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DPI uses keywords that are used to associate content with major category/topic areas. By using this classification system, you are able to click a keyword and see a listing of DPI content that has been associated with this category.

Please scan over the titles below. If you see a topic that interests you, click the Read More link to access the page.

Highlights of BadgerLink Website

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Many libraries link directly to BadgerLink resources from their website, rather than sharing the BadgerLink website with students and patrons. The BadgerLink team encourages you to do so and thanks you for your support of BadgerLink! We also want to take this opportunity to remind you of a few links and resources available on the BadgerLink website that may have been missed.

Many popular magazines with full text articles are available in BadgerLink at https://badgerlink.dpi.wi.gov/popular-magazines. We recently added a few new titles upon upgrading to MasterFILE Complete this past summer. These include AllRecipes, Better Homes & Gardens, Eating Well, Martha Stewart Living, Midwest Living, and Motor Trend, among others.

In addition, EBSCO’s Multimedia Search provides access to EBSCO’s Image Collection, Medical Image Collection, Literary Image Collection, Science Video Collection, Medical Video and Animations, and Video Encyclopedia of the 20th Century. These collections Include more than 10,000 videos and almost a million images.

Screenshot of BadgerLink website showing Read More link

Each database available through BadgerLink has a webpage devoted to the resource, with a description of the resource, and many also include training tutorials and info sheets. Simply click Read More under each resource when on the Browse Resources page to view.

The BadgerLink team is presenting a session on providing access to BadgerLink resources through your website and classroom tools at the WEMTA conference on April 2. Come join us to hear more about how you can easily share these resources at your school!

Contact us at dpibadgerli@dpi.wi.gov with questions or for more information on using BadgerLink.

Written by Jen Champoux, Resources for Libraries and Lifelong Learning

Tags

  • School Libraries
  • Services & Programs
  • Technology

The School Library Plan: Statutory Requirement or Sensational Resolution?

Thursday, January 24, 2019

Trick question...It is both! The long-range plan for library services development, as it is referenced in Wisconsin Administrative Code PI8.01(2)(h), has historically been written as an integral part of district information and technology plans. For reasons unique to each district, library planning has been neglected in recent years even though it remains a statutory requirement. However, a well-developed long-range library plan implemented with fidelity allows for library programs to effectively increase student achievement, provide equitable resources to all, and be a key collaborative element of district learning initiatives; hence, it is very much a sensational resolution!

This fall DPI, with the help of all twelve CESAs, began a workshop series to help library media specialists create current library plans using tools based on the Future Ready Librarian Framework. The first meeting provided a morning, afternoon, or even a full day for library media specialists to review elements of their programs, discuss how they fit into the Future Ready Librarian Framework, and uncover where their programs had the greatest area of need. The participants took this information back to their districts to begin working on goals in need areas that aligned with building and district initiatives. This January, participants have had the opportunity to attend virtual meetings to ask questions, share ideas, and learn more about how a completed plan may look. A WISELearn group was also introduced as a platform to share and find resources related to this important task. The workshop series will conclude in spring with an opportunity for library media specialists to meet again at their CESAs to share their progress, get feedback, and discuss strategies for presenting plans to their school boards and moving the plan into action. These plans are being personalized to their respective districts with the intention that they continue to evolve as each goal is achieved and naturally integrate into other district planning models.

Ultimately, there is no end to library planning. This is a cycle that must progress continually to provide the best resources, opportunities, and engagement for our students and educators. Just as we would not teach without curriculum or lead a district without vision, a school library should not be without a plan implemented as the foundation of a successful program. To those who have begun the process this year, I offer encouragement and cheers to keep moving forward. To those ready to start the process, please check out this introductory slide presentation, resources on WISELearn, or just connect with me, your School Library Education Consultant, Monica Treptow. January is a great time for a sensational resolution!

