volume #3 issue#30

August 3, 2006

Prairie Views: the newsletter of the Prairie Area Library System

System News

PALSGROUP Timeline
The timeline for implementation of our merged consortial migration project was shared at the Delegate’s Assembly on July 12. Monthly timeline highlights and a detailed timeline can be found on the LLSAP merger page, www.palsnet.info/services/ts/merger/default.asp. The former document is color-coded to permit members to more easily see which items will directly affect them. Major timeline milestones to come are as follows:

Aug 2006: Review of first test data load begins on 8/25.
Sep 2006: Review of first test data load complete on 9/18.
Oct 2006: Prepare Demand Management and Display solutions (SirsiDynix must complete these upgrades for demonstration by January).
Oct 2006: Begin extraction / conversion for second test data load (begins 10/16).
Dec 2006: Review of second test data load (12/4 – 12/25).
Jan 2007: Confirmation of “Go Live” to proceed as scheduled based on Demand Management/Display solutions.
Mar 2007: Final bib/item data load/consolidation on new PALSGROUP server.
Apr 2007: GO LIVE! Final user and circ loads on production Unicorn server beginning April 2. PrairieCat live on or around April 8.
Jun 2007: Review of final data load completed.

If you have any questions concerning any aspect of this project, please contact Len (x4472), Paul (x2715) or Mary Anne (x3254).

Upcoming Public Library Trustee Training
We still have a few public libraries which have not met the upcoming Per Capita requirement of having at least one trustee attend training before the October grant application deadline.

We currently have programs scheduled on:
Monday, August 21 at Tiskilwa
Thursday, September 21 at Rock Falls.

Even if your trustees have been to one of the training programs, they are perfectly welcome to attend another! To register for one of these programs, visit http://www.palsnet.info/events/?Action=Calendar. If you have trouble registering, contact Shirley Grasty at shirleyg@palsnet.info or x2706.

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

OPAL (Online Programming for All Libraries)
Link to OPAL's Chronological List of Upcoming Programs, available and free to anyone interested.

Upcoming programs of interest
On August 21st Homer Township Public Library and PALS are hosting two programs. These programs are being held live in Shorewood and videoconferenced with Coal Valley and Rockford. Both programs feature Jessamyn West, a nationally known speaker and technology educator.

August 21st 10:00-12:00
On the Fly Tech Support
Public access computers in libraries bring new challenges to reference and circulation desk staff. Fortunately there are many quick and simple things you can do to troubleshoot most common PC problems. Jessamyn West will lead a training session on how library staff can user their superpowers of research, helpful service and tenacity to address and solve many PC problems.

August 21st 2:00-4:00
Search-It's not all Google
Since search syntax is simpler some say "Search seems stupid". This of course is slander!!!!! Doing online searching is easy to do satisfactorily, but more complicated to do well. Jessamyn West will delve into the syntax of Google, First Search and other online search engines and demonstrate simple, advanced and EXTREME searching techniques. Search like a superstar: start here.

Jessamyn West is a community technology educator in Central Vermont working with seniors and public librarians to help them use technology to solve problems. She is also the editor of librarian.net and a moderator at MetaFilter.com

Funding for this grant was awarded by the Illinois State Library (ISL), a Division of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), under the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA)

Elder Abuse Crime Victims: What Every Librarian Needs to Know - Video Conference at all PALS Service Centers
Secretary of State, Jesse White, through the Clerk’s office of the Court of Claims and the Illinois State Library is presenting a statewide program for librarians that will focus upon the unique needs of elderly victims of violence. The program, a cooperative effort between The Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault, the Illinois Department on Aging, and the Illinois State Police, Special Victims Division, will equip librarians, law enforcement, and aging advocates with the tools needed to assist elderly victims of violent crimes in applying for resources under the Crime Victim’s Compensation Act.

The seminar will not only provide attendees with an understanding of the unique impact that crime has upon elderly victims, but through representatives agencies will present an explanation of senior legal rights, as well as, provide an opportunity for them to connect with local elder abuse advocates in their area.

Date: 8/10/2006
Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

To register go to http://www.palsnet.info/events on this date and find the registration for the Service Center at which you'd like to attend. Invite your local officials to attend with you. They can set up a PALS CL account with their e-mail address.

