issue#31
| volume
#3 issue#31 |
|
August 10, 2006 |
| |
Prairie Views:
the newsletter of the Prairie Area Library System |
System News
PALS Board Meeting
The
Board of Directors of the Prairie Area Library System will hold its regular
monthly meeting on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at Cherry Valley
Public Library District, 755 E. State Street, Cherry Valley, Illinois.
Upcoming Public Library Trustee Training
We still have a few public libraries
which have not met the upcoming Per Capita requirement of having at least one
trustee attend training before the October grant application deadline.
We currently
have programs scheduled on:
Monday, August 21 at Tiskilwa
Thursday, September 21 at
Rock Falls.
Even if your trustees have been to one of the training programs,
they are perfectly welcome to attend another! To register for one of these
programs, visit http://www.palsnet.info/events/?Action=Calendar. If you have
trouble registering, contact Shirley Grasty at shirleyg@palsnet.info or x2706.
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
OPAL (Online Programming for All Libraries)
Link to OPAL's Chronological
List of Upcoming Programs, available and free
to anyone interested.
Upcoming programs of interest
On August 21st Homer Township Public Library
and PALS
are hosting two programs. These programs are being held live in Shorewood
and videoconferenced with Coal Valley and Rockford. Both programs feature
Jessamyn West, a nationally known speaker and technology educator.
August
21st 10:00-12:00
On the Fly Tech Support
Public access computers in libraries
bring new challenges to reference and circulation desk staff. Fortunately
there are many quick and simple things you can do to troubleshoot most common
PC problems. Jessamyn West will lead a training session on how library staff
can user their superpowers of research, helpful service and tenacity to
address and solve many PC problems.
August 21st 2:00-4:00
Search-It's not
all Google
Since search syntax is simpler some say "Search seems stupid".
This of course is slander!!!!! Doing online searching is easy to do satisfactorily,
but more complicated to do well. Jessamyn West will delve into the syntax
of Google, First Search and other online search engines and demonstrate simple,
advanced and EXTREME searching techniques. Search like a superstar: start
here.
Jessamyn West is a community technology educator in Central Vermont
working with seniors and public librarians to help them use technology to
solve problems. She is also the editor of librarian.net and a moderator at
MetaFilter.com
Funding for this grant was awarded by the Illinois State Library
(ISL), a Division of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided
by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), under the federal
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA)
Budget and Finance for Librarians
The Graduate School
of Library and Information Science (GSLIS) at the University of Illinois
at Urbana-Champaign(UIUC) is pleased to offer a six-week, online continuing
education (non-credit) course on Budget and Finance for Librarians.
--Dates:
August 23 - September 27, 2006
--Online live/synchronous sessions: Wednesdays
2-4 PM Central
--Instructor: Robert H. Burger, Ph.D.,CPA, Associate University
Librarian for Services
--Cost: $300
For more information go to: http://www.lis.uiuc.edu/programs/cpd/CPLA/bf.html
Member News
Earl Shumaker named Academic Librarian of the Year
Earl Shumaker,
Northern Illinois University, has been chosen by the Illinois Association of
College and Research Libraries (IACRL) Forum of the Illinois Library Association
(ILA) as Academic Librarian of the Year. He is being recognized for having
given tirelessly to the profession and to IACRL. Earl will be honored at the
IACRL luncheon at the ILA Annual Conference in October
Temporary Library Closings
The Clinton Community College Library will be closed for construction
beginning August 18th. The project is estimated to take a full month. The collection
will be unavailable and indicated accordingly in Quad-LINC. The staff will
be located elsewhere in the building and will keep the same phone numbers (563.244.7046
and 563.244.7106). The fax number will remain the same as well. Thanks for
bearing with us. The end result will be new lighting, heating, and most importantly—central
air.
The Moline Public Library at 3130 41st street will be closing at 5:00 p.m., Saturday,
August 12, 2006 in preparation for the move into the new library at 3210 41st
street. The new library plans to open to the public by the end of August. Outside
book returns will continue to be emptied daily. Overdue fines will be forgiven
while the library is closed.
Calling All Volunteers!
Take this book and shelve it! Be a part of history.
Join others who love the library to help start the move of our books from the
Southeast Library to the new Moline Public Library. In celebration of the transition
to our new home, a “chain of people” is needed to pass the books.
