volume #3 issue#38

September 28, 2006

Prairie Views: the newsletter of the Prairie Area Library

System News

Our Condolences
to PALS Board Treasurer, Peggy Danhof, on the death of her mother this week. Our thoughts, prayers, and deepest sympathies are with Peggy & her family in their time of sorrow.

Watch for these PALS members at the 2007 ILA Annual Conference…

Rides to ILA Exhibits Thursday, October 5th
Once again ILA is offering free admission to the Exhibits including Talk Tables and Poster Sessions. Attendees must register at the door. For more information see http://www.ila.org/events/conference.htm. PALS is offering rides for a limited number of seats on Thursday, October 5th. Please select the service center you would like to depart from and register by September 26th. Register in CLeO. Exact times and possible alternate pick up points will be e-mailed to registrants after the 26th. The goal would be to leave each location in time to reach Chicago by 10 AM and to leave Chicago on the return trip about 4PM. Questions? contact Nancy Smith, nancys@palsnet.info or x4466.

Visit ILA Exhibits for Consortia Discount Demos
The Illinois Library Association Conference is the place for Illinois libraries to learn more about the great products and great savings now available to them through the Library Partnership Trust (LPT). Exhibits will be open Wednesday, Oct. 4, 3-6 p.m.; Thursday, Oct. 5, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. More info on Gale Virtual Reference Library at Thomsen Gale (#604); Intelligent Media Manager at Library Automation Technologies (#431); MyMediaMall at Overdrive (#108); NetLibrary at OCLC (#523). Exhibits will be open Details can also be found on the LPT Web http://www.lptrust.org

Lunch @ ILA
PALS will be offering a lunch of pizza, snacks and networking from 12:30 to 2:30 PM on Thursday, October 5th during the Illinois Library Association conference. The hospitality suite will be in the Chicago City Center/Holiday Inn Hotel (room number will be provided at a later date.) ILA busses will provide transportation to the hotel and back to Navy Pier. Kick off your shoes, have a good lunch, sign up for doorprizes and talk with your peers. PALS staff will be in attendance so it will be a great time to put names and faces together. Register for lunch in CLeO at: http://www.palsnet.info/events/

PALSGroup Migration Update
Keep abreast of what's happening with the countdown to the PALSGroup merger and the new PrairieCat library catalog by visiting the PALSGroup merger area of the PALS website.

Upcoming PALSGroup Meetings (and links to CLeO registration if available):
Wednesday, October 18, 2006, 2 to 4 pm, PALSGroup OPAC Users Group Meeting, via videoconference from three PALS Service Centers
Wednesday, October 25, 2006, 10 am to 3 pm, PALSGroup Delegates Assembly, Mendota Civic Center
Thursday, November 9, 2006, 10 am, PALSGroup Technical Services Users Group Meeting, via videoconference from three PALS Service Centers
Tuesday, November 15, 2006, 10 am to 3 pm, PALSGroup OPAC Users Group Meeting, location TBA
Tuesday, November 28, 2006, 10 am, PALSGroup Circulation Users Group Meeting, via videoconference from three PALS Service Centers

Illinois Statewide Cataloging Standards – Barcode Testing Begins
Cataloging standards provide the foundation for achieving reliable online access to the vast information resources contained within the collections of Illinois’ multitype libraries. The Illinois Statewide Cataloging Standards are not intended to serve as a manual of data entry procedures. Rather, the intent is to prescribe adherence to nationally accepted cataloging standards and guidelines that are crucial to the viability of shared bibliographic databases. Selecting the correct record already in the local database, attaching and adding your holding only, with no editing to the bibliographic record, will be tested for in the Barcoding Level of the certification. The Barcoding test is the foundation to the next two levels of certification, Copy Cataloging and Original Cataloging. Please note: any staff who adds items to the HAL or Quad-LINC databases (fully participating or Union List members) must pass the barcoding test and be certified at the barcoding level by June 30, 2007. Any staff who adds items to NIC or NILSCatT databases must pass the barcoding test and be certified at the barcoding level by December 31, 2007. In our merged PALSGroup consortium, all staff who add items to the database will have unique logins to the system based on their certification level.

