January 8, 2010 issue

Prairie Views: Newsletter of the Prairie Area Library System

SYSTEM NEWS

A Day in the Life of Your Library - Library Snapshot Day! 

Mark your calendars and plan to participate in an Illinois-wide Library Snapshot Day!  More specific information will follow in early January.  PALS will be asking you to collect data Wednesday, February 10th on activity taking place at your library. All PALS libraries of all types are asked to participate on this day.

The ILA Advocacy Committee is working to create online forms to assist in collecting statistics, stories and photos on what happens in the library in a single day around the entire state. The attachments for the forms will be provided to all our libraries.  PALS will collect the information and results will be given to our legislators to illustrate the importance and increasing use of libraries, especially during this economy.

This initiative already was used in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. When budgets are cut and demand for funding is greater than ever, we need to be visible, we need to be heard, we need to speak up for ourselves and keep libraries on our legislators’ minds! 

To quote Dr Seuss from the Lorax: "unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not." We need to be visible, we need to be heard, we need to speak up for ourselves!

•  Snapshot: One Day in the Life of New Jersey Libraries
•  Snapshot: One Day in the Life of Pennsylvania Libraries
•  Wisconsin Libraries Say Cheese! 

What can you do right now?
* Circle Wednesday, February 10th on your calendar for "Snapshot Day;"
* Alert staff that you will be collecting daily statistics and asking patrons to share their stories about the library on that day;
* Arrange for cameras to be available for taking photos around the library; and
* Watch for the Snapshot Day forms which will be distributed shortly. 

MEMBER LIBRARY NEWS

New "Green" Library Befits Park Setting (Fountaindale PL)

Wanted Man Fires Cop's Gun in Joliet Library (Joliet PL)

New and Creative Leniency for Overdue Library Books (Joliet PL)

Library kicks off new decade with a facelift (Musser PL)

Library offers to waive fines for donations (Plainfield PL)

Closed for Inservice

The Bettendorf Public Library will be closed on Tuesday, January 19, 2010, for a staff in-service day.  The Library will re-open on Wednesday, January 20, with regular operating hours of 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Scott County Reads together Writing Contest 

In anticipation of Scott County Reads Together, a community reading initiative happening in April 2010, the four public libraries of Scott County, known collectively as “Libraries Together,” are sponsoring a writing contest. Anyone living within a 50 mile radius of the Quad Cities, in either Iowa or Illinois, is eligible to enter the contest. Personal essays on your favorite place in Scott County will be accepted Monday, January 4, through Friday, February 5, 2010. Get creative with your favorite place – is it a tree, in front of a piece of art, a restaurant? We want to know, in 500 words or less.

Essays may be submitted by email to Hedy at hustedde@bettendorf.org, using “SCRT Essay” in the subject line. They can also be submitted in person at any of the following libraries: Bettendorf Public Library, Davenport Public Library (Main or Fairmount), LeClaire Community Library, Scott County Library (headquarters or any of the branches), or Scott Community College Library. Entries can also be mailed to any of the aforementioned, at attention to “SCRT.” All entries must include name, address, email address, and telephone number.

For more information about the Scott County Reads Together Writing Contest or the author residency happening in April, please visit www.librariestogether.org.

CONTINUOUS LEARNING

Library Technology Assistant Programs

PALS members have access to two Library Technology Assistant (LTA) Programs, one at Joliet Junior College (JJC) which serves students in the JJC district, and the College of DuPage (COD) program which serves students in the north and west sides of the system. If you are interested in either program, please contact Dawn DiVenti (dawnd@palsnet.info) to discuss your options. Here are the LTA Coordinators’ names and contact information as well:

College of DuPage: www.cod.edu/lta/LTAcertdeg.htm
Contact: Carol Sturz (sturzc@cod.edu) or 630-942-2597

Joliet Junior College: http://www.jjc.edu/services-for-students/academic-resources/library/Pages/library-careers.aspx
Contact: Susan Prokopeak (sprokopeak@jjc.edu) or 815-280-2215

Please don’t hesitate to contact Dawn DiVenti for questions about this or other formal library education programs. We’re happy to assist you. You may also review opportunities on the PALS website.

