volume #4 issue#5

February 1, 2007

Prairie Views: the newsletter of the Prairie Area Library System

System News

Condolences
Our deepest sympathy goes out to Kathy Gustafson, PALS Web Services Associate, on the death of her mother, Florence Marie Jordan. Our thoughts and prayers are with Kathy and her family at this difficult time.

Applications Now Being Accepted
for the UW-Madison/PALS Fall 2007 MLS Program
Are you or someone you know ready to enroll in a program of graduate study leading to a Master's Degree in Library and Information Studies? The University of Wisconsin/Madison is now accepting applications for the 3rd cohort of PALS students starting Fall 2007. The first four classes (2 semesters) are offered via videoconference two eveninga a week at each of the three PALS Service Centers (Coal Valley, Rockford, and Shorewood). The remaining classes are online through the university. Tuition is assessed at in-state Wisconsin rates. If you are interested in receiving an ALA-accredited MLS through the UW/Madison, contact Deb Shapiro dsshapiro@wisc.edu or call 608-262-9195 for specifics.
For a brief overview of the program, contact Jane Lenser janel@palsnet.info or Sandy Ringstromsandyr@palsnet.info at PALS.

Library Appreciation Night at the Chicago White Sox
It is true that football season is still not over, but let's focus on baseball for a moment. The Chicago White Sox will again be designating one game as "Library Appreciation Night" and library employees and patrons will be able to purchase tickets at a discount. The game will be on Thursday, July 5th at 7:11 p.m. at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago. Tickets are not ready to be ordered yet, but mark your calendars if you'd like to participate. More details will be forthcoming.

Contact Jane Lenser at janel@palsnet.info with questions.

PALS Day Registration is Open!
Registration is now open for the 3rd annual PALS Day, to be held on Friday, April 27, 2007, at the Starved Rock Lodge in Utica, IL. Speakers include: Anne Craig, Duncan Smith, Peggy Barber and Linda Wallace, Tracie Hall, and Marylaine Block. Register on CLeO soon because registration is limited! More information including the schedule of workshops, bus transportation availability and more will be available by February 1, so stay tuned.

2007 National Library Week
National Library Week is scheduled for April 15-21, 2007 with the theme "Come together @ your library". Customizable graphics and other promotional materials in English and Spanish can be ordered from ALA at http://www.ala.org/@yourlibrary and click on "National Library Week".

Illinois Library Day Registration
The registration form for Illinois Library Day April 19 can now be found at http://www.ila.org/events/regforms/ILD_07.pdf. An interactive registration form that persons can submit online is also available at: http://www.illinoislibraryday.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.

Please go to http://palsnet.info/events/ to register and to get additional details.

Member News

Our condolences
to Renee Gorham, Director of the Bradley Public Library, on the death of her mother-in-law, Betty Gorham. Our thoughts and prayers are with Renee and her family at this difficult time.

to Dorothy Seys, former librarian at Colona District Public Library, on the death of her husband, Joe Seys. Our thoughts and prayers are with Dorothy and her family at this difficult time.

Poems on the theme COEXISTENCE
*Two Levels: Youth (middle school through high school) Adult (past high school) PRIZES: $25 apiece for four runners-up; $100 apiece for two first-place winners plus these two poems will be included in one piece of art by local artist Bill Hannan to be on display in the Bettendorf Public Library. All six winners will read their poems on-stage with internationally known poet Naomi Shihab Nye on Thursday 27 September 2007
*Final Judge: Naomi Shihab Nye
*Eligibility: Must live within a 50-mile radius of the Quad-Cities
*Rules: Up to two poems may be submitted but only one prize per person will be awarded; Poem may be no longer than one page; Record name, address, phone number, email (if available) on the back of the poem; Record which level (youth or adult); Poem will not be returned.
*Deadline: Poem must be received at the Bettendorf Public Library or be postmarked by Monday 30 April 2007. *Drop off or mail to:
Bettendorf Public Library
Hedy Hustedde—Adult Level
Maria Levetzow—Youth Level
2950 Learning Campus Drive
Bettendorf, IA 52722
or hhustedde@bettendorf.org or mlevetzow@bettendorf.org
Coexistence possibilities: blacks and whites, Muslims and Christians, Americans and Iraqis, animals and humans, siblings in a family, yellow and blue in green, toes in a shoe, button in a buttonhole, earth in the universe, etc. etc. The Naomi Shihab Nye: Coexistence project is funded by Humanities Iowa, Illinois Humanities Council (both with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities) and The Friends of the Bettendorf Public Library and is in collaboration with the exhibition Coexistence: The Art of Living Together at the Figge Art Museum, September 2007.

