Behold! "The first rule of any library"

Eugene Public Library updates rules for visitors’ behavior. (Eugene Register-Guard, 3/8/2014)

A breakdown of the offenses.  Last year, 208 users were restricted from the library for violating behavior policies in one way or another.

Of those restricted patrons,

• 38 percent displayed disruptive behavior,
• 16 percent were deemed under the influence of alcohol or other controlled substances, and
• 16 percent broke the law or were attempting to break the law through theft, buying or selling drugs or stolen property, or fighting.
• 13 percent were violating other library rules by misusing equipment or refusing to leave at closing time;
• 10 percent were cited for trespassing because they returned to the library during their restriction period;
• 8 percent were repeatedly sleeping on library premises; and
• less than 1 percent were restricted for inappropriate sexual conduct.

That Christie/Walker Meme Isn't Working Out Too Well for Walker, Part 3

As in Scott Walker benefiting from Chris Christie's recent mountain of woes.

Source:  Real Clear Politics

Related posts:
Christie/Walker meme, part 1.  (3/7/2014)
Christie/Walker meme, part 2.  (3/7/2014)

Pew Research on Millennials

Millennials in Adulthood.  Detached from Institutions, Networked with Friends.  (Pew Research, 3/7/2014)

From the Overview. The Millennial generation is forging a distinctive path into adulthood. Now ranging in age from 18 to 331, they are relatively unattached to organized politics and religion, linked by social media, burdened by debt, distrustful of people, in no rush to marry— and optimistic about the future.

Does it count if I don't show my face? (Although you can see my eyes.)

Obama's Approval Rating in Context

Obama has an approval rating that's nearly 4 times higher than Congress.

Latest polling:
Obama:  Rasmussen Reports (March 3-5, 2014)
Congress:  FOX News (March 2-4, 2014)

Portage County Public Library Featured in an Episode of The Bickersons

City, county bicker about Portage County Public Library and the public loses: Our View.  (Stevens Point Journal, 3/7/2014)

$500,000 Needed for Renovations.  Now the building needs a new roof, new boiler and other critical renovations — which suggests both the city and county have put off repairs again and again — and documents obtained by Stevens Point Journal Media reveal that the city now wants out of the landlord deal permanently. It offered to give the building and $100,000 for repairs to the county, but County Executive Patty Dreier rejected that offer and suggested instead a new lease that requires the county to pay a bit more toward maintenance. She also issued a veiled threat: If the two can’t work out an agreement, she said, the library could seek new quarters elsewhere.

Marcia Richardson Baker (1931?-2014) Warren High School Class of 1949

Warren Times Observer obituary

Warren High School Dragon yearbook 1947

Both Marcia and Marsha peaked in popularity around the time I was born, but they've since faded from view, no longer on the list of Top 1000 Popular Baby Names.

The #1 song when the class of '49 graduated.

What Planet Was Leah Vukmir on Yesterday?

I suspect this new release was written before the hearing took place.

Highlights added to news release

Bill that would undo Common Core academic standards all but dead.  (Wisconsin State Journal, 3/6/2014)

Even the WMC is against you on this one, Leah. A bill that would give the Legislature power to write and approve Wisconsin’s academic standards is unlikely to pass in its current form, the leader of the state Senate said Thursday as hundreds of

• teachers, 
• school administrators and 
• business leaders 

converged on the Capitol to oppose it. (Bullet points added for emphasis.)

One of Leah's numerous blind spots in the hearing room.    In a dramatic move, dozens of superintendents stood silently in support of the fellow superintendents who testified before the committee in opposition to the measure.

Related posts:
Leah Vukmir's rally line falls flat.  (3/7/2014)
Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce puts Walker in a pickle with his Tea-Party base. (2/4/2014) 
Dear Wisconsin Republicans, "Don't believe a word of those silly things you've heard, they're just rumors".  (12/13/2013)
Outside experts like Sam Blumenthal?  (11/1/2013)
Legislators hear a wide range of opinions at Common Core public hearing.  (10/4/2013)

That Christie/Walker Meme Isn't Working Out Too Well for Walker, Part 2

You know, the one that sez Walker is likely to be the main beneficiary of the Christie's "Bridgegate".

