WVLS UPDATE - January 2013
Since the last WVLS update-
It’s Been MOSTLY About
the ILS Migration
The go-live date to the new
Sierra system, January 9th, is now just a few short days away, and staff
members continue to work incredibly hard behind the scenes on many aspects of
this project.
To ensure as much functionality
as possible on or shortly after the go-live date, Inese Christman, with assistance
from Joshua Klingbeil and the rest of the Tech Support Team, is working
diligently to complete data mapping; establish loan rules; set up text
messaging, telephone renewals, Webpac, AirPac, Content Café, logins, receipt
and label printers, reports, notices; establish authentication for all WVLS
databases and OverDrive; and set up the acquisitions, floating collections and
interlibrary loan modules.
Since full functionality of the
software will not be available on January 9th, WVLS will continue to
work hard following the migration to complete the implementation of several
components, address your questions and concerns, and troubleshoot some of the “bugs”
associated with the new software.
As this phase of the ILS migration draws to
a close, the WVLS staff
wishes to send a
heart-felt thanks to member colleagues who have
devoted significant time
and energy to this project. Whether
serving on
committees, providing
and/or participating in training, completing
worksheets,
sharing expertise/providing feedback at any one or more of
the countless meetings, marketing/promoting
the new ILS to library
customers, or helping WVLS
with other activities that heightened our
ability to successfully complete various aspects of this project, your
contributions and commitment helped
significantly to move this project
forward.
Thank you so very much for your
hard work, enthusiasm and
dedication.
It’s that time
again!
Public Library Annual Reports
WVLS is gathering data and
creating spreadsheets in preparation for completing sections of member public
library annual reports as well as the system report. We anticipate that in mid- to late-January DLT
will announce the availability of the online 2012 forms and provide
instructions for completing that report.
Since we are already fielding annual report questions from those wanting
to get a jump on this project, I want to remind all that WVLS is available to
provide assistance with the report.
Please email questions to annual.reports@wvls.org
WVLS Discussion
Slated for January 31st!
Future
of Public Library Systems
This
year, the System and Resource Library Administrators Association of Wisconsin
(SRLAAW) is undertaking a process to examine how public library systems can
remain effective in meeting member library needs into the future, including the
possibility of reconfiguring systems.
This
process, while organized by SRLAAW, cannot be successful without input from
others in the library community. The
ultimate goal is to better serve Wisconsin library patrons now and in the
future. To meet this goal, it's
essential that feedback be gathered from system member libraries. Here’s how you can help:
1. Complete the upcoming surveys: A set of surveys will be available to the
Wisconsin library community beginning on January 11th. We're looking for feedback from all public
libraries in the state on six areas related to system services: resource
sharing, technology infrastructure, service implications of technology, funding,
awareness of libraries/library systems, and legal issues. The surveys will each take 10-15 minutes to
complete, and you may complete surveys in as many of the six areas as you would
like. Responses are appreciated by
January 25th.
2. Attend a WVLS discussion on January 31st
at 10:00 a.m. in the WVLS office. As
a follow-up to the survey, this opportunity will provide for a more in-depth
discussion about system effectiveness and issues surrounding potential
reconfiguration.
3. Attend webinars about system reconfiguration
in other states:
Other
states have seen drastic changes in how their systems are configured over the
last few years, and we can learn from their experience. Presenters from two states will talk about
their experiences of system reconfiguration from both the library and system
perspectives. The two webinars are open
to anyone interested in attending, and they will include plenty of time for
questions from attendees. They will also
be recorded. The two webinars are:
January 15th 1:00-2:30: Massachusetts
Greg
Pronevitz, Executive Director
Massachusetts
Library System, Inc.
Esme
Green, Library Director
Goodnow
Library, Sudbury, Mass.
January 23rd 1:00-2:30: Illinois
Amanda
McKay, Director
Helen
Matthes Library
Deirdre
Brennan, Executive Director
Reaching
Across Illinois Library System
The
outcome of this process will be recommendations and action steps to address how
systems can remain effective and to address concerns about and barriers to
system reconfigurations. There will be
additional opportunities for feedback during the next few months as this
process continues.
(edited
from WISPUBLIB post; 1.4.13)
Check this out!
Free ALA E-book Toolkit Available for
Library Supporters
To bring
public attention to the unfair e-book lending practices used by some of the
world’s largest book publishers, the ALA recently released the “ALA E-book
Media & Communications Toolkit,” a set of materials created to support
librarians and community members in publicly advocating for fair e-book
practices. The toolkit includes op-ed and press release templates for library
supporters interested in informing the public of the role that libraries play
in building literate and knowledgeable communities. To download the e-book
media toolkit, or to learn more about current e-book library lending practices,
visit www.ala.org/ebooktoolkit.
Mark
Your Calendars!
January 9: Go-Live on the Sierra.
January 15: System
Reconfiguration in Other States: Massachusetts (webinar); see details above.
January 19: WVLS Board meeting; WVLS office; 9:30 am.
January 23: System
Reconfiguration in Other States: Illinois (webinar); see details above.
January 31: “The One Organizing Strategy that Will Triple
Your Efficiency at Home and World” (webinar); co-sponsored with Indianhead
Federated Library System (IFLS) and Northern Waters Library System (NWLS) – 9:00
am -10:00 am; https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/635381118
January
31: WVLS Discussion: FUTURE OF SYSTEMS;
WVLS office; 10:00 am.
February
4: Public Library System Retreat;
DeForest Public Library; 9:30 am-4:30 pm.
February
4: Reception for Tony Evers; Inn on the Park, Madison, 4:30 pm-6:00 pm.
February
5: Library Legislative Day;
February
7: WVLS V-Cat Council meeting; Marathon
County Public Library; 9:30 am.
February
13: Deadline for initial review of
public library annual reports.
February
19: WVLS Listening Session with Public
Library Directors; Neillsville Public Library; 10:30 am.
February
26: Deadline for submitting (board-approved/signed)
public library annual reports to WVLS.
February
28: WISCAT Training; WVLS office; 10:30 am.; details forthcoming.
Happy
New Year!
Marla
WVLS Director
