BlogJunction Illinois » ISL E-news

NEW E-news from the ISL

WJIL Project Team — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:18:56 +0000

If you received “E-news from the ISL” in your e-mailbox last friday, you noticed the new format. Friday’s issue of “E-News from the ISL” marks the first issue of a new, easier to read, more eye-catching format. You’ll notice links to the Illinois State Library’s website, links to WebJunction Illinois and the WJIL blog, and even a link at the bottom to subscribe. We hope you enjoy the new newsletter!

You can subscribe and unsubscribe from the E-news support page, as well as view archives and subscribe to the RSS feed. With this upgrade of “E-news”, copies will not longer be stored on BlogJunction Illinois, since full archives and RSS feed are available from ISL’s Library Newsletters. Also, the feed is going to ISL page on WebJunction Illinois (see the right side of the page).

Note: Those of you receiving our first issues may have noticed it was Volume 1, Issue 2. Consider this issue a collector’s item, as it should have been numbered Issue 1. So, when Issue 2 arrives in your mailbox this week, it is not a duplicate – it is the official Issue 2. The archives will correctly reflect the volume/issue numbers.

[ISL Announce] E-News from the ISL 08/29/08

WJIL Project Team — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 21:20:23 +0000

THIS WEEK AT THE ILLINOIS STATE LIBRARY (August 29, 2008)

Jesse White, Secretary of State and State Librarian
Anne Craig, Director

THE STATE LIBRARY WILL BE CLOSED MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 1 IN OBSERVANCE OF LABOR DAY

IN THIS ISSUE:

Take Our Survey!
Insight Goes Green
The Big Read
IPLAR Deadline is Monday!
Important Public Library Survey
Read For a Lifetime
E-Rate News
Literacy Spotlight
Gov Doc Info
Cultural Awareness: Diversity in Action
Illinois Digital Archives
Inventor of the Week
Spread the News About E-news!
Upcoming Events

TAKE OUR SURVEY!
The Illinois State Library is committed to providing you with the best possible service, and we always welcome your feedback about the many services we provide. We have prepared a brief new communications survey that we encourage you to complete. It should take 5-10 minutes. Your input is extremely valuable in helping us prepare for the future.

Take the survey. Thanks to the hundreds of you who have already completed the survey.

INSIGHT GOES GREEN
You may have received in the mail the most recent issue of Insight, our bi-monthly ISL newsletter. In an effort to streamline production and distribution while conserving valuable state resources, Insight will be published online only beginning with the upcoming September/October issue. If you’re already receiving this weekly electronic newsletter, we’ll announce in E-news when a new issue of Insight is available, and include the link for you to download it.

THE BIG READ
Last week we mentioned that the State Library received one of 208 grants awarded nationwide by the National Endowment for the Arts to participate in “The Big Read”. The Illinois State Library’s “The Big Read in West Central Illinois” has its official kickoff next Tuesday, September 2 with a news conference at the State Library. Director Anne Craig and Springfield Mayor Tim Davlin will be among those participating. A website with complete details of the west central Illinois Big Read campaign is located at the Illinois Center for the Book’s website.

We weren’t the only Illinois library to receive a “Big Read” grant. Congratulations to the following libraries that will also have local “Big Read” programs:

Aurora Public Library
Bartlett Public Library District
Spoon River College Foundation of Canton
Champaign Public Library
Columbia College Chicago
DeKalb Public Library
Galesburg Public Library
Rend Lake College in Ina
Acorn Public Library District
Oak Forest
Peoria Public Library
Sterling Public Library

IPLAR DEADLINE IS MONDAY!
This is an important reminder for every Illinois public library district that next Monday September 1 is the deadline to submit your FY2008 Illinois Public Library Annual Report (IPLAR). All other types of public libraries (city, town, township, village) should already have submitted their annual report to the Illinois State Library since their FY2008 fiscal year ended on or before June 30.

An information packet with username/password and access information was mailed to every public library in late April/early May. Access information (other than username/password).

The IPLAR URL is [http://collect.informata.com]. If your library has not already done so, please begin working on your IPLAR immediately in order comply with legal deadlines as detailed in the Illinois Compiled Statutes [hereinafter referred to as ILCS] to: (1) compile, preserve and publish public library statistical information [15 ILCS 320/7(m)], and (2) compile the annual report of local public libraries and library systems submitted to the State Librarian pursuant to law [15 ILCS 320/7(n)].

For information contact: Ron Winner at 217-785-1168.

IMPORTANT PUBLIC LIBRARY SURVEY
The 2008 National Survey of Public Library Funding and Technology Access will launch next Tuesday, September 2 and will close November 7th. The State Library strongly encourages public libraries to complete the survey online beginning next Tuesday. Public libraries will, however, also receive a print version of the survey in the mail.

READ FOR A LIFETIME
With school starting up again, high school students may be interested in participating in the State Library’s highly acclaimed Read for a Lifetime program. Read for a Lifetime was the state’s first program specifically targeting high school readers. The primary goal of the program is to promote the enjoyment of reading and hopefully encourage readers to develop a love for reading that will last a lifetime. Students participating in the program receive a list of 25 book titles, representing a mixture of classic and contemporary literature.

More information, including reading lists and participation forms.

E-RATE NEWS
The deadline for filing an invoice for Funding Year 2008 recurring services is October 28, 2008. Make sure you file a BEAR form online or send your service provider a paper copy in plenty of time to get the service provider’s approval. If the service provider’s approval comes after the invoicing deadline, you will have to submit an invoice deadline extension request, and after your request is approved, resubmit the invoice. Remember that you do not have to wait for the Funding Year 2009 window to open in order to file a Form 470 for Funding Year 2009.

(USAC “Schools and Libraries News Brief.” August 22, 2008)

LITERACY SPOTLIGHT
Every week we honor a provider who receives a literacy grant from Secretary of State Jesse White and the Illinois State Library Literacy Office. This week we shine the spotlight on the C.E.F.S. Economic Opportunity Corporation in Effingham. A young woman with learning disabilities enrolled in the Adult Basic Education program at C.E.F.S. and was matched with a tutor that helped her achieve several remarkable goals. She obtained her driver’s license, learned to cook, increased her time and money management skills, and completed forms on her own.

The woman continues to work with her tutor and strives to increase her reading skills so she can apply for a Certified Nursing Assistant program at her local community college.

Learn more about the ISL Literacy Office and the hundreds of literacy providers who receive grants from us.

GOVDOCINFO
This week’s Democratic National Convention and next week’s Republican Convention are a reminder that the general election is less than ten weeks away-mark your calendar now for November 4. The Illinois State Board of Elections has valuable election information.

CULTURAL AWARENESS: DIVERSITY IN ACTION
Diversity is celebrated at the Rudy Lozano Branch of the Chicago Public Library, as it celebrates the legacy of Rudy Lozano, the Mexican-American activist who was killed on June 8, 1983 at his home.

The library was named for Lozano and contains posters, pictures and documents reflecting his life and activities in Chicago. The facility also contains many Spanish language collections.

The 25th anniversary commemoration of his death was marked by the dedication of exhibits by Hispanic artists Hector Duarte and Cynthia Weiss.

ILLINOIS DIGITAL ARCHIVES
Labor Day weekend traditionally marks the beginning of the end of summer, and we hope the long weekend allows you to frolic like these bathing beauties did at a beach near the Kishwaukee River during the 1920’s. The photo comes from the Cherry Valley Public Library and the Cherry Valley Historical Society.

ILLINOIS INVENTOR OF THE WEEK
To mark this week’s Democratic National Convention and honor the longtime symbol of the Democratic Party, Homer E. Cole of Eldorado is this week’s Illinois Inventor of the Week. On June 8, 1937, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued Patent Number 2,083,431 to Cole for “Donkey’s Bray.” And yes, in the spirit of bipartisanship, next week we’ll have an elephant related patent!

The Illinois State Library Patent & Trademark Depository Library is available to assist you with your patent and trademark questions. Contact us at (217) 782-5659.

The ISL Patent and Trademark Library has prepared new indices of inventors from Randolph and Fayette Counties.

SPREAD THE NEWS ABOUT E-NEWS!
Our weekly newsletter is the best source available to find out what’s going on at the State Library-everything from grant offerings and important meetings to news about electronic resources. We’re glad to have you as a subscriber, but if you know of anyone else you think should be getting E-news from the ISL, let us know and we’ll sign him or her up, or have him or her contact Pat McGuckin. Join the more than 6,000 subscribers who depend on E-news every Friday to find out what’s happening at the State Library!

UPCOMING EVENTS

August 26-Illinois State Library Advisory Committee meeting, ISL
September 8 – International Literacy Day
September 23-26–Illinois Library Association annual conference, Chicago
October 2-3-Reaching Forward South Conference, Springfield
October 3 and 6-Mandatory LSTA Grant Management Workshops, ISL
October 7-ILLINET Network Advisory Council meeting, ISL
October 30-System Presidents and Directors meeting, ISL
November 6-8-Illinois School Library Media Assn. Annual Conference, Arlington Heights
December 4-ISL Electronic Resource Exposition (E-R-XPO), Schaumburg Township District Library
December 6-Deadline to enter 2009 Letters About Literature competition

Questions about “E-News from the ISL” should be referred to Pat McGuckin, Illinois State Library or 217-558-4029. Please let me know if you ever have trouble accessing any of the website or e-mail links listed in the weekly newsletter.

