volume #4 issue#43

October 25, 2007

Prairie Views: the newsletter of the Prairie Area Library System

System News

PALS Board Seeking School Librarian to Fill Open Board Seat
The Prairie Area Library System is seeking a school librarian to fill a recently vacated seat on the PALS Board of Directors. The seat will be filled by appointment and the term will be through June 30, 2008. The PALS Board meets on the third Tuesday of the month and holds at least nine meetings each year. The meeting locations will vary from month to month. Board members are expected to attend as many meetings as possible and are reimbursed for travel expenses.
More information on the responsibilities of the board and its members can be found on the PALS website at http://www.palsnet.info/about/board/default.asp. Individuals with interest in the position should contact Board President Penny O’Rourke at pennyo@byron.lib.il.us. The vacancy occurred due to the resignation of Nancy Buikema, Media Specialist K-8, River Bend Schools. Nancy resigned due to personal reasons. The Board accepted Nancy's resignation with extreme regret.

PALS/UW-Madison Wisconsin MLS Open House
Are you ready to enroll in a program of graduate study leading to a Master's Degree in Library and Information Studies? PALS and the UW-Madison are in their third year of partnership to help librarians obtain an ALA-Accredited MLS. As we look forward to a 4th year, we are planning our annual Open House on Wednesday, December 5 from 5-7:30 p.m. This is a normal class night and all potential students are encouraged to attend at one of the three PALS service centers, Coal Valley, Rockford or Shorewood. This informational session will take place during a regularly scheduled class where you can meet the current students and faculty and see how a videoconference class is conducted. Attending this Open House does not mean you are committing to the program. Just bring your questions!

More information is available on the UW-Madison website. Contact Deb Shapiro at UW-M (608-262-9195), Jane Lenser at PALS (877-542-7257 x4461), or Sandy Ringstrom at PALS (877-542-7257 x2710) for further information about the Open House.

PALS All-Member Meeting
PALS is premiering the first PALS all-member meeting via neighborhood videoconference. Join us from 9:30-12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 6 to meet some of the PALS staff, get updates on projects including delivery, grants, long-range plan, restructuring the webpage, PALS Day 2008 and other topics. This meeting will be available at all of the 8 neighborhood locations.

Networking within each neighborhood will follow the videoconference where we will discuss topics that pertain specifically to that neighborhood. This is your chance to network with your neighbor libraries and see what's happening in your immediate area. Door prizes consisting of a gift certificate for PALS Day 2008 will be awarded at each location. You must be present to win.
For additional information contact: Judy Hutchinson (ext 3150 or judyh@palsnet.info); Nancy Smith (ext 4466 or nancys@palsnet.info); Dawn DeVenti (ext 4463 or dawnd@palsnet.info); Sandy Ringstrom (ext 2710 or sandyr@palsnet.info)

Please register in CLeO:
Coal Valley Service Center
Elizabeth Campus, Highland Community College
Kankakee Public Library
LaSalle Public Library
Rockford Service Center
Shorewood Service Center
Sterling Public Library
Sycamore Public Library

Delivery Statistics
It's that time again when we ask our member libraries to count items being received from the delivery. You should have received forms by now in your delivery, and we are asking you to count for the next two weeks (October 22 through November 2). If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact your delivery supervisor.|
Brenda Roman - Coal Valley
Marilyn Janssen - Rockford
Shirley Grasty - Shorewood.
The dates for the count are Oct. 22 - Oct. 26 and Oct.29 - Nov. 2. Thank you in advance for all of your help in collecting these statistics.

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

Overview and Introduction of WebJunction Illinois and TechAtlas
Meet us at the crossroads! A crossroads is defined as a place that is centrally located, a crucial point, and a place where two or more roads meet. We want to invite you to meet us at the new crossroads for the Illinois Library Community - WebJunction Illinois. In this overview and introduction, Lisa Barnhart and Dawne Tortorella will introduce you to key features, including free courses, participation in online forums, locating Illinois resources, tips for getting the most out of the site, and an introduction to the free technology planning tool - TechAtlas. Libraries of all types are encouraged to attend this session. This meeting will take place at the LaSalle Public Library on December 5, 2007. The morning and afternoon sessions are the same; participants only need to attend one.
Please register in CleO. For additional information contact Dawn DiVenti at dawnd@palsnet.info

Empowering Library Staff to Meet the Needs of the Spanish Speaking Community
DATE: November 15, 2007
TIME: 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
PLACE: Illinois State Library
Click here for a flyer with more information.

