1. DPI launches Wisconsin Libraries Blog
2. E-rate for FY2015 is now open; changes noted for Wisconsin schools and libraries
3. Free access to Edge Assessment extended to March 2015; Peer Comparison Reports added
4. December Edition of the Wisconsin Youth Services Showcase
5. Second round funding opportunity for FY 2015 National Leadership Grants for Libraries
6. IMLS Sparks! Ignition Grants for Libraries Now Open For Applications
7. USDA Rural Information Centers offers webinar on resources and funding
8. ‘Field Guide’ offers resources for community planning and engagement
9. ALA announces revamped District Dispatch Blog
10. BadgerLink Resource of the Week: Citation Resources
11. Website of the Week – Consumer Protection: USA.gov
12. Calendar
=================================================
1. DPI LAUNCHES WISCONSIN LIBRARIES BLOG
At 12 a.m. on Monday, December 3, the first item for the Wisconsin Libraries Blog posted to the blog site. The Department of Public Instruction’s Division for Libraries and Technology (DLT) has introduced this new communications tool to offer news and information of interest to the entire Wisconsin library community with the added bonus of visual content which will be tagged and searchable, allowing readers easier access to posts on topics of specific interest. Readers can subscribe to receive email notifications about new posts on the Wisconsin Libraries blog by visiting the blog site at http://wilibrariesforeveryone.blogspot.com/ and clicking "Follow By Email" on the right-hand side and entering your email address.
With the introduction of the blog, the DLT will "sunset" the Channel Weekly e-newsletter. The final issue of Channel Weekly will be published on December 18, 2014. Channel Weekly archives will be accessible indefinitely on the DPI website: http://channel.dpi.wi.gov/.
2. E-RATE FOR FY2015 IS NOW OPEN; CHANGES NOTED FOR WISCONSIN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES
Late last week, USAC (Universal Service Administrative Company) opened its electronic Form 470 (E-rate certification form) for FY2015 (http://www.sl.universalservice.org/menu.asp). Little has changed with the 2015 Form 470, but changes in the Form 471 will be seen. Most notable is that the Item 21 attachments usually sent in via paper or PDF will now be embedded into the Form 471.
The Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has made several changes to assist schools and libraries with the transition to E-rate 2.0. A revamped DPI E-rate website (www.dpi.wi.gov/erate) is now the place to go and get the latest Wisconsin E-rate information. The new website has information on the Modernization Order, Changes to Form 471, and additional resources and training materials ready for you to use as an applicant.
In addition, Ryan Claringbole and Jeff Knutsen will take over as state E-rate coordinators for schools and public libraries respectively. The WiErate Email List is still operational, but DPI will also use the WI DPI E-rate PLC Google Community (https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/104254567197641671609) as a way to communicate with schools and libraries and provide an avenue for you to communicate with each other.
3. FREE ACCESS TO EDGE ASSESSMENT EXTENDED TO MARCH 2015; PEER COMPARISON REPORTS ADDED
The Edge Assessment (www.libraryedge.org) has been extended until March 2015. The Edge Assessment is a tool that evaluates the public access technology to the community. Edge was created through a national coalition of library and local government organizations, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and led by the Urban Libraries Council. Through the Edge Assessment, libraries will be able to see the areas where they are excelling and what areas need improvement. After completing the workbook (http://www.libraryedge.org/sites/default/files/Edge_Assessment_Workbook.pdf) the library will evaluate the scores compared with the benchmarks and prioritize what areas need to be improved. Marketing templates for libraries to share the data is available, as well as resources covering each major area to help the library improve.
A new addition to the Edge Assessment is Peer Comparison Reports. This customized report will show a library’s assessment results at the benchmark and indicator levels alongside the average results of peer libraries serving similar size communities. Libraries can use the peer comparison data to help make strategic decisions about where to concentrate their efforts and to determine priority areas for their action plans.
Libraries can sign up at http://www.libraryedge.org/library/register. Participation is free between now and March 2015. If you have any questions please contact Ryan Claringbole, the Department of Public Instruction’s Public Library Technology Consultant, at ryan.claringbole@dpi.wi.gov or (608) 266-9534.
4. DECEMBER EDITION OF THE WISCONSIN YOUTH SERVICES SHOWCASE
Find stories about beneficial library outreach, unique programs, a creative contest, plus more on this month’s Showcase! http://pld.dpi.wi.gov/pld_showcase
And speaking of the Showcase, get reminders about each month’s Showcase through the new Wisconsin Libraries Blog. View the blog and click on "Follow By Email" on the right-hand side: http://wilibrariesforeveryone.blogspot.com/
5. SECOND ROUND FUNDING OPPORTUNITY FOR Fy 2015 National Leadership Grants for Libraries
The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) announces the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the second round of FY 2015 National Leadership Grants for Libraries (NLG) http://www.imls.gov/applicants/detail.aspx?GrantId=14. Preliminary proposals will be accepted until February 2, 2015.
From the two-page preliminary proposals, applicants are selected and invited to submit full proposals in June 2015. Applications that address two project categories are encouraged. Project categories were identified in a series of IMLS Focus meetings (http://www.imls.gov/news/imls_focus.aspx) held earlier this year:
- National digital platform, with support to bridge gaps between disparate pieces of the existing digital library infrastructure for increased efficiencies, cost-savings, access, and services. Note: the program cannot support the digitization of content.
- Learning spaces in libraries, including work that builds institutional capacity, develops STEM learning, engages community, and encourages partnerships to support all types of learning and inquiry, including participatory and hands-on learning in libraries.
Please see the NOFO for more information about the types of activities that can be funded under the project categories (http://www.idevmail.net/link.aspx?l=3&d=73&mid=333676&m=2411).