Member News

Congratulations!
Congratulations to Melissa Carle and her husband on the birth of their daughter. Roslynn Maxine Carle was born August 2 at 2:00 p.m. and weighed in at 6 lbs., 9 oz., 19" long. Melissa works at the Manhattan Public Library District.

Congratulations also to Laura and Dennis Bautista on the birth of their son, Emilio. He was born at 6:03 a.m. Thursday, August 3, weighed 5 lbs., 2 oz. and was 17 3/4" long. Laura was the Financial Manager of the former Heritage Trail Library System and of PALS.

LTA Classes
Joliet Junior College will be offering a Library Technical Assistant (LTA) class at the Kankakee Public Library this Fall. It’s not too late to register! Attached is a press release regarding an Open House that Joliet Junior College (JJC) will be conducting at the Kankakee Public Library on August 10th.

Bettendorf Public Library Information Center Accredited
The State Library of Iowa has announced that the Bettendorf Public Library Information Center has met the conditions for state accreditation. Achieving accreditation requires a significant, ongoing local commitment to high quality library services. Of Iowa’s 543 public libraries, 296-including Bettendorf Public Library Information Center-are accredited. The Bettendorf Library has been recognized for its efforts in all areas of library administration including Governance and Funding; Staffing; Library Collection; Services; Public Relations’ and Access and Facilities. The accreditation is valid through June 30, 2009. Iowa’s accredited public libraries are recognized for being responsive to their communities and for exhibiting excellence in their provision of library services. Libraries are cornerstones of our communities. They reflect and help strengthen the economic health of communities, as well as the people who use them. Accredited libraries receive a higher rate of compensation through the State Library of Iowa’s Enrich Iowa/Direct State Aid program. They also receive an official Certificate of Accreditation signed by Governor Thomas Vilsack, State Librarian Mary Wegner, and Iowa Commission of Libraries Chairman Dale Ross. The Director and Board of Trustees of the Bettendorf Public Library Information Center and the City of Bettendorf are to be commended for this achievement and their commitment to excellence in public library services for the citizens of Bettendorf.

Missing Books - we've added a new section to Prairie Views where 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.

Ian Fleming’s James Bond in License to Kill by John Gardner, F GAR, Barcode: 31533000254469
Status: Mon Jul 03 2006 02:22PM: IN TRANSIT from circdk to cva

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 are to notify Brenda Roman (brendar@palsnet.info or x3152) or Judy Hutchinson (judyh@palsnet.info or x3150), or you can email to Prairie Views (mailto:prairieviews@lists.palsnet.info), 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.

Reddick Library
* Book of States, 2004 - V. 36
* Book of States, 2005 - V. 37
* World Chamber of Commerce Directory, 2005
* Peterson's scholarships, grants & prizes, 2005.
* Peterson's College Money Handbook 2005
* Peterson's Two-year colleges - 2005

Please contact: Elaine Chapman emchapman@reddicklibrary.org

Northern Illinois University
Journal giveaways:
1
2

Please contact: Jane Farmer jfarmer@niu.edu Phone: 815-753-9869

Illinois Valley Community College
*Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Macmillan & Free Press, 1967 Vols. 1-8, with comprehensive index supplement
Edwards, Paul. Ed.

Please contact: James E. Barnes James_Barnes@ivcc.edu Phone: 815 224-0204

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.

Temporary Librarians
The Moline Public Library is seeking part-time, temporary, MLS Adult Services Librarians to work at public information desks on an as needed basis.

For further information, please contact:
Lisa Powell Williams
Adult Services Coordinator
309-736-5748, lwilliams@molinelibrary.org

Youth Services Assistant
The Marengo Public Library District is looking for an outgoing and energetic youth services assistant to work six hours a week. Duties include collection development, as well as the planning and running of children’s programming from age infant to teen. Minimum qualifications include: Bachelors degree, experience in working with children, basic computer skills, and excellent interpersonal and communication skills. $15.00 per hour Applications are available upon request at the library and will be accepted until the position is filled. Please direct questions about the position to Sondra at 815-568-8236 or by e-mail Sondrat@marengopubliclibrary.org

