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    <title>PALS Administration Blog   </title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi</link>
    <description>The PALS Administration weblog.</description>
    <language>en</language>

  <item>
    <title>PALS Coal Valley Service Center CLOSED thru Friday, July 25</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2008/07/22#20080722_140207</link>
    <description>We learned today that the Coal Valley Service Center is very likely to be without power through Friday, July 25th.  Delivery out of the Coal Valley Service Center will continue and some Coal Valley Service Center staff will be available via IM and email.  You may leave voicemail and email for Coal Valley Service Center staff as well -- they will be able to retrieve it by next week at the latest.
&lt;br&gt;
The PALS Rockford and Shorewood Service Centers continue to operate normally.
</description>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title>PALS Coal Valley Service Center Closed 7/22/2008</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2008/07/22#20080722_091156</link>
    <description>The PALS Coal Valley Service Center continues to be closed due to lack of power.  Delivery routes out of the Coal Valley Service Center will continue to run their usual routes.
&lt;br&gt;
PALS staff that are based at our Coal Valley Service Center will be unavailable today, though you may still send them email and leave them voicemail for retrieval later.
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    <title>PALS Coal Valley Service Center Closed 7/21/2008</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2008/07/21#20080721_084353</link>
    <description>The PALS Coal Valley Service Center is closed today.  Severe storms went through the Quad-Cities area this morning leaving more than 110,000 homes without power, including our Coal Valley Service Center.  PALS staff that are based at our Coal Valley Service Center will be unavailable today, though you may still send them email and leave them voicemail for retrieval later.  Our Coal Valley delivery drivers have started their routes and hope to complete them today.  If they run into difficulties, we will provide an update later today.

The Rockford and Shorewood Service Centers are operating normally today as are all PrairieCat Services and delivery services out of the Rockford and Shorewood Service Centers.
</description>
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    <title>PALS Board Meeting July 15, 2008 at LaSalle Public Library</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2008/07/11#20080711_141100</link>
    <description>There will be a PALS board meeting on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at the LaSalle Public Library, 305 Marquette St., LaSalle, IL, 61301 from 10-2.

You may view the agenda from the PALS website at:
&lt;a href=&quot;http://palsnet.info/about/board/default.asp&quot;&gt;

If you have any questions about the upcoming meeting, contact Rhonda Krahl at 309-799-3155 ext. 3151 or at rhondak@palsnet.info.
</description>
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  <item>
    <title>Announcing the winners of th FY2009 LAC election</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2008/06/24#20080606_102431</link>
    <description>PALS is pleased to announce the FY2009 Librarian's Advisory Committee. The LAC membership list can be viewed from the PALS website at &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.palsnet.info/members/lac/0608/FY2009LACMembers.pdf&quot;http://www.palsnet.info/members/lac/0608/FY2009LACMembers.pdf&lt;/a&gt;.
&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
The Librarian's Advisory Committee consists of 8 elected members and 8 appointed members representing the eight PALS' neighborhoods. A few more appointments are expected to be made for the FY2009 committee. 
&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
Please contact Cori Swanson at 309-799-3155 ext 3136 or at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:coris@palsnet.info&quot;&gt;coris@palsnet.info&lt;/a&gt; with questions about the results of the election or other questions about LAC.
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    <title>PALS Board Meeting on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at Byron Public Library</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2008/06/12#20080612_170310</link>
    <description>There will be a PALS board meeting on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at the Byron Public Library, 109 N. Franklin St., Byron, IL, 61010 from 10-2.

You may view the agenda from the PALS website at:
&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.palsnet.info/about/board/0608/boardagenda20080617.doc&quot;&gt;http://www.palsnet.info/about/board/0608/boardagenda20080617.doc&lt;/a&gt;

There will be a Personnel/Policy Committee meeting at 9 am prior to the board meeting on June 17, 2008 at Byron Public Library. 

