Mission Recognition Program
Mission: Recognition is a community wide youth recognition program launched in November 2006 and sponsored by The Hayner Public Library District in Alton, Illinois. Our library district serves three communities and a population of over 58,000. We hear and read about all the negative matters concerning the youth of our community, poor test scores, illegal acts, fighting, etc., but we never hear about the good that many of them do. Our Mission: Recognition program is the mechanism that will change this in our communities. Anytime a young person through age 18 is “caught” doing something that significantly and positively contributes toward the betterment of our communities, observers are asked to submit a nomination form that captures their good deed. We established a committee of 11 people, 4 staff members and 7 members of our community, that evaluate the nominations each month. Our goal is to recognize three young people each month, one elementary age and younger, one middle- school age, and one high school age. Those selected by the committee for recognition will receive a framed certificate, a medallion with the Mission: Recognition logo and satin neck sash, a brass bookmark with the logo and the recipient’s name and month of recognition engraved, a $20 gift card to one of our local bookstores (B. Dalton and Waldenbooks), a pocket card restating the purpose of the program, a Mission: Recognition ink pen and lapel pin, Mission: Recognition balloons, and miscellaneous other gifts each month. The ultimate goal of our sponsoring this program is to educate the public about the good and positive things that many of our young people have done and shift the focus away from all the negative we hear and read about.

Today, January 22, 2007, we conducted our first recognitions. We surprised two of the three by walking into their classrooms much the way the Prize Patrol with Publisher’s Clearing House does. The third recipient, a second grade home schooled young man, was brought into our youth library where a crowd of friends, family, and library employees greeted him with applause and cheers of congratulations. Parents of each of the recipients attended the surprise award ceremonies and each proved to be so much more successful than we had ever hoped for.

Victor Pacini, a youth motivational speaker and performer from Chicago, has been conducting all school assemblies, presenting the program as our spokesperson. He also made our first presentations today. Mr. Pacini has worked with us on many projects from adult programming performance to summer reading performances for the kids to staff development performances for library staff. I am sure he would agree that Mission: Recognition is the most rewarding efforts he has participated in with us.

Please feel free to contact me should you need something more. Our website will soon include new photos of today’s events and you may view our website at www.haynerlibrary.org

Submitted by Jeffrey Owen
Executive Director
The Hayner Public Library District
401 State Street
Alton, IL 62002-6137
(618) 462-0677
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“Bow wow Pow wow”: A Therapy Dog Story Hour Program
The Hayner Public Library District in Alton IL. has implemented a program titled “Bow wow Pow wow.” On the second Saturday of every month, handlers bring certified therapy dogs to the Hayner Youth Library. Library staff sets out an attractive collection of books for varying ages and reading skill levels and the children are invited to come “read to the dogs.” They pick out books (or can bring their own) and sit with a dog and read to it. Some children who are not reading yet just play with the different dogs or a parent will read to the child and dog together.

This program has accomplished many important objectives. Children read to non-judgmental animals – they don’t have to be nervous about stuttering or not know a word, reading becomes fun and reading skills improve dramatically. Children also learn that it is great fun to come to the library. One child wanted to postpone a trip to Disney World because he would have missed a Bow-wow session! The kids learn how to interact with these wonderful animals – they learn that the respect and love they show the dogs is returned ten-fold. We have observed several children who were initially afraid of dogs become avid animal lovers. It is also a great time for parents and grandparents too observe their children and encourage reading. The adults have as much fun as the kids and we encourage cameras for some adorable pictures. We have had up to 15 dogs in the library at one time - all sizes, shapes and breeds. They all must have passed their therapy dog certification trials and they are all insured. Handlers accompany each dog. The number of children attending increased as the program developed and we have, at times, had between 25-30 children at a session. Multiple children may be reading or playing with one dog at the same time and this teaches them to share and cooperate with others.

A favorite anecdote involves one little boy who attended. He was very shy and kept back from the group. He had been burned in a fire and had significant scaring on his face which made him very self conscious. Gradually we found him a corner with a big friendly Great Dane and he started to read. As the session wore on, he moved on to other dogs to share his book. By the end of the hour he was in the middle of the melee have a great time. When he left, with a huge smile on his face, he gave the library staff member a hug and promised to return! This has been an incredibly fun and rewarding project for all involved- the kids, parents, handlers and staff! We also are immensely grateful to the handlers who generously volunteer their time this month and have been instrumental in making this program a success.