Development Director for University Libraries, Honor College and International Studies
Western Illinois University
APPOINTMENT: November 1, 2006/Negotiable.
QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor's degree is required. Experience in development related work. Candidate should possess exceptional interpersonal, written, and oral communications skills; strong organizational and time management; a commitment and ability to working in a team-oriented environment; coordinate efforts of diverse groups of alumni, volunteers, faculty and staff; ability to develop effective partnerships with internal and external constituencies; an ability to maintain confidentiality. Computer proficiency applicable to the position. Weekend and evening work is required, in addition to extensive travel. The successful candidate should possess a demonstrated record of success in cultivating and closing significant major gifts, and knowledge of best practices for higher education fundraising; knowledge of gift planning techniques and tools; ability and experience with managing budgets as well as with understanding and interpreting financial and investment information and communicating it effectively; experience in strategic planning and goal setting; understanding and appreciation of University Libraries, the Illinois Centennial Honors College, and International Studies and the role of these units serve within the University as well as the University environment.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Advanced degree. Professional experience commensurate with an advanced degree will be given consideration. Experience in a comprehensive development program and evidence of progressive professional experience in higher education preferred, including previous supervisory experience.
RESPONSIBILITIES: The Director of Development will report to the Dean of the University Libraries, Director of the Illinois Centennial Honors College, the Director of International Studies, and the Vice President for Advancement and Public Service. The Director will provide overall leadership for the Western Illinois University Libraries, the Honors College and International Studies fundraising programs, with primary emphasis on securing major gifts from individuals, corporations and foundations to support academic priorities of these areas and the goals and objectives of the University's strategic plan "Higher Values in Higher Education." Specific responsibilities include: . Work with the Dean/Directors to establish long-range objectives for development activities that reflect academic and program priorities consistent with the University's Strategic Goals. Assist these units in seeking external funding including government and foundation grants, and private gifts. Prepare operating plans designed to meet these objectives. . Lead and direct the planning and implementation of development activities as they relate to the priorities of the comprehensive campaign, including but not limited to significantly increasing endowment, planned giving, and the level of giving through the units participation in the University's Annual Fund campaign. . Communicate regularly with Dean/Directors and other University constituencies to ensure full awareness of and support for ongoing College development activities. . In concert with the WIU Foundation and Development Office, manage core group (80-100) of assigned major gifts prospects (potential and existing donors), cultivating, soliciting and providing stewardship as appropriate to each prospect. . Provide leadership and direction to individuals who are interested in helping WIU advance the college/unit mission (e.g. alumni, advisory boards, company representatives who recruit students) by maintaining an ongoing, effective volunteer structure to assist with specific development activities. . Arrange opportunities for the Dean/Directors, faculty and other University academic leaders and personnel to interact with donors, prospects and volunteers in forums designed to engender support for the College. . Provide stewardship and cultivation to WIU donors and prospects to provide support and assistance or to provide another resource to department staff members. . Communicate regularly with WIU Foundation (the Foundation executives, peer development directors from other academic units, and other Foundation staff members) to ensure that WIU development efforts are coordinated with other development activities. . Foster a cooperative and collaborative relationship with the University Vice President for Advancement and Public Services and with the University's Foundation and Development, University Relations, Scholarship, Marketing and Alumni Programs staffs.
RANK & SALARY: Salary negotiable, commensurate with experience. Western Illinois University offers a competitive benefits package including domestic partner benefits. For full benefit information visit: http://www.wiu.edu/hr/index.shtml#benefits .
THE DEPARTMENT:THE COLLEGE/UNITS: For more information on the University Libraries, see our web pages at http://www.wiu.edu/library For more information about The Illinois Centennial Honors College, see http://www.wiu.edu/Honors/ For more information about The Center for International Studies, see the web page at http://www.wiu.edu/international
THE UNIVERSITY: Recognized as one of the "Best in the Midwest Colleges" by The Princeton Review and selected as one of just 24 public universities ranked a Tier 1 Midwestern Masters Institution by U.S. News and World Report, Western Illinois University serves 13,400 students in the heart of the Midwest through its traditional, residential, four-year campus in Macomb, IL and its upper division, urban, commuter location in the Quad Cities/Moline. WIU's friendly, accessible, nurturing campus communities are dedicated to higher values in higher education and are comprised of strong faculty, state of the art technology and facilities, and a wide range of academic and extracurricular opportunities for students and staff. The four core values at the heart of WIU are academic excellence, educational opportunity, personal growth, and social responsibility. WIU's GradTrac and Cost Guarantee programs ensure that students can achieve their degrees within four years while paying a fixed rate for tuition, fees, plus room and board. WIU remains the only university in Illinois to guarantee the cost for tuition plus fees and room and board over a four-year period at both the undergraduate and graduate level. WIU is a comprehensive, public university offering 55 undergraduate degree programs, 35 graduate degree programs and a doctorate degree. With a student to faculty ratio of 17:1, WIU's 615 full-time faculty teach 95 percent of all undergraduate as well as graduate courses in addition to 13 pre-professional degree programs and 10 certificate programs. WIU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. Western Illinois University is a member of the NCAA and competes at the Division I level. The Leslie F. Malpass Library ranks among the finest at comprehensive universities in the United States. WIU is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association.
APPLICATION: Letter of interest, professional vita, and the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of three professional references. Reply to: Jeff Hancks, Search Committee Chair, Director of Development for University Libraries, the Illinois Centennial Honors College, and International Studies, University Libraries, Western Illinois University; 1 University Circle; Macomb, IL 61455-1390. Screening of applicants will begin September 18 and continue until positions are filled.

