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Agenda posted for 06.30.2011 IHLS Transition Board Meeting

June 29th, 2011 No comments

The Illinois Heartland Library System Transition Board Agenda for 06.30.2011 has been posted.

PDF Version of IHLS Board Agenda for 06.30.2011

Illinois Heartland Library System
Transition Board of Directors
June 30, 2011; 6 pm
Hilton Garden Inn; Effingham Illinois

AGENDA
1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call – Recording Secretary
3. Public Comments
If a member of the audience desires to speak to the Board, sign in and give to a System Staff member. When making a comment, please state your name, affiliation and nature of your business. Please limit your time to 3 minutes.
4. Minutes
June 9, 2011 Meeting
June 15, 2011 Meeting
5. Financial Report
Cash statements all funds and all accounts as of 5.31.2011.
6. President’s Report
7. Staff Report
Property Insurance — Mike Szymkoksi
8. Committee Reports
Facilities Location Committee — Dick Helton
Personnel Committee – Nina Wunderlich
Deferred Compensation Plans
Resolution No: TBR 2011 – 33 revised
Personnel Code
Document No: TBD 2011 – 37
Resolution No: 2011 – 40
Application Review Committee – Karen Bounds
Position Classification
Resolution No: TBR 2011 – 41
IHLS Staffing
Document No: TBD 2011 – 38
9. ISL Report – Greg McCormick; Lawren Tucker
10. Unfinished Business
a. RFB – Medical Insurance (Vision)
Resolution No: TBR 2011 — 42
b. Logo
Document No: TBD 2011 – 39
c. Budget Revision
Document No: TBD 2011 – 40
Resolution No: TBR 2-11- 43
11. New Business
a. LIMRICC
Resolution No: TBR 2011 – 44
b. Prevailing Wage
Resolution No: TBR 2011 – 45
Items related to starting IHLS.
12. Public Comments
If a member of the audience desires to speak to the Board, sign in and give to a System Staff member. When making a comment, please state your name, affiliation and nature of your business. Please limit your time to 3 minutes.
13. Announcements

The Illinois Heartland Library System Transition Board strives to ensure that its meetings are accessible to
individuals with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability and require assistance to observe or participate in
this meeting, please contact any of the current Library Systems at least 48 hours prior to the start of the meeting with
your specific request.

IHLS Legal Notice for Property, Casualty and Liability Insurance

June 7th, 2011 No comments

LEGAL NOTICE
ILLINOIS HEARTLAND LIBRARY SYSTEM
INVITATION TO BID
PROPERTY, CASUALTY AND LIABILITY INSURANCE

Sealed bids will be accepted by the Illinois Heartland Library System for various property, casualty and liability insurance coverage for the coverage period July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012. The coverage shall become effective July 1, 2011.

We invite bids to be submitted to the following address: Illinois Heartland Library System, c/o Rolling Prairie Library System, 345 W. Eldorado St., Decatur,Illinois, 62522-2114. Bids shall be clearly marked on the outside “Sealed Bid-Insurance”.

We will accept bids until Friday, June 24, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. CST when they will be publicly opened and read aloud.

Bid documents, information and answers to questions may be obtained by contacting:

Michael J. Szymkoski
Rolling Prairie Library System
345 W. Eldorado St.
Decatur, IL 62522-2114
217-429-2586
E-mail: mikes@rpls.ws

The deadline for submitting questions is Thursday, June 23, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. CST.

Looking Back to Move Forward – June 21, 2011

June 2nd, 2011 No comments

All library staff, boards, and friends of LCLS are invited to a celebration.  Join us as we look back at the history of Lewis & Clark Library System and move forward and merge into the new Illinois Heartland Library System.

Invitation

2011
Lewis & Clark Library System
Annual Meeting

 

Then & Now –
Looking Back to Move Forward
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
3:00 to 5:30
6725 Goshen Road
Edwardsville, Illinois

 

Light refreshments will be served.

 

Please RSVP by June 10 to Julia Pernicka
juliapernicka@lcls.org
or 656-3216 x142

Categories: Features Tags:

IHLS Logo Design Opportunity

May 31st, 2011 No comments

IHLS LOGO DESIGN OPPORTUNITY: Are you creative? The Illinois Heartland Library System Transition Board invited individuals to submit designs for a professional logo for the system. The Board and staff are interested in seeing concepts, designs and ideas that will provide a brand for the system showing the interdependence of member libraries in providing service to the residents of the area. While we know that the first thing that many people think of when they hear Illinois Heartland is a heart. We respectfully request no heart based logos be included. With your concepts, designs and ideas, please suggest colors, and why you recommend the colors you recommend.

Please return ideas in electronic format by June 8, 2011 to Bev Obert, bevo@rpls.ws; Jan Ison, jison@lincolntrail.info; Leslie Bednar, lesliebednar@lcls.org; or Ellen Popit, epopit@shawls.lib.il.us.

Categories: Consulting, Features, Quick Info Tags:

Transition Board Continues Its Work

May 27th, 2011 2 comments

The Illinois Heartland Library System Transition Board of Directors met on Thursday, May 26 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Effingham. With a full agenda the meeting began at 6 pm. The minutes of the May 9 meeting were read, corrected, and approved. A financial report on the cash flow of the systems was reviewed and reports from the President and staff given.

Committee reports were as follows:

  • Dick Helton gave an update from the Facilities Location Committee. They have three possible properties that could be used as system headquarters in Effingham. They will continue to investigate possible sites.
  • The Executive Search committee presented the search schedule and position ad that was developed by Bradbury and Associates.
  • Personnel Committee presented the “IHLS Paid Time Off and Paid Benefits” resolution. The resolution was adopted. A resolution on “Service Credit & Sick Leave Carry Over” was discussed but no action taken.
  • The Executive Committee reported on changes needed in how to staff IHLS. The resolution on staffing revision was tabled till the June 9th meeting.
  • The Application Review Committee is busy cleaning up the position descriptions and will have them completed for review at the June 9th meeting. The Committee also recommended a resolution on “Educational and Experience Requirements of Internal Candidates “that was approved with modification of wording.

Unfinished Business:

  • An update on Medical Insurance was given.
  • The Application for the Area and Per Capita Grant was reviewed as was the budget for FY 12. Both documents were in draft form and needed more work before submission to the State Library June 1st. The Executive Committee will review and approve the final version before submission.

New Business:

  • A resolution was presented and adopted on the “IHLS Salaries re: Salary Rates” that addresses how salaries of staff who move into the new system will be handled.
  • A resolution to solicit logo ideas from members was also adopted.
  • Orientation of the new board will take place June 15th, and the first meeting of the new board will be on July 14th.

Next meeting of the Transition Board is June 9th at the Hilton Garden Inn,
Effingham, IL at 6 pm.

Congratulations to the new board of Illinois Heartland Library System, and thanks to everyone who offered their services. The new board of IHLS is: (This board shall be officially certified by the Transition Board at the June 9th meeting.)

Trustees:
Janet Hasten, Marshall Public Library
Susan Justice Eldorado Memorial Library
Linda McDonnell, Six Mile Regional Library District
Susan Mendelsohn, Glen Carbon Centennial Library
Joshua Mikeworth, Tolono Public Library District
Anthony Schuering, Lincoln Library Springfield
George Trammell, Marion Carnegie Library
Nina Wunderlich, Taylorville Public Library
Public:
Brock Peoples, Smithton Public Library District
Joan Rhoades, Vespasian Warner Public Library District, Clinton
School:
Karen Bounds, Centralia High School
Elizabeth Letterly, Williamsville CUSD #15
Jacob Roskovensky, Shiloh CUSD #1
Special:
Betsy Mahoney, Madison County Law Library
Academic:
Susan Tulis, SIU, Carbondale–Morris Library.

Beverly J. Obert, Executive Director, Rolling Prairie Library System

Categories: Features, Quick Info Tags:

News from the IHLS Transition Board

May 17th, 2011 1 comment

The Transition Board met by videoconference on Monday April 25 and in person on Monday May 9th at the Hilton Garden Inn in Effingham .

Board actions at the April 25 meeting were the adoption of:

  • the work week and paid holidays for the IHLS
  • the Membership Grievance Policy
  • the Freedom of Information Procedures
  • the Resource Sharing Policy
  • the LLSAP Funds Policy
  • Staffing Assumptions and
  • Compensated Absence and Sick Leave Resolution

The Board also reviewed the bid documents for the Medical, Dental, Life, Vision and Employee Assistance Program that have been posted.

Board actions at the May 9th meeting included:

  • a report from the nominating committee
  • report from the search committee
  • adoption of resolution on employment definitions
  • adoption of resolution on system salary scales
  • adoption of resolution on fund descriptions
  • the position descriptions, annual plan and budget for FY 2012 were reviewed by the Board.

The Board has decided to change the May 26 and June 30 meetings from videoconference to face-to-face meetings. They will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Effingham.
The June 9th meeting will also be face-to-face at the Hilton Garden Inn in Effingham.

The ballot for the election of the first Board of the Illinois Heartland Library System has been sent to member libraries. Each library has one vote. The ballot can be viewed on CooperationToday and also the IHLS website. The deadline for voting is Monday May 23.

The Illinois State Library had notified Illinois Heartland that its Application to Merge has been accepted. This is the second milestone in the merger process. The final step is the submission of the System Area and Per Capita Grant that is due to the State Library on June 1st.

Beverly J. Obert, Executive Director of Rolling Prairie Library System

Categories: Features Tags:

IHLS Minutes for the 04.25.2011 meeting posted.

May 17th, 2011 1 comment

Illinois Heartland Library System Minutes for the videoconference meeting held 04.25.2011 have been posted. (PDF version of 04.25.2011 minutes)

 Place: 

          

Illinois State Library Video Conference
LCLS Video Conference
LTLS Video Conference
RPLS Video Conference
SHLS Video Conference
Eastern Illinois University, Gregg

strong>Date:

April 25, 2011

Attending:

Karen Bounds, Valerie Green, Janet Hasten, Amy Ihnen, Katie Marsh, Linda McDonnell, JoAnn Nabe, Mary Ann Pohl, Bill Randall, Miranda Shake, Diane Stele, Anieta Trame, Tom Turner, Nina Wunderlich

Absent:

Rochelle Funderburg

Other’s Present:

State Library—Diane Yeoman, Elizabeth Letterly, Joan Rhodes, Anne Craig, Greg McCormick, Lawren Tucker.
RPLS—Bev Obert, Louise Green, Richard Helton, Mike Szymkoski
ShLS—Christine Fine, Ellen Popit
LTLS—Donna Schaal, Ramona Rollins
LCLS—Amanda McKay, Juliette Douglas, Leslie Bednar
EIU—Jan Ison

Call to Order:

Called to Order at 6:19 pm

   

 

Agenda Item

Discussion and Decisions

1. Public Comments

 No members of the public wished to comment.

