volume #3 issue#26

July 6, 2006

Prairie Views: the newsletter of the Prairie Area Library System

System News

New Delivery Route Implemented Beginning July 10
A new "Central" delivery route will be implemented out of the Shorewood hub beginning on Monday, July 10, 2006. This is the same route that was tested in May. The new fourth route out of Shorewood will allow the delivery loads to be redistributed to be more manageable. Some Shorewood hub libraries will see a change in the time of day that their delivery is made. There may be some additional fine-tuning of the the Shorewood route redistribution over the next few weeks. By August 1, the final route changes will be made on the PALS website and libraries will be able to print new lists of delivery routes. Please contact Dorothy DeSalvo (dorothyd@palsnet.info, or ext 2701) with any questions about the new route.

PALSGroup Delegates Assembly Agenda
The first meeting of the PALSGroup Delegates Assembly is July 12 at the Grand Bear Lodge, Utica, IL, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Please register at http://www.palsnet.info/events/, if you plan on attending. There is a $11.00 charge for lunch. Lunch choices and a print invitation can be found on the PALSGroup Merger page. Please send lunch choices to Shirley Grasty no later than July 6, 2006. Transportation will be offered from all three PALS service center areas.
Contact Shirley Grasty, shirleyg@palsnet.info, or ext. 2706, to sign up for transportation.

Mississippi Valley Librarians Meeting via OPAL
All PALS member small public libraries (serve under 10,000) are invited to join this OPAL meeting on Wednesday, July 19th.
Standard agenda topics include:
Patron ideas/concerns
Programming ideas/concerns
Collection development ideas/concerns
Technology ideas/concerns
System topics: Upcoming events, System news, State Library news, Upcoming deadlines for public libraries,
Special topic-- share your plans for using your per capita grant
Join your colleagues for discussion on topics of interest.
For more details see the CLeO entry for July 19th. Any questions contact Chris Rugh (crugh@colonalibrary.com) or Nancy Smith (nancys@palsnet.info).

Events/Continuous Learning
CLeO: All continuous learning events sponsored by PALS are open to all staff or representatives of member libraries. Registration is required for all PALS continuous learning programs. To register, visit the PALS CLeO at http://www.palsnet.info/events/

Information on registration, how to set up a CLeO account, and PALS procedures for continuous learning can be found on the PALS website at: http://www.palsnet.info/services/cl/default.asp

PALS Events by Month

PALS Events by Category, Winter/Spring 2006

Member News

Condolences
Our condolences go out to Randie Dellatori, Director of the Putnam County Public Library District, on the recent passing of her mother.
Also condolences to Sharon Highler, Assistant Director of the Shorewood-Troy Public Library District on the recent death of her grandson.
They will both be in our prayers and thoughts.

Library Closing
The Moline Public Library, 3130 41st Street, will be closed Tuesday, July 11, through Saturday, July 15, 2006 while the next stage of the parking lot including the entrance is completed. The library will re-open on Monday, July 17, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. Outside book returns will be emptied daily, however, drive up access through the parking lot will be unavailable. Overdue fines will be forgiven for materials with due dates between July 11 and July 15.

New Name
As of July 1st –Squaw Grove PLD is now called Hinckley Public Library District.

Senior Day Bettendorf Library
All seniors of the Quad City area are invited to the free monthly Senior Day Program at 1:30 PM on Thursday, July 20 at Bettendorf Public Library. The Golden Tones, a chorus from CASI, will present a concert directed by Dr. Barbara Buddin. The performance is funded by Friends of the Bettendorf Library. For half an hour prior to and following the program, a cardiac nurse from Trinity Health Systems will be available outside the meeting room for free cardiac risk assessments, body fat analysis, and blood pressure.

Locked Library Scavenger Hunt
Teams of up to four middle and high school students can find the wild things at the Bettendorf Public Library in this free after-hours event. The Locked Library Scavenger Hunt will be held on Friday, July 21 from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. Clues will lead you to letters all over the library, be the first to unscramble the message and you win! To register for the scavenger hunt, call 344-4178, stop by the Bettendorf Public Library's Youth Services department or go online to http://www.bettendorflibrary.com/teen/events.htm

19th Annual Bix Porch Party
Kick-off the Bix Jazz Festival at the Davenport Public Library! It’s time for the 19th annual Bix Porch Party, Thursday, July 27, from 11:30 – 1 p.m., on the steps of the Main Library. New this year – Main Street will be closed off from traffic, so bring your lawn chairs and head downtown to enjoy free live jazz music from Don Estes’ Prairie Ramblers! Free popcorn and lemonade, and bargain prices on hot dogs. Stop in the library afterwards and visit the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections center to learn more about Bix and to see the display of Bix Jazz Festival posters. Hot fun in the summer time @ your library!
Call 563-888-3371 for more info.

