When I first arrived, I was concerned about a number of acts of intolerance that occurred on a campus historically known for its civility. But we responded quickly and the community has enthusiastically embraced our hate-free campus initiative and our efforts to encourage a more inclusive campus. Last week’s very successful Civility Project is a good example of that. From Chancellor Linda P. B. Katehi webpage.
UC-Davis's most recent civility project.
And if you read between the lines of this quote in the L. A. Times, Linda seems to say, "There's more where this came from."
However, she also insisted that though “the university has the responsibility to develop the appropriate environments that ensure the practice of these freedoms, by no means should we allow a repeated violation of these rules as an expression of personal freedom.” [My emphasis added.)
Saturday, November 19, 2011
13 of 49 Miami-Dade County Public Library Branches on Chopping Block
Proposal to shutter Miami-Dade libraries draws fire. (Miami Herald, 11/14/2011)
Excerpt: A decade ago, the county launched a library expansion plan that resulted in the opening of 18 branches. Now many of those would be closed. The reductions would save about $18 million, while eliminating 191 jobs in an overall plan that eliminates 1,292 positions countywide.
“This is one of the most difficult things any of us have had to do,” said Library Director Raymond Santiago. “But it is a tough time, and tough choices were made.”
The move comes as [Mayor] Gimenez is seeking to make good on his campaign promise to erase the highly unpopular property tax-rate increase passed under former mayor Carlos Alvarez and reduce the size of government.
“Libraries are a major civic asset. Cutting back on them is shortsighted,” said Daniella Levine, president and CEO of Catalyst Miami, a non-profit that deals with issues of community well-being and poverty.
Status Report on Wisconsin's Public Libraries (Part 1: Administrative Units and Service Facilities)
The Huff Po "Libraries in Crisis" feature led me to reflect, once again, on the current health of Wisconsin's public libraries. What's the prognosis on our primarily property-tax supported libraries in an era of declining property values and shrinking tax bases? [Late last year, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution published an excellent, informative series on the "Property Tax Meltdown" in the Atlanta metro area. And if we're not all in the same boat, I'd venture to say we're in the same navy. It's just that some of us have been able to avoid exceedingly tempest-tossed seas. ]
In this post, I take a look at administrative units and service facilities.
According to the 2010 Wisconsin Public Library Service Data, there are...
- 385 public library system members (or what the Institute for Museum and Library Services defines as "administrative units").
- 82 branch libraries
- 8 bookmobiles, for a total of
- 475 service facilities.
Here's a recent historical comparison:
As far as I know, only 2 service facilities closed in 2011. The Fond du Lac Public Library eliminated two "parked" bookmobiles -- one in Rosendale and the other in front of Festival Foods on East Johnson Street. However, thanks to a successful fundraising campaign, FdLPL opened a Festival Foods satellite branch on November 17th.
As for the construction of a new "administrative unit", the $14 million, 38,000-square-foot Fitchburg Public Library opened its doors to the public in June. As a result, the City of Fitchburg shed its dubious distinction of being the largest Wisconsin municipality (population 25,260) that didn't maintain its own public library.
A number of Wisconsin communities completed significant building projects in 2011:
- Hartford's Jack Russell Memorial Library, a $10.2 million, 35,000-square-foot facility.
- The Milwaukee Public Library's replacement of its 43-year-old Villard Avenue branch library, with another project in the works.
- Fort Atkinson's Dwight Foster Public Library's $5.5 million expansion and remodeling project which increased the library's square footage by 12,000 to 33,000.
- Minocqua Public Library's 1.6 million expansion.
Works in progress:
Soon to be underway:
Madison Public's Central Library.
And a number of communities, such as Marshfield, are at various points in the planning stage.
I find it interesting that, at a time when we're hearing a renewed chorus of "Why do we need libraries?", communities are still investing in bricks-and-mortar library projects. Since the start of this blog, I have linked 434 posts to the subject heading of "library building projects", which encompasses new construction, remodeling, and expansion.
Note: The above is not meant to be a comprehensive list, but if I've overlooked some obvious examples, I'll be happy to add them. And my apologies for the oversight.
