Featured Speakers
Neil Gaiman
Comics!
Books! Film! The title of an in-depth article on Neil in the July 28th article
of Publishers Weekly refers to just some of the
creative arenas in which Neil Gaiman has achieved both critical acclaim, commercial
success and a fiercely loyal following. Gaiman's first established himself
with the novel Good Omens (with Terry Pratchett)
and has gone on to write award-winning short fiction, prose, comics, children's
books and adult novels. A 6-part fantastical TV series for the BBC, Neverwhere,
debuted in 1996. In 1997, the CD Comics series, Sandman,
Gaiman's best known work first appeared. Recent successes include an eerie
children's novel, Coraline, and American
Gods (his best selling novel to date). Gaiman's work continues to defy
categorization: 2003 has seen the publication of a new children's picture
book, The Wolves in the Walls, illustrated by
his longtime collaborator Dave McKean, a serialized story for Marvel called
1602, and the first Sandman graphic novel in seven
years, Endless Nights. 2004 will bring the release
of Mirror Mask, a film written by Neil Gaiman
and directed by Dave McKean for the Jim Henson Company and Columbia Tristar.
Born and raised in England, Neil was a rock journalist, book reviewer, and
critic before becoming a fiction writer. Neil moved from England to his wife's
hometown in the American Midwest several years ago. He and his family now
live in a renovated Victorian farmhouse where (he says) his hobbies are writing
things down, hiding, and talking about himself in the third person. http://www.neilgaiman.com
Will Durst
This
former Milwaukeean is sure to entertain with his lively and refreshing humor,
his keen insights, and his unique delivery. Will could be considered the nation's
ultimate opportuinty offender as his humor transcends political ties. Durst
regularly contributes to several magazines, leading newspapers and is also
a regular commentator on NPR and CNN. Durst's resume also includes numerous
television appearances including Late Night with David Letterman, HBO, Showtime,
and Comedy Central. He received seven consecutive nominations for the American
Comedy Awards Stand Up of the Year. The San Francisco
Chronicle (Will's hometown paper) hailed him as "heir apparent to Mort
Sahl and Dick Gregory" and the Chicago Tribune
called him an "hysterical hybrid of Hunter Thompson and Charles Osgood". This
five-time Emmy nominee is also the host/co-producer of the ongoing award winning
PBS series Livelihood. Will's heroes are the same as when he was a 12-year-old
boy: Thomas Jefferson and Bugs Bunny! Don't miss Durst's informed and intelligent
comments as well as his pointed and refreshing humor. For more information,
check out Will's website at http://www.willdurst.com
Deborah Blum
A
Pulitzer Prize-winning science writer, Ms. Blum teaches journalism at the
University of Wisconsin--Madison. Her highly acclaimed book, Love
at Goon Park: Harry Harlow and the Science of
Affection is this year's Banta Award winner. This thoughtful and compelling
investigation of Harlow's life and work reveals Harlow to be a pioneer in
demonstrating that many of the child-rearing truths we now take for granted,
e.g., that infants need parental attention and that physical contact is related
to emotional growth and cognitive development. But as Blum also reveals, a
dark side countered Harlow's brilliance: he was a workaholic, a distant father,
and a neglectful husband. According to Suzy Hansen in a review in Salon.com,
"Blum's greatest feat -- more so than having written the type of cultural
history that tingles with the discovery of new ideas -- is that you neither
worship nor revile Harry Harlow by the end of Love at
Goon Park. You are humbled by his brilliant work, torn apart over his
cruel methods and ultimately grateful to live, and love, in a post-Harlow
age." http://www.journalism.wisc.edu/faculty/documents/blumbio.html
Roy Tennant
Roy
Tennant is an award winning internationally recognized pioneer in digital
library development and Internet training. Prior to his current position as
manager of eScholarship Web Services & Design, he was the Digital Library
Project Manager for the library at the University of California at Berkeley.
Since November 1997 Roy has written the monthly column "Digital Libraries"
for Library Journal. Roy's perceptions regarding present challenges and potentials
for libraries has led to his speaking at conferences around the world, including
Hong Kong, Australia, France as well throughout the United States. http://escholarship.cdlib.org/rtennant/
John Gurda
A
Milwaukee-born writer and historian, John has been learning about his hometown
for thirty years. He is the author of thirteen books, including histories
of Milwaukee-area neighborhoods, churches, and industries. The Making
of Milwaukee is Gurda's most ambitious effort. With 450 pages, more
than 500 illustrations, and a cast of thousands, it is the first feature-length
history of the community published since 1948. Milwaukee Public Television
is currently producing a series of documentaries based on the book. In addition
to his work as an author, Gurda is a lecturer, tour guide, and local history
columnist for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
He holds a B.A. in English from Boston College and an M.A. in Cultural Geography
from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Gurda is an eight-time winner
of the Wisconsin Historical Society's Award of Merit.
