volume #4 issue#40

October 4, 2007

Prairie Views: the newsletter of the Prairie Area Library System

System News

PALS Hospitality at ILA
Attention all those who are attending the Illinois Library Association Conference in Springfield from October 9-12! PALS will have it's annual hospitality event at ILA and here are the details:
Thursday, October 11, 2007
8:00 p.m. to 10:00 pm
Governor Yates room (2nd floor)
President Abraham Lincoln Hotel (formerly Renaissance Hotel - next to the Convention Center)
Light snacks and cash bar
Please drop in to informally network with your fellow PALS colleagues

Library System All Conference Reception at ILA
You are cordially invited to attend the All Conference Reception, held during the Illinois Library Association Annual Conference and hosted by Illinois Library Systems!
What: A reception—we’ll have light refreshments and a DJ!
When: Wednesday, October 10 from 8:00-midnight (During ILA)
Where: President Abraham Lincoln Hotel and Conference Center in the Presidential Ballroom, Springfield, IL
Why: To celebrate System members and to support the Fund for Illinois Libraries

In recent years, use of the Fund for Illinois Libraries, a service for libraries who don’t hold 501(c)(3) status to accept donation from companies that need to donate to 501(c)(3) charitable institutions, has increased dramatically. This has meant greater access to dollars for Illinois libraries. To continue this valuable service, we will be accepting donations at the door for the benefit of the Fund for Illinois Libraries. Special thanks to OCLC, Innovative Interfaces, Inc., and SirsiDynix for their generous financial support for the event.

PALS All-Member Meeting
PALS is premiering the first PALS all-member meeting via neighborhood videoconference. Join us from 9:30-12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 6 to meet some of the PALS staff, get updates on projects including delivery, grants, long-range plan, restructuring the webpage, PALS Day 2008 and other topics. This meeting will be available at all of the 8 neighborhood locations.

Networking within each neighborhood will follow the videoconference where we will discuss topics that pertain specifically to that neighborhood. This is your chance to network with your neighbor libraries and see what's happening in your immediate area. Door prizes consisting of a gift certificate for PALS Day 2008 will be awarded at each location. You must be present to win.
For additional information contact: Judy Hutchinson (ext 3150 or judyh@palsnet.info); Nancy Smith (ext 4466 or nancys@palsnet.info); Dawn DeVenti (ext 4463 or dawnd@palsnet.info); Sandy Ringstrom (ext 2710 or sandyr@palsnet.info)

Please register in CLeO:
Coal Valley Service Center
Elizabeth Campus, Highland Community College
Kankakee Public Library
LaSalle Public Library
Rockford Service Center
Shorewood Service Center
Sterling Public Library
Sycamore Public Library

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

New Continuing Education Courses from PLA! Prepare Yourself for All Aspects of Public Library Management
Registration is now open for: Serving Diverse Populations
Prairie Area Library System, Rockford, Illinois
October 24-25, 2007
Register Online Now!
Equip yourself with the skills and knowledge librarians need to effectively serve diverse populations. At the end of the Serving Diverse Populations workshop, participants will be able to:
* Identify the key issues and challenges of serving diverse populations; assess a library's readiness to serve diverse populations; and apply intercultural communication techniques to the delivery of library services.
* Understand how diversity factors impact the delivery of library services and how cultural differences impact people's perspectives on libraries and library service.
* Develop a culturally responsive library services plan that addresses identified community needs and develop marketing messages that connect with diverse populations.

Click here for a full class description and instructor bio.

Course Fee: $250 for PLA members and partners; $300 for ALA members; $400 for non-members

Metropolitan Library System CE Event: The Visual Scan and the Design of Future Oriented Libraries
Have you seen the latest Cohen brothers production? These Cohens are a team: one is an architect, and the other is a librarian. Together, they can help you provide the greatest service from the least square footage. To reserve your space, register NOW!
Title: The Visual Scan and the Design of Future Oriented Libraries (#2479)
Date: Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Time: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Cost: $75
CPDU Credit: No
Description: lunch: on your own ================
Location: Tinley Park Public Library, 7851 Timber Drive Tinley Park, IL 60477

Member News

Our condolences
to Lori Howard from the East Moline Public Library, on the death of her father, William Layman, this week. Our thoughts and prayers are with Lori and her family at this difficult time.

