Saturday, October 20, 2012

Culpability: A Definition of Ineffective Leadership

Defined here.

 

Interim leader named for embattled WEDC; financial officer quits. (Wisconsin State Journal, 10/19/2012)

Excerpt:   In addition to seeking answers on why oversight of the loans was neglected, Walker, a Republican, said he also wanted to investigate the wisdom of loaning the money in the first place. Most or all of the loans were originated by the administration of his Democratic predecessor, Jim Doyle.

This shifting of blame, of course, will

his administration's responsibility for 22 months of lack of overnight.

Construction Update: Madison Central Library





Photos taken from the X3/X4 level of the Overture Center Garage, i.e., parking ramp.

It had been raining earlier in the morning, as JoAnna and I made our way to this exhibit at the Wisconsin Historical Museum.

Related posts: 
Revised update.  (8/18/2012)
Work in progress. (6/5/2012)
Construction kickoff ceremony.  (3/28/2012)
Findorff awarded Madison Public Library construction contract.  (3/1/2012)
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)

Friday, October 19, 2012

Town Hall, Public Hearing, They're One and the Same, Vern

Wausau East High School

Letter: Boards should hold a town-hall meeting. (Wausau Daily Herald, 10/19/2012)

Excerpt:  Apparently my suggestion for the Marathon County Board, the Wausau City Council and the Wausau School Board to meet the citizens of Marathon County for a full disclosure of how and why the multimillion-dollar budgets of our money is about the be spent is dead on arrival.

[Sidebar:  I can, for example, find out here how the City of Wausau has been spending its money since 2004.]

Vern goes on to suggest these town-hall meetings be held at the high school auditoriums to accommodate the crowds.

Well, at a November 2011 public hearing on the 2012 municipal budget, six people offered comments.

That's twice as many as showed up in Sheboygan.


According to the article, [t]wo of them voiced support for the Mead Public Library and none of them discussed the proposed $5 per month garbage fee.

Which is still an improvement over what happened in Manitowoc.


Lesson to be learned here.

Put advocacy tip #1 to use.  And for the purposes of this post, I'll revise the last sentence to read, "Call on them when you need someone to attend a budget hearing and tell their elected and appointed officials just how important the library is!"

Town of Hudson Serves Notice to Withdraw from Hudson Area Library


Town of Hudson gives notice of intent to leave joint library. (Hudson Star-Observer, 10/19/2012)

The town's intent is to withdraw at the end of 2013, although the notice they sent to the Hudson Area Joint Library Board of Trustees includes the right to rescind this decision.   The deadline for this reconsideration is August 31, 2012.

As much as they'd like to continue as a partner in the joint library......

Related posts:
Looking at the options for the Hudson Area Library.  (10/9/2012)
Getting to know chapter 43 of the Wisconsin state statutes in real life.  (4/2/2012)
Getting to know chapter 43 of the Wisconsin state statutes, part 24:  county tax.  (3/27/2012)

Reduced State Aid and Decreasing Property Values a Double Whammy for Shawano School District


District officials outline four years of cuts. Staff reductions, retirement contributions among savings. (Shawano Leader, 10/18/2012)

Budget cuts in the past four years includes
  • 27 full-time positions
    • 13.38 teaching positions in last two years
    • Savings:  $918,922
    • 13.5 support staff positions in last two years
    • Savings:  $440,517
  • $2,700,000 in total savings

Excerpt:  
Last week, district officials found out the property values had decreased a staggering 3.52 percent for this year, which is prompting them to recommend the School Board revise the budget to take more money from the district's fund balance and rescind 2 percent raises planned for staff.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Wonder if this product was marketed to libraries?

Ad from National Geographic, January 1965


This "catalog card" might answer my question.

Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, still has the entire set.




And then there's this instrumental version. (OK, there's some group vocalizing in the background.)

Notes, Quotes & What-all: "Library Hospitality: Some Preliminary Considerations" (with Links and Sidebars)

By Eric D. M. Johnson and Michelle M. Kazmer.
The Library Quarterly, vol. 81, no. 4 (2011), pp. 383-403.

Above article was added to the required reading list for UW-Madison School of Library and Information Studies LIS 712 The Public Library, Session 1.

