Pritzker Military Library hires new director
Time Out Chicago (blog)
On Friday, Pritzker Military Library announced that it hired John Zukowsky, former Art Institute of Chicago architecture curator, as its interim director. …

Branches given 6 months to find new funding
Evanston Review
3 to pull the branch libraries off the chopping block, said, “I said to the branch library and library supporters, unless there is a funding stream that’s …

Lisle mourning teacher, longtime library board member
Chicago Daily Herald
Whether it was as a teacher in Lisle Unit District 202 or as a longtime Lisle Public Library board member, those mourning …

School Libraries Receive Grants
Pontiac Illinois Community News
Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White has awarded Fiscal Year 2010 School District Library Program Grants totaling almost …

State Bar donates Lincoln books to Edwardsville Public Library
St. Clair Record
Accepting the books is Deanne Holshauser, library director. In commemoration of the 200th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth in 2009, the ISBA is donating a set …

Illinois public libraries face 16 percent funding cut
Peoria Journal Star
Every public library in the state – big, small and medium-sized – will receive significantly less than each has come to expect from the …

Glen Carbon library named best in nation
Belleville News Democrat
It’s been a banner year for Glen Carbon — now its library has been named best in the country. …

Police open office inside Chicago library
ABC7Chicago.com
Chicago police launched a new program Saturday by opening a satellite office in a public library. …

Jesse White awards Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants
Quad-Cities Online
Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White has awarded Fiscal Year 2010 Illinois Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grants …

Technology planning, CONTENTdm, digital community, broadband access, library grants, strategic planning, advice on implementing instant messaging in your library and how to use WordPress as a content management system for your library web site. If you’re interested in any (or all) of these important technology related topics then read further in this edition of “What’s New @ WJIL.”

Contents: Resources | Courses and Learning | Community | What could I do with…? | What’s New RSS Feed

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Early in February WebJunction hosted an online conference called Technology Essentials 2010. Over the course of 2 days participants were treated to 10 workshops presented by experts and nationally known speakers such as Sandra Nelson. Although you may not have been able to attend the live event, all sessions and resources are now available on WJIL. In fact, there are actually some advantages to “attending” this conference after the fact…

• Free and easy access. All recorded sessions are free and do not require any additional download for viewing and listening.
• One stop shopping. Related files, resources and speaker materials have all been archived along with the recorded sessions for convenient access.
• Start, pause and stop. Rather than being tied to the computer for the full presentation, with the archived recording you can start the session, pause when needed, and re-start when convenient.
• Spread it out. Take your time and listen to your choice of sessions at your convenience or when the need arises.
• Participant Notes. Wow! Juan Tomas Lee from the Utah State Library gets the award for the most dedicated and organized conference attendee. Juan attended all sessions of the conference and has shared his comprehensive and well organized notes with everyone.
• What’s New @ WJIL. Use this edition of the WJIL newsletter to quickly link to your archived sessions of choice. Keywords for each session have been provided to help you quickly identify content relevant for you.

Resources

Browse the following materials to give you an overview of the 10 conference workshops.

Conference Schedule and Workshop Descriptions

• Overview of the conference sessions, presenter bios and schedules for each day of the conference.
• Path: [Member Center » Events & Webinars » Conferences]

Participant Notes

• Juan Tomas Lee from the Utah State Library attended all conference sessions. He has shared his extensive and well organized notes with everyone. Print these off and use them as you listen to the conference archives. You may not have to take a single note!

Courses and Learning

Workshop descriptions and links to all Technology Essentials 2010 archives and resources.

