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BECOMING MORE MANNERLY
One of my New Year’s resolutions is to focus on being more mannerly because it seems that the world is getting increasingly less so.  I must not be the only one who feels this way because I read the following in Lynne Truss’ most recent book Talk to the Hand : The Utter Bloody Rudeness of Everyday Life (or Six Good Reasons to Stay Home and Bolt the Door) …

“Manners are about showing consideration and using empathy.  But they are also about being connected to a common good; they are about being better.  Respect and consideration are traditionally due to people for all sorts of reasons, some big, some small.  Here are 20 (mostly lapsed) reasons to show special politeness to other people.

1. They are older.
2. They know more than you do.
3. They know less than you do.
4. They got here first.
5. They have educational qualifications in   the subject under discussion.
6. You are in their house.
7. They once helped you financially.
8. They have been good to you all your life.
9. They are less fortunate than you.
10. They have achieved special status in the wider world.
11. You are serving them in a shop.
12. They are in the right.
13. They are your boss.
14. They work for you.
15. They are a policeman/ teacher/ doctor/judge.
16. They are in need.
17. They are doing you a favor.
18. They paid for the tickets.
19. You phoned them, not the other way around.
20. They have a menial job.”
 

CREATIVE FUNDRAISING
Fundraising is something most of us don’t even want to think about.  We haven’t got the skills to attack the issue ‘big time’ and we feel embarrassed asking for money.  Consequently libraries continue to raise funds in dribs and drabs…better than nothing but painful none-the-less.  I recently read on one of the library-related web-sites that I track (sorry I didn’t get the citation) about the following way to raise money.  It seemed too creative not to share it with you.

Those Who Came to Dinner Raised Money for the Library

One library reported that one of the most profitable fundraisers it ever had was “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?” to celebrate the library’s anniversary.  The library and the local museum were able to get the services of a state group of young people who research and perform in costume historical persons. They charged $10.00/person or $15.00/couple.  

A local restaurant catered a buffet dinner in the library.  The “historical characters” inter-acted with the diners and the diners had to guess who they were.  The person who guessed the most correct received a prize.  Those who attended said it was a great success.

OFFICE ETIQUETTE FOR DUMMIES – Five Simple Rules for Peace on the Job
In today’s fast paced world of high speed Internet, text messaging, fax machines, etc., it often appears as if the basic skills of relating to one another have been lost…Thus the need for reminders…

Rule No. 1: Professional Courtesy – When a co-worker says, “Good morning,” politely respond with a similar greeting.  Better yet, initiate the exchange.  This rule also applies to responding to other forms of communication such as voice mail, e-mail, etc.  If someone went through the trouble of leaving you a message, demonstrate the same professional courtesy of making a reply…

Rule No.2:  Personal Responsibility – There have been numerous studies concluding the larger the number of people, the less perceived amount of personal responsibility.  Let’s say, for example, that there is a team meeting on Wednesday morning.  You know “Jim” will probably be late, so what’s the harm if you show up 10-15 minutes late?...And leave without cleaning up the crumbs from the donut you ate or rinsing out your coffee cup?...Also, when you make a mistake, own up to it…Don’t blame it on someone else…

Rule No. 3:  Mindfulness – This is about being in the present and focusing on the subject and/or person at hand…When you are attentive and alert, you avoid the risk of being careless…

Rule No. 4:  Respect – Probably the most important, yet most often overlooked rule.  Respect simply means to have consideration for others…”Treat others the way you want to be treated”…

Rule No. 5:  Employ Humor – When you’re at the ‘boiling point’… (1) send yourself a bouquet of flowers with a sympathy card;  (2) decorate your…space with pictures, articles, quotes, which make you smile;  (3) send the annoying coworker or boss flowers (the cheapest you can find) without a signature (it’ll drive him/her crazy);  (4) take a day off…  (5) write an article…like this and share it…          
(Edited with permission from an article written by Debbie Merkel, CSP Professional, at Lincoln Health Care Center as seen in the November, 2005 North Central’s Employer Bulletin, North Central Health Care, Wausau, WI)

-- Heather Eldred

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IN THE SYSTEM

LAMPLIGHTER QUIZ

WVLS produces a monthly online newsletter, The Lamplighter.  The purpose of this newsletter is to keep the WVLS library community informed of area, statewide and national library-related events and activities.  Occasionally, it even offers a bit of trivia and humor to brighten your day. 

