The Library Connection
The Monthly Newsletter of the Eastern
Shores Library System
www.esls.lib.wi.us
Volume 32 Number 9 September 2012
Click here for the Fall 2012 Bookmobile Schedule
|
In This Issue: |
|
| Merger Update | Two Million Checkouts |
| Learning From a Rookie | National Friends of Libraries Week |
| Start Planning for Next Year | News From the Area |
| Interesting Items | |
Merger Update
Former
ESLS Director David Weinhold has been retained as a consultant to
investigate a possible merger with another library system.
Since starting on September 4 he has met with the ESLS member
library directors and had a meeting with the three library system directors from
Waukesha, Winnefox and Manitowoc Calumet library systems.
At that meeting John DeBacher, from the Division for Libraries and
Technology, was also in attendance.
At the meeting with the ESLS member library directors
a number of concerns and issues were raised. These are just a few: Would a
merger strengthen the library system; would more counties and libraries
reduce costs; can the current ILS accommodate new patterns for filling
reserve requests; what is the effect on the library that is no longer the
resource library and how does the culture of the library system affect the
merger? They did state two
concrete positives would be: Expanding the size of the system wide
collection to residents and increasing the professional expertise
available to member libraries.
The four library system directors discussed the process of
merging two library systems. Only two systems can merge at a time. County Boards and Library
System Boards would need to approve a merger.
These Boards will be making decisions based on input from their
constituents: local library boards, directors and staff; local municipal
officials and residents. A
local library may opt out of participating in a library system by a 2/3
vote of their local municipality governing board.
Merging two library system cultures (services,
methods of operations, payments, divisions of costs, library system staff,
etc.,) may be the biggest barrier. The
four library system directors felt certain issues might prevent a merger: changes in
fees or fee structures, library system staffing, the impact on system
services and governance. At
their next meeting, in mid-November, each will have diagramed the services
their system provides along with the cost and activities of each service.
For a merger between two systems by January 1, 2014 a
new system plan would need to be filed with the state by October 15, 2013.
That plan would need to be approved by the Division of Libraries
and Technology to qualify for public library system aid.
The plan would include the proportional representation on the
library system board (based on the population of the member counties),
selection of a system resource library, and certification that the new
system will carry out the required statutory services.
All counties, libraried municipalities, and libraries must meet the
membership requirements and must sign membership agreements to participate
in the new system.
Two
Million Checkouts
Two
Million CheckoutsStef Morrill, Wisconsin Public Library Consortium
It took almost six years of reach one million checkouts. From 2005 to
the summer of 2011 one million checkouts were made. Circulation
increased 69% in the past year and the next milestone of one million
checkouts in a single year is expected around the end of September. The
Wisconsin collection has consistently been the third highest circulating
out of thousands of OverDrive partners, with steady growth and checkouts
surpassing the famous New York Public Library as well as similar large
state consortiums like the
Children's
Librarians Corner
Learning From a Rookie
Julie Gallo, Children's Librarian
Oscar Grady Public Library, Saukville
Another summer has come and gone and I am happy to say I have survived
my first Summer Reading Program. I
joined the library staff in early fall of 2011 and was given the
opportunity to head our Children’s Services Department a few weeks
before our Summer Reading Program was slated to start. Though the pace was
a bit hectic, the library staff members were a gigantic help in making the
Program such a success. I thought I would take a moment to share some of
the more memorable (and nerve-racking) lessons I learned.
“K-3” and “Grade Three”
sound remarkably similar over the phone. My first week in Children’s
Services, I received a call from a local teacher to set up her school’s
annual visit for 52 students. I asked what grade she taught, she said
“Grade Three” (or so I thought). I planned on including information
about the Summer Reading Program, a few stories related to the theme and a
tour. On the day of the event,
as the children walked in, I thought “My, these are small
third-graders!” The teacher
then introduced me to her “Pre-Kindergarten” students… Luckily, the
children all enjoyed my prepared (well, “modified on-the-fly”)
activities nonetheless.
Felt may be soft, but it can
still hurt you! Gearing up for an owl-themed storytime, I found a
great idea for a flannelboard that I could use. I was so excited to open
up the new package of bright colored felt, I grabbed my trusty scissors
and began cutting out patterns. I noticed that my wrist was starting to
itch after a while and when I looked at the underside of my wrist, I
realized it was coved in hives and blisters! I suppose my allergy to
whichever fabric sizing was used in production will terminate my use of
felt for future storytimes. So far, foam sheets and laminating paper
images have worked quite well.
