Libraries Uniquely Positioned to Present Opportunities to Older Adults

A new portrait of aging: The older-than-50 crowd won't sit still to be stereotyped. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 8/25/2011)

Excerpt:     One group that has caught on to this market is public libraries.

Libraries are "uniquely positioned" to present opportunities to older adults, said Marilyn A. Jenkins, executive director of the Allegheny County Library Association.

Libraries in Allegheny County have programs that range from starting your own business to investing wisely, brewing your own beer and cooking Indian food.

Whitehall Public Library recently received a grant to dedicate a room to the interests of older adults.

Since the senior room opened this year, the library has held a program every day, ranging from movies to knitting classes to game-playing sessions.

One afternoon a week, about 10 older adults meet at the library for a conversation salon, where they discuss current events, said Denise Ignasky, adult services coordinator for Whitehall Public Library.

"I think what I've noticed most is adults 50-plus are actively engaged in their community, are interested in lifelong learning and keeping current with technology," she said.

Indeed, for many older adults, life at age 50, 60, 70 and beyond is vastly different from the life their grandparents, and even their parents, led at that age.

Supporters of Fired Library Director Air Their Displeasure at Board Meeting

Sugar Grove Public Library

Sugar Grove Library statement fails to please critics. (Daily Herald, 8/26/2011)

Excerpt: Complaints, criticism and allegations filled the air during and after the most recent Sugar Grove Library board meeting.

After hearing board secretary Bill Durrenberger read the board’s statement about the firing of former director Beverly Holmes Hughes attributed, in part, to increased tension between her and several trustees, things heated up.

As board members departed Thursday night, members of the crowd yelled “Shame on you!” at trustees Julie Wilson, Art Morrical and Joan Roth.

Erin Erickson, a former trustee seeking to fill a vacancy on the board, said that Wilson and Bob Bergman were appointed to the board solely to get enough votes to fire Hughes. Wilson and Bergman were trustees until April 30 when their terms expired. Neither was on the April ballot but both were reappointed to the board in late May.

LINK

Free Internet Access for the Frugal Traveler @ the Library

The Frugal Traveler: How to get out of Dodge in 20 minutes or less. (Chicago Tribune, 8/23/2011)

Excerpt: Communication: We have a saying at our house. Com is king. When getting out of Dodge in a hurry, communication systems are critical. That's why we always have our cell phone and laptop computers on hand, along with insurance information. When a flood destroyed our lake house in Maine, we were on the road and had contacted our insurance company in less than 30 minutes. For the next few months, our daily work was accomplished at public libraries and rest areas with free Internet access. Because communication access didn't suffer, we were able to serve freelance clients without missing a beat. Or a deadline.

So much to find @ your public library

American Library Association

You can get that at the library?   (Gregory Karp's "Spending Smart" column in the Chicago Tribune, 8/26/2011)

Excerpt: Where can you borrow a garden rake or fishing pole, host a conference-room meeting and get free passes to the local museum?

It might be at your local public library.

Libraries have always been great money savers because of all the books and periodicals you can borrow and use for free. But they've continued to evolve with the times, and now a library card has become a must-have ticket to savings.

Elections Offerings at libraries can vary widely, so the only way to know all that yours offers is to check out the website or visit in person. But here's a sampling of some unusual services you might find, with help from Molly Raphael, president of the American Library Association.

The list includes:

• Ebooks
• Equipment
• Museum tickets
• Internet
• Kilowatt meters
• Meeting space
• Live entertainment
• Entertainment media
• Online databases
• Instruction
• Librarians

Kibblesmith's Bits: Former Circulation Desk Clerk at Oak Park Public Library to Appear on Bravo's "Millionaire Matchmaker"

Not his first time in the news.

You can access Daniel's YouTube videos here.

Most eligible millionaire? Chicago bachelor on deck for the newest ep of Bravo's 'Matchmaker'. (Chicago Tribune, 8/25/2011)

Excerpt:    Yes, Kibblesmith is not the typical millionaire client Stanger desires. In fact, he may not be a millionaire at all. He hesitated when RedEye asked him about his net worth and said he "can't talk about financial stuff."

Before becoming a copywriter for Groupon in 2009, Kibblesmith was a circulation clerk for the Oak Park Public Library. He's also a graduate of Columbia College's film and video program.

Thomas Jefferson's 1809 Vision of "a Small Circulating Library in Every County"

It took the United States another quarter century to begin to implement this vision, at the municipal level.

Ron McCabe: Libraries fulfill goal of 'extensive good at small expense'. (Wisconsin Rapids Tribune, 8/26/2011)

Excerpt: In 1809, Thomas Jefferson wrote, "I have often thought that nothing would do more extensive good at small expense than the establishment of a small circulating library in every county ..."

Jefferson, like the other founders, understood that America's experiment in democratic self-government could not work unless the people were educated and informed.

Since then, our country has developed a system of public education and libraries that has been the model for the rest of the world. Public libraries continue to realize Jefferson's hope of doing "extensive good at small expense."