Western Illinois University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to diversity. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people, including, but not limited to, minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities. Western Illinois University has a non-discrimination policy that includes sex, race, color, sexual orientation, religion, age, marital status, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Reference and ILL News

Get In On a Great Deal
Staff and library patrons are being offered an exceptional opportunity to have unlimited, easy access to 300 premiere Thomson Gale e-reference titles at a very low price. For a single library to purchase these titles on their own it would cost them $112,778.00. Because all public libraries in Illinois will have the opportunity to participate in a group purchase of Thomson Gale's Virtual Reference Library, prices will be very reasonable. This product is actually a database of complete reference books. They are easily searchable and accessible to simultaneous users anywhere and at any time. For additional information please see the brochure, title list in the collection and FAQs and contact Dale Lawrence (North Suburban Library System) with any questions dlawrence@nsls.info

Youth Services and School Library News

Monarch 2008 nominations needed by Sept. 15
K-3 media specialists!
Hope you are peeking at your email this summer. The nomination period for the Monarch 2008 master list ends September 15th. Please submit some of your kids favorite books for consideration for the 2008 list! Any amount is OK....one or fifty! Brief guidelines for nomination: published 2002-2006, author and/or illustrator living, appropriate for K-3 based on interest, readbility, subject matter.
More detailed guidelines are available at the Monarch website given below. Please nominate online at http://www.islma.org/monarch.htm

Any questions?? Contact: Pam Storm pstorm@charleston.k12.il.us

AASL to provide support for two Emerging Leader applicants
The American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), has announced its support of the Emerging Leaders 2007 initiative. ALA President Leslie Burger launched the new initiative to "enable 100 new librarians to get on the fast track to ALA and professional leadership" and enrich the association's incoming volunteer base with practical skills and applicable knowledge. Emerging Leaders 2007 will select and train 100 new librarians to get a jump-start in leadership. The initiative will kick off with a day-long session during the 2007 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Seattle, Wash., and it will grow and develop virtually for six months, culminating at the 2007 Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.
"The AASL Board of Directors, in its support of the initiative, has voted to sponsor two of our members who are accepted into the program," said AASL President Cyndi Phillip. "The new AASL Strategic Plan calls for increased involvement in ALA activities and this initiative offers valuable support for new leaders in our profession."

Selected AASL participants will join other ALA members and attend Emerging Leaders meetings in Seattle and Washington, D.C. Contingent upon the member's acceptance to the Emerging Leaders 2007 program, AASL will provide two members with a $500 stipend for travel to each conference. AASL is also urging its state affiliates to consider supporting an emerging leader from their organization. Applicants wishing to seek financial sponsorship from AASL should send a copy of their application via email to Jen Habley, jhabley@ala.org, no later than September 15. Applicants will be notified by September 22.

