volume #3 issue#42

October 26, 2006

Prairie Views: the newsletter of the Prairie Area Library

System News

Welcome!
PALS is pleased to announce that Culley Smith has accepted the position of Web Services Coordinator, working out of the Coal Valley Service Center, and will begin his new duties on Monday, November 6. Culley comes to PALS from the Palmer College Library and is also enrolled in the PALS/University of Wisconsin, Madison MLS program. Welcome, Culley!

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. Please contact Rhonda Krahl at ext. 3151 or rhondak@palsnet.info if you have any questions.

Show and Tell the Easy Way - An Introduction to Screencasting
Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2006, 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. CST
Presented by Paul Pival - Distance Education Librarian, University of Calgary and Author of the weblog, The Distant Librarian, http://distlib.blogs.com

"Can you say that again?" Personal assistance is gratifying for library staff and users alike. Limited staff time, however, makes this kind of one-on-one help harder and harder to offer. A solution is screencasting, which is basically a movie of your computer screen that records everything displayed on the screen as you demonstrate a procedure. The recording is saved to a file for later playback. It's easy to "record" a procedure you frequently demonstrate, and you only need to do it once. Your patrons will find the screencast easy to view, available wherever they are, and repeatable as often as they like. This SirsiDynix Institute event will introduce screencasting, the software that is available to create screencasts, and the platforms on which they can be run. You'll learn how to plan a recorded procedure (the most time-consuming, yet often overlooked step) and get tips for making effective and engaging screencasts. Register now to take part in a FREE webinar that is sure to further your understanding of the importance of integrating popular online tools in your library.

The presenter, Paul R. Pival (MLS, SUNY Buffalo), is the Distance Education Librarian at the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada, and the author of the weblog, The Distant Librarian (http://distlib.blogs.com). Prior to his arrival in Canada in late 1999, he supported distance students for four years at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. An early adopter, Paul has been working with screencasts since 2002.

Register for this SirsiDynix Institute webinar at: http://livemeeting.viewcentral.com/reg/SirsiDynix/110806 If you have missed previous SirsiDynix Institute events or are unable to make this one, we have an extensive archive posted at http://www.sirsidynixinstitute.com/archive.php. You can check it out at any time.

Empowering Library Staff to Meet the Needs of the Spanish Speaking Community
November 30, 2006, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Illinois State Library
Room 403-404
300 S. 2nd St.,
Springfield, IL
PRESENTERS: Vandella Brown, Manager, Illinois State Library Diversity Program
Tammy Lagoski, Consultant
Michael McCaslin, Program Coordinator, Illinois State Library Diversity Program
REGISTRATION: No Fee—Register at http://www.islcleo.org
DESCRIPTION This workshop is for all library staff. Participants will:
• Learn about the challenges and benefits of reaching out to serve the Spanish speaking community and increasing their access to public library computers and resources. There will be a presentation about Hispanic/Latino culture, behavior and values; how we learn about the culture; and how that culture impacts our behaviors and perceptions.
• Learn the differences and strengths in communication styles of the Spanish speaking community. Learn how to build strong community partnerships and collaborate with the Spanish speaking community to increase their access to public library computers and resources.
• Learn techniques for reaching out and marketing the public library and their resources to the Spanish-speaking community. Develop an action plan for reaching out to the Spanish-speaking community.

PALS Members Using LibraryU
A recent report from LibraryU indicates 465 uses of LibraryU modules by PALS members. It appears that a number of our libraries are finding these self-instruction modules useful. Some of the titles that have been mentioned favorably by PALS users are Master of Disaster (disaster planning), Shelving with Dewey (useful for training pages new to Dewey classification), and Weed the Collection. At one of the new fully participating PALSGroup libraries, a committee of trustees used From Cataloging to Computer as the basis to explain to the rest of the board the LLSAP and the preplanning involved in the process.

Modules usually take 30 minutes to an hour to complete and are set up so that participants can leave and return to them. LibraryU can provide uniform content for training staff members. Certificates are available upon completion of each module. If you haven't tried LIbraryU, go to http://learning.libraryu.org/home/ to look over what's available for directors, staff, and trustees.

Member News

Lost Book?
The Rock Valley College library staff found a book in their bookdrop. There are no ownership markings on the book whatsoever. The title is: Remedial Technologies for Leaking Underground Storage Tanks prepared by Roy F. Weston. Chelsea, Mich.: Lewis Publishers, c1988. 216 p. with blue hardcover binding, ISBN 0873711254. There is a cloth spine label on the book with the Dewey call number: 665.5'42 W52. This Dewey number is also hand written on the first page inside the front cover along with another number (3061) which may be an accession number. There is also a "home-made" pocket on this same page which consists of piece of light-weight cardboard taped in diagonally to create a card holder. There are no other markings whatsoever in the book.

