volume #3 issue#41

October 19, 2006

Prairie Views: the newsletter of the Prairie Area Library

System News

Our Condolences
to Mary Scherer, PALS Senior Cataloger, on the death of her mother Anna Brown last week. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mary and her family at this difficult time.

It's Time!
We are planning to get rid of our remaining circulating collection at Coal Valley Service Center over the winter. It consists of a lot of runs by certain mystery authors like Christie, Kurwood, Pentecost, Gardner, Creasey, Eberhart, Lockridge, Ellery Queen, Simenon, Shannon, Seifert, Stout, etc. Western runs by authors like Seltzer, Zane Grey, Mulford. We are also getting rid of our circulating Large Print and our non-fiction collection as well. All free to a good home if you come and select the items or let us know what you'd like. If you are a PALSGroup library, we'd be happy to change the LLSAP code to your library. If you have any questions please call or email Brenda Roman x3152 brendar@palsnet.info or Judy Hutchinson x3150 judyh@palsnet.info

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

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

PALS Events by Month

PALSGroup Training
Numerous PALSGroup training sessions have been scheduled for the coming months and are available for registration in CLeO. The first of these sessions are What's New - Circulation and What's New - Cataloging and Serials on Monday, October 16 at East Moline Public Library. More detailed information will be coming soon. In the meantime, please contact Rhonda Krahl at ext. 3151 or rhondak@palsnet.info if you have any questions.

Member News

Our Condolences
to Renee Gorham, Director, Bradley Public Library, on the death of her mother last week. Our thoughts and prayers are will Renee and her family at this difficult time.

Book and Bake Sale at Fossil Ridge
Begins Oct. 28th. The Fossil Ridge Friends of the Library will be holding their fall book and bake sale on Saturday, Oct. 28th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and continuing the following week during regular library hours for those who cannot make the Saturday sale. This year, besides tasty things to eat and great books to read, there will be computers for sale. The Omnitech computers are sold as is and there is no warranty or guarantees. There are no software programs on the machines. Some of the machines have a 1.7 GHz processor, 4 USB ports, 256MB DDR-SDRAM, 3.5 floppy drive, integrated 10/100 Ethernet card, and 52X Sony CD-ROM drive. Sets of Labtec Spin 85 speakers are available for $10. There is also a scanner for sale. The prices range from $200 to $225. The Friends will accept cash or a check.

"Desperadoes: Notorious Lawbreakers of Early Illinois"
October 23rd, 6:30 p.m. at the Geneseo Public Library District.
This is an exciting lecture and slide presentation that delves into the dark side of Illinois history, from the frontier killers at Cave-in-Rock to later horse thieves, bandits, and murderers. Presented by Dr. John E. Hallwas.

"Book a Great Escape"
Any avid reader knows that you can always escape between the pages of a book. The Rock Island Public Library Foundation is ready to help guests "book a great escape" with a November 16 fundraising event that includes international dining, a silent auction featuring great getaways, signed books and posters, and a raffle that will provide one lucky guest with the services of a private chef for a special evening.
The third annual "Food for Thought" event is 5 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 16 at the newly renovated Main Library building, 401 19th Street, Rock Island. It will again feature a "moveable feast" around the library, with an international menu that celebrates the ability of books to take readers to new places. The menu will include tastes from Italy, Greece, Asia, Germany and North America's Cajun country. Tickets are $20 for individuals and $35 for couples, and include complimentary dining and beverages.
To purchase tickets, please call Foundation secretary Amy Penry at (309) 732-7302.

Harvard-Diggins Library’s “E.A. Burbank Timeline” Website Wins 3 Awards
Three Outstanding Website awards from the Web Marketing Association’s WebAwards competition in the Arts, Family, and Non-Profit categories were handed out to Harvard resident Mark Sadler, who conceived, designed, developed and maintains the website which contains more than a thousand pages of information and images on Harvard artist Elbridge Ayer Burbank (1858-1949). The website received a “perfect 10” for innovation.