Project Compass: Libraries Providing Direction in Tough Times

The numbers show that people turn to libraries in tough times. As part of Project Compass, a grant-funded partnership of WebJunction and the State Library of North Carolina, research has been conducted to assess these increased patron demands on libraries and responses to those needs from state libraries and local public libraries. On January 28th join the free webinar, Libraries and Workforce Recovery, for an overview of this research, an introduction to the project and to a new area of Workforce Resources on WebJunction Illinois with library specific resources and responses to these tough times.

Explore immediate, easy and effective tactics that can be implemented on a shoestring or non-existent budget to respond to patron workforce development needs. Hear about strategies for "triaging social services" and for ways to analyze your library's services in relation to existing community social services. Discover new ways to create partnership with other agencies in your community to leverage workforce development efforts.

Additional information on the project and the January 28th webinar is posted on BlogJunction Illinois.

Alliance Library System and TAP Information Services Announce Trendy Topics 2010! A Monthly Series on 9 One-Day Online Workshops

Start your New Year right with a resolution to keep up with quickly changing library trends!  Alliance Library System and TAP Information Services are pleased to announce a dynamic monthly series of online workshops you can enjoy right at your desktop on these hot topics.

The first conference on Social Software for Libraries is scheduled for Tuesday, February 9.  Meredith Farkas of Norwich University and columnist for American Libraries, will be the opening keynote speaker at 10:00 a.m. Central.  She will address "Building Collaboration, Participation, and Community in Libraries."  Farkas will talk about how social software is opening up new opportunities for reaching out to patrons, providing library services, and transforming our websites.  Other speakers for this inspiring  day-long conference include Lauren Jensen talking about Facebook; Joe Murphy speaking on Twitter; Rhonda Trueman talking about Second Life; Beth Duttlinger on Technology Training Wheels; Rebecca Teasdale on YouTube; Alison Miller on tagging technologies; and Matt Gullett on sharing the story using social media.

A full informational flyer can be found at http://www.alliancelibrarysystem.com/TrendyTopics/workshop1February9.pdf.

This is the first workshop in a series planned by ALS and TAP Information Services. 

Topics and keynote speakers for upcoming conferences include the following:
*March 9 - "Marketing:  The Medium and the Message" - Alison Circle, Columbus Metropolitan Library
*April 13 - "Teens and Technology" - Kelly Czarnecki, Public Library of Charlotte-Mecklenburg County
*May 11 - "Ebooks and Audiobooks" - Tom Peters, TAP Information Services
*June 8 - " The Future of Libraries" - Stephen Abram, Gale Cengage
*July 13 - "Web Design for Libraries"  - Aaron Schmidt, Washington DC Public Library
*September 14 - "Digital Reference" - Alison Miller, Internet Public Library
*October 12 - " Virtual Worlds and Libraries" - Jeremy Kemp, San Jose State University School of Library and Information Science
*November (TBA) - "Building an Electronic Branch for your Library" - David Lee King, Topeka/Shawnee Public Library

More information on and registration for these workshops can be found at http://www.alliancelibrarysystem.com/trendytopics.

FREEBIES, EXCHANGES & FOR SALE

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 an equal chance to see the message and request the materials if they are interested. Thanks for your cooperation.

Free to a Good Home!

The PALS Rockford Service Center has an AV cart that we hope a library or school can use. Interested party must pickup or we may be able to transport to a closer Service Center for pickup. If interested, contact Marilyn Janssen at marilynj@palsnet.info or ext. 4470.

