volume #4 issue#27

July 5, 2007

Prairie Views: the newsletter of the Prairie Area Library System

System News

Retired!
Best wishes to Mary Anne Stewart, Co-Director of Technology Services, who retired from PALS as of June 30, 2007 after 34 years with PALS/RBLS. Paul Mills, who was Mary Anne's Co-Director for the last nine months, is now Director of Technology Services.

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

Basic Library Law at Mt. Carroll Township PL
A Basic Library Law workshop is being offered on July 11th at the Mt. Carroll Township PL. This course is designed for Library Trustees and Library Directors. To find out more about this session and/or to register, go to CLeO.

Fall 2007 LTA Classes at Rockford and Coal Valley Service Centers
Attention library support staff! Are you looking for opportunities to learn more about the library world? Are you looking toward advancement in your current position or in your career? Then the LTA (Library Technical Assistant) Program may be for you. In past years, PALS has offered the LTA program from the College of DuPage via videoconference at both the Rockford and the Coal Valley Service Centers. We are considering offering this opportunity again in fall 2007.

If you are interested or for additional information, please contact Dawn DiVenti dawnd@palsnet.info
This is a great way to enter or re-enter the academic environment.
Check http://www.cod.edu/LTA for more information.

Fall 2007 LTA Classes at Joliet Junior College
Attention library support staff! Are you looking for opportunities to learn more about the library world? Are you looking toward advancement in your current position or in your career? Then the LTA (Library Technical Assistant) Program is a wonderful match. Joliet Junior College is located on Houbolt Road, not far from Interstate 80. The fall offerings are:

LTA 101
Introduction to Libraries (two sessions)

Intro To Libraries - LATE START
Thursdays, 10:00AM - 11:25A
9/04-12/14 LTA 101

Intro to Libraries (This is a blended class which has both online and on-campus requirements. For additional information regarding class meetings and online activities, visit the distance education website
Mondays, 6:00PM - 9:00PM
8/20-12/14

LTA 201 Cataloging and Classification
Wednesdays, 6:00PM - 09:00PM
8/22-12/05

LTA 202 - 30 Readers Advisory/Lib Prog
Thursdays, 6:00PM - 9:00PM
08/23-12/06

For more information, contact Catherine Suchy at csuchy@jjc.edu.

PALS to Offer Two CPLA Courses
In partnership with the Public Library Association, PALS has been selected to offer two CPLA courses. http://www.pla.org/ala/pla/plaevents/cplacourses/CPLAcourses.cfm

For information about the Certified Public Library Adminstrator program.
*On October 24-25, 2007, PALS will host "Serving Diverse Populations."
The event will be held at the Rockford Public Library Main Auditorium at 215 N. Wyman St, Rockford IL 61104.

*On April 1-2, 2008, PALS will host "Current Trends."
The event will be held at the Moline Public Library at 3210 41st St, Moline IL 61265.

For more information about these events, please contact Dawn DiVenti, Library Services Coordinator, Continuous Learning,
dawnd@palsnet.info

GSLIS Fall 07 Community Credit Courses
The Graduate School of Library and Information Science (GSLIS), in cooperation with the UIUC Office of Continuing Education, is pleased to announce a limited number of registration openings in several graduate level credit courses via the Academic Outreach Community Credit Program. Formal admission to the University is not necessary, but a bachelor's degree is required. Those interested in enrolling should fill out the Request to Enroll in GSLIS Course(s) form by August 10. Classes start on Wednesday, August 22. A list of classes available for fall semester and the enrollment form are located at http://www.lis.uiuc.edu/programs/cpd/Community_Credit/

Preservation Management of Machine-Based Legacy AV Collection
The Graduate School of Library and Information Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign invites you to attend an all day presentation titled "Preservation Management of Machine-Based Legacy AV Collections."
Presenter: Alan Lewis, Audiovisual Specialist and Retired Archivist from the National Archives
Where: Spurlock Museum Auditorium
When: Wednesday, July 18th from 9 to 5
Free and open to the public.
This will be a lecture with some props/examples, but this is not a hands-on workshop. Lunch will not be provided. For more information on this event contact Jimi Jones, Project Coordinator, Audiovisual Self-Assessment Program, 217.244.9901, jjones7@uiuc.edu

