Did You Know? You can pick from thousands of magazines online?
from Michelle Johnson (Director, Hammond Community Library)
There is an online magazine for almost all interests: hunting, cooking, crafts, sports, automotive, news, and fitness to name just a few. All you need is an active library card and access to a mobile device or desktop computer.
Why read magazines online?
You can download magazines, so you can read them when you’re away from internet access.
Wisconsin’s Digital Library has over 3,000 titles that you can check out on your desktop or with the Libby app.
Flipster has several popular titles, including People and Real Simple.
There aren’t magazines at the dentist’s office anymore, so come on over to online magazines when you’re stuck waiting.
Pick Your Platform!
On Your Desktop: From your library website or the MORE online catalog, click on the Wisconsin’s Digital Library link. Once you’ve logged in with your library card number, find the “magazines” link on the top menu. If you’re on the MORE online catalog, you can also choose the Flipster button at the top of the home page.
On You Phone or Mobile Device: Libby is the app that gives you access to Wisconsin’s Digital Library. You can search for your magazine, select current or older issues and be notified when new issues arrive. Flipster’s app is only available for iPhone or iPad.
Help is Here!
If you don’t have a library card, it’s easy to get one. Visit your local library, get an e-library card, or apply online (some libraries have this option available on their website). There’s no charge to get a library card, and they open up a world filled with adventure.
For Trustees: What you need to know about book challenges
The number of book challenges is going up, according to the American Library Association (ALA). The ALA website defines a challenge as “an attempt to remove or restrict materials based on the objections of a person or group.” Removed books are sometimes referred to as “banned books.”
Banning books is counter to public libraries’ commitment to Intellectual freedom: the right of every individual to both seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction. As trustees, you are responsible for supporting your library’s work to maintain those freedoms.
The good news is that most voters across political lines support that commitment and have confidence in their libraries, according to a recent survey. There are also excellent resources available to you and your library director on the ALA website.
As a library trustee, you can familiarize yourself with this issue so that you know how to support your library when the need arises.
For Friends: Event Planning
Friends Groups are great at developing creative and fun library events, from book and plant sales to major fundraising support. Events are also a great way to build community!
Aligning your event with the library’s mission, creating a detailed plan and budget (including volunteer time requirements) and evaluating success are a few cornerstones of a good event.
I couldn’t find a lot of great resources online on this subject. (United for Libraries has a slightly dated but useful guide.) I’d like to develop a fact sheet specifically for Friends Groups in the IFLS area. Do you have any tips or advice that you’d like to share?
An important consideration: Do you comply with state sales tax laws? Sales to public libraries are tax-exempt, but sales by public libraries are subject to state tax laws. Here’s a fact sheet from the Department of Public Instruction.