Share the love with the Kishwaukee College Library!
The Kishwaukee College Library is inviting area residents to once again share their love of reading with contributions of gently used books during the annual Love Your Library book drive. The book drive will be held from February 1 – 28. Community residents may place their books for donation in drop-boxes at any of several convenient locations: Greenacre Cleaners in DeKalb, Rochelle, Sycamore, La Grange and Hinsdale; Barnes & Nobles Booksellers in DeKalb; and Borders in DeKalb. Book lovers may also drop off books for the book drive at the Kishwaukee College Library. All book donations will benefit members of the community in one of two ways, either as additions to the Kishwaukee College Library’s collection, or through affordable purchases at the Library’s annual Book Sale, March 19 – 23. Proceeds from the annual Book Sale are used to provide resources for patrons or to purchase new materials. Any resident of the Kishwaukee College district is eligible to use the resources in the Library.
For more information on the Love Your Library book drive, call Kishwaukee College at 825-2086, ext. 510.

Blues Concert
Generations of Blues, a free concert featuring Hal Reed, blues harmonica player, vocalist and historian, will be held Tuesday, February 6 at 7 p.m. at the Bettendorf Public Library. Joining Reed will be guitarist Donald Kinsey. This special Black History month presentation is presented in partnership with the Mississippi Valley Blues Society as part of the "Blues in the Schools" artist in Residency Program. Reed was born near the Mississippi Delta, surrounded by legends of blues music. His music shows influences of gospel, Chicago and Mississippi style blues. The Quad Cities own Hal Reed is an artist you do not want to miss. Visit Display Central in the library for books highlighting Black History Month.

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.

Crest Hill Public Library
has the following titles to give away:
* 2004 Compton's Encyclopedia
* Gale Contemporary Musicians volumes 1-56

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

PALS-Coal Valley
We are still weeding out what is left of our circulating collection. For the next few weeks I will be putting in a list of books that are free for the taking.
This week is the start of our Non-Fiction collection. It isn't very big, but these were books that were still circulating at the time of our big weed a few years ago.
List

If interested contact:
Brenda Roman
309-799-3155 X 3152
brendar@palsnet.info

Sycamore Public Library
“Public Libraries: smart practices in personnel” by Peggy Sullivan and William Ptacek
“Designing Better Libraries: selecting & working with building professionals” by Richard C. McCarthy (3 copies)
“Hollywood Remembered: an oral history of its golden age” by Paul Zollo
“Moving History / Dancing Cultures: a dance history reader” edited by Ann Dils and Ann Cooper Albright
“Juilliard” by Maro Chermyeff and Amy Schewel
“Contemporary Authors” volumes 1-179 (must arrange for pick-up)
Contact: Larry Zevnik
815-895-2500
larryz@sycamorelibrary.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.

