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MADISON — An elementary student uses the web to explore an encyclopedia, a high school student gets start-to-finish lessons on conducting research projects, and business owners and hobbyists find targeted information from more than 20,000 full text magazines, journals, newspapers, and reference materials through Wisconsin’s online library called BadgerLink.

Started in 1998, BadgerLink provides information resources for Wisconsin residents in cooperation with the state’s public, school, academic, and special libraries. BadgerLink users will conduct more than 99 million searches during 2012, growth of more than 18.8 million searches from last year. The Department of Public Instruction works with about 200 Wisconsin-based and national Internet Service Providers to ensure that libraries, schools, and many individuals throughout the state have easy access to BadgerLink. Currently, the agency contracts with nine vendors to provide online information. To maintain BadgerLink services and increase funding for access to Wisconsin newspapers, the department is requesting $5.2...

Kelly Hughbanks has won the 2012 WLA Outreach Services Award.  Each year, the Outreach Services Award (formerly called the Frances de Usabel award) is sponsored by the Outreach Services Roundtable (OSRT) and is awarded to a “library or librarian who has provided exemplary library outreach services to underserved populations.” Public, academic, school or special libraries and librarians are all eligible to be nominated for this award.   Nominees should be members of the Wisconsin Library Association (WLA) but do not need to be members of the Outreach Services Round Table.

The award was created as a tribute to the Special Needs Consultant for the Wisconsin Division for Libraries, Technology and Community Learning, Frances de Usabel.  For many years, de Usabel worked to promote and increase outreach services in Wisconsin public libraries.  She continues to support the efforts of libraries and librarians in doing their outreach work through her generous donation of...

CHICAGO - As several large book publishers continue to deny libraries access to their e-books, and others make e-books available under difficult terms, libraries find themselves unable to provide the reading and educational materials demanded by their patrons. As a result, many librarians are asking, “What can I do to advocate for fair e-book lending practices?”

To assist libraries in informing the public about e-book lending practices, the American Library Association (ALA) released today the “ ALA E-book Media & Communications Toolkit ,” a set of materials that will support librarians in taking action in their communities.

Developed by the ALA’s Digital Content and Libraries Working Group (DCWG), the toolkit includes op-ed and press release templates for library supporters interested in informing the public of the role that libraries play in building literate and knowledgeable communities. Additionally, the toolkit provides guidance on ways to use the media templates, as well...