volume #4 issue#31

August 2, 2007

Prairie Views: the newsletter of the Prairie Area Library System

System News

FY2008 PALS Librarian's Advisory Committee Announced
Congratulations to the following members who have won election or been appointed to the PALS Librarian's Advisory Committee (LAC). PALS staff looks forward to a great year of activity with your assistance, input and direction.

Elected Committee members are:
Coal Valley: Ava Ketter, Rock Island Public Library, July 1, 2006 - June 30, 2008
Freeport: Marsha Holden, Freeport Public Library, July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2009
Kankakee: Cindy Fuerst, Kankakee Public Library, July 1, 2006 - June 30, 2008
LaSalle: Laura Frizol, LaSalle Public Library, July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2009
Rockford: Amy Li, Rockford Memorial Hospital, July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2009 (Special Library)
Shorewood: Jim Johnston, Joliet Public Library, July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2009
Sterling: Gail Wright, Prophetstown-Lyndon-Tampico Schools, July 1, 2006 - June 30, 2008 (School Library)
Sycamore: Dee Coover, DeKalb Public Library, July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2009

Appointments for June 30, 2007 – July 31, 2008 (LAC by-laws call for the Executive Director to make appointments that will balance the committee’s representation for geography and library type. Several more appointments can be expected.):
Coal Valley: LaWanda Roudebush, Davenport Public Library
Freeport: Susi Ludwig-Ruppert, Galena Public Library District
Kankakee: Diane Fox, Olivet Navarene University
Shorewood: Scott Pointon, Des Plaines Valley Public Library District and Marianne Thompson, Fountaindale Public Library District
Sterling: Jennifer Slaney, Sterling Public Library
Sycamore: Barb Coward, Cortland Public Library and Cynthia Cole, Nippersink Public Library District

Tentative Meetings:
Organizational meeting: Face to Face - 10 am - 3 pm - Friday, September 7, 2006, LaSalle Public Library
Two way video - 9 am - 12 am, Friday, November 9
Two way video - 9 am - 12 am, Friday, January 11
Two way video - 9 am - 12 am, Friday, March 14
Final Meeting: Face to face - 10 am - 3 pm, Friday, June 13, LaSalle Public Library

Watch for more information about meetings as they are finalized.

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.

Discount on Playaway Digital Audiobooks
Findaway World is offering PALS members a discount on Playaway digital audiobooks. These are self-contained players which are pre-loaded with a single book, and Playaway's library program offers circulation-friendly packaging. For details, see the Vendor Discounts page of the PALS website, and sign in with your CLeO login.

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
The University of Wisconsin/Madison has recently issued their Fall 2007 Continuing Education Series. Several of the classes are online, some on-site in Madison, or you can register for "Books & Beauty in Western Ireland: A Librarians' Trip scheduled in February/March. For details go to http://www.slis.wisc.edu/continueed.

Is there a Referendum in your Public Library's future?
Even if that future seems far away, take advantage of this PALS series of presentations to learn which factors to consider in making the decision, what steps--legal and otherwise--to take, and how other libraries have fared at the ballot box. The series will open with a presentation by Shawnee Library System Director, Joe Harris, highlighting the considerations involved in the decision to ask your citizens to vote for either a tax increase, a building bond, or an expansion of territory.
*Thursday, August 9th presentation will be via OPAL--an on-line platform--so you can attend at your computer.
*On Thursday, August 16th, Attorney Phil Lenzini will discuss the legal considerations and steps involved. Because of the different ways of handling this for a tax-capped and a non tax-capped area, he will address each in separate OPAL presentations.
*Tara Griffin of the Harris Bank NA will be sharing tips and techniques learned in her experience working with libraries on building and tax referenda on Thursday, August 23rd. Tara's presentation will be via videoconference. Rounding out the series will be a panel discussion by PALS member librarians whose libraries have had a referendum. They'll share their experiences and talk about what worked and what didn't in their own case.
This program will be available by videoconference on the afternoon following the Public Libraries Fall Meeting on Tuesday, September 25th. To find out more information and to register, go to http://palsnet.info/events.
For additional information, contact Nancy Smith (nancys@palsnet.info or x4466)or Sandy Ringstrom (sandyr@palsnet.info or x2710)

Member News

Grand Opening
You are invited to attend the Grand Opening and Dedication of the Winifred Knox Memorial Library Building on Sunday, August 5 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. 112 S. Elm St. Franklin Grove, IL 61031

Closed
The Plano Community Library District (PDBB) will be closed on Friday, August 10th for staff training.

