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Member's Corner: March 2006

Keep up on the achievements of your colleagues. Member's Corner will publish the first Friday of each month. Submit items to Christina Johnson.

Helping Jefferson Parish Libraries

An article in the February 14 edition of the Daily Herald covers how Faith Brautigam, Gail Borden Public Library, volunteered to help with recovery efforts in New Orleans by organizing close to 1,000 books for a children's library housed within a church. "Since her return, Brautigam has found herself continuing to help rebuild libraries in New Orleans. She has become the unofficial spokeswoman for the Gail Borden Library's fund-raiser, 'Have a Heart for Jefferson Parish Libraries.'"

Awards

• Gail Borden Public Library won the 2006 ALA Marshall Cavendish Library Programming Award.
• Daniel Burdett, Glencoe Public Library, was named a paraprofessional "to watch" in the Library Journal Paraprofessional of the Year Award. "A community builder, this year Burdett made email notification to patrons possible while keeping the human touch alive and well. That touch extends to his staff, whom he encourages to attend paraprofessional conferences and whose professional development he actively accommodates."
• Ruth Sinker, Skokie Public Library, has been selected as a Mover and Shaker by the editors of Library Journal. Each year, the esteemed library publication selects up-and-coming individuals from across the United States and Canada who are innovative, creative, and making a difference in the library world. Nominated for her successful marketing of LiveHomework Help and her unique program, Web Connections, an interactive hands-on, instructional tour of the Library’s Web site, remote access databases, homework help tools, and more, Ruth is working on a Masters of Library and Information Science degree at Dominican University.
• Holly Jin, Skokie Public Library, is one of four recipients of the ALSC Penguin Young Reader's Group Award. Recipients of the annual award must have one to ten years of experience as a children’s librarian, work directly with children, and have never attended an American Library Association Annual Conference. Holly will receive a $600 grant, donated by Penguin Young Readers Group, to attend the ALA Conference in New Orleans this June.
  

In Print and In the News

• Mary Pergander, Lake Bluff Public Library, is the new columnist for "Working Knowledge," in American Libraries. Mary is continuing the column begun by Elisa Topper, Dundee Township Public Library District, who is now writing a book for ALA.
• Glenview Public Library had a color photo on the cover of Glenview Announcements, accompanied by two more photos and a lengthy story inside about their on-going Valentines for Vets program for the soldiers in Iraq.
• In late January, the Chicago Tribune, WBBM-AM, and WNUR-FM all did a feature story on Skokie Public Library, Arlington Heights Memorial Library, and Indian Trails Public Library District's new service, Library Express. The story featured the libraries’ new option to have reserve materials delivered to your door for a $4 fee. The story detailed the importance of having the option to browse each library’s collection 24 hours a day, and how libraries are keeping up with the demands of the 21st century.
  

Grant

Karin Thogersen, Huntley Area Public Library, was named as one of the winners of the Book Wholesalers, Inc./Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Collection Development Grant. The grant, $1,000 donated by Book Wholesalers, Inc., is for collection development and is given to YALSA members who represent a public library and who work directly with young adults ages 12-18. This grant will be used to develop the library’s collection of graphic novels.

Anniversary

The Algonquin Area Public Library celebrated its 85th year of serving the Algonquin and Lake in the Hills community with a reception featuring a musical presentation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit songs by Eugene Kwok, noted Chicago area pianist.

Branding

Arlington Heights Memorial Library has begun a new venture for advertising their branding campaign, "Ask Us. We Answer." See the Daily Herald's new Web product, Beep, targeted to "nonreaders aged 18-34 living in the Chicago suburbs." The Arlington Heights Memorial Library's horizontal banner ad appears on the Beep homepage. According to the Daily Herald, this is the first Web-to-print product in the country. Arlington Library is advertising on Beep because it offers access to a potential audience that they have difficulty reaching with their traditional PR vehicles, such as their newsletter, event posters, and weekly library columns in local papers.

Programs and Special Events

• Two students from District #6 in Zion won the Tales to Tackle Chicago Bears reading program. Students in grades 6-8 were allowed to participate. " All participants received a Chicago Bears poster with book suggestions on the back. The program ran from mid October through mid-January and the goal was to have students read three approved books by their teachers per month. Each child who reached the goal of reading three books per month for the duration of the program was entered into a random drawing for the chance to win a special "Bears Experience" at Halas Hall in Lake Forest.
• McHenry Public Library is hosting an Alamo Diorama Display March 4-5. "McHenry resident Mike Kutnick has spent about five years recreating a 36-square foot diorama of the Alamo, made of balsa wood, and various types of foam materials, handpainted and set up on tables...Mike thought that in light of the fall of the Alamo’s 170th anniversary, it would be nice to share his hobby with the public."
• Highland Park Public Library, Glencoe Public Library, Northbrook Public Library and Glencoe’s Writers’ Theatre are hosting "From Page to Stage," inviting "the community to experience Chaim Potok’s acclaimed novel The Chosen and Writers’ Theatre’s adaptation of the play, by Chaim Potok and Aaron Posner, in several different formats. Post-show discussions, book discussions, film showings, a panel discussion and special guest appearances by Mr. Posner and Adena Potok, Chaim Potok’s widow, will explore this universal story of understanding, respect and reconciliation. To open "From Page to Stage," Highland Park Library will host “The Chosen’s” co-adaptor, Aaron Posner, to discuss the play, his role in adapting the novel to the stage and share stories of working with author Chaim Potok.
• New York Times best selling author Lisa Scottoline will appear at the Warren-Newport Public Library on Saturday, March 18. Scottoline, a former trial lawyer and judicial clerk, has written a dozen legal thrillers set in Philadelphia featuring strong female characters. In her only Midwest library stop during a national book tour, Scottoline will meet readers and sign copies of her newest thriller Dirty Blonde, set to be released March 14. The first fifty buyers will receive a free canvas book bag featuring an image of the book jacket.
• Cook Memorial Public Library District is embarking on its first One Book, One District program. Clues were been placed at the Cook and Evergreen libraries and around the local high schools. On February 23, the title of the book was be revealed. After reading Fahrenheit 451, the community is invited to discuss it in the library, coffee shops, bookstores, or living rooms. The Liberty Theatre will show the movie based on the book. Talented thespians from the Libertyville and Vernon Hills high schools will perform dramatic interpretations of the book. Local celebrities will debate and discuss the book at a public forum. The Library will sponsor an art contest with cash prizes. Book discussions will be held in English and Spanish at book stores, restaurants, at the high schools and at the library. Copies of the book will be available in English, Spanish, French, Russian and Chinese as well as on audio at the Cook and Evergreen Libraries. Vernon Hills and Libertyville high school libraries will have copies of the book and Barnes and Noble and Crocodile Pie will sell them 20 percent off.
  
  

"Our Libraries" Daily Herald Column

The following libraries were mentioned in "Our Libraries" during the month of February:

• February 13, "Exhibit details how death of ideas stokes the fires of genocide": Indian Trails Public Library District

What's New in Libraries?

The following libraries were featured in the February episode of What's New in Libraries?, Libraries Are Partnership Leaders.

• Glencoe Public Library
• Highland Park Public Library
• Indian Trails Public Library District
• Northbrook Public Library