Fairmount’s Fabulous Family Fun Night
Tuesdays this summer, the Davenport Public Library - Fairmount Street location will present Family Fun Night. Every Tuesday evening from 5 - 7 p.m., bring a picnic supper, lawn chairs or blankets, and enjoy time together with friends and family. Each week, as part of our “Reading Rocks!” Summer Reading Series, we will have a different decade of music and showcase a different main attraction. We will also have other activities, including: stories on a blanket, crafts by the trail, and chalk drawings on the sidewalk. On July 18, we feature the music of the today. Also, the Scott County Kennel Club will showcase dog obedience, grooming, and agility training. Come meet some of the most successful dogs and dog-owners in the area! All Family Fun Night activities are FREE and will be held outside weather permitting.
For more information visit our website at http://www.davenportlibrary.com; or call us at 563-326-7900.

Missing Books - we've added a new section to Prairie Views where members are welcome to post information about materials that are missing in transit. As with all Prairie Views submissions, please send to prairieviews@palsnet.info.

Freebies/Exchanges/For Sale/Wanted

Prairie Area Library System offers a means for members to share discarded items to needy libraries. Procedures are outlined in the Reference Member Services Guide http://www.palsnet.info/services/reference/reference_guide.asp They are also outlined below.

Libraries wanting to offer up materials are to notify Brenda Roman (brendar@palsnet.info or x3152) or Judy Hutchinson (judyh@palsnet.info or x3150), or you can email to Prairie Views (mailto:prairieviews@lists.palsnet.info), providing the following information:
*Library's name and phone number
*Title(s) of the items discarded

A list will be compiled for inclusion in the weekly Prairie Views newsletter. Anyone interested in freebies are to contact the library directly, (no earlier than Monday following the listing). Members are responsible for making their own arrangements. The PALS van delivery may be available for transporting items, as space and time permits. Contact your Service Center Delivery Manager to arrange for delivery of large shipments.

PALS Members - please remember that you are asked to not request or release any items whether they are Free or For Sale until Monday following the publication of the announcement in Prairie Views. This gives library staff a chance to see the message and request the materials if they are interested. Thanks for your cooperation - we have had several complaints in recent weeks about items being released before Monday.

Reddick Library
has to giveaway
1) World Chamber of Commerce directory, 2005
2) Book of the states, 2004, v. 36

Please email emchapman@reddicklibrary.org

Job Openings
Jobs can be submitted on the PALS website at http://www.palsnet.info/jobs/ or by sending them to prairieviews@palsnet.info. All jobs submitted by either method will be included in Prairie Views for one week and will be posted for 120 days on the PALS website unless the library posting the job requests that it be removed before 120 days. Visit http://www.palsnet.info/jobs/ to views all the job ads that PALS currently has posted.

Media Paraprofessionals
Lockport Township High School Media Information Services Department has 2 positions open for 2 Media Paraprofessionals. One position is available at each campus library. Starting salary is $11.80 per hour (contract under negotiation), sick days and insurance are part of the benifit package. 60 hours of college credit are reqauired. Library experience is essential. Knowledge of Follett, Microsoft Office - Works and Excel preferred. Apply online at lths.org. Deadline is July 19, 2006.

Special Collections Assistant
Thomas Tredway Library, Augustana College, 10 months, 25 hr./week Hours: Noon-5 p.m., M-F
*Responsibilities: Indexing materials, including photograph documentation for indexing; research and reference assistance for users; cataloging and processing of materials; conservation and preservation of materials; teaching and supervising student assistants; other responsibilities as needed (e.g. typing, compiling statistics, assisting with exhibits, etc.)
*Required qualifications: Interest in archival materials and in research required to process them; excellent customer service and problem-solving skills; attention to detail; ability to work independently, in teams, and with interruptions; ability to supervise student employees; good written and oral communication skills; flexibility; interest in and ability to work with a variety of computer applications.
*Preferred qualifications: Bachelor’s degree.
*Submit letter of application, resume, and three professional references by July 19, 2006 to Augustana College, Human Resources, 639 38th Street, Rock Island, IL 61201. For additional information please access: http://www.augustana.edu/humanresources

