volume #3 issue#27

July 13, 2006

Prairie Views: the newsletter of the Prairie Area Library System

System News

Congratulations!
to Jeff Mahan, PALS Senior Associate, Network Services, and his wife on the birth of their first child, Matthew Jeffrey on July 10. Matthew weighed 8lbs 14oz and was 21" long at birth.

The Votes Are In!
After months of great name suggestions and weeks of voting, the name of the new PALS shared library catalog is official. PrairieCat will be the name of the new catalog that is launched in April 2007, replacing HAL, NIC and Quad-LINC. PrairieCat beat out the other names included in the final vote by a significant margin, receiving 321 votes from library catalog end users, and 41 PALSGroup member library votes. Now the work can begin to design a logo and begin publicity about the new catalog. The internal name for the consortium will continue to be PALSGroup, but PrairieCat will be the public name used for the public to brand the catalog.

PALSGroup Migration Update
Several important activities will be occuring in the near future as the march towards the April 2007 "Go Live" date approaches for the new PALS shared library catalog, PALSGroup.

July 16 - The ability to place systemwide holds in Quad-LINC will be turned off for three weeks for the Quad-LINC migration to the PALSGroup server. Picklists will still be run up to July 30 when the system goes down for the migration. It is expected that holds will be turned back on on August 7.

Week of July 30 - August 5 - Quad-LINC will be down for circulation so the system can be moved to the new PALSGroup server in Shorewood; the old Quad-LINC catalog will be available but the shelf status may not be accurate. It is hoped that Quad-LINC libraries will come back up on the PALSGroup server by Thursday or Friday that week.

Late August to September 18 - testing period for first test data load. All PALSGroup libraries will be asked to visit the PALSGroup test server and practice with the new system data to uncover any issues in the first data load. After problems are corrected, there will be a second test data load later in the fall, before the final data load for the new system next spring.

Watch for more updates coming soon!

Awesome Customer Service Received
Jane Lenser and Rita McGeary offer Customer Service workshops for PALS libraries. Recently Jane has a great customer service experience that she will now be including as a part of future workshops, but she also wanted to share it with all of you. There is a little independent children's book store in Rockford called Wonderland Books. I signed my daughter up for one of their teen book discussion groups this summer. Each time they meet, they receive the book for the next discussion. My daughter began to read her new book but found that the chapters were in the wrong order and there were pages missing. I called the store to let them know that I needed to exchange it for a different copy. Without missing a beat, the book store clerk apologized and said, "Where do you live? I'll drop a new copy off for you this afternoon." I was so surprised and impressed with the offer! That is one reason why a small book store can stay in business in the market with Borders and Barnes & Noble. To borrow the Bensenville Public Library's theme, I was VERY satisfied and delighted by the service I received! Could your library staff learn a lesson from this?

If you would like to make arrangements for Jane and Rita to present a Customer Service workshop at your library, please contact them at janel@palsnet.info (Jane) or ritam@palsnet.info (Rita).

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

Member News

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.

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.

No Missing Books this week.

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.

Augustana College Tredway Library
is giving away the following to anyone interested:
* Background Notes on the Countries of the World (A-Z)(paper copies, loose-leaf)

Please contact:
Sally Sally L. Cobert
309-794-7641
sallycobert@augustana.edu

Illinois Valley Community College
giveaway list

If interested contact:
James E. Barnes
815 224-0204
James_Barnes@ivcc.edu

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.

No Job Openings this week.

Reference and ILL News
No Reference News this week.

Youth Services and School Library News

2008 Summer Reading Theme Announced!
Vicki Blackburn from Fossil Ridge Public Library and current IREAD Chair has announced the 2008 IREAD Summer Reading Program theme-- Get in the Game - READ! (Sports, Games, Gaming for YA) In the Mission Read: To the Library and Beyond Resource Guide, there will be a Young Adult section so ideas are needed for YAs as well as for younger readers. To submit an idea, go to http://www.ila.org and click on the IREAD link. Brainstorming for 2009 will take place at the ILA Conference immediately after the Youth Services Breakfast on Thurs., Oct. 5th at 10:00 a.m.

"@ Your Library"
song by Bill Harley Singer, storyteller Bill Harley wrote a special song just for ALSC's Kids! @ your library® public awareness campaign. Four versions of his song are now available online for you to download and use in your community for free . The Web site also includes a lyrics page and sheet music.
You can find it all at: http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/projectspartners/KidsSong.htm.
This lively, catchy tune captures the essence of just how much there is to see and do at the library and is guaranteed to get your toes tapping !

