.wi.gov/pld/wisdom.html and the BadgerLink and WISCAT training site at http://www.wiscat.lib.wi.us/pdf/Gates08282004.pdf.

For questions about this information, contact Robert F. Bocher (608) 266-2127

Last updated on 9/15/2005 9:03:32 AM