Know
your off-site venue. One
of our summer programs included a portable planetarium that would not fit
in our library, so we booked a nearby gymnasium for the occasion. The week
of the event, I received a call from the venue informing me that no one
would be on site that day and asked if I could stop by to pick up the keys
ahead of time. “No problem.” On
that day of the event, it was a balmy 90 degrees outside and I discovered
that the venue did not have the air conditioning turned on, nor were there
any chairs available. Franticly, I took the keys and attempted to open any
closet thinking I would locate some large fans and chairs but had no luck.
To make matters worse, the drinking fountains were disabled as well. I
ended up running back to the library to pick up two box fans and cups so
we could use the bathroom sink to have some water.
Needless to say, the conditions severely detracted from the
enjoyment and impact of what was otherwise a lovely program.
Sharing
is caring.
On a more serious note, I have found many resource and idea sharing online
sites to be invaluable for programming and collection development. If you
haven’t already, make sure to visit some of the following websites; they
might come in handy the next time you find yourself with a “creative
block”:
Pinterest:
http://www.pinterest.com
There are lots of fantastic people and boards
to follow on Pinterest; here are some of my favorites to follow:
http://pinterest.com/molliekay/
http://pinterest.com/debbie_clement/
http://pinterest.com/flannelfriday/
Children’s
Librarian and Early Childhood Resources Blogs:
Mel’s Desk: http://melissa.depperfamily.net/blog/
Storytime Katie: http://storytimekatie.com/
So Tomorrow: http://www.sotomorrowblog.com/
Show Me Librarian: http://showmelibrarian.blogspot.com/
Storytime with Miss Tara and Friends: http://storytimewithmisstara.blogspot.com/
Wishing all an awesome autumn!
National Friends of Libraries Week
October 21 - 27 will be the seventh annual National Friends of
Libraries Week. Your library might promote the group in your community to
raise awareness and membership. It is also an excellent opportunity for
your library and Board of Trustees to recognize the Friends for their help
and support of the library.
For more information and ideas visit the website at : national friends of libraries week
Start
Planning for Next Year
ALA and the Federal Reserve Bank (Chicago) have joined together for this national initiative, now in its third year, to provide financial literacy programming to help people better manage their personal finances. On October 18 a webinar will provide information and inspiration to librarians on this topic.
Many libraries in Eastern Shores participated last year. To sign up click here.
News From the Area
There
are four public libraries that can send email receipts to patrons. Cedar
Grove, Lakeview Public Library of Random Lake, Oostburg and the
Bookmobile. Paul Onufrak, the automation librarian, is also working
on setting up Mead Public Library of Sheboygan.
Paul also reported that the contract with Baker and Taylor has been signed for Content Cafe. Look for some changes to the EasiCat catalog next week.
Mead
Library Director Sharon Winkle reported at the August Finance Committee
meeting that the Rocca Meeting Room project
scheduled to be completed had not gotten underway. The carpet
supplier hadn’t ordered the carpet. The earliest projected
completion date is in early October just prior to the Sheboygan Children’s Book
Festival, October 12 – 14.
Interesting Items
* The current issue of the Countywide Library Service Memo gives a brief summary of the merger investigation so far.
* This is the October schedule for the Job Seekers Networking Group meets which at the at the United Way Building in Sheboygan. Meetings are from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 10 Topic: How to Prepare for Career Fairs Guest Presenter: Amy Myska (Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development) Learn how to prepare for a Career Fair, including what materials to bring with you, how to approach employers as well as questions typically asked by employers. We will discuss tips that will not only help you at Career Fairs, but also in your daily job search as you approach employers.
Wednesday, October 17 Topic: Secrets to a Perfect Interview Guest Presenter: Matt Kautzer (Consumer Credit Counseling Service) There is a lot of advice out there on how to interview successfully. This session will zero in on how to “nail the interview” and seal the deal for the job you really want.
Wednesday October 24 Topic: Business Building Blocks (Entrepreneurship) Guest Presenter: Kristin Abell (Lakeshore Technical College) Are you interested in starting your own business? Attend this class and learn valuable information.