Everyone is invited attend and be part of this historic process. Anyone interested
in participating should be at the Southeast Library, 3130 41st street, by 9:45
a.m. on Monday August 14.
PALS
Libraries Featured in August 2006 American Libraries
On page 29, the Thus Said...
section has a quote about Kankakee Public Library--"And it all started
with the library.
Building Bridges through Consensus (p.34-35) features 4 Iowa
PALS members--Bettendorf
Public Library, Davenport Public
Library, LeClaire Community Library and Scott
County Library System. The consulting
team that worked their "Libraries Together" study, discuss the findings.
One of the telling statements was about the average citizen's lack of awareness
of tax capacity--"that areas with higher property value can raise more
money with a lower tax rate than can a poorer community."
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.
Books
Kaplan
University is offering the following books
Please contact Jennifer Smith at jsmith@kucampus.edu
Circulation Desk
Plainfield Public Library has a Circulation Desk for sale. This desk can be
mobile or stationary - wheels are included. The description is as follows and
there is also a picture attached. 4 piece Scania (now Eurobib) circ desk, wheeled,
glass topped, light oak, all wood desk, 2 square units each, 30" deep
x 30" wide x 30" tall (add 5" if wheels installed) 4 drawers
per unit. 2 end pieces curved, 30" deep x 70" wide x 30" tall
(add 5" if wheels installed) 2 drawers and open storage under one area
and desk opening on other side with one drawer. 70" is the widest point
of the curved unit, 50" wide on inside of curve. If interested, please
contact Debbie Maxwell at dmaxwell@plainfield.lib.il.us or (815) 439-2872 Ext.
27.
For Sale
Kingsley High Capacity Book Return with bins. Approximately
5 years old. Royal blue. In good condition. $500. If interested contact Bryon
Lear at Moline Public Library, 309-736-5743.
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.
Library Assistant – Part
Time
Do you like to have fun while you
work? Do you like a fast pace with variety? Join the team at Lemont
Public Library. Part time employment is available in the youth services
department, 30 hours per week. Knowledge of computers and creative abilities
are a plus as well as an affinity for children is desired. Salary begins at
$8 an hour. Call librarian, Mary Inman, at 630-257-6541.
Executive Assistant (Full time)
DuPage Library System
Are you organized and
detail oriented? Do you take initiative and have strong time management skills?
Then this is the job for you! The DuPage Library System, Geneva, IL, is seeking
an Executive Assistant to the Executive Director and other managers. Must be
able to take accurate minutes, coordinate and prepare reports; work and communicate
effectively with staff, trustees, and public; be accurate with attention to
detail and have strong organizational skills.
Qualifications: Associate's degree
or four years of administrative assistant/office experience. Must be proficient
with Microsoft Office.
Interested applicants should submit a resume and three
references to Claudia Sheets, Director of Administrative Services/HR (email
csheets@dupagels.lib.il.us or send to DuPage Library System, 127 S. First Street,
Geneva IL 60134-2771.) Resumes will be accepted until position is filled. EOE.
Systems Technician (Full time)
DuPage Library System
Use your troubleshooting
and people skills to provide excellent support for DLS staff and member libraries.
Work in a team environment to assist with other DLS technology needs.
Required:
Associate's degree in information technology or a related field, or equivalent
work experience, experience with PC hardware and software in a networked environment,
and experience with web page development.
Desired: Experience with Unix, TCP/IP,
and/or SQL; customer support experience in a library and/or with an Internet
service provider.
Interested applicants should submit a resume and three references
to Claudia Sheets, Director of Administrative Services (email csheets@dupagels.lib.il.us or send to DuPage Library System, 127 S. First Street, Geneva IL 60134-2771).
Resumes will be accepted until position is filled.
Director
The Bridgeview Public Library
seeks a Director who is dynamic, outgoing and a creative service-oriented individual
who excels at partnership building and public relations. The successful candidate
will provide leadership in creating a library vision and unite staff into a
cohesive unit. Bridgeview, with a growing, diverse population 16,000, is located
17 miles southwest of downtown Chicago. The Library, remodeled and expanded
in 2005, is 38,000 square feet with 74,822 items and a staff of 15 FTE. The
current budget is $900,000+. Visit the Library’s
web site at http://www.bridgeviewlibrary.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. Skills in grant proposal writing and realistically
applying the benefits of technology to improve existing and create new library
services. Strong public relations and fiscal management skills.