The Vinyl Comeback Within the Big Picture of Music Sales
Passion for vinyl is spreading to a new generation of music lovers. (Appleton Post-Crescent, 11/7/2011)
Excerpt: Vinyl records, you see, are making a small comeback in a not-so-profitable music industry. While the numbers certainly aren't massive, sales rose 14 percent from 2009 to 2010, according to SoundScan, the Nielsen Co. sales record, and the Billboard 2010 Music Industry Report. In 2009, 2.5 million vinyl albums were sold; in 2010 the number rose to 2.8 million.
Of the Top 10-selling vinyl artists and albums in 2010, 60 percent featured indie acts and 40 percent were from classic rock acts.
Looking at the big picture, though, we see it's a very small blip on the screen. Undetectable unless you look very close.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Huffington Post's "Libraries in Crisis": Why it's time to speak up for our libraries
Based on my extensive monitoring of U.S. public library developments (and there's been a distressing amount of news to monitor), the subhead -- Why Yours Might Be Next to Close -- strikes me as a tad sensationalistic.
Sidebar:
- The more likely scenario. Budget cuts result in fewer staff, reduced hours, and squeezed materials budgets.
- Probable causes for library closures: (1) main library trumps branches; (2) extreme poverty; and (3) municipal bankruptcy (but with volunteers to the rescue, in this case.)
- Biggest bullet dodged in 2011: Troy (MI) Public Library.
But, hey, if a screamer gets more people to advocate for libraries*, I'm all for it. (*Note to self: LD&L need to provide advocacy tips for county and local situations.) Better to have our supporters speaking up than my reading a variation of this deflating statement again: No residents spoke at the public hearing on the budget. (And these are hearings on a county or municipal budget in its entirety, not just library portion of it.) It's a report I've encountered too many times already these past few weeks. (As they say, democracy is a participatory sport.)
Anyway, Beth Yoke, Executive Director, Young Adult Library Services Association, sent out this email to members yesterday.
The Huffington Post has created a page called “Libraries in Crisis” where it is gathering articles and blog posts about threats to public libraries across the US. It can be found at : http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/libraries-in-crisis/. You can share your own stories or information by commenting on the posts that are already there. You can also email any of the posts to friends and advocates, Tweet about them, or ‘like’ them if you have a Facebook account. Please feel free to forward this information to any library colleagues or advocates who might also have a story or information to share. Thanks for all that you do to ensure teens have access to great library services and resources!
Across the pond, subhead-worthy carnage is taking place @ UK public libraries.
This map contains about 100 pink dots -- my vision blurred trying to count them all -- indicating the number of UK public libraries "forced to close". But people are fighting back.
Congratulations to Liz Dannenbaum on Her 24 Years at the Middleton Public Library: A Reminiscence and Tribute
I'll allow current Middleton Public Library Director Pamela Westby to "speak" first. (And thanks, Pamela, for allowing me to share this well-deserved tribute to Liz .)
Now I'd like to add a few remarks of my own, accompanied, for the most part, by screenshots from the Middleton Public Library website.
Front: Vic Tortorici, Christine Popenhagen
Back: Sheila Johnson, Paul Nelson, Marion Daniel, Barb Otis, Sharon Grover, Vranna Manor
I had the pleasure of working with Liz for 21 of her 24 years at the Middleton Public Library. She started as Reference Librarian in a part-time capacity -- was it 30 hours per week? -- when the library shared 5,500 square feet of space in City Hall.
The reference section wasn't much to write home about. An L-shaped range of shelving. Were two small carrels all we had for seating? Two sections of vertical files (not pictured). By the time I was started as Director in 1986, the service desk (lower right) had been converted into counterspace for a Geac terminal. (Staff use only.)
The replacement reference desk was your standard-issue office furniture. (This photo is just an approximation. Tune out the background and imagine a small ready-reference collection where the lamp and fan are located.)
Within three years, though, Liz found herself working in a much larger, standalone facility, supervising a reference desk that couldn't be missed the moment you stepped into the lobby. [This photo is from my own collection.]
An expansion project in late 2003/early 2004 resulted in a move to a larger space in a previously unfinished section of the lower level -- we never referred to it as "the basement" -- complete with computer lab.
