Thursday, May 2, 2013


Mark Your Calendars!
Upcoming events for May and June 2013

May 15: Workshop fshop a.m. - 2:ltants, Inc. Public Library. In the morning ln Studies: erior Register at: ties in central Wisconsin.rom 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Tomahawk Public Library. In the morning learn about helping the hearing impaired at an informative workshop featuring Medford Audiologist Merlina Brahmer and hearing loop installer Brian Haines of Colby. Learn about the different kinds of hearing aids that are available today, how hearing loops can be installed, and why they can be a wonderful solution to many otherwise difficult hearing situations. You will be able to witness how a counter hearing loop provides assistance.
From 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Nancy Keller, Midstate Independent Living Consultants, presentation will increase your understanding of disability awareness, assistive devices, technology, and local/state resources for library patrons of all ages.

May 16: Workshop from 8:15 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Marathon County Public Library in Wausau. In the morning learn about helping the hearing impaired at an informative workshop featuring Marshfield hearing instrument specialist Todd Beyer and hearing loop installer Brian Haines of Colby. Learn about the different kinds of hearing aids that are available today, how hearing loops can be installed, and why they can be a wonderful solution to many otherwise difficult hearing situations. You will be able to witness how a counter hearing loop provides assistance.

From 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Nancy Keller, Midstate Independent Living Consultants, presentation will increase your understanding of disability awareness, assistive devices, technology, and local/state resources for library patrons of all ages.

May 21: WVLS Listening Session with Public Library Directors at the Francis M. Simek Memorial Library in Medford - time to be announced.
May 21: Webinar 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. -Virtual Not Invisible… Raising awareness of your e-content collections - Join the WiLS staff - Stef Morrill and Sara Gold for a look at what libraries are doing, and can do, to promote their e-content. (Sponsored by SCLS, OWLS, MCLS, Winnefox, IFLS, WVLS, NWLS, ESLS and MWFLS) Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/527421158

May 27: WVLS office closed
June 6: V-Cat meeting in Wausau
June 7: 2013 Lake Superior Libraries Symposium 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in Superior For more information and to register go to: http://lakesuperiorlibrariessymposium.com/register/

June 25: Resources for Libraries and Lifelong Learning WisCat Interlibrary Loan webinar 2:00 – 3:00

June 27 – July 2: American Library Association Annual Conference & Exhibition in Chicago – This is the world’s largest annual library conference offering over 300 programs. For more information and to register go to: http://ala13.ala.org/
Other Sources for Great CE Opportunities

ALA’s Public Library Association (PLA): http://www.ala.org/pla/onlinelearning

Simmons Graduate School of Library and Information Science: http://www.simmons.edu/gslis/

University of Wisconsin-Madison/School of Library and Information Studies: http://www.slis.wisc.edu/continueed.htm
Wisconsin State Law Library is offering classes at: http://wilawlibrary.gov/learn/classes.html

Juanita Thomas, WVLS Outreach Coordinator (jathomas@wvls.org)

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

IMLS Guidance On E-Book Reader Lending Programs

Important Memo from IMLS on the accessibility, e-resources and technology.
The Wisconsin Dept. of Public Instruction has shared a document distributed recently to state library agencies regarding e-book reader lending programs and accessibility. We, of course, have concern that no LSTA or state funds are used for projects that may limit accessibility. Also, in both cases the libraries concerned were exposed to legal actions they had to defend (and, in both cases, settle) as well as ill-will and negative publicity.

 This memo provides a brief summary of the law, the two recent “case studies,” and some best practices for libraries to consider when implementing such programs.

DPI is sharing this as an information piece and resource for you to use as necessary when consulting with member libraries in your system.  The Public Library Development Team is not in position to make legal interpretations of existing or future e-book reader lending programs.  Instead, I suggest you refer to the information in that is underlined from the end of the attached document:

The Department of Justice operates a toll-free, technical assistance line to answer questions with regard to the requirements of federal laws protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities.  For technical assistance, please call (800) 514-0301 (voice) or (800) 514-0383 (TTY).  Specialists are available Monday through Friday from 9:30 AM until 5:30 PM (ET) except for Thursday, when the hours are 12:30 PM until 5:30 PM.  These specialists have been trained specifically to address questions regarding accessible electronic book readers.  Additional guidance from the U.S. Department of Education is available at http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/dcl-ebook-faq-201105.pdf

Please save this information  for future use.  Technology is rapidly changing but this resource captures key elements of how things exist today. Also, in case you wish to refer to it, here is a link to the “Dear Colleague” letter from the U.S. Dept. of Education and Dept. of Justice:


John DeBacher, ­Director, Public Library Development 
Wisconsin Dept. of Public Instr., Division for Libraries and Technology
john.debacher@dpi.wi.gov
(608) 267-9225

Affairs of the Heart @ your library


Love is certainly in the air at the library this month, as February marks not only Valentine’s Day, but also Love Your Library Month and American Heart Month.

This February, libraries across the country are all about “heart.” Here are just a few examples of what libraries are doing to commemorate these events.