You may view the agenda from the PALS website at:&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.palsnet.info/about/board/0608/Personnelpolicyagenda20080617.doc&quot;&gt;http://www.palsnet.info/about/board/0608/Personnelpolicyagenda20080617.doc&lt;/a&gt;
</description>
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    <title>Announcing the winners of the FY2009 Board of Director's election</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2008/06/02#20080602_090653</link>
    <description>Here are the winners of the election for the FY2009 PALS Board of Directors:
&lt;br&gt;
Steven Epstein, Kankakee Public Library - Public Library Trustee (3 year term)
Marina Spitzer, Julia Hull District Library – Public Library Trustee ( 1 year term)
Debbie Samuelson, Dakota CUSD #201 – School Library (1 year term)
&lt;br&gt;
If you have any questions about these results or about the Board in general, please contact Cori Swanson at 309-799-3155 ext3163 or email her at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:coris@palsnet.info&quot;&gt;coris@palsnet.info&lt;/a&gt;. 
</description>
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  <item>
    <title>Announcing the winners of the FY2009 Board of Director's election</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2008/06/02#20080602_090623</link>
    <description>Here are the winners of the election for the FY2009 PALS Board of Directors:
&lt;br&lt;
Steven Epstein, Kankakee Public Library - Public Library Trustee (3 year term)
Marina Spitzer, Julia Hull District Library – Public Library Trustee ( 1 year term)
Debbie Samuelson, Dakota CUSD #201 – School Library (1 year term)
&lt;br&gt;
If you have any questions about these results or about the Board in general, please contact Cori Swanson at 309-799-3155 ext3163 or email her at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:coris@palsnet.info&quot;&gt;coris@palsnet.info&lt;/a&gt;. 
</description>
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    <title>Change of location for May meeting of PALS Board of Directors</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2008/04/30#20080430_133220</link>
    <description>The Board of Directors of the Prairie Area Library System will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at the LaSalle Public Library, 305 Marquette Street, LaSalle, IL, 61301. Please note that this is a change in location from the original schedule.  For further information call 309-799-3155 ext. 3163.
</description>
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    <title>Vote now for the PALS Librarian's Advisory Committee - deadline is May 25, 2008</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2008/04/30#20080430_114840</link>
    <description>The election for the PALS Librarian's Advisory Committee is now open. Cast your &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.palsnet.info/members/election2.asp&quot;&gt;ballot&lt;/a&gt;!
&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
Each member library may cast a ballot for the current nominees to the PALS Librarian's Advisory Committee. There is a space for a write-in candidates as well. Unless the library makes other arrangements, we expect the Library Director to cast the library's ballot. If your library needs to make arrangements so PALS will count the ballot from someone other than the Library Director, please contact Cori Swanson at coris@palsnet.info&lt;mailto:coris@palsnet.info&gt;. Ballots may be submitted online from the PALS website or printed off and mailed to the Coal Valley Service Center, PO Box 125, Coal Valley, IL, 61240. Deadline for submission is May 25, 2008.
&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
Even if you are not casting a ballot for your library, please take a look at our &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.palsnet.info/members/laccandidates.asp&quot;&gt;list of candidates&lt;/a&gt;, available from the PALS website.
&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
If you have questions about the voting process or are having a problem submitting a ballot, please contact Cori Swanson at 309-799-3155 ext 3163 or &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:coris@palsnet.info&quot;&gt;coris@palsnet.info&lt;/a&gt;.
</description>
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    <title>Vote now for PALS Board of Directors - deadline is May 18, 2008</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2008/04/23#20080423_091102</link>
    <description>Each member library may cast a &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.palsnet.info/about/board/election.asp&quot;&gt;ballot&lt;/a&gt; for the current nominees to the PALS Board of Directors. There is a space for write-in candidates as well. Unless the library makes other arrangements, we expect the Library Director to cast the library's ballot. If your library needs to make arrangements so PALS will count the ballot from someone other than the Library Director, please contact Cori Swanson at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:coris@palsnet.info&quot;&gt;coris@palsnet.info&lt;a/&gt;. Ballots may be submitted online from the PALS website or mailed to the Coal Valley Service Center, PO Box 125, Coal Valley, IL, 61240. Deadline for submission is May 18, 2008.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Even you are not casting a ballot for your library, please feel free to take a look at our &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.palsnet.info/about/board/candidates.asp&quot;&gt;list of candidates&lt;a/&gt;.
</description>
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  <item>
    <title>Vote now for PALS Board of Directors - deadline is May 18, 2008</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2008/04/23#20080423_091008</link>
    <description>Each member library may cast a &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.palsnet.info/about/board/election.asp&quot;&gt;ballot&lt;/a&gt; for the current nominees to the PALS Board of Directors. There is a space for write-in candidates as well. Unless the library makes other arrangements, we expect the Library Director to cast the library's ballot. If your library needs to make arrangements so PALS will count the ballot from someone other than the Library Director, please contact Cori Swanson at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:coris@palsnet.info&quot;&gt;coris@palsnet.info&lt;a/&gt;. Ballots may be submitted online from the PALS website or mailed to the Coal Valley Service Center, PO Box 125, Coal Valley, IL, 61240. Deadline for submission is May 18, 2008.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Even you are not casting a ballot for your library, please feel free to take a look at our &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.palsnet.info/about/board/candidates.asp&quot;list of candidates&lt;a/&gt;.
</description>
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    <title>PALS Board Meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at Kankakee Public Library</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2008/04/10#20080410_121421</link>
    <description>The Board of Directors of the Prairie Area Library System will hold a regular monthly meeting on April 15, 2008 at the Kankakee Public Library, 201 East Merchant Street, Kankakee, IL, 60901-3864. This meeting will replace the cancelled August 2007 meeting. The agenda can be viewed from the &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.palsnet.info/about/board/0408/agenda20080415.pdf&quot;&gt; PALS website&lt;/a&gt;. For further information call 309-799-3155 ext. 3163. 
</description>
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  <item>
    <title>Here's What's Happening at PALS Day:  Brand Aid:  Marketing for Budgets of all Sizes</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2008/03/17#20080317_160606</link>
    <description>Members of the PALS Marketing Power Team (PMPT) will host a panel discussion of their strategies for consistent marketing of your library with or without a marketing “budget”. 

