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NOTE - Channel Weekly will not be published next week (September 10). The next issue of Channel Weekly will be the September 17, 2009, edition.
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1. REMINDER: LSTA GRANT APPLICATION DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 11
This is a reminder that 2010 LSTA grant applications and signatures are due by September 11, 2009. The LSTA website (http://dpi.wi.gov/pld/lsta.html) contains a link to the 2010 LSTA grant application form. The form is web-based and requires attention to instructions particularly if you print a copy for your records OR if completion of the grant application requires multiple sessions. Contact Terrie Howe (Teresa.howe@dpi.wi.gov OR 608-266-2413) if you have questions.
2. PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARIAN CERTIFICATION WORKGROUP
A Librarian Certification Work Group has completed a review of the current Wisconsin public library director certification rules and guidelines. A review of these issues was one of the recommendations of the 2009 Council on Library and Network Development (COLAND) visioning summit. The current rules and guidelines were last updated in 2004, and are available at http://www.dpi.wi.gov/pld/cert.html.
Below are the preliminary recommendations of the Public Librarian Certification Workgroup. These recommendations do not represent major changes, but instead are designed to equip library directors with the knowledge and skills needed in the changing environment of public library service.
- Under current rules, Regular Grade 2 and 3 Certification requires (in addition to general education requirements) three semester credits of coursework or the equivalent, approved by the Division, in each of the following areas: public library administration; selection of all types of library materials; organization of library materials; and provision of reference and information services.
Recommendation--change the four courses to:
- Basic Public Library Administration
- Advanced Public Library Administration
- Collection Development and Organization
- Public and Community Services
- A minor degree in Library Science completed within the prior 10 years will be considered the equivalent of completion of above-listed courses a, c and d.
- At least one of the above-listed four courses must be taken each year during the four-year Temporary Grade 2 and 3 Certification period.
- The certification guidelines should strongly encourage all library directors to participate in at least 10 contact hours of technology-related continuing education during the five-year recertification period (as part of the 100 contact hours required for recertification).
- Training in the use of upgrades or new modules of an integrated library system will qualify as continuing education for recertification purposes. (Under the current guidelines, this was considered not eligible as “training on regular library operations or procedures”.)
These preliminary recommendations may be modified based on comments and reviews by the System and Resource Library Administrators’ Association of Wisconsin (SRLAAW), the library system certification validators, COLAND, and public comments. COLAND will hold a public hearing on any changes proposed to the Public Librarian Certification Administrative Rules. Comments or questions on these preliminary proposals can be sent to Terrie Howe at teresa.howe@dpi.wi.gov.
Volunteers to the Public Librarian Certification Workgroup were:
Mark Arend, Winnefox Library System
Jess Bruckner, Portage Public Library
Inese Christman, Wisconsin Valley Library Service
Catherine Hansen, UW Milwaukee SOIS
Norma Jean LeMoine, Rock Springs Public Library
Anna Palmer, UW Madison SLIS
David Polodna, Winding Rivers Library System
Eileen Schroeder, UW Whitewater
John Thompson, Indianhead Federated Library System
3. FAQ ON STATE BROADBAND GRANT; PSC SUBMITS GRANT FOR BROADBAND MAPPING
The August 27 Channel Weekly had an update on the federal grant application submitted by the state Department of Administration to bring fiber connectivity to the schools and libraries that are on the BadgerNet network but still do not have fiber. An FAQ on the application is available on the DPI’s broadband website at http://dpi.wi.gov/pld/arrabbfunding.html.
One of the important issues in providing consumers with broadband Internet access is that most states lack good information on where broadband is available and where it is not. The broadband funding in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) includes $300 million for states to develop comprehensive broadband maps. In Wisconsin the Public Service Commission (PSC) is the applicant agency for this mapping grant. The PSC will work with LinkAMERICA (http://www.linkamericaalliance.com) to produce accurate data and maps of broadband availability which will identify unserved and underserved areas in the state down to the specific census block level. No date has been given on when this mapping will be completed.
4. GREAT STORIES READING AND DISCUSSION SERIES
The American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office and Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) are now accepting online applications through November 2 for the next round of Great Stories CLUB grants at http://www.ala.org/greatstories. Funding was provided for this program by Oprah's Angel Network.
The Great Stories CLUB (Connecting Libraries, Underserved teens and Books) is a book club program designed to reach underserved, troubled teen populations through books that are relevant to their lives. All types of libraries (public, school, academic and special) located within or working in partnership with facilities serving troubled teens in the United States and its territories are eligible to apply. Potential organizations for Great Stories CLUB partnership include juvenile justice facilities, drug rehabilitation centers, nonprofits serving teen parents, alternative high schools, agencies serving teenaged foster children, shelters serving homeless and runaway youth and other agencies.
More information about this opportunity is available at the ASCLA blog:
http://ascla.ala.org/blog/2009/09/02/greatstoriesclub09-applicationsopen/
5. CSPC ISSUES RULE REGARDING LEAD STANDARDS; MORE GUIDANCE TO COME FOR LIBRARIES
On August 26, 2009, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act’s (CPSIA) final rule on children’s products containing lead was released. In the rule, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) confirmed that libraries have no independent obligation to test library books for lead under the law. CPSC also announced its intention to release a Statement of Policy specifically providing guidance for libraries with regard to the treatment of older children’s books that could potentially contain lead. That Statement of Policy should be released within the next several weeks.
6. TEEN READ WEEK IS OCTOBER 18-24, 2009
Teen Read Week 2009 will be celebrated October 18-24. Whether you work with kids, teens, or kids, tweens, AND teens, the ALSC Public Awareness committee has some ideas for you! For tried and true library activities, look no further than the Kids @ Your Library® online toolkit:
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/initiatives/kidscampaign/libraryactivities.cfm .
7. JOB SEEKERS NATIONWIDE FLOCK TO LIBRARIES
The September 2, 2009 edition of USA Today reports that a new national study by the American Library Association shows that libraries across the United States are filling up with people waiting to get online to fill out applications, write résumés, or look for job openings. “Libraries are really the first responder in this economic crisis, and particularly for job seekers,” said Larra Clark, who managed the study due for release September 15. In 2007, before the economy took a nosedive, 44% of public libraries said assisting job seekers was a “critical use” of their library; now it’s 67%.
The full USA Today article is at:
http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/employment/2009-09-02-job-seekers-libraries-computers_N.htm
8. Website of the Week
Howcast -- http://www.howcast.com/ -- "Founded by veterans of Google and YouTube, Howcast shows consumers engaging, useful how-to videos and guides wherever, whenever they need to learn how. Howcast brings together the personality of user-generated content with the quality of a professional video studio to create engaging, informative, and free how-to videos for consumers." (Website reference courtesy of refdesk.com)
9. CALENDAR
September 11, 2009 – Council on Library and Network Development meeting, Beloit
September 28, 2009 – Delivery Services Advisory Committee, by webinar from Madison
October 13, 2009 – Library Information Technology Advisory Committee, Madison
October 20-23, 2009 – Wisconsin Library Association Annual Conference, Appleton
November 11-12, 2009 – Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Advisory Committee, Madison
April 11-17, 2010 – National Library Week
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To access previous issues of Channel Weekly, or to subscribe or unsubscribe,
go to: http://channel.dpi.wi.gov/chn_chweekly
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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