[ISL Announce] E-News from the ISL 08/22/08

WJIL Project Team — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 21:01:33 +0000

THIS WEEK AT THE ILLINOIS STATE LIBRARY (August 22, 2008)

Jesse White, Secretary of State and State Librarian
Anne Craig, Director

IN THIS ISSUE:

Take Our Survey!
Grant Talkin’…Stayin’ Connected-LSTA Grants
The Big Read
Congratulations Vicki!
Read For a Lifetime
IPLAR Deadline is September 1
Illinois Blue Books
Literacy Spotlight
Gov Doc Info
Cultural Awareness: Diversity in Action
Illinois Digital Archives
Inventor of the Week
Spread the News About E-news!
Upcoming Events

Take the survey.

GRANT TALKIN’…STAYIN’ CONNECTED-LSTA GRANTS
Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White has awarded FY09 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants totaling $3.19 million to 106 of Illinois’ academic, public, school and special libraries and regional library systems.

“It is always a pleasure to award LSTA grants each year because these funds reward libraries for being creative and innovative,” White said. “LSTA grants are designed so that librarians can identify specific local needs and use these funds to address those needs. They help provide our libraries with some of the financial resources they need to remain our state’s most reliable sources for information. Over the last ten years, LSTA grants have produced hundreds of worthwhile new programs in Illinois’ libraries, library systems and museums with libraries. I congratulate all of our grant recipients for their hard work and creativity in seeking to address their patrons needs.”

This year’s LSTA grants were awarded in four categories:

Digital Imaging grants allow libraries to create Internet-ready versions of their materials and collections, specifically Illinois-related historical and cultural materials. 21 projects were awarded LSTA grant funding this year.
In Sync With Technology grants focus on improving library services for people of all ages by developing programs that integrate new technologies or significant equipment. 54 projects were awarded LSTA grant funding.
Research & Development grants are awarded to conduct research on topics that have the potential to improve and create new library practices, resources, programs, and services for library patrons across Illinois. 3 projects were awarded LSTA grant funding this year.
The Value of Resource Sharing grants allow recipients to expand their holdings to an online consortium, linking the catalogs of multiple libraries to greatly increase patron access to library resources across Illinois. 28 projects were awarded FY09 LSTA grant funding.

LSTA funding is awarded to states by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The Illinois State Library administers LSTA funding awarded to the state of Illinois each year, and issues grants to applicants who seek funding as part of a competitive grant program. LSTA grants are available for the development of projects that specifically provide and focus on library service, new initiatives and library activities. All types of libraries-academic, public, school and special-and regional library systems and museums with libraries are eligible for funding.

See a list of all recipients.

THE BIG READ
This past June, the National Endowment for the Arts, in cooperation with Arts Midwest, announced that 208 libraries, municipalities and arts, culture and science organizations throughout the United States were awarded grants to participate in “The Big Read”. The Illinois State Library’s “The Big Read in West Central Illinois” was among those awarded a grant.

“The Big Read” is a nationwide reading initiative to restore reading to the center of American culture. The book selected by the State Library for “The Big Read in West Central Illinois” is “Fahrenheit 451″ by Illinois native Ray Bradbury. With its themes of censorship, freedom of thought, and the effects of television and technology on society, Bradbury’s classic novel is as relevant today as when it was published in 1953.

Joining the State Library as west central Illinois Big Read participants are:

Alliance Library System
Beardstown Houston Memorial Library
Brookens Library at the University of Illinois at Springfield
Chatham Area Public Library District
The Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce
Illinois Center for the Book, Jacksonville Public Library
Macomb Public Library District
Quincy Public Library
Lincoln Library
The Public Library of Springfield
Rochester Public Library
Rolling Prairie Library System
Sherman Public Library District
Springfield School District 186
Springfield Urban Leagu.

All participants are from areas served by our grant partner, Network Knowledge, the Public Broadcasting System stations in West Central Illinois (WMEC/WQEC/WSEC TV).

Kick-off programs by some of the communities are scheduled to begin as early as September 2. Among other events, Bradbury will be awarded the Illinois Literary Heritage Award from the Illinois Center for the Book. “The Big Read in West Central Illinois” will also incorporate Banned Books Week and Fire Prevention Week during the fall of 2008.

For more information on the programs currently scheduled for The Big Read in West Central Illinois, visit the national Big Read website.

A local website will be available September 2. Information about that website will be announced here next week.

CONGRATULATIONS VICKI!
We’re delighted to pass along congratulations to ISL Webmaster Vicki Strohm, who recently marked her 35th anniversary as an employee of the State Library. Thanks for all of your hard work, Vicki!

IPLAR DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 1
This is an important reminder for every Illinois public library district that September 1 is the deadline to submit your FY2008 Illinois Public Library Annual Report (IPLAR). All other types of public libraries (city, town, township, village) should already have submitted their annual report to the Illinois State Library since their FY2008 fiscal year ended on or before June 30.

An information packet with username/password and access information was mailed to every public library in late April/early May. Access information (other than username/password).

For information contact: Ron Winner at 217-785-1168.

ILLINOIS BLUE BOOKS
If your library has not received the 2007-2008 edition of the Illinois Blue Book and would like a copy, please send an e-mail to Mary Downing. Please indicate “Blue Book” in the subject and specify your library name and ILDS route code in the body of the message.

The Blue Book is available online. Earlier editions of the Blue Book are available via the Illinois Digital Archives, in the Illinois Blue Book collection.

LITERACY SPOTLIGHT
Every week we honor a provider who receives a literacy grant from Secretary of State Jesse White and the Illinois State Library Literacy Office. This week we shine the spotlight on the Chinese Mutual Aid Association (CMAA) of Chicago. One student has studied at CMAA on and off for the past eight years. She originally managed to obtain a low-level position in a local bank where Mandarin was spoken. She could not get a better job at the bank, however, until she returned to CMAA for additional English classes. After much hard work, this student was promoted to a position that required English fluency. She eventually was promoted again and relocated in the suburban location where she was able to purchase a small condominium of her own.

When another student was unable to find a job due to her inability to speak English, she also visited CMAA. After studying very hard, the student managed to obtain a job bussing dishes in a local restaurant. She continued to study and has now been promoted to a server position where she earns more money and is able to interact directly with customers in English.

Learn more about the ISL Literacy Office and the hundreds of literacy providers who receive grants from us.

GOVDOCINFO
It may not receive the attention the Illinois State Fair achieves, but the DuQuoin State Fair is still a terrific event for folks visiting Southern Illinois. The event starts tomorrow.

CULTURAL AWARENESS: DIVERSITY IN ACTION
The Annual Diversity In Libraries “DiversiTEA!” will be held on September 24th from 3:30-5:00 p.m. at the Illinois Library Association Annual Conference at Navy Pier in Chicago. This year the event features ethnic cuisine, speakers, a lively discussion on the importance of creating equal access in libraries and music from a high school chorus. A fundraiser and raffle benefit the Sylvia Murphy Williams Scholarship Fund for minorities in library science.

The moderator is ISL Diversity Program Manager Vandella Brown. Pre-registration is required, and information can be found online.

ILLINOIS DIGITAL ARCHIVES
Illinois will be center stage in Denver next week as our junior U.S. Senator, Barack Obama, accepts the Democratic Party nomination for President of the United States. The last U.S. President with an Illinois connection was native son Ronald Reagan. See a flyer promoting President Reagan’s appearance at the Illinois State Fair in 1986.

ILLINOIS INVENTOR OF THE WEEK
Clarence D. Reed of Chicago is this week’s Illinois Inventor of the Week. On September 11, 1934, Reed was granted United States Design Patent Number D93,287, for “Design for Candy.” He assigned it to Reed Candy Company of Chicago. The Illinois State Library Patent & Trademark Depository Library is available to assist you with your patent and trademark questions. Contact us at (217) 782-5659.

UPCOMING EVENTS

August 26-Illinois State Library Advisory Committee meeting, ISL
September 8 – International Literacy Day
September 23-26–Illinois Library Association annual conference, Chicago
October 2-3-Reaching Forward South Conference, Springfield
October 3 and 6-Mandatory LSTA Grant Management Workshops, ISL
October 7-ILLINET Network Advisory Council meeting, ISL
October 30-System Presidents and Directors meeting, ISL
November 6-8-Illinois School Library Media Assn. Annual Conference, Arlington Heights
December 4-ISL Electronic Resource Exposition (E-R-XPO), Schaumburg Township District Library
December 6-Deadline to enter 2009 Letters About Literature competition

[ISL Announce] E-News from the ISL 08/15/08

WJIL Project Team — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:40:18 +0000

THIS WEEK AT THE ILLINOIS STATE LIBRARY (August 15, 2008)

Jesse White, Secretary of State and State Librarian
Anne Craig, Director

IN THIS ISSUE:

Congratulations Sharon!
More Congrats!
Grant Talkin’…Stayin’ Connected
IPLAR Deadline is September 1
WebJunction Illinois News
Last Weekend for the State Fair
Illinois Blue Books
August 20 Deadline for Internet Librarian Conference Discount
Last Per Capita Grant Workshop Next Friday
Literacy Spotlight
Gov Doc Info
Cultural Awareness: Diversity in Action
Illinois Digital Archives
Inventor of the Week
Spread the News About E-news!
Upcoming Events

CONGRATULATIONS SHARON!
We were thrilled to learn this week that the Illinois Library Association has named Sharon Ruda, Associate Director, ISL Talking Book & Braille Service, their 2008 Librarian of the Year. Sharon will receive her award at the ILA annual conference at Navy Pier in Chicago next month. ISL Director Anne Craig received the same award in 2006. Congratulations to Sharon on a well-deserved honor that reflects the outstanding work performed by the TBBS staff.

