Looking for a Job in Mining: Be the First Robot in Line

Patty Loew: Ojibwe didn't protect wetlands for mine.   (Wisconsin State Journal, 3/1/2013)

Excerpt:  And will this mine really create jobs? Look at Australia, where some of the most profitable mining companies are headquartered, to see the future of mining. Who's planting the explosives, manning the drills and driving the trucks that carry the ore from the mines to the processing facilities? It's not a "who." It's a "what." Robots are used for these jobs.

Miners take "rail-veyors" and robots to automated future.  (Reuters, 10/28/2012)

Excerpt: Such advances may prove crucial as easy-to-exploit deposits run dry and miners drill deeper in more remote places to supply China, India and other emerging economies. The technology could make mining cheaper and safer, avoiding the need to dig wide tunnels and hire large numbers of expensive, skilled workers.

Late-Breaking News While I Watch "Around the World in 80 Days" on TV

What Housework Has to Do With Waistlines.  (Well, 2/27/2013)

"Madison's Plan for Library Facilities" (1963): A Summary of Recommendations and Outcomes

From pages 16-17:  

Plan for Library Facilities and Service Areas, Madison and Environs

Bernie Schwab was Director of the Madison Public Library from 1957 to 1982, and I suspect the recommendations in this document reflect the goals of this visionary library administrator.  (After you click on the link, you'll need to scroll down about two-thirds of the way to the bottom.)

The City of Madison experienced a significant growth in population from 1940 to 1970.

.
The Madison Public Library (1906-1965), located at the corner of West Dayton and North Carroll streets. The site is now occupied by a parking ramp.

Postcard from the collection of Retiring Guy

Source of many of the dates found in the above tables.

As the Number of "Relics" Continues to Decline

Beverly Public Library

Homepage

A relic? Tell that to folks who still depend upon bookmobile service to access the library.

Source:  Institute of Museum and Library  Services, Public Library Survey for the years 2001 to 2010.

Library bookmobile on the auction block.  (Boston Globe, 2/27/2013)

Excerpt:  Beverly’s bookmobile, a relic from a bygone era in an age now defined by the Internet and hand-held digital readers, was recently up for sale [SOLD!] on Municibid, an online government auction site.

Pop quiz:

1.  In an age of _________?

2.  Defined by _________?

Related posts:
The bookmobile in the U.S.  (1/13/2013)
It's National Bookmobile Day.  (4/12/2012)
Another bookmobile taken off the road.  (4/1/2012)
Des Plaines Public Library ends bookmobile service after 42 years.  (12/18/2011)
Bookmobile service at the Marin Free County Library.  (11/5/2011)
Seattle Public Library's mobile library service.  (10/15/2011)
Bookmobiles retired at the Fond du Lac Public Library.  (8/29/2011)
Story on library outreach services uses the term "invisible librarians".  (8/6/2011)
YMCA, Oswego (New York) School District, and AmeriCorps form summer bookmobile partnership,  (7/10/2011)

Massanutten Regional Library has a bookmobile for sale.  (5/25/2011)

Time and money running out for Des Plaines bookmobile.  (5/6/2011)
Bookmobile numbers are down but services still find an appreciate audience.  (2/9/2011)
Dells bookmobile offers wi-fi..  (6/28/2010)
Dane County bookmobile service still going strong.  (6/27/2010)
Des Plaines Public Library retains its bookmobile service.  (4/24/2010)
Fond du Lac bookmobile assigned a permanent home in Rosendale.  (2/7/2010)
Kalamazoo Public Library cuts bookmobile service. (11/15/2009)
New Mexico's statewide bookmobile service.  (10/18/2009)
New bookmobile for Lycoming County (PA) purchased locally.  (9/19/2009)
In "OverDrive":  The digital bookmobile.  (8/11/2008)

Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library 2013Annual Report

Hands-down, Best Value in Town.

