1. Wisconsin celebrates Digital Learning Day
2. Return of batch updates for the WISCAT Union Catalog
3. Libraries, downloadable content, and System membership law
4. The New AskAway virtual reference service
5. Doodle 4 Google contest
6. Website of the Week - Coping with a Disaster or Traumatic Event
7. Calendar
=================================================
1. WISCONSIN CELEBRATES DIGITAL LEARNING DAY
Wisconsin had a wonderful Digital Learning Day on Wednesday, February 1. Hundreds of teachers, library media specialists, and others, including public library staff, participated in the event. Many examples were cited, running from student blogs and skillful online research, to online adult learning modules at the library via Learning Express, to even an online virtual Advanced Placement Chemistry lab! Check out the Wisconsin Digital Learning Day web site at http://imt.dpi.wi.gov/imt_dlday for links to all the activities people posted as well as for the transcript to the "digital town hall" held by State Superintendent Tony Evers.
As a follow up to the event, the national sponsoring organization, The Alliance for Excellent Education, is sponsoring "Digital Learning Day Video Challenge." By the looks of what we saw on Wednesday, there are plenty of potential winners across the state! http://www.digitallearningday.org/awards/
And not to forget, the other purpose of the day was to roll out the State Superintendent's Digital Learning Advisory Council's statewide digital learning plan. As a living "document," we welcome all ideas and suggestions you may have for continuously improving the plan. Technology never stops changing. Please take a few moments to read the plan and share your ideas at https://sites.google.com/a/dpi.wi.gov/wi_digital_learning_plan/.
Thanks to everyone who participated in our first ever Wisconsin Digital Learning Day!
2. RETURN OF BATCH UPDATES FOR THE WISCAT UNION CATALOG
Resources for Libraries and Lifelong Learning (RL&LL) is pleased to announce that libraries reliant on the WISCAT Union Catalog can once again perform batch updates of their holdings. Auto-Graphics, our WISCAT vendor, has agreed to process batch files. This is especially welcome news for school and correctional libraries in Wisconsin that rely on a Union Catalog due to security concerns raised by implementing a Z39.50 virtual catalog.
Libraries now increasingly prefer the use of a virtual catalog, which facilitates instant shelf-status checking. RL&LL encourages libraries to implement virtual catalogs to offer their patrons the more robust access they provide, but we are pleased to offer an alternative to libraries reliant on a Union Catalog.
Auto-Graphics made this service possible by generously eliminating the normal fee for batch uploading. The reinstatement of batch uploading of bibliographic records will allow a variety of school and institution libraries to maintain accurate, current holdings to facilitate resource sharing.
Libraries that do not have a WISCAT license can submit batch updates for the Union Catalog. Libraries WITH a WISCAT license have more ability to manage their Union Catalog. They can add or delete a holding to an existing bibliographic record or copy a MARC record into the Union Catalog.
For detailed information on sending a batch update, please contact Vickie Long at vickie.long@dpi.wi.gov.
3. LIBRARIES, DOWNLOADABLE CONTENT, AND SYSTEM MEMBERSHIP LAW
Public library directors and their boards should be aware that the state law requirements for participation in regional public library systems have a "same services" provision. In brief, this statutory provision requires libraries in a regional library system "to provide, to any resident of the system area, the same library services, on the same terms, that are provided to the residents of the municipality or county that established the member library." It is very possible that standard vendor contract language for downloadable content (e.g., e-books, audio, or video files) may restrict use to only a library's registered users and not allow access by all residents in the system area. While there is a limited exception allowing libraries to provide "remote access to a library's electronic database only to its residents," that exception does not apply to e-books or other downloadable content (c.f. NISO http://www.niso.org/dictionary/section4).
The Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning recently became aware of libraries continuing or establishing new contracts for such downloadable content. Vendor representatives are likely not aware of Wisconsin's library law, and may propose their standard contract restricting access. This, in turn, could jeopardize the library's system membership. Before signing any such contracts, library directors should review this issue with vendors and contact their library system to ensure that the service is available throughout the system area.
The "same services" requirement will be a specific topic in a legislative task force to be created later this spring. The task force will discuss not only current technologies related to digitized content, but also develop a vision of cooperative system services to serve Wisconsin going into the future. Until such time as the law is amended or changed, neither the Division nor the systems can ignore compliance issues, and libraries must adhere to current law as it stands. We again encourage you to contact your system if you have any questions on this issue. Library systems are responsible for ensuring that their members meet statutory requirements.
More information on the "same services" issue as it relates to e-books and downloadable content is available on the State E-Book Summit page here: http://pld.dpi.wi.gov/pld_ebooksummit.
4. THE NEW ASKAWAY VIRTUAL REFERENCE SERVICE
Feb 1, 2012, marked the start of the new AskAway service. Virtual reference service has been decentralized. Patrons of public or academic libraries will now connect directly to librarians at their own local library. Check the public library directory on the Department of Public Instruction website at: http://pld.dpi.wi.gov/pld_wis_lib#public, or connect to your local library online, by phone, or email. Many, but not all public and academic libraries in Wisconsin have chosen to establish an alternate virtual reference service. Libraries offering chat-based, instant message (IM) or text reference service have set their own hours of operation, generally corresponding with regular library business hours.
