The DLTCL Electronic Newsletter
Volume 11, Number 3 - September 25, 2008
Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
BadgerLink -- http://www.badgerlink.net
Instructional Media and Technology Team -- http://dpi.wi.gov/imt/
Public Library Development Team -- http://dpi.wi.gov/pld/
Reference and Loan Library -- http://dpi.wi.gov/rll
Wisconsin Information Network for Successful Schools (WINSS) -- http://dpi.wi.gov/sig
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Table of Contents
1. Wisconsin to be part of 2009 Gates hardware grant
2. 2008 PLA national conference DVD-ROM available for loan from the Reference & Loan Library
3. CCBC 2008 Charlotte Zolotow Lecture with Judy Blume
4. New national poll shows library card registration reaches historic high
5. Results of new study on library services for Hispanics released
6. Website of the Week – Biographical Dictionary
7. Calendar
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1. WISCONSIN TO BE PART OF 2009 GATES HARDWARE GRANT
Next year Wisconsin will join ten other states as part of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's "Opportunity Online" hardware grant program. This program will pay for public access PCs for libraries that meet two basic criteria:
(1) Libraries must serve a population above 10% poverty or have more than 3,000 people in poverty;
(2) Libraries must have at least some public access PCs that are more than 4 years old. The Gates Foundation will determine which libraries are eligible to apply for the grant and how many PCs an eligible library may eventually receive. There is no appeal process for libraries which are not eligible to receive a PC. Eligibility itself is not a guarantee a library will actually be granted any PCs. For example, a library in a high poverty area with PCs less than four years old may not receive a grant. (Eligible libraries that are considering the purchase of PCs should make note of this fact.) Very small libraries that are awarded grants will likely be able to purchase 2-3 PCs, while larger libraries will likely be able to purchase 8-12 PCs or more. These numbers are just approximate.
In the first round of hardware grants in 2002, the foundation granted Gateway PCs to eligible libraries. In this new round of 2009 grants, libraries will be awarded a cash grant to purchase PCs of their choice. Participation in the grant will require matching funds over the two-year time-frame of the grant. The match is 25% the first year (2010) and 50% the second year (2011). The DPI has requested that the foundation allow library system funds to be considered as each library's local match. If the foundation does not agree to this request, libraries will need to seek matching funds from other sources, such as their local budget, friends groups, community service clubs, etc.
By the end of October the Gates Foundation will provide the division with a list of libraries that are eligible to apply, and the division will then notify the libraries. These libraries will then run a PC inventory program from TechAtlas to determine the age of their public access PCs. (Some library systems will assist in this process. Please do not run TechAtlas until notified by your system or the division.) The Gates Foundation uses the PC inventory data to formulate a final list of libraries to receive funding to purchase PCs. This final list will be available in March 2009. The actual disbursement of funds will not take place until early 2010. The time frame for the grant is set by the foundation.
The division will keep the state's public library community informed as more information becomes available. Staff are also working on an FAQ that will be available in early October. The FAQ will provide more details about the program, but in the meantime if you have any questions, contact Bob Bocher, 608-266-2127, robert.bocher@dpi.wi.gov.
2. 2008 PLA NATIONAL CONFERENCE DVD-ROM AVAILABLE FOR LOAN FROM THE REFERENCE & LOAN LIBRARY
“PLA: Public Library Association 12th National Conference, March 25-29, 2008, Minneapolis, Minnesota” is a single DVD-ROM containing MP3 audio files and PDF files of handouts from selected sessions at this year’s biennial PLA national conference. It includes presentations on library administration and leadership, collections and technical services, facilities, marketing, serving adults and youth, staffing, and technology. System requirements for using the DVD-ROM: Windows 98, 2000 XP or above; Internet Explorer 5.0 or above; Windows Media Player 6.4 or above; open index.html to view DVD. (Call number: CR-60).
The 3-disc MP3 CD-ROM package containing the recorded sessions from the 2006 PLA National Conference is also available for loan from the Reference and Loan Library (R&LL): “Public Library Association 11th National Conference, Boston, Massachusetts March 21-25, 2006: The Best Conference for the Public Library World.” System requirements: Windows 98, 2000XP or above; Internet Explorer 5.0 or above; Windows Media Player 6.4 or above; Adobe Acrobat Reader 6.0 or above. (Call number: CR-57)
These may be requested from R&LL 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.wi.gov.
3. CCBC 2008 CHARLOTTE ZOLOTOW LECTURE WITH JUDY BLUME
Author Judy Blume will deliver the 11th annual Charlotte Zolotow Lecture on Wednesday evening, October 15, at the Wisconsin Union Theater, 800 Langdon Street on the UW-Madison campus. Judy Blume is the author of many books for children and teenagers, including "Superfudge," "Double Fudge," and "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing” for younger readers; "Blubber" and "Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret" for older children and young teens; and the groundbreaking "Forever" for older teens. Often funny and always fiercely honest, her works have resonated with generations of readers while achieving critical acclaim, and sometimes the attention of would-be censors. A passionate defender of the First Amendment rights of youth, she edited "Places I Never Meant To Be," an anthology of short stories written by authors of challenged books. For the first time, this year's Zolotow lecture will be a ticketed event. The tickets are free and will be available to the general public at the Wisconsin Union
Theater Box Office after September 8.
