volume #4 issue#46

November 15, 2007

Prairie Views: the newsletter of the Prairie Area Library System

System News

No Prairie Views Next Week
Prairie Views will not be published next week due to the Thanksgiving holiday. The next issue will be published on November 29.

PALS Holiday Closing
The three PALS service centers will be closed on Thursday, November 22 and Friday, November 23, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. There will be limited delivery routes run on Friday, November 23 to alleviate the volume the next week. If your library is scheduled for delivery that Friday, you will be notified by your hub supervisor. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Union Listing "Missive"
On 11/8, a lengthy message was sent to all PALSGroup union listing libraries through the "unionlist" mailing list. If you are a union listing library director and you did not receive the message, this likely means that you are not on the mailing list, or that we do not have the right address for you. Please contact Len Lindquist (lenl@palsnet.info, x4472) if you did not receive the message and believe you should have.

New Way to Get Support for PALSGroup Union Listing Libraries!
If you are a union listing member of PrarieCat and need help, have a question, need to schedule a training session, etc, please send an email to ulhelp@mailman.palsnet.info and a staff member will get back with you promptly!

PALS Board Meeting
The next PALS Board of Director's meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 from 10-2 at the Yorkville Public Library, 902 Game Farm Road, Yorkville, IL, 60560. The agenda is available on the PALS website.

Action Requested
The Illinois School Library Media Association (ISLMA) requests that supporters and library advocates contact the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) by December 24 to register support for a proposed change in the rules describing school library media programs. The new rules require that all students have access to library media programs and specify more clearly what is expected with staffing, library resources, and budget. The staffing section is greatly improved and states that "there shall be at least one library information specialist employed full-time in each high school" and that "there shall be at least one library information specialist assigned to each attendance center other than a high school". A resolution supporting the rule change is on the November 20, 2007 agenda of the PALS Board of Trustees (page 2, item 2). Information on the recommended resolution, links to the ISLMA's Call to Action, information from the Illinois State Board of Education, and much more. Please take the time to write a letter of support. ISLMA and many members of PALS have been working on this for years.

PALS Day 2008 Registration Is Now Open
Mark your calendars now for PALS Day 2008 at Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center on Wednesday, May 7, 2008. Our day will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. Transportation details will be provided at a later date.
Registration is now available in CLeO, so please register at your earliest convenience. For additional information, please contact Dawn Diventi dawnd@palsnet.info or Nancy Smith nancys@palsnet.info, PALS Day 2008 Co-coordinators.
We look forward to spending a great day with you at Starved Rock!

PALS/UW-Madison Wisconsin MLS Open House
Are you ready to enroll in a program of graduate study leading to a Master's Degree in Library and Information Studies? PALS and the UW-Madison are in their third year of partnership to help librarians obtain an ALA-Accredited MLS. As we look forward to a 4th year, we are planning our annual Open House on Wednesday, December 5 from 5-7:30 p.m. This is a normal class night and all potential students are encouraged to attend at one of the three PALS service centers, Coal Valley, Rockford or Shorewood. This informational session will take place during a regularly scheduled class where you can meet the current students and faculty and see how a videoconference class is conducted. Attending this Open House does not mean you are committing to the program. Just bring your questions!

More information is available on the UW-Madison website. Contact Deb Shapiro at UW-M (608-262-9195), Jane Lenser at PALS (877-542-7257 x4461), or Sandy Ringstrom at PALS (877-542-7257 x2710) for further information about the Open House.

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


Continuing Education Services of UW-MadisonSLIS Winter/Spring 2008 Schedule
For full details, visit http://www.slis.wisc.edu/continueed
*Workshop in Madison Bridges:
Out of Poverty with Jodi Pfarr Co-sponsored with South Central Library System April 23-24
*Online Courses:
Public Library Administration, Jan 7-Mar 30
Core Elements of Children’s Services, Jan 7-Mar 15
Creating Public Library Programming for Adults, Jan 24-Mar 6
Library 2.0: 101, Jan 28-Feb 24
YA Services and Literature, Feb 4-Mar 28
Basic Reference, Feb 4-Apr 13
Fundamentals of Cataloging, Feb 4-Apr 13
Graphic Novels in the Library, Feb 6-Mar 5
Eco-Librarians: Changing Our Communities One Step at a Time, Mar 31-Apr 21

