volume #4 issue#47

November 29, 2007

Prairie Views: the newsletter of the Prairie Area Library System

System News

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 (608-262-9195), Jane Lenser (877-542-7257 x4461), or Sandy Ringstrom (877-542-7257 x2710) for further information about the Open House, or view the attached flyer.

Union Listing "Missive"
On 11/8, a lengthy message was sent to all PALSGroup union listing libraries through the "unionlist" mailing list. If you are a union listing library director and you did not receive the message, this likely means that you are not on the mailing list, or that we do not have the right address for you. Please contact Len Lindquist (lenl@palsnet.info, x4472) if you did not receive the message and believe you should have.

New Way to Get Support for PALSGroup Union Listing Libraries!
If you are a Union Listing member of PrarieCat and need help, have a question, need to schedule a training session, etc, please send an email to ulhelp@mailman.palsnet.info and a staff member will get back with you promptly!

PALS Day 2008 Registration Is Now Open
Mark your calendars now for PALS Day 2008 at Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center on Wednesday, May 7, 2008. Our day will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. Transportation details will be provided at a later date.
Registration is now available in CLeO, so please register at your earliest convenience. For additional information, please contact Dawn Diventi dawnd@palsnet.info or Nancy Smith nancys@palsnet.info, PALS Day 2008 Co-coordinators.
We look forward to spending a great day with you at Starved Rock!

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

Smoke Free Illinois Act – Rules, Requirements, Enforcement and Penalties
A one hour OPAL workshop at 10 am on December 18, will cover the newly enacted Smoke Free Illinois law which is in effect as of January, 2008. Larry Didier, Tobacco Prevention/Cessation Coordinator for Winnebago County, will cover the requirements. There are penalties for non compliance. What does your library need to do - what postings are required, where can you get posters, who can complain, what are the penalties for non compliance and other pertinent information will be presented in this Q & A session. To learn about the act, register for the workshop at http://palsnet.info/events/

Continuing Education Services of UW-Madison SLIS Winter/Spring 2008 Schedule
For full details, visit http://www.slis.wisc.edu/continueed
*Workshop in Madison Bridges:
Out of Poverty with Jodi Pfarr Co-sponsored with South Central Library System April 23-24
*Online Courses:
Public Library Administration, Jan 7-Mar 30
Core Elements of Children’s Services, Jan 7-Mar 15
Creating Public Library Programming for Adults, Jan 24-Mar 6
Library 2.0: 101, Jan 28-Feb 24
YA Services and Literature, Feb 4-Mar 28
Basic Reference, Feb 4-Apr 13
Fundamentals of Cataloging, Feb 4-Apr 13
Graphic Novels in the Library, Feb 6-Mar 5
Eco-Librarians: Changing Our Communities One Step at a Time, Mar 31-Apr 21

**Travel Opportunity!!!** Books and Beauty in Western Ireland: A Librarians’ Trip February 28-March 9
Questions? Contact Anna Palmer, ahpalmer@wisc.edu or 608-263-4452

GSLIS Spring 2008 Community Credit Courses
The Graduate School of Library and Information Science (GSLIS), in cooperation with the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign (UIUC) Office of Continuing Education, is pleased to announce a limited number of openings in several online and on-campus graduate credit courses via the Academic Outreach Community Credit program. Formal admission to the University is not necessary, but a bachelor's degree is required. Please see the following web page for the schedule of available courses and information on how to register for a course. Instruction starts January 14 and ends April 30. Registration must be completed by December 14. http://www.lis.uiuc.edu/programs/cpd/Community_Credit/

If you are pursuing your school media endorsement, please note that we are offering online Saturday morning classes in Literature and Resources for Young Adults (LIS 404 LEB), Reference and Information Services (LIS 504LEB), and Cataloging and Classification (LIS 507LEA).

