Holiday Hours

IFLS will be closed December 24 and 25 and January 1, 2008

IFLS Closed on November 22 and 23, 2007

IFLS 30th Anniversary Celebration—May 8, 2008

On Thursday May 8, 2008 the Indianhead Federated Library System will be hosting a 30th Anniversary Celebration of the system. Bestselling author Lorna Landvik will be the featured speaker. Watch for more information in January 2008.

Position Opening--Public Relations and Communication Coordinator (Half-Time Position)

Public Relations and Communication Coordinator (Half-Time Position)

The Indianhead Federated Library System (IFLS) is seeking creative and energetic candidates to assist IFLS and member libraries with public relations, marketing and advocacy. We seek a team member who will assist with the development of electronic and print resources in support of our member libraries and System services including a library books-by-mail program. The position will provide training and support for advocacy, communication and marketing related activities for IFLS and member libraries. Characteristics desired: self-motivated, creative thinker and problem solver, ability to communicate in non-technical terms, handle multiple projects, and work well as part of a team. Associate degree with 2-3 years experience is required. Bachelor’s Degree and/or library experience is preferred.

IFLS is headquartered in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, about 75 miles east of Minneapolis/St. Paul. IFLS staff works with member library staff and local library boards, offering consulting help and a connection to state-supported services and programs. Please submit application by October 31, 2007, but the position will remain open until filled. This half-time position offers flexible hours and prorated benefits. For a complete job description, go to http://www.ifls.lib.wi.us/about/opportunities.asp

Submit resume, cover letter, wage requirements, and references via email only to John Thompson, Library System Director, at thompson@ifls.lib.wi.us Applications sent via traditional mail will not be considered.

Public Library Association Conference

Join the excitement in Minneapolis for the 12th PLA National Conference, March 25-29, 2008! The biennial National Conference is the premier event for the public libraries, drawing librarians, library support staff, trustees, Friends, and library vendors from across the country and around the world. This is the closest a national library conference will be for a very long time.

Need assistance in attending the conference? We can help!

IFLS Libraries can apply now for up to $200 in PLA conference grants! Application Deadline is Monday, October 22, 2007

We are also planning on taking a bus to the conference on Thursday, March 27 and Friday, March 28. Sign up by November 16, 2007 to ensure a spot on a bus.

More information and registration forms can be found at http://www.ifls.lib.wi.us/PLA2008/PLA2008.asp

IFLS Library Staff can Play Along with Project Play

IFLS Library Staff are welcome to follow along with Project Play. Please note that IFLS libraries are not eligible for prizes.

Stef Morrill, Assistant Director of the South Central Library System, announced a new online program called Project Play. This is a free, online, self-discovery program that encourages the exploration of Web 2.0 tools and new technologies. The Project is a collaboration of South Central Library System, Outagamie Waupaca Library System and Winnefox Library System. It’s based on the very successful Learning 2.0 Program created by Helene Blowers of the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, under their Creative Commons license which allows others to duplicate the program. The program will expose staff to emerging technologies that they are hearing about and which many of their patrons are already using.


Anyone outside of South Central, Outagamie Waupaca and Winnefox library systems can participate by using the projects on this site, however, they are not eligible to register or to receive incentives. For more information about this program check out this link: http://projectplay.owlsweb.info/

Wisconsin Library Association Conference

Be sure to check out all the wonderful programs at the 2007 WLA conference http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/conferences/2007/index.htm

Additional IFLS Contact Information

Several new features have been added to the IFLS staff contact page http://www.ifls.lib.wi.us/about/staff.asp. They include a service feedback form as well as an Instant Messenger (IM) form that can be used as alternative means of contacting the IFLS director. You can now IM the director using Yahoo, MSN, AIM, and the Meebo form. The feedback form was suggested as part of the long range planning process and I hope you find it useful.

Upcoming Budget Workshops

7/12/2007 - Budget Basics (and Beyond) Workshop--River Falls Public Library
Join John Thompson for a budget workshop designed especially for small libraries, 12:30 - 3 pm.

7/17/2007 - Budget Basics (and Beyond) Workshop--Rice Lake Public Library
Join John Thompson for a budget workshop designed especially for small libraries, 10:00 am -12:30 pm.

7/18/2007 - Budget Basics (and Beyond) Workshop--IFLS
Join John Thompson for a budget workshop designed especially for small libraries, 10:00 am -12:30 pm.

For more information, call IFLS.

Library Planning Update

I wanted to update you on the progress from the long range planning meeting. All of the notes from the recent Long Range Planning meeting have been posted to http://www.ifls.lib.wi.us/about/longrange.asp . In addition, we have grouped the raw data by activity area to assist in evaluating the priority areas, the trends, the strengths, and the areas for development. Please review the information and provide us with any additional comments using the feedback form that has been posted to site.



Thank you again for your participation in this event.

Long Range Planning Meeting Update

Thank you to all who participated at our recent Long Range Planning Meeting.

In an effort to keep everyone informed about our current planning process, we will be posting the planning information to the IFLS website. Currently the General Trends PowerPoint and the IFLS Fact Sheet (revised to include programming information) that were presented at the meeting as well as the 2007-2009 Long Range Plan are available at http://www.ifls.lib.wi.us/about/longrange.asp. In the coming days the planning meeting notes will also be posted to the site.