**Travel Opportunity!!!** Books and Beauty in Western Ireland: A Librarians’ Trip February 28-March 9
Questions? Contact Anna Palmer, ahpalmer@wisc.edu or 608-263-4452

Member News

Bluegrass Music at Main
Are you a fan of bluegrass music? Join us at Davenport Public Library’s Main Street location (321 Main Street) on Monday, December 3, at 6 p.m., to hear local sensation, Dave Maxwell, pick his banjo and play bluegrass favorites all ages can enjoy. This event, sponsored by the River Music Experience, is free and open to the public. “Main Mondays Concert Series” occurs on the first Monday of each month at the Main Street Library. The goal of this new partnership is to draw people downtown, expose people to new music styles, and raise awareness of the Davenport Public Library and River Music Experience. Call 563-888-3371 for more information; or visit www.davenportlibrary.com for a concert schedule.

Book Club Blowout 2
HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS!
Due to the overwhelming success of the “Book Club Blowout” last August at the Bettendorf Public Library, Libraries Together, a partnership of the four public libraries in Scott County, will offer another session, featuring a whole new list of books! Paul Ingram, book-buyer for Prairie Lights Book Store in Iowa City, will present book-talks about this holiday season’s best reads and gift ideas. Join us for some holiday cheer at “Book Club Blowout 2: Holiday Gift Ideas from Prairie Lights” on Tuesday, December 4, at Davenport Public Library’s Fairmount Street location (3000 N. Fairmount Street). Enjoy free refreshments and mingling time with area book club members between 6 and 7 p.m. Afterwards, Paul Ingram will speak about a new list of titles that will surely please even the most finicky reader. This special event has been designed to appeal to people currently searching for a book club to join, and for people who are already in a book club. It’s a special time for everyone who enjoys reading to come out and socialize with other bibliophiles.
If you have any questions about this free event, please contact Angela at 563-888-3371.

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.

Davenport Public Library
(DPLG) just discarded the following reference book:
PDR for Nonprescription Drugs, Dietary Supplements, and Herbs, 28th Ed., 2006

If interested, contact:
Cristina Amador Pérez
Phone: (563) 888-3375
Email: Camador-perez@davenportlibrary.com

The Shorewood-Troy Public Library
has the following items for sale:

(13) (yes, 13!) Rotor Island Displays Original Price/ $600........asking $100 each
(2) 38" x 10" 3 shelf bookcases ........$25 each
(1) 60" x 30" metal and formica desk .......$50
(2) Desks w/ side extensions 60"x 30" x 70"........$75 each

The following items may be requested starting on Monday, November 26th. Send your requests to rdaggers@shorewood.lib.il.us We will take the first requests received. Items must be picked up by November 30th.

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.

Systems Administrator
The Sycamore Public Library is hiring a part-time Systems Administrator. The person in this role is responsible for managing the day-to-day IT operation including systems analysis, programming, troubleshooting, maintenance, and computer auxiliary operations. This individual will assist Library staff with general IT support and training issues and is responsible for dealing with hardware and software vendors and technical support issues. This person will also teach small, hands on classes in computer and internet skills, and Microsoft Office applications. 15 hours per week, including some hours during normal business hours. Thorough knowledge of core Microsoft desktop and server products (including Microsoft Server 2003, Office, Windows XP Pro, Active Directory, and Group Policy) required. Applications or a resume may be turned in at the Circulation desk or e-mailed to larryz@sycamorelibrary.org.

Please direct questions about the position to:
Larry Zevnik
Head of Adult Services
103 E. State St.
Sycamore, IL 60178
815-895-2500

Library Director Search Extension
The Normal Public Library is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Library Director.
* The position requires an MLS from an ALA accredited program. Ten years of library experience with at least three years in a supervisory/managerial position in a public library is desirable. The position reports to a seven (7) member elected library board, oversees a staff of forty-three (43), and is responsible for an annual budget of $2.5 M. The Normal Public Library belongs to the Resource Sharing Alliance and is currently implementing a new Circulation System (Sirsi-Dynix).
* The successful candidate will have proven automation, technology and budgeting experience.
* Salary range is $71,000 to $113,000 depending on qualifications, with an excellent benefits package included.