And it took the City of Boston to give impetus to the public library movement.

Incidentally, Ohio was the first state to establish a county library.

Source

Source: 

Margaret Atwood 1, RobDoug Ford 0 (Despite the Close Score, It's No Contest)

Backlash over Toronto library cuts gives Fords ‘pause for thought,’ Margaret Atwood says. (Toronto Globe and Mail, 8/25/2011)

Excerpt: Writer Margaret Atwood hopes Mayor Rob Ford and his allies on council have learned a thing or two from the outpouring of support from citizens for Toronto libraries as they contemplate cuts to other city services this fall.

Talk of closing branches “in a heartbeat,” as Councillor Doug Ford said earlier this summer, shows they did not understand how important the city’s library system is to citizens of all ages and walks of life, said the award-winning author.

In July, Ms. Atwood tweeted a link to a petition protesting proposed cuts that helped set off a verbal sparring match between her and Councillor Ford, the mayor’s brother and closest adviser.

Mr. Ford, who said he would have no problem closing one particular branch in his ward, went on to say that he “wouldn’t have a clue” who Margaret Atwood was if she passed him on the street. Those remarks went viral and the councillor later clarified his remarks, saying he meant most people in his ward would not know the author, and calling her a “great writer.”

Torontonians responded to those remarks and Ms. Atwood’s twitter comments by flooding councillors’ offices with messages in opposition to the possible cuts and crashing the website that hosted the online petition.

Related posts:
Curmudgeonly behavior @ Toronto City Hall.  (8/14/2011)
Speaking up for the Toronto Public Library.  (8/11/2011)
Toronto councillors not lining ujp to support mayor's call to close libraries.  (8/6/2011)
Library rallies its supporters.  (8/6/2011)
Toronto mayor Doug Ford goes hyperbolic. (7/29/2011)
Toronto councilor uses his position to bully Margaret Atwood  .(7/27/2011)

Ebooks, Netflix, and Library Building Projects (Part 102, Cardiff by the Sea Branch, San Diego County Library)

Cardiff-by-the-Sea unveils fully built library. (San Diego Public Policy Examiner, 8/26/2011)

Excerpt: Work was started on the remodeling in September of 2010 and completed by Manuel Oncina Architects and Harborside Construction. The construction workers added more room in the children's room. Teen space and the computer lab were redone. At the library, space increased 25 percent.

The lobby and the book stacks have a new layout.

City of Ashland Looks at a Projected Shortfall of $329,000 in 2012 Budget

With Next Year's Budget Looming, Deja Vu For City Of Ashland. (Ashland Current, 8/25/2011)

Excerpt: If last year is any guide, Ashland City Councilors will spend the next several weeks struggling to find ways to eliminate a projected $329,000 budget shortfall. Their only consolation is that next year's projected shortfall could have been worse given fears about austerity measures contained in Gov. Scott Walker's state budget.

Councilors received their first look at 2012 budget projections during a retreat Thursday night, while city officials emphasized that the projections are subject to change as more information about next year's expenses becomes available.

Because nearly 50 percent of Ashland's revenue comes from state, some councilors had predicted the 2012 budget could prove disastrous for Ashland. On Thursday night, City Administrator Pete Mann said shared revenues are expected to fall next year by about 7 percent, an average amount compared to declines for other cities. Ashland is likely to lose about $67,000 in shared revenues and $64,000 in transportation aid, according to Mann.

“It wasn't that bad for Ashland, thank God,” he said.

At about this time last year, councilors were in a similar bind having to deal with a projected $300,000 shortfall. Councilors managed to eliminate that shortfall by negotiating contracts with the city's unions that included no pay raises for 2011.

Councilors won't have that luxury this year, as some union contracts call for wage increases in 2012.

Other Wisconsin county and municipal budget news.
Dodgeville city council to hold listening session on 2012 budget.  (8/26/2011)
Shawano budget deficit at $504,800.  (8/25/2011)
City of Ripon facing $110,000 budget deficit for 2012.  (8/25/2011)
Long list of cuts on table for Racine city services.  (8/25/2011)
Dodge County Administrator:  "Governor Walker does not speak for Dodge County".  (8/25/2011)
Longevity bonuses in Portage might become a thing of the past.  (8/24/2011)
Declining property values pose a challenge to Columbus budget development.  (8/24/2011)
Whitewater council looks at 0% tax levy increase.  (8/24/2011)
Janesville residents asked to make tough choices in online budget scorecard.  (8/24/2011)
Village of Darien officials ask for input on 2012 budget.  (8/24/2011)
City of Marshfield has some wiggle room in its 2012 budget development.  (8/24/2011)
Soglin on 2012 Madison budget:  "Every service we rely on is vulnerable".  (8/23/2011)
With a ballooning budget deficit, Marathon County considers a tax increase.  (8/23/2011)
Sheboygan's Strategic Fiscal Planning Committee to determine what city will look like.  (8/19/2011)
Brown County Exec looks at same tax levy, impact on services to be determined.  (8/18/2011)
City of Shawano wrestles with $128,000 deficit.  (8/16/2011)
Possible double whammy for Shawano City-County Library.  (8/15/2011)
Portage County Executive looks to "create a bridge to a new design, a way of functioning on less".. (8/15/2011)
Antigo cuts fire, police positions.  (8/15/2011)
Adding up the budget numbers in the Fox Valley.  (8/14/2011)
Sauk County officials ask for input.  (8/12/2011
Marathon County ranks services to address $500,000 budget shortfall.  (8/12/2011)
City of Beloit faces a challenging budget process.  (8/8/2011)
Fond du Lac city manager sez Governor's tools not enough to offset cuts.  (8/2/2011)
Manitowoc mayor asks department heads for 10% budget cuts.  (8/2/2011)

