October 2, 2009 issue

Prairie Views: Newsletter of the Prairie Area Library System

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System News

Save Illinois Libraries - Join the Campaign!

Illinois libraries are launching a targeted viral marketing campaign from October 8 to 23 to ensure that Illinois legislators are keenly aware of library funding issues. The Campaign will kick off at the ILA Annual Conference in Peoria on October 8, 2009 at 10:30 am in the Exhibits Area with Secretary of State Jesse White in attendance.  If you are planning to attend the conference, be sure to join us!

The timing is critical. Members of the Illinois General Assembly will reconvene in Springfield on Wednesday, October 14 for the Veto Override Session, which might last as long as two weeks.  We want to use all media—email, U.S. mail, fax, and phone to tell our story to legislators and get their commitment for future restoration of the monies lost.

How can I help?

If you will be at ILA, please plan to be at booth 425 at 10:30 am on October 8 to kick off the campaign. Even if you will not be at ILA, all library advocates should make time between October 8 and October 23 to contact members of the Illinois General Assembly who represent you and your favorite library.  The Take Action page on the campaign website gives you all the tools you need to participate easily and encourage others to do so as well. View the sample letters on the Save Illinois Libraries website, and visit ILA’s CapWiz page for email addresses for members of Illinois General Assembly and an easily-submitted template letter. Contact others such as supportive patrons, trustees or Friends members and urge them to contact legislators. We want to raise a strong voice for libraries using every medium possible in just two short weeks. Help us be heard!

PALS and ILA

PALS will be offering transportation to the Illinois Library Association Annual Conference Exhibits on Thursday, October 8, 2009.  Exhibit passes are free and the PALS ride is just $10.  Other ILA events that day include:
10:30 a.m. - Secretary of State Jesse White will be in the Exhibit Hall, Booth 425, to kick off the Save Illinois Libraries Campaign for funding support. This is a no-conflict exhibit time, so please plan to stop by and thank the Secretary for his support and join the campaign!
12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. -  A light lunch will be provided by exhibitors  in the exhibit hall.
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - PALS will be hosting a hospitality event with light refreshments in room 1114 of the Pere Marquette Hotel. Stop by and meet our new Executive Director, Michael Piper, if you haven't already, or enjoy networking with your fellow PALS members.
4:00 p.m. - Join the PALS staff at the Awards Ceremony (free) to cheer for Bob McKay when he is awarded the Illinois Librarian of the Year Award.
5:00 p.m. - PALS vehicles will depart for home.
Registration for rides is in L2.

Member News

Shopping Trip Planned

Do you like to shop?  Do you need to start your Christmas shopping early?  Then join us for a day of shopping at the Jordan Creek Mall in West Des Moines.  The Friends of the East Moline Library are sponsoring a bus trip on Sunday, November 1st.  Cost of the trip is $20.00 and we will be leaving the East Moline Library at 8:30 a.m.  For more information or to reserve a spot, please call the library at 309-755-9614.

Job Training Workstations Debut @ Mokena Community Public Library District

Job training workstations have been installed at the Mokena Community Public Library District to assist patrons in finding jobs, writing or improving their resumes and to teach basic classes in Microsoft Power Point, Excel, Word and Publisher on Macintosh, Microsoft XP and Windows 7 Operating Systems.  Win-Way software is also available on all ten of the new computers.  Trained library staff will give one-on-one instruction on how to master these programs and develop the necessary skills to acquire new career opportunities.

New Assistant Director at Kankakee Public Library

Kankakee is proud to announce that Allison Beasley takes up the duties of Assistant Director at the Kankakee Public Library beginning this week.  Allison is a ten year veteran of our Library and during that time has set a new standard in Library services, especially in the area of marketing and programming.  We are very lucky to have her!

Food for Thought:  Cooking Up a Mystery

The Rock Island Public Library Foundation will offer Food for Thought: Cooking up a Mystery, a special fundraiser at the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street, Rock Island, IL on Thursday, October 8, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Featuring a walk-around tasting menu based on culinary mysteries, complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks, silent auction, music by Edgar Crockett and the Blackhawk Jazz Society, and all sorts of mystery fun, the event raises funds for special library projects and programs. Dress is business casual; drop in anytime after work. Tax-deductible donation is $25. Please see attached file or visit www.rockislandlibrary.org.

Continuous Learning

University of IL CE Course Announcement: Planning and Management of Library Buildings

PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT OF LIBRARY BUILDINGS - A non-credit Continuing Education course offered by the Graduate School of Library and Information Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  Approved by ALA- APA for CPLA candidates. Open to other librarians and information professionals needing training in the planning and management of library buildings.

Description: This course will familiarize the student with the basic principles of building planning and management. Topics included are building maintenance and operational procedures, capital and facility development plans, building programs, construction process for new and remodeled buildings, life and safety issues in building operation and planning, technology planning, and post-occupancy evaluation. Upon completion the student be able to employ effective building maintenance and operation procedures, understand and prepare capital improvement and facility development plans, list procedures used in employing architectural, engineering, and consultant assistance in building maintenance and development programs, describe the planning and construction processes for new or renovated facilities, list issues involved in building operation and planning, and describe post-occupancy evaluation procedures.

