Carpe Hootem

Libraries and the Elections [webinar]

2010-09-02T14:21:48Z

The ALA Washington office presents:
Libraries and the Elections: How You Can be Involved and Make a Difference

Date: Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Time: 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM EDT

You may have heard that there’s a midterm election coming up in November. In this ALA Washington office webinar we’ll look at what library supporters can legally, ethically and effectively do to get involved. Ensuring that candidates understand the importance of libraries is one of the most important ways to have our voices heard, whether at the local, state or federal level. Join us to learn 10 specific techniques for being engaged in democracy at its most basic level — through the electoral process!

Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/843991994

Navigating a Challenging Budget Year

2010-08-23T15:43:42Z

From ALA:

Every librarian knows that funding is under threat for libraries in communities of all sizes and all across the nation. Unfortunately, these budget reductions are occurring at a time when customer demand for library services is increasing. Every library is potentially in the crosshairs. As a library director or manager, what can you do about it?

Start here. While every library’s situation has its own complexities, this guide to Navigating a Challenging Budget Year will provide a good foundation to help you navigate your challenging budget year. It will prove especially helpful to library directors and mangers of small-to-medium sized public libraries, if you’re not a public librarian don’t stop reading . Much of the information contained in this guide is applicable to other kinds of libraries too – academic, school and special libraries.

Above all, remember that you’re not alone, and you don’t have to figure out how to respond to the challenge all by yourself. There are great advocacy ideas everywhere. ALA’s website is rich in resources.

Read more here: http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/advocacy/advocacyuniversity/budget_crosshairs/index.cfm

WLA Conference Scholarship - Apply by Aug 6

2010-08-02T18:58:37Z

Apply by Friday, August 6th for the Wisconsin Small Libraries Section (WISL) WLA Conference Scholarship

The purpose of this scholarship is to promote attendance at the Wisconsin Library Association Annual Conference.This scholarship is available to librarians who meet the following criteria:

Employed by a Wisconsin library or information agency with 4 FTE or less or have a service population of under 6000 people (Grade II or Grade III Certification)
Must be willing to communicate knowledge gained, especially how this knowledge can be applied to small libraries, and to fellow WISL members.
Must be a member of the Wisconsin Small Libraries Section or become a member of WLA/WISL by the start of the Fall Conference.

Applicants will be evaluated based on:

Need and desire for scholarship
Small and rural library leadership potential
Previous conference attendance opportunities (Previous attendee at the WLA conference or scholarship recipients are encouraged to re-apply)

Applications will be evaluated by a committee of the Wisconsin Small Libraries Section Board.

Application Deadline: Postmarked or emailed by August 6, 2010.

Recipient will be notified by August 20.

Scholarship options:

$300 Scholarship for lodging, registration, meals and mileage (may be divided into two $150 awards if the full award is not needed.)
$150 Scholarship for registration, meals and mileage

Scholarship winners will be expected to:

Attend entire conference for which the scholarship has been awarded.
Submit newsletter article to Whistlestop (WISL newsletter), sharing what has been learned gained from conference.
Attend a combination of at least 2 WISL meetings/programs while at the conference.

Application and instructions can be found here: http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/wisl/scholarship.htm

Ebooks - Online Conference

2010-07-22T18:23:15Z

Ebooks: Libraries @ the Tipping Point
Wednesday, September 29, 2010, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Ebooks: Libraries at the Tipping Point will bring together public libraries, academic libraries, and school libraries (K-12) in a day-long virtual conference environment. The day will be presented online and will include keynote presentations and panel discussions on the evolving concept of the book in a digital world and will keep participants future-focused and actively engaged in visioning and assuring an exciting role for libraries. Attendees will have access to webcasts and live chat rooms as well as the ability to interact with speakers and exhibitors.

Librarians and library administrators will learn about current best practices for library ebook collections and explore new and evolving models for ebook content discovery and delivery.
Publishers and content creators will learn how to effectively identify and develop the ‘right’ content offerings for each segment of the relatively untapped library ebook market.
Ebook platform vendors and device manufacturers will learn just what libraries need and want in this rapidly changing environment.

View the complete program here.

Register here: http://www.owlsweb.info/ce/classes.asp

For additional information about this program please contact Bradley.

OverDrive Training Month - September

2010-07-16T13:49:50Z

Here is a great opportunity to refresh your OverDrive skills, so you can help patrons access digital resources. E-reader prices are dropping, so we will probably see more people walking through our doors with one of these gadgets in hand.