New Workshop
The Graduate School of Library and Information Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, is pleased to present a new workshop:
On Friday, November 2, 2007, "Film Exposed: An Introduction to Basic Film Handling and Inspecting Techniques for the Beginner" will be offered from 3:30 - 5:30 at the GSLIS Building Room 131 in Champaign. The cost is $25.
Each participant will receive their own copy of the Film Preservation Guide: The Basics for Archives, Libraries, and Museums (from the National Film Preservation Foundation) and cloth gloves for film handling.

This workshop will introduce the basics of film preservation to the archivist, librarian, or collections manager. The class will feature an introduction to the basic film gauges commonly found in collections (35mm, 16mm, 8mm) and how to identify them. The workshop will also discuss the history of sound on film and will show how to identify the different film sound tracks and will include hands-on activities.

Two CPDU's will be granted for this workshop.

To register: http://www.lis.uiuc.edu/programs/cpd/workshops.html
For additional information, contact Laura Berfield, lberfiel@uiuc.edu
Marianne Steadley Continuing Professional Development Program Director
501 E. Daniel St.
Champaign IL 61820
Phone: 217/244-2751 Fax: 217/244-3302

Member News

Condolences
Our condolences to Mary Vivian of the Pearl City Public Library District on the death of her mother, Alice Baker. Our thoughts and prayers are with her at this difficult time.

Welcome
The Musser Public Library Board of Trustees and the City of Muscatine are pleased to announce the recent appointment of Pam Collins to the position of Library Director effective October 22, 2007. Pam comes to us from the Bettendorf Public Library where she worked as the Manager of Adult and Information Services. Prior to that, she served as the Director of the Scott County Library System. Additionally, Pam has worked as the Manager of Reference Services and Administrator of the Lied Information Technology Center at the Council Bluffs Public Library and as the Director of Learning Resources at Iowa Western Community College, both located in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Pam Collins assumes the directorship left vacant by the resignation of former director Peter Press who retired after a lengthy medical leave.

Danhof Elected to Position of 1st Vice President/President Elect of ALTA
The Fountaindale Public Library District announced that its board president, Peggy Danhof, was elected as 1st Vice President/President Elect of the American Library Association/Library Trustees and Advocates Division (a.k.a. Association for Library Trustees and Advocates (ALTA)). First serving on the Fountaindale Library District Board of Trustees from 1984 to 1988, Danhof again ran for the board in 1998, and has served since. She also serves as Treasurer for the Prairie Area Library System Board of Directors.

Missing Books - 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.

DeKalb Public Library reports the following missing in transit items:

FROM RFLY
616.443 MOO
Graves' disease: a practical guide
32065001820799

FIC BUR
Naked lunch
32065002017049

TO QLL
FIC NIF
The time traveler's wife
32065002377682

TO HHSY
364.1523 SCH
Depraved: the shocking true story of America's first serial killer
32065001312482

TO PALS
944.025 FRA
Joan of Arc and the Hundred Years War
32065002100852

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.

Des Plaines Valley Public Library District has the following to give away:
Encyclopedia of Careers and Vocational Guidance, 13th Edition (2005)

If interested contact:
Andrew Susalla
Phone: (815) 838-0755
Email: asusalla@dpvlib.org

Illinois Valley Community College
Giveaways

If interested contact:
James E. Barnes
Phone: 815 224-0204
E-mail: James_Barnes@ivcc.edu

Lemont Public Library
*2007 Peterson’s MBA Programs - 2 copies
*SchoolSearchTM Cook County Handbook 2006 ed.

If interested contact:
Debbie Somchay
Email: dsomchay@lemontlibrary.org

Free CRT (tube based) Monitors Available
PALS has the following monitors available for pickup at the following service centers. Please contact the staff person listed for each service center to arrange pickup.