Fitzgerald Appoints Zipperer to Joint Committee on Finance; Replaces Hopper

Link to 8/26/2011 Wispolitics news release.

LINK

Note that this is the current map of the 33rd Senate District, i.e, the one that went into effect in 2002.  You can view the new boundaries at the Wisconsin State Legislature Legislative Redistricting webpage.  Generally speaking, there's a westward shift in Waukesha County, a redrawing that will solidify the Republican majority in the 5th Senate District.  (Walker signed the redistricting bills --Acts 43 and 44 -- but a second federal lawsuit alleging the legislature's maps are unconstitutional is still pending.  The first lawsuit was dismissed in late July by a penal of federal judges in Milwaukee.)

Libraried communities include, from top to bottom, Hartford, Sussex (joint library with Town of Lisbon), Pewaukee, Brookfield, and Waukesha.  And, yeah, I should have double-checked the Wisconsin Blue Book before saving the screenshot, as a portion of Menomonee Falls is also within the 33rd Senate District.

Follow the Impact of Hurricane Irene on Libraries @ Twitter

Twitter

Appendix B to Bob Bocher's Revised "School and Library Internet Bandwidth on BadgerNet"

LINK to full text of revised version of Bob Bocher's report.

Bob Bocher's 4th bullet point on the first page of Appendix B deserves to be highlighted.

The 50% of libraries at just 1.5Mbps is particularly distressing. In a survey the American Library Association conducted in November 2010, 54.3% of libraries nationwide reported they had adequate bandwidth but this figure was just 34.7% for Wisconsin libraries.   (Column 4 in screenshot below.)

(Most residential households have greater than 1.5Mbps.) The FCC has set a broadband benchmark of 4Mbps 38 and 97% of Wisconsin libraries fall below this benchmark. In addition, Goal 4 in the National Broadband Plan [Bob references page 8] states that community anchor institutions should have affordable access to at least 1Gbps of broadband by 2020.

What did I just read lately?

In the Platteville area, library users complain about getting kicked off the Internet because it’s too slow, and the senior center can’t handle streaming video, said April Fuhr, community outreach coordinator for the Platteville network.

She said because job-seekers often use library computers to fill out applications, it’s critical that Internet access is sufficient.

“A lot of times they get timed out because the speeds are so low,” she said. “You tell anyone who’s been working on an online form for two hours, ‘Sorry it’s gone.’”  [Emphasis added.]

Is this happening at your library? If so, let your state legislators know about it.   Explain to them why their constituents need to have access to sufficient bandwidth at their public and school libraries.

For Further Information
If you have any comments, suggested edits or need further information, please contact Bob Bocher, 608-266-2127; robert.bocher@dpi.wi.gov.

Deep Dive part 1.
Deep Dive part 2.
Deep Dive part 3.

Related WiscNet/BCCB posts:

About the Access Wisconsin lawsuit.  (8/5/2011)
Case summary with names of defendants' attorneys.  (8/4/2011)
An example of how advocacy works.  (7/31/2011)
From Peter C. Anderson's Court Official Calendar for Dane County.  (7/24/2011)
Lawsuit update and summary.  (7/22/2011)
Judge Anderson denies UW broadband restraining order.  (7/21/2011)
Plaintiffs v. Defendants.  (7/20/2011)
Telcos whine while Wisconsin falls behind.  (7/20/2011)
Access Wisconsin news release.  (7/19/2011)
LRB clarifies WiscNet veto. (6/30/2011)
WiscNet:  Moving Forward.  (6/30/2011)
Walker's WiscNet veto:  What does it mean?  (6/27/2011)
Rest assured they'll be more fights in this battle.  (6/24/2011)
Wisconsin Senate passes budget.  (6/17/2011)
Amendment update.    (6/16/2011)
Assembly passes budget at 3:05 a.m.  (6/16/2011)
Wispolitics budget blog.  (6/15/2011)
Wisconsin ranks 43rd for broadband Internet coverage.  (6/15/2011)
Ron Kind news release.  (6/15/2011)
Assembly 8.  (6/15/2011)
Highest level alert.  (6/15/2011)
This is what democracy looks like.  (6/15/2011)
WSTA's day of disappointment.  (6/14/2011)
They can hear us now.  (6/14/2011)
Appleton Post-Crescent editorial.  (6/14/2011)
YouTube video.  (6/14/2011)
Hedberg Public Library promotes WiscNet.  (6/14/2011)
League of Wisconsin Municipalities press release.  (6/14/2011)
UW General Counsel opinion.  (6/13/2011)
Ars Technica WiscNet coverage.  (6/13/2011)
Wausau Daily Herald editorial.  (6/13/2011)
If your representative is Robin Vos...   (6/13/2011)
Baraboo School Board unhappy with JFC WiscNet action.  (6/13/2011)
WiscNet debate from the NE WI prospective.  (6/12/2011)
David Weinhold letter to editor.  (6122010
Rep. Moelpske's statement. (6/11/2011)
COLAND letter to Sen. Fitzgerald.  (6/10/2011)
Rhonda Puntney's op-ed piece.  (6/10/2011)
Nass letter to Fitzgerald and Vos.  (6/9/2011)
CINC response.  (6/9/2011)
UW response.  (6/9/2011)
Manna from heaven.  (6/8/2011)