The PMPT will also host an informal PALS &quot;Swap and Shop&quot; at PALS Day where members are encouraged to share ideas for promotional materials. More information on the &quot;Swap and Shop&quot; will be announced soon.  
</description>
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  <item>
    <title>Here's What's Happening at PALS Day: Listen Up!  Moving Your Local Leaders to “Yes” </title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2008/03/11#20080306_105613</link>
    <description>Listen Up!  Moving Your Local Leaders to “Yes” 
&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
One of the many terrific PALS Day workshops available to you will be advocacy for your library. Stephanie Vance, Advocacy Guru, has presented for ALA’s National Legislative Day in D.C. She lives in D.C. where among her other clients, she’s arranged lobby days for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. We’re bringing her to Starved Rock so you can hear her and pick up great tips.

&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
Program synopsis:
Thinking about launching a local referenda campaign to get more funds for your library?  Want to convince your city council member of the value your library provides to the community?  Just want to be sure that existing library programs aren’t cut?  Local governmental actions impact libraries in many ways:  come to this session to learn more about how you can raise the profile of your library with local leaders without going too far outside your front door.  
&lt;br&gt;
&lt;br&gt;
We’ll discuss the basics of effective advocacy including knowing what you want, who you’re talking to and how to develop a winning message.  We’ll also share the number one tool in the effective library advocate arsenal.  Come prepared with your questions on getting legislators to listen, identifying your goals and, most important, what NOT to say to your local leaders.  Oh, and be ready to have some fun with group discussion, role playing and fabulous prizes!
</description>
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    <title>PALS Board to attend Planning Convocation </title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2008/02/28#20080228_140812</link>
    <description>Members of the Board of Directors of the Prairie Area Library System will be attending the PALS Planning Convocation at the Mendota Civic Center, 1901 Tom Merwin Drive, Mendota, IL, 61342 on Friday, March 7, 2008. This gathering does not constitute a regular monthly meeting of the Board, nor will the members present be acting as a voting body. Along with other representatives of the system membership, they are attending the convocation to give input to the System on formation of a Long Range Plan.
</description>
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    <title>Nominations for PALS Board of Directors are  sought - deadline is April 13, 2008</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2008/02/27#20080227_151804</link>
    <description>Nominations are being sought for one school library representative and three public library trustees for the 11 person board of directors of the Prairie Area Library System. Two public library trustee positions are for three years beginning July 1, 2008 and ending June 30, 2011. One public library trustee and the school library representative are for one year beginning July 1, 2008 and ending June 30, 2009.The election will be held this spring and self-nominations are encouraged. Deadline for nomination submission is April 13, 2008. Please go to our &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.palsnet.info/about/board/nominate.asp&quot;&gt;nominations page&lt;/a&gt;. to learn more about the responsibilities of a board member or to nominate yourself or someone else.
</description>
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    <title>PALS Weather Closings on 2/6/2008</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2008/02/06#20080206_060637</link>
    <description>The PALS Service Centers in Coal Valley and Rockford are closed today due to bad weather conditions.  All delivery routes out of Coal Valley and Rockford are cancelled.  The PALS Service Center in Shorewood is open and all delivery routes out of Shorewood are scheduled to run.  We will be assessing the situation in the Shorewood area throughout the day and may close the service center and/or cancel the delivery routes depending on the conditions.
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    <title>Shorewood Service Center Closed</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2008/02/01#20080201_061506</link>
    <description>The PALS Shorewood Service Center is closed today (2/1/2008) and all delivery routes out of Shorewood are cancelled due to the weather.  The PALS Coal Valley Service Center and all delivery routes out of Coal Valley are operating normally.  The PALS Rockford Service Center is open.   All delivery routes out of Rockford are operating normally except the Southeast route which is operating on a delay pending road conditions. 
</description>
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    <title>Illinois Library Day, Thursday, April 10</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2008/01/21#20080121_152316</link>
    <description>WHAT:
Illinois Library Day - Thursday, April 10, Springfield. 