Submitted by Bernadette Duvernoy
Public Relations Coordinator
Hayner Public Library District
401 State Street, Alton, IL
618-462-0677 Fax: 618-462-4919

Coffee and Chick Lit
The Glenwood-Lynwood Public Library District partnered with the Homewood Library and Starbucks to create and new book discussion group called "Coffee and Chick Lit." We took the popularity of Chick Lit and Starbucks and put them together. The group meets once monthly at a local Starbucks from 7:00-8:00. Starbucks offers their location. Group members purchase their own drinks, but each month Starbucks provides a little prize for the group, usually something off the discount rack. Books are available for pick up at either library; we also check books out at the Starbucks on the night the group meets. We also collect their books to return to the library. The titles we have used so far include: The Other Side of the Story by Marian
Keyes, The Men I Dildn't Marry by Janice Kaplan, Reinventing Mona by Jennifer Coburn and The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger.

How effective is the program?
Attendance has been great so far. Each time we have met we have had around 10 people. The group is diverse in age and backgrounds. Many of the people who attend are using the library for other functions or book discussion groups as well.

How it can be translated into pilots at other libraries?
Many other libraries can contact their local Starbucks to see if they would be willing to host such a program. The idea of a book discussion fits in with the Starbucks image. I found them to be very eager to go forward with the idea. Just make sure you always stay in touch with them and remind
them of the nights you will be in their store. You could also offer a similar books discussion in your library. Chick Lit titles are very popular and they are fun to discuss. Patrons find it less intimidating than a traditional book discussion.

Submitted by Melissa Gardner
Glenwood-Lynwood Public Library District
320 E. Glenwood-Lansing Rd.
Glenwood, IL 60425
(708) 758-0090
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Family Literacy is a Community Concern
The Family Reading Night program sponsored by the Illinois State Library is really intended for public libraries. Our community college does not, properly speaking, have any patrons who are children. However, our student and staff patrons have families. The literacy level of many of our students and prospective students in the community may not be what we, and they, desire. So about five years ago we began to participate in the Family Reading Night program with the intention of giving a boost to family literacy in the community.

We began small, with just a story time presented by a professional storyteller. Soon we came up with the idea of involving our Children’s Literature class, since the students in there are mostly intending to be teachers or child-care professionals. This program is now incorporated into the Children’s Literature syllabus, with the students planning for and presenting a different program in conjunction with our storytelling. We have expanded to holding a program in the spring as well as in the fall when Family Reading Night occurs.

Our commitment to family literacy has continued to grow. Each of our programs now includes a professional storyteller or performer as well as the presentation by the Children’s Literature class. We purchase books from Scholastic in big batches and include a book giveaway as well as cookies and milk after the program. This semester we brought in a man who makes balloon animals – he was the most popular act of all!

Last spring we ran simultaneous programs for parents and children, in adjacent rooms where they could see one another. The trainer for the local office of the Children’s Home and Aid Society of Illinois did a program for the parents on how to foster literacy and pre-literacy skills for young children, and the Children’s Literature students conducted activities with the children that illustrated the principles taught in the parent program.

We advertise the program with (free) press releases in the local papers and with (very inexpensive) fliers and posters on our campus and in local daycares. We have developed a devoted following, and now we get calls every spring and fall asking when our program is to be held.

One semester we targeted especially the Adult Basic Education department students at our campus, and the response was excellent. Parents love the entertainment as well as the educational nature of the programs. I have had comments on the value to young minds of narrative over mere demonstration or entertainment such as magic shows, etc. The programs are, of course, free to all.

Although it is not ordinarily part of the mission of a community college library to put on children's programs, we feel that fostering the literacy skills of our current and future students is very much within our mission. We benefit from the involvement of a very concerned group of teachers and students in the Children's Literature program and the good will created in the community is priceless. And, we love it. To hear the children say "Mommy, I got a BOOK!" makes it well worth all the hard work.