If this book belongs to your library, please contact Brent Eckert at RVC (815) 921-4604 b.eckert@rvc.cc.il.us

Joanna Lund to be Honored at Davenport Library's “Salute to Authors ”
The Davenport Public Library will honor the late JoAnna Lund at the 20th annual “Salute to Authors” on Saturday, November 4, from 1 -- 4 pm at the Main Street Library. Lund was the creator of Healthy Exchanges, a line of cookbooks that sold over 3 million copies since 1991. Alma Gaul, writer for the Quad City Times, and Bill Homrighausen, of Dewitt, both friends of the Lund family, will provide commentary on Lund’s extraordinary life and writing career. Cliff Lund, JoAnna’s husband, will accept a special plaque in honor of her and the Library will commemorate the day with a similar plaque on the bookcase that holds her cookbooks.
Come and enjoy free refreshments as we honor the Quad City’s greatest writing talent! “Salute to Authors” is sponsored by the FRIENDS of the Davenport Public Library. For more information, contact the PR Office at 563-888-3371.

Regional Author Fair November 4
Mark your calendars for November 4! Joliet Public Library is hosting its third annual Regional Author Fair at the Black Road Branch, 3395 Black Road, in Joliet. Plainfield Public Libraries and New Lenox Public are co-hosting the event. There is no charge to attend the fair and meet the authors. Between 11:00am and 3:00pm, you’ll be able to meet and chat with area authors of fiction, non-fiction, and children’s materials-something for readers of all ages. Adult authors Alex Matthews, Dale Kaczmarek, Travis Thrasher, Sandy Tooley, Shane Gericke ; children’s authors Patricia Malone, Kevin Franz, & Janet Riehecky are just some of the many authors that will be present. You’ll find a complete listing of all authors attending on our library website (http://www.joliet.lib.il.us) The authors will have copies of their books for sale and will be glad to sign them for you. A great chance to purchase some new reading material! Don’t forget the approaching holidays; books make great gifts!

New Lenox Public Library
is giving away “Countries of the world and their leaders yearbook 2006, 2 vols.”

If interested contact:
Linda Mc Nicholas
815-485-2605
lmcnicholas@newlenoxlibraary.org

Moore Memorial Library
Does anyone have any use for sign language VHS tapes? We have 9 tapes originally from the school in Jacksonville, IL. They have titles like Questions, Expressions, People and Foods, etc. and some are stories like Goldilocks, Three Little Pigs, Caps for Sale, etc. The Jacksonville school had a program once that you send them a blank VHS and they send you the recorded tape so there aren't any original/display boxes, just the tapes in plastic storage case. Hate to throw them out but need more shelf space.

If interested contact:
Lois Black
309-658-2666 phone & fax

2006 Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award Recipients Include Three People with Ties to PALS Member Libraries
Among the seventy-five 2006 Illinois Humanities Council Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award recipients are Phyllis Kelley nominated by DeKalb and Sycamore mayors for her work with the DeKalb Genealogical Society and with the Joiner History Room at Sycamore Public Library, Sharon Kinley of Plainfield who is a trustee at Plainfield Public Library, and Don Peasley of Woodstock who is a member of the Friends of Woodstock Public Library. For more information about these recipients go to www.prairie.org.

The Studs Terkel Humanities Service Awards are a biennial honor bestowed on those individuals who carry the torch of the humanities. Every other year the Illinois Humanities Council invites mayors throughout the state to nominate one individual (up to three in cities with populations of 100,000 or more) who has demonstrated a sustained and significant contribution to furthering public understanding of the humanities in their community. These unsung "humanities heroes" contribute to cultural life through projects related to historic preservation, heritage, adult and childhood education, and the study of arts or music.

Past PALS library recipients have included, in 2004, Pat Stewart, Director of Henry C. Adams Library in Prophetstown and Ruth Eveleyn Katz, Trustee of Rock Island Public Library; in 2002, Michel Siblik, former director of Mount Carroll Township Library and Carole Stern, Director of Annawan-Alba Township Library; and in 2000, Eva Tetidrick, retired director of Rock Falls PLD. More information about each of these individuals can be found in the Studs Terkel Humanities Service Award Archives at http://www.prairie.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/dir_programs.prog_detail_bios_list/object_id/afab3b0c-10d7-4a6b-b98b-73ee6b7c3370/BiosWithTheStudsTerkelHumanitiesServiceAward.cfm.

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.

