LEARNINGEXPRESS LIBRARY 3.0 COMING TO BADGERLINK IN 2014

On January 3, 2014, LearningExpress will be updated to LearningExpress Library 3.0.

LearningExpress Library is a collection of web-based test preparation tools and skill-building materials for children, teens, and adults to help improve academic skills, achieve educational goals, and prepare for careers.

LearningExpress Library 3.0 offers improved functionality and content including: new and improved site design, easier to use navigation, new interactive tutorials, multiple test modes for study and practice, and recommendations for additional study.

The update of LearningExpress and the shift to a new platform requires users to re-register their accounts. Existing accounts will not be carried over to the new version. Work completed on the old LearningExpress will not be available after January 3, 2014. Users should register for a new account at their earliest convenience after January 3.

For questions about the update to LearningExpress Library 3.0, please contact BadgerLink: http://badgerlink.net/help/contact-us.

 

Source: Channel Weekly, Vol. 16, No. 14  Dec. 19, 2014

SUMMARY OF THE 2013-2015 BIENNIAL BUDGET

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker signed 2013 Wisconsin Act 20, the 2013-15 biennial budget bill that includes the following items affecting Wisconsin public libraries:

• The bill funds Wisconsin’s public library systems at the current level of $15,013,100 for each year of the biennium (that level was a 10% reduction from the 2011 system funding level). Based on projected public library total expenditures, the flat-funding will reduce the system funding to 6.8% of statewide library expenditures (the statutory target is 13%).
• Funds the four statewide library service contracts (Wisconsin Talking Book and Braille Library, InterLibrary Loan, Milwaukee Public Library, and Cooperative Children’s Books Center) at a total of $1,167,200 for each year of the upcoming biennium, an increase of $22,700 (per year)
• Funds BadgerLink at $2,478,800 for FY 2014 and $2,485,000 for FY 2015 (an increase of $29,900 and $36,100 respectively)
• Funds Newsline for the Blind at $111,100 for FY 2014 and $111,500 for FY 2015 (an increase of $400 for FY 2015).

The Joint Committee on Finance also added an item to the Governor’s budget (included as item 35 in their omnibus motion number 538), changing the way that municipalities in joint public libraries may exempt from the county library tax: “Notwithstanding current law requirements, municipalities participating in a joint library are exempt from the county library levy, provided the municipal library levy is maintained at no less than the average of the last three years.”

For most municipalities in joint libraries, the three year average level of spending is far higher than what would be generated by the county library tax rate level, as this was formerly a maintenance of effort requirement for a library to participate in a public library system under s. 43.15(4)(c). That requirement was eliminated by 2011 Act 32 (the previous biennial budget bill). The Division for Libraries and Technology is concerned that, over time, increasing property values in joint library communities and the county could create a considerable disparity in library tax rates, with the county funding more of the library’s operations while municipalities in the joint library maintain a lower library tax rate. There would be a disincentive for the participants in the joint library agreement to increase funding for new services, since those increases would raise the three-year average for the municipalities, which could have a detrimental effect on library services in the county. State Superintendent Tony Evers requested that the item be vetoed in his memo to the Governor; however, the Governor approved the motion, which will be incorporated into Chapter 43 of the Wisconsin Statutes.

Another Joint Finance motion related to public library systems was vetoed by the Governor. That motion would have required the Department of Administration, in consultation with the Department of Public Instruction, to conduct a study of Wisconsin’s public library systems to identify the potential for savings by: consolidating systems; increasing the use of technology; reducing duplications and inefficiencies; utilizing LEAN production principles; and increasing the sharing of services between library systems. The DOA would have been required to submit a report on this study to the Joint Committee on Finance by July 1, 2014. The Governor, in his veto message, indicated that “I am vetoing this section because it is unnecessary. The Department of Public Instruction is the appropriate agency to conduct such a study and has the ability to do so, without a legislative directive, if it believes a study is warranted.”

Summary information on the state budget related to Elementary and Secondary education and other operations of the Department of Public Instruction is available from the Policy and Budget Team: http://pb.dpi.wi.gov/files/pb/pdf/Act_20_final_summary_2013-15.pdf.

Source: Channel Weekly, Vol. 15, No. 34  July 11, 2013

WALTER BURKHALTER JOINS DPI’S LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT TEAM

The Department of Public Instruction’s Division for Libraries and Technology is very pleased to announce that Walter Burkhalter will join the Public Library Development team as the Public Library Administration Consultant.

Walter brings to the team over 20 years of library administration experience in four states, including library system administration in the Southwest Wisconsin Library System, the Shawnee Library System in southern Illinois, and the Mid-Wisconsin Federated Library System, where he has served as system director for the past ten years.

In addition to his work for library systems in Wisconsin, Walter was also director of the Franklin Public Library. He has served both as president of the Wisconsin Library Association and chair of the Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries, and twice served on the Division’s LSTA Advisory Committee. Walter earned his Masters of Library and Information Studies at the UW-Madison, and his bachelor’s at Virginia Tech.