For further information, contact:
Marianne Steadley
Continuing Professional Development Program Director
501 E. Daniel St.
Champaign IL 61820
217/244-2751
Fax: 217/244-3302

Member News

Our Condolences
to Denise Ethun, librarian at Boylan Catholic High School in Rockford, whose mother passed away last week.

to the family of Bea Welsh who passed away this week. Bea was a longtime board member of the River Bend Library System, and of the Henry C. Adams Memorial Library in Prophetstown, and volunteered at RBLS for a number of years.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families at this difficult time.

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.

No Missing Books this week.

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.

Cheap New Cassette Cases:
In need of brand new, never-been-used, cassette cases? The Julia Hull District Library has such cases, in excess, and available for purchase at the cost of $1.00 per case.
The following types are available:
28 6-tape cases
18 3-tape cases
24 8-tape cases
44 2-tape cases
and 46 4-tape cases.
We also have 5 new single VHS cases for book kits--and 3 new double VHS cases for book kits. All cases are white and have a clear cover and a clear full outer sleeve to insert audio book covers.

If interested in purchasing any combination or amount of these cases, please contact:
Joanna Kluever
Email: jkluever@mail.meridian223.org
Phone: 815.645.8611.

Reddick Library has the following to giveaway :
1) Hoovers Masterlist of U.S. Companies 2006. 2 vol.
2) LMP (Literary Market Place) 2005. 2 vol.
3) Song writers market 2006

If interested contact:
Elaine Chapman
Email: emchapman@reddicklibrary

St. Ambrose University Library
has the following available at no charge.
Literary Market Place 2007, two volumes.

If interested contact
Joyce Haack
Email: haackjoycea@sau.edu
Phone:(563)333-6247

Lemont Public Library has:
Scholarships, Fellowships and Loans: A Guide to Education-Related Financial Aid Programs for Students and Professionals, 23rd ed., 2007

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

Free CD Holders/Display
CD holders/display - these plastic, lockable holders (for lack of a better term) hold 4 cds each. They measure 12"x12"x3/4" and each will hold 4 cd's. Patrons are able to view the front and the backs of the cds. We got them from Gaylord - probably when we opened 16 years ago. I could not find them in the catalog. If you would like a picture please email me. We have 14 unopened boxes with 5 of the holders, each, and keys and 27 used holders with keys also.

If interested contact:
Michele
Three Rivers Library, Minooka Branch,
Email: mhouchens@three-rivers-library.org
Phone: 1-815-467-1600 ext. 207

PALS Giveaways:
Author: Harold Bell Wright
Their Yesterdays
The Eyes of the World
The Call of Dan Matthews
The Winning of Barbara Worth
Exit
The Uncrowned King
The Recreation of Brian Kent
That printer of Udell’s
When a Man’s a Man

Author: Gene Stratton-Porter
A Daughter of the Land
Laddie: a true story Her Father’s Daughter

If interested contact:
Brenda Roman
Email: brendar@palsnet.info

Free Reference Titles
The College Blue Book 33rd Ed. 2006 6 Vols.
Hoover's Hand Book Of Emerging Companies 2006
Hoover's Hand Book Of World Business 2006
Hoover's Hand Book Of Private Companies 2006
Hoover's Hand Book Of American Business 2006
American Big Businesses Directory 2006 2 Vols.
Million Dollar Directory 2006
American Manufacturers Directory 2006 2 Vols.

If interest contact:
Jody Studer, Circulation Supervisor
Homer Township Public Library
708-301-7908
jstuder@homerlibrary.org

Walnut Public Library District
has the attached list of books to giveaway. If interested, email Michele at wpld2000@yahoo.com or phone 815-379-2159.

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.

Part Time Librarian
Messenger Public Library of North Aurora Invites applicants for a part-time Librarian Position in the Adult Services Department. The successful candidate will report to the Head of Adult Services.
* Duties include providing reference and computer assistance, ILL, adult programming, and collection development.
* Job requirements: Master's degree in Library and Information Sciences from an ALA accredited university highly desirable and /or related library experience.
* Scheduled hours are: Mon. 1-9pm, Wed. 8:45-5pm, Sun. 12:30-5pm and 2 Saturdays a month.
* Pay rate is $12-15 per hour DOQ. Benefits include IMRF, sick-time, and vacation after 1 year of service.
This position is available immediately. Messenger Public Library is an EOE employer.