The Cherry Valley Public Library is missing the following items:
“Defy Not the Heart” by Johanna Lindsey; barcode 31533000511397
“Ian Fleming’s James Bond in License to Kill” by John Gardner; barcode 31533000254469
“Summer of Roses” by Luanne Rice; barcode 31533000904915
“Harvest” by Tess Gerritsen; barcode 31533000420672
“The Italian Job” (DVD); barcode 31533000609944
“A Redbird Christmas” by Fannie Flagg (book on cassette); barcode 31533000852874

Michele Arms
Cherry Valley Public Library
michelea@cherryvalley.lib.il.us

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.

Crest Hill Public Library has the following titles to give away:
Contemporary Literary Criticism volumes 1-60 plus Cumulative Index to volumes 1-57
Nineteenth-Century Literary Criticism volumes 1, 3-13, 15-28
Twentieth-Century Literary Criticism volumes 1-37
Something About the Author volumes 1-62
Contemporary Authors volumes 9-130
Contemporary Authors First Revision volumes 1-16 and 21-44
Contemporary Authors Autobiography Series volumes 1-1
Contemporary Authors New Revision volumes 1-31, plus Cumulative Indexes to volumes 1-128 and volumes 1-130.

If interested contact:
Andrew Susalla
(815) 725-0234
asusalla@dpvlib.org.

Free or almost free!!
From Bureau Valley HS
*Contemporary Authors vol 1 -72 Plus some cumulative indexes
* 2001 Culturegrams in looseleaf format
* Paper magazine holders 20 of them Metal magazine holders ( smaller size- red and gray) 9 small red, 9 small gray, 9 large gray ( $1.00 donation per holder!)
* 2 drawyer video cabinet ( table top) holds about 20 tapes ($3.00 donation)

Also the followig bulbs to give away BRP - BCK - CTT/DAX - EMM/EKS - ERD - ERR - DDB - DEJ - DHN - DFK V-1
Anyone interested will have to make arrangements to pick any of these items up they Cannot be sent on delivery.

If interested contact:
Gaye Abrahams
Phone: 815-445-4004
or email gabraham61362@yahoo.com

Plano Community Library District
FREE -- Round subject classification labels "NEW" in white lettering on light blue background (See page 18 of 2006 Demco catalog) 3 partial rolls in good condition.

If interested contact:
Alesia Hacker
(630) 552-2009
ahacker@plano.lib.il.us

Bishop McNamara
has the following freebies
*World Almanac: we have all volumes from 1969-1994 available (except volume years 1970, 1975, 1980, 1985 and 1990)
*Statesman's Yearbook: all volumes spanning years 1963-1992 (except volume years 1971-1972 and 1976-1977)
Willing to split up, and will keep for one week.

If interested contact:
Catherine Yanikoski
cjyanikoski@palslib.org

Augustana College Tredway Library
is offering the following to anyone interested:
* The Encyclopedia of Philosophy v.1-8 (Reprint ed. 1972) & Supplement (1996)

If interested contact:
Sally Cobert
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.

Security Monitor
(Part time) The Addison Public Library is looking for someone with good people skills to help maintain a secure and comfortable environment in the library by enforcing our behavior policy and providing light maintenance of the library facilities and grounds.
* Hours: 3-9 p.m., Monday - Thursday and 3-6 p.m. on Friday. Must have high school diploma or equivalent. Previous customer service experience preferred and bilingual skills are a plus.

To apply contact:
Mary Medjo Me Zengue
Addison Public Library
2 Friendship Plaza
Addison, IL 60101.
Fax 630/543-6645.
Email: medjo@addisonlibrary.org

Adult and Teen Services Assistant
Fountaindale Public Library District, which proudly serves the diverse communities of Bolingbrook and Romeoville, Illinois, is seeking two public service-oriented individuals to provide reference services in the Adult and Teen Services departments at our Bolingbrook and Romeoville libraries.
* Duties include helping patrons at the readers services and reference desks, interlibrary loan, assisting in the computer labs, and preparing materials for bibliographies and displays. These 24-hour per week, part-time positions include evening and weekend hours.
* LA/LTA certification, plus six months of related of experience required. Spanish language skills are a plus. *Starting salary: $12.16 per hour
* Closing date: November 1, or until position is filled.

