1. Bob Bocher retires from DPI
2. 2012 E-rate requests far higher than funds available
3. Libraries part of early learning on federal level
4. Lois Lenski Covey Foundation grants for children's books
5. Website of the Week -- Atmospheric Optics
6. Calendar
=================================================
1. BOB BOCHER RETIRES FROM DPI
(Editor's Note: Bob Bocher, library technology consultant for the Department of Public Instruction, is retiring as of May 18. Bob has been a frequent contributor to Channel Weekly and to its companion publication, Channel, through the years. Below is Bob's personal farewell message to the Channel Weekly readership.)
After 36 years of working in libraries I will be retiring on May 18 as the public library technology consultant in DPI's Division for Libraries and Technology. I started working at the UW-Extension library in the 1970s but have spent most of my time in the DPI library division. Here are several of the projects and programs I have been involved with over the years:
-- During the 1980s I was the first manager of WISCAT, the state union catalog.
-- In 1987 I obtained dial-up Internet access via UW-Madison. (While the 1200 baud modem was not very fast I had no premonition that 25 years later we'd still have problems with Internet connectivity speeds!)
-- In the late 1990s I worked with Wisconsin library systems to get their member libraries connected to BadgerNet, the state's broadband network.
-- From 1997 to present I was one of two state E-rate coordinators. (Over this timeframe Wisconsin schools and libraries have been awarded $404 million in E-rate funding.)
-- I helped develop the BadgerLink program in 1998-1999.
-- From 2000-2007 I oversaw $2.7 million in LSTA grants to assist Wisconsin public libraries to join shared integrated library systems. (In 2000 just 35 percent of public libraries were in shared systems but this increased to 95 percent by 2011.)
-- From 2001-2011, managed over $5 million in library grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
-- In 2009 I co-authored a successful $23 million federal grant to bring fiber to all schools and libraries on BadgerNet. (Unfortunately, the state gave the grant back to the federal government.)
-- I served on the WiscNet board from 2000-2012. (75 percent of Wisconsin schools and 95 percent of our public libraries get their Internet access and other services from WiscNet.)
-- During the past 30 years I've given over 400 workshops, conference programs, and presentations. (Many of you survived one or more of these presentations.)
Technology never stands still. And while it generally moves forward, it sometimes moves in directions that are hard to discern, especially when related factors like policy and politics must be taken into consideration. Time -- sometimes too much time -- is required to determine the balance between these factors. But while we are sometimes mired in the minutiae of the minute it is always important to keep one's vision at a higher level and remind ourselves that technology is a means to help address the learning needs of students, regardless of age, and to help address the information needs of the public.
I have very much enjoyed working with the library and education communities all these years and I wish everyone the best.
-Bob
2. 2012 E-RATE REQUESTS FAR HIGHER THAN FUNDS AVAILABLE
The Federal Communications Commission recently released information outlining the fund demand for the July 1, 2012, E-rate year. Here are some (sobering) highlights.
-- Total demand for 2012 is $5.237 billion. This is an increase of 21.5 percent from the demand for 2011 of $4.310 billion.
-- Demand for Priority 1 funding (telecommunications and Internet services) is $2.444 billion. For the first time in the program, the Priority 1 demand exceeds the $2.3 billion in funding available, without rollover funds. (Each year there are some funds not used from previous years. It is estimated that for 2012 this "rollover" may be about $400 million.)
-- Demand for Priority 2 funding (internal connections) at a 90% discount is $1.379 billion.
What does all this mean? Assuming no major changes in the above figures, all eligible Priority 1 applications will be funded. However, most Priority 2 applications cannot be funded. State E-rate coordinators were in Washington recently and met with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Schools and Libraries Program staff to review various E-rate issues, including the 2012 fund demand. Federal officials do not know how they will address the funding issue, although FCC regulations say that when there are not enough funds, they are to prorate discounts. (Note: DPI has routinely filed comments with the FCC requesting that the discounts be reduced to address this funding issue.)
It is expected that schools and libraries will start to be notified of approved applications for the July 1 funding year later in May.