PALS has set one day each month beginning in September for Barcode Testing. The testing day will be the same at all 3 service centers. You may come anytime between 9 am and 4 pm, but need to register in CLEO for which day you will be coming. It will be 1st come, 1st served. We anticipate that the test will take approximately 1 ½ hours to complete, however you may have as much time as you need to complete it. The scheduled testing dates are Wednesday, September 27th; Thursday, October 12th; Tuesday, November 14th; Friday, December 1st; Wednesday, January 10th; Thursday, February 15th. More dates will be added as needed after February.

You will need to create your holdings so as to be consistent with the policies your library uses. For example, if your fiction books are categorized in Item Cat 1 as mystery rather than fiction, that is how you should add them during testing. Add the items as if you were at work at your own library. The tests will be graded within a week of the testing date and results will be sent to you via delivery. A practice test and supporting information is available on the PALS website at: http://www.palsnet.info/services/ts/palsgroup/

If you have any questions please contact Merideth Willett x3257 meridethw@palsnet.info or John Slanicky x2716 johns@palsnet.info

UW-Madison MLS program
PALS is beginning to gather names of potential students for the next cohort of MLS students from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Although registration won't start until next spring, we are collecting names of people who might be interested in enrolling for fall semester, 2007. If you think you might be interested and would like to be added to our information list, please contact Jane Lenser at janel@palsnet.info and she will be happy to add your name.

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

The Power of Word of Mouth Marketing
Join the New Lenox Library for this great workshop on Friday, November 10, 2006, at 9:30 a.m. Check out the flyer for this upcoming workshop.

24/7 Collection Management
The South Metropolitan Higher Education Consortium is planning a workshop called "24/7 Collection Management" on October 19, 2006 at Moraine Valley Community College. Librarians from all library types are welcome to attend. There will be presenters and/or responders from academic, public, and high school libraries. A flyer with more information is attached.

Member News

Peter Fletcher, Classical Guitarist, to Perform at the Moline Public Library
Classical Guitarist and Recording Artist, Peter Fletcher, will be in concert at the Moline Public Library, 3210-41st Street, Moline, at 6:30 p.m. on Monday evening, October 9th. The concert is free. For further information, please call the library’s reference desk at 736-5737. Peter Fletcher is scheduled to make his Carnegie Hall debut in February 2007. For additional information on this artist and to hear a sample of his music, visit http://www.peterfletcher.com

Author and Filmmaker, John de Graaf, to Visit the Moline Public Library
John de Graaf, author and filmmaker, will discuss his PBS featured work, Affluenza, at the Moline Public Library on Saturday, October 21, at 2 p.m. at the Moline Public Library, 3210-41st Street, Moline, IL. His appearance is part of a Literary Arts residency with Quad City Arts, www.quadcityarts.com. For further information, please call the library’s reference desk at 309-736-5737.

Open on Sundays
The Bettendorf Public Library Information Center will open from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoons beginning October 1. The Library will open on Sundays through the end of April except for the Sundays before Christmas day and New Years day and Easter Sunday. All services will be available with the exception of meeting rooms.

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.

Please check your shelves for the missing in transit item:
What’s Left of Me (sound recording) CD POPULAR LACH WLO 3198400 244 3016
On its way from NLBB to PLBB August 30, 2006.

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@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.

For Sale!
36 arch top end of range signs for sale. Color - Royal blue These are Demco signs #807958 in 2006 catalog page 965. Priced at $40.00 each. We will sell for $20 each.

If interested please contact:
Diana Dillinger
815-933-1727

Black Hawk College
BHC has a list of free books. Anyone selecting any volume sets with more than 2 per set must arrange a pick up. These cannot be put on delivery.

Contact:
Ilene Chamra

Lemont Public Library
Best’s Key Rating Guide, Property/Casualty, United States & Canada, 2005

If interested please contact:
Debbie Somchay
Phone: 630.257.6541

Flagg-Rochelle Public Library District
1 Kingsley ‘curb-side’ Outdoor Book Return Blue with white library logo; 22.5” x 24.75” x 44.5” (h) Includes keys and two carts; cart access from the back Purchased well over ten years ago; still has some life left; but needs some tender lovin’ care. Yours for the asking – although you will have to pick it up.
* Book Review Digest – bound volumes 1915 to 2005
* Readers’ Guide to Periodical Literature – bound volumes Vol. 9 (1932) to Vol. 58 (1998)
Books also free for the asking, but will have to pick up as too heavy to transport by van.