Send cover letter, resume and three references, including contact information, to:
Helen Valantinas
Fountaindale Public Library District
300 W. Briarcliff Road
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
hvalantinas@fountaindale.lib.il.us
Equal Opportunity Employer

Network Services Administrative Assistant
(Part time) DuPage Library System. Put both your library and office skills to good use as the DLS Network Services Administrative Assistant. Provide administrative and meeting support, process interlibrary loans and periodicals, and assist with website editing, database updates, and basic technical support. Must work and communicate effectively with staff and public, be accurate with attention to detail, and have strong organizational and technical aptitude. 18 hours/week; Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings and early afternoons. Salary from $15.50/hour, depending on qualifications.
* Qualifications: LTA or library work experience, OCLC experience, Microsoft Office proficiency, and technical aptitude are required. Interlibrary loan and HTML experience preferred.

Interested applicants should submit a resume and three references to:
Claudia Sheets
Director of Administrative Services/HR
DuPage Library System
127 S. First Street
Geneva IL 60134-2771
(email csheets@dupagels.lib.il.us )
Resumes will be accepted until position is filled. EOE.

IT Job
The Sycamore Public Library is hiring a part-time Technical Support Staff person. The person in this role is responsible for managing the day-to-day IT operation including systems analysis, programming, troubleshooting, maintenance, and computer auxiliary operations. This individual will assist Library staff with general IT support and training issues and is responsible for dealing with hardware and software vendors and technical support issues.
* Thorough knowledge of core Microsoft desktop and server products (including Microsoft Office, Windows XP Pro, Active Directory, and Group Policy) required. Applications or a resume may be turned in at the Circulation desk.

Please direct questions about the position to:
Larry Zevnik
Head of Adult Services
103 E. State St.
Sycamore, IL 60178.
815-895-2500

Librarian Head of Technical Services
St. Ambrose University O’Keefe Library at St. Ambrose University is seeking an energetic and service-oriented librarian for Head of Technical Services.
* Responsibilities include supervising all aspects of technical services, including supervision and training of four full-time staff and several student workers; original cataloging of materials; overseeing the acquisition and processing of library materials; teaching Information Literacy 101 classes; working with the Art Department on digital imaging projects; serving as liaison with Education Department Curriculum Lab; collection development in assigned areas; acting as liaison with faculty of academic departments; and assumes a prominent role in library-wide planning and budgeting.
* This is a twelve-month, full-time position in a team environment.
* Requirements include a MLS degree from an ALA-accredited institution; 3-5 years related experience, including supervisory experience; demonstrated ability to do original cataloging; knowledge and experience with electronic resources; a commitment to a high level of service in an academic environment; excellent oral, written, and organizational skills; a sense of humor, and the ability to thrive in an atmosphere of constant change. Experience with ContentDM and SirsiDynix products desired.
* Salary commensurate with qualifications. Excellent benefits, including college tuition support.

Send cover letter, resume, and addresses and phone numbers of three professional references prior to:
Director of Personnel
St. Ambrose University
518 W. Locust St.
Davenport, IA 52803. AA/EEO.
by November 24, 2006

Technology/Reference Assistant
(Adult Services), Part Time. Batavia Public Library District, located in the beautiful Fox River valley west of Chicago, seeks an energetic, public service-oriented technology/reference assistant for its Adult Services department. Batavia serves a district population of 25,723 from a large (54,000 square feet) facility that opened in 2002. Visit us at http://www.batavia.lib.il.us.
* Responsibilities: This 15-hour/week position signs in patrons for use of the Computer Lab; assists patrons with use of the Internet, Microsoft Office applications, and printers; monitors use of the Computer Lab; teaches computer classes; and provides assistance with computer and copier equipment. Hours include weekday afternoon and evening hours and 2 Sundays per month.
* Qualifications: Required: The successful candidate will have a high school degree and work experience in a public service environment; and will be a team player who works well with others; and who is endowed with excellent communications skills; and will be familiar with Windows, Microsoft Office applications, and the Internet. Preferred: Coursework in a relevant field is desirable.
* Desired: It would be great if you were fun-loving, tactful, resourceful, and good-humored.
* Compensation: Hourly salary from $10.50, depending upon qualifications.

If you would like to join our team, please send a letter of interest describing your skills and experience, a detailed résumé, and contact information for at least three professional references to:
Stacey Cisneros
Head of Adult Services
Batavia Public Library
10 S. Batavia Ave.
Batavia, IL 60510-2793.
Electronic submissions (using Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF) to scisneros@linc.lib.il.us are encouraged. Batavia Public Library District is an equal-opportunity employer. Inquiries are encouraged from candidates who will enrich and contribute to the cultural and ethnic diversity of the Library.

Youth Services Assistant
This is a paraprofessional Library position. The Youth Services Assistant performs a wide variety of clerical and paraprofessional tasks necessary in planning and implementing the Library's Youth Services programs and activities.
* Qualifications: Library Technical Assistant (LTA) and/or bachelor's degree. Previous experience working with youth. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with both youth and adults.
* Salary Range: Salary range is $13.40 to $18.10 per hour based upon qualification and experience.

