Friday, March 2, 2012

This Appeal Has a Whiff of Desperation to It

Harrisburg Illinois Has Taken Multiple Hits Through the Years


Illinois Town All Too Versed in Taking a Hit.  (The New York Times, 3/2/2012)

2012.  Tornado.
2011.  Flood.
2009.  Ice storm.
2008.  Flood
1980s. Tornado (unspecified year).
1937.  Flood.
1913.  Flood.
1883-84.  Flood.





Thursday, March 1, 2012

The Delray Beach Public Library Taps an Unusual Source of Revenue


Check out a book, rent a police officer at library.   (Miami Herald, 1/2/2012)

Excerpt: In Delray Beach, anyone who needs to hire an off-duty police officer to keep an eye on the door of a club or to direct traffic during a festival shouldn’t call the police department, but rather the library. 

The unlikely responsibility comes after the Delray Beach Public Library, which needs the additional revenue, won its bid to take over the job when the previous provider discontinued the service. 

We were the only bidder,” said Alan Kornblau, library director. “We have been using [off-duty police] for over a year, and when we found out that the city was [requesting proposals], we felt we could provide the service.” 

Kornblau said the library, which is a nonprofit organization funded mostly by the city and the Community Redevelopment Agency, budgets for an off-duty police officer to guard the library. 

By booking all of the police department’s off-duty officers, the library hopes to save on its own security costs and generate revenue to pay for the position that would run the program, Kornblau said. 

The police department, which continues to streamline its operations to save money, hasn’t coordinated off-duty work since it was sued for racial discrimination in 1996. The suit included allegations that the off-duty officer program favored some officers over others. 

“It’s nothing but a headache,” Assistant Chief Joseph Milenkovic said of the process of scheduling off-duty officers, collecting payment from clients and paying the officers. “It’s a lot cleaner for us to outsource it.”

Milenkovic notes that the previous vendor made $40,000 "last year".  (2011?  2010?  He may have been interviewed for the article in late December.)

Perhaps Delray Beach PL is well-positioned to take advantage of this revenue source.  According to the Florida Public Library Statistics for 2009, it ranks among the top 5 libraries with revenue from "other" sources"  (A breakdown within this category is not provided, just the total dollar amount and percentage of "other" revenues to total revenues.)


The statewide average is 4.27%.

Sidebar:  Perhaps this is why the library needs protection?
Senior citizens picket library. (10/30/2010)

Gary's Main Library is Closed


Gary library workers say job cuts will kill union. (Chicago Tribune, 2/28/2012)

Excerpt:    Allen said the reorganization will reduce her and other union officials to part-time employees who will be ineligible for a union card. She said her salary will drop to $10,000 from $24,000 and she will have no benefits after 32 years on the job. 

Gary library board President Tony Walker said the elimination of union positions is an unfortunate part of a downsizing triggered by statewide property tax caps. The library board voted recently to convert the main library into a museum and keep four neighborhood branches open.

Architectural Designs for South Shore Museum and Cultural Center.  (Slideshow.)


Related posts:
Director recommends closing main library.  (1/19/2011)
Library looking at 50% budget cut.  (12/12/2010)
Gary Indiana: Not Louisiana, Paris, France, New York, or Rome. (1/9/2010)
Kennedy Branch:  When it rains, it pours.  (1/9/2010)

Some Hours to be Restored at all IMCPL Branches


Indianapolis library plans to restore some hours at all branches, CEO Nytes says. (Indianapolis Star, 2/23/2012)

Excerpt:  During the first full year of reduced hours at Indianapolis library branches, visits nose-dived 22 percent. Patrons checked out 12 percent fewer books and other items. 

But new Indianapolis Public Library CEO Jackie Nytes aims to reverse last year's drops -- in large part by restoring about two-thirds of cuts made to operating hours in 2010 at branches systemwide. 

In a change from previously discussed plans, Nytes said all 23 of the library's branches will benefit from expansion of hours. How many restored hours each will see remains to be worked out, but Nytes said new schedules could be in place for summer reading programs. 

Last year, officials said expanded hours were likely only for the 10 most-used branches.

