How it All
Started….
When Rolling Prairie Library System began serving central
Illinois public libraries in July of 1966, there were no discussions
concerning database vendors, Internet policies or e-rate applications.
If downtime was discussed it referred to the condition of the
bookmobile’s tires, not the database. Plans for delivery included the
purchase of a bookmobile and then expanded to include a station wagon.
Circulation records were all carefully filed alphabetically on cards
that had been typed on a typewriter. The Illinois State Library
generously offered to make catalog cards for the new system at no cost
for the first year, and after that for ten cents per set.
In fact, “Library System 17”, actually began in October of 1964 as a
pilot project using Federal Library Services and Construction Act
funds and other state grant monies with a total budget for the fiscal
year of $19,087. The name “Rolling Prairie Library System” was not
even among the fifteen names suggested by advisory council members.
Name suggestions for the new system included Soy Pilot, Salt Creek,
New Idea, and Lincoln Trails! However, when the new system was
actually incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation in 1965 (a full
member of a new statewide network of library systems under the 1965
Illinois Library Development Act), its name was Rolling Prairie
Library System.
The first members of the System were the Decatur Public Library, the
Friend’s Creek Township Library in Argenta, the Illiopolis Public
Library, the Marrowbone Township Library at Bethany, and the Vespasian
Warner Public Library in Clinton. Among the first services were a
rotating book collection, record collection, framed print collection,
central book purchasing, reciprocal card agreement, interlibrary
loans, and advisory services from Decatur Public Library staff. Mrs.
Mary T. Howe of Decatur Public Library served as librarian, and an
Advisory Council governed the brand new system.
The System grew rapidly. Elizabeth Edwards became the first Executive
Director in February of 1966.
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Elizabeth Edwards, first RPLS Director |
In a report to the Board that year she said, “No report on the Rolling
Prairie Libraries can be complete without a mention of the library
system which can help member libraries do what no one can do alone.
The system is designed to give leadership, but also to help the member
libraries open up broader vistas of books and other libraries services
to all residents of their communities.” Her words are still true
today.
Wasting no time, the Board purchased the old Eisner food store located
at the corner Eldorado and Edwards Streets as its headquarters in
March, 1966.
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Rolling Prairie Library System |
The first edition of the Prairie Schooner newsletter was issued, and a
new bookmobile was purchased in July. By December of that year,
membership had grown to 18 members.
From the beginning, System services were based on member needs. As
needs have changed, so have the services. A rotating collection of
materials and framed art prints and a central book ordering and
processing /cataloging departments were services of the new system in
1966. By 1980, as libraries grew stronger, the book ordering and
processing services were phased out. The framed art collection was
dispersed to member libraries in October, 1984. Large print books for
the circulating book collection were not purchased after 1985. The
circulating book collection continued until 1989 when it was dispersed
to the membership. Books-By-Mail was a pilot project that began in
1972, but was discontinued in 1980.
Bookmobile service, with stops to many small towns, was key to the
creation and development of tax-supported libraries in RPLS. System
staff held children’s programs during these stops as well as loaning
books. Over time, libraries were asked to pay for this service and
many used this opportunity to establish a library tax and create full
service libraries. The first bookmobile of the System was borrowed
from the State Library and returned in 1966 when a new vehicle was
purchased. Many people fondly remember the bookmobile stops
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Bookmobile |
when longtime Children’s Librarian Maxine Payne, and our
Bookmobile Driver Gene Bohannon would travel between many small towns
in central Illinois making library services available to both children
and adults.
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Eugene Bohannon, Bookmobile Driver |
As towns established their own libraries, the need for bookmobile
visits ended. In June of 1979 any town with an established library
building no longer received a bookmobile service. By June 30, 1982,
the number of libraries using the bookmobile had dwindled to so few
that this service was dropped. Twenty-five years later people still
talk about the Rolling Prairie Bookmobile and how they enjoyed using
it in their various communities.
The new System immediately added an 8mm and 16mm films collection to
its services. The Corn Belt and Rolling Prairie Library Systems
created a popular cooperative film service in February 1968 that
continued for many years. The Audiovisual department duties grew over
the years with the addition of equipment to clean and check films and
tapes, staff to give advice on what type of AV equipment to purchase,
and the addition of videocassettes to the collection and a scheduling
software in the 1980’s.
In the mid-80’s the department saw a shift in the ratio of loans for
16 mm films versus that of videocassettes. This service was eliminated
during the statewide System funding cuts in 1992.
Interlibrary Loan (ILL) has been a service from the beginning, but it
has also changed over the years. At first, all ILL was handled by
System staff and done by hand.
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The Original Interlibrary Loan Staff: Mary
Grosch, Pam Ewing and Paul Johnson. |
In July of 1969 a teletypewriter exchange service (TWX) was installed,
In July of 1969 a teletypewriter exchange service (TWX) was installed,
beginning the first small step in automating a tedious process.
