volume #4 issue#30

July 26, 2007

Prairie Views: the newsletter of the Prairie Area Library System

System News

PALS Board Seeks Public Library Trustee for One-Year Appointment
The Prairie Area Library System Board of Directors continues to seek a public library trustee from an Illinois member library to fill a vacant seat. The PALS Board meets monthly at least nine times a year on the third Tuesday of the month. Meeting locations vary from month to month. Approved expenses associated with travel to meetings will be reimbursed by the system.
The appointment will run through June 30, 2008. Interested parties should contact Board President Penny O’Rourke at pennyo@byron.lib.il.us. More information on the responsibilities of the board and its members can be found on the PALS website at http://www.palsnet.info/about/board/default.asp.

PALS Communications Survey Now Open!
In FY2008, PALS staff wants to work on improving communications to our member libraries. We hope to implement a new website and a new design/platform for our newsletter, Prairie Views. We are also investigating expanding our use of Blogs/ RSS news feeds, Wikis, podcasting and more. Before we do that, we'd like to gather your input on current PALS communications tools and where you think we should move in the future. To that end, we invite you to participate in a survey about PALS and communication with our members. Click here to take the survey. The survey will be open until August 15, so please tell your colleagues! Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate.

PALS Seeking Sublessee for Rockford Facility
Those who work at or visit the PALS Rockford Service Center know that we have more square footage in that facility then we actually need, but also ten years left on our lease for that space. We have recently put a sign out in front of the building to let potential sublessees know that we would be willing to sub-lease space. However, we want to assure members in the Rockford area that we have no plans to stop having office/meeting/workshop space in Rockford. We simply are hoping to reduce some of our operating expenses if we can sub-lease some of the extra space.

Union Listing Users Group (ULUG) Initial Meetings
If you missed the July 26th meeting, Union Listing(UL) Members of PrairieCat are urged to attend an informational and organizational session live at the Rockford Service Center on Wednesday, August 15th, from 9:30 to 11:30 AM. (also available at Coal Valley via videoconferencing). PALS staff will discuss the services, privileges and responsibilities that accompany UL PrairieCat membership as well as the financial commitment. There will be the opportunity to meet PALSGroup staff who will be present, and answer some questions, on the operational and procedural aspects of Union Listing. This will also be the opportunity to nominate ULUG representatives who will attend PALSGroup meetings in an advisory capacity and serve as liaison between the two groups. Please register on CLeO for the event.

PALS Offers Group Purchase of USB Headset with Microphone
PALS has organized another group purchase for a USB headset with microphone. This Plantronics DSP-400 Headset will be a good one to use with our OPAL and WIMBA meetings and workshops, 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 for up to five headsets. If you would like to order more than 5 headsets, please contact Kacy Kelly for shipping charges. 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, and 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, August 31, 2007.

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

Fall 2007 LTA Classes at Rockford and Coal Valley Service Centers
Attention library support staff! Are you looking for opportunities to learn more about the library world? Are you looking toward advancement in your current position or in your career? Then the LTA (Library Technical Assistant) Program may be for you. In past years, PALS has offered the LTA program from the College of DuPage via videoconference at both the Rockford and the Coal Valley Service Centers. We are considering offering this opportunity again in fall 2007.

If you are interested or for additional information, please contact Dawn DiVenti dawnd@palsnet.info
This is a great way to enter or re-enter the academic environment.
Check http://www.cod.edu/LTA for more information.

PALS to Offer Two CPLA Courses
In partnership with the Public Library Association, PALS has been selected to offer two CPLA courses. http://www.pla.org/ala/pla/plaevents/cplacourses/CPLAcourses.cfm

For information about the Certified Public Library Adminstrator program.
*On October 24-25, 2007, PALS will host "Serving Diverse Populations."
The event will be held at the Rockford Public Library Main Auditorium at 215 N. Wyman St, Rockford IL 61104.

*On April 1-2, 2008, PALS will host "Current Trends."
The event will be held at the Moline Public Library at 3210 41st St, Moline IL 61265.

