1. Broadband funding in federal stimulus act
2. Four DPI VISTA Volunteers will be working in libraries
3. Hedberg Public Library wins "We The People" award
4. El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day)
5. Read Across America Day is March 2
6. Website of the Week - Feed the Pig
7. Calendar
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1. BROADBAND FUNDING IN FEDERAL STIMULUS ACT
The federal stimulus act (officially the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 - ARRA) includes $7.2 billion in broadband funding. Most of the funding will be in the form of competitive grants but some will also be available as low interest loans. Here are some highlights of the broadband language.
-- Funding can be used to provide access to broadband services (e.g., Internet access) to consumers in rural and other unserved areas.
-- There is $200 million for competitive grants to expand "public computer center capacity." Public libraries and community colleges are specifically referenced in the law as eligible for this funding.
-- There is $250,000,000 for competitive grants for innovative programs to encourage sustainable adoption of broadband services.
-- Funding can be used by libraries, educational institutions and other organizations for education, training, access, equipment, and support to encourage greater use of broadband services in general and to targeted populations (e.g., low-income, unemployed, seniors).
It is expected that the federal agencies, which will be administering the funding, will likely have more information available in the next month or two. Meanwhile, the American Library Association has created a website on the stimulus act (http://www.ala.org/knowyourstimulus
) and its impact on libraries. This site will be updated on a regular basis.
2. FOUR DPI VISTA VOLUNTEERS WILL BE WORKING IN LIBRARIES
Four VISTA volunteers from the Department of Public Instruction will be working with public libraries and library agencies this summer. Libraries hosting VISTA workers this summer include the Mead Public Library in Sheboygan, the Woodville Community Library, and the Milwaukee Public Library. The Reference and Loan Library will also host a VISTA volunteer. National stimulus funds allowed DPI to place these volunteers without cost in two of the libraries. During the summer VISTA workers are allowed to provide direct service and can work directly with children and families. The focus of the DPI VISTA work is on children and families living in poverty. Two additional public library placements are still possible, but arrangements must be made soon. These two would most likely also be at no cost to the library. If libraries are interested they should contact Betsy Prueter as indicated below.
The DPI is hoping to place up to 10 VISTAS in public libraries this fall. There would be no cost to the libraries for these workers. However, during the school year the VISTA work must focus on capacity building projects that lead to sustainability. They can coordinate projects, organize other volunteers, and manage outreach efforts, implement family programming and collaborate with local schools and community organizations such as setting up a free lunch distribution program for the library, but they can't perform direct service.
For more information on hosting a DPI VISTA volunteer, contact Betsy Prueter, VISTA Coordinator at DPI, at 608-267-7290 or
betsy.prueter@dpi.wi.gov.
3. HEDBERG PUBLIC LIBRARY WINS "WE THE PEOPLE" AWARD
The Hedberg Public Library in Janesville was one of 3000 libraries to receive a free collection of classic books for the fifth annual "We the People Bookshelf," thanks to a grant administered by the American Library Association (ALA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Libraries across the nation received 17 hardcover books for young readers (K-12) related to this year's "Created Equal" theme, inspired by the 2009 bicentennial year of Abraham Lincoln's birth. The Bookshelf includes Spanish translations to accompany four of the selected titles. Sharon Grover, Head of Youth Services at Hedberg Public Library, applied for the grant last year.
4. El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day)
Registration is now open to request complimentary brochures featuring an exceptional book list with bilingual, Spanish-only and English titles for children. "Celebrate ¡Celebremos!" will be used by members of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) and REFORMA, as well as libraries across the country in celebrating El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Children's Day/Book Day), also known as Día, on April 30. Día celebrates the importance of advocating literacy for every child, regardless of linguistic and cultural background.
Libraries showcase their various multicultural programs and services through Día celebrations. Día events support literacy and bridge cultures through bilingual book displays and story hours; family literacy fairs; bilingual writing projects and programs that will encourage parents to inspire their children to read. New this year, a Día Wiki is now available for libraries to share celebration ideas, tips and resources. The Wiki is available at
http://wikis.ala.org/alsc.
Día honors children, their languages and culture; encourages reading and literacy; and promotes library collections and programs that reflect the country's diverse populations. To request the "Celebrate ¡Celebremos!" brochure, please visit the Día Web site at
http://www.ala.org/dia. Libraries that register their Día events through the Web site will receive complimentary copies of the brochure, while supplies last. An interactive map showing information about registered events is also available on the Web site.
5. Read Across America DAY IS MARCH 2
On March 2, the National Education Association (NEA) is calling for every child to be reading in the company of a caring adult in observance of Read Across America Day, sponsored annually by the NEA. Now in its twelfth year, the program focuses on motivating children to read, in addition to helping children master basic skills. The nationwide reading celebration takes place each year on or near the birthday of Dr. Seuss. Across the country, thousands of schools, libraries, community centers, and more participate by bringing together kids and books. For more information or to download free resources go to
http://www.nea.org/readacross/.
6. Website of the Week
Feed the Pig -
http://www.feedthepig.org - This website, sponsored by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Advertising Council, promotes financial literacy among Americans age 25-34. The site also features links and resources to help Americans of all ages to take charge of their personal finances.
7. CALENDAR
March 13, 2009 - Council on Library and Network Development, by videoconference
March 22-24, 2009 - Wisconsin Educational Media and Technology Association Spring Conference, Madison
April 8-9, 2009 - LSTA Advisory Committee meeting, Madison
April 12-18, 2009 - National Library Week
April 21-24, 2009 - Wisconsin Association of Academic Librarians Annual Conference, Green Lake
May 6-8, 2009 - Wisconsin Association of Public Libraries Spring Conference, Wisconsin Dells
June 8, 2009 - Library Information Technology Advisory Committee, Madison
June 28-July 1, 2009 - National Educational Computing Conference, Washington D.C.
July 9-15, 2009 - American Library Association Annual Conference, Chicago
October 12, 2009 - Library Information Technology Advisory Committee, Madison
October 20-23, 2009 - Wisconsin Library Association Annual Conference, Appleton
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To access previous issues of Channel Weekly, or to subscribe or unsubscribe, go to:
http://dpi.wi.gov/channel/chweekly.html
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Roslyn M. Wise
Editor, Channel Weekly
Department of Public Instruction
Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning
PO Box 7841
Madison, WI 53707-7841
Phone: (608) 266-6439
FAX: (609) 266-8770
For questions about this information, contact Roslyn M. Wise (608) 266-6439
Last updated on 2/27/2009 11:43:29 AM
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