Hospitality's contexts
  • Private
  • Public
  • Institution
4 distinct characteristics of modern hospitality
  • Provided by a host to a guest who is away from home
  • Interactive (provider <--> receiver)
  • Blend of tangible and intangible factors
  • Host provides for guests security as well as psychological and physiological (physical) comfort

Sidebar 1:  Slides from "The Nature of Reference Work:  The Reference Interview"



Henderson, Maude R.   "The librarian as a host". 

3 elements in the exchange process of hospitality
  • Products:  Library materirals and services
  • People:  Employee behavior
  • Place:  Physical environment

Definition of library hospitality:  The provision of library resources by a genuinely motivated employee to fulfill the library need of a patron in an environment conducive to the provision of those resources.

Library resources
  • physical materials, databases, websites
  • physical facilities:  computer labs, meeting rooms, lounges, etc.
Environment, including
  • Physical space
  • Layout of components (ease of accessibility)
  • Lighting
  • Signage
  • Virtual presence

Libraries Today:  Employee Behavior and Motivation (pp. 303-304)
Sidebar A:  Standards of Customer Service, Davenport (IA) Public Library
  • Upholding confidentiality and intellectual freedom
  • Knowing, understanding, correctly implement library polices
  • Being at your workstation when scheduled
  • Creating a cooperative work environment
  • Exhibiting respect for all customers and co-workers
  • Helping to create a welcoming atmosphere
  • Ensuring a high-quality customer experience
  • Meeting the needs of customers and co-workers
  • Verify that needs have been met
  • Avoiding personal value judgments when interacting with customers and co-workers
  • Providing service to the public above personal activities and interests
  • Taking responsibility for being knowledgeable, courteous, and responsive in all communications
  • Basic requirements
    • Friendly, prompt, and helpful service
    • Respectful of and sensitive to 
      • Circumstances
      • Differences
      • Diversity
  • Nametags
  • Telephone calls
    • Greeting
    • Name
    • Department or title
  • Appearance
  • Doing work at service desk (interruptible)
  • Food and beverages
  • Personal phone calls and emails
  • Circulating (roving)
  • Library equipment
  • Lines at service desks
  • Phone and in-person transactions (those in library get first priority)
  • Materials not owned by library
  • Referral to other service point(s)
  • Staff communications
  • Dealing with unacceptable service 
    • Provided by other staff members
    • "I had a question like that recently...."
  • Performance evaluations
  • Recognition of service

Sidebar C:  Positive Operating Procedures from Customer Service Policy, Falmouth (MA) Public Library (selected items)
  • Punctuality
  • [Approachability] Offer a smile and greeting to customers
  • [Attentiveness] Look up and around 
  • [Tone of voice/body language] Do not exhibit annoyance or impatience
  • Keep you voice low (volume)
  • Avoid jargon
  • Keep conversations with other staff members to a minimum
  • Listen courteously and attentively to comments and suggestions
  • Staff members don't use prime parking spaces

Libraries Today:  Library Employees (p. 304) 

Core Staff Technology Competencies, Denver Public Library

  • Level 1 - all staff
  • Level 2 - public services staff
  • Level 3 - information professionals
  • Level 4 - specialized

Responses to wispublib query re: libraries that have used greeters.

Wendy Rawson, Director, Fitchburg Public Library.  We don't have formal greeters at Fitchburg, but we do expect the staff at the Circulation Desk to say hello and goodbye to patrons if they are not otherwise engaged. We've gotten some very nice compliments about being greeted from patrons!

 What I really wanted to share with you was a trial we did at my last library in Worthington, Ohio. We set up a podium in the lobby of our main library as a greeter desk to see if it was something we should add in an upcoming renovation. Every staff member spent one hour per week at the desk (including the Director, Finance, HR, Tech services, etc). What we found was that a huge percentage of patrons wanted to avoid the greeter. They refused to make eye contact and practically RAN past us. The people who did want to say hello also wanted to stand and chat for 45 minutes about their latest health problems or whatever conspiracy theory they bought in to. While the experience was wonderful in showing typical back room staff the types of things the public staff dealt with, we didn't feel that it was a benefit to patrons in the end. We stopped doing it after several weeks.