Bettendorf Library Will Close August 20th Through September 3rd
The Bettendorf Public Library Information Center will be closed August 20 through September 3. The library will install new carpeting and paint walls. Those of you that want to watch our progress can go the our “Carpeting blog” at http://www.bettendorflibrary.com/blog/

Davenport's Main Library Closing for Renovations
The Davenport Public Library Main Street location (321 Main Street) will be closed Tuesday, September 4, through Sunday, September 23, for a large-scale renovation project.

Ouch!
As some of you may already know, Flagg-Rochelle library director Barbara Kopplin suffered a broken leg in a recent fall. Barb is going to be at East Bank Center (Rm 103)
6131 Park Ridge Rd.
Loves Park, IL for a few weeks. It occurred to us that she might enjoy hearing from some of her colleagues while she’s laid up.

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.

Please check around your library for this item (belongs to Highland Community College (HCCY)). It has been in transit since May 7th. "Google and the Myth of Universal Knowledge: a view from Europe" by Jean Noel Jeanneney call number is ZA 4234.G64 J431

Intransit from: LNLY to BYLY - Host Flash Club strikes again by Thayer
Intransit to: PTWB from BYLY – The many by Holly Peterson PALS Final gifts: understanding the special awreness, needs and communications of the dying (Large print) HCCY
The assassin by Andrew Briton (book on CD)

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.

C.R. Hanna School
Software for Apple lle, PowerMac, and iMac. See list for details. The software is free to a library or other non-profit organization. Recipient would just need to pay for shipping if applicable.

If interested contact:
Donna Begley
C.R. Hanna School in Orion at dbegley@frontiernet.net.

Davenport Public Library
has the following types of A/V cases to give away:
16- double video cases
5 - 1 video and a book cases
3 - 4 video cases
103 - 2 Cassette cases
99 - 4 Cassette cases
76 - 6 Cassette cases
17 - 8 Cassette cases
4 - 12 Cassette cases
2 - 16 Cassette cases
2 - 18 Cassette cases
48 - 1 Cassette & Sm Book cases
5 - 4 Cassette & Book cases
3 - 2 Cassette & Lg Book cases

If interested, contact:
Brenda Ross
Phone : 563-328-6835
E-mail : bross@davenportlibrary.com

Fabricators & Manufacturers Assoc.
has the following items to give away:
*On the One Hand: The Economist's Joke Book by Jeff Thredgold
*VHS/literature cases. New. Hold single VHS tape and single accompanying literature. No strap. Outside dimensions: 12 1/2" H x 10" W x 2"D. White.

If interested, contact D'Ann Hamilton [815-399-8700] or dannh@fmanet.org.

Illinois Valley Community College
attached a list of giveaways from IVCC.

If interested contact:
James E. Barnes
Phone: 815 224-0204
E-mail: James_Barnes@ivcc.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.

Library Director
City of Bettendorf Public Library seeks seasoned and dynamic Library Director who has the experience to continue the vision of the library. Appropriate candidates will have had prior success working with library personnel and community leaders; budget; public relations; fundraising; short and long term planning; and excellent verbal and written communication skills. The City of Bettendorf (population 32,000) is part of the Quad Cities which consists of Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa; Rock Island, Moline and East Moline, Illinois. Bettendorf is approximately 2 hours East of Des Moines, Iowa and 2 hours West of Chicago, Illinois. The Bettendorf Public Library Information Center (www.bettendorflibrary.com ) strives to be the recognized source of knowledge and information, the place to gather and discuss, the encourager of reading, and the leader in cooperation with the city, schools and organizations. The Bettendorf Public Library provides Children, Teen and Adult Services where all have a place to fulfill their needs to meet and interact with others in the community, to view performances and exhibits that increase awareness of the arts and culture or our area and the world; and to participate in discourse about community issues.
* Requirements: 5-7 years of progressively more responsible work experience including a minimum of 5 years of public library administrative experience at the department head level, and supervision; an accredited master’s degree.
* (See website at http://www.bettendorf.org for complete job description, residency requirement and additional information). Compensation pay range is $61,551.18 to $94,788.92.

To Apply: Please send cover letter, resume and salary requirements by October 5 to:
Kathleen Eisbrener
City of Bettendorf
1609 State Street
Bettendorf, IA 52722.
You may also respond by email to keisbrener@bettendorf.org or fax to 563-344-5702.

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

Circulation Supervisor
Algonquin Area Public Library District - Main Library.
The Circulation Supervisor assists in overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Algonquin Area Public Library District's Circulation Department. The Circulation Supervisor has direct supervision responsibilities of departmental personnel and helps ensure the delivery of the highest level of customer service.
* Requirements LTA or 5 years public library experience and at least three years experience in Circulation. Full-Time. Includes evening and weekend hours.
* Salary: $12.50 - $21.65 per hour (Depends on Qualifications).