Liz was indeed a key player in moving the Middleton Public Library forward in the area of Adult Services.
Here are a sampling of her accomplishments..
Summer reading. From the May-June 2002 issue of The Bookworm, the library newsletter.
Exhibits and programs.
Book discussions (where she offered me her encouragement and insights in serving as an occasional discussion leader)
Special feature newsletter articles. (Liz, in fact, was responsible for initiating a bimonthly library newsletter in 2001 and has continued to serve as its editor.)
Promoting volunteerism.
Sharing her knowledge.
Liz's contributions certainly helped the Middleton Public Library to thrive.
Best wishes on your upcoming retirement, Liz. You're a valued colleague and a dear friend.
Now I'd like to add a few remarks of my own, accompanied, for the most part, by screenshots from the Middleton Public Library website.
The library staff just before Liz was hired.
(Not pictured: 3 library pages.)
Back: Sheila Johnson, Paul Nelson, Marion Daniel, Barb Otis, Sharon Grover, Vranna Manor
I had the pleasure of working with Liz for 21 of her 24 years at the Middleton Public Library. She started as Reference Librarian in a part-time capacity -- was it 30 hours per week? -- when the library shared 5,500 square feet of space in City Hall.
The reference section wasn't much to write home about. An L-shaped range of shelving. Were two small carrels all we had for seating? Two sections of vertical files (not pictured). By the time I was started as Director in 1986, the service desk (lower right) had been converted into counterspace for a Geac terminal. (Staff use only.)
The replacement reference desk was your standard-issue office furniture. (This photo is just an approximation. Tune out the background and imagine a small ready-reference collection where the lamp and fan are located.)
Within three years, though, Liz found herself working in a much larger, standalone facility, supervising a reference desk that couldn't be missed the moment you stepped into the lobby. [This photo is from my own collection.]
An expansion project in late 2003/early 2004 resulted in a move to a larger space in a previously unfinished section of the lower level -- we never referred to it as "the basement" -- complete with computer lab.
Liz was indeed a key player in moving the Middleton Public Library forward in the area of Adult Services.
Here are a sampling of her accomplishments..
Summer reading. From the May-June 2002 issue of The Bookworm, the library newsletter.
Exhibits and programs.
Book discussions (where she offered me her encouragement and insights in serving as an occasional discussion leader)
Special feature newsletter articles. (Liz, in fact, was responsible for initiating a bimonthly library newsletter in 2001 and has continued to serve as its editor.)
Promoting volunteerism.
Sharing her knowledge.
Liz's contributions certainly helped the Middleton Public Library to thrive.
Best wishes on your upcoming retirement, Liz. You're a valued colleague and a dear friend.
Menasha Public Works Director Finds HImself in Hot Seat with Email
The Pavlovian response from conservative bloggers and talk show radio hosts.
Menasha public works director apologizes for "Recall Scott Walker" email. (Appleton Post-Crescent, 11/17/2011)
Excerpt: Menasha Public Works Director Mark Radtke said he was wrong to send an email with a not-so-coded "Recall Scott Walker" message to all Menasha City Hall workers Tuesday, breaking what many municipalities say is a fine line between work and politics.
The email wasn't illegal and likely didn't break the city's personnel guidelines but has "really exploded into a lot of negative feedback for the City of Menasha," Radtke told The Post-Crescent.
Conservative bloggers and talk radio hosts bashed the public employee for the email he sent on the day the recall campaign kicked off, which coincided with his birthday.
The email invited co-workers to come grab birthday treats and wove a political message into the text with three words — recall, scott and walker — capitalized and in bold.
Excerpt: Menasha Public Works Director Mark Radtke said he was wrong to send an email with a not-so-coded "Recall Scott Walker" message to all Menasha City Hall workers Tuesday, breaking what many municipalities say is a fine line between work and politics.
The email wasn't illegal and likely didn't break the city's personnel guidelines but has "really exploded into a lot of negative feedback for the City of Menasha," Radtke told The Post-Crescent.
Conservative bloggers and talk radio hosts bashed the public employee for the email he sent on the day the recall campaign kicked off, which coincided with his birthday.
