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Special Patron Records

CVTC Student and Employee records

CVTC and MORE video demo
Video note: MORE-member public libraries should also issue a local public library card to these patrons

CVTC student and employee data is used to create or update MORE patron records each week. This means CVTC students and employees:

  • Have access to CVTC library resources and shared MORE resources upon enrollment
  • Can visit a MORE-member public library to have their CVTC patron record upgraded to a CVTC MORE account. A CVTC MORE account:
    • Allows the patron to check out materials from any MORE-member library, public or CVTC
    • Allows access to shared electronic resources like Wisconsin’s Digital Library via Libby

To upgrade to a CVTC MORE account, staff must update the existing CVTC ONLY patron record in Sierra:

  1. Search for the patron by name or CVTC ID number
  2. When opening the CVTC ONLY record in Sierra, this message appears:
    CVTC Only message
  3. Change the fixed-field values at the top of the patron record as specified in the message:
    • COUNTY: the patron’s county of residence
    • PTYPE: to 65 – CVTC MORE Student or 66 – CVTC MORE Employee
    • Home Library: to a MORE-member public library
    • ACT 150 LOC: the patron’s city, village, or town of residence
  4. Issue a local library card:
    • Leave the short CVTC ID (00+6 digits) in the existing barcode field
    • Insert a second barcode field with the public library card number

Notes:

  • Primarily students and employees coded as “active” by CVTC will have patron records in MORE
  • CVTC students and employees may have duplicate patron records, per MORE’s Patron Registration Policy. It is not necessary to check for, report, or delete duplicate records for CVTC affiliates
  • Patrons may use either their CVTC MORE patron record to check out at a MORE-member public library, or a previously-issued MORE-member public library account
  • Approximately 1 year after a CVTC student or employee is coded as “inactive” by CVTC:
    • CVTC ONLY patron records will be purged, unless there is associated library activity
    • CVTC MORE patron records will be updated to MORE-member public library accounts, or merged with previously-issued MORE-member public library accounts

MORE E-card records

Patrons can register online for a MORE e-card, allowing access to MORE’s shared electronic resources. Upon submitting the registration form:

  • Patrons receive a short barcode number on a confirmation screen and via email that can be used for accessing resources
  • A new patron record is created in Sierra with patron type (PTYPE): 25, Online Patron Registration.

If a patron has a MORE e-card and wants to access physical library materials, the patron should complete your library’s standard MORE registration process/form, and staff should update the existing e-card patron record in Sierra.

  1. Search for the patron by name or e-card barcode number
  2. When opening the e-card record in Sierra, this message appears:
    Online patron registration message
  3. Change some fixed-field values at the top of the existing e-card record to match what is usually entered for new patrons, and verify the information supplied online by the patron.
  • EXP DATE: Enter your library’s standard future date here
  • COUNTY: Verify
  • P TYPE: Change to the standard Adult or Juvenile
  • BIRTH DATE: Verify
  • HOME LIBR: Change to your library, or the library the patron will use most often
  • PMESSAGE: change to –
  • MBLOCK: change to –
  • ACT150 LOC: Use the one associated with their place of residence
  • Notice Preference: From registration form
  • Verify name, address, and email address
  • Enter phone number if provided
  • MESSAGE: remove
  • P BARCODE: replace with a real, standard barcode

Durand student records

Durand Community Library has created MORE patron records for Durand-Arkansaw School District students who use the shared school/community library. These records contain minimal patron information. To check out MORE-member public library materials with these accounts, the patron should complete the standard registration process, and library staff should update the record fully (see fields to check in E-card section).


Patron records with MBLOCK = z

Accounts sent to a materials recovery service (“Collection”)

If a patron has at least one billed item and owes at least $25, some libraries send the account to a materials recovery service for follow-up billing. This service is currently used by Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, and Menomonie based on the patron type (P TYPE) value in the patron record, and by Balsam Lake and Ladysmith based on the home library in the patron record.

Note that a “collection agency reporting charge” is added to these patron accounts, but submission to the materials recovery service does not adversely affect the patron’s credit score.

All customers who have been sent to “collection” will have a “Z” in the MBLOCK field of their account. NEVER remove this block. When the customer pays off their account, you may have to override this block to allow them to checkout but NEVER remove it.

