Yearly Archives: 2008

Illinois Libraries in the News for the final weeks of 2008! Happy New Year!

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DATES & DEADLINES
Franklin Park Herald Journal
Be a leader at your library. Help plan events, pick out materials for the library (music, books and movies) and have fun with other teens. …
 
Beat the Economic Blues at the Chicago Public Library
ABC7Chicago.com
The Chicago Public Library has come up with inexpensive and fun ways to help support their child’s education. These programs and resources are fun, …

Library board names new director
Effingham Daily News
The Helen Matthes Library Board named Assistant Director Jeanne May the new director of the library during a special meeting Monday evening. …

Learn about Amish Communities of Iowa at the library
Quad-Cities Online
The Scott County Library will host a presentation on the Amish Communities of Iowa on January 12th at 6 pm The public is invited to attend …

Curl up with a good book by the fire at the library
Journal Gazette and Times-Courier
Just keep in mind, if you need to get away from the headlines and escape for a few hours, the Charleston Carnegie Public Library is the place to do just …

LEARN HOW TO PLAN FOR RETIREMENT AT THE BETTENDORF LIBRARY
Quad-Cities Online
… to these questions and more at the Money 2009: Retirement Planning session at the Bettendorf Public Library, 2950 Learning Campus Dr, Bettendorf. …

Hinsdale Public Library hosts family movie time
Chicago Suburban News
Pack the family in the car and head to the movies at the Hinsdale Public Library, 20 E. Maple St. Skip the concession line because snacks …
 
Briefs: Author at Plainfield library
Joliet Herald News
Meet best-selling author J.A. Jance from noon to 1 p.m. Jan. 16 at the Plainfield Public Library, 15025 S. Illinois St. Copies of Jance’s latest book, “Cruel Intentions,” will be available for purchase. Jance will sign copies…

High school library’s staff contributes Illinois trivia to book
The Courier News
Where can you find Superman, Ronald McDonald and a 170-foot ketchup bottle? Larkin High School librarian April Johns can tell you: All in the great state of Illinois!

Library director retiring after 41 years
Chicago Daily Herald
Mike Madden was a teacher in Chicago when he took a library course in order to get his teaching certification. The teacher encouraged him to consider a library career and to enroll in the Library School at the University of Chicago…

A little bit of everything in DuPage
Chicago Daily Herald
The village of Addison opened its $15 million library at 4 Friendship Plaza in late July. The building boasts environmentally-friendly technology, …

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library adds detailed letters of …
The State Journal-Register
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library A sketch of Fort Henry in Tennessee, which was taken by Union troops a month before William Wyllie arrived there, …

MVTHS Foundation receives donation
Mt. Vernon Register-News
“The library is the hub of a lot of activity at the high school and it just seemed that we could really update the physical space,” Sipe said. …

Plainfield schools get grants
Joliet Herald News
Eichelberger Family Lending Library: Beth Downey and Sara Garrison — Elizabeth Eichelberger Elementary School — $500; grant will be used to create a …

Hurston’s classic to be featured in The Big Read programs
Quad-Cities Online
The Museum is partnering with seven public libraries across the state, including Des Moines, Fort Dodge, Waterloo, Davenport, Keokuk, Mt Pleasant, …

Library offers weekly gaming for kids and teens
Quad-Cities Online
The Davenport Public Library is pleased to announce a brand-new program for children in 3rd through 6th grades called “Wii Got Game. …

Updated 12/26: Antioch library to honor comic book artist
Lake Villa Review
The Antioch Public Library District will display an exhibit provided by Skokie resident and Hal Foster devotee Sid Weiskrich. The exhibit, running Jan. …

Spend a “craft-ernoon” at the Davenport library
Quad-Cities Online
Children can explore their creative side at Davenport Public Library’s monthly program called “Wednesday Craft-ernoon!” Each month will feature a different …

New book clubs forming at Fountaindale Library
Bolingbrook Sun
The Adult and Teen Services Department of the Fountaindale Public Library District will be adding seven new adult book clubs to its existing lineup. …

A year to remember
Bolingbrook Sun
The Fountaindale Public Library’s referendum in February was worthy of a suspense novel on one of the library’s shelves. After what appeared to be a slim …

News Briefs: Library trustees up for eleciton
Joliet Herald News
Four four-year trustee positions for the Plainfield Library Board will be up for election on April 7. All library positions are nonpartisan. …

Stretch Your Dollar: Free Books, DVDs, Internet
CBS2 Chicago
It’s a tried and true way to save money that’s getting a second look. Instead of buying bestsellers at the bookstore or renting DVDs from the video store, you can stretch your dollar by going to the library instead. In the past year, circulation at Chicago’s Public Library has skyrocketed 35 percent…