Tags

  • School Libraries

New IMLS Initiative Seeking Grant Applications

Thursday, December 6, 2018

Last week the Institute of Museum and Library Services launched a special initiative, Accelerating Promising Practices for Small Libraries, that will be accepting applications for grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 until February 25, 2019. This opportunity is designed to strengthen how rural public and school libraries support their communities. The following information from the press release illustrates the three categories for applicants:

Transforming School Library Practice: School libraries support learning and the development of critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration skills. IMLS is interested in furthering how school library professionals can serve as integral instructional partners to classroom teachers. Grant projects could include programs and services that prepare students for success in college, career, and life, or foster early, digital, information, health, financial, media, civic, and other types of literacies.

Community Memory: Libraries and archives not only serve as stewards of our nation’s knowledge and collections, but also as trusted spaces for community engagement and dialogue. This project category centers on engaging local communities in the collection, documentation, and preservation of their local histories, experiences, and identities. Proposals could include events and programs to digitize materials related to community histories, such as photographs, artifacts, or texts, or oral history projects that involve community members in the documentation and preservation of local histories.

Digital Inclusion: Libraries have an important role in promoting digital inclusion and increasing access to information, ideas, and networks. This category focuses on projects that support the role libraries play in promoting digital literacy, providing internet access, and enabling community engagement through civic data and civic technology. Grant proposals could include programs supporting broadband access and wireless networks to address the homework gap, increase small business development and entrepreneurship, or plan for emergency preparedness.

For more information about this fabulous opportunity, check out the IMLS website and consider attending  one of the webinars on Tuesday, December 18, from 2:00PM to 3:00PM, or Wednesday, January 9, from 1:00PM to 2:00PM.

Tags

  • School Libraries
  • Services & Programs
  • Technology

U.S. Newsstream Now Available!

Tuesday, October 9, 2018

U.S. Newsstream contains current and archival United States news coverage dating back to the 1980s. This new-to-BadgerLink resource features key national and regional sources including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Boston Globe, Newsday, Chicago Tribune and over 80 Gannett titles like the Appleton Post-Crescent and the Green Bay Press Gazette. Content is updated daily, with same-day publication access to over 250 titles. U.S. Newsstream includes newswires, news journals, television and radio transcripts, blogs, podcasts, and digital-only websites.

To get started researching in U.S. Newsstream access at https://badgerlink.dpi.wi.gov/resource/us-newsstream and learn more with ProQuest’s Libguide at http://proquest.libguides.com/newsstream/about.

Bonus! See Wisconsin Newspapers in BadgerLink for titles included in Archive of Wisconsin Newspapers, Newspapers.com Library Edition World Collection (forthcoming), and U.S. Newsstream.

Teachers and professors recommend (newspaper research). According to a recent ProQuest survey, (88%) of researchers who also teach recommend newspapers to their students, indicating the value of newspapers for all levels of research. *

Broaden your scope for insight and understanding. News content provides critical context to broaden researchers' scope for insight and learning. Issues and events can be examined within the framework of concurrent issues and events as they unfold.*

*From U.S. Newsstream promotional material.

Tags

  • Resource Sharing
  • School Libraries
  • Services & Programs

New Britannica and EBSCO Resources Now Available!

Friday, September 21, 2018

Drum roll, please: new resources are now available in BadgerLink! We appreciate your patience as we rolled out these new resources after completing the BadgerLink Request for Bid procurement process over the summer. Without further ado:

Britannica Digital Learning has added Britannica Library, a comprehensive reference and learning resource for children and adults. Similar to Britannica School but suitable for public library patrons, this edition offers 3 distinct interfaces and reading levels in one site. Britannica School will continue to be available through BadgerLink.

EBSCO will now provide 7 new, upgraded resources.

