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YOUTH MATTERS

Author Anyone?        The first in a series of six books for the middle reader, Jesse and Cash and The Fool’s Gold, is newly released; and the author, Nancy Bjornson, is available for book signings at your library. Inspired by the adventures of Gary Weldon, a summertime wilderness technician with the U.S. Forest Service, Jesse and Cash and The Fool’s Gold follows Jesse through his adventures as a wilderness volunteer.  He also learns about his heritage from his Crow grandparents and how to handle the llamas, Patch and Squirt.       Jesse’s adventures captivate both boys and girls.  As Lauren Pimental, a fifth grader, enthusiastically wrote, “This book is very adventurous and fun to read.  It had me reading non-stop.  I always wanted to know what Jesse did next.”      Find out more about the book and listen to the author describe Jesse and read the book’s first two chapters at http://monarchtreepublishing.com  Click on the “Read More” next to the book’s cover.  When the page opens, you will automatically hear Nancy reading.  For more information about booking Nancy for a signing, contact Elizabeth via e-mail at info@monarchtreepublishing.com or via phone toll free at 888-895-7166.

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      For USB devices, try the hand crank Super Battery from Datexx - http://www.datexx.com/products.htm - good for traveling, when you lose electricity, or when you want to work your arm muscles. Or go solar with the 58″ long waterproof SolarRoll which recharges anything electronic, from Brunton - http://www.brunton.com/product.php?id=256

      It’s a bit pricey but worth checking out for a fun idea anyway. Now we can run our library’s virtual reference desk while fishing on a remote lake in Canada or climbing in the Himalayas!

      Try wind power for something new:  this personal wind turbine from Hymini - http://www.hymini.com/ can be hooked up to various devices, when you are on the go, to recharge by wind power.

      Put more human power into recharging by using the Weza Foot Powered Energy Source from Freeplay - http://www.freeplayenergy.com/  You can generate enough power to start a car as well as your cell phone, GPS, or iPod. Libraries off the grid?  Not such a crazy concept anymore, eh?
(Going Green @ your library, June 27, 2008)

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How Is the Funding For Your Library?
      So who is the most committed to funding your library?  Find out by reading OCLC’s just released report called:  “From Awareness to Funding:  A Study of Library Support in America.” You can download the PDF version at this link: http://www.oclc.org/us/en/reports/funding/default.htm

      OCLC was awarded a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to explore attitudes and perceptions about library funding and to evaluate the potential of a large-scale marketing and advocacy campaign to increase public library funding in the U.S.

      Some of the findings from the report are:

• ·    Library funding support is only marginally related to library visitation.
• ·    Perceptions of librarians are an important predictor of library funding support.
• ·    Voters who see the library as a “transformational” force are more likely to increase taxes in its support.

      The report suggests that targeting marketing messages to the right segments of the voting public is key to driving increased support for U.S. public libraries.
(OCLC website, July 2008)

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      The first is an updated version with the same sized screen, a smaller form factor, and an improved interface. The source told us that Amazon has “skipped three or four generations,” comparing the old Kindle to the 1st gen iPod and the new version to something like the sexy iPod Mini.

      The second new model, which is shaped like an 8 1/2 x 11-inch piece of paper, is considerably bigger than the current model and should be available next year.
      Both models should come in multiple colors and may be aimed at younger readers. The original Kindle, which launched last November, has been widely regarded as a success, though Amazon has curiously refused to release any numbers related to its sales figures. In May, Citigroup Analyst Mark Mahaney estimated that Amazon may sell $750 million in Kindles by 2010. The same report also guessed that Amazon has only sold between 10,000 and 30,000 Kindles to date, suggesting that it may display the same exponential growth seen by the iPod during its climb from 129,000 units sold in its first quarter to worldwide dominance, with over 100 million sold.
(CrunchGear - John Biggs, July 15, 2008)

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Managing Materials With Microchips
      Outside the West Allis Public Library, Lisa Jones pushes a button to open a steel hatch and slides her books and movies, one at a time, onto the conveyor belt. Within seconds, a computer checks in each item and reactivates its anti-theft device. It clears Jones’ account, spits out a receipt and then — just inside the building — propels each item into one of five bins, for re-shelving or a truck reroute to other libraries.