Building Digital Community: Arizona Memory Project

• Libraries have long served as digital repositories but the Internet has provided an opportunity to reach further out into our communities through shared histories, images, and archives. Since 2005, the Arizona Memory Project has partnered with numerous institutions offering a platform for digital exhibits using CONTENTdm, a digital collection management software, to extend access to collections. Hear about the project’s creation, outreach, management and training and learn how you and your library can sustain digital memories in your community.
• Presenters: Richard Prouty, Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records
• Keywords: CONTENTdm, digital community, Arizona Memory Project, digitization

Learning when there is no Time (or Money) to Learn

• It goes without saying that our work in libraries is constantly changing with new technologies and new patron needs. It’s hard to keep up with it all…Stop the whining! You can improve your skills and increase your knowledge without breaking the bank or skewering your schedule. How? By knowing how to be an effective learner, by creating a personal learning toolbox, by taking advantage of free and low-cost learning opportunities and by sharing what you know with others. Listen to this session presented by Pat Carterette and you’ll be taking the first step in making continued learning a part of your everyday routine and your life.
• Presenters: Pat Carterrete, Director of Continuing Education, Georgia Public Library Service
• Keywords: continuing education, budget, personal learning toolbox

The Planning Puzzle: Integrating Your Strategic Plan and Your Technology Plan

• Do you ever think that you have too many plans and not enough implementation? Do you ever wonder how to integrate all your plans into one clear blueprint that will help you and your colleagues continue to provide excellent service to the people you serve?  Sandra Nelson will give you the information you need to manage effectively in this time of stagnant or decreasing resources, increasing demand, and rapidly changing public expectations.
• Presenter: Sandra Nelson, Consultant, speaker, trainer, and writer specializing in public library planning and management issues
• Keywords: strategic planning, technology planning, blueprint, integration

Technology Planning with TechAtlas for Libraries

• Explore WebJunction’s free resource, TechAtlas for Libraries and see how putting a technology plan together doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The TechAtlas tools can help a library build a technology plan starting with defining the mission and vision, creating goals and objectives and all the way through budgeting your expenses. You will also see a “live” demonstration of TechAtlas and hear best practices about technology planning and how to help lead your library into the future through effective planning.
• Presenter: Kendra Morgan, WebJunction Project Coordinator for TechAtlas
• Keywords: TechAtlas, technology planning

M&M: Maximum Marketing, Minimum Investment

• Low or no cost and easy marketing ideas for time-challenged librarians
• Presenters: Cindi Hickey, Director of the Library Development Division, State Library of Kansas and WebJunction Kansas coordinator; Janie Rutherford, State Library of Kansas and marketing guru
• Keywords: marketing, budget, media, planning, strategies, partners

WordPress for Library 2.0 and Beyond

• WordPress has become more than just a blogging tool. It can be utilized as a fully functional content management system for library websites. Joshua Dodson and Laura Slavin explain how to use the built-in functionality in WordPress to showcase your library, as well as explore various plugins that will add further functionality to your website. Topics include social bookmarking, blogging, RSS, search engine optimization, and more.
• Presenters: Joshua Dodson, Web Developer for Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, TN; Laura Slavin, Technical Services Librarian at Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) in Harrogate, Tennessee.
• Keywords: WordPress, content management system, library web site, blogging, RSS, social bookmarkingImplementing Reliable Instant Messaging At Your Library
  • In this presentation, Karen McCoy provides some basic guidelines for implementing reliable instant messaging at your library. IM and SMS technologies are compared and explored so that you can customize different options to best fit your library’s needs. Issues covered include staff buy-in, technical glitches and how to avoid them, and possible assessment strategies. Library workers from all technological backgrounds will benefit.
  • Presenters:  Karen McCoy, Adult Services Librarian at the Farmington Public Library located in northern New Mexico
  • Keywords: instant messaging, IM, SMS

  Funding for Broadband: Indiana and Beyond

  • The Presenters discuss their recent article (September/October 2009 Public Libraries), including their research and findings and give an overview of the landscape of broadband connectivity for public libraries across the country.
  • Presenters: Wendy Knapp, Professional Development Office, Indiana State Library; Mary Alice Ball, Chair of the ALA OITP Telecomm subcommittee
  • Keywords: broadband, public libraries