The Des Plaines Valley Public Library District has the following test guides to give away:

Barron's Civil Service Exams, 4th ed, c2000
Barron's GMAT 2007-2008
Peterson's College Money Handbook 2006 ed.
Peterson's College Money Handbook 2007 ed.
Peterson's Two-Year Colleges 2006 ed.
Peterson's Two-Year Colleges 2006 ed.
Peterson's Four-Year Colleges 2006 ed.
Peterson's Scholarships, Grants & Prizes 2008 ed.
Thomson Peterson's Master the SAT 2007 ed.
McGraw-Hill's ACT Test Prep c2006
Kaplan GMAT Comprehensive Program 2007 ed.
Kaplan GRE Exam Comprehensive Program 2007 ed.
Kaplan SAT Comprehensive Program 2006 ed.
Kaplan SAT Comprehensive Program 2007 ed.
Kaplan Scholarships 2006 ed.
Kaplan Scholarships 2007 ed.
Kaplan Scholarships 2008 ed.
CollegeBoard's 10 Real SATs c2003
CollegeBoard's Scholarship Handbook 2007 ed.
CollegeBoard's Scholarship Handbook 2008 ed.
Foundation Grants to Individuals, 15th ed., c2006

Please contact Catherine Yanikoski at cyanikoski@dpvlib.org if you are interested

The Woodstock Public Library has to giveaway the following 3M security equipment:

3M Model 763 Video Sensitizer/desensitizer (Quantity: 2)
3M Model 764 Sensitizer (Quantity: 1)

If interested contact:
Martha Hansen
Woodstock Public Library
414 W Judd St
Woodstock IL
marthah@woodstockil.info

YOUTH SERVICES NEWS

Winter Online Education Courses from ALSC

The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) is sponsoring five online education courses that begin on Feb. 1 and last four to six weeks.   Topics include “Connecting with Tween Readers”, “Information Literacy—From Preschool to High School”, “The Newbery Medal: Past, Present, and Future”, Reading Instruction and Children’s Books”, and “Series Programming for Elementary School Age”.  The courses are taught asynchronously using Moodle, an online learning community.

Detailed descriptions and registration information is available on the ALSC website at www.ala.org/alsced.  Fees are $95 for personal ALSC members; $145 for personal ALA members; and $165 for non-members.

PUBLIC LIBRARY NEWS

Changes in the Freedom of Information Act effective January 1, 2010

The changes in the FOIA effective in January will impact all public bodies—not just your library.   Library boards and  directors should monitor the Illinois Attorney General’s website to follow the new requirements, information and training opportunities.  PALS attorney Phil Lenzini reports that there have been several updates in documents including FAQ since January 1st.

PALS Board Member Writes Column for ALTAFF Publication

Dave Hargett, PALS Board member and trustee at the Fountaindale PLD is the author of a column in The Voice for America’s Libraries.  In “Tales from a New Trustee,” Dave tackles issues of interest to trustees, new & veteran.   Sharing his point of view as a relative newcomer to the trustee world, in the November issue in “Becoming a Trustee” he talks about his personal path to becoming a library trustee, as well as providing a list of general steps to that position. 

The Voice for America’s Libraries is a publication of Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends, and Foundations, a division of the American Library Association(ALA).
ALTAFF general home page

ALTAFF membership page - note there is a new "Librarian Plus" category and an affiliate status for smaller libraries

Link to Dave’s columns

Public Library Capital Needs Survey Results

(Springfield, ISL) Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White has delivered a report to the leaders of the Illinois General Assembly detailing the critical capital improvement needs of Illinois' public libraries. Nearly 500 public libraries that responded to a survey conducted by White reported more than $800 million in capital needs for general repair work, building additions, and new building construction.

White was required to conduct the survey and file the report under a law enacted last year creating a new $50 million bond-funded public library construction grant program to be administered by the Secretary of State. The Secretary of State must file a comprehensive assessment report of the capital needs of all public libraries to the General Assembly every two years. 499 of Illinois' 641 public libraries took part in the survey.

