The Library Connection

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

Volume 31 Number 9   September 2011

Click here for the Fall 2011 Bookmobile Schedule

Balancing the Budget (Part 2)

Last month the staffing changes that will take place to balance the ESLS 2012 budget were covered.  These changes will save the system $44,402.  An additional $19,881 will be needed to cover expenses. The remaining budget adjustments have been listed below.  The System Board may amend these line items after the final 2011 audit however, at this time these figures are correct. 

CE Workshops and Conferences:  Will be severely cut back or eliminated 
Databases: The System will only be purchasing Credo Reference and Microsoft Skills for Learning Express.
WRF:  Adjustment from the other staff members, not mentioned in previous article, contributing 5.9%
State Delivery:  Will be reduced to four days instead of five. The day to be eliminated is still to be determined.
Resource Library: No increase in the contract at this time.
Meetings: More are being done electronically 

Creating Aging-Friendly Communities in Wisconsin: How Prepared is Your County for the Coming "Age Wave?"

Jane E. Jensen, Family Living Educator, UW-Extension Sheboygan County

This is the first of three articles by Jane Jensen.  Ms Jensen spoke on July 20 during the Sheboygan County Government Works Week on this timely topic.

For most of human history, until about a century ago, persons aged 65 and older have constituted no more than two to three percent of the total world population.  As a result of increased life expectancy and decreased birth rates, the elderly in many "developed" countries i.e. (Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, Sweden and United States) currently comprise 15% of the population.  By the year 2030, this figure will increase to approximately 25% …one in every four people. 

This trend applies not only to populations globally, but also to populations in the United States, in the state of Wisconsin, and in most Wisconsin counties and communities.  Importantly, this trend will accelerate once the large numbers of persons born between 1946 and 1964 commonly referred to as “Baby Boomers” begin crossing the age-65 threshold; a phenomenon often referred to as the “age wave”.  Beginning in January 2011, it is estimated that 10,000 Americans will turn 65 every day, and this will continue for 20 years.   

For most people, it is not surprising to learn that almost 18% of persons currently residing in Florida are age 65 and older.  What is not commonly known – and what is often surprising for many people – is that by 2030, the elderly population in many states in the United States will match or exceed this figure, including Wisconsin.  In fact, the majority of Wisconsin counties and communities will have an elderly population that exceeds 20%. 

With these trends in mind, communities and counties across the United States may find it of value to address the following question: How prepared is your community for the coming age wave?  There is a need to identify, access, discuss and develop action steps related to community impacts of population aging. 

Sources:

MetLife Foundation, “A BluePrint for Action: Developing a Livable Community for All”, May 2007
U.S. Census Bureau
Administration on Aging Website http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Aging_Statistics/Profile/indes.aspx
Alliance for Aging Research http://72.32.160.218/content/article/detail/826
University of Wisconsin-Extension Applied Population Lab

For more information please contact:  Jane E. Jensen, Family Living Educator, UW-Extension Sheboygan County, 5 University Drive, Sheboygan, WI  53081   Telephone:  (920) 459-5900 E-mail:  jane.jensen@ces.uwex.edu

Children's Librarians Corner

Purists

Sue Potter, Bookmobile Librarian

Purists.  They only want salt and pepper on their meat and if you are a book purist, don’t tamper with the original, especially a classic.  According to Wikipedia (and what purist would even consider using that source), “ A purist is one who desires that an item remain true to its essence and free from adulterating or diluting influences”.   Many a librarian has fought the battle, or urge, to purchase a diluted classic. Enter the graphic novel. 

John, and yes it is his real name, was not meeting his mother’s expectations when making book selections.  Garfield, Fox Trot, Superman, The Far Side, etc. were ok but she wanted him to read a "real book".  Knowing that comics or cartoons were more to the boy’s liking the friendly librarian found books for John that were not only pure comics but also tried fiction and non-fiction graphic novels. Many a book was sent home and read, but none found the lad thoroughly captivated, until he found the Greek Gods and mythology. Now, don’t think this was a simple overnight success story.  After two years, we had finally found “an in”!    

Besides reading many books about mythology, including regular non-fiction, (I’m sure many of you know where this is headed) I tried The Lightning Thief: the graphic novel by Rick Riordan.  He liked it, he really liked it, so on to the “regular” series.  I tried the first one, he read it and he is now hooked on the series and anxiously awaiting The Son of Neptune.   His mother is thrilled and so is the librarian. 

Rick Riordan’s books are not classics, but “diluting the original” to something the author approved of took some time.  The Lightning Thief: the graphic novel was published in October, 2010, five years from the publication of the original book.  It took that long to get it right, but get it right they did, just ask John and his mother.  Besides his books Rick Riordan has a great web site and blog. 

