BackTalk: We Need Big Tent Librarianship

By Andy Woodworth

In politics, there is a term known as the “big tent.” It is used to represent a diversity of groups that are united under one political party. Though these groups often differ in their stances on certain issues, they have enough in common to be drawn together under the same soaring roof. What they lack in ideological compatibility they make up for in the strength of their combined numbers and the opportunity to act on the broader themes of the coalition.

With this definition in mind, I would like to propose that we all engage in what I call “big tent librarianship.” The guiding dogma to this concept is that all librarians are intrinsically connected in their personal motivations for entering the profession, whether it is a desire to provide a service to a community or population, to act on the belief that information should be easily and readily accessible to those who seek it, or to ensure that literacy is an integral aspect of modern society. These are the elementary constants that bind the profession together.

Read more...

BackTalk: We Need Big Tent Librarianship

Serving the 21st Century Patron - WebJunction

WebJunction's second online conference was held December 1–2, 2010. Topics focused on the changing needs, approaches, challenges and opportunities related to customer service in your 21st-century library.  You can view the 9 archived topics  their website.  http://www.webjunction.org/21st-century-patrons/-/resources/overview

Watch the Slideshow

Wisconsin Libraries Say Cheese on Nov. 17th resulted in a wonderful collection of library photos from around the state.  You are invited to watch the slide show or visit the flickr group to view the images. These library photos are a visual way to remind everyone of the variety and wealth of resources, services, programs and activities their library offers.

Nov. 19-20 Library of Congress in Eau Claire

A specially-designed 18-wheel truck will bring treasures and information from the Library of Congress into Eau Claire Nov. 19-20.

"Gateway to Knowledge" will visit sites in several states through the end of the year. The exhibit includes programming especially for teachers and students and provides relevant and engaging learning experiences for lifelong learners. 


The truck, which will be staffed and driven by two docents well-versed in the Library and its collections, will be parked at Oakwood Mall in Eau Claire.
More info at http://www.loc.gov/gateway/

Just Say Cheese Today Nov 17th!

Fire up those digital cameras at your library today!  November 17th.

"Everyone Reads @ Your Library" Grants

El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children’s Day/Book Day), is an every day celebration of children, families, and reading that emphasizes the importance of literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds.  An annual celebration takes place annually on or near April 30th.  Commonly known as “Dia,” its primary goals are to honor children and their diverse backgrounds;  to encourage reading and literacy;  and to promote library collections and programs that reflect our plurality on a daily basis. 

The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) is pleased to accept applications for mini-grants intended to expand youth literacy programs to include and celebrate a variety of cultures in public libraries.  Up to 15 mini-grants will be awarded:  up to eight at $4,000 each; and up to seven at $6,000 each.

Intended as an expansion of El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Día), the mini-grants will be awarded to libraries that demonstrate a need to better address the diverse backgrounds within their communities.   

The mini-grants are part of the Everyone Reads @ your library grant awarded to ALSC from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation.  For more information, and the application form, go to http://everyonereads.zhost.net

The deadline for receipt of applications is November 29, 2010.

Now You CAN fill in PDFs online!

FillAnyPDF.com is a website where you upload your PDF form and link to it so other people can fill it out and sign it online. No software is needed. Any PDF form can be used, even if it's not "interactive", so you can get started right away. You can even invite a group to fill out your forms and track the results. Anyone that collects signatures or filled out forms will find FillAnyPDF.com to be a valuable time-saving resource.  Visit www.fillanypdf.com.

Happy Halloween!

Here are some fun photos from Chippewa Falls Public Library. Have a safe fun Halloween!

Alltop for Libraries

Alltop (All Top Stories) is a good source for current information from top news websites and blogs on any given topic.  They now have a page for Libraries that is jam packed with all kinds of library information and ideas ideas and blogs.  Visit the site at http://libraries.alltop.com.

Hudson Area Library Grand Opening

Hudson Area Library celebrated the Grand Opening of it's new facility on October 2nd.  Located along the St. Croix river in downtown Hudson, the new building showcases lots of windows and an open airy feel. Many people attended the event and enjoyed various musical performances throughout the day. The winners of the logo/tagline design contest were announced and the new logo and tagline were unveiled  -  "Where Knowledge Flows Freely"  Their new website will be launched soon too. 