The email invited co-workers to come grab birthday treats and wove a political message into the text with three words — recall, scott and walker — capitalized and in bold.
Recommended Reading: Wisconsin Budget Project Report
The Wisconsin Budget Project, an initiative of the Wisconsin Council on Children and Families -- a private, non-profit, non-partisan statewide organization -- is an excellent source of analysis on state budget and tax issues. In my case, it's more than recommended reading; it's required.
I believe there's a common agenda between the value Wisconsin's libraries add to our communities and the mission of the WCCF.
...improving conditions for families and children through policy change, expanded public investments and public education that lead to improvements in outcomes and practices in the delivery of publicly funded health care, education, workforce development and social services.
And libraries can certainly be categorized as "public investments".
I found the group's 11/17/2011 report to be particularly enlightening.
Here are 2 items that accompany the text:
Subscribe via RSS feed or email here. Hope you'll take me up on the suggestion.
Thanks for considering.
Paul Nelson
Wearing my hat as Chair, Wisconsin Library Association Library Development & Legislation Committee.
I believe there's a common agenda between the value Wisconsin's libraries add to our communities and the mission of the WCCF.
...improving conditions for families and children through policy change, expanded public investments and public education that lead to improvements in outcomes and practices in the delivery of publicly funded health care, education, workforce development and social services.
And libraries can certainly be categorized as "public investments".
I found the group's 11/17/2011 report to be particularly enlightening.
Here are 2 items that accompany the text:
Thanks for considering.
Paul Nelson
Wearing my hat as Chair, Wisconsin Library Association Library Development & Legislation Committee.
Wisconsin's October jobs data "reaffirms our exposure to challenges in the national and global economy"
Page 2 of the DWD news release show a
- net gain of 14,000 jobs in the private sector in one year.
- net loss of 8,500 government (federal, state, and local) in one year
- net gain of 6,000 nonfarm jobs in one year.
Walker's own administration has already admiited defeat on this one.
Some Walker supporters, however, are just fine with the loss of government jobs.
One of the many letters that has been sent came from Council 24 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, signed by council field representative Jim Parrett. Notice one glaring fact – the businesses listed actually create REAL jobs in PRIVATE INDUSTRY...
Thursday, November 17, 2011
You Heard Me Right -- POX Parties
'Pox Parties’ in the Age of Facebook. (The New York Times, 11/17/2011)
Excerpt: Other parents on the same message board posted requests for shipments of a variety of chickenpox-infected items – towels, children’s clothes, rags. By getting their children to touch the contaminated items or suck on tainted candy, they believe their children will get the stronger immunity that surviving a full-blown natural infection of chickenpox affords, without the hazards they say come with vaccines.
Iconic Coca-Cola Bottle Inspired by a Visit to the Terre Haute Library
Iconic Coca-Cola bottle is 96 and still a looker. (Indianapolis Star, 11/16/2011)
Yeah, me too. I wondered what a cocoa pod looks like.
Lee Pockriss: Never heard of him 'til today but his songs are familiar
Lee Pockriss, Songwriter Behind ‘Itsy Bitsy’ Bikini, Dies at 87. (The New York Times, 11/17/2011)
#1 in 1958.
#1 in the summer of 1960.
#1 in 1962.
From Billy Wilder's "One Two Three" (1961)
#1 in 1958.
#1 in the summer of 1960.
#1 in 1962.
From Billy Wilder's "One Two Three" (1961)
Governor Walker sez "Wisconsin's best days are yet to come" (Lodi Reality Check)
Listen to it here.
More school deficits projected. School officials will meet with local municipalities by Nov. 30. (Lodi Enterprise, 11/16/2011)
Excerpt: After making $1.2 million in reductions in this year's school budget financial experts are predicting hefty deficits will continue for the Lodi School District.
For the 2012-13 budget the district is facing a $1.6 million deficit with projected reduced state aid, decreased enrollment and increased costs, said financial consultant Debby Schufletowski, from Robert W. Baird & Company, at the Monday night school board meeting.
The projection comes on the heels of the 2010-11 budget, where $1.2 million of reductions were made with employee concessions, staff and operational cuts.