Related articles:
"Not all good news". (2/25/2012)
2012 budget should allow library to restore reduced hours at branches.  (10/17/2011)
An informed, engaged Indianapolis will find the resources for its public library.  (7/4/2011)
Bramble's retirement leads to search for 21st-century visionary to lead IMCPL.  (6/3/2011)
Library funding a front-burner issue.  (6/3/2011)
Empty cup at the finish line?  (4/30/2011)
Indiana House passes library funding bill before Democrats take a much needed road trip.  (2/22/2011)
Indiana Senate moves more quickly than House on library bill.  (2/10/2011)
No rest for IMCPL 'loyalists'.  (2/9/2011)
'Library loyalists' provide a remedial lesson in funding priorities.  (2/8/2011)
Legislative effort to provide more funding for IMCPL continues.  (2/4/2011)
Show of support by IMCPL advocates.  (1/25/2011)
Library angel.  (1/17/2011)
Indianapolis Star editorial: "Give library a fair share of tax"  (1/13/2011)
Sustainability in the form of a share of county income taxes.  (1/12/2011)
Township deals comes undone.  (1/8/2011)
Vote to restore library hours and rehire staff: Thanking God again in Wayne Township, Indiana.  (12/16/2010)
Wayne Township's $200,000 for IMCPL:  "Thank God it's a nice purpose".  (12/8/2010)
Temporary fix (not yet approved ) to keep 4 IMCPL branches open.  (11/19/2010)
ICMPL to lay off 37 employees.  (11/12/2010)
Cuts in library hours, materials budget.  (9/15/2010)
Library announces 26% cut in hours.  (9/14/2010)
Indianapolis resident recommends book to local officials.  (9/6/2010)
Library board votes to include 'shortfall appeal' option.  (9/1/2010)
Library board to consider 'shortfall appeal'.  (8/30/2010)
In close vote, library board cuts hours, staff.  (8/20/2010)
Library grapples with its sustainable future.  (8/16/2010)
Library projects a $7.3 million deficit by 2014.  (7/29/2010)
Library board sez no branch closings in 2011.  (7/15/2010)
Library supporters question Pacers deal. (7/15/2010)
High performance government team report.  (7/11/2010)
Library board delays decision on libraries.  (6/5/2010)
Another big turnout for libraries.  (5/13/2010)
Mayor vows to keep library branches open.  (5/12/2010)
Residents speak up for their libraries.  (5/11/2010)
The neighborhood library as refuge.  (5/2/2010)
Indianapolis Star editorial board keeps library funding issue front and center.  (4/25/2010)
Efficiency experts look for ways to keep branch libraries open.  (4/23/2010)
More than 1400 sign petition to keep Glendale branch open.  (4/20/2010)
Editorial:  Find resources for library.  (4/19/2010)
What's in store for Indianapolis-area libraries?  (4/17/2010)
Indiana Pacers bailout talks continue.  (4/16/2010)
Postscript.  (4/15/2010)
Look what's at the top of Indianapolis's to-do list.  (4/14/2010)
A Challenge to Indianapolis-Marion County:  Stand Up for Libraries.  (4/13/2010)

Findorff Awarded Madison Public Library Construction Contract


Related posts: 
City of Madison to Rebid Central Library Project. (12/22/2011)
Madison Community Foundation awards $500,000 grant for new Madison Central Library.   (12/16/2011)
Retiring Guy takes a last look at the 1960s-era Madison Central Library.  (11/13/2011)
Madison Central Library prepares for move to temporary facility. (11/9/2011)
Madison Public Library misses cut on $4.5 million tax credit.  (9/14/2011)
Board to consider Plan B financing.  (9/1/2011)
Central library to relocate in November.  (7/27/2011)
Central library reconstruction project to proceed.  (4/29/2011)
Negotiations continue.  (4/27/2011)
Central library not a major issue with candidate or mayor Soglin. (4/19/2011)
Soglin wants to make sure ducks are in a row for Central Library Project.  (4/16/2011)
Latest design review.  (4/8/2011)
Midway Design presentation for Madison Central Library.  (2/25/2011)
Final design for renovated central library unveiled.  (12/8/2010)
Interview with principal architect of Central Library project.  (11/5/2010)
And the beat goes on.  (4/14/2010)

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Rockford Public Library Struggles to Reinstate Sunday Hours


Rockford Public Library officials: Cost a ‘barrier’ to Sunday hours. (Rockford Register Star, 2/27/2012)

Excerpt: Opening a library branch on Sundays would cost anywhere from $168,000 a year for four hours at the East Branch to $463,000 annually for eight hours at the East State Street and Mill Road location, Logli read from his notes. Eight hours on Sundays at the East Branch and the Montague Branch on the city’s west side would cost about $527,000 a year.

