volume #4 issue#49

December 13, 2007

Prairie Views: the newsletter of the Prairie Area Library System

System News

Holiday Schedule
The offices of the Prairie Area Library System will be closed on Monday, December 24, 2007, Tuesday, December 25, 2007, Monday, December 31, 2007 and Tuesday, January 1, 2008 in observance of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. There will be no delivery service on these days. Prairie Views will also not be published on December 27. Happy Holidays to all!

PALS Needs a Piece of Your Mind!
Make it your New Year’s resolution to attend a 2-hour PALS Strategic Planning Direction Setting meeting early in January at a location near your library. A face-to-face input session has been planned for each neighborhood early in 2008. At these sessions, attendees will be asked questions and give responses that will be used to revise PALS Long Range Plan.

Who should attend? Anyone connected by employment or volunteer role to a member library, has a knowledge of library system services, and wants to share their opinion is urged to participate. PALS planning effort needs to reflect the width and depth of member library staff and volunteer leadership.

When and where can I attend? Attend one the eight meetings listed below.
Coal Valley Service Center, Thursday, January 10, 2:00–4:00 pm
Highland Community College West (Elizabeth), Tuesday, January 8, 9:30–11:30 am
Limestone Public Library, Thursday, January 17, 3:00–5:00 pm
LaSalle Public Library, Tuesday, January 8, 9:30-11:30 am
Rockford Service Center , Tuesday, January 8, 9:30-11:30 am
Joliet Public Library, Black Road Branch, Tuesday, January 8, 10:00-12:00 pm
Sterling Public Library, Tuesday, January 8, 9:00-11:00 am
Sycamore Public Library, Thursday, January 10, 10:00-12:00 pm

Register today at http://www.palsnet.info/events/

Are other activities planned? Yes, but the PALS Strategic Direction Input meetings will be one of the best opportunities for members to provide input to the planning process. In early March, representatives from the PALS Board, Librarian’s Planning Committee, PALSGroup Administrative Council, and PALS staff will meet in Mendota for a day-long planning event. On May 7, at PALS Day, we’ll preview our new Long Range Plan at one of the sessions that day. Later in May the PALS Board will act on the plan and by the end of month, we’ll send it to the Illinois State Library as part of our funding application for 2008-2009.

Please help us get off to a good start by attending one of the PALS Long Range Planning Input Session at one of these eight convenient locations.

PALS Board Meeting Rescheduled for April 15, 2007
The PALS Board of Directors has rescheduled their cancelled August 21, 2007 meeting for April 15, 2008 at the Kankakee Public Library.
Please direct any questions to Cori Swanson at 309-799-3155 x3136.

New Illinois Statewide Delivery to Commence January 2, 2008
The Intrasystem Library Delivery Service (ILDS) has operated in Illinois for more than 25 years. The statewide delivery service is getting a slightly new name and will be expanded starting January 2, 2008. The new name is Illinois Library Delivery Service (still ILDS). The other big difference is that all Illinois academic libraries that are governing or associate members of the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI) will now be direct stops on ILDS.

PALS member libraries that are also new ILDS locations will be receiving training from CARLI on proper shipping procedures. For non-CARLI libraries, the main change is getting used to a new ILDS label and new ILDS codes. There are now a number of training materials on the PALS website at: http://www.palsnet.info/services/delivery/default.asp. We would ask that all staff at non-ILDS libraries that processes interlibrary loans or returns materials review this information and ask questions. All libraries should begin using the new ILDS label as of January 2, 2008.

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!

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

Are You Ready for Smoke Free Illinois?
Will your library have the required signage and be in compliance in January? Are you aware of penalties and who can complain? Larry Didier, Tobacco Prevention/Cessation Coordinator for Winnebago County, will cover the requirements of the new Smoke Free Illinois law which is effective January 1, 2008. There are penalties for non compliance. What does your library need to do - what postings are required, where can you get posters, who can complain, what are the penalties for non compliance, do you have to patrol your parking lot and other pertinent information will be presented and answered in this Q & A session. Register for the OPAL workshop to be held on Tuesday, December 18, 10-11 am, at: http://www.palsnet.info/events/ No need to get on the road and risk snow or ice. You can do this from the comfort of your own library or home. If you have any questions regarding the program, please contact Inara McGroarty at inaram@palsnet.info or at 877-542-7257 ext. 4452.

