Author Archives: WJIL Project Team

ILEAD USA Applications Now Available on WJIL!

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The Illinois State Library continues its preparations to host ILEAD USA (Innovative Librarians Explore, Apply and Discover): The 21st Century Technology and Leadership Skills Institute for the States. This continuing education initiative will be held at the University of Illinois Springfield on March 25–28, June 17–20 and October 21–24, 2013.

Applications are now being accepted  for mentors, instructors, and participants for ILEAD USA.  ILEAD USA is a competitive, application-only program.  Please consider applying for one of the three components of this program at http://www.webjunction.org/partners/illinois/il-programs/ileadusa/ilead-usa-illinois.html. The application package deadline by email or postmark is December 14, 2012 and ISL will send email notification acceptance by January 18, 2013.

For more information regarding ILEAD USA, go to http://www.webjunction.org/partners/illinois/il-programs/ileadusa.html

ILEAD USA is made possible by a Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program grant awarded to the Illinois State Library by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Contact Gwen Harrison at gharrison@ilsos.net (217-785-7334) or Debra Aggertt at daggertt@ilsos.net (217-558-1945) if you have questions.

Public Library Per Capita Grant Application Tips

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With the October 15 submission deadline fast approaching for Public Library Per Capita Grants, the Illinois State Library shares these tips:

  • Please be sure to use the correct application.
  • Original signatures from the board president, secretary or librarian are NO longer required. Nor does ISL require an original signature and seal from the county clerk.
  • DO NOT use commas when inserting numbers; DO use decimal points, and always tab to subsequent lines.
  • All applications must be submitted electronically to isl_grants@ilsos.net on or before 11:59 p.m. on October 15. The required supporting documentation must be postmarked on or before October 15.
  • You are no longer required to send a paper copy of the application to the Illinois State Library.

Still have questions about the application? Be sure to check out the Instructional Memorandum from Director Anne Craig!

Register for Reaching Forward South Today!

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This year’s Reaching Forward South Conference will be September 20 – 21 in Springfield, Illinois. Registration for this wonderful two day event focused on library support staff is only $75.00. The conference will kick off on Thursday at 2 p.m. with an author’s tea and immediately followed by a wine and cheese hour. Friday will include speakers, breakout sessions, lunch, and vendors!

If you’d like the chance to network with fellow library staff, meet new friends, strengthen old friendships and learn about what it takes to “Venture into the Future,” this conference is right for you!

For more information and to register >>

Virtual Connections

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Tuesday, April 10, 2012 ♦ 1 pm Central ♦ 60 min ♦ Cost: $0

Get connected with your library patrons! Connecting with patrons in the online world is vital for libraries. Learn how to build and maintain virtual, internet-based connections with your patrons by utilizing the tools they are increasingly using themselves, including Google Plus, QR Codes, and Pinterest. We will focus on how to get started with these platforms and how to immediately put them to use for your library. You will also be provided with ideas to expand your use of these great connection-oriented tools. Learn how libraries are growing virtual community connections and engaging with their patrons.

Presented by: Melanie Hedgespeth, technology manager and Randy Merrell, tech trainer, Salina Public Library (KS)

Go to Registration Page>>

Illinois Emerging Writers Competition

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Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White has announced that entry forms are now available for the Eighth Annual Illinois Emerging Writers Competition Gwendolyn Brooks Poetry Award. Forms and other information may be found here.

“Illinois has a long and rich literary heritage, and these new poets are adding to the storied tradition established by legendary Illinois authors such as Gwendolyn Brooks. Many of our previous winners have had their works published,” said White. “Great poems have the ability to enrich and enhance our lives, and I’m looking forward to discovering talented new poets in this year’s competition.”

The competition is named for the late Pulitzer Prize-winning Illinois Poet Laureate Gwendolyn Brooks, and is co-sponsored by the Illinois Center for the Book and Kevin Stein, who succeeded Brooks as Illinois Poet Laureate. Stein selects the winners of the first, second and third prizes.