Logli and library Executive Director Frank Novak said they didn’t even run the numbers on opening the library’s Main Branch downtown because they already know that the building’s mechanicals and layout make it cost-prohibitive.

Portage Public Library Fundraising Campaign Looks to Raise $1.05 Million


Library fundraising campaign ready to go. (Portage Daily Register, 2/28/2012)

Excerpt:   Library backers hope to raise $1.05 million to support the $1.75 million project. The rest of the money will come from the city and grants from the Bidwell Foundation. 

The expansion project is expected to increase the size of the current building, add room for children’s programming and fix a number of deficiencies and aging features of the building on West Edgewater Street.

Related posts:
Library boosts fundraising goal. (1/23/2012)
Two Portage businessmen to lead Portage fundraising effort. (113/2012)
Funding for library expansion included in City of Portage 2012 budget. (12/9/2012)
Library moves forward with building expansion fundraising campaign.  (11/26/2011)
Decision delayed on request for library expansion funding.  (11/2/2011)
Council member on Portage Public Library expansion project funding: "We may just not want to do it".  (10/28/2011)
Board president makes pitch to council for library expansion funding.  (10/15/2011)
Board to make case for building expansion to council.  (10/13/2011)
Library board to make case to council for building expansion.  (9/15/2011)
Library moves forward with building expansion.  (8/12/2011)
Board approves feasibility study for library expansion.  (7/1/2011)
Board reviews estimates for expansion project.  (6/22/2011)
Library expansion plans continue to develop.  (2/9/2011)
Library expansion to focus on youth services.  (10/15/2010)
Putting together the financial pieces for building expansion.  (5/12/2010)
Library seeks community input for expansion.  (1/13/2010)
Board discussion rental property options.  (11/11/2009)

Library Building Projects: Two Out of Three Ain't Bad

Cedarburg:  Yes.
Milwaukee East Library Branch.  Yes.
North Shore Library.  No.


Glendale council votes against funding proposal for new library. (Glendale Now, 2/28/2012)

Excerpt:   In 2010 the four communities approved the expansion of the existing North Shore Library at its present location, 6800 N. Port Washington Road. The library, crowded and in need of additional space, would expand into additional space on the first and second floor of the four-story building. 

North Shore library communities (boundaries approximate)
Glendale, Fox Point, Bayside, River Hills

Glendale owns the first floor space where the library is currently housed and since 1984 when it opened, the four communities have paid a dollar a year under a 50-year lease to rent the space from the city. The city gained ownership of the space as part of tax-incremental financing agreement that led to the construction of the building as well as the nearby Coventry Apartments.

North Shore library board proposal to Glendale City Council.
  • City sells its portion of the building (estimated value: $1.0-$1.2). 
  • City donates proceeds to the Library Foundation to use toward new building. 
  • City pays 50 percent of the cost of a new building, as determined by existing library funding formula. 

Reaction of Glendale Mayor Jerry Tepper:  "I don't think I would like to see the city donate the cost of the existing space without it counting toward the cost of its share."

2/27/2012 Common Council agenda.  (Minutes not yet posted online.)

One more item of interest.

Whitefish Bay Village President Julie Siegel recently proposed a merger of the Whitefish Bay Public Library and North Shore Library.

History of the North Shore Library.
About the Whitefish Bay Public Library.

The Standard at East Library Wins Approval from Milwaukee Plan Commission


Plan Commission OKs revised plan for east side library, apartments. (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, 2/28/2012)

Excerpt: A proposal to demolish Milwaukee's East Library branch and replace it with a new library [16,000 square feet] and upper level apartments won recommended approval, and compliments for its revised design, from the Plan Commission at its Monday meeting. 

HSI Properties LLC wants to build 99 apartments, most of them one-bedroom units, with 118 underground parking spaces for the residents. Forty enclosed street-level parking spaces would be set aside for library patrons. 

The $14.9 million development, named The Standard at East Library, would be financed mainly through a $10.9 million commercial loan guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, along with equity cash from the developers.

Related posts:
Board selects HSI team for East Library redevelopment. 11/11/2011)
Mixed-use proposal for new East Library branch.  (8/18/2011)

New Cedarburg Library to be Built on Same Site as Current Facility


Cedarburg to raze library, build on same site. (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, 2/28/2012)

Excerpt: A new public library will be constructed where the existing one stands on N. Hanover Ave., the Common Council has decided. 