OverDrive’s Training Month is an educational and fun program to increase staff knowledge and help maximize circulation of your OverDrive ‘Virtual Branch’. OverDrive is offering 52 training sessions online throughout September. This educational and fun curriculum covers each area of your service …

• Browse, Check Out, Download
• Collection Checklist
• Community Outreach
• Patron Assistance
• Real-Time Reports
• Mobile Update

Registration is now open. To guarantee the best selection of available dates and times, sign up now.

Learn more and register at the OverDrive Training Month web site: http://www.overdrive.com/products/dlr/training/

Employment Opportunity - Waupaca Area Public Library

2010-07-14T20:56:49Z

The Waupaca Area Public Library is currently hiring for the following positions:

Library Assistant II - Children’s Dept 21-28 hours/week
Circulation Substitute
Teen/Page Staffers

Please visit the Waupaca Area Public Library web site for descriptions, qualifications, and pay rates for these positions.

Circulation Conference

2010-07-06T19:47:25Z

The University of Wisconsin Madison presents:

Back in Circulation Again: a conference for circulation managers and staff

October 1-2, 2010
The Pyle Center
702 Langdon Street
Madison, WI

Session topics include:

Difficult Conversations
Special-Services Cards for Outreach
Every Voice Makes a Difference: Frontline Library Advocacy from Where You Sit
Freak Out, Geek Out, or Seek Out: Trends, Transformations, and Change in Libraries
Making Libraries Comfortable for All Patrons: Addressing the Particular Concerns Around Serving Individuals with Mental Illnesses
What Does Certification Have to Do With Me? Am I Missing Something?

Details and registration here: http://www.slis.wisc.edu/continueed/circconf.html

Strategic Alliances Among Nonprofits

2010-05-27T18:01:51Z

The Community Foundation is hosting "Working Smart: How Collaboration and Strategic Alliances Can Help a Nonprofit."

Wed, 9 Jun, 2010 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Location: Community Foundation office, 4455 W. Lawrence St. Appleton
Fees: No cost.
Contact: Pat Baer at 920-830-1290 or pbaer@cffoxvalley.org

In these difficult economic times, organizations are examining how new partnerships and alliances might help achieve their mission with continued success. Co-location, mergers, administrative consolidations, collaborative programs - the options are endless. Join this 1 1/2- hour discussion about how to develop effective collaborations.

Learn the meaning of these different types of alliances.
Hear about local organizations that have successfully developed new ways of working together.
Discuss how to begin developing strategic alliances.
Learn about strategic alliances from the perspective of funders, including the Basic Needs Giving Partnership.

Who should attend: Charitable organization staff, board members or volunteers, or others in the community who are interested in this important topic.

Books R Us - June 8 - Satire

2010-05-26T19:49:28Z

Join us on Tuesday, June 8th from 11:00-12:30 in the OWLS boardroom. Bring your lunch!

Books R US is a group of InfoSoup librarians dedicated to providing excellent reader’s services in our libraries. At each meeting we recommend a wide variety of books and also discuss and share books within a defined genre. New participants are always welcome!

The genre for the June 8th meeting is Satire. If you are not sure what to read, check out this list of humorous and satirical books from BookBrowse.com.

Future meetings and genres:
August 10 - Biography
October 12 - True Crime

Browse Books R Us reviews on InfoSoup. All InfoSoup library staff are welcome to contribute reviews. Contact OWLS to learn how.

Bonus Link: Jamie at NFLS just posted on Nic Bits "10 Tips for Readers Advisory" from Becky Siegel Spratford's WAPL session. Joining Books R Us is a great way to tackle tip #5, "Read Widely!"

Part Time Employment Opportunity @ Weyauwega Public Library

2010-05-25T14:07:23Z

The Weyauwega Public Library is seeking a part time clerk. The position will consist of approximately 6 hours per week including every other Saturday during the school year. Duties will include the circulation desk, shelving & processing materials, helping patrons with internet usage, and other duties as described, will train. Position open until filled.

Please submit cover letter, resume, & three references via email to kpennebe@mail.owls.lib.wi.us or by mail to the library PO Box 6 Weyauwega 54983. For inquiries please call 920 867-3742 or check our website.