Member News

Storytelling Workshop
The East Dubuque District Library and Chicago's The Mystery Shop will be hosting a storytelling workshop on Friday, February 22nd, 2008 from 1:00PM to 3:00PM at the East Dubuque District Library, 350 Wall Street, East Dubuque, IL 61025. The Mystery Shop's description is as follows: "the art of storytelling is as ageless as it is timeless. It's old-fashioned magic and it's sure to enchant young and old alike. We combine the talents of actors and storytellers to create a unique ensemble package, featuring funny stories, spooky stories, classic stories, modern tales, legends, folklore, music, songs, and plenty of opportunity for audience participation."

If you would like to attend this free workshop, please email Michelle at eastdubuquelibrary@frontiernet.net

NIC Maintenance
Due to server maintenance, the NIC catalog will be unavailable on Wednesday, December 19, after 10:00 a.m.

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.

River Ridge School District is looking for Huck Finn VHS - ID# 38611000216127. Galena HS sent it back to us, but it has not found its way back to us!

From Reddick Library:
We have checked our shelved mulitple times and made calls. Please check shelves for following missing books. If found please route to owning library.
1) DVD GOO "A Good year" 37578001278318
2) 070.4 BYK Complete idiots guide to publishing magazine articles by Sheree Bykofsky. 31558001837269
3) CLA I heard that song before by Mary Higgins Clark 32186001615409
4) Audio F BON Day of wrath by Larry Bond 37578000764391
5) 641.631 GRE Whole Grain Baking by Diana Greene 31967002063553
6) 191 WIL Essential Ken Wilber by Ken Wilber 31967006347143
7) CD 398.2089 MAR Lakota Way by Joseph Marshall. 31967009538979
8) J 796.8 JAB Girls guide to the martial arts by Alice Jablonsky. 31967008992243
9) CD FICTION BROCKMANN Breaking point by Suzanne Brockman 31967009212864
10) PS-SET EARLY READER Phonics fun : reading program, pack 5. 38516000395708

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.

Des Plaines Valley Public Library District
Crest Hill has the following to give away:
The Old Farmer's Almanac, 2007
ESPN Sports Almanac 2007
Time Alamanac, 2006
Beckett Official Price Guide to Baseball Cards, 2007
Consumer Reports Buying Guide, 2007
Kovel's Antiques & Collectibles Price List 2007
Peterson's Summer Programs for Kids & Teens, 2007
The World Factbook, 2006

If interested please contact:
Andrew Susalla
Phone: (815) 725-0234
E-mail: asusalla@dpvlib.org

The Lockport Public Library of the Des Plaines Valley Public Library District is giving away volumes 1-130 of the book set Something About the Author. We have all the editions from 1971-2002.
The contact for getting this set is Jane Gardner, jgardner@dpvlib.org.

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

Reddick Library
has to giveaway College Blue book - 30th ed. 6 vols + 1 supplement.

If interested contact:
Elaine Chapman
email: emchapman@reddicklibrary.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.

Library Director
Geneseo Public Library District, Geneseo, Illinois, seeks enthusiastic leader with experience in a building project. Must have and exhibit prior success working w/personnel, community leaders and a Board of (7) elected Trustees. Experience managing a library, public relations, fundraising, public speaking, short and long term planning vision for the library and excellent verbal and written skills.
* The position requires a minimum of 5 years of public library administration and/or MLS from an ALA accredited library school program.
* Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. Residency required.
* Excellent benefits package included. Position open March 1, 2008; current library director is retiring. The library has an annual budget of $507,260, staff of 1 full-time employee, 17 part-time employees and an annual circulation of 145,928. The library district serves 13,102 residents including the City of Geneseo.
Visit the library's website at http://www.geneseo.lib.il.us

Please send resume and three references to:
Geneseo Public Library
ATTN:Mr. Don Bailey
218 South State Street
Geneseo, Illinois, 61254
before November 30, 2007.

Youth Services Children's Programmer
Geneseo Public Library District, which serves a population of 13,102 resident is opening a search for a Children's Programmer.
* Job requirements listed are a must: education or experience in executing programs specifically geared for children including storytelling and crafting; coordinate programs in conjunction with other community groups which feature children's activities; excellent interpersonal skills, rapport with children, previous library and computer skills.
* Hours, 15 - 20/wk, would include some evenings, and occasional Saturdays.
* Benefit package; wage depends on experience and qualifications. Start date in December.

