New Trustee Page on IFLS Website

IFLS has launched a new web page for library board members.

Job Opening-- Rice Lake Library Director

Rice Lake Public Library — Director
The Rice Lake Public Library is seeking a full-time Director The ideal candidate will possess an ALA-accredited MLS, have at least five years of professional library experience (including at least two years in a progressively responsible administrative position) and be eligible for a Grade 1 Library Director Certification issued by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, possess strong communication, organizational, public relations and supervisory skills. They will also have experience with budgets, planning, grant-writing, administration and library-related technologies. A complete job description is available here.
Salary of $51,000 to $57,000 based on experience and qualifications. Rice Lake is a city of 8,000 in a recreational area in Northwestern Wisconsin within 2 hours of Minneapolis, St. Paul and serves as a commercial hub for the region. The selected applicant will receive a generous benefit package. Residency in the city required within 6 months of hire.
Candidates should submit cover letter, resume and references via email to rlboard@ifls.lib.wi.us. Applications review process begins May 28, 2009, and will continue until position is filled.

WLA sends Open letter to West Bend

The WLA recently sent an open letter to West Bend's Mayor, Common Council, library board, library staff, and citizens regarding the complaints about the library's collection:

The Wisconsin Library Association strongly supports the staff and trustees of the West Bend Community Memorial Library as they carefully consider challenges to the library's collection policy, while continuing to provide a library collection that represents the diverse views of the users of the library.

Free access to ideas and freedom of expression are bedrock principles of this country enshrined in the United States Constitution. Public libraries are institutions dedicated to the freedom of expression and inquiry necessary for a democracy to survive. The public library is the provider of access for all citizens to the full range of ideas, including controversial or unpopular ideas.

It is contrary to the democratic principles of this country for any group to impose its views on others through efforts to limit access to views they oppose. It is also contrary to democratic principles for attempts to be made to place control of a library in the hands of those with a narrow political agenda.

The Wisconsin Library Association commends the courageous West Bend librarians, public officials, and citizens who are standing up for free access to ideas and freedom of expression

Election Day on April 7, 2009

Don't forget to vote on April 7th. Several races are on the ballot statewide including the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the Superintendent of Public Instruction. More information on these races can be found at http://www.wisconsinvote.org/. Wisconsin Vote is a service of Wisconsin Public Television and Wisconsin Public Radio and is updated during election season.

Joint Finance Hearing in Eau Claire

The Legislature’s Joint Finance Committee (JFC) is holding a public hearings on the Budget Bill (AB-75)


The closest hearing is March 27 (Friday) – Eau Claire, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. UW-Eau Claire Haas Fine Arts Center, 121 Water St. , Eau Claire.

JFC includes 12 Democrats and 4 Republicans, as Democrats hold the majority in both houses. Sen. Mark Miller (D-Monona) and Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Madison) are committee co-chairs.
For a complete committee roster and contact information, see http://www.legis.state.wi.us/lfb/jfc.html


WEAU.com http://www.weau.com/home/headlines/41916252.html will be streaming the hearing live.

The Nuts and Bolts of Developing Library Policies

Learn about which policies you need and how to develop them in this workshop with John Thompson, IFLS Director. Click here for a flyer. Register by November 10: send an email to registration@ifls.lib.wi.us

COLAND REQUESTS YOUR FEEDBACK ON THE “ROADMAP TO THE FUTURE OF WISCONSIN LIBRARIES”

The Council on Library and Network Development (COLAND) would like your feedback on the “Roadmap to the Future of Wisconsin Libraries,” available at
http://blog.uwgb.edu/coland/. Read the Beginnings Report on the Future of Wisconsin Libraries and post comments on the blog. This report contains the results of a Visioning Summit sponsored by the Council on Library and Network Development (COLAND) in cooperation with Superintendent of Public Instruction Elizabeth Burmaster last May. The Summit was an invitational event attended by 100 key library leaders and library advocates from across Wisconsin. In developing the vision for libraries, Summit participants took into consideration Superintendent Burmaster’s 21st century education initiatives as well as Governor Doyle’s Grow Wisconsin plan.

The Beginnings Report on the Future of the Library (https://blog.uwgb.edu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/coland/coland-draft.pdf) documents the main outcomes of the Visioning Summit. Everyone is encouraged to get involved in creating the future of Wisconsin libraries. Please respond to the ideas in this report through this blog, implement these ideas in your communities, or volunteer to work on action items. Working together libraries and their communities will continue to sustain and transform the educational vitality and economic prosperity of Wisconsin.

Additional opportunities for discussion and input will be at:

WEMTA's Wired Wednesday, Oct. 15, 7:30 pm - contact keitschr@hssd.k12.wi.us to register.

Wisconsin Library Association Annual Conference in Middleton, on Thursday, November 6 at 4:00 pm.

Wisconsin Educational Media & Technology Association Annual Conference in Madison, March 23-24, 2009, time to be determined.