Walter will assume his new duties at DPI on June 25, 2012, joining consultants Terrie Howe and Tessa Schmidt, and team director John DeBacher.

Source: Channel Weekly Vol. 14, No. 34  May 31, 2012

COLAND APPROVES REVISED WISCONSIN INTERLIBRARY LOAN GUIDELINES

 

At their meeting on May 18, 2012, the Council on Libraries and Network Development (COLAND) approved the revised 2012 edition of the Wisconsin Interlibrary Loan Guidelines.  COLAND is the only standing council on library service appointed by the governor.  This was the culmination of a year spent gathering feedback from the Wisconsin library community.

Resource sharing has a long and successful history in the state and is considered a core library service to help meet user needs.  Interlibrary loan provides a means by which scarce resources can be stretched by sharing materials rather than having each library duplicate the efforts of others.

The Guidelines were last updated in 2005. The revised edition reflects the rapid technological changes in information delivery and access.  As such, this document will no longer be available in print format, which will allow for immediate updates when necessary.  The revised guidelines may be found at http://dpi.wi.gov/rll/ill_guide2012_index.html

New to the 2012 Edition:

• Published as a web resource only (no print edition)
• Libraries are encouraged to negotiate digital resource licenses that permit ILL.
• Best practices for patron interviews by interlibrary loan staff.
• Best practices for educating patrons on the challenges to obtaining items currently in heavy demand
• Guidance for libraries on challenges to obtaining items in heavy demand – implementation of a Wisconsin “in constant demand” list.
• Clarification of limitations on requests for textbooks.
• Recommendation to use Wisconsin’s Digital Library for e-books and audio books.
• Recommendations on the use of digital resources to fill interlibrary loan requests, including information on Copyright, Creative Commons, Open Access and Public Domain.
• Expanded “Where to Find More Information” page with links to both Wisconsin and nationwide resources.

Our thanks go out to the following work group members who shared their time, talent and expertise to this important project.

• Linda Bailen, Northern Waters Library Service
• Christine Barth, Resources for Libraries and Lifelong Learning
• Martha Berninger, Resources for Libraries and Lifelong Learning
• Nell Fleming, Wisconsin School for the Deaf
• Chris Hamburg, Lester Public Library (Two Rivers)
• Brian Hanneman, Milwaukee Public Library
• Fred Marini, Melrose-Mindoro Area School District
• Angela Milock, WiLS
• Amelia Osterud, Carroll University
• Matt Rosendahl, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College
• Maureen Welch, Indianhead Federated Library  System
• Bob Zabkowicz, Department of Corrections

Source: Channel Weekly, Vol. 14, No. 33  5/24/12

 

BOB BOCHER RETIRES FROM DPI

After 36 years of working in libraries I will be retiring on May 18 as the public library technology consultant in DPI’s Division for Libraries and Technology.  I started working at the UW-Extension library in the 1970s but have spent most of my time in the DPI library division.  Here are several of the projects and programs I have been involved with over the years:

—  During the 1980s I was the first manager of WISCAT, the state union catalog.

—  In 1987 I obtained dial-up Internet access via UW-Madison.  (While the 1200 baud modem was not very fast I had no premonition that 25 years later we’d still have problems with Internet connectivity speeds!)

—  In the late 1990s I worked with Wisconsin library systems to get their member libraries connected to BadgerNet, the state’s broadband network.

—  From 1997 to present I was one of two state E-rate coordinators.  (Over this timeframe Wisconsin schools and libraries have been awarded $404 million in E-rate funding.)

—  I helped develop the BadgerLink program in 1998-1999.

—  From 2000-2007 I oversaw $2.7 million in LSTA grants to assist Wisconsin public libraries to join shared integrated library systems.  (In 2000 just 35 percent of public libraries were in shared systems but this increased to 95 percent by 2011.)

—  From 2001-2011, managed over $5 million in library grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

—  In 2009 I co-authored a successful $23 million federal grant to bring fiber to all schools and libraries on BadgerNet.  (Unfortunately, the state gave the grant back to the federal government.)

—  I served on the WiscNet board from 2000-2012.  (75 percent of Wisconsin schools and 95 percent of our public libraries get their Internet access and other services from WiscNet.)

—  During the past 30 years I’ve given over 400 workshops, conference programs, and presentations.  (Many of you survived one or more of these presentations.)

Technology never stands still.  And while it generally moves forward, it sometimes moves in directions that are hard to discern, especially when related factors like policy and politics must be taken into consideration.  Time — sometimes too much time — is required to determine the balance between these factors.  But while we are sometimes mired in the minutiae of the minute it is always important to keep one’s vision at a higher level and remind ourselves that technology is a means to help address the learning needs of students, regardless of age, and to help address the information needs of the public.

I have very much enjoyed working with the library and education communities all these years and I wish everyone the best.

