NSLS Member's Corner

Award

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:54:48 GMT

The Lake County Discovery Museum was chosen as a recipient of the IMLS Connecting to Collections Bookshelf, a core set of conservation books and online resources donated by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) in cooperation with the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH). The IMLS Bookshelf focuses on collections typically found in art or history museums and in libraries' special collections, with an added selection of texts for zoos, aquaria, public gardens, and nature centers. It addresses such topics as the philosophy and ethics of collecting, collections management and planning, emergency preparedness, and culturally specific conservation issues.

Grant

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:04:34 GMT

The Niles Public Library District is one of 269 nonprofit organizations to receive a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts to host a Big Read project. The Library’s grant of $16,325.00 will allow the Niles community to come together to read, discuss, and celebrate one of the program’s 30 selections from U.S. and world literature. Beginning in April of 2010, the entire library district will be reading The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett, a classic noir novel that introduced the hard-boiled detective character into the mystery genre. The Niles Public Library staff has already begun planning for the event that will include book discussions held all over town, movie showings, a game show team challenge, mystery theatre, a radio show production, and a presentation by the Illinois Raptor Center including real falcons! The Library is looking for local businesses and community organizations who want to partner with the Library to help encourage reading throughout the entire district. Businesses, community organizations and local residents who want to join the effort by sponsoring events, encouraging employees or group members to participate, or helping to promote the events, should feel free to contact Barb Kruser at 847-663-6641 bkruser@nileslibrary.org or Cyndi Rademacher at 847-663-6614 crademac@nileslibrary.org. The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest.

Award

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:50:19 GMT

Congratulations to the NSLS libraries chosen as recipients of the NEH We the People Bookshelf Awards. Each library will use its set of classic books to develop educational programming and events that engage young readers in the “Picturing America” theme. - Antioch Public Library District - Cotton Creek Elementary School Library - Grayslake Area Public Library - Lake Bluff Public Library - MacArthur Middle School Library Media Center - Ridge Family Center for Learning Library - Rolling Meadows Library - South Middle School - Thomas Jefferson Middle School - Three Oaks Elementary School Library - W.C. Petty Elementary School Library - Woodland Intermediate School Library - Zion-Benton Public Library

Donation

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 10:04:04 GMT

Wauconda Area Library’s New Memorial Garden Honors Local Hero There is an important new addition to the landscaping near the entrance of the Wauconda Area Public Library. The new memorial garden is a living tribute honoring the life and work of Nicole Suveges, killed in June of 2008 while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom in Sadr City, Baghdad. The 200-square-foot garden, designed and installed by Groh Works of Wauconda, features rose bushes, begonias, daylilies, begonias, wintercreeper, barberry, and fragrant sumac, including a cobblestone walk and a flagstone sitting area with an inviting curved bench. The library’s flagpole is located in the center of the garden. Funds for the memorial garden were donated to the library by Nicole’s parents -- 20-year Wauconda residents Ed and Rita Suveges -- and the Nicole Suveges Memorial Fund. With the completion of electrical work for lighting the flag through the night and the installation of a memorial plaque, the garden is now complete and has already become an integral part of the landscape architecture surrounding the library’s main entrance. The garden’s memorial plaque quotes a letter from the Pete Geren, Secretary of the Army when Suveges was posthumously awarded the Secretary of State Medal for the Defense of Freedom. “Nicole’s heroism, her selfless dedication to conflict resolution and peace, her daily demonstration of courage, and ultimate sacrifice reflect the greatest credit upon herself, the Department of Defense and the United States of America.” The memorial plaque for the garden also quotes Cicero, stating, “If you have a library and a garden, you have everything you need.” Through the month of July, a special flag will fly over the garden, on loan to the library from the Suveges family. Given to Nicole’s husband, David Iverson, by General David H. Petraeus last year, this is the flag that was flown July 3, 2008, over the U.S. Embassy in Iraq in her honor. Nicole Suveges, a BAE Systems political scientist, was killed June 24, 2008, in a bombing in Sadr City, Baghdad, Iraq. She had begun her latest tour in Iraq in April, 2008, supporting the Army’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team (BCT), 4th Infantry Division, helping Army commanders understand Iraqis, their culture and society, and helping them avoid inadvertently offending or misunderstanding the Iraqis. Before joining BAE Systems, Suveges had worked in Iraq for a year as a civilian contractor. Previously, she had served as an Army reservist in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, supporting the multinational SFOR/NATO Combined Joint Psychological Operations Task Force. Suveges held a Master of Arts in international affairs from George Washington University and a Master of Arts in political science from Johns Hopkins University. She was soon to complete her Ph.D. in political science with an emphasis on international relations from Johns Hopkins University, where she also had served as managing editor for the Review of International Political Economy. Her dissertation was titled “Transnational Ideas, Collective Identity and the Problem of Ontological Insecurity in Iraq.”

