Public libraries

Nov 20

New Direct Discount Opportunities for WiLS Members

WiLS is pleased to share that we have partnered with CESA Purchasing and Minitex to expand the options for direct discount opportunities for WiLS members! As a result, you can save money on furniture, paper, printing, scanners, and much more.

WiLS has teamed up with CESA Purchasing to extend their vendor agreements, with companies such as Quill, to educational institutions in the state, including most K12, public, and academic libraries. Read more about CESA Purchasing, see a list of their vendor partners, and find ordering information.

Our close partners across the border at Minitex have also graciously extended their library product catalog to all WiLS members. Read more about our Minitex partnership, see a list of vendors in their catalog, and get details on how to order.

Oct 29

Aspen Institute Report – Rising to the Challenge: Re-Envisioning Public Libraries

On October 14th, the Aspen Institute released its report on the unique position of public libraries to meet community needs and it (uncannily) considers many things we’ve been talking a lot about around the office lately: raising library visibility, the DPLA, measurement of library success, how to change public perceptions of libraries, and so on and so forth. The Aspen Institute may have WiLS bugged, and we’re fine with that.

Regardless, this is an important read. Particularly interesting is this video, which “highlights the ways in which public libraries are transforming communities through the strategic use of their people, place and platform assets.”

Read the full report.

We are busy, too. Read the Executive Summary.

Sep 25

Wisconsin Libraries Celebrate Banned Book Week

It’s time to celebrate the work libraries all over the world do to protect free speech, make information available to their communities, and continue the fight against censorship during Banned Books Week! We love to see and share the ways that Wisconsin libraries are contributing. Here are just a few highlights:

Carroll University’s Todd Wehr Memorial Library staff is showing off their favorite banned books
Mount Horeb Public Library is snapping photos of patrons (and former library directors!) caught reading banned books
UW-La Crosse’s Murphy Library’s local news caught on tape how the library is celebrating the week
Dane County Library Service is hosting Take It Off the Shelf! featuring Forward Theater Company actors reflecting on banned books.
Marian University has a banned books display and is hosting a panel, including Cardinal Meyer Library Director Kathryn Johnston, to discuss censorship. There will also be banned book trivia!

How are you celebrating? Let us know!

Sep 17

Pew Report: Younger Americans and Public Libraries

Pew has released a new report with important implications for public libraries with research results on how Millenials engage with libraries and how they view the role of the library in their lives and the lives of those around them. Read more

Aug 27

Jefferson Public Library Strategic Planning Summit

Thanks to the hard work of community members and library director Leann Lehner and her staff, the Jefferson Public Library Strategic Planning Summit held on Thursday, August 7th resulted in an exciting plan for ways to better serve library users and raise awareness of what the library offers to its community. Read more

Aug 26

WiLS August 2014 Member Interview: Marla Sepnafski, Director, Wisconsin Valley Library Service

One of our greatest joys at WiLS is hearing our members tell the stories of the big and important work they are doing – interesting new projects or initiatives, or even interesting and new approaches to old projects. And, in addition to hearing about it, it makes us even happier when we can share those stories with other members. Each month, WiLS is proud to feature an interview with one of our library members. This month, we interview Marla Sepnafski, Director of Wisconsin Valley Library Service. Also, Marla and WVLS will be hosting one of WiLS’ Regional Meetings, on October 14th; be sure to register! Read more

Aug 13

Gale Courses Discounted Through WiLS

WiLS has individual Gale Courses available at deeply discounted prices for WiLS cooperative purchasing public library members. Gale Courses can help you support your library’s educational mission and staff development with hundreds of engaging, instructor-led online courses focused on professional development, technology skills, and personal enrichment to transform lives and foster positive changes in your community. Read more

Aug 4

Digital Bookmobile Comes to Madison

The Digital Bookmobile National Tour will showcase the state’s free eBook service in two upcoming tour stops at Madison Public Library! Read more

Apr 29

Ahoy! Beloit Public Library Celebrates Five Years

Beloit’s much-loved Public Library recently celebrated it’s 5th year at sea. By all accounts it were a jolly shindig. The Treasure Island themed Bash took place on Saturday, April 26th. The party featured pirate-themed costumes and decorations, and by the looks of it, libations aplenty.

Check them out on Facebook for more pictures of the event.

The library also posted someimpressive numbers to mark the quinquennial (seriously, that’s a word).

1,420,920 people walk through the front doors
2,560,557 items were checked out
67,152 people attended library programs
279,426 people used the Internet computers
20,221 hours were volunteered

WiLS extends a heartfelt “YARRR!” in congratulations. Here’s to many more years!

Apr 2

Pew Releases Report on American Engagement with Public Libraries

In an attempt to understand how the digital environment has changed American attitudes toward the public library, the Pew Research Center offers this report, “From Distant Admirers to Library Lovers and Beyond: A Typology of Public Library Engagement in America.” This report, released last month, completes a three-stage research project which began with research into the growing role of ebooks and exploring library services and their value to the community. This typology “explores public libraries’ roles in people’s lives and in American culture writ large—how they are perceived, how they are valued, how people rely on them, and so forth.”

Read the full report here.

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