It is removed overnight when the materials recover service is notified that the account was paid in full. If you remove the “Z”, the account will never be closed and the customer will still get mail from the materials recover service asking for payment.

Updating Accounts

In general, you may update the free text fields [blue square] of the customer’s account.

However, if you see a “Z” in the MBLOCK field [red circle], a good rule of thumb is you should not update the fixed fields [green square] in the customer’s account. The only exception to this would be to update the ACT 150 and COUNTY info if the address in the address field has changed. NEVER update the HOME LIB or the P TYPE.

Collecting Fines/Fees

For accounts at collections, the account balance must be paid to $0 (not under $10 as is true with accounts not at “collections”).

When a customer is at “collections” and is paying in increments, please apply payments in this order:

  1. Replacement fees: Fill out reimbursement slips for replacement fees as indicated by the owning location of the charged items
  2. Overdue fees
  3. “Collection agency” fees: Fill out reimbursement slips for the collection agency fees as indicated by the charge location UNLESS there is a message in the customer account indicating that the reimbursement should be sent elsewhere.

Paying the “collection agency” fee last will ensure that their account gets to the “paid in full” status if the customer pays in increments which will stop contact from the materials recover service. Partial payment is not allowed on the $10.00 “collection” fee. That must be paid in full.


Upcoming Check-ins:

October 13, 2-3:30:  Disinformation Virtual Escape Room and Discussion.   Misinformation, disinformation, and manipulation of facts are prevalent and can be tricky to spot. Librarians have been trying to find a way to share information about this and empower their communities to develop the skills to recognize and avoid spreading disinformation, and the iSchool at University of Washington has come up with a cool tool for librarian’s toolboxes! Join Katelyn and Leah for a trial run of a virtual escape room designed to help teens and adults learn about the topic, and then a debrief and discussion to help figure out how you might apply this to your own situations.  To participate fully, you will need a microphone. Extra points for having your camera on!        Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEud-qsqTsvE9ytrJetnLemxR2uPy7NkFtq

November 16, 1-2:  Youth Services Virtual Check-in–Service to School Age Kids.  We’ll take this opportunity to get to know each other a little better and talk about what is going well and what is challenging about programs, outreach, collections, promotion, and relationship-building for school age kids.  Watch for information to join via email, or contact Leah for information.

3-M Visiting Wizards Workshop

Many thanks to Barb Krueger from Deer Park for sharing information this cool upcoming workshop, full of interactive activities and exhibitors from museums and presenters from the western part of Wisconsin and the Twin Cities area.  September 30, 3-6:30 at the 3-M Center in Maplewood, MN.

September Youth Services Check-in Follow-up

Twenty one youth services librarians in one place!  Very exciting.  We had a fabulous tour of the renovated library in Eau Claire from Kelly Witt (there was some jealousy, I will admit).  Then a rousing discussion about what went well this summer, along with discussion about prizes, record keeping, Beanstack, and what the goal is of the summer program.  We followed that up with some small-group conversations about responding to people who are concerned about items in the collection, displays, or programs–whether they are curious or furious.  The focus of the discussions was:

  • How to de-escalate and connect with the person
  • How to stay calm yourself
  • How to stay on-message (and clarifying what the message is)

Some great ideas that came from your peers (and from Cecelia Cole, the IFLS Resource Sharing and Collection Consultant):

  • Actively listen–make sure the person knows you hear what they are saying.  You don’t need to respond IMMEDIATELY.  Make sure you understand their concern first.
  • Try a calm and gentle tone
  • Let people know you will speak with the director about this (and then make sure you do that–also create a paper trail)
  • Prepare ahead of time with:
    • policies
    • procedures
    • making sure everyone is on the same page and there is consistency
    • PRACTICE and talk about this as a staff before something happens
    • Think about open records requests that might occur
    • Developing strong relationships with community members
  • Messages:
    • The library is a service for the whole community
    • Offering to help them find materials that they might appreciate more
    • “It’s great you are monitoring your kids’ reading.  You have every right to limit your own child’s choices, but there are other parents who want their children to have access to this information/these titles.”
    • Consider talking about data for some situations:  for instance, what percentage of the collection is about LGBTQIA+ people? (collection audits can be useful for this–watch for more resources coming soon about this, but in the meantime check out this webinar!)
  • Taking care of yourself
    • Navigating personal attacks is really difficult, especially in a small town.  If you need to separate yourself from the situation and you are not the director, consider not attending board meetings.
    • Remember that a lot of things are out of your control and be kind to yourself.
    • Remember that the overwhelming majority of people are against censorship.
  • Watching out for self-censorship:  how do you keep track of the desire to avoid controversy?  Examine what you are doing and why.
  • Remember to check out the frequently-updated IFLS resource on preparing for and dealing with challenges, and don’t forget to reach out to us at IFLS if you want to talk more about any of this–especially Cecelia and Leah!

