Memorandum:

To: Winnefox Library System Trustees

From: Mark Arend, Interim Assistant Director

Subject: Report of System Activities

Date: January 22, 2003

Greetings and Happy New Year! The following is an update of activities since our last meeting. I would be happy to provide further details at our meeting, or feel free to give me a call or send an email in advance.

Library Legislation Day:

It should come as no surprise to hear that what happens in Madison over the next few months will be crucial for libraries. The State is somewhere between 2.6 and 4.3 billion dollars in the hole, depending on whose figures you use. The Governor will be sending his proposed budget to the Legislature next month. He has said he intends to give the Legislature a "reformation budget" that will cut more than $2 billion in state spending through "enormous" cuts in services. Some state agencies may see cuts of 10 to 15%. He hopes to not cut shared revenues and school aids but is making no guarantees. At this time he does not intend to touch any of the many sales tax exemptions. Libraries potentially face a double cut. System aid cuts will mean that Winnefox will be less able to provide the services our member libraries have grown to depend on. Cuts to shared revenues will mean that local governments will have less money for municipal services. All this when libraries are facing increased demand for services and are showing record circulation. We are willing to take our fair share of the cuts but don’t want to give up more than our fair share.

It is vital that legislators get the word about the importance of libraries. They need to be reminded that, far from being an “extra” service, libraries provide citizens with the information they need to find jobs, start businesses, and educate themselves on current issues.

I don’t need to tell you how important it is to let legislators know how the current fiscal crisis could impact local libraries. If you have thoughts about this, Library Legislation Day is an excellent opportunity to make your views known. By the time we meet, advance registration will be over but you can still plan on attending. Feel free to register on-site. Winnefox will reimburse you for registration and travel.

If you cannot attend, consider writing letters or making other personal contact with your Assembly representative and Senator. They need to hear about the value of libraries often over the next six months.

System Newsletters:

ShhhhOut! About Libraries is now one-year-old Response from librarians & members of the public have been favorable. It has become an effective tool for communicating with municipal boards & library users.

CESA 6/Winnefox TEACH Grant:

Winnefox & CESA 6 are cooperating on a project to foster closer relations between public libraries & schools in the CESA 6 area (Fond du Lac, Winnebago, and Green Lake Counties). We will be sponsoring sessions to train parents to more effectively use the Internet to research school projects.

Library Director Recertification

Eight of our library directors will be renewing their certification this year. I will be working with them to help smooth out any rough places in the process.

LSTA Grants:

In 2002 we used the System Technology grant to purchase assistive technology for member libraries to enable patrons with disabilities to use computers and the Internet more easily. We were unable to purchase this technology for every library that was interested. In 2003 we will be using up to $7,700 of the $18,800 System Technology grant for assistive technology for interested libraries. The remaining $11,100 will be used to help pay for the planned upgrade of the WALS catalog/circulation system.

We will be receiving a $45,000 Shared Automation Systems grant to be used to help pay for a portion of the automation costs for three libraries to join the WALS catalog/circulation system: Fond du Lac Public Library, Packwaukee Public Library, and Mill Pond Public Library in Kingston.

For the past several years there has been a Special Needs Youth grant category. That category has been eliminated in 2003.

These figures are based on the anticipated LSTA funding. As I write this, Congress has not yet passed the FY 03 appropriations bill funding the LSTA program. Once they do we can begin these projects.

New Library Opening:

The Mill Pond library in Kingston moved to their new building over the holidays.

Staff Changes:

There have been two changes since our last meeting. Karen Lovejoy, Electronic Services Coordinator, is no longer with us. Her position was eliminated, effective the end of December. The WCTS office has a new Clerk-Page. Beverly Thada is working there about 11 hours a week, processing books for member libraries. Bev had worked for WCTS in the past, under a Bay Area Agency on Aging program