For more information about these events, please contact Dawn DiVenti, Library Services Coordinator, Continuous Learning,
dawnd@palsnet.info

Fall Classes at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Get into the swing of things this fall with online and in person opportunities from Continuing Education Services of UW-Madison SLIS. Below is a list of courses, a workshop, a conference, and even an Irish travel adventure! Course descriptions and registration information are available on our website: http://www.slis.wisc.edu/continueed
* Online Courses Library 2.0, Sept 10-Oct 6
* Basic Public Library Management, Sept 17-Dec 7
* Collection Development, Sept 17-Dec 7
* Readers’ Advisory in the Library, Sept 19-Dec 12
* What's New in Children's Books?, Oct 15-Nov 11
* Consumer Health Reference, Oct 15-Nov 11
* Cataloging Web Sites, Oct 29-Nov 25

In Madison
* Conference: Insights and Solutions for Customer Service, Sept 10-11
* Course: Basic Spanish for Librarians, Oct 1-Oct 29
* Workshop: Preserving and Exhibiting Local History Collections, Oct 4-5
* Travel Opportunity Books and Beauty in Western Ireland: A Librarians’ Tour, February 28-March 9, 2008 ~featuring the Ennis Book Club Festival in County Clare
*Online Skills Courses:We offer online courses on a variety of technical topics. While the courses do not have a library focus, they may be useful to anyone who needs to develop these skills.
Questions? Contact Anna Palmer, ahpalmer@wisc.edu or 608-263-4452.

Member News

Nominated
Julie Harte Wasson Director of the Somonauk Public Library District was nominated by one of her patrons for the Book Page Spotlight Award.

Moving
Matson Public Library is moving this week to its new location. They will re-open on August 1, 2007 and the library will be known as Princeton Public Library, 698 E. Peru St., Princeton, IL 61356, delivery code still PRBB.

Make Way for Cricket Days
The LaSalle Public Library will be closed on Wednesday, August 1 and Friday, August 2 in order to reorganize the staff room in preparation for the Cricket Library collection that has recently been donated to the library.

Bix Porch Party Marks its 20th Year of Kicking Off the Bix Fest!
Kick-off the Bix Jazz Festival at the Davenport Public Library! It’s time for the 20th Annual Bix Porch Party, Thursday, July 26, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., on the steps of the Main Street Library (321 Main Street). Bring your lawn chairs and head downtown to enjoy free live jazz music from Don Estes’ Prairie Ramblers! Eat lunch at the Library with free popcorn and lemonade, and bargain prices on hot dogs. Stop in the Library afterwards and visit the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center to learn more about Bix and to see the display of Bix Jazz Festival posters. Due to the popularity of the event, Main Street will be closed to traffic.
Call 563-888-3371 for more info. Hot dogs provided by Hy-Vee Rockingham Road. Popcorn donated by Cinema 53. All money from hot dog sales goes to the Library’s Teen Volunteer Council.

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
(LMBB)
*Nations of the World 2006, 6th ed.

If interested contact:
Debbie Somchay
Phone: 630.257.6541
Fax: 630.257.7737

Bradley Public Library
Going through the microfilm/fiche collection, the ones they no longer need are free to anyone who wants them. If you'd like a list of what they have, email:

Julie Welzen
Email: jmwelzen@bradley.lib.il.us.

Fountaindale Public Library District
- Bolingbrook has the following available to anyone interested:
* Clear Laminating Film - 2 Rolls Each 1.5 MIL, 25" x 500'

If interested contact:
Kathy Schmidt
Phone: 630-759-4154
Email: kschmidt@fountaindale.lib.il.us

Colman Library
Rockford College, has the following to give away:
* Microfilm readers: (2) Dukane Manual Direct Vision readers
* Microfiche readers: (2) small desktop style readers
(Note: these units do not have copying capability)
* Bradford Spacesaver compact shelving (about 14’ long) This consists of one pair of shelving units (1 stationary, 1 moving) Unit is electrically operated (but needs work)

Pick-up only.
If interested contact:
Phil Hjemboe
Phone: 815-226-4165
Email: phjemboe@rockford.edu

Black Hawk College Library
Have the following books available
* Children’s Literature Review v.1 to v.119
*Literature Criticism from 1400 to 1800 v.1 to v.74

If interested please make arrangements to pick up and Contact the circulation desk at:
309- 796-5700 library@bhc.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.

Technical Services Assistant (TSA)
The Technical Services area of the Howard Colman Library at Rockford College is looking for an individual to work 20 hours a week assisting the Technical Services Coordinator in the procedures relating to collection management, acquisitions and materials processing. This is a perfect opportunity for someone who is pursuing coursework in the field of library science or interested in taking the next step in library work and would like to gain experience in the Technical Services department of an Academic library.

* APPLICATION PROCESS: Interested applicants should send their cover letter, resume, salary requirements and three references to:
Kelly E. James
Rockford College
5050 E. State St.
Rockford, IL 61108
or e-mail kjames@rockford.edu.

Part-time Reference
Lemont Public Library
Needed a part-time reference person on weekdays--Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday--from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm and some weekends. Duties include answering reference questions, assisting with collection development, adult programming, interlibrary loans, and other duties as needed in the department. ALA accredited MLS required, but will consider library science students. Internet and computer skills required. Knowledge of Sirsi/WorkFlows a plus. Salary is $16.00 per hour ($15.00 for students).

