Moving Forward TOGETHER
IHLS Offices Closed Monday, May 28
All IHLS offices will be closed in observance of Memorial Day on Monday, May 28, 2012. Delivery and Talking Book Services will not be provided. All four offices will reopen May 29 and additional delivery routes may run to compensate for volume.
May IHLS Board Meeting
The next IHLS Board meeting is Tuesday, May 22, 2012. IHLS Board meetings will be available via videoconferencing at each of our four offices as well as the Illinois State Library. If you are not able to join us in Effingham, perhaps one of these other locations will suffice. When available, you will find the May agenda and board packet here. The May board meeting will focus on our FY2013 System Area & Per Capita Grant application. Our system programs and budget are primary components of that application.
IHLS LLSAP Merger
There is quite a bit happening with the proposed merger of the four legacy LLSAP systems in IHLS and the proposed migration to Polaris. Below are just a FEW highlights:
- The IHLS governing board has declared their intent to support one LLSAP in IHLS, which will be SHARE (Sharing Heartland’s Available Resources Equally).
- As of May 9, all four legacy systems' Users' Groups have conducted their meetings and voted to merge with SHARE, effective July 1, 2012.
- In January Polaris was chosen as the final vendor.
- All current members that choose to join SHARE will migrate at the same time.
- The goal is to complete the migration early in 2013.
Visit the migration site to peruse the most up-to-date information available regarding the LLSAP merger. You can find the site at: migration.illinoisheartland.
Library Jobs
Check the IHLS website for job openings on our Library Jobs tab: http://www.illinoisheartland.
Planning for the Upcoming School Year?
As school districts prepare schedules for the 2012-2013 school year, library staff members should keep the IHLS Membership Criteria in mind. The membership criteria, which has been adopted by the Illinois Heartland Library System Board of Directors, can be found on our website at: http://www.illinoisheartland.
Non-Resident Fees (deadline June 15)
Each year public libraries are required to submit to the System their non-resident fee for patrons that live outside their service area. This year to gather that information we have a survey for public libraries to complete. The survey gives complete information about the calculation of non-resident fees. June 15 is the deadline for completion of the survey. Once your board has determined the fee for your non-resident cards, please complete the survey. If you do not sell non-resident cards please complete the survey indicating that information. Here is the link to the survey http://www.surveymonkey.com/
IHLS Staff Changes
Alice Stivers has joined IHLS as a Machine Clerk at the Carterville location. Welcome Alice!
Free PLA Webinar: Managing Traditional & Social Media for Libraries
Thursday, May 31, 2012, 1:00 p.m. Central
Media can be a powerful tool to connect with your community. Make sure you know how to wield it in your favor! Register for the free PLA webinar, "Managing Traditional & Social Media for Libraries," at 1:00 Central on May 31, 2012. Join instructor Steve Yacovelli, EdD, owner and principal, TopDog Learning Group LLC, Orlando, Fla., for one-hour of ideas and tips to plan your library's media efforts and maximize your outreach. This webinar is free, but registration is required and space is limited. Deadline to register is 4:30 p.m. Central on Tuesday, May 29, 2012.
U.S. Public Libraries: A Snapshot of Priorities & Perspectives
OCLC has published a new report, U.S. Public Libraries: A Snapshot of Priorities & Perspectives, detailing the results of a survey they conducted with nearly 1,300 public library staff in mid-2011 to learn about their priorities, initiatives, thoughts on the future of their service points and the sources they use to keep up with developments in the library field. To download a copy of the report, go to the OCLC website.
Association for Rural and Small Libraries (ARSL) Annual Conference
If you work in a small and/or rural library, there is a conference for you. The Association for Rural and Small Libraries is holding its annual conference September 27-29, 2012 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Meet people working in small, rural libraries and share ideas, solve problems, and learn. All programs focus on practical, hands-on, and how-to, so you will come away with information you can use immediately. For more information, go to the ARSL website at http://arsl.info/ . Click on the “conference tab” and then “conference” on the sub-menu.