      The sorting system, the first of its kind in Milwaukee County when it went live this month, is among the latest innovations in library operations — a smaller version of the complex material-handling systems that move luggage through airports and boxes through the massive distribution centers of UPS and FedEx.

      Like many industries, public libraries are turning increasingly to automation to improve efficiency and lower costs. And while this forced job cuts in some communities, others say it has freed staff for more face-to-face work with patrons.

      “Our staff is available to help people personally, instead of all this mechanical stuff they used to do,” said Katie Schulz, director of the New Berlin Library, which was among the first in the nation to install the sorting equipment when it opened its new building in 2005.

      “Our circulation increased from 18,000 to 50,000, and we didn’t add a single person,” she said. “And that had a lot to do with the technology and materials management.”

      West Allis is among a handful of local libraries in Milwaukee County — including Greenfield, Wauwatosa and Franklin — that are moving from a bar code system of tracking materials to radio frequency identification, or RFID.

      “Prior to this, every item checked out had to be physically opened up, the bar code located inside a fly page or inside the CD, and then it had to be read under a light,” Wauwatosa Library Director Mary Murphy said.

      “Now, nobody opens anything. You slide it over a panel, and it’s out,” said Murphy, who eliminated two part-time positions with the conversion. “Multiply that times 700,000, and repeat for the return cycle, and that’s how much labor’s being saved.” But the price, $200,000 or more has kept most libraries at bay.

      “We did a cost analysis, but we just couldn’t justify it at this time,” Waukesha Public Library Director Jane Ameel said. West Allis’ $500,000 conversion — it’s the only one of the four to add the $212,000 FKI Logistex sorter — is the gift of Irv Terchak, who left $1.3 million to the library when he died in 2004. It comes at a time when libraries, which are paid for almost entirely by property taxes in Wisconsin, are struggling.

      In Milwaukee County, the technology focus has been primarily on managing materials. But elsewhere, libraries are experimenting with fully automated branches, especially in remote locations, said Jan Sanders, director of the public library in Pasadena, Calif., and past president of the Public Library Association of America.

      West Allis Public Library Director Koszalka doesn’t see that kind of impersonal service in West Allis. In fact, he said, no jobs will be lost with the conversion. “We still want to have that human contact,” Koszalka said.
(Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 19, 2008)

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Booksprouts – Your Book Group’s Online Home
      I know, I know, who has time to read for fun, let alone for talking about reading for fun. If you do manage to eke out the time to participate in a book group though, the last thing you want to spend it on is taking care of all the details about what to read and when to meet. Enter Booksprouts, http://www.booksprouts.com/ an online community designed specifically to help book clubs organize and communicate the details.

      Once you sign up for Booksprouts you can join an existing club or start your own. Clubs can be open to the public or invitation-only, and you can either select the book for the group to read yourself or let group members nominate a title and then put them up to a vote. Clubs are very simple to create; non-fiction lovers (http://www.booksprouts.com/club/show/99) is one I put together in just a few minutes. You’re welcome to join if you want to check it out.

      There’s really no reason why your Booksprouts book group can’t be all-virtual although you do have to enter an actual location when creating a new group. That and you’ll always have to supply your own wine and cheese.  Happy Reading!
(American Libraries Direct, July 16, 2008)

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GRANTS

Bring Space Exploration to Your Public Library - Apply by Sept. 19 to host “Visions of the Universe: Four Centuries of Discovery”
      Public libraries are invited to apply to host “Visions of the Universe: Four Centuries of Discovery,” a traveling exhibition developed by the America Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office in cooperation with the Space Telescope Science Institute Office of Public Outreach and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, to mark the International Year of Astronomy in 2009.  The exhibit will travel to 40 selected public libraries from January 2009 through December 2010. 

      Applications are available at www.ala.org/visionsoftheuniverse and must be submitted to ALA by September 19, 2008. Selected libraries will be announced in late October.

