Sunday, November 7, 2010
Meet JoCasta Zamarripa, Democratic Freshman Legislator from Wisconsin's 8th Assembly District
4th in a series.
The Forest Home Branch of the Milwaukee Public Library is located within the 8th Assembly District.
Nashville Public Library's Digital History Project on 2009 Flood
Link to November 7 Nashville Tennessean article, "Nashville library to build collection of flood stories".
Excerpt: Before business owners finished scraping the mud off their First Avenue floors, before trash trucks hauled off the last of the waterlogged belongings, Andrea Blackman knew Nashville's flood had to be recorded.
And not just recorded — put into context and explained from different points of view so people decades from now would know how the city handled what may be the largest disaster of this generation.
So Blackman, Nashville Public Library's special collections divisions manager, and her team left the stacks and walked to where the damage was, pulling flood-related posters off utility poles and collecting business cards for future interviews.
They launched a major effort to collect all of the documents, photos and verbal accounts possible before the flood's first anniversary.
Meet Jim Steineke, Republican Freshman Legislator from Wisconsin's 5th Assembly District
Third in a series.
Public libraries in Wisconsin 5th Assembly district: Black Creek, Kaukauna, (Kimberly-)Little Chute, Seymour, all 4 of which are located in the Outagamie-Waupaca Library System. The District also includes a portion of the Brown County Public Library service area (Nicolet Federated Library System).
40th Anniversary Publication of First Gay Teen Novel
2 copies in LINKcat
Link to November 4 Pioneer Press article, "Woodbury publisher printing 40th anniversary edition of first gay teen novel".
Excerpt: Flux, an imprint of Woodbury-based Llewellyn Publications, is publishing a 40th anniversary edition of "I'll Get There. It Better Be Worth the Trip" by the late John Donovan. Known as America's first gay teen novel, it's the story of a 13-year-old who lives with his estranged, alcoholic mother in New York and finds himself out of place in his surroundings until he meets a classmate with whom his relationship escalates.
Scheduled to be published in September, this edition features essays by writers Brent Hartinger and Martin Wilson, and Kathleen T. Horning, director of the Cooperative Children's Book Center, who reflect on the novel's place in history.
Donovan was a children's author and executive director of the Children's Book Council from 1967 until his death in 1992. His estate is donating royalties from the Flux edition to the New York Public Library. Odell sells second book to Random House.
Meet Chad Weininger, Republican Freshman Legislator from Wisconsin's 4th Assembly District
Second in a series.
Public libraries in Wisconsin 4th Assembly District: Ashwaubenon and Kress Family branches of the Brown County Public Library.
New Jersey's Pennsville Public Library: "The Little Library That Did"
Although it's still in the 'will do' or 'hope to do' stage.
Link to October 28 nj.com article, "Pennsville Public Library continues with push to raise $133,000 to keep doors open".
Excerpt: The $140,000 Pennsville Public Library had to raise to stay open after municipal aid cuts is down to $133,000, but new fundraisers have library officials optimistic about meeting that goal.
Reaching its remainder of the $133,000 has become a library campaign called “The Little Library That Did.” The campaign was initiated when the library board of trustees met professional fundraiser Craig Harper, who runs CAH32 Enterprises.
Harper, of South Harrison Township, is a retired teacher and basketball coach who has raised funds for his teams throughout his career. Post-retirement, Harper became a full-time fundraiser.
Link to October 28 nj.com article, "Pennsville Public Library continues with push to raise $133,000 to keep doors open".
Excerpt: The $140,000 Pennsville Public Library had to raise to stay open after municipal aid cuts is down to $133,000, but new fundraisers have library officials optimistic about meeting that goal.
Reaching its remainder of the $133,000 has become a library campaign called “The Little Library That Did.” The campaign was initiated when the library board of trustees met professional fundraiser Craig Harper, who runs CAH32 Enterprises.
Harper, of South Harrison Township, is a retired teacher and basketball coach who has raised funds for his teams throughout his career. Post-retirement, Harper became a full-time fundraiser.
Get Your Scorecards Ready
Link to November 6 column by Phil Hands in the Wisconsin State Journal, "Hands on Wisconsin: GOP win responsibilty for Wisconsin Budget Deficit".