More information about the Emerging Leader 2007 initiative and instructions on submitting an application can be found at Leslie Burger's Web site: http://lb.princetonlibrary.org/emerging_leaders.html . The American Association of School Librarians, http://www.aasl.org, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), promotes the improvement and extension of library media services in elementary and secondary schools as a means of strengthening the total education program. Its mission is to advocate excellence, facilitate change and develop leaders in the school library media field.

Public Library News

Be Aware of New Legislation
Public Act 94-0976 (http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=094-0976&GA=094) may impact those libraries with a referendum on the ballot in the upcoming November election. Please read it and check with your attorney.

If your library has a policy on electronic attendance (phone, videoconference) at meetings, you should look at Public Act 94-0158 (http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=094-1058&GA=094) to be sure your policy and actions conform with those provisions.

Academic Library News
No Academic Library News this week.

Special Library News
No Special Library News this week.

Support Staff News
No Support News this week.

Technology Services News
No Technology Services News This Week

New Books at PALS
No New Books at PALS this week.

Library News Around the State & Nation

Deleting Online Predators Act (DOPA) H. R. 5319:
ILA Requests that You Write to Senators Dick Durbin and Barack Obama
Schools and libraries that rely on E-rate funding would be required to prohibit minors from using chat rooms and social-networking sites like MySpace under legislation passed Wednesday, 26 July 2006 by the United States House of Representatives. The bill's text and status is available at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c109:2:./temp/~c109pbn92K:

By a 410-15 vote, legislators passed the Deleting Online Predators Act (DOPA) H. R. 5319, despite skepticism from some Democrats that the measure was ineffective. The only Illinois representative voting against the bill was Janice D. Schakowsky (D-9, Skokie). The intent of the bill is to protect children from sexual predators who use the sites to contact and solicit minors. One of DOPA's original sponsors was Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) along with Mark Kirk (R-10, Waukegan). Fitzpatrick said in the Thursday, 27 July CNet online news service that Web sites such as MySpace and Friendster "have become a haven for online sexual predators who have made these corners of the Web their own virtual hunting ground." "I don't believe it will adequately address these issues," said Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.). "It is overly broad, ambiguous, and the e-rate program was not designed to be the cop on the block." Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) said during the House debate, "So now we are on the floor with a piece of legislation poorly thought out, with an abundance of surprises, which carries with it that curious smell of partisanship and panic, but which is not going to address the problems." Nonetheless, both Markey and Dingell voted in favor of the bill. CNet noted that the bill's definition of off-limits Web sites is so broad that it could apply to many commercial services that allow communication among users. The bill requires the Federal Trade Commission to set up a Web site that includes information on "social networking Web sites and chat rooms through which personal information about child users of such Web sites may be accessed by child predators."

Talking Points: ILA supports the goal of protecting children from online predators. One of the primary concerns of the library community is the safety of children. We know that the best way to protect children is to teach them to guard their privacy and make wise choices. To this end, libraries across the state offer instruction on safe Internet use.
1) Education, not laws blocking access, is the key to safe use of the Internet. Libraries and schools are where kids learn essential information literacy skills that go far beyond computer instruction and Web searching. Indeed, DOPA would block usage of these sites in the very environments where librarians and teachers can instruct students about how to use all kinds of applications safely and effectively and where kids can learn to report and avoid unsafe sites.
2) While seeking to protect children from predators, H. R. 5319 would impact a wide range of social-networking sites that are used daily by millions of Americans. DOPA is much too broad. It proposes to block access to beneficial collaborative Web applications and resources.
3) DOPA still ignores the value of Interactive Web applications. New Internet-based applications for collaboration, business and learning are becoming increasingly important, and young people must be prepared to thrive in a work environment where meetings take place online, where online networks are essential communication tools.
4) Local decision-making --- not federal law --- is the way to solve the problems addressed by DOPA. Such decisions are already being made locally, in part due to the requirements of the Children's Online Protection Act (CIPA) for E-rate recipients. This additional requirement is not necessary.
5) DOPA would restrict access to technology in the communities that need public access most. H. R. 5319 still, as presently drafted, would require libraries and schools receiving E-rate discounts through the Universal Service Program to block computer users from accessing Interactive Web applications of all kinds, thereby limiting opportunities for those who do not have Internet access at home. This unfairly denies the students and library users in schools and libraries in the poorest communities from accessing appropriate content and from learning how best to safely manage their own Internet access in consultation with librarians and teachers.
6) Finally, limiting access to social networking sites in E-rate schools and libraries will have little impact on the overall problem since young people access these collaborative sites from many locations and over a period of time.

