Saturday, April 5, 2014

Barcalounger Logic: Just What the Koch Brothers Want You to Think



Library Circulation Per Capita: Top 10 and Bottom 10+ States

Source:  Institute of Museum and Library Services "Public Libraries in the United States Survey, Fiscal Year 2011"

Related posts:
Library visits per capita: Top 10 and bottom 10 states.  (4/5/2014)
The biggest and the smallest U.S. public libraries: Hours of operation (2011).  (4/3/2014)
Hours of operation.  (4/3/2014)
Public Libraries: Larger and Smaller Units of Governance, Iowa and South Carolina.  (4/1/2014) 
Number of public libraries in the ten most populous states. (4/1/2014)
Percentage distribution of public libraries by legal service area population.  (3/30/2014)
Public libraries by type of legal basis.  (3/30/2014)
Public library revenue.  (3/24/2014)
Number of libraries, 2011 (administrative units).  (3/19/2014)
Library staffing, 2001-2011.  (3/19/2014)

Library Visits Per Capita: Top 10 and Bottom 10 States

Source:  Institute of Museum and Library Services "Public Libraries in the United States Survey, Fiscal Year 2011"

Related posts:
The biggest and the smallest U.S. public libraries: Hours of operation (2011).  (4/3/2014)
Hours of operation.  (4/3/2014)
Public Libraries: Larger and Smaller Units of Governance, Iowa and South Carolina.  (4/1/2014) 
Number of public libraries in the ten most populous states. (4/1/2014)
Percentage distribution of public libraries by legal service area population.  (3/30/2014)
Public libraries by type of legal basis.  (3/30/2014)
Public library revenue.  (3/24/2014)
Number of libraries, 2011 (administrative units).  (3/19/2014)
Library staffing, 2001-2011.  (3/19/2014)

Turning a Blind Eye to Bill Kramer's Unacceptable Behavior


In other words, to ignore something that is just plain wrong.

Ron Johnson did not tell police of assault allegations three years ago. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 4/4/2014)

Actually, a number of eyes were involved.

The first set. U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, his chief of staff and a Waukesha County GOP official were all told three years ago of allegations that a then-aide to the senator had been sexually assaulted by state Rep. Bill Kramer, but none of them took the matter to the police or Assembly leaders.

The second set.  In the meantime, Kramer's Assembly colleagues elected him last fall to the job of majority leader, the No. 2 position in that house. Before that vote, some Republicans in the Assembly who opposed Kramer's bid raised concerns about his behavior.

Related posts:
What a difference a day makes, 24 little hours.  (4/4/2014)
Who will run in the 97th Assembly District now that Bill Kramer is not running for re-election.  (3/24/2014) 
Walker's office responds to sexual harassment allegations against Rep. Kramer: Lalalalalalalalalala (hands over ears).  (3/2/2014)
What did Assembly Republicans know and when did they know it?  (3/1/2014)

Wisconsin's Top 10 Smartest Cities and Their Per Capita Incomes

These Are the 10 Smartest Places in Wisconsin. (Motovo Blog)


Source:  2010 United States Census Data and the 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates via Wikipedia

I'm trying to do this by median household income, but the best source I found doesn't provide a ranking.

Library Users Make Their Wish Known


Marathon County libraries expand hours. (Wausau Daily Herald, 4/4/2014)

And the library responds. Respondents to a recent library survey indicated they wanted a consistent schedule, instead of separate winter and summer hours, the release said.

Winner of the 2014 PEN/Faulker Award for Fiction



Karen Joy Fowler Wins PEN/Faulkner Fiction Prize.  (The New York Times, 4/2/2014)

Thumbnail summary.  Ms. Fowler’s novel focuses on Rosemary Cooke, the 22-year old daughter of an Indiana University psychology professor, whose family was disrupted in the aftermath of a peculiar psychological experiment that Rosemary’s father conducted when she was a child. 

