December 1999
[Document URL: http://will.state.wy.us]
Governor gives approval
State Library budget
goes to JAC for review
On Dec. 1, Gov. Jim Geringer gave his approval to Wyoming State Library’s (WSL) standard and exception budget requests for the next biennium and passed it on to the Legislature’s Joint Appropriations Committee (JAC) for review.
The budget must clear JAC before it’s submitted to the full Legislature for approval when it meets in February.
WSL requested $7.2 million in budget authority for the biennium. Of that, $3.6 million would come from the state’s general fund and $1.1 million from federal funds. The remaining $2.5 million comes from other funds, such as Wyoming Libraries Database (WYLD) user fees that are used to offset the cost of the statewide catalog system.
Increases in WSL’s proposed budget are in three areas in response to the growing needs of Wyoming libraries and patrons: database licensing, central acquisitions and telecommunications fees. State library staffing would remain steady with 28 full-time positions and one part-time.
The exception budget portion of WSL’s request covers unusual or one-time expenses. An exception request for $240,000 would expand the licensing for some of the state’s electronic resources.
"Significant interest"
Currently, WYLD has additional databases, such as EBSCO and Wilson, which are licensed for use by WYLD libraries and their patrons. The licenses do not cover use in school libraries, and Lesley Boughton, state librarian, said the school community showed "significant interest" in having those licenses expanded.
WSL’s request would extend those licenses to cover every resident of the state of Wyoming, regardless of where they accessed these electronic resources.
"It gives every resident of Wyoming access to these databases, and it protects the vendors," Boughton said.
Also in the exception budget is an increase of $450,000 in spending authority for WSL’s central acquisitions, reflecting growth in libraries’ use of that program, not any increase in overall spending at the state level. Participating libraries establish accounts and place orders for materials through central acquisitions to take advantage of the aggregate buying power and streamlined process the office provides.
Telecommunications fees
The standard budget request reflects the yearly operating needs of WSL and includes large increases in telecommunications fees this biennium. This reflects the new cost-sharing structure, which is based on IP addresses, for the state’s leased network.
With Geringer’s support for WSL’s budget, Boughton said shortfalls in state revenue may be the larger issue when the Legislature meets.
"The budget itself is quite reasonable," Boughton said. "The question is whether or not the state can raise sufficient revenue."
Children’s Book Week celebrated around the state
Children’s Book Week (CBW), Nov. 14 to 20, was celebrated around the state, and the national theme was "Plant a Seed -- Read."
In Campbell County, the library held the 20th annual CBW Bookmark Contest, and events ranged from special story times and a puppet presentation to toddlertime programs and an ice cream social.
Glenrock County Library invited third- through eighth-graders to submit an original short story. The "best of the best" was published in the Glenrock Independent’s Dec. 9 issue.
A preschool carnival with Arthur and an Afterschool Reading Club with Arthur were just a few of the activities held at the Laramie County Library System. Tales for Tots, and a Reading Roundup celebrated the week.
The Lincoln County Library invited young readers to checkout and read a book. They then drew a "gold coin" from the library’s treasure chest to buy a prize.
At Niobrara County Library, a book signing by Douglas author Sherry Fields, Molly Magrew and the Pencil Crew, was held. It is a read-aloud bedtime book.
Sheridan County Fulmer Public Library donated a "Born to Read" romper to Kyra Whitney Campbell for being the first child born during the week. Special programs were also presented.
A week of activities were held at the Sweetwater County Library System and included read-ins, a bookmark exchange and a visit from Ronald McDonald. The book character Clifford attended, and Athletes for Literacy read stories.
White Mountain Library had a different speaker each day who talked about culture, customs and foods of foreign countries.
Teton County Library sponsored a bookmark-making contest and a Harry Potter book discussion. A Kids’ Thanksgiving Hootenanny featured performers who talked about their musical instruments and entertained those attending.
Uinta County Library held an essay contest using the theme, "Why Your Library Books Were Late." The best essay was selected and the author’s library fines were forgiven. For the week, the library also accepted nonperishable items for fines. Donated items were given to the Elks for Christmas baskets.
