1. R I C K K R U M W I E D E , O W L S
J O H N T H O M P S O N , I F L S
S T E F M O R R I L L , W I L S
Creating More Effective Public
Library Systems

2. S U E C A N T R E L L , M W F L S
J I M G I N G E R Y , M C F L S
R I C K K R U M W I E D E , O W L S
J E S S I C A M A C P H A I L ,
R A C I N E P L
R E B E C C A P E T E R S E N ,
M C L S
S T E V E P L A T T E T E R , A L S
K R I S T A R O S S , S W L S
M A R L A S E P N A F S K I , W V L S
J O H N T H O M P S O N , I F L S
D A V I D W E I N H O L D , E S L S
S T E F M O R R I L L , W I L S
Creating More Effective Public
Library Systems

3. The process so far

4. Why did SRLAAW undertake this process?
 Increased demands with no increase in resources for
many years
 The aging of Chapter 43
 The economic environment in Wisconsin and other
states

5. Intended outcome from the process
“Recommendations and action steps to address
concerns about and barriers to system
reconfigurations, as well as addressing how systems
remain effective in meeting the member library needs
into the future”

6. Stated Values
 Transparency
 Inclusiveness
 Dialogue

7. Timeline/Process (part 1)
 Identify specific services and other areas of concern to be addressed
through the process
 Survey Wisconsin libraries about the identified areas (January 2013)
 Hold 2‐3 webinars with states that have undergone system consolidation
(January 2013)
 Hold a SRLAAW retreat (February 2013)
 Prepare a list of recommendations and action steps based on the output
from the retreat (originally March 2013 – now May 2013)
 Part 2?

8. Identify specific services and other areas of concern to be
addressed through the process
 Awareness of library system and library services
 Funding
 Library law
 Resource sharing
 Service implications of technology
 Technology infrastructure

9. Survey Wisconsin libraries about the identified areas
 6 surveys
 152 – 197 responses
 A few observations:
 Value of public library systems to member libraries
 Focus on the end-users
 Library-oriented services are key
 Innovation is a value…and a concern

10. Hold 2‐3 webinars with states that have undergone system
consolidation
 2 webinars: Massachusetts and Illinois
 3 additional states in report: California, Iowa, Ohio
 A few observations:
 The signs
 Incentives & mandates
 Communication & transparency
 Plan ahead!!!

11. Hold a SRLAAW retreat
 3 representatives per system (system, resource library, other)
 Focused around the six content areas
 Large/small group discussions around best practices/the future (long
and short term)
 A few observations:
 Expectations
 A beginning

12. Prepare a list of recommendations and action steps based on
the output from the retreat
 Work continued Feb – today!
 Less “transparent” for a reason…
 Some observations:
 Collaborative effort
 Beyond “my system”
 Respect for local

13. What’s next?

14. What’s next?
 Present the recommendations and action steps for comment and
further discussion to the wider library community. (May 2013)
 Get feedback on the list of recommendations from the community and
from focus groups of supporters, critics, and others. (May – July 2013)
 Revise recommendations and action steps based on feedback received.
(July 2013)
 Present the recommendations to SRLAAW for endorsement. (August
2013)

15. Why so delayed?
 Inclusiveness
 Buy-in
 Ultimate goal: positive change

16. The preliminary
recommendations

17. Preliminary Recommendation
 Eliminate the statutory requirement for
resource libraries. (s. 43.16)

18. Preliminary Recommendation
 Increase the required county payments for
library services from 70% to 100% of
libraries’ costs by January 1, 2017.
(s. 43.12(1))

19. Preliminary Recommendation
 Resolve the unfair situation created by
exempting counties that operate
consolidated county libraries or joint city-
county libraries from having to pay libraries
in neighboring counties for the service they
provide. (s. 43.12)

20. Preliminary Recommendation
 Eliminate the requirement for public library
systems to engage in cooperation and
continuous planning with other types of
libraries in the system area as specified in
s. 43.24(2)(L).

21. Preliminary Recommendation
 Add a section on state-required public
library system annual reports for reporting
and documenting collaborative activities
with other libraries and organizations.

22. Preliminary Recommendation
 Replace the existing population standards
for public library systems (s. 43.15) with
new demographic and organizational
standards.

23. Preliminary Recommendation
 Establish administrative standards for
public library systems that are used to
modify the current statutory provisions in
s. 43.17, as appropriate.
 Governance
 Management
 Planning
 Finance
 Personnel

24. Preliminary Recommendation
 Establish service standards for public library
systems that are used to modify the current
statutory system service requirements.
(s. 43.24(2))

25. Why service standards?
 Useful as a framework for planning and
evaluating services systems provide to
member libraries
 Recognize each system and its member
libraries’ needs are unique

26. Standards focus on key service areas
 Advocacy and Promotion
 Collaborative Services
 Continuing Education
 Delivery
 Integrated Library System
 Interlibrary Loan
 Non-Traditional Library Users
 Technology
 Youth Services

27. Examples of draft CE standards
 The library system surveys member libraries on an annual basis to determine
the continuing education and training areas that are of greatest interest to, or
most needed by, member libraries.
 The library system plans all continuing education opportunities in accordance
with the requirements set forth in the Certification Manual for Wisconsin
Public Library Directors published by the Wisconsin Department of Public
Instruction, Division for Libraries and Technology.
 The library system sponsors or co-sponsors a minimum of forty-two (42)
contact hours of continuing education opportunities annually for member
library staff and trustees, as well as for library system staff and trustees.
 The library system ensures that at least fifteen (15) of the forty-two (42) annual
contact hours of continuing education are provided in-person at a location
within a reasonable driving distance.

28. How can you get involved?

29. How can you get involved?
 Suggest a group or individual to be part of the vetting
process. Variety of viewpoints--
 Former Library System Directors
 Library Leaders
 Political officials
 Variety of size libraries
 Regionally diverse representation
 Participate in a vetting session.
 Offer feedback: http://bit.ly/17lc5CB
 Offer questions/comments now or to committee
members

30. The Committee
 Sue Cantrell, MWFLS
 Jim Gingery, MCFLS
 Rick Krumwiede, OWLS
 Jessica Macphail, Racine
PL
 Rebecca Petersen,
MCLS
 Steve Platteter, ALS
 Krista Ross, SWLS
 Marla Sepnafski, WVLS
 John Thompson, IFLS
 David Weinhold, ESLS

31. Questions?