E-news from the ISL

CONGRATULATIONS, SHARON!

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Sharon Ruda, Director of the ISL Talking Book & Braille Service (TBBS), is marking 10 years of employment with the State Library this week. Thanks for everything you do, Sharon, to help our print disabled patrons!

"ON THE FRONT LINES" UPDATE

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

We're less than two weeks away from the "On The Front Lines" Conference March 15-17 at the University of Illinois Springfield. More than 200 participants took part in last year's conference, and organizers are very excited about the agenda for this year. "On the Front Lines" is an excellent continuing education opportunity for "front line" library staff working in all types of libraries. Participants will obtain training, exposure, and techniques that will enable them to deal effectively and efficiently with their day-to-day activities as front line employees. Some of this year's sessions will include: *Optimizing Interlibrary Loan throughout ILLINET *Preservation in a Hybrid World: Past, Present, and Future *Copyright Compliance in a Web 2.0 World *Reference Desk Realities *Turning a Good Grant into a Great Grant *Internet Safety *Emergency Preparedness A special note to public libraries: One of the requirements for FY2011 public library per capita grants calls on public libraries to develop and submit a plan that will make the library more environmentally friendly as envisioned by the Green Governments Illinois Act [20 ILCS 3954]. "On the Front Lines" has two informative sessions that can help you develop a plan: "Forming a Green Team and Making It Work" and "Programs for a Greener Library." The Conference registration fee is only $15.00 for the entire event, regardless if participants attend one, two or all three days. To register and see the full conference agenda, go to L2.

A FEW MORE SPOTS AVAILABLE FOR SPLMI

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The 17th Small Public Library Management Institute is set for June 6-11, and there are still a few spots available for directors of smaller public libraries and directors new to the Illinois library community. Apply before March 19th. Find all the details and applications here.

TRAINING GRANTS

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Each year Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White awards up to 15 grants to help students pay for the cost of obtaining a Masters of Library and Information Science degree. Applications and information are located here. The deadline to submit applications is May 1.

APPLY FOR PENNY SEVERNS LITERACY GRANTS

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Applications are now being accepted for Penny Severns Summer Family Literacy Grants. These grants provide instruction and educational activities to improve the basic reading, math, writing skills or English language proficiency of parents and children together during the summer months. Applications and other information are available here.

ILLINOIS EMERGING WRITERS COMPETITION

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The 6th Illinois Emerging Writers Competition has been announced by Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White. The competition is designed to promote creative writing, encourage new writers and provide a unique opportunity and outlet for recognizing new poets and short story writers. Winners receive cash prizes and have their works submitted for review and possible publication in several Illinois literary magazines. Find the application forms here, under "Brochures and Booklets." The new forms will be posted Friday afternoon or Monday.

NEW READER'S, TEACHER'S, AUDIO GUIDES AVAILABLE

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Many libraries responded several weeks ago when we made available extra reader's guides of Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451." We used the guides as part of "The Big Read" in West Central Illinois. Thanks to additional support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the National Education Association and Arts Midwest are offering free supplementary educational materials of other Big Read titles. The educational formats are: *Reader's Guides: an introduction to the book, historical context, and discussion questions *Teacher's Guides: lesson plans for middle and high school teachers (these adhere to NCTE standards) *Audio Guides: short readings from the book and commentary from renowned artists, educators, and public figures such as Robert Redford, Colin Powell, and Mary-Louise Parker, and Big Read authors such as Amy Tan and Ray Bradbury. The order form with the names of the new titles is here. Please complete and submit the order form no later than March 15th. As you will see on the form there is an email link, or you may fax the form to Bonnie Matheis at 217-782-1877. If you choose to mail the form, send it to Bonnie Matheis at the Illinois State Library, 300 South 2nd Street, Gwendolyn Brooks Bldg., Springfield, IL 62701. A group order from Illinois will be placed with the NEA by the Illinois State Library from the requests received. Since other states will also be ordering materials, we cannot guarantee every item requested will be available. Orders will be delivered to the Illinois State Library, sorted and shipped for arrival in May.