*Coal Valley – Kacy Kelly, kacyk@palsnet.info
1 - Sun 17”
4 - Gateway 19”
4 - Gateway 17”

*Shorewood – Tony Tian, tonyt@palsnet.info
12 - Gateway CRT monitors 17”
1 - Gateway CRT monitor 19”
1 - CTX CRT monitor 19”

* Rockford – Jeff Mahan, jeffm@palsnet.info
2 - Sceptre 15”
2 - Gateway 15”
2 - HP 15”
2 - Princeton 15”
2 - Viewsonic 15”
1 - NEC 15”

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.

Senior Services Librarian
The Coal City Public Library District, 85 N. Garfield St., is seeking a Part Time Senior Services Librarian for 30 hours/week. Hours include days, evenings and weekends. Duties are to organize and promote senior services and programming. Qualifications – Must enjoy working with senior citizens. Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
Apply in person, resume required. $10.88/hr.

Assistant Director
The Morris Area Public Library District is seeking a friendly, enthusiastic and customer service oriented assistant director, who will assist the library director in managing the day-to-day operations of the library.
* The assistant director will have special responsibilities in the areas of public relations, programming and automation.
* The ideal candidate will have excellent oral and written communication skills, the ability to plan and organize programs, and the ability to work effectively as a team player. Knowledge of computers, web site management, databases and library automation software is a plus.
* An MLS from an ALA accredited school is required. $35,000-$40,000 starting salary depending on qualifications for a 40- hour work week.

Please send or email resume and letter of application to:
Pam Wilson
Library Director
Morris Area Public Library District
604 Liberty Street
Morris, IL 60450
Email: pwilson@morrislibrary.com

Human Resources Manager
Fountaindale Public Library District, serving the communities of Bolingbrook and Romeoville, is seeking a Human Resources Manager to handle all human resource activities for 112 employees in two library buildings.
* Requirements include a bachelor's degree in HR management or related field, plus five years of experience. PHR or SPHR preferred.
* Starting salary is $39,009 per year, plus a full benefits package.

Send a letter of application, resume and three professional references to:
Helen Valantinas
Assistant Director for Admin. Services
Fountaindale Public Library District
300 W. Briarcliff Road
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
Attention: Personnel
personnel@fountaindale.lib.il.us
Equal Opportunity Employer

Adult and Teen Services Manager
Fountaindale Public Library District, which proudly serves the diverse communities of Bolingbrook and Romeoville, Illinois, serves a population of 71,474 with two libraries, and circulated 827,000 items in 2006-07. They are seeking an experienced, public service-oriented manager to lead the adult and teen services staff of 18 in the development of new technologies, and delivery of reference, reader’s advisory, interlibrary loan and computer services to adult and teen library patrons.
* This full-time position includes evening and weekend hours.
* Strong managerial skills required. District voters will decide on a new library building referendum in Feb. 2008.
* Planning ability and Spanish language skills are a plus.
* A master’s degree from an ALA-accredited library school, plus six year’s experience required.
* Starting salary: $48,446 per year Closing date: until position is filled.

Send cover letter, resume, and three professional references to:
Marianne Thompson
Assistant Director for Public Services
Fountaindale Public Library District
300 W. Briarcliff Road
Bolingbrook , IL 60440
Attention: Personnel
personnel@fountaindale.lib.il.us
Equal Opportunity Employer

Computer Assistant
Fountaindale Public Library District, serving the communities of Bolingbrook and Romeoville, Illinois, is seeking a Computer Assistant to provide computer assistance and training to library patrons. This 25-hour per week part-time position includes some evenings and week-ends. High School diploma with computer related course work.
* Starting salary: $8.91 per hour Closing date: Until position is filled.

Send cover letter, resume and three references, including contact information, to:
Fountaindale Public Library District
300 W. Briarcliff Road
Bolingbrook, IL 60440
Attention: Personnel
personnel@fountaindale.lib.il.us
Equal Opportunity Employer

Reference and ILL News

Illinois State Library ER-EXPO
ILLINET member academic, public, school and special library staff are invited to attend the free Illinois State Library Electronic Resource Expo (ER-XPO) on Thursday, December 13, 2007 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Schaumburg Township District Library, located at 130 South Roselle Road in Schaumburg, Illinois. Sponsored by the Illinois State Library and the Schaumburg Township District Library, the ER-XPO will showcase electronic resource products and feature Try-It! Illinois 2007 participating vendors.

