Ela Area Public Library participated in Snapshot day by providing free Caribou coffee to library users who completed the short survey developed by ILA. The survey was also distributed to patrons at all of our public service desks and at programs held that day. Photos were taken throughout the afternoon.

Congratulations to the NSLS members selected to take part in Synergy: The Illinois Library Leadership Initiative 2010, the statewide library community's movement to recruit and nurture future Illinois library leaders.

- Anthony Auston, Palatine Public Library District
- Emily Compton-Dzak, Deerfield Public Library
- John Ericson, Schaumburg Township District Library
- Liz Hubert, Barrington Area Library
- Heather Beverley, Cook Memorial Public Library District
- Courtney O'Keefe, Des Plaines Public Library
- Carrie Straka, Vernon Area Public Library District
- Penny Sympson, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.

Librarians selected to participate in Synergy: The Illinois Library Leadership Initiative 2010 will commit to a yearlong progress. Objectives include self-assessment; discovering and developing personal values; identifying the local, state and global environment; fostering and expanding skills and tools for personal, professional and positional leadership; creating a cohort group; establishing mentoring relationships; and developing a vision of and beyond the field of librarianship.

Gail Borden Public Library District Representatives Travel to Washington DC to Accept the National Medal for Museum and Library Service

The National Medal for Museum and Library Service celebration will take place in Washington, D.C., on February 22 and 23, 2010.

IMLS is funding the cost of transportation and hotels for Gail Borden Public Library executive director Carole Medal, the president of the Library Board of Trustees, Rick McCarthy, and community member Ernie Broadnax as they represent the library.

During the two days, there will be various planned activities including a symposium at the Hotel Palomar (2121 P Street, NW). At the symposium, there will be discussions about the community engagement programs offered at each library and museum. A video created by The History Channel featuring the accomplishments of all 2009 Medal recipients will be shown and a special reception will take place at the Hotel Palomar.

The National Medal Awards Ceremony will be held the following day, Tuesday, February 23, during a meeting of the National Museum and Library Services Board that will be attended by Administration officials and cultural leaders. The meeting will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 400 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. in Room M-09. At the ceremony, representatives from each of the honored institutions will receive a framed National Medal for Museum and Library Service from IMLS Director Anne-Imelda Radice, PhD.

The Institute of Museum and Library Service (IMLS) selected five museums and five libraries to receive the 2009 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The National Medal is the nation’s highest honor for museums and libraries that make extraordinary civic, educational, economic, environmental, and social contributions. To read more about Gail Borden Public Library’s National Medal Award, visit http://www.gailborden.info/m/content/view/930/696/.

Wauconda Area Public Library District participated in Snapshot: One Day in the Life of Your Library by having a candid look at a normal day in the library. Staff took photos throughout the day of patrons using library services and participating in library programs. View slideshow of the Snapshot Day photostream at Wauconda Area Library's Flickr page, their photos added to the Illinois Libraries Snapshot Day collection, and the Illinois Libraries Snapshot Day collection from libraries around the state.

Dundee Township Public Library District participated in Snapshot: One Day in the Life of Your Library by hosting several events and activities leading up to February 10. Photos and statistics gathered during these events will be condensed into one page to bring to the NSLS Legislative Breakfast on February 15. They will also use this information in future publicity. View their photos on Flickr.

Vernon Area Pulic Library District participated in "Snapshot: One Day in the Life of Your Library" on February 10 by promoting activities geared toward loving your library, such as staff wearing library shirts and the Friends handing out chocolate Kisses and information.

Holly Jin and Jan Watkins recently completed their year of 2009 serving as members of the Newbery Committee and Caldecott Committee, respectively. It is exceptional that two members of the same department and library served on these prestigious committees during the same year.

Children's author Ann Martin will be speak at the Skokie Public Library on Tuesday, April 27th,7-8:30 pm. Registration begins April 1st for this author event.
Jan Watkins

Geek the Library @ ZBPL

The Zion-Benton Public Library is one of nine libraries nationally selected to participate in the pilot phase for Geek the Library. Sponsored by OCLC with funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Geek the Library is a marketing campaign designed to raise awareness of and support for public libraries.

There are things that everyone is passionate about—things they geek. Butterflies or sailboats, jazz or golf, serious or fun – whatever people geek, the public library supports them.

Nann Blaine Hilyard, ZBPL director, says, “We are delighted to be a Geek library. The term is odd at first, but it grows on you.” She adds, “The campaign is about more than the usual ‘use the library—it’s a great place.’ The message answers the question, ‘What’s in it for me?’ It also states plainly that public libraries have critical funding needs and need support.”

According to Reva Kaplan, ZBPL PR contact, the campaign will roll out January 4, 2010, with posters of community leaders and what they geek. More than three dozen business people, educators, and elected officials have had their portraits taken with books about what they geek. Posters will be on display at locations throughout Beach Park, Winthrop Harbor, and Zion, as well as at the library. Geek Boards will be taken to community events so people can declare what they geek. In return they’ll receive Geek t-shirts or other novelty items. The library website http://www.zblibrary.info will feature a Geek of the Week.

The grant includes funds for print and broadcast advertising as well as less traditional (for libraries) media: shopping carts and billboards.

For further information, contact Reva at rkaplan@zblibrary.org

Friends of the Algonquin Area Public Library
Pre-Holiday Book Sale

Thursday, November 12 - Sunday, November 15

Held At:
Algonquin Area Public Library – Eastgate Branch
115 Eastgate Drive. Algonquin, IL 60102
847-658-4343

This well organized sale features over 23,000 items from children’s books, to adult fiction and nonfiction books as well as gift books and audiovisual materials.