More school deficits projected. School officials will meet with local municipalities by Nov. 30. (Lodi Enterprise, 11/16/2011)
Excerpt: After making $1.2 million in reductions in this year's school budget financial experts are predicting hefty deficits will continue for the Lodi School District.
For the 2012-13 budget the district is facing a $1.6 million deficit with projected reduced state aid, decreased enrollment and increased costs, said financial consultant Debby Schufletowski, from Robert W. Baird & Company, at the Monday night school board meeting.
The projection comes on the heels of the 2010-11 budget, where $1.2 million of reductions were made with employee concessions, staff and operational cuts.
City of Milton 2012 Budget
Milton tables budget, tax levy vote. (Janesville Gazette, 11/16/2011)
Revenues (and LINK to budget document)
Expenditures
Library budget (highlight added)
Sheboygan officials look to privatize cleaning services @ 3 city facilities. (11/15/2011)
Stoughton residents speak up for their library. (11/14/2011)
In addition to considering a garbage fee, Fond du Lac council restores a part-time library position. (11/13/2011)
Marathon County's 2012 "No, No, No Budget". (11/9/2011)
Let the aphorisms fly @ the Beloit City Council meeting. (11/9/2011)
2012 Marshfield Public Library budget cut by 2.4%. (11/8/2011)
Part time staff @ Beloit Public Library lose health-care benefits. (11/7/2011)
Privatizing trash pickup would more than plug Sheboygan's $800,000 budget gap. (11/5/2011)
Portage County approves budget. (11/4/2011)
Manitowoc's bond rating woes. (11/4/2011)
Menasha mayor asks library board to cut $45,000 from 2012 budget. (11/2/2011)
Fond du Lac councilman Ruedinger calls $91,000 cut to library "huge" (11/1/2011)
Dimming the streetlights in Clintonvlile. (10/27/2011)
Two Rivers' Lester Public Library looking at a 7% cut in 2012. (10/26/2011)
Boost in taxes for Neenah residents. (10/25/2011)
Apparently, Sheboygan alderman David Van Akkeren doesn't love and value libraries. (10/25/2011)
Crabby Appleton trumps League of Women Voters president in coverage of Outagamie County budget hearing. (10/25/2011)
Black River Falls looks to cut $62,000 from 2012 budget. (10/24/2011)
Shawano does the garbage fee math. (10/19/2011)
Wisconsin Rapids: Proposed McMillan Library 2012 budget cut $63,221. (10/19/2011)
Racine mayor uses Packers analogy in budget address. (10/19/2011)
Manitowoc mayor cuts budget 10%. (10/18/2011)
Mayor proposes 5.1% cut to Fond du Lac Public Library funding. (10/17/2011)
Racine County executive explains the various tax levies. (10/16/2011)
Lake Geneva's 2012 budget dilemma. (10/15/2011)
Rhinelander has a bigger hold to fill due to budget error. (10/15/2011)
City of Ripon 2012 budget update. (10/15/2011)
Shawano city administrator: "Bleeding has stopped for the most part". (10/14/2011)
Retirements? Not worry, sez Sheboygan officials. (10/14/2011)
FEE-fi-fo-fum in Ashland. (10/14/2011)
Waupaca proposes no retiree access to city's health plan. (10/13/2011)
Mayville retains wheel tax. (10/13/2011)
Wheel tax proposed in Janesville. (10/12/2011)
City of Marshfield 2012 budget update. (10/12/2011)
City of Oshkosh 2012 budget update. (10/12/2011)
City of Fond du Lac to eliminate assessor's office. (10/12/2011)
Sheboygan officials no longer have the "headache" of maintenance of effort. (10/11/2011)
City of Waukesha considers annual garbage fee. (10/9/2011)
Brown County proposes cuts to employee benefits. (10/9/2011)
Library salaries focus of debate at Sussex-Lisbon budget discussion. (10/8/2011)
City of Delavan administrator requests all department reduce operating budgets by 8%. (10/8/2011)
Village of Waterford looks at across-the-board cuts. (10/8/2011)
Ripon city administrator on 2012 municipal budget. (10/8/2011)
4% cut to library funding in Appleton mayor's 2012 proposed budget. (10/8/2011)
McMillan library staff reorganization saves Wisconsin Rapids $45,075. (10/5/2011)
Budget reduction forces cuts in hours, positions @ the La Crosse Public Library. (10/3/2011)
Marathon County cuts employee benefits to balance 2012 budget. (10/3/2011)
City of Sheboygan 2012 proposed budget. (10/3/2011)
2012 Brown County Public Library proposed budget. (10/1/2011)
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)
Revenues (and LINK to budget document)
Expenditures
Library budget (highlight added)
Other Wisconsin county and municipal budget news.