Contact:
Barbara A. Kopplin
815-562-3431

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.

Web Services Coordinator
Prairie Area Library System
Are you looking for new, exciting challenges in your career? Interested in working with a state of the art integrated library system public interface? Are you ready to work with and for positive, upbeat, hard-working professionals to help improve and enhance library service to northern Illinois libraries? The Prairie Area Library System (PALS) is looking for an innovative, technologically progressive, self-starter willing to share their positive outlook and team player skills with colleagues and member libraries. As part of the Technology Services department of PALS, the ideal applicants will have: 3 years managing web based services with hardware & software responsibilities; 2 years experience with MySQL & Microsoft Access; Strong understanding of Internet-based services and protocols, especially MySQL, HTML, ASP; Demonstrated ability to communicate technical ideas and plans to non-technical clientele in a helpful and friendly manner; Self-motivation and ability to work as a team member; and a strong customer service orientation.

The successful applicant may work from any of the three PALS locations, Coal Valley, Rockford, or Shorewood.

Bachelor Degree in computer or information science or appropriate and demonstrated skill sets required.

Salary range $38,788 - 58,182. Excellent benefits.

Visit http://www.palsnet.info/jobs/wsc.doc for complete job description and http://www.palsnet.info/jobs/application.doc for the application.
Review of applications will continue until position is filled. Please submit application and resume with three professional references to Shirley Grasty, 405 Earl Road, Shorewood, IL 60404 or shirleyg@palsnet.info

PALS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Library Services Coordinator
Prairie Area Library System
Are you looking for new, exciting challenges in your career? Do you enjoy traveling throughout beautiful northern Illinois? Are you ready to work with and for positive, upbeat, hard-working professionals to help improve and enhance library service to northern Illinois libraries? The Prairie Area Library System (PALS) is looking for two innovative, technologically progressive, self-starters willing to share their positive outlooks and team player skills with colleagues and member libraries. As part of the consulting and continuous learning department of PALS, the ideal applicants will have: work experience in several types of libraries and at different levels within those libraries; excellent written and oral communication skills; demonstrated leadership; grant writing experience; at least five years library experience; and supervisory or administrative library experience highly desirable.

*Applicants must also be proficient with new technologies, possess a positive outlook, work well with groups, be a team player, and be able to travel within the System's 11,000 square mile area. The successful applicants may work from any of the three PALS locations, Coal Valley, Rockford, or Shorewood. ALA/MLS required.

*Salary range $45,000 - 67,500. Excellent benefits.

Visit http://www.palsnet.info/jobs/lsc.doc for complete job description and http://www.palsnet.info/jobs/application.doc for the application.
Review of applications will continue until position is filled. Please submit resumes with three professional references to Shirley Grasty, 405 Earl Road, Shorewood, IL 60404 or shirleyg@palsnet.info

PALS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Assistant Manager
Adult and Teen Services
Fountaindale Public Library District, which proudly serves the diverse communities of Bolingbrook and Romeoville, Illinois, is seeking an experienced, public service-oriented librarian to assist the department manager in development and delivery of reference, readers advisory, interlibrary loan and computer services to library patrons.
* Supervises interlibrary loan and computer assistance staff. Assists patrons at the Adult and Teen Services desk. This full-time position includes evening and weekend hours.
* Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited library school , plus three year’s experience required.
* Starting salary: $37,947 per year
* Closing date: Until position is filled.

