volume #5 issue#1

January 3, 2008

Prairie Views: the newsletter of the Prairie Area Library System

System News

Our Condolences
to Inara McGroarty, PALS Advocacy Coordinator, on the death of her mother this week. Our thoughts and prayers are with Inara and her family at this difficult time.

PALS Needs a Piece of Your Mind!
Make it your New Year’s resolution to attend a 2-hour PALS Strategic Planning Direction Setting meeting in the next few weeks at a location near your library. A face-to-face input session has been planned for each neighborhood. At these sessions, attendees will be asked questions and give responses that will be used to revise the PALS Long Range Plan.

Who should attend? Anyone connected by employment or volunteer role to a member library, has a knowledge of library system services, and wants to share their opinion is urged to participate. PALS planning effort needs to reflect the width and depth of member library staff and volunteer leadership.

When and where can I attend? Attend one the eight meetings listed below.
Coal Valley Service Center, Thursday, January 10, 2:00–4:00 pm
Highland Community College West (Elizabeth), Tuesday, January 8, 9:30–11:30 am
Joliet Public Library, Black Road Branch, Tuesday, January 8, 10:00-12:00 pm
Limestone Public Library, Thursday, January 17, 3:00–5:00 pm
LaSalle Public Library, Tuesday, January 8, 9:30-11:30 am
Rockford Service Center , Tuesday, January 8, 9:30-11:30 am
Sterling Public Library, Tuesday, January 8, 9:00-11:00 am
Sycamore Public Library, Thursday, January 10, 10:00-12:00 pm

Register today at http://www.palsnet.info/events/

Are other activities planned? Yes, but the PALS Strategic Direction Input meetings will be one of the best opportunities for members to provide input to the planning process. In early March, representatives from the PALS Board, Librarian’s Planning Committee, PALSGroup Administrative Council, and PALS staff will meet in Mendota for a day-long planning event. On May 7, at PALS Day, we’ll preview our new Long Range Plan at one of the sessions that day. Later in May the PALS Board will act on the plan and by the end of month, we’ll send it to the Illinois State Library as part of our funding application for 2008-2009.

Please help us get off to a good start by attending one of the PALS Long Range Planning Input Session at one of these eight convenient locations.

PALSGroup Cataloging Policies and Procedures
The PALSGroup Technical Services Users Group (TSUG) and its subcommittee have been working hard on a policies and procedures manual so that libraries will do things in the same way and make it easier for patrons to find materials. At this time, several policies and procedures have been approved by TSUG, the Administrative Council, and the Delegates Assembly. We do expect all PrairieCat member libraries to follow the policies and procedures that have been approved by TSUG and the Administrative Council (AC) because the assumption is that the Delegates Assembly (DA) will ratify them. The latest version of the policies and procedures manual can be found on the PALSGroup Secure Site under Technical Services Users Group, Miscellaneous Technical Services Documents, Technical Services Policies and Procedures Manual (http://members.prairiecat.info/pgss/tsug/miscdocs.php). If you do not have a login for the Secure Site, please contact your director or administrative librarian for it.

There are two policies that we have had an issue with that I would like to highlight. First, item category 2 is a mandatory field. There must be a value in that field. That field is where the information for the Kids Catalog is pulled. Second, any item published every 3 years or more often is to be added to the serial record, not the individual volume record. If there is a year in the title, it is recommended that you search by the title to see if there is a serial record in PrairieCat. If you do not find one, it is recommended that you search FirstSearch/OCLC for a serial record before determining that the individual volume record is the one to use. There is a list of the approved Item types, Item categories, and Locations on the secure site under Frequently Accessed Documents (http://members.prairiecat.info/pgss/fad/). It is important to use this list when adding your items as there are some terms from the previous systems still in the dropdowns in Workflows.

Please pass this information on to any staff that work in or with Acquisitions, Cataloging, and Serials. Please remember that any staff that add items to the database, regardless of their title, is responsible for knowing these policies and procedures. If you have questions about the policies or procedures please contact Mary Louise Brown at x3253 or maryb@palsnet.info; Sandy Tedder at x2713 or sandyt@palsnet.info; or Merideth Willett at x3257 or meridethw@palsnet.info.