Lyman Branch Library also asked library users, preschool to 12th grade, to give their most ingenious excuse for having an overdue book. The winner received a Children’s Book Week T-shirt. The library showed "Arthur and the Lost Library Book" and exhibited a collection of prints.
New director sets up shop in Uinta County
Ieleen "Lee" (Gregory) Mason became Uinta County Library’s newest director on Nov. 29.
She came to Uinta County from Clarion Free Library in Northwest Pennsylvania where she was the library director. She holds a master’s of library science from Clarion University of Pennsylvania.
At Clarion Free Library, Mason also was the LAN administrator. She said this experience has given her strengths in the area of technology.
Mason was attracted to Uinta County because she and her husband both enjoy the West. She said her new post allows her the opportunity to take on more responsibility as she advances in her library career.
As director, Mason said she would like to improve Uinta County Library’s technology, expand the network and get into the Wyoming Libraries Database (WYLD) system.
She replaced Frank Swan, who retired in July.
Dubois Library could move to Stalnaker Street
Expansion of the Dubois Library building is out; however, the purchase of another building may be in.
The Dubois Friends of the Library are considering purchasing a building on Stalnaker Street with about 3,400 square feet.
The existing building, which has about 1,294 feet, would have to be doubled to meet national library standards for a community the size of Dubois. Although there is room to expand the building, parking has always been a problem, and expanding the current building would leave no room for parking.
The price for the lot next to the existing library is much higher than expected. Although the land is appraised for $36,000, the owner of the property is asking $110,000. Two underground fuel storage tanks are also buried on the land.
The new proposed building, owned by Kay Connally, has good parking and good visibility.
Preliminary cost estimate for the project is about $400,000. The proposal will be presented to the Fremont County Commission in January or February.
Trustee Corner
Step back in new year
By Jerry Krois
State Deputy Librarian
As we enter a new year (I won’t let the millennium enter into this article), let’s step back from the routines and take a fresh look at Wyoming libraries and the communities we serve.
Are we responding to changing demographics and interests of the community? Are we developing and nurturing community partnerships that have real impact? Are we responding to community needs by being open the best hours to serve them? Are we ensuring that staff are equipped to deal with increasingly sophisticated technology and library users already familiar with that technology?
Do we routinely get feedback from users and non-users on practices, policies and purchases? The recent phenomenon of online book purchasing through and , as well as the growth of online subscriptions to information, reaffirms that we are a society of readers and information seekers.
Are your library statistics reflecting this trend? If not, do you know the reasons why? The number of families with home computers and Internet access increases monthly. Are you asking residents what the library should be doing and offering in this new environment?
Step back and ask yourself what it means to have a great public library in your community. Step back and ask yourself if the library is relevant to community goals and initiatives.
Step back and take a breath, then jump into the new year with renewed commitment to energize the library as a vital entity in the community, to establishing policies that nurture not restrict, and to be an advocate for library advancements.
‘Connect for Kids’ to kickoff Library Week 2000
Libraries across the country are invited to join in hosting "Connect for Kids Day" on Saturday, April 8, 2000, to kickoff National Library Week 2000.
The national event focuses attention on the variety of resources available to children and their families at the library and in their communities.
"Connect for Kids Day" is sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) with support from the Benton Foundation to highlight the central role of libraries and librarians in connecting parents and children with education, recreation and other services.
For ideas and information, see the ALA Web site at http://www.ala.org/kidsday.
A free poster/tip sheet will be mailed to all public libraries in January.
The Benton Foundation has developed a Connect for Kids Web site at http://www.connectforkids.org.
For more information or to request a poster/tip sheet, contact the ALA Public Information Office at 800/545-2433, ext. 5044/5041; fax, 312-944-8520; or email, pio@ala.org.
PPPM office offers materials to librarians
Materials produced by the Public Programs, Publications and Marketing (PPPM) office of the Wyoming State Library (WSL) are made available at no charge to librarians throughout the state.