ARSL is also looking for a few good people to serve on their board. For more information on that, check the web site’s first page on how to apply to serve. You will meet people from all over the country and create your own support network for running a small and/or rural library.
Fun Facts About IHLS Libraries!
What is your library doing this summer? At the Lawrence Public Library District, every year one of their Summer Reading Program events is the annual pet show. In 2010 they had 31 dogs, 2 cats, a guppy, a goldfish, a hamster, a guinea pig, 2 bearded dragons, a rabbit, a pigeon, and a box turtle. In 2011 they had 42 dogs, 3 cats, 2 turtles, 2 dwarf hamsters, a guinea pig, a bunny rabbit, a crawdad and a bearded dragon. The pet show is always a favorite.
What’s New @ WebJunction Illinois
New content has been added to WebJunction Illinois for anyone interested in cataloging! Cataloging Boot Camp is an eleven session training curriculum designed through a partnership between the Illinois OCLC User Group (IOUG), the Illinois Statewide Cataloging Standards Committee, and three legacy regional library systems: the Lewis & Clark Library System, Shawnee Library System, and Rolling Prairie Library System. This training curriculum can be delivered as a four day workshop or broken into stand alone sessions. Access Cataloging Boot Camp under the WJIL "Topics" tab today.
Don't forget to check the Course Catalog for other Technical Service offerings including:
- Introduction to Cataloging for Non-Catalogers
- Shelving with Library of Congress Classification
- Weeding the Library Collection
Grants Database
Take a look at Grants for Illinois Libraries. This growing database includes tips for grant searchers, and allows for member library contribution. We hope you will find it to be a helpful tool in your fundraising efforts! There is also a link to the database on the right side of our web site.
Lois Lenski Covey Foundation Grant
Deadline: June 15, 2012
The Lois Lenski Covey Foundation, Inc. annually awards grants for purchasing books published for young people preschool through grade 8. Public libraries, school libraries, and non-traditional libraries operated by 501(c)(3) agencies are eligible. The Foundation provides grants to libraries or organizations that serve economically or socially at-risk children, have limited book budgets, and demonstrate real need. Grants for 2012 will range from $500 to $3000 and are specifically for book purchases. For more information visit the LLCF website.
IMLS Learning Labs in Libraries and Museums
Deadline: June 15, 2012
Learning Labs in Libraries and Museums will support the planning and designing of up to 30 Learning Labs in libraries and museums throughout the country. The Labs are intended to engage middle- and high-school youth in mentor-led, interest-based, youth-centered, collaborative learning using digital and traditional media. Grantees will be required to participate, in-person and online, in a community of practice that will provide technical assistance, networking, and cross-project learning. Projects are expected to provide prototypes for the field and be based on current research about digital media and youth learning. For more information and application guidelines visit the IMLS website.
Best Buy Community Grants Program
Deadline: July 1, 2012
Through the Community Grants program, Best Buy teams across the United States select non-profit organizations that give teens access to opportunities through technology to help them excel in school and develop 21st century skills. This year, the Best Buy Children’s Foundation will give $2.8 million in Community Grants. Grant amounts will average $4000-$6000 and will not exceed $10,000. Best Buy seeks applications from 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations and public agencies that have tax-exempt status and are giving teens access to opportunities through technology. For eligibility criteria and online application, visit the Best Buy website.
Praxair Foundation Grants
The Praxair Foundation provides grant opportunities through its “Library Links” program. The “library links” program assists libraries in upgrading their technology, acquiring new materials or initiating innovative programs. The Praxair Foundation requirements state that all proposals should describe projects that serve the needs of the community at large. Special attention will be given to innovative programs that can be started and completed within one year of the award. For more information and the request form, visit the Praxair Foundation website.
Leslie M. Bednar
Executive Director