PALS Board Meeting Rescheduled for April 15, 2007
The PALS Board of Directors has rescheduled their cancelled August 21, 2007 meeting for April 15, 2008 at the Kankakee Public Library.
Please direct any questions to Cori Swanson at 309-799-3155 x3136.

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

Reaching Forward 2008 Conference
Save the date for the Reaching Forward 2008 Conference to be held on May 9, 2008 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL. For event information go to the Reaching Forward web site. Transportation information will be posted at a later date. Please contact Dawn DiVenti for further information.

Member News

Our Condolences
to Jackie Lakatos, Head of Circulation and Technical Services at Lemont Public Library, on the death of her husband. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jackie and her family at this difficult time.

Best Wishes
to Faye Clow, who is retiring as Director of the Bettendorf Public Library. Her last day of work is January 4, 2008. Enjoy retirement!

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.

No Freebies/Exchanges/For Sale/Wanted this week.

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.

Library Director
The Ella Johnson Memorial Public Library District in Hampshire, IL has an exciting opportunity for a library director with the vision to help the library redefine itself and keep up with the remarkable growth occurring within its boundaries. This library district has been growing as much as 10 to 12% a year and needs to develop a new facility, expand and improve services, collections, technology and staff. We are seeking a leader and communicator who is a library promoter and partnership builder, someone who can make the library the cultural focus of the community. Hampshire, Illinois, is located 50 miles northwest of downtown Chicago. The Library currently serves a population of 17,000, over 35,000 collection items and a 13 member staff (5.4 FTE). The Library’s current operating budget is $465,000.

Minimum Qualifications: MLS from an ALA accredited library education program plus
• 5 years professional experience with demonstrated management ability in administration, budgeting, planning, and supervision
• Strong fiscal management skills and the ability to be a presence in the community
• The ability to create a learning culture with strong support for staff development
• Excellent public relations skills and the ability to work effectively with community agencies and organizations

Salary: Minimum $75,000.00, depending on qualifications. Send cover letter, resume, and professional references by February 8, 2008 to Miriam Pollack at

Miriam Pollack & Associates
1066 Shermer Road
Northbrook, IL 60062
miriampollack@comcast.net

Public Services Assistant
Bourbonnais Public Library has a part-time position available providing reference, reader’s advisory, homework help, and computer support during after school, evening, and weekend hours approximately 21 hours per week. We are looking for an energetic, creative, flexible team player. Bachelor’s degree plus previous work experience with teens, excellent communication, and computer skills required. Demonstrated customer service orientation, and knowledge of children’s literature are essential. Send resume postmarked no later than January 19, 2008 to:

Bourbonnais Public Library
ATTN: Public Services Librarian
250 W. John Casey Rd.
Bourbonnais, IL 60914

Youth Services Assistant
The Shorewood-Troy Public Library District located in the Village of Shorewood, IL, a community of over 18,000 and growing, seeks a customer service oriented individual to fill the position of Youth Services Assistant. The ideal candidate will be energetic, resourceful and able to assist with planning and conducting programming. This 15-19 hour a week position includes daytime, evening and rotating weekend hours. Requirements: Must be able to work a flexible schedule, have good communication and organizational skills, answer basic reference and readers advisory questions, work independently as well as a part of a team. Computer skills are a must. Previous experience working with children of all ages and their caregivers desired.

Qualifications: High school diploma and two years of customer service experience, preferably working with children.
Starting Salary: $9/hour

To apply please send a current resume with three references and a cover letter to:
Library Director Sharon L. Highler
650 Deerwood Drive
Shorewood, IL 60404
or to shighler@shorewood.lib.il.us

Deadline for applications: January 25, 2008
Position Available: February 4, 2008

Circulation Assistant
The Shorewood-Troy Public Library District located in the Village of Shorewood, IL, a community of over 18,000 and growing, seeks a customer service oriented individual to fill the position of Circulation Assistant. This 15-19 hour a week position includes daytime, evening and rotating weekend hours. Requirements: Must be able to work a flexible schedule, have good communication and organizational skills, pay attention to detail, work independently as well as a part of a team. Computer skills a must. Previous circulation experience desired.

Qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent with two years of customer service experience.
Starting Salary: $9/hour

To apply please send a current resume with three references and a cover letter to:
Library Director Sharon L. Highler
650 Deerwood Drive
Shorewood, IL 60404
or to shighler@shorewood.lib.il.us

Deadline for applications: January 25, 2008
Position Available: February 4, 2008

Assistant Director
The Shorewood-Troy Public Library District located in the Village of Shorewood, IL, a community of over 18,000 and growing, seeks a highly organized, resourceful, service oriented individual to fill the re-evaluated position of Assistant Director. The Assistant Director serves as part of the management team and will assist the Director in the day to day operations of the library. The creation of a fully functional Adult Services department will be a priority and will require professional knowledge, proven management skills, and teambuilding experience. The ideal candidate will be entering a highly energetic environment. This 40 hour a week position includes daytime, evening and rotating weekend hours.

Requirements: Computer skills are a must. Previous supervisory experience is a must. Must possess excellent communication and organizational skills. Must be innovative, able to work independently as well as a part of a team.
Qualifications: ALA/MLS degree required with a minimum of three years professional library experience. One year supervisory experience is a must.
Starting Salary: $50,000 annual

To apply please send a current resume with three references and a cover letter to:
Library Director Sharon L. Highler
650 Deerwood Drive
Shorewood, IL 60404
or to shighler@shorewood.lib.il.us

Deadline for applications: January 25, 2008
Position Available: February 18, 2008

Technical Services Department Head
The Shorewood-Troy Public Library District located in the Village of Shorewood, IL, a community of over 18,000 and growing, seeks an organized, service oriented individual to fill the position of Technical Services Department Head. The Technical Services Department Head serves as part of the management team. This 40 hour a week position could include daytime, evening and rotating weekend hours.

Requirements: Computer skills are a must. Must be able to perform MARC cataloging and classification of materials and have knowledge of OCLC cataloging software. Must possess good communication and organizational skills. Must be able to pay attention to detail, work independently as well as a part of a team. Previous supervisory experience desired.
Qualifications: ALA/MLS degree required with a minimum of two years library experience or LTA certification plus five years Technical Services experience including two years of MARC cataloging.
Starting Salary: $17/hour

To apply please send a current resume with three references and a cover letter to:
Library Director Sharon L. Highler
650 Deerwood Drive
Shorewood, IL 60404
or to shighler@shorewood.lib.il.us

Deadline for applications: January 25, 2008
Position Available: February 18, 2008

Associate Director
The Bradley Public Library District located in the Village of Bradley, a community of 12,303 and a member of the Prairie Area Library System, is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Associate Director. The Associate Director will assist the library director in the day to day operations of the library. Duties include but are not limited to the supervision of library staff, the preparation of reports, budgets, grant preparation, and ensuring that local media are aware of library events.. The successful candidate is required to have a Masters in Library Science from an ALA-accredited library program. In addition, five or more years of public library experience with three or more years in an administrative capacity. Actual salary will be based on qualifications and experience. A benefit package including paid vacation, sick leave, health insurance, and enrollment in IMRF.

Applications for this position will be accepted until January 4, 2007. To apply please send a current resume with three professional references and a cover letter to:

Bradley Public Library
296 North Fulton Avenue
Bradley, Illinois 60915
Attention: Theresa Golwitzer

Library Clerk / Aide
Frankfort School District seeks an aide to assist the professional staff in providing a well-organized and smoothly functioning class environment. Assists in providing clerical support services in the library to individual and/or small groups of students.

Direct letters of application, resume, and letters of reference to:
Dr. Christina Leahy
Frankfort School Dist. 157C
10482 W. Nebraska St.
Frankfort, Illinois 60423.

Access an application via our website at www.fsd157c.org.