2. Minutes

It was moved by Green and seconded by Bounds that the April 6, 2011 minutes be approved as written. Grammatical errors were corrected during discussion. Minutes passed with amendments during a roll call vote.

3. Financial Report

Steele provided the report of the total Area and Per Capita funding received so far. Requested that all business managers present cash flow as of April as well as a status update of the LLSAPs funding. Question posed by Steele about what committee will work on the budget. It was determined that the Finance Committee would do this work. She asked that the Finance Committee seek consensus on line item reserve fund.

4. President’s Report

Turner met with the search committee via call and Adobe Connect. The initial bid request has been placed. Results will be reviewed on Thursday.

5. Staff Report

System Directors are meeting April 26 to continue discussions about the budget for next year.

6. Committee Reports

Nominating Committee—Dianna Brawley Sussman sent out a questionnaire to solicit nominations.

 

Facilities Location Committee—No report presented.

 

Search Committee—Turner noted that bids were due April 25 and the group will be reviewing them on Thursday.

 

Personnel Committee—Wunderlich reported a discussion held between the committee and Juliette Douglas regarding the difference between a code versus a manual. The bylaws stipulate that it is a code.

 

The Personnel Committee then presented two resolutions to be considered by the board.

 

Illinois Heartland Library System Work Week:

Wunderlich motioned and Randall seconded that Resolution No: TBR 2011-17 along with supporting Document No: TBD 2011-11 pass as presented. There was no discussion. The resolution passed with a roll call vote.

 

Illinois Heartland Library System Paid Holidays:

Steele motioned and Marsh seconded that Resolution No: TBR 2011-18 along with supporting Document No. TBD 2011-22 pass as presented. There was discussion regarding how many paid holidays state employees receive. It’s either 12 or 13, depending on whether it is an election year. The resolution passed with a roll call vote.

7. ISL Report – Greg McCormick; Lawren Tucker

Tucker  presented a report regarding the letter to Turner on April 20, 2011. The application to merge has been received and reviewed. The letter on April 20, 2011, addresses a few items that need to be included to make the application complete. Once those are received, final determination can be made about the ability to merge.

8. Unfinished Business

Illinois Heartland Library System Benefits

Document No: TBD 2011-12 is for informational purposes and will be discussed at the next meeting.

 

Illinois Heartland Library System Salary Scale

Document No: TBD 2011-13 is for informational purposes and will be discussed at the next meeting.

               

Illinois Heartland Library System Pay Period

Document No: TDB: 2011-14 is for informational purposes and will be discussed at the next meeting.

 

9. New Business

Membership Grievance Policy

Steele moved and Trame seconded that Resolution No: TBR 2011-13 along with supporting Document No: TBD 2011-18 be passed as presented. During discussion, several grammatical changes were proposed. The resolution passed as amended with a roll call vote.

 

Freedom of Information Procedures

Green moved and Bounds seconded that Resolution No: TBR 2011-14 along with supporting Document No: TBD 2011-19 be passed as presented. There was no discussion. The resolution passed as amended with a roll call vote.

 

Resource Sharing Policy

Bounds moved and Nabe seconded Resolution No: TBR 2011-15 along with supporting Document No: TBD 2011-20 be passed as presented. There was no discussion. The resolution passed as presented with a roll call vote.

 

LLSAP Funds Policy

Pohl moved and Nabe seconded Resolution No: TBR 2011-16 along with supporting Document No: TBD 2011-21 be passed as presented. During discussion, several grammatical changes were proposed. The resolution passed as amended with a roll call vote.

 

Illinois Heartland Library System Staffing Assumptions

Marsh moved and Bounds seconded that Resolution No: TBR 2011-19 be passed as presented. During discussion, Nabe questioned the use of the word tenure. Turner defined it as longevity. Nabe questioned whether it was the most appropriate word. “Years of Service” was offered as a replacement. Wunderlich questioned the phrasing “highest scale.” Nabe questioned whether that bullet should have a qualifier of “as funds are available.” The resolution passed with amendments with a roll call vote.

 

Compensated Absence and Sick Leave

Pohl moved and Trame seconded that Resolution No: TBR 2011-20 be passed as presented. The resolution passed without amendments with a roll call vote.

 

Illinois Heartland Library System Employee Medical, Dental, Life, Vision, Employee Assistance Program

Ison presented a bid prepared by the business managers. It is one bid that asks for two things; one that asks for the best insurance offerings amongst all of the Systems and one that asks for the minimum offered by the current Systems. Douglas mentioned that from a conversation with McCormick that the specifications should be tight enough so that the low bid can be accepted. Having two plans makes following this recommendation difficult. The business managers are recommending a single bid. McCormick confirmed that it doesn’t seem possible to request a bid for two separate plans. The concern for a single bid was that what if the lowest bid was still too high. McCormick said that in that case, all bids would be rejected and an emergency procurement would need to happen. Business managers will forward recommendation onto executive committee.

Green moved and Shake seconded that that Resolution No: TBR 2011-21 be passed as presented with approval of the final document of the executive committee and executive directors. During discussion Wunderlich asked if the first paragraph was being disregarded. Green confirmed that this is how she made the motion. The resolution passed with a roll call vote.

10. Announcements

Bednar announced that LCLS has a prospective tenet. IHLS will be included in the language of the contract so that future payments will be made to IHLS. Bednar also announced that a prospective buyer has been found for a parcel of land owned by LCLS, but this deal is expected to close before June 30. LCLS will retain the proceeds in their name.

 

The next meeting will be on May 9, 2011, at the Hilton Garden Inn, Effingham, Illinois.

Meeting was adjourned at 7:32 pm.

Illinois Heartland Library System 2011 Board Of Trustees Election Slate Posted

May 12th, 2011 No comments

ILLINOIS HEARTLAND LIBRARY SYSTEM 2011 BOARD OF TRUSTEES ELECTION SLATE

Voting is done by an online survey. The link to the voting ballots is emailed directly to each member library (anticipated date: May 10 or 11, 2011). Contact your system for information about who will receive the email at your library. Voting deadline: 5/23/2011.

IHLS 2011 Board of Trusees Election Slate with Bios, PDF version for printing.

Public Library Trustee seats (8) (2 seats from each former system)

RPLS Trustee
(choose 1)

Biography

Extra

Nina Wunderlich

Trustee Taylorville Public Library 1978–., currently V. Pres. B.S. major Lib. Sci. 1971, ISU; MLS 1976, UIUC. Career as school, academic librarian, and system consultant.

ISLMA: Conference Steering Comm. ’97,’05,’07. Membership Ch. ’06-08. Bluestem Award Steering Comm. 2008-10.

ILA: Public Policy Comm. 1986-88, Co-Ch. of Legis. Day 1986; Conference Steering Comm. ’87 and ’88. Conf. speaker ’84.

Trustee Forum: Pres. ‘89-90; V. Pres. ’87-89. Ch. of spring wrkshp. ’86. Trustee of the Year 1991.

Public Lib. Forum: “Ave. to Excellence” standards review comm. ’87-88

RPLS: Board member as a Trustee 1980-86, 2009-11; Pres. 1983-86. Sect. 2011. Pres. of the System Presidents 1984-85. LLSAP Gov. Board: school rep.; Finance Com.

IHLS: Planning Comm., Legal/Gov./Membership 2010-11; Transition Board, Ch. of Personnel.

I would like to continue serving the multi-type library community and developing the new IHLS because we need to continue to establish a quality and respected system which builds a united family among its members. I believe my background can help me serve IHLS during these challenging times while policies are still being developed within the state system network. Being retired, I have the flexible time to serve the new board in any elected capacity needed.

This candidate served on the IHLS Transition Board, and has indicated willingness to serve on the IHLS Board as an officer.

Valerie J. Green

I have been a trustee of Barclay Public Library Board for 12 years and president for 11 years. I am in my fifth year serving as a trustee for RPLS. I served two years as treasurer and am currently president. I graduated Millikin University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and a minor in Business Administration. I have been active in the Decatur area in a variety of youth programs and youth athletics including YMCA volunteer coach, Special Olympics, Boy Scouts of America, Warrensburg-Latham Athletic Boosters, Youth League, Parish School of Religion, PTO, as well as school literacy, tutoring and science programs for various age groups. I am a Friend of Barclay Public Library and a United Way Donor. I believe in the power of libraries to inform and improve our lives and our communities now and in the future. Public access to information and quality services empowers individuals to achieve.

This candidate served on the IHLS Transition Board, and has indicated willingness to serve on the IHLS Board as an officer.

RPLS Trustee
(choose 1)

Biography

Extra

Anthony Schuering

I currently serve as the Secretary of the Board of Directors of Lincoln Library, which is the public library in Springfield, Illinois. I believe I am qualified to serve on this board because of my service on Lincoln Library’s board and my service on the Long-Range Planning Committee for Lincoln Library. I also believe that, as a young person, I am in a unique position to understand some of the trends that have to do with technological innovation and long-range planning for libraries.

This candidate has indicated willingness to serve on the IHLS Board as an officer.

Debra J. Kraft

I have served on the Blue Mound Memorial Library Board of Trustees for over 15 years, eight years as board president. I feel it is an obligation to become more involved in the workings of our library system.

LTLS Trustee
(choose 1)

Biography

Extra

Joshua Mikeworth

My name is Joshua Mikeworth and I currently serve as President of the Board of Trustees for the Tolono Public Library District. I have served the patrons of my district for six years and have been involved in municipal, regional and state government for nearly a decade prior to that. My wife and I are blessed with three young children and we have all come to love the resources and opportunities of our local library. It was chiefly due to my passion for my local library that I ran for elected office to our library board of trustees several years ago. It is also for these reasons that I would consider it an honor to be selected to serve as a representative to the Illinois Heartland System Board.

Over the past year, events have unfolded that have brought my own library district and our system into the public forum of debate as to the essential question of what are the responsibilities of libraries to the public and to each other, particularly in the light of tightening fiscal budgets, dwindling revenues, and delayed assistance programs. I am proud of the work that I have been involved with in protecting the resources and rights of the patrons and public users of my own district and library system. I am fortunate to have had opportunity to have been enlightened in matters of Illinois Library Law and State Library Code by Mr. Phil Lenzini and State Director Anne Craig. I owe both of these individuals a debt of gratitude for the support, information, and direction they have given.

As a member of the Heartland System Board, I would like to continue to work to ensure that the member libraries and patrons of this new and much larger system are serviced equitably. Further, I would be honored to be afforded the opportunity to serve many of the communities in Southern Illinois where I was raised. Growing up near Robinson Illinois, I can attest to the tremendous value and impact the local library had on my upbringing, cultural experience, and literary enrichment. Though the advances in technologies have bridged many gaps, there is fundamentally still great reliance upon the local library in the rural communities and this makes it all the more imperative that a larger Heartland System be sensitive to the needs of the entirety of its patronage.