After more than 10 years of discussion and consultants' reviews of several possible locations, the council agreed Monday night the library should stay where it's at, though a larger building will take its place. 

Library Director Mary Marquardt said Tuesday that she has started searching for a vacant building in the city to house books and other materials and serve as in interim library for a year. That is the time it will take to demolish the current building and construct a two-story facility with more than double the space, Marquardt said. 

Before the $6.3 million project can get under way, the council will be asked to approve a design contract with architectural consultant Engberg Anderson Inc. and a construction management contract, she said. 

A 25,250-square-foot building will be built on the south end of the current location, as part of the recommendation by Engberg Anderson.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Kentucky Bill Would Eliminate Carrier of Last Resort Provision


Editorial: Preserve basic phone service. (Lexington Herald-Leader, 2/28/2012)

Excerpt: For most of us today, it's hard to imagine a world in which a telecommunication device only allowed people to talk to each other. 

It's equally hard for many to imagine a monthly telephone bill in the lower double digits. 

Yet that was the almost-universal reality not so long ago and remains the reality for a significant minority of Kentuckians. For that minority, the most basic and affordable telephone service is what allows them to stay in touch with family and friends, contact medical and other service providers and call for help in an emergency. 

At least for now. 

Senate Bill 135 has the potential to change all that. Under it that minority — largely poor and often isolated either in remote rural locations or urban silos — could be forced to make a choice between joining the rest of us in paying more for an array of services tied to our phones or simply going without any service.

 Kentucky Bill Could End Rural Telephone Service for Some. (Community Broadband, 2/28/2012)

Born in Wisconsin, Little Free Libraries Pop Up in Syracuse, New York


Books move fast out of Syracuse's first curbside library. (Syracuse Post-Standard, 2/27/2012)

Excerpt: Rick Brooks, co-founder of the Little Free Library movement, estimates there are 300 to 400 little libraries in 33 states and 17 countries. He doesn’t know if most people bring books back. In the Little Free Library movement, the return rate doesn’t seem to be a critical data point. 

Brooks runs a continuing education and outreach program at the University of Wisconsin —Madison. He describes the other Little Library co-founder, Todd Bol, as a social entrepreneur. 

The effort began a few years ago, when as a tribute to his mom, Bol installed in his yard a small replica of a school house, akin to a fancy mailbox or bird house, and stocked it with books to share. When Brooks met Bol at a workshop in 2009 and heard about project, he thought the idea had appeal.

Related posts:
Little libraries pop up Waunakee.  (10/27/2011)
"Take a book leave a book" at the little library. (8/13/2011)

Institute for Wisconsin's Future Report: "Investing in Revenue"


"Investing in Revenue" -- by Following the Minnesota Model.  (Wisconsin Budget Project, 2/27/2012)

Excerpt: The new report – Investing in Revenue – says that a modest investment in addition staff at the Department of Revenue (DOR) could make a significant dent in this large pool of uncollected tax dollars. It estimates that an investment of $12.5 million in resources for DOR would generate $100 million in additional revenue during this biennium. 

The report was written by Dennis Collier, who was the former Director of Tax and Fiscal Policy for the DOR. Collier contrasts the staff cuts at DOR and the uncollected taxes in our state with the very different experience in Minnesota: “While Wisconsin has cut staff and watched revenues drop, Minnesota has invested in their Department and seen a consistent increase in monies collected. If we follow their strategy, we can avoid further cuts to important programs such as health care and education.”


Of course, Minnesota's more aggressive approach to collecting unpaid taxes hasn't been a cure-all.






Getting to Know Chapter 43 of the Wisconsin State Statutes: Part 15, Consolidated Public Library Systems

43.21 Consolidated public library systems.  (Created in 1971.)

 (1) [Board appointments]  In a consolidated public library system, the system board shall consist of 7 or 9 members appointed by the county board.
  •  In the initial appointment of a system board, at least 3 members of the system board, at the time of their appointment, shall be active voting members of library boards governing public libraries consolidated into the system. 
  • At least one but not more than 2 members of the county board shall be members of the system board at any one time. 

(2) (a) A consolidated public library system shall be deemed an agency of the county by which created.