Burbank was a professionally trained portrait artist who was originally commissioned by his wealthy uncle to obtain a portrait of the Apache Chief Geronimo. Burbank traveled to the Oklahoma Territory and was able to make friends with the warrior and over the years painted his portrait 7 times.
The E. A. Burbank website is located at http://www.harvard-diggins.org/burbank/ and further information of the Website Awards at http://www.webaward.org.

Quad City 's Most Unique Fundraising Event Celebrity “Doodles” Up for Auction
Everyone doodles. But how many people can say they own a drawing by John Travolta, Mario Andretti, Pamela Anderson or Donald Trump? Or, a doodle by best selling authors such as Jonathan Kellerman, Ken Follett or Scott Turow? Doodles by these and other famous authors, sports figures, actors, politicians and celebrities will be up for bid at Author & Celebrity Doodle Day at the Bettendorf Public Library on Saturday, October 21, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. More than 100 doodles will be available by silent and live auction with entertainment provided by John Gere and Friends, and hors d’oeuvres and refreshments. Admission is FREE!
Three new features make this year’s Doodle Day even more exciting.
* Fund a Cause: bidder’s can raise their bid paddle and pledge any amount toward funding Live Homework Help, a free on-line tutoring service for students from 4th grade through college intro in math, science, English and Social Studies. * Raffle: buy chances on fabulous items ranging from certificates to your favorite restaurants to jewels to overnight stays.
* Mystery Doodle: veiled until it is purchased, this doodle is by Library Director Faye Clow and commemorates her last Doodle Day before her January 2008 retirement. In addition, donations for the foundation will be accepted at the door. Held biennially since 1998, Doodle Day benefits the Bettendorf Public Library Foundation, whose mission is to support, enhance and preserve library programs and services. Past doodles have gone for $50 to $3000 each, and in 2004, over $27,000 was raised. Doodle Day is sponsored by Genesis Health System, Wells Fargo, the Quad-City Times, and Advance Homes. The event is also sponsored in part by Gallagher Millage Gallagher PLC, Lindquist Ford, Greenspace Associates, Olsten Staffing Services and Scholtz Gowey Gere Marolf Architects.

Go to http://www.bettendorflibrary.com/doodleday.htm for complete Doodle Day event information and to view celebrity doodles up for auction, including Whoopi Goldberg, Mary Higgins Clark, Dr. Phil McGraw, Barbra Streisand and Greg Maddux. For more information, contact Todd Klein at tklein@bettendorf.org or 563 344-4182.

Libraries Issue 900 Cards in Sign-ups
The North Suburban and Talcott Free libraries issued more than 900 new library cards in September which is nationally known as Library Card Sign-up Month. North Suburban Library, with branches in Roscoe and Loves Park, issued 817 cards to residents, almost a 14 percent sign-up increase from last year. Rockton’s Talcott library issued 85 new cards, a 25 percent increase

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@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.

Plainfield Public Library
*2005 Scott Stamp Catalog
*42nd edition of The Encyclopedia of Associations

If interested please call:
Lisa Pappas
815.436.6639
lpappas@plainfield.lib.il.us

Lemont Public Library District
*Chicago Area Business Directory, 2005-2006 ed., 2 vols.

If interested contact:
Debbie Somchay
Phone: 630.257.6541

The Reddick Library
has to giveaway
1) Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant- Abridged Audio CD (5 discs)
2) Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen - Abridged Audio CD (4 discs)
Both audios are free of scratches and are in original boxes.

Please email Elaine at emchapman@reddicklibrary.org

Northern Illinois University
has a number of Engineering and Math journals for the offering. They are all single issues (no bound volumes), so if anyone needs one, several or a run, we will send you those you need - we have no problem breaking up runs. Click here to see the list.

Please respond by October 31st, 2006 to:
Jane Farmer
815-753-9869
jfarmer@niu.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.