Submitted by Jan Zuke
Southwestern Illinois College
Sam Wolf Granite City Campus
4950 Maryville Road
Granite City, IL 62040
618-931-0600 ext. 6653
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Hosting an Author Fair
Local authors frequently contact libraries wanting to do book signings, but such events are traditionally poorly attended. We decided to hold an author fair, which would have all of our local authors come on the same day, on the theory that a large number of authors would attract a larger number of people to the event. Once we began preparations and started contacting authors, the response was overwhelming. We held the first fair in 2004 and anticipated interest from perhaps ten to fifteen authors. We were astonished when we had requests from over sixty authors who wished to participate and it was still two months until the fair! Since then, we conduct a lottery each year to determine our participants. We now hold an Author Fair every year, and have had attendance of over 700 at each one.

This is something that is much easier to do than it sounds. You do not need a large meeting room to do this; we have authors seated at tables throughout our library, with balloons tied to their chairs so they are easy to spot from a distance. This also puts them right in the middle of the traffic flow of the library, which increases the number of people that stop at their table. This is also a cooperative effort with two other libraries, Plainfield Public Library and New Lenox Public Library. This increases the number of staff we have to help prepare for the event, and the number of staff we have on hand the day of the event.

We contact most of our authors through e-mail, and tell them they can share the information about the Author Fair with other authors. Word spreads quickly, especially once authors start posting it on mailing lists. We have found that the combination of word of mouth and the power of the Internet get the word out quickly and effectively.

Just make sure to set yourself a timeline to contact the authors, finalize your author list, and publicize the event to the public. Pick a good time (we always do ours on a Saturday in the fall), treat your authors well (make sure you have plenty of refreshments for them), and have plenty of staff on hand to answer questions from both authors and patrons.

Submitted by Pamela Kloser
Joliet Public Library
150 N. Ottawa St.
Joliet, IL 60432
815-740-2660
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Internet Express Station
Synopsis: Because we are a small (ish) library, we do not have very many internet stations. The Board decided to restrict them to city resident card-holders only. However, the staff recognized that many of the visitors who come through are also stopping in on their way to shop or dine (we are southern Illinois° regional shopping destination). Rather than give a negative impression of our city, we established an ¿Internet Expressî. For 20 minutes anyone can quickly check their email. It has proven to be very popular (we average over 200 visits per month). Plus we get positive feedback from library visitors who are very appreciative. Out of town businessmen and college students are our best customers.

Implementation at Other Libraries: All you need is a cheap, simple PC and printer (or use your networked printer). You can buy a stand (ours is stand-up only) or just install it at a table or desk. We take their first name down on a daily statistics sheet and give them a placard to post while they are checking their email. The staff sets a timer and when it goes off, they inform the user. Usage is limited to 20 minutes once a day.

Submitted by Deborah Owen
Fairview Heights Public Library
10017 Bunkum Rd
Fairview Heights, IL 62208
(618)489-2071
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Migrating Website to a Content Management System
We recently decided to redo our website. It had become rather dated and was also difficult to maintain. This was in part due to the website being a homegrown compilation of work by various individuals, most of whom were no longer with the library. Because it was a piecemeal effort, the website was not coded to any set of standards, nor was it consistent with its coding. It also contained a wealth of information, but a good portion of that was outdated.

With our new website, we wanted to be able to take advantage of features that would make the site useful to our community – RSS feeds for users to subscribe to that list the new books recently cataloged, blogs for our library gaming groups, and forums for virtual book clubs. We did not want to code this all by hand. We needed a Content Management System (CMS) that did the hard work for us and allowed us to focus on producing and managing the content.

What CMS to choose? We could have chosen to hire a consultant to make a recommendation– but they really would not have known “us” or our “community”. Being a librarian – it was time to do some research. To investigate CMSs on your own, look at listservs such as PUBLIB and WEB4LIB and their archives. Also use sources such as cmsmatrix.org to compare offerings.

If you choose a commercial package, get references not only from the sales rep, but also from listservs to see how functional and friendly the package really is. If choosing an Open Source Software package, ensure that it is well established and has an active development and patch process. Also be sure to investigate support such as the activity on their forums and on their listservs.