(2) (b) [Powers and Duties]  A consolidated public library system board shall have the powers of a library board under ss. 43.58 and 43.60 and shall be responsible for the total program of public library service for the system territory.

(3) If it is consistent with the terms thereof, a gift, bequest or endowment to a public library becoming part of a consolidated public library system may be taken over by the system board. The system board shall maintain the gift, bequest or endowment for the benefit of the library to which it was given.

History
1971 Senate Bill 47.   43.21 is created.
1985 Wisconsin Act 147.   43 .21 (3) of the statutes is amended
1993 Wisconsin Act 241.  43.21 (1) is amended.  (...7 or 9 members...)

Related posts:
Part 1:  Legislative findings and declaration of policy.
Part 2:  Definitions.
Part 3:  General duties of the State Superintendent.
Part 4:  General duties of the Division.
Part 5:  Council on Library and Network Development.
Part 6:  Certificates and standards..
Part 7: County library planning committees.
Part 8:  County payment for library service.
Part 9:  Division review
Part 10.  Standards for public library systems.
Part 11.  Resource libraries.
Part 12:  Public library systems; general provisions.
Part 13.  Withdrawal, abolition, and expulsion.
Part 14.  Federated public library systems.

Getting to Know Chapter 43 of the Wisconsin State Statutes: Part 14, Federated Public Library Systems

43.19 Federated public library systems. (Created in 1971)

(1) (a) [Single county:  Board appointments and membership]
  • In a federated public library system whose territory lies within a single county, the system board shall consist of 7 members nominated by the county executive, or by the county board chairperson in a county without a county executive, and approved by the county board. 
  • At least 3 members of the system board, at the time of their appointment, shall be active voting members of library boards governing public libraries of participating municipalities, and at least one of these shall be a member of the library board governing the resource library. 
  • At least one but not more than 2 members of the county board shall be members of the system board at any one time

(1) (b) 1. [System of 2 or more counties:  Board appointments and membership]
  • Except as provided in subd. 2., in a federated public library system whose territory lies within 2 or more counties, the system board shall consist of at least 15 and not more than 20 members nominated by the county executive in each county in the system, or by the county board chairperson in a county without a county executive, and approved by each county board in the system. 
  • Appointments shall be in proportion to population as nearly as practical, but, except as provided in subd. 2., each county shall be represented by at least one member on the system board. 
  • Each county board may appoint one county board member to the system board. 
  • The public library board governing the designated resource library shall have at least one member on the system board. 
  • The remaining system board members shall include such representatives of the library boards governing public libraries of participating municipalities and counties and public members appointed from the counties at large as the county board determines. 

(1) (b) 2. A system board appointed under subd. 1. may consis of more than 20 members if the county boards, acting jointly, determine that each county in the system shall be represented by at least 2 members on the system board.

(2) (a) [Powers and Duties]
  • Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, a federated public library system whose territory lies within a single county shall be deemed an agency of the county and a federated public library system whose territory lies within 2 or more counties shall be deemed a joint agency of those counties. 
  • A federated public library system whose territory lies within 2 or more counties constitutes a separate legal entity for the purposes of
    • having the exclusive custody and control of all system funds, 
    • holding title to and disposing of property, 
    • constructing, enlarging and improving buildings, 
    • making contracts and suing and being sued. 
  • A federated public library system whose territory lies within a single county with a population of 500,000 or more constitutes a separate legal entity solely for the purposes of 
    • having the exclusive custody and control of all system funds, 
    • making contracts and 
    • providing benefits to its employees under ch. 40  [Public Employee Trust Fun
(2) (b) [Powers and Duties]  A federated public library system board shall have the powers of a public library board under s. 43.58 with respect to system− wide functions and services. The local library boards shall retain responsibility for their public libraries in all other areas.


History:
1971 Senate Bill 47.    43.19 is created.
1985 Wisconsin Act 177.
  • 43.19 (1) and (2) (b) of the statutes are amended.  
  • 43.19 (3) is repealed.  [Any county having a population of 500,000 or more and operating a library service program under s. 43.57 shall be paid state aid under s. 43.24 as if it were a federated public library system, if the library boards of. the participating municipalities, acting jointly, file a plan descbing the service program and proposed use and distribution of the state aid the program is expected to receive with the division and receive the division's approval . Such a program shall meet the standards promulgated under s. 43.09 (2) and is subject to s. 43.17 (5).]
1993 Wisconsin Act 393.  43.19 (2) (a) is amended.
  • 43.19 (1) (a) is amended.
  • 43.19 (1) (b) is renumbered 43.19 (1) (b) 1. and amended.
  • 43.19 (1) (b) 2. is created.