Donation

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:40:46 GMT

“Rakow Branch” Becomes New Gail Borden Public Library District Branch Name Gail Borden Public Library officials are pleased to announce that the new “green” branch library on Bowes Road will be known as the “Rakow Branch.” Community leaders and supporters Tom and Sue Rakow, and their children and grandchildren, are honoring Melvin E. “Pete” and May T. Rakow and their daughter Barbara Rakow Rietz (Tom’s sister) with a generous gift to the Gail Borden Public Library Foundation. “We are so happy that this wonderful new branch will be named ‘Rakow.’ The family has been so instrumental in building this community that linking ‘Rakow’ and library for posterity is an extraordinarily great fit,” said Libby Hoeft, Gail Borden Public Library Foundation President. “We are tremendously pleased that Tom and Sue Rakow and their family chose to honor the library district with this gift,” added Rick McCarthy, Gail Borden Public Library Board of Trustees President. “Their generosity will make a difference to this community for generations.” Tom Rakow explained that he and his family provided this support because “we think the library is critical to the well-being of the whole community.” The Rakow Branch will be the library district’s first branch in its 135-year history. Located at 2751 W. Bowes Road (just west of the intersection of Randall and Bowes roads), the 10,000 foot branch is scheduled to open late this summer. The Rakow branch will feature a collection of popular books and movies, a computer café, Zen gardens, a small “family room” with a fireplace, and a beautiful natural setting. A first in North America, the branch will have an external DVD dispenser that customers may use at all hours of the day or night, 365 days of the year. The branch has many environmentally sustainable features including a geothermal well system and natural light design. Library officials anticipate that the Rakow Branch will receive silver or gold LEED certification. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. The Rakows have a long and significant history of supporting the community. They have been instrumental in sustaining many organizations and causes including the Ecker Center, the Boy Scouts, Easter Seals Jayne Shover Center telethon and the Larkin Center.

Special Event

Fri, 22 May 2009 11:35:01 GMT

LIBRARY TURNS BACK CLOCK TO 1930s Highland Park Public Library turned back the clock to the 1930s on Sunday, May 17, with a community-wide celebration to kick off a series of programs on the Federal Writers’ Project entitled “Soul of a People: Writing America’s Story.” The Library’s series of programs looks closely at the unique accomplishments of the Federal Writers’ Project ( FWP), part of the New Deal’s Works Progress Administration launched by President Roosevelt in the 1930s. The Writers’ Project hired out-of-work writers to create a portrait in words of the country’s soul. Driving along the nation’s back roads, these writers wrote the biography of America in the 1930s, describing its land and its people. The Library’s ‘30s celebration was a day-long event full ‘30s’ era music, food and memorabilia, inviting patrons to step back in time. Period jazz music and vintage cars set the scene outside of the Library. Inside, visitors were greeted with sloppy joe sandwiches, which likely debuted in the ‘30s. Other products that originated in the ‘30s, such as Fritos, Hawaiian Punch, and Lifesavers were on display. Both young and old patrons hunted for another ‘30s food product – cans of Spam – that were hidden throughout the Library. Winners received Twinkies, another ‘30s taste treat. Magazine ads and local photos from the 1930s were also displayed along with written recollections of life in the 1930s by local residents. Patrons could also attend lectures on the New Deal and the WPA and preview a screening of the documentary about the FWP, “Soul of a People: Writing America’s Story.” An additional lecture, on the Federal Writers Project, included audio from an interview with a former slave. Other programs in the series include a lecture on FWP author Richard Wright and a discussion on first-person accounts of life in the ‘30s created during the Federal Writers’ Project. Additionally, “Today Show” correspondent Mike Leonard will lecture on the travel guides produced for every state by the Federal Writers’ Project. The Library’s programs support the upcoming television documentary “Soul of a People: Writing America’s Story” about the Federal Writers’ Project produced by Spark Media, Washington, D.C. “Soul of A People” is being broadcast on the Smithsonian Channel HD (check local listings or visit http://www.SmithsonianChannel.com). “Soul of a People” programs in libraries are sponsored by the American Library Association Public Programs Office with the support of a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities: great ideas brought to life. For more information, call (847) 432-0216 or visit hplibrary.org and http://www.SmithsonianChannel.com.

Award

Fri, 15 May 2009 14:22:19 GMT

A Tapestry of Freedom, the 2008 LSTA Libraries Innovate Create and Collaborate (LINCC) project that was awarded to the Gail Borden Public Library District last year will receive The Mayor’s Award for historic preservation on May 15, 2009 in Elgin. A Tapestry of Freedom spotlighted the faces, feelings and histories of freedom in an innovative multi-faceted collaborative project from February 2 through May 31, 2008. The goal was to promote harmony, respect and unity in the community. The Elgin area’s diverse population embraced the community-driven-content displays, digital storytelling, extensive programming, Tapestry website (www.gailborden.info/freedom), a replica log cabin and Lincoln Memorial. Fifty-four organizations and 154 individuals partnered with library staff. Learn more about how your library can weave A Tapestry of Freedom in your community on WebJunction Illinois at http://il.webjunction.org/il-multitype or attend the ILA program in October.