Salary: $55,000.
Send cover letter, contact details for three professional references, and resume
by September 15, 2006 to Miriam Pollack at Miriam Pollack & Associates,
1066 Shermer Road, Northbrook, IL 60062. Questions to Miriam Pollack at miriampollack@comcast.net.
Reference and ILL News
No Reference and ILL News this week.
Youth Services and School Library News
No Youth Services and School Library News this week.
Public Library News
Friends of the Library Article in July/August 2006 Public Libraries Issue
In "The Care and Keeping of Friends Groups" on pages 20-26 of the
current Public Libraries, four different libraries recount their experiences
and relationships with their friends groups. You may find some ideas that
will work in your community.
Library Card Sign-up Month Tools
As your prepare
for Library Card Sign-up month, go to http://www.ala.org/librarycardsignup/
to see the latest promotional tools in English and Spanish for The Smartest
Card. Get It. Use It. @ your library. Also available this year are radio PSAs
that can be downloaded and shared with local media.
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
LibraryU Passes the 5,000 Mark for Registered Users
Our lives are made up of many numbers these days. Things
are available 24/7. We say someone gave a 110% effort. A company advertises
their corporate vision as 20/20, and it goes on and on. So what’s the
big deal about 5,000 registered LibraryU users then? Here are just a few interesting
things surrounding the number 5,000.
OK, you
may still be asking, what is the big deal about 5,000? The answer is – it’s
not the number 5,000, but what it represents that makes the difference. For
LibraryU, it represents 5,000 learners from library organizations all over
the world enrolled in approximately 20,000 courses translating to a 25% increase
since April, 2006 - and that’s a big deal. Thanks to the Bill and Melinda
Gates Foundation, the Illinois State Library and the Illinois Regional Library
Systems, today we can say 5,000 means a lot to us.
Hamilton Exhibit Opens August 31
The Illinois State Library is proud to be one of only
40 libraries nationwide hosting a groundbreaking new traveling exhibition, "Alexander
Hamilton: The Man Who Made Modern America" from August 31-October 13.
Most Americans know that Hamilton's face is on the ten-dollar bill, and that
he died in a legendary duel with Aaron Burr, but there was so much more to
the life of this complex and controversial figure. Hamilton's pivotal role
in providing a foundation for the society we live in today will be a revelation
for many who view this exhibit. Among his greatest accomplishments, Alexander
Hamilton (1757-1804) was the first U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, under President
George Washington, at the age of 32. The panel exhibition charts Hamilton's
amazing rise in five years from an orphaned 15-year-old West Indies immigrant
to Washington's wartime aide. Hamilton was a complex and controversial figure-a
Revolutionary War patriot and soldier, financial and legal genius, and an ardent
opponent of slavery. He was the chief architect of many of the financial,
political and legal institutions so familiar to Americans today.
"Alexander
Hamilton: The Man Who Made Modern America" was organized by the New-York
Historical Society, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, and the
American Library Association, and has been made possible in part through a
major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. The exhibition
is based on the New-York Historical Society's exhibition commemorating the
200th anniversary of Hamilton's death, as well as the 200th anniversary of
the founding of the Society in 1804. The exhibition will be held in the library's
first floor atrium. Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Entrance is through the north door only.
Internet Librarian Conference
Once
again this year, the Illinois State Library is pleased to offer, in association
with Information Today, Inc., a discounted rate to the 2006 Internet Librarian
Conference. The conference will be held at the Monterey Conference Center in
Monterey, CA, on October 23-25, 2006. The discount rate is $245 for the 3-day
event (October 23-25, 2006). (No discount rates are available for the pre-conference
seminars and workshops.) In addition, discount prices of $169 on the Internet@Schools
conference (Oct. 23-24, 2006) and $245 for the combo of the Internet Librarian
Conference and Internet@Schools (Oct. 23-25, 2006) are also available. To receive
this discount, please submit your registration form along with payment, (check
or credit card), payable to Information Today, Inc., to the Illinois State
Library, Lynda Maddox, 300 S. Second St. - Rm. 310, Springfield, IL 62701.