The competition is open to Illinois residents age 18 and over. Entries must be postmarked by June 30, 2012. Cash prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place, and winning poems will be submitted for possible publication in Ninth Letter, RHINO, and Quiddity magazines and Poetic License Press publications. Winners will read their poems and receive their prizes from Secretary White and Kevin Stein at a ceremony later this year at the Illinois State Library in Springfield.

For more information, email Illinois Center for the Book Coordinator Bonnie Matheis at bmatheis@ilsos.net or call her at 217-558-2065.

Skills for the Everyday Leader

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Wednesday, April 4, 2012 ♦ 1 pm Central ♦ 60 min ♦ Cost: $0

Many of us regard a move into management as “going to the dark side,” but leadership is not only reserved for those with manager in their title. Learning effective supervisory skills can benefit many levels of work in the library, especially if you wear multiple hats in your organization serving as both staff peer and manager. Find out the top 10 actions to take and the top 10 mistakes to avoid as an everyday leader. By the end of this webinar, you’ll have some simple and effective tools to help you work more powerfully with your colleagues or become the supervisor you always wanted to work for.

Presented by: Edra Waterman, director, Hamilton East Public Library (IN)

Go to Registration Page>>

Early Registration: https://oclc.webex.com/oclc/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=717908240
Many of us regard a move into management as “going to the dark side,” but leadership is not only reserved for those with manager in their title. Learning effective supervisory skills can benefit many levels of work in the library, especially if you wear multiple hats in your organization serving as both staff peer and manager. Find out the top 10 actions to take and the top 10 mistakes to avoid as an everyday leader. By the end of this webinar, you’ll have some simple and effective tools to help you work more powerfully with your colleagues or become the supervisor you always wanted to work for.
Presented by: Edra Waterman, director, Hamilton East Public Library (IN)

Adult Programs on a $0 Budget

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Tuesday, March 27, 2012 ♦ 1 pm Central ♦ 60 min

In just a few short years, the Laurens County Library, in rural South Carolina, has created an impressive and well attended series of adult programs on a shoestring budget. Join us for a webinar, hosted in collaboration with WebJunction and the Association for Rural and Small Libraries, to learn how the library selects topics, recruits presenters, raises funds, and promotes through effective public relations practices. Find out what Laurens has done that works, what doesn’t work, and learn how your adult programming can make your library a valued community hub, building awareness and increasing usage of all your services.

Presented by: Joey P. Holmes, library assistant at the Laurens County Library (SC)

Go to Registration Page>>

ISLMA/LBSS ENDOWMENT FUND GRANT

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The Illinois School Library Media Association/Library Book Selection Service will issue its fourth 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 2013 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.

All grant applications must be submitted by May 15, 2012.  Applicants must also be registered for the appropriate 2012 Reader’s Choice program by May 15, 2012 (a separate process).  Questions may be sent to info@lbssfund.org, by fax to 309/649-0916 or by phone to 309/649-0911.

For More Information>>
Grant Application>>

Literacy Spotlight: Lincoln Land Community College

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This week the Illinois State Library spotlights Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC) in Springfield. Arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo, a mother of five children who knew some basic English enrolled in the English as a Second Language (ESL) class. In just a few months her English improved considerably and she was able to obtain a job and support her family. To earn more money, she took a higher paying job on the night shift, and attends her ESL class in the morning.

She knows the importance of continuing to learn and has passed that belief on to her children. Her eldest daughter just graduated from high school and is planning to attend LLCC. She attended the ESL class with her mother and after improving her English was able to obtain a job. The other children are also doing well in school. This family has benefited enormously from an outstanding literacy program.

Skills for the Everyday Leader

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Join us for this webinar event on Wednesday, April 4, 2012 1 pm Central!

Many of us regard a move into management as “going to the dark side,” but leadership is not only reserved for those with manager in their title. Learning effective supervisory skills can benefit many levels of work in the library, especially if you wear multiple hats in your organization serving as both staff peer and manager. Find out the top 10 actions to take and the top 10 mistakes to avoid as an everyday leader. By the end of this webinar, you’ll have some simple and effective tools to help you work more powerfully with your colleagues or become the supervisor you always wanted to work for.

Presented by: Edra Waterman, director, Hamilton East Public Library (IN)

Go to Registration Page>>