1. National Library Week proclamation
2. Preliminary LSTA grant program and budget for 2008 approved
3. LSTA evaluation 2003-2007 now available on web
4. Public library directors encouraged to register for "Greener Pastures" workshops
5. First "Greener Pastures" grant awarded for ALA in Washington, D.C.
6. WAAL conference to be held April 17-20
7. NEH preservation assistance grants for smaller institutions
8. WebJunction offers Webinar on TechAtlas for the rural library
9. WLA WeLead Program recruiting for new class
10. Celebrate School Library Media Month at your school
11. April is National Poetry month
12. $250 grants available for writers and illustrators
13. Website of the Week - Acronym Finder
14. Calendar
1. NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK PROCLAMATION
Elizabeth Burmaster, State Superintendent, has proclaimed April 15-21, 2007, as National Library Week in Wisconsin, and encourages all residents to visit their library this week to take advantage of the wonderful library resources available, and thank their librarians and library staff for making information and education accessible to all. Burmaster noted that Wisconsin's public, school, academic, and special libraries touch the lives of millions of Wisconsin residents in a positive way each year by lending library materials, answering reference questions, conducting adult and children's programs, and by providing access to electronic information, and that librarians are trained professionals, helping people of all ages and backgrounds find the information they need to live, learn, work, and govern in the 21st century.
The complete text of the proclamation is available at http://dpi.wi.gov/pld/pdf/proclaim2007nlw.pdf.
2. PRELIMINARY LSTA GRANT PROGRAM AND BUDGET FOR 2008 APPROVED
State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster approved the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant program and preliminary budget for 2008. The LSTA funds will facilitate innovation, demonstration, and enhanced library services in Wisconsin. LSTA applications for 2008 are due September 12, 2007, and are submitted online.
Several new categories are available for LSTA funding in 2008:
*Wireless Connections - $60,000 will assist public library systems in helping their member libraries to install the technology needed to offer wireless Internet access for library patrons or to upgrade current wireless service. Grant funds will be allocated to the systems based on a maximum of $500 per participating library.
*Innovative Uses of Technology - $60,000 will be available to assist public libraries and public library systems in implementing programs or services that demonstrate innovative uses of technology in the library. Grant funds will be awarded on a competitive basis with public libraries eligible for a maximum of $5,000 and public library systems eligible for a maximum of $20,000 per grant.
*Library Development Training - $20,000 will be available to allow applicants to hire a trainer to provide expertise to public library staff and boards to learn more about library related topics and issues and enhance the ability of the library staff to better serve patrons. Applicants can apply for grant awards between $500 and $3,000 for this purpose.
*Adolescent Literacy Initiative - $20,000 will be available to fund a statewide leadership conference and regional training on the literacy needs of adolescents, adolescent brain development, and the role public libraries play in promoting adolescent literacy. Regional workshops around the state will follow.
Among the other grant categories to be funded in 2008 are:
*Library System Technology Projects - $400,000 (noncompetitive)
*Merging Shared Integrated Library Systems - $75,000 (noncompetitive)
*Shared Systems for Schools - $25,300 (noncompetitive)
*Virtual Reference - $69,300 (noncompetitive)
*Digitization - $42,000 (competitive)
*Delivery Services - $75,000 (noncompetitive)
*Literacy - $250,000 (competitive)
*Disabilities - $125,000 (competitive)
Additional detailed information on the LSTA grant categories will be posted on the LSTA website in the next couple of weeks. For more information, contact Peg Branson, LSTA Program Coordinator, 608/266-2413 or peg.branson@dpi.state.wi.us.
3. LSTA EVALUATION 2003-2007 NOW AVAILABLE ON WEB
As part of the requirements for receiving the federal LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act) funds, the Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning had to develop a five-year plan for activities to be funded with LSTA during 2003-2007, and then to evaluate those activities at the end of this five-year period. The plan identified Wisconsin's present and projected library needs and a plan for helping to meet those needs with federal funds made available under the LSTA program. The Division used a variety of reports, surveys, and other information sources for evaluating the LSTA program from 2003-2007. A copy of the evaluation is available on the web at http://dpi.wi.gov/pld/pdf/lstaeval07.pdf.
4. PUBLIC LIBRARY DIRECTORS ENCOURAGED TO REGISTER FOR "GREENER PASTURES" WORKSHOPS
More than 175 public library directors from throughout Wisconsin have already participated in the first six "Greener Pastures" Rural Library Sustainability Project workshops. Three more regional workshops will be conducted in April, with the final workshop offered on May 2, 2007, as a pre-conference to the Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries annual conference in Eau Claire.
The goal of the "Greener Pastures" workshop, provided through a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is to focus on issues, challenges and obstacles in sustaining public access computing in their libraries. The workshop program will encourage library directors to design practical solutions on specific issues or challenges they have identified. Participants will return to their libraries with ideas, information, resources, and action plans.
Invitations have been sent to all directors of public libraries in rural areas or those serving populations under 25,000. If directors are unable to attend their regional workshop, they may attend another that is convenient to them. The grant provides for reimbursement of mileage to attend a workshop and for one night's lodging at the state rate when one-way travel to the workshop requires more than 90 minutes driving time.
