The Library Connection

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

Volume 28 Number 12   December 2008

Click here for the January - June 2009 Bookmobile Schedule

Welcome to the EasiCat/Polaris WIKI!

The Eastern Shores Library System has created an EasiCat/Polaris wiki that allows member library staff to post tips and questions about how to use the Polaris software and functions effective and efficiently for EasiCat.  It is a private wiki (not public) which means you have to be invited to be part of it.  Library directors and member library staff are encourage to participate.  Please contact David Weinhold at weinhold@esls.lib.wi.us for an invite.  All staff can view the wiki pages, but only wiki members can post tips and questions.  The invitation will be an an email from wikispaces.com asking you join the wiki.  Click on that link, sign up and you can start posting. This wiki address is http://esls.wikispaces.com.

Jen Gerber, Patron Services Manager, at the F.L. Weyenberg Library of Mequon Thiensville, created the wiki for the Library System.  She created one for the Weyenberg Library staff during the implementation of Polaris.  Jen said, “We can all contribute information, ask questions, give answers and see what others are asking.  Think of it as an electronic "daily comments book".  Questions, search tips and any other topics related to Polaris that might be beneficial for everyone to know, should be posted to the wiki.  This is a very efficient way to communicate and share ideas.  It is important to note that this should not replace email.  It's just another way to communicate.”

A wiki is a web site that allows users (such as us) to add and update content using their own web browser.  This is made possible by wiki software.  Wikis end up being created mainly by a collaborative effort of the site's visitors.  For those of you who are not familiar with what a wiki is or what it can do, Jen recommends that you visit the website below for a three minute "class".  This "class" is titled Wiki's in Plain English, and it really is very well done.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dnL00TdmLY

WLA State Mentor List

WISPUBLIB, Monday, December 22, 2008

WLA's New Members Round Table Mentor List is now live at:

http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/membership/NMRT/mentor/mentor.htm

The State Mentor List provides a list of contacts for librarians on a variety of topics.   The list allows librarians to network in new ways, cross-train within the profession and bridge the gap between the generations of librarians in the state.  Opinions on the value and usefulness of the list are encouraged. 

This list is an experiment, and the NMRT is open to feedback regarding its value and usefulness.  In the future, we can always expand it.  It is an invaluable resource not only for new members, but members of the greater Wisconsin library community as well.

ESLS librarians, Linda Bendix, Director of Frank L. Weyenberg Library of Mequon Thiensville and David Weinhold, Director of ESLS are serving as mentors on the site.  Dave comments, "the State Mentor List affords a good opportunity for librarians to share their wisdom with other librarians across the state."  Each category will have 2 mentors available for advice.  

Children's Librarians Corner

December Rush

Carol Langkabel, Plymouth Public Library

Another December.  The story time before the holidays is scheduled this week.  There is one class visit next week.  Then there will be time to get at some other projects that have been piling up.  But first, we have our annual Santa Night. 

Even though Santa Night is scheduled a week later than usual this year, I always seem to be doing everything at the last minute.  This year is no exception.  Unfortunately, a long time faithful volunteer, who had always done a wonderful job of planning all the craft activities for this event got a full time job. 

Now, I was very happy for her, but, selfishly, not so happy for myself.  You see, I am a “craft” challenged person.  Upon sitting down with my 7 year old granddaughter to make something from a little craft kit she brought to my house, she suggested (after about 2 minutes), that I should just spread the glue on the pieces and she would put it together.  It’s harsh when a 7 year old, however nicely, has to inform you that you are not good enough.  Fortunately, I purchased a book about preschool crafts, and inside that book, (which is becoming a favorite), there were instructions for one craft that I thought I could do.  

I made snowmen out of round cotton make-up removal pads.  It worked!  That was one down, two more to go.  The Internet came to my rescue.  I found directions to make something out of craft sticks.  We have lots of craft sticks in our cupboard.  I faithfully followed the instructions.  Suffice it to say, it did not exactly look like the picture when I was finished with it.  So, how about a reindeer face out of craft sticks?   Even I should be able to glue 3 sticks together.  Yes, another one down.  And there were directions to make Christmas trees out of paper plates.  I managed to make a sort of creditable Christmas tree out of that one too.  These ideas would work.  Actually, they had to work because time is running out.  I made a list of a few things to buy to decorate the creations.  

I shopped the dollar store for those.  I bought film for the camera, got out the glue sticks, stacked some trays for all the pieces for the children to assemble their creations and we were all set.  Did you hear the weather report?  Weather forecasters are predicting the biggest snowstorm of the season.  And guess when it is scheduled to arrive?

Professional Collection Additions   

ESLS has added two new 90 minute DVD’s to the circulating professional collection.  

