Prairie News

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MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

• Friday, February 27th - Last day for Early Bird discount on RPLS Seminar 2009 registration.
• Thursday, March 26th - RPLS Seminar 2009 - "Lincoln, Literacy and Legacies"
• Wednesday, April 22, 2009 - "Simple Ways to Green Your Library” (Public Per Capita Heads Up)

NEW ITEMS IN RPLS PROFESSIONAL COLLECTION:

• The New Inquisition: Understanding and Managing Intellectual Freedom Challenges by James LaRue 025.1 LAR
• Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised  by Henry M. Robert 060.4 Rob
• Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised in Brief  by Henry M. Robert III 060.4 Rob
• Professional Liability Issues for Librarians and Information Professionals by Paul D. Healey 344.73 HEA
• Library 2.0: A guide to Participatory Library Service by Michael E. Casey and Laura C. Savastinuk 025.1 CAS

When registering be sure to select from the drop down the location where you will be attending the event.  You may also pay by check on the day of the meeting.

EAST CENTRAL ILLINOIS PHILANTHROPY CENTER NOW OPEN: The Grand Opening of the East Central Illinois Philanthropy Center was help on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at the Helen Matthes Library.  A partnership between the Helen Matthes Library and the Donors Forum, the Philanthropy Center provides access to the valuable online resources for both grant seekers and grand funders.  The Center provides print resources from the Donors Forum that complement and build on the Non-profit collection that was developed from the library’s GLUE grant.  In addition access to three online databases, the Illinois Funding Source, Foundation Directory Online, and Wealth Engine. The print materials of  the Center are all in the online catalog and available for ILL.  To use the databases you must visit the Helen Matthes Library in Effingham.

After the official opening an Orientation to the Philanthropy Center was given by Claudette G. Baker, Vice President, Library and nonprofit Services, Donors Forum. She talked about The Donors Forum and its mission “To advance philanthropy and to promote a more informed nonprofit sector in Illinois.”  Ms Baker gave an overview of the grant seeking process and how the resources of the Center can help this process to be successful.  The final topic of the orientation was a guided tour of the Illinois Funding Source database.

	AmandaStanderfer, Director Helen Matthes Library and Claudette G. Baker, Vice President, Library and Nonprofit Services, Donors Forum		Materials from the Donors Forum housed in the Center
	Ms Baker giving the Philanthropy Center Orientation.		The Non-profit collection at the Center.

CORE COLLECTION ON ABRAHAM LINCOLN: BookList Online recently published a list of titles for Lincolnalia.  Looking ahead, there may be a run on these titles in 2009.  You may want to increase your holdings in this locally pertinent subject matter.  If our heart-of-Lincoln-land library system didn’t have all of these titles, it would be a shame.  But the good news is, that across our system, every title on this list can be found in at least one of our libraries if not in several of them.  One title is on order for a January 2009 publication date - “Mrs. Lincoln” by Catherine Clinton (HarperCollins).  Check out the list to beef up your collection!

• February 24, 2009, at the Illinois State Library in Springfield (with a “snow date” of February 26)
• March 10, 2009, at the Illini Center in Chicago (with a “snow date” of March 17)

The workshops will run from 10:00am – 3:00pm.  Lunch will be provided.

Each workshop will cover the same information, so please register for only one. At this time we are opening registration to one person per institution.  If  space remains available at a later date, we will open the registration up to more than one person per institution.

For more information about the workshops and to register, please visit the registration page. For questions?  Please contact CARLI Support.

CONSTRUCTION GRANTS: Thanks to libraries that submitted Letters of Intent for FY09 Live & Learn Construction Grants. Completed grant applications must be postmarked or submitted to the State Library by February 2, 2009.

Questions may be directed to H. Neil Kelley or 217/782-1891, or Mark Shaffer or 217/524-4901.

"ON THE FRONT LINES" MARCH 16-18: "On The Front Lines", the sixth statewide library practitioners' conference, will be held March 16-18 at the University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS). The event is designed to equip and enlighten "front line" staff with training, exposure and techniques that will enable them to handle their work more effectively and efficiently. Conference sessions will focus on topics of interest to all types of libraries.

Speakers will include:

• James LaRue, Director, Douglas County Libraries, Colorado

• Rachel Singer Gordon, Webmaster, LISjobs.com

• Karen Hyman, Executive Director, South Jersey Regional Library Cooperative, New Jersey

• Aaron Schmidt, Digital Initiatives Librarian, District of Columbia Public Library (DCPL) & Publisher, walkingpaper.org

• Anne Craig, Director, Illinois State Library

The conference will also feature an opening night hors d'oeuvres reception at the State Library sponsored by the Illinois OCLC Users Group. To allow conference attendees the chance to network with vendors and see new products, a Vendor Fair will be held March 17 running concurrent with other programs.