Test yourself to see just how well you have been following The Lamplighter ‘news’ by answering the following 12 questions based on the 2005 issues of this newsletter.  All issues of The Lamplighter are accessible by clicking on http://wvls.lib.wi.us/Newsletter/newsindex.htm  

The first 5 WVLS-area readers to email the correct answers to all 12 questions will win prizes.  Email your answers to The Lamplighter editor, Marla Sepnafski, at msepnaf@wvls.lib.wi.us by January 31, 2006.

Winners will be announced in the February 2006 issue of the newsletter.  Good luck. 

1.       January’s issue listed the names of the 15 members of the WVLS Board of Trustees.  How many of the members’ terms will expire in December 2007? 

2.       The February issue announced that a WVLS library director was appointed by Governor Doyle to serve on the Council on Library and Network Development.  Who is that person? 

3.       In the March newsletter, the availability of an ALA publication to help library trustees and Friends learn how to be better advocates for libraries was announced.  What is the name of that publication? 

4.       In April, readers learned that some 500 million lunchbox treats were celebrating their 75^th anniversary.  Name that sweet item. 

5.       Name the WVLS board member whose article about ‘Gorillas’ in the board room appeared in the May issue.  For ‘extra credit’, what WVLS County does he represent on the WVLS Board? 

6.       June’s issue included an article that reminded us how things have changed over the past century.  What was the average wage in the U.S. in 1905? 

7.       In July, it was announced that a WVLS-area web site received the Genealogy Sleuth Excellence Award.  Name the web site. 

8.       The August newsletter celebrated 44 years of WVLS service.  In what year did the State of Wisconsin begin to provide financial support for Wisconsin’s public library systems? 

9.       In September, the newsletter included a list of ‘worldview’ issues of students in the freshman class of what Wisconsin college? 

10.   The October issue announced changes in the addresses of the five listservs created by WVLS to streamline area wide communication.  Name them. 

11.   A quote from an unknown source stating what would happen to unattended children in the library appeared in the November issue.  What is that warning? 

12.   An experiment to prove that online map services do not necessarily provide the best driving directions was mentioned in the December issue.  What magazine conducted the experiment?

YOUTH MATTERS

FAVORITE ANIMALS FEATURED ON U.S. STAMPS
In January, the Post Office is issuing postage stamps featuring popular animals from children’s books.  This could inspire many creative display opportunities for your library!  Following are the animals that will be on the stamps:  The Very Hungry Caterpillar (The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle); Maisy (Maisy's ABC by Lucy Cousins); Wild Thing (Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak); Curious George (Curious George Flies A Kite by Margaret and H.A. Rey); Wilbur (Charlotte's Web by E.B. White); Frederick (Frederick by Leo Lionni); Olivia (Olivia by Ian Falconer); and Fox in Socks (Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss).
(pubyac listserv; 12/6/05)

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2006 WVLS SLP Workshop Friday, 2/17/06 Marathon Co. Public Library 300 First St., Wausau, WI 54403 (In case of inclement weather, alternate date is 2/22/06) 9-9:30 a.m.  MCPL Children’s Room:  Coffee and conversation 9:30-10:30 a.m.  Grassroots Meeting/Sharing Session 10:45 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.  MCPL Wausau Room:  Marge Loch-Wouters Presents “An Exaltation of Critters”     Summer Fun for Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales Don’t be sheepish!  There’s no need to pussyfoot around.  Join us for a rollicking good time as we talk turkey about great ways to make 2006 the best summer reading program ever.  Activities, games, programs, stories and much more will make your work duck soup.  We’ll look at time-saving, fun ideas so you don’t have to work like a dog.  So quick like a bunny, get signed up—it’ll be more fun than a barrel of monkeys!  Marge Loch-Wouters is a looonnnnnnggg-time children’s librarian and storyteller (she has the crow’s feet to show for it) and happy as a clam to travel and do workshops with colleagues around the state. Please R.S.V.P. by Tuesday, February 14th to Beth Sillars at WVLS,

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Mark Your Calendars!
19^th ANNUAL CHILDREN’S BOOK FEST
Attention Wisconsin, Minnesota and Upper Michigan librarians, teachers, parents, reading specialists and members of the general public who are interested in learning about the best books for young people!  You are invited to attend Children’s Book Fest 2006, a two-day conference held at the Rhinelander Holiday Inn (Rhinelander, WI) on March 14 and 15. 

