How much do you really know about the local school libraries? For
one thing they are also called IMCs, short for
Instructional Media Centers or Library Media Centers.
In charge of the library media center is a Library Media Specialist.
A
person with an LMS. At the Riverview Middle School Library website I found this
great interpretation by Porrie Sturm a library media specialist:
Vision:
The role of the Library Media Specialist is multifaceted. A Library
Media Specialist is a teacher, leader/pioneer/coach in the area of
instructional media, which includes both new technology and up-to-date
library resources. Library Media Specialists need to be
collaborative partners and team teachers. It is their coaching and
leadership that will bridge the gap between the curriculum and current
barriers to student learning. A Library Media Specialist's job is to
feed students' hunger.
ESLS sent out a short survey to the 14 local school district IMCs to
gain more knowledge about them. We would like to thank all 16
Library Media Specialists and 2 Library Assistants who answered the
survey (two of the districts did not respond.) The number of respondents
to each question is in the parenthesis.
How many schools are in your district?
1 ( 1 ) 2 (1) 3-5 ( 8 ) 6-7 ( 4 ) 8-10 (
) More than 10 ( 2 ) Only the Sheboygan Area School
District has more than ten schools.
How many Library Media Specialists work in your School District?
1-3 ( 10 ) 4-6 ( 5 ) 7-10 (
) More than 10 ( 2 )
Which statement most closely reflects your District?
One Media Specialist is in charge of all the District Schools and Library
Assistants ( 4 )
One Media Specialist is at every school ( 4 )
One Media Specialist is at every middle school ( 5 )
One Media Specialist is at every high school ( 7 )
At the Elementary level most are in charge of more than one Media
Center ( 7 )
At the Middle school level most are in charge of more than one Media
Center ( 4 )
A Media Specialist is in charge of the Middle and High Schools ( 4 )
Other: An aide is in charge at the high school building most of the time.
Media Specialists who answered the survey work in:
Elementary School ( 6 ) Middle School
( 1 ) High School ( 3 )
Middle and High School ( 2 ) All
the Schools ( 4 )
Library Assistants who answered the survey work in:
Elementary School ( 0 ) Middle School ( 1 ) High School (1)
How many students are at your school?
The range of answers was from a district wide population of 500, 300 and
150 at two elementary schools and 1200 at
a high school.
Is your budget adequate?
Elementary Schools - Less than adequate ( 1 ) Adequate
( 5 ) More than adequate
( 0 )
Middle/High Schools- Less than adequate ( 0 ) Adequate ( 7 )
More than adequate ( 1 )
Works in all the Schools -Less than adequate ( 0 ) Adequate (
4 ) More than adequate ( 0 )
Is the staffing of the IMC adequate?
Elementary Schools - Less than adequate ( 5 ) Adequate
( 1 ) More than adequate
( 0 )
Middle/High Schools -Less than adequate ( 3 ) Adequate (
5 ) More than adequate ( 0 )
Works in all the Schools - Less than adequate ( 4 ) Adequate (
0 ) More than adequate ( 0 )
Rate what you feel will be the biggest problems facing IMCs in the next
ten years:
Problem
#1
#2
#3
#4 #5
Professional Staffing Issues
9 2
1
2
Budget
Constraints
5 5
3
1
Internet
Issues
3 6
3
Student
Behavior
8 2
Other- Non Professional
Staffing
2 1
Copyright
Issues
4
Time 2
Do you feel your administration is supportive of the educational role of
IMCs and School Media Specialists?
Yes ( 11 ) No
( 3 ) Unsure ( 4 )
Comment: A few years ago the district cut back to one librarian and probably will
not ever go back to two fulltime media specialists. I do feel the
elementary principal does support me more than the middle school or high
school principals. The district does have fulltime aides at each
building so the libraries are open when I'm not available.
Do you feel the state is supportive of the educational role of IMCs and
School Media Specialists?
Yes ( 11 ) No
( 3 ) Unsure ( 6 )
The guidelines are good. It seems to come down to how much an
individual school district values a well-staffed IMC.
Do you encourage fellow professionals to pursue a degree in your
field?
Yes ( 11 ) No
( 5 ) No Answer ( 2 )
Why or why not?
Most current LMS are in their 40's and 50's
-there will be a need for them.
Because of the variety of jobs. You are never bored.
Our role is needed more than ever in this digital age.
Although I enjoy what I do, I do not feel the administration and the
school board understand all my duties, and therefore, they do not support
giving me an aide.