Member News

North Suburban Library District Featured in New York Times Articles
The North Suburban Library District has been making national news thanks to articles by Elizabeth Hayt. Author Nancy Thayer, author of the Hot Flash Club series, was contacted by NSLD staff member Diane Jacobson about getting a copy of Thayer’s poster to hang on the door of the computer server room in NSLD/Roscoe- where the staff liked to joke that they could step in and cool down during hot flashes. (The server room is always kept at a cool temperature to protect the hardware.) Thayer thought that this was such a cute idea that she sent a poster to the library and contacted New York Times writer Elizabeth Hayt, who was writing a series of articles on dealing with menopause to tell her about the North Suburban Library. Before long, Hayt contacted Jacobson and fellow NSLD library staff Peggy Miller and Melody Newton along with Melody’s husband Roger for her article. The NYT sent freelance photographer Mia Aigotti out to take pictures of the library staff at NSLD/Roscoe in April. Hayt’s articles have since run in the New York Times and in the San Diego Union.

Congratulations, Forreston PL!
Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White this week awarded FY08 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants to libraries in Athens, Chillicothe, Forreston, Harrisburg and Tuscola that are designed to show the value of public library services to residents currently residing outside the boundaries of a taxed library service area. White said Demonstration of Public Library Services grants invite public libraries to develop innovative methods of showing how vital library services are to unserved library residents in Illinois. In each instance the grant recipient has identified a nearby area without library service, and will use grant funds to demonstrate how the unserved area would benefit from library service. In next February's Illinois primary election, citizens in the unserved areas will vote in a special referendum and decide whether to accept taxed library services. "There are almost one million Illinois citizens who live in areas that are not served by public libraries," White said. "Illinois citizens recognize libraries as vital resources in their communities, and Illinois citizens who want library services should have access to tax supported library programs and materials. These grants will allow five existing libraries to make the case for expanding their service areas and taxing districts and welcoming new library patrons." These LSTA grants have been awarded earlier than usual to allow the libraries to prepare for the February primary election. Other FY08 LSTA grants will be announced in late August or early September.

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.

Time Traveler's Wife
F NIF 38509000149035
In transit to QLL from FGLY 5/1/07

Missing DVD
MORG requested a DVD titled
"Robin Tower : Living out of time"
barcode 36059000905350
DVD 781.643 Trower,
it was sent from KKBB on 5-16-2007. The owning library is SEBB. both libraries were contacted today (7-5-2007)they do not have it, MORG has not received it. Please check your shelves.

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 can email to Prairie Views, 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.

Franklin Grove Library
has to giveaway:
*Box of continuous labels 5 x 1 1/2"
*500 Continuous address labels 3 1/2 x 15/16"
*Box of Foil Back Continuous Process Labels 1 9/16 x 9/10"

If interested contact:
Carol Schrey
Phone: 815-456-2823
fgplibrary@wireless.essex1.com

Fossil Ridge Public Library
has discarded the following books from its collection and will give free to anyone who wants:
* 5th edition – Genealogist’s Address Book 2005
* Standard Postage Stamp Catalog(C&F Only) 2006
* Internet Yellow Pages (Three Copies) 1998
* National Geographic World Atlas For Young Explorers

If interested contact:
Pamela Hanuska
Phone : 815-458-2187
E-mail : pahanuska@fossilridge.org

Founders Memorial Library at Northern Illinois University
has the following journals for the offering. They are all loose issues. We are willing to break up the runs also.

If you are interested in an issue(s) or a run(s), please contact:
Jane Farmer
E-mail: jfarmer@niu.edu
Phone: 815-753-9869
by Thursday, July 12th.

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.