Web Services Coordinator
Prairie Area Library System
Are you looking for new, exciting challenges in your career? Interested in working with a state of the art integrated library system public interface? Are you ready to work with and for positive, upbeat, hard-working professionals to help improve and enhance library service to northern Illinois libraries? The Prairie Area Library System (PALS) is looking for an innovative, technologically progressive, self-starter willing to share their positive outlook and team player skills with colleagues and member libraries. As part of the Technology Services department of PALS, the ideal applicants will have: 3 years managing web based services with hardware & software responsibilities; 2 years experience with MySQL & Microsoft Access; Strong understanding of Internet-based services and protocols, especially MySQL, HTML, ASP; Demonstrated ability to communicate technical ideas and plans to non-technical clientele in a helpful and friendly manner; Self-motivation and ability to work as a team member; and a strong customer service orientation.

The successful applicant may work from any of the three PALS locations, Coal Valley, Rockford, or Shorewood.

Bachelor Degree in computer or information science or appropriate and demonstrated skill sets required.

Salary range $38,788 - 58,182. Excellent benefits.

Visit http://www.palsnet.info/jobs/wsc.doc for complete job description and http://www.palsnet.info/jobs/application.doc for the application.
Review of applications will continue until position is filled. Please submit application and resume with three professional references to Shirley Grasty, 405 Earl Road, Shorewood, IL 60404 or shirleyg@palsnet.info

PALS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Library Services Coordinator
Prairie Area Library System
Are you looking for new, exciting challenges in your career? Do you enjoy traveling throughout beautiful northern Illinois? Are you ready to work with and for positive, upbeat, hard-working professionals to help improve and enhance library service to northern Illinois libraries? The Prairie Area Library System (PALS) is looking for two innovative, technologically progressive, self-starters willing to share their positive outlooks and team player skills with colleagues and member libraries. As part of the consulting and continuous learning department of PALS, the ideal applicants will have: work experience in several types of libraries and at different levels within those libraries; excellent written and oral communication skills; demonstrated leadership; grant writing experience; at least five years library experience; and supervisory or administrative library experience highly desirable.

*Applicants must also be proficient with new technologies, possess a positive outlook, work well with groups, be a team player, and be able to travel within the System's 11,000 square mile area. The successful applicants may work from any of the three PALS locations, Coal Valley, Rockford, or Shorewood. ALA/MLS required.

*Salary range $45,000 - 67,500. Excellent benefits.

Visit http://www.palsnet.info/jobs/lsc.doc for complete job description and http://www.palsnet.info/jobs/application.doc for the application.
Review of applications will continue until position is filled. Please submit resumes with three professional references to Shirley Grasty, 405 Earl Road, Shorewood, IL 60404 or shirleyg@palsnet.info

PALS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

College Librarian
Saint Anthony College of Nursing full-Time. This position includes evening and weekend hours. Salary based on experience.
*Minimum Education: Master's degree in Library Science (MLS) from ALA accredited program.
*Minimum Experience: Experience appropriate to position responsibilities.
*Minimum Skill Requirements: Function effectively in a busy environment with frequent interruptions. This position must be able to communicate clearly and tactfully under pressure, including the ability to provide a wide variety of problem solving techniques and skills. Knowledge of circulation procedures and ability to interpret and apply circulation policies and rules. Ability to handle unexpected schedule changes and adapt accordingly. Must work well under pressure. Familiarity with health science literature. Knowledge of current computer and audiovisual applications in education. Understand library classification systems and cataloging techniques (National Library of Medicine, MARC format). Knowledge of medical terminology including electronic learning systems. Understand library theory and principles of organization, structure and services and applies current techniques and practices on a general level. Solid organizational skills, ability to work with details. Intelligent and tactful coping skills, strong interpersonal communication skills, knowledge of general office procedures, (communication with library patrons and college staff, telephone answering, e-mail). Accurate attention to detail. Knowledge and ability in the use of microcomputers and associated software programs. Knowledge of Illinois state law and HIPAA concerning confidentiality of patron information and borrowing records. This position requires a person who can work independently with frequent interruptions, able to shift priorities to accommodate a fluctuating workflow on a daily basis. The employee must be able to respond to a changing influx of user requests and to perform duties accurately and efficiently. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to accomplish work in an accurate and timely manner are essential to providing quality service.