Send resumes to:
Debbie Somchay
dsomchay@lemontlibrary.org

Children’s Services Professional
The Des Plaines Valley Public Library District, with two locations in Lockport and Crest Hill, Illinois, is seeking an energetic, creative and innovative Children’s Services Professional for a full time position. This individual will be expected to provide a diverse range of professional children’s library services including planning and presenting library programs, collection development, staffing the Children’s Services desk, instructing patrons in the use of electronic and print resources, and a variety of related tasks within a growing Children’s Services Department. Position reports directly to the Children’s Services Manager.
* Minimum qualifications: MLS from an ALA-accredited graduate program. MLS students nearing graduation are also encouraged to apply. Applicant should have computer experience, including Internet and the use of online databases, and ability to work days, evenings and weekends. Knowledge of the Sirsi/Workflows Database is a plus. Applicant will also be required to travel between our two facilities, as needed. Salary range begins at $31,844.80 and increases commensurate with experience and qualifications. The District offers an excellent benefit package which includes IMRF benefits, paid sick and annual leave, and medical, vision and dental insurance.

*Application Procedure: Interested parties should submit their resume to:
Scott Pointon
Des Plaines Valley Public Library District
121 E. 8th Street
Lockport, IL 60441
via e-mail at spointon@dpvlib.org ;
via fax at (815) 838-9131
Application can be submitted through August 13, 2007.
The Des Plaines Valley Public Library District is an equal opportunity employer.
Visit our website at http://www.dpvlib.org to learn more about our District.

Part-time Children’s Librarian
Colona District Public Library, a small library district serving a population of 6,699 is seeking a Children’s Librarian.
*Job description: Plans and executes special programming for children. Selects new materials for children and young adults. Coordinates programs with other community groups focused on children. General patron services.
*Requirements: Education or experience with selection of juvenile materials. Excellent interpersonal skills and a genuine rapport with children. Previous library experience and computer skills helpful.
*15-25 hrs/wk, including some evenings and occasional Saturdays.
*Wage range: $8-12 per hour depending on qualifications. Benefits: 8 paid holidays, paid vacation.

Submit cover letter, resume and three references to:
Phyllis Von Arb – Director
Colona District Public Library
911 First Street
Colona, IL 61241

Computer Technican
Geneseo Public Library District seeking a highly responsible, skilled and self-motivated individual with appropriate education and/or experience to manage its computer network and workstations. Will be responsible for systems management, including network administration, computer upkeep and repair, monitoring of system performance, hardware and software, and some staff training. Knowledge of wireless environment helpful. Part-time. Hours flexible.

Contact:
Brenda J. Fowler Director
Geneseo Public Library District
218 S. State Street
Geneseo, IL 61254
Phone: 1-309-944-6452

Acquisitions Assistant
Part time 20 hrs. per week flexible during the daytime. College of Dupage seeks an Acquisitions Assistant. Order and receive books and non-print materials. Research and place preview orders of non-print materials. Create and update order records and files. Maintain funds and process invoices for payment.
* Qualifications: One year college with courses in business or library science. LTA Certificate preferred. One year experience working in the technical services area of a library; ability to perform detailed work and to assume responsibilities; good organizational skills and able to work independently.

Apply online at https://www.cod.edu/job_desc/jobs.htm.

Circulation Assistant
The Shorewood-Troy Public Library District seeks a customer service oriented individual to fill the position of Circulation Assistant. Position Title: Circulation Assistant
Dept: Adult Services
Starting Salary: $8.28
Starting date: Mid- late August 2007
Employment Status: Part-Time 15-19 hours per week/includes daytime, evening and weekend hours.
Requirements: Must be able to work a flexible schedule, exhibit good communication and organizational skills, attention to detail, resourcefulness and ability to work as part of a team. Computer skills are a must. Previous circulation experience desired.

Please send resume to:
Library Director Sharon Highler
650 Deerwood Drive
Shorewood, IL 60404
shighler@shorewood.lib.il.us

Youth Services Assistant
We seek an enthusiastic, organized Youth Service Assistant for the Youth Services Department at the Homer Township Public Library. This 24 hour per week position includes working with children in implementing library services including planning and conducting story times, craft preparation, special programming such as summer and winter reading programs, school visits, special events, readers advisory and homework help. Work schedule includes mornings, evenings and alternate weekends. Starting hourly wage is commensurate with experience. Minimum qualifications include two years college or LTA. Work experience with children in a library, school or community setting. Public library experience desired.