Interlibrary Loan

What is ILL and when should I use it?

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is the process by which a library requests materials from, or supplies materials to, another library.

ILL is an adjunct to, not a substitute for, adequate collection development in local libraries. Use ILL to provide your patrons access to materials that are not available in your library or in your shared system. For more information, see the links below.

IFLS ILL Staff Contacts: Katie Shay (ILL Consultant), and Cecelia Cole (Resource Sharing & Collection Consultant)

You can also contact IFLS ILL staff by sending an email to ill@ifls.lib.wi.us, or contacting the IFLS Help Desk by clicking the green button or emailing helpdesk@ifls.lib.wi.us

 

Not finding what you need here?

Try searching the Article Index.

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MORE guidelines for damaged item billing

Approved by MORE Directors Council, September 16, 2022; effective October 17, 2022

Use these guidelines as part of the Damaged Items Procedure to determine whether an item’s damage is potentially chargeable, or not chargeable. If damage qualifies as “not chargeable,” no MORE-member library may charge any amount to any party for this damage.

Printable guidelines (PDF)

New Items

10 circs or fewer: item’s TOT CHKOUT value is 1-10

Old Items

11 circs or more: item’s TOT CHKOUT value is 11+
OR
item is 3 years old or more: item’s Created date is 3 years or more in the past

  • Mold                                                 
  • Suspected biological matter/food
  • Chew marks

 Potentially chargeable

  1. Contact the owning library for permission to discard. Do not send moldy items via courier
  2. Owning library may bill and makes a collection-related decision. MORE recommends weeding these items
  • Mold                                                 
  • Suspected biological matter/food
  • Chew marks

Potentially chargeable

  1. Contact the owning library for permission to discard. Do not send moldy items via courier
  2. Owning library may bill and makes a collection-related decision. MORE recommends weeding these items
  • Water damage
  • Colored liquid
  • Stains

Potentially chargeable

  1. Complete a Damaged Item Form and route to owning library OR contact owning library’s Damaged Item Contact
  2. Owning library may bill and makes a collection-related decision.
  • Water damage
  • Colored liquid
  • Stains

Not chargeable

  1. No charge to patron
  2. Continue to circulate if condition allows OR Complete a Damaged Item Form and route to owning library OR contact owning library’s Damaged Item Contact
  3. Owning library makes a collection-related decision
  • Torn pages, 2″ inches or more
  • Writing                               
  • Non-functioning items
  • Library Labels (barcodes, RFID tags, spine labels, etc.)
  • Disc broken
  • Locking Case Damage

Potentially chargeable

  1. Complete a Damaged Item Form and route to owning library OR contact owning library’s Damaged Item Contact
  2. Owning library may bill and makes a collection-related decision.
  • Torn pages, 2″ inches or more
  • Writing                         
  • Non-functioning items
  • Library Labels (barcodes, RFID tags, spine labels, etc.)
  • Locking Case Damage

Potentially chargeable

  1. Complete a Damaged Item Form and route to owning library OR contact owning library’s Damaged Item Contact
  2. Owning library may bill and makes a collection-related decision. 
  • Binding
  • Torn pages, 2″ inches or less
  • Disc damage (scratches, etc) 
  • Non-locking case damage

Not chargeable

  1. No charge to patron
  2. Complete a Damaged Item Form and route to owning library OR contact owning library’s Damaged Item Contact
  3. Owning library makes a collection-related decision. MORE recommends weeding if cracked hub or scratches cannot be repaired
  • Binding
  • Torn pages, 2″ inches or less
  • Disc broken
  • Disc damage (scratches, etc) 
  • Non-locking case damage

Not chargeable

  1. No charge to patron
  2. Complete a Damaged Item Form and route to owning library OR contact owning library’s Damaged Item Contact
  3. Owning library makes a collection-related decision. MORE recommends weeding if cracked hub or scratches cannot be repaired