For Detailed Job Description See: http://www.westchicago.lib.il.us
Submit Resume to:
Human Resources
West Chicago Public Library District
118 W. Washington Street
West Chicago, IL 60185

Librarian I
Lincoln Library -- City of Springfield, IL. Description: Lincoln Library, the Public Library of Springfield, Illinois, is seeking a full-time Librarian I in the Adult Reference & Information Deparment at the main library. The responsibilities of this position are to assist customers in using the library, making the most effective use of materials and information available and answering difficult reference questions. Other responsibilities include managing a part of the adult material collection, promoting reading through displays and bibliographies, and assisting with the library's computer classes. Evening and weekend hours required.
* Education: Masters degree in Library Science
* Salary: $19.37 hourly
* Final Date to Apply: 5 p.m. on November 9, 2006

Contact:
City of Springfield Office of Human Resources
Room 309 --
Municipal Center
West Springfield, IL 62701
Phone: 217-789-2446 FAX: 217-789-2118 Job Hotline: 217-789-2440 Download Application: http://www.springfield.il.us/city_gov/hum_res/jobs.htm

Reference and Readers Services Department Head
(F/T): Seeking an experienced MLS with supervisory experience to manage the Reference and Readers Services Department in the fastest growing community in metro Chicago. The Plainfield Public Library District now serves 60,000 people from several diverse communities. Under the administration of the Library Director, this position is responsible for the professional leadership and management of the Reference and Readers Services Department.
* Responsibilities include: the development and implementation of Reference and Readers Services initiatives and activities which support the library’s long range plan, budgeting and monitoring expenditures, hiring, training, scheduling and evaluating staff, and planning, developing and implementing adult programs and public services.
* ALA/MLS degree required with a minimum of three years professional reference experience including one year of supervisory experience. Includes evenings and weekends. Salary from $51,334.40, with IMRF and generous benefits package.

Send cover letter, resume and names of three references to:
Julie M. Milavec
Library Director
Plainfield Public Library
705 N. Illinois Street
Plainfield, IL 60544
or to jmmilavec@plainfield.lib.il.us. Position available January 1, 2007.

Medical Librarian
Genesis Health System, Davenport, Iowa, has an immediate opening for a full time Medical Librarian. We are seeking a highly motivated, enthusiastic and compassionate individual to join our staff of dedicated professionals. The Medical Librarian creates, promotes and maintains a learning environment by providing library services and access to high quality knowledge-based information resources.
* The position requires a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Sciences (MLS).
* Experience searching electronic resources such as PubMed, MDConsult, EBSCOhost, OCLC and experience using Docline highly desirable. Additional responsibilities include planning, budgeting and managing library programs and services and developing, designing, and managing online access and content.

For more information, please contact:
Sara Blessing
Human Resources
Genesis Medical Center
West Central Park, 563-421-1312.
Applications are accepted online at http://www.genesishealth.com. Genesis offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefit package. Relocation assistance available. Pre-employment drug screen required.

Library Associate-Technical Services
The City of Moline seeks a Library Associate-Technical Services. Under the direction of the technical services coordinator, the Library Associate-Technical Services performs accounting and cataloging functions using complex automated systems; responsible for extensive contracts with vendors; compiles and analyzes statistical reports as required.
* Requires Associate degree or library technical assistant certificate and 2 years of library service, public service, computer experience and business experience; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Valid driver’s license required. Compliance with City Residency Policy within prescribed time required.
* Annual salary starts at $36,197.62.

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.

Technology Manager
Are you a proactive leader who also understands integrated library automation systems? Are you service driven? The Lewis & Clark Library System wants a progressive thinker who will manage and guide the operation of our integrated library automation system. The successful applicant must understand how to create a dynamic environment for library staff and patrons.
* As part of the LCLS senior management team, the successful applicant must have a MLS Degree with coursework in Computer Science or Information Technology, or other relevant coursework; 3 years demonstrated success in planning, evaluating, and managing an integrated library system plus experience in a leadership/ management role within a library.
* To be successful, this position requires a solid understanding of LANs, WANs, HTML, JavaScript, website development, and library authentication; good analytical, consensus-building, and group decision-making skills; a broad knowledge of trends in library philosophy and library databases; knowledge of proposal writing and grant administration; an understanding of computer hardware is desirable.