City of Whitewater 2012 budget. (11/17/2011)Sheboygan officials look to privatize cleaning services @ 3 city facilities. (11/15/2011)
Stoughton residents speak up for their library. (11/14/2011)
In addition to considering a garbage fee, Fond du Lac council restores a part-time library position. (11/13/2011)
Marathon County's 2012 "No, No, No Budget". (11/9/2011)
Let the aphorisms fly @ the Beloit City Council meeting. (11/9/2011)
2012 Marshfield Public Library budget cut by 2.4%. (11/8/2011)
Part time staff @ Beloit Public Library lose health-care benefits. (11/7/2011)
Privatizing trash pickup would more than plug Sheboygan's $800,000 budget gap. (11/5/2011)
Portage County approves budget. (11/4/2011)
Manitowoc's bond rating woes. (11/4/2011)
Menasha mayor asks library board to cut $45,000 from 2012 budget. (11/2/2011)
Fond du Lac councilman Ruedinger calls $91,000 cut to library "huge" (11/1/2011)
Dimming the streetlights in Clintonvlile. (10/27/2011)
Two Rivers' Lester Public Library looking at a 7% cut in 2012. (10/26/2011)
Boost in taxes for Neenah residents. (10/25/2011)
Apparently, Sheboygan alderman David Van Akkeren doesn't love and value libraries. (10/25/2011)
Crabby Appleton trumps League of Women Voters president in coverage of Outagamie County budget hearing. (10/25/2011)
Black River Falls looks to cut $62,000 from 2012 budget. (10/24/2011)
Shawano does the garbage fee math. (10/19/2011)
Wisconsin Rapids: Proposed McMillan Library 2012 budget cut $63,221. (10/19/2011)
Racine mayor uses Packers analogy in budget address. (10/19/2011)
Manitowoc mayor cuts budget 10%. (10/18/2011)
Mayor proposes 5.1% cut to Fond du Lac Public Library funding. (10/17/2011)
Racine County executive explains the various tax levies. (10/16/2011)
Lake Geneva's 2012 budget dilemma. (10/15/2011)
Rhinelander has a bigger hold to fill due to budget error. (10/15/2011)
City of Ripon 2012 budget update. (10/15/2011)
Shawano city administrator: "Bleeding has stopped for the most part". (10/14/2011)
Retirements? Not worry, sez Sheboygan officials. (10/14/2011)
FEE-fi-fo-fum in Ashland. (10/14/2011)
Waupaca proposes no retiree access to city's health plan. (10/13/2011)
Mayville retains wheel tax. (10/13/2011)
Wheel tax proposed in Janesville. (10/12/2011)
City of Marshfield 2012 budget update. (10/12/2011)
City of Oshkosh 2012 budget update. (10/12/2011)
City of Fond du Lac to eliminate assessor's office. (10/12/2011)
Sheboygan officials no longer have the "headache" of maintenance of effort. (10/11/2011)
City of Waukesha considers annual garbage fee. (10/9/2011)
Brown County proposes cuts to employee benefits. (10/9/2011)
Library salaries focus of debate at Sussex-Lisbon budget discussion. (10/8/2011)
City of Delavan administrator requests all department reduce operating budgets by 8%. (10/8/2011)
Village of Waterford looks at across-the-board cuts. (10/8/2011)
Ripon city administrator on 2012 municipal budget. (10/8/2011)
4% cut to library funding in Appleton mayor's 2012 proposed budget. (10/8/2011)
McMillan library staff reorganization saves Wisconsin Rapids $45,075. (10/5/2011)
Budget reduction forces cuts in hours, positions @ the La Crosse Public Library. (10/3/2011)
Marathon County cuts employee benefits to balance 2012 budget. (10/3/2011)
City of Sheboygan 2012 proposed budget. (10/3/2011)
2012 Brown County Public Library proposed budget. (10/1/2011)
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)
City of Whitewater 2012 Budget