Excerpt: And while it was a great night for Republicans, when they woke up Wednesday morning, Wisconsin's problems became their problems. And if they want to control things for more than one election cycle, the GOP had better get to work fixing the problems they said they would during the campaign.
They need to cut spending, raise some taxes and fees to plug the every deepening budget deficit. At the same time they need to cut taxes on small business or find some other incentive to get local companies hiring again. That is what needs to be done.
There is no time to waste millions of dollars on lawyers to stop a train. And there is especially no time to do anything in relation to God, Guns or Gays at the state level.
That's not why we put the GOP in power.
What say Scott Fitzgerald, Glenn Grothman, Mike Ellis, Joe Leibham, Dan Kapanke, and Sheila Harsdorf? And for that matter, Governor-elect Scott Walker himself?
Heard through the Capitol grapevine: So I hear that the Republican leadership has said concealed weapons will be the first bill. So much for their "jobs, jobs, jobs" message.
Colleen Rortvedt Selected as Director of Appleton Public Library
Link to November 7 Appleton Post-Crescent article.
Excerpt: The Appleton Public Library has named Colleen Rortvedt as library director effective Jan. 8.
Rortvedt, the library's assistant director since January 2009, will succeed Terry Dawson, who will retire Jan. 7 after 32 years with the library.
Dawson said he was pleased with the selection of Rortvedt.
"She has been an effective leader and manager with a track record of developing collaborations to improve library service and strengthen our community," Dawson said.
Rortvedt, a graduate of Lawrence University, earned a master's degree in library science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She served as Appleton's young adult librarian and audiovisual librarian before being named assistant library director.
Congratulations, Colleen!
South Central Library System Cornerstone Award Reception
Please join us, members of the South Central library community -- and others!
Saturday, November 6, 2010
A 'Bibliopocalypse' @ the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library
Link to November 6 Buffalo News article, "Library supporters look to shelve cuts proposed in county budget".
Excerpt: But there was no shushing the crowd of about 100 librarians and library supporters who gathered at Lafayette Square on Saturday to protest the county's plans to cut $4 million from the Buffalo & Erie County Library.
"We're here to make some noise!" rallied Timothy Galvin, president of the union that represents county librarians.
County Executive Chris Collins' cuts to the library's budgets won't shut down any libraries, as the county did back in 2005. But they are expected to lead to 200 layoffs and drastically curtail hours at some branches, down to as little as 16 hours a week in some cases.
The proposal is not sitting well with the librarians' unions, nor with library supporters who argue that the community is still suffering from the 2005 closings and that use of branch libraries has increased as economic troubles have dragged on.
"It's a BIBLIOPOCALYPSE," read one handwritten sign two protesters held up.
Related articles:
WBEN online poll offers 3 general options for public library future. (10/31/2010)
Reimagining the library. (10/27/2010)
Budget cuts = reduced hours. (10/21/2010)
Deep cuts (again) in the works. (9/17/2010)
Editorial puts in 'a word about libraries'. (8/30/2010)
Library could lose 25% of funding. (8/19/2009)
Tacoma Public Library Tightens Its Belt
Link to November 6 Tacoma News Tribune article, "Tacoma board weighs closing library branches".
Excerpt: Beginning next year, Tacoma Public Library patrons likely can expect fewer hours of operation at the city’s main library downtown and could face service cuts even more dire: losing their neighborhood library branch.
Facing a coming budget more than $1.8 million smaller [to $24,700,000] than the current one, the library’s five-member board of trustees is now considering several cost-cutting options, including scenarios that would close one or two branches.
“I would like (city council members) to know that the branch library in their district may very well be on the chopping block,” trustee Lillian Hunter said during the board’s meeting Wednesday. “… Let’s not sugarcoat it.”
Boy Scout Conducts Book Drive for All-Volunteer Keizer Community Library
Population of Keizer, Oregon: 36,093.
Gerstner's efforts brought the library $100 and 8,125 books, compact discs, VHS tapes, DVDs and other materials. The library's inventory before Gerstner's aid was 11,000 books and other items, said Art Burr, library director.
