DC's MLK Library Will Remain Open on Sundays

The District’s MLK library to remain open on Sundays. (Washington Post, 9/30/2011)

Excerpt:  The mayor announced Friday that the city had allocated $316,000 to the library system, allowing the King library to keep its Sunday hours during the 2012 fiscal year, which begins today.

Recent savings on the city’s debt service made the additional funding possible, Gray said. “We had some savings, and we are reinvesting it in the library,” he said.

D.C. officials had announced earlier this year it would cut $800,000 from the library system’s budget — to less than $35 million — in response to the city’s ongoing budget woes.

Odds are "The Sense of an Ending" by Julian Barnes will win the 2011 Man Booker Prize

LINK

A BIG Thank You to the Owner of East Village Books

East Village bookshop owner busts library thief. (New York Post, 9/30/2011)

Excerpt:  A serial thief who repeatedly stole books from the New York Public Library and sold them to unwitting downtown stores was busted after a furious shopkeeper laid a trap for him, The Post has learned.

Andrew Hansen -- who is banned from the library -- saw his criminal career come to a thrilling end in the East Village Monday night as he tried to off-load a batch of ill-gotten goods.

Donald Davis, owner of East Village Books at 99 St. Marks Place, said he had been fooled by Hansen, 27, before and was prepared this time around.

“He walks in. I had gone to dinner. My friend was watching the store for me, [and] he called me on my cellphone,” Davis recalled yesterday. “We had a code set up so that he would say, ‘Where’s my delivery?’ Then I knew the guy was there.”

When he got back to his shop, Davis confronted Hansen, who has a lengthy rap sheet.

“He would tear all the labels off of them so it would look like they were not from the library, [but] there were remnants of the stickers that used to be on the books,” said Davis, adding that the books were mostly graphic novels that go for up to $40 each.

Central Falls, Rhode Island: "Welcome to YOUR Library"

Adams Memorial Library

The Money May Be Lacking, but a Library Refuses to Go Quietly. (The New York Times, 10/1/2011)

Excerpt: But some people refused to close the book on a place that deeply mattered to this financially poor, ethnically rich city. Central Falls has more than enough boarded-up buildings; no need to add its library, too.

The library’s survival hinged on the fact that while its operating costs are covered by the city, the building itself is owned by a private trust. Seizing the moment, the trust’s board of directors used this enforced downtime to make repairs in the old building and to install a library card system for Central Falls alone.

A month later, on Aug. 1, the Adams Memorial Library reopened with limited hours on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Its reference and checkout desks are now staffed by a rotating band of volunteers, including Jerauld Adams, 41, the board chairman of the library trust, and Thomas Shannahan, 68, a board member and former director of the library. They hung a sign on the front door that said, with some defiance:

“Welcome to YOUR library.”

Related posts:
Fundraiser for Adams Memorial Library.  (9/29/2011)
Library in bankrupt Central Falls Rhode Island reopens with an all-volunteer staff. (8/17/2011)
Central Falls may reopen its library in the fall.  (7/6/2011)
Central Falls Rhode Island closes its public library.  (7/6/2011)

Brown County Public Library 2012 Proposed Budget

$278.55M Brown County budget unveiled. (Green Bay Press-Gazette, 10/1/2011)

Excerpt: The budget — about $6 million more than the county will spend this year — would reduce the county's overall tax levy by 0.17 percent, although property owners could see a tax increase depending on where they live.

Brown County Public Library budget proposal:

 [Highlights added.]