      The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have provided major funding for the exhibit. Exhibit sponsors are especially interested in receiving applications from public libraries in small towns and rural areas that have limited access to NASA resources, as well as from public libraries in larger population centers.  The exhibit requires just 150 - 200 square feet of display space. All libraries on the tour will receive $500 programming support stipends, $250 collection development stipends and additional materials to support library programming. 

OverDrive Open Training Month Is Coming!

September is OverDrive’s Open Training Month!  Join OverDrive’s expert trainers in an educational and fun program designed to increase your knowledge and maximize circulation of your OverDrive download library.  The curriculum covers each area of your download service:  Collection Development, User Experience, Patron Support, Promotion, and Reports.  Plus, don’t miss what’s new for your download library!       Training sessions will be offered four days a week throughout September with open enrollment and a contest for participating libraries.       Group registration available: in order to accommodate as many participants as possible, we encourage your library’s staff to join the conference as a group.  A “group” means multiple people attending a class from a single location using one phone connection.  Only one person needs to register on behalf of the entire group.  After selecting courses, you’ll have the option to indicate your group registration, and how many staff will be attending. For more information and to register for training go to:  http://www.overdrive.com/products/dlr/training/

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WLA 2008 Annual Conference Scholarship Available
      The Resource Sharing Round Table (RSRT) of WLA is offering a $150 scholarship to help defray the costs of attending the WLA 2008 Annual Conference.  The WLA conference is November 4 - 7, 2008 at the Madison Marriott West, in Middleton. The registration form for the WLA 2008 Annual Conference is available at:  http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/conferences/2008/general/documents/ConferenceRegistrationForm.pdf.  Information about the conference is available at http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/conferences/2008/index.htm More information will continue to be added throughout the summer. 

      While the scholarship is available for RSRT members, individuals may join WLA and RSRT in order to apply.  Individuals who are members of WLA, but not RSRT can join RSRT by contacting the WLA office.  Please visit http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/rsrt/ for details, and to apply.  Deadline for applications is August 15, 2008. 

      For more information contact Cheryl Becker, Chair Resource Sharing Round Table at: South Central Library System (SCLS), 5250 East Terrace Drive, Madison, WI  53718.  Telephone: 608-246-7973 or 608-246-7958 (FAX) or email: cbecker@scls.lib.wi.us

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Nicolet Area Technical College Offers Learning Objects Workshop
      The Nicolet Area Technical College Library is offering a workshop on Thursday, August 21, 2008 on how to develop information literacy learning objects.  Dave Bunnow, who works for the Wisc-Online program, will be talking about how to design and create well-designed learning objects.  Hopefully this session can be used to jump start WVLS libraries sharing learning objects or scripts for learning objects.

      The session will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  There is no charge for this workshop and lunch will be provided. Please contact: Marc Boucher, Director of Library Services, Richard J. Brown Library, Nicolet Area Technical College, 5364 College Drive, Rhinelander, WI 54501, Phone (715) 365-4489 to register for this free workshop.

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Northwoods Conference

For library Friends, Supporters and Volunteers

“Working With and In Your Community”

Rothschild Village Hall Community Room Saturday, October 11, 2008 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

·    Do you have some ideas on how your Library Friends group can better relate to your community?        Cheryl Becker of the South Central Library System will start the conversation on this very important topic with the keynote address. ·     Have you had success in recruiting new Friends members? ·    Do you know the “Geritol” secret to revitalizing your area Friends group? ·     How does your Friends group do fundraising?

Please come share your successes and ideas in this interactive workshop that provides a unique learning experience and opportunity to connect with others.  Conference cost is $10.00.  This fee includes handouts, beverages, snacks, and a box lunch. (Please note that there is plenty of free parking and that the facility is handicap accessible). If you have questions or comments or need special accommodations to attend this conference, please contact Inese Christman at 715-261-7256.  Sponsored by the Friends of the Marathon County Public Library, the staff of the Wisconsin Valley Library Service, and with the support of the Wisconsin Library Trustees and Friends.