Send cover letter, resume and three references, including contact information, to:
Helen Valantinas
Fountaindale Public Library District
300 W. Briarcliff Road
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
hvalantinas@fountaindale.lib.il.us

Children’s Services Assistant
Fountaindale Public Library District, which proudly serves the diverse communities of Bolingbrook and Romeoville, Illinois, is seeking two public service-oriented individuals to provide reference services and programming in the Children’s Services departments at our Bolingbrook and Romeoville libraries.
* Duties includes helping patrons at the Children’s Services desks, planning and conducting children’s programs, and preparing materials for bibliographies and displays. These 25-hour per week, part-time positions include evening and weekend hours.
* LA/LTA certification or an Associate’s degree in child development, plus one year related of experience required.
* Starting salary: $12.16 per hour
* Closing date: Until position is filled.

Send cover letter, resume and three references, including contact information, to:
Helen Valantinas
Fountaindale Public Library District
300 W. Briarcliff Road
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
hvalantinas@fountaindale.lib.il.us

Weekend Circulation Clerk
Duties will include checking in and checking out of library materials, registering new patrons, renewing library cards, basic information assistance to library users including internet help, placing holds on materials, printing and retrieving materials with holds, and other duties as assigned. This position will begin as soon as possible with one 8-hour shift on Saturday and one 4-hour shift on Sunday, every other weekend. The successful candidate must be at least 18 years of age, posses an excellent work ethic, have strong computer skills, and excel in customer service. Review of applicants will continue until the position is filled.

Contact:
Michele Arms
Circulation Manager
Cherry Valley Public Library
755 E. State Street
Cherry Valley, IL 61016
Phone: (815) 332-5161

Circulation Services Clerk
Lemont Public Library District has a part time position available in our Circulation Department for an enthusiastic and service-oriented individual.
*Responsibilities include checking materials in and out, processing library cards, handling System mail delivery, placing in System holds, answering phones, cash handling and other library duties as assigned. The position is for 15-20 hrs/week, including Tuesday nights and Saturday afternoons. Starting salary $8/hr.
*Requires a high school diploma; patience; good people skills; flexibility; ability to type; library experience a plus.

To apply mail, email or fax your resume to:
Lemont Public Library
50 E. Wend St.
Lemont, IL 60439-6439
Attn: Jackie Lakatos 630-257-7737 (FAX) jlakatos@lemontlibrary.org

Part-Time Archivist
(by contract) Hours: (15-20 hrs per week)
* Compensation: • $15/hour for 20 hours per week, $20/hour for 15 hours per week for 3 months
* Overview of Position: • Positions would report directly to the Head of Reference Department • Duties would include organizing, planning, and other duties as needed for the development of the Local History Room • Further description of job duties will be discussed during the interview • Be a part of a growing Reference Department Expectations: • Hours must be flexible to accommodate initial training
* Qualifications: • Library Technical Assistant Certificate or MLS preferred, MLS students encouraged to apply • Internet and Computer Skills required • Archivist experience required • Knowledge of the Sirsi/Workflows Database preferred.

If interested, please submit a resume to:
Shannon N. Pohrte via e-mail at spohrte@dpvlib.org
or via mail to:
Shannon Pohrte
Des Plaines Valley Library District
121 E. 8th St.
Lockport IL 60441
by October 31st, 2006. All applications will be given equal consideration.

Reference and ILL News

Refwiki Introduction & Training
Refwiki is a new web resource for all PALS libraries to use and contribute to. It will include information about each library's collection strengths, online databases, and other resources. And the goal is for it to include a lot more! Refwiki is a collaborative effort built on the same platform as Wikipedia, which means that anyone in a PALS library can add or change pages using simple formatting marks, without needing special software. This hands-on class is taught by Dawne Tortorella of Bellcow, Inc., and it will cover:
* Overview of Refwiki
* Editing a library's resource-survey form
* Editing and adding pages in Refwiki
* Page reversion, "special" pages, and other wiki features
To register for these programs, visit the PALS CLeO by clicking on the links below. For further information, please contact Brian Smith at Homer Twp. PLD, 708-301-7908.

October 11, 2006, 10 am -12 pm, Shorewood Service Center
October 13, 2006, 1 pm - 3 pm, Coal Valley Service Center
October 16, 2006, 10 am - 12 pm, Rockford Service Center

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).