Fiasco:  School Administrators Alliance unhappy with JFC WiscNet action.  (6/8/2011)

Sen. Pam Galloway and Rep. Jerry Petrowski need to hear about WiscNet from their constituents.  (6/8/2011)
But, federal funds to expand high-speed Internet could be reviewed.  (6/8/2011)

Sen. Vinehout statement.  (6/7/2011)
Rep. Clark statement.  (6/7/2011)
Tony Evers' memo.  (6/7/2011)
Unintended consequence of section 25?  (6/7/2011)
Section 23: what the fuss is about.  (6/7/2011)
A crowbar:  A tool we don't need for WiscNet.  (6/7/2011)
WiscNet needs your attention and immediate action.  (6/6/Bob2011)
The end of WiscNet as we know it.  (6/5/2011)

Rochester Michigan's Mayor: Library "Revenue Discussion" Needs "Efficiency Perspective"

Tax increase proposed for Rochester Hills library. (Oakland Press, 8/24/2011)

Excerpt:     Like most public entities, the Rochester Hills Public Library has seen its revenue stream decline in the last few years due to falling property values. So far, the belt tightening hasn’t affected services.

“But now we’re to the bone,” said library director Christine Lind Hage. “We can’t keep going on like this.”

The library is owned by the Rochester Hills Library Board and receives tax revenue from the cities of Rochester, Rochester Hills and Oakland Township. Residents of all three communities receive equal access to library services for equivalent tax contributions, Rochester Hills and Oakland Township through dedicated millages, Rochester through a contribution from its general fund.

A joint task force representing all three municipalities has been studying the revenue outlook. On Monday, the city of Rochester’s library liaison, Renee Myers, approached city council with the idea of increasing the city’s contribution by 0.25 mills, about $24 on the average home.

But the request was not met favorably by council. Mayor Jeff Cuthbertson said the city has cut its own expenses by 33 percent, while the library has only cut 15 percent.

“We’ve taken a very, very circumspect approach to the budget,” he said. “Revenue has never really entered our vernacular here. … So I think to get to a revenue discussion, there’s more work to be done from an efficiency perspective.”

There's an App for Wisconsin's Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest

State forest information available via new app. (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, 8/20/2011)

Excerpt: The state Department of Natural Resources says the app was developed in partnership with the North Lakeland Discovery Center in Manitowish Waters and is available through the Discovery Center's website.

State officials say the app will reduce the number of paper trail maps the forest must print. That saves money that can be used for other needs.

Save money?  It's not as if the maps weren't previously available electronically.

Apples to oranges.

For some reason, the DNR decided to tally just "camping attendance" in the northern forests.  The attendance numbers for southern forests and state parks still include all visitors.

Source:  Wisconsin Blue Book 2009-2010.

Next Up: Revolving Door Party at the Wisconsin State Capitol

Top Walker aide Archer takes leave of absence. It's 2nd ex-county employee to step away from top state job. (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, 8/25/2011)

Dodgeville City Council to Hold Listening Session on 2012 Budget

Dodgeville looking for budget input. (Dodgeville Chronicle, 8/25/2011)

Excerpt: With the prospects of a tight budget in 2012 the Dodgeville City Council will be holding a public listening session on Wednesday, August 31, 7:00 p.m. at city hall.

Mayor Jim McCaulley said with cuts in shared revenue from the state, ongoing litigation with Lands' End and smaller growth in the city, some services might need to be cut.

"We really would like public input from the taxpayers of Dodgeville," said McCaulley.

In a memo to city staff, the city council finance committee said they are attempting to create a responsible budget for 2012, especially with the weakness in our economy. We are striving to have a budget that will balance taxpayer concerns with an acceptable level of services.

The committee said the goal is a 5% reduction on department budgets and they will not allow retention to be used to attain the 5% reduction.

The committee asked department heads to describe how the 5% or 10% reduction the budget will affect services.

