PALS Consulting Blog

Trustee Workshop with Nancy Sylvester

When: Friday, October 3, 2008 (3:00 PM - 4:30 PM) Friday, November 14, 2008 (3:00 PM - 4:30 PM) Cost: $25 Presenter: Nancy Sylvester
Please join Illinois Library Systems for an exciting opportunity to learn more about parliamentary procedure from one of the top people in the field! Nancy Sylvester is a nationally recognized expert on parliamentary procedure and has written many books and articles on the topic, including The Complete Idiot�s Guide to Robert�s Rules.
As a result of learning more about parliamentary procedure, you will have the potential to increase the productivity at your meetings as well as impact the fairness of each exchange.
The videoconferenced sessions will be held on Friday, October 3 and Friday, November 14, 2008, from 3:00-4:30 pm. The second session will build on the first, so you will need to be able to attend both sessions. Both sessions will take place using the video conferencing equipment located at each Library System headquarters and at PALS Coal Valley, Rockford, and Shorewood Service Centers as well as the Kankakee and Sycamore Public Libraries. The fee for this workshop, which includes a copy of the booklet Basics of Parliamentary Procedure, is $25/person.
To register go to nancys@palsnet.info

Trustee Workshop with Nancy Sylvester

Register Now for Public Libraries Meeting on September 3rd

The semi-annual Public Libraries meeting for Fall 2008 will take place on Wednesday, September 3rd, at all 8 PALS videoconference sites--neighborhood & service center. Please go to CLeO to register. Because this session will involve a number of handouts that need to be at the 8 meeting sites, we are asking your cooperation in registering asap. As you are probably already aware, this Fall is seeing a number of improvements and changes in some basic PALS services and tools--the face of PRAIRIECat, the PALS website, delivery, continuing learning registration, the PALS 100 series. PALS staff is excited about sharing information about these with public library administrators and staff on the 3rd. Remember there are opportunities to network with others attending at your site at 9-9:30 AM before the videoconference session and 11-Noon afterward that session. If you have had an experience you wish to share with your colleagues this is your opportunity.

SPLMI Offering an Advanced Session

The Advanced SMALL PUBLIC LIBRARY MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE sponsored by the Illinois State Library and hosted by the University of Illinois at Springfield will be held June 1-6, 2008. Highly endorsed by previous participants and public library boards across the state, this weeklong Institute is traditionally intended for directors of smaller public libraries and directors new to the Illinois library community. During the last five years, through evaluations and survey responses, many participants have expressed an interest in a follow-up course or an "advanced" SPLMI. Previously, two very successful "advanced" SPLMIs have been held. In response to this interest, and the recognized need for updating and continuing education, 50 SPLMI graduates will have the opportunity to once again attend the Small Public Library Management Institute. Because this is an advanced SPLMI, attendance is restricted to only those public library directors who have attended a previous SPLMI. First priority will be given to applicants who have not attended one of the two previous advanced SPLMIs. The focus of this year's event will be "expertise", and current and future trends in a variety of topics including Core Values, Open Access, the Right to Read and the impact of the library on the community. A key goal of this year's Institute is to assist public library administrators in providing better service to the constituents they serve. In addition, during the week opportunities for networking, teambuilding, and informal discussions are considered vital components of the schedule. Participants will be housed in individual rooms on the UIS campus during the week, and will make extensive use of campus facilities. The registration fee for the week has been held again to only $50(PALS will cover this fee for PALS member library directors.), and each participant will be responsible for his or her own travel expenses. Through grant funding, the State Library provides all program materials, lodging, and meals. Both geographic distribution and some variation in library size will be considered in selecting fifty participants. Applications must be received on or before Friday, March 21, 2008 by fax or mail. Attendees will be notified of their selection in early April. Find applications at nancys@palsnet.info.

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

Simple Repairs for Circulating Book Collections: A Hands-On Workshop

This workshop will be offered twice, once at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb on April 25th and again at the Illinois State Library in Springfield on May 1st. For more details and to register go to . This workshop is being partially subsidized by CARLI. The registration fee for individuals from a CARLI member library is $30. The registration fee for non-CARLI members is $60. The registration fee includes morning coffee, lunch, training, and approximately $40 of preservation materials. The trainers for the day will be preservation staff from Illinois State University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

LSTA Grant Workshops Offered in March

With the Letters of Intent due on April 2nd, workshops for those interested in assistance writing FY2008 LSTA grants will be held during the week of March 19th. The presenters will cover the grant requirements, changes in FY2008 offerings, and ideas and tips for effective grant writing. Monday, March 19 9-11 AM, OPAL session Monday, March 19 1-3 PM, at Sycamore PL Thursday, March 22 10-Noon, at Morris Area PLD Friday, March 23 10-Noon, at River Valley LD, Port Byron For more information and to register go to CLeO on the proper date. Contact Jane Lenser (janel@palsnet.info or x4461) or Nancy Smith (nancys@palsnet.info or 4460) with questions.

LSTA Grant Offerings Announced

The Illinois State Library has announced the FY2008 Grant offerings. Go to LSTA Grants to view the various grant programs and find application information.

State Rep Jim Sacia to attend meeting at Freeport

State Representative Jim Sacia of the 89th Legislative District will be at the Monday, December 18th, Neighborhood Meeting at Freeport Public Library. Libraries in that district are invited to attend. Besides the presentation of his READ poster to Mr. Sacia, the meeting will offer the opportunity to hear about PALS services and meet PALS staff. Group purchasing, technology support, advocacy, youth services and educational opportunities will all be on the agenda. To learn more and to register go to PALS CLeO page .