Mundelein woman’s ‘Princess Emily’ book to be published in January
Mundelein Review
Author Mary Balfanz, whose newest book “Princess Emily and the Secret Library” is about to be published, reads the book to her son’s third-grade Diamond …

Family reading program at library
Galesburg Register-Mail
The Galesburg Public Library will host the 2009 January Family Reading Program from Jan. 2 to 31 in the Children’s Room of the library. …

Hampshire library board showcases new director
The Courier News
Despite frigid temperatures the Ella Johnson Memorial Library District Board of Trustees hosted a …

Candidate packets available for Batavia library district
Kane County Chronicle
Candidate packets for persons intending to run for Batavia Public Library District trustee are available at the library’s …

Two towns celebrate Christmas across globe
The Courier News
Genoa and Kingston residents helped to bring Christmas from around the world to the Genoa Public Library …

Holiday Hi-Jinks at Ella Johnson Library
MidWeek
The Ella Johnson Library was anything but quiet as the librarians bent the rules to accommodate the hundred-plus crowd that …

A little one for the books
The Courier News
Although he won’t use it for a few years, Michelle, Abraham’s mom, signed him up for a library card a few days after he was born. …

FESTUS: Library set to open, but at a higher price
Collinsville Herald
The city will borrow another $225000 to finance the project after several unforeseen expenses pushed the library’s cost to slightly more than $1.8 million. …

Work on schedule at Cary library
Northwest Herald
Some services still are available as major renovation work continues at the Cary Area Public Library. …

Park Ridge Library switches to digital books from cassettes
Park Ridge Herald Advocate
This winter, Park Ridge Public Library patrons can curl up with an book the old fashioned way, …

Literacy Spotlight:Illinois Eastern Community Colleges (Frontier)

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A student’s face lights up when she recounts how her tutor helped her with vocabulary and writing activities. “My husband has noticed that I no longer mispronounce certain words in conversation that I used to have trouble with. Since I couldn’t read well, I just pronounced words as I heard them, but sometimes this was wrong.” Composing sentences was very difficult when she began her tutoring experience. Now, she is writing simple paragraphs and working on capitalization and punctuation skills. Her vocabulary has increased dramatically.

Another student has been tutored for the last three years by a spry elderly woman who just turned ninety. The student’s reading level has improved so much that he is now able to take on new responsibilities at his factory job. Tutors at any age are making a difference in the lives of students who learn at the Literacy Development Center at Frontier.

On the Front Lines: March 16 – 18 (New Dates)

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“On The Front Lines”, the sixth statewide library practitioners’ conference, will be held March 16-18 at the University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS). (Dates have changed from the original dates of March 17-19.) The event is designed to equip and enlighten “front line” staff with training, exposure and techniques that will enable them to handle their work more effectively and efficiently. Conference sessions will focus on topics of interest to all types of libraries.

Speakers will include:
* James LaRue, Director, Douglas County Libraries, Colorado
* Rachel Singer Gordon, Webmaster, LISjobs.com
* Karen Hyman, Executive Director, South Jersey Regional Library Cooperative, New Jersey
* Aaron Schmidt, Digital Initiatives Librarian, District of Columbia Public Library (DCPL) & Publisher, walkingpaper.org
* Anne Craig, Director, Illinois State Library

The conference will also feature an opening night hors d’oeuvres reception at the State Library sponsored by the Illinois OCLC Users Group. To allow conference attendees the chance to network with vendors and see new products, a Vendor Fair will be held March 17 running concurrent with other programs.

The registration fee of $15.00 is applicable to one, two and/or three days of this event. This fee includes breakfast, lunch (when applicable) and all programs. Register at L2 and learn about other details such as payment and hotel reservations. Any other questions may be directed to Gwen Harrison at 217-785-7334 or Gwen Harrison.

Congratulations to Anne Craig and Ron Winner

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Congratulations to State Library Director Anne Craig and State Data Coordinator Ron Winner as recipients of the Francis Keppel Award.

The Francis Keppel Awards were presented recently during the annual Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Public Library Statistics Cooperative State Data Coordinator Conference in Washington, D.C. The award is presented annually to both the State Library Chief Officer and the State Data Coordinator, and is given for submitting prompt, complete, and high-quality public library data.

The honor is named after Francis Keppel, a U.S. Commissioner of Education, who served from 1962 to 1965. He also served as a distinguished member of the U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) from 1978 to 1983.