Ann Panthen

Ann Panthen, Mahomet Library Board of Trustees. I am interested in becoming involved in the IHLS so that I can be a voice for smaller libraries in the system, as well as being able to bring back important information to the area I serve. I am currently a library trustee and so I have some idea about the issues facing libraries today in Illinois and would like to learn more as well as help the IHLS in whatever manner needed as they get up and running.

This candidate has indicated willingness to serve on the IHLS Board as an officer.

LTLS Trustee
(choose 1)

Biography

Extra

Christine Payne

My name is Christine Payne. I am currently Secretary of Philo Public Library District. I am committed to libraries (public, school and special interest) as a viable future resource for citizens to access information in its many formats. The library system is a cost effective and efficient means to service the public’s need for information resources (primarily through automation and delivery). I served two (2) terms in the 1980s and 1990s on the LTLS board as a small public library representative. I held the position of Treasurer of the LTLS board during the second term. Serving on the committee which hired the Director as well as many other committees related to budgeting and governance allowed me access to information important to my own library as well as all other libraries in the system. I was on the board when systems became multi-type as well as automated. Lobbying for libraries in Washington took me to Washington DC two times with other LTLS board members.

I have been a member of the Philo library board since December of 1978. We were originally a township library and went through a difficult, but necessary, transformation to become our own taxing unit as a district library in 1990.Philo Library was one of the first small libraries to be automated. It then became the first automated library to discontinue automation. Once economic forces and technology became more favorable, Philo Public Library District again became automated. The positions I have held on the Philo library board include President, Treasurer, Secretary and trustee member. I chaired committees to formulate the Long Range Plan and Building Maintenance Plan.

Janet Hasten

Marshall Public Library Board of Trustees.

My name is Janet Hasten, and I would like to represent you, your library, and your patrons as a public library trustee on the Illinois Heartland Library System Board of Directors.

My roots run deep in the Illinois heartland. I was raised on a centennial farm in rural ClarkCounty which my sister and I still own and manage. My husband is also a native of ClarkCounty and we raised our two daughters here.

My professional background is in education. I graduated from EasternIllinoisUniversity with my BS in Education in 1974 and earned my MS in Education at EIU in 1995. I currently teach business at MarshallHigh School. However, my first job in education (1974-1977) was in the library at SouthElementary School in Marshall.

In 1987 I was appointed to the Marshall Public Library Board of Trustees and have been serving on this board ever since. The mayor called recently and asked if I would be willing to complete another three year term, and I gladly accepted his offer. During my tenure on the MPL Board I have served as secretary, vice president, and since 2006 have been serving as president.

In 2007 I was elected to the Lincoln Trail Library System Board of Directors. In 2008 I was selected to fill the position of secretary and am still serving in this capacity. I was nominated by the LTLS Board to be a member of the Illinois Heartland Library System Transition Board and was honored to have been selected for this position. At the first Transition Board meeting, I was elected secretary and am currently serving as a member of the Executive Committee and the Search Committee.

During these years of library service, I have gained a greater understanding of the types of services that a library system provides. I am convinced that these services are vital to the library patrons in my small rural community. The services of a library system truly provide the citizens of our community with a “window to the world” and with access to information that would not otherwise be available. I would consider it both an honor and a privilege to be your voice on the Illinois Heartland Library System Board. The IHLS serves a wide geographic area and a diverse population. I believe that my rural roots, my professional background in education, and my record of library service makes me a qualified candidate to serve you on the IHLS Board. Thank you for your consideration of my candidacy.

This candidate served on the IHLS Transition Board.

LCLS Trustee
(choose 1)

Biography

Extra

Gary N. Denue

Edwardsville Public Library, Trustee. I have been involved in libraries for over forty years and have recently retired from Library and Information Services at SIUE where I held the position as Associate Dean. I have a strong belief that cooperative ventures are the future in dealing with the economic and technological challenges facing all libraries. I believe my knowledge of libraries, the challenges they face and past involvement in cooperative ventures such as CARLI, the Lewis and Clark Library system and my present role as a trustee for a public library would provide expertise and leadership for this new cooperative venture.

This candidate has indicated willingness to serve on the IHLS Board as an officer.

Linda McDonnell

Linda McDonnell is Board of Trustees President for the Six Mile Regional Library District located in Granite City, Illinois, as well as President of the current Lewis & Clark Library System Board of Directors.

As a retired elementary school teacher, I have always valued reading and access to information. My passion for libraries and the possibilities they offer their communities (whether the community is a school or academic population, a special interest group, or a physical community) is evident in the hours I have devoted to my local library board, the current System board, and the Transition board. I can help us bridge from the traditional to the future Illinois multi-type library system. I understand our road will be rocky and firmly believe that I can assist in smoothing the path ahead. I would be honored to continue to advocate for libraries and all they offer as a board member of the Illinois Heartland Library System. I am very committed to the success of the new Library System for the best interest of the people of Illinois.

This candidate served on the IHLS Transition Board, and has indicated willingness to serve on the IHLS Board as an officer.

LCLS Trustee
(choose 1)

Biography

Extra

Andrew Wolkiewicz

My name is Andrew V. Wolkiewicz and I am currently Vice-President of the Morrison-Talbott Library Board in Waterloo, Illinois. I received my undergraduate history degree from the University of Notre Dame in 2005 and my law degree from Saint Louis University in 2008. I am presently an associate with the law firm of Thompson Coburn, LLP and work out of the Belleville, Illinois office. As a student of the arts and letters and the law, and now as a practicing attorney, I know the importance of having access to libraries with significant collections and resources. Without access to strong libraries throughout my life, I would not have achieved the high academic goals I have set for myself, nor have already scored significant success in my current occupation. Of course, libraries also offer the opportunity to escape reality and enter new and exciting worlds of adventure, fantasy, and make-believe. I have benefited from libraries in countless ways over the years and believe I would be a strong proponent of Illinois libraries as they face the challenge of incorporating modern technology and overcoming the unwarranted prejudice towards reading in people of all ages.

Levi Ottwell

Columbia Public Library Trustee, Treasurer.
My name is Levi Ottwell and I grew up in the Edwardsville, IL area and currently live in Columbia, IL. I am married and have one daughter; my wife is the Spanish teacher at the middle school in Columbia. I graduated in 2003 from SIUC with a Bachelors of Science in Aviation Management and then in 2005 from SIUE with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. I currently work as a Project Engineer for a construction company in St. Louis, MO. I have served the Columbia Public Library board as treasurer since being appointed in September of 2009. I feel my education, life experience, and local board service are a good basis for serving the larger system board. Throughout my life and education I depended on the services of libraries and understand the importance of the library system to make each of its member libraries stronger and more useful to their patrons. My masters’ degree work focused on the specific challenges and aspects of the public sector which I think will translate well to the work this board will be undertaking. My board service in Columbia has shown me the strain that can develop between the state and municipalities with their libraries. More specifically my time as treasurer has shown me that libraries can continue to thrive with good fiscal policy. Most importantly I have also seen that support from the community cannot be stressed enough as they are not only who we are in place to serve but are often times our greatest supporters. Continuing to keep them involved and up to date on our concerns and issues is extremely important in the future to ensure our overall success.

Susan Mendelsohn

Glen Carbon Centennial Library, VP of the Board of Trustees (4+ yrs on this Board, 2 yrs as Treasurer). I am also currently serving as Secretary of the LCLS Board (2 yrs on this Board) I have attended at least 80% of the IHLS Planning Board and Transitional Board meetings. I have contributed input to all four committees in the process and would like to continue to take part in doing what I can to help with building and maintaining the new system. I have a strong financial back ground and believe I could make a noteworthy contribution in assisting in putting together an operating budget, developing cost saving programs, etc.

ShLS Trustee
(choose 1)

Biography

Extra

Linda Egge

Trustee, Chester Public Library. I am retired from the Chester Community Unit 139 school system after having worked there for 33 years. I worked as a high school physical education and English teacher for 27 years; media specialist and technology coordinator for the district for 6 years. After retiring from the schools, I was appointed to the Board of Trustees of Chester Public Library. I have been a board member for 3 years, but have not held any offices.

Ms. Egge’s educational background includes: bachelor’s degree in education, 1971, Concordia Teachers College, Seward, Nebraska; master’s degree in education, 1984, Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville; and master’sof library and information science – 2001 University of Illinois – Champaign-Urbana.

Susan Justice

Trustee, Eldorado Memorial Library. I have a bachelor of science in math education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a master’s degree in school counseling from Chapman College. I taught math in high schools in Georgia and Ohio for four years. After my son entered school, I worked as a social worker in Virginia and Ohio for several years. When I returned to my hometown, Eldorado, I worked for the Gallatin County School System for 21 years as high school counselor and psychology teacher. Following my retirement, I worked at Southeastern Illinois College as admissions testing supervisor for four years. I am now completely retired, but I am a very active volunteer for my church, the library and our local garden club among other things. Reading is my passion; I have been an active public and education library user since I was 4 years old. Some of my earliest and happiest memories revolve around my dad taking me to the library every week to check out books.

This candidate has indicated willingness to serve on the IHLS Board as an officer.

ShLS Trustee
(choose 1)

Biography

Extra

George R. Trammell

Mr. Trammell has been a member of the Marion Carnegie Library Board since 2002. Since 2009, he has been vice president of the library board. Other library board offices he has held include: treasurer, 2006-2007; secretary, 2007-2008; and president 2008-2009. He served on the Shawnee Library System Board of Directors in 2007-2008 and is presently the president and chief executive officer of the Marion Chamber of Commerce. His education background includes a bachelor’s degree in workforce education and a master’s degree in education, both from Southern Illinois University. Mr. Trammell has been involved in several community activities and organizations, including: the Marion Rotary Club, where he has held several offices; Williamson County Tourism Board; Williamson County Pavilion/Events Commission Board; Southern Illinois Regional Chambers of Commerce; Regional Economic Development Corporation Advisory Board member; Marion Main Street Board, where he held several offices; Williamson County Airport Task Force; Greater Marion Area United Way Board of Directors; and Veterans of Foreign Wars Ritual Team Member.

This candidate has indicated willingness to serve on the IHLS Board as an officer.

Frank Bandre

Mr. Bandre has been a member of the Mascoutah Public Library Board since 1999. Starting in May 2008, he has been the Board (and library) Treasurer. He served on the Shawnee Library System Board of Directors from 2001 to 2004. Mr. Bandre has a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Engineering Management. He has retired from the USAF after twenty years of service and is currently working for ARINC supporting the Department of Defense under various contracts.