Gerstner, 15, also arranged the printing of 3,400 fliers, which were distributed to area homes. Volunteers gave him more than 200 hours of their time. He set up collection barrels at four local businesses.
"The library in Keizer is not funded by taxes, and it's been having a lot of trouble with financial issues and space," Gerstner said.
Link to November 5 (Oregon) Statesman Journal article, "McNary student boosts library's cache".
Excerpt: McNary High School sophomore Grant Gerstner aimed to earn his Eagle Scout wings recently by having a book drive for the library.
Gerstner's efforts brought the library $100 and 8,125 books, compact discs, VHS tapes, DVDs and other materials. The library's inventory before Gerstner's aid was 11,000 books and other items, said Art Burr, library director.
Gerstner, 15, also arranged the printing of 3,400 fliers, which were distributed to area homes. Volunteers gave him more than 200 hours of their time. He set up collection barrels at four local businesses.
"The library in Keizer is not funded by taxes, and it's been having a lot of trouble with financial issues and space," Gerstner said.
U. S. News and World Report: No More Printed Monthly Magazines
One of the triumvirate of newsweeklies until 2008.
Link to memo to U. S. News & World Report employees.
Update on Cushing Academy's Bookless Library
Link to November 6 Boston Globe article, "Digital shift. Going (almost) bookless has made Cushing Academy's library a popular spot".
Excerpt: As prophets go, Tracy is alone in the wilderness closer to home. While other institutions have expressed interest in what Cushing has done, he’s unaware of other schools following his lead, and larger prep schools such as Phillips Academy in Andover and its sister school, Phillips Exeter Academy, have no intention of getting rid of their books. Exeter has 176,000, Andover more than 150,000. (“In general, I believe that the book in its traditional form is beyond wonderful and is not going to become obsolete,’’ says John Rogers, Andover’s dean of studies.)
Meanwhile, Cushing’s library has been transformed into a wide open space (though there are a couple of stacks left). Circles of comfortable chairs are located at each end of the room, where some classes are held, and students study together or, just as often, chat at tables in the middle. There’s a coffee shop, too. The new iteration, in Cushing parlance, is “a creative commons.’’ The sepulchral silence of a traditional library is gone. (A small Silent Room remains for those who need quiet to study.)
Related article:
Headmaster ignores yesterday's lessons. (9/6/2009)
Recommended reading for James "I-can't-believe-McGovern-lost-everyone-I-know-voted-for-him" Tracy: "What do teenagers think about ebooks? Not much."
Dane County Nears 500,000 Population...and Need for Legislative Fix
Link to November 5 Wisconsin State Journal article, "As Dane County population nears 500,000, laws could force taxpayers to pay up".
Excerpt: A series of state laws written to apply to Milwaukee County could force local taxpayers to pay the state $59 million and require Dane County to surrender control of its child welfare system.
But local officials hope state lawmakers find a fix.
Dane County is on the verge of reaching 500,000 population in Census numbers expected to be released early next year, and that would make it subject to about 160 state laws that were written to apply to Milwaukee County, Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk wrote in a memo to legislators obtained by the State Journal.
The next county to face this dilemma, though not likely until after 2020.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Meet the State of Wisconsin's New Leadership: Part 1, The Senate
Republicans
Dane County: Cambridge, Columbus, Deerfield.
Dodge County: Beaver Dam, Fox Lake, Horicon, Hustisford, Iron Ridge, Juneau, Lowell, Mayville, Randolph, Reeseville, Watertown.
Jefferson County: Fort Atkinson, Jefferson, Lake Mills, Waterloo.
Public libraries in the 20th Senate District (which includes portions of Eastern Shores and Mid-Wisconsin library systems).
Dodge County: Theresa.
Fond du Lac County: Campbellsport.
Ozaukee County: Cedarburg, Grafton, Saukville, Port Washington.
Sheboygan County: Cedar Grove, Random Lake.
Washington County: Kewaskum, Slinger, West Bend.
Public libraries in the 19th Senate District (which includes portions of OWLS and Winnefox library systems.
Outagamie County: Appleton.
Winnebago County: Menasha, Neenah, Winneconne.
Public libraries in the 9th Senate District (which includes portions of Eastern Shores and Manitowoc-Calumet library systems.
Calumet County: New Holstein.
