1. Preliminary 2013 Wisconsin public library data released
2. 2015 LSTA information and grant training session recordings
3. IMLS Public Libraries in the United States Report for 2011 released
4. New Public Library Director Boot Camp for 2014
5. GLS 10 conference held June 10-13
6. Library of the Month: Fond du Lac Public Library
7. BadgerLink Resource of the Week: GED resources
8. Website of the Week: Benefits Finder
9. Calendar
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1. PRELIMINARY 2013 WISCONSIN PUBLIC LIBRARY DATA RELEASED

Preliminary 2013 Wisconsin public library statistics at the public library level are now available as an Excel file at http://pld.dpi.wi.gov/pld_dm-lib-stat. These statistics are based on information submitted on the 2013 Public Library Annual Reports. For the first time, the statistics include Wireless Internet Uses. (Of 381 public libraries in Wisconsin, 378 offered wireless Internet access to their users in 2013.) Library directors are asked to review their library's data and report errors or corrections to libraryreport@dpi.wi.gov.

Final Wisconsin data will be made available after review and acceptance of Wisconsin's 2013 public library data submission by IMLS (probably late August); however, the preliminary data may be useful for planning and comparison purposes, as well as for preliminary budget preparation. Other preliminary spreadsheets with data compiled at the county, system, and state level, will be available in July.

Links to previous years' data can also be found on the DPI website at pld.dpi.wi.gov/pld_dm-lib-stat.


2. 2015 LSTA INFORMATION AND GRANT TRAINING SESSION RECORDINGS

The LSTA 2015 grant application training webinars took place June 18 and 19 from 11:30 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. The sessions were hosted by members of the Department of Public Instruction's Public Library Development team Terrie Howe, LSTA Program Coordinator; Tessa Michaelson Schmidt, Youth and Special Services Consultant; John DeBacher, Director of Public Library Development; and Ryan Claringbole, Technology Consultant.

Grant category descriptions are now posted in the online 2015 LSTA Information and Guidelines (http://pld.dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/pld/pdf/guide15.pdf). More LSTA information (FAQs, LSTA Framework and application guides are also available at: http://pld.dpi.wi.gov/pld_lsta.

Please use the following link to view and listen to the LSTA information session through Blackboard Collaborate for public library systems on noncompetitive and competitive grant categories from June 18: http://tinyurl.com/p4rbldd.

Please use this link to view and listen to the June 19 LSTA information session for public libraries on competitive grant category requirements: http://tinyurl.com/o9gmnyj. You will need to download a Java application to your computer for the playback of the recordings.


3. IMLS PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN THE UNITED STATES REPORT FOR 2011 RELEASED

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has released the 2011 Public Libraries in the United States Report. The report is an in-depth examination of Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 survey data with important findings about the state of public library service in the United States. The Public Libraries in the United States Survey (PLS) examines when, where, and how library services are changing to meet the needs of the public. These data, supplied annually by more than 97 percent of public libraries across the country, provide information that policymakers and practitioners can use to make informed decisions about the support and strategic management of libraries.

For the first time, IMLS used statistical modeling to examine the relationship between investments in public libraries and use of libraries and found that in most cases when investment increases, use increases, and when investment decreases, use decreases, and that these relationships persist over time.

• Increases in investments in books and e-books, programs, public-access computers, and staffing were associated with increased levels of visitation. For example, each additional FTE (full-time equivalent) on staff corresponded with, on average, a 3371.8 increase in the number of visits.
• Increases in collections and programs were related to increases in circulation. For example, for every 100 e-books available, an additional 345 items circulated, and for each additional program offered, there was an increase of 61.2 items circulated.
• Increases in the number of public-access Internet computers were related to increases in computer use and program attendance. For every additional computer, there was an increase of 474 uses and an increase in program attendance of 52.4.
• Increases in programs and staffing were related to higher levels of program attendance. Each additional staff person related to an increase of 95.2 in program attendance; every additional program corresponded to 10 additional program attendees.

The full report is online at http://www.imls.gov/research/public_libraries_in_the_us_fy_2011_report.aspx.

The state profile for Wisconsin Public Libraries is online at http://www.imls.gov/assets/1/AssetManager/PLS_FY2011_SP_Wisconsin.pdf.

Wisconsin library rankings from the tables at http://www.imls.gov/assets/1/AssetManager/FY2011_PLS_Tables_35-46.pdf include:

CATEGORY	WI RANK
Number of library visits	15
Registered borrowers per capita	13
Circulation transactions per capita	8
Interlibrary loans received per 1,000 population	1
Average number of public-use Internet computers per stationary outlet	34
Public-use Internet computers per 5,000 population	22
Print materials per capita	18
Current print serial subscriptions	15
Number of audio – physical units of public libraries per 1,000 population	6
Number of video – physical units of public libraries per 1,000 population	6
Total paid FTE staff per 25,000 population	23
Paid FTE librarians per 25,000 population	22
Total operating revenue per capita	21
State operating revenue per capita	27
Local operating revenue (municipal and county) per capita	17
Total operating expenditures per capita	20
Total collection expenditures per capita	25

Compiled Wisconsin Public Library Service Data, including preliminary 2013 statistics, is available at http://pld.dpi.wi.gov/pld_dm-lib-stat.