75 holds on 31 copies in LINKcat. (print)
46 holds on 5 copies.  (audiobook)

PEN/Faulkner Foundation

Friday, April 4, 2014

What I'm Listening To Right Now

Oh, dear, what can the matter be? No copies of "How To Poo on a Date" in LINKcat.


A Detailed Guide on How to Poop While on a Date. (Laughing Squid, 4/3/2014)

Winner of the 36th annual Diagram Prize for Oddest Book Title of the Year.


What a Difference a Day Makes, 24 Little Hours

 
Justice is served.   If Kramer is convicted of one or both of the felony sexual assault charges, he would be constitutionally barred from office upon sentencing. A strong gun-rights advocate who sometimes presided over the Assembly while armed, he also would be barred from possessing firearms.
 
 
It doesn't feel like the first time By deciding not to oust Kramer, legislative leaders also avoid the prospect of taking testimony from witnesses such as Keith Best, the vice chairman of the Waukesha County Republican Party. Best was told of the 2011 incident at the time, according to the criminal complaint.



Related posts:
Who will run in the 97th Assembly District now that Bill Kramer is not running for re-election.  (3/24/2014) 
Walker's office responds to sexual harassment allegations against Rep. Kramer: Lalalalalalalalalala (hands over ears).  (3/2/2014)
What did Assembly Republicans know and when did they know it?  (3/1/2014)

Taylor's blood alcohol count, please.

Driver arrested Downtown after allegedly hitting five parked vehicles. (Wisconsin State Journal, 4/4/2014)

Thanks Mom and Dad!  (Just guessin' on the year.)



Best years
  • Baby boy Taylor:  1993 @ #51.
  • Baby girl Taylor:  1994-96 @ #6.

Who Will Run in the 10th Assembly District Now That Sandy Pasch is Not Seeking Re-Election?


Rep. Sandy Pasch won't seek re-election. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 4/4/2014)

Family comes firstRep. Sandy Pasch (D-Shorewood), the assistant Assembly minority leader, said she was leaving in part to take care of a nonagenerian father who increasingly needs her care. That brings to 16 the number of Assembly members who won't be returning next session.


Public libraries in the 10th District
Milwaukee Public Library
 
Other 2014 election posts:
Who will run in the 55th Assembly District now that Dean Kaufert has been elected mayor of Neenah? (4/2/2014)
Not just a rumor anymore; Kestell announces his retirement.  (4/1/2014)
Apparently, he's not foolin': Al Ott running for re-election.  (4/1/2014)
Bill Kramer & the 97th Assembly District.  (3/24/2014)
26th Assembly District.  (3/24/2014)
37th Assembly District rematch.  (2/27/2014)
87th Assembly District.  (2/17/2014)
Todd Novak, Dodgeville Mayor, Running for 51st Assembly seat.  (2/17/2014)
88th Assembly District.  (2/17/2014)
58th Assembly District.  (2/10/2014)
81st Assembly District.  (2/7/2014)
17th Senate District.  (1/27/2014)
59th Assembly District.  (1/18/2014)
1st Assembly District.  (12/13/2013)
Candidate scorecard for the 2014 Wisconsin Attorney General's race.  (12/8/2013)
22nd Assembly District.  11/21/2013)
17 Senate District.  (11/7/2013)
19th Assembly District.  (11/7/2013)
9th State Senate District. (10/23/2013)
15th State Senate District.  (10/10/2013)
Wisconsin Attorney General in 2014: Waukesha County DA Brad Schimel.  (10/10/2013
25th State Senate District.  (10/9/2013)

Scott Walker Still "Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again"

In other words, he continues to tread water, hold steady, at about 5% in polling for the 2016 Republican Presidential nomination.


AllMusic.  


Bob Dylan - Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again from kovacsmaff on Vimeo.