The registration fee of $15.00 is applicable to one, two and/or three days of this event. This fee includes breakfast, lunch (when applicable) and all programs. To register and learn about other details such as payment and hotel reservations, log on to L2.

Any other questions may be directed to Gwen Harrison or 217-785-7334.

GRANT TALKIN'...STAYIN' CONNECTED: The State Library recently sent letters to a number of public libraries making them aware that they may be eligible for new Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Opportunity Online hardware grants. The grants are designed to help libraries and their communities build long-term capacity for supporting free computer and Internet access in public libraries.

Libraries interested in applying for this grant must complete a computer hardware inventory using TechAtlas.

The inventory must be run no later than January 5th. RPLS Libraries that need help with the TechAtlas Inventory can contact Doris McKay, 429-2586 x115 for help running the inventory program.

Find more information at WebJunction Illinois.

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Highly endorsed by previous participants and public library boards across the state, this weeklong Institute is intended for directors of smaller public libraries and directors new to the Illinois library community.

Previous SPLMI attendees are not eligible to attend. The Institute will assist public library administrators by enhancing their administrative skills and further developing their leadership skills. A key goal of the Institute is to assist public library administrators in providing better service to the constituents they serve. In addition, during the week opportunities for networking, teambuilding, and informal discussions are considered vital components of the schedule.

Participants will be housed in individual rooms on the UIS campus during the week and will make extensive use of the campus facilities. Topics for the week will include library law, policies, budgeting, safety, board/director relations, grant writing, library automation, technology, The Patriot Act, leadership and community involvement. The registration fee for the week has been held again to only $50, and participants will be responsible for their own travel expenses. In past years most of the regional library systems have been kind enough to support the Institute by paying these costs. The State Library provides all program materials, lodging, and meals.

Fifty participants will be selected to attend, with the intent of maintaining both geographic distribution and some variation in library size.

Applications should be sent no later than Monday, March 2, 2009.

Send the Application (pdf) by Fax or Mail to:
Ms. Mary Ellen McElligott
Conference Services - SPLMI
University of Illinois-Springfield
One University Plaza, MS PAC 563
Springfield, Illinois 62703
Fax: 217-206-6511

Contact the Library Development Group at 217-782-7848 or 1-800-665-5576 for information. Information is also available from your regional library system.

RECOGNIZE OUTSTANDING SCHOOL MEDIA PROGRAMS: Sponsored by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), the National School Library Media Program of the Year recognizes exemplary school library media programs that ensure students and staff are effective users of ideas and information and are fully integrated into the host school’s curriculum. School districts and single schools within a district—public and nonpublic, from kindergarten through twelfth grade—are eligible to apply for recognition. A total of $30,000 in cash prizes will be awarded. Additional information (pdf).

Deadline: January 2, 2009

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WHAT'S NEW AT WJIL: Working with a greying population, new Library Law articles, ISLMA Wimba archives, how to find updates to the ISL website and tips for using the WJIL learning tools most effectively. You can find it all in the most recent What’s New @ WJIL.

RPLS has received notification that RPLS libraries are trying to sign up for accounts in TechAtlas. Please note you do not have to sign up for a TechAtlas account in WebJunction. In the summer of 2007 accounts were set up for all Illinois Libraries using information from ELI.

TechAtlas is an excellent tool for libraries to assess their local needs with regard to technology. It enables libraries to inventory their resources, survey staff technology skills, develop a strong technology plan and much more.

General Login Information for Member Libraries:

• URL - http://webjunction.techatlas.org
• Login: email address of primary contact from ELI
• Password: ELI password

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MISSING ITEMS: Marrowbone PLD, Bethany has been missing "in transit" the following item since April 2008:  Make-A-Mix: [306 Recipes to Save Time and Money] by Karine Aliason, Call no: 641.55/ELI/PB If you find this book in your library please return it to Marrowbone PLD, Bethany, Attention: Sally Ascenzo.

The Illinois State Library requested a book from Skokie Public Library. They never received the book and Skokie Public still does not have it either. The book is paperback and titled Zen of listening : mindful communication in the age of distraction. If you find this book in your library please return it to the Skokie Public Library, Library System (NSL).

Forsyth Public is missing the following items: Facing the Giants by Max Lucado and The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards. Please check your shelves and records and send it back their way if you find it; return to the attention: Jean Campbell.

Sherman Public Library put their DVD Rumor Has It, barcode 37592000176118, in the delivery bin. They have not seen it since. Would everyone please check their shelves and records and send it back their way if you find it; return to the attention: Anita Walters.