John Cotton Dana Library Public Relations Award

Your library does not have to be big with lots of money to spend on public relations in order to win the $5000 John Cotton Dana Award. This award cuts across type-of-library lines to select libraries that have distinguished themselves by their public education and public relations efforts.

"Everyone needs to remember," said John Cotton Dana Committee Chair Kim Terry, "that the judges don't look at how much the project costs, but at how creative or effective it was."

In 2001, the Dr. Eugene Clark Library in Lockhart, Texas, won for ‘Up On the Roof With the Loony Librarian,’ for which a librarian camped on the library’s dome for a week to raise funds for a renovation project.

In 2005, the Maricopa County Library District in Phoenix, AZ, developed ‘The Mystery Club of Luna Drive,’ an online young adult novel that gave teens an opportunity to solve a mystery using puzzles, ciphers and critical thinking.

One of the most innovative projects of recent years came out last year from Hackney Library at Barton College, in Wilson, N.C. in 2010. They created a “Band Book Tour,” a music festival centered on a fictional band that “stopped” at literary locations in controversial books. Giveaways of tour t-shirts and “all-access” lanyards and wallets continue to provide the library with exposure to this day, as students are frequently seen on campus with their tour gear.

“The size of your budget doesn’t matter,” Terry added, “so be sure to enter and share your great ideas with the rest of us.”

For an entry form, checklist, guidelines and tips, visit www.hwwilson.com/jcdawards/nw_jcd.htm.

Chippewa Valley Book Festival: Oct 18 - 24

Authors with ties to the Midwest join readers and writers in the Chippewa Valley to celebrate the written word.  Located in western Wisconsin, the Chippewa Valley is an exceptionally beautiful area offering outdoor recreation, unique attractions, and activities for the whole family.

Come meet a favorite author and have your book signed or listen to authors talk about their works.  We hope to see you at one of our many events for children, teens, and adults during the seven day festival.

Wisconsin Public Radio Talks With Librarians

On September 13^th, Wisconsin Public Radio host, Kathleen Dunn, talked with two top Wisconsin librarians about the growth in library usage, and the future of libraries in the Digital Age. Her guests were Marge Loch-Wouters, Youth Services Coordinator, La Crosse Public Library and Erick Plumb, Interim Director, Monona Public Library.

You can listen to the archive by going to this link www.wpr.org/kathleendunnwww.wpr.org/kathleendunn/

Altoona's New Teen Zone

During a summer reading program workshop called “Express Yourself @ the Library”, Altoona Public Library teens painted and decorated their TEEN ZONE lettering.  Youth Services Librarian Regina Arndt’s husband painted the teen zone walls red and added vinyl wall decals.  The “Friends of the Altoona Public Library” paid for the paint supplies, decals and the cool zebra rug.  Librarian Martha Spangler made the black and white pillows.  The end result is quite attractive. 

This is a very popular spot for the kids to hang out and enjoy a good book after school.

Does Your Library Director Have These Skills?

From  PM Magazine.

• Participates. Library leaders belong “at the table” with other local government decisionmakers, involved in overall planning for community betterment and service provision.
• Shares your mission. Libraries and other service providers should know and share the strategic mission of your local government. They should find areas of commonality and ways to share resources and efforts with other departments.
• Builds partnerships. Partnerships with public agencies, nonprofits, and the private sector strengthen programs. Effective partnerships require time and effort to establish, but they are worth the effort if they support the vision of the community.
• Appreciates diversity. Differing cultural norms (organizational and community norms, for example) should be recognized, understood, and respected; and adjustments should be made as needed in program planning and execution. Flexibility and adaptability are key characteristics, needed by all involved in joint ventures.
• Communicates. Communicating with partners, stakeholders, and the larger community is important to grow and nurture partnerships.
• Fosters champions. Champions and advocates are important to make programs successful and sustainable. Library champions have a clear understanding of library services and the role the library plays in the quality of life of a community. They can contribute support in any number of ways, including time, funds, influence, services, goods, and related items.
• Embraces innovation. Reinforcing the library’s transformational nature and having it viewed as a great place to help change people’s lives is critical during tough budget times and when local government must be constantly changing how it does business. The library should be an engine for innovation in a community.