Because the new service is not designed as a state or national consortium, patrons will not have access to help 24/7. Staffing for the service will not be shared on a multi-library basis at this time, although the Library H3lp software, which has been chosen for the new service, will permit creation of broad consortia and shared staffing. The statewide virtual reference service was disbanded in response to feedback received on the LSTA survey conducted in spring, 2010.
Resources for Libraries and Lifelong Learning (RL&LL) is available to respond to questions about programs and services of the Department of Public Instruction. We can also provide help with homework or guide you through research on issues that matter to your life: education, community, health, business, career, finances or hobbies. Contact us using the link on the DPI homepage: http://rl3.dpi.wi.gov/rl3_qp_form. RL&LL will respond to chat, email, and phone questions between 7:45 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
5. DOODLE 4 GOOGLE CONTEST
Doodle 4 Google (D4G) invites K-12 students to express a theme as creatively as possible using Google's logo as their canvas. This year's winner, along with having his or her doodle featured on Google's homepage, will take home a $30,000 college scholarship and a $50,000 technology grant for his or her school. As an added bonus, the winning doodle will be featured on a special edition of Crayola's 64-crayon box! Fifty State Winners will win an all-expense-paid trip to Google's New York City office.
There is a limit of one doodle entry per student. Submissions must be accompanied by a completed entry form and must be postmarked by March 20, 2012, and received by March 23, 2012. Check out http://www.google.com/doodle4google for more details.
6. WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
Coping With a Disaster or Traumatic Event -- http://www.bt.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/ -- This site from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides general strategies for promoting mental health and resilience following a natural disaster, terrorist attack, or other public health emergency. (website reference courtesy of refdesk.com)
7. CALENDAR
February 14, 2012 - Wisconsin Library Association (WLA)/Wisconsin Education Media and Technology Association (WEMTA) Library Legislative Day, Madison
March 9, 2012 - Council on Library and Network Development (COLAND) meeting, to be confirmed
March 13-17, 2012 - Public Library Association annual meeting, Philadelphia, PA
March 28-30, 2012 - Wisconsin Education Media and Technology Association (WEMTA) Annual Conference, Wisconsin Dells
April 23-24, 2012 - American Library Association National Library Legislative Day, Washington, DC
May 9-11, 2012 - Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries annual conference, Stevens Point
October 23-26, 2012 - Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) annual conference, La Crosse
==================================================
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: (608) 267-9207
2. Return of batch updates for the WISCAT Union Catalog
3. Libraries, downloadable content, and System membership law
4. The New AskAway virtual reference service
5. Doodle 4 Google contest
6. Website of the Week - Coping with a Disaster or Traumatic Event
7. Calendar
=================================================
1. WISCONSIN CELEBRATES DIGITAL LEARNING DAY
Wisconsin had a wonderful Digital Learning Day on Wednesday, February 1. Hundreds of teachers, library media specialists, and others, including public library staff, participated in the event. Many examples were cited, running from student blogs and skillful online research, to online adult learning modules at the library via Learning Express, to even an online virtual Advanced Placement Chemistry lab! Check out the Wisconsin Digital Learning Day web site at http://imt.dpi.wi.gov/imt_dlday for links to all the activities people posted as well as for the transcript to the "digital town hall" held by State Superintendent Tony Evers.
As a follow up to the event, the national sponsoring organization, The Alliance for Excellent Education, is sponsoring "Digital Learning Day Video Challenge." By the looks of what we saw on Wednesday, there are plenty of potential winners across the state! http://www.digitallearningday.org/awards/
And not to forget, the other purpose of the day was to roll out the State Superintendent's Digital Learning Advisory Council's statewide digital learning plan. As a living "document," we welcome all ideas and suggestions you may have for continuously improving the plan. Technology never stops changing. Please take a few moments to read the plan and share your ideas at https://sites.google.com/a/dpi.wi.gov/wi_digital_learning_plan/.
Thanks to everyone who participated in our first ever Wisconsin Digital Learning Day!
2. RETURN OF BATCH UPDATES FOR THE WISCAT UNION CATALOG
Resources for Libraries and Lifelong Learning (RL&LL) is pleased to announce that libraries reliant on the WISCAT Union Catalog can once again perform batch updates of their holdings. Auto-Graphics, our WISCAT vendor, has agreed to process batch files. This is especially welcome news for school and correctional libraries in Wisconsin that rely on a Union Catalog due to security concerns raised by implementing a Z39.50 virtual catalog.
Libraries now increasingly prefer the use of a virtual catalog, which facilitates instant shelf-status checking. RL&LL encourages libraries to implement virtual catalogs to offer their patrons the more robust access they provide, but we are pleased to offer an alternative to libraries reliant on a Union Catalog.
Auto-Graphics made this service possible by generously eliminating the normal fee for batch uploading. The reinstatement of batch uploading of bibliographic records will allow a variety of school and institution libraries to maintain accurate, current holdings to facilitate resource sharing.