2006 KIDS COUNT Data Book Released
The 17th annual KIDS COUNT Data Book was released on June 27. The state-by-state data contained in the 2006 Data Book are now part of an interactive database. View the 2006 Kids Count Data Book at http://www.aecf.org/kidscount/sld/databook.jsp

The Kids and Family Reading Report
A new study has been released which reveals the reading habits and attitudes of children and families towards books and reading. Yankelovich, a leader in consumer research and trends, and Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, unveil for the first time, the results of The Kids and Family Reading Report™. This is a national survey of kids 5-17 years old and one parent or primary guardian.
Go to http://www.scholastic.com/aboutscholastic/news/reading_survey_press_call_2.pdf to read the report

Resource Guide Ideas Needed
Set your Phasers on Fun!!! It’s time to start thinking about the 2007 Summer Reading Theme: Mission Read: To the Library and Beyond. We’ve started compiling ideas for the Resource Guide.
You can electronically submit your ideas via http://www.ila.org/pub/ireadsub.htm
The deadline for submissions is August 23rd, but don’t delay!

Public Library News

New 2007-2008 Library Days and Dates posted Description
Go to the ILSDO website http://www.illinoislibrarysystems.info/res_daystoremember.html
to see the 2007-2008 Library Days and Dates calendar. This is a useful tool for all types of public libraries--especially for directors and trustees.

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
No Library News Around the State & Nation this week.

News from Vendors
No News from Vendors this week.

Legislative/Advocacy News

Rep. Boland's Staff Attends Library Board Meetings
Those of you in Rep Boland's district should be aware that Anne Schaeffer, his aide, has been making appearances at board meetings in a number of libraries in his district. Don't be taken by surprise if she shows up at yours and make her feel welcome.

Rep. Boland has shown great interest in the libraries in his district. His wife is a retired school librarian and one daughter has an MLS degree. The representative has also expressed interest in the UW-Madison MLS videoconference degree possibility for his youngest daughter.

Senator Burzynski READ Poster Presentation to Take Place at Malta PL
Senator Burzynski's READ poster will be presented to him at a program on Monday, August 7, 2006, at the Malta Township Public Library at 6:30 pm. The senator will be the guest reader at the program. Peggy Wogen, Director, will use this as an opportunity for publicity in the local newspaper to showcase what goes on at libraries over the summer months as well as to get a legislator into the library. Peggy is visualizing the senator in a snorkel mask to go with the summer theme.

Summer months, with all the extra activity and library traffic are an excellent time to show off your library and invite your legislators to be guest readers or just to tour your library. Have you invited your legislators and local officials? Be proud of your library and take the opportunity to show it off. If it's bursting at the seams, all the better to make a case for needed capital funds and grants.

READ Poster Presented to Rep Prichard
PALS Assistant Director, Sandy Ringstrom and Sarah Tobias, Sycamore PL Director, presented his READ poster to Representative Bob Prichard at the Sycamore PL during a summer reading program. Rep. Prichard commented that he hopes we keep up this project and that we'd be surprised how much library support we can pick up in Springfield through this. The READ poster quotes him as saying "Libraries help expand your possibilities and enjoyment."

Rep. Prichard, a strong advocate of reading, has started his own summer reading club. Children who've read 8 books over the summer are eligible to participate in his ice cream social and receive prizes. Books read at library programs qualify and he's agreed that his brochure next year will add a line about libraries being a source of books as well as encouraging participating in library program to qualify for his ice cream social.

For librarians in his district, his READ poster can be ordered through the PALS poster service. Just state for which legislator you are ordering a poster and in which size. http://palsnet.info/services/administration/posterservice.asp It's a wise investment of a few dollars to show our legislators that we appreciate their support of reading and strengthen our relationship with them..

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

Grant News

Public Library Construction Grant Offerings Announced
Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White has announced that public libraries with infrastructure improvement needs may apply for a Live and Learn construction grant being offered by the Illinois State Library. White said the FY07 budget for the Secretary of State's office contains approximately $600,000 to make grants to public libraries for capital improvements. Letters of Intent are due by August 1, 2006.

For more details check the Illinois State Library website at http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/what_we_do/constructgrant.html

ALA and Scholastic Library Publishing Announce 2007 National Library Week Grant
"Come together @ your library®" named official theme
(CHICAGO) Libraries across the United States are invited to apply for the $5,000 Scholastic Library Publishing National Library Week Grant, which will be awarded to a single library for the best public awareness campaign incorporating the 2007 National Library Week theme, “Come together @ your library®.” The grant, in support of libraries, is sponsored by Scholastic Library Publishing, a division of Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education and media company, and is administered by the Public Awareness Committee of the American Library Association (ALA). This year’s application deadline is October 16, 2006. National Library Week is April 15-21, 2007.