Remaining workshops are scheduled for Mercer on Wednesday, April 18; Wausau on Thursday, April 19; and Sparta on Thursday, April 26. As noted above, the final workshop will be conducted on Wednesday, May 2, at the Plaza Hotel in Eau Claire, prior to the WAPL Annual Conference. There is no charge to attend the workshop and lunch is provided. More information and registration information can be found at http://dpi.wi.gov/pld/rural.html.
5. FIRST "GREENER PASTURES" GRANT AWARDED FOR ALA IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
The grant for the "Greener Pastures" Rural Library Sustainability Project will provide for three eligible participants to receive a grant to attend the June 2007 American Library Association annual conference in Washington, D.C. The first grant has been awarded to Nanette Bulebosh, director of the Kiel Public Library. Nanette's name was included in a drawing of eligible candidates from the first three workshops. She will attend an all-day forum discussing issues and results of the Rural Library Sustainability Project in addition to the annual conference. The grant covers her airfare, lodging, conference registration, and other expenses. Another drawing will be held for applicants from the second three workshops, and directors who attend the workshops in Mercer, Wausau and Sparta will be eligible for the final drawing.
6. WAAL CONFERENCE TO BE HELD APRIL 17-20
The 2007 WAAL (Wisconsin Association of Academic Librarians) Conference will take place April 17-20 at the Wisconsin Dells. The conference will feature 40 concurrent program sessions which will cover a variety of diverse and timely topics about academic library service. There will be eleven poster sessions on Wednesday evening, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and two luncheon presentations: "Exploring Haunted America" by Michael Norman, and "The UW Odyssey Project" by Emily Auerbach, on Wednesday and Thursday respectively. Bob Bocher of the DLTCL staff will present a program on Friday with Shaun Abshere, WiscNet, on "Wiretapping the Internet: Coming Soon to An Internet Provider Near You."
More information on the 2007 WAAL Conference is available at http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/waal/conferences/2007/. Sylvia Contreras and Jim Buckett are the WAAL Conference co-chairs.
7. NEH PRESERVATION ASSISTANCE GRANTS FOR SMALLER INSTITUTIONS
The National Endowment for the Humanities has announced preservation assistance grants to help small and mid-sized institutions, such as libraries, museums, historical societies, archival repositories, town and county records offices, and colleges, improve their ability to preserve and care for their humanities collections.
Applicants must draw on the knowledge of consultants whose preservation skills and experience are related to the types of collections and the nature of the activities that are the focus of the projects. Any U.S. nonprofit organization is eligible, as are state and local governmental agencies and tribal governments. Grants are not awarded to individuals. NEH will give priority to smaller institutions and to institutions that have not previously received an NEH grant.
Applications are due May 15, 2007, for projects beginning January 2008. Guidelines, resources, and instructions for submitting an application are available at http://www.neh.gov/grants/guidelines/pag.html.
8. WEBJUNCTION OFFERS WEBINAR ON TECHATLAS FOR THE RURAL LIBRARY
WebJunction has announced a free, hour-long online webinar for April 24, 2007 at 12:00 noon to help public libraries learn how to use TechAtlas, a free, online technology planning tool, to assess their current technology and to plan for future needs.
The interactive online webinars are conducted using Live Space technology through a Web browser, using Voice over IP (VoIP), so participants can hear the webinar through their computer's speakers or headphones. To be able to speak and ask questions, participants will also need a microphone, but this is not required. For participants who do not have sound on their computers, there will be a toll free phone number provided.
Interactive online WebJunction webinars are eligible for credit toward public librarian certification in Wisconsin as noncredit continuing education activities. Archived webinars may also be applied toward certification as self-directed CE activities. Information on the Webinar as well as other rural library resources can be found on the WebJunction site here:
http://webjunction.org/rural.
9. WLA WELEAD PROGRAM RECRUITING FOR NEW CLASS
The Wisconsin Library Association announced that it is recruiting a new class of future leaders and mentors. The WeLead Program (Wisconsin Emerging Librarians Exploring and Developing) began with its first class of protégés in 2005. The initiative was created to attract new WLA members, and to help
cultivate and prepare future leaders.
WeLead offers benefits to those who are selected, including:
* a one-year membership to WLA
* stipends to attend the WLA annual conference for three years
* a stipend to attend one section conference during the three-year initiative
* an appointment to a WLA committee
* special leadership programming opportunities
* pairing with a mentor who is already a leader in the library field
For protégés the requirements include:
* Applicants must be students, paraprofessionals, or professionals currently in the field of library science
* Applicants should have demonstrated potential to be future library leaders
* Applicants must be willing to attend the WLA annual conference for the three years during the three-year WeLead Initiative
* Applicants must be willing to attend one additional conference (WAPL, WAAL or WEMA) during the three-year WeLead Initiative
* Applicants may either:
1) have never been a member of the Wisconsin Library Association /or/
2) have been a member for three years or less.