Public Library seats (2)

LCLS (choose 1)

Biography

Extra

Brock Peoples

Director, Smithton Public Library District. I believe that the voice of the small rural library has traditionally been underrepresented at the system and the state level. As we move forward with ever-increasing cooperation between libraries in Illinois, it is vital that this community of libraries is represented. As a member of the Board of IHLS, I will bring the perspective that comes from working in a small rural library as well as the fresh perspective of having not served on such a board in the past.

Beth Harp-Huffines

I am Beth Harp-Huffines, Director of the Roodhouse Public Library. I would like to run so that I can be a voice for the small libraries. So often we feel that we are overlooked and having someone from a small library who would advocate for us would be a big plus. I think that IHLS is going to be a very positive thing for all libraries and I would love to be able to be on the board to promote and move IHLS forward into the future!

RPLS (choose 1)

Biography

Extra

Lee Ann Fisher

Decatur Public Library, City Librarian. I currently have a seat on the RPLS Governing Board and have been president, the RPLS Advisory Board and the Medium Public Library group. I am a member of ILA (Public Policy Committee), PLA & ALA. I have been very active in the Decatur community holding memberships in the Chamber, ABWA (American Business Women’s Association) past president, United Way fund distribution committee, and their Community Impact Committee, Decatur Area Arts Council, as well as a recruiter for Vanderbilt University. I think I will bring a wealth of experience to the board, an ability to see the big picture and the desire to see the new system succeed. I also come from GA were we went to 1 computer system for all public libraries and a statewide library card. Please don’t hesitate to contact me for further information. I would be willing to be an officer if needed.

This candidate has indicated willingness to serve on the IHLS Board as an officer.

Joan B. Rhoades

I have worked at the Vespasian Warner Public Library District, in Clinton, for 23 years, serving as Co-Director for the past ten years. I obtained my MS in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois in 1995. I believe I am a strong candidate for the Illinois Heartland Library System Board (IHLS) because of my knowledge of library systems and how they interact with member libraries. For the past 20 years I have served on numerous committees for the Rolling Prairie Library System (RPLS) and the RPLS Local Library System Automation Program (LLSAP). I am currently the chair of the LLSAP Policy committee, and also serve on the Finance, Database and Technology committees. I am past president of the LLSAP Users’ Group. I am also currently on the board for the DeWitt County Human Resource Center and recently assisted in hiring a new director for that facility. I would be happy to consider running for an officer position on the board of the IHLS.

The IHLS board position will require the ability to look at all sides of issues and the ability to listen and consider viewpoints that are different. We have four similar yet different cultures merging into one. Cooperation is vital to this endeavor. I attended the majority of the Southern System Planning meetings and the majority of the Transition Board meetings, so I bring a history of the work that has been done over the past year to get to this point.

One of the things I am proud of is changing and updating procedures at my library and getting away from the “it’s always been done that way” attitude. We need to be able to change for the transition process to work smoothly. I believe I can assist as the IHLS moves forward. Thank you for your consideration.

Joan B. Rhoades
Co-Director
Vespasian Warner Public Library District Clinton, Il 61727

This candidate has indicated willingness to serve on the IHLS Board as an officer.

School seats (3)

ShLS School (choose 1)

Biography

Extra

Karen Bounds

My name is Karen Bounds and I am currently employed by Centralia High School as their district librarian, a position I have held for 18 years. I strongly believe in the power of libraries in the lives of our students and the adults they will become. I have served on the Shawnee Library System board twice during 18 years and am currently president of the Shawnee Board. As a member of the Illinois Heartland Planning Panel and Transition Board, I would like to continue to help make Illinois Heartland Library System the very best that it can be and am willing to serve as an officer of the new IHLS board if asked to do so. As a school representative, I will work to ensure IHLS recognizes the importance of school libraries as a part of the team of libraries that brings an invaluable service to the citizens of Illinois.

This candidate served on the IHLS Transition Board.

Katie Marsh

I have served in the library field in various capacities; as a school librarian, public library trustee and system board member. My first position was as librarian for Kinmundy/Alma School District for 2 years at the Elementary, Junior High, and High School. I was the media specialist for Franklin Park Middle School in Salem for 7 years. Before coming to Nashville High School, I was the librarian for 2 years at Raccoon Elementary School, Centralia. I have been Media Center director at Nashville High School for the past 5 years, where I achieved my National Board Certification in Library Media. I also served as trustee for the Salem Bryan-Bennett Public Library for many years and am currently on the Board of Directors for Shawnee Library System. I was appointed to the Transition Board for the Illinois Heartland Library System to help with the transition to the new library system. I currently hold a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in instructional technology. I am a wife, mother, and proud grandmother of 8 (almost 9) grandchildren.

This candidate served on the IHLS Transition Board.

LTLS School (choose 1)

Biography

Extra

Jacob P. Roskovensky

Jacob Roskovensky, Library Media Specialist for the Shiloh Community Unit School District #1, has taught for five years. He earned his bachelors degree in Library Media Services K-12 from Indiana State University in 2006 and his master’s degree in Educational Instructional Media from Wilkes University in 2010. Jacob served on the LINC Policy Council as a school representative from 2009-2011 for the Lincoln Trail Libraries System. He has earned the Shiloh CUSD#1 Outstanding Contribution Award and serves on the 2011 ISLMA Annual Conference Steering Committee. He is the High School Representative for the Shiloh Education Association and Publicity Chairman for the Shiloh PTO.

Jacob truly believes that powerful libraries do make powerful learners, and his program shows it. He feels that each library in the multi-type system has a vital role, and should be a contributing member. He would ensure that all types of libraries would be valued in our multi-type system. Jacob appreciates all of the libraries; he works in a building with 310 students, but has served a building as large as 1,800 students. He respects the thoughts of others, and isn’t afraid to vocalize his own thoughts. He is strong in seeking the wisdom of his experienced colleagues. While he is proficient in the use of technology, he still sees the importance of social interaction and would enjoy hearing from anyone.

This candidate has indicated willingness to serve on the IHLS Board as an officer.

Anieta Trame

Anieta Trame has been the middle school librarian in Mattoon for the past 12 years and a member of Lincoln Trail Library System board for the past 5 years. She received her Master’s in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois. Since that time she has been involved in ISLMA and her local librarian group. In addition she has won the ISLMA/Highsmith and AASL awards for her work in a community read program. She has also been the recipient of the Jefferson award in her community for her work in literacy. Anieta now co-teaches a school library class at the University of Illinois.

This candidate served on the IHLS Transition Board.

RPLS School(choose 1)

Biography

Extra

Elizabeth L. Letterly

Williamsville CUSD #15, District Librarian. My interest stems from a commitment to school libraries and the ideals of service that are at the heart of all fields of librarianship. My experience includes 17 years as a school librarian, 4 years as a prison librarian, and several years of service as a member of Rolling Prairie’s LLSAP Governing Board. Like most of us, I began my journey toward IHLS with apprehension, but, like most of us, I am encouraged by the professionalism and seriousness that has characterized the transition. I am excited about the opportunity to be a part of its beginnings and to represent schools in that process.

This candidate has indicated willingness to serve on the IHLS Board as an officer.

Karen Smith-Cox

CUSD #303 Lovington, Illinois District Librarian. School libraries are overlooked by many administrators and we need as much support as we can get. The new system will need an involved representative and I know I could fill the position and be an advocate for all school librarians in the new system.

Vicky Ludwig

Unit librarian for Neoga CUSD#3. I am interested in running for the Board of IHLS. I feel it is important to be involved in our new library system and think this is a great opportunity to serve.

Special Library seats (1)

LCLS (choose 1)

Biography

Extra

Betsy Mahoney

Law Library Clerk, Madison County Law Library.
I strongly believe systems benefit each library and community in numerous ways, from interlibrary loans to continuing education for librarians. Serving on the board, I would be able to help with the efficient running of a valuable resource to central and southern Illinois. I have grown up in and always worked in a library environment, which led me to my decision to pursue my MLS at Indiana University’s School of Library and Information Science. Having worked in both public and special libraries, I appreciate the many services Illinois Systems provide to all types of libraries. I am currently serving on the Lewis and Clark Library System Board of Directors as a Library Representative at Large. I am also part of the Illinois Heartland Library System Search Committee for the new Executive Director.

This candidate runs uncontested.

Academic seats (1)

ShLS (choose 1)

Biography

Extra

Rebecca Bostian

Rebecca Bostian is a reference Librarian at the John A. Logan College Library. “I have previously served on system boards in Illinois and Kansas. I believe systems serve a vital function in coordinating and facilitating the activities of multi-type libraries and the board has a role in advocating for those services.” Ms. Bostian has a master’s in library and information science from Louisiana State University. Her bachelor’s degree from San Diego State University is in public administration. She has doctoral course work at Emporia State University at Kansas. Her community involvement has included a term as vice president of the Rotary of Topeka, Kansas.

Susan Tulis

Susan Tulis is the Associate Dean for Information Services at Southern Illinois University – Carbondale Morris Library. “I believe in the value of public libraries and the resources that the library systems throughout the state of Illinois provide to its citizens. I have been a professional librarian for over 30 years and would like to help in any way possible.” Ms. Tulis was appointed to the Carbondale Public Library Board in April of this year. She has a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has worked at SIUC since 2001. Her resume also includes work at the University of Virginia Main Library and the Law Library. She was a lobbyist for the American Association of Law Libraries.

IHLS Personnel Committee Meeting Agenda for 05.11.2011 Posted

May 11th, 2011 No comments

ILLINOIS HEARTLAND LIBRARY SYSTEM
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
CONFERENCE CALL MEETING – May 11, 2011 6:30 P.M.
**New Conference call in Number 1-800-444-2801 Pin number 3892694
URL:http://wjil3.acrobat.com/r13898509/

AGENDA
I. Attendance noted as each calls in

II. Notes from 4/27 and 5/04 meetings

III. New section to review – Sec. IX of original doc.
A. Working Conditions – Work week, lunch period, breaks, etc.
B. Employment Benefits
1. Legally required
2. System provided -Vacations, sick leave, personal days, funeral leave, etc.

IV. From previous meetings/Juliette creating/waiting for input from system Ex. Directors
A. Employment Definitions – Sec. IV of original doc., Part C, job classification
based on other criteria
B. Salary/Compensation Policy

V. Questions/Concerns

VI. Meeting next week

IHLS Final Version of Agenda Posted for 05.09.2011

May 9th, 2011 No comments

The final version of the agenda and associated documents for the Illinois Heartland Library System Transition Board meeting for 05.09.2011 at 6 pm at the Hilton Garden Inn in Effingham, IL has been posted.

Final version of Agenda and associated Documents in PDF format.

TBResolution2011-22 (Employment Definitions) in PDF format.