Library website

Madison Central Library Construction Progress, 4th Revised Edition (Abridged)

Related posts: 
Progress report:  3rd revised edition, abridged.  (1/15/2013)
Progress report:  3rd revised edition. (1/15/2013
Progress report, 2nd revised edition.  (11/3/2012)
Progress report.  (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)

Designing a new central library:  "Everyone has to feel comfortable and safe here".  (11/17/2010)

Interview with principal architect of Central Library project.  (11/5/2010)

Design development juggling acts for a renovated Madison Central Library. (10/15/2010)

Conceptual designs for new Central Library.  (10/25/2010)

One possible message:  Don't settle for less.  (8/5/2010)

Downsizing the Madison Central Library renovation project. (7/17/2010)

Possible temporary location has asbestos problem.  (6/18/2010)

Architectural firm selected for Madison Central project.  (5/26/2010)

State Journal editorial board sez Madison City Council made right decision on Central Library. (5/10/2010)

Council vote on library goes under the radar.  (5/8/2010)

And the beat goes on.  (4/14/2010)

Mayor Responds to Critics on Library Issue.  (4/13/2010)

Board Endorses Renovation Plan.  (4/6/2010)

Keeping the dream of a new Madison Central Library alive. (3/31/2010)

Some Council Members Not Ready to Move Forward on Mayor's Renovation Plan.  (3/30/2010)

Council President Pro Tem to Introduce Resolution Approving Madison Central Library Renovation Project.  (3/28/2010)

'Dissatisfaction' with Collapsed Madison Central Library Project. (3/25/2010)

Fiore Departure Seen as Beneficial to Madison Central Project.  (3/23/2010)

Matter of Principle" Dooms New Central Madison Library.  (3/20/2010)

Madison Central: The Dream Dies, It's Now Time to Renovate. (3/19/2010)

Dispute over Construction Costs Threatens to Derail New Central Madison Library. (3/17/2010)

Madison Public Library Project Faces Delay in 2011. (3/9/2010)

Construction, Cost Concerns May Delay Madison Central Library Project. (1/25/2010)

New Madison Central Library Wins Council Approval. (11/11/2009)Capital Times Endorses New Madison Central Library. (11/10/2009)

Madison Council Begins Review of Mayor's Budget on Tuesday. (11/6/2009)

More Questions About Madison Central Library Project. (11/1/2009)

New Madison Public Library's First Change Order: Rooftop Garden.
(10/28/2009)

Call for Referendum on New Madison Central Library Not Attracting Support. (10/21/2009)

Madison Board of Estimates Rejects Library Referendum. (10/13/2009)

Some Madison City Council Members Want Referendum on New Central Library. (10/9/2009)

Three former mayors support new Madison Central Library. (10/5/2010)

Wisconsin State Journal Editorial on New Madison Central Library. (9/13/2009)

New Madison Central Library: Let the Positioning Begin. (9/1/2009)

New Madison Central Library on Mayor Dave's Front Burner. (8/30/2009)

New Madison Central Library: Build or Renovate? (7/7/2009)

Motley Brown Not Reason Enough. (6/11/2009)

Fiore Plan Receives Unanimous Support. (6/5/2009)

Fiore Plan Gets Nod from Committee. (5/15/2009)

Public Forum Focuses on Central Library Options. (4/24/2009)

Developer Sweetens the Deal. (4/21/2009)

Visualizing a Remodeled Madison Central Library. (4/4/2009)

Renovation Plan Put on Table for Madison Central Library. (3/26/2009)

Residents Critique Proposals to Rebuild Downtown Library. (1/9/2009)

Competing Developers Defend Their Central Library Plans. (1/8/2009)

Comparison of Downtown Madison Library Proposals. (12/17/2008)

Two Proposals for New Madison Central Library. (12/3/2008)

Best Headline of the Week. (9/6/2008)

Vocabulary Lesson: Yaw

From the Warren Times-Observer police report, February 25, 2013,  about an accident on Mead Run Road just north of U.S. highway 6.

According to police, Christopher McMillen, 21, Youngsville, was southbound on Mead Run Road in a 2001 Ford Explorer and was negotiating a sharp right curve for oncoming traffic. Police said McMillen lost control on the slushy conditions and the vehicle began to yaw counter-clockwise before striking the ditch-embankment along the left shoulder.