“COOL” WEBSITES FOR A SNOWFLAKE BENTLEY STORYTIME
If you are planning to read Snowflake Bentley by Wilson Bentley, or My Brother Loved Snowflakes which is about Bentley, as part of an after school winter program or library story time, you might find the following websites about Wilson Bentley and/or snowflakes to be helpful: 

• http://snowflakebentley.com  and http://snowflakebentley.com/snowflakes.htm

• http://www.papersnowflakes.com

• http://www.dltk-holidays.com/winter/3dsnowflakes.htm

• http://snowflakes.lookandfeel.com 

• http://www.snowcrystals.com

• http://www.its.caltech.edu/~atomic/snowcrystals/class/class.htm  and http://www.its.caltech.edu/~atomic/snowcrystals/photos/photos.htm
  Everything you could possibly want to know about snowflakes except how to shovel  them.  Fantastic photos and movies, primers on the basic forms and physics of snowflakes, how to photograph snowflakes or even make your own, and more. (Neat New Stuff I Found This Week; 3/24/05; http://marylaine.com/neatnew.html; Copyright, Marylaine Block, 1999-2005)

• http://www.bry-backmanor.org/actpag23.html    Snowflake finger puppets and rhymes

• http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/dstredulinsky/kids_patterns.html  and http://www.daves-snowflakes.com

• http://www.bry-backmanor.org/missingsnow123.gif    Fill in the missing snowflake!

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Mix cornstarch with cold water and set aside.  Bring hot water, sugar, and orange juice to a boil.  Add cornstarch mixture and simmer for 15 minutes.  STIR OFTEN.  Remove from heat, and add lemon juice and flavoring (whatever you choose).  Stir in nuts and pour into a buttered pan.  When cooled and thickened (be patient!), cut into 1 inch cubes with knife dipped in hot water.  Roll in powdered sugar.
(From a C.S. Lewis web site.)

READING RAINBOW YOUNG WRITERS & ILLUSTRATORS CONTEST
Wisconsin Public Television sponsors the annual Reading Rainbow young writers and illustrators contest for children in kindergarten through third grade.  The contest begins on January 2, 2006 and the deadline is March 24, 2006.

SOMETHING ABOUT THE AUTHOR
The Antigo Middle School IMC has Vols. 1-101 of Something About the Author to give to an interested library.  Anyone who wants this resource would have to pick it up at the school.  To request this resource and make arrangements for pick up, please contact Mary Griffin, Library Media Specialist, by January 13, 2006, at mgriffin@antigoschools.k12.wi.us

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INFO TO GO

HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR!  CHUC MUNG NAM MOI!
It’s almost time for the Year of the Dog – January 29, 2006 is the first day of the new Lunar Year and that means big celebrations are on the horizon. For many people, the Lunar New Year, a date which falls some time between the last ten days of January and the middle part of February each year, is known as Chinese New Year. For Vietnamese people, Lunar New Year is known as Tet Nguyen Dan, or simply Tet.

Tet is a time to renew and refresh yourself and your approach to life. It is also a time to pay respect to ancestors and gods and to enjoy being with family and friends as you celebrate the New Year.

Preparations for Tet start the month before in earnest and at the top of most people’s to-do lists is a thorough cleaning of their space, both work and home. All this must be done before the first day of Tet so that the New Year begins with a fresh, clean start – the home is cleaned, the office is cleaned and debts are paid. An effort is also made to mend troubled relationships, and bad thoughts and feelings are pushed aside so that everyone may have a great year ahead of them.

The first day of the Tet is extremely important and it is believed that the events and mood of the first day set the tone for the rest of the year. If you are in good spirits the first day, then you are likely to have a smooth, wonderful year ahead of you. If you are in bad spirits, however, then you may experience a rocky year ahead. Usually, people do their very best to enjoy Tet without bringing up or thinking about negative topics. People go to great lengths to not show anger and to not be rude to anyone.