Marketing Specialist
Part Time - DuPage Library System, located in Geneva, IL, is seeking a marketing specialist to assist with the implementation of a marketing plan including evaluation and recommendations for future plans; to coordinate and develop programs and services that promote, access to, and increase awareness of DLS resources; ability to build relationships to effectively interact with member libraraies. Write/edit publications, news releases, and brochures. Media liaison.
* Required: bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, journalism, or 3-5 years relevant experience. Experience with MS Office applications, Internet, and Adobe Acrobat; as well as familiarity with desktop publishing and photo enhancing software. Strong communication skills, verbal and written. Knowledge of and experience with libraries a plus.

Submit a resume & 3 references to:
Claudia Sheets
Director of Administrative Services/HR
csheets@dupagels.lib.il.us
EOE

Director
The Lake Bluff Public Library seeks a Director for our Chicago north shore community of 6,000. We need a high-energy generalist who is willing to “wear many hats.” The Library has a small, dedicated staff who know community members by name. The new director must appreciate the uniqueness of the Library and maintain its “small town” atmosphere. Lake Bluff, Illinois, is located 35 miles north of downtown Chicago. The Library occupies 12,400 square feet with over 45,500 volumes and a staff of 8 FTE. The Library’s current budget is $660,000. Our patrons are actively involved in their community and maintain high expectations of the library. Visit the Library’s web and the Village of Lake Bluff at http://www.lakebluff.org .
* Minimum Qualifications: MLS from ALA accredited library education program plus 5 years professional experience with demonstrated management ability in administration, budgeting, planning and supervision. Strong fiscal management skills and the ability to raise funds from individuals, foundations and government. The ability to create a learning culture with strong support for staff development. Excellent public relations skills and the ability to work effectively with the Village and other community agencies and organizations *Salary: Minimum $60,000.00, depending on qualifications.

Send cover letter, contact details for three professional references, and resume by August 1, 2006 to:
Miriam Pollack
Miriam Pollack & Associates
1066 Shermer Road
Northbrook, IL 60062.
Questions to Miriam Pollack at miriampollack@comcast.net.

Reference and ILL News
No Reference News This Week

Youth Services and School Library News

LibraryU's New Internet and Teens: Social Networking Safety Class
How many times have you heard a young person talk about "blogging" or "myspace" and wondered what language they were speaking? If you've ever been concerned about the amount of time that your child spends on the Internet, or wondered what they were doing, this module will help you to understand more about blogging, what role it plays in the lives of teens especially, and how you can help them to use this communication tool in a safe and positive environment. Take advantage of two ways to find out more about Teens and Internet Safety.
* Learn from the LibraryU module by going to http://www.libraryu.org to enroll.
* Attend the Live online presentation with the module author on July 26. Join author Bill Erbes for an interactive presentation, discussion and dialog on this important topic. This presentation is free, but you must register by going to http://www.libraryu.org. Whether you are a parent, teacher, librarian, or interested in the trends in teen Internet usage, this event will be engaging and informative.
Author, subject matter expert and presenter for this new LibraryU offering is Bill Erbes, the Assistant Director of the Bensenville Community Public Library District. Bill has presented workshops on using the Internet throughout the United States for such groups as the Public Library Association, the American Association of School Librarians, the Library and Information Technology Association, and the Illinois Library Association. In addition to his work at Bensenville, Bill has made a number of Soaring to Excellence presentations, and occasionally teaches at College of DuPage and the Graduate School of Library and Information Sciences at Dominican University.

Illinois Storytelling Festival
On Sunday, August 13, Illinois Storytelling Inc. will present The Illinois Storytelling Festival. This one tent, all day family storytelling event will be held at Horse Fair Park just north of Route 12 in Spring Grove, Illinois from 11 AM to 6 PM. The event features nationally renowned storytellers Elizabeth Ellis and Donna Washington, plus seven outstanding Illinois storytellers, and the Third Sunday String Band.
Elizabeth Ellis has been proclaimed to be "one of America's finest storytellers" by the School Library Journal. Ellis is a versatile and riveting teller of Appalachian and Texas tales and is known for her stories of heroic American women. Her personal stories are legendary. Donna Washington is dynamic and exciting as she tells tales from around the world. Dubbed, “better than television,” she is known for her enormous energy and infectious enthusiasm. Also sharing their talents will be Illinois favorites Lucinda Flodin, Velma Gladney, Carol Kerman, Jim May, and Jim Pfitzer. Special guests include Rich Tobiasz, Spring Grove Fire Chief, and the Memory Makers, a group of senior storytellers well-known in the McHenry County area for bringing life stories to schools and to the community. Music and sing along interludes will be provided by the Third Sunday String Band. Tickets will be sold at the door: $12 for adults, $15 for “angels,” $10 for seniors, $30 for families, and $5 for children 6 -12. Check http://www.storytelling.org/festival.html for more details

