At WiLS, we want to bring valuable information to our library partners, including information about the missions and big ideas of the vendors they may already do business with. Each month, WiLS interviews a vendor partner in order to bridge the gap and open the door to valuable collaborations. This month, we are delighted to share insights from Beth Roberts, Western Regional Sales Manager at the American Psychological Association, a WiLS Gold vendor partner!Read more
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 Melissa Matz, Library Media Specialist at Brookfield East High School and WiLS Board Member!Read more
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 are very happy to share the insights of John DeBacher, Director of Public Library Development for the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Read more
At WiLS, we want to bring valuable information to our library partners, including information about the missions and big ideas of the vendors they may already do business with. Each month, WiLS interviews a vendor partner in order to bridge the gap and open the door to valuable collaborations. This month, we are delighted to share insights from Rosalie Tanner, Digital Services Consultant – Academic Division for Infobase Learning. Read more
Money Smart Week is April 23-30 this year, and Wisconsin libraries continue to be involved in planning and coordinating a Big Read and other events and resources to promote financial literacy to their communities! Lori Burgess, Support Services Coordinator at Fond du Lac Public Library, has been actively involved with Money Smart Week for many years and we were lucky to have the opportunity to interview her about her role and experience with promoting financial literacy in Wisconsin, and how libraries can get involved.
If you have any questions about this interview or anything related to Money Smart Week, please contact Sara Gold at .
Tell us a bit about a day in your life at FDLPL.
As the Support Services Coordinator at FDLPL, I supervise approximately 28 people and oversee Technical Services and Circulation. On a daily basis, I am monitoring the flow of materials throughout our buildings–from ordering, cataloging, and processing in Tech Services to materials being checked out, checked in, shelved and withdrawn in Circulation. The Circulation staff also manage our branch library, FDLPL Express, which is open 28 hours per week and our used bookstore, Chapter 52, which is open 15 hours per week.
This means that on any given time I may be trouble-shooting a self-check computer, negotiating a payment plan with a patron, figuring out how we can rearrange shelving to fit more materials into a given space, working at a service desk, dabbling in adult programming, managing volunteers, or generating statistics for the director.
Thankfully, my supportive husband and teenage daughter no longer expect me to make dinner every night!
How did you get involved in the Big Read activities for Money Smart Week?
Before I became the Support Services Coordinator, I was a Reference Librarian at FDLPL. Besides working at the service desk and collection development, I helped with adult programming. The library started participating in Money Smart Week and financial literacy programming in 2007 so when the Fox Cities Money Smart Week planning committee invited us to participate in their Big Read initiative in 2010, I jumped at the chance to expand our programming to kids. At the time, the Big Read was run by credit unions, bankers, and a book store. I strongly believe children’s librarians have a natural expertise in storytimes and selecting age-appropriate books for kids, so I pushed for libraries to get involved.
Once the Wisconsin Dept of Financial Institutions (DFI) was able to contribute financially to the program, it didn’t take me long to send a message to WISPUBLIB to invite libraries across the state to participate.
DFI has been amazed by the efficiency of the Wisconsin library community. With a few emails and by utilizing the state delivery system, we were able to order copies in bulk and efficiently deliver thousands of books across the state. Unfortunately, demand has outgrown what DFI can fund, so bringing WiLS into the mix to accept money from a variety of places and place one, large cooperative order allows us to get the maximum discount for everyone who participates.
Wisconsin’s success with the Big Read program is being noticed. Michigan, Illinois, and Iowa also have Big Read programs in their states. For 2016, I was able to connect with the Illinois coordinator to contribute to the cooperative purchase through WiLS and I am cautiously optimistic that Iowa might join us next year. Purchasing 5,000 copies of a single book does not go unnoticed by publishers.
Purchasing 5,000 copies of a single book does not go unnoticed by publishers.
Tell us how libraries can connect with their communities through MoneySmart? Do you have any examples you can share?
It is a common phenomenon that partnerships will be created and strengthened through Money Smart Week events. When a library asks a local UW-Extension instructor, high school teacher, lawyer, or CPA to present a program at the library for Money Smart Week, magic begins to happen.