Contact by sending resume to:
Brenda I. Fowler Director
218 South State Street
Geneseo, Illinois 61254

Full Time Head of Adult Services
Messenger Public Library of North Aurora, IL Seeking an energetic, innovative leader with excellent communication and teambuilding skills, demonstrated initiative, proven management skills and professional knowledge, and a strong customer service orientation.
* Responsibilities include manageing a staff of seven empoyees, reference and readers' advisory services, collection management(adult fiction, non-fiction, and AV collection), adult programming, managing online electronic resources and services (including virtual reference service). In April 2008 the library will be going live on SIRSI-Dynix Unicorn software. The Messenger Library serves 15,983 residents in the Village of North Aurora located along the Fox River in Kane County, IL. The library is a new building with a staff of 30 employees.
* Benefits Vacation and sick time, nine paid holidays, 2 personal days, IMRF Pension, 457 tax deferred plan, health, dental and vision plan.

Please send cover letter, resume and 3 references to:
G. Kevin Davis
Library Administrator Library Director
Messenger Public Library of North Aurora
113 Oak Street
North Aurora, IL 60542
or email gkdavis@northaurora.lib.il.us

Part Time Library Technical Assistant
Messenger Public Library of North Aurora is seeking a Technical Assistant who demonstrates good communication skills along with a team player enthusiasm, computer hardware and software skills. The selected applicant’s responsibilities include troubleshooting computers, peripherals, updating and loading software and patches, assisting the public and staff. Coverage on the Circulation desk as an on needed basis, processing and repairing library materials, some copy cataloging, creating item records, and attaching holding records in the database as part of the overall acquisition process.
* Requirements LTA certificate or related library experience. 30 hours per week including Saturday and Sunday.
* Pay rate is $10-$15 per hour. Benefits include vacation and sick time, 9 paid holidays, 2 personal days, IMRF pension, and 457 tax deferred plan. In April 2008 the library will be going live on SIRSI-DYNIX Unicorn software.
The Messenger library serves 15,983 residents in the Village of North Aurora located along the Fox River in Kane County, IL.

To apply for this position please submit a cover letter and resume to:
A.J. Moen
Head of Technical Services and Automation
Messenger Public Library of North Aurora
113 Oak Street
North Aurora, IL 60542
or email ajmoen@northaurora.lib.il.us. Visit our website at http://www.messengerpl.org.

Part Time Librarian
Messenger Public Library of North Aurora invites applicants for a part-time Librarian position in the Adult Services Department. The successful candidate will report to the Head of Adult Services.
* Duties include providing reference and computer assistance, ILL, adult programming, and collection development.
* Job Requirements: Master’s degree in Library and Information Sciences from an ALA accredited university highly desirable and/or related library experience.
* Pay rate is $12-$15 per hour DOQ. Benefits include IMRF, sick-time, and vacation after 1 year of service. This position is available immediately.
Messenger Public Library is an EOE employer.

Please send cover letter and resume to:
G. Kevin Davis
Library Administrator Library Director
Messenger Public Library of North Aurora
113 Oak Street
North Aurora, IL 60542
or email gkdavis@northaurora.lib.il.us

Circulation 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 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
Email: personnel@fountaindale.lib.il.us
Equal Opportunity Employer

Reference and ILL News

ASK?AWAY-Resolve to Provide Your Library with 24/7 Reference Service!
As you think about your New Year's resolutions, why not resolve to make your library a great educational asset within your community? Ask?Away Illinois can expand reference services to your community and patrons 24/7. Act now to take advantage of a FREE trial demonstration period from Jan 15 - May 15, 2008. Your patrons and you will both benefit from 24/7 access to a reference cooperative for all your questions. There is no staffing required during the trial period, and with a start up of five hours staff time, you will have access for your patrons. Transcripts and follow up options allow you to expand your patron reference services. Contact Natalie Tagge (ntagge@ilsos.net) or log on to www.askwayillinois.info for more details.

Youth Services and School Library News

New Email List
We are pleased to announce the creation of a new mail list for members who work with young adults (approximately ages 12 through high school) from Public Libraries or School Libraries. It is called the Young Adult Services Electronic Mailing List. If you are interested in subscribing, please go to http://mailman.palsnet.info/mailman/listinfo/youngadultservices and sign up. Subscribed members can post as well as receive messages. Members are welcome to post messages when they want to announce something or are interested in receiving input from other librarians. PALS staff will also post messages to the list when they are seeking responses from member library staff.

If you have any questions, please contact Norma Applegate (normaa@palsnet.info, 2705) or Jane Lenser (janel@palsnet.info, 4461).

Public Library News
No Public Library News this week.

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.