Missing Books - 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.

Discards to offer to other PALS libraries
Davenport Public Library has the following items to give away:
2005 Scott Standard Postal Stamp Catalogue Vols. 1-6, plus “Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps and covers”
Book Review Digest 1905-2006
1931 includes Cumulated Index 1927-1931
1936 includes Cumulated Index 1932-1936
1941 includes Cumulated Index 1937-1941
1946 includes Cumulated Index 1942-1961
1951 includes Cumulated Index 1947-1951
1956 includes Cumulated Index 1952-1956
1961 includes Cumulated Index 1957-1961
Separate volumes for Cumulated Index 1962-1966 and 1967-1971
Author Title Index 1905-1974 Vols. 1-4

Must make arrangements to pick up cannot be sent on the delivery.

If interested contact:
Cristina Amador Perez
Phone: (563) 888-3375
Email: camador-perez@davenportlibrary.com

Free Fax Cartridges
Three Brother PC 301 RF Cartridges. Compatible with Brother Intellifax 750. 770. 785. 870. 870MC. 885MC
These were purchased through Paradise Distribution and have worked well for us but the fax machine quit working before I could use this year's supply.

If interested contact:
Barb Proeger
Phone: 309-659-2339 x 2416
Email: bproeger@erie1.net

Saint Ambrose Library
is offering the following items for free:
* Date Due slips, gummed, 4 column (from Demco); approx. 1200
* Catholic World (on microfilm): v. 182 (October 1955) – v. 213 (Sept. 1971)

Must make arrangements to pick up the Catholic World this cannot be sent on the delivery.

If interested contact:
Cassie Moon
Phone: 563-333-6244
Email: mooncassandra@sau.edu

Basement Cleanup Giveaway
Here is a list of items we would like to give away, at the Three Rivers Library in Minooka (TMBB)

If interested contact :
Michele Houchens
Phone: (815)467-1600 ext 207
Email: mhouchens@three-rivers-library.org

New Lenox Public Library
is offering Book Review Index, 1990 - 2007. If interested contact: Linda McNicholas, lmcnicholas@newlenoxlibrary.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.

Adult Services Manager
Bettendorf Public Library Information Center
Innovative, proactive and experienced librarian sought for Adult Services Manager at Bettendorf Public Library Information Center (www.bettendorflibrary.com). MLS in Library Science and 3 years supervisory experience in a public library, or equivalent, required. Supervises Information and Adult Services including selection, programming, reference, web site, public computers, ICN, patron training, volunteers and outreach. Adult Services staff has 2.78 FTE and Information Services has 3.46 FTE.

Send cover letter, resume, city application and references to:

Human Resources Director
1609 State Street
Bettendorf,Iowa, 52722

Application available at www.bettendorf.org Close October 12 at 4:00 p.m.

Short Term Substitute Staffing
Are you a librarian who wants to make a few extra dollars? The Des Plaines Valley Public Library District, with locations in Lockport and Crest Hill, Illinois, is seeking librarians with professional ethics and strong public service skills to serve as short term substitute staffing at our public services desks. Ideal applicants will live or work in the area and be available to fill in when regular District staff shortages will leave our desks under-staffed (vacations, conferences, sick days, etc). Substitute librarians will be expected to provide a diverse range of general library help desk services to all ages. These services will include answering reference questions, instructing patrons in the use of electronic and print resources, and at times acting as the librarian in charge of the building.
* Minimum qualifications: MLS from an ALA-accredited graduate program and reasonable availability to work occasional nights and or weekends. Applicant should have strong computer skills, including Internet and the use of online databases, as well as the ability to learn the basics of the Sirsi/Workflows automation system. Applicant will also be required to travel between our two facilities, as needed.
* Salary range begins at $15.31 per hour and increases commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Application Procedure: Interested parties should submit their resume to Scott Pointon via e-mail at spointon@dpvlib.org ; via fax at (815) 838-9131 or via mail to:

Scott Pointon
Des Plaines Valley Public Library District
121 E. 8th Street
Lockport, IL 60441

The Des Plaines Valley Public Library District is an equal opportunity employer. Visit our website at www.dpvlib.org to learn more about our District.

Librarian
Kaplan University is seeking a librarian to join our team. Consideration will be given to applicants seeking part-time or fulltime employment. Duties will include reference and instructional support, assistance with electronic resources, supervision of student work- study staff, and administration of the textbook program.
* Minimum qualifications: M.L.S. from an ALA accredited program; demonstrated experience using a variety of online and print resources. Previous supervisory experience a plus. Hours will include occasional Saturday and evening hours. Competitive salary and benefits. Kaplan University is owned by Kaplan, Inc., a subsidiary of The Washington Post.

Send resume and letter to:
Connie Bonne
Kaplan University
1801 East Kimberly Road
Davenport, IA 52807
cbonne@kucampus.edu
fax: 563-355-1320

Reference and ILL News

The ILLINET Interlibrary Loan Code Has Been Revised
Until November 2, 2007, public comments to this draft document are being accepted. The draft revision of the ILLINET Interlibrary Loan Code is located at http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/who_we_are/illinet.html. Members of the library community are strongly encouraged to peruse the draft revision of the ILLINET Interlibrary Loan Code and make comments. The ILLINET Interlibrary Loan Code will be presented to the Illinois State Library Advisory Committee during their December 2007 meeting for final adoption. Please direct comments to Gwen Harrison at gharrison@ilsos.net.

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

Public Library News

PLA and 3M to hold Leadership Institute at 2008 conference
(PLA, CHICAGO) – The Public Library Association (PLA) and 3M, a PLA Partner, will be offering a special daylong preconference focused on developing leaders and creating transformational change agents within the library profession. Participants will learn how to set a change strategy, how to handle various challenges and what innovations can be most productive in implementing, driving and defining change. The preconference will be held on Tuesday, March 25, preceding PLA 2008, PLA’s 12th National Conference in Minneapolis. “We are looking for strong leaders who are intent on making a difference to the profession and in leading their organization to its highest performance level,” said Jan Sanders, 2008 PLA president and director of the Pasadena Public Library. “This is going to be a very exciting time.” Costs to attend the Leadership Institute are covered by 3M, including registration fees for the day, conference supplies, transportation from the Minneapolis Convention Center to 3M’s “Innovation Center,” lunch, snacks and an evening reception. PLA 2008 registration costs and travel expenses, such as airfare and hotel rooms, will not be covered by 3M and are the responsibility of the participant.

A limited number of participants will be selected to attend the Leadership Institute. Applicants must be PLA members registered for the 2008 National Conference, and have at least five years of experience at a supervisory and decision-making level within their organization. Participants must submit a 250-words-or-less essay on a substantial change to be made, their role as change agent and the effect that this change would produce for their library. An online application form is available at www.pla.org. The deadline for applications is November 1, 2007. Candidates will be selected by PLA leadership and are not the responsibility of the sponsors 3M. Applicants will be notified by the end of November.

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
No E-Rate Corner this week.

