1. Instructions for calculating exemption from county library tax
2. Found in Wisconsin brings history to life
3. ALA releases report on ebook business models
4. Website of the Week - Bill of Rights Institute
5. Calendar
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1. INSTRUCTIONS FOR CALCULATING EXEMPTION FROM COUNTY LIBRARY TAX

Since the "Maintenance of Effort" funding level for public library system membership was eliminated; cities and villages may be tempted to sharply reduce public library funding levels. However, many towns, villages and cities with public libraries have traditionally exempted from the county library tax, as provided under Wis. Stats. 43.64. In essence, in order to exempt from the county tax, the municipality must appropriate and expend for the library fund an amount at least equivalent to the county library tax. Step-by-step instructions on calculating the exemption amount is available here: http://pld.dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/pld/pdf/2013CountyExempCalc.pdf
2012 equalized values will be certified by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue on August 15. The preliminary report is posted here: http://www.revenue.wi.gov/equ/report2.html

Not all municipalities with public libraries are eligible for this exemption, but those that have exempted in the past may wish to calculate the amount in order to qualify before finalizing their library appropriation.


2. FOUND IN WISCONSIN BRINGS HISTORY TO LIFE

Found in Wisconsin wants to share Wisconsin digital collections with the world! Found in Wisconsin is a searchable database that allows you to find digital objects created and hosted by libraries, museums, and historical societies around the state. When you use Found in Wisconsin, you find collections from multiple organizations without having to spend hours searching.

Find genealogy information, local and state history, pictures, videos, newspaper clippings, poetry, books…these primary resources bring history to life!

Found in Wisconsin uses social media to communicate with our community by finding and following libraries, museums, and historical societies on Facebook and Twitter. We want you to join the conversation! Finding organizations on social media is one way to gather new digital collections, but it is also a great way to learn about archives, museums, historical societies, and libraries across the state. "It's great to be able to communicate directly with our community," said Mary Hutnik, Found in Wisconsin team member.

We post and tweet about current events and issues relating to archives, museums, historical societies, libraries, schools, and education. We also post and tweet about new content that is posted to Found in Wisconsin.

Visit us at http://fiw.dpi.wi.gov/
Follow us on Twitter at @WisDPIFoundinWI
Like us on Facebook at /WisDPIFoundinWI

Know about a digital collection or have questions about our project? Email fiw.administrator@dpi.wi.gov!


3. ALA RELEASES REPORT ON EBOOK BUSINESS MODELS

The American Library Association (ALA) released "Ebook Business Models for Public Libraries" (PDF file) a report that describes general features and attributes of the current ebook environment and outlines constraints and restrictions of current business models. The report, which was created by the ALA Digital Content and Libraries Working Group (DCWG), suggests opportunities for publishers to showcase content through public libraries.

To learn more, see: http://www.americanlibrariesmagazine.org/e-content/ala-releases-ebook-business-models-public-libraries.


4. WEBSITE OF THE WEEK

Bill of Rights Institute -- http://billofrightsinstitute.org/ -- Website for the Bill of Rights Institute. The Institute's mission is to educate young people about the words and ideas of America's Founders, the liberties guaranteed in our Founding documents, and how our Founding principles continue to affect and shape a free society. The goal of the Institute is to help the next generation understand the freedom and opportunity the Constitution offers. (website reference courtesy of refdesk.com)


5. CALENDAR

September 14, 2012 - Council on Library and Network Development (COLAND) meeting, Oshkosh

October 11, 2012 - Public Library System Youth Services Liaison meeting, DeForest

October 12, 2012 - Public Library System Continuing Education and Certification Consultants meeting, DeForest

October 23-26, 2012 - Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) annual conference, La Crosse

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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