July 2013 - Michlib-l - liblists.org

New and Advanced Directors' Workshops Scheduled for Sept. 19-20, 2013
by White, Shannon (MDE) 09 Sep '13

09 Sep '13

This is a reminder that the 2013 New and Advanced Directors' Workshops are scheduled to be held at the Library of Michigan on the following dates: New Directors' Workshop - Thursday, September 19, 2013 Advanced Directors' Workshop - Friday, September 20, 2013 The cost for each of these events is $30. Registration is now open. If you have any questions about the workshops, please feel free to contact me at 517-373-9489. Information about Library of Michigan Continuing Education can be found here: www.michigan.gov/libraryce<http://www.michigan.gov/libraryce> ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Attendance at these workshops is necessary for director certification as part of the qualification criteria for state aid to public libraries. Current standards for state aid for public libraries require: Classes 1 - 3: The director shall complete the New Directors´ workshop within 1 year of initial directorship appointment. Classes 4 - 6: The director shall complete the New Directors´ workshop within 1 year of initial directorship appointment and complete the Advanced Directors´ Workshop within 2 years of initial appointment. This does not apply to directors that have completed these workshops prior to their current appointment as a director. Shannon ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Shannon D. White Continuing Education Coordinator Library of Michigan 702 West Kalamazoo, P.O. Box 30007, Lansing, MI 48909-7507 Ph: 517-373-9489; Fax: 517-373-5700 Toll free: 877-479-0021 whites29(a)michigan.gov<mailto:whites29@michigan.gov> http://michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan

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Bid policy
by STD Martha Boetcher 31 Jul '13

31 Jul '13

We are organizing a construction project. If your library has a bid policy you''d like to share, please send it to my email. Thank you, Martha Boetcher mboetcher(a)llcoop.org Saugatuck-Douglas District Library 10 Mixer ST Douglas, MI 49406 269-857-8241 http://sdlibrary.org Vote for the Library - Arts Alive! 2013 www.artsaliveallegancounty.org

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Friends of Michigan Libraries Merit Award Announcement
by paul.snyder＠foml.org 31 Jul '13

31 Jul '13

Hi, Sorry for past confusion. Please post the attached email to the listserve. Many Thanks, Paul Snyder, President Friends of Michigan Libraries

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FW: Merit Network Announces Completed Milestones for the REACH-3MC Round II Project
by Mase, Sheryl (MDE) 31 Jul '13