Because the program's most important feature is the relationship that the protégés develop with their professional mentors, the program is also recruiting mentors. It's a way for current library leaders to share their wisdom and expertise, and to gain new ideas for themselves! For mentors, the requirements are:
* Must be willing to make a 3-year commitment to the initiative, beginning in July 2007.
* Must be able to attend the mentor training in July and the WLA Conference in October.
* Willing to meet and communicate with protégé on a regular basis (e.g., meeting at conferences, exchanging emails, telephone conversations, and personal meetings when appropriate)
* Have at least 5 years of experience working in the library field.
* Be a current WLA member and retain membership during the 3-year initiative.
For more information about the program, visit: http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/welead/.
10. CELEBRATE SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA MONTH AT YOUR SCHOOL
Many school library media programs celebrate the month of April as School Library Media Month in conjunction with, and sharing the same theme as, National Library Week. This year's theme is Change your world @ your library(r).
Learn more about School Library Media Month at http://www.ala.org/aasl/slmmonth.html.
11. APRIL IS NATIONAL POETRY MONTH
Visit the Online Poetry Classroom to find a wealth of resources, including Teacher Forums where teachers can share ideas and seek help from colleagues; Pedagogical & Critical Essays about poetry; extensive links to relevant websites; Curriculum Units & Lesson Plans; biographies of hundreds of poets; and nearly two-thousand poems.
Get the details at http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/6.
Other relevant resources include the National Poetry Foundation (http://www.poetryfoundation.org); ideas from read. write. think (http://www.readwritethink.org/calendar/calendar_day.asp?id=478); and poetry month resources from Scholastic (http://teacher.scholastic.com/lessonrepro/k_2theme/poetry.htm).
12. $250 GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS
The Wisconsin Center for the Book will award up to ten grants of $250 each to qualifying organizations wishing to sponsor a Wisconsin author or illustrator at a public event. Criteria are:
* The event must be free of admission charges.
* The honorarium will be paid directly to the speaker.
This program is made possible through the cooperation of the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters and the generosity of donors.
Wisconsin nonprofit organizations interested in books and reading are eligible to apply. Collaboration among groups is preferred. Such groups may include, but are not limited to, public libraries; public and private elementary, secondary, and post-secondary schools; community organizations; and places of worship. Libraries are encouraged to look beyond their Friends groups for partnerships.
Applications will be judged on the basis of
* Community outreach and collaboration,
* Thoroughness of planning, and
* Rationale for the choice of speaker.
Applications are due by July 1, 2007 (if mailed, they must be postmarked on or before this date). Winners will be notified by July 30, 2007. Programs must be scheduled between the dates of September 1, 2007 through April 30, 2008. A final report must be submitted within 10 days of the event or the honorarium will be forfeited.
For the purposes of the grant awards, any author or illustrator who has lived in Wisconsin for a significant period of time, including someone who may no longer be living in the state, is considered a Wisconsin author or illustrator.
Applications and additional information can be found at http://www.wisconsinacademy.org/book/application.html. To apply, send five completed copies of your application to Sarah McGowan , WAIS 2007-08 Chair, Wisconsin Center for the Book, W13679 Liner Road, Brandon, WI 53919. If you have questions, please contact her at 920-346-2784 or windsong@centurytel.net.
13. WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
Acronym finder -- http://www.acronymfinder.com/ -- The Acronym Finder is a world wide web searchable database of more than 2.5 million abbreviations and acronyms about computers, technology, telecommunications, and military acronyms and abbreviations. The Acronym Finder is not a glossary of terms, web search engine, dictionary, or a thesaurus, it is only designed to search for and expand acronyms and abbreviations.
14. CALENDAR
April 12, 2007 - Gates Foundation "Greener Pastures" Rural Sustainability Project workshop, Fennimore
April 17-20 - Wisconsin Association of Academic Librarians, Wisconsin Dells
April 18, 2007 - Gates Foundation "Greener Pastures" Rural Sustainability Project workshop, Mercer
April 19, 2007 - Gates Foundation "Greener Pastures" Rural Sustainability Project workshop, Wausau
April 26, 2007 - Gates Foundation "Greener Pastures" Rural Sustainability Project workshop, Sparta
May 2, 2007 - Gates Foundation "Greener Pastures" Rural Sustainability Project workshop, Eau Claire (WAPL preconference)
May 2-4, 2007 - Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries, Eau Claire
May 11, 2007 - Council on Library and Network Development meeting, La Crosse
May 14, 2007 - Library Information Technology Advisory Committee meeting, Madison
May 22, 2007 - Public library system interlibrary loan staff meeting, Madison
May 23, 2007 - Delivery Services Advisory Committee, Madison
June 21-27, 2007 - American Library Association Annual Conference, Washington DC
July 13, 2007 - Council on Library and Network Development meeting, location to be announced
September 14, 2007 - Council on Library and Network Development meeting, location to be announced
October 12, 2007 - Library Information Technology Advisory Committee meeting, Madison
October 16-19, 2007 - Wisconsin Library Association Annual Conference, Green Bay
November 9, 2007 - Council on Library and Network Development meeting, location to be announced
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://dpi.wi.gov/rll/wiscat/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 5/1/2007 10:29:20 AM
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