The Library Connection

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

Volume 31 Number 7   July 2011

Linus Rachuba with his New Library Card
September is Library Card Sign-Up Month

Click here for the Summer 2011 Bookmobile Schedule

Budget Considerations for 2012

Eastern Shores Library System faces a ten per cent decrease in funding for 2012.  In actual dollars this is $64,283. The ESLS Board of Trustees needs to approve the budget for 2012 at their meeting on September 26 so the system plan can be submitted to the Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning by mid-October.  The System Board and members of the Public Librarian's Advisory Committee (PLAC) formerly the Technical Advisory Committee, are reviewing various options available to them.

The funding for BadgerLink for 2012 was approved at the 2011 level.  The BadgerLink staff negotiated with the BadgerLink database providers to continue their current subscriptions as well as continuing the Learning Express database and the Wisconsin Newspaper Association database.  ESLS was able to continue its subscription to the Computer Skills module.

The funding for the Talking Book and Braille Library was continued at the same level as in 2011.  The other state level service contracts were reduced by 10%.  We are waiting to see how that reduction will affect the interlibrary loan services from Milwaukee Public Library, the interlibrary loan services from the university and college libraries, and the services from the Cooperative Children's Book Center.

Although there was efforts by the Joint Finance Committee to eliminate WiscNet in the State Budget bill, advocacy by schools, libraries, universities, municipalities, and other WiscNet members convinced the Legislature to modify the Committee's recommendation so that WiscNet continues and is the subject of a Legislative Audit prior to the end of 2013.  WiscNet is also a defendant in a lawsuit brought by an association of Wisconsin telephone companies, which is trying to stop the creation of community access networks for internet and broadband service in underserved areas of the state.

The Maintenance of Effort (MOE) requirement provided funding at a level no less than the average of the three previous years, if the library was a member of a library system.  The State Budget bill removed the MOE as a membership requirement.  Although it is too early to tell how the elimination of this system membership requirement will affect library funding in 2012, libraries are essential to their community and their participation in a library system provides a benefit to the residents of their community.   ESLS had notified Mead Public Library at the end of 2010 about their lack of compliance with the MOE requirement based on the funding they received from the city.  During the enforcement of this requirement, the City and County of Sheboygan sought an Attorney General's opinion about the requirement.  Although an Attorney General's opinion has not yet been issued, the ESLS Board decided to end their enforcement of the requirement since the MOE requirement has been eliminated.

Special Needs Information Requested

These are the Currently Required system services that a library system must provide to receive state aid: 

According to the Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning (DLTCL) which monitors the compliance with these requirements, "each library system is allowed considerable flexibility in developing specific library system service programs so that each system can best meet the needs of the residents of its particular geographical area and the needs of its member libraries". 

The 2011 Library Special Needs Survey Results have been released.  Assisting the unemployed is still a major concern for most libraries.  Many accessibility issues have been addressed in the last ten years however, as the population continues to age and health concerns continue to rise other issues may need to be addressed.  The 2011 LSTA  Survey Results showed that six special needs were included in the top twenty of importance for LSTA grants from 2007 to 2011: Job searching and support projects, Adult and family literacy projects, Early learning projects, Adolescent literacy initiative, Learning Express database statewide license and People with sensory and mobility disabilities.  Therefore, the Division is looking for assistance from you for a future position at the DLTCL.

Channel Weekly, Vol. 13, No. 39 -- July 28, 2011

The Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community (DLTCL) is working on an updated position description for the vacant Youth and Special Needs Consultant position (previously held by Barb Huntington, who retired in June).  The DLTCL is conducting a survey to provide input from the statewide library community to help the division prioritize duties in an updated position description.

The survey asks respondents to rate the importance of a list of the services and projects the Youth and Special Needs Consultant worked on and possible new services and projects.  

Please complete the survey at https://forms.dpi.wi.gov/se.ashx?s=56301B2D2B5640B6  Responses are due August 10.

Children's Librarians Corner

A New Start

Tina Meyer, Children's Services at the Sheboygan Falls Memorial Library

I have worked at the Sheboygan Falls Memorial Library for over five years. Before joining the staff, I was a preschool teacher for six years. I had been purchasing the children's books and doing story time for the local Head Start classes before Lynn Mihm retired. I really enjoyed purchasing all the children's books. I liked the fact that I got to be the first person to open all the new books.