LLAMA ANNOUNCES NEW WEBINARS FOR MIDDLE MANAGERS

2010-05-17T18:06:43Z

The Library Leadership and Management Association (LLAMA) has announced a line-up of three interactive webinars designed to meet the needs of middle managers. Each of the 60-90 minute programs will feature library consultant Dr. Julie Todaro.

“These short webinars provide materials that are often needed right away by the middle manager, whether newly hired or more experienced,” said Ms. Todaro.

LEADERSHIP VS. MANAGEMENT – Although many see leadership and management as the same responsibilities, these two critical areas are actually very different but need to be studied together.
Wed., May 19, 2:00-3:30 pm CT.

STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR MANAGERS – This webinar provides content on classic data-driven planning as well as newer non-traditional approaches.
Wed., May 26, 2:00-3:30 p.m. CT.

MANAGEMENT 101: DESIGNING OUTCOMES FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION – Performance outcomes – now required for many administrators – must be carefully designed to assess organizational activities. This webinar provides pathways to effective design.
Wed., June 2, 2:00-3:30 p.m. CT.

Registration for each webinar is $49 for LLAMA members and $59 for all others. Groups of three people or more are $99 for LLAMA members and $129 for all others.

For more information or to register:
http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=olweb&Template=/Conference/ConferenceList.cfm&ConferenceTypeCode=X

Dr. Julie Todaro – a librarian for over 35 years – has worked in public and academic libraries. As a consultant she specializes in management for and organizational development in libraries, change management, 21st century trends and future studies, staffing issues, customer service, and emergency management.

Free Webinar: Benefits of Library Internet Access

2010-04-21T20:46:29Z

Library staff and board members might find this free Web Junction webinar interesting and helpful:

Opportunity for All: The American Public Benefits from Library Internet Access
Date: 5/18/2010
Start Time: 12:00 PM
End Time: 1:00 PM
Description:
The University of Washington recently completed a nationwide study of public access computing in public libraries across the United States. The results of this study are available to all libraries, and can provide a powerful supplement to locally collected data to show community impact from these services. One of the outcomes from the study are a set of indicators that libraries can use to track their own impact from public access technology and also to evaluate policy changes overtime and as part of systematic evaluation of public access technology services.

This Webinar will explore some of the ways that data collected about public access computer use can demonstrate the value of your services in the community and provide valuable information about the needs of your constituents. We will also examine approaches that have worked in using the data to influence funding and support for public access computing. Every public library has something to say about this, no matter how small; using the increasingly rich sources of data to support your public access efforts is especially critical in times of short budgets to ensure continued funding and support by the local community.

Register here:
http://evanced.info/webjunction/evanced/eventsignup.asp?ID=1648

Grants for Author Programs Available

2010-04-12T20:51:19Z

The Wisconsin Center for the Book's Wisconsin Authors and Illustrators Speak program, offers towns and cities the opportunity to celebrate and explore the literature of our state with writers and artists. The Center for the Book will award up four grants of $300 each to qualifying nonprofit organizations, including libraries, wishing to bring a Wisconsin author or illustrator to their community to speak at a public event scheduled between September 1, 2010 and April 30, 2011. A Wisconsin author or illustrator is defined as one who has lived in Wisconsin for a significant period of time, including someone who may no longer be living in the state.

Any Wisconsin nonprofit organization interested in books and reading is eligible to apply for one of the grants. Collaboration among groups is encouraged. Applications will be judged on the basis of community outreach and collaboration, thoroughness of planning, and rationale for the choice of speaker. Application information can be found at http://wisconsincenterforthebook.wordpress.com/wais/ or by contacting Sarah McGowan, Wisconsin Authors and Illustrators program chair, at windsong@centurytel.net. Completed applications are due July 1, 2010.

Facebook Updates

2010-04-09T14:32:28Z

Thanks to everyone who attended our Facebook training yesterday and shared in the discussion! I thought it was a fun and very productive day. In the afternoon lab session both Waupaca and Weyauwega create and published pages! Sue Abrahamson also showed off a great new video highlighting Waupaca Library services -- you can find the video on their Facebook page and web site.

We also posted on OWLSweb a page of handouts and links from the training session. If you couldn't attend but are still interested in learning more about Facebook or getting a Library Page started please let us know. At the end of the day OWLS joined the fun and published an OWLS Facebook page. Essential information from OWLS will still come through email and Carpe Hootem, but we hope to use the Facebook page to provide interesting highlights, links (and photos!) about what is happening at OWLS, at OWLS libraries, and in the wider library community.