Technical Services Manager
Fountaindale Public Library District, which proudly serves the diverse communities of Bolingbrook and Romeoville, Illinois, is seeking an experienced librarian to manage a staff of fourteen (11 FTE) in technical services functions of acquisitions, cataloging and serials. Supervises the daily operation of the SIRSI integrated library system and library network.
* Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited library school, plus eight year’s experience required. Must have knowledge of cataloging, AACRII, OCLC, integrated library systems and networks; SIRSI preferred.
* Salary range: $24.17 - $36.25 per hour
* Closing date: March 1, 2007 or until position 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
personnel@fountaindale.lib.il.us
Equal Opportunity Employer

Children’s Services Assistant
Fountaindale Public Library District, which proudly serves the diverse communities of Bolingbrook and Romeoville, Illinois, is seeking a public service-oriented individual to provide reference services and programming in the Children’s Services department at our Bolingbrook library.
* Duties includes helping patrons at the Children’s Services desk, planning and conducting children’s programs, and preparing materials for bibliographies and displays. This 25-hour per week, part-time position includes evening and weekend hours.
* LA/LTA certification or an Associate’s degree in child development, plus one year related of experience required. Spanish language skills are a plus.
* Starting salary: $12.16 per hour
* Closing date: March 1, 2007, or until position is filled.

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

Cataloging Librarian
Fremont Public Library District, Mundelein IL Experienced cataloger sought for growing library district. Exciting opportunity for candidate possessing initiative and ability to help redesign Technical Services processes.
* Requires working knowledge of Dewey Decimal classification system, AACR2, MARC, and OCLC. Duties include updating and maintaining library holdings and solving problems relating to existing catalog records. Attends regular meetings, workshops, and training courses as well as participates in library committee work and staff training. Excellent verbal/written communication skills, ability to interpret and apply standard library cataloging rules, attention to detail, strong service orientation, and ability to foster a cooperative working environment a must.
* Requirements MLS from ALA-Accredited Institution. Minimum three years experience in original and copy cataloging and classification of all formats of library materials using Dewey Decimal, MARC records, and Anglo-American Cataloging rules. Familiarity with Sirsi Workflows and Acquisitions a plus. Full-Time.
* Salary: Depends on Qualifications.

To apply, send cover letter and resume to:
Administration Cataloger
Job Search
Fremont Public Library District
1170 N. Midlothian Rd.
Mundelein, IL 60060

Director of the Library
McKendree College seeks a Director of the College Library. The Director of the Library has among her/his primary responsibilities the acquisition and effective utilization of information resources, the maintenance of a strong working relationship with faculty and staff, and the continued support of Distance Learning and Information Technology to provide services both on and off campus. The Director of the Library is responsible for the overall management of the library, its staff and its resources, and is expected to provide leadership in the preparation for building renovation and expansion. The Director of the Library must be able to effectively communicate to all of its constituents the services that the library offers, be a creative leader, and be able to promote collaboration in a friendly work environment. The Director of the Library must be able to network effectively with professional colleagues and work in consortia.
* Candidates must hold an MLS degree from an ALA accredited program, have at least five (5) years relevant experience, possess significant experience in academic libraries, and be well-versed in the use of technology in academic libraries.

Interested candidates should send a curriculum vita referencing job #06LIBRA029 and arrange to have transcripts and three letters of recommendation sent to:
Shirley A. Jacob
Director of Human Resources
McKendree College
701 College Road
Lebanon Illinois 62254.
hr@mckendree.edu
McKendree College is an EEO/AA/ADA employer. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the selection is completed.

Library Assistant
Black Hawk College (QC Campus) Part-time position.
* Salary: Grade: 105 Salary (minimum to midpoint): $7.56 - $11.79/hour
* Description: Successful candidate must be able to work regularly scheduled evening and Saturday shifts. This position is responsible for circulation control of all library materials. Provides assistance with basic reference questions.
* Qualifications: High School diploma/equivalent and LTA certificate or thirty (30) hours college coursework required. One (1) year library experience with automated system required (Sirsi version of QuadLINC preferred). Word Processing experience required. Ability to work nights and weekends on a regular basis required.
* Special Requirements: Circulation experience preferred. Experience with Microsoft Word preferred. Ability to meet and work well with the public. Ability to work with limited supervision. Ability to effectively supervise the work of others. Ability to maintain the confidentiality of materials and patron records.