Other Wisconsin county and municipal budget news.
Shawano budget deficit at $504,800.  (8/25/2011)
City of Ripon facing $110,000 budget deficit for 2012.  (8/25/2011)
Long list of cuts on table for Racine city services.  (8/25/2011)
Dodge County Administrator:  "Governor Walker does not speak for Dodge County".  (8/25/2011)
Longevity bonuses in Portage might become a thing of the past.  (8/24/2011)
Declining property values pose a challenge to Columbus budget development.  (8/24/2011)
Whitewater council looks at 0% tax levy increase.  (8/24/2011)
Janesville residents asked to make tough choices in online budget scorecard.  (8/24/2011)
Village of Darien officials ask for input on 2012 budget.  (8/24/2011)
City of Marshfield has some wiggle room in its 2012 budget development.  (8/24/2011)
Soglin on 2012 Madison budget:  "Every service we rely on is vulnerable".  (8/23/2011)
With a ballooning budget deficit, Marathon County considers a tax increase.  (8/23/2011)
Sheboygan's Strategic Fiscal Planning Committee to determine what city will look like.  (8/19/2011)
Brown County Exec looks at same tax levy, impact on services to be determined.  (8/18/2011)
City of Shawano wrestles with $128,000 deficit.  (8/16/2011)
Possible double whammy for Shawano City-County Library.  (8/15/2011)
Portage County Executive looks to "create a bridge to a new design, a way of functioning on less".. (8/15/2011)
Antigo cuts fire, police positions.  (8/15/2011)
Adding up the budget numbers in the Fox Valley.  (8/14/2011)
Sauk County officials ask for input.  (8/12/2011
Marathon County ranks services to address $500,000 budget shortfall.  (8/12/2011)
City of Beloit faces a challenging budget process.  (8/8/2011)
Fond du Lac city manager sez Governor's tools not enough to offset cuts.  (8/2/2011)
Manitowoc mayor asks department heads for 10% budget cuts.  (8/2/2011)

Mona Charen: Filed Under "Blank"

Appleton Post-Crescent, 8/25/2011.

Mona is Onion-esque in her musings.  She makes stuff up as she goes along.  (I'm familiar with her as her columns appear regularly in the Warren [PA] Times Observer.  SEE "About Me".)

Example:  Sure, an inexperienced Republican was defeated in a special House race in New York partly in response to the Ryan budget. But when Ryan himself explained his budget proposals at town hall meetings, he was generally well received.

Oh, really?

Is that your final answer, Mona?

And this is certainly a clear sign that Ryan has been "generally well received" at his town hall meetings.

Good Advice for Online Journal-Sentinel Readers

Flowing Data.

Street Fight Covers the Hyperlocal Business

Why Hyperlocal News is Better Than Ever. (Street Fight,8/25/2011)

Excerpt: Hyperlocal news is on the threshold of a period of impressive achievement. I’m not talking about revisiting the wishful thinking of the previous decade, when we were regaled with dithyrambics about “grassroots” and “citizen” journalism. I am talking about what is actually happening—site by site, community by community, day by day. Add everything up, and you have a steadily growing number of sites that are innovating to find and produce quality news covering a myriad of topics. This added-value news is reaching and engaging more people, thanks principally to the giant leaps by social media. The best hyperlocals are becoming the X factor in the networked civic renaissance that communities need to emerge stronger from their trying economic times.

Many of the best hyperlocal were created by social-minded entrepreneurs — WestSeattleBlog, Sacramento Press, WestportNow, The Batavian, The Alternative Press, TheDavidsonNews, Baristanet, Brownstoner, ARLNow, SeeClickFix. But big media is also making progress figuring out how to generate quality news in the hyperlocal space: Tribune Co.’s TribLocal, GateHouseMedia’s Wicked Local, Boston Globe’s YourTown, LJ World’s WellCommons, MainStreetConnect and — yes — even AOL’s Patch.

Patch in Wisconsin.   Hudson is the only location outisde of the Greater Milwaukee area.

Speaking of gadgets, here's the latest iteration of ebooks

Quote: The result is a totally immersive experience that pulls the reader into the author's world and allows the real world to melt away.

In other words, a reading experience that millions of people have been enjoying for a very long time.   And one that, believe it or not, Booktrack, can still be fully enjoyed without gadgets.

My favorite melting-away experience, with a soundtrack of my own making playing inside my head.

Bells and Whistles for a Few Ebooks.  (The New York Times, 8/24/2011)

Excerpt: In the film versions of “Pride and Prejudice” the music jumps and swells at all the right moments, heightening the tension and romance of that classic Jane Austen novel.

Will it do the same in the e-book edition?

Booktrack, a start-up in New York, is planning to release e-books with soundtracks that play throughout the books, an experimental technology that its founders hope will change the way many novels are read.

Its first book featuring a soundtrack is “The Power of Six,” a young-adult novel published by HarperCollins, soon to be followed by “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” “Jane Eyre,” “Romeo and Juliet” and “The Three Musketeers.”       

College Students: Come Alive! You're in the Gadget Generation!

