Channel Weekly, Vol. 14, No. 5, September 29, 2011

1. ALA funding and technology survey now available
2. Public libraries invited to apply for Building Common Ground programming initiative
3. IMLS accepting applications for Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program grant
4. Wisconsin educator interviews Sandra Day O'Conner for Thinkfinity Education Speaker Series
5. Website of the Week - How to Call Abroad
6. Calendar
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1. ALA FUNDING AND TECHNOLOGY SURVEY NOW AVAILABLE

The annual American Library Association (ALA) Public Library Funding & Technology Access Survey is now available for libraries to complete. While 146 of the state's 385 public libraries have been specifically selected to complete the survey, all libraries are eligible to do so. In past years Wisconsin has had one of the highest response rates (80%+) in the country.

The survey can only be done online but a PDF version, for your review, is available at http://pld.dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/pld/pdf/2011fundtechsurvey.pdf. You are strongly encouraged to review the PDF version before you start the online version. The survey takes about 30-40 minutes to complete. To participate, go to http://www.plinternetsurvey.org/take-the-survey. This site has an FAQ and a link (near the top) to get into the survey itself. Individual Wisconsin library IDs, needed to start the survey, are at http://plftas.pnmi.com/lookup.cfm?WI. If you have any problems or questions, contact survey support at 301-405-9445 or email ipac.umd@gmail.com.

Over the years the survey data have been used for many purposes, including the following:

— Data from the 2010 survey were used successfully by ALA to lobby for continued LSTA funding during the last Congressional session.
— Data have been used with the Federal Communications Commission to get libraries recognized as critical community anchor institutions.
— Data are used by ALA in its continuing efforts to document library broadband needs.
— At the state level, DLTCL has used the data to show key stakeholders that even with BadgerNet, many of our libraries still lack the bandwidth they need.

This may be the last annual survey because financial support from the Gates Foundation will no longer be provided past 2011. So this is another big incentive to do the survey because you may not have another chance!


2. PUBLIC LIBRARIES INVITED TO APPLY FOR BUILDING COMMON GROUND PROGRAMMING INITIATIVE

The American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office is accepting applications for Building Common Ground: Discussions of Community, Civility and Compassion, a multi-format discussion program for public audiences to spark action, engagement, and reflection within the community. More information, including programming resources and the online application, is available at http://www.ala.org/commonground. Applications are due November 18, 2011. This library programming initiative is supported by the Fetzer Institute.

The goal of the Building Common Ground: Discussions of Community, Civility and Compassion project is to engage the public in contemplation and discussion of the importance of community, civility and compassion in their daily lives. By bringing adult audiences together in the library for programs and events that include reading, viewing, reflection, discussion and civic engagement initiatives, Building Common Ground: Discussions of Community, Civility and Compassion programs will support public libraries as they strive to enhance the quality of life and learning in their communities.

In December, 30 public libraries around the country will be selected to host a series of 4 to 8 events between February 1, 2012 and November 30, 2012. The selected libraries will receive:

" A $2,500 grant to support program-related expenses.
" Access to program models and templates, including recommended reading and viewing lists, discussion facilitation guides, video shorts and more.
" Access to a series of online, professional development and project resource sessions.
" Promotional materials, including posters, bookmarks and a selection of digital promotion tools to support local audience recruitment.

Resources to begin building a competitive application, including programming guides, a list of potential community partners and ideas for programming that will inspire the community to action, engagement and reflection are available at http://www.ala.org/commonground.


3. IMLS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR LAURA BUSH 21ST CENTURY LIBRARIAN PROGRAM GRANT

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is accepting applications for the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Grant Program. The deadline for applications is December 15, 2011.

IMLS staff are available by phone and through e-mail to discuss general issues relating to Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program grants. You can also participate in one of two pre-application Web conferences to learn more about the program, ask questions, and listen to the questions and comments of other participants. The Web conference schedule for the FY12 Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program is as follows:

Friday, October 14, 2011, at 2:00-3:00 p.m. Central Time
Tuesday, October 25, 2011, at 2:00-3:00 p.m. Central Time

More information about this funding opportunity can be found at http://tinyurl.com/69fpjvu, including program guidelines, contacts, and Webinar access information.

Use the IMLS grants search tool at http://tinyurl.com/5r3j935 to view an archive of grants awarded by IMLS. Search grants by grant name, institution, or project type.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums.


4. WISCONSIN EDUCATOR INTERVIEWS SANDRA DAY O'CONNER FOR THINKFINITY EDUCATION SPEAKER SERIES

She was the first female U.S. Supreme Court Justice and is consistently ranked as one of the most powerful women in America. In this exclusive interview, Justice O'Connor talks with Mike Koren, Wisconsin's Mapledale-Indian Hills 7-8 social studies teacher and the 2010 National Middle School Social Studies Teacher of the Year, about how after 25 years on the nation's highest court, she set her sights on civics education, and developed iCivics, the innovative online program to inspire students to actively participate in today's democracy.

Justice O'Connor's recorded interview will be available starting September 27, in the Thinkfinity Community (http://community.thinkfinity.org/index.jspa). It will include discussion on:

" The Importance of Teaching Civics
" The Value of Civic Education
" Triumph Over Adversity

Justice O'Connor is the first speaker in the Thinkfinity Education Speaker Series (http://community.thinkfinity.org/community/speakerseries?q=speakerseries). Her interviewer, Michael Koren, is the 2010 National Middle School Social Studies Teacher of the Year, and has written numerous lessons for the Council for Economic Education's EconEdLink (http://www.econedlink.org/) on Verizon Thinkfinity (http://www.thinkfinity.org/).
Upcoming speakers include:

" Dr. Benjamin Carson - October 18
" Earvin "Magic" Johnson - November 1
" Dr. Chris Dede - November 15
" Jason Falls - December 6
"
Each interview is available as video on demand on the dates listed above for each speaker and all will be archived for future access by Thinkfinity Community members.

The Thinkfinity Education Speaker Series is available exclusively to members of the Thinkfinity Community. Register for free at thinkfinity.org/speakerseries.


5. WEBSITE OF THE WEEK

How to Call Abroad — http://www.howtocallabroad.com/ — Website providing information on how to dial internationally from the USA, Canada, or from any other country. Telephone country codes and international area codes are displayed by country. Additional information such as city and cellular codes, as well as telephone books is also provided. (Website reference courtesy of refdesk.com)


6. CALENDAR

October 24-26, 2011 - Chief Officers of State Library Agencies fall meeting, Santa Fe, NM

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

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

November 16-17, 2011 - Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Advisory Committee 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