WJIL NEWS

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Three new courses have been added to the WebJunction Illinois Course Catalog: *Mentors and Proteges: Creating Successful Workplace Programs *Strategic Planning: Quick, Cheap, and Decent *Strategic Planning: The Five-Minute Introduction These online courses are available for free to registered users of WJIL. For more information visit BlogJunction Illinois.

NEW GRANT OPPORTUNITY - MARCH 15 DEADLINE

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The Illinois State Historical Records Advisory Board (ISHRAB), using funding from National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC), is offering grants of up to $5,000 to Illinois archives, libraries, museums and other historical records keepers to develop and/or carry out projects to identify, preserve, access and use historical records in Illinois. Guidelines and application forms are located on the ISHRAB page. The application deadline is March 15th. Applications must be printed, filled out, and mailed. They cannot be submitted on-line. All grants require a one-to-one ($1 for $1) in-kind and/or cash match. Grant projects will run for one year. The Illinois State Historical Records Advisory Board is made up of representatives from different archives, museums, universities and libraries from around the state and seeks to facilitate cooperation among historical records depositories and other information agencies within Illinois. The Illinois State Archives serves as the coordinator of the board. For additional information, email or call David Joens at 217-782-3492.

GOVDOCINFO

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

New rules for credit card companies mean new credit card protections for consumers. Learn about some key changes that took effect recently.

LITERACY SPOTLIGHT

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Every week we honor a recipient of one of the literacy grants awarded by Secretary of State Jesse White and the Illinois State Library Literacy Office. This week we shine the spotlight on Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville. One family has reaped enormous benefits recently from the Southwestern Illinois College Family Literacy Program at Madison Middle School. Last year, one of the students enrolled in GED classes at Madison became homeless. She and her children moved from place to place, staying with friends and family members. The Family Literacy staff at Madison encouraged the student to keep working on her education in spite of the situation around her. She did continue to attend classes, and her children accompanied her, since childcare is provided while she attends classes. The woman's children are in a safe learning environment and feel comfortable with their mother nearby. The woman persevered with her studies and passed the GED test. She enrolled in vocational education classes to become a Certified Nursing Assistant, completed that training and will be taking her state board exam. Most importantly, the woman has found housing for her family. With both education and a home, the woman's outlook on life is positive, and her children are happy to be in a home with their mother.

CULTURAL AWARENESS: DIVERSITY IN ACTION

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Diversity is in action during Women's History Month at Founders Memorial Library at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, featuring a display entitled "American Women's Voices/American Women's Visions." Books relevant to American women writers will be on display.

ILLINOIS DIGITAL ARCHIVES

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Images from the Illinois Digital Archives and Illinois State Archives will be on display next week in the first floor atrium at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago as Secretary of State Jesse White sponsors an exhibit saluting Women's History Month. Stop by and see this impressive display if you're in Chicago.

WE WANT NAMES!

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

As one of the more than 6,400 subscribers who receive this newsletter each week, you know that E-News from the ISL is the best way to find out what's happening at the Illinois State Library. E-news is where you will learn first about grant offerings, continuing education opportunities and other news you need to know. If you know someone - a staff member, trustee, local elected official - who would benefit from receiving E-news, send their email address to Pat McGuckin with the subject line SIGN THEM UP! If it's happening at the State Library, you'll learn about it in E-News!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

March 15-17 "On the Front Lines," University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) March 26 "Empowering Library Staff to Meet the Needs of the Spanish Speaking Community," Bloomington Public Library. Register at L2 March 29 Library System Administrative Rules Review Group meeting, ISL April 8 ILLINET Network Advisory Council videoconference April 14 Illinois State Library Advisory Committee videoconference April 29 System Presidents and Directors meeting, ISL May 12 Spotlight literacy awards, ISL June 6-11 Small Public Library Management Institute, UIS June 13-18 Institute for School and Public Librarians, Bradley University, Peoria