http://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/stories/ News and updates about Wisconsin libraries, along with stories shared by library fans from around the state. Gathered by the Campaign for Wisconsin Libraries. en Copyright 2010 Fri, 19 Nov 2010 13:31:20 -0600 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Kaukauna Public Library. ]]> http://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/stories/2010/11/wisconsin_libraries_say_cheese.html http://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/stories/2010/11/wisconsin_libraries_say_cheese.html Fri, 19 Nov 2010 13:31:20 -0600 Wisconsin Veterans Museum Research Center on the Capitol Square, 30 W Mifflin St., Madison. A new manuscript exhibit in the third floor Research Center focuses on the music and bands of the 32nd "Red Arrow" Division. Using instruments, sheet music, photographs, and other documents, the exhibit highlights the role that the 32nd Division bands played in World War I and World War II, with special attention given to two bandleaders and the famous 32nd Division March. See 32nd Division Bands and Music Flyer.doc. While in the Research Center, you can also view the ongoing Wisconsin National Guard Gallery exhibit that highlights the history of Wisconsin's National Guard unit (the former 32nd "Red Arrow" Division of World Wars I and II). Be sure to include the first floor main gallery in your visit, where you can view the featured special, the Rise of the Fallen - Wisconsin. This exhibit, created by Madison artist Andre Ferrella, honors the 101 service men and women from Wisconsin who have given their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. Ferrella's unique "spirit boxes" feature the likenesses of the 101 KIAs from Wisconsin that capture the spirit of the soldier in ways that a portrait cannot. For more information on this exciting project, visit www.theirseofthefallen.org. ]]> http://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/stories/2010/07/the_july_4th_holiday_weekend_j.html http://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/stories/2010/07/the_july_4th_holiday_weekend_j.html Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:50:21 -0600 support his Wisconsin library, the Franklin Public Library. I’ll let Justin Weis (14 years old and resident of Franklin WI) tell the story in his own words: “I am in what some may call a garage band. We practice about twice a week and we’ve been playing for about 3 years now. We also have albums on iTunes if you want to check them out at http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/dark-vortex/id284443748?ign-mpt=uo%3D4 Anyway, I was always complaining about how my dad’s band got all the cool gigs and such, and so he told me that I had to go out there and make it happen. So, I started to look for places my band could play. Most places my dad’s band played were bars and other non-children friendly places, so I decided to do it at a place that didn’t have the constant faint aroma of liquor, A.K.A. the library. My dad suggested that I make this a benefit concert to raise money for the library since the library was in need of more books and because he thought that way Mrs. Roark (Barbara Roark, Director, Franklin Public Library) would most definitely accept my proposition. I asked Mrs. Roark if and when I could do this and she elucidated how it would need to be run by the library board. All of them were apparently overjoyed by the idea of a fundraiser and even more so that it was a concert. So, a date was set up. In the meantime, I got two other bands to join us for the concert (the Curb Farmers, a comedic funk ensemble which contains Phil Kirst -- if you don’t know Phil, you don’t know what you’re missing says Eli Smith, my band’s guitarist -- and Midnight, an 8th grade rock band). We all sold tickets in advance for $3 each and about 250 tickets were sold, thus leaving us with about $750 right off the bat. At the concert on January 30th, we sold water, soda, and assorted candy for about $2.50 on average. The total at the end of the night was a whopping $1000. At the next Common Council meeting on February 16th we presented an oversized novelty check to our library director and we all got certificates of recognition from the mayor. And that’s what went down!” I wonder if Justin’s band is free the night of our next WLA Foundation Fundraiser at the Kalahari in November? ]]> http://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/stories/2010/04/heres_a_great_story_about_one.html http://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/stories/2010/04/heres_a_great_story_about_one.html Wed, 21 Apr 2010 11:40:55 -0600 The positive feedback received both statewide and nationally for the WLA Foundation's Wisconsin Libraries Say Cheese! A Day in Pictures 2009 event has encouraged the Foundation's Campaign Action Committee to plan a similar day in 2010. Mark Wednesday, November 17, 2010, on your calendars as the day to have your cameras ready and your "cheese" activities set to go. The committee is currently in the planning stages for this year's Day in Pictures for libraries across the state of Wisconsin and, as details become finalized, the committee will post updated information once again to the Say Cheese website. Watch for new details and announcements to come. (Watch, too, for an upcoming article to be published in the ALA's American Libraries magazine about our state's 2009 Wisconsin Libraries Say Cheese event!) For questions, contact Pat Eschmann, WLA Foundation Communications Coordinator and cheese lover at 608-345-3645 or eschmann@scls.lib.wi.us. ]]> http://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/stories/2010/04/the_little_cheese_guy_will_be.html http://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/stories/2010/04/the_little_cheese_guy_will_be.html Tue, 13 Apr 2010 14:54:43 -0600 Campus Technology. And, for anyone interested in the issue of gaming behaviors leading to successful learning behaviors, you might want to investigate James Paul Gee's What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy.]]> http://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/stories/2010/03/video_games_not_just_for_fun_a.html http://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/stories/2010/03/video_games_not_just_for_fun_a.html Mon, 29 Mar 2010 14:38:10 -0600 Cofrin Library News blog. Thanks go to Leah Liebergen, Acquisitions Assistant at David A. Cofrin Library, for a heads up on this Valentine's Day library love story along with congratulations to Emily and Steve!]]