Lead Information Literacy Librarian/Public Services (Faculty)
Prairie State College is seeking a dynamic full time tenure track librarian to provide professional reference service, instruction and collection development for students, faculty, and staff of the College, in support of programs, courses, and the information needs of the College community.

Minimum Qualifications
1. ALA accredited Master’s Degree in Library Science.
2. Strong oral, written and computer skills and a service orientation.
3. Ability to work and interact well with diverse students, faculty and staff.
4. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Applications.

Preferred Qualifications
1. Experience in reference, collection management and Information Literacy instruction in an electronic classroom environment.
2. Community College Library experience.
3. Experience with web page development.
4. Experience with Consortia catalogs/databases

Please view the full job description for this position at http://www.prairiestate.edu/human_resources/facultyVannouncements/tenureleadinfollitlibposdesc.html. The library’s web site may be viewed at http://library.prairiestate.edu

To apply for this position or for more information about working at Prairie State please go to http://www.prairiestate.edu/human_resources/facultyVannouncements/tenure_hr.html.

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

Youth Services and School Library News
No Youth Services and School Library News this week.

Public Library News

2008 Illinois Library Law
Soon to be published in January 2008 and available February 2008 is the new 2008 Illinois Library Law. We will have copies to purchase in February from the Prairie Area Library System.

If you are interested in ordering a copy please email
Brenda Roman
brendar@palsnet.info

Academic Library News
No Academic Library News this week.

Special Library News
No Special Library News this week.

Support Staff News

New Library Support Staff Certification Project (LSSCP) Website Announced
(ALA, Chicago) - The Library Support Staff Certification Program (LSSCP), a project to develop a national voluntary certification program for support staff in public and academic libraries, has a new website, http://www.ala-apa.org/certification/supportstaff.html. The site houses informational documents, minutes from discussions by its Advisory Council and contact information for library associations and groups wanting to host conference or meeting presentations about the project. The American Library Association, in partnership with the Western Council of State Libraries, was awarded $407,111 by the Institute of Museum and Library Services to develop the Library Support Staff Certification Program. The project is led by Nancy Bolt and Dr. Karen Strege. This project addresses the Library Support Staff (LSS) community's need for a national certification program to help the profession standardize expectations for LSS; helps support staff master critical job competencies; provides educators with guidance for training curricula; and helps employers articulate job requirements. Contact the American Library Association-Allied Professional Association (ALA-APA) Office for more details at (800) 545-2433, ext. 2424, or e-mail jgrady@ala.org.

Technology Services News
No Technology Services News this week.

E-Rate Corner
No E-Rate Corner this week.

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

Library News Around the State & Nation

Library Production Studio
Do you want an exciting way to reach new audiences? The Library Production Studio, http://www.libraryproductionstudio.org/, is available to you for a variety of purposes, including training videos, commemoration of special events and programs, and promotion of your libraries services. If you have questions or would like to set up a consultation, contact Executive Producer Josh Pfluger at 847.506.2662 or via email at jpfluger@ahml.info.

Lincoln Essay Contest
Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White is encouraging students in grades 5-12 to read President Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address and take part in a statewide essay contest to mark the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth. "In November 1863, President Lincoln was invited to say 'a few appropriate remarks' at the dedication of a cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, which would be the final resting place for more than 50,000 Americans who died in the Civil War," White said. "Our nation was divided between North and South, and in fewer than 300 words President Lincoln made what has become one of the most revered speeches ever written. "In 300 words or less, this essay contest represents an opportunity for students to share their personal thoughts and dreams about where we are as a nation, and their ideals for freedom, democracy and equal opportunity."

The Illinois Center for the Book, for which White serves as Honorary Chair, will select judges to determine first, second and third place winning essays in three competition levels: grades 5-6, grades 7-8 and grades 9-12. The Illinois State Library will send winners and their parents or guardians to Springfield for an awards presentation in conjunction with the bicentennial celebration of Lincoln's birthday on February 12, 2009. Winners will read their essays at the awards ceremony, tour the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, and receive a plaque and cash award: $200 for first place, $150 for second place and $100 for third place. Winning essays will also be published in the 2009 Handbook of Illinois Government. The deadline to submit essays is May 31, 2008. Winners will be notified in December 2008.