Apparently, Merriam-Webster, cars yaw, too.

Enterprise Florida and Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation Share a Lack of Transparency

Enterprise Florida, a public-private partnership that serves as the state's primary economic development agency
Chairman, Rick Scott, Governor

Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, a public-private partnership that serves as the state's primary economic development agency.
Chair, Scott Walker, Governor of Wisconsin

Miami-Dade Sees Failure in Company It Favored.  (The New York Times, 2/26/2013)

This Enterprise Florida misstep won't surprise Wisconsinites in the least

Banah International Group, a sugar company, received $430,000 in state and county tax breaks last year.

There was so much happy happy joy joy that the Miami-Dade County mayor renamed a street Banah Sweet Way.

Banah filed for bankruptcy on Friday, February 22, 2013.

What was missed, or overlooked, in Enterprise Florida's vetting process is the fact that Banah's chairman Alexander Perez is a convicted cocaine trafficker and spent time in federal prison.

Members of Congress: Their Salaries, Benefits, and Allowances

 Congressional Research Service

Salary:  $174,000.  (More for party leaders)

Benefits:

• Tax deductions:  up to $3,000 per year, while away from their congressional districts or home states.6
• Benefits
• eligible to participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program
• eligible to participate in the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Program
• Retirement
• Option 1:  Civil Service Retirement System
• Option 2:  Federal Employees Retirement System
• Social Security:  Mandatory participation for all members of Congress since 1984

Personnel, Office Expenses, and Mail Allowances

• Representatives.  May be used for 
• staff
• travel
• mail
• office equipment
• district office rental
• stationer
• other office supplies.
• $573.9 million in FY2012  (down from $660.0 million in FY2010)
• avg. of 1,319,310 per member
• Senators (similar sues)
• $396.2 million in FY2012 (down from $422.0 million in FY 2010)
• average of $3,962,000 per Senator

Branch Libraries Drive Madison's Circulation Growth from 1955 to 1960

The graph is from an informative 1963 publication, Madison's Plan for Library Facilities".

In March 1958, the Hawthorne Branch moved from its Williamson Street location (and pictured below) to 2041 Atwood Avenue.  As a result, circulation increased 106% increase during the first 9 months of operation in its new location.

Photo credit:  Retiring Guy

The Lakeview Branch opened in early 1959 at 1311 Northport Drive, in the vicinty of where Jung's Garden Center is currently located.

In 1960, the Sequoya branch moved from 404 Glenway to a shopping center at 513 South Midvale Boulevard.  A smart move, obviously.  Circulation increased from 138,500 in 1960 to 212,170 in 1961, thus keeping the total circulation line on the above graph steep, leading the way to overall growth in circulation.   The branch remained at this location, with at least one expansion, until 2008.  Now a new facility is part of the Sequoya Commons development.

In 1962, the Monroe Street Branch moved from 2606 to it present location at 1705.

Yes, you guessed correctly. I've been browsing the 027.0775 section of the UW-Madison SLIS library.

We Have a Winner in the 98th Wisconsin Assembly District

98th Assembly District Results Official.  (Waukesha Patch, 2/27/2013)

The primary election results.  Neylon is running unopposed in the April 2nd general election.

The close second-place finisher, Ed Baumann, is the Chief of Police in the Village of Pewaukee, though he plans to retire next month.

Meet the 28-year-old Adam Neylon

• Previously worked for Congressman James Sensenbrenner and Wisconsin Assembly Rep. Bill Kramer.
• Served on Executive Board for Waukesha County Republican Party
• Waukesha County Field Director for the Republican Party of Wisconsin
• Recently founded Neylon Group LLC, a research and consulting firm  

Neylon replaces Paul Farrow, who won a special election in December 2012, running unopposed, in the 33rd Wisconsin Senate District.  Farrow defeated Rep. Chris Kapenga in a November 2012 primary.