Please submit a complete application packet consisting of Staff Application, cover letter, resume and unofficial transcripts by 5:00PM on February 14, 2007 to:
Human Resources Department
Black Hawk College
6600 – 34th Avenue
Moline, IL 61265
or fax (309) 796-5233 or email to HR@bhc.edu.
Black Hawk College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation or disability.

Part-Time Librarian
Seneca Public Library District, a small library in the rural area of Illinois with population of 4000, is seeking a Part-time Librarian. Schedules can be flexible.
* Job descriptions: Collection selection; young-adults program development; daily circulation, patron service, and other tasks Requirements: MLS, LTA, or BA with some library or school working experience is required. Familiarity with fiction, nonfiction collection is essential. A good personality is addressed. Ability to work with young adults in the library or school environment is desirable. Some computer operation skills are preferred. *Part time position: 15 hours per week, including one evening a week. Schedules can be flexible.
* Wage range: $13 – 18 per hour DOQ Start date: Available immediately. Deadline: Resumes will be accepted by February 7, 2007.

Submit the cover letter, resume and 3 references to:
Wendy Xie
Director of Seneca Public Library District
210 N. Main Street
Seneca, IL, 61360.
Email: wxie@senecalibrary.org
Fax: (815) 357-6568
No phone calls, please.

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

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

Public Library News

Construction Grant Workshops
The Illinois State Library will present four workshops this spring on the FY2008 Live & Learn Construction Grant Program for libraries interested in the program or considering applying for a grant this coming fall. ISL Staff will review the specifics of the program and discuss the application process. Registration is required and can be made through the State Library's CLeO website (www.islcleo.org). The locations, dates and times are:
Tuesday, April 24 1-3 PM Metropolitan Library System, Burr Ridge
Thursday, April 26 10-Noon Alliance Library System, East Peoria
Tuesday, May 1 1-3 PM Illinois State Library, Room 403
Thursday, May 3 1-3 PM Benton Public Library, Benton

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 News Books at PALS this week.

Library News Around the State & Nation

Flat Funding for Libraries in Federal Budget FY 2007
U.S. House of Representatives and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairmen have arrived at a final joint funding resolution for fiscal year (FY) 2007. This $463.5 billion spending bill is expected to be on the House floor On February 1. The bill provides $2.3 billion in additional funding over FY 2006, including $1.17 billion for education. Unfortunately, none of the extra funding is directed at libraries. The Institute of Museum and Library Services will be level-funded at FY 2006 levels for the remainder of FY 2007.

The president's proposed budget requested
* $262,240,000 for the Institute of Museum and Library Services, an increase of $15,096,000 more than FY06.
* For the Library Services and Technology Act, the budget includes $220,855,000, an increase of $10,258,000 from FY 06.
* Within that total is $171,500,000 for Grants to State Library Agencies, which will enable the implementation of the new grant formula.
Also included was:
* $25,000,000 for Librarians for the 21st Century program,
* $12,930,000 for National Leadership Grants for Libraries, and
* $3,675,000 for Improving Library Service to Native Americans.

For school libraries, the President requested level funding for the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries Program. The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) provides the federal funds, using a population-based formula, to state library administrative agencies. In Illinois, the Illinois State Library receives the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds to support statewide initiatives and services.

Freedom of Information Day
Freedom of Information (FOI) Day is an annual event on or near March 16, the birthday of James Madison. Madison is widely regarded as the Father of the Constitution and as the foremost advocate for openness in government. This year's FOI Day will take place on March 16, 2007. Observance of the day could make for some good book displays at your library. For more information, visit the First Amendment Center online.

Imaginative Advocacy
OCLC recently profiled an Illinois special librarian in their Nextspace newsletter, highlighting how she "customizes the information experience to engage employees and position the library at the center of the company."

