Resources

Grab a Laugh

• Feel like laughing? Check out the latest WJ Weekly Tip where you can visit the archives of the library comic Unshelved, find out about the weirdest reference questions (does anyone know what the tariff is to import several gross of glow-in-the-dark toilet seat covers from Korea?), and read the hilarious Library Quiz Answers from middle schoolers. We all need to unwind sometimes!

Library Law: Pre-Employment Drug and Alcohol Testing

• As the days get longer and the school year ends, many public libraries will see an increase in applications for both full-time and part-time employment. Does your municipality or district have a policy requiring pre-employment drug and alcohol testing? If so, a recent decision rendered by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit demonstrates that the policy must be both constitutional on its face and as applied to the prospective employee or it will violate the Fourth Amendment’s prohibition against illegal searches and seizures. Read the latest in this series of Library Law articles courtesy of NSLS and MLS to find out more.

Point me in the Right Direction!

• WebJunction Illinois is one-stop shopping for directories for the Illinois Library Systems and the Illinois State Library. You can also use the interactive map to locate and get directions to all Library System buildings and the Illinois State Library.

Courses and Learning

Cultivate a Culture of Learning in Your Library

• How much time does your library spend on “training?” Statistics show that most learning takes place on the job or with a coworker, yet as trainers we spend an inordinate amount of time preparing for and delivering classroom training. In this free webinar you will learn why you need to get your staff out of the classroom and instead focus on creating a culture of learning in your library. Explore the differences between training and learning, the benefits to libraries for creating a culture of learning, the key elements of a learning organization and tips for creating a culture of learning in any size library. Click on the link above for more details and registration.

New Course! Gifts for Libraries: Be Careful What you Wish For

• From your own experience with gifts in a library, you may already be aware that there is both good news and bad news about gifts. The good news about gifts to libraries is that they are many. The bad news is that only a small percentage of what is offered or given is likely to be what the library really wants or need. This course will pay special attention to those gifts that are intended to become part of the “stock” of the library. It will also deal with the elements of a complete gift policy and discuss the political and public relations implications involved with gifts. You may also want to browse the sample gifts and donations policies on the Illinois Sample Library Policy page.

Community

WebJunction Events at ALA

• Attending ALA this summer? You’ll want to look over the plethora of WebJunction events that you might want to attend including the Member Reception on Friday, June 27. Click on the link above for more details.

2008 Spotlight on Achievement Awards

• Be inspired, excited and informed about the fantastic benefits of the Illinois Adult Literacy Program of the Illinois State Library. Download the 2008 Spotlight on Achivement Awards by clicking on the link above, or visit the BlogJunction Illinois post on the awards.