Memorandum:
From: Mark
Arend
Subject: Report
of the Interim Assistant Director
There is a lot of activity around the system this
spring. I would be happy to provide
further details at our next meeting, or feel free to give me a call or send an
email.
Annual reports:
The system annual report and the Plan evaluation and
certification of compliance are in your packet. I have also prepared a report of system
activity that gives a better picture of activities than the state report.
As of my writing this not all library 2004 annual reports are done yet; two of our libraries have experienced delays. I hope that they will all be done by the time we meet. Many libraries reported substantial increases in use over 2003. I will be preparing a summary of these reports for our May meeting.
Library news:
The Patterson Memorial Library in Wild Rose is the latest Winnefox member library to embark on a building program. They will be adding much-needed library and office space as well as a new community room. The tentative date for their groundbreaking is Monday 2 May.
Library programs:
Once again Culvers Restaurants is generously sponsoring a coloring contest program for National Library Week: 10-16 April. Participating libraries will be receiving prizes and coupons for all children participating.
Meetings with Sen. Olsen & Rep. Kaufert: As you know, this is a state budget year. We have set up ‘listening sessions’ with Sen. Luther Olsen, who represents much of the Winnefox service area and is a member of the Joint Finance Committee, and Rep. Dean Kaufert, who represents the Menasha & Neenah area and is co-chair of the Joint Finance Committee to meet with library users and supporters. The meeting with Sen. Olsen is scheduled for 10 AM on Friday 15 April at the Wautoma Public Library. I have also invited the three Assembly Representatives whose districts make up the 14th Senate District. The meeting with Rep. Kaufert is scheduled for Monday 4 April at 9:30 AM at the Menasha Public Library. If you are free for either meeting please consider attending, but call me a couple of days before as there’s always the possibility that these dates may change due to Legislative business.
Virtual Reference News: For almost two years we have been participating in the Ask Wisconsin Librarians virtual reference project. This allows patrons to use an Internet connected computer to send email and initiate chat sessions with a reference librarian. One drawback of this program was the limited hours of availability. I am happy to announce that this service will shortly be available full time, “24/7”.
211 Services: Winnefox & the Oshkosh Public
Library are assisting in the establishment of 2-1-1 service in
this area. 2-1-1 service
provides an easily-remembered, free number to dial for information about or
referrals to non-crisis community services. When the call center becomes operational
it will cover
Winnefox Staff Changes:
In February we hired a new van driver, Ken Bauman to replace Jerry Sitter who retired last year. It is with sadness that I note that Jerry passed away in early March.