The Library Connection

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

Volume 28 Number 3   March 2008

Click here for the Winter 2008 Bookmobile Schedule

ESLS Board Changes Meeting Schedule

David Weinhold, Director of ESLS

The Library System Board has changed its meeting schedule from monthly meetings to meeting six times a year.  This change is allowed in the statutes for federated library systems.  At the January meeting, the Board approved a schedule that coincides with required actions for the library system.  That schedule is: 

The Library System Board authorized the Treasurer to review and pay bills as recurring bills and report on those bills at the next meeting when the board approves/ratifies the payment.  During the off months, the Library System staff will send out items of interest to Board members.  The Committees of the Board will be meeting during these months to prepare recommendations for the scheduled meetings.

In a survey of other library systems in the state, many of them hold meetings on a less than monthly schedule.

Anyone Can Be a Poet - April is National Poetry Month

Charyl Zehfus, Local Freelance Writer

Anyone who has ever made a shopping or “to do” list is well on the way to writing a poem. The list poem, or catalog poem, contains an itemization of things or events, according to the Teachers & Writers Handbook of Poetic Forms, edited by Ron Padgett. 

Early examples of this form include the list of major Greek heroes ready to fight the Trojan War in Homer’s Illyiad, and Adam’s descendents set forth in Genesis of the Bible.

Padgett also cites the more recent samples, “Jubilate Agno” by Christopher Smart about his cat’s religious morning routine, and humorous poems by Ted Berrigan about everyday things: “10 Things I Do Every Day,” and “Things To Do At Anne’s.”

Within the catalog form, you can use additional techniques, such as chronological order, simile, metaphor, alliteration, or assonance, if you want. Padgett gives suggestions on how to use these and other poem-making tools.

But the truth is, all you need to begin a list poem is some stuff. Just dump out the contents of your purse, your pockets, your backpack or your heart, and go!

It doesn't have to be fancy. Here's what I came up with for National Poetry Month to try to encourage more folks to write.  

Who Could Write a List Poem?

Hospice nurse, Gloria: “Little things I can do to help”

Alzheimer's patient’s wife, Loraine: “What I wish Eddie would remember

Daniel, downsized at age 56 “Jobs for experienced executive willing to take pay cut”

Bill and Rita, packing for China to meet their adoptive child: “What we could bring to make her smile”
 
Retiring teacher, Tyrone: “Top homework excuses of three decades”

Tammie, 13: “The totally gross habits of boys”

7-year-old Miguel: “My guppies have cool names”
 
Soo-Lee at 3, with Grandma: “Things I like”

Mom-to-be Shelly, speaking for her unborn baby: “What’s there to do in here besides kick?”

Anyone with dreams, disappointments, or a funny bone could organize things to make a catalog poem. How about you?

Books that include more information on list poems:
In the Palm of Your hand: the Poet's Portable Workshop by Steve Kowit
The Practice of Poetry: Writing Exercises from Poets Who Teach, edited by Robin Behn
Wishes, Lies and Dreams: Teaching Children to Write Poetry by Kenneth Koch
Teacher & Writers Handbook of Poetic Forms, edited by Ron Padgett

List poems by well-know poets:
"I hear America Singing " by Walt Whitman
"What you don't know about Food" by Florence Parry Heide
"Good Books, Good Times" by Lee Bennett Hopkins
"The Fish" by Elizabeth Bishop

List poem websites:
http://www.gigglepoetry.com/poetryclass/bugshelp.html
http://www.rcowen.com/PDFs/Franco%20Ch%2020%20for%20web.pdf

In 2007, freelance writer Charyl Zehfus received First place in the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets Triad State Poetry contest in the Theme Category, plus an honorable mention for another poem in the Poet’s Choice category. Zehfus has a poem in the 2008 Wisconsin Poet’s Calendar, and one accepted recently by Ladybug magazine for children. Her mini-portrait of Wisconsin wildlife rehabilitator Jeannie Lord appears in the March/April 2008 Wisconsin Trails magazine.

