Prairie News

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RPLS HOLIDAY CLOSING: This year because of funding reductions, RPLS Staff will be taking 4 furlough days.  In looking at the calendar to determine when taking those days would have the least impact on both members and staff, it has been decided that the System will close the week between Christmas and New Years.  RPLS was already scheduled for closure Dec. 24, 25, 31 & Jan 1 for holidays.  Staff will take furlough days Dec. 28, 29, & 30.

Please note, Delivery will still operate on Dec. 28, 29, & 30.  LLSAP staff will be answering the emergency cell phone as usual, if any LLSAP member is unable to access the database.  If you have any questions, please contact Executive Director Bev Obert.

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MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

• Monday, November 30, 2009 - FY2010 Synergy applications are due.
• Monday, November 30, 2009 - Last day for Try-It! Illinois.
• Monday, February 22, 2010 - RPLS will be having an all day Seminar on Reference. Mark your calendar!

PAST DUE: Please check to make sure that you...

• Completed your Academic Library Profile sheet (pdf). It was due August 15th.
• Completed your SILO Holdings Forms. They were due September 1st.
• Completed your Special Library Profile sheet. It was due September 1st.
• Signed up for Wilson Select Plus for 2009/2010. All new or returning institutions must have signed a new agreement prior to September 14, 2009 to ensure uninterrupted access to this resource.

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REBROADCAST OF "CUT THE CORD: CONNECTING TO OUR MOBILE USERS' WEBCAST: If you missed "Cut the Cord: Connecting to Our Mobile Users"  MLA webcast. It is now available for 30 days for viewing at Rolling Prairie Library System. To view please call Angela Thompson or Doris McKay at 217-429-2586 and make arrangements, as this must be viewed at RPLS.

"The sponsorship of this webcast site has been funded in whole or in part with Federal funds from the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, under Contract No. NLM-N01-LM-6-3503 with the University of Illinois at Chicago."

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REDEDICATED LIBRARIES: Eisenhower High School and MacArthur High School, part of Decatur Public Schools, rededicated their libraries during National Education Week in November.  Both libraries have had recent improvements to their collections and have also been given "makeovers", with fresh paint and new carpet.

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Attorney Phil Lenzini will review the changes in the Freedom of Information Act scheduled to go in effect January 1, 2010. The objective of this session is to position PALS members to meet the new requirements. Participants are invited to submit specific questions in advance to nancys@palsnet.info.

All registrants will be invoiced for the fee of $10 directly to their library. Register in L2 now, in order to reserve your place in what is sure to be a popular online informational session.

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MONDAY DEADLINE TO COMPLETE SURVEY FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM: Public libraries, we need to hear from you! We've been asking all public libraries to complete an important one-page online survey in conjunction with the new $50 million library construction program approved by lawmakers and the governor this year.  

Many libraries still haven't completed the survey, so we've extended the deadline to complete the survey until NEXT MONDAY November 30th. We are required to file with the General Assembly a comprehensive assessment report of the capital needs of ALL Illinois public libraries before January 1, 2010. 

Filing this report is one of the steps that must be completed before the Secretary of State's office can implement the new program to assist public libraries with capital improvement projects.

PLEASE COMPLETE THE SURVEY EVEN IF NO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ARE NEEDED. Access, complete and submit the survey.  

This exciting new library construction program is in addition to, and separate from, the Secretary of State's annual Live and Learn Library Construction Grant Program (see next story), which was appropriated $810,800 for FY2010.

If you have any questions or difficulty accessing, completing and submitting the survey, please contact H. Neil Kelley (217-782-1891), Patricia Norris (217-524-5867) or Mark Shaffer (217-524-4901).

Go to the ISL website for a list of answers to frequently asked questions we've received about the survey.

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The 2009 ER-XPO features vendors who have participated in Try-It! Illinois 2009. The day will provide oportunities for one-one one consultations with vendor representatives, as well as Q & A focus sessions with individual vendor presentations in a lab setting. There is no charge to attend the E-R-XPO.