If you meet these qualifications and have great team building and communication skills, come join our customer driven organization. Submit a cover letter and resume by November 1, 2006 to:
Lewis & Clark Library System
6725 Goshen Road
Edwardsville, IL 62025
Attention: Juliette Douglas Regarding: Technology Manager
Or e-mail: juliettedouglas@lcls.org

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

Congratulations
to Emma O'Shea, 8th grade patron of the Homer Township Public Library, who is PALS' Grand Prize winner for the Wicked contest. Emma wins four tickets to see Wicked in Chicago, and the opportunity to read her winning essay on October 29 in Daley Plaza in Chicago.

The following teens are PALS semi-finalists and will receive a Wicked gift and a Shiz University diploma signed by the Wizard:
Brittney Andersen, Coal City Public Library
Seth Orr, Fossil Ridge Public Library
Sarah Tuck, Joliet Public Library
Al Lynn, Lemont Public Library
Katie Collins, Manteno Public Library
Becca Siebens, Maple Park Public Library
Hannah Hesslau, Morris Area Public Library
David Cheatwood, Mt. Morris Public Library
Emily Skinner, North Suburban Library District
Lexie Huston, Oregon Public Library
Elizabeth Knowlton, River Valley District Library
Lauren McElmeel, Talcott Free Library
The semi-finalists should be receiving their materials shortly.

Thanks to all for participating! The Marketing Group was very pleased with the level of participation, especially with short notice, and have already asked if we could be interested in additional promotional partnerships in the future.

Library-themed Games, PSA and Top Ten List Round Out Offerings in ALSC Kids! @ Your Library® Campaign Tool Kit

(CHICAGO) The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), is pleased to announce the addition of many new resources to its Kids! @ your library® campaign Web site at www.ala.org/kids.

The campaign's extensive online tool kit, produced by librarians for librarians, offers many helpful resources for promoting the library to children and their families. The latest materials added to the kit include:

- camera-ready, customizable materials libraries can use to hold bookmark contests and scavenger hunts, and to enliven programming;

- downloadable games, puzzles, and activities with library themes especially for kids;

- a media-ready Public Service Announcement (PSA) recorded by Grammy-nominated singer-storyteller Bill Harley, which libraries can share with local radio stations and schools for PA announcements;

- a list of Top Ten Things for Kids to Do @ your library® that can be downloaded and distributed throughout the community, promoting what the library has for children; and

- a Web page designed especially for families (www.ala.org/families) that links to family-friendly ALSC resources such as Great Web Sites for Kids, recommended book lists and online activities for children.

The Kids! @ your library® campaign will launch to the public and media at Boston Public Library on Sunday, November 12, the first Sunday of Children's Book Week. Singer-storyteller Bill Harley will perform with a local children's choir his original campaign theme song "@ Your Library" and other favorites at a free family concert, and media will have a sneak preview with Harley and the choir beforehand.

ALSC encourages libraries large and small to get involved with the Kids! campaign. Visit the site at www.ala.org/kids and take advantage of the tool kit materials, resources, and ideas there. Post the "So Much to See. So Much to Do. @ your library® campaign logo (downloadable from the tool kit) on your library Web site and link it back to our special www.ala.org/families page. Send us your input. Let us know how you are using the campaign materials, what resources you found most helpful, and what materials you'd like to see offered as part of the campaign. Your comments and suggestions will help us to evaluate the resources we currently are providing and to plan for future materials that are useful and relevant. Send us samples of materials that your library has developed or adapted using the campaign materials. All feedback and samples can be sent to: Laura Schulte-Cooper, ALSC, 50 East Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611; lschulte@ala.org.

ALSC develops and supports the profession of children's librarianship by enabling and encouraging its practitioners to provide the best library service to our nation's children. For more information, visit www.ala.org/alsc.

Public Library News

Program on Annexing and Conversion Offered by Bob McKay
Annexation and District Conversion -- An Overview (at Rock Falls PLD) will be presented by PALS Executive Director, Bob McKay. It is a discussion of the issues involved in becoming a district library and in annexing additional territory to an existing district. This session was requested by some PALS Libraries considering moving forward with one or both of these activities. Anyone interested in these topics is welcome to attend and join in the discussion. Questions in advance are encouraged. Please send them to Sandy Ringstrom (sandyr@palsnet.info) or Nancy Smith (nancys@palsnet.info)
Date: 11/1/2006
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Academic Library News
No Academic Library News this week.

Special Library News
No Special Library News this week.

Support Staff News

Attention Support Staff
Registration for the Spring 2007 LTA courses at College of DuPage will begin soon. PALS will carry the videoconference classes if there are enough members enrolled in the course. Check the Website: www.cod.edu/lta for more information. If you are interested in the LTA courses, there is contact information for Linda Slusar on this website. She will be able to answer your questions and help you get registered. You may also contact Rita McGeary, ritam@palsnet.info at PALS for more information.