Frederic Public Library Aids Delta Airlines

Here's a good library story from Frederic Public Library:

Wednesday morning we received a call from Delta Airlines in Georgia.  Agent Susana said they had found a carry-on duffel bag with no identification in it, except for a library book with the Frederic Public Library stamp!  She must have traced our address to find a telephone number and contacted us in order to unite the lost luggage with its owner.  We took it from there - looked up the book, called the Ladysmith patron, and she was delighted to learn the bag had been found, since her carry-on held all her traveling essentials.  This is yet another example of how important libraries are to our everyday lives!  BTW, in yet another kind gesture, we waived the 10-cent overdue fine on our book and renewed it for the patron.  

Celebrate AskAway Awareness Week Sept. 13-17!

What is AskAway? AskAway is an online information service available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The service is staffed by librarians from across Wisconsin, the United States and the United Kingdom. These librarians are online to help you find resources to satisfy your academic, professional, and personal information needs. You can access AskAway from anywhere there is an Internet connection including home, school, work, the library, or wherever there's Wi-Fi access. For more information and PR materials, click. All ALS libraries and their customers have access to AskAway.


Deaf iPhone Users Connect with Video Relay Interpreters

WRelay, a company based in Salt Lake City, Utah, just launched IWRelay VRS, the iPhone's first mobile video relay app. With it, deaf or hearing-impaired iPhone users can have easy video-based phone calls with hearing friends and family members. The app connects deaf iPhone users with video relay interpreters using the iPhone's new FaceTime feature.

Using FaceTime, a deaf caller communicates by sign language with the interpreter. The interpreter then translates for the hearing caller. The hearing caller's words are then signed back to the deaf caller. The company says that product testers have been overwhelmingly positive in their

feedback. The app is available for free download. Deaf and hearing-impaired callers can access video relay interpreters through the app for free as part of the FCC's Interstate Telecommunications Relay Services Fund. http://www.appscout.com/2010/07/iphone_gets_first_mobile_video.php

Ogema Public Library's Summer Reading Program

Ogema Public Library’s Summer Reading Program had 56 participating children  plus some parents that stayed to help or join in the fun! 

Ogema, Wisconsin, located in Price County, has a population of 840 people.  Jay Heims, the library director, had fun reading and doing activities with the Primary group (4-8yrs.), with the help of Sharon Klassen, volunteer.  

Susan Freiboth, library aide, did reading and active activities with the Tweens group (9-12 yrs.). Connie Grapa and Wendy Rebne had both groups at different times for a Healthy Snack/Game time.

All the participants enjoyed many different water themed activities. A hit with the Primaries was the "Sink or Float" activity with Jay.

On the last day, the Tweens had fun participating in a Pirate Scavenger hunt using written clues along with the Card Catalog to find the corresponding book which then led them onto the next clue to find the wooden "Treasure Chest" filled with goodies!

All that attended were winners!

I Love My Librarian Award

Nominate your librarian for the third year of the Carnegie Corporation of New York/New York Times I Love My Librarian Award! 

Nominations for 2010 stay open through September 20.
Nominate a librarian in a:
School Library
Public Library
College, Community College, University Library

There are nearly 123,000 libraries nationwide, and librarians touch the lives of the people they serve every day.  The award encourages library users like you to recognize the accomplishments of exceptional public, school, college, community college, or university librarians.  We want to hear how you think your librarian is improving the lives of the people in your school, campus or community.

Up to ten winners will be selected this year and receive a $5,000 cash award, a plaque and $500 travel stipend to attend an awards reception in New York hosted by The New York Times.  In addition, a plaque will be given to each award winner’s library.

The award is administered by the American Library Association with support from Carnegie Corporation of New York and The New York Times.