Please send cover letter and resume to:
Michelle Powers
Adult Services Dept.
Messenger Public Library of North Aurora
113 Oak Street
North Aurora, IL 60542
or email: mpowers@northaurora.lib.il.us

Young Adult Librarian
The Bettendorf Public Library is looking for an innovative and energetic librarian passionate about providing outstanding service to teens. This position includes 28 hours/week in Youth Services Department and 12 hours per week in the Information Services Department. *Responsibilities include: - Performing all aspects of young adult library service from collection development to outreach and including programming; - Answering reference questions and readers’ advisory requests for children, teens and adults; - Instructing patrons in the use of Library Resources; - Selecting music for teens and adults; - Recruiting and training teen volunteers; - Assisting with Children’s Programming when needed
* Requirements are: - Master’s in Library Science from an ALA accredited school with 2-4 years of progressively more responsible work in a public library setting; - Professional experience in a young adult library setting is preferred; - Working knowledge of Microsoft Office products, webpage construction and social networking sites, internet and library databases.
This is a full time position with the Bettendorf Public Library in the City of Bettendorf. Hours include some nights and alternate weekends. Starting salary is $19.3911 per hour ($40,333.48 annually).

Interested applicants can pick up applications at the following location:
City Hall
1609 State Street
Bettendorf, IA 52722
Applicants may also print an application off the website at http://www.bettendorf.org. Applicants must include a completed application and resume for this position. Deadline for applications is Friday, December 7, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. All applications must be returned to Bettendorf City Hall.

Library Director
Geneseo Public Library District, Geneseo, Illinois, seeks enthusiastic leader with experience in a building project. Must have and exhibit prior success working w/personnel, community leaders and a Board of (7) elected Trustees. Experience managing a library, public relations, fundraising, public speaking, short and long term planning vision for the library and excellent verbal and written skills.
* The position requires a minimum of 5 years of public library administration and/or MLS from an ALA accredited library school program.
* Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. Residency required.
* Excellent benefits package included. Position open March 1, 2008; current library director is retiring. The library has an annual budget of $507,260, staff of 1 full-time employee, 17 part-time employees and an annual circulation of 145,928. The library district serves 13,102 residents including the City of Geneseo.
Visit the library's website at http://www.geneseo.lib.il.us

Please send resume and three references to:
Geneseo Public Library
ATTN:Mr. Don Bailey
218 South State Street
Geneseo, Illinois, 61254
before November 30, 2007.

Adult and Teen Services Assistant
Fountaindale Public Library District, is seeking a public service-oriented individual to provide patron assistance in the Adult and Teen Services department of our Romeoville library. Duties include helping patrons at the reference desk, assisting in the computer lab and with library programming, and preparing materials for bibliographies and displays. This 25-hour per week, part-time position includes evening and weekend hours.
* LA/LTA certification, plus six months of related experience required. Spanish language skills are a plus.
* Starting rate: $12.50 per hour
* Closing date: Until position is filled.

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

Library Development Consultant
The Alliance Library System (ALS) seeks a Library Development Consultant who initiates, plans, organizes, implements and monitors program efforts for library development and cooperation. Initiative, self-direction, planning, strong management and communication skills are essential to this high profile, exempt position. The Library Development Consultant works closely with staff at member libraries and at ALS. Master’s degree in Library Science from an ALA accredited library program is required. Knowledge of multitype library services plus state and national library trends is essential. Four to six years of experience in at least one of the following library types is desired: public library, school library, special library, academic library or library system. The salary range for this position is $46,000 to $69,000. Starting pay will be based on qualifications and experience.