Public Library News

Illegal and Inappropriate Behavior - via OPAL, July 20th
If you've ever had a behavioral incident at your library and haven't known quite how to handle it, you might want to register for this program with attorney Phil Lenzini. What do you do if you know a registered sex offender is in your building? What do you do if the police walk in and want to seize a computer? Phil will discuss the differences between illegal and inappropriate behavior, how to handle specific situations, the importance of policies, who to call first, etc.

This is the second in a series of bi-monthly programs via OPAL so you won't have to leave your library to attend. For OPAL training and assistance, contact Rita McGeary at x4463 or ritam@palsnet.info Please register in CLeO.

FY2007 Public Library Per Capita Grant Application Available Online
Beginning this year, the FY2007 Public Library Per Capita Grant application will be available for completion on-line. A paper copy will also be sent to every library this year. For the next two years, public libraries will have the option of completing the form on-line or submitting a paper copy. In FY09, all public libraries will be required to complete the Public Library Per Capita grant application on-line.

The Illinois State Library staff has been working with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library Research Center to make this a reality. After July 1, a paper copy of the grant application and a letter explaining the application and process will be sent to all public libraries. During the second week of July, the State Library will hold a videoconference with library system staff introducing them to the on-line Per Capita Grant application and associated procedures. State Library Development Group staff under the direction of Patricia Norris will work with systems to establish a training date and format for the training of public libraries. The State Library will announce training dates and times to public libraries, which will register through library systems. Persons with questions may contact the Library Development Group at 800-665-5576 x1.

PLA Awards Applications Available Online
CHICAGO - The Public Library Association (PLA), a division of the American Library Association, has introduced a new Online Awards Application for its seven service awards. Members can now nominate their colleagues and libraries for PLA awards through the PLA website. The PLA awards are designed to highlight the best in public library service and to honor those providing public library service whose vision and accomplishments are extraordinary and deserve recognition by their peers. The awards include:

Advancement of Literacy Award: honors a publisher, bookseller, hardware and/or software dealer, foundation or similar group (i.e. not an individual) that has made a significant contribution to the advancement of adult literacy

Allie Beth Martin Award: honors a librarian who, in a public library setting, has demonstrated extraordinary range and depth of knowledge about books or other library materials and has distinguished ability to share that knowledge

Baker & Taylor Entertainment Audio Music/Video Product Award: honors a librarian who promotes the development of a circulating Audio Music/Video collection in a public library

Charlie Robinson Award: honors a public library director who, over a period of seven years, has been a risk taker, an innovator and/or a change agent in a public library

Demco New Leaders Travel Grant: honors a librarian who serves to enhance the professional development of public librarians new to the field by making possible their attendance at major professional development activities

EBSCO Excellence in Small and/or Rural Library Service Award: honors a public library serving a population of 10,000 or less that demonstrates excellence of service to its community

Highsmith Library Innovation Award: recognizes a library's innovative and creative service program to the community

An award jury appointed by the PLA president will review each nomination. The deadline for submitting an application is December 1, 2006. The award juries will review the applications and select a recipient at the ALA 2007 Midwinter Meeting. Award winners will be announced in February 2007, and each award will be presented at the PLA President's Reception and Awards Presentation held during the ALA Annual Conference. For more information, contact the PLA office, 800-545-2433, ext. 5PLA or by email pla@ala.org. To apply or nominate a colleague for an award, visit PLA's web site at http://www.pla.org.

Academic Library News
No Academic Library News this week.

Special Library News
No Special Library News this week.

Support Staff News
No Support News this week.

Technology Services News
No Technology Services News This Week

New Books at PALS
No New Books at PALS this week.