4. NEW NATIONAL POLL SHOWS LIBRARY CARD REGISTRATION REACHES HISTORIC HIGH
As Americans deal with a slumping economy, U.S. libraries are experiencing a dramatic increase in library card registration. According to a new Harris Poll from Harris Interactive, released Sept. 22 during Library Card Sign-up Month, 68 percent of Americans have a library card, up 5 percent since 2006.
Survey results indicate that this is the greatest number of Americans with library cards since the American Library Association (ALA) started to measure library card usage in 1990.
In-person visits also are up 10 percent compared with a 2006 ALA household survey. Seventy-six percent of Americans visited their local public library in the past year, compared with 65.7 percent two years ago. Online visits to libraries are up even more substantially – with 41 percent of library card holders visiting their library Web sites in the past year, compared with 23.6 percent in 2006. This finding complements the ALA’s 2008 Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study, which found that public libraries have significantly increased the Internet services available to their communities – including online homework help, downloadable audio and video, and e-books.
“I think most that walk through our doors are pleasantly surprised by the variety of free services libraries offer,” said ALA President Jim Rettig. “The poll has confirmed what we have been hearing from our members from the start; ‘libraries have become family destinations, technology hubs, cultural centers – basically the pillar of most of the communities they serve."
“As the nation continues to experience a downturn in the economy, libraries are providing the tools needed to help Americans get back on their feet,” said Rettig. “From free homework help to assisting with resumes and job searches, now more than ever libraries are proving they are valued and trusted resources.”
How did those surveyed view their local library?
Almost all Americans (92 percent) say they view their local library as an important education resource. Seven of 10 agreed their local library is a pillar of the community (72 percent), a community center (71 percent), a family destination (70 percent) and a cultural center (69 percent).
Overall, people are satisfied with their public library. Based on everything they either know or might have heard or read, three of five Americans (59 percent) are extremely or very satisfied with their public library and an additional more than one of five (22 percent) are somewhat satisfied.
Among those that have a library card, the satisfaction is even higher – more than two-thirds (68 percent) say they are extremely or very satisfied and an additional more than one of five (22 percent) are somewhat satisfied with their public library. Even those who do not have a library card express satisfaction with their libraries. Two of five (40 percent) are extremely or very satisfied while 21 percent are somewhat satisfied.
The Harris Poll is a non-commissioned survey that was conducted online within the United States between Aug. 11 – 17, 2008, among 2,710 adults (ages 18 and over).
5. RESULTS OF NEW STUDY ON LIBRARY SERVICES FOR HISPANICS RELEASED
WebJunction, in partnership with the Tomás Rivera Policy Institute, recently published a research report detailing the results of a six-state telephone survey of over 2,860 adult Latinos detailing their library use and perceptions of libraries. The results indicate that 54% of the Latino population visited libraries in the past year, and that Latinos hold positive perceptions of libraries. To download the study, go to
http://www.webjunction.org/latino-perceptions/articles/content/10860971 .
6. Website of the Week
Biographical Dictionary -- http://www.s9.com/ -- This free biographical dictionary was established in 1997 and covers more than 33,000 notable men and women who have shaped our world from ancient times to the present day. The dictionary can be searched by birth and death dates, positions held, professions, literary and artistic works, achievements, and other keywords. Registration is free and is required to submit or edit biographical information.
7. CALENDAR
September 26, 2008 - Children's Consultants Annual Meeting, Madison
September 30, 2008 - Certification & Continuing Education Consultants Meeting, Madison
October 9, 2008 – Delivery Services Advisory Committee, WisLine web
October 10, 2008 – Library Information Technology Advisory Committee meeting, Madison
November 4-7, 2008 – Wisconsin Library Association Annual Conference, Middleton
November 11-12, 2008 – Library Services & Technology Act (LSTA) Meeting, Madison
November 14, 2008 – Council on Library and Network Development, location to be announced
March 22-24, 2009 – Wisconsin Educational Media and Technology Association (WEMTA) Spring Conference, Madison
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To access previous issues of Channel Weekly, or to subscribe or unsubscribe, go to: http://dpi.wi.gov/channel/chweekly.html
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Roslyn M. Wise
Editor, Channel Weekly
Department of Public Instruction
Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning
PO Box 7841
Madison, WI 53707-7841
Phone: (608) 266-6439
FAX: (609) 266-8770
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For questions about this information, contact Roslyn M. Wise (608) 266-6439
Last updated on 10/3/2008 10:11:39 AM
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