The Alliance Library System offers the following benefits:
* 7 ½ hour work day
* Health, dental and vision insurance
* 13 paid holidays
* 20 paid vacation days
* 2 paid personal days
* 12 paid sick days
* Participation in IMRF (Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund)
* Participation in pre-tax retirement savings plans

Please send resume, letter of application and three references to:

Via Mail:
Paul Santos, Finance, Facilities & HR Director
Alliance Library System
600 High Point Lane
East Peoria, IL 61611

Via Email: Paul Santos: psantos@alliancelibrarysystem.com

Via Fax: Paul Santos: 309.694.9230

All applications are due by 1:00 PM on Friday, December 7.

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

Youth Services and School Library News

Author, Ben Mikaelsen at PALS Schools
Ben Mikaelsen, author of many books for young people including Touching Spirit Bear and Rescue Josh McGuire spoke to several schools in the northwest part of the state this year. Mikaelsen told students that since he was born in South America where Spanish was his native language and didn’t move to the U.S. until he was in seventh grade, he had a very difficult time with grammar and spelling in English. He was severely bullied as a youngster and discussed the topic with the students. He has a 750 pound bear as a pet and only does author visits after “Buffy” has gone into hibernation for the winter!

Dungeons & Dragons Sponsors Teen Tech Week 2008
(ALA, CHICAGO) -The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), the fastest-growing division of the American Library Association (ALA), announced this week that Dungeons & Dragons, a subsidiary of Wizards of the Coast, Inc., is the 2008 Corporate Sponsor for Teen Tech Week, taking place March 2-8. Registration information, resources, products and more can be found at the Teen Tech Week Web site.

A worldwide pop culture phenomenon for more than 30 years, Dungeons & Dragons is a game played with books, paper, pencils and now your computer. Players gather in groups to create heroic characters who journey together through a fantasy realm to discover treasure, fight monsters and triumph over adversity. Teens love D&D because it's exciting and interactive; educators love D&D because it thrives on creativity, imagination and cooperation (with a bit of math and reading thrown in). "As the developer of a game that fosters creativity and imagination, Dungeons & Dragons is always interested in events that encourage young people to expand their minds with new experiences," said Sara Girard, associate brand manager for Dungeons & Dragons. "By participating in this year's Teen Tech Week, we hope to expose teens to the world of D&D and online tools such as our new D&D Insider application in a familiar and friendly way to create a rich experience and enhance tabletop game play."

Now in its second year, Teen Tech Week is a national initiative aimed at teens, their parents, educators and other concerned adults. The purpose of the initiative is to ensure that teens are competent and ethical users of technologies, especially those that are offered through libraries. Teen Tech Week encourages teens to use libraries' nonprint resources for education and recreation, and to recognize that librarians are qualified, trusted professionals in the field of information technology. The 2008 Teen Tech Week Theme is Tune In @ your library®.

2008 Family Reading Night Order Form Available
The order form for posters and bookmarks for Family Reading Night 2008 (mark your calendars now for November 20, 2008) can be found on the Illinois State Library website.

Public Library News

Brass D&B Public Librarian Support Award
The D&B Public Librarian Support Award Committee is seeking nominees for this award to be presented at ALA 2008. The $1,000 award will support attendance at the Annual Conference for a public librarian who has performed outstanding business reference service or programming, and who needs financial assistance to attend the conference. For additional information, see the following: http://www.ala.org/ala/rusa/rusaourassoc/rusasections/brass/brassawards/awarddescription/dunbradstreet.htm Applications are to be made in writing to the chair of this standing BRASS committee by December 31, 2007. Chair: Nelly Somerman, nsomerman@stdl.org

Academic Library News

Get Involved with ACRL: Volunteer to Serve on a Division Committee
Deadline Extended to Monday, December 3, 2007
ACRL division committee volunteers are an integral part of the association. Committee members help shape the organization by advancing its strategic plan and influencing the direction of academic and research librarianship. If you have been looking for a way to become more involved, ACRL Vice-President/President-Elect Erika Linke invites you to volunteer for a division committee for the 2008–09 term. See www.ala.org/ala/acrl/aboutacrl/resourcesforwork/acrlforms/volunteer.cfm for more information and a link to the volunteer form.