Other Wisconsin county and municipal budget news.
1.2% of Janesville residents get to wag the dog.  (9/30/2011)
Beloit Public Library proposed 2012 budget.  (9/30/2011)
Shawano City-County Library receives $13,000 cut (3%) in county funding.  (9/28/2011)
City of Rhinelander looking at a $200,000 decrease in revenue for 2012.  (9/27/2011)
Mayor Barrett's proposed 2012 budget increases hours, expands 3 educational initiatives @ the Milwaukee Public Library.  (9/26/2011)
Janesville:  Slight decrease in 2012 Hedberg Public Library budget.  (9/25/2011)
Fond du Lac faces $1.7 million deficit.  (9/23/2011)
McFarland wrestles with 2012 budget..  (9/22/2011)
Beloit to make deep cuts to police, fire departments.  (9/22/2011)
Wisconsin Rapids 2012 budget process underway.  (9/22/2011)
Oshkosh 2012 budget deficit projected to balloon to as much as $2.3 million.  (9/20/2011)
Facing $2.5 million shortfall, La Crosse considers a variety of fees.  (9/14/2011)
100 show up at Dodgeville budget hearing.  (9/12/2011)
Zero percent increase for Prairie du Sac department budgets.  (9/7/2011)
City of Ashland looks at projected shortfall of $329,000 in 2012 budget.  (8/26/2011)
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)

You, too, can have your 15 minutes of fame

LINK

Polls, polls, and more polls: Just because people believe it, doesn't mean it's so

San Jose Mercury-News, 9/29/2011

Well, now isn't this a surprise?!

Google is Now a Teen

Happy 13th birthday, Google! (Boing Boing, 9/30/2011)

Google history timeline.

13 milestones from PCWorld.

Merrill School Board Upholds "Montana 1948" for Use in Curriculum

And they vote, unanimously, to keep it in the school library as well.

'Montana 1948' to stay in Merrill High School. (Wausau Daily Herald, 9/30/2011)

Excerpt: The book "Montana 1948" will stay in Merrill High School's library and will continue to be taught as part of the school's 10th-grade English classes.

The book's fate was determined at a public hearing held Thursday night in the Merrill High School auditorium, following a request by a group of parents that the critically acclaimed book be banned from the district's curriculum and libraries on the grounds that it includes mature themes of rape, sex and obscene language.

The majority of School Board members believe the book has educational value for high school students. They took two votes on the matter. They unanimously voted to keep the book in the high school's library. And they voted 6-2 to keep the book as part of the curriculum, with board members Loretta Baughan and Brad Geiss opposing the book's use in classes.

Parts of the book can be shocking and offensive when taken out of context, "but after reading the book, I found it to be very thought-provoking," said School Board member Meredith Prebeg. "If you don't want to read the book, there's an option to do that."

Related articles:
Public hearing on banning 'Montana 1948' set. (9/26/2011)
Merrill parents protest sex-ed changes.  (NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin, 8/8/2010)

Mark Your Calendar, October 12, 2011: The Future of Broad Band in Wisconsin

LINK

Position Announcement: Head of Adult Services @ the Middleton Public Library

Congratulations to Liz Dannenbaum on a very successful 24 years at Middleton.  It was great working with you for 21 of them!

LINK

1.2% of Janesville Residents Get to Wag the Dog

Assuming no one voted twice.

City staff weigh Budget Scorecard. (Janesville Gazette, 9/29/2011)

Excerpt:   The Janesville Ice Skating Center would close for three months of the year.

The city would mow parks once every two weeks, and hours would be reduced at the senior center, the library and pools.   (Prompts respondents were offered in last year's version.)

Police and fire services would remain the same.

That's how the 784 people who responded to Janesville's "Budget Scorecard" online would adjust the city's finances.

The city council will consider the results as it looks to close an estimated $1.5 million gap in the 2012 budget, said Jay Winzenz, assistant city manager.

Other Wisconsin county and municipal budget news.
Beloit Public Library proposed 2012 budget.  (9/30/2011)
Shawano City-County Library receives $13,000 cut (3%) in county funding.  (9/28/2011)
City of Rhinelander looking at a $200,000 decrease in revenue for 2012.  (9/27/2011)
Mayor Barrett's proposed 2012 budget increases hours, expands 3 educational initiatives @ the Milwaukee Public Library.  (9/26/2011)
Janesville:  Slight decrease in 2012 Hedberg Public Library budget.  (9/25/2011)
Fond du Lac faces $1.7 million deficit.  (9/23/2011)
McFarland wrestles with 2012 budget..  (9/22/2011)
Beloit to make deep cuts to police, fire departments.  (9/22/2011)
Wisconsin Rapids 2012 budget process underway.  (9/22/2011)
Oshkosh 2012 budget deficit projected to balloon to as much as $2.3 million.  (9/20/2011)
Facing $2.5 million shortfall, La Crosse considers a variety of fees.  (9/14/2011)
100 show up at Dodgeville budget hearing.  (9/12/2011)
Zero percent increase for Prairie du Sac department budgets.  (9/7/2011)
City of Ashland looks at projected shortfall of $329,000 in 2012 budget.  (8/26/2011)
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)

