1. Overview of 2012 E-rate applications
2. Wisconsin libraries to participate in testing of "Edge" library benchmarks
3. Website of the Week - Reading is Fundamental
4. Calendar
=================================================
1. OVERVIEW OF 2012 E-RATE APPLICATIONS
The application deadline for the July 1, 2012, E-rate funding year is now closed. The number of applications and the total funding requested nationwide are not yet available, although in most past years about 35,000 applications are filed requesting approximately $4 billion. Preliminary information from applications submitted by Wisconsin's schools and libraries is available and it shows the following:
-- 646: The total number of Wisconsin school and library applicants
-- 2,805: The total number of separate funding requests submitted by the 646 schools and libraries
-- $7,297,017.45: Funds requested in the internal connections category
-- $7,289,399.02: Funds requested in the Internet category
-- $31,105,672.48: Funds requested in the telecommunications category
-- $45,692,088.95: Total funds requested
Staff in the Universal Service Fund's Schools and Libraries Division (SLD), the entity that administers the E-rate program, have already started reviewing the applications. It is expected that the first approved applications will be completed by mid-May but it will likely be the fall before most applications are processed. Any questions on the E-rate program should be directed to Bob Bocher, robert.bocher@dpi.wi.gov, 608-266-2127.
2. WISCONSIN LIBRARIES TO PARTICIPATE IN TESTING OF "EDGE" LIBRARY BENCHMARKS
The Edge Initiative is an effort by a coalition of leading library and other organizations - including the American Library Association (ALA) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation - to develop benchmarks to help library staff understand best practices in public access technology services and to determine what steps are needed to improve these services. For more information on the initiative, please visit http://www.libraryedge.org/.
The work of the coalition has proceeded far enough that a draft of the Edge benchmarks and the related assessment workbook are ready for beta testing. As part of a nationwide testing pool, the following nine Wisconsin public libraries were randomly selected to beta test the draft benchmarks and all have agreed to do so.
Amery Public Library
Durand Community Library
Elkhart Lake Public Library
Hildebrand (Boscobel) Memorial Library
Menomonie Public Library
Mill Pond Public Library
Milwaukee Public Library
Monroe Public Library
Scandinavia Public Library
These libraries have received the necessary materials and have until the end of the month complete the test and return it to the University of Washington, which is coordinating the testing process. If you have any questions, please contact Bob Bocher (robert.bocher@dpi.wi.gov; 608-266-2127). Bob has worked with ALA on this initiative and has participated in several focus groups which reviewed early drafts of the benchmarks.
3. WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
Reading Is Fundamental -- http://www.rif.org/ -- Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) is the nation's largest nonprofit children's literacy organization. Through RIF programs, we prepare and motivate children to read by delivering free books and literacy resources to children who need them most. (Website reference courtesy of refdesk.com)
4. CALENDAR
April 17-18, 2012 - LSTA Advisory Committee meeting, DeForest
April 23-24, 2012 - American Library Association National Library Legislative Day, Washington, DC
April 25, 2012 - Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA) spring meeting, Washington, DC
May 4, 2012 - Special Needs Consultants annual meeting, DeForest
May 9-11, 2012 - Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries annual conference, Stevens Point
May 18, 2012 - Council on Library and Network Development (COLAND) meeting, Whitewater
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 and Technology
PO Box 7841
Madison, WI 53707-7841
Phone: (608) 266-6439
FAX: (608) 267-9207
2. Wisconsin libraries to participate in testing of "Edge" library benchmarks
3. Website of the Week - Reading is Fundamental
4. Calendar
=================================================
1. OVERVIEW OF 2012 E-RATE APPLICATIONS
The application deadline for the July 1, 2012, E-rate funding year is now closed. The number of applications and the total funding requested nationwide are not yet available, although in most past years about 35,000 applications are filed requesting approximately $4 billion. Preliminary information from applications submitted by Wisconsin's schools and libraries is available and it shows the following:
-- 646: The total number of Wisconsin school and library applicants
-- 2,805: The total number of separate funding requests submitted by the 646 schools and libraries
-- $7,297,017.45: Funds requested in the internal connections category
-- $7,289,399.02: Funds requested in the Internet category
-- $31,105,672.48: Funds requested in the telecommunications category
-- $45,692,088.95: Total funds requested
Staff in the Universal Service Fund's Schools and Libraries Division (SLD), the entity that administers the E-rate program, have already started reviewing the applications. It is expected that the first approved applications will be completed by mid-May but it will likely be the fall before most applications are processed. Any questions on the E-rate program should be directed to Bob Bocher, robert.bocher@dpi.wi.gov, 608-266-2127.
2. WISCONSIN LIBRARIES TO PARTICIPATE IN TESTING OF "EDGE" LIBRARY BENCHMARKS
The Edge Initiative is an effort by a coalition of leading library and other organizations - including the American Library Association (ALA) and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation - to develop benchmarks to help library staff understand best practices in public access technology services and to determine what steps are needed to improve these services. For more information on the initiative, please visit http://www.libraryedge.org/.
The work of the coalition has proceeded far enough that a draft of the Edge benchmarks and the related assessment workbook are ready for beta testing. As part of a nationwide testing pool, the following nine Wisconsin public libraries were randomly selected to beta test the draft benchmarks and all have agreed to do so.
Amery Public Library
Durand Community Library
Elkhart Lake Public Library
Hildebrand (Boscobel) Memorial Library
Menomonie Public Library
Mill Pond Public Library
Milwaukee Public Library
Monroe Public Library
Scandinavia Public Library
These libraries have received the necessary materials and have until the end of the month complete the test and return it to the University of Washington, which is coordinating the testing process. If you have any questions, please contact Bob Bocher (robert.bocher@dpi.wi.gov; 608-266-2127). Bob has worked with ALA on this initiative and has participated in several focus groups which reviewed early drafts of the benchmarks.
3. WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
Reading Is Fundamental -- http://www.rif.org/ -- Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) is the nation's largest nonprofit children's literacy organization. Through RIF programs, we prepare and motivate children to read by delivering free books and literacy resources to children who need them most. (Website reference courtesy of refdesk.com)
4. CALENDAR
April 17-18, 2012 - LSTA Advisory Committee meeting, DeForest
April 23-24, 2012 - American Library Association National Library Legislative Day, Washington, DC
April 25, 2012 - Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA) spring meeting, Washington, DC
May 4, 2012 - Special Needs Consultants annual meeting, DeForest
May 9-11, 2012 - Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries annual conference, Stevens Point
May 18, 2012 - Council on Library and Network Development (COLAND) meeting, Whitewater
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 and Technology
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