MORE CONGRATS!
ISL Director Anne Craig presented 15-year employment certificates to ISL employees Becky Hunter and Lynn Bierma this week, and a 10-year certificate to Mary Downing.

Becky serves as an Administrative Assistant in the Library Development Group, where Mary serves as Specialized Services Consultant. Lynn serves as Interlibrary Loan Operations Coordinator in the Library Operations division. Thanks to all of you for all of your hard work and dedication!

GRANT TALKIN’…STAYIN’ CONNECTED
Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White and ISL Director Anne Craig will be sending notification letters during the next two weeks to applicants of FY09 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grants. Any questions about the grants can be addressed to LSTA consultant Karen Egan.

An information packet with username/password and access information was mailed to every public library in late April/early May. Access information (other than username/password).

For information contact: Ron Winner at 217-785-1168.

WEBJUNCTION ILLINOIS NEWS
If you’re confused, bothered or bewildered by the implementation of a new platform and other changes on WebJunction Illinois, here are 5 steps and some important tips to get you started on your WJIL 2.0 journey.

Additionally, there’s a series of new logos for you to use in your communications regarding WebJunction Illinois. You will find them on the new site, and can use them when posting information about WJIL, or in any other context that you feel is relevant:

You may either right click to save the files on this page, or download the individual logo files from the same page.

LAST WEEKEND FOR THE STATE FAIR
We’ve had the best weather in recent memory for this year’s Illinois State Fair, and it’s been a pleasure seeing some familiar friendly faces at our booths in Secretary of State Jesse White’s tent and the Illinois Building. We’ve visited with some library trustees, school librarians, regional library system staff and even a few patrons. The Fair ends Sunday, so if you’re in Springfield this weekend, stop by and say hello!

ILLINOIS BLUE BOOKS
If your library has not received the 2007-2008 edition of the Illinois Blue Book and would like a copy, please send an e-mail to Mary Downing at mdowning@ilsos.net . Please indicate “Blue Book” in the subject and specify your library name and ILDS route code in the body of the message.

The Blue Book is available online. Earlier editions of the Blue Book are available via the Illinois Digital Archives, in the Illinois Blue Book collection.

AUGUST 20 DEADLINE FOR INTERNET LIBRARIAN CONFERENCE DISCOUNT
A discount is being offered to all ILLINET member libraries for the Internet Librarian 2008 Conference, held at the Monterey Conference Center in Monterey, California October 20-22. A special rate of $275.00 is available. In addition, discount prices of $199 on the Internet@Schools West Conference (October 20-21) and $275 for the combo of the Internet Librarian general conference and Internet@Schools West Conference is also available. Pre-conference workshops are not included.

For more information regarding conference topics, preliminary program, hotel information and exhibitors list, visit the conference website.To receive a registration form with special discounted ILLINET member pricing, contact Jill Heffernan at 217-557-3386. To obtain the discount, forms must be returned to Jill by August 20th.

LAST PER CAPITA GRANT WORKSHOP NEXT FRIDAY
The State Library has been offering workshops at the regional library systems to explain requirements for obtaining an Illinois State Library Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid grant. Only one workshop remains, on August 22nd at Lewis and Clark Library System. Contact Mary Downing at 217-782-5506 or Jeanne Urbanek at 217-524-0050 for more information.

LITERACY SPOTLIGHT
Every week we honor a provider who receives a literacy grant from Secretary of State Jesse White and the Illinois State Library Literacy Office. This week we shine the spotlight on Carl Sandburg College. At Sandburg’s Carthage campus, about one-third of the literacy students receive math tutoring. They use calculators, and one of the students that mastered the calculator enjoys teaching other adult learners how to use the various calculator functions.

In addition to working with a reading and math tutor, she attended an Adult Basic Education (ABE) class. She made steady gains and became more confident. Once her reading level improved, she took the GED test and passed the social studies and reading sections. The student continued to work on reading, writing and math skills and passed the writing and science GED tests. It took several tries to pass the math test, working twice a week with a tutor and going to an ABE class to polish her math skills. The student tried
again and passed the GED math test. She cried upon receiving her GED. She now has more time to volunteer in her community as well as continue to teach calculator skills to adult learners.

Learn more about the ISL Literacy Office and the hundreds of literacy providers who receive grants from us.

GOVDOCINFO
With school starting again, the Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Department of Public Health are reminding parents about immunizations students must have to attend classes.

CULTURAL AWARENESS: DIVERSITY IN ACTION
National libraries reflect the true diversity and global scope of the library community. Check out the websites of national libraries from Argentina to Wales.

ILLINOIS DIGITAL ARCHIVES
The start of school for many students next week means the return of high school football. Here’s a photo of the 1939 Towanda High School football team, known as the Green Hornets. The photo comes from the collection of Illinois State University’s Milner Library, courtesy of the Towanda Area Historical Society/Towanda District Library.

ILLINOIS INVENTOR OF THE WEEK
Sidney Diamond of Barrington Hills is this week’s Illinois Inventor of the Week. On August 22, 2000, Diamond received Design Patent Number D429,547, from the United States Patent and Trademark Office, for “Pacifier Lollypop.” Diamond has many patents and has assigned his five pacifier lollypops to Imaginings 3, Inc. of Niles, Illinois.

The Illinois State Library Patent & Trademark Depository Library is available to assist you with your patent and trademark questions. Contact us at (217) 782-5659.

The ISL Patent and Trademark Library has prepared a new index of Sangamon County inventors from 1838 to 1900.

UPCOMING EVENTS

August 8-17-ISL at the Illinois State Fair
August 26-Illinois State Library Advisory Committee meeting, ISL
September 8 – International Literacy Day
September 23-26–Illinois Library Association annual conference, Chicago
October 2-3-Reaching Forward South Conference, Springfield
October 3 and 6-Mandatory LSTA Grant Management Workshops, ISL
October 7-ILLINET Network Advisory Council meeting, ISL
October 30-System Presidents and Directors meeting, ISL
November 6-8-Illinois School Library Media Assn. Annual Conference, Arlington Heights
December 4-ISL Electronic Resource Exposition (E-R-XPO), Schaumburg Township District Library
December 6-Deadline to enter 2009 Letters About Literature competition

[ISL Announce] E-News from the ISL 08/08/08

WJIL Project Team — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 17:39:19 +0000

THIS WEEK AT THE ILLINOIS STATE LIBRARY (August 8, 2008)

Jesse White, Secretary of State and State Librarian
Anne Craig, Director

SEE YOU AT THE ILLINOIS STATE FAIR!
AUGUST 8-17

IN THIS ISSUE:

It’s State Fair Time Again!
New INAC Members
Library System Standards Committee
Grant Talkin’…Stayin’ Connected
August 20 Deadline for Internet Librarian Conference Discount
Only One Per Capita Grant Workshop Remaining
E-Rate News
Literacy Spotlight
Gov Doc Info
Cultural Awareness: Diversity in Action
Illinois Digital Archives
Inventor of the Week
Spread the News About E-news!
Upcoming Events

IT’S STATE FAIR TIME AGAIN!
Thanks to everyone who made Secretary of State Jesse White’s annual pre-Illinois State Fair Project Next Generation picnic a big success Thursday. More than 200 PNG students, mentors and friends attended, representing programs from Alton, Bethany, Champaign, Decatur, Effingham, Harrisburg, Kankakee, Macomb, Peoria, Quincy and Springfield.

The State Library welcomes visitors to stop by our booths in Secretary White’s tent and the Illinois Building at the State Fair, which kicks off today. The Fair runs through Sunday August 17, and we’ll be offering bookmarks, brochures and shopping bags in Secretary White’s tent. The ISL Talking Book and Braille Service has set up shop in the Illinois Building and is providing information on the many services TBBS offers to print disabled patrons. If you plan to be in Springfield, make the State Fair a part of your travels and stop by and say hello!

NEW INAC MEMBERS
Congratulations to the four new members who have been appointed to the ILLINET Network Advisory Council:

Laura Barnes, Illinois Sustainable Technology Center
Nanette Donahue, Chicago Public Library
Anita Morgan, St. Xavier University Library
Michelle Roubal, Plainfield Public Library District

LIBRARY SYSTEM STANDARDS COMMITTEE
The committee roster for the Library System Standards Committee has been finalized. Congratulations to Jane Sharka, past president of the Illinois School Library Media Association, who is joining the committee. During the next twelve months, the committee will be revising the library system standards with input from the Illinois library community.

GRANT TALKIN’…STAYIN’ CONNECTED
September 19th is only six weeks away, and LSTA grant consultant Karen Egan sends along a reminder that September 19th is the deadline to email final reports to her if you’re an FY08 LSTA grant recipient. Don’t put it off until the last minute!

ONLY ONE PER CAPITA GRANT WORKSHOP REMAINING
The State Library has been offering workshops at the regional library systems to explain requirements for obtaining an Illinois State Library Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid grant. Only one workshop remains, on August 22nd at Lewis and Clark Library System.Contact Mary Downing at 217-782-5506 or Jeanne Urbanek at 217-524-0050 for more information.

