1. Automatic revocation for not filing IRS annual return or notice
2. UWSSLEC receives IMLS grant
3. Recession drives more Americans to libraries in search of employment resources, but funding lags
4. "Explore New Worlds. Read" PSAs launched
5. Website of the Week - WomensLaw.org
6. Calendar
=================================================
1. AUTOMATIC REVOCATION FOR NOT FILING IRS ANNUAL RETURN OR NOTICE
Most tax-exempt organizations, such as public library foundations and Friends of the Library groups with IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit tax exempt status, must file a yearly return or notice with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). If an organization does not file as required for three consecutive years, the law provides that the organization automatically loses its tax-exempt status. Loss of exempt status means an organization must file income tax returns and pay income tax, and its contributors will not be able to deduct their donations. The IRS provides updated information here: http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=217087,00.html.
The IRS also provides useful information on the "Life Cycle of an Exempt Organization" from initial organization through ongoing compliance:
http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=169727,00.html.
Please note that public libraries themselves, as governmental organizations, do not need and should not obtain 501(c)(3) status. Donations to a public library, like donations to any government organization, meet the IRS definition of a "charitable contribution" to a "qualified organization." No application to the IRS is needed to get this status.
2. UWSSLEC RECEIVES IMLS GRANT
As technology continues to change the way society learns and communicates, making information fluency vital to success, the school library information specialist is more vital than ever before. Thanks to a Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), there are resources to help Wisconsin school districts.
The University of Wisconsin System School Library Education Consortium (UWSSLEC) is a collaboration of UW campuses at Whitewater, Oshkosh, Eau Claire, Superior, and Madison that has been providing licensure courses for teachers who want to become school library information specialists in Wisconsin since 1997. In the summer of 2009, the Consortium received a grant directed at developing 21st century school library information specialists for rural and underserved areas. The grant provides 40 full scholarships for teachers in Wisconsin to gain the initial license in library media over about a two-year period through the UWSSLEC distance program. Students will receive tuition for 8 courses and a laptop, membership in the state's professional association (WEMTA), and funds to attend one WEMTA conference. At the end of the program, districts will have a 21st century library information specialist. Students already in the UWSSLEC program are eligible for partial scholarships.
Grants were recently awarded to recipients who will be part of the summer and fall 2010 cohorts. In addition partial scholarships were awarded to several students already in the UWSSLEC program. The names will be listed in an article in the Spring 2010 issue of Channel newsletter.
Program information can be found at http://www.uwsslec.org.
3. RECESSION DRIVES MORE AMERICANS TO LIBRARIES IN SEARCH OF EMPLOYMENT RESOURCES, BUT FUNDING LAGS
When jobs go away, Americans turn to their libraries to find information about future employment, educational opportunities, and job skills enhancement. This library usage trend and others are detailed in the 2010 State of America's Libraries report, released recently by the American Library Association (ALA). The report shows that Americans have turned to their libraries in larger numbers in recent years.
Since the recession took hold in December 2007, the local library, a traditional source of free access to books, magazines, CDs, and DVDs, has become a lifeline, offering technology training and workshops on topics that ranged from résumé-writing to job-interview skills.
The report shows the value of libraries in helping Americans combat the recession. It includes data from a January 2010 Harris Interactive poll that provides compelling evidence that a decade-long trend of increasing library use is continuing-and even accelerating during economic hard times. This national survey indicates that some 219 million Americans feel the public library improves the quality of life in their community. More than 223 million Americans feel that because it provides free access to materials and resources, the public library plays an important role in giving everyone a chance to succeed.
And with more businesses and government agencies requiring applicants to apply on line, job-seeking resources are among the most critical and most in demand among the technology resources available in U.S. public libraries. Two-thirds of public libraries help patrons complete online job applications, provide access to job databases and other online resources (88 percent) and civil service exam materials (75 percent), and offer software or other resources (69 percent) to help patrons create résumés and other employment materials.
However, the report also shows that increased library use did not lead to an increase in funding for libraries. Research by the ALA and the Center for Library and Information Innovation at the University of Maryland suggests a "perfect storm" of growing community demand for library services and shrinking resources to meet that demand. While library use soars, a majority of states are reporting cuts in funding to public libraries and to the state library agencies that support them.
Other key trends detailed in the 2010 State of America's Libraries Report:
4. "EXPLORE NEW WORLDS. READ" PSAs LAUNCHED
The Library of Congress and the Advertising Council have launched a national public service advertising (PSA) campaign designed to encourage children and adults to become engaged in reading and all other forms of literacy.