Boxed lunches will be available for purchase. To reserve your boxed lunch, email Kris Kenney or call 847-923-3328. Payment for lunch must be made the day of the event. For more information, email Gwen Harrison at ISL or call 800-665-5576 (press 1 then select extension 1) OR 217-785-7334. There is no charge to attend, but you are requested to register.

It Is Not Too Late to Provide Your Input!
The ILLINET Interlibrary Loan Code has been revised. Until November 2, 2007, public comments to this draft document are being accepted. The draft revision of the ILLINET Interlibrary Loan Code is located on the Illinois State Library website. Members of the library community are strongly encouraged to peruse the draft revision of the ILLINET Interlibrary Loan Code and make comments. The ILLINET Interlibrary Loan Code will be presented to the Illinois State Library Advisory Committee during their December 2007 meeting for final adoption. Please direct comments to Gwen Harrison at gharrison@ilsos.net.

Youth Services and School Library News

36th National Storytelling Festival
26th Annual Chartered Coach Trip: October 2-6, 2008 Sponsored by McHenry County Storytelling Guild You are invited to join us for a grand weekend in Tennessee. Reserve your spot now. Everyone on the 2007 trip wanted to see the coach trip continue. Eight wrote deposit checks for 2008 before the trip even ended. To ensure a coach trip in 2008, we need another seventeen reservations by December 1, 2007. Decision will be made on December 3 and confirmation sent Full package for 2008 includes transportation by motor coach, lodging, and festival admission with local transportation. Estimate for double occupancy is $600. Partial packages also available: transportation and festival, transportation only, or hotel, local transportation and festival. Register by December 1, 2007. Cost for an individual will depend on the number of participants on the trip. Personal expenses and additional events at the festival are not included in the estimate.
To register, please contact A. Denise Farrugia, Festival Trip Coordinator, evenings at 630-556-4771, festivaltrip@earthlink.net

YALSA Announces 2007 Teens’ Top Ten Winners!
More than 6,000 teen readers across the country chose “New Moon” by Stephenie Meyer as their favorite book in the annual Teens’ Top Ten. The online vote took place during Teen Read Week, October 14–20, 2007, with the second entry in Meyer’s popular vampire romance series winning easily. The 2007 Teens’ Top Ten are:

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2006)
Just Listen by Sarah Dessen (Viking Children’s Books, 2006)
How to Ruin a Summer Vacation by Simone Elkeles (Flux, 2006)
Maximum Ride: School’s Out – Forever by James Patterson (Hachette Book Group USA/Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2006)
Firegirl by Tony Abbott (Hachette Book Group USA/Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2006)
All Hallows Eve (13 Stories)by Vivian Vande Velde (Harcourt, 2006)
Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer (Harcourt, 2006)
River Secrets by Shannon Hale (Bloomsbury, 2006)
Bad Kitty by Michele Jaffe (HarperCollins, 2006)
Road of the Dead by Kevin Brooks (Chicken House, 2006).

TTT is a “teen choice” booklist, put together as part of YALSA’s Young Adult (YA) Galley Project, which facilitates access to advance copies of young adult books to national teen book discussion groups. These groups evaluated books published between January 2006 through April 2007 and then created a list of 25 nominations. Teen voters across the country then cast ballots for their three favorites, creating the 2007 Teens’ Top Ten. Final nominations for the 2008 Teens’ Top Ten vote will be posted in April at www.ala.org/teenstopten

"Standards for the 21st-Century Learner" Launched during AASL National Conference
excerpted from ALA, CHICAGO - Eagerly anticipated by the school library media community, "Standards for the 21st-Century Learner" was officially launched this week during the American Association of School Librarians (AASL) 13th National Conference & Exhibition in Reno, Nev. AASL president Sara Kelly Johns said. "AASL hopes that these standards will provide a foundation for a strong library media program in every school, where our students will research expertly, think critically, problem-solve well, read enthusiastically and use information ethically. Our students will succeed." Early in 2006, acting in accordance with the AASL strategic plan, the AASL Board of Directors voted to establish the Learning Standards Rewrite Task Force, whose charge was to develop new AASL standards for student learning in the 21st Century. "The new AASL 'Standards for the 21st-Century Learner' are both a reflection of the current landscape and a vision for the future," said Gail K. Dickinson, task force co-chair. "Good standards have to be practical enough to teach today but flexible enough to be able to teach tomorrow." To ensure that the new standards reflect the best of our thinking as a profession, the task force gathered input and feedback from the membership and other library media professionals throughout the whole process. A complimentary PDF version is available on the AASL Web site. For those wishing to purchase multiple copies of the standards, they are now available through the ALA Online Store.