TBD 2011-24 (Position Descriptions) in PDF format.

TBDocument2011-25 (Annual Plan) in PDF format.

TBDocument2012-26 (FY2012 Budget) in PDF format.

IHLS Transition Board Agenda for 05.09.2011 Meeting Posted

May 6th, 2011 No comments

Illinois Heartland Library System
Transition Board of Directors
May 9, 2011; 6 pm
Hilton Garden Inn; Effingham Illinois

Documents for 05.09.2011 Meeting in PDF format.
TBD 2011-24 in PDF format.

AGENDA

  1. Call to Order
  2. Roll Call – Recording Secretary
  3. Public Comments
    If a member of the audience desires to speak to the Board, sign in and give to a System Staff member. When making a comment, please state your name, affiliation and nature of your business. Please limit your time to 3 minutes.
  4. Minutes
    April 26, 2011 Meeting
  5. Financial Report
  6. President’s Report
  7. Staff Report
  8. Committee Reports
    Nominating Committee – Dianna Brawley Sussman or representative
    Slate of Candidates for IHLS Board
    Facilities Location Committee
    Search Committee – Tom Turner
    Search Firm Announcement
    Personnel Committee – Nina Wunderlich
    Illinois Heartland Library Employment Definitions
    Resolution No: TBR 2011-21;
  9. ISL Report – Greg McCormick; Lawren Tucker
  10. Unfinished Business
    1. Illinois Heartland Library System Benefits
      Document No: TBD 2011-12; Document No: TBD 2011-21
    2. Illinois Heartland Library System Salary Scale
      Resolution No: TBR 2011-22; Document No: TBD 2011-13
  11. New Business
    Executive Session – Personnel issues related to employment, salaries and benefits.
    Position Descriptions
    Resolution No: TBR 2011 – 22: Document No: TBD 2011-XX
    Annual Plan FY 2012
    Document No: TBD 2011-XX
    IHLS Funds
    Resolution No: TBR 2011 – XX: Document No: TBD 2011-XX
    Budget FY 2012
    Document No: TBD 2011-XX
    Appointment of positions IHLS Positions
  12. Announcements

Next Meeting: May 26, 2011 – Video Conference – Recommend changing to in person meeting.

The Illinois Heartland Library System Transition Board strives to ensure that its meetings are accessible to individuals with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability and require assistance to observe or participate in this meeting, please contact any of the current Library Systems at least 48 hours prior to the start of the meeting with your specific request.

IHLS Nominating Committee Minutes from 04.28.2011 Posted

May 5th, 2011 No comments

Minutes, Nominating Committee
Date: April 28, 2011, 2:00pm
Location: Phone Conference

1) Meeting called to order at 2:00pm

2) Roll call
Present:
Diana Brawley Sussman , Committee Chair, Carbondale Public Library
Deanne Holshouser, Edwardsville Public Library
Nancy Huntley, Lincoln Library
Kim Keller , Bryan-Bennett Library
Bev Obert , Committee Liaison, Rolling Prairie Library System

Committee Members absent:
Nina Pals, Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospital Medical Library

Visitors:
None

3) The committee discussed committee assignments and next steps for soliciting and verifying nominations, setting slate of candidates and distributing voting ballot.

Discussion:
A draft ballot was created using almost all candidates who so far had responded to the survey that “yes” they were interested. The few exceptions include: Excluded one candidate who stated that she would not run if someone from her Board wanted to run, and her Board member did want to run; Excluded about 10-12 candidates who answered the survey with “yes,” but did not give their name or contact information; Excluded one or two “yes” candidates who would have thrown off the geographic balance, which guarantees 3-4 seats for each system; Included one candidate who had responded that she was “interested in serving if needed, but would prefer not to” (the only System representative willing to serve; that nominee will run uncontested unless another candidate comes forward).

The ballot groups individuals into pairs, or in some cases, groups of 3. Voters will choose one candidate from each group of 2-3 individuals. This follows ILA’s ballot as an example, and ensures geographic equality. The committee agreed that achieving the geographic equality requested was of utmost importance, and that doing so would make continuing geographic equality much easier to achieve in future elections.

There were more than 300 survey responses. Many people indicated that they were willing to serve if needed, but preferred not to. Because enough candidates said “yes,” they were interested, the committee did not seek out candidates who did not say “yes.” People who were recommended to the committee were invited by email to respond to the survey, when an email address was given. There may have been some people recommended without an email address provided, but the committee did not need to seek out these candidates because there were enough willing candidates. The committee did not eliminate or add any candidates beyond the above configuration, so no personal preferences were used to determine the slate. The slate appears to be balanced geographically, and according to other known factors (age, sex, library size). Library type is determined by the bylaws http://www.illinoisheartland.org/about-us/ihls-policies/IHLSBylaws.pdf/view?searchterm=bylaws :
a. Eight (8) members from the governing boards of public library members.
b. Two (2) members representing public libraries
c. Three (3) members representing school libraries
d. One (1) member representing special libraries
e. One (1) member representing academic libraries
  
Additional responses that come in to the survey, and interested or recommended candidates who were not selected to appear on the ballot will be given to subsequent nominating committees to help find potential candidates. It is unfortunate that we could not use everyone who was interested, but we were very pleased and surprised to find enough candidates to create a ballot with such strict specifications regarding geography and type of representative. Most selection committees (ILA, for example), hand pick nominees rather than open up the process to a broader audience with an area-wide survey.

Next steps:
Each committee member representing one of the 4 systems will contact the candidates in their system, verify that they are still interested, obtain a final biography for the ballot, and email it to Diana. Each system is to send Diana one email address per line, for each voting library. Diana will import these into survey monkey (again following ILA’s model). The ballot will be a survey sent to those specific emails. It can only be answered once by each respondent, ensuring that the process allows just one vote for voting each member library. As in the past, each entity, school district, library district, etc. gets just one vote no matter how many buildings they have.

4) Set next committee meeting to resolve any issues that arise, and set final ballot. Date to be determined.

5) Adjourned at 3:25 p.m.

Respectfully prepared and submitted by:

Diana Brawley Sussman, Nominating Committee Chair
Carbondale Public Library

IHLS Nominating Committee Agenda for Meeting on 05.06.2011

May 4th, 2011 No comments

Nominating Committee Agenda:

 Date: Friday, May 06, 2011, 10:00 a.m.

Location: Phone Conference

Dial-in Number:                1-605-475-6350

Participant Access Code:  62901

Visitors welcome.

1) Call to order

2) Discuss and resolve any issues that arose with proposed slate or election process. Add or delete candidates as needed to comply with geographic balance or legal by-laws.

3) Vote to approve final agenda

4) Adjourn

IHLS Search Committee Meeting Agenda for 05.03.2011 Posted

May 3rd, 2011 No comments

Illinois Heartland Library System Search Committee Tuesday, May 3, 2011 7 PM.

Agenda

  1. Call meeting to order
  2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting
  3. Update from conversation with Greg McCormick
  4. Review Search Firm Responses
  5. Agree on Next Steps.

IHLS Personnel Committee Meeting 04.27.11 Agenda

April 26th, 2011 No comments

The IHLS Personnel Committee will be meeting via conference call and Adobe Connect on Wednesday, April 27th.  For more information click on the agenda below.

Agenda-April 27

Public Per Capita – Budget Amendments

April 22nd, 2011 No comments

If you received a public library per capita, school library per capita or other type of grant requiring submission of a budget amendment, the amendment must be submitted to the State Library by May 1.  For questions about budget amendments, please contact Mary Downing at mdowning@ilsos.net , Karen Egan at kegan@ilsos.net , or Jeanne Urbanek at jurbanek@ilsos.net.

Categories: Consulting, Features, Quick Info Tags:

2010 Census Maps

April 22nd, 2011 No comments

The U.S. Census Bureau has placed 2010 Census maps on the Web.  The data may be particularly helpful for public library districts that will have to compare their district boundaries to census geography to arrive at their population figure for annual Illinois State Library Public Library Per Capita grants.  There are four types of 2010 census maps, and they are all in PDF format at the following URL’s:

Census Tract Reference Maps – http://www.census.gov/geo/www/maps/pl10_map_suite/tract.html
County Block Maps – http://www.census.gov/geo/www/maps/pl10_map_suite/cou_block.html
Voting District/State Legislative District Reference Maps – http://www.census.gov/geo/www/maps/pl10_map_suite/vtd_sld.html
School District Reference Maps – http://www.census.gov/geo/www/maps/pl10_map_suite/sch_dist.html

For each map select the state of Illinois, then select the county, then select the “000” or “001” index.  Each type of geography has corresponding data in the new American FactFinder2 (http://factfinder2.census.gov), including school districts.  Learn how to find the population statistic of a given Census Tract using American Factfinder2 at http://www.cubitplanning.com/data/american-fact-finder-census-tracts

The State Library does not have and will not have paper versions of these maps.

Additionally, 2009 Illinois county taxing district maps are available in PDF format at:

http://ediillinois.org/ppa/meta/html/00/00/00/02/92/25.html

Select your county, then select the library district map.  The 2009 maps are the most recent maps available.  New county taxing district maps will be available later this year.

If you have any questions or want more information about these maps, contact the ISL Map Room at 217/782-5823 or e-mail islmap@ilsos.net.

Categories: Consulting, Features, Quick Info Tags:

Public Library “Business Packages” Follow-up

April 22nd, 2011 No comments

Thanks to a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Illinois State Library will provide more than 60 Illinois public libraries with “business packages”.  The packages include laptops, multimedia projectors, camcorders, software and training videos to assist small businesses and entrepreneurs in local communities. The business packages will be made available to public libraries on long term loan.  We’re thrilled with the early response from libraries interested in participating.  Here are answers to some of the questions we’ve received so far.

1.      What kinds of plans should a library have for working with business, especially if they have not done so before?

We’re looking for ways libraries plan to cooperate with their business community, so examples might be attending Chamber of Commerce meetings, providing library meeting space for business groups, participating in Project Compass: Workforce Recovery, or providing training in business software.

2. How will a library’s proximity to a Small Business Development Center (SBDC) or SCORE office affect a library’s chances of being selected to participate?

The Small Business Administration is interested in having libraries use the services of these offices if possible.  However, libraries can work with another business organization if there is no SBDC or SCORE office in your area.  What’s important is that you are in contact with your business community and plan to work with them.

3. Can my public library partner with another public library for this project?

Yes!  One library will need to be the lead partner and complete the Interest Indicator Survey (see below) and be responsible for the equipment and software, but a partnership that makes practical sense for your community is fine.  Simply explain the partnership in one of the text boxes in the Interest Indicator Survey.  Partners will receive only one equipment and software package.

Public libraries must apply for the packages by May 16.  Complete the “Interest Indicator Survey” form posted at (http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/what_we_do/busandlibs.html).