Wisconsin Library Association Foundation Scholarships

The Wisconsin Library Association Foundation sponsors scholarships for library education and library continuing education. The scholarships are funded by the Foundation through generous charitable contributions. WLA members and prospective students are encouraged to apply. The scholarships
are awarded annually.
***Continuing Education Scholarships (due August 1)***
Continuing Education Scholarship ($750)
Available to a person employed in a library in Wisconsin for a continuing education program within or outside Wisconsin. Details and application are
available at http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/scholarships/CEscholarships.htm
Education of Rural Librarians Scholarship ($1000)
Available to a person employed in a library in a Wisconsin community with a population of 5,000 or less for a continuing education program within or outside Wisconsin. Details and application are available at
http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/scholarships/rural.html
***Diversity Scholarship for Library Education or Continuing Education (due
August 1)***
Diversity Scholarship ($800)
Available to a person employed in a Wisconsin library or enrolled in a Wisconsin library education/media program. Information on the targeted populations, the application and other details are available at
http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/scholarships/diversity.htm
***Library Education Scholarships (due September 15)***
Library Education Scholarship ($1,250)
Available to anyone who is or will be attending a master's level program in library and information science or in education media at a Wisconsin school during the coming academic year. Details and application are available at
http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/scholarships/lccle.htm
Sally Davis Scholarship ($1,200)
Available to a Wisconsin resident admitted to the master's degree program in the School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison as a part- or full-time student. Details and applications are available at http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/scholarships/sdscholarship.html

Vida Cummins Stanton Scholarship ($1,350)
Available to a Wisconsin resident admitted to the master's degree program in the School of Information Science at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee as a part- or full-time student pursuing a library media or youth services program. Details and applications are available at
http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/scholarships/lccvs.htm
Peg Branson
WLAF Scholarship Committee Chair
peg.branson@dpi.state.wi.us
608/266-2413

Registration Deadline for Long Range Planning Meeting is May 10th

Do not miss an opportunity to voice your opinions! The deadline to register for the IFLS Long Range Planning Meeting is May 10th.

More information is available at http://www.ifls.lib.wi.us/workshops/IFLS-LRP2007.pdf

National Library Week, April 15-21 "Come together @ your library"

As we celebrate National Library Week it is important to note that the use of libraries in the Indianhead Federated Library System continues to grow while library budgets have remained relatively flat or have decreased in the past few years.

Patrons of our libraries have access to a wide variety of materials and services. Without dedicated library staff members and library boards such wonderful materials and services would not be possible. Thank you for all of your hard work.

New Library Space Planning Resources

IFLS has added several new library space planning resources on the IFLS Links for Librarians page -- http://www.ifls.lib.wi.us/links_for_librarians.asp#space

The Planning for New Library Space provides a brief overview of the space planning stages with links to additional resources. http://www.ifls.lib.wi.us/construction/Planning for New Library space.doc

The Designing Your New Library Space: A Visual Tour Power Point tour provides a visual look at some of the features that you may wish to consider in new library space as well as links to additional information. http://www.ifls.lib.wi.us/construction/Designing Your New Library Space.ppt#

In addition we have added several library building program statements that can assist you in developing your own building program statement. Building program statements assist in communicating your space needs to architects and designers.

Please watch for additional links in the coming months to assist you in planning new library space.

Job Posting

The Indianhead Federated Library System (IFLS) http://www.ifls.lib.wi.us is seeking candidates for the position of MORE Application Support Specialist. MORE http://www.more.lib.wi.us is a consortium of over 40 public libraries in West-Central Wisconsin. The position is part of a team responsible for ensuring the integrity of the MORE database and providing support to member libraries in the operation of the MORE system.

Duties: Implement approved databases standards; Assist with maintaining authority control; Provide application support for member libraries with an emphasis on serials, acquisitions, and bibliographic databases; develop and provide training for member libraries and assist with implementation of new MORE libraries. The complete job description is available at http://www.ifls.lib.wi.us/about/opportunities.asp

WAPL Conference to held in Eau Claire

Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries (WAPL) is holding their annual conference in Eau Claire, on May 2-4, at the Plaza Inn & Suites. The theme of the conference is "Raising Your Community's Net Worth" For more information, to register, and to view the conference schedule, go to http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/wapl/conferences/2007/index.html


NOTE to IFLS Public Libraries and Staff Members:The IFLS board has approved funds to help staff from IFLS member libraries attend the WAPL Conference. If you would like more information or want to apply, go to: www.ifls.lib.wi.us/workshops/IFLS WAPL Continuing Education Grant Guidelines.doc

May 21, 2007 -- IFLS Long Range Planning Meeting

Make your voice heard! Participate in the IFLS long-range planning meeting, to be held Monday, May 21 at the Plaza Hotel. Mark your calendars now for the day-long event--your input is crucial to help provide direction for IFLS in the coming years. Input will be sought from library directors, staff and other library representatives. Debra Johnson, of Johnson & Johnson Consulting, will facilitate the meeting. Lunch will be provided. Watch for more details, coming soon. For more information, contact John Thompson.

Welcome

In the coming weeks, watch this space for news from the Indianhead Federated Library System.