nsls.info

Status of e-Newsletter, Communities of Practice, and Maillists

Christina Johnson — Fri, 28 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT

In an effort to ensure that NSLS members receive library system services in the future (including van delivery), the NSLS Board is looking into merging with another Illinois library system or systems as soon as possible. In order to keep members updated on the merger plans and to give you a chance to provide input, NSLS will be keeping our CoPs and mailing lists active at least through the month of June. Since this is the last issue of the weekly e-newsletter, the CoPs and mailing lists will become our main communication vehicles with our members. Please make sure that all staff members at your library who wish to be updated on NSLS plans are signed up for at least one mailing list or CoP. For information on available CoPs and mailing lists and how to sign-up, please visit the NSLS home page.

Contacting NSLS After May 31

Christina Johnson — Fri, 28 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT

On May 31, NSLS will be laying off all full-time employees, except for delivery staff. The only NSLS service that will be operating after May 31 will be van delivery. For a very short time, we will be hiring a few people back on a limited, part-time basis to take care of outstanding details and to work on a possible merger with another library system or systems. If you need to contact NSLS after May 31, you can contact Mary Witt, 847-353-7144, or Jan Hayes, 847-353-7130. You will most likely need to leave a message. Responses will be made as soon as possible. Note that the NSLS website, CoPs and mailing lists will be available as communication tools at least through the month of June.

Status of NSLS Delivery

Christina Johnson — Fri, 28 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT

NSLS public libraries are making voluntary contributions to NSLS in order to continue van delivery for another three months. This means that van delivery will be available for the months of June, July, and August. NSLS will work with ISL and other systems to continue to explore options to continue delivery.

Sharon S. Ball Memorial Bridge Dedication

Christina Johnson — Fri, 28 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT

All are invited to the dedication for the Sharon S. Ball Memorial Bridge on Thursday, June 10, at 2 p.m. The ceremony will take place at the bridge at the northeast corner of the NSLS parking lot. Members of Sharon's family will be in attendance. Sharon played a major role in securing the funding for the bridge, and also served as a personal bridge between NSLS, the Village of Wheeling, and other supporting agencies.

New Members of NSLS Board of Directors Announced

Christina Johnson — Fri, 28 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Congratulations to the new NSLS Board of Directors members elected at the May Board meeting: Penny Sympson, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.; G. Victor Johnson, Arlington Heights Memorial Library; and Lisa Dettling, Adlai E. Stevenson High School. We greatly appreciate their willingness to serve on the board.

A Letter from Sarah Long: How Do You Measure the Worth of a System?

Christina Johnson — Fri, 28 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT

While cleaning out file drawers and sifting through memorabilia, I'm reminded of 43 years of issues and efforts here at NSLS. While many of the particulars are irrelevant now, our legacy in part is how we've approached our work.

Part of our legacy has been to build and strengthen our library community. We held annual banquets for twenty years beginning in 1989. Along the way, they became award banquets at which we honored you, our members. We honed our media and advocacy capabilities with the award-winning cable TV show What's New in Libraries, the "Our Libraries" column, which appeared weekly in the Daily Herald; and our weekly podcasts, Longshots. Our Legislative Breakfasts over 20 years became the place to be for area legislators and library decision makers.

We put a huge effort into trustee training several years ago and coupled it with certification for trustees who attended sessions and participated in other activities. We also became known for bringing in trainers and speakers from across the library world at an affordable price.

The need for what we do is still strong. But, the funding source has not only gone away, it might not ever come back. We've only received 53% of what we were promised for this fiscal year, ending June 30. We've done the work and floated the state's obligation for almost a year. Now we're almost out of money and most of our staff will walk out the door for the last time on May 28, 2010.

Beginning June 1, 2010, our van delivery service will be supported on a temporary basis by donations from our member libraries. Will the state ever pay up? Our latest intelligence is that we might get some money by January, 2011.

What's been our greatest achievement? It's hard to say. One thing I can tell you for sure, I'm the most proud of the NSLS staff. They are smart, quick, funny, caring, productive, devoted, and generally incredible. They have created and pushed us to do the impossible on an almost daily basis.

I've enjoyed working with each and every one of you, our members. Your energy and innovative ideas inspired me throughout the years. I wish you all much success.