1. Recall issued by Highsmith for bendable toys
2. Statutes revised to include recent legislation
3. Public libraries in the United States FY 2004
4. PSAs with actor George Lopez for library card sign-up month
5. IMLS, NCES, NCLIS proposed changes
6. The future of CIP
7. National Institute for Literacy grant program
8. Nominations for Best Small Library in America award
9. Website of the Week - Odd Music
10. Calendar
1. RECALL ISSUED BY HIGHSMITH FOR BENDABLE TOYS
Highsmith has issued a recall for the bendable cat and dog toys sold to many libraries as incentives for the Summer Library Program. A test just completed at the request of Highsmith confirmed an earlier report from the Indiana Board of Health that the lead content in these toys exceeds the maximum allowable limit under federal regulations. It is possible that similar toys purchased from other suppliers also have lead content.
Highsmith has discontinued sale of this item and recommends all libraries cease distribution of any remaining Bendable Cats and Dogs in their possession and issue a recall to all patrons who may have received this toy. To control the proper disposal of these Bendable Cats and Dogs, Highsmith requests that all customers contact them at 1-800-448-4887 to arrange for return shipment and to receive a credit or refund for the product cost.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has issued a news alert on this matter to local health departments in Wisconsin. DHS also has an alert on their web site at http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/Lead/LSources_Products.HTM.
2. STATUTES REVISED TO INCLUDE RECENT LEGISLATION
The unofficial text from the electronic database of the 2003-04 WISCONSIN STATUTES & ANNOTATIONS has been updated and is now current through July 31, 2006. Changes from recent legislation affecting public libraries, particularly Acts 420 and 226, are now incorporated and are also available in the PDF version of Chapter 43, available here: http://www.legis.state.wi.us/statutes/stat0043.pdf
3. PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN THE UNITED STATES FY 2004
The National Center of Educational Statistics (NCES) recently released a report on public library data. The report includes national and state summary data on public libraries in the 50 states and the District of Columbia, with an introduction, findings, and numerous tables. The report is based on data from the Public Libraries Survey for fiscal year 2004, and includes information on population of legal service area, service outlets, public service hours, library materials, total circulation, circulation of children's materials, reference transactions, library visits, children's program attendance, interlibrary loans, electronic services and information, full-time-equivalent staff, operating revenue and expenditures, and capital expenditures. The report includes several key findings: Nationwide, library visits to public libraries totaled 1.3 billion, or 4.7 library visits per capita. The average number of Internet terminals available for public use per stationary outlet was 10.3.
To download, view and print the publication as a PDF file, please visit: http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2006349. The state ranking tables are in Appendix A of the report.
4. PSAs WITH ACTOR GEORGE LOPEZ FOR LIBRARY CARD SIGN-UP MONTH
With Library Card Sign-up Month just around corner, libraries have a new tool to help get the word out -- free, downloadable radio public service announcements (PSAs).
The two 30-second PSAs are available at http://www.ala.org/librarycardsignup and were recorded by actor-comedian George Lopez on behalf of the American Library Association's Campaign for America's Libraries. Libraries are encouraged to share the PSAs with their local radio stations. The theme for Library Card Sign Up Month is "The Smartest Card. Get It. Use It @ your library(r)." Other free tools include a summary of best practices from public libraries nationwide that are using the "Smartest Card" theme, a list of "52 Ways to Use Your Library Card," a sample proclamation, press release, op-ed, letter-to-the-editor and "Smartest Card" artwork. Observed the month of September since 1987, Library Card Sign-up Month is a time when ALA and libraries across the country remind parents that a library card is the most important school supply of all - and this year - the smartest card a student can own.
5. IMLS, NCES, NCLIS PROPOSED CHANGES
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is requesting comments on a draft plan for the consolidation into IMLS of the National Commission on Library and Information Science (NCLIS) and the public and state library statistics surveys of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The plan, which would go into effect in fiscal year 2008, results from President Bush's fiscal year 2007 budget request.
NCLIS currently advises the President and Congress on national and international library and information policies, assesses library and information resources and services, and develops overall plans for meeting national library and information needs. One of the commission's main functions is to work cooperatively with the NCES in implementing the Library Statistics Cooperative Program. NCES formally initiated and funded the Library Statistics Cooperative Program in 1989. It includes annual surveys on academic libraries, public libraries, school library media centers, and state library agencies. NCES works collaboratively with the Census Bureau and NCLIS to plan survey content and to collect, process, and disseminate the data.
