volume #3 issue#33

August 24, 2006

Prairie Views: the newsletter of the Prairie Area Library

System News

Mark Your Calendars for PALS Day 2007!
PALS Day 2007 will be held on Friday, April 27, 2007 at Starved Rock Lodge in Utica, IL. Speakers that are booked so far include: Peggy Barber and Linda Wallace of Library Communications Strategies; Duncan Smith of Ebsco/Novelist and Marylaine Block. More details will be coming soon.

Change in Membership Status
At their last meeting, the PALS Board approved a change in membership status from developmental to full members for the following two PALS libraries:
Luther Academy at Alpine
Immanuel Lutheran School
Congratulations to these two members!

Library Resources Survey
Through an LSTA grant awarded to Homer Township Public Library, PALS is surveying all member libraries about their collection strengths and other resources they have available. This is a replacement for and expansion of the old Heritage Trail collection strengths survey, and this new information will be incorporated into a larger, PALS-wide reference tool called Refwiki. The first step in the data-entry process is for the person or persons who will complete the online survey for your library to log into Refwiki. If *you* are such a person:

* Visit http://www.palsnet.info/refwiki and click the "Log in / create account" link.
* Your username and password will be the email address and password you use for the PALS CLeO calendar.
* After you log in, you should see a greeting on the screen, and then you can log out.

After you've done that, Georgiana Carollus, a project consultant working for Homer Township Public Library on the Refwiki project, will send you a confirmation email and further instructions. For the most part, the survey involves marking a series of checkboxes to indicate resources available at your library. It does not need to be completed all at the same time, nor all by the same person. Thank you for your participation!

Refwiki uses the same software platform as Wikipedia, but with a lot of custom programming to pull in the survey data. Anyone will be able to contribute. Although the structure of Refwiki is still being built, take a look around while you’re there. Here are some sample pages which might give you an idea what the site will be like:

* Joliet Public Library’s profile page -- http://www.palsnet.info/refwiki/index.php?title=Joliet_Public_Library_-_Primary_Building
* Page about Gale’s LitFinder database -- http://www.palsnet.info/refwiki/index.php?title=Gale_-_LitFinder
* Page about Spanish-language materials -- http://www.palsnet.info/refwiki/index.php?title=Spanish
* Search tips for the HAL catalog -- http://www.palsnet.info/refwiki/index.php?title=HAL

NSLS and ILSDO Launch Library Partnership Trust
Taking a decisive role in negotiating the greatest discounts and brokering group purchases is a logical role for library systems, and the Library Partnership Trust (LPT) is filling that role. The Illinois Library Systems Directors Organization (ILSDO) recently determined that all Illinois libraries should band together to increase our purchasing power and pursue group discounts. North Suburban Library System (NSLS) has volunteered to administer this new initiative on behalf of ILSDO. The LPT, a 501(c)(3) agency, will act as the fiscal agent for this new statewide consortium. By working together, we will attain greater savings for all libraries throughout the state. Questions? Contact Dale Ann Lawrence at NSLS, (847) 353-7122 or dlawrence@nsls.info

Take Advantage of Gale Virtual Reference Library Offer
The Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL) is now available to all Illinois (and PALS Iowa member) public libraries through the Library Partnership Trust. It contains 330 reference titles with 30-40 new releases added each year. The GVRL offer includes unlimited 24/7 access, translation into seven languages, the ability to generate citations, and much more. This is a great way to offer your public access to reliable information when it's convenient for them. Initial offer is good through October 31. Libraries working together will save significantly over the cost to participate on an individual basis. For more info, and a no-obligation quote, visit the Library Partnership Trust site.

Gale Virtual Reference Library Demo Is Coming to PALS!
Bring your colleagues and join us for the Gale Virtual Reference Library Demos:

Shorewood Service Center: Wednesday, September 13th from 2 to 4pm
Rockford Service Center: Thursday, September 14th from 11am to 1pm - Lunch will be included!
Coal Valley Service Center: Friday, September 15th from 11am to 1pm - Lunch will be included!

Brad Edick and Maureen Scully from Thomson Gale and Dale Lawrence from the North Suburban Library System will be here to demo the GVRL and answer any questions that you may have about this great offer. To assist with planning for food and handouts, please register for this event on CLeO. For more info, and a no-obligation quote, visit the Library Partnership Trust site.