Related posts:
While Mary Burke campaigns for Governor, Scott Walker continues to run for President.  (3/28/2014)
The Washington Examiner offers a boost to Scott Walker Presidential campaign without a hint of irony.  (3/26/2014)
Let's do an ID update on this Townhall straw poll.  (3/25/2014)
Scott Walker for President 2016: Pundits like the idea but the public sez "meh".  (3/16/2014)
Scott Walker is in a bind.  (3/15/2014)
Christie/Walker meme, part 3.  (3/8/2014)
Christie/Walker meme, part 2.  (3/7/2014)
Christie/Walker meme, part 1.  (3/7/2014)
The chattering class falls hard for Scott Walker, but the voters are still scratching their heads.  (3/6/2014)
So he, too, can embarrass himself.  (12/30/2013)

Supreme Court Ruling a Fee Speech Victory

On Politics: High court ruling will lift Wisconsin's campaign donor limits, experts say. (Wisconsin State Journal, 4/4/2014)



Nationwide is on his side.   A Milwaukee Journal Sentinel analysis showed that the Republican governor raised $5.1 million from last July through December, and about half of what he raised from individual donors came from those living out of state. 

Related posts:
You'd like it, too, with this kind of campaign cash flow.  (4/4/2014)
Leave it to our Republican-appointed SCOTUS Chief Justice to confuse First Amendment fundamentals with fat wallets.  (4/2/2014)
Scott Walker has also accepted a "tens of thousands" campaign donation from Sheldon Adelson.  (3/28/2014)
What's in Their Wallets? Wisconsin Legislative Campaign Cash Balances.  (3/21/2014)
Scott Walker Says "You're Welcome" to Todd Wanek.  (3/11/2014)
Shocker: Wall Street Willful Ignorance on Editorial Page.  (3/9/2014)

You'd like it, too, with this kind of campaign cash flow


The biggest of the big contributors.


Related posts:
Leave it to our Republican-appointed SCOTUS Chief Justice to confuse First Amendment fundamentals with fat wallets.  (4/2/2014)
Scott Walker has also accepted a "tens of thousands" campaign donation from Sheldon Adelson.  (3/28/2014)
What's in Their Wallets? Wisconsin Legislative Campaign Cash Balances.  (3/21/2014)
Scott Walker Says "You're Welcome" to Todd Wanek.  (3/11/2014)
Shocker: Wall Street Willful Ignorance on Editorial Page.  (3/9/2014)

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Tweety sez, "It's cold outtide".



Great Album, Great Song, Great Album Cover



Discogs

Skydog's Elysium

My album cover shows much more wear and tear.

40 years later, I wish I could remember how this album entered my life, never to leave.

Related post:
Coffee, tea, or functional drink?  (7/5/2013)

Discouragement: The Other Side of Voter Suppression

Much easier than legislating.

 
 
Hopes Frustrated, Many Latinos Reject the Ballot Box Altogether.  (The New York Times, 3/30/2014)

Republicans blamed, but there's unhappiness with Obama.   Across the country, immigrant-rights advocates report mounting disillusionment with both parties among Latinos, enough to threaten recent gains in voting participation that have reshaped politics to Democrats’ advantage nationally, and in states like Colorado with significant Latino populations. High hopes — kindled by President Obama’s elections and stoked in June by Senate passage of the most significant overhaul of immigration law in a generation, with a path to citizenship for about 11 million people here unlawfully — have been all but dashed.

Paired with voter suppression laws, a double whammy for Democrats.

Meet Mossin' Annie



Gathering Moss. (The New York Times, 4/2/2014)

Moss lady.  However the writing turns out, she is an accomplished monologuist. “I come from a line of talkers,” she said. In her Appalachian cadence, which she says she likes to embellish for theatrical effect, a word like “moss” can fill two syllables, sometimes three. Put another way, though she grew up the daughter of a dentist and made a career in college media production, today she sounds more like Kathleen Turner playing the matriarch of the McCoy clan.

Mountain Moss.

Glenn Grothman Wants to Go to Washington

Glenn Grothman plans to challenge Petri.  (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 4/3/2014)

Duey wanna reconsider?