Following our research, we choose Drupal (www.drupal.org) as our CMS. We developed an internal committee of a representative from each department to migrate the relevant information from the old site to the new. It took just two months to go from installing the software to launching the new website. Now we have a site that is current, uses new technologies and is easy to maintain

Submitted by Tim Jarzemsky, Director
630-924-2722
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William A. Forgette, Head of Computer Services
630-924-2766
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Bloomingdale Public Library
Bloomingdale, IL

Display Organization Project
The displays are no longer dull at the Bloomingdale Public Library since the Adult Services department developed a new approach to displays. A more organized and rotational assignment system coupled with a healthy dose of inner-departmental competition has allowed the displays in the Adult Services department to grow beyond the humdrum to the spectacular. Not only does this system appeal to users and in turn lead to higher circulation of spotlighted materials, but it motivates staff and increases morale.

How it works:
The Adult Services staff once had a willy-nilly approach to displays: if someone had an idea for a display they would replace one that was stale. The staff members had no idea what the others were planning nor where they were planning on putting a display. That all changed once the department created a more organized system that assigns display duty to the Adult Services staff on a rotational basis. One of reference librarians is in charge of assigning other staff members to a particular display area on a rotational basis. The librarian produces a chart that covers the next few months and delegates a certain display location area to each staff member. Staff then marks the display’s topic on the schedule so there is no overlap. Over the course of a fiscal year, each staff member in the Adult Services department creates four to five large displays. Staff fills the glass display cases which flank the entrances to the fiction and nonfiction areas, as well as smaller displays that consist of keeping the end caps and Librarian’s Picks stocked with eye catching reading material. Each month another librarian takes a photograph of the displays. At the end of the fiscal year, all the photographs are made available for those in the Adult Services department to vote on. Those who created the top three displays are awarded for their hard work with a gift certificate to the local mall.

In addition to the displays created by staff, community groups and residents are invited to use the display cases to showcase their collections.

Effectiveness of the program:
Since implementing the practice, displays have been of a higher quality across the board. Staff strives to create eye catching, unique displays that attract attention. The Adult Services area appears more vibrant and is more visual attractive than it was and more of the print materials that otherwise would have sat on the shelf are brought to the forefront for patrons to browse, and in turn, take home with them. Some of the more popular displays over the course of this fiscal year include: “Color My World”, “Cruisin’” and “Get Fromm Here to There with Frommer’s”.

Translating this service to other libraries:
This practice is easily translatable to any library. Besides ample display space, all a library needs is an organized individual who is willing to take on the scheduling aspect and staff that are willing to commit to producing displays when assigned. Having staff with a creative streak or a competitive side makes for better results but is not required to make this practice work in other libraries.

In saying that, the Adult Services staff at the Bloomingdale Public Library is lucky to have a wide array of display props and fabric available. For libraries with a smaller budget, the use of book stands and the ability to make large colorful signs and banners is key to making a display pop. If the budget allows, libraries should also invest a small amount of money in fabric or felt to make the displays colorful. Do not forget to tap into staff and community members as they can bring in their own collections to spruce up the library.

Submitted by Tim Jarzemsky, Director
630-924-2722
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Karen Luster. Adult Services Assistant Department Head
630-924-2734
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Bloomingdale Public Library
Bloomingdale, IL

Travel Packets
Are your patrons planning a business trip to Belgium, a honeymoon in Hawaii, a road trip to Rhode Island or a school report on Singapore? How can they find the information they need? What will they do when they can’t find an internet hook up in another country, lose their cell phone or GPS signal on the road, or their instructor tells then they need a print reference for their travel report? They can check out a travel packet at the Itasca Community Library.

The Itasca Community Library offers travel information from all 50 states and 75 countries to its patrons. This information includes official travel guides, maps and brochures and is contained in heavy-duty hanging pouches. These pouches have a view window and a grommet enabling the packets to be secure. Patrons can check out the packets to do research for their trip or they can take the packet with them on their trip for easy reference. Patrons are encouraged to bring back brochures from their trips for consideration for future travel packs.

The best thing about the travel packets is that they can be checked out so the patron will have the information with them on their trip. Patrons can consult the official travel guide and find out where to stay, where to eat, where to shop and what not to miss. They can pull out the official visitor’s map from the state or country they are in and plan the best route to take. Many travel packs have information sheets that include history, geography, population, location, climate, and interesting facts about the area.