IMLS staff members are available by phone and email to discuss general issues relating to the National Leadership Grants for Libraries program. Potential applicants are also invited to participate in a webinar to learn more about the program, ask questions, and listen to the questions and comments of other participants.
The webinars for prospective applicants are scheduled for Thursday, December 11, 2014, and Tuesday, January 6, 2015, both at 2 p.m. Central Time.Learn more: http://www.idevmail.net/link.aspx?l=4&d=73&mid=333676&m=2411.
IMLS is using the Blackboard Collaborate system (version 12.5). If you are a first-time user of Blackboard, click here to check your system compatibility and configure your settings: (http://www.idevmail.net/link.aspx?l=5&d=73&mid=333676&m=2411).
See grant program guidelines for additional webinar details. http://www.idevmail.net/link.aspx?l=6&d=73&mid=333676&m=2411
6. IMLS SPARKS! IGNITION GRANTS FOR LIBRARIES NOW OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS
The Sparks! Ignition Grants for Libraries are a special funding opportunity within the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) National Leadership Grants for Libraries program. Successful proposals will address problems, challenges, or needs of broad relevance to libraries. A proposed project should test a specific, innovative response to the identified problem and present a plan to make the findings widely and openly accessible.
Libraries that apply should identify a specific problem or need that is relevant to many libraries and propose a testable and measurable solution. Proposals must demonstrate a thorough understanding of current issues and practices in the project’s focus area and discuss its potential impact within libraries. Proposed projects should be widely adoptable or adaptable.
More information is available at http://www.imls.gov/applicants/detail.aspx?GrantId=19.
Two pre-application web conferences (http://www.imls.gov/applicants/detail.aspx?GrantId=19) will be held on Thursday, December 11, 2014, at 3 p.m. CST and Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at 3 p.m. CST.
7. USDA’S RURAL INFORMATION CENTER OFFERS WEBINAR ON RESOURCES AND FUNDING
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Information Center (RIC) is offering a webinar on the services offered by the RIC, on Wednesday, December 10, 2014, from 1 to 2 p.m. CST. Established in 1987, by the USDA as a service of the National Agricultural Library, theRIC assists rural communities by providing information and referral services to local, tribal, state, and federal government officials; community organizations; libraries; businesses; and citizens working to maintain the vitality of America's rural areas. The webinar will provide information about RIC services for rural libraries including connecting to resources for funding, which is the number one information request handled by the librarians and information specialists who staff the center. This webinar is hosted in collaboration with theAssociation for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL) http://arsl.info/.
The webinar will be presented by Mary Louise Reynnells, Technical Information Specialist, USDA, Rural Information Center, Sustainable Systems & Communities Program, National Agricultural Library. For additional information about the webinar and to register, visit http://webjunction.org/events/webjunction/rural-resources-funding-RIC.html.
8. ‘FIELD GUIDE’ OFFERS RESOURCES FOR COMMUNITY PLANNING AND ENGAGEMENT
For close to a decade, the Orton Family Foundation has been developing its Heart & Soul method based on the idea that emotional connections are the real drivers for citizen engagement in community planning and development. Emotional connections can ultimately drive action for the public good when people begin to see themselves and their personal stories as part of a larger community narrative. What’s more, they begin to see themselves as the creators of that narrative.
The Community Heart & Soul Field Guide is a valuable resource for library directors or trustees who would like to help coordinate a process to make their towns more vibrant, livable, and economically secure. The guide details the steps of an outside-the-box community planning process that was researched and developed by the Foundation over the course of six years and pilot projects in nine towns across the United States. Structured as a quick-reference handbook, it walks users through the steps needed for success in discovering a community's true Heart & Soul. Links to individual resources or the entire Field Guide are available here: http://www.orton.org/resources.
9. ALA ANNOUNCES REVAMPED DISTRICT DISPATCH BLOG
The American Library Association’s (ALA) Washington office will launch a new and redesigned District Dispatch blog on December 9, 2014. The new format will better highlight federal legislation and policy news that impacts libraries, making it easier for library advocates to find important information policy news, search articles, share news and "drill down" further into national policy issues. The new District Dispatch also includes a "Breaking News" feature that makes it easier for advocates to find the most current and critical information they need to take action at the national level. Finally, the new blog makes it easier for library staff and trustees to find free policy-related webinars.
ALA expects that District Dispatch will provide an effective means for members to keep abreast of relevant library policy news, such as federal funding opportunities, copyright reform, open access legislation, Federal Communications Commission proceedings and much more. The Blog, along with subscription information, can be found at http://www.districtdispatch.org.
10. BADGERLINK RESOURCE OF THE WEEK
Having trouble with your bibliography? BadgerLink resources (EBSCO and Encyclopædia Britannica) make it easy create a citation with their automatic citation button! Contact Kara Ripley at kara.ripley@dpi.wi.gov with any questions.
11. Website of the Week
Consumer Protection: USA.gov -- http://www.usa.gov/topics/consumer.shtml -- This page on the U.S. government's official web portal offers tips on protecting your money.
12. CALENDAR
January 9, 2015 – Council on Library and Network Development (COLAND) meeting, location to be confirmed
January 30 – February 3, 2015 – American Library Association Mid-Winter Meeting, Chicago
February 17, 2015 – Wisconsin Library Association/Wisconsin Educational Media and Technology Association Legislative Day, Madison
March 13, 2015 – Council on Library and Network Development (COLAND) meeting, virtual meeting
March 22-24, 2015 – Wisconsin Educational Media and Technology Association (WEMTA) conference, Wisconsin Dells
May 6-9, 2015 – Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries (WAPL) conference, Wisconsin Rapids
==================================================
To access previous issues of Channel Weekly, or to subscribe or unsubscribe,
go to: http://channel.dpi.wi.gov/
==========================================================================
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