volume #3 issue#46

November 30, 2006

Prairie Views: the newsletter of the Prairie Area Library System

System News

PALS Closed for Staff In-Service
PALS will hold our annual staff in-service on Thursday, December 14, 2006. All three service centers will be closed that day, and there will be no deliveries made. All regular services will resume on Friday, December 15.

Honoring Retirees Rita McGeary and June Peterson
All member libraries are invited to join the PALS staff to honor retirees June Peterson and Rita McGeary. Dessert will be served from 1:00 PM until 1:45 PM on Wednesday, December 20 at the Rockford Service Center. There will be homemade ice cream and other “goodies!” Please come join us for food, fun, and to wish our good friends a truly enjoyable retirement.

MLS Practicum Host Site Training
Training for host site supervisors for the University of Wisconsin-Madison practicum students has been scheduled for Wednesday, December 6, 2006 from 3:30 - 4:30. If you are interested in the possibility of hosting a student anytime in the future, training is required from the University. If you've already taken the training that was offered in April, you don't need to participate again but you are certainly welcome. The December 6 training is scheduled via OPAL and registration will soon be available through CLeO. Please remember that training is not a guarantee that you will be assigned a practicum student but the training is required before you will be assigned. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact either Jane Lenser at janel@palsnet.info or Sandy Ringstrom at sandyr@palsnet.info.

ILSDO Survey Summary
PALS staff recently spent more time reviewing last year's Illinois Library System Director's Organization (ILSDO) Survey. Here's a summary of what we learned.

272 PALS members particiapted in the ILSDO Survey, Shaping the Priorities for the Future of Library Systems. PALS libraries were more rural (50% vs 37.7%) and less suburban (29.6 % vs 43.5%) than the state average. There were fewer MLS (33.5 % vs. 43.4%) and more LTA’s (15.2% vs. 8.8%) and Associate degrees (16.1% vs 10.5%). But despite these differences, in the vast majority of areas PALS responses rated within 5 percentage points either way of the statewide figures.

So like the rest of the State PALS members reflected a high awareness of new technology but a lack of application with slightly more actual users among the academic and special libraries. Interactive tutorials, e-mail, web conferencing were identified with the most potential. Google was the only entity recognized as a strong competitor for patron time and awareness. Open ended comments indicated that the competition was in lifestyle issues such as home computers, television, and generally overscheduling. The survey showed a tendency to see the impact of technological change as positive or at least not negative. Public library staff did agree that “Regular library patrons who value low-tech services and resources are frustrated and confused by new technologies.” Open ended comments indicated a responsibility for the library to both provide traditional services to traditional users and move forward in the technological to serve the growing numbers comfortable in that world.

One of the areas where PALS responses differed more than the 5 percentage points was in feeling impacted by the plight of the family farmer and rural-urban population shifts (28% vs 18%). The climate of opposition to tax increases was identified as a significant concern by 55% of respondents statewide but by 69% of the 272 PALS respondents.

When asked about valuing or using System services, PALS respondents pretty consistently bested the statewide numbers. Most used included training consulting (62% vs 56%), technical/automation consulting (61% vs 51%), cataloging consulting (50% vs 41%), youth services consulting (42% vs 36%), long range planning consulting (40% vs 31%). Continuing professional education was the most used service followed closely by opportunities for local/personal networking and technical support. PALS respondents reported using all technology services heavily (60%-88%), 10 to 19 points above the statewide average. Areas which PALS respondents would most like to see more offerings included training consulting, collection development consulting, marketing, advocacy, cooperative purchasing agreements, and cooperative grant funding for new services.

If you wish to look more closely at the statewide ILSDO survey information, it can be found on the ILSDO website at www.ilsdo.org/semdocs/Survey-ExecSummary.pdf.

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.

Program and New Mailing List for Assistant Directors, Department Heads and Other Middle Managers
In answer to requests from member libraries, PALS is beginning to offer some programming for Assistant Directors, Department Heads and other Middle Managers. The first program is an OPAL session scheduled for Thursday, November 30th entitled "Customer Service Issues for Middle Managers." For more information and to register go to PALS Events. An e-mail list is being set up for Middle Managers. Watch for the announcement to sign up or send your name and e-mail address to Shirley Grasty (shirleyg@palsnet.info).