SPLMI, ISPL Update
Applications and information are now available for the Illinois State Library's two popular summer institutes-the Small Public Library Management Institute (SPLMI) and the Institute for School and Public Librarians (ISPL). SPLMI applications and information may be found at: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/whats_new/2007splmi.html. Information about and an application for the Institute for School and Public Librarians can be found at: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/whats_new/2007institute.html

News from Vendors
No News from Vendors this week.

Legislative/Advocacy News

Rides to Illinois Library Day On CLEO
You can now sign up for a ride to Illinois Library Day (ILD), April 18 and 19, on CLEO. Please do so now if you're planning to ride in a day early to take part in the state wide strategy dinner and legislative update with Kip Kolkmeier. In addition to being an up to the minute discussion of newly introduced legislation, the dinner will allow you to mingle with your cohorts from around the state. Last year, participants found that in casual conversation with trustees and librarians from other systems, our local issues and concerns were universal. It made for good conversation and exchange of ideas. ILD (Illinois Library Day) packets will also be available so you can look those over for the next day's ILD.

On the next day, Thursday morning, you'll have an opportunity to have breakfast at 7:30 am with many of our legislators. The breakfast, sponsored by ILA, will be in the atrium of the Illinois State Library. This will make it easily accessible for the legislators before they start their committee meetings and sessions. Having heard Kip the prior evening, you'll have brief sentence talking points and converse with them in more leisurely fashion than trying to catch them in their offices or attempting to call the legislators off the floor. Registration for the state wide dinner is through DuPage LS, coordinator of the dinner. Registration for the breakfast will be on the ILA web page along with registration for ILD itself. Please be sure to make your hotel reservations soon. There is limited availability in Springfield this spring. We were unable to block enough rooms at one hotel and have done so at two. One is near the Rally on Thursday, the other is near the dinner on Wednesday evening.

In order that you can participate in the events, we want to make it easy for you to arrive there! The exact times of departure will be posted later for the three service centers. The departure from Mendota will be after the conclusion of the Delegates Assembly Meeting. We'll get you there in time to check in at your hotel prior to the dinner. See the PALS web site for information on hotels and the state wide dinner.

Mark Your Calendar for 2007 National Library Legislative Day
The 2007 National Library Legislative Day will be Tuesday, May 1, 2007. The Illinois Library Association has reserved a room block at the Capitol Hill Suites, 200 C Street, SW, Washington, DC 20003; phone: 888-627-7811; $219 single/double rate for a junior efficiency suite and $239 for a superior suite or one bedroom deluxe suite, 14.5% sales tax not included. When making reservations, please mention the Illinois Library Association. The event's registration form will appear in the February 2007 ILA Reporter.

Free to ALA members: “Messaging and Talking with Congress” Online Course
Just in time for Congress' return to Washington, D.C, and designed for both veteran library advocates and those who are new to Capitol Hill, the three-part online course "Messaging and Talking with Congress: An Interactive Workshop," will help library supporters build or hone effective messages and successfully communicate library needs to Congress. The ALA Washington Office is making this course, led by popular Advocacy Guru Stephanie Vance of AdVanced Consulting, available free to ALA members!

“Messaging and Talking with Congress” guides users through the process of developing messages, teaches users to communicate effectively with Members of Congress and other elected officials, and offers strategies on building lasting relationships with Congressional staff. Users may navigate the course at their own pace and download and print helpful worksheets. To access the course visit: http://www.advocacyclassroom.com/homepage.cfm. Click on the blue "course catalog" tab at the top of the screen. Select the first class " ALA Advocacy Classroom." Click "Add to cart". ALA members can take the course free of charge by entering "library" into the coupon code field and then clicking "Apply code."

