I WILL NOT BE SPEAKING AT THE WLA CONFERENCE

I will definitely NOT be speaking at this year's WLA Conference in Green Bay. One of the reasons is highlighted in this photograph which shows the audience the last time I spoke at a conference.

That all means that you should definitely plan on attending WLA this year!

You have until September 18th to get the "Early Bird" discount when you register.

For details on the conference and registration information go to the WLA website http://wla.lib.wi.us/

The program sessions being offered this year are fantastic! Also of note is that Alice Sturzl, librarian from Laona, who is also the President of the Board of Trustees of Wisconsin Valley Library Service, will be honored as the Librarian of the Year.

SOUTH WEST LIBRARY SYSTEM

During the course of our "Road Trip" to Wyalusing State Park my wife and I stopped in at the headquarters of the South West Library System. We spent a little time with Jo Don Anderson (who is the Secretary of Wisconsin Library Trustees & Advocates - WLTA) as well as with the System Director, Krista Ross. SWLS has a very beautiful building on the West side of Fennimore, right on US Highway 18.

We had a chance to discuss the possibility that SWLS will host a Friends Conference in 2008, similar to the Northwoods Conferences we have been holding for Friends groups and other library supporters. WLTA would like to hold one of these get-togethers in a different quadrant of the State every year, and is very happy that South West is considering being the first area to step up to the plate in this program. Another system in that area of the state may be invited to join in as well. In any event, communication is the key, and Friends getting together to discuss problems and opportunities results in improving everyone. We'll keep you posted as the plans for this conference develop.

WEMA SPRING CONFERENCE

The Wisconsin Educational Media Association (WEMA) 2007 Spring Conference will be held 3/25-3/27 at the Monona Terrace Convention Center in Madison. On this year's agenda are programs concerning copyright issues, intellectual freedom, digital tools in libraries, and many more. There will be a legislative forum on 3/27. It kicks off with a breakfast at 7AM. This is followed by an address by Elizabeth Burmaster, the State Superintendant. The Conference also includes an Author Fair.

Check the Conference out at http://www.wemaonline.org/ev.cf.2007.about.cfm

Locate the Author Fair at http://www.wemaonline.org/ev.cf.2007.authorfair.cfm

WEMA's main site is http://www.wemaonline.org/ab.main.cfm

IT'S NOT TO LATE TO SIGN UP !!

CHILDREN'S BOOK FEST

I received an e:mail on the wlvsmax listserv from Kris Adams Wendt regarding the upcoming Twentieth Anniversary Children's Book Fest. This is scheduled for March 6th and 7th, 2007 in Rhinelander.

Kris writes: "Attention Wisconsin, Minnesota and Upper Michigan librarians, teachers, parents, reading specialists and members of the general public who are interested in learning about the best books for young people! You are invited to attend Children's Book Fest 2007, a children's literature conference held at the Rhinelander Holiday Inn (Rhinelander, Wisconsin) on March 6th and 7th.

Kathleen T. Horning and Megan Schliesman from the Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) in Madison, Wisconsin will discuss books for children and young adults at an evening presentation on Tuesday, March 6th, as well as at a day presentation on Wednesday, March 7th. Both sessions will include a CCBC exhibit of the best 2006 books for young readers.

Most folks choose to attend one session or the other, but you certainly won't be turned away if you decide to stay overnight and come to both. In addition to the Holiday Inn Express itself, a Super 8 and Americinn are also close by.

PLEASE NOTE that separate registration (sent to two separate places) is require for the evening and day sessions.
Registration information information for Children's Book Fest is available at the Rhinelander District Library website.

http://wvls.lib.wi.us/RhinelanderDistrictLibrary/

All registrations must be received no later than March 2. Payment of $6.00 per person must accompany each registration blank. No purchase orders, please.

Telephone inquiries regarding the Wednesday presentation may be made to Kris at the Rhinelander District Library phone and email below. More information about the Tuesday presentation is available from Headwaters Reading Council member Joan Belongia brnstbks@newnorth.net (715) 362-5111 (day) or (715) 362-3844 (evening)."

Kris Adams Wendt
Director
Rhinelander District Library (WLA 2005 Library of the Year)
106 N. Stevens St.
Rhinelander, WI 54501

Everyone that I have talked to that has attended this annual event has nothing but high praise for the program. WLVS staff members make a special presentation at WLVS board meetings regarding what they have learned each year. - JDB

DON'T MISS IT !!! REGISTER NOW !!!