Channel Weekly, Vol. 12, No. 16, January 21, 2010

1. American Library Association comments on Net Neutrality
2. Wisconsin public library annual report for 2009
3. Homelessness and the Library Webinar
4. School's Out @ Your Public Library: Program Ideas for After School Webinar
5. ALA children and young adult book awards announced
6. Website of the Week - Biographical Dictionary
7. Calendar
=================================================

1. AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION COMMENTS ON NET NEUTRALITY

Last week the American Library Association (ALA) filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in support of Net Neutrality. Net Neutrality is the concept that Internet service providers should not block access to any legitimate content on the Internet. (That is, they should remain "neutral.") Net Neutrality is critical to maintaining an open Internet, free of any provider acting as a gatekeeper. The FCC asked for comments on drafting formal regulations to ensure an open Internet. ALA stated in its comments that: "Libraries, and indeed all consumers, need to be assured that they will be able to access legitimate Internet content, or use Internet services or applications without fear or concerns that such access or use will be blocked or degraded by any entity with the means and control to do so." Bob Bocher, the DPI's Library Technology Consultant, serves on the ALA's Telecommunications Subcommittee and wrote the ALA comments. The complete comments can be found on the FCC's website at http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/view?id=7020374022.


2. WISCONSIN PUBLIC LIBRARY ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2009

The Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning has contracted with Counting Opinions to use their LibPas service to collect the required public library annual report data. A facsimile of the annual report form, as well as instructions for the data to be submitted can be found on the DPI site at http://pld.dpi.wi.gov/pld_annrpt.

Public Library directors can expect to receive an email on January 26, announcing that the new online form for 2009 public library annual report data is open and ready to use. Questions on the 2009 Public Library Annual Report can be sent to libraryreport@dpi.wi.gov.


3. HOMELESSNESS AND THE LIBRARY WEBINAR

Nicolet Federated Library System is offering a free webinar on "Homeless and the Library" on Wednesday, February 10, 2010, from 2:00 until 3:30 p.m. (Central Time). The program will be presented by Sonja Plummer-Morgan, Director, Turner Memorial Library in Presque Isle, Maine.

Librarians and homeless shelter staff often serve the same clients/patrons. People who are homeless present unique challenges to librarians that prompt discussion and force policy changes. The question becomes, how do we provide services for people who are homeless that are meaningful within the confines of our limited resources? The session will include a discussion with homeless shelter staff and librarians who have developed networks, resources, and have ideas for collaborative efforts for the good of all involved.

To register for this webinar go to http://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/950095377.


4. SCHOOL'S OUT @ YOUR PUBLIC LIBRARY: PROGRAM IDEAS FOR AFTER SCHOOL WEBINAR

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission is making a free webinar available to librarians throughout the country. "School's Out @ Your Public Library: Program Ideas for After School" will be offered on Wednesday, February 17, 2010, from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. Central Time.

Providing innovative programming for the school-age crowd during the school year can be a challenge, especially when libraries are competing with children's busy after-school schedules. Participants in this webinar will learn how to provide fun and educational programs for children ages 5-12 that will have them running to your library after the school bell rings. Programs featured include Chess Club, Fun with Science, Art Explorers, Craft Time, and a KidTrekkers around the world cultural program.

Anne Neidinger, a children's librarian at the Lone Star College-Tomball Community Library, will be the presenter. She has presented at several Texas Library Association conferences and co-authored "Igniting a Children's Summer Reading Program on a Piggy-Bank Budget" in the Texas Library Journal (2006). Anne also co-wrote the Elementary Programs Chapter of the 2009 Texas Reading Club manual. At her library, she has coordinated many after-school programs and enjoys seeing her school-age customers return again and again to the library.

To register for the webinar go to: http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/workshops/webinars/afterschoolprograms/index.html.


5. ALA CHILDREN AND YOUNG ADULT BOOK AWARDS ANNOUNCED

On January 18, the American Library Association (ALA) announced the top books, audiobooks, and videos for children and young adults at its Midwinter Meeting in Boston.

The Newberry and Caldecott awards for 2010 are:

John Newbery Medal for most outstanding contribution to children's literature
"When You Reach Me," written by Rebecca Stead, is the 2010 Newbery Medal winner. The book is published by Wendy Lamb Books, an imprint of Random House Children's Books.

Four Newbery Honor Books also were named: "Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice" by Phillip Hoose and published by Melanie Kroupa Books/Farrar Straus Giroux, an imprint of Macmillan Children's Publishing Group; "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly and published by Henry Holt and Company; "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon" by Grace Lin and published by Little, Brown and Company Books for Young Readers; and "The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg" by Rodman Philbrick and published by The Blue Sky Press, An Imprint of Scholastic Inc.

Randolph Caldecott Medal for most distinguished American picture book for children
"The Lion & the Mouse," illustrated and written by Jerry Pinkney, is the 2010 Caldecott Medal winner. The book was published by Little, Brown and Company Books for Young Readers.

Two Caldecott Honor Books also were named: "All the World," illustrated by Marla Frazee, written by Liz Garton Scanlon and published by Beach Lane Books; and "Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors," illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski, written by Joyce Sidman and published by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

A list of all of the award winners is at:
http://www.ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pressreleases2010/january2010/ymawrap2010.cfm


6. WEBSITE OF THE WEEK

Biographical Dictionary -- http://www.s9.com/ -- The Biographical Dictionary contains information on 33,000 notable people from ancient times to the present day. The Dictionary is searchable by names, keywords, and dates. (Website reference courtesy of refdesk.com)


7. CALENDAR

February 16, 2010 - Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) and Wisconsin Educational Media and Technology Association (WEMTA) Library Legislative Day, Madison

March 17-19, 2010 - Wisconsin Educational Media and Technology Association (WEMTA) conference, Wisconsin Dells

March 26, 2010 - Council on Library and Network Development (COLAND) meeting, TBA

April 11-17, 2010 - National Library Week

April 20-23, 2010 - Wisconsin Association of Academic Librarians (WAAL) conference, Milwaukee

April 28-30, 2010 - Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries (WAPL) annual conference, Sheboygan

May 10-11, 2010 - WiscNet conference, Madison

June 24-29, 2010 - American Library Association conference, Washington, D.C.

==================================================
To access previous issues of Channel Weekly, or to subscribe or unsubscribe,
go to: http://channel.dpi.wi.gov/chn_chweekly
==================================================


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
For questions about this information, contact Roslyn Wise (608) 266-6439