To register for the 3rd Northwoods Conference for Library Friends, Supporters & Volunteers, mail completed registration and a check for $10.00 (made out to the WISCONSIN VALLEY LIBRARY SERVICE) to Inese Christman, Wisconsin Valley Library Service; 300 N. First Street; Wausau, WI  54403.

Name:

__________________________________

Library:

___________________________

Telephone:

__________________________________

Email:

___________________________

Amount Enclosed:

__________________________________

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 30, 2008

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SLJ Launches “All Together Now: a 2.0 Learning Experience”
      The School Library Journal has tapped blogger Michael Stephens to lead librarians of every ilk on a journey aimed to “encourage staff to learn about the new and emerging technologies that are reshaping the context of information on the Internet today.”  It’s based on exploring a series of “things” – emerging tools like blogs, wikis, Flickr, etc.  No sign up is necessary, just click on:  http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/blog/290000629.html
(Library Journal Xpress, July 22, 2008) 

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2008 LSTA Literacy Grant:  Project Inclusion
      This summer, the world is preparing to focus its attention on the accomplishments of some outstanding athletes at the Beijing Olympics.  Did you know that the odds of a child becoming an Olympic athlete are 1 in 28,500?  Far likelier are the chances—1 in 150—of a child being diagnosed with autism.

     In April 2007, researchers from the CDC and the Interdisciplinary Council on Developmental & Learning Disabilities reported that nearly 17% of U.S. children presented a wide range of developmental challenges, including autism and learning disabilities.

      Utilizing LSTA funding for Project Inclusion, WVLS and 14 member public libraries are currently working to support the literacy needs of children with disabilities and their families. The goal is to make the public library a meaningful and welcoming place for them.

      Each participating public library is collaborating with community partner agencies, most often the local school district’s special education department and with parent support groups such as the Central Wisconsin Autism Society.  These community partners make recommendations for materials and programming and will assist with a fall “back-to-school” marketing campaign and grant evaluation.

      We are using the free website pbwiki.com to create a “one-stop shop” for Project Inclusion participants to share information, suggestions, reviews, and procedures in an online wiki.

     Developmentally appropriate library materials in different reading levels and formats (high interest/low vocabulary, audiobooks, abridged classics, modeling and “social stories” DVDs, music, etc.) have been added to library collections.  Current disability information titles to support parents, siblings, teachers and other community professionals were also purchased to help raise awareness.  Since play is a child’s work, librarians are working this summer on developing a library activity bin with engaging switch-activated toys, sensory toys, and fidget toys.

      Essential to the grant’s success is the training of area library staff about developmental and learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, early intervention programs, inclusive programming, strategies for interaction, and adaptive technology.  The video and other resources produced by the New Jersey project, “Libraries and Autism:  We’re Connected,” (http://thejointlibrary.org/autism/index.htm) have been very helpful.  We also invite everyone to attend the September 18^th Project Inclusion workshop featuring autism consultant Tammi Poppe and the Kids on the Block puppeteers from Marathon County Special Education.  (See the workshop flyer included in this issue of the Lamplighter)

      Working together, the WVLS Project Inclusion libraries and their collaborating partners hope to help create educated communities where children with disabilities have a chance to live up to their full potential.
(Beth Sillars, WVLS Youth Services Consultant)

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9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.       Registration and Refreshments 

9:30 a.m. - Noon        “Autism 101” with Tammi Poppe, owner/consultant for C.H.A.S.A.E.R. LLC (Community, Home and School Autism Education Resource).  Currently on the advisory board and a trainer for the National Professional Development Center for Autism Program, Tammi works closely with UW’s Waisman Center and DPI.  Besides developing and teaching autism curriculum for Northeastern WI. Technical College, Tammi presents workshops around the country, advocates for people who have an autism spectrum disorder, and is honored to be the mother of a child with Asperger’s Syndrome. 