  • AutoMate: Authoritative and up-to-date service and repair information for thousands of domestic and international vehicles. This resource will be replacing Auto Repair Reference Center.
  • Children’s Core Collection: Reliable guides to help librarians with collection development and maintenance, curriculum support, readers’ advisory and general reference for preschool-6th grade. This resource will be replacing Book Collection Nonfiction: Elementary School Edition.
  • Middle & Junior High Core Collection: Reliable guides to help librarians with collection development and maintenance, curriculum support, readers’ advisory and general reference for grades 5-9. This resource will be replacing Book Collection Nonfiction: Middle School Edition.
  • Senior High Core Collection: Reliable guides to help librarians with collection development and maintenance, curriculum support, readers’ advisory and general reference for grades 9-12. This resource will be replacing Book Collection Nonfiction: High School Edition.
  • Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts with Full Text: Database providing cover-to-cover indexing, abstracting and full-text for key library and information science periodicals. This resource will be replacing Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts.
  • MasterFILE Complete: Popular full-text magazines, reference books and other sources from the world’s leading publishers. This resource will be replacing MasterFILE Premier.
  • Teacher Reference Center: Research database for teachers providing indexing and abstracts for more than 220 peer-reviewed journals.

We will be removing access to Auto Repair Reference Center, Book Collection Nonfiction: Elementary, Middle & High School Editions; Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts; and MasterFILE Premier after October 5, 2018.

Newspapers.com Library Edition World Collection and U.S. Newsstream should be ready in the coming weeks. We apologize for the delay.

To be notified when the remaining new resources are available, sign up for email alerts. We welcome all feedback and questions, so please contact us!

Tags

  • Resource Sharing
  • School Libraries
  • Services & Programs

Digital eBooks for Students from the Wisconsin Schools Digital Library Consortium

Thursday, September 20, 2018

This year, nearly 100 school districts across the state have expanded their library collection with popular and classic eBooks that students can read anytime, anywhere, made possible by the Wisconsin Schools Digital Library Consortium. This consortium provides nearly 3500 eBooks to over 114,000 students across the state at a cost of only $1.50 per student. The consortium launched in January 2018 to help all districts across the state gain access to digital resources at an affordable price.

“The WSDLC collection opened the door to accessible e-books at our elementary school through easy use, a large selection, and teacher support. As the district library media specialist, I can now offer ebooks for everyone and can accommodate requests with almost instant additions to our collection with our account - this keeps students reading and teachers requesting them,” reports Peg Billing, Library Media Instructional Technology Coordinator of the School District of Tomahawk.

This eBook collection can help students of all ages read more and improve comprehension. Struggling or reluctant readers, learning-challenged, second language learners, and gifted readers can all benefit from this service that can enrich vocabulary, improve comprehension and pronunciation, connect students to books for their personal reading levels, teach critical listening, and help busy kids find time to read.

Three grade-appropriate libraries, for grades K-4, 5-8, and 9-12, make up the collection. Students can browse the library’s catalog, borrow titles, and start reading on all major computers and devices and all checkouts automatically expire at the end of the lending period - no late fees!

Like Wisconsin’s Digital Library for public library patrons, this collection is provided on the OverDrive platform. “The Richfield middle school students absolutely love using OverDrive,” says Richfield School District’s Patricia Thoma. “The idea of always having a book there for them, or on hold, excites our students. Every day, over 75% of our readers choose to read electronically. Our readership has exploded, and our nonreaders are extinct.”

The Wisconsin Schools Digital Library Consortium is a partnership between the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, CESA Purchasing, the CESA Statewide Network, and WiLS. To learn more about WSDLC, visit https://www.wils.org/wsdlc.

Article written by Sara Gold, WiLS Community Liaison/Service Specialist

Tags

  • Resource Sharing
  • School Libraries
  • Technology

Now is the Time to Come to the Aid of Your Libraries: DPI Inviting Nominations for the LSTA Advisory Committee

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

 

The State Superintendent’s Office and the Division for Libraries and Technology invite nominations of library professionals to fill upcoming vacancies on the LSTA Advisory Committee. The Committee advises the State Superintendent of Public Instruction on matters pertaining to the administration of the Wisconsin’s Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) program. The primary responsibilities of the committee are to provide the State Superintendent and the Division for Libraries and Technology advice and feedback on the LSTA program and budget, as well as monitor future library service needs. In addition, the committee advises on the development of the long-range plan for LSTA; establishment of the annual grant criteria, priorities, and categories; grant applications and grant awards; evaluation of the LSTA grant program; and resolution of policy matters arising from the administration of the program.