E-RATE NEWS
The FCC released a Public Notice (FCC 08-180) establishing the comment period for the draft Funding Year 2009 Eligible Services List. Comments on the draft Eligible Services List, which is attached to the Public Notice, are due on or before August 14, 2008. Reply comments are due on or before August 21, 2008.

The FCC also issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FCC 08-173) seeking comment on whether certain services should be designated as eligible for funding in Funding Year 2009. The due dates for comments and reply comments will depend on the date of publication of the Notice in the Federal Register.

LITERACY SPOTLIGHT
Every week we honor a provider who receives a literacy grant from Secretary of State Jesse White and the Illinois State Library Literacy Office. This week we shine the spotlight on Blue Gargoyle Adult Learning Program in Chicago. Michael Dellar had a difficult childhood, filled with experiences no child should have to endure. Two years ago he began learning to read and write with the help of his volunteer tutor, Paul Strauss. Left homeless by his sister, Michael was able to move into his own apartment with the assistance of Blue Gargoyle and a social service agency.

What could have been a major setback preventing his continued affiliation with Blue Gargoyle has turned into a momentous first in his life. Michael has since experienced other significant “firsts.” He now has a part-time job and a copy of his birth certificate and a state identification card, which he has never possessed before. Michael has learned to ride the Chicago Transit Authority bus alone and has been in downtown Chicago several times. He now uses a computer and works on his own stories. Michael is learning to interact professionally within a work environment and is proud of his job, taking his new responsibilities very seriously. Michael and Paul were both Spotlight award winners that were announced by Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White last May.

Learn more about the ISL Literacy Office and the hundreds of literacy providers who receive grants from us.

GOVDOCINFO
Everything you want to know about this year’s Illinois State Fair.

CULTURAL AWARENESS: DIVERSITY IN ACTION
“The Digital TV Transition: What You Need to Know About DTV” will be presented at Beardstown Houston Memorial Library on August 18, 2008 from 11:00 am.-12:30 pm by the Illinois State Library’s Diversity Program. This free workshop includes information on the changes from analog to digital television that will occur after February 17, 2009. Developed by the Federal Communications Commission and WebJunction, this workshop is open to the public but focuses on Spanish-speaking persons, senior citizens, rural communities and other minorities. Review the web site, www.dtv2009.gov for more information.

ILLINOIS DIGITAL ARCHIVES
One of the most popular staples of the Illinois State Fair is the butter cow. Here’s a photo of the 1953 butter cow, courtesy of The Illinois State Fair Museum.

ILLINOIS INVENTOR OF THE WEEK
Omar H. Jewell of Chicago is this week’s Illinois Inventor of the Week. On February 7, 1888, the United States Patent Office granted him Patent Number 377,390, for “Feed Water Purifier.” He received many patents for manufacturing ice and improving the quality of water. Jewell founded the O.H. Jewell Filter Company of Chicago and was voted into the American Water Works Association’s Water Utility Hall of Fame in 1974.

The Illinois State Library Patent & Trademark Depository Library is available to assist you with your patent and trademark questions. Contact us at (217) 782-5659.

The ISL Patent and Trademark Library has prepared a new index of Sangamon County inventors from 1838 to 1900.

UPCOMING EVENTS

August 8-17-ISL at the Illinois State Fair
August 26-Illinois State Library Advisory Committee meeting, ISL
September 23-26–Illinois Library Association annual conference, Chicago
October 2-3-Reaching Forward South Conference, Springfield
October 7-ILLINET Network Advisory Council meeting, ISL
October 30-System Presidents and Directors meeting, ISL
December 4-ISL Electronic Resource Exposition (E-R-XPO), Schaumburg Township District Library
December 6-Deadline to enter 2009 Letters About Literature competition

[ISL Announce] E-News from the ISL 08/01/08

WJIL Project Team — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 21:39:46 +0000

THIS WEEK AT THE ILLINOIS STATE LIBRARY (August 1, 2008)

Jesse White, Secretary of State and State Librarian
Anne Craig, Director

SEE YOU AT THE ILLINOIS STATE FAIR!
AUGUST 8-17

IN THIS ISSUE:

It’s State Fair Time Again!
New INAC Members
Grant Talkin’…Stayin’ Connected
Internet Librarian Conference Discount
New WebJunction Illinois Platform on Monday!
Per Capita Grant Workshops
E-Rate News
Literacy Spotlight
Gov Doc Info
Cultural Awareness: Diversity in Action
Illinois Digital Archives
Inventor of the Week
Spread the News About E-news!
Upcoming Events

IT’S STATE FAIR TIME AGAIN!
The State Library welcomes visitors to stop by our booths in Secretary of State Jesse White’s tent and the Illinois Building at the Illinois State Fair, which kicks off one week from today in Springfield. The fair runs through Sunday August 17, and we’ll be offering bookmarks and shopping bags in Secretary White’s tent. The ISL Talking Book and Braille Service will set up shop in the Illinois Building and provide information on the many services TBBS offers to print disabled patrons. Secretary White will hold his annual pre-Fair picnic for Project Next Generation programs at the State Library next Thursday. This always-popular event allows PNG students, mentors and friends to meet one another, share ideas, eat and drink and enjoy a performance by the amazing Jesse White Tumblers. If you plan to be in Springfield, make the State Fair a part of your travels and stop by and say hello!

NEW INAC MEMBERS
Congratulations to the four new members who have been appointed to the ILLINET Network Advisory Council:

Laura Barnes, Illinois Sustainable Technology Center
Nanette Donahue, Chicago Public Library
Anita Morgan, St. Xavier University Library
Michelle Roubal, Plainfield Public Library District

GRANT TALKIN’…STAYIN’ CONNECTED
September 19th is only seven weeks away, and LSTA grant consultant Karen Egan sends along a reminder that September 19th is the deadline to email final reports to her if you’re an FY08 LSTA grant recipient. Don’t put it off until the last minute!

INTERNET LIBRARIAN CONFERENCE DISCOUNT
A discount is being offered to all ILLINET member libraries for the Internet Librarian 2008 Conference, held at the Monterey Conference Center in Monterey, California October 20-22. A special rate of $275.00 is available. In addition, discount prices of $199 on the Internet@Schools West Conference (October 20-21) and $275 for the combo of the Internet Librarian general conference and Internet@Schools West Conference is also available. Pre-conference workshops are not included.

NEW WEBJUNCTION ILLINOIS PLATFORM ON MONDAY!
WebJunction Illinois, the hugely popular online community for librarians, will be launching a new platform on Monday, with many new features and an updated user interface. We think you’ll appreciate and enjoy the changes you’re going to see in WebJunction Illinois. Check out the WJIL “before and after” pictures and stories in the most recent WJIL “What’s New”.

PER CAPITA GRANT WORKSHOPS
The State Library has been offering workshops at the regional library systems to explain requirements for obtaining an Illinois State Library Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid grant. ISL staff review the grant application and explain requirements that will be in place for the next three years to obtain a grant. Persons wanting to participate should sign up at the system whose training they will be attending, and participants may attend a workshop at any of the systems offering training. While the workshops are not mandatory, participation is encouraged. Contact Mary Downing at 217-782-5506 or Jeanne Urbanek at 217-524-0050 for more information.

Only three more workshops are scheduled:

August 4th-Rolling Prairie Library System, Decatur, 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
August 6-Lincoln Trail Libraries System, Champaign 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
August 22-Lewis and Clark Library System, 1-3 p.m.

E-RATE NEWS
The SLD’s News Brief for July 25th is a follow up of the June 6th News Brief that provided a number of tips for filing a Form 486 online (see SLD-NB 6/6/08 ). This week’s version includes the following tips:

Double-check the contact information you provide on the Form 486.
Save the assigned Form 486 application number and security code.
If possible, use the drop-down menu in Item 8 to identify the USAC-certified Technology Plan Approver (”TPA”) who approved your technology plan. (If your plan approver is not listed in the pull-down menu, there’s a good chance that the approver has not been USAC certified and your approval will be invalid.) If all the FRNs covered by the Form 486 are for basic telephone service (not requiring an approved technology plan), choose “other” in the drop-down list and type “NONE.”
Make sure each SPIN entered belongs to the corresponding FRN.
As a general rule of thumb, don’t enter more than 20 FRNs on the same online Form 486 (and don’t take a work break while still entering FRNs). If you take too much time entering FRNs, the systems will time out without a warning and all data entered up to that point will be lost.
Certify your Form 486 online if you have a PIN.

(E-Rate Central News for the Week. July 28, 2008)

LITERACY SPOTLIGHT
Every week we honor a provider who receives a literacy grant from Secretary of State Jesse White and the Illinois State Library Literacy Office. This week we shine the spotlight on Alpha Temple in Chicago. The adult literacy program at Alpha Temple was started 11 years ago as a result of a mother’s near fatal error. Unable to read the directions on a prescription, the mother gave her child the wrong medication. Fortunately, the child reached the hospital in time. The mother realized she needed to learn to read.

Alpha Temple’s program is located in the Englewood community, and offers instruction in reading, math and employability skills. Alpha Temple is a safe haven from dangerous streets as well as a valued community resource. One of Alpha’s students has retired from a job after 35 years of employment. His goal at the age of 72 is to read labels so he can grocery shop, write letters and read his Bible. Another student is a 27-year-old single mother whose goal is to obtain a GED, read stories to her children and find employment. With the assistance of volunteer tutors and community partners, Alpha Temple offers flexibility in hours, days and locations for their students.