Dr. Keppel was an early and enthusiastic advocate of reliable and regularly reported national, state, and local library statistics that would provide a basis for public policy formulation and the improvement of library services to the entire spectrum of the U.S. population.

Literacy Spotlight: Township High School District 214 Community Education in Arlington Heights

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Originally from Lithuania, a current student at Township High School District won a car in a lottery that allowed him to move to Chicago. He is married, has one child, and as an automobile mechanic, he likes Chicago because there are so many cars that need repairs. The student wanted to improve his English to obtain a raise or promotion in his current job, or perhaps obtain a better paying job. The man’s son saw a notice about the Township 214 literacy program and told his father.

His father began attending the program last spring. His English speaking skills have improved dramatically. This student enjoys reading non-fiction material because he likes to learn while he reads. Whatever lesson materials he does not finish in class, he takes home, and both he and his son work on them together.

Serving Your Public

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The 16th annual Small Public Library Management Institute (SPLMI) will be held May 31-June 5, 2009 at the University of Illinois, Springfield.

The weeklong institute is intended for directors of smaller public libraries and directors new to the Illinois library community. Topics for the week include library law, policies, budgeting, safety, board/director relations, grant writing, library automation, technology, the Patriot Act, leadership, and community involvement.

The registration fee for the week has been held to only $50. All program materials, lodging, and meals are provided by the Illinois State Library. Participants are responsible for their own travel expenses. In past years, the System has supported the institute by paying the registration fee and assisting with travel costs.

Applications are due by March 2, 2009. For more information and application forms, visit http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/whats_new/2009splmi.html.

Illinois Libraries in the News for the week of December 15, 2008

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Macomb students chronicle veterans’ stories
Peoria Journal Star
The Macomb High School has been awarded a $25000 grant from the Library Services and Technology Act, through the Illinois State Library. …

Library to hold classes
East Dubuque Register
Many organizations have contributed to this center and the library wishes to thank them. Funding for this grant was awarded by the Illinois State Library …

Library staff celebrates
East Dubuque Register
Funding for this grant was awarded by the Illinois State Library (ISL), a Department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), under the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA)…

Buy local theme of Kankakee Public Library Holiday Mart
Kankakee Daily Journal
Holiday shoppers looking for unique gifts should go from 10 am to 2 pm Saturday to the Kankakee Public Library for the “Kankakee Holiday Mart @ the Library. …

River City Construction to manage all five library construction projects
Peoria Journal Star
The Peoria Public Library board has selected River City Construction to manage the construction of all five of the projects in its $28 …
 
Work on new Fox Lake library to begin in January
Chicago Daily Herald
Daily Herald Staff Now that a contractor has been hired, work on a new Fox Lake Public Library will begin in January, officials said …

State Rep. Smith urges area entities to apply for Digital Divide Grant
Canton Daily Ledger
Eligible recipients of the grant are: public hospitals, libraries, park districts, state educational agencies, local educational agencies, institutions of …

Kaneland teacher awarded $250 Farm Bureau grant
Aurora Beacon News
In writing her grant proposal, Richards used the Farm Bureau’s Ag Literacy library as a guide to identify books that would enhance her teaching of …

Briefs: Center announces awards
Chicago Daily Herald
The Ela Area Public Library is offering patrons a chance to trade their current library fines to support a local food pantry during its annual Food for …

Brookfield levy hike for ’08 reflects library gaffe
Riverside Brookfield Landmark
Brookfield trustees voted to pass the 2008 tax levy last week for both village operations and the Brookfield Public Library, which calls for a …
 
Kids can “Go Healthy” with karate at the Davenport Library
Quad-Cities Online
Davenport Public Library’s Fairmount Street location (3000 N. Fairmount Street) will host another great “Go Healthy” workshop for kids on Saturday, …

Hamilton exhibit due at Elgin library
The Courier News
When the Gail Borden Public Library learned it had won a grant to bring an Alexander Hamilton exhibit to visit the library, the economy was still chugging along…

Schaumburg Twp. library names 1st new director in 41 years
Chicago Daily Herald
Sarnoff, the director of the Scarsdale Public Library in New York, will become the first new director of the Schaumburg Township District Library in 41 years on Feb. 2…

Return of the Impressionists, arrival of the Kindles
Wednesday Journal
River Forest Public Library doesn’t usually enjoy bragging rights over their much larger neighbor to the east, but this quaint and cozy little building on Lathrop offers one service you can’t find at the Oak Park library: Kindles. River Forest currently has three available for checkout…

Library program helps men find gift ideas this holiday season
Effingham Daily News
After a shopping workshop for men Saturday at Helen Matthes Library in Effingham, Demers still didn’t know what he was going to get his co-worker…