College Students: The Gadget Generation. (eMarketer, 8/25/2011)

Note the percentage ownership of game consoles with educational level, low to high:  64%, 61%, 58%, 49%.  Perhaps it's just likely that more undergrads and grads use their laptops for gameplaying, notes this Dad of two gameplaying and laptop-owning college students.

The table calls them "devices" but the eMarketer headline uses the term "gadget". At what point does a gadget cease to be a novelty and become a device?  (Source:  Merriam-Webster)

Come Alive 60s Style!

Tea Party, Besotted with Ron Johnson, Goes Ballistic Over Jane Yolen

Jane Yolen

Laptop City Hall: Tea party tizzy over children's author Jane Yolen's remarks about Sen. Ron Johnson. (Capital Times, 8/24/2011)

Excerpt: After reading through the 110-and-counting comments at the end of my last story on this and dozens of other remarks on conservative blogs across the country, though, it seems to me that conservative critics are the ones who are having a tantrum here.

News about Yolen's comments spread like wildfire through their blogosphere. It was sort of like that game in grade school called "Telephone." You say one thing and by the time it gets passed around something totally different comes out.

Related post.
Jane Yolen takes issue with Ron Johnson using her book as a "prop". (8/22/2011)

A Personal Touch @ the Charles Santore Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia

Daniel Rubin: Boy's librarian friends to the rescue. (Philadelphia Inquirer, 8/25/2011)

Excerpt: On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays, Hieu Nguyen stops by the Santore branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia hoping to scare Elizabeth Corbett.

The tiny, spike-haired boy will leap out of the stacks and shout hello to the librarian. She'll say, "Hi, Hieu. How are you?" delighting in her musical salutation. And the boy will answer, "Well, thank you." It goes like that.

She knows a little about him. How he moved here from Vietnam with his parents less than a year ago, how they work all day in a factory so he spends his afternoons bicycling between two libraries.

How he won a contest this summer at Corbett's branch by reading more than any other child.

On Friday, 12-year-old Hieu was not so well.

Viroqua Library Applies for $750,000 Community Development Block Grant

McIntosh Memorial Library

Viroqua approves CDBG application for library. (Vernon County Broadcaster, 8/17/2011)

Excerpt: A written agreement between the McIntosh Memorial Library and Viroqua City Council stipulated that the library will take responsibility for all costs associated with building a new library.

The library is applying for $750,000 in Community Development Block Grant Public Facilities money specifically designated for construction of new libraries, but the grant has to be submitted by the city, which led to questions and concerns from the council. With the agreement completed, the council unanimously authorized submittal of the grant application on behalf of the library.

The letter states that the city administrator will submit the grant, completing the funding matrix where a city contribution of $1.25 million would be placed.

"This request is being placed with the stipulation and understanding that the City of Viroqua shall not be liable or responsible, nor is the city council agreeing to fund the designated value but is only allowing for the placement of the value to maximize the grant application's potential for funding on behalf of the library," the library stated in the letter.

Related posts:
Fingers crossed for grant for new library.  (6/26/2011)
Library project gets aid from city.  (6/7/2010)
New library moves into conceptual design phase.  (5/28/2001)
New library cost estimate:  $5.7 million.   (5/20/2010)
Library building project update.  (3/15/2010)
Viroqua's McIntosh Memorial Library Space Needs Study Update.  (1/16/2010) 
Viroqua's McIntosh Memorial Library Space Needs Task Force.  (12/28/2009)
Viroqua's long look at a new library facility.  (11/6/2009)

Shawano County Budget Deficit at $504,800

The Shawano Leader, 8/24/2011.

Excerpt: Shawano County will have to figure out how to erase an estimated $504,800 budget deficit for 2012 without tapping carryover funds.

The County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday rejected a resolution to carry forward 0.5 percent of the previous year's tax levy, which would bring $74,500 in unused carryover funds into 2012, to help address the anticipated deficit. The vote required three-fourths approval from the board, which voted 21-7 against it.

Supervisors indicated they were hesitant to increase taxes. Supervisor Gene Hoppe was adamant that he would not vote for any tax hike unless there were no other places to cut.

"We're going to have to get to bare bones," Hoppe said. "There's always money left over in these budgets."

The causes of the deficit are myriad, Administrative Coordinator Frank Pascarella told the board, including a $364,000 reduction in state-shared revenue; reduction in interest-based income to nearly nothing; increases in electric, gasoline, water and sewer rates; and new courthouse security, which is expected to cost $101,000.

