Memorandum:
From: Mark Arend
Subject: Report of System Activities
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.
As of this writing not all libraries have completed their 2006 annual reports. I hope that they will all be done by the time we meet. I can tell you that most of our libraries had increases in the number of items checked out (circulation) in 2006; 8 of them double-digit increases. Overall there was a 6.58% increase in circulation in 2006. Since 2000 Winnefox libraries have seen a 141% increase in circulation.
Library use reimbursements across county lines: I have begun to compile figures for reimbursement across county lines but as of this writing do not have figures from libraries outside of Winnefox. I hope to have them for our May meeting.
Library programs: Once again Culvers Restaurants is generously sponsoring a coloring contest program for National Library Week: 15 - 21 April. Participating libraries will be receiving prizes and coupons for all children participating.
Legislative Update: Governor
Doyle submitted his budget proposal about a month ago. I have attached an outline of the items that
affect public libraries. The Joint
Finance Committee is currently holding hearings around the state.
Attachment
Governor Doyle’s
Proposed State Budget
On 13 February Governor Doyle presented his proposed 2007 – 2009 state budget to the Legislature. As it moves through the approval process over the next couple of months the Joint Finance Committee will study it, hold public hearings, and draft a final budget, after which it will go to each house of the Legislature for approval.
Public Library System Aids: State statutes require the DPI to request funding equal to 13% of the amount that local cities, villages, and counties fund libraries. The Governor and Legislature, however, are not required to fund systems at that level. Current library system funding is about 8% of local spending and the Governor has requested increases to keep funding at this level.
Here are the 2008 & 2009 requested amounts as well as the 2007 budgeted amount:
2008 $16,140,000
2009 $17,372,300
The Governor has recommended that a part of library system funding be paid out of the Universal Service Fund (USF). The Universal Service Fund is funded by a tax on telecommunications providers. One of its purposes is to increase access to technology and the Internet in rural areas of the state. Library systems fulfill this requirement by providing internet access and technology services to public libraries.
The Wisconsin Library Association has more information on this issue at http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/legis/systemaids.htm
Badgerlink: If you’ve used the online magazine or newspaper indexes through your library’s web site you’ve used the Badgerlink service. These reliable, up-to-date, and age-appropriate resources are available to all state residents from home, school, or office as well as at the library. The Governor has proposed increasing Badgerlink funding to maintain service at its present level. Here are the 2008 & 2009 proposed amounts as well as the 2007 budgeted amount:
2007 $2,030,500
2008 $2,061,700
2009 $2,142,200
The Wisconsin Library Association has more information on this issue at http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/legis/BadgerLink.htm
Statewide Library Service Contracts: The state has several contracts with agencies that own special collections not available elsewhere in the state or that provide special services to state residents and libraries.
· The Wisconsin Library Services (WiLS) on the UW Madison campus and the Milwaukee Public Library lend materials from their highly specialized collections.
· The Wisconsin Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped provides services to state residents who cannot use print books.
· The Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC): The CCBC is a nationally-known examination, study, and research library for librarians, teachers, early childhood care providers, students, and others interested in children's and young adult literature.
The Governor recommends increasing funding to fully support the costs of library service contracts. Here are the 2008 & 2009 proposed amounts as well as the 2007 budgeted amount:
2007 $876,900
2008 $1,134,200
2009 $1,097,200
The Wisconsin Library Association has more information on
this issue at http://www.wla.lib.wi.us/legis/contracts.htm