White identified some of the most significant findings of the report:
    * $431.2 million is needed for the construction of 75 new buildings
    * $235.7 million is needed for 80 building additions
    * $137.5 million is needed for general repair, remodeling, and renovation
    * 75 library buildings are 100+ years old, while 141 library buildings are between 51 and 100 years old
    * 57 libraries reported that no major capital upgrades to their facilities have taken place in the last 15 years. Included in that number are 36 libraries that have had no major capital upgrades in the last 25 years
    * Library attendance and the number of library cardholders continue to grow

2010 SPLMI Applications Now Available

"Serving Your Public", the 17th annual Small Public Library Management Institute (SPLMI), sponsored by the Illinois State Library and hosted by the University of Illinois Springfield, will be held June 6-11, 2010. The $50 registration fee will be paid by PALS for member library attendees.

Applications are available and are due no later than Monday, March 1, 2010 by fax or mail. Attendees will be notified of their selection in early April. Contact the Illinois State Library, Library Development Group at 217-782-7848 or 1-800-665-5576 for information.

AROUND THE STATE & NATION

2010 Bradley Institute Applications Now Available

The 16th annual Institute for School and Public Librarians: Linking, Learning & Libraries will be held June 13-18 on the campus of Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.

Programs focus on the diverse skills and knowledge needed by school and public librarians to serve patrons and students. Topics include readers advisory; issues in selecting and evaluating multicultural materials; getting kids excited about reading; collection management; dealing with diverse personalities; copyright; developing effective programming for all ages; using technology to promote reading; grant writing; and security and safety in the library.

The Institute is most beneficial to those working directly with students/library patrons and have a broad variety of library responsibilities or "do it all" at their library. The Institute is most appropriate for school and public librarians who are fairly new to the library field, or who believe they would benefit from the training offered. Priority is given to persons who do not possess an advanced library degree but are in positions of responsibility.

The only cost to attend is a $50.00 registration fee but that fee is covered by PALS for staff from member libraries. Lodging, all meals, handouts, and educational resource materials are provided for the attendees. Attendees can expect to receive approximately 35 CPDU's awarded by Bradley University.

Applications must be submitted by March 19th. A maximum of fifty school and public librarians will be selected, with the intent of maintaining a balance between the two types of libraries and geographic representation. Attendees will be notified of their selection by mid-April.

Additional information may be obtained from Ron Winner and Karen Egan at the Illinois State Library at 1-800-665-5576, ext. 1.

Final Rule on Lead in Children’s Products Issued

The November issue of The Voice for America’s Libraries reported that the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) final rule confirmed “that libraries have no independent obligation to test library books for lead under the law.”   The Commission announced that there will be a Statement of Policy with regard to the treatment of older books issued within the next several weeks.  You will be able to find that on the website http://www.cpsc.gov/. 

Tom Peters Writes Article on Future of Reading

Tom Peters may be a familiar name to some of you because of his association with OPAL—in fact, he recently participated in and helped out with our Freedom of Information Act presentation on OPAL.  Tom has been involved with libraries and technology for years and Library Journal  sees him as “…eager to see libraries adopt technologies that add unique value for their user.” 

Many of you will enjoy and find illuminating his thoughts about “The Future of Reading” in November’s Library Journal, http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/ca6703852.html.  He points out that that “The boundaries and varieties of reading experiences continue to expand and evolve.”   Citing the interaction of “gamers” with complicated games as a challenge of reading skills, he discusses electronic reading and how it could impact readers and libraries. 

ALA Sends Letter to NTIA Asking for Additional Broadband Funding for Public Computer Centers

(ALA, WASHINGTON) – The American Library Association (ALA) joined by nine other supporters of broadband build-out sent a letter  to Assistant Secretary of Commerce Larry Strickling asking the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to substantially increase the amount of funding allocated for the Public Computer Centers (PCC) program in the second round of funding for the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP).

The groups assert that greater funding for the PCC program will allow public libraries and community colleges to expand their computer and Internet access capabilities for the general public, which is critically important in these times of economic distress. Additionally, greater funding will encourage the purchase of computers and other technology hardware, which will benefit the high-tech sector of the economy and stimulate economic growth, and create jobs in the equipment manufacturing and technology installation industries. Read more

Celebrate National Library Week with Free Customizable PSA

(ALA, CHICAGO) – To promote National Library Week 2010, a free customizable public service announcement (PSA) featuring award-winning author Neil Gaiman is now available.

