The Library Connection

The Monthly Newsletter of the Eastern Shores Library System
www.esls.lib.wi.us

Volume 33 Number 1  January  2013

Click here for the Winter 2013 Bookmobile Schedule

Merger Investigation to Concentrate on MCLS

At the PLAC (Public Librarian's Advisory Committee) meeting held on January 22, Tom Hennen, Director of the Waukesha County Federated Library System addressed questions the ESLS public library directors had about their system's services and structure.  After some discussion, the ten public library directors and the Lakeland College library director voted unanimously to recommend to the ESLS Board, to explore in more detail, a merger with Manitowoc Calumet Library System (MCLS). This will include gathering information, meeting with librarians, library boards, library system boards, library system staff and member counties. The directors of Cedarburg Public Library, the Oscar Grady Public Library of Saukville and the F. L. Weyenberg Library of Mequon-Thiensville were unable to attend the meeting. 

The member library directors believe that MCLS was culturally similar to ESLS, the two systems already collaborate on services and programs and such a merger would be less complex than with Waukesha County Federated Library System or Winnefox Library System.

At the ESLS Board meeting on January 28 the ESLS Board approved the PLAC recommendation to investigate more fully a merger with Manitowoc Calumet Library System.  ESLS Interim Director David Weinhold  has been invited to attend the next MCLS Board meeting to discuss this action.  He expects the next part the investigation "to be completed by the end of June, 2013."  

The PLAC members and Interim Director Weinhold appreciate the time and effort  Waukesha County Federated Library System, Winnefox Library System and the Manitowoc Calumet Library System have given in gathering information and participating in Q&A sessions.

Creating Effective Library Systems Summit

Steve Ruggieri a member of the Cedarburg Public Library Board and the ESLS Board of Trustees will be a representative at the Creating Effective Library Systems Summit on February 4.   Steve is very “pleased and excited about participation at the meeting.”  The two other ESLS participants are Karin Menzer, Interim Director of Mead Public Library and David Weinhold, Interim Director of ESLS.  One of the representatives was to be "someone other than library system staff or resource library staff, but who is knowledgeable about libraries and library services."  Each system is eligible for three representatives.

At the meeting the participants will review survey results from all public libraries in the state.   The survey, organized by the System and Resource Library Administrators Association of Wisconsin (SRLAAW), covered six areas related to system services: resource sharing, technology infrastructure, service implications of technology, funding, awareness of libraries and library systems, and library law.  It is hoped the “outcome of this process will be recommendations and action steps to address how systems can remain effective and to address concerns about and barriers to system reconfigurations.”  The ultimate goal is to better serve Wisconsin library patrons now and in the future.

The Project Manager is Stef Morrill, the Executive Director of Wisconsin Library Services (WiLS).  She will compile the information from the surveys into summary reports for discussion at the Summit.

Youth Services Section

Treasured Moments and Memories

Cindy Beyer, Children's Librarian at the W. J. Niederkorn Library of Port Washington

This year is the 75^th anniversary of the Caldecott Medal for best picture book.  Our library has chosen to put all 75 winners on display so patrons can peruse the changes in picture books over time.  It has been interesting scanning the books and the variety of illustrations that have been judged the best over time.   I cannot say that I agree with all the winning choices, but I am impressed with the sheer volume of creative ideas.  This celebration has caused me to ponder picture books as a whole, not just the award winning ones.    Authors and illustrators have given our society such an enormous wealth of treasured reading materials.  People have been questioning the future of libraries since the advancements of electronic books and materials.  I look around my children’s department and feel no worries.  Picture books have such an important place in the history of our society and I believe they will continue to be treasured for many, many generations to come. 

Reading picture books to a small child opens their eyes to a world outside their home.  They are exposed to new words, new ideas and glimpses of all the wonderful things our world encompasses.  It is such a joy to watch their eyes as they wonder about the words and images on the pages.  It lifts ones spirits to hear a child giggle at the silliness that some books offer.  It may even give a parent a sense of pride as their child recognizes their first words on a page.   Picture books can not only teach reading to children, they also help to encourage a sense of humor, patience, empathy, love, and understanding. 

Reading also provides a wonderful opportunity for relaxation and togetherness.  In the hustle and bustle of daily living, it is so important to slow down and relax.  Reading to a small child causes you to sit, be calm and enjoy quality one-on-one time.  These treasured moments of early childhood should be enjoyed and cherished.  Soon enough they will be off running again. 

And after your own children have grown and no longer sit on your lap to hear stories, picture books offer moments of reflection and nostalgia.  Whether you are looking at a book that your parents read to you or one that you read to your own child; books can transport you back in time.  Every week I have people venture into my department and spend a few moments gazing at the pages of picture books.  Often, it doesn’t take too long before I see a smile come to their faces.  I often stop and wonder what memories are flooding over the patron.  Sometimes they will share the memory, sometimes they feel impelled to check out the book or they may simply leave with the smile on their faces.  Like the smell of your Grandmother’s kitchen, picture books can take you back to happier, carefree days.