The way in which the travel packets are put together is, each spring letters are sent out to official tourism offices and organizations from all over the world. The addresses can be found at the Tourism Offices Worldwide Directory website located at http://www.towd.com/. Multiple copies are requested of any information the tourism offices can provide. As the information arrives to the library it is immediately put into the appropriate packet so that the packets are always up-to-date and current.

An added plus to putting these packets together is the fact that the library receives many extra copies of travel brochures and a table is set up in the main section of library to hold these extra copies that are offered to the patrons for free. The travel packet program has been a big success at the Itasca Community Library. Both travelers and students use the packets for travel, browsing and research.

Submitted by Jeffrey Paszkiet
Itasca Community Library
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I Am an American Diversity Program
More than 175 million persons reside outside the country of their birth, and almost one in every ten persons living in the more developed regions of the world is a migrant. It is estimated that there are 41 million migrants living in Northern America, according to the International Migration Report 2002 by the United Nations Population Division.

Realizing the need for dialogue among people from different cultures and backgrounds, and the importance of understanding cultures and beliefs that are different from our own, LTLS adopted several methods to build community bridges. One of the ways for reaching out and for laying the foundations for dialogue is accomplished through the I Am An American Program. The idea is simple, affordable and is an effective way to reach out and bring communities together.

The "I Am An American" program is a two-hour session that features immigrants who came to the United States and made this country their home. Immigrants from different countries are asked to participate in a panel discussion. Panelists tell their stories of making the decision to immigrate to the United States and share details of their journey. They speak of the challenges of being an immigrant and how libraries can help. This model is perfect for bridging the gaps and laying a foundation of understanding based on shared values. The stories are always heart warming and fascinating. It is a great way to discover the richness of our communities.

Submitted by Donna Schaal, Consultant
Lincoln Trail Libraries System
217-352-0047 ext. 204
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Using READ Posters
As a district library serving three towns (Burr Ridge, Darien and Willowbrook) and surrounding unincorporated areas, we’re always looking for opportunities to reinforce our connection to all these communities, while our Board of Trustee’s Legislative Advocacy Committee was gathering momentum and looking for ways to keep our local legislators informed and aware of the value of library services.

Last fall, we invited the three mayors and our state and national representatives to attend a program and speak about freedom.

We took their photos and made READ posters using the ALA CD.

Each of our elected officials received their framed READ poster, delivered personally by board members, providing an additional opportunity to interact with the official. Their offices and lobbies now have very visual, personal reminders of how important libraries are and our board has made the personal connection they sought.

Displayed throughout our library are framed posters of Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso, Darien Mayor Kathleen Weaver, Willowbrook Village President Gary Pretzer, Congresswoman Judy Biggert, and Representative Patricia R. Bellock.

The program was very effective in creating good will and personal connections. We continue to add posters to our collection and have offered a chance to be featured on a READ poster as a prize during National Library Card Month.

Other libraries could feature any combination of local “celebrities” in their READ gallery depending on their situation – perhaps a town council or school officials.

The ALA READ CD is easy to use and we worked with the Prairie Area Library System to have posters produced at a reasonable cost.

Submitted by Chirstine E. Cigler
Indian Prairie Public Library
630-887-8760, ext. 246
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Team Meetings
Personnel Practice at Glenside Public Library District

WHAT: Our team meeting brings together all staff working in the building at a given time. Each person can participate to say what they are currently working on or share something else. Each meeting is about 5 minutes in length and is held in the Lobby with visibility lines to all public service desks and adjacent to phone.

WHEN: Twice a day, Monday through Thursday 9am and 2:30pm Friday and Saturday 9am

WHY: To facilitate better communication among all departments, help familiarize employees with staff from other departments and to make special announcements.

EXPERIENCE: Not disruptive to the public or to the employee’s workday

NOTE: We adopted this idea from retail, seeing it in practice at Walmart and Target. We’ve been using this practice for a little over two years. This is in addition to weekly meetings with the managers and twice per year in-service workshops for staff.