Photo sources
Glenn Grothman (l): Wisconsin State Legislatyure
Tom Petri (r):  U.S. Congress

Grothman, 58, was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly in a special election in December 1993.  He was re-elected in 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, and 2002.  In September 2004, he crushed the incumbent Mary Panzer in the Republican primary, gathering 79% of the votes.   He went on to win the November election and was re-elected in 2008 and 2012.  (In other words, if he loses to Petri, he still keeps his State Senate seat.  And he has upending a incumbent on his resume.)

Petri, 73, was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate in 1972 and re-elected in 1976.  In April 1979, he won a special election to the U.S. House of Representatives and was re-elected in 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2012.  Petri ranks 9th on the longevity list for current members of the House, right behind another Wisconsin congressman, James Sensenbrenner.

Related post:
Two-Term State Assembly rep considers run against career U.S. House rep.  (3/30/2014)

The Biggest and the Smallest U.S. Public Libraries: Hours of Operation (2011)


Two disturbing facts jump out at me.
  1. In 2011, 9 public libraries serving a million+ residents were open between 30 and 39 hours per week
  2. In 2011, no public libraries serving a million+ residents were open more than 59 hours per week

2014 Update:


Two -- or is it three -- surprises here. Which 1 library in a service area of less than 1,000 is open 70+ hours per week, and which 2 libraries in a service area of 1,000 to 2,499 are open 60 to 69 hours per week?

Source:  Institute of Museum and Library Service Public Libraries in the United States Survey, Fiscal Year 2011.

Related posts:
Hours of operation.  (4/3/2014)
Public Libraries: Larger and Smaller Units of Governance, Iowa and South Carolina.  (4/1/2014) 
Number of public libraries in the ten most populous states. (4/1/2014)
Percentage distribution of public libraries by legal service area population.  (3/30/2014)
Public libraries by type of legal basis.  (3/30/2014)
Public library revenue.  (3/24/2014)
Number of libraries, 2011 (administrative units).  (3/19/2014)
Library staffing, 2001-2011.  (3/19/2014)

U.S. Public Libraries: Hours of Operation (2011)

Source:  Institute of Museum and Library Services

47.2% of U.S. public libraries are open less than 40 hours per week.

States with the largest percentage of libraries open less than 10 hours per week:
  • 15.8% - North Dakota (12 libraries)
  • 13.9% - Alaska (10 libraries)
  •   7.4% - Nebraska (16 libraries)
  •   7.0% - Maine (15 libraries)
  •   5.7% - Vermont (9 libraries)

States with the largest percentage of libraries open more than 70 hours per week:

America's Shrinking Middle Class, Self-Perceived



What happens when respondents are given 3 choices?




Related posts:
Washington's bubble world vs. Main Street's reality.  (2/3/2014)
Pew Research on "the lost decade of the middle class".  (8/22/2012)
Dropping out of the middle class, Denver edition.  (10/23/2011)

County Board Elections in Buffalo and Trempealeau Counties: "The tide is turning against frac sand mining"


Election Results In Western Wisconsin May Signal Shift Against Frac Sand Mining. (Wisconsin Public Library, 4/2/2014)

No more free passes for mining industry.  Concerns about frac sand mining has led to a string of county board victories for candidates endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters in western Wisconsin.

This was the first time the League of Conservation Voters endorsed candidates running for local government posts. They endorsed seven candidates running for board supervisor seats in Buffalo and Trempealeau counties. Six of those candidates won.

Other frac sand mining posts:
What a mere $8,000 will buy you in the Scott Walker House of Favor.  (3/30/2014)
Frac sand mining and property values: Homeowners vs. landowners.  (3/30/2014)
Nevertheless, transparency would have been in the general pubic's best interest.  (3/15/2014)
Wisconsin Towns Association has second thoughts about that "gentler" frac sand mining regulation bill. (3/4/014)
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)

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Welcome to City Methodist Church in Gary Indiana

From the websiteCity Methodist Church, located in Gary Indiana, is one of the best known and most popular Midwest locations for Urban Explorers (UrBex), movie crews, indie films, music video shoots, and photographers. It's even been host to goth weddings and receptions! Not bad for a structure that's been abandoned since 1975, and is slowly crumbling.