Collection-related decisions for owning libraries

No billing
Continue to circulate
  1. Address damage if possible (repair, replace parts, etc.)
  2. Add a “damage” mark or label to the inside front cover of the damaged item
  3. Add a note to the item record in Sierra
Withdraw Follow your library’s local practice for removing items from your collection
Billing
Bill the patron
  1. Add a message to the item record in Sierra
  2. Mark the item as lost
  3. Print and send bill
Bill the circulating library Request payment from the circulating library (payment preferences may vary by library)
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Damaged Items Procedure

Effective October 17, 2022

It is the responsibility of circulation staff at every library to check incoming items for any damage or missing parts.

Video demo: checking for damage

If the damage has been noted by the owning library inside the item, check in and continue to circulate.

Examples of damage noted by owning libraries. These messages indicate that the item should circulate as-is, unless damaged beyond what is noted:
"Edge stains noted" message written on the edge of a board bookRed "Damaged" stamp with hand-written description of damageDamage report label with options for indicating damage
Damage Report labels to be printed on Avery 5160 labels (PDF)
Template for customized Damage Report labels (Microsoft Publisher – PUB)

Follow IFLS’s Damaged ILL guidelines if the item belongs to or was loaned by your library to a library outside the MORE consortium via ILL (interlibrary loan).

If the damage has not been noted by the owning library, use MORE’s guidelines for damaged item billing to determine whether the damage is potentially chargeable, then identify the procedure to follow depending on how the item arrived at your library and whether it’s owned by your library or another MORE-member library.

Is the damage potentially chargeable?

See MORE’s guidelines for damaged item billing

If the guidelines indicate that damage is “Not chargeable,” no MORE-member library may charge the patron or another library.

Damaged item arrived in courier

Damage appears to have occurred while in-transit

1. The receiving library must open an IFLS Help Desk ticket immediately
2. IFLS staff will provide further direction

Damage does not appear to have occurred while in-transit

Item is owned by another library and damage is potentially chargeable

  1. Fill out the Damage form
  2. Insert the form in the item as a flag or use removable tape to attach it to the outside of the item over the barcode
  3. Return the item to the owning library by checking it in.
    • If any holds are triggered, select “Check in – do not fulfill Hold.”
    • If the item is incoming for your patron, transfer the hold if there are other copies that could fulfill it.
  4. When receiving the damaged item, the owning library must do one of the following:

Item is owned by another library and damage is not chargeable

  • If you do not want to circulate the item as-is:
    1. Fill out the Damage form
    2. Insert the form in the item as a flag or use removable tape to attach it to the outside of the item over the barcode
    3. Return the item to the owning library by checking it in

OR

  • Contact the owning library’s damaged item contact to ask if the item can be circulated as-is.
    • If the owning library requests that you do not circulate the item:
      1. Fill out the Damage form
      2. Insert the form in the item as a flag or use removable tape to attach it to the outside of the item over the barcode
      3. Return the item to the owning library by checking it in
    • If the owning library gives permission to circulate the item, add a message to the item record: “ITEM ARRIVED IN COURIER WITH [describe damage]. CIRCULATED ONCE PER [staff person or director] at [owning] LIBRARY”
      1. Checkin item, fulfill hold, and circulate to customer.
      2. When a message like this pops up after being returned by a customer, print the message out.
        1. Checkin but do not fulfill any holds.
        2. Fill out the Damage form
        3. Tape the message slip to the bottom of the yellow slip.
        4. Route item to owning library.

When receiving the damaged item, the owning library must do one of the following:

    • Repair the damage and remove the damage message
    • Note the damage on the inside of the front cover, return the item to circulation, remove the damage message
    • Withdraw the item

Item is owned by your library but no damage form is attached

Damage is chargeable
  1. Determine the library that sent your item back to you (“the library of last transaction”). Open an IFLS Help Desk ticket if you need help figuring out which library that was.
  2. Work with the sending/check-in library to determine responsibility for the item replacement. Options include adding a bill to the patron record or requesting payment from that library. This form (.docx) can be customized and sent with the damaged item back to the sending/check-in library
  3. If the patron will be billed, the sending/check-in library should notify their patron to expect the bill.
Damage is not chargeable

As the owning library, do one of the following:

  • Repair the damage and return the item to circulation
  • Note the damage on the inside of the front cover and return the item to circulation
  • Withdraw the item

Item is owned by your library with damage form attached

When the owning library receives the item, they will do one of the following:

  1. If no charge will be assessed, check it in and remove the messages
  2. If replacement is needed:
    1. Bill the patron responsible for the damage, and cancel any holds if no other copies are available. This form (.docx) can be used by the owning library when returning a billed item to the circulating library so the patron can keep the item after paying. 
    2. Bill the library that filled a hold with the damaged item, and cancel any holds if no other copies are available.
    3. If an individual part was damaged, add a manual charge for the part.

