Moving Forward – an update from LCLS
No. 32
May 5, 2011

Delivery Standards at LCLS and beyond:

We are now in the second week of the new Delivery Standards for Illinois Heartland Library System and hope it is working well for your library!  If you have questions about the new procedures (like CATs and DOG), need route information or slips, or need some guidelines for bundling, check out the Delivery Announcements section of our web site.  While there, take a look at our newest DOG procedures video.  And feel welcome to share your experiences with the delivery changes at the bottom of the page!

2010 Census Maps:

The U.S. Census Bureau has placed 2010 Census maps on the Web.  The data may be particularly helpful for public library districts that will have to compare their district boundaries to census geography to arrive at their population figure for annual Illinois State Library Public Library Per Capita grants.  There are four types of 2010 census maps, and they are all in PDF format at the following URL’s:

Census Tract Reference Maps - http://www.census.gov/geo/www/maps/pl10_map_suite/tract.html
County Block Maps - http://www.census.gov/geo/www/maps/pl10_map_suite/cou_block.html
Voting District/State Legislative District Reference Maps - http://www.census.gov/geo/www/maps/pl10_map_suite/vtd_sld.html
School District Reference Maps - http://www.census.gov/geo/www/maps/pl10_map_suite/sch_dist.html

For each map select the state of Illinois, then select the county, then select the “000” or “001” index.  Each type of geography has corresponding data in the new American FactFinder2 (http://factfinder2.census.gov), including school districts.  Learn how to find the population statistic of a given Census Tract using American Factfinder2 athttp://www.cubitplanning.com/data/american-fact-finder-census-tracts

The State Library does not have and will not have paper versions of these maps.

Additionally, 2009 Illinois county taxing district maps are available in PDF format at:

http://ediillinois.org/ppa/meta/html/00/00/00/02/92/25.html

Select your county, then select the library district map.  The 2009 maps are the most recent maps available.  New county taxing district maps will be available later this year.

If you have any questions or want more information about these maps, contact the ISL Map Room at 217/782-5823 or e-mail islmap@ilsos.net.

Reaching Forward South 2011 Conference:

It’s not too early to sign up for the Reaching Forward South Conference scheduled for September 29-30, 2011.  In fact, here are the top 10 reasons to commit to this professional development opportunity:

1. Keynote speaker, Lauren Burnett, will present her empowering keynote, “Step Up to Great Performance: Keeping Up, Reaching Forward, and Moving Through.” You won’t want to miss it.

2. Take advantage of a fantastic staff development opportunity for your library.  Just sit back and leave the planning to us!

3. Enjoy Thursday networking opportunities with an Author’s Tea from 2 – 4 pm.  9 authors have signed up so far!  On Thursday evening, come to our Coffeehouse from 6:00 – 7:30, and enjoy food, entertainment by John Sloan, and a chance to network with your colleagues.

4. Choose from 9 Friday breakout sessions, including Thinking Outside the Case: Tips for Creating Eye-Catching Displays; Collection Development a la Carte; and Survival Skills: Conflict Resolution with Dr. Madelyn Nelson from NIU.  There’s something for everyone, from every kind of library.

5. Stop by our wonderful vendor tables.

6. Come for the conference, stay for the dessert and door prizes!

7. Enjoy a delicious continental breakfast and buffet-style hot lunch.

8. Take a rare opportunity to get away from the library for a day (or two) and interact with other library support staff.

9. If we receive your paid registration by September 1, you will be entered in a drawing for 1 of 2 $50 Demco gift certificates.

10. Two days of programming for only $75?  Where do I sign up?!?!?

Check the conference web site for complete information!

U.S. Public Libraries and the Use of Web Technologies, 2010:

Designed as a longitudinal study, the U.S. Public Libraries and the Use of Web Technologies, 2010 document is now available.  Primarily, it attempts to record the landscape of web technology adoption by public libraries in the United States. Originally published in 2007, the second iteration considers how and how many libraries actually are adopting various web technologies and attempts to put that in perspective. It captures a changing landscape of web technology adoption by public libraries and looks further into the characteristics and successes of libraries that adopt technology.

Help with Legislative Visits:

The next time you visit a state or federal representative to advocate for your library, the following links may be helpful.

• The ALA Washington Office has created state specific information on public libraries, LSTA, and school libraries.  Please feel free to use this with all decision makers and your patrons.  This information should very helpful for those not attending National Library Legislative Day, but participating virtually by going to their Congressional district office.   www.ala.org/statefacts
• Karen Egan at the Illinois State Library developed a list of LSTA grants awarded, sorted by federal legislative districts, to use with legislators and other interested parties.

Did You Know?

Change really is a good thing.  As we move ever closer to the merger of our four southern Illinois Library Systems, which famous quote best fits your perspective?

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!
Leslie M. Bednar
Executive Director
lesliebednar@lcls.org

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