Library News Around the State & Nation

Congrats to Anne Craig!
State Library Director Anne Craig has been selected as the winner of the Illinois Library Association Librarian of the Year award. She will receive the award during the ILA's annual conference in Chicago this October.

FREE Online Webinar from the Illinois Math and Science Academy
"Invisible Web: How to Move Beyond the First Search Result" on Wednesday July 12, from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM CENTRAL DAYLIGHT TIME . We’ll address key questions like: What do you do when Google can’t google it? You will get to play our new Flash-based invisible web learning game that tackles this question. We’ll also define the invisible web and look at core concepts for helping searchers reach beyond the first search engine result to the superior content of the invisible web. Participants will share invisible web resources and explore ways to teach the invisible web in the classroom and library.This live online session - which is sponsored by LearningTimes.org - is free of charge, but seating is limited.
Please register now to reserve a virtual seat at http://www.learningtimes.net/invisiblewebcast.html

Illinois State Library Digitizing Illinois Blue Books
The ISL Automation and Technology division continues to add old Illinois Blue Books to the Illinois Digital Archives (www.idaillinois.org). 24 Blue Books are now available, and each of the Blue Books is completely keyword searchable. ISL hopes to have the remaining Blue Books available at IDA by the end of the summer. Alyce Scott, Jim Ladd, Donna Mayberry and Lynda Maddox of the LAT division are working on the project.

Library Community Draws National Praise As It Helps New Orleans Recover from Hurricane Katrina
(New Orleans) With the eyes of the nation on New Orleans’ recovery from Hurricane Katrina, nearly 17,000 librarians, exhibitors and library supporters attended the first citywide convention held in the Big Easy since the storm. Widespread news coverage praised ALA members who went to New Orleans for their "intrepid" spirit and impact on the local economy.

ALA’s decision to keep the Annual Conference in New Orleans became a national media story in part because of the city’s slow economic recovery and recent concerns about violence in the area. Coverage on shows such as the NBC Nightly News and PBS’s Lehrer NewsHour gave ALA a national profile in stories that focused on New Orleans’ troubled hospitality industry and the decision by the Louisiana governor to call up the National Guard and state police for duty in New Orleans. Television and radio stations aired coverage that portrayed ALA members as courageous trailblazers helping to revive the city. "One of the most amazing aspects of this conference has been the opportunity to spend time working shoulder to shoulder with our library colleagues and others working to ensure our public, school and academic libraries are restored to the people of New Orleans," said ALA President Leslie Burger. "I also have never felt so welcomed to a city. It’s true there is no other place like New Orleans, and I hope many conventions and visitors will come soon to enjoy all the city has to offer."

The meeting was anticipated to contribute more than $20 million to the local economy. In a city that estimates the tourism industry provides 35 percent of the city operating budget, this was no small accomplishment. "For New Orleans, this is huge," Kelly Schulz of the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau told the New York Times. Michael Gorman, ALA’s outgoing president, said he was proud of the association when the Executive Board voted earlier this year to keep the conference in New Orleans. Gorman announced that ALA members, Friends groups and corporations had contributed more than $370,000 in funds for the recovery of Gulf Coast libraries and presented checks to several library associations in the region at the Opening General Session. The local business community felt that the city passed a major test. "I would say this was definitely a positive experience," says Nancy Shucart, a representative of housing and travel agency, ITS.

Some ALA members were challenged by the limited number of flights into the city and their cost. "Attendance was very good. The 17,000 members who attended made a powerful statement about how libraries and librarians build communities. It was an important moment in the history of our association and in the history of the city," said ALA Executive Director Keith Michael Fiels. Volunteerism was a key element of the conference experience this year. On June 23 and 27, nearly 900 conference attendees signed up for more than 22 volunteer projects to help restore local libraries and assist with Habit for Humanity, Common Ground and other community-building efforts. Highsmith Inc. and the Bretford Company and ALA volunteers renovated the interior of an historic Carnegie library branch of the New Orleans Public Library during the conference. Michele Cloonan, an ALA member and dean at the Simmons Graduate School of Library and Information Science in Boston, said some students from the school attended the New Orleans meeting because of the chance to participate in the volunteer projects.