Dates: October 14 – November 18, 2009
Times: Online synchronous sessions, Wednesdays, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. Central time
*** Please note that the archives of audio and text chat are available if you are unable to attend a synchronous session.
Cost: $300
Instructor: Rose Chenoweth, MLS, Alliance Library System

For additional information and to register:
http://www.lis.uiuc.edu/programs/cpd/CPLA/bldgs.html
Marianne Steadley
Continuing Professional Development  Graduate School of Library and Information Science, University of IL
501 E. Daniel St. Champaign IL 61820
steadley@illinois.edu
217/244-2751
Fax: 217/244-3302

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.

Available for giveaway:

Annual Register of Grant Support (2008 edition) Contact Laura Watson
815-599-3456
laura.watson@highland.edu

Joliet Public Library

has an extra copy of the Book Review Digest 2008 to give away.  Interested parties should email Marcia Frowein, Information Services.

Public Library News

LearningExpress Library Discount

Public libraries are invited to participate in the PALS group subscription to the LearningExpress Library suite of online practice tests and skills courses.

Around the State & Nation

What's New @ WJIL: ILA 2009 and WJIL

Many of you may be attending the ILA Conference for 2009 where the theme is “Transformation: See Tomorrow Today.” The programming for this year focuses on how libraries are transforming, how transformation impacts them, and what we can do to create the transformation we want and need. This issue of What’s New @ WJIL gives you a number of options for supplementing your conference experience both before and after with WJIL resources, learning, and information related to the conference programming.

Add Two Emergency Contacts to your Driver's License Data

The State of Illinois is offering a new service connected to your driver's license. You can click on this link below and add two emergency contacts to your license data. Therefore, if you are incapacitated in some way, your license can be scanned and the emergency contacts retrieved so your loved ones can be contacted. It only takes two minutes to complete.

Free Artwork for Libraries

Would you like to spruce up your library, but have no budget to decorate?  If so, the Kids! @ your library® Campaign has just the answer for you! The Kids! @ your library® Campaign is thrilled to present new FREE downloadable artwork for libraries from Caldecott-winning illustrator, David Diaz.  Diaz's full-color illustrations can be downloaded for either mini-posters or bookmarks.  The artwork can be found on the Campaign's web site at www.ala.org/kids.  In addition, the Campaign now offers the logo and tagline in 5 languages and in two different color schemes.  You can find the "So Much To Do, So Much To See" artwork now available in English, Spanish, Polish, Russian and French on the Campaign's website.  To find even more free activities for your library, check out the Kids! @ your library online toolkit:  www.ala.org/kids

Preparing for the Flu (including 2009 H1N1 Flu)

Libraries provide information on H1N1 and seasonal flu, both to library users and to their communities. Libraries also need information about maintaining a healthy environment in the library. Programming, reference services, computer use and every aspect of library service may be impacted during the upcoming flu season.

The New York State Library in the State Education Department and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provide the following information to help libraries plan for the 2009-2010 flu season.

H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu) Guide for Small Employers Published

The Department of Homeland Security has published a guide to help small employers prepare for the H1N1 flu (swine flu) in 2009. [read more]

National Gaming Day @ Your Library Publicity and Planning Tools Now Available

Hundreds of libraries across the country are preparing to celebrate National Gaming Day @ your library on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009. How popular is gaming in libraries? A recent study shows that more than 75% of public libraries support gaming, by offering computer or board gaming, circulating games, or offering gaming events and programs.  

A National Gaming Day @ your library publicity toolkit is now available  to help libraries promote their gaming programs and events to the media.  The Web toolkit includes downloadable artwork, customizable postcards, a sample press release, a sample letter to the editor, and much more.

To learn more about National Gaming Day @ your library please visit http://ilovelibraries.org/gaming .

Grants

 Target Field Trip Grants

Target Field Trip Grants are available to fund scholastic outings in situations where monies are otherwise lacking. Maximum award: $1,000. Eligibility: teachers, principals, paraprofessionals, and classified staff in K-12 public, private, or charter schools in the U.S. Deadline: November 3, 2009.

https://targetfieldtripgrants.target.com/rules.php

Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Grants

The Institute of Museum and Library Services invites proposals for the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Grant.  Categories of funding include doctoral and master’s Library and Information Science programs, research about librarianship as a profession, and CE for library staff.  The deadline is Dec. 15, 2009.

See http://www.imls.gov/news/2009/092309.shtm 

for details.

Deadline extended for National Library Week Grant

U.S. libraries of all types encouraged to apply for $3,000 to support National Library Week activities

(ALA, CHICAGO) The deadline for the Scholastic Library Publishing National Library Week grant has been extended to Friday, November 6, 2009. U.S. libraries of all types are invited to apply for a $3,000 grant that will be awarded to the best public awareness campaign that promotes the theme “Communities thrive @ your library” during National Library Week (April 11-17, 2010). The 2010 grant application is an electronic form, which can be accessed from the Scholastic Library Publishing National Library Week Web site. Guidelines are also available on the Web site.