Abandoned USA

Opacity

Leave It to Our Republican-Appointed SCOTUS Chief Justice to Confuse First Amendment Fundamentals with Fat Wallets

Justices strike down political donor limits. (CNN, 4/2/2014)

Smirking for the camera
Photo source:  Wikipedia


Who Will Run in the 55th Assembly District Now That Dean Kaufert Has Been Elected Mayor of Neenah?

Dean Kaufert unseats George Scherck as Neenah mayor. (Appleton Post-Crescent, 4/1/2014)

Sweeps to victory. Kaufert’s foresight proved correct, and by a surprisingly wide margin. Kaufert collected 58 percent of the vote, compared with Scherck’s 42 percent, to earn a four-year term as the city’s top elected leader. He carried all six polling places.




The 55th is home to the Neenah Public Library.

Rep. Kaufert is tied for 2nd place for most years served among current members of the State Assembly.


Other 2014 election posts:
Not just a rumor anymore; Kestell announces his retirement.  (4/1/2014)
Apparently, he's not foolin': Al Ott running for re-election.  (4/1/2014)
Bill Kramer & the 97th Assembly District.  (3/24/2014)
26th Assembly District.  (3/24/2014)
37th Assembly District rematch.  (2/27/2014)
87th Assembly District.  (2/17/2014)
Todd Novak, Dodgeville Mayor, Running for 51st Assembly seat.  (2/17/2014)
88th Assembly District.  (2/17/2014)
58th Assembly District.  (2/10/2014)
81st Assembly District.  (2/7/2014)
17th Senate District.  (1/27/2014)
59th Assembly District.  (1/18/2014)
1st Assembly District.  (12/13/2013)
Candidate scorecard for the 2014 Wisconsin Attorney General's race.  (12/8/2013)
22nd Assembly District.  11/21/2013)
17 Senate District.  (11/7/2013)
19th Assembly District.  (11/7/2013)
9th State Senate District. (10/23/2013)
15th State Senate District.  (10/10/2013)
Wisconsin Attorney General in 2014: Waukesha County DA Brad Schimel.  (10/10/2013
25th State Senate District.  (10/9/2013)

The Boom is Over for Ebooks

Ebook Growth Slows to Single Digits in U.S. in 2013. (Digital Book World, 4/1/2014)