Beloit Public Library 2012 Proposed Budget

Beloit to make more cuts to balance budget. (Beloit Daily News, 9/29/2011)

Excerpt:  Outside of public safety, little was known about decreases to other departments' funding before Wednesday's publication. But a quick glance at the document shows nearly all units of local government will absorb a loss in 2012.


2012 library budget:  $2,103,874, a 2.33% reduction from  2011.

Other Wisconsin county and municipal budget news.
Shawano City-County Library receives $13,000 cut (3%) in county funding.  (9/28/2011)
City of Rhinelander looking at a $200,000 decrease in revenue for 2012.  (9/27/2011)
Mayor Barrett's proposed 2012 budget increases hours, expands 3 educational initiatives @ the Milwaukee Public Library.  (9/26/2011)
Janesville:  Slight decrease in 2012 Hedberg Public Library budget.  (9/25/2011)
Fond du Lac faces $1.7 million deficit.  (9/23/2011)
McFarland wrestles with 2012 budget..  (9/22/2011)
Beloit to make deep cuts to police, fire departments.  (9/22/2011)
Wisconsin Rapids 2012 budget process underway.  (9/22/2011)
Oshkosh 2012 budget deficit projected to balloon to as much as $2.3 million.  (9/20/2011)
Facing $2.5 million shortfall, La Crosse considers a variety of fees.  (9/14/2011)
100 show up at Dodgeville budget hearing.  (9/12/2011)
Zero percent increase for Prairie du Sac department budgets.  (9/7/2011)
City of Ashland looks at projected shortfall of $329,000 in 2012 budget.  (8/26/2011)
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)

Unfortunately, some of these people also vote

People who are still living in 1938.  (Note the opening sentence in this TIME essay.  "We're too smart these days."

Onion story on Capitol Hill hostages sparks probe. (Politics Now, 9/29/2011)

Excerpt: "It has come to our attention that recent Twitter feeds are reporting false information concerning current conditions at the U.S. Capitol," said Sgt. Kimberly Schneider, a spokesman for the department. "Conditions at the U.S. Capitol are currently normal. There is no credibility to these stories or the Twitter feeds. The U.S. Capitol Police are currently investigating the reporting."

The cause of all the fuss.

Dennis Hayes Ends His 56-Year Career @ the Jersey City Free Public Library

 LINK

Dennis Hayes, 77, is retiring as assistant director of the Jersey City Free Public Library 56 years after joining staff as part-time junior clerk. (Jersey City Journal, 9/29/2011)

Excerpt:  The library’s assistant director for the past nine years, Hayes started his career as a part-time junior library clerk earning 50 cents an hour. He’s held several titles since, but his patience, understanding and passion for the work has never waned.

I was in kindergarten when Dennis started to work at the Jersey City Free Public Library

Fundraiser for Volunteer Supported Adams Memorial Library in Central Falls, Rhode Island

LINK

Related post:
Library in bankrupt Central Falls Rhode Island reopens with an all-volunteer staff. (8/17/2011)
Central Falls may reopen its library in the fall.  (7/6/2011)
Central Falls Rhode Island closes its public library.  (7/6/2011)

Wisconsin Budget Project: Tax Cuts and Tax Increases

Tax Cuts Break the Bank.  (Wisconsin Budget Project, 9/28/2011)

Excerpt: Since the beginning of 2011, Wisconsin has implemented six new tax cuts that will cost the state $200 million over the next two years in lost tax revenue.