On Wednesday, May 4 from 1:30-2:30pm, the State Library will host a webinar to answer any questions you may have about these business package grants. You do not need a password and registration is not required.  Simply point your browser to http://isl.acrobat.com/r36212252/to join the discussion.  (Before using Adobe Connect, it is recommended that participants look at the Getting Started Guide and run the Adobe Connect Test Connection Wizard. This will ensure that all users have the Adobe Connect Add-on installed on their computers. Links to these resources are provided at Adobe Connect Connection: Test: https://admin.adobe.acrobat.com/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm)

For more information or if you have other questions, please contact Joe Natale (jnatale@ilsos.net, 217-558-4185) at the Illinois State Library. (SBA funding should not be construed as an endorsement of any products, opinions, or services. All SBA-funded projects are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.)

Categories: Consulting, Features, Grants, Quick Info Tags:

IHLS Transition Board Agenda for 04.25.2011

April 21st, 2011 No comments

Illinois Heartland Library System
Transition Board of Directors
6:00 – 8:30 pm; April 25, 2011

Locations:
Illinois State Library Video Conference
LCLS Video Conference
LTLS Video Conference
RPLS Video Conference
SHLS Video Conference
Eastern Illinois University, Gregg Technology Center

AGENDA

  1. Call to Order
  2. Roll Call – Recording Secretary
  3. Public Comments

    If a member of the audience desires to speak to the Board, sign in and give to a System Staff member. When making a comment, please state your name, affiliation and nature of your business.
    Please limit your time to 3 minutes.

  4. Minutes

    April 6, 2011 Meeting

  5. Financial Report
  6. President’s Report
  7. Staff Report
  8. Committee Reports

    Nominating Committee – Dianna Brawley Sussman

    Letter to Members requesting Nominations for the Board of Directors

    Facilities Location Committee

    Search Committee – Tom Turner

    Request for Bid

    Personnel Committee – Nina Wunderlich

    Illinois Heartland Library System Work Week

    Resolution No: TBR 2011-17; Document No: TBD 2011-11

    Illinois Heartland Library System Paid Holidays

    Resolution No: TBR 2011-18; Document No. TBD 2011-22

  9. ISL Report – Greg McCormick; Lawren Tucker

    Letter to Tom Turner April 20, 2011

  10. Unfinished Business
    1. Illinois Heartland Library System Benefits
      Document No: TBD 2011-12
    2. Illinois Heartland Library System Salary Scale
      Document No: TBD 2011-13
    3. Illinois Heartland Library System Pay Period
      Document No: TDB: 2011-14
  11. New Business
    1. Membership Grievance Policy

      Resolution No: TBR 2011-13; Document No: TBD 2011-18

    2. Freedom of Information Procedures

      Resolution No: TBR 2011-14; Document No: TBD 2011-19

    3. Resource Sharing Policy

      Resolution No: TBR 2011-15; Document No: TBD 2011-20

    4. LLSAP Funds Policy

      Resolution No: TBR 2011-16; Document No: TBD 2011-21

    5. Illinois Heartland Library System Staffing Assumptions

      Resolution No: TBR 2011-19

    6. Compensated Absence and Sick Leave

      Resolution No: TBR 2011-20

    7. Illinois Heartland Library System Employee Medical, Dental, Life, Vision, Employee Assistant Program

      Resolution No: TBR 2011-21

  12. Announcements

    Next Meeting: May 9, 2011 – Hilton Garden Inn, Effingham, IllinoisThe Illinois Heartland Library System Transition Board strives to ensure that its meetings are accessible to individuals with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability and require assistance to observe or participate in this meeting, please contact any of the current Library Systems at least 48 hours prior to the start of the meeting with your specific request.

PDF version of the agenda and documents.

Categories: Features, Quick Info Tags:

Search Firm Invitation to Bid

April 13th, 2011 No comments

At the April 7, 2011 Meeting of the Illinois Heartland Library System Board of Directors, the decision was made to retain the services of a search firm or consultant to assist in the process of hiring an Executive Director for the Illinois Heartland Library System.  In compliance with (30 ILCS 525/) Governmental Joint Purchasing Act, notice will be posted in the Breese Courier (http://breezecourier.com/index.asp).

Invitation for Bid

WilsonSelect Plus Information for FY2012

April 12th, 2011 1 comment

For the upcoming fiscal year starting on July 1, 2011, H.W. Wilson will be making some changes on how you access their product.  The name of the product has changed from WilsonSelect Plus to OmniFile Select.  One of the other major changes is that the library systems will no longer bill for their product in the future.  But good news….the pricing will remain the same for next year!

For more details about OmniFile Select and who to contact for re-ordering or to start a subscription read the attached .pdf document.

HWWilson

Categories: Consulting, Features, Quick Info, Technology Tags:

Transition Board Mtg. – Search Committee – April 11th

April 11th, 2011 No comments

The Search Committee from the Transition Board will be meeting on April 11th, starting at 5:30 p.m.

This meeting will be virtual.  The agenda and how to access this meeting are included in this post.

AgendaSearchCom4.11.2011

Categories: Features, Quick Info, Transition Board Tags:

Planning Panel Agenda for 04.08.2011 Meeting

April 5th, 2011 No comments

Planning Panel Agenda for 04.08.2011 (PDF) for meeting at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Effingham.

Transition Board Agenda April 7, 2011

April 5th, 2011 No comments

Here is the agenda for the Transition Board for April 7, 2011. The meeting will be held at the Garden Inn in Effingham beginning at 6 pm.

Transition Board: First Meeting

April 5th, 2011 No comments

The Transition Board of the Illinois Heartland Library System met for the first time on Tuesday, March 29th. The meeting began with the selection of a convener for the meeting. Mary Ann Pohl was selected and ably conducted the approval of the By-laws for the system and the election of president. Tom Turner from the Shawnee Library System was elected as President of the Transition Board and conducted the rest of the meeting. Other officers of the Transition Board are: Vice President, Val Green; Secretary, Janet Hasten; Treasurer, Diane Steele; Open Meetings Act Designee, Katie Marsh; Freedom of Information Designee, Karen Bounds.

The Board passed a policy on meeting electronically and procedures for committees. A discussion on an Executive Director produced no decisions. It was a full meeting lasting nearly three hours.

The next meeting of the Transition Board will be Thursday, April 7 at 6 PM at the Hilton Garden Inn, Effingham in the Kennedy/Reagan Room.

The Planning Panel will meet on Friday, April 8 at the Effingham Knights of Columbus hall beginning at 10 AM with committee meetings, a full panel meeting and a board study session in the afternoon.

Beverly J. Obert, Executive Director Rolling Prairie Library System

Categories: Features Tags:

Transition Board Agenda and Documents — 3/28/11

March 28th, 2011 No comments

The Agenda for the Transition Board was posted on March 25, 2011.  The document in this post has the agenda and the board packet including documents for the Board to consider and take action on.

Transition Board Agenda & Documents 3.29.11

 

Resource Sharing Document – March 23, 11 Revision

March 28th, 2011 19 comments

This document includes revisions that were made after discussions at the March 23rd Planning Panel Meeting.  Revisions are in red.

Click here to access the document.

Illinois Heartland Library System Transition Board Meeting Agenda for 03.29.2011

March 25th, 2011 No comments

Illinois Heartland Library System
Transition Board of Directors Organizational Meeting
6:00 pm; March 29, 2011
Hilton Garden Inn, Effingham, Illinois
AGENDA

This is the Organizational Meeting of the Illinois Heartland Library System Transition Board. The Transition Board is comprised of 15 members appointed by the Boards of Lewis and Clark Library System, Lincoln Trail Libraries System, Rolling Prairie Library System, and Shawnee Library System for consideration by the Southern System Planning Panel. The Panel ratified the members to the Board on February 26, 2011 including the statement that if a member cannot serve, that system will submit a replacement. The Transition Board is as follows:

Public Library Trustee Representatives
Val Green
Rochelle Funderburg
Janet Hasten
Linda McDonnell
JoAnn Nabe
Bill Randall
Tom Turner
Nina Wunderlich

School Representatives
Karen Bounds
Katie Marsh
Anieta Trame

Public Library Representatives
Amy Ihnen
Diane Steele

Academic Library Representative
Miranda Shake

Special Library Representative
Mary Ann Pohl

  1.    Call to Order – Meeting Convener – The Convener for the meeting will be determined by drawing a name from a hat of those Board Members present who have previously been a member of the Southern System Planning Panel.
  2.    Roll Call – Recording Secretary
  3.    Bylaws for the Illinois Heartland Library System
    Resolution No: TBR 2011-01 (PDF); Document No: TBD 2011-01 (PDF)
  4.    Election of Officers
    Document No: TBD 2011-02 (PDF)
    1.    President (After election the elected President continues the meeting)
    2.    Vice President
    3.    Secretary
    4.    Treasurer
    5.    Open Meetings Act Designee
    6.    Freedom of Information Designee
  5.    Public Comments – If a member of the audience desires to speak to the Board, please complete the public comment sheet provided at the entrance to the meeting and give to the Board Secretary. When making a comment, please state your name, affiliation and nature of your business.
  6.    Minutes
  7.    Financial Report
  8.    President’s Report
  9.    Staff Report
  10.    Committee Reports
  11.    ISL Report – Greg McCormick; Lawren Tucker
  12.    Unfinished Business
  13.    New Business
    1.    Electronic Meeting Policy
      Resolution No: TBR 2011-02 (PDF); Document No: TBD 2011-03 (PDF)
    2.    Strategic Plan
      Resolution No: TBR 2011-03 (PDF); Document No: TBD 2011-04 (PDF)
    3.    IMRF Resolution
      Resolution No: TBR 2011-04 (PDF)
    4.    COBRA and IMRF Retiree Benefits
      Resolution No: TBR 2011-05 (PDF)
    5.    Nominating Committee Process
      Resolution No: TBR 2011-06 (PDF)
    6.    Transition Board Staff Support
      Resolution No: TBR 2011-07 (PDF)
    7.    Standing and Ad Hoc Committees
      Document No: TBD 2011-05 (PDF)
      Document No: TBD 2011-06 (PDF)
    8.    Executive Director
      Document No: TBD 2011-07 (PDF)
      Document No: TBD 2011-08 (PDF)
      Document No: TBD 2011-09 (PDF)
    9.    Meeting Dates April 2011 – June 2011
      Resolution No: TBR 2011-08
    10.    Other
  14.    Announcements

   

Combined (PDF) of meeting documents.

Illinois Heartland Library System Transition Board Meeting Agenda for 03.29.2011 in (PDF format.)

