Channel Weekly, Vol. 13, No. 33, June 16, 2011

1. Superintendent states concerns for WiscNet; compromise legislation appears workable
2. Announcing: BadgerLunch summer webinar series
3. 2012 LSTA Information and Guidelines
4. Barb Huntington retires from DPI
5. Website of the Week - SepiaTown
6. Calendar
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1. SUPERINTENDENT STATES CONCERNS FOR WISCNET; COMPROMISE LEGISLATION APPEARS WORKABLE

In a June 7 memo (http://pb.dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/pb/pdf/budget_internet.pdf) widely distributed to the state's education and library communities, State Superintendent Tony Evers expressed his concern over proposed legislation that would have made it extremely difficult for WiscNet to remain the Internet provider for 80% of our K-12 schools and public libraries. The superintendent stated, "If our schools and libraries must use other Internet providers most will pay at least 2-3 times more than what WiscNet now charges." Over the past week the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has worked with the education and library communities to inform legislators on the impact of the proposed legislation. The bill that passed the state Assembly at 3:00 a.m. on June 16 will allow the following:

-- The UW can continue with its federal broadband grant.
-- WiscNet can continue operating until July 1, 2013.
-- The Legislative Audit Bureau will conduct an audit of the UW's use of broadband services and its relationship with WiscNet.

While the exact language of the bill is still being reviewed, the DPI believes that the above provisions may offer a workable compromise.


2. ANNOUNCING: BADGERLUNCH SUMMER WEBINAR SERIES

Not sure what to read next? Can't find a book your reluctant reader wants to read? Join our BadgerLunch webinar series! BadgerLink dedicatesThursdays in July to help you select summer reading materials. Sessions are 30-45 minutes July 14, 21, and 28 at noon and focus on reader's resources.

All sessions are open to everyone. Topics include a description of the information/learning resource, searching techniques, and helpful features.

The archive of previous BadgerLunch webinars can befound at http://www.badgerlink.net/training.html.

BadgerLink provides access to quality online information resources for Wisconsin residents at http://www.badgerlink.net/. BadgerLink is a project of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning. The project is funded through the Wisconsin Universal Service Fund with partial support provided by the Library Services and Technology Act using funds received from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).


3. 2012 LSTA INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES

The 2012 LSTA Information and Guidelines are currently available online at: http://pld.dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/pld/pdf/guide12.pdf. If you plan to apply for an LSTA grant, there will be an LSTA Information webinar describing general grant information and Special Needs topics (literacy and accessibility) on June 29 from 10-11:15 a.m. The same general grant information will be repeated June 29 during the afternoon session (1-2:15 p.m.) along with the Technology grant topics (Public Library System technology and Library Director Orientation). Please contact Terrie Howe by email (teresa.howe@dpi.wi.gov) or call 608-266-2413 to register and receive webinar instructions. Both sessions will be recorded for future viewing.


4. BARB HUNTINGTON RETIRES FROM DPI

Barb Huntington is retiring from the Department of Public Instruction. Barb joined the DPI's Public Library Development Team in 2000 as the Consultant for Public Library Youth and Special Services with considerable prior experience as a teacher, librarian and regional library consultant. At the DPI, Barb has worked hard and effectively to support and improve statewide public library service to youth and to those with special needs that makes it difficult to use a library. Notably, Barb led Wisconsin's library early learning initiative, our Hispanic Outreach Library Action Project (HOLA Project), our library adolescent literacy initiative, and our JOBS project to help libraries serve the unemployed and those seeking to improve their job skills. Barb also updated three very successful DPI publications on library service to youth and adults with special needs, and on early literacy in public libraries.

Barb also coordinated the Wisconsin summer library program. As past president of the national Collaborative Summer Library Program organization she managed a revision of the organizations structure that allowed the collaborative to grow from 12 states to 49 states, the U.S. Territories, and military bases around the world.

Barb will now remain busy with grandkids, volunteer literacy tutoring, travels, and other interests. Barb will be missed for her expertise, her passion for the importance of literacy, and the importance of keeping library service available to all state residents.


5. WEBSITE OF THE WEEK

SepiaTown -- http://sepiatown.com/ -- This free site allows users to use their computers or mobile devices to see, map, and share historical images from any given location that what specific locations looked like decades or centuries ago. (Website reference courtesy of refdesk.com)


6. CALENDAR

July 8, 2011 - Council on Library and Network Development meeting, Green Bay

September 9, 2011 - Council on Library and Network Development meeting, Madison

November 1-4, 2011 - Wisconsin Library Association annual conference, Milwaukee

November 11, 2011 - Council on Library and Network Development, Milwaukee

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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: (608) 267-9207
For questions about this information, contact Roslyn Wise (608) 266-6439