Tet celebrations are typically kicked off as soon as a family wakes and members wish each other a happy new year. In Vietnamese, the wish is “Chuc mung nam moi!” The house is decorated with festive banners and flowers. Special meals are prepared and offered to gods and ancestors watching over the family. Red envelopes filled with a special treat (usually a few lucky dollars) and words of wisdom are presented to children by parents and elders. In return, the children promise to be on their best behavior during the New Year. Celebrations continue for several days as people welcome the New Year.  

For more information about Tet, check out these websites:

• www.vnstyle.vdc.com.vn/lunar_newyear/

• www.thingsasian.com/goto_article/article.844.html

• www.logoi.com/zodiac/zodiac.html

• www.thingsasian.com/goto_article/article.2137.html

• www.c-c-c.org/chineseculture/zodiac/zodiac.html

• www.adoptvietnam.org/vietnamese/tet-links.html

(SAPL Bookmarks, newsletter of the San Antonio [TX] Public Library; 1/06)

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New Resource!
SIZZLING SUMMER READING PROGRAMS FOR YOUNG ADULTS
A brand new resource, the second edition of the Young Adult Library Services Association’s (YALSA) Sizzling Summer Reading Programs for Young Adults, is now available to help you plan your summer reading programs!  Edited by respected author Katharine Kan, this resource offers tips and ideas from successful programs that have been implemented across the country.  For more information, or to purchase the book, go to www.alastore.ala.org.  –Beth Yoke, Executive Director of YALSA (pubyac listserv; 1/4/06)

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WAUKEGAN PUBLIC LIBRARY EXERCISES CREATIVITY
A new facility will soon encourage the citizens of Waukegan, a northeastern Illinois city of 85,000, to exercise their bodies and minds.  Those finishing a workout on its two-story climbing wall or second-level running track need only walk down a corridor or descend a staircase to pick up their favorite author’s latest novel.  Rather than spending more time in the car, parents who drop off their children for soccer practice can check out a laptop with Internet access.  Then, they can sit down in a cozy area with glass windows overlooking a park. 

This monument to the mind-body connection stems from a unique partnership between the Waukegan Public Library (WPL) and the Waukegan Park District.  When the Hinkston Park Field House is completed in spring 2006, the library will become the first in the state to operate a branch in a field house. 

The branch will occupy 650 of the field house’s 70,000 total square feet.  “It’s a small space,” says WPL Executive Director Richard Lee, but its uniqueness gives us a chance to do some very creative programming.  Lee and his staff have several ideas for spreading the library’s presence throughout the facility.  For instance, patrons may check out portable devices (MP3 players or iPods) and download songs or audiobooks from the library’s database to enjoy during workouts.  Also, the library and park district will develop programs that address the educational side of health. 

The floor plan locates the branch between the park district’s daycare and administrative office areas, providing more opportunities for collaboration: children in the daycare program may check out books or attend story times, while employees may access the library’s collection for business or pleasure. 

The Hinkston Park Field House will strengthen bodies and minds.  And because of the unique partnership between the library and the park district, it will also strengthen the library’s impact on the community.  “The new branch makes perfect sense in today’s society, where time is a commodity and multitasking is a necessity,” says Lee.    

Before coming to Waukegan, the executive director of WPL helped a Pueblo (Colorado) library plan a branch within a YMCA. 

For more information, contact Douglas J. Ogurek at 847.406.1141.
(Public Libraries; September/October 2005)

FREEZE, LOUISE!  
Imagine this...you're working away at your computer when bam, the system locks up. Your mouse is frozen, your screen is frozen, and your work is lost...or is it?  

Before giving in to the idea that you've lost all your unsaved work, try the following:  

Try to save whatever you were working on by using the CTRL + S command. Most programs support this standard SAVE command. If your system is able to save the file, you can then use the ALT + F4 key to close the program.  

If that doesn't work, try pressing the ALT + F keys to open the file menu. Use the arrow keys to navigate down to SAVE option. With SAVE highlighted, press the ENTER key to save your work. Open the File menu again and then select CLOSE to exit the program.  

Note: If you have more than one document open that needs to be saved you may be able to press ALT + W to open your Window menu, and then use the arrow keys to switch between documents.