Pre-registration for this signature event is highly encouraged and available online. Organize vans, buses, and car pools to make this opportunity a reality for your member libraries. We are looking forward to a standout attendance and solicit your assistance in spreading the news.

Questions, contact Gwen Harrison at 217-785-7334 or Kris Kenney at 847-923-3328.

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SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR "ON THE FRONT LINES" CONFERENCE: "On the Front Lines," the seventh statewide library practitioners' conference will be held March 15-17 at the University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS). The conference, sponsored by the Illinois State Library and the Secretary of State's Office, 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.  The registration fee of $15.00 is applicable to one, two and/or three days of this event. This fee includes several meals and all programs.

Thirty scholarships are available to qualifying applicants. The scholarship will cover the cost of registration, all conference provided meals, and lodging at the University of Illinois Founder's Hall located in Springfield, Illinois.  To apply for a scholarship, please complete the following survey by Monday, January 25, 2010. 

Please register for this event through the Library Learning website.

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WHAT'S NEW AT WJIL:
Busting the WJIL Myth in 15 Minutes a Day 

Chances are if you're a fan of the Discovery channel you may have seen the show called Myth Busters where two very smart dare devils take on common myths and urban legends to determine if they can confirm or "bust" the myth. The most fun is when they bust a popular myth - like the one we've all heard about tooth fillings that can pick up radio signals.   

This article attempts to bust a myth that might not be quite so well known, but is probably fairly common in the Illinois library community. The myth goes something like this: "I just don't have time to use WebJunction Illinois. I have too many things on my plate to take the time to browse a web site for interesting information. Besides, there's nothing there that can help me in my job."   Read more…

WebJunction Illinois and Your System Affiliation - In preparation for a cleanup of the registered user database, WebJunction Illinois asks that all registered WebJunction Illinois users please verify that you have chosen their Library System affiliation correctly in your Account.

In order to verify and/or change your System affiliation, please follow these steps:

1. Log into WebJunction Illinois

2. Click on the “Edit Account” link in the My Account box on the right

3. Click on the “My Affiliations” tab

4. Scroll down to Illinois and verify that you have checked Illinois as your State Affiliation

5. Click to drop down the list of Library Systems

6. Choose the Library System which your library is a member

7. If you are a student in a Library School program, choose the Library System which your school is a member

8. Scroll down and click on the “Save” at the bottom of the page to ensure that any changes stick

We also encourage you to take the time while in your Account to complete as much of your Profile information as you can. Thank you for your help in this process.

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INFORMATION LITERACY SUMMIT 2010: PROBLEM SOLVING IN OUR COMMUNITIES: EVERYDAY INFORMATION EXPERIENCES: Summit registration begins in February 2010. 

DATES & LOCATIONS 

• April 6 (Tuesday), 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
  John A. Logan College (Carterville)

• April 13, 2010 (Tuesday), 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
  Moraine Valley Community College (Palos Hills)

• April 20 (Tuesday), 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
  Illinois State University (Normal, IL)  *NEW LOCATION*

CALL FOR BREAKOUT SESSION PROPOSALS: 

We need your help planning the breakout sessions.  We’re seeking volunteers to lead interesting and interactive discussions relating to information literacy or library instruction. Volunteer – or recommend someone you know – for one or more sessions at any of the three different sites.  If you know someone who would be a perfect breakout session leader, let one of our Summit Coordinators know and we’ll personally invite them to submit a session proposal.  

The 2010 Summit features Sharon Comstock, Director of the School Librarianship Program at Illinois State University. Each of the three Summit locations has its own selection of breakout sessions.  You can attend the one that best fits your location and schedule.  We encourage all types of libraries and information resources (museums, community centers, etc.) to participate.  For the Summit to be most effective, we need many perspectives. 

Session topics may focus on anything related to information seeking and use. Special consideration will be given to topics related to this year’s theme of “Problem Solving in our Communities: Everyday Information Experiences.”  Breakout sessions will be 50 minutes long and should include audience interaction or discussion. Sessions typically have 20-40 participants.  