> http://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/stories/2010/02/kurt_vonnegut_is_quoted_as_say.html http://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/stories/2010/02/kurt_vonnegut_is_quoted_as_say.html Wed, 17 Feb 2010 13:04:41 -0600 Way to go, Dan!) “Lately I have been running MUCH shorter races that include the 5K Lodi Library Run & Walk. It is a wonderful event and I have run it every year since I returned to Wisconsin (from Canada) in 2000. Peg Hilliker was one of the nice librarians who made me feel so welcome back in the Badger State. We all miss her.” (Peg Hilliker, former Lodi Public Library Director, passed away on November 13, 2008, after a short but intense battle with cancer. This year’s race brochure honors Peg with the salute “This one’s for you, Peg!) We salute you, too, Dan --- good luck and safe travels as you make your way along the course on Saturday! Thanks for running on behalf of the Lodi Library! (Note: Pledges for Dan are welcome from any and all interested parties. To sponsor Dan, please send checks (made out to the Lodi Library Run & Walk) to him at the Adams County Library.) ]]> http://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/stories/2009/08/excitement_is_already_starting.html http://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/stories/2009/08/excitement_is_already_starting.html Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:04:11 -0600 "EXAMINING THE ROLE OF MUSEUMS AND LIBRARIES IN STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES" This extensive document presents the transcript of a hearing held in Washington, D.C. (September 2008) before the U.S. House of Representatives' Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities/Committee on Education and Labor. The purpose of the hearing, as pointed out by chairwoman, U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (DNY), was for Members of Congress to examine the role that both libraries and museums play in strengthening communities. Testimony was given by involved citizens from across the United States of the wealth of innovative and creative activities, initiatives, and programs undertaken by libraries and museums to serve communities as well as to participte in addressing community needs and challenges. Leah's recommendation also presents a timely opportunity to reacquaint WLA members and other interested parties with GIRT, the Wisconsin Library Association's Government Information Round Table which serves librarians and other library staff who work with the information provided in all formats by government agencies at the local, state, federal, and international levels. You can find out more about GIRT by visiting the WLA website. ]]> http://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/stories/2009/07/the_role_of_museums_and_librar.html http://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/stories/2009/07/the_role_of_museums_and_librar.html Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:28:20 -0600 survey report prepared for the Wisconsin Public Library Consortium by Morrill Solutions, showed that library users are more likely to vote than non library users. Visit the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin site to find information on candidates for statewide office and for some local and county races. ]]> http://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/stories/2009/04/i_love_libraries_and_i_vote.html http://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/stories/2009/04/i_love_libraries_and_i_vote.html Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:38:53 -0600 WLHC online site for a fascinating look at Wisconsin's rich library heritage. The WLHC, a program of the Wisconsin Library Association Foundation, was established to foster an understanding and appreciation of the history of libraries and librarianship in Wisconsin; to promote the preservation of library artifacts and archives; and to encourage research and publishing that will contribute to an understanding and appreciation of Wisconsin's library heritage. Thanks go to the WLHC Steering Committee and its Chair, Larry T. Nix, for the creation and guidance of this exciting and ongoing historical preservation project. The opportunity still exists to become a "Founding Contributor" of the Wisconsin Library Heritage Center. Visit the WLHC website to learn how. ]]> http://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/stories/2009/04/congratulations_to_the_wiscons.html http://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/stories/2009/04/congratulations_to_the_wiscons.html Thu, 02 Apr 2009 20:09:02 -0600 Worlds Connect@your library. As you design your library display around this year's theme, don't forget that the WLA Foundation office has a variety of FREE merchandise you can order to distribute to the patrons connecting at YOUR library. Simply complete the merchandise order form found on the Foundation's Campaign for Wisconsin Libraries site and fax it to 608-245-3646. Or call Pat at 608-245-3645. Either way, we will be happy to ship the merchandise to you FREE OF CHARGE. ]]> http://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/stories/2009/03/national_library_week_april_12.html http://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/stories/2009/03/national_library_week_april_12.html Fri, 06 Mar 2009 11:48:43 -0600 Ozaukee Press article relates how Linda Pierschalla, Director of the Oscar Grady Library in Saukville, along with Annie Bahringer, Director of Adult Services at the Port Washington Library, worked together to develop the "One Book, One Community" reading initiative in the hopes of giving area students and adults from all walks of life the encouragement to read and discuss important issues raised by a single book. Learn why Leaving Microsoft to Change the World by John Wood was their book of choice to inaugurate this "One Book, One Community" reading program and about the variety of community-wide activities and discussions planned to celebrate this year's local reading initiative. Chancellor Carolyn "Biddy" Martin recently invited students, faculty, staff and the community to also take part in a common book project. On February 26, she posted the following message online: "I am pleased to announce that the university is launching a common book project that will be known as "Go Big Read." Students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community are invited to participate by reading a selected book and taking part in campus discussions and community events this fall." "The purpose of the project is to introduce new students to the intellectual life of the campus; to build intellectual community among all our students, staff and faculty; to generate exchange between members of the campus and the larger Madison and alumni communities; to emphasize the importance of reading; and to give us a shared point of reference for at least some of our interactions with one another. To learn more about this community reading initiative or to suggest a title for the 2009 book selection (no later than March 6) visit "Go Big Read". For details on other "One Book" reading promotion projects or for "How To" information for organizing your own community-wide reading program, visit the Library of Congress' "The Center for the Book" web site.]]