Whitewater council adopts budget. (Jefferson County Daily Union, 11/16/2011)
Stoughton residents speak up for their library. (11/14/2011)
In addition to considering a garbage fee, Fond du Lac council restores a part-time library position. (11/13/2011)
Marathon County's 2012 "No, No, No Budget". (11/9/2011)
Let the aphorisms fly @ the Beloit City Council meeting. (11/9/2011)
2012 Marshfield Public Library budget cut by 2.4%. (11/8/2011)
Part time staff @ Beloit Public Library lose health-care benefits. (11/7/2011)
Privatizing trash pickup would more than plug Sheboygan's $800,000 budget gap. (11/5/2011)
Portage County approves budget. (11/4/2011)
Manitowoc's bond rating woes. (11/4/2011)
Menasha mayor asks library board to cut $45,000 from 2012 budget. (11/2/2011)
Fond du Lac councilman Ruedinger calls $91,000 cut to library "huge" (11/1/2011)
Dimming the streetlights in Clintonvlile. (10/27/2011)
Two Rivers' Lester Public Library looking at a 7% cut in 2012. (10/26/2011)
Boost in taxes for Neenah residents. (10/25/2011)
Apparently, Sheboygan alderman David Van Akkeren doesn't love and value libraries. (10/25/2011)
Crabby Appleton trumps League of Women Voters president in coverage of Outagamie County budget hearing. (10/25/2011)
Black River Falls looks to cut $62,000 from 2012 budget. (10/24/2011)
Shawano does the garbage fee math. (10/19/2011)
Wisconsin Rapids: Proposed McMillan Library 2012 budget cut $63,221. (10/19/2011)
Racine mayor uses Packers analogy in budget address. (10/19/2011)
Manitowoc mayor cuts budget 10%. (10/18/2011)
Mayor proposes 5.1% cut to Fond du Lac Public Library funding. (10/17/2011)
Racine County executive explains the various tax levies. (10/16/2011)
Lake Geneva's 2012 budget dilemma. (10/15/2011)
Rhinelander has a bigger hold to fill due to budget error. (10/15/2011)
City of Ripon 2012 budget update. (10/15/2011)
Shawano city administrator: "Bleeding has stopped for the most part". (10/14/2011)
Retirements? Not worry, sez Sheboygan officials. (10/14/2011)
FEE-fi-fo-fum in Ashland. (10/14/2011)
Waupaca proposes no retiree access to city's health plan. (10/13/2011)
Mayville retains wheel tax. (10/13/2011)
Wheel tax proposed in Janesville. (10/12/2011)
City of Marshfield 2012 budget update. (10/12/2011)
City of Oshkosh 2012 budget update. (10/12/2011)
City of Fond du Lac to eliminate assessor's office. (10/12/2011)
Sheboygan officials no longer have the "headache" of maintenance of effort. (10/11/2011)
City of Waukesha considers annual garbage fee. (10/9/2011)
Brown County proposes cuts to employee benefits. (10/9/2011)
Library salaries focus of debate at Sussex-Lisbon budget discussion. (10/8/2011)
City of Delavan administrator requests all department reduce operating budgets by 8%. (10/8/2011)
Village of Waterford looks at across-the-board cuts. (10/8/2011)
Ripon city administrator on 2012 municipal budget. (10/8/2011)
4% cut to library funding in Appleton mayor's 2012 proposed budget. (10/8/2011)
McMillan library staff reorganization saves Wisconsin Rapids $45,075. (10/5/2011)
Budget reduction forces cuts in hours, positions @ the La Crosse Public Library. (10/3/2011)
Marathon County cuts employee benefits to balance 2012 budget. (10/3/2011)
City of Sheboygan 2012 proposed budget. (10/3/2011)
2012 Brown County Public Library proposed budget. (10/1/2011)
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)
LINK to budget document
Revenues
Expenditures
Selected library budget pages
I added the highlight to the "Retirement" line.