She would love to see poems from anyone wanting encouragement. Email: wisconsinmelodygirl@yahoo.com.  Website: http://www.wfop.org/poets/poets.html

Children's Librarians Corner

Books for Reluctant Readers

Connie Meyer, Bookmobile Librarian

Have you noticed that you don't need a crystal ball to find a book for reluctant readers anymore?  A lot of the credit for this change goes to children's book publishers because they are publishing more HiLo titles.  They're printing books in larger type with wider line spacing and using speech bubbles and diary type books to attract the reluctant reader.  They're focusing on eye catching cover art.  They're also publishing more high interest non-fiction, graphic novels and the one I like best, the graphic, high interest, non-fiction titles (that we're seeing a lot of lately).  Publishers have also helped create and are supporting the position of National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. I think it's noteworthy that Jon Scieszka, author of many books including the Time Warp Trio, a series geared to the reluctant reader, is the first person to be chosen for this position.

Obviously the authors of children's books deserve much of the credit for making our choices easier.  They are of writing about characters that kids can relate to.  I've recently read some Chet Gecko Mysteries and can understand why kids like the series.  Chet is a hoot, which brings me to my next point.  Authors are interjecting humor in their stories.  Who doesn't like to laugh?  I love sharing Janet Evanovich's hilarious adventures of Stephanie Plum and her Grandma Mazur.  A good laugh and a good book just can't be beat.  Humor is a great way to hook a reluctant reader.  Exciting storylines will also keep the kids turning the pages.  We can thank authors like Anthony Horowitz for creating an exciting character and turning it into a series (Alex Rider) to keep the reluctant reader hooked.   Bruce Hale, author of the Chet Gecko Mysteries, writes "all it takes to create a reader is the right book".  He's right.  Have you heard the kids in your library "talking up" books?  On the bookmobile it’s rather hard not to hear them discuss what they're reading.  It's encouraging to see someone hand the book that they just read to a friend "because it was so good."  This type of social interacting is also good for the reluctant reader.  Hearing from their peers that reading can be a leisure activity is great encouragement.

Teachers are also helping us reach the reluctant reader by setting aside time each day for 'free' reading.  They're encouraging students choice in reading, not limiting them to certain titles or subjects.  A teacher at one of the schools on the bookmobile schedule has created a buzz for the Choose Your Own Adventure series.  We were almost to the point of discarding the series and are now, instead investing in the reissues.  The series, by the way, now has it's own website at http://www.cyoa.com/.  

Parents are also playing a big part in helping us reach the reluctant reader.  They're buying books and magazine subscriptions for their children.  They're encouraging relatives to give books as gifts.  Parents are demonstrating to their children that they enjoy reading.  They're reading to their children, children of all ages.   And they're coming to libraries as a family and registering their children for library cards. 

Librarians are contributing too.  We're giving book talks on children's books.  We're buying multiple copies of popular authors and series.  We're displaying children's books at our libraries and best of all we're reading (and enjoying) children's books!  I think this would be a good time for me to curl up with the first in the Spiderwick Chronicles.

April 13-19 is National Library Week 

ALA

"Join the Circle of Knowledge" @ your library is the 2008 theme for National Library Week.  ALA is again making promotional material available to libraries. Bookmarks, posters, banners and psas are some of the products. Go to: http://www.ala.org/ala/pio/natlibraryweek/nlw.htm for more information.  Many school library media programs celebrate the month of April as School Library Media Month in conjunction with, and sharing the same theme as, National Library Week (April 13-19, 2008). 

You can use poetry to show off your love of the library by obtaining the delightful poster and bookmark featuring "The Library Cheer". It is from the book Shout! Little Poems that Roar by Brod Bagert with illustrations by Sachiko Yoshikawa. ALA gives a special thanks to Dial Books for Young Readers, a division of Penguin Young Readers Group for being able to use the items. Visit http://www.alastore.ala.org/SiteSolution.taf?_sn=catalog&_pn=product_detail&_op=2461 to see and order this poster. 