While the Legislature was adding these new tax breaks – which primarily benefit upper income individuals and businesses – it was slashing investment in our state’s human capital. The result: fewer resources available to promote the education of Wisconsin children, the safety of Wisconsin communities, and the health of Wisconsin’s workforce.

LINK

[Highlights added.]

Poynette Redevelopment Project Includes Space for New Library

Downtown redevelopment plan drafted. (Poynette Press, 9/27/2011)

Excerpt: The initial draft of the plan identified a concept building that would create an 8,400-square-foot space on the first floor for the library and a coffee shop and a 7,200-square-foot space on the second floor to house approximately three or four commercial office tenants.

Other improvements would be 25 off-street parking spaces and a "pocket park/walkway" for access to parking and outdoor café seating. The plan would also preserve the Poynette Area Historical Society building and separate commercial and residential uses on the same block.

But as Poynette Administrator Daniel Guild says, "We have a ways to go".

What 37.3% of Young Families with 1 or More Children Could Do with $1,500

No, it's not a photo from the Don Morton era.

UW football: All-time high ticket prices for Nebraska game. (Madison.com, 9/29/2011)

Excerpt: Stew Price had to pay a steep price to make sure he and three family members have seats Saturday night in Camp Randall Stadium.

Price, a Nebraska fan who lives in Waunakee, paid more than $1,500 to secure four tickets to see the Cornhuskers play the University of Wisconsin in the matchup of top 10 teams.

But at least Price is assured of watching his alma mater make its highly anticipated Big Ten Conference debut in person. Some fans are scrambling for tickets and being forced to decide just how deep they want to dig into their wallets to attend the game.

With so many Badger fans willing to sell their tickets at premium prices, I wonder how large the Cornhusker contingent will be in Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday evening.

10th Anniversary of the Fela and Anschel Warschau Room @ Sheboygan's Mead Public Library

Open house to mark 10th anniversary of Warschau Room dedication. (Sheboygan Press, 9/28/2011)

Excerpt: The Mead Public Library Board designated the room that houses the Jewish Holocaust Collection as the Fela and Anschel Warschau Room in recognition of Fela Warschau's many presentations about the Holocaust to students and others in the Sheboygan area. The purpose of the collection is to collect and make available for public use materials about the Holocaust contributed from the personal collections and files of Sheboygan residents who survived the Holocaust and its aftermath.

Center for Labor Market Studies Report: Impact of Rising Poverty on Young Families

LINK

The Impact of Rising Poverty on the Nation’s Young Families and Their Children, 2000 – 2010'

Intro paragraph. Earlier this month, the U.S. Census Bureau released its findings on the annual incomes, earnings, and poverty status of the nation’s population in 2010. On the poverty front, the news was not good. For the third straight year in a row, the number of people of all ages living in poverty rose, reaching 46.2 million individuals in 2010, a record high number, equivalent to 15.1% of the national population.

U. S. Census Data Shows Recession Takes a Big Toll on Young Adults

Census: Recession takes big toll on young adults. (Appleton Post-Crescent, 9/28/2011)

Excerpt: Nofzinger is among thousands of young adults considered the recession's lost generation. In record numbers, they're struggling to find work and shunning long-distance moves to live with mom and dad. The unemployment rate for young adults is the highest since World War II, and they risk living in poverty more than others — nearly one in five.

Recently released 2010 census data shows the wrenching impact of a recession that officially ended in mid-2009. There are missed opportunities and dim prospects for a generation of mostly 20-somethings and 30-somethings coming of age in a prolonged period of joblessness.

"We have a monster jobs problem, and young people are the biggest losers," said Andrew Sum, an economist and director of the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University.

Community Broadband Networks Puts the Spotlight on CINC

Chippewa Valley Inter-Networking Consortium

Publicly Owned Network in Wisconsin Creates Taxpayer Savings. (Community Broadband Networks, 9/28/2011)

Excerpt:      The Building Community Capacity through Broadband, a stimulus funded project, has put together a video describing what they did and how they did it. Learn more about these BCCB projects here.

