Moving Forward – an update from LCLS

No. 31

April 18, 2011

White, Durbin Announce SBA Grant for Public Libraries “Business Package”:

Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White and United States Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced today that the Illinois State Library will provide over 60 Illinois public libraries with “business packages” that include equipment, software and training videos to assist small businesses and entrepreneurs in local communities.  Senator Durbin obtained a $300,000 grant through the Small Business Administration (SBA) to fund the initiative.  Secretary White said the State Library will administer the funds, and White invited public libraries to apply for the packages.

WilsonSelect Plus for FY12:

H.W. Wilson is offering its service to Illinois libraries without an increase in cost over FY2011.  Currently available via FirstSearch, starting July 1, 2011, access will be through the WilsonWeb under the name OmniFile Select.

Libraries Receive FY2011 Live and Learn Construction Grants:

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White recently awarded FY2011 Live and Learn Construction Grants to sixteen public libraries to help pay for essential capital improvements.

“This important program helps public libraries pay for projects such as remodeling for handicapped accessibility, new heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems, and in some cases new construction or building additions,” White said. “Many public libraries simply don’t have sufficient funds to make these improvements on their own, though some of these grants require matching funds.

“Our public libraries have never been more important to our communities. I am pleased to be able to award these grants through the Illinois State Library to help maintain the infrastructure of our public libraries, and help them remain the best information resource available to citizens.”

Congratulations to these LCLS member libraries receiving grants:

Gillespie Public Library, $25,000

Mississippi Valley Public Library District (Fairmont City Library Center), $125,000

Penny Severns Literacy Grants Awarded:

Secretary White also awarded Penny Severns Summer Family Literacy grants to 38 Illinois public libraries to provide important literacy services this summer.

“These grants are intended to improve the basic reading, math, writing or language skills of parents and children during the summer months when many educational programs may be closed,” White said.  “Services include reading programs and interactive, reciprocal learning experiences that parents and children participate in together.

“My dear friend the late State Senator Penny Severns believed as I do that every citizen of this state should have access to quality literacy programs that promote lifetime learning and help them achieve their utmost potential.   These grants have helped thousands of parents and children with limited literacy skills, and I am pleased that the Secretary of State/Illinois State Library Literacy Office can once again make them available.”

Congratulations to these LCLS member libraries receiving grants:

Cahokia Public Library District, $4,500

Mississippi Valley Library District (Collinsville Memorial Library Center), $4,800

Mississippi Valley Library District (Fairmont City Library Center), $4,800

Venice Public Library, $4,125

Mid-Illinois Talking Book Center Update:

The Mid-Illinois Talking Book Center (MITBC) has a new website, new email address, and a new map.  Check out the new website at http://mitbc.org/ to sign up for weekly news updates, download applications, and connect with critical services.   Last fall the center expanded its service area to serve 90 counties (or all of Illinois outside of Chicago and the collar counties).  To contact MITBC, dial 800-426-0709 or email MITBCinfo@gmail.com.

This service is supported by the Illinois State Library (ISL), a Division of the Office of Secretary of State, with funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), under the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).

What’s New at WJIL: Web Site Development:

In order to reach our patrons wherever they are libraries need an online presence. A quality website once required a programmer however with new web design tools and applications non-IT staff can build an attractive, basic website fairly easily. Read more about website development in this edition of “What’s New @ WJIL.”

Related URL: http://webjunctionworks.org/il/blog/index.php/2011/04/14/whats-new-wjil-web-development/

Tiny URL: http://tinyurl.com/3qft9ma

ISLMA/LBSS Endowment Fund Grant:

The Illinois School Library Media Association/Library Book Selection Service will issue its third annual book grants this year.  Public and private school libraries as well as public libraries registered in any of the Illinois Readers’ Choice awards programs—the Monarch Award, the Bluestem Award, the Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Book Award, and the Abraham Lincoln Illinois High School Book Award—are eligible to apply.

Grant recipients will be awarded one set of the 2012 reading campaign books for the award program indicated on their application.  The titles in each book award set are determined by the individual committees in charge of the reading award programs.  Sets include one copy each of the 20 or 22 books depending on the award program selected.

Information about the grant is available at the ISLMA/LBSS Endowment Fund website (www.lbssfund.org).  The online application form will be available at the website beginning March 15, 2011.  All grant applications must be submitted by May 15, 2011.  Applicants must also be registered for the appropriate 2012 Reader’s Choice program by May 15, 2011 (a separate process).  Questions may be sent to info@lbssfund.org, by fax to 309/649-0916 or by phone to 309/649-0911.

Funds for the endowment fund were received by the Illinois School Library Media Association when the nonprofit Library Book Selection Service was dissolved in June of 2005.  A stipulation of the agreement between LBSS and ISLMA was that the assets be invested in order to fund grants to encourage student reading of quality literature in Illinois.

Book vendors interested in bidding for the contact to provide books for this grant will find information at the same website.  This is a competitive bid.

The ISLMA/LBSS Endowment Fund’s mission is to “Promote reading in Illinois.”  The fund awarded over 400 sets of books to school and public libraries since 2008.

Budget Amendments Due May 1:

Member libraries in receipt of a public library per capita, school library per capita or other type of grant requiring submission of a budget amendment are reminded the amendment must be submitted to the State Library by May 1st.  For questions about budget amendments, please contact Mary Downing at mdowning@ilsos.net, Karen Egan at kegan@ilsos.net, or Jeanne Urbanek at jurbanek@ilsos.net.

Upcoming continuing education opportunities at LCLS:

• Tuesday, April 19, 2011 (9:00 AM – 11:00 AM), GateNet Catalogers Meeting. Please register in LibraryLearning (L2) here.
• Tuesday, April 19, 2011 (11:00 AM – 12:00 PM), GateNet Catalogers Problem-Solving Session. Please register in LibraryLearning (L2) here.
• Wednesday, April 20, 2011 (9:30 AM – 11:30 AM), GateNet Users Forum. Please register in LibraryLearning (L2) here.
• Thursday, April 21, 2011 (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM), MARC Coding and Matching (AKA Can I Use this Record?). Please register in LibraryLearning (L2) here.
• Monday, April 25, 2011 (9:00 AM –12:00 PM), GateNet Barcoding in Millennium.  Please register in LibraryLearning (L2) here.
• Wednesday, April 27, 2011 (9:00 AM – 11:00 AM), GateNet Circulation III: Notices & Holds Management and Web Resources.  Please register in LibraryLearning (L2) here.
• Thursday, April 28, 2011 (9:00 AM – 11:00 AM), Introduction to Web Management Reports.  Please register in LibraryLearning (L2) here.

Did You Know?

The Lewis & Clark Library System has made important contributions to the advancement of library services in southwestern Illinois.  And, the rooms in the headquarters building are named after historical figures who contributed to the development of the region in many ways.  For example, the computer lab is named after George Drouillard, one of only two civilians to make the entire trek of the Corps of Discovery with Lewis and Clark.  Drouillard joined the Corps at Fort Massac in Southern Illinois in October 1803, and served as an interpreter and hunter.

Happy Monday!

Leslie M. Bednar

Executive Director

lesliebednar@lcls.org

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