WHY:
There is much reason to participate this year as there are many funding issues . Among ILA’s policy committee’s priority issues is full funding for Per Capita grants, restoring funding to the systems and full funding for schools. By April, we’ll also know what new bills have been introduced that would affect libraries and what our stance is on these issues. 

One bill already introduced by Rep Frank Mautino (D-76) is House Bill (HB) 4518 (Libraries in Name Only) on the dissolution of township libraries that fail to meet certain benchmarks. 

HOW:
Register on the ILA web site as an attendee. Registration is complementary but requested in order to process your attendance to the event. Thank you! You may also register for an optional boxed lunch for $10.

FORMAT:
As in past years, the format will be a Rally followed by visits to legislators. For those arriving on Wednesday, there will be an all state briefing and dinner with Kip Kolkmeier, ILA’s lobbyist, so that attendees can hear the very latest update on issues. 

A Thursday morning legislative breakfast will be held in the state library’s atrium giving attendees a chance to visit with legislators. This could even provide a lengthier opportunity to visit with the legislator than in their offices and after the Rally, give you some free time to visit the Abraham Lincoln Museum or his home which is within walking distance from the state library. 

LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST:
7:S0 Thursday morning in the artium at  the state library. Prior registration required. See ILA web site.

RALLY:
11:30 am, Thursday, participants gather
at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential
Library and Museum and march en
masse to the Lincoln statue on the east
side of the state capitol building for
a rally featuring speeches from library
leaders. Participants will be carrying
signs, umbrellas, foam fingers, noise
makers, and banners, and we are
confident a large turnout will make
lawmakers take notice and generate
positive media coverage for our efforts.

TRANSPORTATION:
PALS will provide transportation to ILD for those registered on CLEO for a ride - to be posted shortly. Preregistration is required so we can plan accordingly. 

ACTION TO TAKE:
1. Save the date and clear your calendar for April 10! 
2. Register on the ILA web site. 
3. If planning to attend the all state dinner, register at http://www.dupagels.lib.il.us/calendar/detailpages/1198094907.html 
4. Arrange for overnight stay in Springfield. Some hotels are already fully booked , but some space is still available in rooms blocked by the DuPage LS. Please act quickly before these are gone. 
State House Inn http://www.dupagels.lib.il.us/calendar/detailpages/1197927971.html 
Northfield Inn, site of the Wednesday dinner http://www.dupagels.lib.il.us/calendar/detailpages/1197409595.html And http://www.dupagels.lib.il.us/calendar/detailpages/1197408629.html