31 Jul '13

Sharing, fyi From: mjts-bounces(a)merit.edu [mailto:mjts-bounces@merit.edu] On Behalf Of Merit Network Sent: Wednesday, July 31, 2013 11:55 AM To: mjts(a)merit.edu Subject: Merit Network Announces Completed Milestones for the REACH-3MC Round II Project [http://www.merit.edu/goto/images/Merit_REACH3MC_pressrelease.jpg] Merit Network Announces Completed Milestones for the REACH-3MC Round II Project July 31, 2013 ANN ARBOR, MI - Merit Network, Inc. announced today completed milestones for its REACH-3MC Round II fiber-optic construction project. "I am pleased to announce our continued progress on the REACH-3MC Round II project. Building over 1,000 miles of fiber-optic infrastructure, connecting over 85 community anchor institutions, while following federal rules and regulations without changing the scope or budget in 3 years, is an accomplishment that we are very proud of," said Don Welch, president & CEO, Merit Network. "The achievements of the REACH-3MC Round II project to date have been a tremendous effort, not only on Merit's part, but from our community, construction contractors and our project participants. Merit and our team will continue to work hard to finish the few remaining items to ensure the successful completion of the Round II project," said Bob Stovall, vice president of network operations and engineering, Merit Network. REACH-3MC Round II began in August 2010 when Merit received grant funding to construct 1,270 miles of fiber-optic infrastructure across 29 counties in Michigan's Northern Lower and Upper Peninsula with additional paths to key interconnection points in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Today, 98 percent of all underground conduit, aerial strand and infrastructure have been deployed along the route, with 90 percent of all fiber installed. Splicing is nearly complete on all Round II Lower Peninsula fiber and continues on segments in the Upper Peninsula. [http://www.merit.edu/dynamic/images/REACH_map_073113.png] Download the lastest version of the REACH-3MC map. (PDF)<http://www.merit.edu/meritformichigan/pdf/REACH-3MC_map.pdf> Led by Merit Network, the goal of REACH-3MC Round II is to construct "middle-mile" fiber-optic infrastructure that connects communities together. In the process, Merit connects community anchor institutions, or CAIs (schools, libraries, health care, government, public safety), by way of "laterals," or spurs, from the mainline. REACH-3MC Round II will connect a total of 88 community anchor institutions as part of the project. Each CAI lateral has a capacity of 1 Gbps (gigabit per second). Merit has completed connections to all REACH-3MC Round II community anchor institutions in the Lower Peninsula and is working with a few remaining organizations to provision them service. In the Upper Peninsula, Merit has completed construction on all but 6 CAI laterals and continues to provision service to its Member CAIs. "REACH-3MC Round II is a complement to Merit's REACH-3MC I project. When construction is complete, Merit's network will have over 3,800 miles of contiguous, high-capacity fiber to meet the needs of our Member Community in Michigan," said Elwood Downing, vice president of member engagement and outreach for Merit Network. "REACH-3MC Round II acts as a vital link for our Members throughout Michigan. From the Lake Michigan shoreline to the banks of Lake Huron, from the Upper Peninsula to the Lower Peninsula, our Members have seen an immediate improvement in their ability to share services, expertise and programs without any capacity constraints that existed before the project," Downing added. The REACH-3MC Round II infrastructure already has had a positive impact for Merit Members at Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District (EUP ISD) and Cheboygan-Otsego-Presque Isle Educational Service District (COP ESD). Jason Kronemeyer, technology director at EUP ISD, and Jamie Huber, supervisor of learning services and technology at COP ESD, are pleased to continue working with Merit to improve the services their respective organizations provide their students. "Merit was here providing connectivity to EUP ISD before others were even looking to provide service in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This project is already having a significant impact on our schools and their students. We are constantly being asked to do more with less, and the fiber provided by the REACH-3MC Round II project will allow us to do just that," Kronemeyer said. "COP ESD is benefiting greatly from the REACH-3MC project. This is as significant to our schools and the state as the building of the Mackinaw Bridge was in its time. Not only will this fiber allow our schools to do more for their students, we are also in the process of implementing a strategy to share services with our counterparts to the north, EUP ISD. Prior to the REACH-3MC project that would not have been possible," Huber said. NTIA Approves No-Cost Extension The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has issued the REACH-3MC Round II project a no-cost extension. The NTIA oversees and administers the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP). REACH-3MC Round II is funded in part by a BTOP grant. With the award of BTOP grant funding, the NTIA set a specific award period for REACH-3MC Round II project completion ending on July 31, 2013. Prior to the extension, the federal funds originally committed to the project would have expired on July 31, 2013. The no-cost extension means that Merit can continue to use the federal funding committed to REACH-3MC II to finish the project. No new federal funding will be expended on the project. "The NTIA is very cognizant of the delays we experienced implementing the project that were out of our control. The agency has remained supportive of REACH-3MC Round II and that support, along with the project extension, is indicative of its trust in our ability to fulfill the purpose of the grant. Like Merit, the NTIA believes in the positive impact REACH-3MC Round II will have on Michigan," said Karen Smith, vice president of finance & administration, CFO, Merit Network. "The NTIA's decision to issue our project a no-cost extension shows that the agency acknowledges the unique challenges and complexities Merit has faced implementing our Round II grant," said Merit President & CEO, Don Welch. "Constructing fiber-optic cable in the Upper Peninsula has posed unforeseen challenges that have delayed our progress. The project has encountered significantly more bedrock than planned for which requires extensive drilling and has slowed our construction crews, who were already delayed by an exceptionally long Michigan winter that saw snowfall continue into the month of May," Welch added. "The NTIA no-cost extension underscores the success and progress REACH-3MC II has accomplished thus far. The NTIA believes in what we have achieved and the benefits our project will bring to Michigan upon its completion," he said. About Merit Network Merit Network Inc., a nonprofit corporation owned and governed by Michigan's public universities, owns and operates America's longest-running regional research and education network. In 1966, Michigan's public universities created Merit as a shared resource to help meet their common need for networking assistance. Since its formation, Merit Network has remained on the forefront of research and education networking expertise and services. Merit provides high-performance networking solutions to Michigan's public universities, colleges, K-12 organizations, libraries, state government, healthcare, and other non-profit organizations. For more information: www.merit.edu<http://www.merit.edu> About REACH-3MC The REACH Michigan Middle Mile Collaborative (REACH-3MC) will build 2,287 miles of open-access, advanced fiber-optic network through rural and underserved communities in Michigan's Lower and Upper Peninsulas. The network will also provide backhaul to key connection points in Wisconsin and Minnesota. REACH-3MC will connect 105 community anchor institutions as the network is built and will pass 900 more over time. Led by Merit Network, Michigan's research and education network, REACH-3MC includes sub-recipients from the private sector to make broadband readily available to households and businesses that lack adequate service options in the 52 counties that make up the project service area. REACH-3MC is funded by a two grants (Round I and Round II) from the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), commonly referenced as the Stimulus Package. For more information: www.merit.edu/meritformichigan<http://www.merit.edu/meritformichigan/> For press/media contact: Elwood Downing Merit Network, Inc. Phone: (734)527-5702 Email: edowning(a)merit.edu<mailto:edowning@merit.edu> Merit Network, Inc. 1000 Oakbrook Drive, Suite 200, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104-6794 Phone: (734)527-5700 Fax: (734)527-5790 E-mail: www(a)merit.edu<mailto:www@merit.edu>