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:
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.

NIU Classes
School librarians or anyone interested attending classes geared toward school librarianship! Here is the latest information we have on the NIU classes hosted at the 3 PALS sites (Coal Valley, Shorewood, and Rockford service centers):
*ETT 510 Instructional Media & Technology on Tuesdays from 4-5:30 p.m.
*ETT 508 Reference on Thursdays from 4-6:30 p.m.
* 3 Saturday labs on campus at NIU.
We believe the Saturday classes will be 9/23, 10/7, and 11/11 from 9am - 4pm. The Saturday classes are necessary because they are lab classes. We hope you will share this information with all your classroom teachers, too, in case they're interested in joining the program.

For further information, please contact Karen Woodworth Roman at P60KDW1@wpo.cso.niu.edu You may also attend on campus at NIU as a convenience.

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.

It Could Happen to You!
Preparing for library disaster recovery. Please join the Northern Illinois University Libraries Tuesday September 19, 2006 for a free workshop on Disaster Planning and Recovery for Libraries. Doors to the Illinois Room (Holmes Student Center, NIU-DeKalb) will open at 1:30 p.m. The presentation will take place from 2-4 p.m. A question and answer session will follow the presentation.

This valuable program is open to all public and academic library staff and trustees. For public libraries, this workshop may provide the foundation of the disaster recovery plan which must be included in the fall 2007 submission of the Public Library Per Capita Grant application. Please plan now to attend this valuable free workshop. Space is limited and reservations are required.
To register, please go to: http://www.ulib.niu.edu/recoveryworkshop.htm no later than 5p.m. Monday September 11, 2006. For additional information contact Jane Farmer, NIU Libraries, 815-753-9869.

SirsiDynix Institute Seminars
The SirsiDynix Institute is an ongoing forum for professional development in the library community. By providing free access to industry-leading speakers and events, their mission is to support librarianship and advance the work of librarians around the world. Attend their free Web seminars as the SirsiDynix Institute presents compelling speakers selected from among leaders in librarianship and information technology. Click on http://www.sirsidynixinstitute.com/future.php to see upcoming events and to view past events you may have missed. Many of these programs are relevant to all library types and are usually very well done. All you need is a compatible computer with speakers or headphones. Although it's very easy to log-in and listen, if you have questions about these programs, contact Rita McGeary at ritam@palsnet.info or x4463.

Member News
No Member News this week.

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.

Old Intransit items that are supposed to be on their way to Matson Public Library. Please check your shelves for the following:
* FIC SEB The lovely bones by Anne Sebold
* 641.5683 HAG The gluten free gourmet cooks comfort foods by Bette Hagman
* FIC AND Heart song by V.C. Andrews
* FIC AND Melody by V.C. Andrews
* 372.21 NOV Teaching with favorite Dr. Seuss books by Joan Novelli
* CD ZM RAFFI'S BOX Raffi's box of sunshine by Raffi

Please check your shelves for 31907001629236 One for the Money CD F EVA
Rose Sullivan
New Lenox Public Library District

Missing:
American Cancer Society’s complete guide to colorectal cancer by Bernard Levin Call number: 606.99 AME
ID: 30050055101363
Kaplan University

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.

For Sale
Plano Community Library
*1 Gaylord Book Return Cart, ivory, $250 or best offer (see 2006 catalog, page 24, item HP-201-33, $525.00) Never been used. Must be able to pick up from Plano.
*1 Gaylord Baldwin 4 ft. Slatwall Displayer, $200 or best offer (see 2006 catalog, page 514, item HP-TED48, $695) Fair condition. Must be able to pick up from Plano
*1 Revolving Bookcase Display, light oak, $200 or best offer (see 2005 Demco catalog, page 650, item P148-8928, $699.99) In good condition. Must be able to pick up from Plano. Very heavy.
*1 CD Spinner, 42 pocket floor spinner, $150 or best offer (see 2005 Demco catalog, page 668, item P149-9941, $539.99) Fair condition. Must be able to pick up from Plano.
* 600 Checkpoint Safer CD Single Security Cases Sold in boxes of 100, $50/box or best offer (see 2005 Demco catalog, page 165, Item P124-0463, $1.89 each) Good condition. Boxes can be delivered through PALS delivery.