A damaged item is returned to your library directly, not via courier

Item is owned by your library

Follow local procedure for damaged items and do one of the following:

  • Repair the damage
  • Note the damage on the inside of the front cover and return the item to circulation
  • Bill the patron responsible for the damage, and cancel any holds if no other copies are available
  • Withdraw the item, and cancel any holds if no other copies are available.

Item is not owned by your library

Damage is potentially chargeable

Video demo: returned with potentially-chargeable damage

  1. Do not check it in; it will need to remain on the patron’s record.
  2. Notify the patron that the item was returned damaged and that the owning library will charge either the full replacement cost or a fee for the damage.
  3. Fill out a Damage form, insert it in the item as a flag or tape it to the outside of the item over the barcode and put it in the courier.  DO NOT write a note, stick something in the middle of the book, or anything else that would make it difficult to find and figure out the problem with the item.
  4. Add a message to the item record stating “ITEM IN TRANSIT FROM [your library] TO [owning library] FOR POTENTIAL BILLABLE DAMAGE [date]”
  5. Add a message to the patron record stating “[item record number] RETURNED DAMAGED, ROUTED TO [owning] LIBRARY FOR ASSESSMENT [date]”
  6. When the owning library receives the item, they will do one of the following:
    1. If no charge will be assessed, check it in and remove the messages
    2. If replacement is needed:
      1. Bill the patron responsible for the damage, and cancel any holds if no other copies are available.
        This form (.docx) can be used by the owning library when returning a billed item to the circulating library so the patron can keep the item after paying
      2. Bill the library that filled a hold with the damaged item, and cancel any holds if no other copies are available.
    3. If an individual part was damaged, add a manual charge for the part

Damage is not chargeable

  • Check the item in
    • If no holds are triggered:
      1. Fill out and follow instructions on the Damage form
      2. Insert the form in the item as a flag or use removable tape to attach it to the outside of the item over the barcode
    • If any holds are triggered:
      • If you do not want to circulate the item as-is, do not fulfill any holds. Fill out and follow instructions on the Damage form OR
      • Contact the owning library’s damaged item contact to ask if the item can be circulated as-is.
        • If the owning library requests that you do not circulate the item, fill out and follow instructions on the Damage form
        • If the owning library gives permission to circulate the item, add a message to the item record: “ITEM ARRIVED IN COURIER WITH [describe damage]. CIRCULATED ONCE PER [staff person or director] at [owning] LIBRARY”
          • Fulfill hold, and circulate to customer.
          • When a message like this pops up after being returned by a customer, print the message out.
            1. Checkin but do not fulfill any holds.
            2. Fill out the top portion of the yellow slip (with routing and item information)
            3. Tape the message slip to the bottom of the yellow slip.
            4. Route item to owning library.
  • When receiving the damaged item, the owning library must do one of the following:
    • Repair the damage
    • Note the damage on the inside of the front cover and return the item to circulation
    • Withdraw the item, and cancel any holds if no other copies are available.

A patron claims responsibility for item damage and wants to pay

  1. Mark the item as lost.
  2. Add the bill.
  3. Collect the money. If the item is owned by another library, payment must go to the owning library. In order of ease:
    1. Suggest the patron pay online
    2. Have the patron make a check out to the owning library. Make sure to include the MORE reimbursment form when sending payment to the owning library.
    3. No cash may be sent via courier. If the patron pays with cash, follow local procedures to get a check to the owning library. Make sure to include the MORE reimbursment form when sending payment to the owning library.

Wisconsin Homeschooling Parents Association 101—Library Edition

Virtual event, Thursday August 18, 1-2:30 pm.