Program and new mailing list for Assistant Directors, Department Heads and other Middle Managers

In answer to requests from member libraries, PALS is beginning to offer some programming for Assistant Directors, Department Heads and other Middle Managers. The first program is an OPAL session scheduled for Thursday, November 30th entitled "Customer Service Issues for Middle Managers." For more information and to register go to PALS Events. An e-mail list is being set up for Middle Managers. Watch for the announcement to sign up or send your name and e-mail address to Shirley Grasty (shirleyg@palsnet.info).

Program on Annexing and Conversion offered by Bob McKay

Annexation and District Conversion -- An Overview (at Rock Falls PLD) will be presented by PALS Executive Director, Bob McKay. It is a discussion of the issues involved in becoming a district and in annexing additional territory to an existing district. This session was requested by some PALS Libraries considering moving forward with one or both of these activities. Anyone interested in these topics is welcome to attend and join in the discussion. Questions in advance are encouraged. Please send them to Sandy Ringstrom (sandyr@palsnet.info) or Nancy Smith (nancys@palsnet.info) Date: 11/1/2006 Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

End of the Year Reports Being Sent to Member Libraries

The End of the Year Reports including Member Value Statements are in the mail or on the van directed to each library agency's primary contact. They will reach members beginning Friday, November 9 but most will arrive with your delivery or by mail early next week. In this packet are the Value Statements, the record of CL (Continuous Learning) events and meetings that the library's staff participated in during the System fiscal year, a compilation of Member Library Successes, and the information about the FY2006 overall PALS accomplishments and the challenges ahead in FY2007. These last two documents were shared with Illinois State Library Director Anne Craig and her staff when PALS administrators visited with them in Springfield this summer. The CL record is based on the System fiscal year--July 1 to June 30. If you would like a similar report for your library's fiscal year or any other time frame, please contact PALS staff. Because the packet was designed to help member libraries explain to their governing authorities/funders the role that System membership plays in their library's services to its constiuents, the Member Value Statement continues to be expanded. This year a value was assigned to delivery received through the mail/UPS based on the average number of deliveries and the reimbursement requests. Also group purchases were analyzed to show difference between the cost as a group member and the "regular" price if a library was purchasing that service/item on its own. The third new item shown was the number of Consulting minutes that PALS staff reported spending with the member on various issues. The latter involved a new procedure for the PALS staff so as they get used to it the figures may fall short of being a true reflection of the activity. If you have any questions about the packet and/or its contents or if your library has not recieved its packet by Friday, September 16th, please contact Nancy Smith (nancys@palsnet.info or x4466).

The Illinois Library Systems Directors Organization (ILSDO) invites submissions to the

The Illinois Library Systems Directors Organization (ILSDO) invites submissions to the first Annual Diversity Fair to take place on Thursday, October 5, 2006 from 9:00- 10:30 during the Illinois Library Association Annual Conference. According to the survey �Shaping Priorities for the Future of Library System� recently completed by ILSDO, Illinois libraries are willing to make changes in response to increased diversity within their communities. However, they also expressed that they were unsure how they would accomplish this.
The Diversity Fair will provide presenters with an excellent opportunity to showcase what they are doing in response to more diverse communities as well as allow conference attendees the chances to gain a better understanding of the depth of programs and services being offered by other libraries and how they might integrate these ideas into their library. Submissions are welcome on any topic that deals with diversity in the library world. Ideas might include diversity programming, grant projects, outreach efforts, or diversity plans in action. Ethnic, race, language, sexual orientation, physical ability, etc. are all potential areas where your library might be addressing diversity in your community.
The format for this program will be a poster presentation. As such, presenters will be expected to create a display and remain with the display to answer questions of attendees for the hour and half that the fair will take place. DEMCO has graciously agreed to sponsor the event and will also provide prizes to the top three presentations as determined by a panel of judges.
If you are interested in participating, please go to the ILSDO website and follow the link in the top right corner. Deadline for receipt of entry is September 20, 2006. If you have any questions, please contact Amanda McKay at (217) 352- 0047, ext. 209 or amckay@lincolntrail.info.

Mississippi Valley Librarians Meeting via OPAL

All PALS member small public libraries (serve under 10,000) are invited to join this OPAL meeting on Wednesday, July 19th. After July 4th you will be able to register on CLeO. Standard agenda topics include: Patron ideas/concerns Programming ideas/concerns Collection development ideas/concerns Technology ideas/concerns System topics: Upcoming events System news State Library news Upcoming deadlines for public libraries Special topic-- share your plans for using your per capita grant Join your colleagues for discussion on topics of interest. For more details see the CLeO entry for July 19th. Any questions contact Chris Rugh (crugh@colonalibrary.com) or Nancy Smith (nancys@palsnet.info).

PALS offering training sessions on applying for LSTA grants

PALS staff is offering training sessions to help those applying for FY2007 LSTA grants. Sessions will be available both face-to-face and via OPAL. Face-to-Face sessions are scheduled at the Rockford Service Center on March 9, at the Coal Valley Service Center on March 14, and at the Shorewood Service Center on March 16. OPAL (On-line programming for all libraries)sessions that can be attended via your computer are available on March 13th, 9-11 AM and 3-5 PM. Check CLeO for more details and to register. There will be a special session on the "Bridging the Gap" grant at PALS Day on April 11th.

2005 LACONI SALARY SURVEY Available in Professional Collections

The 2005 LACONI Salary and Fringe Benefit Survey (PROF/331.2/LAC/2005) is now available on the shelves of the PALS professional collections at each service center. Twenty-seven PALS member libraries of various sizes participated in this survey. This is a useful tool when you are working on salary schedules and benefits.