According to the National Institute for Literacy, success in school-and life-starts with literacy. When children become good readers in the early grades, they are more likely to become better learners throughout their school years and beyond. However, results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress reading test found that 37 percent of American fourth-graders read below the "basic" level.
The new PSAs, aimed to reach children in the fourth, fifth, and sixth grades and their parents, focus on engaging children in all forms of literacy, whether it is reading a book or magazine, studying history, visiting a museum, or simply using their imagination. The TV, radio, online and outdoor PSAs were developed in collaboration with the Ad Council and feature characters from the new film "Disney's A Christmas Carol." Additionally, a series of radio PSAs were created pro bono by BYU Ad Lab. Per the Ad Council model, the new PSAs have been distributed to media outlets nationwide and will run and air in advertising time and space that is donated by the media.
To preview the ads go to http://www.read.gov/ads/index.html.
5. WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
WomensLaw.org -- http://www.womenslaw.org/ -- This site offers legal information, help, and support for women, teens, and girls living with or escaping domestic violence or sexual assault. Topics include: custody, divorce, restraining orders, orders of protection, immigration, military law, tribal law, kidnapping, stalking, dating violence, and more. (Website reference courtesy of refdesk.com)
6. CALENDAR
May 10-11, 2010 - WiscNet conference, Madison
May 14, 2010 - Council on Library and Network Development (COLAND) meeting, Milwaukee
May 17, 2010 - Delivery Services Advisory Committee (DSAC) meeting, Madison
June 24-29, 2010 - American Library Association conference, Washington, D.C.
June 17 - Library Information Technology Advisory Committee, Madison
July 9, 2010 - Council on Library and Network Development (COLAND) meeting, Wausau
==================================================
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) 267-9207
2. UWSSLEC receives IMLS grant
3. Recession drives more Americans to libraries in search of employment resources, but funding lags
4. "Explore New Worlds. Read" PSAs launched
5. Website of the Week - WomensLaw.org
6. Calendar
=================================================
1. AUTOMATIC REVOCATION FOR NOT FILING IRS ANNUAL RETURN OR NOTICE
Most tax-exempt organizations, such as public library foundations and Friends of the Library groups with IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit tax exempt status, must file a yearly return or notice with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). If an organization does not file as required for three consecutive years, the law provides that the organization automatically loses its tax-exempt status. Loss of exempt status means an organization must file income tax returns and pay income tax, and its contributors will not be able to deduct their donations. The IRS provides updated information here: http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=217087,00.html.
The IRS also provides useful information on the "Life Cycle of an Exempt Organization" from initial organization through ongoing compliance:
http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=169727,00.html.
Please note that public libraries themselves, as governmental organizations, do not need and should not obtain 501(c)(3) status. Donations to a public library, like donations to any government organization, meet the IRS definition of a "charitable contribution" to a "qualified organization." No application to the IRS is needed to get this status.
2. UWSSLEC RECEIVES IMLS GRANT
As technology continues to change the way society learns and communicates, making information fluency vital to success, the school library information specialist is more vital than ever before. Thanks to a Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), there are resources to help Wisconsin school districts.
The University of Wisconsin System School Library Education Consortium (UWSSLEC) is a collaboration of UW campuses at Whitewater, Oshkosh, Eau Claire, Superior, and Madison that has been providing licensure courses for teachers who want to become school library information specialists in Wisconsin since 1997. In the summer of 2009, the Consortium received a grant directed at developing 21st century school library information specialists for rural and underserved areas. The grant provides 40 full scholarships for teachers in Wisconsin to gain the initial license in library media over about a two-year period through the UWSSLEC distance program. Students will receive tuition for 8 courses and a laptop, membership in the state's professional association (WEMTA), and funds to attend one WEMTA conference. At the end of the program, districts will have a 21st century library information specialist. Students already in the UWSSLEC program are eligible for partial scholarships.
Grants were recently awarded to recipients who will be part of the summer and fall 2010 cohorts. In addition partial scholarships were awarded to several students already in the UWSSLEC program. The names will be listed in an article in the Spring 2010 issue of Channel newsletter.
Program information can be found at http://www.uwsslec.org.
3. RECESSION DRIVES MORE AMERICANS TO LIBRARIES IN SEARCH OF EMPLOYMENT RESOURCES, BUT FUNDING LAGS
When jobs go away, Americans turn to their libraries to find information about future employment, educational opportunities, and job skills enhancement. This library usage trend and others are detailed in the 2010 State of America's Libraries report, released recently by the American Library Association (ALA). The report shows that Americans have turned to their libraries in larger numbers in recent years.