To apply, send cover letter resume and application:
Gary Christopherson
Head of Circulation Services
Algonquin Area Public Library District
2600 Harnish Dr.
Algonquin, IL 60102
Email to: gchristopherson@aapld.org
Fax to: 847-458-9370

Head of Youth Services.
The New Lenox Public Library is seeking a creative and energetic person to join our service-oriented team.
* Requirements: ALA/MLS; enthusiastic about library services for children and their care-givers; good management skills and experience; familiar with fiction and non-fiction literature for children; familiar with reference sources in all formats; ability to work some evenings and alternate weekends; proficiency with computers, especially with MS software and library applications. Supervise 6 staff members, provide reference and reader's advisory, supervise and participate in program planning and presentation, collection development.
* Salary starts at $42,000 DOQ. Position available Sept. 1, but will remain open until a qualified candidate is located. Benefits include 20 paid vacation days per year, IMRF, health and dental insurance.

Send letter of application, resume, and 3 professional references to:
JoAnn Potenziani
Director
New Lenox Public Library District
120 Veterans Pkwy.
New Lenox, Illinois 60451
or to jpotenziani@newlenoxlibrary.org.
EEOC employer. Visit our website at http://www.newlenoxlibrary.org.

Youth Services Assistant
The Shorewood-Troy Public Library seeks an enthusiastic, organized and creative individual for the part-time position of Youth Services Assistant. The ideal candidate will be able to plan and implement programming for children and families. These programs include storytime, craft preparation, summer reading program and other programs and events as needed. Must be flexible, have good communication skills, attention to details and ability to work as part of a team. Work experience with children and prior public library experience highly preferred.
* Starting salary: $8.28/hur. Starting Date: Mid-August 2007.

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

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

Youth Services and School Library News

IREAD News
Vince Sovanski, the 2009 IREAD Chair, and the IREAD Committee are pleased to announce: “Read on the Wild Side” as the 2009 reading theme. The committee encourages library staff to interpret this theme as best suits their own community. Safari, zoo or wild animals will mostly likely be represented on the poster, in the graphics and on the products. Jill Thompson, illustrator of the “Scary Godmother” book series and Illinois resident, will be the illustrator for this poster. Also, the committee was contacted by the Abraham Lincoln Library in Springfield, to remind us that 2009 was the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth and the committee was asked if our theme could be connected to this event. Hopefully, we can have suggested tie-ins to Lincoln in the 2009 IREAD Resource Guide. You may wish to encourage libraries in your area to tie-in how “wild” Illinois (as a state) was when Lincoln moved here in 1830. Since we now create a teen component to our reading theme, the committee felt that “Read on the Wild Side” could emphasize the confidence, independence and freedom of teens as they are becoming young adults. This most likely will be graphically represented in poster art, by Illinois graphic artist Gene Ha, showing a vehicle displaying a large bumper sticker announcing: “Read on the Wild Side”. Hopefully this theme will have a great cross generational appeal, especially for those libraries that now do a family summer reading club.

Lori Craft, the 2008 Chair, announced that IREAD 2008 Resource Guides for “Get In the Game, READ!” will be available for purchase at the IREAD booth at the Annual ILA Conference in Springfield this October. Also, she hopes that you will all join us for the new IREAD Showcase/Brainstorming Event to be held from 11 am – 12:30 pm (the ILA preliminary conference booklet indicates the time incorrectly as 11:30 – 12:30 am) on Thursday, October 11, 2007 at the conference.

Jason Stuhlmann, the 2010 Chair, is looking for a great reading theme for the 2010 campaign. Ideas can be submitted online, by clicking on the IREAD button (on the left side of the ILA website) and filling out and submitting an online brainstorming form. The deadline for online submissions is October 5, 2007. If you have any questions Jason can be reached at his email address; jstulmann@elmwoodparklibrary.org

Have a great summer and remember: buying IREAD products supports ILA!

KIDS COUNT Data Available Online
The Annie E. Casey Foundation’s 2007 KIDS COUNT Data Book is available online at www.aecf.org/upload/PublicationFiles/databook_2007.pdf. It contains measures of child well-being profiled by state. Nationwide data in included on factors such as percentage of low-birth babies, infant mortality rate, child death rate, teen birth rate, percentage of teen high school dropouts, percentage of children in poverty, and percentage of children in single parent families. Illinois data begins on page 86.