Other ebook/reading-related posts:
Ebooks and the hype of emerging technology: Have we finally reached the slope of enlightenment?  (3/11/2014) 
Pew Research report on e-reading.  (1/16/2014)
Book sales update as of October 2013.  (1/10/2014)
The 24-hour news recycle: Mein Kampf edition.  (1/7/2014) 
Peering into the reader's mind.  (12/25/2013)
Booksellers hope print is on shoppers' gift lists.  (12/20/2013)
Survey sez: News of the death of print is greatly exaggerated.  (12/9/2013)
Not a Good Year on the Ebook Front for Barnes & Noble.  (11/29/2013)
Tell me again about ebooks ruling the publishing world.  (11/27/2013)
Other ebook market trendspotting confirms latest BISG report .  (11/1/2013)
Book Industry Study Group: "Consumer Attitudes Toward E-Book Reading" (Volume 4, 2013).  (11/1/2013)
Word of the day:  accretive.  (10/21/2013)
Survey sez: 72% of U.S. adults have read at least 1 book during the past 12 months.  (10/8/2013)
For years, many people asked the wrong question about ebooks and print books.  (10/6/2013) 
Ebook Flash Sales Grab Consumers' Attention.  (5/27/2013) 
BookStats 2013: It's not all about ebooks.  (5/15/2013)
Staying ahead of the learning curve.  (4/9/2013)
"Books are dead yet," sez Salon.  (3/21/2013)
Ebooks and the hype of emerging technology.  (1/8/2013)
Based on this column graph, print books are not likely to go away anytime soon.  (1/2/2013)
Printed books still lead ebooks by a significant margin.  (12/28/2012)
Ebook market pauses to take a breath.  (12/25/2012)
Year-to-date book revenues:  Jan-Jul 2011 and Jan-Jul 2012.  (11/1/2012)
Libraries get screwed when it comes to price of and access to ebooks.  (9/10/2012)
Millennials lead the way....to fewer bookstores?  (8/22/2012)
Ebooks sliding down the peak of inflated expectations.  (8/18/2012)
Adult hardcover book sales hold their own, paperbacks sales drop in 1st quarter of 2012.  (6/17/2012)
Library ebook circulation skyrockets @ the Greendale Public Library and throughout Wisconsin.  (5/29/2012)
In so many words:  Libraries will have a place at the table. (4/30/2012)
3M Cloud Library ebook lending service goes beta at select libraries.  (4/28/2012)
Pew Research:  The rise of e-reading, summarized. (4/5/2012)
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution attempts to get a handle on the ebook era.  (4/2/2012)
And I quote from "Bringing Up an E-Reader".  (3/29/2012)
The Philadelphia Inquirer editorial board weighs in on ebooks and libraries. (3/19/2012)
Carl Zimmer responds to Franzen.  (1/31/2012)
It's only Monday but this is still the best ebook headline of the week.  (1/20/2012)
Jonathan Franzen has something to say about ebooks.  (1/30/2012)
As they have been doing all along, libraries adapt to technology.  (1/29/2012)
Floating an Idea: The Harvard Library Innovation Laboratory's Library License.  (1/17/2012) 
Getting in line @ your library for ebooks.  (1/15/2012)
The Post-Christmas ebook sales surge. (1/10/2012)
Honey, we've been 'trying' it.  For years.  (12/25/2011)
Chris Bohjalian on our totemic connection to books.  (12/20/2011)
Hold that bricks-and-mortar bookstore obituary.  (12/13/2011)
Your local public library: The greenest option of all in the ebooks vs. print books debate.  (12/11/2011)
Go directly to Amazon, do not pass library.  (11/3/2011)
Ebooks in U.S. public libraries.  (10/22/2011)
How ebook buyers discover books.  (9/27/2011)
Cookbooks make the transition to digital publishing.  (9/27/2011)
Redefining what an ebook is and who gets to publish it. (9/19/2011)
The L.A.Times on ebooks: An Amazon tablet, push into interactivity. (9/16/2011)
The Economist:  "Great digital expectations".  (9/16/2011)
Lev Grossman presents a short history of the reading device..  (9/6/2011)
Speaking of gadgets, here's the latest iteration of ebooks.  (8/25/2011)
Sounds like another digital divide in the making.  (7/30/2011)
Libraries and ebooks:  Any book, not any time soon.  (6/1/2011)
On the distinction between the book reader and the book owner.  (5/10/2011)
Demand for ebooks grows exponentially in Wisconsin.  (5/2/2011)
Struggling to find an ebook common agenda between libraries and publishers.  (4/5/2011)
Ebooks and libraries:  "The challenges just keep piling up".  (3/28/2011)
Publishers Weekly tracks ebook sales.  (3/18/2011)
Word is getting out:  Ebooks @ your library.  (3/18/2011)
Ebooks continue to gain market share.  (3/17/2011)
Publishers look to bottom line in formulating ebook policies for libraries. (3/15/2011)
News stories on HarperCollins ebook decision go mainstream.  (3/5/2011)
9 years of book sales:  trade and ebook.  (2/17/2011)
Will ebook readers be wooed by Barbara Cartland?  (2/12/2011)
The impact of ebooks on libraries.  (2/11/2011)
OverDrive news release: Library eBook circs up 200% in '10. (1/10/2011)
Mashable: 5 ebook trends that will change the future of publishing. (12/29/2010)
Christmas 2010 the tipping point for ebooks?  (12/24/2010)
Ereader as brown paper bag.  (12/9/2010)
The ebook reader compatibility surprise.  (12/3/2010)
Ereader ownership:  Survey says....  (11/30/2010)
David Carnoy asks, "Does the Kindle pay for itself?" (11/29/2010)
Need to repair that ebook reader?  (11/19/2010)
Who uses an ereader:  Survey says....  (9/22/2010)
Book industry wrestles with print vs. pixels.  (9/2/2010)
Coming soon to a screen near you:  Ads in ebooks.  (8/20/2010)
Ebooks now comprise 8.5% of book sales. (8/12/2010)
Genre paperback publishers drops print.  (8/6/2010)
Ebooks and libraries.  (5/4/2010)
Ebooks eliminate a free form of adversiting:  the book jacket.  (3/31/2010)
Ebooks: another round of false promises?  (3/19/2010)
The skinny on ebooks.  (3/8/2010)
Hardcover vs. ebook:  Breaking down the costs.  (3/1/2010)