First Lady Laura Bush made an appearance at a national town hall meeting on school libraries on Monday, June 26. Her keynote address helped place a spotlight on the plight of school libraries throughout the United States. The town hall meeting was hosted by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division of the ALA, and Scholastic. The event included a distinguished panel of school library experts who discussed the problems and challenges faced by school librarians. Also on Monday, discount retailer Dollar General, the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), and the National Education Association (NEA) announced the first grant recipients of Beyond Words: the Dollar General School Library Relief Fund. Thirty-two schools in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas serving more than 22,000 students received grants totaling $230,000. Grant funding is still available for school libraries affected by disaster, and the grant review committee will review applications monthly: www.ala.org/aasl/disasterrelief. On the first day of the conference, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced $12.2 million in grants to help libraries in Louisiana and Mississippi. At the same press conference, the Bush Clinton Katina Fund announced a $5 million grant donation for the repair of up to eight public libraries in the region.

For more information on the ALA - the voice of America’s libraries - and its Annual Conference, please visit www.ala.org/annual. For information on ALA hurricane relief efforts, please visit www.ala.org/katrina

First Lady Laura Bush Announces More Than $20 Million in Librarian Recruitment and Education Grants from IMLS
At ALA's 2006 Annual Conference in New Orleans, First Lady Laura Bush announced more than $20 million in librarian recruitment and education grants from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The announcement came during the First Lady's keynote address at a national town hall meeting addressing the critical role school libraries play in restoring learning and reuniting communities in times of crisis. The town hall -- School Libraries Work: Rebuilding for Learning -- was hosted by ALA, AASL, and Scholastic.

Mrs. Bush announced $20,869,145 in grants from the IMLS. The grants are designed to help offset a current shortage of school library media specialists, library school faculty, and librarians working in underserved communities, as well a looming shortage of library directors and other senior librarians, many of whom are expected to retire in the next 20 years. Click here for a list of grant recipients organized by state. "Restoring libraries on the Gulf Coast will be a long-term endeavor, requiring well-trained librarians for years to come," said Mrs. Bush. "And the work of recruiting and educating the next generation of librarians here on the Gulf Coast and throughout our country must start now." Click here to read the First Lady's full remarks.

A Look at Public Attitudes about Libraries
What do Americans think of libraries in the age of the Internet? The American Libraries Council (ALC) sponsored a major national public opinion study to find the answer. The results are published in "Long Overdue: A Fresh Look at Public and Leadership Attitudes About Libraries in the 21st Century," available on the ALC site. The study shows that "libraries are poised to lead the way to solutions to today's pressing community problems, including providing a safe and engaging place for teens, building a strong and literate workforce, and extending access to technology." For more info, and to download the free report, visit the ALC site.

News from Vendors

New Spanish Video/DVD Series
Experience Education, producer of educational, bilingual resources, recently created a Spanish video/DVD series, entitled EXITO EN EL NORTE/Success in the U.S. ExEd created the series in collaboration with the Southwest Iowa Latino Resource Center and Iowa State University Extension. It addresses topics vital to successfully navigating daily life in the U.S., such as finances, healthcare, education, the legal system, etc.

Hosted by renowned actor/director Luis Valdez, EXITO is presented in a friendly, accessible manner appropriate for all education levels. ExEd and partners would like to share the availability of this new, comprehensive educational tool where it may most benefit Hispanic immigrants -- communities across the U.S. We would appreciate the opportunity to share this proactive resource tool with public libraries throughout the nation. Illinois, in particular, has experienced great growth in Hispanic immigrant populations, and public libraries serving Spanish-speaking patrons may potentially benefit from the information and resources in EXITO EN EL NORTE/Success in the U.S. Experience Education and its partners welcomes any feedback or comments on this new video/DVD series.

Detailed information about the video/DVD series, as well as its history and creators, may be reviewed at http://www.exitovideos.com. A preview is available as well at http://www.exitovideos.com/preview.htm (a longer preview DVD is available free of charge if you are unable to access the Quicktime version). For more information, please call toll-free (800) 477-4236.

Legislative/Advocacy News

Legislator READ Posters Available
READ posters of many PALS legislators are available for your library through the PALS poster service at a very low cost. Currently available are posters of:

Congressman Don Manzullo - 16th congressional district

Senators:
Brad Burzynski, "Tomorrow's leaders are today's readers!"
Mike Jacobs, "Read and live big dreams"
A.J. Wilhelmi, "For Illinois Libraries"

Representatives:
Mike Boland, "Today's Reader's are Tomorrow's Leaders"
Tom Cross, "For Illinois Libraries"
Careen Gordon, "Reading is something that can change the world"
Frank Mautino, "For Illinois Libraries"
Bob Pritchard, "Libraries expand your possibilities and enjoyment"
Patrick Verschoore, "If you can't read, you can't do anything"
Dave Winters, "Learn how to interact with your government through reading"

If you prefer to print your own, request the file from Inara McGroarty at inaram@palsnet.info and you can print your own posters/fliers and bookmarks. The project continues and other posters will be made available over the summer months.