Information Services Librarian
Saint Anthony College of Nursing in Rockford, Illinois, seeks a qualified full-time Information Services Librarian. This position is responsible for the daily operation of the College Learning Resource Center and reports to the Library Director.
* Responsibilities include: Ability to work with groups by providing instruction in searching techniques for a variety of databases including Ebsco, Ovid, and Pubmed; ability to troubleshoot and apply problem-solving skills to college technological needs; copy and original cataloging using NLM and LC; interlibrary loans via Docline and OCLC; provide research assistance to students and faculty; participation in collection development and circulation; collaborative participation in a variety of projects. The individual must be able to work independently and collaboratively as well as being able to communicate tactfully with a diverse student body.
* Qualifications include: Master’s degree from an ALA-accredited institution, or within six months of hire, knowledge of medical databases helpful, excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite required. Salary is commensurate with experience.

For more information please visit http://www.sacn.edu.
Contact:
Caroline Conlon
LRC/Medical Library Director
OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center/ Saint Anthony College of Nursing
5658 East State Street
Rockford, IL 61108 815-227-2446
caroline.conlon@osfhealthcare.org

Computer Technican
Geneseo Public Library District seeking a highly responsible, skilled and self-motivated individual with appropriate education and/or experience to manage its computer network and workstations. Will be responsible for systems management, including network administration, computer upkeep and repair, monitoring of system performance, hardware and software, and some staff training. Knowledge of wireless environment helpful. Part-time. Hours flexible.

Contact:
Brenda J. Fowler
Director
Geneseo Public Library District
218 S. State Street
Geneseo, IL 61254
Phone: 1-309-944-6452

Reference and ILL News
No Reference and ILL News this week.

Youth Services and School Library News

Fourth of July IREAD Half Price Sale
Mission Read: To the Library and Beyond products now on sale. Send no money. You will be billed for available products!

National Storytelling Festival Trip Greetings
The 35th National Storytelling Festival will be in less than four months! Will you and your friends be in Jonesborough, Tennessee listening? The McHenry Storytelling Guild invites you to join us on our 25th Festival Trip. We leave from NSLS and MLS. So NOW is the time to think stories - tents - stories - tellers - stories - fall leaves - stories . . . We all need more stories, so check your calendar and make your reservation NOW for the 2007 National Storytelling Festival. Questions? Drop me a line or call. Click here for all the details.

Public Library News

Per Capita Grant Applications
All Illinois public libraries should be receiving their Per Capita Grant applications in the mail soon. Please note that there is no question #19. That number was inadvertently skipped when the grant was developed so don’t worry about it.

Public Library Annual Reports
A reminder to all Illinois public libraries that the original of your IPLAR is to be sent to PALS rather than directly to the Illinois State Library. We will see that it gets to ISL. Please send it to Kathy Gustafson at RFSY by van or to 4021 Morsay Drive/Rockford, IL 61107 by mail. Iowa publics—we need a copy of your annual report also so that our data base will have complete information about all of our public members. You should address it to Kathy also. Thanks for your cooperation!

Academic Library News
No Academic Library News this week.

Special Library News
No Special Library News this week.

Support Staff News

Reaching Forward South 2007 Conference: Outside the Box!
Reaching Forward South - the 11th Annual Conference - "Outside the Box!", is scheduled for September 20 and 21, 2007, at the Northfield Inn in Springfield IL.
Reaching Forward Web page
Reaching Forward Flyer
If you would be interested in attending, please contact Dawn DiVenti at PALS (dawnd@palsnet.info). PALS may provide transportation based upon member interest. The deadline to contact Dawn is August 1, 2007.

Technology Services News
No Technology Services News this week.

E-Rate Corner

This week we will start our overview of the 486 form.
The 486 is called the Receipt of Service Confirmation Form. It states that you have started or will start to receive the services that you applied for on your Form 471. This form cannot be filed before receipt of a Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCDL) In general, Form 486 must be postmarked or received no later than 120 days after the Service Start Date shown on the Form 486 or no later than 120 days after the date of the Funding Commitment Decision Letter (FCSL) whichever is later, in order to receive support retroactively to the service start date. Since we have just passed July 1 which is generally the beginning date for the start of service, you should check to see if you have your funding commitment decision letter. It would then be a good time to file your 486.

