The Lewis & Clark Library System office will be closed Tuesday, November 2, 2010.  Delivery services will not run that day, and we will run extra routes the next day to compensate.

Moving Forward – an update from LCLS

No. 15

October 21, 2010

What a week!

Just one week ago at the System Presidents & Directors meeting hosted by the Illinois State Library, several LCLS board members and I heard that the remainder of our FY2010 appropriation hopefully will arrive at or near the end of December, 2010.  We also learned the funds received around the end of this calendar year will have to stretch farther than we anticipated–perhaps for 12 months.  In a budget crisis no pundit could have imagined, service agencies in Illinois have stretched meager reserve funds as much as possible.  LCLS suspended some popular services such as consulting in order to continue core system services.

And for the core services of delivery and automation to endure, library system leaders acknowledge this bittersweet message makes the task clear–we must continue our merger processes.  At the October 19^th meeting, the LCLS board resolved to terminate effective June 30, 2011, and merge into a new single system that includes the Lewis & Clark Library System, Lincoln Trail Libraries System, Rolling Prairie Library System, and Shawnee Library System, effective July 1, 2011.  The LCLS board is determined to move forward with the challenging merger task.

Today we received the encouraging news that some of the outstanding FY2010 appropriation will be released.  Anne Craig, Director of the Illinois State Library (ISL), announced a $94,007.99 voucher will be processed for LCLS this week!  Additionally, the ISL is committed to utilize available LSTA funding to ensure the core services continue in the eventuality all FY2010 funding does not arrive by December 31, 2010.  Library systems may apply for the federal funding to continue delivery and automation, made available due to the ISL’s suspension of very popular grant programs this year.  The ISL continues to strengthen Illinois libraries through support of library systems.

Southern IL library system merger conversations:

We hope you can attend one of the following planning panel meetings:

• Wednesday, November 10^th at Rolling Prairie Library System offices and Decatur Public Library.
• Tuesday, December 2^nd at Lincoln Trail Libraries System.

Each day has several components, and interested parties are welcome to attend some or all:

• Committee meetings run take place during the mornings
• Building tours and lunch occur at midday
• The entire panel meets during the afternoons

Be sure to check the Cooperation Today web site for updated information including agendas, process documents and to comment on any aspect of the process.  We encourage member participation at meetings and welcome your comments on Cooperation Today.

System closed November 2nd:

Please note the System office will be closed Tuesday, November 2, 2010, for Election Day.  Delivery services will not run that day, and we will run extra routes the next day to compensate.

Merger Update Gatherings:

The success of the system merger depends on member participation.  Follow the links to register in LibraryLearning (L2) and join your colleagues at one of the following member forums:

• Thursday, November 4^th at Morrison-Talbott Library, 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Friday, November 5^th at Carlinville Public Library, 10:30 a.m. to Noon
• Tuesday, November 30^th at Greenville Public Library, 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, December 1^st at Principia College (Marshall Brooks Library), 10:30 a.m. to Noon.

Say It Isn’t So:

After more than 31 years of service to the Lewis & Clark Library System, Sherry Highley has announced her plans to retire.  Please join us in wishing Sherry a happy (and long) retirement!  Stop by the system office any time from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday, October 29th (Sherry’s last day as an employee).  If you get here around lunch time, please join the staff for a potluck in her honor.

Tell Us What You Want:

The merger planning panel requests your participation in a survey that will enable us to more effectively develop a strategic plan for restructured system services.

At the beginning of this process, it became very apparent that member input would be a crucial component.  This is your opportunity!  We’re seeking participation by all types of libraries (academic, public, school and special) and the whole gamut of people who work with and for our library community  (directors, staff members, trustees, administrators, paraprofessionals).

Please share your opinions and a few moments of your time as we work together to form our future. Thanks so very much for your help and support!

Upcoming continuing education opportunities at LCLS:

• Monday, October 25, 2010 (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM), Understanding Series Cataloging.  Please register in LibraryLearning (L2) here .

• Monday, October 25, 2010 (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM), GateNet Barcoding in Millennium. Please register in LibraryLearning (L2) here.

• Wednesday, October 27, 2010 (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM), Dates in Bibliographic Records  Part 2. Please register in LibraryLearning (L2) here.

• Wednesday, October 27, 2010 (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM), FY2011 Live and Learn Construction Grant Offerings for Public Libraries Workshop.  Offered via videoconference–please register in LibraryLearning (L2) here.

• Friday, October 29, 2010 (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM), FY2011 Live and Learn Construction Grant Offerings for Public Libraries Workshop.  Offered as a webinar via Adobe ConnectPro–please register in LibraryLearning (L2) here.

Have a great weekend!

Leslie M. Bednar

Acting Executive Director

lesliebednar@lcls.org