Community Programming with Cele Wolf

This morning our own Cele Wolf presented a program on her very successful community program series at the Soldiers Grove Public Library, in a community of 653.

So, why do we do this?

• Follows the library's mission
• Enrichment of the community
• Puts library into the public eye--helps to bring the library to the city government's attention in a good way

There are a wealth of resources available:

• Wisconsin Humanitites Council Speakers Bureau
• Univ. of WI Speakers Bureau
• Local folks with unusual talents or projects (sometimes they don't even charge!!)

It all started with programming for children. Cele noticed over time, however, that the parents enjoyed the programming as much as the children. She approached her board for more money to bring in speakers from the WI Humanities Council Speakers Bureau.

So just where do these ideas come from? Successful ideas grow out of an existing community interest. The librarians needs to know what's "in the air". Is there something going on in the schools or with a community group that the library can tap into? Over time, your patrons can be a great source of ideas for programs.

What about failure? Well, that happens too. There will be times when you think you've hit upon the perfect topic at the perfect time, but no one shows.

Putting the program together:

1. Pick your topic (intergenerational is good!)
2. Find your expert ( make all of the arrangements)
3. The Promotion (80% of what makes a program successful)
4. The Event (setup to cleanup, refreshments--get help)
5. Evaluation/Recap (count your attendance, what were your expenses, get your audience response)

Use posters, flyers, handouts and your library newsletters. Send press releases to area newspapers and radio stations. Don't forget to talk-it-up!!! Word of mouth is sometimes the most effective advertising you can get.

Be sure that the library is open during the program. People will check out materials during and after a program. Follow-up (thank yous, post event articles)

So why do this??? BECAUSE IT'S FUN!!

Also it can transform the library into a place to meet friends--old and new. Builds community in a age of computers. Almost every single program brings someone into the library that has never been there before.

Think you'd like to start a community program series? Contact Cele for more information.

Commentary on pubic library materials

You may have seen this article already.

If not, follow the link http://www.wpri.org/Commentary/2008/5.08/Sc5.05.08/Sc5.05.08.html t0 Christian Schneider's commentary, "Public libraries--no longer just for the literate".

Economic Impact of Wisconsin Public Libraries

The results are in!

According to the economic study performed by NorthStar, the annual return per dollar of public tax support is $4.06.

More interesting facts from the study:

• Direct spending economic impact in 2006: $326 million (Spending benefits Main Street businesses and jobs)
• The value of Wisconsin Public Library Services: $427 million
• Total jobs related to the economic impact of Wisconsin Public Libraries: 6280 FTE
• Total Economic Impact: $753 million--just over three-quarters of a billion dollars!

According to David J. Ward, founder of NorthStar Economics, Inc, the economic message for public libraries is as follows:

1. Public libraries are a good and necessary investment in a rapidly changing economy.
2. Public libraries are a consistent source of information and technology. They won't be acquired, closed down or moved off shore.
3. With an increasing gap in income levels, public libraries level the information and technology playing field.

To see the full study, visit the DPI website at: http://dpi.state.wi.us/pld/econimpact.html or on the NorthStar Economics, Inc website at: http://www.northstareconomics.com/index.html

Green Earth Book Recyclers

Green Earth Book Recyclers will be bringing a truck to SWLS headquarters on Wednesday, June 11th to pick up weeded/withdrawn books and CDs. Any library wishing to dispose of unwanted books and CDs may send them to SWLS for stockpiling for that pick up date .
Green Earth Book Recyclers does have some guidelines for packaging and SWLS has a few additional one:

 Green Earth book Recyclers will not take wet or mildewed material
 SWLS will be making a green label to attach to boxes of material that you intend to recycle. You will need to separate the books and CEs and label the boxes as such.
 You do not need to remove CDs from the cases
 Pack material in sturdy boxes—liquor boxes are great for packing
 All boxes must have lids that are securely closed flat—no bulges in lid
 Boxes must be packed fully so that they can be stacked without caving in
 Boxes must be of reasonable size—you need to be able to pick it up and carry it around your library

The last date for delivery to SWLS is June 3rd. The Green Earth Book Recyclers truck driver will call to see how many boxes are here to determine the size of the truck needed to haul the material.

