From the Director's Desk

April 14, 2008

Beverly J. Obert, Executive Director

Telling the Library Story - Part 8

Illinois Library Day is over, but that does not mean that we can forget about talking with our local legislators.  This legislative year promises to be a long one in Springfield.  Keep abreast of the issues by checking out the ILA website and clicking on the advocacy button at the top.  Updates on the status of the various bills relating to libraries will be posted there.  RPLS will also send announcements out via the listservs and the PN when appropriate. 

As I write this article, it is the first day of National Library Week.  Has your library planned a special event to celebrate?  Did you let the local media know?  Do you have any special bookmarks to give out to your patrons?  National Library Week is a built-in opportunity to tell your library’s story.  If you missed it this year, look at local and national media to see what others have done and plan to exploit this event next year.  Don’t forget when you have your special National Library Week event to invite the local governmental officials, mayor, township supervisor and your state representatives to the library as special guests. 

OK, if you’re a little late in getting ready for National Library Week (NLW), if you have a website, you still have time to share information about this celebration.  Here is the link to the ALA page for NLW.  There are media releases you can post to your website along with other information.  The theme for the 2008 week is Join the Circle of Knowledge@your library.  

But?? Our library does not have a website! 

But?? It takes me a week to have something posted to our library website!   

If either of these statements fit your library, then you need to check out Plinkit!  The Public Library Interface Kit is a web template based on the content management open source software Plone.  RPLS is one of seven Library Systems in the State working on the Plinkit project and training librarians on how to create a website using Plinkit!  It is not too late to learn more and to have a Plinkit website  for your library. 

Do you want more information on Plinkit?  Check out the information at Illinois Plinkit.  On May 1 there will be a Plinkit Conference held in Springfield at Lincoln Library.  Information on the conference can be found at the Illinois Plinkit site and there is still time to register.  The conference will tell librarians what changes are  coming to Plinkit, give them information about what Plinkit is, how it works, answer questions, and will allow current Plinkit libraries to share their stories and give input for the future training they would like to receive. 

Wow! So much to do when telling the library story!!

Rolling Prairie Library System
A Library for Librarians
Helping Libraries Serve Illinois Citizens