Other poetry items available feature Richard Peck's "I Read" poem.  To view these items and other poetry related materials go to: http://www.alastore.ala.org/SiteSolution.taf?_sn=catalog&_pn=sub_category&_op=100.  

Workshop April 16

An all-day workshop on outreach to Spanish language speakers will be presented April 16 at Manitowoc Public Library.  Jamie Matczak,  Nicolet Federated Library System will be the presenter.  The workshop will empower staff to meet the library-service needs of Spanish speakers in our communities. The HOLA project workshop is part of WebJunction's Spanish Language Outreach Program and is made possible by a grant to Wisconsin from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

To register contact Robert E. Hafeman, System Coordinator, at 920-683-4870 ext. 333 or rhafeman@mcls.lib.wi.us.

For directions to the Manitowoc Public go to: http://www.manitowoc.lib.wi.us/AboutourLibrary/directions.htm.

CCBC PODCASTS

The Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) has begun weekly podcasts providing a glimpse of what is happening at the CCBC.  Librarian Tessa Michaelson will host the podcasts.  Each program will provide an opportunity to share stories and suggestions for enriching teaching, learning and research in the field of children’s and young adult literature.    You can listen on your computer by clicking on the link below or download the MP3 file to your portable listening device for future listening.  http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/podcasts/podcasts.asp.   

Beyond our Current Horizon, Part III

The current goal of the Horizon Replacement Team is to narrow down the options to three choices. At this point the team is not looking at cost when making a decision. Paul Onufrak, Automation Librarian, encouraged anyone going to PLA to visit the various vendors and look at the products available. Some of the new products include innovative features. These features include staff blogs, notices by text message, metarecord hold options, the possibility for more integration with third party databases, and customization by the library, conceivably with the option to use the catalog to replace the library's home page. 

The probable cost to replace the current integrated library system is calculated at $400,000. This is the high side of the quotes received. At the beginning of 2009, the replacement fund will be $87,791 and the EasiCat Reserve Fund will be $16,261. If both resources ($104,052) are used to offset the cost of a new integrated library system approximately $300,000 would need to be financed. If the replacement system costs less, then each of the library's share would be proportionally lower. The funding scenarios are based on a five-year repayment schedule, 2009-2013. 

Based on the above estimates, eight different funding scenarios have been drawn up to determine how the participating libraries might fund the new system. These scenarios include the cost based on: County Population Proportion & Equalized Values, All System Equalized Values, Libraried Equalized Values, Equal Shares, Population Categories, Certificate Grade Level of Municipality, Collection Size, and Annual Share weighted (Libraried share/12) on four factors: Circulation, EasiCat Borrowing, Population, Crossover Borrowing. 

It is hoped that each participating library board will choose three funding scenarios by April 22. Then based on the recommendation of the Horizon Replacement Team for the new integrated library system, the Shared Library Automation Committee (SLAC) will determine which funding scenario to use. Tentatively, SLAC believes that decision should be made no later than June 2008.

Interesting Items

* What will the library of the future be? What effect will technology, changing demographics, and service needs of Wisconsin's citizens have on the library of the future?  The Eastern Shores Library System is hosting two opportunities for our citizens to speak about the Library of the Future.  You are invited to attend either of the two sessions scheduled in April.  Both sessions will be the same. Go to this link for more information: Library of the Future - A Visioning Exercise .

* These internet sites on poetry include information on readers and writing poetry: The Wisconsin Regional Writer at  http://www.wrwa.net/journal/summer_07/page_03.html, Book that Wisconsin Poet at  http://www.bookthatpoet.com/states/wisconsi.html, the Wisconsin State Arts Board at http://arts.state.wi.us/static/, Poets.org from the Academy of American Poets at  http://www.poets.org/state.php/varState/WI, Poetry 180: a Poem a Day for American High Schools at http://www.loc.gov/poetry/180/, Poets' Corner at http://theotherpages.org/poems/ and the Poetry Links Library at http://whiteowlweb.com/poetrylink.htm. 