A pdf version of the registration form can be found at http://www.infotoday.com/il2006/registration.shtml.
Registrations must be received by Monday, September 11, 2006 to receive the
discount. If you have any questions, please contact Lynda Maddox at 217-524-5866
or lmaddox@ilsos.net.
News from Vendors
Special Offer from PBS Video
Now you can bring America’s civil rights movement to a new generation!
Blackside’s internationally acclaimed and award-winning documentary is
back—and it’s as powerful as ever - but now on DVD. Eyes on
the Prize, America’s
Civil Rights Movement, 1954-1985, 20th Anniversary Edition for Educators. Order
by Sept. 29 and SAVE $25! Click here for a flyer
with more information, or contact:
Hjordis
and Jim Garner, PBS Video
1834 Lincoln Park West
Chicago, IL 60614
Ph 800-677-7067
Fax 312-664-0395
hjgarner@sbcglobal.net
Legislative/Advocacy News
Legislative Contacts
We're trying to track our collective Library Success
with our legislators, media and library advocacy in general.. If you've been
able to place an article in a newspaper or if you've had a legislator or aide
drop in at your library, please let us know so we can make note of this. Thank
you!
READ Poster Presentation to Senator Burzynski at Malta Township PL
Senator
Burzynski read to children who gathered at Malta Township PL on a summer
evening. The library was decorated with nearly ceiling high palm trees,
windows covered with blue see-through plastic and brightly colored tropical
fish "swimming" to
go with this summer's reading theme. At the conclusion of the story, the senator
engaged the children in a discussion of lessons learned from the story of The
Ugly Caterpillar. Peggy Wogen, director, introduced the senator and asked the
children if they knew what his job was. To the senator's amusement, one replied
that "he helps the president". Following the reading, Peggy
and Judie Cochrane, board member, presented the senator with his READ
poster and thanked him, on behalf of all PALS libraries, for his support
of reading. Several members of the library's expansion project were also
present, chatted with the senator and discussed the construction plans
and possible start date for the construction.
Have you invited a legislator, either state or local level to be a guest reader
at your library? They're easier to access over the summer. Please take advantage
of this or, contact Inara McGroarty, PALS Advocacy Coordinator, at inaram@palsnet.info to help set up an event at your library. It's an opportunity to have them tour
your library, see how you serve the community and the constituents and, perhaps,
even illustrate that you need more space!
Just So You Know
Please
Help!
WTTW/Ch. 11 PBS in Chicago is producing REMEMBERING CHICAGO:
The Boomer Years. We're looking for home movies, snapshots and great memories
of those years to include in the doc. OR if you know anyone who might have
aforementioned items. Contact:
Stefi Weaver, Development Services Assistant
WTTW11-98.7 WFMT
sweaver@wttw.com
Grant News
Let's Talk About It: Jewish Literature Grants
The ALA Public Programs Office and Nextbook are pleased to
announce that the application for the newest round of Let's Talk About It:
Jewish Literature reading and discussion grants is now posted online at www.ala.org/publicprograms.
Public and academic libraries are eligible and encouraged to apply. The deadline
for the first round of new grants is December 1, 2006.
Based on the "Let's Talk About It" reading and discussion
model pioneered nationally by ALA in 1984, Let's Talk About
It: Jewish Literature features scholar-led, theme-based discussions
that explore the best in contemporary and classic Jewish literature.
Over the past three years, Let's Talk About It: Jewish Literature
grants have been awarded to 159 libraries nationwide. Participating
libraries will each host a five-part discussion series featuring
one of six themes. The two new themes and book selections are:
Neighbors: The World Next Door
A Journey to the End of the Millennium, A.B. Yehoshua
Red Cavalry, Isaac Babel
Neighbors, Jan T. Gross
The Assistant, Bernard Malamud
Mona in the Promised Land, Gish Jen
Modern Marvels: Jewish Adventures in the Graphic Novel
A Contract with God, Will Eisner
Maus I/II, Art Spiegelman
Julius Knipl, Real Estate Photographer: Stories, Ben Katchor
The Quitter, Harvey Pekar
The Rabbi's Cat, Joann Sfar
Previous themes, which also are included, are Your Heart's Desire: Sex and
Love in Jewish Literature; Demons, Golems, and Dybbuks: Monsters of the Jewish
Imagination; Between Two Worlds: Stories of Estrangement and Homecoming; and
A Mind of Her Own: Fathers and Daughters in a Changing World.
