BlogJunction Illinois

Resources

Proactive Disaster Planning

Your ability to recover from disaster is in direct proportion to how prepared you are beforehand. In this Weekly Tip, WebJunction Illinois has a focus on preparation and prevention in Disaster Planning. Explore a group of resources that cover strategies for protection, including risk management, prevention methods, and creating a practical disaster relief plan. And don’t forget the popular LibraryU module “Master of Disaster: Developing a Disaster Plan“

Just a reminder that you can find a boatload of sample library policies on the WJIL Illinois Library Policy Examples page. The latest addition is a Food Policy Procedure related to Food Allergies from Orland Park Public Library. Just check under the Food and Beverage category.

A project of TechSoup and WebJunction, the cornerstone of the MaintainIT project are the technology cookbooks which are packed with tips and techniques from public librarians from across the country and practical information covering a variety of topics for maintaining your public computers. The 2 cookbooks: Recipes for a 5 Star Library and A Cookbook for Small and Rural Libraries are both downloadable from WJIL and include handy maintenance checklists, tips for locking down public computers, information on wireless access in your library and how to run a laptop checkout program.A recent expansion of this information includes a series of MaintainIT Library Spotlights that allow you to learn from the experiences and strategies of other libraries who are keeping their public computers running. Stay tuned for more information on a series of Cookbook Webinars where Cookbook contributors share their stories.

Community

In our latest Digital Imaging Spotlight, you can find out how the Edwardsville Public Library and the Madison County Genealogical Society teamed up to digitize important historic documents using an LSTA Digitization grant.

In the latest of our Illinois Standouts you can find out more about how a community combined their school and public libraries with great success. In fact, we’d like to find out about other communities who have experienced successful school/public library combinations for a future WJIL home page feature. Email your story to Lisa Barnhart and let us know about your experience.

Courses and Learning

Spanish Language Outreach Upcoming Webinars

Check out the upcoming and archived free webinars from the Spanish Language Outreach program including Helping Spanish Speaking Patrons Prepare for the Digital Television Transition and Welcome Stranger: Public Libraries Build the Global Transition.

Sometimes we have a tendency to reduce the value of anything labeled as “free” by thinking that it must not be worth much if it’s free. We just wanted you to know that’s not the case with the learning opportunities available to you through WebJunction Illinois. Find out a sample of what the WJIL courses would cost you if you were not a registered WebJunction Illinois user by clicking on the link above.

Storytimes are an effective early literacy tool and may be one of the most visible and valued programs in any public library. Learn how to plan a program that meets the developmental needs and interests of preschool children and supports reading and school readiness skills. New librarians, para-professional staff, and volunteers will discover ways to present an exciting and enriching storytime program in this facilitated workshop taking place on April 8 and 10th. Click on the link above for detailed information and registration.

New @ WJ-IL 04.01