National Storytelling Festival—Ride in Luxury!
In two months the motorcoach will leave for the National Storytelling Festival. Will you be there? Everyone needs more stories and this is the a wonderful way to enjoy the festival - all the details are taken care of - you just sit back and listen.
Join McHenry Storytelling Guild on the 25th trip to Jonesborough, Tennessee. Details attached.

Public Library News

Is There a Referendum in Your Public Library's Future?
Even if that future seems far away, take advantage of this PALS series of presentations to learn which factors to consider in making the decision, what steps--legal and otherwise--to take, and how other libraries have fared at the ballot box.

The series will open with a presentation by Shawnee Library System Director, Joe Harris, highlighting the considerations involved in the decision to ask your citizens to vote for either a tax increase, a building bond, or an expansion of territory. This Thursday, August 9th presentation will be via OPAL--an on-line platform--so you can attend at your computer.

On Thursday, August 16th, Attorney Phil Lenzini will discuss the legal considerations and steps involved. Because of the different ways of handling this for a tax-capped and a non tax-capped area, he will address each in separate OPAL presentations.

Tara Griffin of the Harris Bank NA will be sharing tips and techniques learned in her experience working with libraries on building and tax referenda on Thursday, August 23rd. Tara's presentation will be via videoconference.

Rounding out the series will be a panel discussion by PALS member librarians whose libraries have had a referendum. They'll share their experiences and talk about what worked and what didn't in their own case. This program will be available by videoconference on the afternoon following the Public Libraries Fall Meeting on Tuesday, September 25th.

To find out more information and to register, go to CLeO. For additional information, contact Nancy Smith (nancys@palsnet.info or x4466)or Sandy Ringstrom (sandyr@palsnet.info or x2710)

Disaster Planning Workshop on August 9th
Public libraries still working on meeting the Disaster Plan requirement for the upcoming Per Capita application will want to attend Dianne Harmon’s August 9th presentation on that subject. Dianne speaks from her own experience with a disaster—the Joliet Public Library fire—and from managing two LSTA grants that dealt with community disaster preparedness. This program is available via videoconference at the Coal Valley, Rockford and Shorewood Service Centers and at the LaSalle Public Library. For more information and to register, go to CLeO.


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.

E-Rate Corner

This week I want to share a couple of websites that contain very useful information regarding the E-Rate process.
The Illinois E-Rate Web page is: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/what_we_do/erate.html

The link for the Free or Reduced Lunch program data is: http://www.isbe.net/nutrition/htmls/eligibility_listings.htm

In the last Schools and Libraries News Brief, there is information about USAC training October 9 and 10. They have a special session for those of you who are new to the E-Rate procedures.
The information for the Midwest session is online at
http://www.usac.org/sl/about/training-presentations/training-2007/fall/midwest-training-2007.aspx

That’s all for this week. Be sure to direct you E-Rate questions to Marilyn 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

Veterans Oral History Project
The Illinois State Library is proud to be collaborating with the Mid Illinois Talking Book Center on a special event that will allow librarians to learn about preserving the histories of the brave men and women who have served our country. "A Salute to Veterans" will be held at Alliance Library System in East Peoria from 9am-3pm on September 19, 2007. Colonel Robert Patrick (Ret.), director of the Veterans History Project in the Library of Congress, will be keynote speaker. Other speakers will provide information on how librarians can collect oral histories from their local veterans. A take home toolkit will allow participants to involve their community in preserving the stories of veterans. The event marks the kickoff of a new phase of Secretary of State Jesse White's Illinois Veterans History Project. Until now, veterans, their loved ones and families have been asked to fill out a written form and submit it to the Illinois State Archives. The next phase of the effort will involve collecting oral histories and placing them in the Illinois Digital Archives. Registration is available now for all libraries at the Alliance Library System website. This is going to be a terrific day!

Letters About Literature Prize Changes
Each year the Illinois State Library, the Illinois Center for the Book and Target Stores are pleased to be involved in Letters About Literature, the hugely popular reading and writing competition for elementary and high school students. Students read a book and write a personal letter to the author explaining how the book changed his/her perception of the world. While Letters About Literature informational packs will not be mailed until early September, some changes have been implemented this year that could affect the libraries and communities of the national winners of Letters About Literature.

Starting this year for the 2008 Letters About Literature promotion, each of the six national winners will receive a $10,000 grant for their school or community library for reading promotion for children and young adults. Also new this year is the addition of 12 national honorable mentions. Each national honorable mention will receive a $1,000 grant for reading promotion for their community or school library.