Please personalize these talking points/messages when contacting Senators Durbin and Obama. Give examples from your library, school, or personal experiences. In a recent survey by the Congressional Management Foundation (CMF) it was found that over half of Congressional staffers polled said they believe the form-e-mails they receive from constituents are sent without the constituents' knowledge. The CMF report concludes that: "Quality is more persuasive than quantity. Thoughtful, personalized constituent messages generally have more influence than a large number of identical form messages. Grassroots campaigns should consider placing greater emphasis on generating messages of higher quality and reducing form e-mails, faxes, or letters." "Additionally, many congressional offices have small staffs that struggle to manage thousands of e-mails received by the office each day. Staff must quickly skim e-mails and faxes to determine whether the communications are spam or are related to real federal issues. Staff skim e-mails and faxes looking for personalized communications, which get pulled for greater consideration. Meanwhile, form e-mails and faxes are more likely to be mistaken as spam or set aside with other form letters." The measure could go to the United States Senate for approval in early August.

ALA Offers Banned Books Week Online Press Kit
This year marks the 25th observation of Banned Books Week, September 23-30, 2006, and provides an opportunity to talk about the ongoing threats to remove materials from schools and libraries. The American Library Association (ALA) has begun sending materials to media nationwide, and is providing a press kit online. Tools include a fact sheet, lists of most frequently challenged authors, and more. For more info, visit ALA's site.

Literacy Grants
Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White this week announced the release of $6.51 million in fiscal year 2007 adult literacy grants for nearly 200 local literacy projects located throughout Illinois. "These grants give literacy providers some of the critical funds they need to help students improve their reading, writing, math and language skills," White said. "In Illinois, an estimated 4 million of our citizens have inadequate literacy skills, which keeps them from using printed and written information to function effectively. This year Secretary of State Adult Volunteer Literacy tutoring projects will serve nearly 25,000 adult students. Our strong partnership with literacy providers and volunteer tutors gives students the tools that will help them achieve their personal and professional goals."

White said FY07 literacy grants are awarded in three categories:
* Adult/Volunteer Literacy Grants provide training for volunteers who tutor adults over age 16 in basic reading, math, writing or language skills. Individual grants are awarded to libraries, community colleges, school districts, community-based organizations, volunteer organizations and correctional facilities.
* Family Literacy Grants provide instructional services to parents and children to enhance their basic reading, math, writing or language skills both together and separately. Participation by the entire family increases the benefits of the instruction. Individual grants are awarded to a partnership of educational agencies, including an adult literacy provider, a child-at-risk organization and a public library.
* Workplace Skills Enhancement Grants provide on-site instructional services to employees of Illinois businesses to enable them to enhance their basic reading, math, writing or language skills, maintain their employment and increase their eligibility for promotion. Individual grants are awarded to businesses and educational providers who operate in partnership to advance the employees learning. White also encourages citizens interested in assisting Illinois literacy efforts to become a volunteer tutor.

Persons may contact the Illinois Adult Learning Hotline at 1-800-321-9511 for information about becoming a tutor. For more information about the Secretary of State's literacy efforts, log on to http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com.

Literacy Donation Project
For the fourth year in a row, Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White, the Illinois Literacy Foundation and sixty-six Borders Group, Inc., stores are uniting to raise money from Borders/Waldenbooks customers to enhance literacy appreciation and awareness for local literacy initiatives. This fall's Literacy Donation Project enables local literacy agencies, schools, libraries and community groups to purchase merchandise and books to meet their literacy needs. "As State Librarian overseeing literacy efforts in Illinois, I am proud to join and commend the Literacy Foundation and Borders Group Inc. for their tremendous efforts to raise vitally needed funds and enhance literacy efforts", White said. "A call to literacy is an ongoing activity, especially since this fall's campaign will coincide with the start of the 2006-2007 school year."