As the primary federal agency dedicated to library service, IMLS is committed to the successful continuation of these statistics programs, and to assuming the responsibility of national library and information policy. The Administration's consolidation proposal enhances the agency's role in public and state library data collection and establishes IMLS as the key federal agency with responsibility for library and information policy.
In calling for the consolidation of NCLIS and the two NCES surveys into IMLS, the President's budget request states the Administration's belief that , "this move will strengthen federal library policy efforts and enhance our national research capacity on domestic and international library trends."
Comments on the draft plan, which can be viewed in PDF format at: http://www.imls.gov/pdf/ConsolidationPlan_draft.pdf, should be sent by August 31, 2006 to: Rebecca Danvers, Ph.D., Director, Office of Research and Technology Institute of Museum and Library Services 1880 M St., NW, 9th floor Washington, DC 20036, e-mail: rdanvers@imls.gov; fax: 202-653-4625.
6. THE FUTURE OF CIP
The Library of Congress Cataloging In Publication (CIP) Division is conducting a nationwide survey of libraries to determine the future of the CIP program.
The purpose of the Cataloging in Publication (CIP) program is to serve the nation's libraries by cataloging books in advance of publication. Publishers participating in the CIP program submit electronically the full text of eligible publications to the Library of Congress. The Library creates a bibliographic record (known as CIP data) for each publication and transmits it to the publisher who in turn prints the record on the verso of the title page. In this way a bibliographic record is immediately available to each library that acquires a copy of the book, thereby saving libraries the time and expense of individually cataloging each book they acquire.
The Library of Congress also distributes these records weekly in machine readable form to large libraries, bibliographic services, and book vendors around the world. Many of these organizations redistribute these records in products and services designed to alert the library community to forthcoming publications and to facilitate book ordering.
An online survey has been developed to obtain input from the library community to assess the purpose, value, and future of CIP. If your library uses CIP records, please complete the online CIP Library Survey, by August 18, 2006, and help determine the future of CIP: http://cip.loc.gov. Clicking on the "CIP Survey for Libraries" link will open a questionnaire developed by the Library of Congress using Survey Monkey.
7. NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR LITERACY GRANT PROGRAM
The National Institute for Literacy announced that the application package for the 2006 Literacy Information and Communication Regional Resource Centers program is now available.
The purpose of the Literacy Information and Communication Regional Resource Centers is to provide for the dissemination of resources through partnerships with adult education and related organizations to help practitioners improve adult literacy skills.
Public and private agencies or institutions, or non-profit organizations, with knowledge and expertise in adult basic education and adult literacy are eligible to apply. Approximately $750,000 will be available for funding, and an estimated 2-3 grants will be awarded under this competition. The deadline for applications is September 5, 2006.
To request an application package contact Jo Maralit, National Institute for Literacy, 1775 I Street, NW, Suite 730, Washington, DC 20006, Telephone: 202-233-2028, Fax: 202-233-2050, E-mail: mmaralit@nifl.gov.
For complete information on this grant opportunity, the notice inviting applications can be found http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov
/2006/06-6629.htm.
8. NOMINATIONS FOR BEST SMALL LIBRARY IN AMERICA AWARD
Library Journal's annual award for the Best Small Library in America, cosponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, was founded to encourage and showcase the exemplary work of these libraries. Now in its third year, the award honors the public library that most profoundly demonstrates outstanding service to populations of 25,000 or less (see below for eligibility). The winning library will receive a $15,000 cash award, a feature story in the February 1, 2007, Library Journal, membership and conference costs for two library representatives to attend the Public Library Association Biannual Conference in 2008, and a gala reception at the conference.
Members of the editorial board of Library Journal, librarians from around the country, and a representative from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will judge nominations based on key factors, including:
* Creativity in developing services and programs that can be replicated by other libraries
* Innovation in introducing and supporting public access computing, educating patrons in its use, and measuring the impact of this technology usage
* Use of technology to expand the reach of library services
* Demonstrated community support
* Success in developing cooperation with other libraries
* Partnerships with other agencies and businesses
* Increase in library use, particularly by new users
* Evidence of library's role as community center
Keeping the factors above in mind, please tell how, in the last two years, you have raised the profile of the library in your community, reached out to new users and remote users, and used technology to support and grow patron access to materials and information. Please also describe the use of public access computers (PACs) in your library and how you anticipate sustaining PACs and adapting to the next generation of users. In your description of your collaborations with others, please give examples of how the library has become a model for the partnering organization and how the organization has become a model for the library.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
Anyone can nominate a library-the library administration itself, patrons, members of the community, library peers, etc. There is no entry fee, but each entry must include the following information:
1) Name, address, phone number, and email of nominee and the name of the contact person, as well as contact information for the submitter if different from the nominee.