These items include:
- "Thousands of Magazines at the Click of a Mouse" brochures that offer an overview and a short "how-to" for WYLD’s licensed databases;
- phone cards and stickers so librarians can keep WSL’s toll-free number and office extensions at their fingertips;
- Wyoming State Grant Catalogs (supply limited);
- Wyoming Libraries Directories (supply limited);
- informational brochures on the Wyoming State Library and WYLD;
- Center for the Book information; and
- subscriptions to "The Outrider," "Coming Attractions" and "Sage Readers."
For more information, or to receive any of these materials, contact PPPM at 800/264-1281, press 1, option 6; at 307/777-6338.
ALA creates Century Scholarship for disabled
A new scholarship has been created to increase the number of people with disabilities in the library and information sciences profession.
The annual $2,500 Century Scholarship is funded by an anonymous donor and administered by the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA).
The scholarship will be given to an individual or individuals for the first time at the 2000 ALA annual conference in Chicago. The application deadline is April 1, 2000.
Information is available online at
http://www.ala.org/ascla/centuryscholarship.html
and at
http://www.ala.org/work/awards/scholars.html#ASCLA.
Three Wyoming authors named
to San Francisco Top 100 list
Three Wyoming authors’ books have been named to the San Francisco Chronicle’s Top 100 Fiction Books of the 20th Century West.
Angel Fire, written by Wyoming author Ron Franscell is a contemporary literary fiction about two brothers’ necessary relationship from their childhood in a small Wyoming town to the horrors of a much more complex world.
Franscell is a newspaperman and novelist who lives in Gillettee. The book was published in 1998.
Two other Wyoming writers’ books appeared on the list; Owen Wister, The Virginian; and Annie Proulx, Close Range.
Wister’s 1902 novel is set in Medicine Bow, and Close Range was published this year.
Directory 2000 information sought
Once again, the Public Programs, Publications and Marketing office of the Wyoming State Library (WSL) is compiling a print directory of Wyoming libraries.
Wyoming Libraries Directory 2000 publication is planned for April. Librarians should expect to receive their directory update forms sometime in January along with a printout of the library’s listing. County library directors will be responsible for all branch and trustee information; no survey forms will be sent to public library branches or trustees.
Please check to make sure that all information is accurate and complete. Unless we hear from you, information will be printed exactly as it appears. All information is from the online directory at http://cowgirl.state.wy.us/directory/.
The directory lists the following:
- Library name and address;
- library’s mailing address (if different);
- head librarian and job title;
- main telephone number and/or extension, after-hours phone, fax and TDD;
- main email address and Web site;
- library hours;
- school library grade levels and districts; and
- key staff names with direct phone numbers and/or extensions, titles and email.
Since the WSL mailing lists are based on directory information, schools not in the directory are not contacted. This year, school librarians will be asked to glance at the other schools in their districts to see if any have been omitted, to try to make the school library listings more accurate.
Please be as complete as possible when returning survey forms. For example, if your library has a new trustee or employee, we need to know whom they replaced, so that person’s name can be removed from the database.
Librarians may check their information at any time through the online directory at http://cowgirl.state.wy.us/directory/ and make updates with the form at http://cowgirl.state.wy.us/directory/libraryform.cfm.
Librarians may also place their orders for the Wyoming Libraries Directory 2000 at the time they make their updates.
There is no charge for directories for participating libraries.
Questions or comments may be directed to Susan Vittitow, WSL public information specialist, at 307/777-6338 or 800/264-1281, press 1, option 6;.
Former Platte County library director dies
Ruby E. "Peggy" Preuit, former director of the Platte County Public Library, died Dec. 12 in Platte County.
She was the director of the library for 25 years and retired in 1979.
After her retirement, she served as director of the Platte County Heritage Committee to publish the book, Platte County Heritage. Preuit was also the chairwoman of the Wheatland Chronicle Committee, which produced the "Wheatland Chronicle for the Wyoming Centennial."
She was president of the Wyoming Library Association and a member of the Platte County School Board. Preuit received the Historian of the Year Award in 1991 from the Platte County Historical Society.