Over the past three years, Borders/Waldenbooks customers' donations have resulted in thousands of books and related materials being placed in libraries, schools, youth groups, senior adult day centers, shelters, pre-schools, resource centers and local literacy programs. This fall's Literacy Donation Project begins on Friday, September 1, 2006 and runs through Sunday, October 1, 2006. Borders and Waldenbooks Stores will offer customers the opportunity to donate one dollar, or an amount of their choice, to help provide books and other relevant literacy materials for literacy efforts. Each local store has been matched with a literacy program, and electronic gift cards are redeemable at the respective store. Funds raised in the community by Borders customers remain in the community. A reception will be held October 19, 2006 where recipients will receive their electronic gift cards. Proceeds from one weekend between September 1 and October 1 will benefit the work of Illinois Literacy Foundation. Some local literacy organizations will collaborate with the Borders or Waldenbooks store in their community to host a "literacy day." The event will feature story times, plays and other special events so that the Borders' customers/community can be entertained and meet and greet the recipients of their donations. The Illinois Literacy Foundation is a non-profit organization that promotes literacy through partnerships with the private sector and corporate community.

Big Names for Book Fair
James B. Stewart , Pulitzer Prize winning author of the best-selling books Den of Thieves, Blind Eye, Blood Sport and Disney War, is one of more than two dozen Illinois authors who will appear at the 10th Illinois Authors Book Fair November 16-18 at the Illinois State Library in Springfield. Other nationally-known authors appearing at the event include Jacquelyn Mitchard (The Deep End of the Ocean), Newbery Honor Book winner Marion Dane Bauer (On My Honor) and popular cartoonist Pat Byrnes. Because of the event's ever-increasing popularity, the Book Fair has been expanded to three days in 2006.

Festivities begin Thursday November 16th with an all-day celebration tied to Family Reading Night. Family Reading Night, sponsored by Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White, is an annual event held throughout Illinois where families are encouraged to read together. Children's authors and storytellers will entertain Springfield area students during the morning and afternoon. From 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., parents and kids are invited to take part in Family Reading Night programs that will include authors, costumed characters, celebrity readers and other fun events for the family. Marion Dane Bauer will read and sign books for patrons. On Friday November 17th, events kick off with the return of popular book appraiser Tom Joyce, who has developed a large following from his appearances at previous Book Fairs. James B. Stewart will give a speech at 11:30 based on two of his other popular and best-selling books: The Call to Duty: Leadership in Times of Terror and The Heart of a Soldier. Stewart will also answer questions and sign copies of his books. Gardening experts Gloria Young and Dianne Nolan will conduct a program for "green thumb" types. The day will conclude with an evening reception highlighting the author of a book that will be featured in the Springfield area's "Together We Read" program. This evening event is being sponsored by Friends of Lincoln Public Library in Springfield, and includes libraries and patrons from Springfield, Ashland, Pleasant Plains, Chatham, Rochester and Sherman.

The State Library's doors will open at 9:30 a.m. Saturday November 18th for patrons to meet authors, attend workshops, and have books signed. There will be an on-site bookstore, and as always a host of fun activities for kids. Illinois poet laureate Kevin Stein and author Kaylie Jones will present awards to the winners of the 2nd annual Illinois Emerging Writers Competition. Three well-known Illinois fine arts photographers-Larry Kanfer, Gary Irving and Robert Shaw-will also be featured. The Book Fair concludes Saturday evening with the showing of a film adapted from a book, with the book's author hosting a discussion of the book and film. More details about the Book Fair will be announced as they develop. With three days of free family fun, the 2006 Illinois Authors Book Fair promises to be the best ever! For more information about all Book Fair events, contact Carolyn Bodewes at cbodewes@ilsos.net. NOTE: The planned September 8th murder mystery fundraising dinner has been cancelled. Beginning this week, we will showcase the talented authors who will be appearing at the Book Fair, starting with James B. Stewart. Check back each week for a new author!

News from Vendors
No News from Vendors this week.