Members of the committee are appointed by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to serve staggered 4-year terms. The committee meets at least twice each year, usually in spring and fall. In addition, online meetings may be scheduled when time-sensitive input is needed from the committee by the Division. As a part of each LSTA Advisory Committee meeting, time will be set aside for a public hearing where other persons interested in the LSTA program may make comments and suggestions. It is expected that committee members do their best to serve their complete terms, attend each meeting, and participate fully with respect for the role for which they are serving for the Division and the State of Wisconsin.

Membership on the 12 person advisory committee includes representatives of all types of libraries and public library systems and representatives from different sizes of libraries and different geographic areas of the state, with an emphasis on public libraries. Equity is a core value of the vision of the Department of Public Instruction, and the Division of Libraries and Technology strives for a inclusive representation of library professionals on the LSTA Advisory Committee. Applicants are encouraged to highlight personal identifiers and/or professional experiences that diversify the perspectives and voices on the committee. Applications are accepted on an on-going basis for both full-term positions and to fill the remaining portion of unexpired terms. If you are interested in serving on the committee, wish to nominate, or have questions, please email Maria Ingraham, (maria.ingraham@dpi.wi.gov) to request an application or to nominate a potential committee member.

 

Committee Vacancies

By January 2019 the committee will need to add 8 new committee members* to bring the number to 12.

 

Term ending December 31, 2020 (two vacancies)

Two new members are needed for two-year appointments to join continuing member Brian Williams-Van Klooster

 

Term ending December 31, 2021 (three vacancies)

Three new members are needed for three-year appointments to fulfill unexpired vacancies.

 

Terms ending December 31, 2022 (three new appointments for full four-year terms)

Three new members for full four-year terms serving through 2022.

 

*As of today we have received three nomination applications submitted for these vacancies

 

 

Written by John DeBacher, Public Library Development

Tags

  • Administration & Data
  • School Libraries
  • Services & Programs

Use WISELearn to Weave Summer Learning into Fall

Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Refreshed, renewed, and ready to reboot, the new school year is upon us. Many library media specialists and other educators have spent time this summer creating resources, leading professional development, and discovering tools to improve learning experiences for students. Rather than creating another new folder on a computer that may get buried in a sea of other important work, why not share all those great ideas with other Wisconsin educators and find even more fabulous resources in the process?

WISELearn provides a centralized location for connecting Wisconsin educators and sharing classroom and professional learning resources, and if you have not visited lately, it is time to explore the fabulous new platform introduced last year. The WISELearn Resources Library is a customized microsite of OER Commons. This personalization allows us to make choices about terminology and include our state standards. So, for example, if you want to add or find a resource to help integrate the Wisconsin Information and Technology Literacy Standards in grades 3-5, these are searchable fields. WISELearn also allows you to link resources out to Twitter and Pinterest or include them in your Google Classroom, and you can connect with the creator to provide feedback and make connections.

As a library media specialist, be an ambassador for WISELearn in your district. In addition to using WISELearn for your own instruction and research, coach a team of teachers in your district through forming a Group in WISELearn and using the site to share their resources and lessons. Demonstrate WISELearn to your staff and illustrate its great features using the guide, video, and links available on the Training page. You can also showcase some of the great work recently done by visiting the New London Math Interventions/Enrichment Group, the Lakeland Union OER Grant Group, or the CESA 11 ITL Resource Work Group for examples to inspire your peers in coaching sessions.

Your school library most certainly has a section devoted to professional learning. WISELearn allows you to expand this section into the digital world in a way that is inviting, useful, and social. Let’s build our Wisconsin educational community!