I encourage students to seek interest in this field. Many of them
have inquired about my job because they see how much I enjoy it.
No, because the work load increases while staffing is decreasing.
Libraries have been around for a long time; competent future librarians
will always be needed for all formats of IMC resources.
It's a great place for people who enjoy reading and want to share their
love of reading with children of all ages.
Yes. There is a shortage of library media specialists. We need
strong librarians in this information age.
They would not be able to depend on having a job. You are shifted
from place to place without any input.
When the districts look at budget cuts the administration often feels it
is easy to just assign us more responsibilities (schools/other duties) or
eliminate the professional and replace them with one district LMS and use
aides in the other buildings. I don't think this will improve with
the current and future troubles with the economy.
How could Eastern Shores Library System better assist you in performing
your mission?
Providing EasiCat and the Delivery Service was mentioned often:
They assist us in providing materials to students and staff.
I think they already are in many ways. Providing access to multiple
copies for literature circles is something the classroom budgets won't
allow.
Continue with the workshops like the CCBC choices, book repair, websites,
etc.
I think it would be helpful to try to promote Badgerlink among patrons.
Making available a bus to travel to summer library events at the ALA
meeting in Chicago this summer and similar trips.
The bookmobile does stop at the elementary school and we have used it and
the system libraries for getting books, videos and DVDs for our teachers.
Any other comments, suggestion or questions:
I'd like to see area meetings to pull together school librarians and
public librarians to just talk about current issues. It would give
us time to share successes and ideas.
Allow us to provide library card applications in our libraries for kids to
take home and have signed by a parent/guardian so all of our children can
have a public library card. We can confirm addresses (since we have
access to this information in our school records).
Invite us to work with you on projects or have general information
meetings to share what is going on at the library so we can share this with
students and parents.
Offering workshops and inviting the staff is helpful. We can usually
attend meetings after 2:00 on Wednesdays.
I do feel my administrator supports me and my role, however, I don't feel
he and others on the Board see the necessity of an aide to do clerical
duties. Much of my time is spent teaching classes which leaves me little
time to process books, etc.
I'd like to thank Mead Public Library for always returning books from our
School District libraries when they are turned into the wrong place.
Visit these interesting local IMC websites:
Grafton Elementary at: http://www6.grafton.k12.wi.us/lmc/ges/index.htm;
Cedar Grove-Belgium School District's at: http://www.cedargrovebelgium.k12.wi.us/library/index.htm;
Plymouth Horizon and Cascade School at: http://www.plymouth.k12.wi.us/horizon/HZ%20Library/HZ%20Library.htm;
Horace Mann Middle School at: http://www.sheboygan.k12.wi.us/hmann/MediaCenter/Reference.html
and Sheboygan North School at: http://teachers.sheboygan.k12.wi.us/jshoemaker/
and Sheboygan South at: http://www.sheboygan.k12.wi.us/south/imc/. You can find a link to all the school districts at our page: http://www.esls.lib.wi.us/eslsschools.html.
You can also find out more information about Library Media Specialists
by visiting these websites: The DPI page on Library Media
License Questions at: http://dpi.wi.gov/imt/certific.htm
, the Instructional Media and Technology Team page at : http://dpi.wi.gov/imt/
and the Wisconsin Educational & Media Technology Association
at http://www.wemtaonline.org/se3bin/cliente.cgi?siteid=1000292.
Also learn about a Library Media Specialist in Brooklyn who has found an inventive way to
teach about the internet at http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/16/books/16libr.html?_r=2&ref=technology
or a high school Librarian in Las Vegas who has found a way to attract
readers at http://www.lvrj.com/news/41196682.html
or how other school districts deal with budget cuts at http://blogs.timesunion.com/bethlehem/475/elementary-school-librarians-on-endangered-list
and what about those pre-1985 books in the school media center at http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090317/ap_on_re_us/lead_in_books
.
National
Library Week will be celebrated in many ways throughout ESLS.
Kohler Public Library will host the Cincinnati based Madcap Puppet
Theatre. Their performance of
Aesop's Classic
Fables will be Tuesday, April 14 at 12:30
p.m. Madcap’s
production will feature Aesop recalling some best-loved stories as told by
a cast of Madcap puppets
with
the help of the audience and giant puppets.
The performance is open to the
elementary school and the public.
Mead
Public Library is planning a month long reading contest for adults.
The contest begins on April 1.
Contestants will select titles with a library or reading theme, or
connection.