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

Illinois Authors Book Fair
The 2006 Illinois Authors Book Fair will take place in Springfield, November 16-18. James B. Stewart, Pulitzer Prize winning author of the best-selling books Den of Thieves, Blind Eye, Blood Sport, and Disney War, is one of more than two dozen Illinois authors who will appear at the fair. "Other nationally known authors appearing at the event include Jacquelyn Mitchard, Newbery Honor Book winner Marion Dane Bauer, and popular cartoonist Pat Byrnes." (Complete schedule). Admission is free. For more info, visit the Illinois State Library website.

Family Reading Night
Be sure to check out the resources and activities associated with Family Reading Night, November, 16th, on the Illinois State Library website.

Diversity Stories
Lincoln Trail Libraries System is seeking stories of diversity for the Web site www.librarydiversity.info. We want to know what you have been doing to reach out to your diverse community. Have you added new programs, new materials, new staff, new ways of thinking about service? Are you partnering with other agencies to broaden your impact? What have you been doing that can be shared with others? Big or small, it doesn't matter--everything has an impact. Please submit your stories to Amani Ayad at aayad@lincolntrail.info.

ALA Receives $2.6 Million Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Grant for Library Funding, Connectivity Studies
(CHICAGO) The American Library Association (ALA) announced it will develop and oversee a multi-year study assessing the extent of Internet access, as well as the impact of funding changes on connectivity and sustainability of computer services in public libraries as part of a $2.6 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Public Internet access in libraries is now nearly 100 percent, compared to just 21 percent 10 years ago. Wireless access in libraries has doubled in just the last two years. Yet roughly 80 percent of libraries reported flat funding in the past three fiscal years, representing a loss in buying power when coupled with inflation. Seventy percent of libraries reported in 2006 that they cannot afford to upgrade or replace aging workstations. "The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's generous support will allow the ALA to build on our existing research on library funding. Thanks to the grant, we can now conduct additional qualitative research and reach a much wider audience with our results," said ALA Executive Director Keith Michael Fiels. "The result will be a much better picture of public library funding and, ultimately, increased funding."

The new study will integrate the longstanding "Public Libraries and the Internet" study administered by Florida State University's Information Institute and the ALA public library funding study to create a comprehensive assessment of libraries. In years two and three of the project, the study also will also be used to evaluate the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's continuing grantmaking efforts. ALA Office for Research and Statistics Director Denise Davis will oversee the project. "How public libraries sustain - and innovate - public access computing for the millions of Americans who depend on us has long been a financial and staffing concern," said ALA President Leslie Burger. "We are pleased to be working with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to gather the information we need to best plan for the future." The survey is currently being developed and will be distributed to public libraries before the end of October. Preliminary results from the first year will be available at the ALA 2007 Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., June 21-27.

For more information on the ALA Office for Research and Statistics, please visit www.ala.org/ors. To learn more about the 2006 "Public Libraries and the Internet study," log on at Florida State University's Information Institute at: http://www.ii.fsu.edu/. To read about the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's U.S. Library initiative, visit http://www.gatesfoundation.org/UnitedStates/USLibraryProgram/.

Synergy 2007
Applications are now being accepted for Synergy 2007: the Illinois Library Leadership Initiative. Synergy is the statewide library community's proactive movement to recruit and nurture future Illinois library leaders. Completed applications are due at the Illinois State Library no later than 4:30 p.m., Thursday, November 30, 2006. Please contact Patricia Norris or Vandella Brown at 1-800-665-5576 Option #1 with any questions. Application information may be found at: http://cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/whats_new/synergy2007_ann.html

News from Vendors
No News from Vendors this week.

Legislative/Advocacy News

New READ Poster Added
A new READ poster of Rep Chuck Jefferson ( Rockford) has been added to those previously available. Posters of PALS legislators can be ordered through the PALS poster service, poster@palsnet.info at a very low cost. Just $7.50 for an 18 X 24 size poster. Other sizes are available also. Or, if you prefer, you can print them yourself on your own color printer. Please e-mail inaram@palsnet.info if you'd like the file attachment. You can display these when you've invited a legislator to be a guest reader or to tour your library.