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.

E-Rate Corner

The good news is that program forms have not changed from last year. If you applied for FY2007 funding, Forms 470 and 471 are exactly the same and should be familiar to you. If you did not file last year, for any reason, please consider getting back into the filing routine. PALS will help you through the entire process. The easiest filing is for basic phone service. You do not have to filter and you do not need a technology plan if you apply for just this basic phone service. It is not uncommon for even the smallest library to have $1000 or more in phone bills for local and long distance service during the course of the year and depending on your discount percentage, you would receive $500 - $900 back. Now is the time to begin the filing process for the new year. We are waiting to help.
Call Marilyn at PALS – Rockford or email marilynj@palsnet.info.

Library News Around the State & Nation

The Mid-Illinois Talking Book Center Is NOT Just an Audio Library for the Blind; There’s More to Us Than Meets the Ear!
The Mid-Illinois Talking Book Center (MITBC) offers a wide variety of services to a diverse population of patrons. Along with serving the print impaired, MITBC loans audio books and cassette players to students with learning challenges, as well as, schools interested in taking advantage of this free educational tool.

Check out PLAYAWAY, the Latest Technology: For the tech savvy student, easily turned off by old technology we offer a variety of PLAWAWAY devices. Each PLAYWAY comes with a digital book pre- loaded on the cartridge, ear buds, and a battery to make it play! PLAYAWAYS are popular with younger readers because they are small (weighs only two ounces), easily portable and appealing to the eye and the ear (all PLAYWAYS have digital sound quality)! To view both an audio and print version of the PLAYAWAY Title List please visit: http://www.mitbc.org/newsletters.shtml. Like all of our services, PLAYAWAYS are circulated at no cost and multiple copies are available.

Listen IS Reading with Unabridged Titles: All of our books are complete and unabridged, so they may be used in conjunction with the printed version of the same title. MITBC is happy to work with your school library to make sure what is read in the classroom is available in audio format. Our service is convenient and easy to use. Teachers may order books online or by phone. All materials are sent through the mail, entirely postage free. We can provide multiple copies of some materials.

Looking for More? Textbooks Available: The Mid-Illinois Talking Book Center is part of a state and national network of libraries serving the print-impaired. This national network allows the MITBC staff to act as a resource center for educators; we can help you find textbooks and additional materials in alternative formats. Two of these textbook services are Bookshare (http://www.Bookshare.org) and the Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic (http://www.rfbd.org). These services however, charge a modest fee for access to materials, but are excellent resources for recorded textbooks. MITBC is happy to provide our patrons with more information about these services.

New Digital Talking Books Coming Soon: In 2008 the National Library System for the Blind and Physically Handicapped is making the most dramatic change in its Talking Book service in decades with the introduction of a new Digital Talking Book player and flash cartridge. The new digital books and players will be smaller and easier to use for the 27,000 Illinoisans currently enrolled in the Talking Book program.

New Delivery Service Website
The new Illinois Library Delivery Service (ILDS) will begin on January 2, 2008. A terrific website has been established with answers to questions you might about the new ILDS. Log on to: www.illinoisdelivers.net.