In Letters About Literature, there are three levels of participation - Level I for grades 4, 5 & 6, Level II for grades 7 & 8 and Level III for grades 9 - 12. Each participating state will select a winning letter for each competition level. The winners of each state will receive a $50 gift card from Target and other prizes from the Illinois Center for the Book as well as go on to the national judging where two national winners and four national honorable mentions will be selected for each competition level. Along with receiving a grant for the community or school library, the national winners will also receive a $500 gift card from Target and the national honorable mentions will receive a $100 gift card.

The deadline to enter the 2008 Letters About Literature competition is December 14, 2007. State winners will be announced in March 2008 and national winners will be announced in May 2008. If you would like your library to be added to the mailing list or have questions about Letters About Literature, please contact Bonnie Matheis, Coordinator of the Illinois Center for the Book, at bmatheis@ilsos.net or 217-558-2065.

Adult Learning Hotline
The Illinois Adult Learning Hotline (1-800-321-9511) is a grant funded project of Secretary of State Jesse White and the Illinois State Library that gives Illinois citizens one telephone number they can call to find a program to improve their reading, learn English or volunteer to help someone else learn to read or speak English. Operators are available who speak English, Spanish and Polish. In FY2007, 1,742 prospective students called this number and were referred to adult education programs, while 54 potential volunteers called and were referred. This year the Adult Learning Resource Center, which receives the hotline funding embarked on a program to attract more volunteers to programs. A survey showed that many programs needed volunteers, so five flyers were developed for volunteer recruitment aimed at different audiences. 1,086 flyers were ordered and many more were downloaded and printed directly from the web site provided. The Hotline saw a 42% increase in calls following the distribution of these flyers. View the flyers at http://www.thecenterweb.org/alrc/hotline.html.

Diversity Fair
The Second Annual Diversity Fair, sponsored by DEMCO and the Illinois Library Systems Directors Organization, will be held on Thursday, October 11 from 2:00-3:30 during the Illinois Library Association 2007 Annual Conference in Springfield. The Diversity Fair is a chance for conference participants to learn about programs and initiatives around the state that address diverse user populations. Participants in the Fair will be provided with space for a poster or table-top display and will have the chance to interact with conference goers to explain more about their projects. To register for the event, please take a few moments to complete the brief submission form.

News from Vendors
No News from Vendors this week.

Legislative/Advocacy News

WANTED: Board Members, Friends, Staff and Librarians in the 16th Congressional District
An informal meet & greet with Congressman Donald Manzullo on Tuesday, August 21, 9 to 10 am at the Cherry Valley PLD. Attendance is especially requested of those who’ve received LSTA grants in the last years. Please use this opportunity to thank the congressman for supporting LSTA funding and mention how not only your library benefited from the grant, but how it also added to making your community a better place to live. Those who’ve not received LSTA grants but wish they had, should take advantage of this opportunity to request increased LSTA funding. This has been on the top three list of issues every year at ALA’s National Legislative Day. Here’s an opportunity to mention the need without incurring the cost of a flight to DC and “bargain” room rates of $200+ for each night’s lodging in DC and needing to miss several busy days out of your library. Bring along your business cards, library promotional material and any brochures that you have on events at your library. Please register on CLEO. Following the meet & greet, you’re invited to stay for the PALS board meeting at the same location.

No-Smoking Legislation
Governor Blagojevich signed landmark legislation last week that will prohibit smoking in almost all public places in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Public Health has a fact sheet with frequently asked questions about the new law.

Grant News

Book Donations to Literacy Programs in Small and Rural Low-Income Communities
The Pathways Within Roads to Reading Initiative donates books to literacy programs in small and rural low-income communities. Maximum Award: 200 books appropriate for readers age 0 to young adult; English only. Eligibility: 501(c)(3) organizations that run school, after-school, summer, community, day-care, and library reading and literacy programs; must have an annual operating budget of less than $95,000 (schools and libraries are exempt from this budget requirement) be located in an underserved community with a population of less than 50,000.
Deadline: October 15, 2007. http://pwirtr.org/biannual.html

Best Buy Teach Awards
Best Buy is offering awards in which schools receive gift cards ranging from $2,000-$100,000. K-12 public, private, and parochial schools using interactive technology in their classrooms are eligible. Schools must be within 50 miles of the nearest Best Buy store. Applications are due 9/30/07. See www.bbycommunications.com/cr/teach.asp for details.

Barbara Bush Foundation
Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy has announced its 2008 national grant competition. The program seeks to develop or expand projects that are designed to support the development of literacy skills for adult primary caregivers and their children. The maximum grant request is $65,000 and the deadline for application is 9/7/07. See www.barbarabushfoundation.com/nga.html for details.

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.