Contents

Announcements

On Monday, February 11, 2008, the Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Library System, and the Board of LIMRiCC will meet. The MLS Board meeting will convene at 5:30 p.m., the Board of LIMRiCC immediately preceding. The MLS Finance Committee will meet at 3:00 p.m., and a MLS/Special Libraries Sustainability meeting, with Board members in attendance, will also be held starting at 1:00 p.m. Meeting agendas can be found at http://www.mls.lib.il.us/board. All meetings will be held at the MLS Burr Ridge office located at 125 Tower Dr., Burr Ridge, Illinois.

MLS Members interested in running for the MLS Board should review the Board Job Descriptions on the MLS web site at http://www.mls.lib.il.us/board/MLS_board_responsibilities.pdf and http://www.mls.lib.il.us/board/MLS_board_responsibilities_additional.pdf. At the February MLS Board meeting, the Board will select a nominating committee for open board seats. Five seats are slated for election (3 Public Library Trustees, 1 School Library, and 1 Special Library). A call for nominations and applications will be sent to the membership, with the applications due by Thursday, April 3, 2008. Voting will take place and the final results will be announced in June.

MLS is pleased to announce the hire of new employee Wes Smith as our Applications and Web Developer. Wes’s first day at MLS was Friday, February 1, 2008. His primary duties will include the MLS website, non-SWAN databases, programming and general IT support.

MLS is currently working on the development of a 2008 Summer Reading Rewards Program for its public libraries. The rewards would be in the form of coupons or other redeemable incentives. One staff member from interested MLS public libraries needs to complete this survey http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=0KKtk_2fLwyo9ExyIorq1PJQ_3d_3d by Wednesday, February 20, 2008. Additional information will then be sent to those libraries. Questions about this opportunity can be emailed to MLS Consultants at consultants@mls.lib.il.us.

The Illinois State Library announces the 14th annual Institute for School and Public Librarians (ISPL), scheduled for Sunday, June 8, 2008 - Friday, June 13, 2008. This week of library related educational programs and activities will be held on the campus of Bradley University in Peoria. Applications and additional information can be found at http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/whats_new/2008institute.html.
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Successful Partnership Between Architecture Libraries

The partnership between the ACE Technical Charter High School Library and the MLS library at the architectural firm of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM), is any library’s dream come true. SOM not only provides financial resources, but also in-kind support and the time of their staff who coordinate book donations for the school’s library. SOM also contributes towards the larger mission of ACE Tech through internships, tours of local architectural buildings, and a lecture series for students with its own architects. [Permalink]
Read full article http://www.mls.lib.il.us/ennounce/2008/02_03/archlibpartnership.asp

Continuing Education Events

Special Libraries Networking Meeting: Let's Talk LSTA Grants, Su Bochenski, Former LSTA Grant Reviewer, Thursday, February 14, 2008, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 p.m., MLS Chicago

Emerging Reference: IM Reference, Thursday, February 14, 2008, 9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., MLS Burr Ridge

Teaching First Search to the Public (hands-on), Heather Jagman, Tuesday, February 26, 2008, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., MLS Burr Ridge

Introducing Institutional Data Repositories (hands-on), Michael Witt, Tuesday, March 4, 2008, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., MLS Chicago

For more info and to register, visit the MLS CE Calendar at http://www.mls.lib.il.us/calendar/.
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Grants & Awards

FY2009 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grant Offerings are now available. Information and applications may be found at: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/what_we_do/lsta2009.html. Letters of intent are due April 2, 2008, and applications are due by May 12, 2008. To prepare for grant writing and brainstorming attend Successful LSTA Grant Projects: Panel Presentation of Past Winners, Wednesday, March 5, 2008, 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., MLS Burr Ridge.

The Department of Education announced the 2008 Improving Literacy Through School Libraries (LSL) program competition. This program helps local education agencies improve reading achievement by providing students with increased access to up-to-date school library materials; well-equipped, technologically advanced school library media centers; and professionally certified school library media specialists. Applications are due March, 7, 2008, and are available at http://www.ed.gov/programs/lsl/index.html.

Lt. Governer Pat Quinn is offering Community Wireless Broadband Grants for public wireless broadband networks in Illinois communities. Up to $10,000 per project will be available. The deadline for applying is March 1, 2008. Application requests and questions can be sent to Ryan Croke at ryan.croke@illinois.gov.
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Library Law: Effective Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedures

In EEOC v. V & J Foods Inc. , the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals (which has jurisdiction over Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin) rejected an employer's argument that the employee unreasonably failed to use the company's complaint procedure to report sexual harassment. This case points out that an employer's sexual harassment prevention policy and complaint procedure must be responsive to the needs of the particular workforce of that employer. [Permalink]
Read full article http://www.mls.lib.il.us/ennounce/2008/02_03/librarylaw_02_08.asp

New SWAN Governance

2008 kicked off with the establishment of the new SWAN Governance Structure. Meetings were held by the SWAN Council and each of the Governance Groups, a SWAN Council Co-chair was elected, and meeting ground rules were set in place. SWAN members and staff look forward to an exciting year ahead with this new structure. [Permalink]
Read full article http://www.mls.lib.il.us/ennounce/2008/02_03/swangovern.asp

Meet MLS Staff: Diane Colletti

Diane Colletti comes on board as the newest MLS Library Services Consultant. Diane’s previous experience includes youth services, academic, school, and special libraries, in both rural and urban settings. She also brings prior library system consultant experience and a passion for connecting people with information. Diane looks forward to using her knowledge and experiences to serve MLS libraries. [Permalink]
Read full article http://www.mls.lib.il.us/ennounce/2008/02_03/mlsstaffdianec.asp

Member Spotlight: Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies

Spertus Institute, founded in 1924 as the College of Jewish Studies, originally served to educate teachers in local Hebrew schools. Today the Institute’s mission is to “enhance understanding of the Jewish experience” through programming, exhibitions, educational and cultural opportunities. Its' services include a college, museum, archives, and the Asher Library, one of North America’s largest Jewish libraries. As of November 2007, Spertus moved into a new building, which is getting some architectural praise, within both the library and the architectural communities. [Permalink]
Read full article http://www.mls.lib.il.us/ennounce/2008/02_03/spertus.asp

Next Issue

The next issue of MLS E-nnounce will appear February 20, 2008. [Permalink]

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Editors

Jeannie Dilger-Hill, dilgerj@mls.lib.il.us

Gretel Stock-Kupperman, stockg@mls.lib.il.us

Christina Stoll, stollc@mls.lib.il.us