Prizes will be awarded to five winners determined by a random
drawing at the end of the contest.
Library staff will provide a display table with selections for
customers and bookmarks of suggested titles as well as a list of suggested
reading for the contest accessible from the library’s webpage at http://www.meadpubliclibrary.org.
Mead Youth Services has a concert for children on Wednesday, April
15 at 6:30 p.m. with Lil' Rev., and will feature stories about books and
libraries at the preschool storytimes on Tuesday, April 14 at 9:30 and
10:30 a.m.
Forms for "Worlds Connect at Your library", the Culvers
Coloring Contest will be available for the entire month of April.
W.
J. Niederkorn Library in Port Washington will host an Altered Books
Workshop during National Library Week.
Family Story Time will be held on Saturday, April 11.
The Library is participating in the Culvers Coloring Contest and
handing out bookmarks to library patrons.
Visitors to the library will also be able to browse the
“Librarian’s Favorite Picks” display during the week.
While
F.L.Weyenberg Library of Mequon Thiensville hasn’t planned anything
specific to National Library Week, they do have two book discussions that
week, 3 story times, and an event that they are partnering with the Mequon
Nature Preserve.
Details are available at http://www.flwlib.org/.
In
Elkhart Lake, librarians are gearing up for Culver's Coloring Contest.
The library works with local schools to promote the contest.
Coloring sheets are given to all students in grades K-5.
Participation is voluntary, but students who participate see their
pictures displayed at the library during National Library Week.
Visitors to the library can cast their vote for the best pictures.
Last year the library had over 200 participants.
U.S.S.
Liberty Memorial Public Library in Grafton is planning some book drawings.
They’ll also have special bookmarks available for patrons.
Posters mentioning the attributes of libraries will be hung
throughout the library.
Oscar
Grady Public Library is having a drawing for a gift card from a local
restaurant.
Library 
users who complete a drawing slip indicating why their
library is important to their community will
have an opportunity to enter the drawing.
Members of the Village and Library boards will determine the
winning entry. Staff will wear red “Support Wisconsin Libraries”
t-shirts from WLA. Pencils
and buttons will be handed out to library visitors.
In
addition to the Culver's Coloring contest ESLS's Bookmobile is having a
drawing for free book bags and books. Adults and children who visit
the bookmobile from April 6-17 can enter the drawing. Pencils and
buttons will also be available for free to bookmobile users.
A
6-foot decorated inflatable cake will hi-light the event in Random Lake.
Visitors will also be
invited to participate in a Poster Decorating Contest celebrating
libraries and spring. Activities
planned for the week also include a Resume Workshop, Wii Bowling, Rhyme
Time for 1 & 2 year olds and a Teen Movie night.
Memorial
Library in Sheboygan Falls has taken this opportunity to decorate the
walls on the children's side of the library, with popular framed posters
that children can check out for two months and hang them in their bedroom.
Some of the posters are Harry Potter, E-Wall, Enchanted Fairies,
Bolt, and Kung Fu Panda. The
event is being promoted as “something new at the library for National
Library week.”
After
a Mayoral proclamation announcing National Library Week, Cedarburg
residents will be encouraged to visit their public library and take
advantage of the wonderful library resources available. Residents
will also have an opportunity to get free replacements of lost
library cards during the month. The library staff will also be
handing out "Support Wisconsin Libraries: Keep Us All In A Better
State" bookmarks and pencils. Children who visit the library
can play 'Oh no, Where's Joe". Joe, the dog will be hiding in
various places throughout the community. Picture clues to Joe's
hiding places will be posted in the children's room. Prizes will be
handed out to children who correctly guess Joe's hiding places.
A
display of fiction books to support the theme “World’s Connect at Your
Library” will be available to browsers at the Cedar Grove Public Library
and in Plymouth visitors to the library will 
be
greeted with National Library Week banners and balloons. A book give-away for elementary school children sponsored by
the Plymouth Police Department will also take place during the week.
Preschool story times will feature a ‘library’ theme for
National Library Week.
Online
materials and products are available to help libraries celebrate National
Library Week from the American Library Association (ALA) Public
Information Office and the Campaign for America’s Libraries.
Materials are available in both English and Spanish, focusing on the 2009
National Library Week theme, “Worlds connect @ your library.”
Libraries can download materials at http://www.ala.org/nlw
.
This year's Honorary Chair of National Library Week
is New York Times best selling author and actress Jamie Lee Curtis.