Representatives Boland and Verschoore Attend Rock Island PL Legislative Program
Representatives Boland and Verschoore attended a legislative program at Rock Island PL on June 19th. Their framed READ posters were presented by constituent librarians, staff and trustees. Both legislators stated that these would be displayed in their Springfield offices. Watch for them next time you're in Springfield! Since the program, Rep Boland's staff has been in touch to request information for ordering copies of the poster for all of the libraries in his district.

As the legislators introduced themselves, Rep Boland mentioned that he served as a library trustee in East Moline. His wife is a retired school librarian and one daughter has an MLS degree. He was very interested to hear of our MLS program through videoconferencing from the three service centers and mentioned that this might be of interest to his other daughter and would like to learn more about the program. He stated he wouldn't be welcome at home if he didn't support libraries! Rep Vershoore's wife is a reading specialist in Title I.

Attendees, consisting of librarians, trustees and staff, spoke about their library, its mission, and needs. PALS director, Bob McKay, spoke of the system and services it offers for our members. Susan Reimensnyder said that the John Deere library was chartered in 1917 to help workers. 50% of Fortune 500 companies have libraries that may engage in Knowledge Management or Corporate Intelligence besides the more traditional library services. Deere is more unique in being part of the LLSAP. Charlet Key stated that Black Hawk College serves all the community and mentioned a laptop project taking place at its second campus. Carla Tracy, Augustana College, addressed the need to support archives and special collections so we don't lose our past and our history. Technology provides a way to make the world aware of the special things but it takes staff time to properly catalog and describe them. Our hostess, Ava Ketter, director at Rock Island Library described the public library as the "people's university" and the "corporate library for mom & pop businesses." She and her staff members reminded the representatives that the two branch libraries benefited from State funds for construction. Cynthia Coe, East Moline spoke of the Gates lab and of the State Library's part in getting that funded. East Moline also has received some grants from the State Board of Education for English classes for non-English speakers. Lisa Williams of Moline Library, mentioned the MLS program that PALS is sponsoring, the help that LSTA grants provide, and that there have been 52 languages identified as being spoken in their area. The legislators expressed surprise at some of the new information and left more aware of the many services provided for library users in their communities.

Please take advantage of the summer months to invite your legislators to visit your library and see it in action on a busy day when activities and programs are planned at your library. Give them a tour of your library, show off your computer labs, large print collections, local history and children's areas, unique collections that you may have and boast about how your library makes the legislator's community a more desirable place to live. Tell them what more you could do if you had the funds - your wish list. Call them at their district office to invite them, or contact inaram@palsnet.info if you'd like help scheduling appointments. Rep Boland has also sent a staff member to attend library board meetings. Don't be surprised if one should make an appearance at your library!

Representative Gordon Visits Coal City Public Library District
Rep. Careen Gordon visited Coal City PLD on June 15 for her READ poster presentation by Jolene Franciskovich, Director . In the poster, Rep. Gordon, an English major, is holding her all time favorite book: To Kill A Mockingbird and is quoted "Reading is something that can change the world." Norma Applegate, PALS Library Services Coordinator for Schools, also visited with the representative.

On the day of her visit, a multitude of enthused children and their parents were participating in craft activities and singing songs. It makes for a wonderful opportunity to show off your library.

The poster, as well as all other READ posters ready at this time, is available through our PALS poster service at a cost below that of outside vendors. Each poster promotes reading. Take the opportunity to show off your library over the summer months. Invite your legislators to be guest readers or to just stop by during your activities for a tour of your library. You'll be surprised how readily accessible they all are.

Representative Mitchell Visits Rock Falls Public Library
Rep Jerry Mitchell arrived at Rock Falls PL for his READ photo on June 27th, a busy summer reading program day. The library was so busy that the parking lot was over capacity with no space for cars. Rep Mitchell observed that he needed to park outside the parking lot and that the library clearly needs additional parking space. Amy Lego, Director, gave the representative a tour of the library and the activities room which had nearly every square foot of floor space covered with attentive children while a story was read to them. Students from the local grade school were brought over by their teachers as well as others by home day care providers. The representative's wife is a kindergarten teacher and he recognized the teachers at the library as well as greeting staff and a trustee who came over for the occasion. Some seniors could be seen reading newspapers and a number of local residents greeted the representative as they entered the library.