Not Just a Rumor Anymore: Rep. Steve Kestell Announces His Retirement

Kestell says he won't run for re-election. (Sheboygan Press, 4/1/2014)

The 27th Assembly seat is open.


Public libraries in the 27th Assembly District
Elkhart Lake Public Library
Kiel Public Library
Kohler Public Library
Mead Public Library, Sheboygan (service area)
Plymouth Public Library

Academic library
John Esch Library, Lakeland College


Other 2014 election posts:
Apparently, he's not foolin': Al Ott running for re-election.  (4/1/2014)
Bill Kramer & the 97th Assembly District.  (3/24/2014)
26th Assembly District.  (3/24/2014)
37th Assembly District rematch.  (2/27/2014)
87th Assembly District.  (2/17/2014)
Todd Novak, Dodgeville Mayor, Running for 51st Assembly seat.  (2/17/2014)
88th Assembly District.  (2/17/2014)
58th Assembly District.  (2/10/2014)
81st Assembly District.  (2/7/2014)
17th Senate District.  (1/27/2014)
59th Assembly District.  (1/18/2014)
1st Assembly District.  (12/13/2013)
Candidate scorecard for the 2014 Wisconsin Attorney General's race.  (12/8/2013)
22nd Assembly District.  11/21/2013)
17 Senate District.  (11/7/2013)
19th Assembly District.  (11/7/2013)
9th State Senate District. (10/23/2013)
15th State Senate District.  (10/10/2013)
Wisconsin Attorney General in 2014: Waukesha County DA Brad Schimel.  (10/10/2013
25th State Senate District.  (10/9/2013)

Related rumor posts:
Taking a wild guess at the source of this rumor.  (2/28/2014)
Vos damns Olson proposal with faint praise.  (8/15/2013)

Wisconsin: In Special Company



U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Alternative Measures of Labor Underutilization for States, 2013. Annual Averages

Related posts:
Omitted from DWD news release: Wisconsin's February 2014 "statistically significant" job loss.  (3/31/20141)
Saputo, contributors to Scott Walker and Brett Davis, shuttering Its New London facility.  (3/27/2014)
For Scott Walker and his jobs promotion message, it's deja vu all over again.  (3/20/2014)
I suppose this isn't on Scott Walker's radar either:  Wisconsin ranks 35th in job creation.  (3/20/2014)
Racine-based S. C. Johnson revises company-wide restructuring outcome.  (2/10/2014)
Wisconsin jobs deficit.  (9/27/2013)
Putting Wisconsin's jobs creation picture in perspective.  (9/27/2013)
The Walker way:  Whatever.  (9/24/2013)
The Blue and the Gold: Wisconsin's Jobs Deficit.  (9/3/2013)
Scott Walker's mantra.  (8/2/2013)
Less than zero.  (6/17/2013)
Wisconsin ranks 49th in Federal Reserve Bank's "imperfect" index.  (6/6/2013)
Wishful thinking at WEDC.  (5/23/2013)
And what alternative universe do these employers inhabit?  (5/21/2013)
Wisconsin added 19,000 jobs in 2012.  (5/18/2013)
Scott Walker all a-tingle over yesterday's news.  (5/18/2013)
From the looks of it, Wisconsin's jobs loss is in free fall.  (5/18/2013)
Spin Cycle: The Walker Administration Diverts Our Attention from the Latest (Disturbing) Jobs Numbers. (5/17/2013)
Bringing up the rear in job growth.  (3/8/2013)
Wisconsin ranks 43rd in job growth during the past year.  (11/23/2012)