Since the recession took hold in December 2007, the local library, a traditional source of free access to books, magazines, CDs, and DVDs, has become a lifeline, offering technology training and workshops on topics that ranged from résumé-writing to job-interview skills.
The report shows the value of libraries in helping Americans combat the recession. It includes data from a January 2010 Harris Interactive poll that provides compelling evidence that a decade-long trend of increasing library use is continuing-and even accelerating during economic hard times. This national survey indicates that some 219 million Americans feel the public library improves the quality of life in their community. More than 223 million Americans feel that because it provides free access to materials and resources, the public library plays an important role in giving everyone a chance to succeed.
And with more businesses and government agencies requiring applicants to apply on line, job-seeking resources are among the most critical and most in demand among the technology resources available in U.S. public libraries. Two-thirds of public libraries help patrons complete online job applications, provide access to job databases and other online resources (88 percent) and civil service exam materials (75 percent), and offer software or other resources (69 percent) to help patrons create résumés and other employment materials.
However, the report also shows that increased library use did not lead to an increase in funding for libraries. Research by the ALA and the Center for Library and Information Innovation at the University of Maryland suggests a "perfect storm" of growing community demand for library services and shrinking resources to meet that demand. While library use soars, a majority of states are reporting cuts in funding to public libraries and to the state library agencies that support them.
Other key trends detailed in the 2010 State of America's Libraries Report:
- Internet use continues to expand at public libraries, which have seen double-digit growth since 2007 in the on-line services they make available to their patrons. More than 71 percent of public libraries provide their community's only free public access to computers and the Internet, according to an article in the November 2009 issue of American Libraries. Wireless access also continues to grow and is now offered at more than 80 percent of public libraries.
- Ninety-six percent of Americans feel that school libraries are an essential part of the education experience because they provide resources to students and teachers and because they give every child the opportunity to read and learn. School librarians play a crucial role in "keeping the digital doors open to help young people think about learning beyond the classroom," according to one authority on online social networking sites. However, funding for school libraries also lags.
- America's academic libraries are experiencing increased use, both physical and virtual. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) reports academic libraries have more than 20.3 million visits per week (1.5 million more than two years earlier), answered more than 1.1 million reference questions, and made more than 498,000 presentations to groups. Almost 95 percent of students use their academic library's website at least once a week, according to one study of students and technology, and nine out of 10 college students surveyed in another study said they turned to libraries "for online scholarly research databases... for conducting course-related research, valuing the resources for credible content, in-depth information, and the ability to meet instructors' expectations."
4. "EXPLORE NEW WORLDS. READ" PSAs LAUNCHED
The Library of Congress and the Advertising Council have launched a national public service advertising (PSA) campaign designed to encourage children and adults to become engaged in reading and all other forms of literacy.
According to the National Institute for Literacy, success in school-and life-starts with literacy. When children become good readers in the early grades, they are more likely to become better learners throughout their school years and beyond. However, results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress reading test found that 37 percent of American fourth-graders read below the "basic" level.
The new PSAs, aimed to reach children in the fourth, fifth, and sixth grades and their parents, focus on engaging children in all forms of literacy, whether it is reading a book or magazine, studying history, visiting a museum, or simply using their imagination. The TV, radio, online and outdoor PSAs were developed in collaboration with the Ad Council and feature characters from the new film "Disney's A Christmas Carol." Additionally, a series of radio PSAs were created pro bono by BYU Ad Lab. Per the Ad Council model, the new PSAs have been distributed to media outlets nationwide and will run and air in advertising time and space that is donated by the media.
To preview the ads go to http://www.read.gov/ads/index.html.
5. WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
WomensLaw.org -- http://www.womenslaw.org/ -- This site offers legal information, help, and support for women, teens, and girls living with or escaping domestic violence or sexual assault. Topics include: custody, divorce, restraining orders, orders of protection, immigration, military law, tribal law, kidnapping, stalking, dating violence, and more. (Website reference courtesy of refdesk.com)
6. CALENDAR
May 10-11, 2010 - WiscNet conference, Madison
May 14, 2010 - Council on Library and Network Development (COLAND) meeting, Milwaukee
May 17, 2010 - Delivery Services Advisory Committee (DSAC) meeting, Madison
June 24-29, 2010 - American Library Association conference, Washington, D.C.
June 17 - Library Information Technology Advisory Committee, Madison
July 9, 2010 - Council on Library and Network Development (COLAND) meeting, Wausau
==================================================
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) 267-9207
For questions about this information, contact Roslyn Wise (608) 266-6439