PALS Offering Rides to State Library's Electronic Resources ER-XPO
PALS members can get rides to the Illinois State Library's annual Electronic Resources Expo at Schaumburg Township District Library from each of the PALS Service Centers. Go to CLeO on December 6 to register for a ride. Be sure to register at the service center you wish to leave from. 2006 Electronic Resource EXPO (ER-XPO), which features Try-It! Illinois electronic resource vendors will be Wednesday, December 6, 2006, beginning at 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., at the Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 Roselle Road, Schaumburg, Illinois. The day will provide opportunities for individual consultations with vendor representatives, as well as vendor facilitated focus sessions allowing for Q&A in a lab setting. There is no charge to attend the ER-XPO.

Veggie, turkey or tuna boxed lunches will be available at a cost of $7.00. E-mail Kris Kenney at kkenney@stdl.org to register your selection. Payment must be made at pick-up of lunch. Alternatively, local restaurants are available. Although not required, registration for the event is suggested at www.islcleo.org . For further information about the ER-XPO, contact Gwen Harrison at gharrison@ilsos.net or 217-785-7334.

Refwiki training in Kankakee, LaSalle, and Freeport
Just added to the PALS calendar:
Refwiki Introduction & Training
Dec. 13, 10:00am-Noon, Kankakee Public Library
Dec. 18, 10:00am-Noon, LaSalle Public Library
Dec. 19, 10:00am-Noon, Freeport Public Library
(Same class, three locations.) Refwiki is a new web resource for all PALS libraries to use and contribute to. It will include information about each library's collection strengths, online databases, and other resources. And the goal is for it to include a lot more! Refwiki is a collaborative effort built on the same platform as Wikipedia, which means that anyone in a PALS library can add or change pages using simple formatting marks, without needing special software.

This hands-on class will cover:
Overview of Refwiki
Editing a library's resource-survey form
Editing and adding pages in Refwiki
Page reversion, "special" pages, and other wiki features
See Refwiki at http://www.palsnet.info/refwiki
Register on CLeO http:/http://www.palsnet.info/events/
For more information, contact Brian Smith at PALS, ext. 2704.

Member News

Congratulations
Deborah Shippy was recently promoted to Systems and Technical Services Coordinator, Moline Public Library!
Kim Schimmel was recently promoted to Library Associate Technician, Moline Public Library!
To the Moline Public Library Team of Jenn Welvaert, the Children's Department and the children of our community who designed a Second Place Award Winning Tree, Books Renewed: Shiny and Bright at the Festival of Trees!
The Moline Public Library is pleased to announce a $100,000 grant for the new Moline Public Library building from Illinois State Representative Michael Boland.

Sterling Public Awarded an NEA Big Read Grant
Sterling Public Library was one of only 4 Illinois organizations awarded a Big Read Grant by the National Endowment for the Arts. Sterling is one of 72 communities participating in this January to June 2007 session and will read and celebrate Farhenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. The NEA program provides grants between $5,000 to $40,000 and also a library of free materials, including reader's and teacher's guides for each of the Big Read novels, an audio guide for each novel, a customized television public service announcement, dispaly materials, and a comprehensive website program.
The NEA will support a second round of Big Read grants for the second half of 2007.
For more information see http://www.neabigread.org.

Visiting Artist Program
The Rock Island Public Library will host a free presentation of the Quad City Arts Visiting Artist program, "Shakespeare's Warring and Wooing," with the First Folio Shakespeare Company of Chicago, at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, November 27 at the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street, Rock Island, IL. This event is free and open to the public.

Santa to Visit the Davenport Public Library
Even with his busy schedule this time of year, Santa Claus will be making three very special Saturday visits to the Davenport Public Library on December 2, 9, and 16, from 10 a.m. to noon and 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Children’s Department of the Main Library. All good little boys and girls will receive a FREE photo with Santa, a candy cane, a book, and a goodie- bag filled with surprises. All parents will receive free parking downtown on the weekends. Don’t forget to come early and see Santa arrive in his special sleigh! Wells Fargo Bank and Davenport Printing Company sponsor this jolly event. For more information, call (563) 326-7900.