for questions: 
please call Inara at 815-229-4452, or email inaram@palsnet.info
</description>
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    <title>Illinois Library Day, Thursday, April 10</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2008/01/21#20080121_153916</link>
    <description>WHAT: Illinois Library Day - Thursday, April 10, Springfield.&lt;BR&gt; 
WHY: There is much reason to participate this year as there are many funding issues . Among ILA’s policy committee’s priority issues is full funding for Per Capita grants, restoring funding to the systems and full funding for schools. By April, we’ll also know what new bills have been introduced that would affect libraries and what our stance is on these issues. One bill already introduced by Rep Frank Mautino (D-76) is House Bill (HB) 4518 (Libraries in Name Only) on the dissolution of township libraries that fail to meet certain benchmarks. &lt;BR&gt;HOW: Register on the ILA web site as an attendee. Registration is complementary but requested in order to process your attendance to the event. Thank you! You may also register for an optional boxed lunch for $10. &lt;BR&gt;FORMAT: As in past years, the format will be a Rally followed by visits to legislators. For those arriving on Wednesday, there will be an all state briefing and dinner with Kip Kolkmeier, ILA’s lobbyist, so that attendees can hear the very latest update on issues. A Thursday morning legislative breakfast will be held in the state library’s atrium giving attendees a chance to visit with legislators. This could even provide a lengthier opportunity to visit with the legislator than in their offices and after the Rally, give you some free time to visit the Abraham Lincoln Museum or his home which is within walking distance from the state library. &lt;BR&gt;LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST: 7:S0 Thursday morning in the artium at the state library. Prior registration required. See ILA web site. &lt;BR&gt;RALLY: 11:30 am, Thursday, participants gather at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and march en masse to the Lincoln statue on the east side of the state capitol building for a rally featuring speeches from library leaders. Participants will be carrying signs, umbrellas, foam fingers, noise makers, and banners, and we are confident a large turnout will make lawmakers take notice and generate positive media coverage for our efforts. &lt;BR&gt;TRANSPORTATION: PALS will provide transportation to ILD for those registered on CLEO for a ride - to be posted shortly. Preregistration is required so we can plan accordingly. &lt;BR&gt;ACTION TO TAKE: 1. Save the date and clear your calendar for April 10!&lt;BR&gt; 2. Register on the ILA web site.&lt;BR&gt; 3. If planning to attend the all state dinner, register at &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.dupagels.lib.il.us/calendar/detailpages/1198094907.html&quot;&gt;&lt;/a&gt; &lt;BR&gt;4. Arrange for overnight stay in Springfield. Some hotels are already fully booked , but some space is still available in rooms blocked by the DuPage LS. Please act quickly before these are gone.&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.dupagels.lib.il.us/calendar/detailpages/1197927971.html&quot;&gt;State House Inn&lt;/a&gt;  &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.dupagels.lib.il.us/calendar/detailpages/1197409595.html&quot;&gt;Northfield Inn, site of the Wednesday dinner&lt;/a&gt; And &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.dupagels.lib.il.us/calendar/detailpages/1197408629.html&quot;&gt;&lt;/a&gt; for questions: please call Inara at 815-229-4452, or email &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:inaram@palsnet.info&quot;&gt;inaram@palsnet.info&lt;/a&gt;
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    <title>PALS Board Meeting on Tuesday, Janaury 15, 2008 at LaSalle Public Library</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2008/01/10#20080110_163855</link>
    <description>PALS will hold a regular monthly meeting of it Board of Directors on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 from 10-2 at the LaSalle Public Library, 305 Marquette St., LaSalle, IL, 61301. To view the agenda, click on the following link: &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.palsnet.info/about/board/0108/agenda20080115.doc&quot;&gt;http://www.palsnet.info/about/board/0108/agenda20080115.doc&lt;/a&gt;. For more information contact Cori Swanson at 309-799-3155 x3163.
</description>
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    <title>PALS Board meeting rescheduled for April 15, 2008</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2007/12/19#20071213_101148</link>
    <description>The PALS Board of Directors has rescheduled their cancelled August 21, 2007 meeting for April 15, 2008 at the Kankakee Public Library. Please direct any questions to Cori Swanson at 309-799-3155 x3136.
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    <title>PALS Board of Director's meeting on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at Yorkville Public Library</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2007/11/15#20071115_132320</link>
    <description>The regular monthly meeting of the Prairie Area Library System Board of Directors will be held on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 from 10-2 at the Yorkville Public Library, 902 Game Farm Road, Yorkville, IL 60560. Click on the following link to view the agenda: &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.palsnet.info/about/board/default.asp&quot;&gt;http://www.palsnet.info/about/board/default.asp&lt;/a&gt;. For more information contact Cori Swanson at 309-799-3155 x3163. 
</description>
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    <title>PALS Board seeking school librarian to fill open seat</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2007/10/23#20071023_150823</link>
    <description>The Prairie Area Library System is seeking a school librarian to fill a recently vacated seat on the PALS Board of Directors. The seat will be filled by appointment and the term will be through June 30, 2008. The PALS Board meets on the third Tuesday of the month and holds at least nine meetings each year. The meeting locations will vary from month to month. Board members are expected to attend as many meetings as possible and are reimbursed for travel expenses.
More information on the responsibilities of the board and its members can be found on the PALS website at &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.palsnet.info/about/board/default.asp&quot;&gt;http://www.palsnet.info/about/board/default.asp&lt;/a&gt;.
Individuals with interest in the position should contact Board President Penny O’Rourke at &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:pennyo@byron.lib.il.us&quot;&gt;pennyo@byron.lib.il.us&lt;/a&gt;. 
The vacancy occurred due to the resignation of Nancy Buikema, Media Specialist K-8, River Bend Schools. Nancy resigned due to personal reasons. The Board accepted Nancy's resignation with extreme regret.
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    <title>PALS Board meeting on Tuesday, October 16, 2007</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2007/10/11#20071011_160607</link>
    <description>The Board of Directors of the Prairie Area Library System will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at Fountaindale Public Library, 300 W. Briarcliff Rd., Bolingbrook, IL, 60440. You may view the agenda at the following URL: &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.palsnet.info/about/board/default.asp&quot;&gt;http://www.palsnet.info/about/board/default.asp&lt;/a&gt;. For more information call 309-799-3155 ext3163. 
</description>
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    <title>PALS Librarians' Advisory Committee meeting on Friday, September 7, 2007</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2007/09/05#20070905_142114</link>
    <description>The PALS Librarians' Advisory Committee (LAC) will hold its first meeting of the fiscal year on Friday, September 7, 2007 at LaSalle Public Library from 10am-3pm. The agenda is posted on the PALS website at the following URL: &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.palsnet.info/members/advisory.asp&quot;&gt;http://www.palsnet.info/members/advisory.asp&lt;/a&gt;
</description>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title>16th District Congressional Reception </title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2007/07/30#20070730_144834</link>
    <description>An informal meet &amp; greet with Congressman Donald Manzullo on 
Tuesday, August 21, 
9 to 10 am at the 
Cherry Valley PLD. 