Please send a cover letter and resume and references to:
Tabitha Bilyeu
Library Director
5658 East State St.
Rockford, IL 61108
Tabitha.Bilyeu@osfhealthcare.org

Librarian
The City of Moline seeks a Librarian. A Librarian performs a variety of professional library services in conjunction with the selection, maintenance, and collection management of Moline Public Library services to meet the educational, recreational, and informational needs of the community. Promotes library services to the community through education and outreach.
* Requires Masters degree in library science from an ALA accredited school or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Ability to speak Spanish desirable. Valid driver’s license required. Compliance with City Residency Policy within prescribed time required. *Annual salary starts at $43,998.66.

For more details on this position or to obtain an application, visit:
City of Moline HR Office
619 16th Street
Moline, IL 61265
or http://www.moline.il.us.
Deadline 11/03/06, 5:00 PM. Equal Opportunity Employer.

Library Director
Due to retirement, the Peru Public Library seeks a service oriented administrator with responsibilities for planning and budgeting, providing leadership and coordination for all library operations, maintaining library property, and representing the library in the community. Experienced and congenial staff of ten (full and part-time). Progressive and cooperative Board, supportive City government, enthusiastic clientele. Beautiful modern facility 20 years old, in friendly and growing community of 10,000, at intersection of Interstate 80 and 39, ninety miles west of Chicago. Excellent schools, churches, mall, downtown redevelopment, recreation, health care, and community college. Budget of $312,000. Annual circulation of 150,000+ from a collection of 40,000. SirsiDynix automation system.
Requirements: MLS, minimum 3 - 5 years of varied library experience at the professional level, including supervision/administration. Working knowledge of all aspects of librarianship. Technology experience essential. Demonstrated success in working well with staff and patrons. City residency required following appointment. Competitive salary and benefits package.
Apply by mail with cover letter, resume, expected salary range and three references to: Laurie Smoron, Chair, Personnel Committee, Peru Public Library, 1409 11th Street, Peru, IL. 61354. Deadline for applications is December 1, 2006.

Reference and ILL News

Try-It! Illinois October 1-November 30
Log on to http://www.eliillinois.org/tryit/ to gain access to Try-It! Illinois 2006, the seventh annual statewide database trial, sponsored by Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White and the Illinois State Library.
Try-It! Illinois offers the staffs and library users of the more than 4,000 ILLINET member libraries the opportunity to survey and evaluate a wide variety of electronic resources. Thanks to partnerships between the Illinois State Library and the participating electronic resource vendors, there is no charge for accessing these databases during Try-It! Illinois.

Here are a few of the vendors that have agreed to participate in the Try-It! Illinois 2006 database trial:

ABC-CLIO Accessible Archives
Alexander Street Press Auralog-Innovation for Language Learning
Bowker Civic Technologies - Business Decision
CQ Press Discovery Education
EBSCO Publishing Facts on File
Facts on File News Services Greenwood Publishing Group
H.W. Wilson Learning Express
Marquis Who's Who Publishing & National Register Publishing
McGraw Hill MorningStar
Newsbank OCLC
ORS PROQUEST
Record Information Service TeachingBooks
The World and I Thomson Scientific
Thomson Gale ValueLine
WorldBook Xrefer

(The Office of the Secretary of State/Illinois State Library makes no representations, guarantees, or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, currency or suitability of the Try-It! Illinois electronic resource offerings. The Office of the Secretary of State/Illinois State Library specifically disclaims any and all liability for any claims or damages that may result from use of electronic resources included in the Try-It! Illinois offering. The responsibility for content rests with the organizations that are providing the information. The inclusion of links from this site does not imply endorsement by the Office of the Secretary of State/Illinois State Library.)

E-R-XPO
Mark your calendars now--the annual E-R-XPO, the Illinois State Library's Electronic Resource exposition (vendor fair), will be held Wednesday, December 6, 2006 at Schaumburg Township District Library. This event is filled with vendor presentations and demonstrations. Library staff will have plenty of time to visit vendor booths and talk to the local representatives from many companies participating in Try-It! Illinois.

Illinet ILL Traffic Survey
The deadline for completion of the ILLINET Interlibrary Loan Traffic Survey has been extended to October 31, 2006. Spread the word among the library community and encourage completion of the survey. Our responses are down by nearly 1,000 libraries. In order to create an accurate snapshot of interlibrary loan activity in Illinois, we need the library community to participate in the survey. The survey is at http://lrc.lis.uiuc.edu/web/ILL2006/ Contact Gwen Harrison at 217-785-7334 or at gharrison@ilsos.net for further information.