Jean Jacobson 
Jean Jacobson was Racine County's first woman County Executive. She was first
elected to that position in 1995, and was reelected to a second term without
opposition in 1999. Prior to her election as County Executive, Jean served on
the Racine County Board of Supervisors for 15 years, including four as Chair
of the County Board, the first woman to hold that position in Racine County
history.
Of many accomplishments as County Executive, Jean is especially proud of the County's Workforce Development Center, considered one of the premier such centers in the United States, and of the intergovernmental initiatives she has fostered, including the Law Enforcement Automation Project.
During her years on the County Board, Jean developed a keen interest and well-respected expertise in the area of transportation. She was named 1998 "Woman of the Year" by the Wisconsin Transportation Seminar.
A recognized leader in County Government, Jean is a past two-term President of the Wisconsin County Executives and Administrators Association. She has also represented Counties on the Governor's Mandates Council, on the Stewardship Committee, on the Governor's Blue Ribbon Commission on State - Local Partnerships in the 21st Century, better known as the Kettl Commission and on Governor McCallum's Task Force on State and Local Government. In acknowledgment of her expertise in Public Affairs, Jean was named a "Woman of Influence" by the Milwaukee Business Journal in 2001. In May, the Racine County Economic Development Corporation presented Jean with the Len Ziolkowski Award. This prestigious award is given to someone who has served the public sector and recognizes commitment to economic development and job creation in Racine County.
Pat Boelter
Ms. Boelter has over 20 years of marketing, public relations, and fund development experience. During her career, she has conducted numerous campaigns and raised millions of dollars for non-profit organizations of all sizes, from libraries and high schools to zoos, museums, and health care systems. She has served organizations in a variety of capacities-board member, volunteer, staff member and consultant-and understands the unique dynamics that accompany each role. Pat currently serves as an advisor to the Cudahy Family Library and the Delafield Public Library.
Jim Gollata
A
published poet, short story writer, and essayist, Jim describes himself as
a "book warrior and literary provocateur." He has appeared in several theatrical
productions and in a number of videos and movies, including the BBC production
based on the book Wisconsin Death Trip. In addition, Jim is also a drummer
and jazz aficionado. After undergoing quadruple bypass heart surgery in 2000,
Jim realized that his heart was in the right place and reaffirmed that it
is important to keep a pulse going, in life and in work and in love. Jim's
current day job is Director of the Library at UW-Richland, a position he has
held since 1987. Previous to that he was Director of Library Services at Mount
Senario College, in Ladysmith, Wisconsin. In addition, Jim has been the editor
of the WLA Newsletter since 1986.
Ellen Kort
Ellen Kort lives in Appleton, Wisconsin and is currently serving
a four-year governor-appointed position as Wisconsin's first poet laureate.
She is the author of eleven books including The Fox Heritage:
A History of Wisconsin Fox Cities, Wisconsin Quilts:
Stories in the Stitches (named an Outstanding Book of Wisconsin by
WLA in 2002) and seven books of poetry. Her most recent work is The
Art of Labor-Building the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center. In addition
to awards that include the Pablo Neruda Literary Prize for Poetry, her work
has achieved noteworthy prominence. Her poems have been featured in a wide
variety of anthologies and her writing has also been performed by the New
York City Dance Theater and recorded by Ellen Burstyn, Ed Asner, CCH Pounder
and Alfre Woodard. She currently teaches poetry at the Renaissance Fine Arts
Charter School in Appleton. Passionate about her life's vocation, Ellen can
also be seen carrying a bucket of glow-in-the-dark chalk, writing poems on
city sidewalks. http://wfop.org/laureate/EllenKort/
W. Gene Musser
A graduate of Washington University Medical School in St Louis, Gene Musser completed his internship and residency at Jewish Hospital (also in St Louis) and his fellowship at Presbyterian Hospital in San Francisco. He is board certified in Cardiology and Internal Medicine. His medical interests include cardiac catheterization, stress testing, arrhythmias, lipid management and cardiac rehabilitation. In addition to his medical practice, Dr. Musser is a clinical associate professor of Medicine at the University of Wisconsin.