Attendance is especially requested of those who’ve received LSTA grants in the last years. Please use this opportunity to thank the congressman for supporting LSTA funding and mention how not only your library benefited from the grant, but how it also added to making your community  a better place to live.

Those who’ve not received LSTA grants but wish they had, should take advantage of this opportunity to request increased LSTA funding. This has been on the top three list of issues every year at ALA’s National Legislative Day. Here’s an opportunity to mention the need without incurring the cost of a flight to DC and “bargain” room rates of $200+ for each night’s lodging as well as  needing to miss several busy days out of your library building.

Bring along your business cards, library promotional material and any brochures that you have on events at your library.

Following the meet &amp; greet, you’re invited to stay for the PALS board meeting at the same location.
</description>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title>PALS Communications Survey Now Open! </title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2007/07/16#20070716_153124</link>
    <description>In FY2008, PALS staff wants to work on improving communications to our member libraries. We hope to implement a new website and a new design/platform for our newsletter, Prairie Views. We are also investigating expanding our use of Blogs/ RSS news feeds, Wikis, podcasting and more. Before we do that, we'd like to gather your input on current PALS communications tools and where you think we should move in the future. To that end, we invite you to participate in a survey about PALS and communication with our members.  &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=TGrdBvLqTxAsCkZ4lUKLWg_3d_3d&quot;&gt;Click Here to take survey&lt;/a&gt;
</description>
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  <item>
    <title>PALS Board Meeting on Tuesday, July 17, 2007</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2007/07/12#20070712_141506</link>
    <description>The Board of Directors of the Prairie Area Library System will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at the Black Hawk Community College Library, 6600 34th Ave, Moline, IL 61265.  For further information call 309-799-3155 ext. 3163. View the agenda at &lt;a href=&quot;http://palsnet.info&quot;&gt; http://www.palsnet.info/about/board/default.asp&lt;/a&gt;.
</description>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title>PALS Board Meeting on Tuesday, July 17, 2007</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2007/07/12#20070712_141419</link>
    <description>The Board of Directors of the Prairie Area Library System will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at the Black Hawk Community College Library, 6600 34th Ave, Moline, IL 61265.  For further information call 309-799-3155 ext. 3163. View the agenda at http://www.palsnet.info/about/board/default.asp.
</description>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title>PALS Board of Director's meeting tomorrow, June 19, 2007</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2007/06/18#20070618_091209</link>
    <description>The Board of Directors of the Prairie Area Library System will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 19, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. at the Prairie Area Library System Shorewood Service Center, 405 Earl Road, Shorewood, IL 60404. Please note that this represents a change in location from the original schedule posted at the beginning of the fiscal year.   The Personnel/Policy Committee of the Prairie Area Library System Board of Directors will hold a meeting prior to the regular board meeting at 9:00 a.m. For further information call 309-799-3155 ext. 3163.
</description>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title>Group purchase of READ CDs and Photoshop Elements</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2007/05/23#20070523_095646</link>
    <description>&lt;p&gt;PALS is coordinating a group purchase of the ALA READ CDs and Photoshop Elements. For more information, go to &lt;a href=&quot;http://palsnet.info/members/purchase/&quot;&gt;http://palsnet.info/members/purchase/&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
</description>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title>FY2008 PALS Board election runs through June 15, 2007</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2007/05/21#20070521_105247</link>
    <description>Go to the following link to cast your ballot for the FY2008 PALS Board of Directors: &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.palsnet.info/about/board/election2.asp&quot;&gt;http://www.palsnet.info/about/board/election2.asp&lt;/a&gt;