Please send or e-mail a cover letter, resume and two references to:
Kitty Mitchell, Youth Services Director
Homer Township Public Library District
14320 W. 151st Street
Homer Glen, Illinois 60491
or kamitchell@homerlibrary.org

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

Gale Database Renewal for Public Libraries
Any PALS public library which wants to join the group subscription to the Gale General Reference Center Gold periodical articles database must let Brian Smith know by the end of the day Monday (July 30).
Brian can provide you with a pricing schedule and trial login. brians@palsnet.info

Academic Library News
No Academic Library News this week.

Special Library News
No Special Library News this week.

Support Staff News

Reaching Forward South 2007 Conference: Outside the Box!
Reaching Forward South - the 11th Annual Conference - "Outside the Box!", is scheduled for September 20 and 21, 2007, at the Northfield Inn in Springfield IL.
Reaching Forward Web page
Reaching Forward Flyer
If you would be interested in attending, please contact Dawn DiVenti at PALS (dawnd@palsnet.info). PALS may provide transportation based upon member interest. The deadline to contact Dawn is August 1, 2007.

Technology Services News
No Technology Services News this week.

E-Rate Corner

I have heard from some of you who have had issues with SPIN numbers and contact information that pertain particularly to the merger of SBC and AT&T. SBC, Illinois Bell, Bell South, and Cingular have all become AT&T. If you have started your BEAR form and need to verify a SPIN number, or need phone or fax numbers, please read on. I have two different sets of information for AT&T. For AT&T BEAR form information you can contact:
AT&T E-Rate Coordinator
55 Corporate Drive
Room 33C97
Bridgewater, NJ 08807
877-272-2544

For SPIN number verification and other information you can contact:
AT&T Detroit E-Rate Center
Phone 877-444-6944
Fax 888-308-7186

If you have other information to share regarding AT&T or any other E-Rate issue, please contact me and I will pass your comments on in a future column. And as always for E-Rate help contact Marilyn Janssen at PALS-Rockford by phone at 815-229-4470 or email marilynj@palsnet.info

New Books at PALS
No New Books at PALS this week.

Library News Around the State & Nation

Lincoln Trail Libraries System Is Pleased to Announce a Premiere Conference, The Symposium on the Future of Integrated Library Systems
Join us September 13-15, 2007, for an opportunity to listen, learn and talk to nationally-recognized speakers discussing the challenges and changes within the Integrated Library System landscape. Discover the changes that are happening now and why these changes impact how we must plan for the future. Speakers will include:

•Marshall Breeding, Director for Innovative Technologies and Research, Vanderbilt University
•Karen Schneider, author of Free Range Librarian
•Carl Grant, President of CARE Affiliates and previous executive at various ILS companies
•Chip Nilges, OCLC Vice President for New Services
•Representatives from the Georgia Pines Open Source (Evergreen) ILS project
•Kate Sheehan, Library Thing for Libraries, Danbury Public Library (CT) and others.

Attendees may register for any and all of these events:
•The entire Symposium, Thursday-Saturday, all events and meals included
•General Conference, Thursday-Friday afternoon, meals included
•Futures Speaker and Dinner, Frirday evening, meal included
•Trustee/Governing Officials Symposium, Saturday only, meals included

Full information on the conference agenda, costs, hotel information and an online registration form is available at: http://www.lincolntrail.info/ilssymposium2007/intropage.html. Registration deadline is September 6, so register early to guarantee a seat.

News from Vendors
No News from Vendors this week.

Legislative/Advocacy News

Congressional Reception With Don Manzullo - Save the date!
On Tuesday, August 21st, 9 to 10 am, PALS is hosting a meet and greet reception with Congressman Manzullo. The format will be to thank him for LSTA grants with brief comments on what value the grant was able to add to your community. This is also an opportunity for those who did not get a grant to mention what they would have done were more funds available and more grants possible.

For all those who aren’t able to attend ALA’s National Legislative Day in DC, here’s a good opportunity! We’re bringing the congressman here to listen to us and he won’t have as many distractions as in DC.