Youth Services and School Library News

ALA's Washington Office and YALSA Present: National Library Legislative Day 2007 Student Contest
Through the National Library Legislative Day 2007 Student Contest, one student (age 12–18) will win a free trip to the 33rd Annual National Library Legislative Day in Washington, D.C., May 1–2, 2007. Students must submit a catchy slogan and interesting logo for the event by October 29. The contest is sponsored by the ALA Washington Office and YALSA.

Public Library News

Intelligent Media Manager Demos at ILA
The Intelligent Media Manager (IMM) is a totally secured storage vault that dispenses/collects CDs and DVDs to/from library patrons without any staff involvement. Now available to Illinois public libraries at a special discount price through December 31, 2006! Find details and an online demo at http://www.lptrust.org, by printing the attached flyer, or call Patricia Smolin at 847.459.1300 x7190.

Academic Library News
No Academic Library News this week.

Special Library News
No Special Library News this week.

Support Staff News
No Support Staff 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

Countdown to the Illinois Library Association Conference

Free Hotel Room, Free Registration, or Free Handmade Quilts: The ILA Fundraising Committee is sponsoring a raffle at this year's conference. Tickets are $5 each or three (3) for $10. First Prize is a gift certificate from the Chicago City Centre Hotel, A Holiday Inn Hotel, for a two-night stay in a King Executive room, with breakfast for two each morning and a $100 American Express gift check. Second Prize is one complimentary registration for the 2007 ILA Annual Conference in Springfield. Third and Fourth Prizes are beautiful quilts, handmade by ILA members. Tickets will be available at the ILA Registration Desk at Navy Pier and from Fundraising Committee members. The winners will be announced at the ILA Membership Meeting on Thursday, 5 October. Winners need not be present at Membership Meeting. All proceeds benefit the ILA Endowment Fund.

Free Exhibit Passes Available / Attend ILA Membership Meeting: Free exhibit passes will be available at the ILA Registration Desk at Navy Pier. No advance registration is required --- just show up and get your pass. Please remember the exhibit days and hours are different this year, at the request of exhibitors. Exhibits are open Wednesday, October 4, 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., and Thursday, October 5, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you and/or other library staff members cannot afford to attend the conference, the free exhibit passes still allow you to participate in the conference --- to see the latest in library products and services, to network, to see colleagues, etc. This is an excellent opportunity for staff who normally are unable to attend a library conference have the opportunity to experience part of a library conference. In addition, the exhibit hall will also contain the talk tables, the poster sessions, and the Art and Architecture exhibit. Finally, the Thursday, 5 October Membership Meeting is open to all members of the association and your attendance is encouraged.

Electronic Resources Event at DuPage Library System
Please join DuPage Library System on October 16, 2006 for a very special Electronic Resources Event that will cover everything from group purchase offers to negotiating contracts to evaluating databases. The day will consist of several morning presentations, a break for lunch, and afternoon "Table Talks" where attendees will get one-on-one time with the presenters to ask questions specific to their situations. Carol Dawe, Consortium Manager, LINC (Library Integrated Network Consortium) will present on contract negotiations and license agreements. Gwen Harrison, Network Consultant, Illinois State Library, will present on and discuss current e-resource offers and group/consortia purchases available through the Illinois State Library. Laura Haule, Reference/Information Services Manager, St. Charles Public Library, will cover considerations for your collection, criteria for evaluating databases, and evaluating vendors. Dale Ann Lawrence, Business Manager, North Suburban Library System, will discuss a common sense approach to demystifying contracts.

Register today for this exciting event at http://www.dupagels.lib.il.us/calendar/detailpages/1153413834.html. Please contact Melissa Moyer at mmoyer@dupagels.lib.il.us or 630/232-8457 x220 with any questions.

New LibraryU Offering
LibraryU is happy to announce the publication of CAT001 - Introducton to Cataloging for Non-Catalogers, the final and foundational module in our popular Cataloging series - MARC in Your Library. Why is cataloging important? What are library catalogs and why are they needed? The answers to these questions plus an introduction to descriptive cataloging, classification and subject analysis are all included in this new LibraryU offering authored by Lynnette Fields, Cataloging Trainer from The MARC of Quality. Enroll today at http://www.libraryu.org and learn the answer to the burning question - Who is Charles Cutter and what do his rules have to do with cataloging?