Other Wisconsin county and municipal budget news.
City of Ripon facing $110,000 budget deficit for 2012.  (8/25/2011)
Long list of cuts on table for Racine city services.  (8/25/2011)
Dodge County Administrator:  "Governor Walker does not speak for Dodge County".  (8/25/2011)
Longevity bonuses in Portage might become a thing of the past.  (8/24/2011)
Declining property values pose a challenge to Columbus budget development.  (8/24/2011)
Whitewater council looks at 0% tax levy increase.  (8/24/2011)
Janesville residents asked to make tough choices in online budget scorecard.  (8/24/2011)
Village of Darien officials ask for input on 2012 budget.  (8/24/2011)
City of Marshfield has some wiggle room in its 2012 budget development.  (8/24/2011)
Soglin on 2012 Madison budget:  "Every service we rely on is vulnerable".  (8/23/2011)
With a ballooning budget deficit, Marathon County considers a tax increase.  (8/23/2011)
Sheboygan's Strategic Fiscal Planning Committee to determine what city will look like.  (8/19/2011)
Brown County Exec looks at same tax levy, impact on services to be determined.  (8/18/2011)
City of Shawano wrestles with $128,000 deficit.  (8/16/2011)
Possible double whammy for Shawano City-County Library.  (8/15/2011)
Portage County Executive looks to "create a bridge to a new design, a way of functioning on less".. (8/15/2011)
Antigo cuts fire, police positions.  (8/15/2011)
Adding up the budget numbers in the Fox Valley.  (8/14/2011)
Sauk County officials ask for input.  (8/12/2011
Marathon County ranks services to address $500,000 budget shortfall.  (8/12/2011)
City of Beloit faces a challenging budget process.  (8/8/2011)
Fond du Lac city manager sez Governor's tools not enough to offset cuts.  (8/2/2011)
Manitowoc mayor asks department heads for 10% budget cuts.  (8/2/2011)

City of Ripon Facing $110,000 Budget Deficit for 2012

City begins a difficult budget cycle. (Ripon Commonwealth Press, 8/10/2011)

Excerpt: The good news for city of Ripon residents in 2011?

Property taxes from the city of Ripon are not likely to go up, per state rules.

The bad news?

That means the city will need to cut more than $100,000 from its budget — or find creative ways to increase revenue, such as privatizing garbage pick-up.

The Ripon Common Council discussed both options as it pondered the 2012 city budget for the first time Tuesday evening.

Regardless, city staff and elected officials alike acknowledged the budget talks would be tough.

“As everyone knows, the state cut the city’s shared revenue and other revenues $170,000,” City Administrator Lori Rich said, adding $60,000 of that can be made up through tools provided by the state. “There will be a $110,000 gap we will need to cover for, as well as rising fuel costs, etc.

Other Wisconsin county and municipal budget news.
Long list of cuts on table for Racine city services.  (8/25/2011)
Dodge County Administrator:  "Governor Walker does not speak for Dodge County".  (8/25/2011)
Longevity bonuses in Portage might become a thing of the past.  (8/24/2011)
Declining property values pose a challenge to Columbus budget development.  (8/24/2011)
Whitewater council looks at 0% tax levy increase.  (8/24/2011)
Janesville residents asked to make tough choices in online budget scorecard.  (8/24/2011)
Village of Darien officials ask for input on 2012 budget.  (8/24/2011)
City of Marshfield has some wiggle room in its 2012 budget development.  (8/24/2011)
Soglin on 2012 Madison budget:  "Every service we rely on is vulnerable".  (8/23/2011)
With a ballooning budget deficit, Marathon County considers a tax increase.  (8/23/2011)
Sheboygan's Strategic Fiscal Planning Committee to determine what city will look like.  (8/19/2011)
Brown County Exec looks at same tax levy, impact on services to be determined.  (8/18/2011)
City of Shawano wrestles with $128,000 deficit.  (8/16/2011)
Possible double whammy for Shawano City-County Library.  (8/15/2011)
Portage County Executive looks to "create a bridge to a new design, a way of functioning on less".. (8/15/2011)
Antigo cuts fire, police positions.  (8/15/2011)
Adding up the budget numbers in the Fox Valley.  (8/14/2011)
Sauk County officials ask for input.  (8/12/2011
Marathon County ranks services to address $500,000 budget shortfall.  (8/12/2011)
City of Beloit faces a challenging budget process.  (8/8/2011)
Fond du Lac city manager sez Governor's tools not enough to offset cuts.  (8/2/2011)
Manitowoc mayor asks department heads for 10% budget cuts.  (8/2/2011)

Long List of Cuts on Table for Racine City Services

Dickert warns city services facing cuts.  (Racine Journal-Times, 8/24/2011)

Excerpt: Mainly as a result of Gov. Scott Walker's budget, a long list of cuts in city services is on the table for next year.

Mayor John Dickert on Tuesday evening held the first of three budget listening sessions, this one at Cesar Chavez Community Center, 2221 Douglas Ave. Only about eight noncity employees attended.

But Dickert laid out some of the likely or possible results of having less revenue in 2012. He said they include closing parks, less frequent solid waste collections, slashed street maintenance, reduced community center hours, trolley and/or bus service cuts, shortened counter hours and higher fees.

RG aside:  Hope the omission of the library in this list is a good sign.

[snip]

Walker's budget cuts about $1 million in shared revenue to Racine, Dickert said. He was hesitant to add up total losses - and said the city is still waiting for answers.

But after the meeting, he and City Administrator Tom Friedel estimated the city will also lose about $400,000 in money for local streets, $200,000 in recycling funding and about $200,000 in state transit money.