Davenport Library Changes Hours Beginning January 2
The Board of Trustees of the Davenport Public Library is pleased to announce that after careful review with the staff, the Main Street and Fairmount Street facilities will open daily, Monday through Saturday, for 8 hours a day starting Tuesday, January 2, 2007.
Hours will be as follows:
Main Street:
Monday: 12:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday: 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Thursday: 12:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Friday: 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sunday: 1 – 4 p.m. (October through April)
Fairmount Street:
Monday 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday: 12 – 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 12:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Thursday: 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Friday: 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sunday: CLOSED
Additionally, the Richardson-Sloane Special Collection Center will now be open the same hours as the rest of the Main Street Library. For a complete list of hours, visit http://www.davenportlibrary.com, or call the Library Hours Hotline at 563-326-7958.

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 can email to Prairie Views, 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.

Lemont Public Library
*Nations of the World, 2005

If interested contact:
Debbie Somchay
630.257.7737

Moline Public Library
has the following to give away
* Ward's Business Directory, 48th Ed., 8 volume set.

If interested contact:
Lisa Williams
309-736-5737
email lwilliams@molinelibrary.org

Augustana's Tredway Library
* The Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, 2nd ed., 2002 (v.1-5)

If intersted contact:
Sally Cobert
309-794-7641
sallycobert@augustana.edu

Sterling High School
*2 Pioneer Laser Disk players for sale, $50.00 each Model LD V2200 / good working condition.

If interested contact:
Kathy Brokaw
815-625-6800 X 485
kbrokaw@sterlingschools.org

Homer Public Library District
* Gale Directory of Publications and Broadcast media 138th edition
* Encyclopedia of Associations 40th edition
* Who’s who of American Women 2004-2005
* Who’s who of Midwest 2004
* Who’s who in Science and Engineering 2005-2006

If interested contact:
Alexandra Tyle
708.301.7908
atyle@homerlibrary.org

Plainfield Public Library
*Literary Marketplace 2006 2 volumes
*MDR's Illinois School Directory 2004-5
*Headquarters USA 2006 2 volumes

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

Reddick Library
* Hoover's Masterlist of U.S. Companies 2005 (2 v.)
* Consumer Reports Buying Guide 2006

If interested contact:
Elaine Chapman
emchapman@reddicklibrary.org

Lemont Public Library District
*Literary Market Place 2006, 2 volumes

If interested contact:
Debbie Somchay
630.257.6541
http://www.lemontlibrary.org

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.

Assistant to the Executive Director
Prairie Area Library System
Individual needed to assist Executive Director with agendas, minutes and other communications for Board and Librarians' Advisory Committee. Also help with other reports, scheduling, membership issues, communication and duties as assigned. Individual will primarily work at the Coal Valley Service Center. Position is 15 to 20 hours per week. Weekly schedule may vary.

Requirements: familiarity with Microsoft Office suite of software; very good written and oral communication skills; Associate degree or two years college and minimum of four years workplace experience required. Library experience preferred. Position qualifies for IMRF retirement and prorated paid time off. Salary range $12.69 to $19.03.

Visit www.palsnet.info/jobs/application.doc for application form. Please submit cover letter, resume and application to Brenda Roman, Prairie Area Library System, PO Box 125, Coal Valley, IL, 61240 or brendar@palsnet.info. Review of applications will continue until position is filled.

PALS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Cleaning Person
PALS, Rockford Service Center is looking for a 10-hour per week cleaning person to replace our current cleaning service. This is a non-IMRF, no benefits position that pays $10.00/hour. It is somewhat flexible with the two hours being worked in the early morning or late afternoon Monday through Friday.

If you would like more information, please contact:
Marilyn Janssen
PALS Rockford
815-229-4470
email marilynj@palsnet.info

Library Assistant-Acquisitions
Rock Valley College in Rockford, Illinois, has a current opening for a Library Assistant-Acquisitions. Duties would include ordering books and audiovisual materials for addition to the librarys collection using the Voyager acquisitions subsystem.
* Minimum Qualifications: Associates degree in a library technical program or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. One year of library work experience is required. Proficiency using MS Word, Excel and Access is required.
Position is available immediately and will remain open until filled.