Related posts:
Part 1:  Legislative findings and declaration of policy.
Part 2:  Definitions.
Part 3:  General duties of the State Superintendent.
Part 4:  General duties of the Division.
Part 5:  Council on Library and Network Development.
Part 6:  Certificates and standards..
Part 7: County library planning committees.
Part 8:  County payment for library service.
Part 9:  Division review
Part 10.  Standards for public library systems.
Part 11.  Resource libraries.
Part 12:  Public library systems; general provisions.
Part 13.  Withdrawal, abolition, and expulsion.

Getting to Know Chapter 43 of the Wisconsin State Statutes: Part 13, Withdrawal, Abolition, and Expulsion

2000:  Fond du Lac County Moves from Mid-Wisconsin to Winnefox

43.18 Withdrawal, abolition and expulsion.  (Created in 1971.)

(1) WITHDRAWAL.
  •  (ag) In this subsection, “participating municipality” means a municipality that operates a public library and is a member of a public library system. 
  • (am) Not less than 3 years after affiliating with a public library system, a participating municipality or a county may withdraw from the system by adoption of a resolution by a two−thirds vote of its governing body under pars. (ar) and (b), if the resolution is adopted at least 6 months prior to the close of the system’s fiscal year. The resolution shall become effective at the close of the system’s fiscal year. 
  • (ar) With the approval of the governing bodies of participating municipalities that contain, according to the most recent estimate prepared under s. 16.96, at least 80% of the population of participating municipalities in the county, a county may withdraw from a federated public library system whose territory lies within 2 or more counties. 
  • (b) A participating municipality may withdraw from a federated public library system. 

SIDEBAR:  From a 2/4/2011 memo written by Desiree Bongers, Director, Ripon Public Library to Library Board Presidents and Library Directors of Brandon, Campbellsport, Fond du Lac, North Fond du Lac, and Oakfield Public Libraries; Fond du Lac County Executive Buechel; Fond du Lac County Supervisors Farrell and Dornbrook; Winnefox Library System Director Gilderson-Duwe and Assistant Director Arend; and Ripon City Council.


(2) ABOLITION. A county may abolish a public library system whose territory lies only within that county, except that a county containing a 1st class city may abolish such a public library system only with the consent of the municipalities within the system. (2m) EXPULSION. With the approval of the division, a public library system may expel, or reduce aids or services to, a municipality or county that fails to meet the requirements under s. 43.15 (2) or (4).

(3) PROCEDURE.
(a) Prior to taking any action to abolish or withdraw under this section, the county board or other municipal governing body
  • shall hold a public hearing on the proposed action and 
  • shall publish a class 1 notice, under ch. 985, of the hearing.  

Notice of the hearing also shall be given by registered mail not less than 30 days prior to the hearing to
  • the governing body of every other municipality and county participating in the public library system, to
  • the public library system board and to 
  • the division

(b) A municipality or county withdrawing or expelled under this section from a public library system is responsible for its allocated share of the outstanding liabilities of the system on the effective date of its withdrawal or expulsion.

(c) Upon taking final action under this section to withdraw from or abolish a public library system, the county board or other municipal governing body shall give notice, by registered mail, of the action taken to
  • the governing body of every other municipality and county participating in the public library system, to
  • the public library system board and to 
  • the division. 

(d) Prior to expelling a municipality or county from a public library system, the system board
  • shall notify the municipality or county and the division, by registered mail, of the reason for the action under consideration and 
  • shall hold a public hearing concerning the action. 
The system board shall file a plan for alteration of the system territory under s. 43.13 (2) by November 15 of the year preceding the year in which the expulsion will take effect under s. 43.13 (3) and the division shall adjust state aid under s. 43.24 accordingly.

(e)  [Participation after withdrawal or expulsion]    A municipality or county that has withdrawn or that has been expelled from a public library system may participate in a public library system only by fulfilling the requirements for initial participation under s. 43.15 (4) (b) or (c) and by adopting a new plan of library service for the county.