Each library selected for the grant project will receive:
-A $2,500 grant (increased from $1,500 in the past) to support program costs
and scholar honoraria.
-Training for the library project director at a national training workshop
where they will hear from project scholars, experts, and organizers, and receive
a program planning guide, materials and ideas.
-Program materials, including introductory literature and essays on each of
the books, promotional materials and selections for additional reading.
Let's Talk About It: Jewish Literature grants will be awarded in two rounds
during 2006 and 2007. Libraries that have already received a grant and completed
a Let's Talk About It: Jewish Literature series are eligible to apply for a
single-series $2,500 grant or a two-series $5,000 grant under each deadline.
Complete guidelines and an application are available online at www.ala.org/publicprograms or www.nextbook.org/ala .
The application deadline for the first round of grants is December 1, 2006.
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 AUGUST 4, 2006
* 50
State Bluebook Guide - Government publications librarian Daniel Cornwall
has tracked down all but 5 of these compendia of state data and provided links
for the online ones.
* The Association of Religion
Data Archives - Over 350 manipulable data files allow you to download,
map, or chart such information as religious congregations' membership, national
profiles, surveys of such things as religious behaviors, congregational life,
etc. Check out the resources for educators and for researchers.
* Booklist Online - A
surprising amount of material from this favorite review source is available
for free here, including the current issue's Top 10 lists, Readalikes, Spanish
Books for Youth, reference book updates, the Booklist blog ("Likely Stories"),
and more. A free 30-day trial subscription allows you to search and sample
the archived features and reviews.
* Consumers Union
Guide to Environmental Eco-labels - What does it mean when labels certify
foods and other products as "humane," "free-farmed," "residue-free," "fair
trade certified," produced sustainably, etc.? Consumers Union tells you who
is doing the certifying, what standards they use, and whether they test a company's
compliance. Searchable by label or label category, by certifying agency, and
by product. Includes a glossary.
* Effective Brand - A
free tool for creating toolbars. Go to the Gallery and search the toolbars
with the word LIBRARY to see how various libraries are using toolbars to improve
access for their users. It's a great way to give visibility to little known
library resources.
* Federal Computer Week - This
should be of interest to anyone who is interested in federal and state technology
policies and contracts. Includes news, commentary, profiles, and links to source
documents. Note that it takes a while to load.
* Home Fire Safety
- USFA - "information about smoke alarms, residential fire sprinklers,
escape planning, consumer product recalls, fire safety tips, and what to do after
a fire."
* Home Remodeling Center - A
step by step guide, starting with the Home Remodeling Checklist. It includes
house plans and room design ideas and gallery, calculators for estimating costs,
advice on financing and budgeting your projects, info on finding and working
with a contractor, planning guides, consumer protection information, and more.
* Music
To Soothe the Savage Searcher - Dave Mattison's guide to classical music
databases and web resources, from the July issue of Searcher.
* Ourmedia - Like Youtube,
Ourmedia allows users to post and store their print or media creations; but
unlike Youtube under its new rules, "Ourmedia claims no intellectual property
rights over the material you provide to our service." It also contains a Learning
Center to teach techniques for video, audio, digital photography, and writing
for the web. Explore other people's works as well.
* Podcasting
Legal Guide - Find out what legal issues you need to consider before starting
your own podcasts, courtesy of legal experts at Creative Commons.
* Science
Bloggers on their Favorite Children's Books - Answers to the question recently
posed on Science Blogs: "Are there any children's books that are dear to you,
either as a child or a parent, and especially ones that perhaps strike a chord
with those from a science sensibility?"
* The
Toymaker - Artist Marilyn Scott Walters says, "Welcome to my odd,
little world of paper toys, holiday cards, valentines, sun boxes, baskets and
bags, origami and ephemera... all for you to make." The charming creations
include a dream theatre, a bunny basket, a cat gift bag, fairy furniture, a
racing turtle, and lots more.
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.