Contact:
Deanna Howard
630-552-2020
dhoward@plano.lib.il.us

Davenport Public Library
* The Invisible web: Unvcovering Information Sources Search Engines Can't See by Chris Shearman and Gary Price (2001)
* Fundamentals of Children's Services by Michael Sullivan (2005)

Please contact:
Brenda Ross
Phone : 563-328-6835 E-mail : bross@davenportlibrary.com

Augustana College Tredway Library
has the following "freebies" for anyone interested:
International Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, Oxford University Press, 1999.
Dictionary of American History, v.1-8, Charles Scribner's Sons, 1976. (Includes Suppl. pt.1-2 and Atlas of American History, 2nd rev. ed.)

Please contact: Sally L. Cobert
Thomas Tredway Library
Augustana College
Technical Services - Cataloging
309-794-7641
sallycobert@augustana.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.

Circulation Assistant
(part time)The Reddick Library has an immediate opening for a Circulation Assistant evenings and weekends 10-20 hours a week. Examples of duties include checking materials in and out, placing reserves, renewing library cards, reshelving materials, customer relations and other duties as assigned.
* Minimum qualifications:
1. High School diploma
2. Ability to respond to customer inquiries in a pleasant and mature fashion.
3. Computer experience.
Preference will be given to candidates with post high school and/or library experience and familiarity with popular fiction.

Applicants must apply in person at:
Reddick Library
1010 Canal St.
Ottawa,IL
No phone calls, please.

Library Assistant, Kid's Library
(part time) Plano Community Library. Experience working with children, ability to work with the public in a positive manner, general knowledge of computers, and good communication skills required. Job includes providing reference assistance to children and adults and programming for children.
*Salary: $10/hr
*Schedule: Part-time- Monday-Thursday 4:00 – 8:15 p.m and 2-3 Saturdays/month.
Applications due September 2.

For more information, call:
Pat Schwartz
552-2025.

School Liaison/Youth Outreach Coordinator.
Geneva Public Library is looking for an energetic, resourceful librarian with excellent public relations skills to join our Youth Services team. If you enjoy thinking outside the box, marketing the library’s services, and developing relationships with educators and students, this new position is for you!
* Responsibilities include outreach to schools and community groups; providing reference and readers' advisory service; collection development; planning and presenting programs. Regular schedule is M-F, 8:30-5. Occasional evenings and weekends required.
* Requirements: Excellent human relations and organizational skills. Experience in public relations, outreach services, and/or elementary education; reference and readers’ advisory service, programming and selecting materials for children. Proficient with current technology. Knowledge of professional library practices and techniques.
* Qualifications: MLS from ALA-accredited institution. Two years experience working with children. Starting salary $36,602, D.O.Q., excellent benefits. Full-time position available immediately. Applications accepted until position is filled.

Send resume, cover letter and contact information for 3 professional references to:
Kristi Miller-Pease
Head of Youth Services
Geneva Public Library
127 James Street
Geneva, IL 60134.
Phone: (630) 232-0780 x. 243. Fax: (630) 232-0881. Email: kmiller@geneva.lib.il.us

Reference and ILL News

NOVELIST Enrollment Extension
NoveList & NoveList K-8, is available to ILLINET member academic, public, special and high school library buildings and to middle and elementary library buildings. The Illinois State Library will subsidize 50% of the cost for each library building. The enrollment period has been extended to September 30, 2006. The application/invoice can be found at http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/what_we_do/pdfs/novelist2007_invoice.pdf. Purchases made after September 30, 2006 will not be eligible for the Illinois State Library subsidy. Questions about NoveList & NoveList K-8 and the NoveList Application/Invoice should be directed to Gwen Harrison, gharrison@ilsos.net or 217-785-7334.