* To celebrate National Library Week Culver's is again sponsoring their annual coloring Contest. Children eleven and younger can pick up a coloring sheet at their local library and win a certificate for a free single scoop of frozen custard just by drawing a picture about their favorite book. 

* On May 12 postage charges will be adjusted.  To mail a first class letter it will take 42 cents instead of the current 41 cents.  For more information on the rate changes go to : http://www.usps.com/prices/. 

* Check out "Data on Demand" for numerous databases of Wisconsin information. "Data on Demand" is made available at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel web site: http://www.jsonline.com/index/index.aspx?id=200. Thanks to Gail Skiff for alerting us to this new information portal.

* The Supreme Court administrative staff developed a continuing education program on Serving the Legal Information Needs of the Public.  This program is being hosted in the Judicial Districts throughout the state, through the cooperation of the local library systems.  Although Judicial District boundaries and library system boundaries do not always coincide, they have found ways to make it work.

ESLS is in two Judicial Districts - the Third and the Fourth.  Ozaukee County is in the Third District and Sheboygan County is in the Fourth District.  

On Tuesday, April 8^th, Ozaukee County librarians are invited to the Mid-Wisconsin Library System offices in Horicon for their workshop.  The workshop will prepare librarians to assist patrons who choose to represent themselves in court and foster a personal working relationship with court system staff.  Librarians will learn about newly developed forms, websites, and other legal materials.  They will become familiar with potential problems that can arise when assisting patrons with legal questions.  Presenters will include a judge, a county clerk of court, a court commissioner, a county register in probate, a court administrator, and the statewide Pro Se coordinator.  This is a full day workshop.  Directors who participate for the day will earn 5 contact hours for recertification.

This fall, the Fourth District will be hosting this workshop for librarians in Sheboygan County.

* The Library of Congress

Debuting Saturday, April 12, a new "Library of Congress Experience," will offer visitors unique historical and cultural treasures brought to life through cutting-edge interactive technology and a companion Web site.

Detailed information on the Experience can be found at a new microsite, www.loc.gov/experience/.

*  Aaron Schmidt, Director of the North Plains Public Library has given his thoughts on a modern, functional OPAC. Visit http://www.walkingpaper.org/581 for his ideas.

* New York Times, March 25, 2008

Goosebumps are back. For the full story go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/25/books/25stin.html?_r=2&ref=books&oref=slogin&oref=slogin. 

* Homeschooling in the United States: 2003: Statistical Analysis Report -   http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2006/homeschool/*
This report includes data on the race and ethnicity, income level, and educational attainment of students’ parents; compares the characteristics of homeschoolers to those of public and private schooled students; examines how homeschooling rates have changed between 1999 and 2003 for different segments of the student population; and describes parents’ primary reasons for homeschooling their children, as well as the resources and curricular tools homeschooled students use in their education." From the National Center for Education Statistics, 2006, U.S. Department of Education. LII Item: http://lii.org/cs/lii/view/item/25647 - [LII New This Week] March 13, 2008

* The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation will provide up to $9 million over three years to fund The Family and Informal Caregiver Funding Program.  Projects to promote community partnerships that develop innovative ways to support family, friends and other nonprofessionals who care for older adults will be considered for funding.  The grants are available to non-profit organizations, including aging and human service agencies, faith-based and other community-based organizations, tribal organizations, and units of local government.

“This new program is designed to help both family and informal caregivers by providing resources for assistance with transportation, respite, shopping and training” says Michael Marcus, program director for the foundation

A Letter of Inquiry must be received by 5 PM EST, June 12, 2008.  A fax or email letter will not be accepted. Applicants will be notified by August 1 if their grant has been approved.  

Information on the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation and information on the grant can be found at:

www.hjweinbergfoundation.org
CaregivingRFP@theweinbergfoundation.org

www.esls.lib.wi.us