4. NEW PUBLIC LIBRARY DIRECTOR BOOT CAMP FOR 2014

Two years ago, fifty-two public library directors took part in Wisconsin's first "New Library Director Boot Camp" in Stevens Point. This day-long event featured presentations about Wisconsin statutes relating to public libraries and breakout sessions on library advocacy, creating effective relationships with the library board, working in collaborative environments, and working with the media. Evaluations and feedback from this event were very positive, so with the assistance of federal LSTA funds, a 2014 version of the "Boot Camp" will be offered on Friday, September 19, at the Holiday Inn and Convention Center in Stevens Point.

Due to space constraints, attendance at this event will be limited to library directors who are new to the job or new to the state of Wisconsin. Working with staff from Wisconsin's seventeen regional library systems, the Department of Public Instruction's (DPI) Public Library Development Team has identified new library directors and will be extending invitations to them in July. There is no cost to attend the Boot Camp and mileage will be reimbursed. Depending upon the travel distance, lodging for the evening of Thursday, September 18, will also be provided for attendees.

If you have questions, please contact Denise Anton Wright, DPI's Public Library Administration Consultant, at 608-266-7270 or denise.wright@dpi.wi.gov.


5. GLS ANNUAL CONFERENCE HELD JUNE 10-13

The GLS (Games Learning Society) tenth annual conference happened June 10-13, 2014, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, providing attendees different perspectives and information on how games contribute to education and learning. The conference was hosted by the Games Learning Society, a part of the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery, which ties together innovative game mechanics, data analysis, and assessment methods. The conference began with an all day Playful Learning Symposium that offered a Libraries & Gaming track, and continued on into the week with presentations on how to assess games, create games, and inspire. Here are a few examples of what was presented:

• "The State of the Surveys: Framing and Informing Research on Games and Learning"
• "Where do teachers fit? A Field-Wide Discussion"
• "The Sophia Engine: Defining Fun as an Emotion for Learning"
• "Social Emotional Learning: Scaling Impact"

Two out of the three keynotes and the closing Speed Talk can be viewed here: http://www.twitch.tv/gameslearningsociety/profile/pastBroadcasts

The community set up a collaborative notes Google Drive document where everyone could contribute to what they were learning: https://docs.google.com/a/dpi.wi.gov/document/d/10-PwQ--uP-OrXmAcaviW5MCt120EE2fvAxW6PJzZnQk/edit.

Here are a few of the companies/organizations that are contributing towards games for learning:
GlassLab Games: http://glasslabgames.org/
Institute of Play: http://www.instituteofplay.org/
Working Examples: http://www.workingexamples.org/
BrainPOP: http://www.brainpop.com/
Filament Games: https://www.filamentgames.com/


6. LIBRARY OF THE MONTH: FOND DU LAC PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Library of the Month is a celebration of Wisconsin libraries compiled by the BadgerLink team.

The Fond du Lac Public Library's (FDLPL) mission is to support a high quality of life in Fond du Lac through reading, lifelong learning, and community involvement. To that end, FDLPL provides a variety of programs including a dedicated space for job seekers in the Opportunity Center and access to online resources through BadgerLink.

Fond du Lac Public Library's Opportunity Center opened in November of 2009 and is a computer lab and resource center for job seekers. In this space, library users can use the computers to write resumes and cover letters and apply for work online. The computers in the Opportunity Center have no time limit so that users don't have to hurry through applications and resumes. Additionally, the Opportunity Center supplies volunteers to offer assistance to job seekers like help with technology and proofreading.

In the past 5 years, the center has been a success because of the convenience of the location and the reliability of the volunteers. The center is open 27 hours a week, including evening and weekend hours, and is located centrally in the downtown Main Library. The center is large enough to accommodate job seekers but small enough to provide privacy and individualized help. When open, the center is always staffed by helpful and friendly volunteers.

Libraries provide a space for learning as well as materials such as books, videos, and magazines. BadgerLink acts as a supplemental resource for libraries, providing online access to magazines, newspapers, and journals. Information Services Librarian Annette Clark supplements the FLDPL collection with BadgerLink resources: "I use the Auto Repair Reference Center when we don't have an auto repair manual on the shelf." Additionally, Debbie Rosenberg, an Information Services Library Assistant at FLDPL commented, "We provide as many journals as is feasible for our patrons, but certainly can't afford everything. Many have expressed their delight in being able to find full-text articles."

"I wouldn't want to be without <BadgerLink>," saidSusan Ringer, Information Services Librarian at FDLPL. And Fond du Lac wouldn't want to be without FDLPL.


7. BADGERLINK RESOURCE OF THE WEEK

The new GED test started January 2, 2014, and already more than 1,000 people have taken at least one test and 55 have completed the entire battery in Wisconsin. Did you know there are GED practice tests available on BadgerLink? Get started at http://badgerlink.net/college-jobs.


8. Website of the Week

Benefits.gov -- http://www.benefits.gov – This site features a "Benefits Finder" to determine what U.S. government benefits individuals may be eligible to receive. (Website reference courtesy of refdesk.com)


9. CALENDAR

June 26-July 1, 2014 – American Library Association annual conference, Las Vegas, NV

July 11, 2014 – Council on Library and Network Development (COLAND) meeting, Mauston

September 12, 2014 – Council on Library and Network Development (COLAND) meeting, to be confirmed

October 2, 2014 – Annual Youth Services Liaisons Meeting, DeForest

October 3, 2014 – Annual System Continuing Education and Certification Consultants Meeting, DeForest

November 4-7, 2014 – Wisconsin Library Association annual conference, Wisconsin Dells

November 19, 2014 - Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Advisory Committee Meeting, DeForest

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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