I added the highlight to the "Retirement" line.
Other Wisconsin county and municipal budget news.
Sheboygan officials look to privatize cleaning services @ 3 city facilities. (11/15/2011)Stoughton residents speak up for their library. (11/14/2011)
In addition to considering a garbage fee, Fond du Lac council restores a part-time library position. (11/13/2011)
Marathon County's 2012 "No, No, No Budget". (11/9/2011)
Let the aphorisms fly @ the Beloit City Council meeting. (11/9/2011)
2012 Marshfield Public Library budget cut by 2.4%. (11/8/2011)
Part time staff @ Beloit Public Library lose health-care benefits. (11/7/2011)
Privatizing trash pickup would more than plug Sheboygan's $800,000 budget gap. (11/5/2011)
Portage County approves budget. (11/4/2011)
Manitowoc's bond rating woes. (11/4/2011)
Menasha mayor asks library board to cut $45,000 from 2012 budget. (11/2/2011)
Fond du Lac councilman Ruedinger calls $91,000 cut to library "huge" (11/1/2011)
Dimming the streetlights in Clintonvlile. (10/27/2011)
Two Rivers' Lester Public Library looking at a 7% cut in 2012. (10/26/2011)
Boost in taxes for Neenah residents. (10/25/2011)
Apparently, Sheboygan alderman David Van Akkeren doesn't love and value libraries. (10/25/2011)
Crabby Appleton trumps League of Women Voters president in coverage of Outagamie County budget hearing. (10/25/2011)
Black River Falls looks to cut $62,000 from 2012 budget. (10/24/2011)
Shawano does the garbage fee math. (10/19/2011)
Wisconsin Rapids: Proposed McMillan Library 2012 budget cut $63,221. (10/19/2011)
Racine mayor uses Packers analogy in budget address. (10/19/2011)
Manitowoc mayor cuts budget 10%. (10/18/2011)
Mayor proposes 5.1% cut to Fond du Lac Public Library funding. (10/17/2011)
Racine County executive explains the various tax levies. (10/16/2011)
Lake Geneva's 2012 budget dilemma. (10/15/2011)
Rhinelander has a bigger hold to fill due to budget error. (10/15/2011)
City of Ripon 2012 budget update. (10/15/2011)
Shawano city administrator: "Bleeding has stopped for the most part". (10/14/2011)
Retirements? Not worry, sez Sheboygan officials. (10/14/2011)
FEE-fi-fo-fum in Ashland. (10/14/2011)
Waupaca proposes no retiree access to city's health plan. (10/13/2011)
Mayville retains wheel tax. (10/13/2011)
Wheel tax proposed in Janesville. (10/12/2011)
City of Marshfield 2012 budget update. (10/12/2011)
City of Oshkosh 2012 budget update. (10/12/2011)
City of Fond du Lac to eliminate assessor's office. (10/12/2011)
Sheboygan officials no longer have the "headache" of maintenance of effort. (10/11/2011)
City of Waukesha considers annual garbage fee. (10/9/2011)
Brown County proposes cuts to employee benefits. (10/9/2011)
Library salaries focus of debate at Sussex-Lisbon budget discussion. (10/8/2011)
City of Delavan administrator requests all department reduce operating budgets by 8%. (10/8/2011)
Village of Waterford looks at across-the-board cuts. (10/8/2011)
Ripon city administrator on 2012 municipal budget. (10/8/2011)
4% cut to library funding in Appleton mayor's 2012 proposed budget. (10/8/2011)
McMillan library staff reorganization saves Wisconsin Rapids $45,075. (10/5/2011)
Budget reduction forces cuts in hours, positions @ the La Crosse Public Library. (10/3/2011)
Marathon County cuts employee benefits to balance 2012 budget. (10/3/2011)
City of Sheboygan 2012 proposed budget. (10/3/2011)
2012 Brown County Public Library proposed budget. (10/1/2011)
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)
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