For help with this or any other E-Rate questions, contact:
Marilyn at PALS Rockford,
Phone: 815-229-4470
or email marilynj@palsnet.info. Next time we will cover more on the 486 form.

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

Library News Around the State & Nation
No Library News Around the State & Nation this week.

News from Vendors
No News from Vendors this week.

Legislative/Advocacy News

SKILLs Act Gives High Marks to School Librarians
As some 50 librarians attending the American Library Association Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., looked on, a bipartisan group of senators and representatives announced June 26 the introduction of the Strengthening Kids’ Interest in Learning and Libraries Act, which mandates every public school district in the nation “to the extent feasible [to have] not less than one highly qualified school library media specialist in each public school” by the start of the 2010–11 school year. “The SKILLs Act underscores the value of the hiring and retention of qualified school library media specialists,” asserted Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), who is cosponsoring the bill with Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), and Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-Mich.).

Introduced as H.R. 2864 in the House and S. 1699 in the Senate, the SKILLs Act amends the Improving Literacy through School Libraries program by reclassifying school library media specialists with teachers, principals, and paraprofessionals in federal regulations under the No Child Left Behind Act. The redefinition would place library media teachers among the educators who must be state-certified and pass tests proving that they are highly qualified. NCLB, which is up for reauthorization this year, currently lumps school librarians with such other noninstructional costs as school nurses, counselors, and student transportation—which has increased the vulnerability of media specialists and their collections during funding crises.

“Today, only 60% of school libraries have full-time, state-certified school library media specialists on staff,” ALA President Leslie Burger told rally participants. “With limited resources, school administrators are struggling to stretch dollars, and library resource budgets are increasingly being used to make up for shortfalls in other areas.” “NCLB was well-intentioned, but it left a few gaps,” Rep. Grijalva agreed. “One of the gaps this legislation fills is to specify the role, function, and status of school librarians.” Remarking on school librarians’ “unique gift” of empowering students to conduct independent research, Sen. Cochran said, “The SKILLs Act will provide the additional federal support and incentives to strengthen our school libraries, which I hope will improve education in America.”

The legislation also calls for the Department of Education to take into consideration during grant-making “the need for student literacy improvement at all grades,” professional development in learning “literacy strategies in all content areas,” and the recruitment and retention of highly qualified school library media specialists. H.R. 2864 has been referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor. Its companion bill, S. 1699, has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Grant News

Disney Minnie Grants Support Youth-led Service Projects
The Walt Disney Company and Youth Service America, through Disney Minnie Grants, are supporting youth-led service projects that are planned and implemented in communities. Service can take place between October 1 and November 26, 2007, and projects can address the environment, disaster relief, public health and awareness, community education, hunger, literacy, or any issue that youth identify as a community need. Maximum Award: $500. Eligibility: teachers, older youth (15-25), youth-leaders, and youth-serving organizations that engage younger youth (5-14) in planning and implementation. Deadline: August 30, 2007. http://www.YSA.org/awards

Just So You Know

State and Federal Minimum Wage Increases This Summer
The Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 increases federal hourly minimum wage rates for the next three years:

$5.85, effective 60 days after the date of enactment (July 24, 2007)
$6.55, effective July 24, 2008
$7.25, effective July 24, 2009

These federal minimum wage increases will not likely affect Illinois employers, where the minimum wage surpasses the federal rate. Illinois' minimum wage increases to $7.50 and $7.00 for under 18 as of July 1, 2007.

Here are some websites if you wish to copy:
Illinois minimum wage poster
Illinois Department of Labor website chart of new minimum wages by year

Prairie Views will be published weekly on Thursdays on the PALS website. PALS member libraries are encouraged to send items for inclusion to prairieviews@palsnet.info by Tuesday of the week you would like your information to appear.

We will send an email reminder each week when the new issue is available on the PALS website. If you do not currently receive email reminders, please send a message to prairieviews@palsnet.info to have your email address added to the reminder mailing list or visit http://mailman.palsnet.info/mailman/listinfo to subscribe or unsubscribe yourself.