2013 Wisconsin Act 26: Chipping Away at "Greatest Possible" Public Access to Public Documents

2013 Assembly Bill 26

WI bill would give government power to charge you for the information it must hide.  (Wisconsin Reporter,  2/26/2013)

Wisconsin public records law  (Overview by UW General Counsel)

• Scope of the law
• Responding to a record request
• Time for responding to a request
• Form of request
• Form of response
• Penalties for violating law
• Special considerations
• Frequently asked questions

Record Retention Schedule for Wisconsin’s Public Libraries and Public Library Systems

If Wishes Were Wall Street....

A very partial payment

Wall Street Pay Rises, for Those Who Still Have a Job. (The New York Times, 2/26/2013)

$121,900
2012 average cash bonus for financial industry employees.  Up 9% from the previous year.

According to the Social Security Administration, the national average wage index for 2011 is $42,980.

DeKalb, It's Time to Expand Your Library

Library history

1931.  Haish Memorial Library Building opens.

1960s.  Art gallery in east wing becomes children's room.

1978-79.  Two-story addition on south side accommodates reference room and lower-level children's room.  East wing becomes fiction room.

Questions surround addition to DeKalb library.  (Daily Chronicle, 2/26/2013)

The Tasteful Lady Would Be Appalled

Photo credit:  ScoopWeb

Academy Award Show Raises Ratings and Hackles. (The New York Times, 2/25/2013)

Spokane Library Levy Passes with 66% of the Vote

In January, EveryLibrary pledged $5,000 to help the library staff phone banking for the January 25-Feburary 12 mail-in ballot.

What is EveryLibrary?   EveryLibrary helps public, school, and college libraries win bonding, tax, and advisory referendum, ensuring stable funding and access to libraries for generations to come.

Voter's guide for the February 12 special election

Facebook:  Yes for Spokane libraries

The levy had citywide support.

Posted by Jim @ the Spokane Spokesman-Review, 2/13/2013

Vocabulary Lesson: Doctrinaire, Dogmatic

GOP Seen as Principled, But Out of Touch and Too Extreme. (Pew Research Center for the People & Press, 2/26/2013)

Merriam-Webster

"My Ozaukee County Residents" Get Sen. Grothman's Attention

Perhaps becuase they have so much money to donate to his campaign coffers.

The top 20

And because they get out and vote!  And vote Glenn's way, for the most part.

News release

Dueling Polls Over Mining Legislation

Poll shows majority oppose mining bill. (Superior Telegram, 2/25/2013)

62% opposed the bill,  29% support.  (Public Policy Polling)

While the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce plays with words, perverting a sense of "reform".

Voters Overwhelmingly Support Iron Mining Reform.   Repeated Polls Show Consistently Strong Voter Support.   (news release, 2/26/2013)

The Tarrance Group, a national Republican polling firm.

62% support, 24% oppose, 14% unsure.

Which comes closer to your idea of an unbiased polling question?

Just as the title sez, "Twin Babies Crying"

Why was Michelle Obama at the Oscars?  (Washington Post, 2/25/2013)

Todd Starnes: Michelle Obama 'Probably' Felt 'Entitled' To 'Upstage' Oscars. (NewsHounds, 23/25/2013)

You Better Watch Out, Netflix Knows What You've Been Doing

Executives at the company knew it would be a hit before anyone shouted “action.”

The above is excerpted from Giving Viewers What They Want.  (The New York Times, 2/24/2013)

What Netflix looks at

• 30 million “plays” a day, including when subscribers
• pause
• rewind 
• fast forward 
• 4 million ratings
• 3 million searches 
• time of day when shows are watched 
• devices on which shows are watched

House of Cards is the most streamed content in the U.S. and 40 other counties.

Barnes & Noble in the Jaws of Ebook Reality

Barnes & Noble Weighs Its E-Reader Investment.  (The New York Times, 2/24/2013)

In other words, partnerships with other tablet producers, as they already have with Microsoft.

Headline Shocker of the Day

Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter, 2/24/2013

Yes, I'm sure the views of Wisconsin Republicans align with those found in the national Republican party platform.

Gun ownership is responsible citizenship, enabling Americans to defend their homes and communities. We condemn frivolous lawsuits against gun manufacturers and oppose federal licensing or registration of law-abiding gun owners. We oppose legislation that is intended to restrict our Second Amendment rights by limiting the capacity of clips or magazines or otherwise restoring the ill-considered Clinton gun ban.