ASCLA Offers Course for Librarians Serving Spanish Speakers
(ALA, CHICAGO) The Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) offers an Internet-based course, "Selecting Spanish-Language Materials for Adults." The course, which runs from April 7 - May 2, is designed to teach attendees how to develop a Spanish-language materials collection. "According to the 2000 census, 28.1 million people over 5 years of age who live in the U.S. speak Spanish at home-a figure that has undoubtedly increased over the past years," wrote Todd Douglas Quesada in "Spanish Spoken Here," an article in the November 2007 issue of American Libraries. ASCLA, an association dedicated to providing library services to special populations, recognized the need for training to help libraries best serve their Spanish-speaking patrons. It is working with Yolanda J. Cuesta, a trainer and consultant with more than 25 years experience in helping libraries serve diverse communities, to offer an introductory course that teaches the basics of developing a Spanish-language collection. The course covers the importance of providing the materials and explores the diversity of the Spanish-speaking population in the US. Students will learn about setting goals and establishing criteria for selecting materials, working with the community to identify needs, discussing tools and techniques, choosing a distributor and marketing the collection. It includes information on how the differences in Spanish-language publishing have an impact on the selection process. The registration cost is $130 for ASCLA members, $160 for ALA members, $190 for non-ALA members and $100 for ALA student and retired members. For more information about the course please visit: http://www.ala.org/ala/ascla/asclaevents/professionaldevelopmentonlinea/prodevonline.htm

News from Vendors
No News from Vendors this week.

Legislative/Advocacy News

ALA Advocacy Action Plan Workbook
This link will take you to the ALA Advocacy Action Plan Workbook. Permission is granted to libraries and other groups to reproduce this toolkit. Among some of the items you will find here are strategies for setting your goals, developing your message, getting the message out and a checklist for library advocates.

Librarians Meet With Senator Christine Radogno

James McGloin and JoAnn Potenziani joined PALS advocacy coordinator Inara McGroarty to meet with senator Christine Radogno in her Lemont district office. Lemont PLD director McGloin spoke of mandatory filters being an unfunded mandate and described how the children’s area at his library handles the question of filters. New Lenox PLD director Potenziani spoke of the need for a referendum for the library. The senator mentioned that the librarians in her district have been doing a good job of communicating with her and keeping her appraised of library issues. She then posed for her READ poster as well as with both librarians. Stopping by their district offices helps build familiarity with our legislators and makes it more likely that they’ll listen and pay attention to our issues. If you’ve not yet done so, stop by and introduce yourself to your legislators. Drop off brochures or any PR material that you have about your library and the programs that you offer to make the community a better place to live. Libraries add value! Boast about that not to just the legislators but at your local Kiwanis, Rotary, Chamber and other area organization meetings as well.

Advocacy for Trustees
ALA’s handbook for trustees, The Successful Library Trustee Handbook, has a good chapter on advocacy that you can access online. This excerpt discusses targeted ways for trustees to get into the public arena and advocate on behalf of our libraries. Advocacy for the library is an essential part of the job. The chapter discusses that advocacy is not strictly defined as lobbying legislators. While this is of importance, there are many other aspects to advocacy.

Grant News

PBS Campaign Provides Partnership Opportunities for Libraries
(ALA, Chicago) The American Library Association (ALA) is pleased to announce that it is working with WGBH Boston on the upcoming national outreach campaign for the film "The Truth About Cancer," which will air on PBS in April. The 90-minute documentary film, followed by a 30-minute expert panel, will be the launching pad for events and projects across the country focused on creating community conversations around cancer survivorship. In conjunction with the film, WGBH is offering 15 grants to public television stations across the country. These grants will support creative projects incorporating the use of media, art and the web in portraying the idea of survivorship. Stations applying for grants will be strongly encouraged to pair with the local branches of the national partners for this campaign: National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS), Susan G. Komen for the Cure, John Wayne Cancer Foundation, Lance Armstrong Foundation and the Coalition of Cancer Cooperative Groups, along with the YMCA of the USA and the American Library Association. ALA and WGBH encourage libraries to reach out to their local PBS stations to collaborate with them on a grant proposal. This collaboration will provide an excellent opportunity for libraries to develop new - or strengthen existing - community partnerships, while offering a valuable service to their communities. Information about the grants and PBS station contacts are available from: Elizabeth Cohen, WGBH, at Elizabeth_cohen@wgbh.org or 617-300-3885. This collaborative project with WGBH is administered by the Reference and User Services Association (RUSA), a division of ALA.

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.