issue#48
| volume
#3 issue#48 |
|
December 14, 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.
PALS Holiday Schedule
The three PALS Service Centers will be closed on Monday, December 25 and Monday,
January 1 in observance of the holidays. There will be no deliveries made either
of those two days. Prairie Views will also not be published on December 28.
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.
PALS Offers Group Purchase of USB Headset with Microphone
PALS
has organized a group purchase of a USB headset with microphone. This Plantronics
DSP-400 Headset will be a good one to use with our OPAL presentations,
and, of course, you can use it for many other things as well. Please do note
that your PC must have a USB port in order to use it. Our price on this unit
is $37.00 per headset with a flat $7.99 per order shipping charge. So, if you
place an order for three headsets, you would pay $118.99 ($37 x 3 plus $7.99)
If you are interested in ordering, please contact Kacy Kelly at kacyk@palsnet.info and
include the following information:
Library Name and Delivery Address (i.e. shipping address)
Delivery Code
Quantity Desired
Orders will be processed as they are received,
and you will receive a bill directly from PALS. Deadline for the group purchase
is Friday, January 5, 2007.
Update
on Financial Info
The
IRS recently announced that the standard business mileage reimbursement rate
for 2007 will be 48.5 cents per mile. Employers typically reimburse employees
at the IRS standard business mileage rate for business use of a personal vehicle.
Other information pertinent in 2007 is as follows: Social Security wage base:
$97,500 (increased from $94,200 in 2006) Medicare tax rate: 1.45% with no maximum
wage base (same as 2006) 401(k) contribution limits: $15,500 (increased from
$15,000 in 2006) 401(k) catch-up contribution for those over 50: $5,000 (no
increase from 2006)
Website Reminders
2006 is nearly over, and that gives us an opportunity to
remind you of a few services that PALS offer because of recent updates on the
PALS website.
Vendor Discounts - PALS negotiates discounts for our members with a number
of vendors each year. We have recently been updating those agreements for the
new year. Check out the vendor
discount area of the website for the complete list. You do need a CLeO
account to be able to login to this area.
Houchen Bindery - PALS facilitaties pick-up and delivery of materials to/from
Houchen Bindery for member libraries whose volume doesn't warrant direct delivery
from Houchen. The 2007
schedule for the Shorewood delivery hub has recently
been updated, and the Coal Valley and Rockford schedules will be updated later.
this month.
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.
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.
Putnam County Public
Library Dist
We
have 6 Nicholas Sparks books that are in excellent condition that we don't
need.
The titles are:
The rescue (Pbk)
Message in a bottle (pbk)
The guardian (pbk)
Nights in Rodanthe (pbk)
The wedding (pbk)
Three weeks with
my brother (HC)
If interested contact:
Joyce Dove
815-925-7020
jdove@putnamcountylibrary.org.
Oswego Public Library
* Headquarters USA 2006 (2 volumes)
*
Encyclopedia of Associations,
Regional......Great Lakes States, 11th edition
If interested contact:
Peggy Tegel
(email preferred) ptegel@oswego.lib.il.us
630-554-3150
Wanted
Dewey Decimal Classification Set!
Does your library have an
older version of Dewey Decimal Classification that you're no longer using? The
abridged version is fine. The librarian from a small private school is looking
for one that a library would be willing to donate to them.
If you're interested,
please contact:
Lois Vander Wilt
at 815-362-2506 to make arrangements.
This
is Lois' home number, so please leave a message if she is not there and she
will return your call.
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
Reference
Librarian
(temporary, part-time)
Augustana College seeks a temporary reference librarian to work Sundays,
3-10 p.m., at the Thomas Tredway Library.
*
Required qualifications: MLS from
an ALA accredited program, strong public service orientation, excellent teaching
skills, a commitment to the role of the library in liberal learning, excellent
oral communication skills, and a sense of humor. The successful candidate will
be skillful in the use of both print and electronic information resources.
Send resume to:
Carla B. Tracy
Director
Thomas Tredway Library
Augustana
College
639 38th Street
Rock Island, IL 61201.
Closing date for
receipt of applications is 12/18/2006 at 5 p.m. Position begins 1/14/2007 and
ends 5/13/2007. Augustana College is an equal opportunity employer and does
not discriminate based on age, race, color, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation,
disability or creed.
Head of Technical Services
Position reopened
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; 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 three professional references by 4:00 p.m., January
5, 2007 to:
Director of Human Resources
St. Ambrose University
518 W. Locust
St.
Davenport, IA 52803.
AA/EOE.
Reference and ILL News
No Reference and ILL News this week.