For full consideration please submit: a cover letter; resume including valid email address; three (3) professional references including valid email addresses; and your written responses to the three (3) supplemental questions, available on our website at:
http:// www.normal-library.org/employmentopportunities.shtml.
Send to:
Normal Public Library
ATTN Search Committee
206 W. College Avenue
Normal, IL 61761
between the dates of November 19, 2007 and January 2, 2008. No phone calls or emails please.

Adult and Teen Services Manager
Fountaindale Public Library District, which proudly serves the diverse communities of Bolingbrook and Romeoville, Illinois, is seeking an experienced, public service-oriented manager to lead the adult and teen services staff of 18 in the development of new technologies, and delivery of reference, reader’s advisory, interlibrary loan and computer services to adult and teen library patrons.
* Strong managerial skills required. District voters will decide on a new library building referendum in Feb. 2008. Planning ability and Spanish language skills are a plus. This full-time position includes evening and weekend hours. Fountaindale Public Library District serves a population of 71,474 with two libraries, and circulated 827,000 items in 2006-07.
* A master’s degree from an ALA-accredited library school, plus six year’s experience required.
* Starting salary: $48,446 per year
* Closing date: until position is filled.

Send cover letter, resume, and three professional references to:
Marianne Thompson
Assistant Director for Public Services
Fountaindale Public Library District
300 W. Briarcliff Road
Bolingbrook , IL 60440
personnel@fountaindale.lib.il.us
Equal Opportunity Employer

Circulation Manager
Fountaindale Public Library District has a number of positions opening up due to IMRF early retirement incentive. We are seeking an experienced, public service-oriented manager to lead the circulation, bookmobile, homebound services, and security staff in both of our libraries in the development and delivery of services which satisfy the needs of all library patrons. District voters will decide on a new library building referendum in Feb. 2008, so planning ability is a plus. This full-time position includes evening and weekend hours. Fountaindale Public Library District serves a population of 71,474, and circulated 827,000 items in 2006-07.
* A master’s degree from an ALA-accredited library school, plus six year’s supervisory experience in a library required.
* Starting salary: $48,446 per year
* Closing date: until position is filled.

Send cover letter, resume, and three professional references to:
Marianne Thompson
Assistant Director for Public Services
Fountaindale Public Library District
300 W. Briarcliff Road
Bolingbrook , IL 60440
personnel@fountaindale.lib.il.us
Equal Opportunity Employer

Office Manager
Seeking an individual who excels at details and customer service. This position manages the office without regular direct supervision, handles accounting and payroll using QuickBooks, uses the Internet, databases, email, spreadsheet, and word processing programs on a daily basis, works directly with library staff, trustees and volunteers, and oversees various projects that cover a 15 county area in southeastern Iowa. Travel is not required.
* Associate's degree in related field preferred. A combination of education and experience or directly related experience may be substituted for the completed Associate's degree.
* Position is 40 hours per week, with a hiring range of $11.63 to $13.63 per hour. Southeastern Library Services offers paid vacation/sick leave/holidays, paid single medical and dental coverage and participation in the State retirement program IPERS.

To apply, please email a cover letter and resume to kkietzman@sls.lib.ia.us by December 5, 2007.
US Mail submissions may be sent
Attn: Kim Kietzman
2435 Kimberly Road
Suite 210N
Bettendorf, IA 52722.
No phone calls or in-person submissions, please.

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

Youth Services and School Library News

Scholastic Book Fair Holiday Sale
Scholastic has announced the details for their annual holiday book fair sales. There are several locations in Illinois. They are advertising everything 30% to 80% off the cover price. Jane reports that in her experience at the Bloomingdale sale, there are lots of kids and teen paperbacks, some hard covers, some adult books, and other goodies such as journals, pens, etc.
See http://www.scholastic.com/bookfairs/events/warehouse/states/il.asp for locations, dates, and other details.