3. LIBRARIES PART OF EARLY LEARNING ON FEDERAL LEVEL
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently recognized the role of public libraries in child development in a memorandum urging partnership between the offices of Child Care and Head Start and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The memo states, "Public libraries provide centers for learning in nearly every community in the United States, and it is important for children and families to learn about and recognize public libraries as a valuable resource. Libraries offer rich learning environments for children and their families and caregivers."
IMLS director Susan Hildreth writes, "I urge all public libraries to reach out to the early care providers in their communities and find innovative and effective ways to work together." Read more on the IMLS blog at http://blog.imls.gov/?p=1298
4. LOIS LENSKI COVEY FOUNDATION GRANTS FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS
The Lois Lenski Covey Foundation (LLCF), Inc. annually awards grants to rural and urban, public and school libraries serving at-risk children. The Foundation gives priority to applications from libraries and agencies with real need and limited book budgets. Funds are earmarked for purchasing books for young people, and are not intended for administrative or operational use. Previously awarded grants have ranged from $500 to $3,000. Successful applicants have proposed purchases to update their children's book collections generally or to expand their holdings in specific areas. LLCF grants are solely for the purchase of fiction and nonfiction trade books for young people. Grant funds may not be used to purchase textbooks, encyclopedias, atlases, dictionaries, basal readers, or similar texts, or workbooks and like instructional tools.
The Foundation gives to libraries or organizations that serve economically or socially at-risk children, have limited book budgets, and demonstrate real need. In order for a library to be considered, it must have been in operation for at least three years. County or district library systems cannot apply as a whole; public or school libraries within a county or district system are eligible to apply individually.
Additional information and a link to a downloadable application may be found at the grant program information page: http://www.loislenskicovey.org/6.html.
5. WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
Atmospheric Optics -- http://www.atoptics.co.uk/ -- This site from Les Cowley features rainbows, halos, glories and many other visual spectacles produced by light playing on water drops, dust and ice crystals in the atmosphere with explanations, images, and downloadable freeware to simulate them. (website reference courtesy of refdesk.com)
6. CALENDAR
May 18, 2012 - Council on Library and Network Development (COLAND) meeting, Whitewater
July 13, 2012 - Council on Library and Network Development (COLAND) meeting, Hartford
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. 2012 E-rate requests far higher than funds available
3. Libraries part of early learning on federal level
4. Lois Lenski Covey Foundation grants for children's books
5. Website of the Week -- Atmospheric Optics
6. Calendar
=================================================
1. BOB BOCHER RETIRES FROM DPI
(Editor's Note: Bob Bocher, library technology consultant for the Department of Public Instruction, is retiring as of May 18. Bob has been a frequent contributor to Channel Weekly and to its companion publication, Channel, through the years. Below is Bob's personal farewell message to the Channel Weekly readership.)
After 36 years of working in libraries I will be retiring on May 18 as the public library technology consultant in DPI's Division for Libraries and Technology. I started working at the UW-Extension library in the 1970s but have spent most of my time in the DPI library division. Here are several of the projects and programs I have been involved with over the years:
-- During the 1980s I was the first manager of WISCAT, the state union catalog.
-- In 1987 I obtained dial-up Internet access via UW-Madison. (While the 1200 baud modem was not very fast I had no premonition that 25 years later we'd still have problems with Internet connectivity speeds!)
-- In the late 1990s I worked with Wisconsin library systems to get their member libraries connected to BadgerNet, the state's broadband network.
-- From 1997 to present I was one of two state E-rate coordinators. (Over this timeframe Wisconsin schools and libraries have been awarded $404 million in E-rate funding.)
-- I helped develop the BadgerLink program in 1998-1999.
-- From 2000-2007 I oversaw $2.7 million in LSTA grants to assist Wisconsin public libraries to join shared integrated library systems. (In 2000 just 35 percent of public libraries were in shared systems but this increased to 95 percent by 2011.)
-- From 2001-2011, managed over $5 million in library grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
-- In 2009 I co-authored a successful $23 million federal grant to bring fiber to all schools and libraries on BadgerNet. (Unfortunately, the state gave the grant back to the federal government.)
-- I served on the WiscNet board from 2000-2012. (75 percent of Wisconsin schools and 95 percent of our public libraries get their Internet access and other services from WiscNet.)