Youth Services and School Library News
No Youth Services and School Library News this week.

Public Library News
No Public Library News this week.

Academic Library News

American Library Association and Bowker Announce the Launch of the New Resources for College Libraries (RCL) Web Site
Middletown, CT - Choice Magazine, a publishing unit of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), and R.R. Bowker, publisher of Books in Print, launched the online edition of the highly anticipated new Resources for College Libraries (RCL) on September 29, 2006. RCLweb, a database of hand-selected core titles for academic libraries, will be the successor to the American Library Association's (ALA) classic reference work, "Books for College Libraries, 3rd Edition" (BCL3), which was last published in its third edition in 1988. More than 350 experts with advanced knowledge in their subject areas put together the core list. College librarians who have been eagerly awaiting the successor to BCL3 will not have to wait any longer to start receiving the newest information. Students, faculty, and library staff will all find RCLweb very user-friendly and easy to navigate.

This new web format consists of a core list of 62,000+ books and electronic resources in 58 subject areas, including interdisciplinary topics (a new feature). Users will be able to create, edit, and save lists, which can then be emailed or downloaded and printed. RCLweb will also include:
* Easy searching by a variety of criteria, including author, subject, title, format, audience and LC Classification Number
* Frequent updates to keep your collection current.
* Time-saving tools such as the ability to match up to five titles at a time against your library's holdings using Bowker's Hooks to Holdings feature
* Over 19,000 matching Choice reviews
* Ability to sign up for RCL Alerts, an e-mail service designed to keep users informed of the most recent titles added to the database that meet any pre-selected criteria Record notations of books that have previously appeared in BCL3, or have been reviewed by Choice
* Organized into a new subject taxonomy created specifically for RCL to correspond to the way the subject matter is presented in the undergraduate classroom

The print edition of RCL will be available as of November 28, 2006. In addition, RCL content will be available in Bowker's new collection analysis tool, Bowker's Book Analysis System (BBAS), which will be accessible in early November. Bowker is offering training seminars for help with RCLweb and/or the Book Analysis Tool. To sign-up for training please visit www.BowkerTraining.com. For additional information visit http://www.rclinfo.net/.

Special Library News
No Special Library News this week.

Support Staff News
No Support Staff News this week.

Technology Services News
No Technology Services News this week.

New Books at PALS

Shorewood Service Center now has
MDR's school directory, Illinois, 2006-2007. LS 371.00977 MDR

Library News Around the State & Nation

American Library Association Releases National Study of Diversity in Library Workforce - Confirms need for continued recruitment of people of color
DALLAS - the American Library Association (ALA) released "Diversity Counts," a comprehensive study of gender, race and age in the library profession. Using 1990 and 2000 Census data (the most current available), the study found that the nearly 110,000 credentialed librarians were predominantly ages 45 - 54, female and white. The number of racial and ethnic minorities receiving accredited library master's degrees (MLIS) grew 4 percent, up to about 13 percent in 2000 from 9 percent in 1990.

To increase diversity, the ALA committed $1.35 million in 1997 toward the Spectrum Scholarship Program, a groundbreaking effort aimed at encouraging more people of color to become librarians. A 2004 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) nearly doubled funding available for graduate students from racially and ethnically underrepresented groups to attend ALA-accredited master's programs or National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) library media programs. Since its inception, more than 400 students have received scholarships, mentoring and ongoing networking opportunities. "This study is a first step in providing a benchmark for initiatives currently underway and a road map for work still ahead of us," said ALA Executive Director Keith Michael Fiels. "The 2000 data does not reflect national recruitment efforts initiated by the ALA and others beginning in the late 1990s."

To review the study in its entirety, please visit www.ala.org/diversitycounts. For more information on the Spectrum scholarship program, please visit www.ala.org/spectrum.