Late summer is often a time when families are making decisions about the upcoming school year, particularly about homeschooling. Sometimes they turn to public libraries for information and resources to help them make this decision and gather information. To help us get ready, Rebecca Ahl from the Wisconsin Homeschooling Parents Association (WHPA) will provide us with an overview of homeschooling in Wisconsin, Wisconsin laws and resources, and information about the Wisconsin Homeschooling Parents Association. There will be ample time for questions and discussion.  A recording will be available until September 1.  Register here to attend live!

Youth Services In-Person Check-In
L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, September 13, 1-3 pm

Explore the Eau Claire Public Library’s new digs—expanded youth services and teen areas, a bigger maker space, and a gorgeous new meeting room!  We’ll have time to connect and debrief about what went well this summer, and what was challenging.  And see each other!  I’ll bring some programming and maker kits to explore, too.  Please register by September 9.

 

And in case it is closer or a better fit for you, you are welcome to join the WVLS librarians on September 24 at the Marathon County Public Library in Wausau

Middle Grade Author Claire Swinarski Visit and Youth Social at MCPL, September, 24, 2022 | 2:00pm

  • Librarian social 2pm, Author presentation 2:30pm
  • As part of the sixth annual Central Wisconsin Book Festival author Claire Swinarski is presenting on writing middle grade and what makes a great middle grade book for local public and school librarians. You can read more about Claire’s books here.
  • Come at 2pm for a librarian social before the presentation and play with tables of makerspace kits. A tour of the MCPL youth spaces will follow the presentation.

I hope to see you at one or more of these events.  AS always, please let me know if you have questions or concerns!

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2022 County Funding Request (Deadline and info)

Please contact John if you have any questions. thompson@ifls.lib.wi.us

Deadline

The absolute final deadline is no later than July 1, 2022.

It is best to file your request early.  PLEASE NOTE:  Federal Funds are not included in the formula so if you received Federal Funds from LSTA, CARES or other Federal sources those amounts need to be subtracted.

For Barron County Libraries and libraries in adjacent counties—The Barron County Administrator has stated that any request received after the due date WILL NOT be paid.

IFLS has developed a library administration timeline, also under the Library Administration header on the Article Index.

Additional Guidance from John

For new directors who have not filed requests in the past there should be a saved letter/form from previous year requests.  Each county may have a little different format that they require but the basic formula is—

  • Total Expenditures divided by Total Circulation equals Cost Per Circulation
  • Cost per Circulation multiplied by the circulation to those without a library for home county and adjacent counties.
  • Section III 1 a. Total Circulation
  • Section VI. Line 6 minus Line 7  Total Expenditures minus Federal Funds
  • Multiple by Section XI. 2b for Those without a Library for Home County
  • Multiple by Section XI 9 a, b, c, d, …… for adjacent counties

Counties typically want a copy of your annual report along with a copy of the MORE reports listing circulation by ACT 150 locations (or similar reports from your circulation system). Rusk County sent out an email to libraries in the adjacent counties requesting the breakdown by ACT 150 location (They first requested the information in 2019).

Statute Reference

2) By July 1 of each year, each public library lying in whole or in part in a county shall provide a statement to the county clerk of that county and to the county clerk of each adjacent county, other than a county with a population of at least 500,000, that reports all of the following:

43.12(2)(a) (a) The number of loans of material made by that library during the prior calendar year to residents of the county, or adjacent county, who are not residents of a municipality that maintains a public library under s. 43.52 or 43.53.

43.12(2)(b) (b) If the library is in a county that is adjacent to a county with a consolidated library system, the number of loans of material made by that library during the prior calendar year to residents of the adjacent county who are not residents of a municipality that contains a branch of the consolidated library.

43.12(2)(c) (c) The total number of loans of material made by that library during the previous calendar year.

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Challenge Support & Intellectual Freedom Resources

Across the United States, including Wisconsin, libraries and schools are experiencing an increase in challenges to materials.  When people have questions or concerns about items in the collection, it is important that libraries are ready to respond appropriately to ensure that the library’s mission, policies, and procedures are upheld and clearly communicated.

The resources listed below will help library staff prepare for and respond to materials challenges and requests for reconsideration. In addition, directors and managers are encouraged to review their local policies and procedures with staff to prepare for handling complaints as they arise.

Can’t find what you’re looking for here? Use this search box to search the IFLS Article Index.

Need help answering specific questions or finding additional resources?