* Application Process: Complete online application at http://www.generalasp.com/rvc/onlineapp and include current resume.
Rock Valley College
Human Resource Services
3301 North Mulford Road
Rockford IL 61114
(815) 921-4760. EOE.

Access Services Librarian
Parkland College in Champaign, Illinois, seeks enthusiastic, creative, service-oriented candidates for the position of Access Services Librarian (diversity faculty position), to start July 2007.
* Responsible for the Library’s Access Services unit, including circulation, audiovisual services, course reserves, collection management, and staff supervision. Provides leadership, management, and analysis related to library policies and planning. Other duties include reference, outreach, and collection development. *Master’s degree in library/information science from an ALA accredited institution required; strong commitment to proactive user services essential. If you enjoy a challenge and work best in a team environment with a staff dedicated to user satisfaction, we want to hear from you! Complete application packet must be received by January 26, 2007.

For a full description and application, visit http://www.parkland.edu/library/asl_position.html

Outreach and Young Adult Assistant
The Plainfield Public Library District's Young Adult and Outreach Services Department is looking for PT assistant who is friendly, outgoing, and enthusiastic about library services to assist with outreach to schools, nursing homes, and other community groups. Must enjoy working with young adults. Bilingual ability is a plus! Flexibility in scheduling is a must as well as access to a vehicle. Averages 30 hrs/week including nights & weekends, $18.99/hr.
* LTA certification required with two years working experience with schools or community organizations or Bachelor’s degree plus two years working experience with schools or community organizations.

Send cover letter, resume and names of three references to:
Ceil Carey
Head of Outreach and Young Adult Services
Plainfield Public Library
705 N. Illinois Street
Plainfield, IL 60544
or to ccarey@plainfield.lib.il.us. Position available immediately.

Security Monitor
Fountaindale Public Library District, which proudly serves the diverse communities of Bolingbrook and Romeoville, Illinois, is seeking an experienced individual to help provide a safe and secure environment for the patrons, employees, and collections of our Romeoville library. This part-time position will monitor use of the library facilities and property.
* Must be able to work with people of all ages from diverse backgrounds. Includes evening and weekend hours. High school degree or equivalent, plus six months experience required.
* Starting salary range: $10.26 per hour.
* Closing date: December 22, 2006, or until position is filled.

Send cover letter, resume and three references, including contact information, to:
Pris Gotham
Foutaindale Public Library District
300 W. Briarcliff Road
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
personnel@fountaindale.lib.il.us

Reference and ILL News
No Reference and ILL News this week.

Youth Services and School Library News

School Library courses at National-Louis University
National-Louis University will offer school library courses that lead to the school library endorsement starting in January 2007 at the North Shore Campus in Skokie, Illinois. The courses are specifically aligned to the Library Information Specialist ISBE content area standards and focus directly on services and materials for children and youth. The Introduction to School Libraries course is the first course in the sequence followed by courses on collection development, organization of knowledge, and administration and advocacy. The course sequence will also include courses in reading instruction, literature, and integrating technology into the curriculum. Contact Dr. Gail Bush at Gail.Bush@nl.edu for more information about school libraries courses . The courses may be taken to lead toward endorsement only or as an elective strand within the Language and Literacy master's or CAS programs. Contact L&L Program Director Dr. Junko Yokota at JYokota@nl.edu for more information about the L&L programs and courses . The courses will include technology courses from the Technology in Education program. Contact TIE Program Director Dr. Craig Cunningham at Craig.Cunningham@nl.edu for information about the TIE program and courses.
There will be an information session for this first offering on Dec. 4, 2006, 4:30 - 5:30pm, North Shore Campus, 5202 Old Orchard Road, Room 358, Skokie, IL 60077. There will be additional offerings at the Chicago campus and subsequent locations. Contact Marci Mazza (graduate enrollment representative) at mmazza@nl.edu or 800/443-5522 x2743 for more information about enrollment at NLU.

Public Library News

Veterans History Forms
Public libraries should be on the lookout for a mailing from Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White about an important initiative to preserve the history of military veterans. Secretary White is urging public libraries to display Illinois Veterans History Project forms that they should have received. Veterans and families of deceased veterans can visit their local public library and pick up and complete the form. The Illinois Veterans History Project is designed to create a permanent record of the names and remembrances of American war veterans and civilians who served. The Illinois State Archives, a division of the Secretary of State's office, will collect the names of war veterans and civilians-living or deceased--who served and place them in a separate permanent repository. Veterans and the families of deceased veterans are asked to fill out the easy-to-complete forms and send them back to the Illinois State Archives.