Noon - 12:45 p.m.        Box Lunch - $5.00 Sandwich, salad, dessert and beverage 

12:45 p.m .– 2:15 p.m.      “Autism 101” continued with Tammi Poppe 

2:15 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.      Break 

2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.      “Celebrating Differences” with the Kids on the Block (KOTB) from Marathon County Special Education.  Puppeteers Cheryl Adams, C. Ann Dietrich and Mary Beth Raether are certified in the field of special education and have been educating children and adults about disabilities since 1985.  “Kids on the Block” perform in the Japanese style of puppetry called “bunraku.”  This educational program is designed to create positive attitudinal and behavioral changes, raising disability awareness and sensitivity. 

WVLS member libraries participating in the 2008 LSTA Literacy grant are required to send at least one representative to this event.  This WVLS workshop is open to all interested persons.  If accommodations for your disability are needed, please call 715-261-7255 at least 48 hours in advance. 

    *******************************************************************************************************

To Register:  Send this completed form (along with a check if you’d like the box lunch) made out to:  Wisconsin Valley Library Service, ATTN:  Beth Sillars, WVLS, 300 N. First St., Wausau, WI 54403

 Name: ______________________________________________ Amt. enclosed: _______

 Library: __________________________________________________________________

 Registration Deadline is September 15, 2008

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100 Unbelievably Useful Reference Sites You’ve Never Heard Of
 http://www.teachingtips.com/blog/2008/07/07/100-unbelievably-useful-reference-sites-youve-never-heard-of/
The Internet boasts a multitude of search engines, dictionaries, reference desks and databases that have organized and archived information for quick and easy searches. This is a list of the 100 favorites for teachers, students, hypochondriacs, procrastinators, bookworms, sports nuts and more.  (Teaching Tips.com, July 28, 2008)

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Picture This Puzzle by Ann Mroczenski
Can you find the 8 differences between these two pictures of the kayak course in Wausau?  (hint: You may want to print them out for easy viewing.)

	1	2	3	4	5
a
b
c
d
e

	1	2	3	4	5
a
b
c
d
e

Answers to the above Picture This Puzzle are below.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

AUGUST 

National Inventors’ Month http://www.inventorsdigest.com

August 7    WVLS V-Cat meeting at the Marathon County Public Library, 9:30 a.m.

August 8-24     Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, details at http://en.beijing2008.cn/

August 9    WVLS Executive Committee meeting at the Marathon County Public Library, 9:30 a.m.

August 14       WVLS Library Advisory Committee meeting at the Marathon County Public Library,  9:30 a.m.

August 21       WVLS Workshop – “Behind the Scenes at Barnes & Noble and What Are Teens Reading Now?” 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

August 21       Learning Objects Workshop – Nicolet College Library, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

SEPTEMBER

National Library Card Sign-Up Month, find more information at:
 http://www.ala.org/ala/pio/mediarelationsa/factsheets/librarycardsign.cfm

Sept 1    Labor Day

Sept 8  International Literacy Day,  http://www.reading.org/association/meetings/literacy_day.html

Sept 18   WVLS Workshop – 2008 LSTA Literacy Grant - Project Inclusion at the Marathon County Public  Library, 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Sept 24        Wisconsin Day, http://dpi.wi.gov/eis/observe.html

Sept 25        Annual Meeting of the System Youth Services Liaisons, Madison

Sept 27-Oct 4    Banned Books Week sponsored by ALA   http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bannedbooksweek.cfm      

OCTOBER

National Book Month http://www.nationalbook.org/nbm.html

October 2-3    Northwest Children’s Book Conference at the Telemark Resort and Conference Center, details at http://www.telemarkeducation.com/book_conference.html

October 11   Northwoods Conference for Library Friends, Supporters, and Volunteers at the Rothschild Village Hall, 8:30 a.m.

October 12-18   Teen Read Week 2008 - “Books With Bite”, details at: http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/teenreading/trw/trw2008/index.cfm

Picture This Puzzle Answers

A3:  The tower was obstructing my view.
A5:  An eagle flew into the shot.
B2:  Is it milking time already?
C3:  Where did the large rock go?
C4:  Here the large rock appeared. Three times!
E1:  It wouldn't be Wisconsin without the pine trees.
E4:  That silly dog of mine really gets around.
E5:  How did that car get in the water?

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.)