National Library Week has been celebrated since 1958. Don't forget to
include National
Library Workers Day (Tuesday, April 14) and YALSA's Support
Teen Literature Day (Thursday, April 16).
You can download free promotional items at: http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/hqops/pio/natlibraryweek/nlw.cfm
Children's
Librarians Corner
Lynn
Mihm, Sheboygan Falls Memorial Library
After programming for many years at the Sheboygan
Falls Memorial Library, I thought everything that could happen, has
happened. But something as
simple as the weather threw me for a loop.
Sheboygan Falls school system had used 2 snow days
and 2 cold days this winter. I
usually have a program planned when the children have off for a teacher
work day.
On Friday, January 16th the school system declared a
snow day. By Monday, January
19th, the school system announced, with a 5-day notice, that school would
be made-up on Friday, January 23rd, which was a teacher Work Day on their
calendar.
Well on Friday, January 23rd I had Rick Allen, the
Magician hired for a 10:30 a.m. program.
So in the blink of an eye, I had no audience for my program.
I looked ahead on the calendar to clear a date for my schedule, the
library’s meeting room, and the performer and it was apparent that it
would be months before I could reschedule Mr. Allen.
I had a signed contract, so I could not just cancel him without
paying for the program.
In a last minute decision I invited two pre-school
groups and one- 4 year old kindergarten class for the performance.
Then I called the performer to inform him of the age-group
difference in the audience. Allen
was very accommodating and thanked me for calling him and warning him of
my dilemma.
The
program went well, and I had an audience.
On April 23 and 24 Dr.
Winnie Huebsch, Coordinator of Language Arts, Reading and World Languages
for the Sheboygan Area School District and an instructor at UW-Green Bay
will be presenting information on the Adolescent Literacy Initiative
for Public Libraries. The focus of the workshop is adolescent brain
development and adolescent literacy issues. This training is financed by
an LSTA grant. The Manitowoc Calumet Library System and ESLS are collaborating
on this workshop. School Media Specialists are also welcome to attend.
The workshop will be
held April 23, 9:00 a.m.- 12:00 p.m. at the Manitowoc Public Library
and a repeat of the workshop will be April 24, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at
Mead Public Library. Contact Paula Siefert for more information: psiefert@esls.lib.wi.us
.
Bess Haile, Library Director of the Essex
Public Library in Tappahannock, VA has an idea to help stretch her
budget. Their Adopt-a-Computer Program for the public access computers is
just $1 a day for local organizations, businesses or individuals. A
sign on the computer notes that it is available to the people of the
county courtesy of that adoptive "parent". As of February 6,
2009 the library had raised $1095 in "cash donations" and
the promise of $2190 over the next 2 years. For more information go
to: http://www.maintainitproject.org/blog/adopt-a-computer-and-sustain-your-technology
and http://www.maintainitproject.org/blog/a-fundraising-success-story-adopt-a-computer.
We are the first line of
defense when it comes to protecting information behind the library
system’s firewall. This overview of best security practices will help
you understand how to meet this critical responsibility.
This article’s goal is to accomplish the following:
‚ Every employee needs to think about security every day
‚ Safe computing is easier than you think
‚ If you suspect a security breach, contact your network
administrator immediately. It is better to be wrong than to risk bringing
the automation network down
Password
Protection
We
know the basics:
‚ Choose complex
passwords containing symbols, numbers, and letters
‚ Change passwords
regularly
‚ Never use the same
password for two different purposes - but we do not always follow them
In
today’s electronic world, maintaining and managing passwords has become
a cumbersome task. Unfortunately, it’s a task that few of us take very
seriously. Everyone has heard of computer users who keep their passwords
taped to their computer or use the same password for every account. These
are habits that risk the security of your network, your work product, and
your privacy. Here are some ideas for choosing and using passwords:
‚ Passwords should use a minimum of six characters
‚ Real words should not be used
‚ Use a combination of letters, numbers and special
characters (plus signs, etc)
‚ Change your passwords on a regular basis
‚ Avoid using public computers to access password-protected
accounts. If you must use a public computer, clear the cache and close the
browser when you are finished. If possible, cut and paste your password
rather than typing it
‚ Keep your passwords private. Never email your password or
give it out over the phone
‚ Create complex passwords from simple beginnings, such as:
‚ Stringing two words together with a number: bowl6spoon
‚ Inserting numbers into a word: L1E2G0A9L
‚ Taking the first
letter from each word in a phrase: The Cat Jumped Over The Moon = tcjotm.