Gaiman, the 2009 Newberry Medal winner for "The Graveyard Book," will appear in both a print and a radio public service announcement (PSA). Gaiman’s love of libraries and librarians is no secret, as his many fans and Twitter followers know.

The PSA can be downloaded for free at www.ala.org/nlw. The PSA reminds library users of all the resources the library offer and how libraries are of key importance in tough economic times. To have the PSA customized with their library’s logo, librarians are asked to send a print quality logo file, their library name and URL to: ala@atigraphics.com. The PSA will be sent to the library in 1-2 weeks.

Other materials are currently available in both English and Spanish, focusing on the 2010 National Library Week theme “Communities thrive @ your library.” They include a proclamation, sample press release and letter-to-the-editor, as well as scripts for use in radio public service announcements (PSAs). Libraries can download materials at www.ala.org/nlw.

National Book Foundation’s Innovations in Reading Prize

Do you know a librarian or library with an innovative approach to fostering a love of reading? Fill out an application from the National Book Foundation for the Innovations in Reading Prize!

The Foundation lists “creativity, risk-taking, and a visionary quality” as the most important criteria for selecting winners, who could receive up to $2500 in prizes.  Sound like anyone you know?

You can complete an application online or call the Foundation at
(212) 685-0261. All applications must be postmarked by February 17, 2010. Winners will be announced to the public on May 3.

COBRA Subsidy Extension Legislation’s Effect on Employers

On Dec. 21 , President Barack Obama signed legislation into law that extends the original federal COBRA subsidy created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). The legislation extends:

• the total allowable time an individual could receive the COBRA subsidy by six months (from nine to 15 months); and
• the subsidy to individuals who are involuntarily terminated between January 1, 2010, and February 28, 2010.  Read more
  

GRANT NEWS

Sisters in Crime Library Grants

Mystery-genre group Sisters in Crime is offering monthly grants of $1,000 throughout 2010 to U.S. libraries through its “We Love Libraries” lotteries. At the end of each month, a winner will be drawn from entries received. To enter, simply complete the entry form and upload a photo of one or more of your staff with three books in your collection by Sisters in Crime members. All branches within a larger system may enter; however, once a library in the system has won, no other libraries within that system can win the grant.  Read more

ADVOCACY NEWS

Legislative Reception to Meet Senator Bivins, Representatives Mitchell and Sacia

Has there ever been a more important time for a face-to-face gathering with our legislators? Take the opportunity to deliver your message in person at the Legislative Reception with Senator Bivins and his two representatives: Mitchell and Sacia on Friday, January 15, 2010 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Byron Public Library.  Participants will be able to introduce themselves to the legislators, briefly highlight activity in your library and mention your concerns such as budget, space, increased usage and staffing.
Please register on L2.

The legislators will in turn speak on what they see as the most effective advocacy efforts. We're fortunate to have legislators who take the time to listen to us and make themselves so easily available. You will have an opportunity to be heard and to give them pamphlets, brochures and other examples to illustrate what you're doing to make their community a better place to live.

Now is the time to make sure that libraries are on their radar and that we're not on the chopping block as budgets everywhere tighten.

January 29th Legislative Reception With Senator Dahl, Hutchinson and Their Representatives

A legislative reception for librarians in the 38th (Senator Gary Dahl) and 40th (Senator Toi Hutchinson) legislative districts will provide the opportunity to meet, greet and hear both senators and their representatives.

Friday, January 29th at the Olivet Nazarene University, Benner Library. To give our school librarians a better chance to attend, the reception won’t start until 2:30 pm.

Registration is now on L2.

Now, more than ever before, it's important to make ourselves known to our legislators and to speak up!

Prairie Views is the weekly newsletter of the Prairie Area Library System

All subscribers are encouraged to submit contributions and suggestions to prairieviews@palsnet.info. Submissions must be received by Tuesday to appear in the upcoming edition. To subscribe to or unsubscribe from this newsletter, please visit the following link: http://mailman.palsnet.info/mailman/listinfo/pviews