Services & Programs

The Inclusive Services Assessment and Guide for Wisconsin Public Libraries was produced by the Public Library Development Team. The beta version was released in Fall 2018, and the final version will be released in Spring 2019.

Participants in the inaugural 2018 Inclusive Services Institute developed a self-assessment tool and guide so that libraries are better able to evaluate the inclusivity of their spaces, programming, services, and administrative operations. This resource was designed to be used by individuals and groups as an ongoing reflection tool. The checklist and supporting resources are meant to help libraries evaluate current services as well as plan for the future.

This initial version, the first of its kind, was designed to have a period of response from the public library professional community. Input on every aspect of the document is welcome through December 31, 2018 via this Google Form: https://goo.gl/forms/9se1jZagoaSMAiuj1.

The checklist is organized by areas of library service identified in the WI Public Library Standards. Each section provides a straightforward checklist that can be answered with Yes, No, In Progress, or Not Applicable. Scoreable responses to each checklist will provide a snapshot of current levels of inclusion. Supporting materials, such as the reflection worksheet (available now) and next-step suggestions (coming later), offer ways for individual libraries to evaluate existing assets and opportunities for growth and change.

The comprehensive nature of the considerations asked within the Inclusive Services Assessment and Guide is overwhelming. All communities are unique and therefore each library will use this guide differently. This tool might be used as an annual reflection, or utilized more often. The tool might be used as a whole, or by prioritizing sections. First and foremost, the Inclusive Services Assessment and Guide is meant to assist the library in better understanding how it considers inclusion as an institution. Each library needs to determine how to connect with the tool and process the reflections it provokes. In addition, each library will determine how to best share its efforts.

The Inclusive Services Institute

The Inclusive Services Institute was a professional development and workgroup opportunity for Wisconsin public library and regional system staff committed to making Wisconsin libraries more inclusive to all community members and potential library users. The Institute offered reflective learning experiences on topics of equity and social justice. Participants worked on small teams to develop statewide resources. The Inclusive Services Statement from the Division of Libraries and Technology provides the foundation for the Institute content and workgroup efforts.

The Inclusive Services Institute is funded by a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant from the Institute for Museum and Library Services administered by the Public Library Development Team at the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

Authors

We thank the 2018 Inclusive Services Cohort for their time, talent, and commitment in developing the Inclusive Services Assessment and Guide.

Institute Participants:

• Martha Bauer, Brewer Public Library, Southwest Wisconsin Library System
• Irma Keller, Tomah Public Library, Winding Rivers Library System
• Jessica MacPhail, Racine Public Library, Lakeshores Library System
• Glenny Whitcomb, Chilton Public library, Manitowoc-Calumet Library System
• Kristina Gomez, Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee County Federated Library System
• Mark Jochem, New Berlin Public Library, Bridges Library System
• Samantha Johnson, Cadott Community Library, IFLS Library System
• Susan Younger, Wautoma Public Library, Winnefox Library System
• Emilie Braunel, Plum Lake Public Library, Northern Waters Library Service
• Bobbie Kuehn, Brown County Library, Nicolet Federated Library System
• Laurie Ollhoff, T.B. Scott Free Library, Wisconsin Valley Library Service
• Holly K. Smith, Monarch Library System
• René Bue, Hedberg Public Library, Arrowhead Library System
• Shauna Koszegi, Sun Prairie Public Library, South Central Library System
• Lisa Rivers, Southwest Library, Kenosha County Library System
• Elizabeth Timmins, Muehl Public Library, Outagamie Waupaca Library System

2018 Institute Leaders:

• Shawn Brommer, South Central Library System
• Leah Langby, IFLS Library System
• Shannon Schultz, Department of Public Instruction
• Tessa Michaelson Schmidt, Department of Public Instruction

Written by Tessa Michaelson Schmidt
Public Library Development Team

It’s time to order a 2019 WISCAT license! A license remains $200 per calendar year per library code for access to all WISCAT functionality. To learn more about WISCAT, visit our WISCAT Licensing page. To place an order, please use the online order form.

Please make note of the following:

• The new WISCAT licensing form auto-populates some information for you. Type your library code or library name and select your library, and the form should auto-populate your library’s address if you’ve previously had a WISCAT license.
• The form auto-generates an invoice for you and sends it to the email address you provide. Please print your invoice and remit it with payment to the DPI address on the invoice. Invoices will not be mailed to individual libraries.
• If you are purchasing multiple licenses at once, you will need to submit the form for each individual license. However, you may use one single check to cover all licenses.
• Entities representing a legally constituted county library AND acting as an ILL Clearinghouse qualify for alternative pricing, as in past years. If this applies to you, please contact us directly via email to place your order.
• As in previous years, purchase orders cannot be accepted on DPI’s end, but if your business office requires one you may enter your purchase order number in the form for the convenience of your local business office.

Contact us if you have any questions regarding WISCAT licensing at dpirllill@dpi.wi.gov or 888.542.5543.

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.

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