Manitowoc County: Kiel, Manitowoc.
Sheboygan: Elkhart Lake, Kohler, Plymouth, Sheboygan, Sheboygan Falls.
Public libraries in the 32nd Senate District (which includes portions of Southwest and Winding Rivers library systems).
Crawford County: Prairie du Chien.
LaCrosse County: Bangor, La Crosse, La Crosse County (Holman Onalaska), West Salem.
Monroe County: Cashton, Norwalk, Wilton.
Vernon County: Coon Valley, De Soto, Gays Mills, Hillsboro, La Farge, Ontario, Readstown, Soldiers Grove, Viola, Viroqua.
Public libraries in the 10th Senate District (which includes portions of the Indianhead and Northern Waters library systems).
Burnett County: Grantsburg.
Dunn County: Menomonie.
Pierce County: Ellsworth, Elmwood, Prescott, River Falls, Spring Valley.
Polk County: Amery, Balsam Lake, Centuria, Clear Lake, Deer Park, Dresser, Frederic, Luck, Milltown, Osceola.
St. Croix County: Baldwin, Glenwood City, Hammond, Hudson, New Richmond, Somerset, Woodville.
Democrats
Public libraries in the 16th Senate District (all within the South Central Library System).
Columbia County: Cambria, Lodi, Poynette
Dane County: DeForest, Madison (Hawthrone, Pinney), Marshall, McFarland, Monona, Oregon, Stoughton, Sun Prairie
Public libraries in the 30th Senate District (all within the Nicolet Library System).
Brown County: (Green Bay, Green Bay East, Green Bay Southwest, Howard, Pulaski).
Marinette County: (Coleman-Pound, Marinette, Peshtigo).
Oconto County: Lena, Oconto.
Public libraries in the 24th Senate District (which includes portions of the South Central and Winnefox library systems).
Adams County: Adams County, Rome.
Portage County: (Almond, Plover, Rosholt, Stevens Point), Amherst.
Waushara County: Hancock, Plainfield.
Wood County: Arpin, Marshfield, Nekoosa, Vesper, Wisconsin Rapids
Public libraries in the 31st Senate District (which includes portions of the Indianhead and Winding Rivers library systems).
Buffalo: Alma, Mondovi
Eau Claire: Altoona.
Pepin County: Durand, Pepin.
Pierce County: Plum City.
Trempealeau County: Arcadia, Blair, Ettrick, Galesville, Independence, Osseo, Strum, Trempealeau, Whitehall.
Unfortunately, this good advice is likely to be ignored
Link to November 5 Indianapolis Star article, "Daniels' political tip: Zip your lips. Governor wants no talk of plans for '12 until '11".
Excerpt: But, Daniels said, "I'll ask anybody who is thinking of running for any office in 2012 to be quiet about it for the next several months. We just finished an election. We now ought to all be about the business of delivering on the change and the duties that we have. So I'm going to ask anybody who is thinking about running for anything to just stifle yourself for a few months."
Asked if that meant he would not be talking about the presidency until at least after the legislative session, Daniels said: "Very astute and, yes, 100 percent correct."
I may not be in full agreement with his politics, but I certainly like his style!
Scenario Development for Troubled Times at the University of North Carolina
Link to November 5 Charlotte Observer article, "UNC worst-case budget looks grim. Bowles lays out bleak picture: Cuts could cost jobs, programs, and even whole campuses".
Excerpt: Chapel Hill UNC system President Erskine Bowles painted a bleak picture Thursday of the UNC system if the more severe of two budget-cutting scenarios is necessary.
As many as 1,700 jobs could be lost, he said.
Bowles even suggested that if North Carolina's economic health doesn't improve, the UNC system may eventually have to close a campus - which he called a smarter strategic and fiscal move than simply chipping away at every university in the system.
"If we keep having cuts, cuts, cuts, we'll have to look at eliminating schools, campuses," Bowles told members of the UNC system's Board of Governors. "If it went on for several years, that would be the smart decision. The unfortunate, smart decision."
To be clear, the university's situation is nowhere near that dire yet.
Congratulations to Nancy Adamczyk on her 40 Years of Service to New Jersey's Madison Public Library
Link to November 4 Independence Press article, "Library Director Nancy Adamczyk honored for 40 years of service to Madison".