‚ Make your passwords longer.
Unless the network limits the length of a password, create a string
of text of 25 to 30 characters long.
Use a phrase or words that are only meaningful to you, such as a
line from a favorite song or a Bible text.
‚ Memory tricks are useful when trying to recall passwords.
Visualize an object and create a password from it. For example,
perhaps you think a neighbor’s car is really cool. You might create a
password using the make of the car, the person’s initials and part of
the person’s phone number or address: VWdjw@829.
Now, when you use your
online banking site, visualize your neighbor’s VW and (hopefully)
you’ll remember your password.
Experts
warn against writing down your passwords. If you have too many passwords
to keep in your head, consider password storage software or online
password storage. Some password manager software programs include
Password Agent, TK8Safe
and LoginKing. You
can also find reviews of password management software by searching the Badgerlink
resources.
Data
Safety and Backups
If
you create and store confidential information on your computer, encrypt
and password-protect the files before you store them.
Save files in a read-only format so that no one can change it but
you. These features may
already be in your productivity software, i.e. Microsoft Office.
Backup
critical data files often. There
are external hard drives, flash (thumb, zip) drives, CDs, or online file
storage for your use. Your
software may include a backup utility program that may allow you to
schedule backups or to easily set up a backup method.
E-mail
Privacy and Security
E-mail
was designed to move data quickly, but not securely.
Here are some safe e-mail practices:
‚
Don't follow links within e-mail, especially from an unfamiliar
source. Retype the links into your browser
‚ Don't click on attachments from unknown senders,
especially ".exe" files
‚ Delete obvious spam without opening it
Desktop
programs like Microsoft Office Outlook include security features to help
you manage and protect your inbox. For
example, Outlook can:
‚ Add an electronic postmark to prove your e-mail comes
from you;
‚ Block image downloads from all but Safe Senders so
spammers can't tell whether your address is "live";
‚ Block specific senders and send their mail to the Junk
folder;
‚ Automatically disable suspicious links within a message;
‚ Disable scripts;
‚ Block attachments from all external addresses, or from
anyone not on your Safe Senders list;
‚ Encrypt e-mail so that only recipients with the proper
encryption key can read it.
Security
for Mobile Devices
Laptops
are stolen quite often. Here
are some tips to protect them.
‚ Set up the laptop or your PDA to require a password at
startup
‚ Encrypt confidential data
‚ Put your laptop in the trunk before you reach your
destination. Don’t leave it
on the seat in the car
‚ Put a hardware tracking program on your laptop that sends
an e-mail to the service whenever it connects to the Internet.
If the thief uses the laptop, law enforcement can pinpoint the
location of the IP address sent in the e-mail
How
to handle a Security Emergency
Your
computer is redirecting your Web browser, launching programs you didn't
install, or otherwise behaving in strange new ways:
‚ Contact the network administrator immediately, and
describe the problem in detail. He/she
will want to quarantine the computer from the network so no other
computers are affected
‚ Follow instructions to remove the virus or other malware
causing the problem. You may have to send your computer away for
repairs
Finally,
relax. While security breaches can cause a serious problem, a little bit
of attention every day is the best prevention.
* The Frank L. Weyenberg Library is the first
library in the state to be circulating the Amazon Kindle 2. The first
Kindle was donated to the library. Now the library has three Kindles
to circulate to patrons with a Weyenberg Library card. For more
information go to: http://www.flwlib.org/news.cfm?id=132
.
* The first meeting of the Joint Library Planning committee will
be on Thursday, April 23 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the ESLS office.
* The Ozaukee Press ran an interesting editorial in the
February 18 edition of the paper. Keepers of the printed word:
the booming business at Ozaukee libraries is testament to the vitality
of books and the printed word. To read the editorial go to: http://www.ozaukeepress.com/edit.html
and scroll down the February 18, 2009 article.
* Timers used to control the public wireless access points at
most of the libraries in ESLS have been recalled. This voluntary recall of
two models of timers is due to a possible shock hazard. No injuries have
been reported but the company will replace the timers free of
charge. Most of the timers were in places that are restricted to the
public. Paul Onufrak, Automation Librarian will assist with replacing this
equipment. To continue to provide wireless access public libraries should
manually unplug / plug in the access points to the power outlets until the
timers are replaced.
* View the 2009 Hi-Lo Books for Upper Elementary Grades by
the ALSC School-Age Programs and Services Committee at: http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/compubs/booklists/Hi-Lo_Booklist/Hi-Lo%20booklist.pdf .