Youth Services and School Library News
"Power
up with Print"
Institute Coming to Starved Rock State Park Lodge! Thanks
to an LSTA grant from the Illinois State Library, the Prairie Area Library
System is please to offer this wonderful Institute on Monday, March 5th for
anyone who works with tweens or teens in 6th through 12th grade in either a
school or public library setting. The YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association
of ALA) Institute will give participants ideas on encouraging young adult reading,
exploring what teens/tweens read and why, booktalking tips and techniques,
discovering the latest recommended materials for teens,/tweens and promoting
the library collection through effective programming. Participants will receive
a 200 page resource handbook. Also, the live announcement of the Abraham Lincoln
Illinois High School Book Award winner will be made here!
The cost is just
$10 per person.
Go to http://www.palsnet.info/events to register. Spots are limited,
so don't delay! If you would like a hotel room at the Lodge the night before,
PALS has reserved a block. See the CLeO entry for details.
Public Library News
Veterans History Forms
The Illinois State Archives reports they are already
receiving completed Veterans History Project forms from veterans and their
families after public libraries in Illinois began displaying the forms recently.
The Illinois State Library mailed forms to public libraries several weeks ago
as part of an initiative by Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White
to preserve the history of Illinois military veterans. 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. 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 initiative follows up on a law passed by the federal government authorizing
the Library of Congress to collect and preserve the histories of Ameri! can
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.
Veterans and others who participate will receive a Certificate of Appreciation
from Secretary White. Public libraries can also contact the Illinois State
Library if they want additional forms.
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
No Library News Around the State & Nation this week.
News from Vendors
No News from Vendors this
week.
Legislative/Advocacy News
Representative Sacia to Attend Freeport Neighborhood Meeting
On Monday, December 18th,
Rep Jim Sacia will make an appearance at the Freeport neighborhood meeting
where he will be presented with his READ poster. His legislative district covers
almost the entire area of the expected participants. This will offer another
opportunity for him to meet his constituent librarians and for him to listen
and learn from us. Please join us and register on CLEO to participate if you've
not yet done so. There will be much information
about PALS services, activities, staff, grants, educational opportunities,
group purchases, and NETWORKING with your peers in the neighborhood. This meeting
will count toward your library’s System membership obligation to send
staff to continuous learning events.
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 December 8, 2006
100 Notable Books of the Year [New York Times]
Check out these recommendations quickly, before they disappear behind the New
York Times' paid content wall.
http://www.nytimes.com/ref/books/review/20061203notable-books.html
2008 Presidential Candidate Selector
We already have declared candidates and a bunch of probables.
Take this quiz to find out what candidates are the best match for your views
and priorities. The questions are way too limited in the options they offer
on issues, but the quiz provides at least a passable start on identifying people
you might be able to support.
http://www.selectsmart.com/plus/select.php?url=08frontrunners
Change on the Cheap
A revised and updated presentation outline, with URLs, for the
talk I gave for Connecticut librarians on December 5. A catalog of good ideas
from librarians around the country that I collected while researching
my forthcoming book, The Thriving Library.
http://marylaine.com/cheap.html
Free Christmas Songs, Christmas Lyrics
A useful site for people who are reduced to humming when they
come to the second verse of O Come All Ye Faithful and other Christmas favorites.
http://www.alpinewreaths.com/ChristmasSongs/christmassongs.html
Getting To Know Your Second Life
[Stephen's Lighthouse]
As some of you know, librarians have created libraries inside the virtual reality
world of Second Life. If you want to find out more about both the game and InfoIsland
inside the game, click on the links
Stephen Abrams has assembled here.
http://stephenslighthouse.sirsidynix.com/archives/2006/11/getting_to_know.html
Health Hotlines from the NLM
The National Library of Medicine offers this searchable, browsable
online database of health-related organizations that operate toll-free telephone
services.
http://healthhotlines.nlm.nih.gov/
Islands for Sale
For those who have fantasized about buying and retiring to
a private island, there is good news: there ARE such private islands, some
of them surprisingly inexpensive, available for purchase. Check them out here,
along with articles about the private island life, and resources to help you
decide whether this lifestyle is for you.
http://www.privateislandsonline.com/
Questions and Answers for New Pilot Naturalization Exams
Available on the US Citizenship and Immigration Services
Page. Try some of the proposed 144 questions, and see if you could pass this
new version of the test to become an American citizen.
http://www.uscis.gov/
She Said/He Said
Kankakee Public Library Blog
Kankakee Public Library's director and assistant director chat with patrons
and with each other about library issues in this lively and interesting public
blog. Another proof that blogs have a wonderful capacity for putting a human
face on the library.
http://lions-online-shesaidhesaid.blogspot.com/
Survival Spanish for Library Staff
Using the workbook and an MP3 audio track, learn the "Spanish
pronunciation of commonly used library terms, including common patron questions
with answers in Spanish."
http://webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=14365
Web 2.0 Awards
Reviews of and links to award-winning sites, chosen for usability,
usefulness, social aspects, interface & design, and content quality,
in a wide variety of categories - blog guides, feed management services,
mashups, social networking, web development & design, and lots more.
http://web2.0awards.org/
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.