Excerpt: A graduate of Radford College, Mrs. Adamczyk holds a MLS from Rutgers University. She joined the staff of the library on Oct. 1, 1970 as a reference librarian and became general services librarian, working on publicity and programs.
Mrs. Adamczyk was appointed director of the library in October, 1977.
Robbery Attempt Foiled at Boston Public Library
LINK to floor plan for all levels
Link to November 5 Boston Globe article, "Attempted robbery reported at library".
Excerpt: A man showed a gun inside the Boston Public Library’s main branch in Copley Square on Wednesday in an apparent attempt to rob the cafe, police said. A police report said officers responded to 700 Boylston St. at about 3:20 p.m. and spoke to a clerk at the cafe, who was “shaking and crying.’’
Interview with Principal Architect of Madison Public Library Renovation
Link to November 5 Capital Times interview, "Architect: Renovating Madison's Central Library better than rebuilding".
Excerpt (Intro): Jeff Scherer is the principal architect on the Madison Central Library renovation. He is working with several members of his Minneapolis-based firm, Meyer, Scherer and Rockcastle, as well as architects from Madison-based Potter Lawson. The Capital Times spoke with Scherer about his western Arkansas roots and his philosophy about designing libraries.
Related articles:
Design development juggling acts. (10/15/2010)
One possible message don't settle for less. (8/5/2010)
Possible temporary location has asbestos problem. (6/18/2010)
Architectural firm selected for Madison Central project. (5/26/2010)
State Journal editorial board sez Madison City Council made right decision on Central Library. (5/10/2010)
Council vote on library goes under the radar. (5/8/2010)
And the beat goes on. (4/14/2010)
Mayor Responds to Critics on Library Issue. (4/13/2010)
Board Endorses Renovation Plan. (4/6/2010)
Some Council Members Not Ready to Move Forward on Mayor's Renovation Plan. (3/30/2010)
Council President Pro Tem to Introduce Resolution Approving Madison Central Library Renovation Project. (3/28/2010)
'Dissatisfaction' with Collapsed Madison Central Library Project. (3/25/2010)
Fiore Departure Seen as Beneficial to Madison Central Project. (3/23/2010)
Matter of Principle" Dooms New Central Madison Library. (3/20/2010)
Madison Central: The Dream Dies, It's Now Time to Renovate. (3/19/2010)
Dispute over Construction Costs Threatens to Derail New Central Madison Library. (3/17/2010)
Madison Public Library Project Faces Delay in 2011. (3/9/2010)
Construction, Cost Concerns May Delay Madison Central Library Project. (1/25/2010)
New Madison Central Library Wins Council Approval. (11/11/2009)Capital Times Endorses New Madison Central Library. (11/10/2009)
Madison Council Begins Review of Mayor's Budget on Tuesday. (11/6/2009)
More Questions About Madison Central Library Project. (11/1/2009)
New Madison Public Library's First Change Order: Rooftop Garden.
(10/28/2009)
Call for Referendum on New Madison Central Library Not Attracting Support. (10/21/2009)
Madison Board of Estimates Rejects Library Referendum. (10/13/2009)
Some Madison City Council Members Want Referendum on New Central Library. (10/9/2009)
Wisconsin State Journal Editorial on New Madison Central Library. (9/13/2009)
New Madison Central Library: Let the Positioning Begin. (9/1/2009)
New Madison Central Library on Mayor Dave's Front Burner. (8/30/2009)
New Madison Central Library: Build or Renovate? (7/7/2009)
Motley Brown Not Reason Enough. (6/11/2009)
Fiore Plan Receives Unanimous Support. (6/5/2009)
Fiore Plan Gets Nod from Committee. (5/15/2009)
Public Forum Focuses on Central Library Options. (4/24/2009)
Developer Sweetens the Deal. (4/21/2009)
Visualizing a Remodeled Madison Central Library. (4/4/2009)
Renovation Plan Put on Table for Madison Central Library. (3/26/2009)
Residents Critique Proposals to Rebuild Downtown Library. (1/9/2009)
Competing Developers Defend Their Central Library Plans. (1/8/2009)
Comparison of Downtown Madison Library Proposals. (12/17/2008)
Two Proposals for New Madison Central Library. (12/3/2008)
Best Headline of the Week. (9/6/2008)
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Keep Your Eyes on South Carolina
Link to November 2 Los Angeles Times article, "Nikki Haley bests Vincent Sheheen for South Carolina governor".