Reversing the Ratchet: Basic Technology Adoption Strategies for Library Workers is a Soaring to Excellence presentation from the College of DuPage.  The DVD addresses pressures library workers face due to keeping up with the latest technologies in the library world.  Steve Bell shares ideas and techniques for regaining control over library technology.  

Library Challenges & Opportunities: Information Literacy for Life is a panel discussion on information literacy and the teaching of information literacy skills required to enable lifelong learning.    Mary Evangeliste, Director of User Services & Outreach at Gettysburg College hosts the panel.  Alex Hodges, Assistant Director of Library Instruction at American University in Washington, Niketha McKenzie, School Librarian at the Thurgood Marshall Academy in Washington, DC and Roshin Mathew, a master’s student at University of Maryland’s iSchool and teacher of information literacy to older adults are panel members. 

National Endowment for Humanities Grants

January 30, 2009 is the deadline to apply for The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Small Grants to Libraries: Lincoln: the Constitution and the Civil War exhibit.  Libraries selected for the project will receive the traveling exhibit for a six-week loan period, educational support materials, brochures and posters and $2,500 from NEH for exhibit related expenses.

"Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War" consists of separate, free-standing sections that span approximately 75 running feet.  The entire exhibition requires approximately 1,000 square feet of space for optimal display.  Libraries that apply are strongly encouraged to make a computer station or stations available near the exhibition, so that viewers can access websites with additional educational activities for all ages.  The exhibition will travel to libraries from July 2009 through 2011. 

For more information visit the NEH website, http://neh.gov/grants/guidelines/SGL_Lincoln.html  or contact the staff of NEH’s Division of Public Programs at 202-606-8269 and publicpgms@neh.gov.  This grant opportunity is open to public, academic, and special libraries and is a made available through a partnership between the National Endowment for the Humanities, the National Constitution Center, and the American Library Association.   

Interesting Items

* Wisconsin’s 17 federated public library systems will share $16.8 million in state aid during 2009 to economize on shared resources and cooperative library services.  Last year the state aid was $16.1 million. Eastern Shores Library System received $621,894 in 2008 and is scheduled to receive $646,769 for 2009.

* Vickie Long, WISCAT Training & Technical Support
Reference & Loan Library, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

A new resource available in WISCAT to assist K-12 educators, library media center staff, and parents, to find student reading-level appropriate material in the Union Catalog is the Wiscat Reading Level Search.  The Search is based on the *Accelerated Reader (AR),* *Lexile*, and *Reading Counts* reading study programs.  The “Search For” text box may be left blank when results showing all items is desired. A specific reading level may be selected or a range entered into the text boxes. For more details, please see the information sheet at: http://www.dpi.wi.gov/rll/wiscat/pdf/readinglevelsearch.pdf*

* Birth to Six News, December 2008 Hennepin County Library

Hennepin County Library in Minnesota has introduced an online resource to help find picture books featuring early literacy skills. ELSIE (Early Literacy Storytime Ideas Exchange) displays over 400 titles, each with ideas about how to use books in fun, interactive story sharing.  ELSIE is located on the Hennepin County Library Birth to Six website.

* Thinking about the 2009 Summer Reading Program Be Creative @ Your Library, check out the DPI website http://dpi.wi.gov/pld/slp.html and the article What Makes an Artist?  by Judy Freeman in  School Library Journal  http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6615489.html?nid=3792&rid=reg_visitor_id&source=link 

* The National Institutes of Health (NIH) web site now offers information on complementary and alternative medicine, also known as CAM.  This can include products such as vitamins and herbal supplements, and practices such as chiropractic manipulation, acupuncture, meditation and massage. A recent a new nationwide government survey showed  41 percent of adults in the United States aged 60-69 use some form of CAM.  For more information go to http://nihseniorhealth.gov/cam/toc.html  

* It's almost time for the change, are you ready? If you or your patrons have questions go to: http://www.dtv.gov/publications.html . If you think you are ready take the quiz at: http://www.dtv.gov/dtvquiz.html .  

* Resources on Inauguration Day 2009 
Check out the Resource Shelf at  http://www.resourceshelf.com/2008/11/10/inauguration-day-2009/ or the District of Columbia’s 2009 Presidential Inauguration website at http://inauguration.dc.gov/index.asp .

* Don't forget Library Legislative Day sponsored by the Wisconsin Educational Media & Technology Association and the Wisconsin Library Association.  Set aside Tuesday, February 3, 2009 to contact your state representatives about library issues.  Go to  http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/legis/day/index.htm to learn more about it.

If you are unable to attend you can participate in Virtual Library Legislative Day. Just contact your legislator by e-mail, telephone, or written word. Not sure who that is?  Go to the web site at http://www.legis.state.wi.us/ltsb/redistricting/districts.htm or http://www.esls.lib.wi.us/legislators.html for contact information. Check out this site for background information on key issues  http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/legis/issues.htm . 

www.esls.lib.wi.us