What did work was having someone 'roving' near the self check machines, who functioned as a greeter as well as assisting patrons and shelving holds. That was a great position, but was only possible because we had a ton of staff at that library. I don't think we could ever pull it off at FCH with the current level of staffing!

Kent Barnard, Director, Patteron Memorial Library, Wild Rose. We are all greeters. Our circ desk is right by the door. Everyone is trained to greet everyone who walks in. We use first names if we know them (ok , if I, being the newcomer in town, know them!) We also thank them for coming in, leaving donations for printing or overdue books (no fines here!), and urge them to return. 

Of course not everyone is as good as others at this especially if they are chatting with a friend (we are a village of 725 people), but we catch them at some time. Working on getting everyone out from behind the desk at least every now and then to roam and ask if anyone needs help. 

Could be my restaurant and retail background – but this just makes good business sense and it’s the neighborly thing to do! I have long thought that libraries need to stop pretending they are not a business! Our patrons deserve the third place experience.

Jessica MacPhail, Director, Racine Public Library.   When Racine Public Library was being renovated and the entire upstairs was closed for several months, we had volunteer (and some staff) greeters who staffed a kiosk by the front door. They directed people to resources that had been relocated to the first floor - Internet terminals, new books, DVDs, audiobooks, and reference staff. Patrons and staff all loved it. Wish we had the resources to be able to continue that service. 


Libraries Today: Patrons (p.305)

Library Anxiety:  A Decade of Empirical Research  (academic libraries)

Self-service in libraries

State of Self-Service 2010: Do-It-Yourself Libraries. (Library Journal, 6/10/2010)
Excerpt: Self-service options abound, including self-check machines, drive-through windows, vending machines with books and DVDs, as well as a host of Internet-driven tools that enable library users to register for library cards, or schedule themselves for classes and computer time. Fully 85 percent of libraries offer some sort of self-service, and that percentage goes up with the size of the population served.

Helping Users Help Themselves with Self-Service Technologies | Product Watch.  (Library Journal, 9/10/2012)
Excerpt: With many libraries facing the squeeze of rising usage and flat or declining funding, self-service technologies have become more of a necessity. Librarians who discussed these technologies with LJ said that self-service options generally improve service overall. With these tools in place, staff have more time to answer questions and assist patrons.


Libraries Today: Environment (p. 306-7)

Library cafes

Relaxation of food and drink policies



It's more than books and bathtubs, Noreen.  (highlights added)

Virtual branch


Managing the Digital Branch from David King

Thinking of libraries as places of hospitality
  • "Framing device" for overall service program
  • Focusing the decision-making process

Unlamented: Newsweek's Print Edition Finally Put Out of its Misery


Newsweek carried a big torch for Palin for awhile.

Newsweek to Cease Print Publication at End of Year. (The New York Times, 10/18/2012)

Once upon a time. Founded in 1933, Newsweek established a venerable place in the American media landscape, competing ferociously with Time Magazine week in and week out to bring news to several million readers. In the pre-Internet era, before a constant stream of real-time information was available, the two magazines were viewed as among the best sources of news and analysis — an attractive product on the newsstand and a highly anticipated arrival in the mailboxes of subscribers.

Eastern Shores Library System Explores Merger Possibilities


Eastern Shores Library System merger would be first. (Sheboygan Press, 10/17/2012)
Excerpt:   If a merger takes place, it would be the first one in the state’s history, said John DeBacher, director of public library development for the state Department of Public Instruction’s Division for Libraries and Technology. In fact, it wasn’t until 2006 that legislation even allowed for the concept.

Document timeline

June 4, 2011.  
From the Eastern Shores Library System Board of Trustees minutes.
8. Interest in Library System Merger Discussions with MCLS: Peterson discussed the pros and cons’ MCLS has merging with ESLS. She gave background about their staff, member libraries, services provided, and population served. MCLS have appointed an Ad hoc Committee to investigate the merger. Trustees discussed possibilities of merging. The Search Committee will pursue the idea and process of a merger. 