Preuit was a member of the Prairie Ramblers Square Dance Club, Mountain View Farm Bureau Women Club, Author’s Link, Wyoming Historical Society, Platte County Historical Society and Wheatland Study Club.
Friends may donate to the Platte County Library Foundation.
Former ALA president dies; fund established
Margaret Chisholm, a past president of the American Library Association (ALA) and former head of the University of Washington Graduate School of Library and Information Science, died of cancer Nov. 21, 1999, at age 78.
Chisholm served as the 1988-89 president of the ALA.
Under Chisholm’s leadership, the University of Wyoming Library School developed an emphasis on information technology. Her daughters, both librarians have established a fund in her name.
For information, contact the school at 206/543-1794 or email slis@u.washington.edu.
Wyoming librarians considered
‘official custodians’ of public records
It’s 10 minutes before closing time; five patrons are waiting to have their materials checked out, a teen-ager desperately needs change for the copy machine, and another patron has decided it’s the perfect time to pay a fine.
To top things off, a man is requesting to see the titles of all books and tapes his neighbor has checked out for the last five years and also wants to know about the neighbor’s computer-time use at the library. Pop quiz: Do you give him access to the information?
No; at least not in Wyoming and a majority of the other states.
Librarians are considered "official custodians" of these types of records that fall under Wyoming’s public records laws.
"Official public records" include any documents necessary to isolate and prove the validity of transactions. In the past, this has related to records of materials checked out of a library. However, in today’s electronic society another record kept by the library must also be considered -- the sign-in sheet for Internet use.
Cannot be released
Under Wyoming’s Open Meetings, Open Records Laws, "library circulation and registration records except as required for administration of the library or except as requested by a custodial parent or guardian to inspect the records or his minor child" cannot be released.
Bruce T. Moats, a Cheyenne attorney specializing in open meetings/records law and attorney for The Wyoming Press Association, said although circulation and registration records from the library are included in the law, materials accessed by minors are treated differently.
"It’s a matter of privacy," he said. "It’s personal information. There’s not a corresponding need to have it."
However, "parents can access the records of their children," he said, "this is a common exception."
Moats said law enforcement officials, through a court order, could obtain the information but this is limited to criminal cases.
Wyoming law also extends to school libraries but not to private libraries.
New dilemmas
As more libraries are able to offer patrons Internet access, librarians are facing new dilemmas. Internet access includes chat rooms, emails, sites that may offend others, and sites that could provide dangerous information.
During any Internet session, the user leaves a history of sites they have visited, and depending on the software sites, the user visited can accessible. While librarians may not be able to control the viewing of a users’ page history by someone else, under the Wyoming open records laws they can deny access to the sign-in sheet detailing who used the computer.
Moats said this area falls under the "registration" portion of the law, and to his knowledge no court case in Wyoming has attempted to challenge it.
The American Library Association (ALA) reports that in recent months, "libraries across the country have received requests seeking information concerning ‘patron and staff complaints about patrons accessing inappropriate material on public Internet terminals.’"
General guidance
The Freedom to Read Foundation asked the ALA to prepare a memorandum providing general guidance for a library to use if it receives such requests. While the ALA did not provide an opinion on the subject, a general discussion of the issue has been posted on the Web site.
Key issues include:
Libraries should identify the relevant "open records" or "freedom of information" law governing requests for public documents.
Before responding to any request, a library should determine whether one or more of the exemptions listed on the site allows the library to withhold some or all of the requested information. In fact, in some instances a library exemption may prohibit a library from producing the requested material.
The Web page’s URL ishttp://www.ala.org/alaorg/oif/foiamem.html.
To illustrate how important it is for libraries to follow the open records law of their state, the Unabomber Case is a good example. In a search of the EBSCO Database, available through WYLD, an article in the May 1, 1996, issue of the "Library Journal" stated, that as reported by The New York Times, the FBI obtained information on materials borrowed through the Lewis & Clark Library, Helena, Mont., by Theodor J. Kaczynski, "The Unabomber."