Lately, things aren't going so well for our Governor in neighboring Iowa.  He dukin' it out with Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal for next-to-last place.

What was Cameron smoking?

Related post:
Christie/Walker meme, part 1.  (3/7/2014)

Leah Vukmir's Rally Line Falls Flat

Bill that would undo Common Core academic standards all but dead. (Wisconsin State Journal, 3/6/2014)

How she works to be exceptional.  In 2013, Vukmir served as national treasurer of the American Legislative Exchange Council.

Other Common Core posts:
Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce puts Walker in a pickle with his Tea-Party base. (2/4/2014) 
Dear Wisconsin Republicans, "Don't believe a word of those silly things you've heard, they're just rumors".  (12/13/2013)
Outside experts like Sam Blumenthal?  (11/1/2013)
Legislators hear a wide range of opinions at Common Core public hearing.  (10/4/2013)

That Christie/Walker Meme Isn't Working Out Too Well for Walker

Not in New Hampshire anyway.

WISN

Fox6

Real Clear Politics

David Steinert Spouts the Company Line (and Puts His Money Where His Mouth Is)

Tomah schools have company seeking taxpayer help. (Tomah Journal, 3/5/2014)

Steinert speaks up at sparsely attended forum Monday at Tomah High School to explain the April 1 referendum. “You have to be cognizant of what taxpayers can afford to pay.  The issue is that we can’t afford the taxation ... There is only so much money to go around.”

Yup, only so much money to go around.  (Not a complete accounting.)

Wisconsin Democracy Campaign

Makes Steinert look like a piker, but the guy does what he can.

Wisconsin Democracy Campaign

Hat tip to Thomas J. Mertz

I Can't Understand You

One of my "distance" LIS 712 students chose  the Marshall-Lyon County Library in southwestern Minnesota for his "Walk into a Library for the First Time" assignment.

I found this video while searching for exterior and interior views of the library's main branch.

In this "Bus Stop", I can understand what Allan Clarke is singing.

Just Missed Seeing This Excitement on My Afternoon Round of Errands Yesterday

From a March 5th Middleton Police Department media release.  (The heading is mine.)

9 of 'em, for retail theft, according to Wisconsin Circuit Court Access

Photo source: Middleton Police Department

My guess is that Scottie has a heroin problem.

West Bend, SB440, and E-Cigarettes

Wisconsin State Legislature

Doctors, scientists express concerns over e-cigarette bill.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 3/5/2014)

Sen. Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend) is the sponsor of the bill.    "It's sad that we have to introduce legislation to clarify that the smoking ban was not supposed to (affect) e-cigarettes." 

Another West Bend resident was in the hearing room.  Don Muehlbauer, owner of DuraSmoke, the largest e-liquid company in the country, said his products are safer than conventional cigarettes. He said the flavored liquid, which is heated by a coil in the devices and turned into a vapor, contains four ingredients: nicotine, flavoring, vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol.

Found at the DuraSmoke homepage.

But this doesn't stop conservative talk radio bloviator Vicki McKenna from confusing customer testimonials with medical claims.   "I found out that over the course of a few days I was able to transfer my dependency of cigarettes to the use of an e-cigarette with substantial benefits to my health." 

The Rapidly Aging Broadcast TV Audience

Half of Broadcast TV Viewers Are 54 and Older—Yikes. (The Atlantic, 3/5/2014)

The popularity of Castle (a.k.a. Murder, He Wrote) makes a lot more sense to me now.

E-Cigarette Makers Have a Bridge (or Two) for Sale -- Cheap!

Postcard from Retiring Guy's collection

E-Cigarettes, by Other Names, Lure Young and Worry Experts. (The New York Times, 3/4/2014)

Really?  Marketers of e-hookahs and hookah pens say they are not trying to reach young people.

Which is why they come in flavors -- peach, cherry, pina colada, and many more.