Shortly after, the Public Library ILL network was opened up to
academic libraries. A University of Illinois Library Circulation
System terminal arrived at RPLS in November of 1979, the first to be
installed in the 18 library systems. Requests for books from the
University of Illinois were now made through this terminal and a
telephone line. Now that books could be borrowed from outside the
System, how were libraries to receive them? In 1970, the board had
voted to hire a man on a part-time basis to deliver books to member
libraries. He made one delivery to each member library each week. The
need for more frequent delivery and to a broader area had become
evident.
The local delivery of items through the RPLS delivery system was
augmented in August of 1980 when the statewide Illinois Library
Delivery Service (ILDS) began. With the advent and growth of the RPLS
automation system, libraries were able to directly borrow materials
from one another. In more recent years, libraries have begun using
Illinet and OCLC as direct sources of Interlibrary Loan. Because of
these advances, Rolling Prairie ceased to do Interlibrary Loan for its
member libraries as of January 2002. The RPLS ILL staff now train
member librarians on how to conduct their own direct ILL searches and
loans.
October 1969 saw the beginning of the Talking Books program with a
depository collection of 160 items. A large portion of the first floor
was dedicated to this federally funded program’s collection, which had
a librarian (Clara Castelo) and three support staff serving its
patrons with books on records or tape at no charge and delivered
through the mail. This service continued until October 1983 when it
was moved to Corn Belt Library System in Normal. The Mid-Illinois
Talking Book Service located at Alliance Library System in East Peoria
now handles this service.
Continuing education of librarians has always been a part of System
services. Reference classes were offered in 1967 from a classroom on
wheels that traveled from Springfield. It looked like a bookmobile,
but inside was a chalkboard, shelves of reference books, and desks for
the students. One popular, ageless topic, “Weeding”, was presented
often and is still presented today. Information on creation of a
public library district was given as early as September of 1974. As
new planning processes or new library standards were adopted,
continuing education included workshops on those topics.
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During the early years of the System, mini-workshops and regional
meetings on a variety of topics were held around the System in member
libraries. These served the two-fold purpose of education and
networking. Name the topic—collection development, puppetry, PR, grant
writing, genealogy, problem patrons, working with volunteers,
developing cooperative projects and more—a workshop or training
session was probably held at RPLS on it. Face-to-face instruction in
workshops has been expanded to include satellite teleconferences and
two-way videoconferencing, as well as live, web-based training events
through OPAL. The System headquarters has been remodeled to facilitate
continuing education and training to include a computer training lab
and a distance learning room.
Helping librarians to answer the questions asked by their patrons was
the job of the RPLS Reference Department. They moved from RPLS
headquarters to the Decatur Public Library in April of 1981 to take
advantage of the resources of that library in answering the many
questions that came in. In 1998, Reference service was phased out as
more libraries became better trained in answering reference questions
and with a reliance on reference referral to the larger libraries when
the resources were not in the local library. In 2006, RPLS librarians
became active participants in AskAway! a 24/7 web-based reference
service of Illinois libraries that helps libraries deliver reference
services via e-mail and chat.
The computer age arrived in September 1976, when the first computer
circulation control system was installed. The LLSAP (Local Library
System Automation Program) began July 1977 with the signing of an
agreement for a CLSI Automated circulation program between Decatur
Public Library and Rolling Prairie Library System. This LLSAP has
grown and changed over the years including several vendor changes and
many upgrades to meet member needs (and vendor name changes: (CLSI,
GEAC, DRA, DYNIX, SIRSI-DYNIX). In the 1980’s the LLSAP used great
foresight in establishing a Computer Development Fund, which assessed
each library in the LLSAP for an amount to be set aside for future
upgrades. Membership in the automated program, which began with only
public libraries, has expanded to include school, special, and
academic libraries. By 1980 a Consulting Services Department was
developed with staff dedicated and focused on consulting with member
libraries. Before, consulting was just one of many staff duties.
Consulting has focused on library development, and the improvement of
staffing, collections, programming, facilities, and boards of member
libraries. In the mid 1980’s consultants focused on the creation of
library districts. RPLS went from no library districts to the current
26 districts.
Technology in the early years meant telephones, typewriters, and
mimeographs. Today every staff member has a computer at their desk or
available to them and an email address. All newsletters and notices
for continuing education and training programs are sent to the
membership by email and mounted on the system web site, www.rpls.ws.
The System has always benefited greatly by grants. Grants helped to
begin the System, provided equipment for the LLSAP, and improved the
headquarters facility. Other grants have filled vital needs within the
System. The System staff wrote grants to develop Project READ, the
Macon County Literacy organization, and BabyTALK, a program that 20
years later is still providing new parents with the knowledge and
skills to begin reading to their babies. There have been grants to
create new libraries and even one to participate in the Farm Progress
Show, the largest agricultural show in the U.S. System staff have also
helped its members in writing grants that have helped libraries to
increase tax funding, develop collections, purchase equipment, develop
programs and much more.