Please check your shelves for the following books: Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey 332.024R, Afternoon Tea Cookbook by Linda Hewitt 641.53H, and Pocket Guide to Depression Glass and more, 1920s-1960s 748.2F. These books belong to the Vespasian Warner Public Library, Clinton. If you find any of these books in your library please return them to Vespasian Warner Public Library, Attention: Tom Rudasill.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES: Visit RPLS's online job notices page.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AT RPLS: You may register for any of these events on-line at L2, LibraryLearning.info, if you have any questions please contact Angela at angelat@rpls.ws or (217) 429-2586. In order to allow RPLS Staff the time and opportunity to update our course offerings to comply with statewide standards, we will be canceling any classes that do not have three people signed up for the class at least 3 working days before the class meets. You will receive an email the day the decision is made.

Ed2GO - Rolling Prairie Library System offers six-week computer-based training courses at your own desktop at a very reasonable cost, which can now be paid online with your credit card. Courses are starting on January 21st.

SEARCHING ONLINE CATALOGS: Learn how to develop a search strategy for online catalogs by knowing the differences between 3 online catalogs: HIP, I-Share and WorldCat.

Hands-on experiences will enhance your knowledge and make you more confident in helping your patrons. Interlibrary loan procedures for each catalog will also be presented.
Prerequisites

• Ability to access and logon to online catalogs.
• Ability to follow a flowchart.

This session is being held at RPLS on Thursday, January 8th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

WEB 2.0: LET'S BLOG: Join RPLS Webmaster and System Consultant, Doris McKay, for a hands on session on creating a Blog using Blogger. In this session you will learn how to: Create an account, select your account settings, select a template, create a blog entry, edit your layout and add a gadget. Also, we will discuss the pros and cons for having a Blog for your library. This workshop is being held at RPLS on Monday, January 11th from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

FREE FORM FREE FOR ALL: This informal group is an opportunity for anyone working with youth or young adult areas in public libraries to share ideas, success stories, new books, old books, and questions. Please come prepared to share. Bring something to show or discuss and we will all go home with new ideas to try. Handouts are encouraged; bring 20 copies of each to share with the group. This workshop will be held at Blue Mound Memorial Library District on Tuesday, January 13th from from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

SCHOOL LIBRARIAN'S SHOW & TELL: Who has the best answers to your school library questions? Other school librarians, of course! Join us on Friday, January 16 for an opportunity to share wisdom and ideas with school librarians from across Rolling Prairie Library System. Get to know other school librarians as you listen to your peers show & tell about books, success stories and more. You will have the chance to share your own successes and ask the group any questions you might have about current needs in your own library. This workshop is being held at RPLS on Friday, January 16th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Note that Terry’s “Reports in Horizon” training is being offered in the afternoon. More information about this class is available in L2.

REPORTS IN HORIZON:

• Review list of available daily and monthly AdHoc Reports; and the process for generating, saving, and printing those reports.
• Process for generating/printing various reports/lists using Inventory/Status Reports.
• IPLARs and other annual reporting - what numbers can be plugged in.
• Process for accessing the monthly Interlibrary Library Loan, Purchase Alert and Reciprocal Borrower Reports.
• Availability of the monthly Unfilled Request report and of the Collection Age report.

This workshop is being held at RPLS on Thursday, January 15th and Friday, January 16th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

RPLS SYSTEM ORIENTATION: Learn the role of the library system in helping libraries meet their patrons needs. Learn about the services and the individuals to contact for those services at Rolling Prairie. You will also be introduced to the online services and information available from RPLS.
Audience: New librarians, staff or board members who are unfamiliar with your library's relationship to the system, or anyone who just needs an update on how things have changed, this is the orientation for you. This is being held at RPLS on Thursday, January 22nd from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and also from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

SOARING TO EXCELLENCE: TARGETING THE AGES: PROGRAMMING THAT HITS THE MARK: Any library, whether it is school, public, academic, or special, is many things to the community it serves. A library offers the information patrons need to improve their quality of life. A library provides open access to technology and the world of online information, as well as guidance on navigating that world. A library also gives their community something that is less tangible, yet just as essential to improving their patrons’ lives: nourishment not just for the mind, but the spirit as well.

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PRAIRIE NEWS SUBMISSIONS: The Prairie News is a biweekly publication of RPLS. Notices, meetings, giveaways, career opportunities and other news items of interest to the membership may be submitted.  Items will be edited to fit the space requirements of the newsletter.  The next issue of the Prairie News will be Friday, January 9 2008.  All submissions should arrive before 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 6, 2008 for inclusion in the newsletter. You may fax submissions to (217) 428-1852, or e-mail them to Doris McKay or Angela Thompson.