2) A written explanation of up to two pages (or a list of bulleted narrative points) that clearly enumerates how the library's accomplishments fit the criteria for the award listed above. (Note: Entries that describe programs and their effects on the community will be especially helpful to the judges in rendering a decision. Supporting materials, such as brochures, testimonials, press clippings, etc., may be included and are helpful, but they are less important than the written narrative.
3) Photo(s) of library, staff, and patrons, if possible.
4) References from two library peers.
5) Statistical data:
* Population served
* Total annual budget (if you are part of another body of government, note if you pay utility bills, IT, etc.)
* Per capita budget
* Circulation
* Materials budget (including electronic databases)
* Physical visits (door count)
* Virtual visits (e-use, if collecting this data)
* Number of staff
* Percentage of staff who are professional librarians.
Most libraries collect such data, but if you do not have all of these statistics, then submit those the library does have. Also, please detail whether the nominated library is a member of a consortium/county-wide service district-what services are provided by it (technology support, training, databases, etc.), what role does the library play in it? The judges do not make selections based on numbers, though they are helpful in giving context to the written submission.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
1) A single library serving a community with a population of 25,000 or less is eligible (latest Census).
2) Area library districts or systems may serve an aggregate population of greater than 25,000, as long as the service area of the library includes an area or a community with a population of 25,000 or less. The prize money must be used to benefit that population.
3) A single county or town with a population over 25,000 that is served by two or more library districts or systems operating entirely within the bounds of the county or town may qualify as long as the service area of a given library includes a rural area or a rural community or the population of the library's jurisdiction is 25,000 or less. The prize money must be used for that area.
4) A single community with a population greater than 25,000 and having a library with one or more branches may qualify. The library must have a service area that includes a rural area or community that does not exceed a population of 25,000. The prize monies must be used only for the benefit of the rural or community population under 25,000. Similarly a single community with a population greater than 25,000, which also provide library service to an adjoining community of 25,000 or less population by contract, may also be eligible, provided the prize is used entirely to support the smaller community.
5) A single community library serving a population greater than 25,000 and not providing service to a rural area or to a rural community is not eligible for the award.
6) Send the nomination, by November 1, 2006, to: Library Journal's Award for the Best Small Library in America, c/o Library Journal, 360 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010.
If you have any questions regarding the submission process, please contact Rebecca Miller at miller@reedbusiness.com or by phone at 646-746-6725.
9. WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
Odd Music -- http://oddmusic.com/ -- This website is devoted to unique, unusual, ethnic, or experimental music and instruments, showcasing the sounds, music, and instruments of artists and artisans from around the globe. Instruments range from gourd music to electronic odysseys, harp guitars to industrial insect metal, from the beautiful to the bizarre. The site provides the instrument's name, its description and a sample of what it sounds like. You will need Quick Time to listen to the music samples on this site.
10. CALENDAR
September 8, 2006 - Council on Library and Network Development, Kenosha
September 12, 2006 - Public Library System Directors annual meeting, Madison
September 22, 2006 - Fall interlibrary loan meeting for system and resource library staff, Madison
September 26, 2006 - System Continuing Education/Certification Consultants annual meeting, Madison
September 29, 2006 - Delivery Services Advisory Committee, via video-conference at various sites
September 30, 2006 - National Book Festival, Washington D.C.
October 13, 2006 - Public Library System Youth Liaisons annual meeting, Madison
October 25, 2006 - Annual fall reference meeting for system and resource library staff, Oshkosh
October 31-November 3, 2006 - Wisconsin Library Association, Wisconsin Dells
November 10, 2006 - Council on Library and Network Development, location TBA
November 29-30, 2006 - LSTA Advisory Committee meeting and public hearing, Madison
January 12, 2007 - Council on Library and Network Development, location TBA
January 23, 2007 - Wisconsin Library Legislative Day, 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/training.html.
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For information about Channel Weekly or to submit article ideas, please contact:
Roslyn Wise, Editor, at (608) 266-6439
For questions about this information, contact Roslyn M. Wise (608) 266-6439
Last updated on 7/22/2008 9:45:25 AM
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