Youth Services and School Library News

Monarch 2008 nominations needed by Sept 15!!
Welcome back to school! Along with the hundreds of things you have to do...take time to nominate a few books for the Monarch Award. (NO LIMIT 5, 10, 50....) Requirements: published 2002-2006, kids' favorites, age and interest appropriate. Nominations are due September 15th so we can get the new list out in February this year! Have a great start to 2006-2007!
(more specific info is available at the website http://www.islma.org/monarch.htm )

Public Library News

Nominate Your Librarian for the New York Times Award
The New York Times Librarian Awards were created to support and recognize public librarians, who do so much to nurture a better-informed society. This year, the sixth year of this national awards program, they will honor 21 public librarians from across the country. The Times Librarian Award recognizes those librarians in public libraries whose exemplary performance and outstanding community service have made their libraries friendlier and more accessible institutions. For more information or to complete a nomination go to http://www.nytco.com/community/librarianawards06.html.

E-Learning@PLA is Offering Five New Start Dates for Two of Its Popular Online Professional Development Courses
This is your opportunity to gain valuable skills that will impact the success of your library from the comfort of your home or work computer. The New Planning for Results and Creating Policies for Results courses will be offered on the following dates:
September 11, 2006
October 9, 2006
February 5, 2007
March 5, 2007
April 7, 2007

New Planning for Results: Staff commitment, access to resources, adequate library services, and dedication to excellence all determine a public library's success. But like any good business, success begins with a strategic plan that addresses the unique needs of your library and community. The New Planning for Results e-Learning course will teach you how to create a strategic plan that meets your library's needs. Instructor June Garcia will lead you step by step through the elements of a strategic plan, including identifying your community's needs, determining goals, communicating results, and allocating resources. The New Planning for Results requires an average of six hours of online work and five hours of offline work over the course of six weeks to complete, and includes online chats with June, participant discussion forums, individual assignments, and self-guided interactive exercises. Registration also includes access to course materials for six months from the start date of the class. Cost: $195 for PLA members

Creating Policies for Results: Library policies define what a library values, which means policies must align with a library's priorities, mission, goals, and objectives. Too often, this isn't the case. Policies are outdated, lack staff support, or don't exist at all, creating frustration and ongoing headaches. In Creating Policies for Results , you will learn how to effectively evaluate your library's existing policies, determine what additional policies are needed, develop new policies, and establish a process to implement new or revised policies. Through interactive exercises, participant discussion forums, and online chats with course instructor June Garcia, you will gain the skills necessary to manage your library's policies. Creating Policies for Results requires an average of six hours of online work and three hours of offline work over the course of six weeks to complete. Registration also includes access to course materials for six months from the start date of the class. Cost: $195 for PLA members

The cost per e-Learning course is $195 for PLA members, $250 for ALA members, and $295 for nonmembers. Group discounts are available for state libraries, consortia, systems of regions and registrants from the library. Registration for e-Learning courses closes one week before the class start date. For additional questions regarding e-Learning@PLA, please contact the PLA office at 800-545-2433, ext. 5PLA, or visit PLA's Web site at www.pla.org. PLA is a division of the American Library Association.

Academic Library News
No Academic Library News this week.

Special Library News

Meeting for Rockford Area Special Librarians--Others Welcome
The Rockford Area Special Librarians group is having a System update and networking session on Thursday, September 21st. Coffee will be on at 8 AM. The meeting will start promptly at 8:30. If you attended any conferences and training, please come prepared to share what you learned with others. Nancy Smith and other PALS staff will update you on what's happening across the system.

Folks from other areas of PALS are welcome to join us in person (I know it's a bit early in the day!) or by videoconference from the other service centers. Please e-mail Nancy Smith at nancys@palsnet.info if you plan to do so so local staff can be alerted. FYI-- future meetings currently scheduled for the Rockford group are Wednesday, January 24th (that's a change) and Friday, May 18th. Also please note that PALS Day 2007 is Friday, April 27th. (These dates aren't in CLeO yet but soon will be.)

Support Staff News

Reaching Forward South Conference Coming SOON!
The Reaching Forward South Conference For Library Support Staff will be held Thursday, September 28 and Friday, September 29 at the Northfield Inn in Springfield, Illinois. We’re "Putting Our Best Foot Forward with sessions from Book Repair to Identity Theft and from Aging Awareness to Centers for Effective Nonprofits in Southern Illinois. Sharon Wiseman, Wiseman Consulting & Training, will be the keynote speaker. Victor Pacini will provide the Thursday evening entertainment and a session on Friday. This would be a great staff development event. Check out all the details at www.reachingforwardsouth.org. It’s our 10th year so put your best foot forward and come help us celebrate!