Learn more about the ISL Literacy Office and the hundreds of literacy providers who receive grants from us.

GOVDOCINFO
Everything you want to know about this year’s Illinois State Fair.

CULTURAL AWARENESS: DIVERSITY IN ACTION
The Springfield Race Riot of 1908 is the subject of exhibits and programs at the Illinois State Library in August. In commemoration of the centennial of this landmark event, the State Library is hosting ” The Summer of Hate Exhibit,” containing 14 banners. The ISL Diversity Program has also developed a bibliography and materials describing the Race Riot. Books include Summer of Rage: the Springfield Race Riot of 1908 by James Krohe, The Sociogenesis of a Race Riot: Springfield, Illinois, in 1908 by Roberta Senechal and “Riot in Springfield” in Outlook, August 22, 1908.

On August 27, the ISL Diversity Program will host a noontime presentation of “The Race Riot of 1908” by Curtis Mann.

ILLINOIS DIGITAL ARCHIVES
IDA continues to add content to our collection entitled “The Illinois State Fair Museum“.

ILLINOIS INVENTOR OF THE WEEK
Sol S. Leaf of Chicago is this week’s Illinois Inventor of the Week. On February 28, 1933, Leaf was issued United States Patent Number 1,899,511 for “Ice Cream Sandwich.” Leaf received more than 18 patents for designs related to ice cream, ice cream products and ice cream making equipment. He assigned his inventions to the corporation he founded, Overland Candy Corporation of Chicago. The Illinois State Library Patent & Trademark Depository Library is available to assist you with your patent and trademark questions. Contact us at (217) 782-5659.

The ISL Patent and Trademark Library has prepared a new index of Sangamon County inventors from 1838 to 1900.

UPCOMING EVENTS

August 5-7-Synergy, Pere Marquette Lodge, Grafton
August 7-Project Next Generation picnic, ISL
August 8-17-ISL at the Illinois State Fair
August 26-Illinois State Library Advisory Committee meeting, ISL
September 23-26–Illinois Library Association annual conference, Chicago
October 2-3-Reaching Forward South Conference, Springfield
October 7-ILLINET Network Advisory Council meeting, ISL
October 30-System Presidents and Directors meeting, ISL
December 4-ISL Electronic Resource Exposition (E-R-XPO), Schaumburg Township District Library

[ISL Announce] E-News from the ISL 07/25/08

WJIL Project Team — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 02:41:58 +0000

THIS WEEK AT THE ILLINOIS STATE LIBRARY (July 25, 2008)

Jesse White, Secretary of State and State Librarian
Anne Craig, Director

IN THIS ISSUE:

E-RICH FY2009 Offerings
Letters About Literature
Grant Talkin’…Stayin’ Connected
Per Capita Grant Workshops
Staff Work Week
E-Rate News
Literacy Spotlight
Gov Doc Info
Cultural Awareness: Diversity in Action
Illinois Digital Archives
Inventor of the Week
Spread the News About E-news!
Upcoming Events

E-RICH FY2009 OFFERINGS
Information about FY2009 electronic resource offerings from the Illinois State Library has been posted to our website.

LETTERS ABOUT LITERATURE
Each year the State Library and the Illinois Center for the Book sponsor “Letters About Literature” in partnership with the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress and Target Stores. Letters About Literature is a reading and writing promotion for students in grades 4 – 12 where students read a book and write a personal letter to the author explaining how the book changed his/her perception of the world. Students can participate through their schools, youth programs, libraries or individually.

State and National winners are selected from three different judging levels based on the grade of the participating student. National winners receive a $10,000 grant for their school or community library and National honorable mentions receive a $1000 grant for the same.

Letters About Literature informational packets are sent to public and private schools across Illinois in early September, and Illinois libraries are more than welcome to be added to this mailer. If you would like to have your library added to the mailing list or have questions about Letters About Literature, please contact Bonnie Matheis, Coordinator of the Illinois Center for the Book at 217-558-2065.

The deadline to enter the 2009 Letters About Literature competition is December 14, 2008. State winners will be announced in April 2009 and national winners will be announced in May 2009. For additional information about previous Letters About Literature competitions and winners, feel free to go to the Illinois Center for the Book website. Specific information about the 2009 competition will be posted to the website in early September.

GRANT TALKIN’…STAYIN’ CONNECTED
LSTA grant recipients continue to share wonderful reports about how they are using their grant funds. You’ll find the reports at the WebJunction Illinois blog.

PER CAPITA GRANT WORKSHOPS
The State Library is offering workshops at the regional library systems during the next few months to explain requirements for obtaining an Illinois State Library Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid grant. ISL staff will review the grant application and explain requirements that will be in place for the next three years to obtain a grant. Persons wanting to participate should sign up at the system whose training they will be attending, and participants may attend a workshop at any of the systems offering training. While the workshops are not mandatory, participation is encouraged. Contact Mary Downing at 217-782-5506 or Jeanne Urbanek at 217-524-0050 for more information.

Grant workshops are as follows, with more to be scheduled:

July 29–Metropolitan Library System, Burr Ridge Office from 9:00 am- 11:00 am and Tinley Park Public Library from 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm.
July 31-For Shawnee Library System, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Rend Lake Market Place, Mt. Vernon, and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Marion Carnegie Library
August 4-Rolling Prairie Library System, Decatur, 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
August 6-Lincoln Trail Libraries System, Champaign 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
August 22-Lewis and Clark Library System, 1-3 p.m

STAFF WORK WEEK

The State Library hosted directors and staff from several regional library systems that made presentations about their plans for the future as part of receiving their annual library system grant awards.
Several State Library staffers addressed a group of 45 high school students and 50 adults (teachers, university representatives, Learning Technology Center directors, and Illinois State Board of Education staff) who were visiting the ISL this week for training on how to conduct video interviews with World War II veterans. The educators were eager to work with the State Library because of Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White’s Illinois Veterans’ History Project, as the material the schools generate can be included in the VHP as well as the Library of Congress’ Veterans’ History Program.
Mary Downing attended a Metropolitan Library System board meeting.
Karen Egan attended a Lincoln Trail Libraries System board meeting.
Neil Kelley attended an Alliance Library System board meeting.
Cheryl Goza Smith participated in planning the Walk of Unity at Richland Community College in Decatur. This is a cultural community project that brings different cultures together for heritage understanding.

E-RATE NEWS
The deadline for filing invoices (applicant BEARs or service provider SPIs) for recurring FY 2007 services is October 28, 2008. Some applicants are reporting receiving error messages when submitting online BEARs. It appears that these are false error messages and that the BEARs actually have been successfully submitted. This can be confirmed by checking for pending online BEARs. We understand that the SLD is aware of this problem and is working on a solution. Applicants should not try to solve the problem themselves by resubmitting duplicate BEARs.

(E-Rate Central News for the Week, July 21, 2008)

LITERACY SPOTLIGHT
Every week we honor a provider who receives a literacy grant from Secretary of State Jesse White and the Illinois State Library Literacy Office. This week we shine the spotlight on Common Place in Peoria. Common Place, an adult volunteer literacy tutoring program, includes various activities to help adults improve their reading and writing. In the program “I Am Special,” Jim Gill, a singer/songwriter/author, provided a concert and bookmaking workshop for adult learners and their children. Each family member wrote and illustrated their own short book. They all received a free book and a music CD by Gill.

Many adult learners have undiagnosed learning disabilities. They attend class to help them compensate for this difficulty. For instance, one adult learner attends the “New Challenges” class. Despite the fact that she is battling cancer, she continues to attend class. Another learner who has an undiagnosed learning disability was awarded on of Secretary of State Jesse White’s Spotlight on Achievement Awards. Not only does he attend class, he volunteers in the food pantry, takes cooking and nutrition classes at Common Place and brings in samples of his baking. This type of dedication translates into improved literacy and life skills.

Learn more about the ISL Literacy Office and the hundreds of literacy providers who receive grants from us.

GOVDOCINFO
First it was tomatoes, now it’s jalapeno peppers. One of the best places to keep up to date about concerns regarding possible salmonella contamination of food is the Food and Drug Administration’s website.

ILLINOIS DIGITAL ARCHIVES
Beer maker Anheuser-Busch made big news recently when it agreed to be purchased by Belgian brewer InBev SA for $52 billion. This image from the Quincy Public Library collection shows the famous Budweiser Clydesdale horses during a visit to Quincy.

ILLINOIS INVENTOR OF THE WEEK
James V. Ridgway of Hinsdale is this week’s Illinois Inventor of the Week. On August 30, 1898, Ridgway was granted Patent Number D29, 285 for “Design for a Picture frame featuring a wreath with an eagle with outstretch wings”. The Illinois State Library Patent & Trademark Depository Library is available to assist you with your patent and trademark questions. Contact us at (217) 782-5659.

The ISL Patent and Trademark Library has prepared a new index of Sangamon County inventors from 1838 to 1900.