Currently available are posters of :
Congressman Don Manzullo - 16th congressional district reading Theodore Rex (Rise of Theodore Roosevelt)

Senators:
Brad Burzynski, "Tomorrow's leaders are today's readers!" reading Speaker , Hastert's book
Mike Jacobs, "Read and live big dreams" reading :Lyndon Johnson, Master of the Senate
A.J. Wilhelmi, "For Illinois Libraries"

Representatives:
Mike Boland, "Today's Reader's are Tomorrow's Leaders" reading Skeleton Hiccups to his grandson
Tom Cross, "For Illinois Libraries" reading to children
NEW Charles Jefferson "Reading is knowledge, knowledge is power" reading the Bible
Careen Gordon, "Reading is something that can change the world" reading To Kill a Mockingbird
Patricia Reid Lindner "For Illinois Libraries"
Frank Mautino, "For Illinois Libraries" reading Harry Potter
Jerry Mitchell, "It's more than a library. It's a community center!" reading The Horse Whisperer
Bob Pritchard, "Libraries expand your possibilities and enjoyment" reading Making Things Happen
Jim Sacia, " Keeping the mind and body active" reading Enemy Called Average
Patrick Verschoore, "If you can't read, you can't do anything" reading Illinois Jurisprudence
Ron Wait, "Power up to reading" sitting on tractor, reading The American Farm Tractor
Dave Winters, "Learn how to interact with your government through reading" reading The Fair Tax Book

The project continues and other posters will be made available.

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

Grant News
No Grant News this week.

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

NEAT NEW STUFF October 20, 2006

The Amish and the Plain People of Lancaster County, PA
Explains the history, faith, and customs of the Amish and Mennonites. And incidentally, if you've ever wondered where they're able to buy the equipment for a 19th century life style, you'll enjoy exploring the
catalog for Lehman's , which sells shoulder yokes, kitchen-size grain mills, cheese presses, copper wash
boilers, anvils, gas lights, treadle sewing machines, painted wooden farm blocks, and much more.
http://www.lehmans.com/index.jsp
http://www.800padutch.com/amish.shtml

BookMooch:
a Community for Exchanging Used Books. Occasional contributor Houston Allen says he's had good luck with this book swap site. "I have both sent and received books, including two watercolor books my wife wanted, that would have cost me $50 or more at a bookstore. Also, the exercise of reviewing your own bookshelf for books you're willing to give away, is a worthwhile endeavor itself."
http://bookmooch.com/

FedSpending.org
OMBWatch and the Sunlight Foundation have organized federal spending data into a database "to give journalists, analysts, government officials, and regular citizens easy access to information on federal spending."Browsable by contractor name or grant recipient, top 100 contractors/grant recipients, contracting or grant-awarding agency, state or congressional district where service is rendered, competition type, or product/service/type of assistance. The site includes tutorials, an FAQ file, and a glossary.
http://www.fedspending.org/

Generator Blog
A blog about "software that creates software." Among the many fun goodies pointed to here (some of them even useful) are color scheme generators, a fantasy novel name generator, a Halloween costume generator, a random management statement generator (any of which which will seem very familiar to you), and lots more. Thanks to the Librarian in Black for the tip.
http://generatorblog.blogspot.com/

One Day in History
October 17 is past so you can no longer contribute your personal diary of that day to this project to create a snapshot of British life in all its variety, but you can explore what people have written. And you might consider creating a similar sort of project for your library's local history collection and website.
http://www.historymatters.org.uk/output/page96.asp

Physics-Centered Games
This blog entry, with further suggestions from readers, might be of
interest to physics teachers, students, and science buffs.
http://soldatmovies.blogspot.com/2006/10/physics-centered-games.html

Picture History
A "couple of thousand of the most important photos of the past 150 years," though who did the selection is not made clear. Search the collection or browse through collections on African-Americans, the [US]
Civil War, the Old West, artifacts and relics, etc.
http://www.picture-history.com/

(RED)
If you're getting questions about the products in Bono's campaign to eliminate AIDS in Africa through shopping, not charity, send people to the campaign's official site.
http://www.joinred.com/

Seafood Watch Program:
a Consumer's Guide to Sustainable Seafood. The Monterey Bay Aquarium offers downloadable pocket guides to seafood that's "abundant, well-managed, and caught or farmed in environmentally friendly ways."
http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/cr/seafoodwatch.asp

Typographical Errors in Library Databases
Question: Yahoo! and other search engines automatically correct searches they recognize as misspelled (see Sic, Sic, Sic for a list of the top misspelled searches on Yahoo!). Are your library's catalog search and web site search systems flexible enough to help people find what they're looking for regardless of whether they, or we, can spell?
http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/44213/sic-sic-sic
http://faculty.quinnipiac.edu/libraries/tballard/typoscomplete.html

TechEBlog:
Latest Tech and Gadget News. Searchable and browsable by categories like articles, deals, home
theater, digital camcorders, PDAs, wireless, etc.
http://www.techeblog.com/

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.