Click on the green HelpDesk button and we’ll make sure the right IFLS staff gets that message right away. Can’t find the green button? Use this email: helpdesk@ifls.lib.wi.us.

There’s no wrong door! You can contact these IFLS staff for support on this topic:

Cecelia Cole, Resource Sharing and Collection Consultant cole@ifls.lib.wi.us

Leah Langby, Library Development and Youth Services Coordinator langby@ifls.lib.wi.us

Katelyn Noack, Public Services Consultant noack@ifls.lib.wi.us

John Thompson, Director thompson@ifls.lib.wi.us

Preparing for Materials Challenges

START HERE – Checklist: Preparing for Materials Challenges at Your Library (IFLS)

This checklist, created by IFLS staff, will guide you through four steps to prepare for materials challenges at your library.

Collection Development Policy Example (IFLS – updated 2024)

Please feel free to use this policy as a template when updating or creating your own. This example has been carefully reviewed by IFLS and is based on updated recommendations from experts and librarians.

Other Recommended Resources:

Diversity Resources (CCBC)

Selection & Reconsideration Policy Toolkit (ALA)

What IF…Forum (CCBC)

State Handbooks (WI DPI) – The following handbooks and recommended chapters are available by scrolling to the bottom of each page:

Administrative Essentials: A Handbook for Wisconsin Public Library Directors

  • AE 1: The Mission of the Public Library
  • AE 15: Policies and Procedures

Trustee Essentials: A Handbook for Wisconsin Public Library Trustees

  • TE 22: Freedom of Expression and Inquiry
  • TE 23: Dealing with Challenges to Library Materials or Policies

Responding to Materials Challenges

START HERE – Checklist: Responding to Challenges (IFLS)

This checklist, created by IFLS staff, will guide you through four steps when responding to materials challenges.

Other Recommended Resources:

Intellectual Freedom Information Services (CCBC) IFLS staff pick: best resource

Steps to Take When Materials are Challenged (CCBC) IFLS staff pick: best resource

Book Resumes: Unite Against Book Bans (ALA)

Action Toolkit: Unite Against Book Bans (ALA)

Challenge Support (ALA)

Book Banning Resources (We Need Diverse Books)

Program & Display Challenges

START HERE – Preparing for Potential Pushback – A Library Program Checklist

This checklist, created by Kristina Gomez, Community Engagement Librarian at Madison Public Library, will guide you through the steps to prepare for and respond to program challenges.

Programming and Displays Policy EXAMPLE (IFLS)

Please feel free to use this policy as a template when updating or creating your own. This example has been carefully reviewed by IFLS and is based on updated recommendations from experts and librarians.

Other Recommended Resources:

Responding to and Preparing for Controversial Programs and Speakers Q&A (ALA)

Statements of Support

 

WEIGH IN ON UPCOMING YOUTH SERVICES CHECK-INS

We really want to make Youth Services Check-Ins work for YOU.  If you are at all interested in checking in with other YS library workers, please take 5 minutes (tops!) to fill out this survey by April 28. 

BEANSTACK WEBINARS

Wisconsin Libraries: Summer 2022 PrepWed, April 20, 3:00pm
Join Becky from Beanstack for an hour of Summer Prep and updates for Wisconsin Libraries! We’ll discuss some tips for a successful summer, go over a few ways to ensure you’re getting the most out of Beanstack, and discuss coming updates and enhancements. We’ll also spend some time discussing how your library can connect with your local school via our Tandems feature, and what this means for your programming going forward! This session will be recorded and shared with registered attendees. Register here!

Wisconsin Libraries: New Library/Library Restart Info MeetingTuesday, April 26, 2:00pm
Are you a library wanting to get things started with Beanstack or a new Beanstack admin who isn’t sure where to start or what to do? Then this session is for you! We’ll discuss some Beanstack basics, some tips for a successful summer, and discuss upcoming updates and enhancements. We’ll also spend some time discussing how your library can connect with your local school via our Tandems feature, and what this means for your programming going forward! This session will be recorded and shared with registered attendees. Register here!

UPDATED PROGRAM AND ACTIVITY COUNT TRACKER (for Annual Report Data)

The Program and Activity Count Tracker for 2022 is now available from the Public Library Annual Report webpage.  This event tracker makes things so much easier when it comes time to fill out the Annual Report, and the updated one reflects the changes in reporting that will be required for 2022’s Annual Report (including expanding the Target Audience age categories to be more specific).  If you have questions about this, please let me know and I’ll try to help you through it.

