WVLS Workshop: Collection Development in a Consortium

Collection Development in a Consortium

Thursday, April 1st, 2010

12:30 – 3:30 p.m.

MCPL’s Wausau Room

300 First St., Wausau, WI.

 
 
Jane Pearlmutter, Associate Director of the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School for Libraries and Information Studies, will join us to address issues related to collection management in a consortium setting. How do you balance your collection budgets? How much weight should be given to demand vs. selection? Can expensive duplication be minimized? How do you meet the needs of your own community while still being a responsible member of a consortium? We'll address these questions and many more during this free WVLS workshop.
 
This workshop will follow the regular V-CAT meeting which is scheduled from 9:30-11:30 a.m. on April 1st. From 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m., everyone is invited to attend the “IT Lunch” and talk technology with WVLS Information Technology Director, Josh Klingbeil. Advance reservations for box lunches (cost=$7.00, with checks made payable to WVLS) will be accepted until Tuesday, March 30th.


Please RSVP by Tuesday, March 30th to Beth Sillars at sillars@wvls.lib.wi.us or leave a message at 715-261-7255. If you have any questions or need special accommodations, please contact Beth.


_____ Yes, I will attend the WVLS Collection Development workshop on 4/1/10.
Name:__________________________________________________
Library:_________________________________________________

_____Yes, I would like to purchase a box lunch for the 4/1/10 IT Lunch at a cost of $7 (check enclosed)
Name:__________________________________________________
Library:_________________________________________________

Public Library Funds Available from USDA Rural Development

Public Library Funds Available from USDA RURAL DEVELOPMENT!

WVLS Information Session
Thursday, March 18, 2010
10 a.m. – Noon (Refreshments: 9:30-10 a.m.)

Individual advising sessions available, 12:30-3:00 p.m.
T.B. Scott Library Meeting Room
106 W. First St., Merrill

Public libraries are culturally and technologically critical to the rural communities they serve. Join staff from the area USDA Rural Development offices in Stevens Point and Shawano to learn about funding availability for rural library construction, renovations and upgrades. The Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, has set a goal of investing $100 million of USDA’s Community Facilities American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for public libraries. This grant and/or loan opportunity targets libraries serving communities in rural areas and towns of up to 20,000 in population. Grants are authorized on a graduated scale. Applicants located in small communities with low populations and low incomes will receive a higher percentage of grants.

Funds may be used to:
 • Purchase a building
• Construct or expand or renovate a facility, including the costs of acquiring land needed for a facility and the necessary professional fees
• Purchase shelving, furniture, computers, AV equipment, and distance learning equipment.

*Funds may not be used for operational needs.

Area librarians, library trustees, and municipal/county officials…don’t miss out on this informational session about ARRA funding opportunities for your libraries!

Please RSVP for this session by Tuesday, March 16th to Beth Sillars at:
(sillars@wvls.lib.wi.us or leave a message at 715-261-7255).

If you are interested in an individual session with a USDA representative after the morning workshop, please indicate this so we can make arrangements. If you have any questions or need special accommodations, please contact Beth.

Update on Badgernet Fiber Grant

UPDATE ON BADGERNET FIBER GRANT

In August 2009 the state Department of Administration (DOA) submitted a $27 million federal grant proposing to install fiber at schools and public libraries on the BadgerNet Converged Network (BCN). There are still 76 schools and 385 libraries on old copper circuits, which have limited bandwidth capacity. More information on the grant is at: http://dpi.wi.gov/pld/arrabbfunding.html, August update section. This site also has a grant FAQ and a list of libraries needing fiber.

 The grant recently completed the advanced review process and it is now awaiting a decision from the federal grant agency. Only a small percentage of the 2,200 grants submitted nationwide make it this far and a final decision is likely near the end of the month. If the grant is approved:
-- All libraries on BadgerNet will get a 20Mbps circuit for $100/month without need to justify this bandwidth. (90% of libraries now have 3Mbps or less and must justify any bandwidth increase.)
-- All systems will get a 100Mbps circuit at $250/month, no justification needed.
-- All libraries and systems must commit to remain on BadgerNet for 5 years unless they get a better offer (e.g., more bandwidth at less cost) from a competing telecommunications provider.

If the grant is funded the Department of Public Instruction assumes that all or nearly all libraries will want to take advantage of this opportunity. If you have any questions, see the above website or contact Bob Bocher, library division Technology Consultant (608-266-2127, robert.bocher@dpi.wi.gov), or contact your system technology staff. - Channel Weekly, Vol. 12, No. 19 -- February 11, 2010

Marathon County Literacy Council's Adult Spelling Bee Fund Raiser

Marathon County Literacy Council's Sixth Annual Adult Spelling Bee

Spectators are welcome!  Don't miss this opportunity to enjoy the "battle" between company, church, school, and other organization's spelling teams, as they raise money for the Marathon County Literacy Council.  Join in the fun and the raffle. 

When:  Saturday, February 27, 2010 (1:00 to 4:00 pm)

Where: Northcentral Technical College - Health Science Building

Contact Bernie Corsten, MCLC at 715-261-7292 for more information.

Please visit the website for donation opportunities:  http://www.mcliteracy.us/

Co-Sponsored by Altrusa International of Wausau.  Donations are tax-deductible.