July 30,2012
From the Eastern Shores Library System Board of Trustees  minutes.
6. Merge/Director Search Committee Report: Nuernberg reported on the June 28 meeting. At the Committee’s direction, he sent letters to adjacent library system board presidents asking if they were interested in exploring merging with ESLS and response by July 25, 2012. The following library systems responded: Mid-Wisconsin, Manitowoc Calumet, Winnefox, and Waukesha. Mid-Wisconsin was the only system to decline exploring a merger. 

Nuernberg also sent letters to ESLS member board presidents informing them of the board exploring a merger. Trustees received copies of the letters. 

Nelson moved to direct the board president to contact a consultant to explore the possibility of merging with an adjacent library system, and prepare library system budgets. Nuernberg will present a proposed engagement letter to the board at its next meeting. Seconded by Rollings, motion carried by voice vote.

July 2012
Merge/search committee news from "The Library Connection", the monthly newsletter of the Eastern Shores Library System.
  • Letters sent to all neighboring library systems
    • Manitowoc-Calumet
    • Mid-Wisconsin
    • Waukesha
    • Winnefox
  • Letters sent to board presidents of ESLS member libraries to inform them of merger explorations.

September 2012
Merger update from "The Library Connection".
  • Hiring of David Weinhold as consultant
  • Concerns and issues raised by ESLS member library directors
  • "Merging two system cultures...."  (possible barriers identified)
    • Changes in fees or fee structure
    • Library system staffing
    • Impact on system services
    • Governance
  • Specifics of the merger plan
    • Due by 10/15/2013 in order to go into effect by 1/1/2014
    • Requires approval of Division for Libraries and Technology
    • Elements of plan
      • Proportional representation of library board members 
      • Selection of resource library
      • Certification that new system will carry out required statutory duties
    • Memberships agreements signed by all participating
      • Counties
      • Libraried municipalities
      • Public libraries

Who's Running for State Office in Wisconsin 2012: 84th Assembly District (General Election Edition)


Public libraries in the 84th Assembly District
Greenfield Public Library
Milwaukee Public Library (service area)
New Berlin Public Library

The Republican incumbent

Biography.  Born Milwaukee, February 3, 1960; married; 4 children. 

Graduate New Berlin West H.S. 1978; B.A. Business UW-Whitewater 1983. 

Health club manager. 

Former member: Wisconsin Restaurant Assn. (pres.); Wisconsin Bowling Centers Assn. (pres.); New Berlin Chamber of Commerce (pres.). 

Elected to Assembly 2010.  (Won a 4-way primary with 40% of the vote.  Trounced his opponent in the general election with 74% of the vote.)


Wisconsin Eye interview (10/2/2012)


The Democratic challenger:  Jesse Roelke

Nomination papers challenge filed by Matt Spencer.

Roelke lists an address in the Town of Roxbury (northwestern Dane County) on his nomination papers.  He lists Sauk City as "Name of municipality for mailing purposes".

He's a 2010 graduate of UW-Milwaukee, double major, BA's in Journalism and Mass Communication and Political Science.

Candidates have filed dfor election.  (Waukesha Now, 6/5/2012)

Excerpt: Sauk City, located 18 miles northwest of Madison, is well outside of the 84th District that covers eastern Waukesha County and Hales Corners in Milwaukee County, including the City of New Berlin, Town of Waukesha and Village of Hales Corners. 

However, Michael Haas, a staff counsel for the Government Accountability Board, said a person does not need to live in the district to run for that district's seat. 

But if elected, that person must live in the district's boundaries when he or she takes office.

Don't pack the van just yet, Jesse.