Please read through the ballot carefully. You may vote for up to three Public Library Trustee seats, up to one Academic Library seat, and up to one Special Library seat. 

To learn more about the candidates go to &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.palsnet.info/about/board/candidates.asp&quot;&gt;http://www.palsnet.info/about/board/candidates.asp&lt;/a&gt;
</description>
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  <item>
    <title>NIMEC (Northern Illinois Municipal Electric Cooperative)</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2007/04/11#20070411_155149</link>
    <description>If you are a public library and are interested in learning how to possibly lower your electric bill, please join us on Monday, April 30 to hear how this cooperative might be able to help you do so.  &lt;br&gt;Gary Grossman and David Hoover from NIMEC will introduce member libraries to the concept of the electric cooperative and how you might be able to benefit from belonging to such a group.  &lt;br&gt;Many public libraries have electrical power distributed by Commonwealth Edison since they are the distributor of electrical power.  If you are interested in hearing how you might lower your electric bills, plan to attend this informational meeting.  THERE IS NO OBLIGATION TO JOIN THE COOPERATIVE nor will there be any pressure to join.  This is just an informational meeting.  &lt;br&gt;Gary and David will be at the Shorewood Service Center (with videoconference to the Coal Valley Service Center) from 9:30-11:00 on Monday, April 30.  They will be in the Rockford Service Center (with VC to Coal Valley) from 1:30-3:00 on Monday, April 30.  For additional information on this program, contact &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:nancys@palsnet.info&quot;&gt;Nancy Smith&lt;/a&gt;x4466 or &lt;a href=&quot;mailto:sandyr@palsnet.info&quot;&gt;Sandy Ringstrom&lt;/a&gt;x2710.
</description>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title>Nominations are now being sought for the FY2008 PALS Board of Directors</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2007/03/21#20070321_125143</link>
    <description>Nominations are now being sought for the FY2008 PALS Board of Directors.

Please, follow this link to electronically submit a nomination form.

&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.palsnet.info/about/board/nominate.asp&quot;&gt;http://www.palsnet.info/about/board/nominate.asp&lt;/a&gt;
</description>
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  <item>
    <title>Prove Your Library's Value: MLA webcast, March 7</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2007/02/15#20070215_110647</link>
    <description>&lt;p&gt;PALS is a participating site for the Medical Library Association's webcast of &quot;Survival of the Fittest: Strategies to Prove Your Library's Value&quot;. March 7, 1:00-3:00pm. $10 workshop fee.
&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;
The seminar will cover:
&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Understanding the library's value in the larger organization.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Role of the librarian in crafting promotional strategies.&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;Real-world success stories (academic, hospital, and special libraries)&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;
To register ...
&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;
&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.palsnet.info/events/?Action=Details&amp;EventID=2820&quot;&gt;Coal Valley Service Center&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.palsnet.info/events/?Action=Details&amp;EventID=2821&quot;&gt;Rockford Service Center&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li&gt;&lt;a href=&quot;http://www.palsnet.info/events/?Action=Details&amp;EventID=2822&quot;&gt;Shorewood Service Center&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Note: PALS will cancel at a service center if fewer than 5 people sign up for that location by February 22.&lt;/em&gt; 
&lt;/p&gt;
</description>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title>The Shorewood Service Center is closed. The Coal Valley and Rockford Services Centers will be closing at 4 pm. All Continuous Learning events have been canceled. The NIU classes for tonight have also been canceled. Delivery from the Shorewood and Coal Valley hubs have been canceled. Delivery from the Rockford hub is proceeding as scheduled. Please check the website often as we will continue to evaluate the weather at all three centers throughout the day.  2/13/07, 2:45 pm</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2007/02/13#20070213_055157</link>
    <description></description>
  </item>
  <item>
    <title>Illinois Library Day April 18-19, 2007</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2007/01/09#20070109_140550</link>
    <description>SAVE THE DATE