UPCOMING EVENTS

August 5-7-Synergy, Pere Marquette Lodge, Grafton
August 7-Project Next Generation picnic, ISL
August 8-17-ISL at the Illinois State Fair
August 26-Illinois State Library Advisory Committee meeting, ISL
September 23-26–Illinois Library Association annual conference, Chicago
October 2-3-Reaching Forward South Conference, Springfield
October 7-ILLINET Network Advisory Council meeting, ISL
October 30-System Presidents and Directors meeting, ISL
December 4-ISL Electronic Resource Exposition (E-R-XPO), Schaumburg Township District Library

[ISL Announce] E-News from the ISL 07/18/08

WJIL Project Team — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 03:02:35 +0000

THIS WEEK AT THE ILLINOIS STATE LIBRARY (July 18, 2008)

Jesse White, Secretary of State and State Librarian
Anne Craig, Director

IN THIS ISSUE:

Electronic Resources
World War II Classroom Project
Letters About Literature
Grant Talkin’…Stayin’ Connected
Library System Standards Committee
Per Capita Grant Workshops
Staff Work Week
E-Rate News
Literacy Spotlight
Gov Doc Info
Cultural Awareness: Diversity in Action
Illinois Digital Archives
Inventor of the Week
Spread the News About E-news!
Upcoming Events

ELECTRONIC RESOURCES
Illinois State Library Director Anne Craig issued the following statement Wednesday:

As many of you know, the budget appropriated by the Illinois General Assembly for the State of Illinois has recently received significant cuts by the Governor to balance FY2009 (July 1, 2008-June 30, 2009) expenditures and revenue. The budget for the Secretary of State’s Office was cut by approximately $26 million. The Illinois State Library, along with all departments within the Secretary of State’s Office, must cut expenditures in order to accommodate these significant budget reductions.

The Secretary’s longstanding commitment to excellent service to the residents of our state remains foremost among all other considerations. Unfortunately, one of the specific appropriation reductions to the office’s budget was the reduction to the budgetary allocation that supplies funding for electronic resources and the delivery of library materials throughout the state.

Because the office recognizes the importance of the delivery service of library materials, we have worked to ensure that even with the significant budget cuts this landmark program will not be disrupted.

However, as a result of the budget reductions, statewide subscriptions supported by the Secretary of State’s Office for the following electronic resources must be cancelled, effective immediately:

Periodical Abstracts
Wilson Select Plus

We realize that the budget reduction may impact services to library patrons statewide, but we want to reaffirm the office’s commitment to maintaining and supporting a robust delivery service of library materials.

Please feel free to call me with any questions or concerns.

More information about FY2009 electronic resource offerings from the Illinois State Library has been posted to our website.

WORLD WAR II CLASSROOM PROJECT
The State Library is proud to be hosting 45 high school students and 50 adults (teachers, university representatives, Learning Technology Center directors, and Illinois State Board of Education staff) next week for training on how to conduct video interviews with World War II veterans. All interviews will be digitally recorded and made available at the Illinois Digital Archives. Ten World War II veterans are scheduled to come to the State Library Tuesday, where they will be interviewed in meeting rooms throughout the building. The educators were eager to work with the State Library because of Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White’s Veterans’ History Project, as the material the schools generate can be included in the VHP as well as the Library of Congress’ Veterans’ History Program. Veterans will fill out the Secretary’s VHP form. Adults will be matched with high school students to form 15 teams. The teams will receive training, hardware, video equipment and software necessary to capture veterans’ stories. Reporter Mark McDonald is scheduled to visit and tape a program for Illinois Stories, to be broadcast on WSEC-TV, Springfield’s public television station.

The Area 5 Learning Technology Center based in Edwardsville is coordinating the training session. The program is being funded by a grant from the Illinois World War II Memorial Board. State Library staff will be available all week to assist with research, scanning techniques, interviewing skills and video production.

GRANT TALKIN’…STAYIN’ CONNECTED
ISL Associate Director for Grants and Programs Patricia Norris extends thanks to the four individuals who joined her in Springfield and Chicago to interview applicants for the 2007-2008 Illinois State Library Training Grants:

Karen Danczak Lyons, Chicago Public Library
Ted Schwitzner, Illinois State University Milner Library
Pam Van Kirk, Galesburg Public Library
Sandy Ringstrom, Prairie Area Library System

LIBRARY SYSTEM STANDARDS COMMITTEE
The committee roster for the Library System Standards Committee is nearly finalized. During the next twelve months, the committee will be revising the library system standards with input from the Illinois library community. Committee members include:

David Carlson (Chairman), Dean of Library Affairs, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
Tom Dorst, Associate Director for Administration, CARLI
Shirley May, Byrnes, Executive Director, DuPage Library System
Marilyn Boria, Director, Elmhurst Public Library
David Joens, Director, Illinois State Archives
James Quisenberry, President, Lincoln Trail Libraries System
Mike Steiner, Programs and Policies, Office of the Secretary of State

One additional appointment is pending.

Illinois State Library staff members working with the committee are:

Anne Craig, Director
Lawren Tucker, Chief Deputy Director
Patricia Norris, Associate Director/ Grants & Programs
Joe Natale, Exec. Asst. to the Director for Planning & Outreach
Kathleen Bloomberg, Associate Director of Operations

Grant workshops are as follows, with more to be scheduled:

July 29–Metropolitan Library System, Burr Ridge Office from 9:00 am- 11:00 am and Tinley Park Public Library from 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm.
July 31-For Shawnee Library System, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Rend Lake Market Place, Mt. Vernon, and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Marion Carnegie Library
August 4-Rolling Prairie Library System, Decatur, 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
August 6-Lincoln Trail Libraries System, Champaign 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
August 22-Lewis and Clark Library System, 1-3 p.m

STAFF WORK WEEK

Anne Craig attended a grant meeting in Washington, D.C. at the Institute for Museum and Library Services. She also spoke to a group of librarians from China at the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign.
Patricia Norris conducted interviews in Chicago with students seeking ISL training grants.
Vandella Brown attended the Rolling Prairie Library System board meeting.
Ethel Snyder and Vicki Strohm were among a group of Secretary of State employees honored at a reception Monday for service to the office. Ethel was honored for 40 years of service and Vicki for 35 years.
Andrew Spiro of the Talking Book and Braille Service has received his 10-year employment certificate and Mark Shafer of the Library Development Group and Literacy Office received his 15-year certificate as Secretary of State employees.
Joe Natale, Bonnie Matheis and Pat McGuckin met to discuss coordinating publicity for the “Big Read” program the ISL is taking part in later this year in which Springfield area libraries will read Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451.
Dee Ann Powless, Laura Large and Raymond Collins received training on how to use the Westlaw online research service.
Mary Downing and Jeanne Urbanek conducted a public library per capita grant workshop for DuPage Library System.
Neil Kelley attended the Prairie Area Library System board meeting.
Ron Winner attended the Shawnee Library System board meeting and an Illinois School Library Media Association Leadership Conference in East Peoria.
Alyce Scott, Debra Aggertt and Bill Echelbarger took part in 10@10, a new ISL web cast for librarians. Debra also conducted an online cataloging workshop.
Lynne Bierma conducted training for an Alliance Library System employee on WorldCat resource sharing.

E-RATE NEWS
The most common 486 letter, is Form 486 Notification Letter, which is sent to any applicant whose Form 486 has been certified, processed, and accepted by the SLD. Corresponding letters are sent to all associated service providers. It is important that both the applicant and the service providers know that a Form 486 has been filed and accepted because the SLD will not process any invoices against those FRNs until this occurs.

Unfortunately, not every Form 486 is immediately accepted as filed. On a random basis, a small percentage of Form 486s are selected for technology plan reviews. The SLD will check to determine if the technology plan was created before the associated Form 470(s) was filed, and if the plan was approved before services for that funding year began. Assuming that the services involved are for other than “basic telephone services” (which do not require a technology plan), the SLD will reject the Form 486 if the applicant fails the technology plan review. In this case, the applicant will receive a Form 486 Rejection Letter.

Alternatively, if the applicant realizes that there is a problem with its application, technology plan, or other aspects of its Form 486, it may agree to cancel the Form 486. In this case, the SLD will issue a Form 486 Cancellation Letter to the applicant with corresponding letters to the associated service providers.

In the case of either a Form 486 rejection or cancellation, the applicant may be able to correct the original problem, for example by getting a technology plan belatedly approved and re-filing the Form 486, or by filing a Form 486 only for basic telephone services. A late filed Form 486 and/or a late approval of a technology plan will generally result in a reduction of funding.

(E-Rate Central News for the Week. July 14, 2008)

Aquinas Literacy Center (ALC) serves Chicago’s the McKinley Park community. Last year, ALC’s Executive Director taught a class in how to learn English in response to a request from mothers at a nearby Pre-K program. After several classes, the mothers began to visit ALC to study independently on the computers. A few months later, the class dissolved and many of the mothers transferred to one-on-one tutoring at ALC. They gained the confidence to leave their familiar environment and were ready to work one-on-one with a tutor. Such successes are celebrated every day at ALC. From obtaining a library card to obtaining a new job, the staff, volunteer tutors and students enjoy celebrating special achievements.

For the past few years, when ALC is closed during the months of June, July and August, summer tutoring takes place at the McKinley Park Library. Last summer, 36 pairs participated in summer tutoring. To attract more of the students from ALC to continue their studies in the summer, ALC and the McKinley Park Library designed a special summer program. While mothers are studying with a tutor, their children attend a story hour that includes an art activity. The children’s librarian from McKinley Park Library reads several stories and demonstrates some movement activities for the first 45 minutes. For the remainder of the class, an art teacher, who was a former tutor at ALC, provides art activities based on one of the books that the children’s librarian had read. At the end of the class, the children go home with their art project and the featured book of the week. The mothers who were able to continue during the summer made wonderful advances in English.

Learn more about the ISL Literacy Office and the hundreds of literacy providers who receive grants from us.

