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Illinois State Library

Illinois State Library, ISL E-news
FY 2011-2012 Illinois Public Library Annual Report (IPLAR)
January 13th, 2012 | Permalink | Comment?

The Illinois State Library is pleased to release the FY2011-2012 Illinois Public Library Annual Report (IPLAR) using the Bibliostat Collect software for data collection. Access IPLAR here.

To access the Bibliostat Collect site, you will need to know your library’s Illinois State Library User Name and Password. If you need assistance with your ISL User Name/Password, contact Becky Hunter, Illinois State Library, bhunter1@ilsos.net, 217-782-7849, or 1-800-665-5576 x1. You will also need Adobe version 6.0 or higher for PDF printing.

For questions regarding content/subject matter and edit checks, contact Robert Jones, Illinois State Library, rjones1@ilsos.net, 217-785-1168, or 1-800-665-5576 x1. For questions about software and technology issues, contact the Bibliostat Help Desk, 1-866-785-9935.
Illinois State Library, ISL E-news, Literacy
Literacy Spotlight: Robinson Public Library District
January 13th, 2012 | Permalink | Comment?

This week the Illinois State Library spotlights the Robinson Public Library District.

An adult learner entered the program at Robinson Public Library District with marginal literacy skills. He had been in special education classes, but dropped out of school during his freshman year. His attitude was one of defeat — he would seldom make eye contact, communicated little and had very little confidence in himself. The man attended tutoring sessions for a few months, but, unfortunately dropped out when he could no longer travel to classes.

After a year he decided to try again, and this time seemed more determined. During his year away, the man had looked for a job and was unable to obtain one because prospective employers told him he needed a GED. After working with a tutor, the man improved his reading and writing skills enough to begin studying for the GED test. After taking the GED test, he brought the results to the program staff to share his achievement. He had received a perfect score on the science test! Staff encouraged him to visit Lincoln Trail College to see what program might work for him. The man enrolled in a new program, Process Technology, and is now working as an intern at a local ethanol plant.
Illinois State Library, ISL E-news
Emerging Writers Competition Winners in Downstate Story Magazine
January 11th, 2012 | Permalink | Comment?

Congratulations to Janice Croom and Tacuma Roeback, two of the 2010 short story winners of the Illinois Emerging Writers Competition, who have had their winning entries published in the new edition of Downstate Story magazine.

The Illinois Emerging Writers Competition is an annual contest sponsored by the Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White and the Illinois Center for the Book that provides an outlet for unpublished poets and short story writers. Roeback won for his short story, Catharsis/Cox, and Croom for her short story, Twenty-five Years is Silver.

The 2011 James Jones Short Story Award Winners are Paul Heitz of Elmhurst for his short story Water Music, Irene Sedeora of Morton for her short story Arenal, and Camille Bromley of Bloomington for her short story The World is Made of Hello and Goodbye.
Grants, Illinois State Library, ISL E-news, Literacy
Deadline Approaching to Submit Penny Severns Literacy Grant Application
January 10th, 2012 | Permalink | Comment?

Adult literacy providers and public libraries may apply for FY12 Penny Severns Summer Family Literacy Grants through February 1, 2012. The online grant application and instructions are available on the ISL website.

Applicants will need a control and branch number to access the application. Please email Jo Anne Hughes at jhughes@ilsos.net to obtain your agency’s numbers.
Continuous Learning, Illinois State Library, ISL E-news
“On the Front Lines” Conference Scholarship Applications Now Available
January 10th, 2012 | Permalink | Comment?

The highly acclaimed “On the Front Lines” conference for “front line” library staff, sponsored by the Illinois State Library, is returning March 12-14 to the University of Illinois in Springfield. Registration and information is now available at L2.

Forty scholarships covering the cost of the registration fee, conference supplied meals and a two-night hotel stay are being awarded. The scholarship does not cover travel or incidentals. The deadline to submit scholarship applications is January 30. Scholarship recipients will be announced in early February. You can find the scholarship application here.

For questions or comments, please email Gwen Harrison at gharrison@ilsos.net or call her at 217-785-7334.
Grants, Illinois State Library, ISL E-news
Final Week to Submit Live and Learn Construction Grant Applications
January 6th, 2012 | Permalink | Comment?