  Library Grants 101

  • Discover the confidence and knowledge you need to successfully win library grant funding. Find out how to easily locate grant opportunities online, learn the entire process for winning library grants, and hear about real library grant success stories that involve technology projects. Stephanie Gerding  provides practical advice and top tips, ideal for librarians who are new to grant work.
  • Presenters: Stephanie Gerding, Nationally known library consultant, trainer, and author on grants, training, and technology topics.
  • Keywords: grants, funding, grant writing

  Helping Washington Libraries in Hard Times

  • Learn how Washington State Library staff created an online Hard Times Resource Guide to help Washington libraries deal with increased demand for resources and training while their budgets and hours were being slashed. Librarians now have a handy tool to offer patrons seeking information regarding unemployment, housing, financial services, and much more. Technology resources play a vital role in helping libraries during these Hard Times.
  • Presenters: Jennifer Fenton, CE/Training Coordinator at the Washington State Library; Kristen Furl, Digital projects librarian at the Washington State Library; Ahniwa Ferrari, Online Resources Consultant at the Washington State Library
  • Keywords: budget, recession, resource guide, unemployment, job seeking

  Community

  Interested in discussing your conference experience with others in the Library community? Use the following tips to extend your workshop experience.

  • Divide the conference workshops between 1 or 2 other learning partners. Listen to the archives at your convenience, then share notes, reactions and ideas with each other.
  • Choose a relevant workshop for all library staff to listen to. Have an email discussion about the workshop – what did you learn and how can you use it?
  • Use the Discussion boards on WJIL to engage with other librarians around the nation. For instance, listen to ”Implementing Reliable Instant Messaging at Your Library” archive, then visit the “Social Networking & Web Tools” discussion board to see what others are thinking.

   

  What Could I do with the archives of Technology Essentials 2010?

  • Plan a month long focus on technology and ask your library staff to listen to at least 1 archive and report back to the rest of the staff.
  • Use the workshop archives as a part of your personal learning plan to increase your knowledge and expertise in the area of relevant library technology
  • Browse the chat logs for the archived workshops to glean helpful tips and additional relevant information from conference participants
  • Listen to an archive and then contact the presenter with follow up questions and ideas

‘The need is still there’: New Manhattan library rejected
Southtown Star
Voters in the Manhattan-Elwood Library District gave – or rather, bellowed – a resounding “no” to plans to build a new library, …

Sugar Grove voters say no to library a 10th time
Aurora Beacon News
Ten times — since March of 2004 — the Sugar Grove Library Board has asked voters for more money. …

Lyons: Reddick Library missing out on revenue
MyWebTimes.com
The Reddick Public Library District is missing out on revenue by not offering services to Wallace Township residents, said township resident Tom Lyons, …

February brings a sinking feeling to La Grange library
Everything La Grange
Explore all things Titanic at the La Grange Public Library during the month of February. A display of artifacts related to the doomed ocean liner will be …

Lourdes dedicates new library to begin Catholic Schools Week
Herald & Review
Rick Welton and Principal Maryrose Hagenbach take part in a dedication ceremony blessing a new library addition at Our Lady of Lourdes Schoo. …

Des Plaines Library Dist. finally gets its win
Joliet Herald News
Voters on Tuesday approved a referendum proposal to build a new Crest Hill library and renovate libraries in Lockport …

New-look Brookfield Library reopens its doors
Riverside Brookfield Landmark
The spiffed-up Brookfield Public Library reopened on Monday after being closed for refurbishing for the past 10 weeks. The library looks and …

Library contracts for e-book service
Pekin Daily Times
Library patrons can download best-selling and classic audio-books and e-books anytime, anywhere, thanks to a new service. …

Voters reject Winfield Library request
Chicago Daily Herald
Winfield library officials decided to seek the same request despite last April’s defeat, because the facility at 0S291 Winfield Road doesn’t meet …

Naperville library may offer voluntary buyouts
Chicago Daily Herald
The library doesn’t plan to lay off employees or even reduce the size of its staff. The proposed program would be …

Winfield library improvements can wait for better economy
Chicago Daily Herald
Last April, Winfield Public Library officials asked voters to approve a referendum that would allow them to borrow $1.8 million to improve the facility’s …