Excerpt: South Carolina is saddled with an 11% unemployment rate and an expected billion-dollar budget shortfall. Haley has said she would stimulate jobs by eliminating business income taxes. She also said she would look to corporate sponsorships and faith-based organizations to help fund public libraries and educational programs. [Emphasis added.]
According to the 2008 Institute of Museum and Library Services "Public Library Services Fiscal Year 2008", South Carolina's public libraries received 8.6% of their funding, or $9,818,000, from the state.
"Look! Up in the sky!"
"It's a bird!"
"It's a plane!"
I like this Nikki better.
Ohio Bats .789 in Latest Round of Library Levy Votes
30 of 38 (.789) in November 2010.
25 of 29 (.862 ) in May 2010.
30 of 37 (.811) in November 2009.
Or a total of 85 out of 104 library levies pass in Ohio since November 2009, for a .817 batting average.
Link to November 4 Toledo Blade article, "Regional voters approve 7 out of 9 library levies".
Excerpt: Nevermind the Republicans, the biggest across-the-board winners in this fall's election were - once again - Ohio's public libraries.
Voters statewide approved 30 of the 38 library issues on the ballot Tuesday, or nearly 80 percent. Of the record nine libraries in the local region that sought operating levies, seven won passage.
The seven area library systems whose levies were approved were Bellevue, Dorcas Carey, Forest Jackson, Harris-Elmore, North Baltimore, Tiffin-Seneca, and Wood County. Voted down were levies in Liberty Center and Putnam County.
And this latest election day was no anomaly. Voters passed 81 percent of the 37 levies on the November, 2009, ballot and 86 percent of the 29 levies on the May ballot, according to the Ohio Library Council.
25 of 29 (.862 ) in May 2010.
30 of 37 (.811) in November 2009.
Or a total of 85 out of 104 library levies pass in Ohio since November 2009, for a .817 batting average.
Wood County's a winner!
Link to November 4 Toledo Blade article, "Regional voters approve 7 out of 9 library levies".
Excerpt: Nevermind the Republicans, the biggest across-the-board winners in this fall's election were - once again - Ohio's public libraries.
Voters statewide approved 30 of the 38 library issues on the ballot Tuesday, or nearly 80 percent. Of the record nine libraries in the local region that sought operating levies, seven won passage.
The seven area library systems whose levies were approved were Bellevue, Dorcas Carey, Forest Jackson, Harris-Elmore, North Baltimore, Tiffin-Seneca, and Wood County. Voted down were levies in Liberty Center and Putnam County.
And this latest election day was no anomaly. Voters passed 81 percent of the 37 levies on the November, 2009, ballot and 86 percent of the 29 levies on the May ballot, according to the Ohio Library Council.
Mount Prospect Library's Mad Scientists Club
Thanks to Carolynn Muci (Marketing/Public Relations, Mount Prospect Public Library) for bringing this video to my attention.
Related article.
Library awarded grant for "Science-to-Go" Kits. (1/23/2010)
Library Book Leads to Lucrative Career
Link to November 3 Charlotte Observer article, "Stay-at-home mom turns outlet into career".
Excerpt: Maria Headrick didn't plan to become an artist. When she was a stay-at-home mom with two children, she needed to do something for a creative outlet.
"I got a book out of the library on mosaics and it appealed to me," Headrick said. "I started small, with gifts. Then I had so many pieces I had to start selling them because my garage got full."
She doesn't have that problem any more. Ten years later, Headrick's work is so popular, she has trouble keeping a large enough inventory on hand to show customers what her work looks like.
"I got a book out of the library on mosaics and it appealed to me," Headrick said. "I started small, with gifts. Then I had so many pieces I had to start selling them because my garage got full."
She doesn't have that problem any more. Ten years later, Headrick's work is so popular, she has trouble keeping a large enough inventory on hand to show customers what her work looks like.
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