GOVDOCINFO
We’re only a few weeks away from the Illinois State Fair in Springfield, and you can find out all you need to know about the event at the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s website. The State Library will have our usual booth in Secretary of State Jesse White’s tent.

CULTURAL AWARENESS: DIVERSITY IN ACTION
This month the ISL Diversity Program is celebrating “Americana.” Americana refers to artifacts and culture of the United States pertaining to history as a result of the expansion toward the West in the United States. Americana is evident in a collection of sound recordings and transcription discs of European and American music performed by wind bands of America available at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The collection contains sound recordings and films, manuscript music, concert programs, newspaper clippings and photographs. Of special interest is the music of legendary conductor John Phillip Sousa. Sousa reflects the diversity of America’s musical contributors. He was born to a Spanish father and Bavarian mother. Visit the archives and Search Americana, Records and Manuscripts.

ILLINOIS DIGITAL ARCHIVES
Illinois is well known for its outstanding fishing sites. This undated photo shows two fishermen and the massive catfish they reeled in. The picture comes from the collection of the Arthur Public Library.

ILLINOIS INVENTOR OF THE WEEK
Mary C. Shafer of Elgin is this week’s Illinois Inventor of the Week. On November 1, 1892, Shafer was granted Design Patent Number 21,951, for “Design for a Badge,” featuring an outstretched eagle with a globe on its back. The Illinois State Library Patent & Trademark Depository Library is available to assist you with your patent and trademark questions. Contact us at (217) 782-5659.

The ISL Patent and Trademark Library has prepared a new index of Sangamon County inventors from 1838 to 1900.

UPCOMING EVENTS

August 5-7-Synergy, Pere Marquette Lodge, Grafton
August 7-Project Next Generation picnic, ISL
August 8-17-ISL at the Illinois State Fair
August 26-Illinois State Library Advisory Committee meeting, ISL
September 23-26–Illinois Library Association annual conference, Chicago
October 2-3-Reaching Forward South Conference, Springfield
October 7-ILLINET Network Advisory Council meeting, ISL
October 30-System Presidents and Directors meeting, ISL
December 4-ISL Electronic Resource Exposition (E-R-XPO), Schaumburg Township District Library

[ISL Announce] E-News from the ISL 07/11/08

WJIL Project Team — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 02:45:41 +0000

THIS WEEK AT THE ILLINOIS STATE LIBRARY (July 11, 2008)

Jesse White, Secretary of State and State Librarian
Anne Craig, Director

IN THIS ISSUE:

10@10 Airs Next Friday
FRN Materials on the Way!
Letters About Literature
Grant Talkin’…Stayin’ Connected
Per Capita Grant Workshops
ILLINET Interlibrary Loan Traffic Form
Tips For Using Bibliostat for IPLAR and ILLINET
Staff Work Week
E-Rate News
Literacy Spotlight
Gov Doc Info
Cultural Awareness: Diversity in Action
Illinois Digital Archives
Inventor of the Week
Spread the News About E-news!
Upcoming Events

10@10 AIRS NEXT FRIDAY
Use your computer to tune into 10@10, a new ISL webcast designed for librarians of all types. The program will air next Friday, July 18 at 10:00 am. This month there will be a discussion of successful digitization projects from the Illinois State Library with ISL Digital Imaging Program Manager Alyce Scott. Alyce will discuss the Illinois Digital Archives, the Illinois Veterans History Project, and cutting-edge processes for marketing and identifying imagery for the experimental Illinois State Fair Museum Digitization project (see IDA below). You can be part of the interview through your own microphone, or by texting questions and comments to the State Library training center (instructions follow). Remember to run the Wizard at least one hour before the program, Friday July 18 at 10:00 am.

Instructions:

Run the Setup Wizard one hour before the program. It will only need to be done once and will ensure that Java is installed and everything is working correctly before you try to join the session. The session URL is [http://67.202.209.252/launcher.cgi?room=il_ISL].

FAMILY READING NIGHT MATERIALS ON THE WAY!
The first batch of Family Reading Night posters and bookmarks are in the mail. It will take a few weeks for the ISL to mail all of them to groups who have requested materials, but keep an eye out for them in the mail.

GRANT TALKIN’…STAYIN’ CONNECTED
The FY2009 Illinois Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grant application and related forms are in the mail. The application and forms are also available at the ISL website (they cannot be filled out online but may be printed out).

Grant workshops are as follows, with more to be scheduled:

July 18-DuPage Library System, Geneva, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
July 29–Metropolitan Library System, Burr Ridge Office from 9:00 am- 11:00 am and Tinley Park Public Library from 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm.
July 31-For Shawnee Library System, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Rend Lake Market Place, Mt. Vernon, and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Marion Carnegie Library
August 4-Rolling Prairie Library System, Decatur, 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
August 6-Lincoln Trail Libraries System, Champaign 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
August 22-Lewis and Clark Library System, 1-3 p.m

ILLINET INTERLIBRARY LOAN TRAFFIC FORM FY2008 (July 1, 2007-June 30, 2008)
The ILLINET Interlibrary Loan Traffic Form FY2008 is now available for libraries to submit their resource sharing statistics as a part of the Bibliostat Collect “surveys.” The username and password are the same as detailed in the May letter announcing the release of the FY2007 Traffic Form. The extended deadline for completion of both the FY2007 and FY2008 Traffic Form is October 15, 2008; however, please complete them at your earliest convenience.

For:

IPLAR or ILLINET Interlibrary Loan Traffic Form content questions contact: Ron Winner
(IPLAR or ILLINET) Gwen Harrison
(ILLINET) Becky Hunter
(Username/Password) For troubleshooting tips, please refer to the “Tips” section in the following article.

TIPS FOR USING BIBLIOSTAT FOR IPLAR & ILLINET
Every library should be testing its Username and Password to gain access to the IPLAR and/or ILLINET ILL Traffic Form Surveys. Letters with the Username and Password have been sent to every ILLINET library via the U.S. Postal Service. You are encouraged to test your “log in” today.

If you are having technology/access issues, call the Bibliostat Help Desk at 1-866-785-9935. The Help Desk staff will walk you through some troubleshooting tips to gain access-primarily dealing with pop-up blockers and clearing your browsing history/cache.

If you are having trouble seeing the buttons at the bottom of your screen, press the F11 key. If you don’t understand IPLAR federal edit checks, send an e-mail to Ron Winner who will view your edit checks and assist you in responding to them.

If you didn’t keep your interlibrary loan statistics separated by “in-state, out-of-state, returnables, and non-returnables”, pragmatic estimates for those figures are permissible and necessary in order enable the auto-calculate functions.

If you’re not an Internet Explorer user, let Bibliostat or State Library staff know so that a copy of your “survey” can be sent to your library. The next generation of Bibliostat Collect, scheduled for release this fall, will support a variety of Internet browsers.

The “Submit Survey” button can be found by clicking on the Status and Printing link.

For IPLAR or ILLINET Interlibrary Loan Traffic Form content questions contact:

Ron Winner, rwinner@ilsos.net (IPLAR or ILLINET)
Gwen Harrison, gharrison@ilsos.net (ILLINET)
Becky Hunter, bhunter@ilsos.net (Username/Password)

STAFF WORK WEEK

Anne Craig, Lawren Tucker and Kathleen Bloomberg attended an Illinois Library System Directors Organization meeting in Champaign.
Mary Downing and Jeanne Urbanek conducted a public library per capita grant workshop at North Suburban Library System.
Mark Shafer attended a Senior Olympics planning meeting in Springfield.
Members of the Library Development Group are among those interviewing ISL training grant applicants in Springfield this week and Chicago next week. Each year Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White awards 15 grants to students studying to become librarians.
Sharon Ruda took part in an ADA Celebration committee meeting.
Natalie Tagge conducted an online training session on the Ask Away virtual reference program.

E-RATE NEWS
Good news! It appears that Priority 2 requests will be funded this year. FY 2008 Funding Status Wave 11 for FY 2008 was released on Tuesday. Funding in this wave is expected to be $24.7 million. The cumulative national FY 2008 funding total is now $692 million. Although Wave 11 includes funding only for Priority 1 requests, the SLD has indicated that it expects to begin funding Priority 2 at the 90% level within the next few weeks.

(E-Rate Central News July 7, 2008)

When students improve their basic literacy skills, many goals can be achieved. For example, a student from China began studying with two tutors at Frontier to improve her English conversational skills. As she read through her English/Chinese Oxford dictionary with her tutors, she came across vocabulary words she did not understand. She and her tutors studied words grouped into various themes, including parts of the body, workplace words and many words used frequently such as “Where is…?”. Her tutors also took her on field trips around their small community to visit the post office, library and shops, helped her study for the written portion of her driver’s test and gave her driving lessons. Eventually the student easily passed both parts of her driver’s test. Her new goal is to become a United States citizen, so that she can sponsor her mother to come to America from China.

Another student is deeply religious and wanted to learn to read the Bible and other religious books. She also wanted to write letters to her son. The student is making excellent progress and can compose letters more easily. Eventually she plans to obtain her GED.

In addition to assisting students, this program makes a difference in the lives of volunteer tutors that are trained and supported through the program. Several widows and a widower say tutoring has helped them deal with loneliness they have experienced after losing a spouse. Four senior citizens over the age of 80 are still giving back to their communities as literacy volunteers.

Learn more about the ISL Literacy Office and the hundreds of literacy providers who receive grants from us.