"The brave men and women who have served and defended our nation during times of war deserve our unending gratitude and appreciation," said White, a United States Army veteran. "I thank our public libraries for helping me collect this important information, which will ensure that the names and stories of our soldiers who made sacrifices to preserve and protect our freedoms are never forgotten and always remembered in the state of Illinois." The initiative follows up on a law passed by the federal government authorizing the Library of Congress to collect and preserve the histories of American veterans and civilians who were involved in wars dating back to World War I. The Library of Congress in Washington D.C. will be the repository for audio, video and written remembrances from veterans and their families. The Illinois Patriot Information Forms are also available at driver services facilities throughout Illinois. Interested persons may also print their own copies by downloading a PDF file located at White's website at: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/ard1383.pdf. Veterans and others who participate will receive a Certificate of Appreciation from Secretary White.

2006 National Survey of Public Library Funding and Technology Access
The American Library Association, with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, is collaborating with the Information Use Management and Policy Institute in the College of Information at Florida State University to conduct a national survey of public libraries about their Internet connectivity, computing resources and related funding. To facilitate the development advocacy strategies for public access computer and Internet services, the 2006 survey focuses on the impacts, benefits, and challenges of public computing and Internet access services in public libraries. Denise M. Davis, Director of the ALA Office for Research & Statistics oversees the project, and Drs. John Carlo Bertot and Charles R. McClure lead the project at FSU. More information regarding the overall study is available at http://www.ala.org/plinternetfunding.

This survey provides, and has provided since 1994, valuable data regarding public library public computing resources; Internet connectivity; bandwidth; Internet service/resource funding and sources; and challenges associated with connectivity and public computing. Such data enable practitioners, policymakers, and researchers to understand the nature, extent, and changes of public library public computing and Internet connectivity. The url for the survey is http://www.plinternetsurvey.org. There you will find background information on the overall study, previous studies, and be able to complete the current survey. Data and reports from previous surveys are available at http://www.ii.fsu.edu/plinternet/.

Academic Library News
No Academic Library News this week.

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
No New Books at PALS this week.

Library News Around the State & Nation

Connections
The 27th Annual Children's Literature Conference will be held on March 16-17, 2007 at the Holmes Student Center, Northern Illiniois University. For more information please visit: http://www.cedu.niu.edu/oep/children_lit.html

Internet Safety is a Hot Topic
Internet Safety is a hot topic with the media attention and the Illinois Attorney General's Office all turning their attention to this. ILA is looking for information on what libraries are doing in this area and what is effective. The ILA Best Practices Committee is soliciting suggestions for "Best Educational Practices for Children, Parents, and Teachers on How to Use the Internet Safely," to be posted on the ILA Web site. Please send those suggestions to Betsy Adamowski, Itasca Community Library, 500 W. Irving Park Rd., Itasca, IL 60143-2093; phone: (630) 773-1699; fax: (630) 773-1707; e-mail: badamowski@linc.lib.il.us.

Curious about OCLC?
We hear the term OCLC thrown around the library world a lot. If you're interested in pursuing a little more information about OCLC check out the table in this article: http://www.oclc.org/nextspace/002/bythenumbers.htm.

News from Vendors
No News from Vendors this week.

Legislative/Advocacy News

Deadline for Advance Advocacy Institute Registration is December 8
The deadline for advance registration for the Advocacy Institute at the 2007 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Seattle is approaching. Registering early results in a 50% savings over on-site registration. "The Advocacy Institute is useful for beginning advocates as well as those wishing to brush-up on their skills and provides a valuable opportunity to network and share ideas with library advocates from across the nation." For more info, visit ALA's site.

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

Grant News

“Lewis and Clark” to Make Expedition to Libraries! Applications Now Available for the New Traveling Exhibit
The American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office, in cooperation with the Newberry Library, is accepting grant applications from public, academic and special libraries wishing to host the traveling exhibition, “Lewis and Clark and the Indian Country.”