All proposals must use the “Come together @ your library” theme, which incorporates The Campaign for America's Libraries’ “@ your library” brand, on any and all promotional and publicity material supporting National Library Week activities. Guidelines for using the brand are available on the campaign Web site at www.ala.org/@yourlibrary under the “download logos” section. A grant application form and guidelines are available on The Campaign for America’s Libraries Web site at www.ala.org/@yourlibrary/nlwgrant.* Information also is available from the ALA Public Information Office. Telephone: 800-545-2433, ext. 4020. E-mail: mhumphrey@ala.org.

The winner will be notified and announced at the 2007 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Seattle. Information on last year’s winner, the Maricopa County Library District in Phoenix, Ariz., and the winning application can be viewed at www.ala.org/@yourlibrary/nlwgrant.

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 July 7, 2006

10 Stories the World Should Hear More About
The UN's 2006 top ten list of important ignored crises.
http://www.un.org/events/tenstories/

Assistive Media
"We provide audio access to reading materials for anyone with a reading access barrier. Talented volunteers record magazine articles and other short works which are then available for download or in our podcast. There are over 800 recordings from magazines like The New Yorker, Smithsonian, and Wired."
http://assistivemedia.org/

Building Green
[Natural Resources Defense Council] Many new libraries are "green buildings," designed for maximum energy-efficiency and minimum negative impact on the environment. For those considering building green, this Webby winning site explains sustainable building strategies, costs, and more.
http://www.nrdc.org/buildinggreen/

Digital Library of Appalachia
"archival and historical materials related to the culture of the southern and central Appalachian region... drawn from special collections of Appalachian College Association member libraries." Browse by topic (Daily Life and Customs, Music, Religion, Visual Arts and Crafts, etc.) or through the individual library collections. Includes manuscripts, diaries, photos, recordings of music and spoken word, and more.
http://www.aca-dla.org/index.php

everystockphoto.com
your source for free photos. "a search engine for creative commons photos." You can simultaneously search Flickr, stock.xchng, and morgueFile.
http://everystockphoto.com/

handprint
watercolors and watercolor painting. "information on all aspects of watercolor painting: papers, brushes, paints, "color theory," painting techniques, art instructional books, and more." I found the information on palettes and color theory especially interesting.
http://handprint.com/HP/WCL/water.html

How To Understand and Use the Nutrition Facts Label
[FDA] So, the label says a food has 20% of your daily value of calcium, but do you know if that's good? Or what the yellow part of the label signifies? Or how much difference there is between "reduced fat" milk and non-fat milk? These and other pieces of obscurely couched information are explained here.
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/foodlab.html

Library Crunch
Bringing You a Library 2.0 Perspective. Michael Casey, one of the leading edge exponents of Library 2.0, offers plenty of good ideas on his blog.
http://www.librarycrunch.com/

Office Supplies Trebuchet
YA librarians take note - can't you see your teen patrons getting a kick out of building their own trebuchet (even if it will be too small to fling a dead horse over castle walls)? While you're at it, check out the other "instructables," step-by-step instructions for all kinds of neat things - a DIY indoor playhouse, self-watering garden planters, a box nest with webcam, no-fail Indian curry, and lots more.
http://www.instructables.com/id/E9N3IONHLIEP287NKS/

Performing Arts Encyclopedia
[Library of Congress] "A guide to the performing arts collections and exhibitions at the Library of Congress." Includes information about the collections, links to those which are digitized, and webcasts. Searchable.
http://www.loc.gov/performingarts/encyclopedia/

The Thicket, at State Legislatures
This new blog from the National Conference of State Legislatures joins the 13th Floor from Governing.com
http://ncsl.typepad.com/the_thicket/
as the daily blogs for the politically obsessed. While you're at it, check out the navigation bar for other useful NCSL content.
http://governing.typepad.com/13thfloor/

The Wired 40
Wired Magazine chooses the top companies setting trends with their "strategic vision, global reach, killer technology" and "hunger for new ideas and an impatience to put them into practice."
http://wired.com/wired/archive/14.07/wired40.html

Prairie Views will be published weekly on Thursdays on the PALS website. PALS member libraries are encouraged to send items for inclusion to prairieviews@palsnet.info by Tuesday of the week you would like your information to appear.

We will send an email reminder each week when the new issue is available on the PALS website. If you do not currently receive email reminders, please send a message to prairieviews@palsnet.info to have your email address added to the reminder mailing list or visit http://mailman.palsnet.info/mailman/listinfo to subscribe or unsubscribe yourself.