GOVDOCINFO
High gas prices and electric bills are making citizens more concerned about energy efficiency. The U.S. Department of Energy has a web page devoted to options for saving energy and using renewable energy at home, at work, in your community, and while driving.

The collection includes bulletins, handbooks, manufacturers’ catalogs and manuals
pertaining to repair of trunks, plows, tractors, farm machinery, appliances, ranges and other items. For more information, search “Americana”, then “Records and Manuscripts”.

ILLINOIS DIGITAL ARCHIVES
We’re four weeks from the start of another Illinois State Fair, and to get you in the mood here are some photos from the Illinois State Fair Museum.

ILLINOIS INVENTOR OF THE WEEK
Frank A. Fouts of Bloomington is this week’s Illinois Inventor of the Week. Fouts was granted Design Patent Number 9,326 on May 10, 1876, for “Design for Paperweights, featuring the old Independence Bell surmounted by an eagle.” The Illinois State Library Patent & Trademark Depository Library is available to assist you with your patent and trademark questions. Contact us at (217) 782-5659.

UPCOMING EVENTS

August 5-7-Synergy, Pere Marquette Lodge, Grafton
August 7-Project Next Generation picnic, ISL
August 8-17-ISL at the Illinois State Fair
October 2-3-Reaching Forward South Conference, Springfield
October 7-ILLINET Network Advisory Council meeting, ISL
December 4-ISL Electronic Resource Exposition (E-R-XPO), Schaumburg Township District Library

[ISL Announce] E-News from the ISL 07/03/08

WJIL Project Team — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 21:23:40 +0000

THIS WEEK AT THE ILLINOIS STATE LIBRARY (July 3, 2008)

Jesse White, Secretary of State and State Librarian
Anne Craig, Director

THE STATE LIBRARY WILL BE CLOSED FRIDAY, JULY 4TH IN OBSERVANCE OF INDEPENDENCE DAY

IN THIS ISSUE:

Grant Talkin’…Stayin’ Connected
Per Capita Grant Workshops
New Library System Consulting Assignments
ILLINET Interlibrary Loan Traffic Form
Tips For Using Bibliostat for IPLAR and ILLINET
Websearch University Discount
WebJunction News
Staff Work Week
E-Rate News
Literacy Spotlight
Gov Doc Info
Cultural Awareness: Diversity in Action
Illinois Digital Archives
Inventor of the Week
Spread the News About E-news!
Upcoming Events

GRANT TALKIN’…STAYIN’ CONNECTED
The FY2009 Illinois Public Library Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grant application and related forms will be mailed to libraries soon. Look for them in the mail between July 7-14. The application and forms will also be available early next week at the ISL website (they cannot be filled out online but may be printed out).

Grant workshops are as follows, with more to be scheduled:

July 10-North Suburban Library System, Wheeling 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
July 18-DuPage Library System, Geneva, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
July 29–Metropolitan Library System, Burr Ridge Office from 9:00 am- 11:00 am and Tinley Park Public Library from 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm.
July 31-For Shawnee Library System, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Rend Lake Market Place, Mt. Vernon, and 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Marion Carnegie Library
August 4th-Rolling Prairie Library System, Decatur, 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
August 6-Lincoln Trail Libraries System, Champaign 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
August 22-Lewis and Clark Library System, 1-3 p.m

NEW LIBRARY SYSTEM CONSULTING ASSIGNMENTS
New assignments have been announced for State Library consultants who work with the state’s regional library systems. Consultants attend monthly library system board meetings and interact with system directors and staff on issues of importance to the ISL and the systems. Effective July 1 the new assignments are:

Alliance Library System-Neil Kelley
Chicago Public Library-ISL Director Anne Craig
DuPage Library System-Gwen Harrison
Lewis and Clark Library System-Patricia Norris
Lincoln Trail Libraries System-Karen Egan
Metropolitan Library System-Mary Downing
North Suburban Library System-Cyndy Colletti
Prairie Area Library System-Neil Kelley
Rolling Prairie Library System-Vandella Brown
Shawnee Library System-Ron Winner

For:

IPLAR or ILLINET Interlibrary Loan Traffic Form content questions contact: Ron Winner
(IPLAR or ILLINET) Gwen Harrison
(ILLINET) Becky Hunter
(Username/Password) For troubleshooting tips, please refer to the “Tips” section in the following article.

The “Submit Survey” button can be found by clicking on the Status and Printing link.

For IPLAR or ILLINET Interlibrary Loan Traffic Form content questions contact:

Ron Winner, rwinner@ilsos.net (IPLAR or ILLINET)
Gwen Harrison, gharrison@ilsos.net (ILLINET)
Becky Hunter, bhunter@ilsos.net (Username/Password)

WEBSEARCH UNIVERSITY
A special rate of $445.00 is being offered to ILLINET member libraries to attend WebSearch University. The 2008 Fall Conference features all the latest and greatest tips in searching and will be held September 22-23 at the Washington Marriott Hotel in Washington, D.C. The special rate is $200 off the regular price and a $100 discount off of the “early bird” registration price. Pre-conference workshops on September 21st are NOT included with this discount.

For detailed program information, go to: www.websearchu.com To receive a registration form with special ILLINET member pricing, contact Jill Heffernan at 217-557-3386. The deadline to receive the discounted price is August 18, 2008.

WEBJUNCTION NEWS
New this week, amazing stories from the Illinois library community, as well as important information that will begin to satisfy some of your curiosity about what WJIL 2.0 is all about. Check out the most recent updates.

STAFF WORK WEEK

Robert Jones is attending the American Library Association annual conference in Anaheim, California. The trip is in conjunction with Robert’s selection as one of 80 2007-2008 Spectrum Scholarship recipients. Spectrum is designed to address the need for increased diversity within the library community. Robert is pursuing his Master of Library and Information Science degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign.
Kathleen Bloomberg attended an Illinois Century Network Policy Committee meeting.
Patricia Norris visited the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign to speak to a group of Chinese librarians about grant writing and other library related issues.
Dorothy Whitney attended a Chicago Citywide Literacy Coalition meeting at Allison United Foundation.

E-RATE NEWS

“What Should I Be Doing This Summer?”

Respond to questions from Program Integrity Assurance (PIA) in a timely fashion. Applicants may need help responding to technical or contractual questions from PIA, and USAC encourages service providers to provide that help.
Continue to file Form 472, Billed Entity Applicant Reimbursement (BEAR) Forms
Post Forms 470 for FY2009 to the USAC website, if appropriate. Most applicants wait until the fall preceding the start of the funding year to post Forms 470. However, applicants with long procurement cycles, state replacement contracts, or other situations may already be posting Forms 470.
Label and file program-related documents. FCC rules require both applicants and service providers to retain documentation related to the application for, receipt and delivery of discounted services for five years after the last date to receive service. The best time to file and store those documents is when they are final and you have finished using them.

(Schools and Libraries News Brief. June 27, 2008)

LITERACY SPOTLIGHT
Every week we honor a provider who receives a literacy grant from Secretary of State Jesse White and the Illinois State Library Literacy Office. This week we shine the spotlight on Corazon a Corazon of Chicago. The majority of students who come to Corazon a Corazon cannot speak or read English, and many live in isolation. They want to participate in their children’s lives and in their community but the language barrier limits this ability.

After participating in the program, the following successes were achieved:
Two students became U.S. citizens by studying and passing the citizenship exam and the interview with the Naturalization Board.
Several other students reported being able to help their children with schoolwork and communicate with their children’s teachers.
One student obtained her drivers license.
Several students obtained library cards.
Several students successfully defended themselves to police and in court.
Three students reported obtaining a better job, and at least five students announced they were performing their current job more successfully due to increased ability to speak and understand English.

Learn more about the ISL Literacy Office and the hundreds of literacy providers who receive grants from us.

GOVDOCINFO
Later this year voters will be asked whether Illinois should have another Constitutional Convention to draw up a new Illinois Constitution. The current Constitution was adopted in 1970 and can be found at the Illinois General Assembly’s website.

Titles in the display include:

Dear America by Karl Hess
Red Letter Days: a Book of Holiday Customs by Elizabeth Hough Sechrist
The Nation Take Shape: 1789-1937 by Marcus Cunliffe
1794: America, Its Army and the Birth of the Nation by Dave R. Palmer
Jacksonian America: Society, Personality and Politics by Edward Pessen.

ILLINOIS DIGITAL ARCHIVES
“You’re a grand old flag, you’re a high flying flag”…in honor of Independence Day tomorrow, here’s a lovely large flag from the Naperville Sesquicentennial in 1981.

ILLINOIS INVENTOR OF THE WEEK
In honor of Independence Day, Maier Weinschenk and William Boldenweck of Chicago are this week’s Illinois Inventors of the week. Weinschenk and Boldenweck were granted Design Patent Number 20,196 on October 7, 1890, for “Design for a Medal that consists of a picture of the Declaration of Independence with an eagle surmounting a shield and with the phrase ‘Signing of Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776, World’s Columbian exposition 1892-1893′.” The Illinois State Library Patent & Trademark Depository Library is available to assist you with your patent and trademark questions. Contact us at (217) 782-5659

UPCOMING EVENTS

August 5-7-Synergy, Pere Marquette Lodge, Grafton
August 7-Project Next Generation picnic, ISL
August 8-17-ISL at the Illinois State Fair
October 2-3-Reaching Forward South Conference, Springfield