Channel Weekly, Vol. 13, No. 27, April 7, 2011

1. Strong libraries needed to improve the state's economy
2. LSTA meeting and public hearing scheduled
3. Planning for May 4 E-book Summit moving forward
4. Civil War book discussion grants available
5. Website of the Week: Springpad
6. Calendar
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1. STRONG LIBRARIES NEEDED TO IMPROVE THE STATE'S ECONOMY

Below is a National Library Week editorial by State Superintendent Tony Evers

Wisconsin's public, school, academic, and special libraries improve the state's economy and the quality of life for residents of our state. Libraries have always been a source of community pride, and they are especially valuable in today's knowledge and information-based world. Strong Wisconsin libraries support a stronger Wisconsin economy.

Our state is struggling with high unemployment and shrinking paychecks. This difficult economy requires smart investments and careful spending. Wisconsin libraries are models of frugality, using technology and working cooperatively to reduce costs and share resources. In fact, Wisconsin is first in the nation in per capita interlibrary loan, which saves taxpayers an estimated $100 million annually by sharing resources rather than purchasing more copies of library materials. The cuts proposed in the 2011-13 budget strike at the heart of library efficiencies. Elimination of the requirement that communities continue to support their local libraries will threaten Wisconsin's resource-sharing services, creating a system of haves and have-nots.

Libraries are one of the best investments a community can make. Libraries help families cope with tight budgets by providing Internet-connected computers, books and other materials, and professional assistance at no cost to the user. Libraries support a competitive workforce through literacy programs, partnerships with job training programs, and other resources that help children and adults learn to find, evaluate, and use information they need for their education, health, and careers. Studies show that good school libraries effectively improve student performance. And, research has shown that libraries return more than $4 to the economy for each tax dollar invested.

In recognition of the importance of libraries to our economy and the services they provide to their communities, the American Library Association and libraries across the nation are sponsoring National Library Week, April 10 to 16. No matter your interest or need, libraries and library staff members are there to help. In honor of National Library Week, I encourage everyone to visit their local library to take advantage of the wonderful resources that are available, and to thank their librarians and library staff for making information and education accessible to all.

State Superintendent Tony Evers National Library Week proclamation is at: /sites/default/files/imce/eis/pdf/nlwproc11.pdf.


2. LSTA MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED

Wisconsin's Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Advisory Committee will meet in Madison on Wednesday and Thursday, April 13-14, 2011, at the Sheraton Madison Hotel, 706 John Nolen Drive, Madison, to discuss and make recommendations on Wisconsin's LSTA program and grant categories for 2012.

As a part of the meeting, there will be a public hearing beginning at 1:00 p.m. on April 13 for interested persons to make suggestions on the LSTA program for 2012. Final guidelines for the 2012 LSTA program will be developed in May 2011.

If you are unable to attend the public hearing, written comments may be submitted by letter, fax, or e-mail to Terrie Howe, P.O. Box 7841, Madison, WI 53707-7841; fax number (608) 267-9207; email address Teresa.howe@dpi.wi.gov. Testimony must arrive by 4:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 12 for inclusion in the hearing.


3. PLANNING FOR MAY 4 E-BOOK SUMMIT MOVING FORWARD

As reported in the March 17, 2011, Channel Weekly (http://channel.dpi.wi.gov/chn_chwk1324), the Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning will hold a one day e-book "Summit" on May 4 in Madison. The summit's main website at http://pld.dpi.wi.gov/pld_ebooksummit has been recently updated to include the following:

  • Reference to the keynote address by Tom Peters
  • A draft of the summit day's agenda and activities
  • A list of the five key issues that will be discussed (The goal at the end of the day is to have specific recommendations for the five issues.)
  • A list of the summit's participants (Participants were selected on advice from the external e-book advisory committee and from library organizations.)

The division has also created a Google docs site at https://sites.google.com/site/ebooks4wi/home. In the Homework and Resources section is an extensive list of resources related to e-books that is available to anyone. The Google site also has an area for public comments.


4. CIVIL WAR BOOK DISCUSSION GRANTS AVAILABLE

The American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) announced an increase in funding for the Let's Talk About It: Making Sense of the American Civil War reading and discussion program grant. Following the application process, 50 public, academic and community college libraries will be selected to receive a $3,000 grant to support the reading and discussion series in their library, in addition to books, promotional materials and other programming support. Applications are available at http://www.ala.org/civilwarprograms and must be completed by April 19.

"Let's Talk About It: Making Sense of the American Civil War" follows the popular "Let's Talk About It" model, which engages participants in discussion of a set of common texts selected by a nationally known scholar for their relevance to a larger, overarching theme. The program grant includes:

  • A $3,000 grant from NEH to support program-related expenses.
  • Twenty-five copies of two titles: "March" by Geraldine Brooks (Penguin, 2006) and "Crossroads of Freedom: Antietam" by James McPherson (Oxford University Press, 2002) and 50 copies of a forthcoming Civil War anthology of historical fiction, speeches, diaries, memoirs, biography, and short stories, edited by national project scholar Edward L. Ayers and co-published by NEH and ALA.
  • Promotional materials, including posters, bookmarks and folders, to support local audience recruitment efforts.
  • Training for the library project director at a national workshop, where they will hear from the project scholar, expert librarians and organizers and receive a program planning guide, materials and ideas. As part of the grant, NEH will pay for two nights of lodging in Chicago for the library project director.

For more information go to http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/ppo/programming/civilwar/index.cfm.


5. WEBSITE OF THE WEEK

Springpad -- http://springpadit.com/home/ -- This free web application allows users to save and recall pieces of information using a computer or cell phone.


6. CALENDAR

April 13-14, 2011 - LSTA Advisory Committee meeting, Madison

May 4, 2011 - Wisconsin E-Book Summit, Madison

May 4-6, 2011 - Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries (WAPL) annual conference, Madison

May 13, 2011 - Council on Library and Network Development meeting, Madison

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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: (608) 267-9207

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