-Bob

Source: Channel Weekly, Vol. 14, No. 32  May 17, 2012

PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN THE DIGITAL AGE PRESENTATION TO COSLA

Mary Madden and Kathryn Zickuhr of the Pew Internet and American Life Project gave a presentation on “Public Libraries in the Digital Age” at the spring 2012 meeting of the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA), held April 25 in Washington, DC.

They reported on their findings on the rise of e-reading, including reading-device ownership and the general reading habits and preferences of Americans. Fact sheets from the presentation can be found at http://www.pewinternet.org/Presentations/2012/Apr/Public-libraries-in-the-digital-age.aspx.

Source: Channel Weekly, Vol. 14, NO. 31 May 3, 2012

ALA’S NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK THEME: YOU BELONG @ YOUR LIBRARY

From snapshot days to visual poetry events, libraries are gearing up and reminding people across the country and in their communities that during National Library Week and throughout the year the place you belong is at your library. A number of libraries are using the “You belong @ your library” theme sponsored by the American Library Association.

Librarians still looking for ways to promote National Library Week are encouraged to check out the free resources on the National Library Week website at http://www.ala.org/conferencesevents/celebrationweeks/natlibraryweek. Resources include two audio, print, Web and video public service announcements featuring author, TV host and Honorary Chair of National Library Week, Brad Meltzer. All PSAs are available for download, and the print PSA is also available for customization for libraries.

 

Other promotional materials include a sample op-ed, proclamation, press release, programming ideas and scripts for use in radio ads. All incorporate the 2012 National Library Week theme, You belong @ your library.

National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation’s libraries and librarians and to promote library use. Information about National Library Week, along with the logo image and other resources can be found at http://www.ala.org/conferencesevents/celebrationweeks/natlibraryweek.

Source: Channel Weekly, Vol. 14, No. 26 3/29/2012

TWO BILLS AFFECTING LIBRARIES SIGNED INTO LAW

On March 26, 2012, Governor Walker signed 2011 Senate Bill 348 as Wisconsin Act 158, which includes a number of items suggested as remedial legislation by the Department of Public Instruction. Several changes amend Chapter 43 of the Wisconsin Statutes and may be of interest to libraries. The bill officially changes the name of the Division for Libraries, Technology and Community Learning to the Division for Libraries and Technology, and changes the name of the Reference and Loan Library to the Resources for Libraries and Lifelong Learning Service. The bill also corrects a discrepancy in library system membership eligibility for “same services” provision. Details of the senate bill can be found at http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/proposals/SB348.

 

On March 28, 2012, the Governor signed 2011 Assembly Bill 224 as Wisconsin Act 163. The bill extends 2006 legislation that allowed public library boards to transfer gifts and donations to eligible not-for-profit organizations under certain circumstances, to include community foundations. Details of the assembly bill can be found at https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/2011/proposals/ab224.

Source: Channel Weekly, Vol. 14, No. 26 3/29/2012

SB 375 Approved by Committee on 6-1 Vote (UW/WiscNet issue)

On Monday, the Senate Agriculture, Forestry and Higher Education Committee voted 6 – 1 to recommend SB 375 for passage.  The bill would delay the restrictions on participation by the University of Wisconsin System in selling or providing telecommunications service, including terminating participation in WiscNet, as required by the 2011-13 state budget bill. Proponents of SB 375, including WLA, want a one-year deadline extension to July 1, 2014 to give the UW, WiscNet and WiscNet members the time they need to respond to recommendations resulting from a pending audit by the Legislative Audit Bureau.

With Senators Harsdorf, Moulton, Schultz, Hansen and Shilling voting in favor, and Sen. Kedzie opposed, the vote indicates strong bipartisan support for the bill.

An amendment proposed by Sen. Shilling to provide an additional year’s extension did not pass.

Next, the bill will be discussed in the Senate Organization committee and then scheduled for a floor vote in the Senate.

Please take the time to thank the Senate committee members for their support.  Thanks to all who have already contacted their Senators and Assembly members about SB 375 and its companion, AB 473. (See the WLA blog post about WLA testimony at the Senate hearing held last week.)

From the WLA Blog

WEALTH OF DIGITAL RESOURCES AVAILABLE

Resources for Libraries and Lifelong Learning (RL&LL) provides a full spectrum of digital resources that provide valuable information about Wisconsin in addition to supporting curriculum building and state teaching standards.

Digital resources in Found in Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Digital Archives include guides and a variety of multimedia resources about Wisconsin government, history, environment, culture, and MORE!

The Wisconsin Digital Archives is a collection of electronic state documents that are intended to provide public perspective on state government programs as well as a wealth of information about all aspects of life in Wisconsin.  Visit the Wisconsin Digital Archives at http://www.wistatedocuments.org/cdm/!

Found in Wisconsin is your home for Wisconsin’s digital collections. You can search for digitized books, photographs, videos, and other resources available on the websites of libraries, historical societies, and museums statewide. Visit Found in Wisconsin at http://rlldigital.dpi.wi.gov/

We invite you to explore Found in Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Digital Archives as the collections continue to grow!

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Source: Channel Weekly, Vol. 14, No. 7 October 20, 2011