Moline Public Library now offers free access to downloadable audio books
Quad-Cities Online
The Moline Public Library is now offering free access to downloadable audio books 24/7 via netlibrary.com. The collection features fiction and non-fiction …

Illinois Library Systems Wait for Cash from State
WSIL TV
The Shawnee Library System connects more than one hundred libraries in Illinois’ southern-most counties. Through this network, libraries can share …

Library giving away old magazines; come in and help yourselves
Little Chicago Review
January is the month when we do some library housekeeping chores, including removal of back issues of magazines. Please help yourselves to discarded …

Librarians Say Services in Jeopardy Without State Funding
Central Illinois Proud
Wednesday marks “Save the Illinois Library Regional Systems Day.” Librarians say many services readers rely on could be cut if state funding doesn’t come …

NIU library displays Frank Lloyd Wright collection
Northern Star Online
During January, however, NIU students only have to trek as far as Founders Memorial Library to get a glimpse inside of this historic figure. …

Due to tight budget, Charleston library will hold off on hiring new director
Journal Gazette and Times-Courier
The Charleston Carnegie Public Library will be operating without an executive director for a few more months due to …

Davlin’s budget: Cut 55 jobs, close library branches
The State Journal-Register
The mayor’s recommended budget for fiscal year 2011, which begins March 1, also suggests closing Lincoln Library’s two branches — the southeast branch on …

Library unveils restructuring plan
Rockford Register Star
Marvin Walters might be from Loves Park, but he does most, if not all, of his genealogy research at the Rockford Public Library. …

Yorkville Library trims budget
Aurora Beacon News
The Yorkville Public Library Board of Trustees passed its 2010 budget on Monday night, steering clear of any drastic …

SXU to receive $1.25 million to upgrade campus library, develop STEM education center
Orland Park Prairie
Congressman Dan Lipinski (IL-3) and Senator Dick Durbin worked together to secure funding for Saint Xavier’s library improvements and other local projects a …

Gates Foundation to support librarian training
Urbana/Champaign News-Gazette
The two-year, $484000 contract with the Mortenson Center for International Library Programs from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will support a …

Regional libraries have not received a funding increase since 1989
Chicago Daily Herald
Regional library systems are in a situation similar to that of the second frog – the one that boiled to death. There are 10 regional library systems around …

Big changes for Rockford libraries
Rockford Register Star
The Rockford Public Library will undergo a massive change in operating hours and staffing levels next week as it embarks on a new world of …

Law allows library to borrow funds
Geneseo Republic
A change in the understanding of library law could make it easier for the Geneseo Public Library board to build a new library. …

ISU appoints new library dean
Bloomington Pantagraph
Sohair F. Wastawy has been named library dean at Illinois State University, effective June 1. The appointment was announced Thursday by Vice …

Cook Library board will hire firm to help director search
Chicago Daily Herald
The Cook Memorial Public Library District board likely will rely on an executive search firm to help find a …

City Council considers closing north and south library branches
Daily Northwestern
Bobkiewicz said the city is lucky to have a “robust library system.” But because of the prominent, efficient nature of the main library downtown, …

Library closes deal on old Beacon building
Aurora Beacon News
The city may not have a new downtown library for years, but at least it has a site for the future facility. …

Itasca library honors longtime board presidentChicago Daily Herald
Daily Herald
For 38 years, Swanson has been a part of the Itasca Community Library board of trustees. Four years after joining she was elected president and still holds …

New year, new dreams for city of Naperville: City leaders look toward big things in 2010
Naperville Sun
“Illinois is a really big state for library coordination. We all will be working to develop good, productive, financially sustainable methods of service …

Library to see carpet, furniture work
Danville Commercial News
The Danville Public Library Board of Trustees recently reviewed bids for its carpet replacement project. Three bids were submitted: Tile …

No. 5 Story of the Decade: Lincoln library, museum built
The State Journal-Register
After years of proposals, planning, negotiations and efforts to secure funding, construction of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library began in May 2001, …