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

ILA Diversity Fair
Are you reaching out to a diverse community and want to showcase what you have done? Consider presenting your work at the First Annual Diversity Fair, to be held on Thursday, October 5 from 9:00-10:30 as part of the Illinois Library Association Annual Conference. DEMCO has graciously agreed to sponsor the event and will even be awarding prizes to the top presentations. If you are interested, please go to http://www.illinoislibrarysystems.info and follow the link in the top right corner to complete the submission form. If you have any questions, please contact Amanda McKay at amckay@lincolntrail.info or 217-352-0047, ext. 209.

Last chance to “Step Up to the Plate @ your library”; Program Concludes September 1
All entries for the Step Up to the Plate @ your library program are due September 1, giving library patrons their final opportunity to enter the national baseball trivia contest for a chance to win a grand prize trip to the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y. To help ensure mailed entries are sent by the deadline, libraries are encouraged to collect entries and send them in bulk. All entries must be postmarked by September 1 and sent to:

Step Up to the Plate @ your library
PO Box 118070
Chicago, IL 60611

No express mail packages will be accepted (Fed Ex, UPS, etc.). All entries submitted through the Step Up to the Plate Web site at www.ala.org/baseball also must be completed by September 1.

As a reminder, libraries that bring in the most number of entries are eligible to win special incentives. The library that brings in the most entries will get a $100 bookstore gift certificate, a copy of Lawrence Hogan's Shades of Glory: The Negro Leagues and the Story of African-American Baseball (published by National Geographic Society) and three copies of Satch and Me by Dan Gutman (published by HarperCollins). The next three libraries will receive a $50 ALA Graphics gift certificate, a copy of Shades of Glory and three copies of Satch and Me.

The Step Up to the Plate @ your library program, developed by the American Library Association (ALA) and the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, uses a series of baseball trivia questions to help teach 21st century literacy skills. One grand-prize winner will win a trip to the Hall of Fame's World Series Game One Gala event in Cooperstown, N.Y., in October, and a behind-the-scenes tour of the Museum. The grand prize also includes an Ozzie Smith autographed baseball. Twenty first-place prize packages also will be awarded, including a commemorative hardbound copy of the Hall of Fame Yearbook, Hall of Fame t-shirt, commemorative set of 20 Hall of Fame baseball cards and more. Since the program began in April, nearly 1,400 libraries have registered for the program at www.ala.org/baseball to gain access to free tools to help promote the program locally.

The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is a founding partner of The Campaign for America's Libraries, which is also made possible in part by ALA Library Champions. The Step Up to the Plate @ your library program is supported by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA), the Public Library Association (PLA), REFORMA, and the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum.

George Lopez Urges Families to Get Library Cards - September is National Library Card Sign-up Month
CHICAGO - Actor-comedian and author George Lopez joins the American Library Association (ALA) and hundreds of libraries across the country this September promoting Library Card Sign-up Month. Lopez is the official spokesman for this national observance, which serves as a time to remind parents that the best back-to-school tool for their child is a library card. Lopez stars in the hit ABC comedy series "George Lopez" and was named one of "The 25 Most Influential Hispanics In America" by TIME magazine in August 2005. He lives with his wife and 10-year-old daughter in Los Angeles and has his library card from the Los Angeles Public Library. "Ensuring our children get the best education possible is no laughing matter. Reading fuels our dreams and goals for the future," Lopez said. "From homework help to book clubs, libraries are where it's at. Your library card is your ticket to a world of opportunities. Get it, and use it at your library." Visit www.ala.org/lopez to see five things George Lopez likes about HIS library card.

Why buy when you can borrow? According to a recent survey from the National Retail Federation, parents will spend over $17 billion on back-to-school supplies. A library card provides free access to the more than $1 billion worth of materials - including DVDs, CDs, books, and online resources - bought by public libraries annually. "No parent can afford to overlook the great resources freely available in our nation's libraries," said ALA President Leslie Burger. "Libraries help level the playing field for people of all ages and backgrounds. Studies show that children who are read to in the home and who use the library perform better in school and are more likely to continue to use the library as a source of lifetime learning." Americans check out more than 2 billion items and visit their public libraries more than 1.3 billion times each year.