News from Vendors
No News from Vendors this week.

Legislative/Advocacy News

New READ Poster Added
A new READ poster of Representative Jim Sacia (NW Illinois) riding a stationary bike while reading has been added to those previously available. Representative Sacia, a former FBI agent, does in reality read 30 minutes each day on his exercise bike. Posters of PALS legislators can be ordered through the PALS poster service at a very low cost. Or, if you prefer, you can print them yourself on your own color printer. Please e-mail inaram@palsnet.info if you'd like the file attachment.

Currently available are posters of :

Congressman Don Manzullo - 16th congressional district reading Theodore Rex (Rise of Theodore Roosevelt)

Senators:
Brad Burzynski, "Tomorrow's leaders are today's readers!" reading Speaker , Hastert's book
Mike Jacobs, "Read and live big dreams" reading Lyndon Johnson, Master of the Senate
A.J. Wilhelmi, "For Illinois Libraries"

Representatives:
Mike Boland, "Today's Reader's are Tomorrow's Leaders" reading Skeleton Hiccups to his grandson
Tom Cross, "For Illinois Libraries" reading to children
Careen Gordon, "Reading is something that can change the world" reading To Kill a Mockingbird
Patricia Reid Lindner "For Illinois Libraries"
Frank Mautino, "For Illinois Libraries" reading Harry Potter
Jerry Mitchell, "It's more than a library. It's a community center!" reading The Horse Whisperer
Bob Pritchard, "Libraries expand your possibilities and enjoyment" reading Making Things Happen
NEW Jim Sacia, " Keeping the mind and body active" reading Enemy Called Average
Patrick Verschoore, "If you can't read, you can't do anything" reading Illinois Jurisprudence
Ron Wait, "Power up to reading" sitting on tractor, reading The American Farm Tractor
Dave Winters, "Learn how to interact with your government through reading" reading The Fair Tax Book

The project continues and other posters will be made available.

Just So You Know

Important E-rate Message for Libraries
On September 14, the Federal Communications Commission released an order (DA 06-1871) granting relief for certain applicants who failed to file a timely Form 486. In addition, Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) must develop targeted outreach procedures to inform applicants of approaching Form 486 deadlines and, going forward, provide an opportunity for applicants to submit certifications within 15 days after the deadline. USAC will post detailed guidance to the website as it becomes available.

As of September 15, 2006, Illinois schools and libraries have been promised $95,160,528.54 for Funding Year 2005 and $13,650,067.88 for Funding Year 2006. Are you getting ready for Funding Year 2007? If you are ready, you may file your Form 470 for FY2007 now. Filing online is to your advantage because the online system will notify you of many potential errors and you can post your form promptly. You must have an approved Technology Plan in place if you are applying for more than basic telephone service.

If you have eligible recurring services that will continue into FY2007, you can use your FY2006 Forms 470 and 471 as guides to assist you in filing for FY2007. USAC does not expect any changes for Forms 470 and 471 for FY2007, so becoming familiar with the forms now may save you time later. FY2007 is the first year that entities may be denied funding because of the Two-in-Five Rule. Beginning with FY2005, entities can only receive funding for Internal Connections in two out of every five funding years. You must be in compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) if you receive commitments for Internet Access, Internal Connections, or Basic Maintenance of Internal Connections. For a quick way to find both deadlines and information on individual forms and requests, use the Deadlines Tool (http://www.universalservice.org/sl/tools/deadlines/default.as > px?WT.mc_id=sl-newsbrief-20060915). The tool will give you either a specific deadline or allow you to provide the necessary information and then calculate your deadline for you.

Grant News

ALA and Scholastic Library Publishing Announce 2007 National Library Week Grant; "Come together @ your library" Named Official Theme
(CHICAGO) Libraries across the United States are invited to apply for the $5,000 Scholastic Library Publishing National Library Week Grant, which will be awarded to a single library for the best public awareness campaign incorporating the 2007 National Library Week theme, “Come together @ your library.” 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). This year’s application deadline is October 16, 2006. National Library Week is April 15-21, 2007.