Library News Around the State & Nation

Illinois Newspaper Project
The Illinois Newspaper Project would like to re-introduce their INP project because it's been 20 years since its inception. The INP, based at the U of I at Urbana-Champaign, is part of the U.S. Newspaper Program, a cooperative effort between the states and the feds designed to identify, catalog, and preserve on microfilm the nation's historic newspaper heritage. The INP team travels throughout Illinois inventorying and cataloging collections held by libraries and other repositories, private organizations, publishers, and individuals. Newspapers that have not already been preserved on microfim are considered for filming in order to create a permanent record of this vanishing material. The goal of the project is to facilitate access to Illinois newspapers. They host a web-based searchable database of all newspapers discovered and preserved through the project.
This is a free resource that includes valuable information about Illinois newspapers! You can view an informational flyer about the INP at http://www.library.uiuc.edu/inp/docs/inp_flyer.pdf. If you have Illinois newsapers that are not included in their database or if your institution has not been visited by the INP, please contact them for inclusion in the project.
The contact information is 217-265-8192 or email inpmail@library.uiuc.edu.

WebJunction Illinois Ribbon Cutting
One of the many activities that will be taking place at ILA next week is the grand ribbon cutting for WebJunction Illinois. This historic event will be held on October 11 at 10:30 a.m. at the ISL booth (130) in the Exhibit hall. Anne Craig, Director of the Illinois State Library, along with a number of other Illinois library representatives will be doing the cutting, and Anne will speak a few words.
Here is a brief list of other WJ-IL related activities at ILA.
* ISL Reception (at the ISL) 6:00 - 7:00 pm Wednesday (We will be located at the guards desk in the atrium with a banner, invites for the ribbon cutting, and pictures from the Illinois Libraries Group photo account. We will also be taking pictures of anyone who wants to pose with the WebJunction "Library Gal" (come and find out).
* ILSDO Reception (Ballroom of the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel and Conference Center) 8:00 pm - We have a table for WJ-IL where we will have general information flyers, invitations to the ribbon cutting, etc.
* Presentation - E-Learning on WebJunction/Live Online Web Events for Libraries and Library Users - 9:00 am (Room B-11AB) - Lisa Wozniak of WebJunction will join Lisa Barnhart and Dawne Tortorella to present information on the learning opportunities on WJ-IL.
You will be hearing more about WJ-IL as the year progresses.

News from Vendors
No News from Vendors this week.

Legislative/Advocacy News

ILA Encourages 2007 ILA Annual Conference Attendees to See Their State Elected Officials in Springfield
This year's conference presents a unique opportunity for attendees and exhibitors to talk to their state elected officials about funding issues. Both the Illinois Senate and Illinois House of Representatives will be in session 10-12 October. This is your time to present the Illinois library community's talking points regarding the state's budget tailored to your community. If your member project was vetoed, you should mention the importance of those funds for your library. If you cannot attend the conference, then call your state elected official!

OVERRIDE the governor's veto of House Bill (HB) 3866, the "State Budget." For the first time in twelve years, the Illinois General Assembly approved full funding for public library per capita grants. The state is obligated to provide funding to public libraries through grants equaling $1.25 per resident served. HB 3866 included an appropriation sufficient to meet the state's obligation to provide funding to public libraries. However, the governor's veto of HB 3866 reduced the per capita grants by one million dollars. This reduction is a budget cut affecting every one of the 633 public libraries in the state. The governor also vetoed many individual library projects, as well as funds for important healthcare information and electronic databases in Illinois public schools. The Illinois House overrode the governor's veto on October 2. Thank your Representative. Talk to your Senator.

OVERRIDE the governor's veto of Senate Bill (SB) 186, Working Cash Funds. SB 186 passed the Illinois Senate unanimously and passed the Illinois House of Representatives 113 to 2. SB 186 enjoys broad bipartisan support. It addresses the management of public library district working cash funds by adopting provisions consistent with other units of local government, such as park districts and schools. The Illinois Senate overrode the governor's veto on October 2. Thank your Senator. Talk to your Representative.