Questions? Contact Megan Humphrey: mhumphrey@ala.org

Win a $2,500 or $1,000 Grant

Freedom to Read Foundation announces competition for two Banned Books Week grants

Judith Krug Fund will provide $2,500 and $1,000 awards to Read-Outs

The Freedom to Read Foundation (FTRF), through its Judith F. Krug Memorial Fund, will provide two grants—one for $2,500 and one for $1,000—to two organizations to support “Read-Outs” celebrating Banned Books Week 2010.  Applications for the grants will be accepted through Aug. 27, and the announcements will be made the week of Sept. 6.  Banned Books Week 2010 will be held Sept. 25–Oct. 2. 

This is the first announced project for the Judith Krug Memorial Fund, established after Krug’s death in April 2009.  Krug was the founding executive director of the Freedom to Read Foundation, which was established in 1969 as a First Amendment legal defense organization affiliated with the American Library Association (ALA).  Krug founded Banned Books Week in her capacity as director of the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom.

A Banned Books Week Read-Out is an event during which people celebrate the freedom to read by gathering to read from books that have been banned or challenged over the years.  To help kick off this year’s Banned Books Week, ALAwill be holding its annual Read-Out on Saturday, Sept. 25 in Chicago’s Washington Square Park—also known as Bughouse Square.  Authors of some of the most frequently challenged books of 2009 will be reading from their works, including Lauren Myracle (the ttyl, ttfn,l8r g8r series), Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson (“And Tango Makes Three”), Stephen Chbosky (“Perks of Being a Wallflower”), and Carolyn Mackler (“The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things”). Award-winning (and frequently challenged) author Chris Crutcher will emcee the event.

 “Judith Krug always loved the Chicago Read-Outs,” said Freedom to Read Foundation President Kent Oliver.  “She enjoyed talking with the authors, the performers and particularly with the many young readers who came to hear the authors and get some wonderful books!  She also always delighted in learning about other events going on around the country.  She was so proud of Banned Books Week and how it was embraced nationally in schools, libraries, universities, book stores and online.  We’re thrilled to offer these grants to encourage others around the country to hold their own celebrations of our freedom to read.”

To apply for a Judith Krug Banned Books Week Event grant, visit www.ala.org/krugfund.  Organizations are required to submit an event description, timeline and budget with their application, as well as agree to provide a written report and video to FTRF following Banned Books Week.  For more information on Banned Books Week, visit www.ala.org/bbooks.  A compendium of thousands of books that have been banned and challenged can be found in the “2010 Banned Books Resource Guide,” available via the ALA Store at www.alastore.ala.org.  You can also purchase Banned Books Week posters, buttons, bookmarks, t-shirts, bracelets, and tote bags there. 

Contact Jonathan Kelley at jokelley@ala.org or Nanette Perez at nperez@ala.org with questions, or call (800) 545-2433, ext. 4226.

Making a Difference, One Storm Drain at a Time

Fall Creek Public Library is teaming up with local organizations and community members to promote the health of local waterways. On August 21, 2010, 9:45AM, Fall Creek Library will stencil “Drains to River – do not dump” above Fall Creek’s storm drains. This project is volunteer-based--anyone over the age of 10 can sign up at the library. A potluck will follow clean-up.

This project will encourage community members and visitors to take a closer look at waterways, streets, and pollution. Many people do not realize that everything that flows down the drains goes to local waterways. Leaves, grass clippings, lawn chemicals, animal feces, oil, refuse from carwashes, trash and cigarette butts are most likely to end up in waterways via storm drains. This community-wide project promotes the “act local, think global” philosophy, including the pollution of waterways. Everyone has the power to make positive changes, one little storm drain at a time!

Volunteers are needed to spray paint the drains, clean up, be group leaders, and safety leaders.  If you are unavailable August 21, you can still help! Donations are requested for garbage bags, rags, duct tape, spray paint, and safety mouth/nose masks. Volunteers are needed to place door hangers one week before the stenciling, pass around handouts to friends and family, and to post signs around town.  