Categories: Features, Quick Info Tags: , ,

Agenda for the 03.23.2011 Planning Panel Meeting

March 18th, 2011 No comments

Southern System Planning
March 23, 2011
Hilton Garden Inn
1301 Avenue of Mid America
Effingham, IL 62401

10:00 AM – 4:30 PM

Meeting Purpose
The purpose of this meeting is to further the work of the panel toward the Goal/Outcome as approved by the individual system boards.

Desired Outcomes of Planning Meeting — By the end of the meeting:

  1. Review and approved minutes of February 25 & 26 and March 11 meetings,
  2. Received comments and questions from the Planning Panel and system members.
  3. Considered reports from the subcommittees
    • Delivery
    • Planning
    • Resource Sharing
    • Legal, Governance and Membership
  4. Agree in Meeting dates for April and May.
  5. Agenda March 23, 2011

    Topic

    Process

    Who

    Time

    Start Ups:
    Welcome
    Purpose
    Desired outcome
    Agenda/Additons?

    Review
    Check for agreement

    Panel
    F:
    R:

    5 min
    (10:05 am)

    Minutes of February 25 & 26, 2011 & March 11, 2011 Meeting

    Approve (PP Doc. 3.23.11 A & PP Doc 3.23.11 B)
    Motion / Vote

    Panel
    F:
    R:

    5 min
    (10:05 am)

    Ground Rules

    Review Ground Rule

     

    5 min
    (10:10 am)

    Report from System Board and Membership Comments

    Report from Cooperation Today Comments (PP Doc. 3.23.11 C)
    Each System Report (includes correspondence from the system and written reports)
    LCLS — (PP Doc. 3.23.11 D)(PDF)
    LTLS – (PP Doc. 3.23.11 E)
    RPLS – (PP Doc. 3.23.11 F) (PDF)
    SHLS – (PP Doc. 3.23.11 G) (PDF)
    Q & A

     

    30 min
    (10:15 am)

    Committee Meetings

     

     

    1 hr 45 min
    (10:45 am)

    Lunch

     

     

    45 min
    (12:30 pm)

    Moving and biological break time

     

     

    15 min
    (1:15 pm)

    Report from Subcommittees

    Resource Sharing

    Report (PP Doc. 3.23.11 H) (PDF)
    Q & A
    Next Steps

    Panel
    R: Ellen

    35 min
    (1:30 pm)

    Planning

    Report (PP Doc. 3.23.11 I)
    Q & A
    Next Steps

    Panel
    R: Jan

    35 min
    (2:05 pm)

    Delivery

    Report
    Q & A
    Next Steps

    Panel
    R: Leslie

    20 min
    (2:40 pm)

    Legal, Governance & Membership

    Report (PP Doc.3.23.11 J)
    Q & A

    Panel
    R: Bev

    20 min
    (3:00 pm)

    Break

     

     

    15 min
    (3:20 pm)

    Public Comment on Committee reports

    Comments
    Q & A

    F:
    R:
    Audience

    15 min
    (3:35 pm)

    Transition Board Meeting

     

     

    20 min
    (3:50 pm)

    Review of action items for System Boards & Items for next Planning Meeting

     

     

    10 min
    (4:10 pm)

    Meeting Review

    Plus/Delta

     

    5 min
    (4:25 pm)

    (PDF) version of Agenda

Resource Sharing Document – February 26 Revision v.2

March 15th, 2011 No comments

The link below will take you to the Feb 26 v.2 revision of this document.

Resource Sharing Document – February 26 Revision v.2

Southern System Planning Panel Agenda for 03.11.2011

March 9th, 2011 2 comments

Southern System Planning
March 11, 2011
Videoconference with sites at
Illinois State Library
Lewis and Clark Library System
Lincoln Trail Libraries System
Rolling Prairie Library System
Shawnee Library System

3:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Meeting Purpose
To Review the Application for Merger due at ISL April 4, 2011

Desired Outcomes of Planning Meeting — By the end of the meeting:

  • the application for merger will be reviewed, revised and approved.
  • receive updates on actions since February meeting
  • review and approve February minutes

Agenda March 11, 2011

Topic

Process

Who

Time

Start Ups:
Welcome
Purpose
Video Conference Protocol
Desired outcome

Review
Check for agreement

Panel
F: Bev
R:

3:30 PM (3 min.)

Minutes of Previous
Meeting

Review
Approve

Panel
F:
R:

3:33 PM (2 min.)

Action Updates
Domain Name
FEIN

Describe
Q & A

Presenter: Bev/Jan
Panel

3:35
(10 minutes)

Report from LGM on
Application for Merger

Review
Q & A
Discussion

LGM
Fiscal officers
Panel
R: Jan

3:45PM
(1 hour)

Transition Board Meeting

Update
Q & A

Panel
F:
R:

4:45 PM
(10 min.)

Meeting and Facilitation Review

Plus/Delta

 

4:55 PM
(5 min.)

(PDF) version of Agenda

Planning Panel Agenda 2.25-26.2011

February 23rd, 2011 1 comment

Southern System Planning
February 25 & 26, 2011
Hilton Garden Inn
1301 Avenue of Mid America
Effingham, IL 62401

10:00 AM – 6:00 PM February 25, 2011
8:00 AM – 11:30 February 26, 2011

Meeting Purpose

The purpose of this meeting is to further the work of the panel toward the Goal/Outcome as approved by the individual system boards.

Desired Outcomes of Planning Meeting — By the end of the meeting:

  1. Review and approved minutes of February meeting
  2. Received comments and questions from the Planning Panel and system members.
  3. Received an update on the state of finances in Illinois and Library Systems
  4. Accepted the following:
    • Transition Board Make-up
    • Strategic Plan
  5. Heard comments and revisions for the following documents
  6. Considered reports from the subcommittees
    • Delivery
    • Planning
      • Annual Plan and Budget
    • Resource Sharing
    • Legal, Governance and Membership
      • By-Laws of the new organization
      • Membership Criteria
      • Application
  7. Agree in Meeting dates for March, April and May.

Agenda February 25, 2011

Topic

Process

Who

Time

Start Ups:
Welcome
Purpose
Desired outcome
Agenda/Additions?

Review
Check for agreement

Panel
F:
R:

5 min.

Minutes of February 10, 2011
Meeting

Approve (PP Doc. 2.25/26.11 A)
Motion / Vote

Panel
F:
R:

5 min
(10:05 am)

Ground Rules

Review Ground Rules
Add
Agree

 

5 min
(10:10 am)

Report from System Board and
Membership Comments
LCLS
LTLS
RPLS
SHLS

Report from Cooperation Today Comments (PP Doc. 2.25/26.11 B) (PDF)
Each System Report (includes correspondence from the system and written reports)
LCLS –( PP Doc 2.25/26.11C)
LTLS – (PP Doc 2.25/26.11D)
RPLS – (PP Doc 2.25/26.11E PDF)
SHLS – (PP Doc 2.25/26.11F)
Q & A
Review comments Next Steps

Panel
F:
R:

30 min.
(10:15 am)

Name of New Organization

Review Considerations (PP Doc 2.25/26.11G)
Eliminate
Pros/Cons of each name
Ask each subcommittee to submit top 2 choices for Panel consideration

Panel
F:
R:

20 minutes

(10:45 am)

FY 2011 Funding
FY 2012 Budget Projections

Report (PP Doc 2.25/26.11H)

Q & A

Greg McCormick
Panel
F:
R:

30 minutes
(11:05 am)

System Fund projections

Report (PP Doc 2.25/26.11I)

Q & A

Panel
F:
R:

15 minutes
(11:35 am)

Public Comment

 

 

10 minutes
(11:50 am)

Lunch on Site

 

 

30 min.
12:00 pm

Committee meetings

 

 

3 hours
(12:30 pm)
(committees to break as needed)

 

Break

 

15 min.
(3:30 pm)

Report from Subcommittees

Planning

Report

Q & A
Next Steps

Panel
R: Jan

10 minutes
(3:45 pm)

Delivery

Report

Q & A
Next Steps

Panel
R: Leslie

10 minutes
(3:55 pm)

Resource Sharing

Report

Q & A
Next Steps

Panel
R: Ellen

10 minutes
(4:05 pm)

Legal, Governance & Membership

Report

Q & A
Next Steps

Panel
R: Bev

10 minutes
(4:15 pm)

Public Comment on Committee reports

Report

Q & A
Next Steps

Panel
R:
Audience

10 minutes
(4:25 pm)

Committee meetings

 

 

1.3 hours
(4:40 pm)

 

END

(6:00 pm)

Break for the Day – Dinner on your own

Agenda February 26, 2011

Topic

Process

Who

Time

Breakfast at Hotel
Begin at 8:00 am with Committees

Committee meetings

 

 

1.25 hours
(committees to break as needed)

 

Break

15 min.
(9:15 am)

Delivery

Report

Q & A
Next Steps

Panel
R: Leslie

15 minutes
(9:30 am)

Resource Sharing

Report

Q & A
Next Steps

Panel
R: Ellen

15 minutes
(9:45 am)

Strategic Planning
Strategic Plan

Report

Q & A
Next Steps

Panel
R: Jan

15 minutes
(10:00 am)

Legal, Governance & Membership

Report

Q & A
Next Steps

Panel
R: Bev

15 minutes
(10:15 am)

Name of New Organization

List Committee Choices
Pros/Cons
Select 3 to forward to boards for consideration

Panel
F:
R:

15 minutes

(10:30 am)

Public Comment on Committee reports

Report

Q & A

Panel
F: Jan
R: Ellen
Audience

10 minutes
(10:45 am)

Delivery

Action Items
(PP Doc 2.25/26.11P)

Panel
R: Leslie

5 minutes
(10:50 am)

Resource Sharing

Action Items
(PP Doc 2.25/26.11O)

Panel
R: Ellen

5 minutes
(10:55 am)

Strategic Planning
Strategic Plan

Action Items
(PP Doc 2.25/26.11N)

Panel
R: Jan

5 minutes
(11:00 am)

Legal, Governance & Membership

Action Items
ByLaws (PP Doc 2.25/26.11K)
Intergovernmental Agreement (PP Doc 2.25/26.11J)
Appointment of Transition Board (PP Doc 2.25/26.11L)
Application for Merger (PP Doc 2.25/26.11M)

Panel
R: Bev

5 minutes
(11:05 pm)

Meeting Dates

Announce

 

5 minutes
(11:10 am)

Agenda items for next meeting

List items
Clarify
Agreement

Panel
F: Jan
R: Bev

5 minutes
(11:15 am)

Meeting and Facilitation Review

Plus/Delta

 

5 minutes
(11:20 am)

Adjournment Safe Travels
THANK YOU FROM THE STAFF AND MEMBERS OF THE LIBRARY SYSTEMS

Ground Rules As Agreed from July 2010 Meeting.

