Weekly Digest: Website updates, two things you’ve gotta do, nomination, events coming up

IFLS Website updates

I’m sending the Digest out early this week to give you a heads-up: on Thursday morning the redesigned Home Page and For IFLS Libraries page will go up. I’ve been consulting with librarian volunteers to refine and simplify the website.

You may have noticed some changes already. The Article Index has its own header because it’s such a useful and popular page. I redesigned the contact page to be more inclusive of all of the ways that you communicate with IFLS staff and other public library staff, including email lists, newsletters and blogs. That’s also the home now for the Advisory Council link.

Here are the changes to look for.

• No information has been deleted! If you can’t find something, submit a HelpDesk ticket.
• Some links were duplicated on many different pages, not the best practice. Each page is streamlined and simplified for easier navigation.
• Look on the Home page for:
  • Button links at the top to the public library directory, MORE catalog, library love story and the current promotional priority. This has been an effective way to redirect the public to local public libraries and services.
  • A mini-calendar to see at a glance the next three events on the calendar.
  • The latest Weekly Digest.
  • Information for trustees and volunteers.
  • New: The News from IFLS sign-up form.
• Look on the For IFLS Libraries page for:
  • The same buttons that are organized by program area with resources and information curated by IFLS staff.
  • Quick links to other frequently used resources like the Dashboard, video archives and website services.
  • New: a list of the most recently added items on the Article Index, and a quick search for the Article Index.
• No changes to the Article Index page.
• No changes to the main calendar page.

I love comments! Submit a HelpDesk ticket or email Reb directly at kilde@ifls.lib.wi.us.

Best Small Library in America nominations open

Cash prizes! Activate your fans! The deadline is June 26, here are the details.

Tracking Reference Transactions: gotta do this.

We’re about 6 months through the year, and I wanted to remind everyone to be tracking or sampling your reference transactions.

As you may remember, this coming year for the annual report there will be no “Did Not Collect” option. You must be gathering this data. If you track all reference transactions, kudos to you! Otherwise, you can gather data through sample weeks. You can have as many sample weeks as you want but we recommend at least four, one per quarter.

If you have any questions about reference transactions regarding the annual report, please reach out to Katelyn.

Recycle these old resources now.

Growing Wisconsin Readers was a successful statewide initiative that ran from 2013-2016.  Libraries received brochures and posters and you may still have some in your library.  It is time to get rid of them. 

The QR Code on the brochure now leads to a psychic website. The brochure also has out-of-date information on the front, listing Tony Evers as State Superintendent, and the Growing Wisconsin Readers website is no longer operational.  While the literacy content is still both valid and valuable, in order to avoid misinformation and confusion, DPI recommends that you recycle/dispose of all Growing Wisconsin Reader brochures and other printed materials.

Coming up here, there, everywhere

Banned Books and Censorship Library 2.0 Mini-Conference

The second Library 2.023 mini-conference: “Banned Books and Censorship: Current Intellectual Freedom Issues in the Library,” will be held online (and for free) from 2 – 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 8. In this Library 2.0 mini-conference, current trends in censorship will be examined.  They will also explore the dilemmas that arise at the intersection of intellectual freedom and social justice. Register here.

Registration Still Open for Lake Superior Libraries Symposium

Registration for the eleventh Lake Superior Libraries Symposium is now open! LSLS23: Matter of Fact: Information Literacy in an Age of Fake News will be held on Friday, June 9 at the Kathryn A. Martin Library on the University of Minnesota Duluth campus in Duluth. Library staff, administrators, trustees, and students from the Upper Midwest and beyond are invited to attend and participate. Register today.

On the IFLS Calendar

That’s it!