Just So You Know
Labor & Employment Law Insights, January 2007

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 February 2

BananaSlug
This unique search engine retrieves intriguing results that won't ever be among the top results of a Google search. For example, a search of "nuclear waste," paired randomly with "God," "chicken," "real," "Houston," and "881," retrieves a fascinating mix of news, research, regulations, and more. It's a good way to see odd connections between data that might not otherwise occur to you. Play around with it.
http://bananaslug.com/index.php

Globe Aware
Vacations in Service
Students are surely thinking these days about where to go on spring break. For those who'd like to do good while they're traveling, here's a company that "develops short-term volunteer programs in international environments that encourage people to immerse themselves in a unique way of giving back," including opportunities to assemble wheelchairs in Cambodia, mark trails through the forests of Costa Rica, help construct a community center in Brazil, etc. Previous volunteers recount some of their experiences in the site's weblog.
http://globeaware.com/

Homeschooling and Libraries
A useful blog for any librarian wanting to start or beef up library service to homeschoolers.
http://homeschoolingandlibraries.wordpress.com/

Map Builder
This mashup development tool for Google and Yahoo! maps "lets you tag locations on a map and publish it on your own site. Mapping is now easier than ever. It's free." Click on "booming maps" to see some of the things people have mapped - a walking tour, churches within a diocese, street art (combined with photos), fall fashion shows in New York, etc.
http://www.mapbuilder.net/
A similar service is offered by Quikmaps <http://www.quikmaps.com/> and Wayfaring <http://www.wayfaring.com>. This is a great way to provide local information to library users in a highly usable format.

National Postal Museum
Offers a number of intriguing online exhibits, including "The Art of Cards and Letters," "Posted Aboard RMS Titanic,", "War Letters Lost and Found," etc.; the "Stamps Take Flight" collection offers a lot of behind the scenes info about the history and techniques of stampmaking.
http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/

North American Slave Narratives
This digital collection, part of Documenting the American South, "includes all the existing autobiographical narratives of fugitive and former slaves published as broadsides, pamphlets, or books in English up to 1920." Other collections from Documenting the American South, including The Church in the Southern Black Community, will also be useful for studying black history.
http://docsouth.unc.edu/neh/

A Periodic Table of Visualization Methods
A visual categorization of techniques for visualizing data, information, concepts, strategies, metaphors, and compound visualization. Offers mouseover views of each strategy.
http://www.visual-literacy.org/periodic_table/periodic_table.html

Placeblogger
"Towards an annotated world with blogs, wikis, forums, maps..." Features selections from and links to new place blogs, as well as a searchable directory of place blogs from all over the world, and the opportunity to add yur own place blog to the directory.
http://www.placeblogger.com/

Pogo and Walt Kelly:
an Introduction [Comics 101]
If you didn't grow up believing that that Christmas song goes "Deck the halls with Boston Charlie, Walla Walla, Wash., and Kalamazoo," you've missed out on the comic genius of Walt Kelly. This article is a nice introduction to his comic strip, Pogo, which is now mostly remembered as the source of the line, "We have met the enemy, and he is us."
http://www.moviepoopshoot.com/comics101/28.html

Public Library Toolkit on Legal Research
Courtesy of the Legal Information Service to the Public Special Interest Section of the American Association of Law Libraries. Advice on researching a legal problem, finding legal materials with known citations, insuring you have the most current information, developing legal collections, and knowing when to refer your user to an attorney. Some state-specific kits are available.
http://www.aallnet.org/sis/lisp/toolkit.htm

Stump the Bookseller:
Loganberry Books
"Have you forgotten the title of your favorite children's book? This is a service to help solve your book mysteries. Submit your memory here, and see if anyone else remembers your book..." While you're here, check out the Solved Mysteries, Most Requested Books, Collectible Authors, etc.
http://loganberrybooks.com/stump.html

Swivel
A searchable blog that lets you explore data and share your insights with others. Swivel has data about politics, economics, weather, sports, business and more." You can also browse through Graphs, Data, info submitted by users.
http://swivel.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.