-- During the past 30 years I've given over 400 workshops, conference programs, and presentations. (Many of you survived one or more of these presentations.)
Technology never stands still. And while it generally moves forward, it sometimes moves in directions that are hard to discern, especially when related factors like policy and politics must be taken into consideration. Time -- sometimes too much time -- is required to determine the balance between these factors. But while we are sometimes mired in the minutiae of the minute it is always important to keep one's vision at a higher level and remind ourselves that technology is a means to help address the learning needs of students, regardless of age, and to help address the information needs of the public.
I have very much enjoyed working with the library and education communities all these years and I wish everyone the best.
-Bob
2. 2012 E-RATE REQUESTS FAR HIGHER THAN FUNDS AVAILABLE
The Federal Communications Commission recently released information outlining the fund demand for the July 1, 2012, E-rate year. Here are some (sobering) highlights.
-- Total demand for 2012 is $5.237 billion. This is an increase of 21.5 percent from the demand for 2011 of $4.310 billion.
-- Demand for Priority 1 funding (telecommunications and Internet services) is $2.444 billion. For the first time in the program, the Priority 1 demand exceeds the $2.3 billion in funding available, without rollover funds. (Each year there are some funds not used from previous years. It is estimated that for 2012 this "rollover" may be about $400 million.)
-- Demand for Priority 2 funding (internal connections) at a 90% discount is $1.379 billion.
What does all this mean? Assuming no major changes in the above figures, all eligible Priority 1 applications will be funded. However, most Priority 2 applications cannot be funded. State E-rate coordinators were in Washington recently and met with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Schools and Libraries Program staff to review various E-rate issues, including the 2012 fund demand. Federal officials do not know how they will address the funding issue, although FCC regulations say that when there are not enough funds, they are to prorate discounts. (Note: DPI has routinely filed comments with the FCC requesting that the discounts be reduced to address this funding issue.)
It is expected that schools and libraries will start to be notified of approved applications for the July 1 funding year later in May.
3. LIBRARIES PART OF EARLY LEARNING ON FEDERAL LEVEL
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently recognized the role of public libraries in child development in a memorandum urging partnership between the offices of Child Care and Head Start and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The memo states, "Public libraries provide centers for learning in nearly every community in the United States, and it is important for children and families to learn about and recognize public libraries as a valuable resource. Libraries offer rich learning environments for children and their families and caregivers."
IMLS director Susan Hildreth writes, "I urge all public libraries to reach out to the early care providers in their communities and find innovative and effective ways to work together." Read more on the IMLS blog at http://blog.imls.gov/?p=1298
4. LOIS LENSKI COVEY FOUNDATION GRANTS FOR CHILDREN'S BOOKS
The Lois Lenski Covey Foundation (LLCF), Inc. annually awards grants to rural and urban, public and school libraries serving at-risk children. The Foundation gives priority to applications from libraries and agencies with real need and limited book budgets. Funds are earmarked for purchasing books for young people, and are not intended for administrative or operational use. Previously awarded grants have ranged from $500 to $3,000. Successful applicants have proposed purchases to update their children's book collections generally or to expand their holdings in specific areas. LLCF grants are solely for the purchase of fiction and nonfiction trade books for young people. Grant funds may not be used to purchase textbooks, encyclopedias, atlases, dictionaries, basal readers, or similar texts, or workbooks and like instructional tools.
The Foundation gives to libraries or organizations that serve economically or socially at-risk children, have limited book budgets, and demonstrate real need. In order for a library to be considered, it must have been in operation for at least three years. County or district library systems cannot apply as a whole; public or school libraries within a county or district system are eligible to apply individually.
Additional information and a link to a downloadable application may be found at the grant program information page: http://www.loislenskicovey.org/6.html.
5. WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
Atmospheric Optics -- http://www.atoptics.co.uk/ -- This site from Les Cowley features rainbows, halos, glories and many other visual spectacles produced by light playing on water drops, dust and ice crystals in the atmosphere with explanations, images, and downloadable freeware to simulate them. (website reference courtesy of refdesk.com)
6. CALENDAR
May 18, 2012 - Council on Library and Network Development (COLAND) meeting, Whitewater
July 13, 2012 - Council on Library and Network Development (COLAND) meeting, Hartford
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