Do yourself a favor over the next few weeks.  Wander into your nearest children’s department.  Pick up a picture book and transport yourself back in time.  Enjoy some memories or think of the possibility of creating new memories with a member of the next generation.  Picture books are treasures that should be cherished.

Goodreads

Alison Ross, ESLS Cataloging Librarian

At more than twelve million members, Goodreads is a quickly growing social book discussion site.  OCLC has a partnership with Goodreads, “the world’s largest site for readers and book recommendations”.  The three major core components are user reviews, the ability to create book lists, and recommendations. 

Goodreads reviews are bundled in with the Novelist product - which is currently accessible through EasiCat via the links to BadgerLink.  The reviews also appear on OCLC WorldCat.  More than five million unique titles have been reviewed so far.

For at least five years, Goodreads has had a connection with OCLC WorldCat. There is a "Library" link with each title on Goodreads that takes users to OCLC WorldCat. ESLS library holdings should be listed at the top of the list, based on zip code, and should be linked from there to EasiCat. 

What Goodreads and OCLC are encouraging now is that libraries start creating "Group" pages on the Goodreads site as a way to get more exposure on the web and connect in new ways with local readers who may be using the site already. There are over 2000 library group pages on the site right now, two examples are: Salt Lake County Library and Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library.

Group pages allow libraries to create lists of books and book recommendations, but they also allow for things like facilitation of book discussions (which can be useful not just for book groups but also for city-wide reads), reader's advisory work, video content, polls, etc.

If ESLS libraries are already doing pieces of this on their individual web sites, such as posting book reviews, a Goodreads group page may allow you to expand on that, especially with lists and book discussion options.  The Goodreads staff believe it might take an hour, at most, to do a thorough job of setting up a new group page. After that it's contributing and creating content for it.

On November 15 a webinar provided more information on Goodreads.  Staff from both Goodreads and OCLC provided details of the partnership and information on joining the social booksite and how to take advantage of hosting discussions, multiple recommendation threads, photos, videos and even reading contests and surveys on the Goodreads group pages.  To view the recorded webinar from November  15 go to  http://registration.oclc.org/reg/?pc=Goodreads111512   and sign in as though you are registering for the webinar. You will then be directed to a link of the recording.

Goodreads also has available library-specific promotional materials from the Goodreads Choice Awards which took place during the month of November. Over one million votes were tallied.  Click here to  view the Best Books of 2012 by Goodreads participants.

Adult Basic Education in the County Jail

Sheboygan County, like other counties in Wisconsin, needs to address literacy of all kinds – reading, mathematics, written and oral communications, computer skills, and, yes, financial, family, health, and civics literacy.  Over the last two decades, the average number of inmates participating in Lakeshore Technical College’s Adult Basic Education for the Incarcerated Project is 150 per year.  Nearly 50% enter the program without a high school credential.  Of the approximate seventy individuals pursuing the GED/HSED during any one year generally twenty-five to thirty will identify it as an achievable goal within the academic year.  Of those entering the program without a high school credential as many as 90% will enter the program with less than a 9th grade ability in reading, mathematics, or both.  The depth of need is exacerbated by the prevalence of limited English proficiency and learning disabilities.

Lakeshore Technical College (LTC) partners with Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Department and the State of Wisconsin to provide on-site basic education services for adults incarcerated in the Sheboygan County Detention Center (DC/Jail).  These services include, but are not limited to, General Educational Development Certificate/High School Equivalency Diploma (GED/HSED), basic skills review, college preparation, and employment preparation.  LTC provides a full-time instructor and equips the Detention Center classroom with textbooks, office supplies, and thirteen computers.  LTC provides basic education to inmates of Sheboygan County in both zero to eight and nine to twelve grade levels. Participation in the program is voluntary.  Each participant sets individualized education and employment goals at registration and regularly evaluates progress towards those goals with the help of the instructor.  The evaluation process includes, but is not limited to, pre- and post-testing.  Most common goals include upgrade academic skills, obtain high school equivalency, prepare for college, and obtain employment.

Objectives of LTC’s Adult Basic Education for the Incarcerated Project include, but are not limited to, the following.  Adult learners with support of instructional staff are expected to:
Ø Enter to learn
Ø  Go forth to serve
Ø  Assess attitudes, skills, knowledge
Ø  Set measurable goals
Ø  Evaluate progress towards the pursuit of chosen goals
Ø  Participate in fundamental literacy programming such as career exploration, computer skills, reading, vocabulary, mathematics, written and verbal communication, parenting, health, civics, and personal finances
Ø  Improve literacy levels/grade equivalencies
Ø  Pass GED/HSED tests
Ø  Earn General Educational Development Certificates (GED) and High School Equivalency Diplomas (HSED)
Ø  Participate in the full cap and gown ceremony right alongside other students at the school-wide GED/HSED Graduation ceremony held each June at the main campus in Cleveland, Wisconsin
Ø  Prepare for and/or enroll in post-secondary education
Ø  Obtain, retain, and upgrade employment
Ø  Take responsibility for own actions and decisions
Ø  Be respectful
Ø  Be resourceful
Ø  Peer-tutor in class and in the pods
Ø  Behave responsibly and stay out of jail!