Essay forms have been sent to all Illinois public and private elementary and secondary schools. Forms may also be downloaded at http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/lincolnsessay.pdf. The Illinois State Library, Illinois State Archives, Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Center for the Book are co-sponsoring the competition. The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission and the Lincoln Illinois Bicentennial Commission have also endorsed the contest. For more information about the essay contest, contact Bonnie Matheis at 217-558-2065 or bmatheis@ilsos.net.

Smoke-Free Illinois
As of January 1, 2008, the Smoke-Free Illinois Act requires that public places and places of employment must be completely smoke-free inside and within 15 feet from entrances, exits, windows that open and ventilation intakes. Beginning January 1, 2008, at 12:01 a.m., business owners and employers shall:
* Not permit smoking at their business or within 15 feet of entrances, exits, windows that open and ventilation intakes.
* Post “No Smoking” signs at each entrance to the place of employment or public place where smoking is prohibited. “No Smoking” signs must comply with the specification in the Smoke-free Illinois Act (see below).
* Remove ashtrays from areas where smoking is prohibited.
There is no requirement for an employer to provide an outdoor shelter for smokers. As part of the workplace, private offices also must be smoke-free since smoking is prohibited throughout the workplace. Additionally, employers may designate additional areas in the workplace as smoke-free.

Requirement to post signs
New administrative rules have been drafted for the non-smoking law and are expected to be finalized in January. The draft rules for signage say:

"a proprietor of a public place or place of employment shall post signs that: 1) Are no smaller than 5 inches by 7 inches; and 2) Contain the international “no smoking” symbol or the words “No Smoking”; the telephone number designated by the Department for registering complaints; the Department’s website for obtaining the complaint form; and letters, numbers and symbols of sufficient size to be clearly legible to an individual of normal vision from a distance of 5 feet. c) Each public place and place of employment where smoking is prohibited by the Act and this Part shall have posted at every entrance, a conspicuous sign, in compliance with subsection (b), clearly stating that smoking is prohibited. (Section 20(b) of the Act)"

Signs that meet these specifications are available to download on the Illinois Department of Public Health Web site. For more information, visit http://www.smoke-free.illinois.gov.

News from Vendors
No News from Vendors this week.

Legislative/Advocacy News

Illinois Library Day Set for April 10, 2008
Mark your calendar now and plan to take part in Illinois Library Day in Springfield on Thursday, April 10, 2008. This is one of the most important days on the library calendar in Illinois, where librarians, trustees and other library supporters have the chance to meet one on one with their lawmakers at the State Capitol. We'll kick off the day with another legislative breakfast and have a march and rally to let everyone know how important libraries are to Illinois. More information as it becomes available, but you can mark your calendar now, and all of us at the State Library will look forward to welcoming you on April 10!

Grant News

Verizon Tech Savvy Awards
The National Center for Family Literacy is now accepting applications for the 2008 Verizon Tech Savvy Awards. The program honors initiatives that improve parents’ and children’s understanding and use of technology. Four $5,000 regional awards and one $25,000 national award will be presented. The deadline is Jan. 11, 2008. Programs should create innovative ways to employ technology as an important component in family literacy. Organizations that are 501(c) (3) nonprofits such as libraries and schools are eligible to apply. See http://www.famlit.org/site/c.gtJWJdMQIsE/b.2180327/ for details.

ALA Awards Deadline Extended
(ALA, CHICAGO) - The deadline has been extended to Feb. 1 for a number of American Library Association (ALA) awards and grants including: the Beta Phi Mu Award, the Elizabeth Futas Catalyst for Change Award, the Equality Award, the Scholastic Library Publishing Award and the Sullivan Award for Public Library Administrators Supporting Services to Children. For more information, visit: http://www.ala.org/ala/pressreleases2007/december2007/extension07.htm

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.