Conjuring Up a Metaphorical Firestorm

School Choice Works!   A column by Jeremy Thiesfeldt.  

You, too, can be

If you dig deep enough.

So what makes the road builders so special? Hmm.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 2/24/2013)

Excerpt: According to the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, interests related to road-building contributed $5.2 million to past and current legislators between 2010 and mid-2012.

Walker Pooh-Poohs

Scott Walker sees little Wisconsin impact from federal cuts. (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, 2/24/2013)

Not for him, anyway.

White House outlines sequester effects on Wisconsin. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 2/24/2013)

Losses in federal funding to Wisconsin include

• $8.5 million in federal aid for elementary and secondary education (120 jobs at risk)
• $10.1 million for 120 special education teachers and other staff
• Cuts to Head Start programs in the state would pare 900 children from the program 
• $12.4 million in pay to civilian military employees through unpaid furloughs
• $1 million in Army base funding.
• $1.4 million for substance abuse grants, cutting service to about 2,600 people 
• $543,000 in cuts for preparedness for public health threats
• $173,000 cut from immunization programs for children
• $3.9 million in aid for antipollution programs. The state might lose 
• $1.5 million, possibly, in state grants for fish and wildlife protection
• $653,000 from senior meal programs. 

Not to mention......

• Major delays at airports due to 
• furloughs to security screeners, 
• layoffs of large numbers of air traffic controllers,
• Closures of national parks, 
• Reductions of 9.4% in unemployment benefits
• Cuts in aid for the homeless and those with serious mental illness.

Well, of course, he sez that; he's just doing his masters' bidding

Walker Says Entitlements Should Be Cut to Reduce Deficit.  (Bloomberg, 2/22/2013)

Achieving Further Deficit Reduction Solely Through Spending Cuts Entails Cutting Entitlements That Benefit the Poor and Middle Class While Shielding the Biggest Entitlements for the Wealthy.  (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 1/9/2013)

Excerpt:     Republicans say that from here on, we should do only spending cuts, focusing on entitlement programs. But their approach to entitlements is highly selective — they seek to cut the entitlement programs on the spending side of the budget, whose benefits go overwhelmingly to middle-class and poor families. But they want no deficit reduction to come from the most wasteful and inefficient of entitlements — those embedded in the tax code

The Faces of the "Campaign to Fix the Debt"

Why are these people smiling?

Or, in Simpson's case, doing his best approximation.

17 white men.

3 white women.

1 Hispanic man.

Committee to Fix the Debt.  Who We Are.

Unfortunately, the website doesn't provide the tab What We're Worth.

Pete Peterson’s “Fix the Debt” Astroturf Supergroup Detailed in New Online Resource at PetersonPyramid.org.  (Center for Media and Democracy PR Watch, 2/21/2013)

Excerpt:   One of the most hypocritical corporate PR campaigns in decades is advancing inside the beltway, attempting to convince the White House, Congress, and the American people that another cataclysmic economic crisis is around the corner that will destroy our economy unless urgent action is taken. Soon this astroturf supergroup may be coming to a state near you.

Finding a Good Rule of Thumb, the Point of "Gentle Acceptance", in the Noise Debate

Discord:  The story of noise

New York Times book review, 12/31/2012

Finding Your Own Cone of Silence.  (Print Headline).  The New York Times, 2/20/2013.

Excerpt, with editing for LIS 712 discussion. In the travel library milieu, noise has become so commonplace that it’s increasingly being managed with rules, like cellphone bans* on buses and quiet  cars on trains areas and study rooms.

*Back Talk:  The Cell-Phone Police.  (Library Journal, 5/1/2009)

The author of the article used SurveyMonkey to get feedback on the issue from library users and library staff.

Then there are some moments -- a storytime morning in a library with an open floor plan, for example --  when the following advice needs to be taken to heart.

Andy Puddicombe, Headspace

"Gentle acceptance", as Puddicombe calls it.