Legislative/Advocacy News

Reach Out to Your Legislator About Library Card Sign-up Month
September is Library Card Sign-up Month (LCSM) - a time when the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country remind parents that a library card is the most important school supply of all. As we all know, libraries play an important role in the education and development of children. Studies show that children who are read to in the home and who use the library perform better in school and are more likely to continue to use the library as a source of lifetime learning.

The ALA is in the process of contacting members of Congress to request that they use LCSM language in public remarks given during back-to-school events. As the ALA reaches out to legislators on the national level, we hope we can count on you to reach out to your local leadership (i.e. aldermen, mayor, governor and state legislators) and ask them to mention LCSM in their back-to-school remarks. To assist with your efforts, the ALA has Library Card Sign-up Month talking points, fact sheet and proclamation available for download at http://www.ala.org/librarycardsignup. Thank you in advance for your efforts and support.

Please tell us of your success, so that we can add the names of your local elected officials to our LCSM thank you board that will be posted on the Library Card Sign-up Month Web page on September 15. Please send information to Macey Morales, ALA PR Coordinator at mmorales@ala.org.

Just So You Know
No Just So You Know this week.

Grant News
No Grant News this week.

On the Internet
Our website picks of the week are supplied by Marylaine Block, Writer, Internet Trainer and "Librarian Without Walls," http://marylaine.com/.

NEAT NEW STUFF July 21, 2006

ASL University
"an online curriculum resource for American Sign Language students, instructors, interpreters, and parents of deaf children. Feel free to use the various lessons and resources for self-study." Includes a dictionary, a finger-spelling tool, "Baby's First 100 ASL Signs," a library, and lots more.
http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/

Autobiography Project
Here's something interesting that the Free Library of Philadelphia helped happen. This is worth imitating.
http://autobiographyproject.com/

CollectBritain:
Collections Overview. "Over 90,000 images and sounds from the UK and beyond," from the British Library's holdings, including images of illuminated manuscripts, hundreds of maps of Britain from 800-1600, "1,800 printed items from everyday 19th century life," rare items from their stamp collections, recordings of English dialects, and much more.
http://www.collectbritain.co.uk/collections/

Deleting Online Predators Act Resources
Librarian in the Middle. A list of resources explaining the effect this bill would have on libraries and on social networking sites, and some alternative ways of dealing with online predators.
http://www.beiffert.net/wordpress/deleting-online-predators-act-dopa-hr-5319-ih/

Englibrary
While this blog from Engineering Librarian Jay Bhatt is specifically intended to introduce his library's resources to students at Drexel, it should be of general interest among science and engineering librarians.
http://www.library.drexel.edu/blogs/englibrary/

Guide to Springfield, USA
Attention Simpsons fans. A map of the Simpsons' home town, derived from both internal evidence in the programs
http://www.mapofspringfield.com/
and The City Profile in the Simpsons Archive
http://www.snpp.com/guides/city.profile.html

National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center
[US] Includes news, outlooks ranging from 6 days to 3 months, a drought assessment, and more.
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/index.html

New York Times Learning Network
Offers a daily news quiz, a word of the day, science Q&A, a daily lesson plan (with archive), "on this day in history," "issues in depth," and lots more educational resources from the Times.
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/index.html

The Power and Interest News Report
(PINR) "an independent organization that utilizes open source intelligence to provide conflict analysis services in the context of international relations." Among the current reports and intelligence briefings: "The Role of Iran and Syria in the Israel-Lebanon Crisis," "Intelligence Brief: North Korea's Missile Tests," etc. Browse reports by region or by Economic Briefs or Intelligence Briefs.
http://www.pinr.com/index.php

UNT Music Library
Virtual Rare Book Room. "This site provides full-text image files of early music prints and manuscripts, most housed in the UNT Music Library’s Rare Book Room, and background information about those works." Browse alphabetically by author or title, or search by composer, title or subject (ballets, operas, violin music, etc.).
http://www.library.unt.edu/music/virtual/default.htm

What Are Book Editors Looking For?
Editor Dedi Felman offers tips to aspiring authors.
http://chronicle.com/jobs/news/2006/07/2006072101c/careers.html

What You Can Do To Avoid Medication Errors
Given the Institute of Medicine's recent report on the extreme frequency.
http://www.iom.edu/Object.File/Master/35/945/medication%20errors%20fact%20sheet.pdf

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