All proposals must use the “Communities thrive @ your library” theme, which incorporates The Campaign for America's Libraries’ @ your library brand, on promotional and publicity material supporting National Library Week activities.  Guidelines for using the brand are available on the campaign Web site

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 2010 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Boston.  Information on last year’s winner, the Moline Public Library of Moline, Ill., and the winning application can be viewed at www.ala.org/@yourlibrary/nlwgrant.

 

Members of the 2009-2010 National Library Week subcommittee include Lisa R. Rice, chair, Bowling Green (Ky.) Public Library; Elliot L. Appelbaum, Lexington (Ky.) Public Library; Gordon Newton Baker, Clayton State University (Ga.), Renee DiPilato, Duncan Library (Va.), Susan P. Kowalski, Pine Grove Middle School library (N.Y.), Bev Obert of the Rolling Prairie Library System (Ill.), Tony J. M. Tallent, Boulder Public Library, Colo. and Lisa Powell Williams of the Moline (Ill.) Public Library.

Advocacy News

Visit With Senator Burzynski

On Monday, September 28, Michael Piper, PALS Executive Director, along with Eve Kirk, director of the Cherry Valley PLD and Inara McGroarty, PALS advocacy coordinator, met with Senator Brad Burzynkski (R- 35th, Sycamore, DeKalb, Rockford) to explore ideas to restore library funding. We discussed the large increase in library users and dramatic increase in delivery volume.  The senator studied our graphs showing cuts in funding and was sympathetic of the dilemma of increased need for funding but instead finding that we are facing cuts. We also discussed the loss of LSTA grants in an attempt to help replace some cuts for libraries.

Eve Kirk, Senator Burzynski and Michael Piper

The senator gave us nearly an hour and twenty minutes of his time. This shows that he genuinely listened and did some brainstorming with us. He pointed out the reality that we’re all aware of in Illinois. The state faces a difficult financial situation. While the senator had no easy answer to help us, he stated that we need to keep coming back and to stay in regular communication with our legislators. He felt this was best done by individual libraries sharing personal stories of library users and how the library resources are helping them. Personal stories tell it best! They need not be lengthy and need not be literary works of art. Just a few paragraphs of how a library patron is finding the library made a difference.

The senator’s comment ties in beautifully with the state wide Save Illinois Libraries campaign. Let’s look to a brighter future ahead and all do our part by sharing stories. These can be told directly to our legislators if you make a brief visit to yours, but can easily be told without leaving your building by going to the campaign website. The link is easy to maneuver and makes it as simple as can be to share your story. We need all our PALS libraries to help by  joining and doing their part. If you’re attending ILA, you’ll even find a booth that will help you with the web site so you can post your story right from the exhibit floor.

It’s up to ALL of us to make this campaign a success!

Visit With Rep Bob Pritchard

On Tuesday, September 29, Michael Piper, PALS Executive Director called on Rep Bob Pritchard to discuss library decreased funding at a time of increased need. Joining him were library directors; Sarah Tobias, Sycamore PL; Peggy Wogen, Malta TPL; Dee Coover, DeKalb PL and Inara McGroarty, PALS advocacy coordinator.

Peggy Wogen, Senator Pritchard and Sarah Tobias

Rep. Pritchard generously gave one and half hours of his time and attentively listened to our story. The representative stated that there is need for consolidation, re-structuring and efficiency and emphasized the need to think differently about how services are delivered. Being an active member of Rotary himself and knowing what they do, he urged his library constituents to “tie into other groups” such as service clubs who are always looking for service projects.

Some of the representative's comments tied in directly to our state wide Save Illinois Libraries Campaign.  He emphasized the need for librarians to market more effectively and to tell our story on how libraries are making a difference in communities statewide and  to keep libraries in the public eye by painting a vivid picture and using specific examples highlighting how libraries are serving more people than ever.  We had a reminder that local and personal is what works and urged us to use FaceBook, Twitter and other online tools to communicate the value of libraries.

Now we need to do our part. The money might not be there this year nor the next, but if we don't stay on the legislators' radar, they might not remember us when times are better. As an easy start for you to do your part, please log on to the Save Illinois Libraries website. It's clearly laid out with background info, a link making it easy to tell your story - something short and personal - a pledge to communicate to your legislators and simple Take Action steps.

How Did My Washington Legislators Vote?

How did they vote and what issues are coming up for a vote? You can easily track current votes to hold your legislators accountable and to let them know your view of upcoming issues. For delivery of a weekly newsletter with this information, go to this link and register for a no cost subscription at the bottom of the page. If you’re unsure of your congressional district, you can even enter your address and get the info that you need.

While they offer to also deliver letters to your legislators it may not be as effective as hearing directly from you. Keep in mind that for written communication, the district office is the preferred mailing address. Communication to D.C. offices would ideally be delivered via e-mail for security reasons. There are tales that by the time actual letters are delivered, they may fall apart. Following the anthrax scare, there’s considerable security in all incoming mail. Staffers at the district office get copies of letters to Washington on the same or next day.

 

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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