Fruit flavors as a gateway:  Deja-vu all over again.
Fruit-flavored tobacco targets Florida kids. (Sun-Sentinel, 2/27/2012)
Colt 45's fruit flavored Blast drink comes under fire.  (CNN, 4/20/2011)

LINK

Is It Time for Scott Walker to Return to the Private Sector?

1990-1993 resume -- after dropping out of college and before his election to the Assembly.   According to his biography in the Wisconsin Blue Book, Scott Walker worked in the private sector as a salesman for the IBM Corporation and as a financial developer for the nonprofit American Red Cross.

Since then......

Does anyone care to add up Walker's public-sector salary and benefits?

A quote from a 3/13/2012 Daily Kos post:

That's going back quite a ways there, Governor.    Not because this job is that important to me, 'cuz frankly my wife in some ways would love it if I'd go back to the private sector and make some real money.

Please, don't let us stop you.

Four Years Later and Scott Walker is Still Running Against Jim Doyle

Report says WEDC job creation efforts favor Republican districts. (Capital Times, 3/3/2014)

Photo credit:  State of Wisconsin

Link to report

What happens when you run a (quasi-public) department of state government like a piggy bank.

The Very Rich are not Spending Their Money on Job Creation, Suckers

If the Very Rich Were Like Wine, 2013 Was a Heady Vintage.  (The New York Times, 3/4/2014)

What you can't afford:

• Rare 1957 Ferrari ($27,500,000)
• Francis Bacon's "Three Studies of Lucien Freud" ($142,400,000)
• 12 bottles of Domain de la Romanee-Conti ("as close to perfect as wine gets")

He actually said this: "You don't have to be seriously rich to get into this..." (Video from 2010.)

Radio Shack Too Far Behind to Eat Amazon's Dust

Radio Shack is Doomed (and So Is Retail).  (The Atlantic, 3/4/2014)

Looks like one of my wife's cousins might be out of a job pretty soon.

He used to work for Blockbuster.

Related post: 
It's possible that the Radio Shack slide continues.  (2/5/2014)

Would Pat Strachota Have Been Chosen Assembly Majority Leader Had She Decided to Run for Re-election?

The Daily Cardinal, 2/9/2014

News release

And if Robin has his way, those remaining days will arrive in the blink of an eye.

Justin Kaplan (1925-2014), Winner of 2 National Book Awards

Justin Kaplan, Literary Biographer, Dies at 88.  (The New York Times, 3/3/2014)

LINKcat member libraries

From birth to death. The biography, which also received a National Book Award, employed an organizing device, unusual for its day, to which Mr. Kaplan would return. Instead of arranging his subject’s life chronologically, he portrayed it out of sequence, opening the book with Twain at 31.

National Book Award winners.

Old News: Library Takes a Disproportionately Large Hit When Municipality Cuts Budget

Source:  Clinton Public Library history

Lyons library branch will cease operating.  (Clinton Herald, 2/25/2014)

The branch has operated at its current location since 1955.

The library's piece of the pie.  The library runs a distant third for operating costs [behind police and fire], accounting for 7.2 percent of the general fund. It was one of two departments to receive a five-figure slash. Since this impacts Lyons Branch operations it jeopardizes the four part-time staffers it takes to run the facility. It costs roughly $30,000 annually to staff the branch.

City of Clinton.  Adoption of Budget and Certification of City Taxes FY2014.  (Iowa Department of Management)

City of Clinton Iowa website

Minnesota Legislature Looks to Boost Minimum Wage from $6.15 to $9.50 per Hour

Minnesota is one of 4 states (and 1 territory) whose minimum wage is less than the federal level.

Source: MinnPost

Minnesota Legislature moves toward a $9.50-an-hour minimum wage.  (Star Tribune, 3/4/2014)

About the Minimum Wage.  (Minnesota Budget Project, February 2013)

Labor Standards -- State Minimum-Wage Laws.  (Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry)

Related posts: 
The minimum wage:  It's not the same all over.  (2/18/2014)
A border debate on the minimum wage.  (2/16/2014)
The MacIver Institute's Pavlovian response to an increase in the minimum wage. (1/10/2014)
The view from the other side of the counter.  (11/29/2013)
The minimum wage and the poverty guideline.  (11/20/2013)
Most of us don't buy into U.S. Chamber of Commerce handwringing over minimum wage.  (11/12/2013)
A look at the minimum wage.  (9/28/2013)

Wisconsin Towns Association Has Second Thoughts About that "Gentler" Frac Sand Mining Regulation Bill

Capital Times, 3/2/2014

The devil is in the details, part 1.  The change is enough that the Wisconsin Towns Association is no longer opposed to the bill. The Wisconsin Industrial Sand Association, Wisconsin Transportation Builders Association and several other industry-related associations are registered in favor of the bill.