The program is open to any inmate requesting to attend unless there are disciplinary or safety and security issues.  Jail Administration denies only a small percentage of requests.  When time and space provide, virtually everyone is allowed the privilege to attend educational programming.  Thus, on any given day the diversity in the Sheboygan County Detention Center classroom includes but is not limited to diversity of:  age, gender, physical and cognitive ability, medical condition, race, ethnicity, criminal record, socioeconomic status and background, employment status and history, educational level, religion, gang involvement, alcohol/drug use, and sexual orientation.  Inmates also vary by custody level, escape risk, danger risk, legal status, and expected length of stay.

 
Artwork by Chor Yang

Length of participation in Lakeshore Technical College’s Sheboygan County Incarcerated Project is based on length of stay and ranges from less than one week to over a year, a two to five month average.  As long as behavior meets the classroom Conduct Code and the Detention Center/Jail Rules and the inmate is making progress toward identified goals, the recognized duration of programming for said inmate is from point of registration to release or transfer.  However, LTC Instructor Sharon Abel makes it a practice to follow up with her former students and remain an approachable resource for inmates/students post-release.  They can reach her by e-mail sharon.abel@gotoltc.edu, voice mail 920.693.1747, and on Facebook.

News From the Area

Ann Penke, Director of the John Esch Library on the Lakeland College campus will continue as the Chair of SLAC (Shared Automation Library Committee).

Elizabeth (Betty) McCartney, Director of the Elkhart Lake Public Library, will continue as the PLAC (Public Library Advisory Committee) representative to the ESLS Library Board.

The Rocca Meeting Room at Mead Public Library in Sheboygan, through the Mead Public Library Foundation, has been re-carpeted and a new improved sound/video system has been installed.   An assistive listening induction loop system was also added.  Part of the funding for the assistive listening system was  funded by a federal Library Services and Technology Act grant. The "induction loop" magnetically transmits sound straight from the source to hearing aids and cochlear implants with telecoils.  Also available in the meeting room, on request, are earphones that receive sound directly.

Mead Public Library has received $4,000 from the Kohler Foundation to digitize historic Sheboygan materials.  The first $2,000 will be spent on The Sheboygan and Calumet Plank Road Company, 1855-1900, and it should be on their web site soon.  

Interesting Items

* Scholastic has launched a new website, Common Sense for the Common Core, .  For more information and resources related to the Common Core and libraries, Tessa Michaelson Schmidt, Youth and Special Services consultant from DPI suggests their new page “Public School Initiatives Affecting Public Libraries.”  It includes link to recent webinars on the Common Core.

*Job Seekers Networking Group February 2013 Schedule

Meetings are from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Sheboygan United Way Building (lower level).

Wednesday, February 13, 2013      The State of Sheboygan County’s Economy
Guest Presenter:  Dane Checolinski (Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation)
Dane Checolinski, Interim Executive Director for the Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation (SCEDC), will share trends in the Sheboygan County economy.  He will speak to employer’s perceptions of the area workforce, skills in high demand, and careers that hold a promising future.  Sheboygan County’s economy is growing again, but the jobs demanded after the recession are different than those before.  Dane will provide some insights on reasons why 6,800 people are still out of work in Sheboygan County and why employers are struggling to fill vacant, needed positions.

Wednesday, February 20, 2013     Job Center of Wisconsin Website Updates
Guest Presenter:  Amy Myska (Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development)
The Job Center of Wisconsin website has many great new features!  This session will cover all these new features, plus how the new “Employer Match” works.  Find out how the website not only allows you to look for jobs, but how employers can find you!  The website is https://jobcenterofwisconsin.com/. 

Wednesday, February 27, 2013     Laughter Wellness
Guest Presenter:  Lori Lee Saillé (Amazing Grace Wellness)
Join Certified Laughter Wellness Instructor, Lori Lee Saillé, for a light-hearted look at job searches, rejection, unemployment, and paying the bills. Proven to reduce stress, increase feel-good hormones, and put a smile on your face, Laughter Wellness has been shown to increase employee productivity, increase morale and retention, and improve workplace relationships.  

*Julie Elmore, Library Director of the Oakland City-Columbia Township Public Library of Oakland City, IN shared this idea,  “I did a Facebook ad.  I ran it for 5 days and limited it to $4/day and to only touch people within a 10 mile radius of the our town.  I wasn't really sure what I would get, but we wound up gaining over 50 new followers in 5 days. (We went from 333 followers to 387)  And the best part while a few of them were names I recognized a lot of them were people who I didn't recognize.  Which of course I take those as being the people in library marketing who are key reaches.  Ya know those who are library supporters, but may not be library users."

* Youth Services Meeting on Friday, February 8 at the ESLS offices from 9:00 to 12:30.

www.esls.lib.wi.us