Learn more about why your library card is the smartest card of all by visiting www.ala.org/lcsm . A Lopez photograph suitable for media publication can be downloaded at: www.ala.org/ala/pio/campaign/prtools/George_Lopez_Web.jpg

Letters About Literature Contest
Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White is urging students in grades 4-12 to enter the 2007 Letters About Literature contest, a national reading and writing contest sponsored by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress and the Illinois Center for the Book in partnership with Target. "Every year thousands of Illinois students join students from across the nation in writing heartfelt letters to authors describing how books impact the lives of students," said White, who also serves as honorary chair of the Illinois Center for the Book. "Anyone who has read these moving letters can see how literature truly inspires and touches the lives of our young people. The annual Letters About Literature contest combines reading and writing, two skills that will benefit students for the rest of their lives. I strongly encourage parents, teachers and librarians to make students aware of this wonderful event, and for young people to take part by selecting a book and letting the author know how that book impacted their life."

To enter, young readers write a letter to an author, past or present, describing how that author's work somehow changed the student's view of the world or of himself/herself. The contest has three competition levels:
Level 1 for students in grades 4-6;
Level 2 for students in grades 7 and 8; and
Level 3 for students in grades 9-12.
Winners on the state level each receive a cash award, a $50 Target Gift Card and go on to represent their state in the national competition where six national winners - two from each level - will be chosen. The six national winners and their parents will travel to Washington, D.C. courtesy of Target, where they will read their letters during the National Book Festival in the fall of 2007. The national winners also receive a $500 Target Gift Card.

Official how-to-enter guidelines and entry coupons can be found at the LAL website, www.loc.gov/letters. To receive a free copy in Adobe of the LAL teacher's guide, which includes lesson plans, blackline masters, and assessment checklists, teachers should contact the national project director at lettersaboutlit@epix.net. All entries must be received by December 8, 2006. For more information about the competition, contact Bonnie Matheis at 217-558-2065 or bmatheis@ilsos.net. Information about the Illinois Center for the Book can be found at www.illinoiscenterforthebook.org. Target sponsors Letters About Literature as part of its national reading initiative, "Ready. Sit. Read!," which is aimed at fostering a love of reading among children at an early age. Since opening its first store in 1962, Target has partnered with nonprofit organizations, guests and team members to help meet community needs.

More Than a Book a Day Challenged in U.S. Schools, Libraries - Banned Books Week marks 25th anniversary September 23-30
(CHICAGO) More than a book a day faces expulsion from free and open public access in U.S. schools and libraries every year. There have been more than 8,700 attempts since the American Library Association (ALA) began electronically compiling and publishing information on book challenges in 1990.

Twenty-five years after the first observance of Banned Books Week, more than 1,000 people stayed past 1 a.m. debating a request to remove nine books - including "The Things They Carried" by Tim O’Brien and "Beloved" by Toni Morrison - from a Chicagoland school district. The books were ultimately retained.

"Forever" by Judy Blume was one of more than 70 titles a Fayetteville, Ark., mother requested be removed in 2005. Twenty-five years earlier, the book was restricted in the Park Hill (Mo.) South Junior High School library because the book promotes "the stranglehold of humanism on life in America."

"Throughout history, there always have been a few people who don’t want information to be freely available. And this is still true," said ALA President Leslie Burger. "The reason more books aren’t banned is because community residents - with librarians, teachers and journalists - stand up and speak out for their freedom to read. Banned Books Week reminds us that we must remain vigilant."

Bookstores and libraries around the country will celebrate the freedom to read with exhibits, readings and special events during Banned Books Week, September 23-30, 2006. First observed in 1982, Banned Books Week reminds Americans not to take this precious democratic freedom for granted. City Lit Theater in Chicago and ALA will kick off the week with theatrical readings from recently challenged books September 24. The ALA also will participate in a virtual panel discussion with author Chris Crutcher ("Whale Talk") and 15 high schools on September 25. Participants will hear about Crutcher’s experiences as a frequently challenged author, learn more about the history of book banning in the United States and examine contemporary issues in intellectual freedom and access to information.

There were 405 known attempts to remove books in 2005. Challenges are defined as formal, written complaints filed with a library or school requesting that materials be removed because of content or appropriateness. About 70 percent of challenges take place in schools and school libraries. According to Judith F. Krug, director of the Office for Intellectual Freedom, the number of challenges reflects only incidents reported, and for each reported, four or five remain unreported.

