Volume 5, July 30, 2009 for the WSL Updates mailing list

Topics include:

1) PUBLIC LIBRARY STATISTICS

2) FREE TRAINING FROM WSL

3) FIRST TUESDAYS – BUILDING SCHOOL AND LIBRARY RELATIONSHIPS

4) BROADBAND STIMULUS FUNDING SURVEY

5) DIGITAL PRODUCTS EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE NOW AVAILABLE

6) TARGET K-12 FIELD TRIP GRANTS

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1) PUBLIC LIBRARY STATISTICS

The 2008 Public Library Annual Statistical Report and 2009 Salary and Benefits Survey is now available online at: www.secstate.wa.gov/quicklinks/WAStats. Also offered are charts, tables and lists of Washington State’s National Rankings in Public Library Service from 1995-2007, visit: www.secstate.wa.gov/quicklinks/WA-Ranks.

More statistics are available from the Institute of Museum and Library Services Library Statistics Program: harvester.census.gov/imls/publib.asp. For more information, please contact Evelyn Lindberg at [email protected].

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2) FREE TRAINING FROM WSL

Check out these FREE Training Opportunities from WSL in August:

• Libraries Helping Job Seekers in Hard Times, BCR online, 8/4 – 8/6 (2 parts)
• Autism Awareness in the Library, Seattle Public Library, 8/10
• Multicultural Communication for Libraries, Tumwater 8/11 and Spokane 8/13
• Web Publishing: The Basics, Amigos online, 8/11 – 8/14 (4 parts)
• Tech Topics: Wikis, Amigos online, 8/12
• Tech Topics: Library 2.0, Amigos online, 8/13
• Tech Topics: Podcasting, Amigos online, 8/14

For more information, and to register, visit the WSL Training Calendar at www.secstate.wa.gov/quicklinks/August or contact Jennifer Fenton, [email protected].

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3) FIRST TUESDAYS – BUILDING SCHOOL AND LIBRARY RELATIONSHIPS

Forming strong ties between school and public libraries will be the topic of the First Tuesdays program on August 4 at 9:00 a.m. Eve Datisman of the Port Angeles School District and Paula Barnes of the North Olympic Library System are the presenters. Visit www.secstate.wa.gov/quicklinks/firsttuesdays for more information on this and upcoming sessions, as well as how to join in the presentation.

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4) BROADBAND STIMULUS FUNDING SURVEY

WSL is hosting a survey on broadband stimulus funding. This survey is designed to accomplish two objectives:

1. Let the library community know what each other is doing regarding applying for, or partnering in and application for broadband stimulus funding. (What are you applying for? In which rounds will you apply?)
2. Let broadband applicants (e.g., broadband service providers) see which libraries are wishing to partner in broadband applications.

Access the survey via this link: www.secstate.wa.gov/quicklinks/BBSurvey. This is a relatively short survey. Because this is the middle of the application window for round one, you are encouraged to reply by this Friday, July 31, 2009. Results will be posted to a wiki wiki.secstate.wa.gov/broadband which is currently under construction. ONLY DIRECTORS OF LIBRARIES OR THEIR DESIGNEES (e.g., BROADBAND PROJECT MANAGERS) SHOULD RESPOND TO THE SURVEY.

Check out our Broadband Stimulus Funding Resources: www.secstate.wa.gov/quicklinks/broadband. At a loss about broadband? Please contact Rand Simmons at [email protected]. We can provide limited assistance or may be able to point you to a better resource.

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5) DIGITAL PRODUCTS EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE NOW AVAILABLE

As previously announced, a new Washington law regarding the taxation of digital products and services went into effect on July 26, 2009. Libraries are eligible for an exemption to this tax, if they are purchasing the digital product or service for the purpose of making it available for free to others. The law requires that to claim the exemption, the buyer must provide an exemption certificate to the seller. That certificate is now available on the Department of Revenue’s Web site. Use this link to access the exemption certificate: www.secstate.wa.gov/quicklinks/ExemptCert.

For more information about the law, consult the DOR’s frequently asked questions page, available from this shortcut link: www.secstate.wa.gov/quicklinks/2075-FAQ. Note: These documents are not found on the web site of the Office of the Secretary of State. The links provided above are just shortcut links, leading to the DOR’s web site.

Tracking the effect of this bill on libraries is coordinated at the State Library by Will Stuivenga, Statewide Database Licensing Project Manager: [email protected] or 360.704.5217.

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6) TARGET K-12 FIELD TRIP GRANTS

The Target Field Trip Grants program provides funds for K-12 field trips in order to give students throughout the country the opportunity to explore more of the world outside the classroom. For the 2009-2010 school year, 5,000 grants of up to $800 each will be awarded to educators, teachers, principals, paraprofessionals, and classified staff who are employed by accredited K-12 public, private, or charter schools.

Types of eligible field trips include art, science, and cultural museum visits; community service and civic projects; and career enrichment opportunities. Funds may be used to cover trip-related costs such as transportation, ticket fees, resource materials, and supplies. Online applications will be available from August 5 through November 3, 2009. Visit the Target web site via this link www.secstate.wa.gov/quicklinks/field-trips to learn more about the program.

This announcement was taken from GrantStation Insider; provided by GrantStation in partnership with the Washington State Legislature, Governor Gregoire, and the Washington State Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED). For more information about free GrantStation subscriptions, visit www.cted.wa.gov/site/378/default.aspx or contact Tina Roose at [email protected].

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