Peggy Lautenschlager
Peggy A. Lautenschlager of Fond du Lac was elected Attorney General of Wisconsin in 2002. The first woman ever to hold this office, she leads the Department of Justice and its major divisions and offices, including the Divisions of Criminal Investigation and Drug Enforcement, the Division of Legal Services, the Division of Management Services, the Division of Law Enforcement and the Office of Crime Victim Services. Lautenschlager is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Lake Forest College (1977), honoring in history and mathematics. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School in June 1980. A native of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, Peg Lautenschlager is married to Bill Rippl, a police officer in the city of Neenah, Wisconsin. She is mother to three children and two stepchildren. http://www.doj.state.wi.us/ag/
Nicholas C. Burbules
Nicholas
C. Burbules is a Grayce Wicall Gauthier Professor in the department of Educational
Policy Studies at the University of Illinois, Urbana/Champaign. He has published
numerous articles and several books in the areas of philosophy of education
and educational policy. His recent books include Watch
IT: The Promises and Risks of New Information Technologies for Education,
written with Thomas A. Callister, Jr. and Globalization
and Education: Critical Perspectives, co-edited with Carlos Torres.
http://faculty.ed.uiuc.edu/burbules/
Susan Boon Murray
Susan joined the UW-La Crosse faculty in the fall of 1999 as Associate Professor for Therapeutic Recreation. Boon worked as Chief, Recreation Therapy at the United States Soldiers' & Airmen's Home in Washington D.C. before earning her doctorate in 1997. She teaches Facilitation Techniques in Therapeutic Recreation and focuses her scholarship on journaling and bibliotherapy. She has collaborated with UW-La Crosse librarians to deliver a grant-funded intensive program for the elderly that promotes positive images of aging by using children's literature. She facilitates read-alouds with a music therapist utilizing picture books that are songs. Boon is a nationally recognized presenter known for sessions where participants "come as strangers and leave as friends."
Sue McCleaf Nespeca
Ms. Nespeca is a youth services consultant, children's librarian and author. Ms. Nespeca holds a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education as well as a Master's Degree in Library Science. Sue also heads Kid Lit Plus Consulting providing speeches, in-services, training and consulting to librarians, teachers and early childhood educators
James D. Friedman
Mr. Friedman is a partner in the law firm of Quarles & Brady. His
practice areas include Financial Institutions and Health Care. His current
board memberships include Partners Advancing Values in Education, Inc., Equal
Justice Coalition and Weyenberg Public Library Foundation, Inc., for which
he is president. He is a graduate of Marquette University and received his
JD from the University of Notre Dame. http://www.quarles.com/friedmjd.asp
Carole McGinley Edland
As
the founder and director of "The Butterfly Ministry," Ms. Edland is devoted
to teaching coping skills to those who are having difficulty with life's challenges.
Her educational background includes degrees in nursing, music, art and most
recently, a Doctor of Ministry from the University of St Thomas in St. Paul,
Minnesota. Now serving as its secretary, Ms. Edland has been a member of the
Friends of Wisconsin Libraries for more than 20 years. She has received numerous
library awards and is a founding board member of Community Literacy Coalition
in La Crosse.
Shawn Chilson
Mr. Chilson graduated from Milwaukee Area Technical College as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant and from UW-Milwaukee as a Registered Occupational Therapist. Beginning his career at St Ann's in 2000 as an activity coordinator, he has since been promoted to vice-president. Mr. Chilson considers himself lucky to have been able to be the primary caregiver for his daughter, now 10. Married for 18 years, Shawn's also a huge sports fan.
Richard Moore
An
investigative reporter and columnist, Moore's writing has focused on poverty,
quality childcare, government accountability, equitable funding for education
and affordable health care. He received the 1997 Media Award from the Wisconsin
Early Childhood Association for a series of articles in the Lakeland
Times on childcare trends in Wisconsin and is co-author of The Reform
of State Legislatures (Univ. Press of America, 1992).
Sandy Dolnick
Sandy Dolnick is the retired founder and longtime executive director of Friends of Libraries, U.S.A., an organization that will celebrate its 25th anniversary next year.
As executive director, Ms. Dolnick acted as chief contact and representative of the organization throughout the U.S. and the world. With her extensive knowledge of and relationships with both the library and publications world, her networking through public speaking and trade shows led to increased support for the efforts of local and state Friends of the Library. Since her retirement, she has spent time developing a new concept for an ALA publication to be called Fast Facts for Friends of the Library, which will be published in 2004. She lives in Philadelphia and enjoys networking with her grandchildren.