Votes Totals in the 7 of 37 Contested Dane County Board of Supervisor Races


Spring 2014 voter turnout in Dane County:  19.3%


Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Public Libraries: Larger and Smaller Units of Governance, Iowa and South Carolina


2010 population
  • 3,046,847 - Iowa
  • 4,625,360 - South Carolina


Source:  Institute of Museum and Library Services 

Related posts:
Number of public libraries in the ten most populous states. (4/1/2014)
Percentage distribution of public libraries by legal service area population.  (3/30/2014)
Public libraries by type of legal basis.  (3/30/2014)
Public library revenue.  (3/24/2014)
Number of libraries, 2011 (administrative units).  (3/19/2014)
Library staffing, 2001-2011.  (3/19/2014)

Apparently, he's not foolin': Al Ott running for re-election


Looking to round up his years of service to 30.


Names not shown in bold print are not running for re-election.

Jon Richards is running for Attorney General.

If Dean Kaufert wins his race for Neenah mayor today, his name will no longer appear in bold red print.

Other 2014 election posts:
Bill Kramer & the 97th Assembly District.  (3/24/2014)
26th Assembly District.  (3/24/2014)
37th Assembly District rematch.  (2/27/2014)
87th Assembly District.  (2/17/2014)
Todd Novak, Dodgeville Mayor, Running for 51st Assembly seat.  (2/17/2014)
88th Assembly District.  (2/17/2014)
58th Assembly District.  (2/10/2014)
81st Assembly District.  (2/7/2014)
17th Senate District.  (1/27/2014)
59th Assembly District.  (1/18/2014)
1st Assembly District.  (12/13/2013)
Candidate scorecard for the 2014 Wisconsin Attorney General's race.  (12/8/2013)
22nd Assembly District.  11/21/2013)
17 Senate District.  (11/7/2013)
19th Assembly District.  (11/7/2013)
9th State Senate District. (10/23/2013)
15th State Senate District.  (10/10/2013)
Wisconsin Attorney General in 2014: Waukesha County DA Brad Schimel.  (10/10/2013
25th State Senate District.  (10/9/2013)

Walking Bascom Hill: North Side Up, South Side Down



Bascom Hill Society

Bascom Hill on Facebook

Bascom Hill Pink Flamingo (Wisconsin Historical Society)

The Four Seasons of Bascom Hill

Number of Public Libraries* in the Ten Most Populous States (2011)

*Administrative units.

Larger units of governance in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina.


Source for # of libraries and legal basis:  
Institute of Museum and Library Services 

The IMLS defines an association or non-profit agency library as a public library that is privately controlled but meets the statutory definition of a public library in a given state.

In addition to New York and Pennsylvania, association libraries are found primarily in the following states (% of total)
  • Connecticut (45.4%)
  • Maine (58.4%)
  • Rhode Island (50.0%)
  • Vermont (35.8%)

Related posts:
Percentage distribution of public libraries by legal service area population.  (3/30/2014)
Public libraries by type of legal basis.  (3/30/2014)
Public library revenue.  (3/24/2014)
Number of libraries, 2011 (administrative units).  (3/19/2014)
Library staffing, 2001-2011.  (3/19/2014)

In the News: The American Express OPEN State of Women-Owned Businesses Report

Report ranks Wisconsin women 46th in economic growth, clout.  (Milwaukee Business Journal, 3/31/2014)