If the above alternatives don't work, press the RESTART or RESET button on the front of your computer rather than cutting the power by pressing the power switch or by unplugging it.  

There will usually be less damage done by resetting the system rather than cutting the power.  
(Internet Tutor; 12/22/05)

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WEB SITES OF INTEREST (tourist traps on the information superhighway!)

ACE EXERCISE LIBRARY    http://www.acefitness.org/getfit/freeexercise.aspx
From the American Council on Exercise, this site includes articles and illustrated instructions for a variety of workouts for agility and balance, and for different parts of the body.  It also allows you to create your own workout depending on the amount of time you have and the equipment available to you.  Fitness Q&As, healthy recipes, and a health club finder are included. 

MAP SITES OF INTEREST

• Cell Phone Reception and Tower Search    http://www.cellreception.com/

• Gmaps Pedometer    http://www.sueandpaul.com/gmapPedometer/
  Record distances traveled during a walk or run.  Includes a calorie counter and links to tutorial information.  (Searcher: The Magazine for Database Professionals; 1/06)

2005: YEAR IN REVIEW    http://www.refdesk.com/2005best.html
This list of Internet resources looks back at the top stories and events of 2005, including “best of categories”.  (Streams; newsletter of the Northern Waters Library System; December 29, 2005) 

WHAT’S HOT IN TAX FORMS, PUBLICATIONS, AND OTHER TAX PRODUCTS http://www.irs.gov/formspubs/article/0,,id=97397,00.html
Collection of links to information about tax law changes and changes to tax forms and publications for the current tax year and later. Covers individuals, businesses, and specific tax topics such as excise taxes, estates and trusts, and retirement plans.  From the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
(Copyright 2005 by Librarians' Internet Index; LII New This Week; 12/22/05)

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

January 20-25, 2006 – ALA Mid-Winter Conference – Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center; San Antonio, Texas – http://www.ala.org/ala/eventsandconferencesb/midwinter/2006/home.htm  

January 21, 2006 – WVLS Board of Trustees meeting – Marathon County Public Library – 9:30 a.m. 

January 31, 2006 – Library Legislative Day – Inn on the Park, Madison – a registration form is available at http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/legis/day/documents/registration.doc 

February 2 – WVLS V-Cat Council meeting – Marathon County Public Library – 9:30 a.m. 

February 17 – WVLS 2006 Summer Library Program workshop – Marathon County Public Library – see information above or visit http://wvls.lib.wi.us/Workshops/workshop.html   

March 15 – 19^th Annual Children’s Book Fest – Holiday Inn Express, Rhinelander – 8:30-2:30 - $6.00 – for more information, refer to the article in this issue of the Lamplighter, or visit http://wvls.lib.wi.us/Workshops/workshop.html 

March 21-25 – 11^th National Public Library Association Conference – Boston.  Registration is available online at www.placonference.org  Visit the site often for conference announcements and updates. 

April    SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA MONTH 

April 2-8 – NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK 

April 4 – National Library Worker’s Day 

May 3-5 – Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries (WAPL) Conference – Wisconsin Rapids.

ATTENTION: WESSLER SCHOLARSHIPS are available to cover some/all costs associated with attendance at reference and/or interlibrary loan continuing education events. If interested in becoming a Wessler Scholar, contact the WVLS office (715/261-7250) for more information. The application form and more information are available at http://wvls.lib.wi.us/About/wessler.htm 

LAMPLIGHTER

is a monthly newsletter of the Wisconsin Valley Library Service. 
300 N. First Street / Wausau, WI 54403
Contributions are welcome!

Back issues are available at http://wvls.lib.wi.us/Newsletter/newsindex.htm 
(Note: Web links in past issues are not checked for currency and may no longer work.)

Contributions are welcome! News items should be submitted by the first of the month.
WVLS serves Clark, Forest, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Oneida, and Taylor counties.

When the most recent issue becomes available, readers are alerted by a notice posted to WISPUBLIB, or sent an email.
To subscribe to WISPUBLIB, send an email message to wispublib@badger.state.wi.us  In the body of the message (subject line is ignored) type: subscribe WISPUBLIB. Then send your email. To have The Lamplighter emailed to you without subscribing to WISPUBLIB, contact Barbara Freimund at 715/261-7252, or email freimund@wvls.lib.wi.us