Contact coordinator Jenna Gilles at 715.877.3334 or jgilles@ifls.lib.wi.us for more information or to volunteer. Volunteers under age 18 are required to have a permission slip signed. All participants are required to sign a safety and responsibility form. Upon request, the library will provide an official recognition letter for volunteers’ schools or businesses. Inclement weather date is August 28. This event is a culmination of a summer reading program with the theme Make a Splash @ Your Library! 

Thanks to Karen R. Hurd Nutritional Practice, LLC for her generous donation to help fund the project. 

Old Spice Man Speaks Out For Libraries

Check out this you-tube video of the Old Spice guy speaking out for libraries.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bu-KBxOtJxs

BadgerLink Posters, Bookmarks, Promotional Items

The BadgerLink staff at Resources for Libraries & Lifelong Learning (RL&LL), Department of Public Instruction, along with EBSCO staff are working together to revise the BadgerLink posters, bookmarks and other promotional items. Several of these new products are available now at:

        www.ebscohost.com/custom/default.php?id=325

Feel free to print and distribute these materials to your library’s users OR post these materials on your library’s website!  We have some materials already printed. Contact us at dpibadgerli@dpi.wi.gov to request any of these. 

Last fall the BadgerLink staff asked for the community’s opinions regarding promotional material. The BadgerLink team used this input to begin working through revising the materials for libraries.    Design, production, and printing assistance are provided by EBSCO as part of its statewide contract with BadgerLink. This current array of promotional items represents the first results from that process.

The work continues!!!  We will add to the material over the coming months adding more posters and bookmarks and other materials! If you would like to give BadgerLink staff feedback or make suggestions let us know at:

        forms.dpi.wi.gov/se.ashx?s=56301B2D4CC6DCBF

BadgerLink is a project of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning. Its goal is to provide access to quality online information resources for Wisconsin residents in cooperation with the state's public, school, academic, and special libraries.

Grant Resources Available at LEPMPL

The L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library in Eau Claire is a Foundation Center Cooperating Collection Member.  That means they have some terrific resources and rich databases for finding the best matching grant for your project.  Most of these materials need to be used in the library, including the database.  You can attend an open lab on Wednesday, July 21 from 10-12:30 to use the database in a supported environment.  Or you can go to the library any time during open hours to use the computer.  If you need more than an hour, be sure to talk to the reference staff, and they'll give you extra time if you are using the grant collection.

Sand Creek's Library Renovation

“The idea for the library renovation literally started with a light bulb going on…actually 34 of them,” exclaimed Cathy LeFevre, Director of the Clarella Hackett Johnson Public Library in Sand Creek. “While my husband Bob changed bulbs, he discovered that above the dropped acoustic tile was a ceiling of old growth Douglas fir. ‘Can you imagine what the library would look like with taller bookcases and that ceiling exposed?’ ” A retired cabinetmaker, Bob LeFevre made a sample bookcase and a schematic drawing of the library renovation and presented it to the Sand Creek community in 2009.  Bookcases or children’s book bins could be “purchased” for the cost of materials and each had a place for an engraved plaque to honor the donor.  A local matching grant sparked a flurry of grant writing, Friend’s book and bake sales, and two spaghetti suppers. 

In November 2009, production on the new library furnishings began.  Bob donated over 500 hours for the library renovation--building, sanding, varnishing and installing the new cabinetry and workstations, and sanding and varnishing the ceiling. Additional community volunteer labor was requested to move the library, remove the old carpet, paint the library (a gorgeous sage color) and move everything back in a timely manner. “It was an intense three weeks!” remarks Cathy, “throughout the renovation-- Bob’s vision, talent and hard work has been amazing and the support of the Library Board and community has been remarkable.  Almost all the bookcases and bins have donation plaques on them, and the entire project was accomplished without taxpayer monies. Because of limited funding, we had to ‘think within the box’ to make the library the best it could be.” (In 2009 taxpayers voted to raise the tax levy and enable Sand Creek’s Library to join the MORE system this fall.) “We are proud that the community realizes the importance of supporting their library and as an 11-year-old patron so accurately exclaims: ‘the library looks WAY COOL now!’”