As you watch the video, remember that AT&T and its industry allies want to make projects like this illegal. They want to force the schools, libraries, etc. to pay much more for slower, less reliable networks. While the WiscNet attack in June failed, telcos are still trying to create a monopoly for themselves providing these services.

The lawsuit against the project has a hearing on November 11th where the Judge may decide to dismiss the case. If the case proceeds, the bench trial will be in early January.  [Tentatively, January 4-6.]  We frequently see lawsuits like these from big carriers that do not expect to win the case but rather are just harassing any potential competition to raise the cost of challenging the incumbent. So even though BCCB will almost certainly win the case, the telco goal is mostly to threaten any community that follows the good example of these communities.

Related WiscNet/BCCB/CINC posts:

BCCB lawsuit update from UW-Extension.  (9/17/2011)
More of the same from telcos in broadband dispute.  (8/21/2011)
Access Wisconsin Lawsuit:  Today's discovery @ Wisconsin Circuit Court Access.  (8/10/2011)
Lester Public Library Director sheds some light on WiscNet.  (8/10/2011)
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...   (9/13/2011)
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.  (6/6/2011)
The end of WiscNet as we know it.  (6/5/2011)

And if it's a mix of good and bad reviews on the same product/service? Then what?

Flip a coin, I suppose.

Negative Buzz Gains Traction Among Web Users. (eMarketer, 9/28/2011)

#8 on the ALA List of Most Challenged Books of 2010: Barbara Ehrenreich's 'Nickel and Dimed'

For all of the following alleged offenses to some folks' sensibilities: drugs, inaccurate, offensive language, political viewpoint, and religious viewpoint.

But apparently, Ehrenreich's taken-out-of-context phrase, "the wine-guzzling vagrant and precocious socialist", is the lightning rod for criticism.

Some folks lack a sense of humor.

LINK

Who Need Libraries When Kids Have Cell Phones?

Branch libraries that fit in your pocket!

Letter to the editor: Invest in public safety instead of public libraries. (Northwest Indiana News, 9/7/2011)

Bricks or panels? Is the library in disrepair? Could our tax dollars be more wisely used by the powers that be? Call your state representative or congressman and find out.

Note to Mr. Humphrey.  Here's Indiana's breakdown of public library revenue by source.

Gangs in Lake County are hard at work recruiting kids into drugs or crime in general. Our county sheriff said on WJOB the Latin Kings and Vice Lords are keeping kids as doped up sex slaves and he needs more police to work these streets and rid them of the scourge in our communities.

Money would be more prudently spent on our safety and a better world for our kids. Most kids have phones that can provide any information that the library could. Social services, police and fire should be in the forefront of our concerns.  [Emphasis added.]

I pray your kid isn't snatched up on the next trip to the library. Drugs and kids don't mix. Wake up!


This letter has been added to the list of possible discussion group topics in next semester's Public Library class.

Indiana's Hammond Public Library to Close its Hayward and Howard Branches

Ind. city's 2 remaining library branches to close. Northwest Indiana Times, 9/28/2011.

Excerpt: A northern Indiana city is closing its two remaining library branches to deal with a more than $800,000 cash shortfall.

More than 70 people packed a community room at Hammond's main library Tuesday to plead with the Hammond Public Library Board to keep the two branches open, saying children and adults use the branches' computers, books and programs.

But the board voted to close the E.B. Hayward and Howard library branches as of Nov. 1.

Hammond library board seeks input on branch closures. (Northwest Indiana Times, 9/25/2011)

                                       1880 1890 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

In 2009, nearly 20% of Hammond's population lived in poverty.

When Brats are Outlawed, Only Outlaws Will Have Brats

This playful post should be taken with a grain of sea salt, if the PCRM will allow it.

Physicians group removes Cheesehead from anti-cheese billboard. (Wisconsin State Journal, 9/28/2011)

But not from its website.

Food tips for your next tailgate party.

Brats?  Hot dogs?  Burgers?  Verboten!

Try some of this!

Grilled tempeh burgers.   (Note the caveat. Steaming it first makes it more digestible.)

I'll give the Oshkosh Northwestern editorial board the last word.

Is life worth living without cheese?