Sale hours are:
Thursday, November 12… 4:00 – 8:00 pm ($10 entry fee this day only)
Friday, November 13…4:00 – 8:00 pm
Saturday, November 14…10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Sunday, November 15…1:00 – 4:00 pm ( ½ price day)

Inexpensive prices allow your dollars to go farther:
Children’s books - $.25 and up
Paperback books - $.50
Soft cover books - $.75
Adult hard cover books - $1.00
Audiovisual Materials - $.50 - $3.00

Rated “Exceptional” by booksalefinder.com the “Friends” of the Algonquin Area Public Library book sale has something for everyone.

This volunteer group meets every Tuesday morning, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm at the Eastgate branch to sort and organize the many donated items and build a selection of books and materials for their valued customers.

Their tireless work has provided art pieces, display fixtures, collection materials, and programs to enhance each patrons visit to the library.

For more information call 847-658-4343 or visit our website www.aapld.org/friends

Contact: Deborah Morton – dmorton@aapld.org –847-458-6060 ext. 103

An open house for the new South Branch of the Mount Prospect Public Library will be held at the branch on Monday, November 16, 2009, 1:00-7:00 PM. The South Branch is located inside the Mount Prospect Community Connections Center, 1711 West Algonquin Road, Mount Prospect, in the Crystal Court Shopping Center. Telephone: 847-590-4090. Everyone is invited to attend.

The South Branch has been open since August 5th and contains a popular collection targeting the south side population of Mount Prospect. The collection includes books, DVDs, CDs, and ESL materials for all ages in six languages. Four public access computers are available. So far, storytimes in Spanish and Polish and teen gaming programs have been conducted. Small business programs will be added in 2010. The branch also cooperates with the programs of the Community Connections Center partner agencies which include the Village of Mount Prospect, Northwest Community Hospital, School District 59, and High School District 214.

For additional information, contact Larry D'Urso at the Mount Prospect Public Library, 847-590-4075.

Highland Park Goes No Impact

What happens when a guilty liberal finally snaps, swears off plastic, goes organic, becomes a bicycle nut, turns off his power, and tries to save the polar bears and the rest of the planet from environmental catastrophe while dragging his baby daughter and Prada-wearing, Four Seasons–loving wife along for the ride?

Colin Beavan did just that and wrote about it in “No Impact Man,” the fall title for One Book, One Highland Park. The book is a look at one man’s decision to go off the grid for one year—while still living in New York City—to see if it’s possible to make no net impact on the environment. For Beavan this meant no trash, no elevators, no subway, no products in packaging, and other lifestyle changes.

Hear firsthand about Beavan’s experiences when he appears at the Library on Wednesday, October 21, at 7 p.m. Beavan will discuss his book and his experiment in living a no-impact life. Books will be for sale at the event and the evening will conclude with a book signing.

Then, Highland Parkers can join friends and neighbors and take the No Impact Experiment, a one-week carbon cleanse. Colin Beavan’s No Impact Project will guide participants in making a different lifestyle change each day for a one week. Highland Park is the first city to take the challenge and the experiment begins Sunday, October 25. Those interested can sign up for the experiment at hplibrary.org. and kick off the week by stopping at the Library from 1-3 p.m. on Sunday, October 25, for a No Impact Fair. Information and demonstrations about a no-impact lifestyle will be available at a variety of booths.

“We’re very excited to bring this book and experiment to Highland Park,” explains Jane Conway, Highland Park Public Library’s executive director. “As those of us who have read the book have realized, it makes us think about how we can reduce our own impact on the environment and the steps we can take to make less of an impact. With the City’s green initiatives that aim to reduce Highland Park’s carbon footprint, we feel that the book will make for great community-wide discussions. And, we’re thrilled to be the first city to participate in the No-Impact Experiment and to offer the community ways to reduce their environmental impact.”

One Book, One Highland Park is a community-wide read program designed to broaden and deepen an appreciation of reading and to encourage friends, families and neighbors to share their experience while reading the same book. The program, which debuted in the spring of 2008, is sponsored by the City of Highland Park, The Library and the Highland Park Borders Books & Music. “No Impact Man” is the fifth title selected for the program. “No Impact Man” programs are generously supported by the Alvin H. Baum Family Fund and the Highland Park Community Foundation.

The Highland Park Public Library strives to provide the highest quality Library services to community members for life-long learning, cultural enrichment, and enjoyment. The Library is located at 494 Laurel Avenue, Highland Park. For more information, please call (847) 432-0216 or visit hplibrary.org.

Dundee Township Public Library District's
Celebratory Open House Sep. 25, 4-7 pm

Stop in and take a tour, or just wander on your own – you’ll discover a whole new re-energized library ready to serve you. Explore the dynamic new light filled interiors, browse our new books and media collections, relax in our redesigned lounges, click around in our dedicated computer center, hang out in the new teen space, and explore the new Children’s Department. The event will open with a 4 pm ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by a welcome and remarks from Interim Director Phyllis O’Neill and Board President Lenore McDonald at 5 pm. Refreshments provided by the Friends of the Library.

For directions go to dundeelibrary.info/dundee/

Thank you to the many people who came out for the open house including the "vine cutting." On Sunday, Aug. 16, the Rakow Branch opened for library business. The $4.2 million branch library debuts with 10,000 square feet and is designed for expansion to 30,000 square feet. Materials for checkout are current, popular items. Many self service elements such as an outdoor 24/7 DVD kiosk are also featured. The branch has many sustainable elements and is registered for LEED certification, the environmental seal of approval. To see pictures of the branch opening, please visit our Flickr page.

Skokie Public Library is stepping in to help the William Leonard Public Library in Robbins, Illinois, which is in danger of closing for lack of money. Skokie Public Library's board agreed to donate at least three months' worth of proceeds from the library's used-book sales. To date, over $4000 has been raised for the library, which also includes individual contributions by the board and staff.