Rockford Reads program helping students grow
Rockford Register Star
Rockford Rotary has coordinated the project since 2002 with the Rockford School District and the Rockford Public Library. …

City proposes $5.1M tax levy
Quincy Herald Whig
The levy for the Quincy Public Library is going up 11.7 percent to $1.37 million, while the levy for bond obligations is rising about 1 percent to $904640. …
 
Updated 12/16: McCracken kids give 1000 books to flood-damaged Gemini
Pioneer Press Online
“With this donation, we can replace classroom libraries which were lost in the flood.” Like many places in Niles, Gemini was flooded due to severe storms in …
 
Poll: Residents favor library plan
Plainfield Sun
More than half of the people polled last weekend by the Plainfield Public Library said the district should put a building expansion referendum on the ballot this spring…

Library officials to honor late director
Chicago Daily Herald
Six months after his death, Vernon Area Public Library District officials are working on a plan to publicly …

Pros and cons of community computers
Galesburg Register-Mail
More than 2000 people have used the public computer lab at the Galesburg Public Library so far this year. The KCHA Neighborhood Networks …

Plainfield finds support for spring ballot on library
Plainfield Sun
More than half of the people polled by the Plainfield Public Library said the district should put a building …

Lincoln collection to remain in Indiana
The State Journal-Register
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum will not be inheriting a massive $20 million collection that is being given away by the …

Huntley library may ask for tax hike in spring
Chicago Daily Herald
That’s because the Huntley Area Public Library District may again ask voters to approve a tax increase – just five months after the library’s last tax hike …
  
Logan Square parents march for better schools
ABC7Chicago.com
The parents marched in demand of full libraries, school security, more computers and smaller class sizes among other things. The march ended several blocks …

Education Briefs
Plainfield Sun
The “e-rate” is the discount that schools and libraries get when they acquire certain telecommunications services that support education…

Indian Trails Library finds room for debate
Schaumburg Review
The Indian Trails Public Library in Wheeling is hosting an exhibit about the Lincoln-Douglas debates. “Confronting Democracy’s Boundaries — The …

From Harwood Heights to Warsaw
Norridge Harwood Heights News
As part of the ongoing exchange between the Eisenhower Public Library, in Harwood Heights, and its counterparts in Poland, Nancy Devlin, head of children’s services at the Eisenhower, visited Polish libraries… 

Lewis & Clark Library System Map Project

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Recently, Lewis and Clark Library System received a grant for the project Putting Illinois on the Map. This project is currently underway and we are requesting library directors to verify information on the database regarding their library district’s population, boundaries and picture.

Putting Illinois on the Map http://illinoismap.info combines demographic information from the 2000 Federal Census with various geo-political boundaries across the State of Illinois. The scope of this project is a first, not just for Illinois, but across the country. The resulting database provides answers to geographic and/or demographic questions, such as, the population of a school district or the boundaries of a community college.

You will be receiving an email from Mercy Dena at the Lewis & Clark Library System in the near future asking you to verify your boundaries and send a digital photo of the library for this database. Mercy will send you more details in her email as well as contact information should you have questions. Thanks once again for helping us “put Illinois on the map.”

ISL Literacy Spotlight: Sauk Valley Community College, Dixon

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Like many communities in Illinois, Dixon has lost the majority of manufacturing jobs in the past several years. The unemployment rate has risen steadily and public aid recipients have increased considerably. Project VITAL at Sauk Valley Community College is the only tutoring program in the college’s 1,625 square mile district and many businesses and social service agencies rely on them to help their clients and employees.

Such is the case of a student who had recently become unemployed when he approached VITAL for help. His tutor used various techniques and books from her tutor training as well as farm journals as a study text. This student at one time had his own farm but lost it in the 1980′s. He always wanted to return to the land for work but ended up in manufacturing. His tutor resurrected this goal and helped him write a resume and fill out job applications. He found a job working for a farm supply company, which required him to mix grains with vitamins and medicines for cattle.

Having a renewed sense of self-confidence, this student was able to be upfront about his limitations with his new boss. He studied with his tutor using old chemical and grain labels from discarded bags along with safety-spec sheets. He and his tutor studied each word, abbreviation and combination ratio carefully. He passed the written safety test and mixed many tons of grain each day with confidence. He now has a full time position with a farm and will be taking on more responsibilities.

He continues with tutoring sessions to meet his long-term goal of helping his children with schoolwork. His great determination to get back on his feet and provide for his family has been an inspiration to many, especially his children and wife.