Now you may think two years is a long time to struggle with this issue, but if you met John you would know it was worth it.  We have known John from the time he was adopted from China almost ten years ago.  Since then his parents have also adopted two girls from China.  His parents have experience on their side, as they have already raised three sons.  John’s boundless energy and enthusiasm sometimes needs to be more contained but he always has a smile on his face.

So for the purists and those of us with limited budgets (and what library doesn’t fall into that category) we need to keep an open mind about purchasing materials in various formats, even for children, and be very thankful that we are in a system where we can borrow and lend materials for everyone to use.  

Amazing audiobooks for Young Adults            Great Graphic Novels for Teens           The Graphic Novel Reporter

For the full schedule of the Children's Book Festival click here.   Volunteers are still needed. 

ESLS Budgets for 2012

ESLS Directors were asked about their budget requests for 2012.  Some Directors have been asked to reduce their requests by specific amounts, others are anticipating no increase or small decreases.  At this time, only one may expect an increase. Many libraries have also reported that they will be using carryover funds to balance their budgets in 2012.  As one Director noted, "Everything is subject to change until the actual adoption of the budget sometime in late November/early December".   

The Sheboygan County Finance Committee reviewed the 2012 Sheboygan County Library Service request on Wednesday, September 28. The committee voted unanimously to approve to proposed budget.  Funding for the  System if approved by the full County Board would be $1,195,230.  According to ESLS Director David Weinhold that vote will take place in late October or early November.

Ozaukee County will be reviewing the 2012 budget request on October 6 at 1:00 p.m.

News from the Area

The Cedarburg Public Library has bid a farewell to Children's Librarian Katie Kiekhaefer.  She had been with the library over four years. A special goodbye was held within the library for staff, the Library Board and some customers. Katie is headed south to Community Library in Kenosha County.

Eastern Shores Library System has bid Denise Cook, part-time cataloger and Interlibrary Loan contact person a fond farewell. Denise started with ESLS mid 2007.  Prior to Eastern Shores, Denise served as a reference and cataloging librarian for 10 years at Waukesha Public Library.  Denise and her husband Bob love to travel , however, she also plans on "having the time to live a healthier lifestyle....taking the time to cook healthy food and take walks, etc.  I also want to spend more time with my kids".   Denise said she will eventually get involved doing something, but is not making any commitments for awhile.

Alison Ross will be the contact person for Interlibrary loan concerns.  

The Frank L. Weyenberg Library of Mequon-Thiensville and the Mequon Branch of North Shore Bank and are hosting a family Geocaching event that combines nature, local history and new technology.   Participants may check out a GPS device at the library.  Passports with cache locations are available starting October 6.  The program ends on October 17.  It also includes fantastic prizes. 

For more information click here.

Interesting Items

* Gail Santy of the Central Kansas Library System had put together a Yoga @ Your Desk practice for a conference. Her practice was loosely based on the desk routine found at http://yoga.about.com/od/yogasequences/tp/deskstretches.htm   

* According to a news article in the Ozaukee Press, the Village of Fredonia is considering, "A community center, possibly in conjunction with expansion of the fire station or in the area of the village water tower in the industrial park. The center would be able to accommodate up to 200 people, and could include an electronic resources center that would tie in with the Eastern Shores Library System".   According to the Fredonia Parks and Recreation Plan (that can now be accessed online) the construction of a community center could possibly include a 'Library Room'. "The Library could be small with many electronic resources, and a tie in with the main library system".   Construction of this facility would take place in the later stages of a five year plan.


The 2011 WLA Conference is a chance to renew YOU!  The WLA Annual Conference, Libraries- A Renewable Resource will be held November 1 - 4 in downtown Milwaukee.  For more information click here. 

* Madison's Central Library eliminates cassettes and VHS tapes.  For more on the story click here. 

* Check out this music video titled “I Like Big Books” which was created by the students and staff at Dowell Middle School, McKinney, Texas. It is based on Sir Mix-a-Lot’s 1992 single “Baby Got Back.”... YouTube, Dec. 10, 2010 .

A few years ago Eastern Shores Library System agreed to participate in a fundraising effort for the restoration of the Ozaukee County Courthouse.  Oz-Opoly, the property trading game is being sold in various locations throughout Ozaukee county.  All proceeds from the sale of the game will go to the Courthouse restoration and the National Honor Flight project.  

Go to : http://www.co.ozaukee.wi.us/Temp/PropertyTradingGame.htm for more information.

* Money Smart Week^® @ Your Library will be April 21-28, 2012.  The ALA and the Federal Reserve of Chicago are hosting a "how to" webinar on October 26, at 2:00 p.m.  Click  here to sign up.  The Webinar will provide ideas and suggestions from librarians who have already created successful Money Smart Week @ Your Library  programming.

National Friends of Libraries Week, Oct. 16-22, 2011

www.esls.lib.wi.us