Beware the Magic Attic
Libraries are taking steps to remove a phone number in the back of the books in the Magic Attic Club, a series of some 38 fantasy and adventure titles published in the late 1990s for girls aged 9 to 12. A Tampa, Florida, mother was apparently the first to discover that an 800 number on the back page no longer belonged to the Magic Attic Book Club, but went to a telephone sex line instead, the November 6 Tampa Tribune reported. Books in the series had a page with a perforated card that urged children to “Join the Magic Attic Club” and provided a phone number to order more books in the series. The number attached to earlier Magic Attic books now goes to a live sex talk line, according to a posting on the American Library Association’s Association for Library Service to Children discussion list; another phone number found in more recent books is out of service. “There are several authors associated with the Magic Attic Club,” Braulio Colón, spokesman for the Tampa–Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative, told the Tribune. “We’re working tirelessly to find them all. There’s nothing inappropriate with the books. We’re just going to tear out the page that has the phone number for the book club.”

Public Library News
No Public Library News this week.

Academic Library News

Welcome!
The new librarian at Rasmussen College (Rockford Campus) is Cynthia Reynolds. She may be reached at (815)316-4800. Cynthia comes to her position with a strong customer service background and great reference skills. Welcome, Cynthia!

Bi-SAL Meeting
The next BiSAL (Bi-State Academic Librarians) meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 27, 2007 at the Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, IA. Meeting time is 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Please register in CLeO if you plan to attend. For additional information, please contact Jane Campagna at Scott Community College (jcampagna@eicc.edu).

Special Library News
No Special Library News this week.

Support Staff News
No Support Staff News this week.

Technology Services News

Dell announces last date to have Windows XP Pre-loaded
PALS learned from our Dell representative today that January 31, 2008 will be the last day that anyone will be able to order new Dell PCs with Windows XP pre-loaded on them instead of Windows Vista. PALS will be doing our PC group purchase later in the Spring, but if you are interested in getting a Dell with Windows XP preloaded please contact Kacy Kelly, kacyk@palsnet.info

Public Web Browser (PWB) License Renewal
PALS has renewed the license for Public Web Browser (PWB) for another year and it is available for use by all PALS members. PWB is a great tool for locking down Internet Explorer on your public access PCs and on your OPAC stations. It is not a comprehensive public PC management tool but is a very nice piece that can be used to complement other security solutions you may be using. To obtain the new registration information, please contact Jeff Mahan or Kacy Kelly or Tony Tian. If you would like to learn more about Public Web Browser and what it can do, please take a look at the PWB powerpoint on the PALS website.

E-Rate Corner
No E-Rate Corner this week.

Library News Around the State & Nation

December 2007 ILA Reporter is on the ILA Web site
Those of you not receiving the ILA Reporter might be interested in the articles which focus on marketing – a universal concern for libraries. You can read the magazine online. The December 2007 ILA Reporter is on the ILA Web site

New Delivery Service Website
The new Illinois Library Delivery Service (ILDS) will begin on January 2, 2008. A terrific website has been established with answers to questions you might about the new ILDS. Log on to: www.illinoisdelivers.net.

News from Vendors
No News from Vendors this week.

Legislative/Advocacy News

Illinois Construction Bill
The Illinois Library Association continues to monitor any developments regarding a construction bill. If a construction bill passes, such as Illinois Works, it is dependent on resolving the transit issue and it’s not expected that will be resolved soon. Yesterday's meeting (Wednesday, November 14) with key leaders was described as "nonproductive with shouting, threats and allegations, " said House Speaker Madigan.