"The Unabomer" and library records
Federal agents visited all the libraries in Kaczynski’s hometown to determine what materials he either borrowed directly or through interlibrary loan. They received information about Kaczynski from a Lewis & Clark one-time volunteer.
" 'Any statements attributed to the so-called Lincoln librarian were not by a Lincoln librarian: they were by a one-time volunteer who is not a librarian and who was breaking the confidentiality of the library records law,'"said Debbie Schlesinger, director of the Lewis & Clark Library.
Information obtained from the library by the federal agency was used in the case against Kaczynski.
Libraries can also create a media headache by not releasing public information. All staff should know what records are open, which are not, and should be ready to deal with requests for information.
Frontier Days becomes a ‘Local Legacy’
for LOC 200th anniversary
Wyoming is adding a little of the "Old West" to the Library of Congress’ 200th anniversary celebration to be observed in 2000.
The state’s "Local Legacies" project, featuring Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD), was unveiled to the public and presented to Sen. Craig Thomas in December at the Cheyenne Frontier Days’ Old West Museum.
Lesley Boughton, state librarian, spearheaded the team that produced the display, which includes reproductions of Frontier Days’ posters, photos and memorabilia from the Old West Museum and Wyoming State Archives. A video showcasing rodeos, parades and a 21-page book are also included in the display.
"What we did was nominate Cheyenne Frontier Days as a contribution to the Library of Congress’ project," Thomas said.
Shirley Flynn: author and CFD historian, provided the narrative portion of the project. The narrative, along with posters and artwork, was incorporated into a booklet "Cheyenne Frontier Days" and produced by the Wyoming State Library.
"She was really the key team member," Boughton said.
Thomas said the Library of Congress’ Local Legacies project illustrates that the strength of the country is in its communities.
"You ought to be proud," he said.
Around the State
- The Wyoming Library Association convention will be held Sept. 20 to 23, 2000.
- The Sheridan County Public Library Friends of the Library held their annual action in November and raised more than $42,000 -- $6,000 more than last year. Money raised will be used to purchase books, computers and copiers. An original 1865 map of the Dakota Territories -- present-day Wyoming, Montana, North and South Dakota -- was sold for $3,000 and was the largest single price paid for an item.
- Libraries in the state recently received the Emily Stevens Book Fund gifts for 1999 from the Wyoming Outdoor Council (WOC). Established in 1997, the permanent fund provides natural-history books to libraries in the state. Each year a list of 10 to 15 books is issued from which local library staffs make selections. The WOC is a non-profit membership organization that works toward protecting and enhancing Wyoming’s environment through education and resident involvement.
- The Johnson County Library raised more than $26,000 at their recent benefit auction, Millennium Memories. The library sold 318 tickets for the benefit, and funds will be used to enhance library resources and patron services.
- Barbara Nussbaum recently announced her plans to resign as the Laramie County Library System's (LCLS) branch coordinator after 13 years of service. Her last day will be Jan. 2.
Ed Byers, who was the county librarian in 1986, hired her to oversee the operations at the Burns Branch Library.(BBL)
She will continuing to serve on the Burns Building Committee.
Elizabeth Cuckow is the new LCLS manager of information services. She began work at the library Jan. 5 as the library’s first full-time reference librarian at the information desk. She has a master’s degree in library science from the University of Arizona.
Jacque Martin has been named interim director for the Laramie County Library System Foundation (LCLSF).
The foundation plans to intensify efforts to raise funds and will concentrate on the $200,000 needed to re-model a portion of the Burns Wyoming Bank and Trust for the use by the BBL.
Ellen Crowley Suyematsu, a lifelong resident of Laramie County and a former Wyoming legislator, has become the first recipient of the Honorary Foundation Director Award from the LCLSF. She donated $5,000 toward efforts to raise $200,000 for the remodeling of the BBL. She also made a $500 donation in memory of her late husband, Tosh Suyematsu.
- Platte County Public Library has two new employees.
Susan Schamel is at the circulation desk, and Marcia Bean is the new children’s librarian.