New Online Tools, Graphics Products Available for National Library Week 2007
New online materials and products are now available to help libraries reach out to their communities during National Library Week (April 15-21, 2007). The online materials, available in both English and Spanish, focus on the National Library Week "Come together @ your library®" theme. They include a proclamation, sample press release, sample radio PSAs and sample letter-to-the-editor. All documents can be customized for local use. Libraries can download the tools at www.ala.org/@yourlibrary by clicking on the "National Library Week" button. New ALA Graphics products support the National Library Week theme as well. In addition to the traditional poster and bookmark, libraries can also purchase a mini poster, key chains and banner. Single NLW digital art files also are offered online for purchase at www.alastore.ala.org. To order, see the current ALA Graphics Catalog, call 1-866-SHOP-ALA, send a fax to 770-280-4155 or visit the ALA Online Store. Libraries are encouraged to let the Public Information Office know what they are planning for National Library Week. Send an email to: atyourlibrary@ala.org.

Survey: ALA's Online Resource Center for Library Programming
The ALA Public Programs Office is developing a resource called The Online Resource Center for Library Cultural Programming (ORC). The ORC will be a one stop web site where librarians interested in cultural programming can find all the information they need to learn about and present quality public programs-program ideas, presenters, partners, funding, training and materials. Please take a moment to complete the following survey to help us best develop the ORC to suit your library's needs: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=355662734255 Responses are requested by November 20, 2006. Thank you, in advance, for your input.

News from Vendors
No News from Vendors this week.

Legislative/Advocacy News

New Online Legislative Action Center
On Tuesday, October 17, 2006, ALA officially changed to a new online Legislative Action Center. The new site -- http://capwiz.com/ala/home -- offers the same features as the old Legislative Action Center and was selected because it has demonstrated a significantly higher delivery rate of email (98% successful delivery) to Congressional Offices than competing online advocacy software vendors. Please take a moment to visit the site and let ALA know what you think!

Representative Wait Guest Reader at Genoa Public Library District
On October 18th, Representative Ron Wait visited the Genoa PLD. Susan Walker, Director, posted a freestanding sign on the sidewalk in front of the library announcing that the representative would be the guest reader. The sign was obvious to anyone visiting the quaint shops in Genoa that day and the publicity was appreciated by the legislator. Rep Wait charmed the preschoolers with the story and asking what sounds various forest animals make. There was a loud chorus of "WHOOO" as he pointed to a picture of owls and asked what they say. Not as uniformly welcomed by White Sox fans was the baby bear who was pointed out to be a "cub." While the children were doing a Halloween craft, the representative chatted with several parents, some of whom followed him outside the library after the program to keep discussing issues of importance to them.

Following the reading, his READ poster was presented along with thanks for his support of reading and libraries. He also had a tour of the library and noted the puzzles, bright carpeting geared to children, the welcoming atmosphere, the craft activities in which they could participate and that it's not just about books. Our librarians work hard to capture the attention, hold the interest and create young readers.

Libraries matter. The legislators remember events such as these and appreciate being invited to the library. It's an easy way to advocate for libraries! Don't wait for library legislative day in Springfield to see them for the first time and to tell them who you are.

Representative Winters Guest Reader at Talcott Free PLD
Bonnie Estrada, Director, welcomed Representative Dave Winters to the library as a guest reader on October 11th. Over several weeks, articles announcing the visit were published in the Rockford Register Star as well as by signs at the library. Upon his arrival, a smiling Rep Winters commented that this was more publicity than he'd ever had! Even though he's been a supporter of libraries in the past, you bet this made an impression on him and made him realize that libraries can be influential too.

Following the reading, his READ poster was presented to him along with thanks for his support of reading and libraries. Cookies and juice followed the presentation. Along with the preschool children and their mothers, the mayor and other adults stopped at the library to discuss issues of importance to them and to greet the representative.

Libraries matter and we can remind out legislators of this by inviting them to visit libraries in their district. Please take advantage of the time that the legislators are not in session. Call and invite them to stop by. If you'd like help and some introductions, just contact Inara McGroarty at PALS at inaram@palsnet.info and she'll help set up a date. Since the program at Talcott, Inara has met Representative Winters at two other occasions and at both, he brought up to others the Talcott Library session and the press releases. They remember and it's an easy way to advocate for libraries!