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Affordable Care Act FAQa
by Marika Zemke 31 Jul '13

31 Jul '13

FAQs of 3 webinars on this subject that I participated in, along with speaking today to a representative of the Michigan Planners, Inc. group here in Michigan. Understanding Health Reform FAQs We in Michigan we will use the site https://www.healthcare.gov/ (for now) 1. Am I required to have health insurance? Yes. This aspect of the law is known as the individual mandate. It was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in July 2012. 2. Will employers pay a penalty if they don’t offer health benefits to their employees? No. Under the Affordable Care Act, employers with fewer than 50 full-time employees and full-time equivalents, are not required to offer employer-sponsored coverage. Unsure if you are a small or large employer? 3. Will my employees pay a penalty if they don’t have health insurance? Yes. The law requires Americans to carry health coverage or pay a penalty on their annual income tax filing. The penalty is the greater of 1% of household income or $95 per adult ($47.50 per child) in 2014. The fee increases to the greater of 2.5% or $695 per adult ($347.50 per child) in 2016. 4. How will small employers buy coverage in 2014? Employers can continue to use the same shopping methods they use today. For example, purchasing from a health benefits company with the help of an independent agent/broker. In addition, the federal government is introducing the Health Insurance Marketplace (formerly called the health insurance exchange). There will be both public and private exchanges. 5. What will coverage include? Beginning in 2014, all non-grandfathered health insurance coverage in the small group markets will be required to coverage essential health benefits. These services include benefits that most small employer plans cover today such as emergency services, preventive care, hospitalization and lab services. Small groups must have an annual limitation on cost-sharing for essential health benefits and they cannot set deductibles above $2,000 for self-only and $4,000 for family coverage. 6. What will coverage cost? Changes in rating rules and additional taxes and fees will have the most impact on the cost of health coverage in 2014. Under these changes, insurance carriers can set prices in the small group and individual markets based on three things: geographic factor, age and tobacco use. Plus, the ACA has added five taxes and fees to the purchase of most plans. 7. Will coverage have to change? All health plans in the small group market must be assigned to a metal tier, which reflects the value of the benefits package. The metal tiers measure the value of the essential health benefits within each plan tier: platinum or 90%, gold or 80%, silver or 70% and bronze or 60%. 8. Are there tax benefits to companies that offer employee benefits? Yes. Small businesses are eligible for tax credits. One of the biggest questions asked about health reform is “how are we going to pay for all of this?” Under the Affordable Care Act, five new taxes and fees will be added to the purchase of health insurance. The rules, timing and amounts for each of these vary...see below. The purpose of each of the taxes and fees: 1. Annual fee on health insurance carriers — This annual fee will be assessed on all fully funded health plans based on premium. (Note: Final regulations have not been released on this fee.) 2. Transitional Reinsurance Program — Fees collected from all commercial plans (fully and self funded) sold both on and off the exchange and in both the group and the individual markets. This will be used to pay for high-cost claimants insured in the individual market throughout the country. The program is temporary and runs from 2014 through 2016. 3. Risk Adjustment Admin fee — A fee used to develop a risk adjustment methodology that will compensate certain plans with membership that is less healthy than average by assessing plans with membership that is healthier than average. This fee is assessed on all individual and small group policies. 4. Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) fee — This fee will fund the PCORI, which conducts comparative effectiveness research. The fee will also be assessed on all fully-insured and self-funded plans including health reimbursement arrangements. The fee will be from 2012 through 2019. Self-funded employer groups are responsible for paying this assessment and filing an annual excise tax return (Form 720) with the IRS. 5. Exchange user fee — Fee that will be applied to all plans purchased from the exchange both individual and Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP). -- Marika Zemke - Adult Services Manager Commerce Township Community Library 2869 North Pontiac Trail Commerce Township, MI 48390 Direct Line 248-438-8163, Fax 248-669-3247 mzemke(a)commercelibrary.info

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MCLS Preserving Family Treasures Program/Webcast on September 9
by Heather Thomas 31 Jul '13

