LTLS - Quick Connections

MLA webcast: Cut the Cord: Connecting to Our Mobile Users

You are invited!

MLA webcast: Cut the Cord: Connecting to Our Mobile Users
When:  Wednesday, November 18, 2009 (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM)    
Where: RPLS Training Room (In Person), 345 W Eldorado St, Decatur, IL
Cost: Free

Learning Objectives
The goal of this webcast is to familiarize information professionals with current and emerging mobile technologies, innovative initiatives using mobile devices, useful mobile software applications, and funding options for projects using mobile devices.

Program Objectives
   * describe mobile technology and its value for librarians and health care professionals
   * demonstrate mobile technology devices and innovative applications
   * explore programs that illustrate the potential of mobile technology for health professionals
   * discuss funding opportunities to create and sustain mobile technology programs

The sponsorship of this webcast site has been funded in whole or in part with Federal funds from the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, under Contract No. NLM-N01-LM-6-3503 with the University of Illinois at Chicago.

To register:  http://www.librarylearning.info/events/?eventID=8044

For questions, contact Doris McKay at dorism@rpls.ws

Correction to Survey Form for "ISL Capital Needs Assessment Survey"

Public libraries received email earlier this week regarding the requirement to complete the "Capital Needs Assessment Survey". All public libraries are asked to complete the survey, even if you are not planning any capital improvement projects.

The survey form initially available for download had a small permissions error -- data input into the form could not be saved.  The form has now been corrected. You can tell if you have the corrected form by looking at the purple box at the top of the form.  If it says "You can save data typed into this form.", that is the corrected version.  If you need a new copy, you can download the corrected survey form. 

After you have filled out the survey, click "Email" at the top of the form.  You will see instructions on submitting the form to the ISL as an email attachment.

The ISL website has more information about the survey and answers to frequently asked questions.

Weekly Poll

Be sure to check out our new survey below, or on our home page.

You can also view results from previous weekly polls.

An Important Message to Illinois Public Libraries

Public Act 96-37 created a new Illinois public library construction program.  The new law requires the Secretary of State and the Illinois State Library to file with the General Assembly a comprehensive assessment report of the capital needs of all public libraries before January 1, 2010.  Filing this report is one of the steps that must be completed before the Secretary of State's office can implement the new program to assist public libraries with capital improvement projects.  The new grant program is funded with a $50 million Build Illinois Bond Fund appropriation contained in Public Act 96-35.

In order to compile the assessment report, I am requesting that each Illinois public library complete and submit the one-page online Capital Needs Assessment Survey by Friday, November 20, 2009, even if no capital improvements are needed. It is recommended that you have Acrobat 8.1 or higher installed on your computer to take the survey.

CLaSS and CLaSS+ Released

The Continuous Learning Subscription Service (CLaSS) provides continuing professional development to LTLS members more effectively and with a variety of improvements. CLaSS makes all of the continuing education programs available to LTLS members for an annual fee. CLaSS+ provides all continuing education and LINC training to our automated libraries for one annual fee.

To order and for pricing information, click here.

For frequently asked questions, click here.

Look for the FY2010 calendar in your email! 

For more information about ordering CLaSS, contact Donna Schaal at 217-352-0047 ext. 204 or email at dschaa@lincolntrail.info.

APA Publication Manual to be replaced

Did you purchase the new APA Publication Manual, 6th ed., 1st printing?  Due to a large number of errors discovered by users and the ensuing public outcry the American Psychology Association has agreed to replace the 1st printing with the 6th ed., 2nd printing at no cost.

The Chronicle of Higher Education reports, "Anyone who gets in touch with the Association between November 2 and December 15 and asks for a replacement will receive a free copy of the emended second printing, according to Rhea Faberman, Director of Communications."  To request a replacement copy, contact the APA's Service Center at (800) 374-2721 or (202) 336-5500. The Service Center's mailing address and hours are also available.

RUSA seeking excellent reference and adult services librarians for 2010 award nominations

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2010 Gale Cengage Award for Excellence in Reference and Adult Services, a Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) award that recognizes outstanding achievements in these areas.

Established in 1990 and sponsored by Gale Cengage Learning, the award is given to a library or library system for developing an imaginative and unique resource to meet patrons' reference needs. The resource can be a bibliography, a guide to the literature of a specific subject, a directory, a database, or any other project that has helped the library meet adult or children's reference needs. Tools, guides or databases that have been developed for reader's advisory or adult service questions and needs are also eligible for the award.

Application period open for RUSA business reference research grant

The application period for the Reference and User Services Association’s (RUSA) Emerald Research Grants is now open.

The award consists of two grants, each worth $5,000, which are sponsored by Emerald Group Publishing, Ltd. and administered by the Business Reference and Services Section (BRASS) of RUSA. These grants will be awarded to two applicants seeking support in conducting research in business librarianship and may be used at the discretion of the award recipients. Winners may be asked to present their findings at a public BRASS event within two years of receiving the award and will be required to acknowledge the Emerald Research Grant when publishing or presenting their research.

Nominate outstanding business librarians for 2010 RUSA award

The nomination period is now open for the 2010 Gale Cengage Learning Award for Excellence in Business Librarianship, a Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) award presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to business librarianship.

Established in 1989 and sponsored by Gale Cengage Learning, the  honor consists of a  a citation and $3,000 cash award to a business librarian who has made noteworthy contributions to the profession. These contributions may include, but are not limited to, authorship of a seminal book or articles in business librarianship; development of an imaginative and successful program centered on business within a library; teaching business librarianship in a particularly creative and substantive manner; and displaying strong leadership in a professional association geared to business librarianship.

ALA partners with Safeway Inc. to launch cereal box initiative

Libraries are everywhere, rooted in nearly every school, campus and community, but they are are about to take front and center in a new place: the breakfast table.

The American Library Association (ALA) is working with Safeway Inc., on a roll-out of the first two of five Safeway-brand cereal boxes with back-panel content about libraries and librarians. The boxes will launch this October and will be available at Safeway’s 1,500 stores across the nation.

” We are proud to partner with the American Library Association and collaborate in the creation of educational panels for our line of Safeway Brand cereal. This is a way we can support the efforts of the ALA and bring education and enjoyment to our consumers,” said Mike Minasi, Safeway president, marketing.

“We want to thank Safeway for presenting us with a unique opportunity,” said ALA Executive Director Keith Michael Fiels. “The cereal boxes will bring information about some of the exciting ways to enjoy libraries – and about the value of libraries -- straight into people’s homes.”

The first boxes to feature the library-related content are Toasted Oats and Honey Nut Toasted Oats. There will be a staggered launch for the rest of the panels.