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

Grant News

Construction Grants
Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White has awarded grants totaling nearly $600,000 to 17 public Illinois libraries with infrastructure improvement needs under the FY07 Live and Learn construction grant program offered by the Illinois State Library. "These grants assist public libraries in paying for the cost of projects such as remodeling for handicapped accessibility, new carpeting, interior or exterior painting, and in some cases new construction or additions to existing buildings," White said. "I am especially pleased that this year the budget for my office contains an additional $250,000 over last year to make more construction grants to public libraries. "Many of our public libraries simply don't have sufficient financial resources to pay for essential capital improvements on their own. I am delighted that we can award these grants to help maintain our public libraries as cornerstones of their communities."

The PALS libraries receiving grants are: Colona District Public Library (handicapped door openers); Somonauk Public Library District (new construction); and Stockton Township Public Library (new elevator). Congratulations to these three libraries on successful funding of a very competitive grant.

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 October 13, 2006

2006 Science and Engineering Visualization Challenge
New visualization techniques are turning out to be extraordinarily powerful tools not just for displaying and clarifying scientific principles but for advancing further research - and the images are nifty besides. You can also view slide shows of previous years' winners.
http://www.sciencemag.org/sciext/vis2006/

The Changing World
Radio documentaries from the BBC. Recent programs discuss the world of Google, the new Arab World, making cities work, the science of aggression, etc. This seems to be relatively new, so the archive is not
extensive as yet.
http://www.thechangingworld.org/index.php

Easy Recipes for Kid Cooking
With holidays coming up, people may be looking for ways to keep the kids from getting bored. Why not keep them busy while they make their own tasty lunchbox treats and feed you breakfast tacos, beef
stroganoff, Bok Choy, and such?
http://www.easy-kids-recipes.com/index.html

Essential Steps To Strengthen America's Cyber-Terrorism Preparedness
[Business Roundtable's Security Taskforce}
Arguing that the US is not prepared to reconstruct the internet after a massive nationwide disruption, the Taskforce offers some policy suggestions.
http://www.businessroundtable.org/pdf/20060622002CyberReconFinal6106.pd

Google Gadgets for your Web Page
The free tools include the Babelfish translator, the Google conversion calculator, time and date, Google Maps, driving directions, Wikipedia search, and more.
http://www.google.com/ig/directory?synd=open

Library Terms Evaluated in Usability Tests
John Kupersmith has recently updated his reports on terminology users did and did not understand, as reported in a variety of studies, which are linked here. Think long and hard before you use any of the poorly
understood words on your library web sites.
http://www.jkup.net/terms-studies.html

MedlinePlus
Sleep Disorders
As always, MedlinePlus offers excellent patient education sources.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/sleepdisorders.html

Middle Earth Challenge
LOTR fans, test how much you really know about Middle Earth.
http://www.tuckborough.net/quizzes.shtml

The Most Popular Myths in Science
{Live Science]
Offers the facts behind common theories like how long it takes to digest gum, whether chicken soup cures the common cold, and cats' ability to always land on their feet. Then click on the Live Science home page for articles, headlines, and blogs about the sciences.
http://www.livescience.com/bestimg/result.php?back=myths_gumballs_03.jp g&cat=myths

Net Democracy Guide:
Politics and the Internet
A guide for those using the net for political speech, about what is allowable in blogging, social network sites, political videos, e-mail and IM, and political advertising.
http://www.netdemocracyguide.org/

Nursery Rhymes lyrics, origins and history
Learn all about the British history - the Bubonic Plague, the Peasant's Revolt, the Wars of the Roses, etc. - that is hidden inside the nursery rhymes many of us grew up with.
http://www.rhymes.org.uk/

The Pew Global Attitudes Project
"a series of worldwide public opinion surveys," on topics like how Westerners and Muslims view each other, how the publics of Asian powers view each other, Americans' and Europeans' views on foreign policy, etc.
The site also offers datasets and "Analysis and research-driven commentary tied to poll findings and developments in the news."
http://pewglobal.org/

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