All proposals must use the “Come together @ your library” theme, which incorporates The Campaign for America's Libraries’ @ your library brand, on any and all promotional and publicity material supporting National Library Week activities. Guidelines for using the brand are available on the campaign Web site at www.ala.org/@yourlibrary under the “download logos” section. A grant application form and guidelines are available on The Campaign for America’s Libraries Web site at www.ala.org/@yourlibrary/nlwgrant. Information also is available from the ALA Public Information Office. Telephone: 800-545-2433, ext. 4020. E-mail: mhumphrey@ala.org. The winner will be notified and announced at the 2007 ALA Midwinter Meeting in Seattle. Information on last year’s winner, the Maricopa County Library District in Phoenix, Ariz., and the winning application can be viewed at www.ala.org/@yourlibrary/nlwgrant.

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 September 22, 2006

American Folklore
Includes weather lore, tall tales, ghost stories, animal stories, myths, Native-American folklore, tongue-twisters, and more from all 50 states. There are also lesson plans, and a "countdown to Halloween."
http://www.americanfolklore.net/index.html

Blufr.com
Appropriately subtitled "Bruising your ego one bluff at a time," this is an utterly addictive trivia game, at least as long as your score keeps going up.
http://blufr.com/

Craftzine.com
Includes articles from the magazine, tutorials, projects and patterns, and a blog.
http://www.craftzine.com/

Firefighters Recipes Cookbook
Where better to look for recipes to cater to hearty appetites? Unfortunately its leftovers database doesn't work all that well, so you're best off browsing through categories like casseroles, soups, pork, chili, etc.
http://www.firehousechef.com/

Google News Archives Search
Aims to "make it possible for users to read about historical events as they happened." Besides linking to articles (some free, some not), it generates a searchable timeline - my search on Mount St. Helens, could be restricted by clicking on links to 2005-2006, 2004, 1999-2001, 1989-1991, 1980-1988, 1930s, and Before 1930. I don't see a list of the "major newspapers/magazines, news archives and legal archives" indexed here, but in this search, stories come from the San Diego Union, Seattle Post, Washington Post, USA Today, and New York Times. It's nowhere near as comprehensive as full-text licensed databases like Lexis-Nexis, but it meets its stated aim and it's free.
http://news.google.com/archivesearch/

Halloween Customs and Traditions
Since enormous bags of candy are already popping up in grocery stores, I guess it's not too early to start preparing for school assignments about Halloween traditions. This is a particularly reliable source on the religious underpinnings of Halloween customs.
http://www.religioustolerance.org/hallo_cu.htm

Memory and Aging Center
Education
Provides an excellent overview of "diseases that cause cognitive and movement disorders, and ... the types of cognitive functions that they affect."
http://memory.ucsf.edu/Education/general.html

Milblogging.com
the world's largest index of military blogs
This guide to over 1500 military blogs from 28 countries offers views and experience often ignored in current political and policy debates. It's searchable and browsable by branch, language, gender, and country (including 373 from Iraq and 40 from Afghanistan, among others). Sample blog titles show the range of military experience represented: Navy Corner, Afghan Warrior, Anonymous Army Wife, Chaplain Kline, Blogs of a Retired Infantryman, British Army Reservist in Iraq, An Army Combat Medic, Blogging for Kosovo, etc.
http://www.milblogging.com/

NewCROP
The Center for New Crops & Plant Products at Purdue University provides profiles of new and specialty crops, a search engine to access crop information, a mapped nation-wide crop information system, a bibliography, a Guide to Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, links to related web sites, external data-bases, and libraries, and more.
http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/default.html

Teen Market Profile
Offers the kind of hard data on teen demographics and consumer behavior that will be useful in lobbying for and planning for expanded teen services in libraries.
http://www.magazine.org/content/files/teenprofile04.pdf

Viral Video Chart
Tracks the most frequently linked videos on YouTube, MySpace and Google Video. Check out today's, this week's, this month's, and previous number ones. Since content is unpredictable, you may want to visit this one from home instead of work.
http://www.viralvideochart.com/

Women-Owned Business Economic Research
Links to research done by the Small Business Administration.
http://www.sba.gov/advo/research/women.html

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