STATE WIDE DINNER &amp; STRATEGY SESSION 
Wednesday evening, April 18,a statewide dinner with Kip Kolkmeier, ILA lobbyist, will be held at the Northfield Inn, Suites and Conference Center, 3280 Northfield Drive, Springfield. 

At that time, participants will receive packets of information and a full briefing by Kip on the issues.

The dinner, from 6:30-9:00 pm  featuring a cash bar, is an opportunity to mix and mingle with your colleagues and develop your strategy for visiting legislators. 

Register by April 11, 2007. To register, go to the DLS Continuing Education calendar at &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.dupagels.lib.il.us/calendar/detailpages/1165875762.html&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;http://www.dupagels.lib.il.us/calendar/detailpages/1165875762.html&lt;/a&gt;. The cost is $30, payable in advance to the DuPage Library System, coordinator of the dinner. 


HOTEL
Hotel rooms in Springfield are scarce already. It's important to take action now. Rooms at the Northfield Inn are already gone, but we've been able to block the remaining 24 rooms at the Ramada Ltd across the street at the state rate of $74 for 2 bed double rooms under PALS (Prairie Area Library System), 217-523-4000. 

PALS also was able to block 20 rooms at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel, formerly the Renaissance, ( 217) 523-7900 for Wednesday night at $70 for a single and $85 for double occupancy. Tax is not included in the rate. 

Please mention that you're calling to reserve rooms blocked by PALS. Otherwise, the rooms are $129 plus tax.

CUT OFF DATE FOR ROOM RESERVATIONS
Blocked rooms not reserved by March 28 will be released. 

LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST AND RALLY 
Early on Thursday morning, a breakfast with legislators will be held in the atrium of the Illinois State Library. This would make for an easy opportunity to visit with your legislators and make them aware of the very latest library related legislation and how it affects us as you'll just have heard a presentation by Kip the night before. 

Similarly to last year, a Rally with some motivational speakers is on the agenda. 

All involved in planning last year's event recognize that we need to change how lunches were handled and you can count on the committee to do so. This year's event will take the best parts of last year's ILD and make it better yet. You'll definitely want to be a part of it and leave Springfield feeling upbeat. 

TRANSPORTATION
PALS will arrange for bus transport from Mendota to Springfield for those attending the PG Delegates/OPAC Assembly Meeting on April 18. 

PALS will also be working with DuPage, MLS and NSLS to coordinate transportation to Springfield from a stop in Shorewood. 

Details will be announced as they are worked out. Other transportation arrangements directly from the service centers are in the works also. Save the date! 


LINCOLN PRESIDENTIAL MUSEUM/LIBRARY
We'll also allow for some time for you to visit the Lincoln Presidential Museum and Library. Even if you spent time at the museum last year, the exhibits change and there are new displays to look at and study. 

Plan on a beautiful spring day among the dogwoods and crab apples in Springfield and block the dates now! 

It will be an exceptionally busy lobbying year in Springfield this session and our presence is needed to show that librarians are active, that they vote and that they need to be listened to. 

Please act now and call to make reservations to guarantee a hotel room if you intend to arrive for the state wide dinner on Wednesday evening and be there bright and early for the Legislative Breakfast. 

Watch for more details to follow
</description>
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  <item>
    <title>PALS Holiday Schedule</title>
    <link>http://palsnet.info/blogs/blosxom_administration.cgi/2006/12/13#20061213_110411</link>
    <description>The three PALS Service Centers will be closed on Monday, December 25 and Monday, January 1 in observance of the holidays. There will be no deliveries made either of those two days. Prairie Views will also not be published on December 28. 
</description>
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