History:
1971 Senate Bill 47.  43.18 is created.
1981 Assembly Bill 829.  43.18 (1) (a) and (b) are amended.
1985 Wisconsin Act 29.
  • 43.18 (1) (c) of the statutes is created.
  • 43.18 (2) of the statutes is amended .
  • 43.18 (2m) of the statutes is created.
  • 43.18 (3) of the statutes is amended.
  • 43.18 (3) (d) and (e) of the statutes are created.
1997 Wisconsin Act 150.  43.18 (3) (e) of the statutes is amended.
1999 Wisconsin Act 83.
  • 43.18 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is renumbered 43.18 (1) (am) and amended to read.
  • 43.18 (1) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 43.18 (1) (ar).
  • .43.18 (1) (c) of the statutes is renumbered 43.18 (1) (ag).


Related posts:
Part 1:  Legislative findings and declaration of policy.
Part 2:  Definitions.
Part 3:  General duties of the State Superintendent.
Part 4:  General duties of the Division.
Part 5:  Council on Library and Network Development.
Part 6:  Certificates and standards..
Part 7: County library planning committees.
Part 8:  County payment for library service.
Part 9:  Division review
Part 10.  Standards for public library systems.
Part 11.  Resource libraries.
Part 12:  Public library systems; general provisions.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Ross Township resident boasts, "In 55 years, I never went to the library"


Ross considers library tax vote. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2/23/2012)

Excerpt:   Commissioners will consider the library ordinance during the March 5 meeting. It sets a referendum question for the April 24 primary, asking voters to approve a 0.22-mill tax to be used to fund the township's library contribution. 

The tax, which would amount to $22 on a house that is assessed at $100,000, is expected to raise $414,000, if approved. Ross' appropriation for Northland this year is $406,000. Any extra funds could be used to support other library ventures, such as a proposed branch or vending machine in Ross. 

Resident David Winter told commissioners he is against the tax, saying that only 30 percent of Ross residents hold library cards.

"In 55 years, I never went to the library," he said. "Everybody has computers now. The encyclopedias are online." 

Related posts:
This is how they like to do things in Ross Township Pennsylvania.  (12/16/2011)
Ross Township commissioners discuss library funding referendum. (1/21/2012)

Too Late (in this Session) for Assembly Joint Resolution 26?



Treasurer Schuller running out of time to get himself fired. (Wisconsin State Journal, 2/26/2012)

Excerpt: Schuller's amendment faces long odds. A constitutional amendment must pass two consecutive legislative sessions and a statewide referendum before it can take effect. The measure has amounted to an afterthought this session as Republican legislative leaders spent the past year grappling with a host of contentious bills. Right now they're racing to craft a bill that would reform Wisconsin's iron mining permit application process. 

"We're not saying it's dead, but it's getting late," John Jagler, a spokesman for Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald, said of Schuller's amendment.

Too late?  As in "something has died?" 
   












LINK 


Amending the Wisconsin Constitution.

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Dear Wisconsin Neighbors, Love Steve Gant

12/18/2011

12/21/2011

12/28/2011

2/21/2012


I'd be careful making any long-term Voter ID assessments based on the February 21 primary election turnout




OK, let's ask ourselves a couple of questions here.

1.  How many people are likely to take the time to vote in a primary election, particularly one in which the only contest is for Dane County Circuit Court Judge, Branch 11.


Well, I'm not sure about Middleton, but the turnout in Madison was 2.4% -- 4,003 voters out of total of 165,312.

2.  Who is most likely to vote in such a primary election?  

Granted, this is not a scientific sampling, but the people I know who voted on February 21st vote in every election.

69.2%
Voter turnout in the 2008 Presidential election.

Fifth (and Final) Volume of Dictionary of American Regional English Published


Dictionary of American Regional English a comprehensive lexicon of real talk. (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, 2/25/2012)

As of January 27, 2012, Scott Walker has spent nearly $10,000,000 of his recall contributions


Money well spent?

Obama leads GOP challengers in Wisconsin poll; Santorum leads GOP field.  (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, 2/22/2012)

(Reformatted) excerpt: Governor. The fundamentals when it comes to Gov. Scott Walker’s public standing don’t seem to change very much. People are very closely divided and highly polarized along party lines. Walker’s popularity was lower in Marquette’s February poll than it was in January, though the difference was close to the poll’s margin of error. 

In the new poll, Walker was viewed 
  • favorably by 46% and 
  • unfavorably by 48% of registered voters. 
A month ago, he was viewed 
  • favorably by 50% and 
  • unfavorably by 45%.