As this is a trial run, SWLS will only stock pile the material until the cut-off date of June 3rd. If this service works out, SWLS may repeat it again later this year at the convenience of SWLS. You would be notified in advance when SWLS would start stockpiling material.

Each library may send up to three (3) boxes on their scheduled date. Contact Jo if you have more than three boxes and she will arrange for the material pick up after May 21st as time and room on the van allows. If any library does not plan to participate in this service, please let Jo know so she can revise the pick up schedule.

If you have an excessive number of boxes—10 or more—you may need to make other arrangements to have the books brought to SWLS. A second option would be for you to contact Green Earth Book Recyclers directly and have them to come to your library.
http://www.greenearthbookrecyclers.com/

Please have your materials properly boxed, labeled, and ready for pick-up on the following dates:
Monday, May 5: Montfort, Livingston, Cobb
Tuesday, May 6: Fennimore, Cassville, Bloomington
Wednesday, May 7: Lancaster, Platteville
Thursday, May 8: Dodgeville, Barneveld
Friday, May 9: Prairie du Chien, Gays Mills, Soldiers Grove

Monday, May 12: Blanchardville, Argyle, Shullsburg
Tuesday, May 13: Viola, Lone Rock, Muscoda
Wednesday, May 14: Mineral Point, Darlington
Thursday, May 15: Benton, Hazel Green, Cuba City
Monday, May 19: Belmont, Dickeyville, Potosi
Wednesday, May 21: Richland Center, Boscobel

Happy National Library Week

It's National Library Week.

How is your library celebrating?

$300 Grants Available for Writers and Illustrators

Using grants awarded by the Wisconsin Center for the Book, communities can celebrate and explore the literature of Wisconsin with its authors and illustrators. The Wisconsin Center for the Book will award up to 4 grants of $300 each to qualifying organizations wishing to sponsor a Wisconsin author or illustrator at a public event. The event must be open to the public and free of charge. The grants are made possible through the cooperation of the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters and generosity of donors.

Wisconsin nonprofit organizations interested in books and reading are eligible to apply. Collaboration among groups is preferred. Such groups may include, but are not limited to, public libraries; public and private elementary, secondary, and post-secondary schools; community organizations; and places of worship. Libraries are encouraged to look beyond their Friends groups for partnerships.

Applications may be obtained at:

www.wisconsinacademy.org

Then under: About Us
Then under: Center for the Book
Then under: Grant Application Information

Time line
• July 1, 2008: Applications due; if mailed, they must be postmarked on or before this date.
• July 30, 2008: Winners will be notified by this date.
• September 1, 2008 – April 30, 2009: Programs must be scheduled between these dates. A final report must be submitted within 10 days of the event or the honorarium will be forfeited.

Definition of a Wisconsin author or illustrator: Any author or illustrator who has lived in Wisconsin for a significant period of time, including someone who may no longer be living in the state.

More information may be obtained by calling Sarah McGowan, WAIS 2008-09 Chair. Please contact her at 920-748-2784 or windsong@centurytel.net.

NEH and ALA "Soul of a People" Grantgs

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"Soul of a People: Voices from the Writers' Project" is a collaboration between the National Endowment for the Humanities, the American Library Association (ALA), and Spark Media, a Washington, D.C.-based production and outreach company. The library programs associated with "Soul of a People" are funded by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to the American Library Association.

"Soul of a People: Voices from the Writers' Project" will give public audiences the opportunity to participate in library-sponsored humanities programs that explore the Works Progress Administration (WPA) Writers' Project through the American Guide series of state and regional travel guides, regional cultural studies, oral history interviews, films, and photographs. "Soul of a People" will also showcase works of important authors of the twentieth century who got their start in the Writers' Project. 30 libraries will be selected to receive a $2,500 grant from the NEH to present five different public outreach programs during the period of the national broadcast of "Soul of a People" (Spring 2009). The application deadline is July 11, 2008.

The application and guidelines for "Soul of a People" and complete instructions for registering and applying through http://www.grants.gov may be found at http://www.neh.gov/grants/guidelines/SGL_Soul_of_a_People.html. For more information about "Soul of a People: Voices from the Writer's Project - Library Outreach Programs," visit http://www.ala.org/publicprograms.

From Channel Weekly, Vol. 10, No. 27, April 10, 2008