My first story time after Lynn left couldn't have gone worse, Murphy's law.  I was doing a flannel board activity and one of the new children to join us, stood up and started pulling my "buzzing bees" from the board. The children were talking to each other, and moving around the room. After the story time was done, I was almost dreading the following week. The next week was a new topic and went much better. The following week even better. I get a new start each week with a new topic. The moms and grandmothers that bring the children each week have been great! They have been very encouraging.

The summer reading program is the same concept, each summer a new start with a new topic. We get to put up different decorations, purchase different incentives, pick different books to read, and hire different performers to visit. 

Over the years of teaching preschool and doing story time, I have learned a valuable lesson.  Be flexible! Tomorrow is a new day. Next week is a new topic.  Next summer is a new summer reading program. Live and learn!

Keeping Public Library Records

Have you had an interviewing process lately?  According to the Record Retention Schedule for Wisconsin's Public Libraries and Public Library Systems, the library should retain the files, even for those not hired, for four years.  This includes: "applications, correspondence, interview notes and any other material related to the interview process" for the candidates who were not hired for the position.   If you have an open application file the forms should be retained for 180 days.

If the library has requested or received a legal opinion from an attorney, the files should contain all the correspondence with the attorney. Even if the the record is superseded by a more current opinion the file should still be retained for an additional five years. 

Compliments/Complaints/Suggestions should be kept until acted upon and for one additional year.

If your facility has a vehicle all records: financial, maintenance information, insurance documents, and fuel/use records should be kept for the life of the vehicle.

Library Newsletters should be kept while current and three years thereafter.  These publications are created to inform the public and staff of events, policies, and other matters of interest to the library.  They may include programming calendars, updates on electronic resources, or changes in library policies.  System newsletters are only needed until no longer needed for reference. These items communicate new policies and procedures and relate important news to employees and/or system members and are used to disseminate information to promote staff/system cohesion. Due to their historical significant all newsletters may be permanently retained.  

Additional information on publicity, interlibrary loan, employee injury records (to be keep for 30 years) and much more can be found by clicking on the link in the first paragraph. 

News from the Area

The John Michael Kohler Arts Center is looking for a Librarian/Archivist.  The ideal candidate will have knowledge of current library systems and technologies and particular knowledge of advanced digital imaging systems. A motivated person who can work independently, with exceptional organizational skills and a keen attention to detail is essential. Knowledge of archival theory; experience with processing archival collections, and knowledge of art history is a plus. For more information click on the link above to the the Job Center of Wisconsin.

The City of Cedarburg and the Village of Grafton have formed a committee to explore consolidating the Grafton and Cedarburg library boards to promote joint planning and operations.  According to ESLS Director David Weinhold , "There is a similar arrangement for the Villages of Kimberly and Little Chute, two library buildings with one library director and one library board.   If the Cedarburg and Grafton explore this arrangement, I would expect them to appoint a joint library planning committee and address the requirements in joint library statutes.  It will require cooperation by both communities to make sure that each community continues to receive the library services they have come to expect from their individual libraries.  The Library System would be willing to help them with their exploration".   

The Kimberly-Little Chute Public Library has a very interesting FAQ.  You can also check out the Wisconsin State Statue 43.53 on Joint libraries. 

In May, the Sheboygan Falls Memorial Library created a clerk position to manage its ever increasing number of EasiCat transactions.  While patrons still browse materials collections in Sheboygan Falls, more and more of them are turning to EasiCat to hold items for predictable pickups or asking that materials be transferred from other libraries for pick up in Falls. 

Shannon Schuren, the new clerk, handles the daily pull list, checks in all items as they come off the delivery van, and makes phone calls to patrons to let them know their holds are available. According to Director Scott Gehrig, " So far it’s working as planned.  The rest of the staff has gained time to attend to duties neglected because of the EasiCat load.  Shannon has become familiar with her tasks and is beginning to fine tune our notification system and get ready for taking on overdue notices and other duties.  And who knows, as the job evolves and the newness fades, we may be able to come with a better name for the position".

