January 15, 2009 issue

Prairie Views: Newsletter of the Prairie Area Library System

Executive Director Search

The deadline for applications for the position of Executive Director of PALS is January 31. Information about the position and application procedures is available on the PALS website. It has come to our attention that there may be some confusion about the location of the new director’s office. The new director will be able to work from either the Coal Valley, Rockford, or Shorewood Service Center.

PALS Board Meeting

There will be a PALS Board meeting on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at the LaSalle Public Library, 305 Marquette Street, LaSalle, IL 61310. The Membership and Personnel/Policy Committees will meet at 9:30am, prior to the meeting. You may view the agendas and currently available supporting documents from the PALS website.  If you have any questions about the upcoming meeting, contact Rhonda Krahl at 309-799-3155 ext. 3151 or at rhondak@palsnet.info.

Member Library News

Congratulations and Best Wishes!

Kathy Clair, the Reddick Public Library District's associate director and a former library board member, has been appointed new director. The Library Board of Trustees made the announcement Monday evening at the regular board meeting. Kathy will assume the position January 30, 2009.

Reddick Public Library District's board of trustees is hosting a public reception to honor and thank Reddick Library director Vicky Trupiano, who is leaving to become library director at Fountaindale Public Library District.  The public is invited to stop in the library any time on Wednesday, January 28, 2009, between 11:00 am and 6:00 pm, to wish Vicky well.  Refreshments will be served.

Continuous Learning

OPAL Blitz! #3

OPAL Blitz! #3 is scheduled for Thursday, February 5, 2009. Four sessions will cover information about the Illinois Digital Archives and applying for digital grants, Programapedia, the joint LSTA project between PALS and the Shawnee Library System that supplies program information and ideas, tips for involving staff in marketing your library and Children's and YA Collection Development 2.0. Registration is available in L2. It is recommended that you test your OPAL connection prior to February 4th. If you need assistance, please contact Dawn DiVenti (dawnd@palsnet.info) or Glen Wiegert (glenw@palsnet.info).

This is our third OPAL Blitz! and we're excited to offer the following sessions throughout the day:

9:00 - 10:15 a.m.   “The Illinois Digital Archives: Exposed” - Join Alyce Scott, Digital Imaging Program Coordinator, from the Illinois State Library as she discusses the Illinois Digital Archives which contains digital collections from the Illinois State Library and over 30 other libraries and cultural institutions in Illinois. So, why haven't you applied for a digital imaging grant? Is it because you're confused, frustrated, or just plain scared? Whatever the reason, please join us as we look inside the Illinois Digital Archives, discuss LSTA digital imaging grants, and highlight successful grant projects.

10:30 - 11:45 a.m. "Introduction to Programapedia" - Join Sandy Ringstrom, Director of Consulting & Continuous Learning, PALS as she introduces Programapedia, a dynamic collection of program and presenter profiles that offer details about programming events and presentations compiled in a wiki. Programapedia offers librarians a unique opportunity--a chance to share programming information on a statewide level, providing a more diverse base of ideas. The potential is limitless! This project was funded with LSTA funds in 2007-2008.

1:00 - 2:15 p.m.  "Practical Tips for Getting Your Staff Involved in Marketing" - Have you heard it said, 'Marketing is everyone's job?' Please join Jennifer Christiansen (Moline PL) and Judi Sarafin (Bettendorf PL) as they share some practical tips for involving every staff member in marketing the library and its services.

2:30 - 3:45 p.m.  “Children’s & YA Collection Development 2.0” - Are you interested in learning about new collection development tools? If so, join Dr. Cindy Welch, Assistant Professor and Youth Services Coordinator at the University of Tennessee School of Information Sciences as she introduces the latest tools for the 21st century.

Register for "On The Front Lines: Agents of Change"

Sign up now for the Illinois State Library's 6th conference for reference librarians, readers' advisors, and other front-line staff, March 16-18, Springfield.  Employees of PALS Iowa libraries may attend. Register now in L2.

Second Life Conference: “Stepping Into Science”

Alliance Library System and LearningTimes are pleased to announce an exciting conference featuring science and virtual worlds.  On January 30th we are "Stepping Into Science" and taking the day to explore the possibilities of using virtual worlds to learn about and teach science.  The conference will be taking place entirely in Second Life and will feature a keynote and panel discussion as well as small breakout sessions, field trips and an opportunity participate in "Science Friday", NPR's live broadcast from Second Life.

For more information and to register, click here:  http://www.steppingintovirtualworlds.org/

Freebies & Exchanges

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.