Libraries that do not have a WISCAT license can submit batch updates for the Union Catalog. Libraries WITH a WISCAT license have more ability to manage their Union Catalog. They can add or delete a holding to an existing bibliographic record or copy a MARC record into the Union Catalog.
For detailed information on sending a batch update, please contact Vickie Long at vickie.long@dpi.wi.gov.
3. LIBRARIES, DOWNLOADABLE CONTENT, AND SYSTEM MEMBERSHIP LAW
Public library directors and their boards should be aware that the state law requirements for participation in regional public library systems have a "same services" provision. In brief, this statutory provision requires libraries in a regional library system "to provide, to any resident of the system area, the same library services, on the same terms, that are provided to the residents of the municipality or county that established the member library." It is very possible that standard vendor contract language for downloadable content (e.g., e-books, audio, or video files) may restrict use to only a library's registered users and not allow access by all residents in the system area. While there is a limited exception allowing libraries to provide "remote access to a library's electronic database only to its residents," that exception does not apply to e-books or other downloadable content (c.f. NISO http://www.niso.org/dictionary/section4).
The Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning recently became aware of libraries continuing or establishing new contracts for such downloadable content. Vendor representatives are likely not aware of Wisconsin's library law, and may propose their standard contract restricting access. This, in turn, could jeopardize the library's system membership. Before signing any such contracts, library directors should review this issue with vendors and contact their library system to ensure that the service is available throughout the system area.
The "same services" requirement will be a specific topic in a legislative task force to be created later this spring. The task force will discuss not only current technologies related to digitized content, but also develop a vision of cooperative system services to serve Wisconsin going into the future. Until such time as the law is amended or changed, neither the Division nor the systems can ignore compliance issues, and libraries must adhere to current law as it stands. We again encourage you to contact your system if you have any questions on this issue. Library systems are responsible for ensuring that their members meet statutory requirements.
More information on the "same services" issue as it relates to e-books and downloadable content is available on the State E-Book Summit page here: http://pld.dpi.wi.gov/pld_ebooksummit.
4. THE NEW ASKAWAY VIRTUAL REFERENCE SERVICE
Feb 1, 2012, marked the start of the new AskAway service. Virtual reference service has been decentralized. Patrons of public or academic libraries will now connect directly to librarians at their own local library. Check the public library directory on the Department of Public Instruction website at: http://pld.dpi.wi.gov/pld_wis_lib#public, or connect to your local library online, by phone, or email. Many, but not all public and academic libraries in Wisconsin have chosen to establish an alternate virtual reference service. Libraries offering chat-based, instant message (IM) or text reference service have set their own hours of operation, generally corresponding with regular library business hours.
Because the new service is not designed as a state or national consortium, patrons will not have access to help 24/7. Staffing for the service will not be shared on a multi-library basis at this time, although the Library H3lp software, which has been chosen for the new service, will permit creation of broad consortia and shared staffing. The statewide virtual reference service was disbanded in response to feedback received on the LSTA survey conducted in spring, 2010.
Resources for Libraries and Lifelong Learning (RL&LL) is available to respond to questions about programs and services of the Department of Public Instruction. We can also provide help with homework or guide you through research on issues that matter to your life: education, community, health, business, career, finances or hobbies. Contact us using the link on the DPI homepage: http://rl3.dpi.wi.gov/rl3_qp_form. RL&LL will respond to chat, email, and phone questions between 7:45 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
5. DOODLE 4 GOOGLE CONTEST
Doodle 4 Google (D4G) invites K-12 students to express a theme as creatively as possible using Google's logo as their canvas. This year's winner, along with having his or her doodle featured on Google's homepage, will take home a $30,000 college scholarship and a $50,000 technology grant for his or her school. As an added bonus, the winning doodle will be featured on a special edition of Crayola's 64-crayon box! Fifty State Winners will win an all-expense-paid trip to Google's New York City office.
There is a limit of one doodle entry per student. Submissions must be accompanied by a completed entry form and must be postmarked by March 20, 2012, and received by March 23, 2012. Check out http://www.google.com/doodle4google for more details.
6. WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
Coping With a Disaster or Traumatic Event -- http://www.bt.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/ -- This site from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides general strategies for promoting mental health and resilience following a natural disaster, terrorist attack, or other public health emergency. (website reference courtesy of refdesk.com)
7. CALENDAR
February 14, 2012 - Wisconsin Library Association (WLA)/Wisconsin Education Media and Technology Association (WEMTA) Library Legislative Day, Madison
March 9, 2012 - Council on Library and Network Development (COLAND) meeting, to be confirmed
March 13-17, 2012 - Public Library Association annual meeting, Philadelphia, PA
March 28-30, 2012 - Wisconsin Education Media and Technology Association (WEMTA) Annual Conference, Wisconsin Dells
April 23-24, 2012 - American Library Association National Library Legislative Day, Washington, DC
May 9-11, 2012 - Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries annual conference, Stevens Point
October 23-26, 2012 - Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) annual conference, La Crosse
==================================================
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: (608) 267-9207
For questions about this information, contact Roslyn Wise (608) 266-6439