New Books at PALS

At the Shorewood Service Center (SWSB):
Financial Manual for Illinois Public Libraries / Illinois Library Association LS 025.11 ILL 31979001274172

Library News Around the State & Nation

Buseum Coming to Illinois
Earlier this year the Illinois State Library was pleased to host an educational exhibit on German/American civilian internment during World War II. The exhibit, housed in a traveling bus, was offered by TRACES, a non-profit educational organization created to gather, preserve and present stories of people from the Midwest and Germany or Austria who encountered each other during World War II. In spring 2008 TRACES will be bringing a different bus with a different exhibit (see http://traces.org/buseumscenes.html) to Illinois and other midwestern states. "Behind Barbed Wire: Midwest POWs in Nazi Germany" has proven to be a very popular exhibit in the past. Libraries and other organizations that would like to learn more about possibly hosting a showing sometime between mid-March and early-June can contact Eric Brandt at admin@TRACES.org or 651-292-8700. Slots are limited, and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

News from Vendors
No News from Vendors this week.

Legislative/Advocacy News

Illinois Library Day 2008
SAVE THE DATE: Illinois Library Day 2008 has been set for Thursday, April 10, 2008. As details become available, information will be posted at http://www.illinoislibraryday.info.

National Library Legislative Day 2008
Come to Washington, D.C., May 13–14, 2008, and join hundreds of library supporters from across the country visiting members of Congress. National Library Legislative Day is a two-day event in which people who care about libraries participate in advocacy and issue training sessions, interact with Capitol Hill insiders, and visit congressional member offices to ask Congress to pass legislation that supports libraries. And don’t forget, there’s Virtual Library Legislative Day if you can't travel to Washington. For more information about National Library Legislative Day, visit: http://www.ala.org/ala/washoff/washevents/nlld/nlld2008.cfm.

OLA: The First 100 Days
(Chicago, ALA) ALA’s newest office, the Office for Library Advocacy (OLA), became official at the start of ALA’s fiscal year, September 1, 2007. Its existence is a direct response to ALA member needs identified through a number of surveys over the last several years. Advocacy is one of six goal areas in the ALA Ahead to 2010 strategic plan. The purpose of OLA is to support the efforts of library advocates at the local, state and national level. The office works to create resources, training and peer-to-peer networks to help local advocates fulfill their local advocacy goals for the improvement of libraries of all types. It provides tools to help local advocates make the case for increased library funding, new and expanded buildings, getting bonds and referenda passed, and fighting library budget reductions and closures. Working with the Chapter Relations Office, the new office will help support statewide advocacy efforts, and will work with the Washington Office to strengthen grass roots advocacy at the national level. The office will also work closely with the Association for Library Trustees and Advocates (ALTA), Friends of Libraries USA (FOLUSA), and with other ALA groups advocating for specific types of libraries and/or library issues. The Office has grown out of the advocacy function within the Public Information Office and will continue many initiatives begun there.

For more information, visit: http://www.ala.org/ala/ola/index.cfm

Grant News

Teen Tech Week Mini Grants
Have a great idea for Teen Tech Week, but don't quite have the cash to pull it off? Well, you're in luck: Thanks to YALSA’s Teen Tech Week Mini-Grants and their 2008 Corporate Sponsor Dungeons & Dragons, you could win one of twenty mini grants for your celebration! Mini grants of $450 and $50 worth of Teen Tech Week products are available to YALSA members who plan to offer unique, engaging programming activities, services or resources to celebrate Teen Tech Week in their community. Download the official rules and submit the application form and your proposal to the YALSA office at yalsa@ala.org by January 7, 2008. Winners will be notified the week of February 4, 2008. Questions?
Contact Nichole Gilbert at 1-800-545-2433, ext. 4387..

Illinois Humanities Grant
Deadline January 15, 2008 The Illinois Humanities Council (IHC) invites non-profit organizations to apply for its next cycle of mini grants of up to $2,500 by its January 15, 2008 deadline.

The deadline for the next cycle of major grants (up to $10,000 ) is February 15, 2008. Any non-profit group, organization, or institution is eligible to apply for financial support from the Illinois Humanities Council for a public project in the humanities, including documentary films, local and community history projects, literary symposia, and oral history projects. Mini Grants are restricted to organizations with annual budgets under $1 million dollars or organizations applying for new or experimental programs. The IHC makes it a priority to fund projects developed by, for, or aimed at reaching new or historically neglected audiences. The IHC encourages applications for projects about American history and culture.

Potential applicants may review and download grant applications and guidelines by visiting http://www.prairie.org/Grants. Copies of the grant information may also be requested by sending an e-m or by calling 312.422.5580. IHC program officers are available for consultation at this number as well, and applicants are encouraged to submit a draft proposal prior to final deadlines.

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.