Public Library News
No Public Library News this week.

Academic Library News
No Academic Library News this week.

Special Library News

Aspirations, Realities and Opportunities: an Interactive Conversation
Sponsored by: DuPage Library System, Metropolitan Library System, North Suburban Library System, SLA Illinois

Explore the changing role of the special librarian today, and how library professionals can navigate the chutes and ladders of their careers now and in the future. Hear from your colleagues, explore Illinois resources, and hear Janice LaChance, Chief Executive Officer of SLA. Get in the conversation!

When: November 2, 2007 Time: 8:30 A.M. - 3:30 P.M.
Where: North Suburban Library System, Wheeling IL
Cost: $85 (includes continental breakfast and lunch)
Register at: http://www.dupagels.lib.il.us/calendar/detailpages/1188332814.html

Sessions Include:
* Library as Individual: Professionals Without Places.
* Managing Change: How to make the most of the opportunities of our changing workplaces in challenging times.
* Information Professional as Technology Broker.
Illinois Resources Expo - Discover the wealth of resources available from around the state. Learn about technology tools, group purchases, information resources, and more!
Interactive Conversation - Discuss issues, concerns and ideas with colleagues, and apply knowledge gained at individual sessions to elevate your role in your workplace.

Questions? Contact the Metropolitan Library System at consultants@mls.lib.il.us or (630) 734-5130

Support Staff News
No Support Staff News this week.

Technology Services News
No Technology Services News this week.

E-Rate Corner

The Form 471 window for E-Rate funding for year 2008 has been approved. The window will open at noon Eastern time on Wednesday, November 7, 2007 and will close at 11:59 PM Eastern time on Thursday, January 24, 2008.

Important Dates to Remember:

The eligible service list has also been approved. A few changes may apply to some of you: Centrex: for 2008, Centrex service is treated as basic telephone service so this eliminates the requirement to file a technology plan if you are applying just for this service. Internet Access for Distance Learning: basic conduit access to the Internet for the purpose of accessing distance learning and video conferencing is eligible for funding in the Internet access category but distance learning and video conferencing tools are not eligible for funding.
For E-Rate questions call Marilyn at PALS – Rockford at 815-229-4470 or email marilynj@palsnet.info

Library News Around the State & Nation

The State of America's Libraries - An ALA Report
Of the many reports on libraries and library use published in the last few years by OCLC, ALA, and others, this is one of the shorter to look through--18 pages. The statistics on library use include all types of libraries and those statistics provide contradiction to a mistaken perception that libraries are no longer relevant or used. For example, "About 2.8 billion visitors checked out more than 2 billion items last year at everything from one-room rural outposts to spectacular facilities..." (Executive Summary, p2). Factoids like public library circulation increasing 28% in the past decade, including a 44% increase for children's materials, while school libraries served 5% more over a 5 year period, and academic library visits were up more than 14% illustrate how broad based the growth is. (p3).
If you are looking for an update on U.S. libraries to share with your trustees or governing authority, this will be helpful. http://www.ala.org/ala/pressreleases2007/march2007/stateoflibraries.htm

Changing Role of Libraries
Presenting the inaugural Leadership Lecture at the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Robert L. Dilenschneider, the nationally-known communications strategist and author, told the assembled library and museum leaders that they must be “especially smart and creative” in employing available new technologies because “the paradigm is rapidly shifting in your world and you must prepare for a great leap forward using technology as a teaching tool.” Today, he said, libraries and museums can play a more critical role than ever in:

• Closing the gap between information haves and have-nots
• Preserving cultural, scientific and historic heritage
• Improving people’s ability to find and use information
• Heightening understanding of other customs and cultures,
• Participating in education reform, and
• Encouraging immigrants to succeed in the U.S.

