Wisconsin Library Stories

Hurricane Gustav's pounding of the Gulf Coast region this week resurrected for many the sad memories of damage inflicted on libraries, schools, and cultural institutions by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In commemoration of the third anniversary of Katrina, and in light of the current hurricane season, the Library of Congress has launched a "Learning from Katrina" website to provide "insight for better responses to record and artifact damage by hurricanes."

Wisconsin's libraries and their collections, though not in danger from the ravages of hurricanes, can benefit from much of the information on emergency preparedness and disaster recovery featured on this Library of Congress site. Pertinent publications, Web links, and steps to take to salvage materials damaged by fire, flood, mud, or tornadoes are just some of the helpful tips included on this site.

Jennifer Fink of Mayville, Wisconsin, a freelance writer specializing in parenting and health, and a frequent visitor to her local library, recognizes a bargain when she sees one. "For an annual cost of about $34 a person ... (according to Department of Public Instruction data), libraries provide unlimited access to a wealth of knowledge." In this month devoted to national library card sign-up promotions, read about the value one avid library user places on "the Smartest Card" in her wallet.

Read the full article.

Since its debut in October 2002, the Wisconsin Book Festival has established itself as a beloved fixture in Wisconsin's rich cultural landscape. "Through a unique partnership between the public, private, and academic sectors, the Wisconsin Book Festival celebrates our state's rich literary heritage, brings some of America's finest writers to the people of Wisconsin, and encourages Wisconsinites of all ages to read widely and to read well."

The seventh annual Wisconsin Book Festival, with its theme of "Changing Places," takes place on October 15-19, 2008, in and around the City of Madison, with several local public and university libraries serving as host venues for some of the events.

You can visit the Festival website to check out this year's schedule and learn of other upcoming book festivals taking place statewide.