2009 Membership Award Nominations Open October 24

Turn those warm thoughts of appreciation for your colleagues into a true gift with a 2009 NSLS Membership Award nomination. Consider giving your own library the recognition it deserves with a self-nomination for the Innovation, Marketing (new), or Library of the Year awards. On October 24 we will unveil some changes (based on member feedback) to the awards categories. But you might want to start planning for the Video award, a special category for 2009. Consider putting a creative video your staff produced in the last year up for nomination. Submissions can be up to five minutes. More info to come! [Permalink]

Delivery Bin Pilot Project

NSLS Delivery has been looking at various ways to improve our service. After listening to various library delivery experts, we will soon be launching a pilot project involving the use of plastic bins for delivery instead of the familiar red and blue canvas bags. These new blue bins have attached covers which will better protect the contents in inclement weather, as well as provide our drivers with a much more stable load. Read full article. [Permalink]

Gale Virtual Reference Library Offer Expiring Soon

The Gale Virtual Reference Library offer for public libraries will expire October 31. This is your last chance to purchase more than 370 of Gale’s premier electronic reference titles at an exceptional price. Learn more about this Library Partnership Trust offer and receive a no-obligation quote. Visit the Library Partnership Trust site for info about all the available offers. [Permalink]

Gale Directory Library Offer: 30 Directories Now Available

Illinois public libraries can now order up to 30 Gale directories at a special discounted price through the Library Partnership Trust. Move from print to online at a price you can afford. Choose the directory titles you want and own the data. View offer for details. [Permalink]

Members Corner: Bradbury Storytelling Festival

In a new addition to Members Corner, Waukegan Public Library announced their wildly popular Ray Bradbury Storytelling Festival, which takes place at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan. Visit Members Corner for full details. [Permalink]

Linda Braun Brings Video and Podcasts to You

Member favorite presenter Linda Braun returns to NSLS for a full day of learning. On November 3, come in the morning for Are You Ready for Your Close-Up? Video in the Library to hear about how libraries can upload and distribute video content easily. Then stay in the afternoon for Podcasting for Schools & Libraries, where Linda will explain why and how podcasts can be useful to your school or library. For more great learning opportunities, be sure to check out the new Library Learning statewide calendar. [Permalink]

Better Guide Your Readers to Crime Fiction, Genealogy

Strengthen the information you bring to your patrons at the reference desk with two programs from NSLS. On October 28, come to Murder & Mayhem @ your library! Crime Fiction Readers’ Advisory to learn to distinguish between mystery, thriller, and suspense genres, and know who the top 20 crime fiction authors are. Then, in Basic Genealogy Skills for the Reference Librarian on November 5, you'll learn about basic genealogy research techniques and become more confident when helping patrons in this popular area of research. [Permalink]

New at Library Beat: Inquiring Minds

This week at Library Beat, check out our new Inquiring Minds video feature to find out what your colleagues did this summer; read about the Digital Bookmobile's visit to Schaumburg Library in NSLS Director Sarah Long's "Our Libraries" column; and listen to Sarah's podcast, Longshots, for an interview with Topeka and Shawnee Area Public Library's digital services manager, David Lee King. RSS feeds are available to keep you up to date on all the latest from Library Beat. Have thoughts about the site? Let us know! [Permalink]

Library Law: Employee Communications on Library-Owned Computers

E. Kenneth Friker and James W. Fessler are partners with the law firm of Klein, Thorpe & Jenkins, Ltd., who write an article each month focusing on different aspects of library law. "Does your library have a policy advising employees that communications transmitted from and received by library owned computers are not confidential? Does that policy further advise employees that the library reserves the right to monitor all communications transmitted from and received by library-owned computers as well as Internet use without notice or permission?" Read full article. [Permalink]

Submit Proposal for ALA's Virtual Poster Sessions

This fall, ALA is offering the first of two virtual poster sessions. The focus for this session is “Community Central.” Share your experiences of making your library vital in your community (any kind of community). Demonstrate the specific purpose of your community involvement and the ways that you have achieved that purpose. Photos, images, and sounds may accompany your presentation. Deadline is Saturday, November 15. Approximately 25 submissions will be selected and will be available for viewing during January 2009. A second virtual poster session will take place in the spring of 2009. For more info, including how to submit a proposal, view press release. [Permalink]

2008 MLA Scholarship Applications Now Available

Applications are now being accepted for the 2008 MLA Scholarship, which provides up to $5,000 to a library school student interested in a career in health science libraries. Deadline is Monday, December 1. View application. [Permalink]

Great Stories CLUB Grants

The Great Stories CLUB (Connecting Libraries, Underserved teens and Books) is a reading and discussion program designed to reach underserved, troubled teen populations through books that are relevant to their lives. Following the application process, 230 libraries will be selected to develop a book discussion program for teens based on the three theme-related titles, and will be given copies of the books to share with each participant. Participating libraries will also receive access to an online toolkit to support the program, including sample discussion questions, recommended titles for further reading, downloadable bookmark art, and other resources. Small cash grants ($100-$200) will be awarded to up to 25 sites for the support of program-related expenses. For more info, including how to apply, visit ALA's site. [Permalink]

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