It made for a wonderful opportunity to advocate for libraries. After observing the library in action, Rep. Mitchell noted that for his READ poster quote, he'd like "It's more than a library. It's a community!" This should inspire you to take similar advantage of advocating for your library over the summer months when it's especially busy and while the local legislators are back in their home districts. If you'd like help scheduling such a visit, please give Inara a call at ext 4452, or e-mail inaram@palsnet.info. Score points with your legislators, show off your library and perhaps even make a first hand case for needed expansion!

Just So You Know
No Just So You Know this week.

Grant News
No Grant News this week.

On the Internet
Our website picks of the week are supplied by Marylaine Block, Writer, Internet Trainer and "Librarian Without Walls," http://marylaine.com/.

NEAT NEW STUFF June 23, 2006

10th Annual Webby Awards
And also the People's Voice Awards. An excellent place to learn about 5 interesting sites each in a wide variety of classifications: automotive, visual design, parenting, business, consumer electronics, and much more.
http://www.webbyawards.com/webbys/current.php?season=10

Art of Science Competition/ 2006 Gallery
Some wonderful things happen when art and science come together - even worm patternsand soap in motion can be beautiful.
http://www.princeton.edu/~artofsci/gallery2006/

BioEd Online:
Biology Teacher Resources from the Baylor College of Medicine. Includes presentations and slide sets, teacher resources, biology news, hot topics in biology, and discussions.
http://www.bioedonline.org/

Center for Book Culture Interviews with Authors
Dozens of transcribed interviews with writers of contemporary fiction, among themManuel Puig, Alexander Theroux, Milos Kundera, Kathy Acker. Librarians may alsowant to explore the possibilities of the Center's Library Alliance Program.
http://www.centerforbookculture.org/interviews/index.html

College Students' Perceptions:
Libraries and Information Resources. Academic librarians and college administrators will find these survey results valuable for their planning.
http://www.oclc.org/reports/perceptionscollege.htm

Confronting Confinement
Because "what happens inside prisons does not stay inside prisons," but goes on to affect society when prisoners are released, the Committee on Safety and Abuse in America's Prisons conducted extensive research and hearings to examine existing conditions and possible reforms.
http://www.prisoncommission.org/report.asp

Cornell University Ergonomics Web
"information from research studies and class work by students and faculty in the Cornell Human Factors and Ergonomics Research Group." Of particular interest: links to resources for library ergonomics, information for left-handed people, ergonomic tools and checklists, and a great deal of information on computer workstation design.
http://ergo.human.cornell.edu/

CyberDance:
Ballet and Modern Dance on the Internet. Includes links to college programs, summer programs, dance companies, reference sources, organizations, suppliers, newsgroups, and more.
http://www.cyberdance.org/

Health News and Medical News from Medical News Today
Browse today's general health news headlines or browse by categories like allergy, breast cancer, caregivers, men's health, etc. There's an RSS feed, and a searchable news archive as well.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/

Hospital-Based Emergency Care:
At the Breaking Point.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11621.html
and also Emergency Medical Services: At the Crossroads. Two important downloadable studies on the near-collapse of emergency medical services in the US.
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11629.html

Parkitecture in Western National Parks
An exhibition of photos and drawings of "early twentieth century rustic design and naturalism" in the buildings in ten of America's most well-known parks.
http://www.cr.nps.gov/habshaer/parkitect/

Religion and Ethics Newsweekly
The online companion to the PBS series includes news, lesson plans, a viewers' guide, a multi-faith calendar, and the show itself, available on MP3, Real, and iPod.
http://www.pbs.org/religion

Scientific American Mind
science of the human mind and brain. Includes content of the current issue and a searchable archive of articles, news, and even letters to the editor.
http://www.sciammind.com/

the Young Storytellers Foundation
"dedicated to developing literacy, self-expression and self-esteem in elementary school children. YSP targets ... schools and school districts with the highest concentrations of poverty in which academic performance tends to be low and the obstacles to raising performance are the greatest." Seems like a natural for libraries to participate in, but I don't see any involved.
http://youngstorytellers.com/index.html

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