Effective Advocacy Tips
Wizarding Your Way to Success: Harry Potter's Rules for Effective Advocacy
With permission from Stephanie Vance, Advocacy Associates.
Harry Potter is one of the most effective activists in the world – both wizard and muggle – because he knows how to apply five important advocacy rules. What are they? I’m glad you asked:

Rule Number One: Believe What You’re Doing is Right
In the case of Harry Potter, it’s pretty clear who’s right and who, well, isn’t. The bad guys are called “Death Eaters” for heavens sake. It’s not always so clear in the advocacy world, where groups argue over the benefits of spectrum standard X versus spectrum standard Y. Success comes, even in the case of arcane policy battles, only with a strong belief in the inherent truth of your position. Effective advocacy takes commitment and passion: if you’re not feeling good about your issue, people (and, most important, elected officials) can tell. Apply the “tell it to your mother” rule to advocacy – if you’re too embarrassed to tell your mother what you’re doing, it’s probably not the right cause for you. As with all things, however, you do want to strike a balance. Believe in your position, while knowing that others believe as strongly in theirs. Sure, they are horribly misguided – but they need your help! Be open-minded to the possibility of compromises that may not encompass everything you support, but that move you in the right direction.

Rule Number Two: Have the Proper Allies
Harry Potter doesn’t work alone. He relies on a host of others, including, of course, his good friends Ron and Hermione. Each has special skills they bring to bear in difficult circumstances. For example, situations requiring courage, loyalty and a knowledge of wizard chess fall within Ron’s purview. Hermione often finds herself in charge of research, analytical thinking and “difficult magic.” Harry, of course, takes the lead on all things heroic. Allies and coalitions are essential to any successful advocacy effort. Different groups bring different skills to the table – some may have great mailing lists, others may have good PR connections and still others may have strong connections to unlikely allies (such as lawmakers on the other side of the aisle). Just as Harry Potter recognized the futility of “going it alone,” so, too, should you. Remember: help comes to those who ask.

Rule Number Three: Have the Proper Tools
Nothing gets your message across like a good spell cast from a good wand. Imagine applying the “full body bind” curse to elected officials and have them, literally spell-bound, at your feet listening to every word you have to say. Once I figure that one out, I will definitely make it part of my advocacy training. In the meantime, consider other available tools for grassroots success. You may not have a wand, but you likely have a bunch of other cool stuff. Your computer, for example, can be used to create and deliver action alerts, training materials and discussion forums – like magic. Remember “Dumbledore’s Army” from Book Six? Create your own well-trained, well-equipped “army” of grassroots network members all ready, willing and able to deliver your message at the drop of a hat. What about your board or leadership? How can you utilize their expertise and access to reach out to elected officials in a meaningful way? You wouldn’t face the Dark Lord without a wand, a shield and a whole lot of friends behind you – why would you face Congress without the equivalent grassroots tools?

Rule Number Four: Persistence
J.K. Rowling wrote seven books chronicling seven years in the life of Harry Potter. It takes seven years, on average, for legislation to make it all the way through Congress. Coincidence? I think not. Clearly, the Potter series is intended as a grand allegory for the legislative process. OK, maybe not. But important lessons can be learned from the boy wizard. Did Harry Potter give up after his first six encounters with “He Who Shall Not Be Named?” No he most certainly did not. Now, I cannot say whether he was ultimately successful (again, don’t want to spoil anything). However, I can say that in Books One through Six he certainly persevered through some difficult times – even when he would have much rather handed the mantle of responsibility to someone else. See, it’s easy to persist when things are going well, right? But when you’re up to your elbows in dark lords, misguided ministry of magic employees and disgruntled advocates, life’s a little more difficult. When faced with those difficult times, think of Harry Potter. Unless your advocacy opponents are enormous snakes with venomous fangs, your battle will probably be a little easier.

Rule Number Five: Luck
The success of many wizarding battles, like many advocacy campaigns, often comes down to luck. But the really interesting thing to remember here is that wizards and muggles alike make their own luck. Harry Potter’s luck stemmed from his courage and foresight (and, more often, the foresight of his good friend Hermione, who I want to be when I grow up). In the advocacy arena, luck often centers on an understanding of trends. Is it “lucky” that some groups have had success getting additional funding through emergency appropriations bills? Or did groups create their own luck by reframing their requests as responses to emergency situations? Is it “lucky” that groups supporting healthy eating are gaining more attention in the reauthorization of the Farm Bill? Or did groups create their own luck by noting the connection between healthier eating and healthier bodies? Effective advocates always ask themselves “what steps can I take today to improve my luck?” Those efforts will pay off when dark lords, or committee chairs, come a-calling.

Grant News
No Grant News this week.

Just So You Know

Minimum Wage Posting Requirements for U.S. Employers
The deadline has arrived for most U.S. employers to post the new Federal minimum wage increases that were recently signed into law by President George W. Bush. All workplaces subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act's minimum wage provisions are required by law to display the new rates in a conspicuous location beginning on July 24, 2007 — the date of the first of three incremental increases in the Federal wage standard. The U.S. Department of Labor has created a poster that explains the new minimum wage law to employees. Copies of the poster are available and can be downloaded directly from the Labor Department’s website.

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.