**Libraries interested in hosting the exhibition can download the application and guidelines at http://www.ala.org/publicprograms or request a copy by sending an e-mail message to publicprograms@ala.org. Applications are due by February 9, 2007.
** The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has provided major funding for the traveling exhibition.

“Lewis and Clark and the Indian Country” is based on a major exhibition of the same title, which was on display at the Newberry Library from September 28, 2005 through January 14, 2006. Support for the exhibition at the Newberry Library was provided by the NEH, the Sara Lee Foundation, the National Park Service, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. “Lewis and Clark” will bring public audiences a new set of ideas about the encounters of Native Americans with the United States Corps of Discovery between 1804 and 1806, and will trace the dramatic impact of those encounters during the subsequent two centuries. Exhibit visitors will be offered unique opportunities to explore the “Indian Country” as it existed at the beginning of the 19th century; to glimpse the variety of relationships Native peoples and the Lewis and Clark party forged with one another; to view the impact of the American presence on the Indian Country; and to reflect on the efforts of contemporary reservation communities to support and sustain the Indian Country and its remarkable cultures in the 21st century.

Beginning in November 2007, the “Lewis and Clark” exhibition will be displayed at several Indian Country libraries and/or cultural centers that represent the tribal cultures which encountered the Corps of Discovery on its original expedition. The exhibit will then travel to other public and academic libraries around the country. Libraries selected for the tour will host the 1,000 square foot exhibition for a six-week period. Participating libraries are expected to present at least two free public programs featuring a lecture or discussion by a qualified scholar on exhibition themes. All showings of the exhibition will be free and open to the public. For complete information about “Lewis and Clark and the Indian Country,” please visit www.ala.org/publicprograms/.

Host Ben Franklin @ Your Library! Applications Now Available for a New Traveling Exhibit
The ALA Public Programs Office, in collaboration with the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary, Philadelphia, Pa., is now accepting grant applications from public, academic and special libraries wishing to host the traveling exhibition, "Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World." Applications are available online at www.ala.org/publicprograms and must be received by February 9, 2007. One copy of the 1,000-square-foot traveling exhibit will circulate to 20 public and academic library sites beginning in November 2007. Libraries selected for the tour will host the exhibit for a six-week period. Participating libraries are expected to present at least two free public programs featuring a lecture or discussion by a qualified scholar on exhibition themes. All showings of the exhibition will be free and open to the public.

The exhibition will consist of six sections of colorful, freestanding photo-panels incorporating representations of artifacts from the original Franklin exhibition, and a new text written by the curator. Exhibition content is arranged in thematic sections showing Franklin in the Boston of his youth, Franklin's family and personal life, as well as the years when he built his business as Philadelphia's premier printer. The exhibit also looks at Franklin's commitment to public service, his interests in medicine and public health, and his work in science and philosophy. Franklin's political career in England, France and the United States, and his contributions to the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and other major documents are the subjects of the final two sections of the exhibit. Please see www.ala.org/publicprograms for complete information, including guidelines and application. If you require a copy of the application by mail, please contact publicprograms@ala.org.

Libri Foundation next deadline January 15th
The Foundation awards grants three times a year. Application deadlines are: (postmarked by) January 15th, April 15th, and August 15th. Grants are awarded January 31st, April 30th, and August 31st. The Libri Foundation was established in 1989 for the sole purpose of helping rural libraries acquire new, quality, hardcover children's books they could not otherwise afford to buy. Since October 1990, the Foundation has donated over $2,800,000 worth of new children's books to more than 2,200 libraries in 48 states. The Foundation supports the concept that children who learn to enjoy reading at an early age continue to read throughout their lives. In order to develop a love of reading, children must have access to books which stretch their imaginations, touch their emotions, expand their horizons. For many children in rural areas, the local public library is often their primary source of reading material. Many rural schools either have no library or the library is inadequate to meet the needs of the students. At a time when more and more children and their parents and teachers are using the public library, these same libraries are facing increasing financial hardships and are unable to buy the books their young readers need. The Foundation works with the library's Friends of the Library or other local organizations because we believe in community involvement and want to encourage and reward local support of libraries. The Friends, or other local sponsors, can contribute from $50 to $350 which the Foundation matches on a 2-to-1 ratio. Thus, a library can receive up to $1,050 worth of new, quality, hardcover children's books through the Foundation's BOOKS FOR CHILDREN program. You might check with your colleagues at these PALS Libraries which were 2006 grant recipients: Forreston Public Library, Ladd Public Library, Moore Memorial Library, and Raymond A. Sapp Memorial Township Library.