Colorful DVD/Video Stands for Sale

The Robert W. Rowe Library has 4 Rotor Display Stands for sale. They have primary colors on them and a melamine oak base and they are listed in the 2008 Highsmith catalog, 2008 page 144  for $357.00 a piece but we are selling our for only $50.00 a piece. They are in excellent condition. The purchaser will need to pick them up. If interested, contact Patti Smith, 815-496-2031, or pdsmith@robertrowe.lib.il.us

New Lenox Public Library has to give away:

Consumer Sourcebook, 21st edition
Encyclopedia of Associations, 44th edition – 3 volumes
If interested contact Linda, lmcnicholas@newlenoxlibrary.org

Kishwaukee College has to give away:

one box of DEMCO continuous pin-feed Labels, foil back, 2 2/3” H  x  9/10” W . 
Please contact Anne-Marie Eggleston 815-825-2086 x366 or egglestn@kishwaukeecollege.edu

Public Library News

LexisNexis® Library Express Offer

News, business, legal, and more! Over 6,000 premium sources make LexisNexis Library Express one of the richest resources in the library. Illinois public libraries may now order their discounted subscription to LexisNexis Library Express through the Library Partnership Trust. For offer details, a free trial, a no-obligation quote, and to place your order, visit the LPT site.

 Public Library Hours & Usage Statistics

As reported in the Public Libraries Survey, Fiscal Year 2006 (http://harvester.census.gov/imls/pubs/Publications/PLS2006.pdf), 51% of the U.S. public library outlets are open 40 or more hours weekly.  Thirty-one percent between 20 and 39 hours per week and 11 % less than 20 hours.

Total library material circulation in 2006 was 2.1 billion items or 7.3 items per capita.  Seventy 76% of libraries nationally are members of a federation or cooper service.  There were 43.7 million interlibrary loans.  

The total number of library visits reported was 1.4 billion or 4.8 per capita.

Children’s materials accounted for 728.1 million items or 35 % of the total circulation and 57.6 million attended children’s programming.

There were 334 million computer uses of 196,000 computers nationally or 1.2 uses per capita.

School and Youth Services News

Travel Grants for First-time AASL Conference Attendees

AASL is offering 30 grants for travel to its 14th National Conference and Exhibition in Charlotte, North Carolina, November 5–8. The grants for first-time attendees are sponsored by Bound To Stay Bound Books. Those interested in applying can download the application on the National Conference web pages.  The deadline is March 2, 2009.

 Around the State & Nation

 Library Event Kit for PBS Series “We Shall Remain”

“We Shall Remain” tells the story of pivotal moments of American History from the viewpoint of the Native- American.  The first episode will air April 13th during National Library Week with 4 subsequent episodes in April and May.  To get a 28 page library event kit go to:  http://www.pbs.org/weshallremain/libraries.

ILA Awards

What great things are your noticing that your colleagues are doing for your libraries and for Illinois? The Illinois Library Association Awards Committee invites you to nominate colleagues for the numerous awards that are offered.  Take a look at the attached handout to see the variety of honors that Illinois library staff and trustees are awarded each year!  We know there are people who do great, and often unsung, work for our communities every day.  Please share their efforts and ideas and provide the opportunity for well deserved recognition.

Novelist Deadline Extended

In response to overwhelming demand for Novelist and Novelist K-8 and Novelist Plus and Novelist K-8 Plus, the opportunity to take advantage of this offer has been extended to March 31. Pro-rated pricing for NoveList and NoveList K-8 or NoveList Plus & NoveList K-8 Plus, or an upgrade to the Novelist Plus and Novelist K-8 Plus package, is now available. NoveList and NoveList K-8 is an online readers' advisory service that helps librarians and readers find fiction books based on books they have read or topics in which they are interested. Readers can search for books by title, author or by simply describing a book they would like to read. NoveList K-8 is especially useful for teachers and students looking for new books or stories that have a particular appeal. NoveList Plus & NoveList K-8 Plus is an online readers' advisory service that contains information on fiction and nonfiction titles for all ages which can be searched using subject headings. Users can find books in a variety of ways including searching by title, author, or plot. These offerings are available to ILLINET member academic, public, special and high school library buildings and to middle and elementary library buildings. The Illinois State Library pays 50% of each library building (location) fee. Forms are available, and questions may be directed to Gwen Harrison or call 217-785-7334.

Advocacy News

 Library Advocates, Start Now with the 111th Congress!

The 111th Congress is now sworn in. In order to maximize our influence on key library issues, we must be proactive in educating our new and returning elected officials on ALA’s legislative agenda. There will be an onslaught of new bills in the coming months. We need to start building relationships with our senators and representatives early to make them aware of the key legislative issues for the library community during this critical time.

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