* NPR's "As A Matter of Fact is a blog by and
for the audio-loving, fact-finding, truth-seeking, pop-culture-fiending,
news-addicted librarians of the world. Of course, you don't need to be a
librarian to read it." Join the blog at : http://www.npr.org/blogs/library/
.
*
The Literacy Council Project of the Family Resource
Center will hold its next training for new 
adult literacy tutors on April
6 and April 8, 2009. These
sessions will give new tutors an overview of what they will need to know
to get started tutoring an adult learner and will include a discussion of
learning styles, lesson planning, cultural diversity, and the basics of
reading instruction. New
tutors will need to attend both evenings, from 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm.
Training will take place at Lakeshore Technical College, 3620
Wilgus Avenue, Sheboygan.
In addition to the two-night training session, the Literacy Council
will conduct an Orientation session for new tutors.
The Orientation session will provide new tutors with information on
the Literacy Council Project of the Family Resource Center, the One-to-One
Adult Tutoring program philosophy, and the responsibilities of a tutor and
a student. This session will
take place at the Sheboygan office on Monday, March 30 from 5:30-6:30 pm.
Registration is required for all sessions. For more information
on becoming an adult literacy tutor, please call 457-892-6706, or email frcliteracy@excel.net
.
* The W. J. Niederkorn Library in Port Washington has a
new website. Check it out at: http://www.portwashington.lib.wi.us/WJN/Welcome/Welcome.html
.
* Two weeks in 2009, April 20-26 and September 20-26 have been
chosen to turnoff your television by the Center
for Screen-Time Awareness (CSTA). Formerly known as
the TV-Turnoff Network, the Center for Screen-Time Awareness is an
international nonprofit organization, "providing tools for people to
live healthier lives in functional families and vibrant
communities." The website is: http://www.tvturnoff.org/
for more information. 
* D.E.A.R. Day - Go
to the website for more great information, ideas, reproducible
activities, templates and a chance to win $250.00 or your library.
Find it at: http://www.dropeverythingandread.com/index.html.
* An alleged thief left his library card at the
establishment after taking four cases and a six pack of beer at a
Plymouth tavern. Apparently, the card had been used in an attempt to
unlock the door. For more on the story go to: http://www.sheboyganpress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009903070405
.
* Perhaps you know persons looking for an interesting way to pay for
college. The University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan is encouraging
incoming freshmen to submit applications for the University 
Library's
Information Resources internship program. The program provides the
recipient with a work-based learning experience and $5,000 per year in
tuition support. It is provided through an annual donation from
the UW-Sheboygan Foundation. For more information go to: http://sheboygan.uwc.edu/library/staff.shtm
.
* Read how four women used the library to improve
their health or wellness from the Woman's Day March 2009
issue at: http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Health/Beyond-Books-How-Libraries-Can-Help.html
and your library can get the word out for the next contest.
"If the library has gotten you or your family out of a tough
financial crunch, helping you save in unexpected ways, tell us about it
in an essay of 700 words or less. Up to four women’s stories will be
featured in an upcoming issue of Woman’s Day."
Enter between February 17 and May 18; go to this link for official
rules and how to enter: http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Family-Lifestyle/ALA-Contest-Info-Rules.html
.
* Check out the winning entries in the "What
I wish everyone knew about Librarians" contest sponsored by Smart
Poodle Publishing at : http://smartpoodlepublishing.com/blog/?page_id=687
.
* For some reading we all can relate to try Why
we make mistakes: how we look without seeing, forget things in seconds,
and are all pretty sure we are way above average by Joseph T.
Hallinan. With more first time visitors to the library you might
want to share with your staff the "Seven Fundamentals of a First
Impression" found in First
impressions : what you don't know
about how others see you by Ann Demarais and Valerie
White. According to author Mark Mazzarella co-author of Put
your best foot forward
, Anything that's rude or bad mannered - anything that's
aggressive or dominating and bad hygiene - from body odor to dandruff on
the shoulders to crumpled clothes, unclean clothes - anything that
reflects a lack of care of personal hygiene are universal
negatives. They are all available in EasiCat.
*April
is National
Poetry Month
Don't forget April is national poetry month. Look for great
ideas and a free verse contest at Poets.org.
* Make plans for Children's
Book Week by visiting http://www.bookweekonline.com/
. This year it is May 11-17, 2009.
www.esls.lib.wi.us