Town Leaders' Opposition to Sand Mine Bill Ramps Up.  (Wisconsin Public Radio, 3/3/2014)

The devil is in the details, part 2. But the way this plan is worded, if a mining company so much as “registers” land with a mineral deposit? That's enough to keep a local government from interfering. That bothers Bryce Black, who chairs the small town of Frankfort in Pepin County.

Just what you'd expect from Gogebic Taconite's waterboy, Sen. Tom Tiffany.

Other frac sand mining posts:
Scott Walker likely to support Tom Tiffany's new mining bill.  (2/27/2014)
The vision of Trempealeau County as one big mining operation -- nipped in the bud.  (2/20/2014)
Glenwood City Council members defeat their recall challengers by a hair.  (12/18/2013)
Wyoming's Republican Governor has a message for Wisconsin mining industry's "Tom Terrific".  (11/24/2013)
The mining industry's "Tom Terrific" gets pushback from his Republican colleagues.  (11/18/2013)
In so many words: Dear Sen. Tiffany, Your bill sucks, Sincerely, Pepin County Board.  (11/13/2013)
Follow the Gogebic money.  (11/7/2013)
Sand mine industry leaders put our minds at ease.  (11/5/2013) 
Scott Walker donor promises jobs, permanence for Independence and Whitehall residents.  (10/29/2013) 
Sen. Tom Tiffany's sand mine bill a hot potato.  (10/28/2013) 
Another Walker campaign donor for SB349.  (10/25/2013)
Expensive to the Tune of $430,505.49 (as of June 30, 2013).  (10/25/2013) 
The Nipper Chronicles: The frac sand mining masters speak.  (10/18/2013)
Things aren't so tranquil in Glenwood City Wisconsin lately  (10/10/2013)

Darlene Love: Stealing the Show at the Oscars Telecast

Oscars: Darlene Love Gets Standing Ovation After '20 Feet From Stardom' Win. (Hollywood Reporter, 3/2/2014)

Getting her due.  An iconic voice of the 1960s on The Crystals hits "He's a Rebel" and "He's Sure the Boy I Love" and tracks such as "Today I Met the Boy I'm Gonna Marry" and "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)," Love has been riding a wave of fame for the past year since the documentary exposed the famous backup singer's rich career.

From 1963.  (That sure sounds like Leon Russell on piano.  He was a session musician for Phil Spector at the time.)



Movie review: Turning Up the Voices From the Background‘20 Feet From Stardom’ Explores World of Backup Singers.  (The New York Times, 6/13/2013)

Back in the spotlight, front and center.  With the splendid exception of Darlene Love, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011, most of the vocalists interviewed on screen are not well known, even though they can be heard on many of the most popular and durable recordings of the past half-century. Ms. Love, who did not receive proper credit for her singing on a number of Phil Spector-produced hits of the ’60s, worked as a house cleaner before claiming a rightful place in the spotlight in more recent decades.

Differing Opinions on the Future of the Pauline Haass Public Library

Library should not have to close. (Sussex Sun, 2/24/2014)

The original joint library agreement, which went into effect on January 1, 1988.

