Channel Weekly, Vol. 16, No. 10, November 14, 2013

1. LSTA Advisory Committee nominations now being accepted
2. How Youth Services Improve Our Libraries and Communities: a webinar series from DPI
3. Apply for a Big Read grant
4. National Novel Writing Month
5. Impact Survey helps libraries learn from patrons
6. BadgerLink Resource of the Week: ECB Wisconsin Media Lab
7. Website of the Week: USA.gov: Contact Elected Officials
8. Calendar
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1. LSTA ADVISORY COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED LSTA

Several members of the LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act) Advisory Committee have terms ending December 2013. The Department of Public Instruction's Division for Libraries and Technology is seeking suggestions and self-nominations for new members to serve on the committee. The link to the nomination form is located on the LSTA Advisory Committee website at http://pld.dpi.wi.gov/pld_lstaadvcom. The completed form can be emailed as an attachment to Terrie Howe at teresa.howe@dpi.wi.gov or faxed to Terrie's attention at (608) 267-9207.


2. HOW YOUTH SERVICES IMPROVE OUR LIBRARIES AND COMMUNITIES: A WEBINAR SERIES FROM DPI

Find out how annual report data, early literacy efforts, and summer library programs influence your library's capacity to build a more literate community. Library directors and youth services librarians are encouraged to attend three upcoming webinars coordinated by the Public Library Development Team at the Department of Public Instruction.

  • Growing Wisconsin Readers
    An abbreviated recap of the new statewide early literacy initiative launched in fall 2013
    Friday, November 22, 12:00 p.m. until 1:15 p.m.
    Hosted by Tessa Michaelson Schmidt
  • Youth Services by the Numbers: Data and Advocacy
    A focused look at the annual report—how is youth services data generated and what does it show?
    Tuesday, December 3, 12 p.m. until 1 p.m.
    Hosted by Jamie McCanless, Public Library Data and Finance Coordinator, and Tessa Michaelson Schmidt, Youth and Special Services Consultant
  • Re-Thinking Summer Library Programs
    Does SLP feel more like an 8 week long birthday party than a reading program? Discover how your literacy efforts can be more sustainable and effective after hearing inventive ideas from around the state.
    Wednesday, January 22, 12 p.m. until 1 p.m.
    Hosted by Tessa Michaelson Schmidt, Youth and Special Services Consultant, and a panel of Wisconsin youth services librarians

Instructions: All three webinars will be recorded and posted online under "Professional Development" on the DPI Youth Services page: http://pld.dpi.wi.gov/pld_ys-sn#prof-dev. No registration is required; simply join the Blackboard Collaborate session. Note--Internet Explorer is the preferred browser for this platform (Java required). The same link will be used for all three webinars: http://tinyurl.com/pqn7svo.

  • Attendees who need telephone audio (versus VoIP) should use the conference number:
    1-877-820-7831 and enter participant passcode: 697156.
  • Test your system beforehand
  • Blackboard Collaborate overview video
  • Blackboard Collaborate online support or phone (877) 382-2293


3. APPLY FOR A BIG READ GRANT

The Big Read, a program of the National Endowment for the Arts, is accepting applications from libraries and non-profit organizations for grants ranging from $2,500 to $20,000 to

Eligible organizations may apply for a grant ranging from $2,500 to $20,000 to conduct community-wide reads between September 1, 2014 and June 30, 2015. Grants must be matched 1 to 1 with nonfederal funds. Grant funds may be used for such expenses as book purchases, speaker fees and travel, salaries, advertising, and venue rental. Please see the application guidelines and instructions for more information.

Applicants must choose one of 36 reading selections from The Big Read catalog, available at http://www.NEABigRead.org/books. For 2014-2015 programming, two new titles have been added: The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears by Dinaw Mengestu and When the Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka. Applicants that have received a Big Read grant in the past must select a different reading choice from their previous programming.

The deadline is for grant applications is January 28, 2014. Links to the guidelines as well as the e-application can be found here: http://www.neabigread.org/application_process.php.


4. NATIONAL NOVEL WRITING MONTH

November is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) during which aspiring authors participate in a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to creative writing. On November 1, participants began working towards the goal of writing a 50,000-word novel by 11:59 p.m. on November 30. Seventeen public libraries and two academic libraries throughout Wisconsin have registered as "write-in" locations.

Information on how libraries and other community organizations can be involved in NaNoWriMo, either still this year, or next, can be found at http://nanowrimo.org/come-write-in.


5. IMPACT SURVEY HELPS LIBRARIES LEARN FROM PATRONS

In 2009, the University of Washington Information School conducted Opportunity for All: How the American Public Benefits from Internet Access at U.S. Libraries. It was the first large-scale investigation of the ways U.S. library patrons use computers and the Internet at public libraries, why they use it, and how it impacts their lives. The patron survey was such a success that the school has made the Impact Survey available to all U.S. public libraries for free through July 2014.

Any library can register for an Impact Survey account. The library's patrons then complete the survey anonymously online or on paper in 8-12 minutes. When the chosen survey period is over, the library is able to download data and customized reports which can be used to communicate the value of its public access technology program.

Survey results can be used to help:

  • Get a better sense of how patrons are using library resources and what kind of services might improve their outcomes.
  • Evaluate your library's technology services and identify where you are excelling or making progress and where there is room for improvement.
  • Track changes in use trends over time, measure the impact of new policies or resources on patron outcomes.
  • Back up budget requests with customized materials showcasing your library's unique survey results that can build awareness and support for library technology services among local decision makers and other stakeholders.
  • Bolster community support by publicly showing the vital role library technology services play in the lives of community members.
  • Improve Edge Initiative results for such key indicators as conducting patron-level surveys and communicating the value of public access technology to stakeholders.

For more information, see:


6. BADGERLINK RESOURCE OF THE WEEK

Through BadgerLink, ECB Wisconsin Media Lab provides access to 36 "Bill Nye the Science Guy" episodes. These episodes encourage students to ask questions and uncover the answers. "Bill Nye the Science Guy" covers a range of topics including health, math, nature, and the environment. To access the 36 episodes, go to ECB Wisconsin Media Lab. Under "Science & Technology" click on "Bill Nye the Science Guy", then click on Play Video and then select the episode you would like to stream.


7. Website of the Week

USA.gov: Contact Elected Officials -- http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml -- This site, part of the official US government website, provides links to e-mail and mailing addresses, phone numbers, and more for local, state, and federal officials. (Website reference courtesy of refdesk.com)


8. CALENDAR

January 10, 2014 – Council on Library and Network Development (COLAND) meeting, web conference

January 24-28, 2014 – American Library Association (ALA) Mid-Winter Meeting, Philadelphia, PA

March 12, 2014 – Spring Inter library Loan meeting, Madison

May 7-9, 2014 – Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries (WAPL) annual conference, Sheboygan

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To access previous issues of Channel Weekly, or to subscribe or unsubscribe,
go to: http://channel.dpi.wi.gov/
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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

For questions about this information, contact Roslyn Wise (608) 266-6439