> http://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/stories/2009/02/the_pleasure_of_reading_is_dou.html http://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/stories/2009/02/the_pleasure_of_reading_is_dou.html Sat, 28 Feb 2009 16:55:29 -0600 African Library Project which partners with volunteers in African comunities to create small libraries for schools and villages. Her efforts in this area resulted from a conversation she had with one of her library patrons whose daughter, currently working for the Peace Corps in South Africa, is involved in a project to help students obtain the literacy skills that will lead to better jobs and a higher quality of life for them in the future. The collected books will go to Lesotho, where the Peace Corps has the goal of establishing two school libraries in the hopes of creating a reading culture for the next generation, as literacy is the only way these children will be able to find their way out of poverty. Pamela says that this particular project meshes very well not only with her own personal goal --- of acting as a gatekeeper so that others may realize their dreams --- but also with the Middleton Library's 2009 institutional goals. These goals include an emphasis on global awareness along with a commitment to conservation and sustainability. She feels that recycling/reusing books is a great tie-in with conservation and that reduction in the inequities of resources and information retrieval opportunities is also a part of sustainability. More than 700 books have currently been donated, with the hope of reaching a total of 1,300. If you are interested in making a donation to help reach this goal, the need is for preschool books --- things like basic English learning, board books and little golden books. Books will be shipped by February 17, so any donations should reach Pamela by February 12. If you would like to contribute, please contact her at pamela@scls.lib.wi.us or call (608) 827-7425.]]> http://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/stories/2009/02/middleton_director_collecting.html http://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/stories/2009/02/middleton_director_collecting.html Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:24:18 -0600 Campaign for Wisconsin Libraries (CFWL) promotional goodies for you to distribute to your patrons and loyal library supporters. Bookmarks, buttons, window clings, note pads, mood pencils and posters --- all sporting the Campaign's URL and/or logo --- are available FREE OF CHARGE to any requesting Wisconsin library. Access an order form from the Campaign website, fax the completed form to 608-245-3646, and your order will be shipped within a few days via the Wisconsin Libraries' Delivery Network system. (Non-members will receive their orders via USPS delivery). Make it a New Year's resolution to support the WLA Foundation's ongoing state-level campaign to promote a wider awareness and understanding of the value and importance of ALL Wisconsin libraries to the library communities they serve. The WLAF is delighted to make this FREE merchandise available to you to help you do that. Thanks for your involvement and support in the year ahead!]]> http://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/stories/2009/01/santas_come_and_gone.html http://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/stories/2009/01/santas_come_and_gone.html Mon, 12 Jan 2009 11:44:45 -0600 For those of you who thrilled to the performances of both the UW-Madison SLIS Madtown Truckers and the Baraboo Public Library Baraboo Bookers at the WLA 1st Annual Book Cart Drill Team Competition in Middleton on November 7th, here's the latest info on the team that managed to pull ahead of their tough competition that day at the Marriott. In a recent phone conversation, Penny Johnson, BPL Youth Services staff and drill cart team member, confirmed that a producer from the Ellen DeGeneres TV show DID contact her in November, shortly after the team's victory. When the producer admitted he had never heard of book cart drill teams, Penny filled him in on the details, answering questions such as how long it took to put the team together, the demographics of team members, ages, photos, etc. She also mentioned he was VERY interested in the national drill cart competition scheduled during the 2009 ALA Annual Conference in Chicago this summer. (The Fifth Annual Bookcart Drill Team World Championship event will be featured at the Conference on Sunday, July 12, from 4:00 - 5:30 p.m.) So ... although no official date has yet been set for an upcoming appearance by the Baraboo Bookers on the Ellen show ... could national coverage be in their future during the ALA competition in July? To keep their skills sharp, Penny and fellow team members (Meg Allen, Mary Jo Burri, Anne Horjus, and Gretchen Roltgen) were excited to participate in Baraboo's annual Holly Jolly Light Parade held this year on November 22nd. Regardless of whether or not national fame comes their way, Penny declared that putting together the book cart drill team "was a bonding experience" for everyone involved at the Baraboo Public Library. If you missed the live performance, you can view the WLA 1st Annual Book Cart Drill Team Competition on YouTube. ]]> http://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/stories/2008/12/latest_update_on_the_baraboo_b.html http://www.wisconsinlibraries.org/stories/2008/12/latest_update_on_the_baraboo_b.html Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:20:54 -0600