- The 16th annual book auction sponsored by the Friends of the Park County and Powell Branch Libraries was held Dec. 2, and $3,895 was raised. The premium book up for bid, an autographed copy of Lady Doc by Caroline Lockhart, sold for $375.
- Tonya Brekke and Bonnie Stahla have joined the Crook County Library staff. Brekke is handling all the technical services for the library. Stahla took over the children’s section of the library on Sept. 14.
- Mark Sprag, whose first book, Where Rivers Change Direction, is showing up on best seller lists, read excerpts from it at Northwest College Dec. 2.
Spragg and John Giarrizzo, the artist who provided the image for the book’s cover, held a signing session. Spragg’s, Cody, book comprises 14 essays. The cover is a reproduction of Giarrizzo’s "Within the Herd," an oil painting done on masonite.
- Kenneth Thomasma, Wyoming author, presented a program to Moorcroft Elementary students in December. He told stories for the students and held writing workshops throughout the day.
- "Women Reading Women: A View from the Edge of the World" is the theme for the winter book discussion series at Teton County Library.
Four American literary masterpieces have been selected by facilitators Sandra Lambert and Katharine Conover. The program is underwritten by the Teton County Library Foundation.
- Michelle Maser has been hired to fill the Sweetwater County Library System’s full-time reference position. She replaces Suzanne Crofts who moved to Lander.
Shirley Palmer has resigned as the Rock Springs’ Youth Services librarian.
Jennifer Messer replaces Connie Thimm in White Mountain Library Youth Services. Thimm moved to circulation and replaces Linda Mitchell.
- A capital campaign to replace funds used to help cover land
acquisition costs for the Lander Library has been launched by the
Fremont County Library Foundation.
Early in 1999, the foundation granted the library board $10,000 to
complete the purchase of four lots next to the existing library. The
library board also received a $108,000 loan from the county’s budget
reserve.
Database makes a Web connection for human services
Human resources now have a comprehensive
"connection" in Wyoming through the Connect Wyoming Human Services
Gateway Web site.
Funded by a grant through the University of Wyoming, the
program was initially started by the Wyoming Institute for Disabilities
as a resource guide for people with disabilities but it developed into a
database for human resources.
The site’s URL i http://wind.uwyo.edu/connect.htm.
The site lists programs and resources available statewide and local resources specific to each county. A 2,000-keyword search will help locate information.
The project is funded by a grant from the Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Assistance Program, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, Department of Commerce.
Carbon County works on development
of library's Internet policy
Chat rooms used for the "right reasons" and emails have survived the latest round of development for Carbon County Library’s Internet policy.
Along with members of the board, library personnel continued work on the policy in November while focusing on dealing with policy violations and consequences.
Violations of the policy will range from copyright law or software licensing infractions, attempting to breach security measures and transmitting threatening, obscene or harassing materials.
The board also agrees it’s the parents’ responsibility to restrict Internet use of patrons 18 and under. All users will be required to sign "an acceptable use agreement," and users under the age of 18 must have a consent form signed by a parent.
State library staff email addresses change -- slightly
Wyoming State Library staff email addresses have changed slightly.
All email addresses ending in @missc.state.wy.us have been shortened to @state.wy.us.
However, the old addresses will continue to work for now. All @will.state.wy.us and @wyld.state.wy.us addresses will remain the same.
New ALA resource aids Internet policy development
A new resource from the American Library Association (ALA) will help librarians developing and communicating policies on Internet use.
"Libraries, Access and Intellectual Freedom" includes the Freedom to Read Statement and Development of Materials Selection Policy and can be used in conjunction with ALA’s "Intellectual Freedom Manual, Fifth Edition."
The price is $40. ALA members receive a 10 percent discount, ISBN: 0-8389-0761-X, to order, call 800/545-2433 and select 7.
Molly Magrew saga continues
Molly Magrew and the Pencil Crew Bedtime Book, was written for a grandson far away. It has also given a 17-year-old Douglas high school senior another taste of the art world.
Sherry Fields wrote Molly Magrew as a poem for her grandson who lives in Montana. She then called a Douglas High School art teacher looking for a student to illustrate the book. Isaac Horn was recommended.