The West Babylon (N.Y.) Public Library’s YA section will promote reading this month with Fall in Love with a Good Book @ your library, featuring a selection of teen romance novels. The library is also hosting Candy Hearts @ your library, inviting teens to submit estimates of how many conversational hearts are in a jar for the chance to win prizes, along with the candy.

The Beaufort County (S.C.) Library will focus on a different kind of heart this month, with Read your way to a healthy heart @ your library. In honor of American Heart Month, the library is promoting its selection of the latest books on cardiovascular health and what library users can do to prevent heart disease.

The Sugar Land Branch Library of the Fort Bend County (Texas) Library System will have some sweet treats for library visitors this February with its Afternoon Indulgence: Chocolate and Romance @ your library book talk. Library users are invited to visit the library and nibble chocolates during a special romance edition of the libraries book talk series, which will include discussions of both fictional and factual love affairs throughout literature.

The Mark Skinner Library of Manchester Village, Vt. will host a variety of programs throughout the month as part of its Love Your Library Month @ your library celebration at Mark Skinner. Programs for all ages and interests encourage a wide range of library users to rediscover why they love their library this February. Programs will include Valentine’s Day arts and crafts, movie nights, concerts and an author talk about writing romance novels.

McKenney Library of Hopewell, Va. invites children to take part in the monthly meeting of the “Cool Kids Club” by taking part in Valentine’s Day Crafts @your library. Participants will make one-of-a-kind gifts for family and friends. Special Valentine’s Day stories and songs will also be featured during the event.

The
Campaign for America’s Libraries is the ALA’s public awareness campaign that promotes the value of libraries and librarians. Thousands of libraries of all types – across the country and around the globe - use the Campaign’s @ your library® brand. The Campaign is made possible in part by ALA’s Library Champions.

American Libraries Magazine | 50 East Huron | Chicago, IL 60611 | 2013© American Library Association |  By Megan McFarlane  Created 02/05/2013 - 16:26

Monday, February 11, 2013

WisCat Review for Interlibrary Loan


WisCat Review for Interlibrary Loan
February 28, 2013  10:30 am

Wisconsin Valley Library Service
300 North First Street
Wausau, WI  54403
(715) 261-7250

WVLS is hosting a WisCat Review for Interlibrary Loan on February 28, 2013. The review will be hosted after the CEU webinar “Readers' Advisory: Spotlight on Nonfiction” 9:00 am to 10:00 am. (https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/956951502).
Topics for discussion include:
  • maintaining your library participant record
  • creating a shared document in interlibrary loan
  • save postage use the email address when creating a patron record in your database
  • how to order for your reading groups
  • changes in the interlibrary loan product
  • and much more.

RSVP by February 25, 2013 to Juanita Thomas jathomas@wvls.org

We are listening!


Mark your calendars for the first in a series of WVLS Listening Sessions with Public Library Directors.
When: February 19th, 2013
              10:00 a.m.
Where: Neillsville Public Library
              409 Hewett Street
              Neillsville, WI 54456
              (715) 743-2558
             http://www.mapquest.com/directions

RSVP by February 15, 2013 to: Juanita Thomas jathomas@wvls.org

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Microsoft Offers Online Help to Office 2013 Users

Online Quick Start Guides are brimming with tips and tricks for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and other programs in the latest Office suite.
 

Microsoft's Quick Start Guide for Word 2013.

 
 
  

Microsoft's Quick Start Guide for Word 2013.
(Credit: Screenshot by Lance Whitney/CNET)

Office 2013 users who need a helping hand can find one through Microsoft's Quick Start Guides.  Now available online, the nine guides offer advice on using each of the applications in Office 2013, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, OneNote, Project, Visio, and Publisher.

Each guide comes packaged as a PDF that you can download or view online through Adobe Reader.

The guides provide screenshots and descriptions of the new features and layouts in Office 2013. They also clue you in as to what's changed in the new applications compared with previous versions. As with any PDF, you can zoom in to any page to get a closer look and search for specific words and terms.

Office 2013 carries on with most of the same features as in prior editions. But the suite has a more streamlined look and dangles some touch-friendly options geared toward tablet users.
  
Microsoft Office 2013  
The bottom line: Familiar tools coupled with new features and a simplified and redesigned interface make Office 2013 well worth the paid upgrade. Read Full Review

 


Friday, January 4, 2013

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 CafĂ©, 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 16: Wild Wisconsin Winter Web Conference (webinar): co-sponsored by WVLS and 13 other systems; view programs and registration details at http://nicbits.blogspot.com/p/wwwwc.html#!/p/wwwwc.html
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 12: Five Powerful Email Techniques for Emptying Your Inbox and Keeping It Empty (webinar) – co-sponsored with IFLS and NWLS; 9:00 am-10:00 am; https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/441154878
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: Readers’ Advisory: Spotlight on Nonfiction (webinar): co-sponsored with IFLS and NWLS; 9:00 am-10:00 am; https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/956951502
February 28: WISCAT Training; WVLS office; 10:30 am.; details forthcoming.
Happy New Year!
Marla
WVLS Director