Tags

  • Resource Sharing
  • School Libraries
  • Technology

New School Library Work Group

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Encompassing the values of shared knowledge, equity, and improving schools, a School Library Work Group has been formed by the Department of Public Instruction. The vision for this group is to be a dedicated team that guides decision making on school library topics, develops strategies for creating a stronger field of school library professionals, and provides tangible evidence for how robust school library programs improve student achievement in Wisconsin schools. It will be led by Monica Treptow, the School Library Media Education Consultant.

To create this inaugural School Library Work Group, a call for applicants was done in March and April. From a pool of 36 applicants and additional recommendations, nineteen individuals were chosen. The selection criteria included a number of items intended to establish a diverse group of professionals. For example, as a whole, group membership needed to include individuals from different geographic locations, district sizes, levels of experience, positions or roles, and backgrounds. The new members will serve for two years and have committed to three meetings per year.

The first convening of the School Library Work Group was held on July 19, 2018. Some of the main topics of discussion were communication and guidelines regarding the Common School Fund, the development of library planning resources, how the new Wisconsin Information and Technology Standards, ISTE, and AASL National School Library Standards are influencing school library programming, and the use of Educator Effectiveness tools for library media specialists. After a long, productive day each member of the group found value in the discussions and is looking forward to future work.

Thank you to everyone who expressed an interest in this group. Congratulations go out to the 2018-2020 School Library Work Group members:

Name

District

Lisa Chatman

Milwaukee Public Schools

Sue Engel

Wausau School District

Renae Ferraro

Madison Metropolitan School District

Becki George

Rice Lake Area School District

Michelle Green

School District of Greenwood

Krisi Harwood

Holy Hill Area School District

David Hetzer

Milwaukee Public Schools

Allison Kaplan

University of Wisconsin Madison iSchool

Sara Lindberg

CESA 11

Andy Mayer

Kewaskum School District

Kris McCoy

Mineral Point School District

James O’Hagan

Racine Unified School District

Christine O’Regan

Kenosha Unified School District

Vicki Santacroce

Green Bay Area Public Schools

Katrina Schoenrock

Green Bay Area Public Schools

Eileen Schroeder

University of Wisconsin Whitewater Library Media Program

Micki Uppena

Lancaster Community Schools

Sara Wayland

Appleton Area School District

Rebecca Wojahn

Chippewa Valley Technical College Library & Information Services

Tags

  • School Libraries

LitFinder & Transparent Languages Online Update

Thursday, July 26, 2018

The Department of Public Instruction is signing contracts for BadgerLink resources selected through the Request for Bid (RFB) led by the Department of Administration. DPI is eager to update and enhance BadgerLink resources, and plans to release them as soon as possible, and hopefully within weeks.

However, because of the cost of the selected resources is greater than the current BadgerLink budget, DPI will not be able to sign contracts for all the Collections included in the RFB (read more about the Collections in the BadgerLink Procurement Update dated 7/3/2018). Decisions about which Collections will be purchased are still being made. They are being based on feedback from the library community, usage patterns and the availability of other resources that generally meet the same needs.

At this time, the Department of Public Instruction has determined that it will not be licensing the Cengage LitFinder database, which has been a part of BadgerLink since 2008 and Transparent Languages Online from Recorded Books, which represented a new content area, vendor and product.  The previous LitFinder contract ended 6/30/2017 and therefore this resource is no longer available. 

The RFB Cooperative Purchasing clause allows municipally funded library (including public libraries, the Wisconsin Public Library Consortium, the CESA Support Network and libraries represented by the System and Resource Library Administrator’s Association of Wisconsin) to contract with selected vendors for the selected resources at the same rates vendors agreed to in the RFB process. Any library organization interested in exploring that option can contact Martha.Berninger@dpi.wi.gov for more information. Please bear in mind that DPI is not able to share any information about unsuccessful bids submitted by vendors not selected.

Thank you for your interest in the future of BadgerLink and your support. DPI will share regular updates on the process.

Tags

  • Resource Sharing
  • School Libraries
  • Services & Programs

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