"We are as busy as we’ve ever been in fighting censorship attempts in schools and libraries," Krug said. "Libraries are no longer simply about books - but also about DVDs, videogames and online information."

Robie Harris’ "It’s Perfectly Normal" was the most challenged book of last year. Rounding out the top five most challenged books in 2005 were:

• "Forever" by Judy Blume for sexual content and offensive language;
  
  
• "The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger for sexual content, offensive language and being unsuited to age group;
  
  
• "The Chocolate War" by Robert Cormier for sexual content and offensive language; and
  
  
• "Whale Talk" by Chris Crutcher for racism and offensive language.

Banned Books Week is sponsored by the American Booksellers Association, the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, the ALA, the Association of American Publishers, the American Society of Journalists and Authors, and the National Association of College Stores. It is endorsed by the Library of Congress Center for the Book.

For more information on Banned Books Week, please visit www.ala.org/bbooks . To schedule interviews with national spokespeople, please call or email Larra Clark at 312-280-5043 (lclark@ala.org ) or Macey Morales at 312-280-4393 (mmorales@ala.org ). Artwork also is available.

News from Vendors

Thomson Gale Literature Series
Literature 101: “Must-have literature titles tools for researchers”
Thomson Gale, a leading publisher of print and online literary resources, invites you to attend our September Webevents. Join us for any of these free Webevents to discover what these resources can do for you and your researchers. Literature Resource Center is the premier online reference solution available today. It provides researchers single-search access to a rich collection of full-text literary criticism, biographies, work overviews, journal articles and other resources on more than 130,000 writers and their works, extending across all genres and time periods.
* LitFinder provides access to nearly 1 million pieces of literature. Public library patrons, students, and faculty alike can explore poetry (ranging from Classical to contemporary) as well as thousands of full-text short stories, essays, plays, and speeches. Covering literature from Antiquity to the present, the database includes writers representing more than 650 nationalities, ensuring broad coverage of works from around the world and throughout time.
* Dictionary of Literary Biography is a literary reference classic that Thomson Gale has published for nearly 30 years. Deemed “hands-down the best overall literary reference work ever published” in the June 15, 2006 issue of Library Journal, the Dictionary of Literary Biography takes a comprehensive and global approach to authorship, covering authors across a broad range of genres and time periods. Available in print, as an online standalone database, and integrated within Literature Resource Center, it is an outstanding source for signed, scholarly essays on nearly 12,000 authors and their works.

Please visit www.gale.com/webevents TO SIGN UP

Literature Resource Center:
September 5th – Tues @ 1 p.m. EST
September 13th – Wed @ 3 p.m. EST
September 27th – Wed @ 1 p.m. EST

Litfinder:
September 7th – Thurs @ 2 p.m. EST
September 14th – Thurs @ 2 p.m. EST
September 21st – Thurs@ 2 p.m. EST
September 28th – Thurs @ 2p.m. EST

Dictionary of Literary Biography
September 26th – Tues @ 3 p.m. EST

Legislative/Advocacy News

Use the Opportunity to Promote and Talk Libraries
Lynn Roe, director of Dixon PL, was invited by the mayor to attend a meeting with Shamus Ahern, Downstate Legislative Assistant to Senator Barack Obama. The meeting was set up to ask how the Senator can help Dixon. Lynn immediately set to work gathering information on issues of importance to the library community. In the meeting, she requested and encouraged Sen. Obama to approve Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS) funds for state libraries. Lynn was able to say that in Illinois these IMLS funds are distributed to the libraries throughout the state through grant offerings. Librarians are used to being frugal and we are able to accomplish a lot with these grant funds. It is through grants that libraries have a high level of technology, provide educational programs, and offer new services to the communities we serve.

She also asked that Senator Obama vote no on HB 5319 which has recently passed in the House and is headed to the Senate. This bill is called the DOPA bill which stands for Deleting Online Predators Act. It sounds good but has financial strings attached to it and has censorship and privacy issues that are of great concern to libraries. The intent of the bill is to protect minor children from online predators by limiting their access to social networking sites such as MySpace and other chatrooms. The DOPA bill is much too broad and it would be impossible to block all of these sites. This bill also doesn’t address the positive ways that interactive and networking sites are used in education and business as tools for communication. Shamus and his intern both seemed genuinely interested.