Award

Fri, 15 May 2009 14:15:06 GMT

Please join us in congratulating Denise Raleigh, Director of Marketing, Development and Communications, who received the YWCA Leadership Award for Communications/Technology on May 14, 2009. Denise is quick to acknowledge the hard work that Gail Borden Public Library staff contributed to making the library’s projects successful and nationally recognized, such as GIANTS: African Dinosaurs created by Project Exploration, SPACE: Dare to Dream, StoryTubes and the Dr. Torres Challenge. It is true that we need the various talents and can-do attitude of staff to accomplish great things. However, we also know that Denise was the driving force behind these award-winning projects, as well as many other PR highlights. We are proud of Denise for winning this prestigious award!

Award

Thu, 14 May 2009 13:31:13 GMT

Melanie Goffen Horowitz of Central Elementary School in Wilmette is the recipient of the 2009 Distinguished School Administrators Award. Horowitz will receive the award at the AASL Awards Luncheon during the ALA 2009 Annual Conference in Chicago. Since arriving at Central School, Horowitz has made information literacy skills a priority by including them in the School Improvement Plan every year and working with staff and teachers to make these a formal part of their evaluation.

Grant

Wed, 13 May 2009 11:23:40 GMT

Congratulations to Indian Trails Public Library District for being chosen as one of ten libraries to receive $5,000 grants as part of the American Library Association’s (ALA) Libraries, Literacy and Gaming initiative. The funds will be used to develop and implement gaming and literacy programs that provide innovative gaming experiences for youths 10-18 years of age.

New Service

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:25:22 GMT

The Park Ridge Public Library is pleased to announce that we now have a Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Park-Ridge-IL/Park-Ridge-Public-Library/62619839506 and a Twitter account http://twitter.com/prpl. Feel free to become a fan or follow us! Special thanks to Richard at Skokie for help tweaking our Facebook page. :-)

Special Event

Thu, 23 Apr 2009 11:20:51 GMT

CONTACT: Sharon Doty, Public Information Manager, 847-382-1300 x205, sdoty@barringtonarealibrary.org BARRINGTON AREA LIBRARY COMMUNITY CALENDAR LAUNCHES, EARNS COORDINATOR “COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP AWARD” Rose Faber, Head of Adult Services at the Barrington Area Library, has been honored by the Barrington Chamber of Commerce with this year’s Community Partnership Award. Faber was recognized for her work in creating a community calendar for the library’s Web site. The calendar, which officially went live in March, can be accessed at www.barringtonarealibrary.org via the “Community Calendar” link. Faber coordinated and organized the project, creating an interactive format making the calendar self-serviceable to organizations and individuals. The calendar will continue to be maintained and monitored by the Barrington Area Library. The final product is the culmination of Faber’s efforts working in partnership with Janet Meyer, President of the Barrington Chamber of Commerce and Kris Keller, Founder and Principal of the National Realty Network. Prefacing Faber as this year’s award winner, Meyer said, “Innovative. A leader committed to the cause. Passionate in wanting to help others.” Meyer added, “The project is up and running today many thanks to her persistence.” Faber will celebrate her twentieth anniversary with the Barrington Area Library this year. She earned her Master’s in Library Science from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. The Barrington Area Library is the largest library district in the state of Illinois covering a geographic area of 72 square miles, and serving approximately 46,500 patrons.

Retirement

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 10:32:14 GMT

Virginia Maravilla will retire from her position as the director of the Huntley Area Public Library in November. She has served as library director for nearly 11 years. The NSLS community wishes her well in her future endeavors.

Miscellaneous

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 15:10:05 GMT

The March 15 issue of Library Journal presents the annual Movers & Shakers. Congratulations to our NSLS members who were named Movers & Shakers. - Toby Greenwalt, Skokie Public Library (Read about Toby.) - Karen Kleckner Keefe, Deerfield Public Library (Read about Karen.) Learn about all the Movers & Shakers on Library Journal's site.

Special Event

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 11:33:06 GMT

Algonquin Area Public Library Amnesty Program Announced After closing on Wednesday April 15, 2009 all fines currently owed at the Algonquin Area Public Library (Main and Branch) will be waived. The Algonquin Area Public Library Board of Trustees is extending to all users of the Algonquin Area Public Library an amnesty on fines owed to the Library. During these troubling economic times the importance of the public library as a source of information and entertainment to our community is evident. This amnesty will allow individuals and families that have incurred fines and may not be able to pay them to once again have access to our great collection of books and audio/visual products. This amnesty will concern fines owed only. It does not cover library materials that have not been returned or the fees associated with the non-returned items, nor does it extend to items checked out at other public libraries in the area. Therefore, patrons with overdue library materials that were checked out at the Algonquin Area Public Library may return them before April 15 so that the fines will be waived. All library material returned on April 16 and afterwards will not receive the benefit of waived overdue fines. For More Information Please Contact: Deborah Morton, Graphics and Public Relations Algonquin Area Public Library 2600 Harnish Drive Algonquin, Illinois 60102 847-458-6060 ext. 103 dmorton@aapld.org OR Gary Christopherson, Circulation Department Head Algonquin Area Public Library 847-458-6060 ext. 105