Cataloging News

Paul Onufrak, the Automation Librarian and Alison Ross the Cataloging Librarian have finally worked out the details of updating and deleting ESLS holdings in OCLC.  This means that each of the ESLS member libraries now have their individual library's holding on OCLC and they may be contacted to interlibrary loan their material.  As an example, in WorldCat click on this DVD owned by the Bookmobile.  Alison is working on the interlibrary loan details and contact information.  The updates and deletions are up to date and Paul has once again initiated a regular purge of deleted item records from Polaris.  He is hoping to do this on a biweekly schedule.

Due to the budget shortfall, Paul and Alison also investigated SkyRiver as a possible alternative to OCLC as a source of cataloging records.  Several libraries and systems attended a demo by the cataloger from Racine Public Library.  Although there are some cost savings there are also some workload concerns if this system would be used.

Important News About NetLibrary eBooks  

From IFLS NewsFlashes, June 2011

Access to NetLibrary eBooks was migrated from the NetLibrary platform to the EBSCOhost platform in July 2011. 

These are some of the enhancements:

•       Integrated searching of eBooks and journal articles

•       Enhanced eBook viewer

•       Improved research tools (folder, citation exports, powerful EBSCOhost features)

•       Easily narrow result list by subjects, categories, authors, and more

•       Enhanced notes feature

•       Enhanced download experience

•       eBook landing pages for enriched browsing

•       Select-your-own checkout duration

•       Greater support for Apple devices for Audiobook downloads

When eBooks are migrated from NetLibrary to the EBSCOhost platform, any current NetLibrary account information; checkout/download history; current checkouts, downloads and any information on holds placed on eBooks; and any notes that were created will NOT be migrated to the new system, and will no longer be available. If any of this account information has not been saved prior to July 16th it will not be available afterward.   Note:  On the EBSCOhost platform, if the title chosen to download is in use by another patron, and if the library offers Holds capabilities, you will have the opportunity to place a hold on the title to download when it becomes available.  The title will be placed in the Holds area of your EBSCOhost Folder.

If users have an existing My EBSCOhost account, they will be able to use this same account for eBooks on the EBSCOhost platform going forward. If you do not have a current My EBSCOhost account, you can create one within EBSCOhost.

The existing NetLibrary Media Center and the current version of NetLibrary Download Manager will continue to function until the migration in July. Upon release on the EBSCOhost platform, a new and enhanced version of Download Manager will be made available to you via the EBSCOhost interface, and the existing NetLibrary Media Center and NetLibrary Download Manager will be retired.  

ESLS Automation Librarian Paul Onufrak is currently working on this project to get it running smoothly.  Patrons are still able to link to titles through EasiCat.

Library Board Members Needed

Applicants from rural Sheboygan County are being sought to fill a total of five member-at-large positions on local library boards in the Eastern Shores Library System.

The five public libraries are: Cedar Grove Public Library, Elkhart Lake Public Library, Oostburg Public Library, Plymouth Public Library and Sheboygan Falls Memorial Library.

Applicants must be from a town or village without a library. The new member for each board would be appointed to a 3-year term that runs through April 30, 2014. The appointments are made by County Administrator Adam Payne and are subject to confirmation by the full County Board.

Sheboygan County reimburses public libraries in the Eastern Shores Library System for services provided to non-libraried residents of the county. If those payments exceed a certain amount for a library, the county is authorized to make an appointment to the local library board. This provides representation from the municipalities that pay the county library tax.

Interested applicants should have submitted  a letter indicating their interest County Administrator Adam Payne, by Thursday, July 28. 

Interesting Items

*   Do you need some help informing your existing or new Board members about their responsibilities or trying to motivate community residents about serving on your Board then take a look at this site by the Wyoming State Library.

* Looking for an old recipe, or one you just know you saw in the newspaper? For more than 20 years, from the 1960s until the 1980s, librarians at the Milwaukee Public Library clipped hundreds of recipes from the Milwaukee Journal and Milwaukee Sentinel. These recipes were heavily used at Ready Reference to answer telephone questions relating to various recipes. Now you can peruse these recipes yourself by clicking here. 

* The ebookreader.com  has a blog, comparison reviews and locations of free e-books.

* FAQ on e-books by the American Library Association Office for Information Technology Policy's E-Books Task Force.

* Read more! Doctor's orders. 

* Check out You are what you read by Scholastic. 

* If you were born in the 1900's, take the last two digits of the year in which you were born - now add the age you will be this year.  The results will be 111 for everyone in the whole world. 

www.esls.lib.wi.us