For the complete article see http://www.imls.gov/news/2007/102207.shtm.

Family Reading Night
Thursday, November 15 is designated as Family Reading Night in Illinois. Many suggestions and resources are available on the Illinois State Library website. As you plan for Family Reading Night, check Booklinks' list of recommended books for great family reading selections. These can be shared by a variety of ages and are good read-aloud choices.

Synergy 2008
Dates have been announced and applications are being accepted for Synergy: The Illinois Library Leadership Initiative 2008. Synergy is the statewide library community's proactive movement to recruit and nurture future Illinois library leaders. Objectives include self-assessment; discovering and developing personal values; identifying the local, state and global environment; fostering and expanding skills and tools for personal, professional and positional leadership; creating a cohort group; establishing mentoring relationships; and developing a vision of and beyond the field of librarianship. Librarians selected to participate in Synergy: The Illinois Library Leadership Initiative 2008 will commit to a yearlong process. Three three-day seminars will be held: April 1-3, Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center, Utica; August 5-7, Pere Marquette Lodge, Grafton; and November 18-20, Hickory Ridge Marriott Conference Hotel, Lisle. Each site has been chosen for its unique Illinois flavor and for the natural progression, geographically, personally, professionally, as Synergy and its participants travel across the state. Synergy: The Illinois Library Leadership Initiative 2008 applicants are responsible for compiling and submitting their complete applications to Ellen Popit, Committee Chair, at Shawnee Library System. Applications must be post marked by Friday, November 30, 2007. All applicants will be notified in regard to their application by late January 2008. Questions about Synergy may be directed to Patricia Norris, Vandella Brown or Cyndy Colletti at the State Library (1-800-665-5576 Option #1) or Ellen Popit (1-800-455-4374 extension 2024).

News from Vendors
No News from Vendors this week.

Legislative/Advocacy News

Contact Your Senators, Representative and Tell Them to Support the Senate-Passed Library State Grants Funding Level
From an article in the October 24 Congressional Quarterly: The Senate passed the nation’s largest annual spending bill Tuesday, a measure that provides money for health, education and labor programs — and that serves as a stark contrast between congressional Democrats’ priorities and those of President Bush. The bill (HR 3403, S 1710) would provide $606 billion in fiscal 2008 for the departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education, and for some independent agencies such as the Social Security Administration. It passed 75-19, sufficient to overcome a promised veto from Bush. Of the total, $149.9 billion is discretionary spending — a $5.4 billion increase from fiscal 2007, and $9.6 billion more than Bush requested for the departments under the bill. The Senate bill provides $1.9 billion less in discretionary spending than the House version, a difference that will have to be worked out in a conference committee — the next step for the legislation, and one that may come soon. Democrats are eager to send the bill to Bush, who has promised to veto it. This bill contains funding for several library-related programs. The House passed a bill in July. Conferees will soon meet to reconcile the differences in the bills.

Urgent action needed: The Senate-passed bill contains $171,500,000 for the Grants to State Library Agencies program within the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). Please contact your Senators and Representative and tell them to support the Senate-passed funding level. More information is available at the Legislative Action Center, including talking points and more detailed funding information.

Book Bag Advocacy
When meeting your legislators whether back in the district or at Illinois Library Day, a small token item can make an impression. Janie Dollinger, Lanark PL director, found this to be the case at a local event honoring Senator Todd Sieben who is not running for re-election next year. When posing with the senator for newspaper photos, upon introductions, the senator’s wife exclaimed that she knew Lanark PL and Janie! Some years back, Janie presented the senator with a Lanark PL Friends book bag with a local cookbook inside. The senator of course passed this along to his wife who carried books in the bag all this time and appreciated the bag. You might think that your locally produced cookbook with real comfort food recipes might be overlooked, but the home touch, whether it be a library mug, book tote, local history stories or whatever you might have with a local touch, will be appreciated and remembered by your legislators. While it’s your visit to either the district office or in Springfield as well as your phone calls, as a constituent, that are the most important of all to build familiarity, it can be the small item that gains bonus points.

Grant News
No Grant News this week.

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

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

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.