Having Your Say...Broadband Survey

LinkWISCONSIN is trying to find out how broadband availability is coming along throughout the state and if there is a need for more service--or perhaps a public provider.

Take This Survey

LinkWISCONSIN is a service helping Wisconsin map and plan its broadband network, which should improve Internet service all over the state. Do your part! Take the survey!

But look! Up High! On yonder wall...

Just recently, thanks to the efforts of the Gates Foundation and the Indianhead Federated Library System, we were able to purchase some computer/media equipment with grant money. Included in that is a flat-screen LCD display that we've mounted up on the wall near the check out desk. At the moment, its dedicated use is announcements, but could be used for multimedia presentations of all sorts. You can see it in the picture above...

We've also received a new projector, which the public can use provided the presentations are in our meeting room. Also, we have a new Lenova "Think Center," which is currently being made ready for patron consumption.

So the next time you're in the library, look up. You may find out something you wanted to know.

Under the Glorious Starry Firmament: Links for Campers

We're just getting into that time of year in which it isn't too miserably hot nor too frigidly cold to go camping. Not to mention the fact that Labor Day is coming up and that camping--once one has the proper equipment--isn't dreadfully expensive as a quick getaway, either.



One of the most beautiful things about living in this part of the country is the number of parks, campgrounds and trails that are available to outdoors types...more than I bet many Wisconsinites realize or appreciate. Below are some links that hopefully will inspire the reader to think about spending some time under what John Muir called "the roof of the glorious starry firmament" with friends or family. Or, for the truly rugged, maybe even alone.

Where to Go

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources: Camping Page--A pretty comprehensive guide to the many beautiful parks, trails and forests of the Badger State.

U.S. National Parks in Wisconsin

Camping Site of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism--Hosted by Dr. Miles Feldspar.

Wisconsin Campgrounds--A listing of privately owned campgrounds in Wisconsin, made available by the Wisconsin Association of Campground Owners.

What to Bring

About.com's Camping Gear Checklist--Put together by David Sweet, an experienced camper and sometimes employee of the National Park Service.

GORP.com's guide to what to to bring for whatever type of camping is being done. Customizable lists depending on time of year, activity, etc.

Eating Well

Lovetheoutdoors has recipes, equipment, techniques and tips to help satisfy a camper's hunger, even when hundreds of miles from a kitchen.

Bass Pro Shop's guide to outdoor cookery. Fun site to read.

Time Management, Organization and You (and ME!)

My office is a fright. Some days it looks as though a door blew open in a derecho and a strong wind came in and placed things, large and small, around my desk at random. In library school, they made us read a paper arguing that--research showed this!--that messy people use "unconscious organizational schemas" and that they, when timed, have no more trouble finding things than neat freaks. My life doesn't bear this out, I assure you. Start a timer and ask me to find my cell phone charger. There had better be a darn good battery in that stopwatch.

Anyway, I'm sure I'm not the only one who could use some help with organization and time management issues, so here are some links that might help anyone who has to go home three times to get things they forgot before they make it a mile.

Websites

Zen Habits--Zen and organization have become linked in popular consciousness, and this is a website that, from what I've read, really puts things in perspective. Well-written and enjoyable.

Time Management Guide--Links to tips and ideas to help you manage your "time, stress and energy level."

Timemanagement.com--Includes freeware and weekly email ideas.

ADD Coach: Time Management--Even if you DON'T have ADD or ADHD, the coping techniques that folks with ADD use to manage their time and surroundings might be useful.

Books

Using what we librarian-types call a "citation index," these are the three books most commonly cited when people write about getting organized and managing time:

1) Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey--Which quadrant do you live your life in? Urgent/Important? Not urgent/Unimportant? Why? This seems to be the Bible, Koran and Bhagavad Gita of getting one's life in order.

2) Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen--Jacket blurb: "Overcome feelings of confusion, anxiety, and being overwhelmed." Dibs!

3) Organizing From the Inside Out: The Foolproof System for Organizing Your Home, Your Office and Your Life by Julie Morgenstern--Highly recommended, cited frequently.

4) Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done by Larry Bossidy--Seems to be more for the business/government world, but still highly cited.

Pure Water Days Team Trivia Contest