OVERRIDE the governor's veto of House Bill (HB) 664, commonly known as the 7 percent assessment cap legislation. ILA opposed HB 664 in the form it passed the Illinois General Assembly because it adversely affected the property tax base for local governments. However, the governor's veto has now caused a delay in issuing Cook County property tax bills. Until this issue is resolved, Cook County public libraries will not receive desperately needed property tax revenues. Therefore, the Illinois General Assembly should override the governor's veto and quickly resolve the issue. The Illinois House overrode the governor's veto on October 3. Thank your Representative. Talk to your Senator.

Both chambers need to override the governor's veto for the three above-mentioned bills to become law. The attached palm card will be distributed to all attendees at the 2007 ILA Annual Conference.

Grant News

We the People Bookshelf program
The National Endowment for the Humanities in cooperation with the American Library Association is sponsoring the fifth "We the People" Bookshelf program. Three thousand libraries will receive a set of classic books for young readers related to the theme "Created Equal." The Created Equal Bookshelf provides opportunities for young people to explore the meaning of this phrase that helped inspire a revolution. Any public library or K-12 school library in the U.S. can apply. School libraries include public, private, parochial, charter schools, and home school consortia. Participating libraries must plan programs that introduce the Created Equal books to students, young patrons, or to intergenerational audiences. Programs should be scheduled between May 1, 2008 and April 30, 2009. Libraries may collaborate with other non-library organizations to develop local history displays, intergenerational story hours, living history presentations, or public events on the idea of humal equality and its significance in American history and culture. Online applications for "We the People" on Created Equal are being accepted until January 25, 2008.
Go to www.ala.org/wethepeople for online application and guidelines.

Deadline Extended for National Library Week Grant
U.S. libraries of all types encouraged to apply for $5,000 to support National Library Week activities.
(ALA, CHICAGO) The deadline for the Scholastic Library Publishing National Library Week grant has been extended to Monday, October 15, 2007. U.S. libraries of all types are invited to apply for the $5,000 grant that will recognize the best public awareness campaign during National Library Week (April 13-19, 2008) that promotes the theme, "Join the circle of knowledge @ your library." An application form and guidelines are available on The Campaign for Americas Libraries Web site. All proposals must use the Join the circle of knowledge @ your library theme, which incorporates The Campaign for America's Libraries @ your library brand, on any and all promotional and publicity material supporting National Library Week activities. Guidelines for using the brand are available on the campaign Web site at http://www.ala.org/@yourlibrary under the download logos section.

The grant is sponsored by Scholastic Library Publishing, a division of Scholastic, the global children's publishing, education and media company, and is administered by the Public Awareness Committee of the American Library Association (ALA). Information is also available from the ALA Public Information Office. Telephone: 800-545-2433, ext. 2148. E-mail: mmcfarlane@ala.org. The winner will be notified and announced following the 2008 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia. Information on last years winner, the Minoa Elementary School in Minoa, N.Y., and the winning application can be viewed at www.ala.org/@yourlibrary/nlwgrant. For more information about The Campaign for Americas Libraries, visit www.ala.org/@yourlibrary.

New Books at PALS

New book at CVSG:
101 sample write-ups for documenting employee performance problems : a guide to progressive discipline & termination.
Falcone, Paul. American Management Association, c1999.
Prof. Coll. 658.313 Fal.

Libraries Prosper with Passion, Purpose and Persuasion!
A PLA Toolkit for Success ALA 2007. 021.7/LIB/CD-ROM
This Advocacy tool was added to the PALS Professional Collection at the request of some member libraries. In loose leaf format with an accompanying CR-Rom, it is divided into 4 sections—Advocacy Basics, Advocacy Planning, Advocacy in Action, and Advocacy Resources. Billing itself as a “road map for effective library advocacy in your community,” this publication is designed to step by step help a library create a plan of action. It includes templates of handouts and examples of letters, even a community survey. There is also a section of “Fast Facts” which includes statistics based on data from as current as 2006 and it is complete with citations. Florida’s state report showing that public libraries returned $6.54 for every tax dollar invested is included. The “how tos” include writing letters to the editor, preparing testimony for public hearings, and grassroots advocacy.

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

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.