Related posts (General Election Edition).
Assembly District 1.
Assembly District 2.
Assembly District 3.
Assembly District 4.
Assembly District 5.
Assembly District 6.
Assembly District 7.
Assembly District 8.
Assembly District 9.
Assembly District 10.
Assembly District 11.
Assembly District 12.
Assembly District 13.
Assembly District 14. 
Assembly District 15.
Assembly District 16.
Assembly District 17.
Assembly District 18.
Assembly District 19.
Assembly District 20.
Assembly District 21.
Assembly District 22.
Assembly District 23.
Assembly District 24.
Assembly District 25.
Assembly District 26.
Assembly District 27.
Assembly District 28.
Assembly District 29.
Assembly District 30.
Assembly District 31.
Assembly District 32.
Assembly District 33.
Assembly District 34.
Assembly District 35.
Assembly District 36.
Assembly District 37.
Assembly District 38.
Assembly District 39.
Assembly District 40.
Assembly District 41.
Assembly District 42.
Assembly District 43.
Assembly District 44.
Assembly District 45.
Assembly District 46.
Assembly District 47.
Assembly District 48.
Assembly District 49.
Assembly District 50.
Assembly District 51.
Assembly District 52.
Assembly District 53.
Assembly District 54.
Assembly District 55.
Assembly District 56.
Assembly District 57.
Assembly District 58.
Assembly District 59.
Assembly District 60.
Assembly District 61.
Assembly District 62.
Assembly District 63.
Assembly District 64.
Assembly District 65.
Assembly District 66.
Assembly District 67.
Assembly District 68.
Assembly District 69.
Assembly District 70.
Assembly District 71.
Assembly District 72.
Assembly District 73.
Assembly District 74.
Assembly District 75.
Assembly District 76.
Assembly District 77.
Assembly District 78.
Assembly District 79.
Assembly District 80.
Assembly District 81.
Assembly District 82.
Assembly District 83.

Who's Running for State Office in Wisconsin 2012: 83rd Assembly District (General Election Edition)


Public libraries in the 83rd Assembly District
Big Bend Public Library
Hales Corners Public Library
Muskego Public Library
Waterford Public Library

The Republican incumbent


Biography.   Born Waukesha, March 16, 1979; married; 4 children. 

Graduate Wisconsin Lutheran H.S. 1997; attended UW-Waukesha; B.A. UW-Milwaukee 2002. 

Full-time legislator. Former congressional aide. 

Village of Big Bend trustee 2008-10. 

Elected to Assembly in May 2011 special election.  (In early January, Scott Gunderson, R-Waterford, resigned from the state Assembly late Tuesday night to take a position as Executive Assistant in the Department of Natural Resources.  In the special election, Craig defeated James Brownlow, D-Muskego, with 74% of the vote.)

Wisconsin Eye interview (10/8/2012)

The Democratic challenger:  James Brownlow


Wisconsin Eye interview (9/11/12)

Related posts (General Election Edition).
Assembly District 1.
Assembly District 2.
Assembly District 3.
Assembly District 4.
Assembly District 5.
Assembly District 6.
Assembly District 7.
Assembly District 8.
Assembly District 9.
Assembly District 10.
Assembly District 11.
Assembly District 12.
Assembly District 13.
Assembly District 14. 
Assembly District 15.
Assembly District 16.
Assembly District 17.
Assembly District 18.
Assembly District 19.
Assembly District 20.
Assembly District 21.
Assembly District 22.
Assembly District 23.
Assembly District 24.
Assembly District 25.
Assembly District 26.
Assembly District 27.
Assembly District 28.
Assembly District 29.
Assembly District 30.
Assembly District 31.
Assembly District 32.
Assembly District 33.
Assembly District 34.
Assembly District 35.
Assembly District 36.
Assembly District 37.
Assembly District 38.
Assembly District 39.
Assembly District 40.
Assembly District 41.
Assembly District 42.
Assembly District 43.
Assembly District 44.
Assembly District 45.
Assembly District 46.
Assembly District 47.
Assembly District 48.
Assembly District 49.
Assembly District 50.
Assembly District 51.
Assembly District 52.
Assembly District 53.
Assembly District 54.
Assembly District 55.
Assembly District 56.
Assembly District 57.
Assembly District 58.
Assembly District 59.
Assembly District 60.
Assembly District 61.
Assembly District 62.
Assembly District 63.
Assembly District 64.
Assembly District 65.
Assembly District 66.
Assembly District 67.
Assembly District 68.
Assembly District 69.
Assembly District 70.
Assembly District 71.
Assembly District 72.
Assembly District 73.
Assembly District 74.
Assembly District 75.
Assembly District 76.
Assembly District 77.
Assembly District 78.
Assembly District 79.
Assembly District 80.
Assembly District 81.
Assembly District 82.