Related articles: 
Dissolution, "from Latin dissolutionem (nominative dissolutio) "a dissolving, destroying, interruption..."  (1/29/2014)
Getting out of joint?  (1/10/2014)
Pauline Haass library board 1, Town of Lisbon 0.  (1/3/2014)
Pauline Haass Public Library considers the cost of litigation.  (11/27/2013)
Sussex/Lisbon: Mediation fails, time to go to court.  (10/23/2013)
Town of Lisbon agrees to nonbinding arbitration with Pauline Haass.  (10/19/2013)
An uncertain funding picture for the Pauline Haass Public Library.  (10/11/2013)
This land is my land, this land is my land.  (9/12/2013)
Sussex-Lisbon library agreement still appears to be more "if" Than "when".  (8/22/2013) 
Still following the Sussex-Lisbon library talks -- since 2010.  (8/6/2013) 
Following a brouhaha over a "most objectionable 3-page letter," library talks to resume between Sussex and Lisbon.  (5/27/2013)
A most objectionable 3-page letter.  (5/10/2013)
Dear Greg; Love, Lisbon Town Board.  (4/27/2013)
Perhaps Pauline Haass is spinning in her grave.  (3/18/2013)
What a long strange trip it's been.  (2/13/2012)
Dueling news releases.  (10/7/2012)
Town of Lisbon wants deep discount in payment for library services.  (9/30/2012)
As the world of joint library agreements turns.  (8/22/2012)
The beat goes on.  (7/2/2012)
Joint library negotiations continue.  (5/13/2012)
Jane Stadler on Paying Taxes: "...it is something that you do because you're part of the community.  (11/26/2011)
Lisbon town chair not likely to get his way on Pauline Haass Library funding. (11/22/2011)
Lisbon Town chair advocates paying for library services on the cheap.  (11/22/2011)
The challenges of shared governance and funding.  (9/28/2011)
Consensus building for new joint library agreement.  (7/22/2011)
Sussex, Lisbon:  Local politics and library negotiations.  (5/28/2011)
Negotiation to continue after information-gathering process.  (10/8/2010)
And the beat goes on.  (10/4/2010)
Differences of opinion of library funding continue.  (9/18/2010)
Leaders of Village of Sussex, Town of Lisbon clash over funding for library. (8/26/2010)
Will annexation resolution interfere with negotiations over joint library agreement?  (8/4/2010)
Proposal to change library funding formula gets cool reception.  (6/7/2010)
Town of Lisbon Chairman proposes new funding formula for library.  (5/31/2010)

Scott Walker and the Development of a Big Lie

Some factory, farm owners would get extra tax break under Walker plan. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 3/1/2014)

Giving the governor's office too much credit.  The governor regularly brings up in his speeches that no one will receive more than $58 from the broad income tax cut. 

Peacock said that ignores the fact that some tax filers will be getting a much bigger gain from the AMT change. "The governor's office hasn't been upfront," he said. 

Governor Walker's State of the State Address.  (WISN, 1/22/2014)
Governor Walker calls for special session of legislation.  (WBLX, 1/23/2014)
Governor outlines Blueprint for Prosperity.  (Wisconsin Taxpayers, Inc., 1/24/2014)
Governors remarks at WMC Business Day.  (Office of the Governor, 2/1/2014)
Walker tax cut passes Assembly.  (Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce, 2/20/2014)
Scott Walker responds to attack by cutting taxes, again.  By Grover Norquist.  (Human Events, 2/21/2014)
Blueprint for Prosperity.  (Office of the Governor, 2/28/2014)

Library Rules and Threatening Behavior

Teen threatens peer with knife at library; Officials ban boy for one year. (Post-Star, 3/1/2014)

Crandall Public Library rules

Behavior rules governing the use of Multnomah County Library

A summary outline:

 How Multnonah handles such a threat.

Walker's Office Responds to Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Rep. Kramer: Lalalalalalalalalala (hands over ears)

OK, well, not in those exact syllables.

Walker officials said Friday that they were unaware of the allegations.   ("Assembly Majority Leader Bill Kramer accused of sexual harassment," Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 2/28/2014)

Can't blame 'em.  The last thing they want to hear is more news about Republicans behaving badly.

If Kramer doesn't resign his seat, I suspect he'll face a challenger in the August 12th primary election.

Public library in the 97th Assembly District
Waukesha Public Library

Academic library
Todd Wehr Memorial Library, Carroll University, .Waukesha

Related post:
What did Republicans know and when did they know it?  (3/1/2014)