Submitted by Liz Fitzgerald and Katy Vojtech
Team Administrators
Glenside Public Library District

InfoPro
The Des Plaines Public Library asks its patrons - Have a question or topic you’d like to research, but can’t decide where to start? Going back to college, but don’t know how to use online databases and resources?

Any library patron high school age and above can make an appointment for an hour of one-on-one help from a professional information specialist – an “InfoPro” at the Des Plaines Public Library. The new InfoPro service supplements the telephone, walk-in, and electronic reference services already offered by the library. Individuals and small groups may also make appointments with an InfoPro for personalized tours to learn more about library materials and services.

At a scheduled session, an InfoPro will spend about an hour with a patron suggesting useful library materials and databases based on individual research requirements. An individual will learn how to conduct successful searches on a chosen topic and how to use the catalog and printed materials more effectively.

In addition, the patron will receive a customized research guide tailored to his or her specific needs. The guide will list suggested books, databases, Web sites, and other resources on a particular topic. The website of InfoPro is www.dppl.org/reference/InfoPro.html.

Submitted by Holly Richards Sorensen
Head of Adult Services
Des Plaines Public Library
Des Plaines, IL
www.dppl.org

Library Elf
The Helen M. Plum Memorial library has instituted Library Elf. A service that checks the circulation accounts every day and sends e-mail notices when items are coming due, overdue or when holds are ready for pickup. Patrons set up their own parameters, deciding how far in advance of due dates they would like to receive reminders.

Submitted by Robert Harris
Helen M. Memorial Library
Lombard, IL
plum.lib.il.us

Involving Staff
The Messenger Public Library is creating a multi-media time-line, that is about 6’ x 8’ to map our progress of the consortium’s migration project. We plan to make it interactive so that staff has a chance to write comments/suggestions, draw pictures, post stickers…. right on the collage and we are including vendor information, memos from DLS, photos of people we have been and will be working with, committee assignments, etc. We’re hanging it outside of the staff lounge so there is no way anyone will miss seeing it and knowing about the progression of the project. Migrating to a new system will be a huge deal for us and I want to make sure the staff is as well informed, trained and ready to go as possible. We’re supposed to go live with a new system in the Fall of 2006 so this will also be the focus of our next two staff development days.

Submitted by Lynn Elam.
Messinger Public LIbrary
North Aurora, IL
www.messengerpl.org

Mentoring and Learning from Each Other. Inviting Former Staff Members to Attend All Staff Days.
Attracting and retaining quality staff is a challenge in a small library – budget is small, mobility is limited, no real name recognition within the library community, etc. At the same time, small libraries offer a high level of agility, responsibility and authority, a new professional learns more in a small library more quickly than a larger environment because jobs and tasks are so much broader. Everyone has to step up to get the job done and sometimes the job has very little to do with the job description. In a small environment, the staff needs to be the best it can be. We can’t afford marginal people; our overall service really reflects the quality of our staff – it isn’t as if in a couple of hours, the reference staff will change or the circulation people will change shifts or we have a crew of programmers. Everyone has to pull their weight and be good at what they do. We balance in-experience with commitment. Someone who is committed is not going to allow failure and generally is not satisfied with “good enough”.

Yes, they leave us. But that’s what they are supposed to do. They come here, learn, grow and move on. They learn what to do and sometime what not to do. We don’t always get it right every time, but when they leave, they have had a range of experiences and decision making opportunities they wouldn’t have gotten as quickly in a larger environment – We invite all former staff members to particpatie in our staff days. By keeping the relationship, we maintain a mutual benefit. We have enlarged our network of resources by having former staff in new environments and can continue to offer support as their careers develop.

We learn from each other. I am continually amazed by what our new professionals bring to this library. Let me be clear and say that I am not speaking of young people exclusively; I am speaking of people regardless of age who are new to libraries or to management. It seems to me that as professionals we have an obligation to teach, to blend the experienced with the new and to give growth opportunities to the next batch. That doesn’t end, just because they are in a different place. And we can’t wait for somebody else to do it for us. We can’t just send our promising up-and-comers off to a leadership institute or a conference. Professional development and mentoring is everyday. It’s homegrown. Not always glamorous, not always recognized, but necessary and important to our communities.

Submitted by Lynn Elam
Messinger Public Library
North Aurora, IL
www.messengerpl.org