To propose a breakout session, complete this form. The deadline to submit proposals is  Friday, December 4, 2009.

Not sure about your idea? Feel free to contact a Summit Coordinator for inspiration or help in refining your proposal.  

Some ideas to get you thinking …

•    Problem-based learning

•    Creating needs assessments to better serve your users

•    Work literacies, or information communication technology literacies (ICTLs)  

•    Community informatics

•    Transferring information seeking skills as we progress in education, careers, and everyday life

•    Taking computer and information literacy to the community (seniors, underserved communities, etc.)

•    Re-thinking job skills for entry-level librarians and teachers

•    Creating libraries and information seeking support services for special communities

•    Specialized information literacies (e.g., scientific literacy, financial literacy)

COORDINATORS:

• John A. Logan College (April 6)
  Coordinator: Judy Vineyard, Associate Dean of Library Services, 618-985-3741 x8404

• Moraine Valley Community College (April 13)
  Coordinators: Barb Rys, Library Access Services Specialist, 708-974-5467;Leslie Warren, Information Literacy Librarian, , 708-974-5734

• Illinois State University (April 20)
  Coordinator: Dane Ward, Associate Dean of University Libraries, Public Service, (309) 438-3481

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SAVE THE DATE! SPECIAL LIBRARIANS ASSOCIATION EVENTS:

Date: Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Time: 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Event: MLS Special Libraries Networking Group Meeting: Let's Talk About LinkedIn
Location: MLS Chicago Office
Description: For establishing and maintaining professional contacts, there is no more powerful social networking tool than LinkedIn. Whether you are promoting your business, seeking the next great employee, or looking for your next career opportunity, LinkedIn is a valuable and generally free resource. This meeting will feature speaker David Rahn, Senior Information Technology Management Professional.
Register

Date: Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Time: 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Name of Event: Holiday Party
Description: Mark your calendars for December 2nd and plan to join colleagues and friends for a fun evening at Dave and Buster's on the Gold Coast in Chicago, where we have reserved a private room in which we will enjoy a full buffet dinner with dessert, soda and coffee as well as an open cash bar. Your registration fee includes a discounted game participation card that's worth twice as much as part of half price game night! Let's see who the SLA Champion of SkeeBall will be - reindeer antlers optional! Registration info will be forthcoming.
Additional information.

FOUND ITEMS:  Decatur Public Schools would like to find the library  home of the following book:  Persian Cats, by Wendy Perkins, Capstone Press, 2008.  It is stamped LINCOLN inside the book, and has a barcode labeled Abraham Lincoln Elementary, barcode 33512003609463.  It does not belong to any libraries within Rolling Prairie Library System.  If anyone can help us identify the owning library, please contact Chris Oyer 217-433-3135, or Leeann Grossman at 217-853-6034.

Decatur Public schools also found another book and would like to find the library home of the following book:
Reindeer Christmas by Mark Kimball Moulton.
New book, 2008
Stamped - "West Elem. School Library".
Marked on the upper right hand cover of the end paper page - "84124, $16.68"
Small tear on this page also - and barcode is found on this page - T466094 - other barcode found on the back cover, upper right hand corner - GFPS-WEST ELEM T 466094 (this might be a Follett Barcode number).
The book is in excellent condition.
If anyone can help us identify the owning library, please contact Chris Oyer at 217-433-3135 or Leeann Grossman at 217-853-6034.

MISSING ITEMS: Please check your shelves for the following items:
Book- Bringing up Boys - Dr. James Dobson in transit since 7/9/09
DVD # 136-The Terminator 3 Rise of the Machines - In transit since 5/18/09
If you find these items in your library please return them to Weldon Public, Attention: Lori Weaver.

Please check your shelves for the following books: Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey 332.024R and Afternoon Tea Cookbook by Linda Hewitt 641.53H. 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.

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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 December 9th.

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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, December 11, 2009.  All submissions should arrive before 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 8, 2009 for inclusion in the newsletter. You may fax submissions to (217) 428-1852, or e-mail them to Doris McKay or Angela Thompson.