1. Study shows public libraries contribute significantly to Wisconsin economy
2. Map added to Wisconsin Children's Performer Web page
3. Grants from Target Corporation available through local stores through May 31
4. Free educational resources for Prince Caspian film
5. Website of the Week - Plant Information Online
6. Calendar
EDITOR'S NOTE - Channel Weekly will not be published next week. The next issue of Channel Weekly will be the May 22, 2008, edition.
1. STUDY SHOWS PUBLIC LIBRARIES CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANTLY TO WISCONSIN ECONOMY
Wisconsin public libraries contribute more than $4 for every dollar taxpayers invest, according to an economic impact research report produced by NorthStar Economics Inc. of Madison.
The research showed the total economic contribution of Wisconsin public libraries is more than $750 million every year. The return on investment in library services is $4.06 for each dollar of taxpayer investment. Wisconsin public libraries serve a total state population of 5.6 million and use of public libraries by citizens of the state is growing. In the past 10 years, library visits have grown by 28 percent. Other key measures, such as circulation of library materials, attendance at children's programs, computer access, and electronic access to library catalogs, also have shown healthy growth.
"This study clearly tells us that public libraries are a valuable tax-supported institution," said State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster. "Quantifying the economic impact of libraries on the local, regional, and state economy adds another important piece of information regarding the value of public libraries. Our public libraries nurture young readers, support K-12 students, and provide access to information and technology necessary for lifelong learning. Public libraries are centers of their communities and daily make invaluable contributions to local and regional economic development."
The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) contracted with NorthStar to conduct a study to determine the economic impact of public libraries and library systems in Wisconsin and the taxpayer return on investment. Results, reported May 1 at the Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries Annual Conference in Stevens Point, showed that public libraries:
* create more than 3,200 jobs directly and more than 3,000 indirectly through economic activity.
* provide $427.9 million in total economic value through services provided to Wisconsin residents. This includes the value of books, audio recordings, and videos borrowed by library customers, as well as reference services, children's and adult programs, computer use, and Internet access provided to the public. Libraries provide a host of other services such as community meeting spaces, online books and articles, and specialized databases as well, but comprehensive statistics were not available to quantify and include in the calculated value.
* make a direct economic contribution to Wisconsin's economy of over $326 million through activities that include spending for library operations, payroll spending by library employees, and local spending by library visitors. These results were adjusted to account for books, subscriptions, and other out-of-state purchases.
The research further indicates that Wisconsin public library users place a high value on the resources and services available and that as library users age, they value the library services not only for themselves but also for their children and grandchildren. Additionally, libraries are considered a very good value by library users and non-users alike.
"As we work to sustain public libraries in an increasingly competitive economy, we have proof of the solid economic contribution our libraries make and the value the people of Wisconsin place on library services," Burmaster said. "Our libraries truly make a difference in our quality of life."
The DPI contract with NorthStar was funded through a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services. NorthStar conducted the study between November 2007 and April 2008. The research consisted of analysis of quantitative data, including library spending; library services; lending activities; and facility, equipment and technology use at Wisconsin's 388 public libraries and 17 public library systems. The research team, led by David Ward, president of NorthStar Economics, also collected information through an on-line survey on library use and perceived value from over 2,400 respondents, and in 29 focus groups held throughout the state.
The full study, the executive summary, and slides from a keynote address by David Ward at this year's Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries' Conference, are available at http://dpi.wi.gov/pld/econimpact.html.
2. MAP ADDED TO WISCONSIN CHILDREN'S PERFORMER WEB PAGE
Public libraries, schools and other organizations that want to hire quality performers for their children's programs can now use the Performer Map to locate potential candidates in their area. This map is maintained by the DLTCL's Public Library Development Team and uses the free Google Maps service. On the map, every city with at least one performer in the Performer Directory has a location marker. Clicking a marker displays its information window, which includes:
* The city name
* An alphabetical list of performer names
* The primary directory category for each performer
* An underlined link to each performer's main directory entry
In the full-size map, the location markers are also listed in order by city name on the left side of the window. Clicking a marker in the city list scrolls the map to the city and displays its information window. The markers are color coded for Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, and Wisconsin. In performer entries of the directory pages, the city/state of the contact line is linked to the Performer Map. Clicking the link displays the city on the map and its information window. Performers who are represented by a booking agency that is listed as their contact are not included in the Performer Map. The Performer Map is available at http://www.dpi.wi.gov/pld/perfmap.html.
3. GRANTS FROM TARGET CORPORATION AVAILABLE THROUGH LOCAL STORES THROUGH MAY 31
Grants are being accepted through May 31, 2008 for Target Corporation's Local Store Grants. The grants provide funding support for projects taking place between October 2008 and September 2009 in the areas of arts, early childhood reading programs, and family violence prevention. To be eligible, schools, libraries, or eligible non-profit organizations must be located in communities where Target does business. Most grants are between $1,000 and $3,000. For communities offering unique opportunities outside the scope of the program's focus areas, Target provides each store limited funds for Target GiftCard donations. GiftCard donations are available March through December, as funding permits. Visit the Target Web site for complete program information and online applications:
http://sites.target.com/site/en/corporate/page.jsp?contentId=PRD03-001818.
4. FREE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR PRINCE CASPIAN film
The new Prince Caspian film (the second film in the "Chronicles of Narnia" series, based on the C.S. Lewis' classic book series) is coming out on May 16th. Walden, the movie's production company, has made some free educational resources available at http://www.walden.com/walden/teach/caspian/index.php. One of the items is an educator's poster.
To request the print materials for a classroom, library, or home school, e-mail outreach@walden.com. Be sure to include full mailing address and which materials are wanted. Supplies are limited.
5. Website of the Week
Plant Information Online -- https://plantinfo.umn.edu/arboretum/default.asp -- Plant Information Online is a product of the research effort of staff of the University of Minnesota Libraries. This site offers a collection of databases of interest to plant and gardening enthusiasts and students, as well as professional botanists, horticulturists, and researchers.
6. CALENDAR
May 14, 2008 - Spring Interlibrary Loan Meeting for Public Library System and Resource Library Staff, Madison
May 15, 2008 - Delivery Services Advisory Committee meeting, Madison
May 15, 2008 - Leadership Conference on Adolescent Literacy for Public Librarians, Madison
May 19, 2008 - Library Information Technology Advisory Committee meeting, Madison
June 26-July 2, 2008 - American Library Association annual conference, Anaheim, California
June 29-July 2, 2008 - 2008 National Educational Computing Conference, San Antonio, Texas
July 12, 2008 - Council on Library and Network Development, Milwaukee
October 10, 2008 - Library Information Technology Advisory Committee meeting, 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://dpi.wi.gov/rll/wiscat/training.html.
Return to the Channel Weekly Home Page
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 5/13/2008 12:20:21 PM
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