More information can be found at : http://www.librifoundation.org/#GUIDE.
This website also contains a section on Fundraising ideas, a birthday calendar of authors and illustrators, and a section on featured children's books.

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 November 17, 2006

The Christmas Story in Art
[Metropolitan Museum of Art]
"The birth of Jesus Christ and the events surrounding it are the subject of many beautiful works of art in the Metropolitan Museum. We present a few of them here, accompanied by the sacred texts that inspired them..."
http://www.metmuseum.org/explore/Christmas_Story/intro.html

Connections
Links between people, places, things, and ideas
(Harpers.org)
Like the regular Index feature in Harpers' Magazine, this presents quirky events and facts on a wide variety of topics. It's fun to browse through, but it's also raw material for thinking and making connections. You, of course, might throw in some additional facts and events and draw some different connections.
http://www.harpers.org/Connections.html

FirstGov for Consumers
Your Money
A really good place to learn not only about money, banking, and credit, but also about how to avoid getting ripped off by excessive fees, scams, and identity theft. While you're there, you might also want to check out the rest of the consumer information on product safety, vehicles, child safety, etc.
http://www.consumer.gov/yourmoney.htm

Interactive Health Tutorials
(MedlinePlus)
"Using animated graphics each tutorial explains a procedure or condition in easy-to-read language. You can also listen to the tutorial." Requires the free downloadable Flash plug-in. Totorials cover a variety of Diseases and Conditions, Tests and Diagnostic Procedures, Surgery and Treatment Procedures, and Prevention/Wellness.
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials.html

The Maturing of America
Getting Communities on Track for an Aging Population
Project partners surveyed 10,000 local governments to determine their "aging readiness" - a state only 46% attained. This report includes the survey results, program examples from various cities, and
recommendations. Librarians might wish to pay particular attention to the areas we can contribute to: lifelong learning, civic engagement, and volunteer opportunities.
http://www.n4a.org/pdf/MOAFinalReport.pdf

New Deal Network
A project of the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute (FERI), this is "a database of primary source materials — photographs, political cartoons, and texts (speeches, letters, and other historic documents)—
gathered from the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library, the National Archives and Records Administration, the Library of Congress, and other sources." Also includes lesson plans, contributed documents from the site's visitors, and a discussion list for teachers and historians.
http://newdeal.feri.org/

Science Animations
Links to general collections of animations and to subject-specific animations: microbiology, plants, ecology, animals, geology, astronomy, physics.
http://science.nhmccd.edu/biol/animatio.htm

Sites for Booklovers
[West Bloomfield Township Public Library]
A nice selection of sites for book review sources, author info, book club guides, genre recommendations, and more.
http://www.wblib.org/readerscorner/bookreview.html

Social Networking and DOPA
Positive Uses of Social Networking
[YALSA]
Part of an ongoing conversation among young adult librarians about how teens benefit from social networking sites like MySpace, Teen Second Life, Flickr, etc., and why the Deleting Online Predators Act is seriously misguided in demanding that libraries block young people's access to such sites. Includes lots of examples, with links, of creative ways in which teens and libraries are using these services.
http://www.leonline.com/yalsa/positive_uses.pdf

State and Metropolitan Area Data Book 2006
The 1,500+ data items for the United States, states, counties, and metropolitan areas draw on the 2005 estimated censuses of population and housing estimates. View the entire 10.2 MB document or view
selected areas like the State data tables, Metropolitan and micropolitan area data tables, and the Ranking tables.
http://www.census.gov/compendia/smadb/

TechCrunch
"a weblog dedicated to obsessively profiling and reviewing new Internet products and companies. In addition to new companies, we will profile existing companies that are making an impact." Recent posts have
included reviews of AIM 6.0, an Interview With Jeff Bezos, the announcement of C- SPAN's forthcoming user video site, etc.
http://www.techcrunch.com/

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