That old Eisner store has changed many times over the years. Some of
the remodeling has been small--new tile floors or paint--while others
have been more extensive. Two major remodeling projects have been
undertaken. In 1982, the entrance was moved 18 feet, a new meeting
room was created, and the computer was moved upstairs to a
temperature-controlled area and the lemon yellow and royal blue color
scheme was replaced with 1980’s earth tones. This allowed other space
to be partitioned, providing office space for staff.
The second major project was in 1998. New rooms were added; a small
meeting room, computer-training lab, distance learning room, new staff
room, an elevator, and expanded delivery area. New paint, carpet, and
lighting in the downstairs area completed the project. The most recent
remodeling project in 2001 updated carpet and furniture on the second
floor. These projects have allowed the function of the building to
change to meet the changing needs of the membership.
The most significant event in System history was when it became a
multitype system. The process of changing from a public library system
to a multitype library system took over five years and began in 1980
when the RPLS Board endorsed the concept of a multitype library
system. In July 1980 the System changed its name from Rolling Prairie
Libraries to Rolling Prairie Library System. The System staff worked
diligently to distribute various drafts of amendments to the statutes
and rules and regulations governing systems. At least two meetings
were held to discuss the amendments and the “Prairie Schooner”
newsletter contained articles informing the members about how the
COMLOS (Committee on Multitype Library Organization/Systems) would
affect them. Governor Thompson signed the COMLOS bill in September of
1983 and by October 1983 RPLS had a committee appointed to consider
how
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The first RPLS Multitype Board:
Front row: Frank Passmore, Mt. Pulaski PLD; Trudy List, Assumption
PLD; Nina Wunderlich, Taylorville PLD; Susie Shackleton, Illinois
Vocational Curriculum Center; Preston Levi, Illinois State Library
Representative.
Back row: Robert Plotzke, RPLS Executive Director; Alice Cecil,
Vespasian Warner PLD; Connie Steudel, Springfield College; Betty
Woodring, Mt. Zion Schools, Martin Seidman, Decatur Public
Library; Roy Toomey, Lincoln Public Library.
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the System would convert to multitype status. In April of 1984 a plan
was approved, and in November the Board adopted a resolution to submit
an application for conversion to a multitype library system to the
State Librarian. The final act was the seating of a multitype Board of
Directors in October of 1985. This was the first time since 1965 that
all members shared in the governance of the System. Libraries of all
types are represented on the Board of Directors and on the Librarians
Advisory Committee, LLSAP Governing Board and subcommittees.
The Rolling Prairie Library System has had just four Executive
Directors in its 40 years of service to its members. When Miss Edwards
retired in 1972, she had seen tremendous change in RPLS libraries. She
told the Decatur Herald, ““I can remember back when the member
libraries didn’t ask for anything because they knew we didn’t’ have
it. “Member libraries have changed. Some have remodeled and every one
now has a washroom and running water and all but two have telephones.”
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Ray Ewick followed Elizabeth Edwards, the first Executive Director of
the System, in February of 1972. Robert Plotzke assumed the position
in October 1978 and continued for over 26 years until his retirement
in 2005. They guided the System from its infancy, by first providing
direct library services to residents through the development of strong
libraries that could provide library services, to its present focus as
a supporter and facilitator of library services. Membership has grown
from five public library members in 1966 to 124 school, public,
special and academic members in 2006. Rolling Prairie has always
prided itself on providing the services needed by the membership to
develop strong, vital Illinois libraries.
Today, current Executive Director, Beverly J. Obert and her staff
continue the tradition of encouraging and assisting member libraries
to provide the best possible service to their patrons. With the
assistance of their library system, member libraries are able to
provide services far beyond what their local budgets could afford.
Librarians can get help with budgets, grant applications, problem
patrons, or disaster preparedness. The AskAway! Virtual Reference
program allows patrons throughout the state to obtain the answers to
reference questions 24 hours a day. Library staff can increase their
knowledge at no cost by taking a LibraryU class or for a very small
fee through Ed2Go classes or participate in an OPAL session on a wide
range of library subjects. Library patrons are thrilled with the
ability to reserve books online from the comfort of home and receive
notice of their arrival by email.
Our services are not only member driven, but our members also
contribute a wealth of knowledge and countless hours to the smooth
operation and governance of the RPLS LLSAP. The RPLS LLSAP is governed
and directed by member librarian volunteers. Member librarians also
contribute to the continuing education program by making presentations
on all kinds of subjects, from disaster preparedness to storytelling,
Lincoln to email etiquette. Member librarians attended Cataloging Boot
Camp May 2006 to enable them to train their peers in copycat
cataloging.
RPLS is 40 years old. We’ve changed a lot in the services we provide,
the ways we provide them and the tools we use. But if you consider
that the System is really the people who make valuable contributions
for the good of the whole, we haven’t changed at all.
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