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Monthly Memo Newsletter | April 2021

ARROWHEAD LIBRARY SYSTEM NEWS

Monthly Circulation Statistics

Total Circulations in March 2021

Total Circulations in March 2021

Beloit Says Goodbye to Youth and YA Overdue Fines!

In its strive to remove barriers to services for the community, Beloit Public Library has eliminated fines on all youth and young adult materials. This announcement kicks off National Library Week, which is April 4-10.

Beginning immediately, no overdue fines will accrue on any materials cataloged as youth or young adult (otherwise known as teen), regardless of who checks them out. The policy is based on the type of item and not the age of the borrower.

This policy change includes picture books, board books, easy readers, chapter books, audiobooks, magazines, movies, and music. In addition to eliminating fines for these materials, BPL has erased existing fines for youth and young adults.

Read more

Book spines and "Say goodbye to youth and young adult overdue fines at Beloit Public Library"

All Library Staff Encouraged to Attend: LAWDS Training

Logo: LAWDS. Libraries Activating Workforce Development Skills.

Southwest Connections: Local Workforce Development and Public Libraries

Thursday, June 3, 2021 at 1:00 PM
Zoom

Public library staff are invited to a “Meet and Greet” session led by Southwest Wisconsin Workforce Development Board (SWWDB) and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD). Representatives from SWWDB and DWD will provide an overview of the workforce development system in Wisconsin, and information on programs, services, and support available to job seekers in your communities. Meet job service partners and make connections to local sources of support.The focus will be on sharing and learning about the skills and resources WDBs can offer to public libraries and the communities they serve.

This session is the first of four different training opportunities (modules) public library staff will be offered. Any member of the library community who is unable to participate in LAWDS training sessions live or online will be able to access archived recordings or slide decks on the concepts and resources discussed. Dates for modules 2-4 have not been scheduled at this time.

This training opportunity is part of the LAWDS Project and was funded in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Please see the LAWDS Project website for additional training information and resources

FAQ

Who should attend?

All public library staff who may be asked to provide assistance to patrons who are job seeking.

What is LAWDS?

The Libraries Activating Workforce Development Skills (LAWDS) project brings together public library staff with the staff of regional Workforce Development Boards (WDB), and Wisconsin Job Centers, to facilitate more seamless support of job-seeking patrons, business owners, and entrepreneurs.

What else is coming?

There will be a statewide digital marketing campaign late summer or fall encouraging Wisconsin job seekers to start their search at jobcenterofwisconsin.com and to visit their local library for job seeker assistance. A toolkit will be provided for libraries to assist in the marketing campaign.

STATE & NATIONAL NEWS

WAPL conference goes virtual

May 4 – 7, 2021

The WAPL 2021 Committee is finalizing an engaging conference scheduled to take place:
Tuesday, May 4, 2021, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. through Friday, May 7, 2021, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. 

With a theme of LIBRARY STRONG, the goal of this year’s four day conference is that attendees will leave feeling emboldened, connected, and strengthened in their library work.
More information, including this year’s keynote speaker, to come in the next two weeks (mid-March).

WAPL Conference Logo: Library workers in stacks, the words "Library Strong"

Libby Design Updates

Shared from WPLC Announcements:
We’ve made several updates to Libby’s look and feel:
  • Your library’s colors are displayed more prominently throughout the app.
  • Catalog guides now appear on the library home screen for quick discovery and access.
  • New filters for what’s new, what’s popular, what’s available, and subject listings appear at the top of the library home screen for easier browsing.
  • The footer navigation is updated and a helpful tutorial guides returning users through the changes:
    • Spyglass icon: Run a search
    • Library card icon: Go to Library
    • Libby menu: Manage libraries & get help
    • Bookstack: Go to Shelf
    • Clock: Open activity timeline

Wish list syncing
Based on popular request, Libby now supports wish list syncing with the OverDrive app and your library’s OverDrive website. Users with active wish lists will be notified in-app and prompted to sync their wish list titles into a single tag. Learn more here.

Notify Me & other tag enhancements
We’ve made many other enhancements to tags, including:

  • New Notify Me: Series tag that sends push or email notifications when the next issue of a magazine is available. In the future, we will add more options for users to receive notifications when other content of interest is added to your library’s collection.
  • Automatic tag syncing across devices.
  • Automatic tagging of borrowed and sampled titles.

Search improvements for users with multiple library cards

Over the years, we’ve received many requests from users for an easier way to search across multiple library collections Now, users can tap the library card icon next to a title in search results to see if it’s available at their other saved libraries.

We encourage you to watch this tutorial for a brief tour of these updates. To support this release, we’ve also made updates to Libby Help and our Resource Center how-to videos.

Smartphone displaying libby app

Apply for up to $5000 from the WiLS Ideas to Action Fund!

Banner: WiLS Idea to Action Fund. Computer and other office supplies on a blue background.

Shared from a WiLS email.

The WiLS Ideas to Action Fund provides grants so member organizations can bring their project ideas to life. This message is to let you know that, as a WiLS member, you are eligible to apply and that the 2021 application period is open!

The Fund aims to encourage collaborations among WiLS members and with community partners, support innovative and exploratory new work within the Wisconsin library community, and seed the development of processes and resources that can be shared with and used by other WiLS members.

In 2021, we are especially interested in proposals that:

  • Reach overlooked or underserved populations.
  • May be small but mighty. While $5,000 is the maximum award amount, there is no minimum request. Sometimes just a small amount of funds are needed to test out a new idea!
  • Support projects in areas of the state that the Fund hasn’t previously reached, including the Northwoods and the southwest.
  • Support projects from a wide range of member organizations, including academic, K-12, tribal, and special libraries, as well as museums and historical societies.

The deadline to apply is June 28th.

Read more about the program, eligibility, and selection criteria on the WiLS Ideas to Action Fund website. You can also read about the Ideas to Action projects funded since 2018 for examples or inspiration.

Questions? Want to run an idea by us? Let us know at information@wils.org!

ALS MEETING CALENDAR

SHARE Directors’ Council:
Tuesday, May 4, 9:30 a.m.
Virtual

Board of Trustees Meeting:
Wednesday, May 12, 6:00 p.m.
Virtual

Librarians Meeting:
Wednesday, may 19,
9:30 a.m.
Virtual

CONTACT US

Steve Platteter

System Director
608-868-2872
Email: platteter.steve@als.lib.wi.us

Tovah Anderson

Public Information Coordinator
608-868-2872
Email: Anderson.tovah@als.lib.wi.us

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