The library and presenter promote the program through their respective channels (posters, newsletters, press releases, web announcements, social media, etc.) and –assuming the program has a catchy title– people attend. The presenter is happy they were able to share their expertise, the library is happy to host an educational program they did not have to teach, and the patron is happy to receive some much needed information.
The organizational partnerships and individual connections often continue throughout the year. In FDL, the UW-Extension staff often host educational workshops at the library. I am able to personally refer patrons to specific staff within our social service agencies (Medicare questions to a county senior benefits specialist, bankruptcy questions to a nonprofit credit counselor, etc.). And in turn, they refer patrons to the library to utilize our services.
Money Smart Week provides a common goal for library staff and other organizations to meet. Along the way, everyone involved establishes professional networks and personal connections.
Money Smart Week provides a common goal for library staff and other organizations to meet. Along the way, everyone involved establishes professional networks and personal connections.
How can libraries get involved in MoneySmart Week activities including the Big Read?
The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago created Money Smart Week as a financial education initiative. It began in Chicago and has grown into a national initiative with several major partners, including the American Library Association. They also host moneysmartweek.org where consumers can find local events and unbiased information about money. As a partner, there is a lot of supporting information–from downloadable logos to specific guidelines for presenters (such as no selling or followup contact with attendees); as well as marketing strategies, programming ideas, best practices. Libraries are encouraged to register and enter their local events.
Wisconsin is one of the most active Money Smart Week states in the country. David Mancl at the Wisconsin Dept of Financial Institutions tracks and supports local planners across the state. He probably knows someone in your community or region who is also interested in financial education and can help you connect with them. Contact David at (608) 267-1713 or .
Thank you so very much to our members for sharing your time with us, and to those in the community who presented on what they are being inspired by:
Jean Anderson, South Central Library System
Melody Clark, WiLS
Meghan Dowell, Beloit College
Catherine Lavallee-Welch, UW-La Crosse
Kristin Vogel, St. Norbert College
For those that weren’t able to attend, or would like to revisit the meeting, check out the slides. We asked some questions of the meeting attendees, and while the polls are now closed, we will have all the responses available soon.
The 2nd Upper Midwest Digital Collections Conference (#UMDCC16) will take place August 9-11, 2016 at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa (Quad Cities). The UMDCC provides opportunities for digital collections creators and curators in the region and beyond to network, share best practices, participate in hands-on workshops, and learn from leaders in digital cultural heritage. The conference will be held jointly with the 2016 CONTENTdm Users Group Meeting, sponsored by OCLC, August 10-11.
The 2016 Upper Midwest Digital Collections Conference is organized by Minitex, WiLS, and RAILS (Reaching Across Illinois Library System) and hosted by St. Ambrose University Library.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER TREVOR OWENS
Trevor Owens of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) will kick off the UMDCC conference on August 9. Trevor will introduce the National Digital Platform priority, discuss how the cultural heritage community can engage with and connect local projects to it, and share updates on the future of the initiative.
About Trevor Owens Trevor is the Senior Program Officer responsible for the development of the National Digital Platform portfolio for the Office of Library Services at IMLS. He steers an overall strategy of research, grant making, communications and policy agendas in support of the development of national digital services and resources in libraries. From 2010-15, Trevor served as a Digital Archivist with the National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program (NDIIPP) at the Library of Congress. Before that, he was the community manager for the Zotero project at the Center for History and New Media.
At WiLS, we want to bring valuable information to our library partners, including information about the missions and big ideas of the vendors they may already do business with. Each month, WiLS interviews a vendor partner in order to bridge the gap and open the door to valuable collaborations. This month, we are delighted to share insights from William Schwarting, Account Executive with Recorded Books, one of WiLS’ gold vendor partners! Read more
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 are very happy to share the insights of Scott Vrieze, Director, Learning Resources at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College and WiLS Board Member! Read more
We are very pleased to share WiLS’ 2014-2015 Annual Report! Read what we’ve been up to and what we’re going to be focusing on in the coming year. Here are just some of the highlights of last year’s efforts:
We launched MyWiLS to help making managing your cooperative purchases easier
Recollection Wisconsin became a DPLA Service hub
We helped a bunch of public libraries and systems develop strategic plans
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Trevor Owens of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) will kick off the UMDCC conference on August 9. Trevor will introduce the 