The book is available in bookstores and gift shops across Wyoming or at P.O. Box 940, Douglas, Wyo. 82633.
Portions of the books can be viewed at http://www.mollymagrew.com.
Fields is working on the next Molly Magrew book for her other grandchildren.
WYLD Things
- Several more Wyoming Libraries Database (WYLD) member libraries will begin using the Wyoming Equality Network for telecommunications in late December and January.
- These libraries include Western Wyoming College, Eastern Wyoming College and East and Central High Schools in Cheyenne. The Wyoming State Library (WSL) has been working with the Wyoming Information Technology Division's Telecommunications Section, the Wyoming Department of Education and U S WEST to resolve any problems with WYLD operations on the Equality Network.
- Early problems associated with the TELNET protocol have been addressed through the establishment of a static route between the two systems. IP-recognized access to third-party databases has been accomplished through assignment of institution-wide IPs to each college and school district. A plan is in place to resolve the remaining problems with Ariel.
- After studying many possible models, the WYLD Fees/Statistics Committee forwarded a proposed recommendation for new WYLD fees to the Governing Board and State Library. Fees would take effect on July 1, 2000. The committee settled on a population-based formula that, when combined with E-Rate discounts, should result in very few financial increases for WYLD libraries and stimulating use of the system.
- The WYLD office at WSL is developing a process to automate the discard process. Weeded materials can be submitted to a central list for selection by other libraries. The searchable list is located at
http://cowgirl.state.wy.us/ccd/.
- The WYLD Governing Board has asked the WYLD Online Quality Committee to work with the WYLD office to produce an online Wyoming union list of periodicals.
- This list will also contain information on titles available electronically through licenses to EBSCO, Wilson and Electric Library. Several libraries have already produced similar products locally, revealing the need for the new list.
- The board has requested a prototype of the new product, which will also be available in print format, to be ready for review in February.
News Briefs
- A new electronic discussion list for those interested in using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) has been created.
- To subscribe to the list, send email to . The email needs to include "gis4lib, first name, last name." To submit questions, send email to gis4lib@u.washington.edu.
- The Library of Congress (LOC) has published a new publication, "A Library Head Start to Literacy."
- It is filled with ideas and information about how Head Start teachers, participants and parents can promote family literacy through collaborations with librarians and museum specialists who serve children.
- The book originated from a series of workshops and planning meetings held between 1992 and 1996. In 1996, Wyoming sent about 18 representatives to a Colorado/Wyoming meeting.
Copies of the book are available for $6.50 -- to cover shipping and handling -- from the Association for Library Service to Children, 800/545-2433, option 7.
- The June 1999 edition of "Subject Index to Literature on Electronic Sources of Information" is available at http://library.usask.ca/~dworacze/SUBJINA.HTM.
- The May 1999 issue of "Integrated Library System Reports" (ILSR) is available at http://www.ilsr.com. It contains the ILSR’s "Vendor Survey: Full Results."
- John W. Berry, executive director of NILRC: a consortium of community colleges, colleges and universities, River Forest, Ill., and Claudia Sumler, director of the Camden County Library in New Jersey, are candidates for the 2001-02 presidency of the American Library Association (ALA).
- The mail-ballot election will be held this spring.
Donations sought
Wamsutter prepares for branch library
- The library is coming to town.
- Residents and businesses of Wamsutter are pitching in to make the library a reality, and a Boy Scout is focusing his efforts on the library too.
- The idea to create the sixth rural branch library in Sweetwater County originated with Helen Higby, director of the Sweetwater County Library System (SCLS).
- Colleen Eifealdt, who is taking the lead to help the town gain the library, told the Rock Springs Rocket Miner that the town approved two town lots to set up a trailer donated by Amoco. She is seeking donations.
- Mark Lyon, who is working on his Eagle Scout project, has placed book collection boxes around town.
- He is asking for donations of books, videotapes, books on
tape, and subscriptions for Wyoming and regional newspapers and
magazines.