The last item could be multiplied if the city does not put up that amount, because it draws matching federal funds. Friedel said the city will have to consider trimming night and/or weekend bus services.

In addition, the city must pay about $2 million more next year on its long-term debt.  [Bold added.]

Other Wisconsin county and municipal budget news.
Dodge County Administrator:  "Governor Walker does not speak for Dodge County".  (8/25/2011)
Longevity bonuses in Portage might become a thing of the past.  (8/24/2011)
Declining property values pose a challenge to Columbus budget development.  (8/24/2011)
Whitewater council looks at 0% tax levy increase.  (8/24/2011)
Janesville residents asked to make tough choices in online budget scorecard.  (8/24/2011)
Village of Darien officials ask for input on 2012 budget.  (8/24/2011)
City of Marshfield has some wiggle room in its 2012 budget development.  (8/24/2011)
Soglin on 2012 Madison budget:  "Every service we rely on is vulnerable".  (8/23/2011)
With a ballooning budget deficit, Marathon County considers a tax increase.  (8/23/2011)
Sheboygan's Strategic Fiscal Planning Committee to determine what city will look like.  (8/19/2011)
Brown County Exec looks at same tax levy, impact on services to be determined.  (8/18/2011)
City of Shawano wrestles with $128,000 deficit.  (8/16/2011)
Possible double whammy for Shawano City-County Library.  (8/15/2011)
Portage County Executive looks to "create a bridge to a new design, a way of functioning on less".. (8/15/2011)
Antigo cuts fire, police positions.  (8/15/2011)
Adding up the budget numbers in the Fox Valley.  (8/14/2011)
Sauk County officials ask for input.  (8/12/2011
Marathon County ranks services to address $500,000 budget shortfall.  (8/12/2011)
City of Beloit faces a challenging budget process.  (8/8/2011)
Fond du Lac city manager sez Governor's tools not enough to offset cuts.  (8/2/2011)
Manitowoc mayor asks department heads for 10% budget cuts.  (8/2/2011)

Wisconsin Public Library Consortium News Release: Wisconsin Library eBook Checkouts Go Over 1,000,000

The big picture

Source:  Wisconsin Public Library Service Data.

Dodge County Administrator: "Mr. Walker does not speak for Dodge County".

DC board gets first look at 2012 budget. (Beaver Dam Daily Citizen, 8/23.2011)

Excerpt: Since the property value dropped 2.18 percent in the county, the mill rate would be $5.52, as opposed to the mill rate of $5.40 in 2011, to give the county the same budget numbers.

Keeping the mill rate at $5.40 would be a loss in revenue of $700,000 in comparison to 2011.

However, some supervisors do not agree with raising the mill rate.

Supervisor Bob Smith said that saying they aren’t increasing the levy does not mean anything to the public. What they see is taxes going up.

“As far as the public is concerned, we’re playing games with numbers,” Smith said.

He said this year, everybody said they weren’t going to raise taxes and the mill rate increased. This year, everyone says taxes won’t be raised, but the mill rate could increase, basically raising taxes.

Mielke disagreed, stating that the state officials promised not to raise taxes.

“Dodge County did not promise anybody that taxes would not go up,” he said. “Mr. Walker does not speak for Dodge County.”

He said it is important to remember that with the levy cap, the 2012 levy will be the base for the 2013 budget.

Board Chairman Russell Kottke agreed.

“If we don’t raise the 12 cents, I think it’s going to hurt us in 2013,” he said.

Other Wisconsin county and municipal budget news.
Longevity bonuses in Portage might become a thing of the past.  (8/24/2011)
Declining property values pose a challenge to Columbus budget development.  (8/24/2011)
Whitewater council looks at 0% tax levy increase.  (8/24/2011)
Janesville residents asked to make tough choices in online budget scorecard.  (8/24/2011)
Village of Darien officials ask for input on 2012 budget.  (8/24/2011)
City of Marshfield has some wiggle room in its 2012 budget development.  (8/24/2011)
Soglin on 2012 Madison budget:  "Every service we rely on is vulnerable".  (8/23/2011)
With a ballooning budget deficit, Marathon County considers a tax increase.  (8/23/2011)
Sheboygan's Strategic Fiscal Planning Committee to determine what city will look like.  (8/19/2011)
Brown County Exec looks at same tax levy, impact on services to be determined.  (8/18/2011)
City of Shawano wrestles with $128,000 deficit.  (8/16/2011)
Possible double whammy for Shawano City-County Library.  (8/15/2011)
Portage County Executive looks to "create a bridge to a new design, a way of functioning on less".. (8/15/2011)
Antigo cuts fire, police positions.  (8/15/2011)
Adding up the budget numbers in the Fox Valley.  (8/14/2011)
Sauk County officials ask for input.  (8/12/2011
Marathon County ranks services to address $500,000 budget shortfall.  (8/12/2011)
City of Beloit faces a challenging budget process.  (8/8/2011)
Fond du Lac city manager sez Governor's tools not enough to offset cuts.  (8/2/2011)
Manitowoc mayor asks department heads for 10% budget cuts.  (8/2/2011)