COLLABORATIVE SUMMER LIBRARY PROGRAM RESOURCES

First, if you haven’t yet delved into the CSLP Manual, remember this is an excellent resource for planning, and it is available to you for free thanks to DPI’s statewide subscription.  The manual is online and is protected by passwords, please let me know if you need me to re-send information on accessing it.

Next, from the YSS Blog:  The most recent CSLP (Collaborative Summer Library Program) e-newsletter contained PDF’s of fun and educational activity sheets you can use for this summer’s ocean theme. The activity sheets come from NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).

View the full CSLP e-newsletter here.

Subscribe to the CSLP e-newsletter here.

INDIGENOUS VOICES 2022 free webinars

Many thanks to Kathy Larson (River Falls) for sharing this ALSC blog post by Dr. Debbie Reese about an upcoming webinar series May 24 and 25 featuring conversations between fantastic authors and illustrators like Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee), Angeline Boulley (Sault St. Marie Chippewa), Traci Sorell (Cherokee), and Michaela Goade (Tlingit and Haida).  The series is FREE and looks amazing.  Register here.

Yesterday we had a very cool check-in, with 38 brilliant brains in one Zoom call.  We are looking for your ideas and feedback about upcoming youth services check-ins, so please take a few moments to fill out this form And keep reading for some of the great ideas and resources that came up during our discussion!  LOTS of stuff!  I will post on the IFLS Keeping Up with Kids Blog, too.

1KB4K—What’s working

  • Book to build home libraries as incentives.  Ada from Antigo mentioned they have drastically increased the number of books they give away (every 100 books read)
  • Working with daycare centers to broaden the reach
  • Simplification of the process—Make it easy to participate
    • Several mentioned very simple paper records—just let kids color in a circle or add a sticker for every book.
    • Some talked up Beanstack Badge Books ($5/book, but very cool)
    • Some mentioned it is helpful to give people a choice between Beanstack and paper, but most folks have found families prefer PAPER
  • Keeping energy and attention for an ongoing program:
    • Collect email addresses of the families who sign up for 1KB4K (or other program) and send regular emails to cheer them on, giving book suggestions, and more.
    • Freshen up the displays and signs quarterly
    • Suggest parents who are sick of record-keeping that they take a break from record keeping ,but keep reading!
    • Remind parents this is not a race, and allow families to complete after kindergarten starts!

Encouraging Early Literacy/Childhood Development Practices

  • Daniel from Somerset talked about the 2-sided sheet of information that they have as part of their 1KB4K program, with recommended books and simple tips for parents/caregivers to work
  • Laura says Early Literacy Kits in St. Croix Falls have been a hit
  • Reimagining School Readiness Toolkit is a great resource to check out for more ideas about this.
  • Maria says that last year during football season, kids and families in Frederic were very excited to check out lots of books to move their football along a big football football field display on the wall.

Preserving the Joy of Reading

  • Ada from Antigo recommends The Joy of Reading by Donalyn Miller and Teri Lesesne, coming out in May—focus also on kids 8 and older.
  • A recent webinar sponsored by SEWI (Southeast WI library systems) caught the attention of a lot of folks!  Value the Act of Reading, with Anne Kissinger.  The recording is available and if you want to look at the slides, check out the SEWI website:  https://sewilibraries.org/continuing-education-archives/

Connecting with Families

What about Funding?

  • Several folks talked about the value of talking with service clubs like Kiwanis and Rotary to share information about library
  • Several also mentioned local energy cooperatives funding projects (and talked about a 15-minute application process!)
  • Anne reminded us that working with a larger coalition can help with funding—if each partnering agency can sponsor one part, that helps!

In-Person Check-in, Rib Lake Public Library, May 25  9-12!

  • Krista Blomberg will give a tour of the public park shelter, playground next to library, and remodeled youth space. Yes, there will be time for play!
  • Bring your summer reading program printables to share and spark ideas.Bring brochures, reading logs, prize slips, letters inviting sponsors, whatever you hand out at the desk.
  • Send an RSVP to Anne Hamland

Thanks, everyone!  Good luck with everything you are doing, and remember to reach out to Anne or Leah if you have questions, want to talk through anything, or have exciting news to share!