Library program wins award
Galesburg Register-Mail
The Greig Memorial Library Junior Readers Club recently won the “Youth Services Program of the Year” award from the Alliance Library System. …

Cook library director sets retirement date
Waukegan News Sun
The director of the Cook Memorial Public Library District has announced his plans to retire next year. “My goal in coming to Cook was to …

Huntley library mobile making progress
Northwest Herald
The Huntley Area Public Library’s mobile addition is on schedule toward an expected March 2010 opening. …

Frame Works building nearly gone
Galesburg Register-Mail
The Galesburg Public Library Board of Trustees, which is looking for a site to build a new library downtown, rejected the OT Johnson site as being too small …

Mt. Prospect library hits 1 million mark in circulation
Chicago Daily Herald
Nearly a month ago, officials with the Mount Prospect Public Library saw this day coming: they projected …

SXU gets funds for library, Orland campus upgradesSouthtown Star
SouthtownStar
Dick Durbin worked together to secure funding for St. Xavier’s library improvements and other local projects, according to a news release from the …

Palatine library renovation complete
Chicago Daily Herald
The $880000, second-floor renovation of the main Palatine Library is complete and patrons recently turned out to celebrate at an open house. …

Library program wins award
Galesburg Register-Mail
The Greig Memorial Library Junior Readers Club recently won the “Youth Services Program of the Year” award from the Alliance Library System. …

Cook library director sets retirement date
Waukegan News Sun
The director of the Cook Memorial Public Library District has announced his plans to retire next year. “My goal in coming to Cook was to …

Huntley library mobile making progress
Northwest Herald
The Huntley Area Public Library’s mobile addition is on schedule toward an expected March 2010 opening. …

Frame Works building nearly gone
Galesburg Register-Mail
The Galesburg Public Library Board of Trustees, which is looking for a site to build a new library downtown, rejected the OT Johnson site as being too small …

Ill. Library Receives Vinyl Record 47 Years Late
WIFR
Fondulac District Library Director Amy Falasz-Peterson says the album by 1950s pop singer Julius La Rosa was checked out on Feb. 12, 1962 and was returned …

Library offers Internet only card
Naperville Sun
The Naperville Public Library Board on Wednesday decided to offer an “Internet Only” card to the public. The card would allow members of the general public …

Help Sherrard welcome its new library director
Quad-Cities Online
The Board of Trustees of the Sherrard Public Library District is pleased to announce our selection of Laura Long as our new library director. …

Aurora Public Library buying itself a $3.2 million present
Chicago Daily Herald
But a site for a new facility has remained atop Aurora Public Library’s agenda for all that time and on Dec. …

Library To Study Second Floor Layout Trends
Journal & Topics Newspapers Online
As part of the Mt. Prospect Public Library’s recent strategic plan (future initiatives or goals), the library board and staff will study the second floor …

Library approved to buy old Beacon site
Fox Valley Villages Sun
By Christmas Day, the Aurora Public Library will own the Beacon-News building at River and Benton streets. …

Library director set to retire
Franklin Park Herald Journal
After 31 years as a librarian — the last 20 as director of the Northlake Public Library — Jan Schmudde is retiring …

Redesign of library gathering area awaits funding
Park Ridge Herald Advocate
A design concept for a seating area outside the Park Ridge Public Library has received approval from the …

Woman’s book describes virtues of Vermilion County
Urbana/Champaign News-Gazette
Although Hicks is the Danville Library Foundation’s executive director, it never occurred to her to write a children’s story. Then she heard some adults …

Genoa planning for 175th anniversary celebration in 2010
The Courier News
The mural, which will hang on the west wall outside of the Genoa Public Library, 232 W. Main St., shows a man on a sled holding a team of horses as he …

Book returned to library after 60 years
Bloomington Pantagraph
A book has been mailed back to an Ohio library after six decades, accompanied by an anonymous letter of remorse. The biography “Napoleon” by …

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