31 Jul '13

Excuse cross postings. Please forward to anyone that you feel may be interested in this program! ************************************************************************************** Do you have grandma’s wedding gown, a tintype of a great-great uncle during the Civil War or even the family bible from the old country? Family and personal historical collections are a diary of where we come from and what is important to us. Most of these collections are stored in attics, basements or under other conditions which constantly place them in harm’s way. Join us at 6 PM on September 9 at the Delta Township District Library, in Lansing Michigan, or via live stream for a free presentation presented by internationally recognized preservationist and the ALA 2012 Ken Haycock Award winner Jeanne Drewes. Ms. Drewes currently serves as Chief of Binding and Collections Care in the Preservation Directorate at the Library of Congress and as Manager for the Mass Deacidification Program. The presentation will focus on appropriate storage environments, enclosure options for varying formats, steps to mitigate damage and handling instructions. If you are a family historian or the caretaker of a small library or historical society collection this is a wonderful opportunity to learn from the very best. You may bring materials for recommendations from Ms. Drewes after her public presentation. The link to the live stream will be posted soon and available in the August edition of MCLS News. On September 10 and November 8, Ms. Drewes will conduct a 2-day program at the Delta Township District Library on library disaster management. If you are interested in learning more about this program, please visit our Risk Management and Disaster Recovery program information page at: https://members.mcls.org/workshops/viewcourse.html?id=338. Thanks! - heather ******************** Heather M. Thomas, CAP-OM Executive Assistant/Meeting Planner Midwest Collaborative for Library Services 1407 Rensen Street, Suite 1 Lansing, Michigan 48910-3657 800/530-9019 ext. 133 517/394-2420 ext. 133 Fax: 517/394-2096 email: thomash(a)mcls.org website: www.mcls.org

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Display for bookmarks
by Sylvia Merz 31 Jul '13

31 Jul '13

Hi Everyone. . . Can you give me some ideas on how you display bookmarks? We have "read-alike author" bookmarks that we are going to make available to our patrons - 25 authors and counting - and are trying to find a 'reasonable cost' way to display them. . . Any on the cheap(er) ideas? Please email me off-list with any creative ideas. Thanks for your input. Sylvia Merz Leland Township Library

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Healthcare Marketplace Information
by White, Shannon (MDE) 31 Jul '13

31 Jul '13

Here are some more resources in addition to those Diane pointed out in her email. For libraries that are interested in finding out more regarding options and requirements related to the Affordable Care Act you may want to take a look at some of the webinars available from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This is a good starting place for some basics on the ACA as well as some more detailed information. The more basic information may be the most helpful for those providing reference assistance to patrons. The more detailed information may be helpful for libraries working to understand the ACA as it applies to them as an organization and their staff. http://marketplace.cms.gov/newsevents/webinars/spring-summer-2013-health-in… Also, the webinar from WebJunction this past Friday has a good overview on the ACA during the first half. Much of this information is helpful for library staff interested in learning more about ACA so they can in turn point patrons to reliable information. --------------------- WebJunction recently hosted a webinar on Libraries & Health Insurance: Preparing for Oct 1. You can now view the archived slides, chat, and related links for the session on WebJunction at: http://www.webjunction.org/events/webjunction/Libraries_and_Health_Insuranc…<http://wc4.net/t?r=850&c=3587153&l=337856&ctl=4803472:37D71AC352E2C0781ABD2…> Please also be sure to visit the resources mentioned in our FAQ<http://wc4.net/t?r=850&c=3587153&l=337856&ctl=4803473:37D71AC352E2C0781ABD2…> for further information. ---------------- We are not recommending that library staff assist patrons in making their personal choices but help supply them with the resources related to the ACA they may need to understand in order for them to make their own decisions. I hope some of the information above may be of assistance to libraries as they learn more about choices for their own organization and staff. We will also berating additional resources for the public and for libraries in the next week. Shannon

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Affordable Care Act Email #3
by LLC Sandra Wilson 31 Jul '13

31 Jul '13

7/31/13 Affordable Care Act: I attempted to send some attachments out but it must have been too large. I will send a couple of emails with less attachments. Sandra Wilson Lakeland Library Cooperative Director sandra(a)llcoop.org 616-559-5253 x201 616-559-4329 FAX

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Affordable Care Act Email #2
by LLC Sandra Wilson 31 Jul '13

31 Jul '13

7/31/13 Affordable Care Act: I attempted to send some attachments out but it must have been too large. I will send a couple of emails with less attachments. Sandra Wilson Lakeland Library Cooperative Director sandra(a)llcoop.org 616-559-5253 x201 616-559-4329 FAX

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