While Lynn was able to speak only briefly she found it an enjoyable experience to be able to address library issues. She also learned that a little time on research paid off. When asked who sponsored the DOPA bill, she was able to provide the information. We can all make a difference and raise awareness without being professional lobbyists or public speakers. Please take advantage of the opportunity when it presents itself. You just might be surprised how satisfactory that can feel! Thank you Lynn for stepping forth and speaking up.

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

Grant News

Construction Grants
ISL Consultant Gwen Harrison reported that 10 PALS libraries were among the 47 libraries that submitted letters of intent for the Construction Grants. The requests were for more than 4 times the amount of funding available.

Grow Your Own @ Your Library Scholarships
This PLA (Public Library Association) program was developed to address the education needs of public library staff working toward the ultimate goal of obtaining a Master’s degree in library and information science. This program is intended to assist public library staff members who are working toward securing a library degree by awarding funds to the employing public library for reimbursement of employee(s) course tuition costs at the undergraduate or graduate level. There are 9 population categories and a library in each category will receive $8,000 to be used toward reimbursing staff working on an ALA accredited Master's degree. The population categories include a library serving under 5,000, a library serving 5,000-9,999, etc. For more details go to http://www.ala.org/ala/pla/plaawards/growyourown.htm.

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 18, 2006

50 Coolest Web Sites
Time Magazine Time's picks for cool sites for entertainment, shopping, news, travel, staying connected, and wasting time. Also, check out the previous year's top 50, and 25 Sites We Couldn't Live Without.

50 Popular Science Blogs
(written by scientists) This list of links, arranged by their Technorati ranking, gives you a chance to make the acquaintance of a number of blogging scientists (The Quantum Pontiff, Mike the Mad Biologist, The Disgruntled Chemist, etc.) and a variety of science realms (Evolutionblog, Invasive Species Weblog, Good Math, Bad Math, etc.).

2006 Corporate Governance and Climate Change
Ceres, "a national network of investment funds, environmental organizations and other public interest groups working to advance environmental stewardship on the part of businesses," assesses how 100 global companies "are positioning themselves to compete in a carbon-constrained world." You can download the summary or the full report.

Biomedical Image Awards 2006
These recent acquisitions of the Wellcome Library present "a wide variety of subjects, most invisible to the naked eye." View the photos and listen to interviews with their creators. Since each page includes capsules of the winners, it may take a while to download.

byCycle
Interactive travel maps focus on the best routes for drivers, but this site maps routes for cyclists. They've already mapped Portland (OR), Milwaukee, and Pittsburgh, and are looking for volunteers to map other cities.

Google Tutor & Advisor
This blog includes news about new Google features and tips search features and strategies.

Kevin Kelly - Street Use
Kelly, author of Cool Tools and the Cool Tools weblog (linked here) is now blogging about "personal modifications, folk innovations, street customization, ad hoc alterations, wear-patterns, home-made versions and indigenous ingenuity. In short -- stuff as it is actually used, and not how its creators planned on it being used."

The Kids and Family Reading Report
Children's librarians and school librarians take note. There's both discouraging news (the falloff after age 8 in the number of children who enjoy reading) and opportunity here (the top reason given for not reading is being unable to find books that interest them).

Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life
This nonpartisan organization provides information (news, backgrounders, polls and surveys), but takes no position on "issues at the intersection of religion and public affairs," including bioethics, the death penalty, religion in public schools.

Rotten Tomatoes
Movie news, reviews, and the "Tomato Picker" database to help you select films that match your criteria. Each movie review includes synopsis, credits, a reader forum, and info about the DVD is any.

Teaching with Documents
National Archives and Records Administration "Lectures, demonstrations, analysis of documents, independent research, and group work become a gateway for research with historical records in ways that sharpen students' skills and enthusiasm for history, social studies, and the humanities."

Washington Monthly College Rankings
Ranks colleges on the basis of how much they contribute to the community, to social mobility, and to the fostering of research. While you're at it, check out the accompanying articles, particularly "Is Our Students Learning?"

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.