The agenda for the February 25-26, 2011, Southern Systems Planning group has been posted.  Both days provide opportunity for public comment, and ample time for members to sit in on the many committee meetings.

We strongly encourage your participation at one or both meetings.

If you plan to attend either meeting and would like to carpool with your colleagues, there will be groups leaving from LCLS (6725 Goshen Road, Edwardsville, IL).  Please contact Brook Weber (brookweber@lcls.org) or Leslie Bednar (lesliebednar@lcls.org) for more information!

Moving Forward – an update from LCLS

No. 25

February 23, 2011

Two Merger Meetings This Week in Effingham!

Representatives of each of the four southern Illinois library Systems (Lewis & Clark, Lincoln Trail, Rolling Prairie, and Shawnee Library Systems) continue the work of moving toward a merged organization.

This week’s planning panel meetings are:

• Friday, February 25, 2011, 10 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., at the Effingham Hilton Garden Inn.  Topics included on the agenda are: revision of draft ByLaws, Resource Sharing Plan, Membership Criteria, and Delivery Recommendations; and an update on System FY2011 funding and an early forecast of FY2012 funding from the Illinois State Library.
• Saturday, February 26, 2011, 8 a.m. –11:30 a.m., at the Effingham Hilton Garden Inn.  Agenda items include: acceptance of Merger Transition Board Make-up, Intergovernmental Agreement, and Strategic Plan.

We strongly encourage your participation at one or both meetings.  An agenda for both days will be posted soon.

If you plan to attend either meeting and would like to carpool with your colleagues, there will be groups leaving from LCLS (6725 Goshen Road, Edwardsville, IL).  Please contact Julia Pernicka (juliapernicka@lcls.org) or Leslie Bednar (lesliebednar@lcls.org) for more information!

LCLS Board of Directors respond to proposed membership guidelines:

At their February 15, 2011, meeting, the LCLS Board of Directors formally expressed their concerns with the proposed membership guidelines for the soon-to-be merged four southern Systems.  By unanimous vote, they passed the following:

Resolve to recommend all current members of Systems be continued in their current membership status until such time that the boards of both the northern and southern Systems can establish uniform membership criteria. This recommendation is based on the following rationale:

• The funding: EAV (Equalized Assessed Valuation) is not valid due to the inequities of local assessors.
• Tax caps, which limit the amount of funds in some districts, have not been considered.
• Educational requirements: The proposed membership requirements exceed ISBE requirements for schools (which require 1 media specialist per district, not per school).
• The MLS expectation may not be appropriate for certain communities.
• It is premature to set continuing education requirements prior to determining what funding is available for provision of continuing educational opportunities.

We hope that the new membership criteria will be more inclusive rather than exclusive, particularly during these difficult economic times.

OCLC’s Perceptions of Libraries update available:

OCLC’s newest membership report, Perceptions of Libraries, 2010, a sequel to the 2005 Perceptions of Libraries and Information Resources, is now available. The new report provides updated information and new insights into information consumers and their online habits, preferences, and perceptions. Particular attention was paid to how the current economic downturn has affected the information-seeking behaviors and how those changes are reflected in the use and perception of libraries.

To download the report or order a print version, visit:
http://www.oclc.org/reports/2010perceptions.htm

[reposted with thanks to the Prairie Area Library System]

IMLS, LSTA saved, for now:

Kristin Murphy, government relations specialist for the American Library Association’s Washington Office reported late last week:

“Because of ALA’s unprecedented grassroots efforts this week on Amendment #35 to H.R. 1 (the Continuing Resolution to the FY2011 budget) was defeated. This victory for libraries is undoubtedly due to the strong grassroots efforts of librarians and library supporters all across the country”.  Find the rest of the article here.

What’s New at WJ-IL: eBooks and eReaders:

EPUB, Accelerometer, E Ink and Sideloading.  If you don’t recognize these words you may need to prepare yourself for the eReader/eBook generation. In this edition of “What’s New @ WJIL” we explore the language, legal issues, troubleshooting and even accessibility of the most recent hot digital trend to hit your library – the eReader.

Related URL: http://webjunctionworks.org/il/blog/index.php/2011/02/18/whats-new-wjil-ebooks-and-ereaders/

Tiny URL: http://tinyurl.com/4t2ab4s

WJ-IL Microsoft Office Courses available:

From understanding how Microsoft Office works, to the basics of Word, Excel and Outlook, we’ve got the courses to get you and your coworkers learning and using these tools more effectively and efficiently. We’ve even got all of these offerings available across three version of Microsoft Office including:
Microsoft Office 2010 (Basics of Office 2010, Word, Excel and Outlook)

http://www.webjunction.org/office2010

Microsoft Office 2007 (Basics of Office 2007, Word, Excel and Outlook)

http://www.webjunction.org/office2007

Microsoft Office 2003 (Basics of Office 2003, Word, Excel and Outlook)

http://www.webjunction.org/office2003

So brush up, increase your productivity and learn some new tips and tricks you can put to use most every day with these Microsoft Office courses. And for you experts out there, consider helping your coworkers join you in your expertise and pass these links along to others who might put them to practical use!

Upcoming continuing education opportunities at LCLS:

• Thursday, February 24, 2011 (9:00 AM – 11:00 AM), Introduction to Web Management Reports.  Please register in LibraryLearning (L2) here.
• Monday, February 28, 2011 (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM), Name Authority Records.  Please register in LibraryLearning (L2) here.
• Friday, March 4, 2011 (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM), Cataloging Monographs. Please register in LibraryLearning (L2) here.

Have a terrific week!

Leslie M. Bednar

Executive Director

lesliebednar@lcls.org