Applications for FY2012 Live and Learn Public Library Construction Grants must be postmarked by next Friday, January 13. Find the application and other information about the grants at the Illinois State Library website.
Grants, Illinois State Library, ISL E-news, Technology
Opportunity Online Hardware Grant Program Wrap-up
December 19th, 2011 | Permalink | Comment?
In spring 2009, the Illinois State Library contacted eligible Illinois public libraries with an invitation to participate in the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Opportunity Online Hardware Grant Program. The program helps public libraries and their communities build long-term capacity for supporting free computer and Internet access in public libraries. The initiative focuses on libraries that are not able to adequately serve their patrons’ technology needs, and are also serving high-poverty communities with limited access to computers and the Internet. Eligibility is based on economic need and age of computers.

The program has now concluded in Illinois and has been an overwhelming success. The State Library awarded $1,012,050 in Opportunity Online Grant funds provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. 109 Illinois library agencies representing 120 library buildings successfully completed all of the requirements for the program.

One of the key components of the program required grantees to raise matching funds equal to or exceeding the partial value of the computers donated. The required match was a useful tool in building local partnerships and practicing advocacy.

Libraries successfully raised $583,778 in matching funds:
- $189,577 from public funds
- $45,298 from foundations or corporations
- $348,903 from fundraising activities and general donations
Participating libraries took part in Turning the Page, an advocacy training program provided by the Public Library Association to build confidence and skills for raising the matching funds.

Using a combination of grant dollars and matching funds, 690 new public access computers were purchased and installed for the benefit of library users in communities across Illinois. These computers, with e-mail and Internet access, are vital tools to help people find jobs, further their education, conduct research and share ideas.

In January, the State Library will submit the final report on behalf of all libraries to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Congratulations to all of the participating libraries! Find a list of the libraries that took part at the WebJunction Illinois website.
Grants, Illinois State Library, ISL E-news
New Project Next Generation Sites
December 19th, 2011 | Permalink | Comment?

Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White has announced that three libraries — two new locations and a returning site — are joining the Project Next Generation (PNG) program. Project Next Generation is conducted at public libraries, where young people learn important technology skills and receive life training from qualified mentors.

The two new sites are Four Star Public Library in Mendon, and Mississippi Valley Library District in the Fairmont City Library Center. The returning site is Lincoln Library, the Public Library of Springfield.

Other PNG programs are located in Alton, Beardstown, Bloomington, Carbondale, Centralia, Champaign, Danville, Decatur, Elmwood Park, Freeport, Harrisburg, Joliet, Kankakee, Peoria, Richton Park and Sparta. Learn more about Project Next Generation at the Find-It! Illinois website.
Illinois State Library, ISL E-news, Literacy, Reading, School Libraries
Read for a Lifetime Update
November 16th, 2011 | Permalink | Comment?

The Illinois State Library’s acclaimed reading program for high school students, Read for a Lifetime, is headed for another successful year! Organizers who haven’t done so are reminded to send in your student participation forms. Forms can be downloaded at the Illinois State Library’s website.

Return forms to Jeanne Urbanek, Illinois State Library, Gwendolyn Brooks Bldg., 300 S. Second St., Springfield, IL 62701-1796; or fax to 217-782-1877. Jeanne’s e-mail address is jurbanek@ilsos.net.

For more information>>
Grants, Illinois State Library, ISL E-news, Technology, Technology Planning
Two Survey Deadlines MONDAY!
October 28th, 2011 | Permalink | Comment?

If you are one of the 109 Illinois public libraries receiving a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Opportunity Online Hardware Grant, you MUST complete this important survey no later than MONDAY, October 31.

The Illinois State Library needs to know how you use participatory technology tools, sometimes referred to as Web/Library 2.0 tools. They are interested in your comments to develop possible new continuing education opportunities. Please take a moment to complete this simple eight-question survey by NEXT MONDAY.

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Illinois State Library

Illinois State Library, ISL E-news

FY 2011-2012 Illinois Public Library Annual Report (IPLAR)

Illinois State Library, ISL E-news, Literacy

Literacy Spotlight: Robinson Public Library District

Illinois State Library, ISL E-news

Emerging Writers Competition Winners in Downstate Story Magazine

Grants, Illinois State Library, ISL E-news, Literacy

Deadline Approaching to Submit Penny Severns Literacy Grant Application

Continuous Learning, Illinois State Library, ISL E-news

“On the Front Lines” Conference Scholarship Applications Now Available

Grants, Illinois State Library, ISL E-news

Final Week to Submit Live and Learn Construction Grant Applications

Grants, Illinois State Library, ISL E-news, Technology

Opportunity Online Hardware Grant Program Wrap-up

Grants, Illinois State Library, ISL E-news

New Project Next Generation Sites

Illinois State Library, ISL E-news, Literacy, Reading, School Libraries

Read for a Lifetime Update

Grants, Illinois State Library, ISL E-news, Technology, Technology Planning

Two Survey Deadlines MONDAY!