Save the Date: The Advocacy Institute at ALA’s 2008 Midwinter Meeting
(ALA, CHICAGO) – Looking to improve your advocacy skills? Want to meet fellow library supporters from across the country? Get the tools to become an effective library advocate by attending the Advocacy Institute, which will be coming to the American Library Association’s (ALA) 2008 Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia, on Friday, January 11, 2008, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Advocacy Institute will cover core advocacy skills, including message development and coalition building during the morning session. In the afternoon, following a collaborative luncheon with the Young Adult Library Service Association (YALSA), specialized breakout sessions will focus on making effective budget presentations, crisis communications, and passing bond issues/referenda. Attendees will leave with an action plan that they can implement in their communities or campuses. Advance online registration is $50 for members and non-members alike. Price includes lunch. To register, visit www.ala.org/midwinter. The Advocacy Institute is coordinated by the Office for Library Advocacy and the Advocacy Institute Task Force of the ALA Public Awareness Committee; in cooperation with the ALA Public Information Office (PIO), the Association for Library Trustees and Advocates (ALTA), the Chapter Relations Committee, the Committee on Legislation, and Friends of Libraries USA (FOLUSA). For more information, visit www.ala.org/advocacyinstitute.

Registering Voters is Easy!
Many of our libraries register voters and have trained staff who are familiar with the procedure for registering voters. For those of you who don’t currently do this, here’s some information should citizens ask. Of course, sending them to the board of elections in their county is the next best step other than registering right at the library. But there are by mail options also for those who can’t travel. Just think about how many people you know who have moved and need to re-register. Think of how many teens you know who are turning 18 and can vote for the first time this year. Consider engaging citizens who have not voted in the past to become actively involved in impacting our nation's future as well as library issues!

Just 2 Simple Steps:
1. http://www.elections.il.gov/Downloads/VotingInformation/PDF/R-19.pdf to download and print an Illinois Voter Registration Application.
2. Mail your completed application to your local election authority. Click HERE to look up the mailing address.

Voter Registration FAQ's:
Q. I've moved. Do I need to register again? A. Yes. The easiest way to register again is to just follow the 2-step process above.
Q. My name has changed. Do I need to register again? A. Yes. The easiest way to register again is to just follow the 2-step process above.
Q. I'm not 18 yet, but I will be soon. Can I register? A. Yes. You may register now for an election as long as you will be 18 by the date of that election. The easiest way to register again is to just follow the 2-step process above.
Q. I sent in my form two weeks ago, but I haven't heard anything back yet. Did it get lost? A. You should receive confirmation 4-6 weeks after your original submission. If you do not hear from your County Clerk by then, give them a call.
http://www.elections.il.gov/Downloads/VotingInformation/PDF/R-19.pdf

Advocacy Webinar on Rural Library Sustainability
Here’s a WebJunction course that you can take at your desk top. No travel involved and so no lost time while on the road. If you’ve not participated in a WebJuncion opportunity before, here’s an easy way to participate.

WebJunction's Rural Library Sustainability - This course is designed for any library staff seeking strategies for sustainability or for those who wish to facilitate the action planning process with their staff, library boards, or others in their rural community. Learning Goals for the Rural Library Sustainability online course include:
· Identifying seven areas of interest critical to sustaining public access computing in your library
· Understanding the value of using an action plan for implementing strategies and activities
· Creating an action plan for your library
· Successfully implementing an action plan and identifying indicators of success

As a part of a national initiative, WebJunction's Rural Library Sustainability Program partnered with state libraries to provide workshops across the country that introduced seven areas key to sustaining public access computing. This course is based on the success of the workshop curriculum and the growing exchange of information, ideas, and expertise on WebJunction addressing these seven areas.

Grant News

ALSC/Candlewick Press “Light the Way” Grant
$5,000 will be presented in honor of Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo to a library conducting exemplary outreach to underserved populations. The deadline is Dec. 3rd.
See http://www.ala.org/ala/alsc/awardsscholarships/profawards/candlewicklighttheway/lighttheway.htm for details.

2008 Giant Step Award
Gale and School Library Journal announce the 2008 Giant Step Award for a school or public library that has made a significant improvement or created new programs that have had a huge impact on student learning. Giant Step recognizes libraries that have made a difference over the last three years with up to $10,000 in cash prizes. Nominations will be accepted through February 11, 2008. School library media centers and the youth services departments of public libraries are eligible to apply. Applicants must be certified librarians.
Go to http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/info/CA446097.html for more details.

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

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.