  • All comments are important
  • Don’t everyone talk at once
  • Be concise
  • Think of the citizens of the state
  • Stay on topic
  • Be realistic in comments
  • Vote/Consensus

(PDF) version of Agenda

Southern Systems Planning Panel Input Needed!

February 22nd, 2011 2 comments

The Southern Systems Planning Panel is working diligently, in conjunction with individual system boards, to move forward to a merged system that will be in place July 1, 2011. To that end, we would like to solicit comments from the membership on several of our working documents. The planning panel will meet on Friday and Saturday, February 25 and 26 to address these issues and membership comment will be needed.

Specifically, we are asking you to consider the three documents listed below:

In addition, the new system will need a name! Please read: Naming the New System and share your thoughts. We are still actively soliciting names, so please let us know if you have additional suggestions.

We cannot stress enough how important it is to share your thoughts, concerns and suggestions at this juncture in the process. Time to speak up!!!

Join us in Effingham!

February 7th, 2011 1 comment

February is a good month to learn more about the Southern Systems merger process, and a great time to join your colleagues in Effingham for planning panel meetings!  The Southern Systems Planning tab on this site will lead you to names and contact information for planning panel members, System-specific data and reports, official documentation from the merger process, and much, much more!  All posts related to the merger are designed for your input, and posting a response is easy.

This month’s planning panel meetings are:

  • Thursday, February 10, 2011, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the Effingham Knights of Columbus.  Topics included on the agenda are a review of proposed by-laws, membership standards, resource sharing plan, and membership standards.
  • Friday, February 25 – Saturday, February 26, 2011, (time TBD), at the Effingham Hilton Garden Inn.  A final agenda will be posted soon.

__________________________________

What’s New @ WJIL: Planning for Summer Reading

February 3rd, 2011 No comments

It’s true the snow is still flying – really flying here in Illinois- but this is still the perfect time to start wishful thoughts for warm weather and the summer reading programming that comes with it. Illinois has a rich tradition of supporting summer reading through the ILA iRead program, but you can still warm up your library’s summer reading program with a creative spark from the resources and ideas listed in the most recent edition of “What’s New @ WJIL”

Related URL: http://webjunctionworks.org/il/blog/index.php/2011/02/02/whats-new-wjil-planning-for-summer-reading/
Tiny URL: http://tinyurl.com/4kp88hm
__________________________________

Categories: Education, Features Tags:

Register now for the 10th Annual Information Literacy Summit!

February 1st, 2011 No comments

DATES/TIMES/LOCATIONS

* Monday, April 18 — Illinois State University (Normal)

* Tuesday, April 19 — Moraine Valley Community College (Palos Hills)

* Wednesday, April 20 — John A. Logan College (Carterville)

Breakfast & check-in begins at 8:30

Program 9:00-3:30.

Randy Hensley, Professor and Head of Instruction of Newman Library, Baruch College, City University of New York, will be the keynote speaker at all three Summit locations.

COST

$35 (includes breakfast, lunch and materials)

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

* Librarians who are involved with teaching and learning in almost any aspect.  Academic, school, public and special librarians attend.

* Teachers and other educators who want to discuss information literacy, student research and student use of information.

CPDUs available.

More information and online registration is available at:  http://www.morainevalley.edu/infolitsummit

Categories: Education, Features Tags:

Draft Membership Standards

January 28th, 2011 11 comments

The Planning Panel working on the southern Illinois library System merger have put in many long hours crafting an organization that supports its members and provides necessary library services such as talking books, materials delivery and library automation software.  This merged “super” System will only be as strong as your participation and involvement in critical matters, and we have reached a juncture that necessitates member input.  Draft membership standards have been submitted to members of all four southern library Systems (Lewis & Clark Library System, Lincoln Trail Libraries System, Rolling Prairie Library System and the Shawnee Library System) for comment.

Please review the proposed standards, along with a comparison of the proposed standards to any comparable guidelines in Illinois laws or administrative rules, and the most current edition of Serving our Public.  We compiled the comparison as a guide for members evaluating the proposed standards.  All current library system members will be grandfathered into the new super system, with membership status as defined in Appendix C of the proposed standards.

There are several options for response:

  • Post a comment on CooperationToday
  • Contact any member of the Planning Panel
  • Attend Planning Panel meetings and provide feedback directly to the Planning Panel [the next meetings are slated for February 10 (Effingham Knights of Columbus), and February 25-26 (Effingham Hilton Garden Inn)].  Agendas have not yet been posted.
  • Contact me (lesliebednar@lcls.org |   618/656.3216, x120)

Thanks very much for your time and consideration,
Leslie Bednar   |    Executive Director, Lewis & Clark Library System

Categories: Features, Southern System Planning Tags:

Illinois Library Trustees: Charting a New Course in Times of Change

January 20th, 2011 No comments

Attention Library Trustees! This year the Illinois Library Association is bringing its popular trustee workshop SOUTH! Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 26, 2011 and head to Springfield. The workshop is entitled: Illinois Library Trustees: Charting a New Course in Times of Change.

The event will be held at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel and Conference Center beginning with a 7:00 a.m. breakfast. Topics include sessions on the levy process, personnel law, advocacy and legislative updates as well as the popular legal question and answer session with Attorney Phil Lenzini. The cost is $125.00 for ILA members and $150.00 for non‐members. There is a discount when registering multiple trustees; and the registration includes breakfast, lunch, and two snack breaks. This is a unique opportunity that is too good to miss. For the full agenda and a registration form, click here!

Categories: Features, Quick Info Tags:

The Winners Are…

January 10th, 2011 No comments

The awards include the Newbery and Caldecott winners and honor books.  For the complete list, read ALA’s press release.

Categories: Features, Youth Services Tags:

My First Library Card: A New Year’s Message

January 4th, 2011 No comments

My First Library Card: A New Year’s Message

Last week I had the pleasure of witnessing my son’s receipt of his first library card. The sheer excitement of a small piece of paper that opens up countless opportunities cannot be understated. Regardless of library type, it opens a world of possibilities for recreation and study. Possession of the card means that any question can be answered and any interest explored further. What a wonderful gift libraries are to the communities they serve.

It is this gift library Systems strive to support through services such as delivery and automation. We are able to provide this support through System Area and Per Capita grants from the Illinois State Library. As we embark on the second half of a fiscal year tinged with uncertainty regarding the continuation of these (and other) services, and as many individuals work toward mergers of Systems, we must remain faithful to the institutions we serve. Academic, public, school and special libraries depend on materials delivery and the policies and mechanisms which allow resource sharing. When the mergers are complete, we will have resource sharing opportunities on a much broader scale, all to the benefit of library users.

Sam has the idea that his new library card can be used anywhere, because libraries are everything to the curious mind. This is precisely why we need to move forward with our merger discussions. We owe it to patrons of our member libraries to support them in any way we can—even if that support looks different from years past, and comes from individuals we have never worked with. The end result will be continued resource sharing to allow patrons to live a more informed life, find a better approach to a medical concern, or build a better model car. Please take a moment to contact your merger planning representatives and let them know how the merged System can better serve you and your patrons.

Wishing you a New Year full of exciting opportunities!

Leslie M. Bednar
Executive Director
lesliebednar@lcls.org

Categories: Features, Quick Info Tags:

Your Input Needed

December 23rd, 2010 2 comments

There are two documents that the Legal, Governance, Membership Subcommittee has worked on that need comments from the membership of the four southern systems. The first is the make up of the Transition Board (PDF) and the first full Board of the new System. Currently, the Transition Board will be appointed from members of the current system boards and will be in charge of selecting a director, adopting by-laws and policies and submitting the system area and per capita for the new system. Originally it was thought that the Transition Board could become the actual Board of the new System July 1, 2011. However, there will be an election in May where all system members will have the opportunity to select the new Board. Please comment with your thoughts on the distribution of trustees and librarians/representatives by library type that is being suggested.

The second document is one that many librarians have asked about. What will be the criteria for membership in the new system? What happens if my library does not qualify? The draft Membership Criteria (PDF) document begins to answer this question. The Subcommittee began with the draft criteria created by system consultants in early 2010. The draft criteria were slated to eventually become statewide criteria for all systems. The Subcommittee has reviewed this document, made changes to it based on input from school librarians and a study of current membership. In Appendix C there is information on levels of membership that spells out the process the new System will use for grandfathering in all current members of the four southern systems.

Your careful reading, study, and comments are needed by the Legal, Governance, Membership Subcommittee and the Planning Panel. Both of these documents are drafts but they need to be finalized in late February. The Subcommittee has worked hard to make these documents as equitable as they can. I know we all look at how things will impact our own particular library. I ask that as you study them think about how they will impact all the libraries in our systems and how they will guide the new System in the future.

Comments can be added to the documents on Cooperation Today, emailed to your System Director, or to members of the Planning Panel. [Because of issues with spammers, your comments do not automatically appear. If they fail to appear after two business days please contact Doris McKay for help.]

Beverly J. Obert, Executive Director, Rolling Prairie Library System

Merger Talks Continuing

December 9th, 2010 No comments

It was a cold day outside, but that did not stop the members of the Southern Planning Panel from meeting at the Lincoln Trail Libraries System in Champaign. The structure of the meeting was the same as the last, subcommittee meetings, a lunch, then the panel meeting. Progress is being made and below is a short summary of the subcommittee activities:

Delivery subcommittee is working on finalizing delivery frequency based on the volume of materials delivered. In January, a face-to-face meeting with delivery supervisors is scheduled.

Resource Sharing subcommittee has drafts of Resource Sharing and Interlibrary Loan policies. These are not LLSAP policies, but the policies of the new system as a whole, LLSAP and non-LLSAP. These will be available for comment soon. The LLSAP managers are continuing their talks, working together on a process for gathering information and selection of a new automation platform. Be patient, as this is a time-consuming process and one that should not be rushed.

Legal Governance and Membership presented a document (pdf) on the proposed makeup of the Board of Directors for the new system. This document is being reviewed by the System Boards and will be approved in February. It is imperative that you, the members, contact the RPLS Board or the RPLS Planning Panel members with your comments about this document. Another document that was presented was a draft intergovernmental agreement that spells out the relationship of the current System boards with the transition board. This document is being reviewed by legal counsel and the State Library. The Panel is targeted to approve this in February and each board will be asked to approve it in March.

Strategic Planning subcommittee submitted a vision, mission and values statement to the Panel. The Panel voted to take this to each Board for input and approval. They also presented a draft of strategic directions for the new system. Here are the mission, Vision and Values as presented.

MISSION: XXX is a community of multitype libraries developing partnerships and sharing resources in pursuit of excellent service.

VISION: We envision a future where all libraries & information partners collaborate to provide accessible & innovative services.

VALUES: We value–

Open access and sharing of resources.
Cooperation, collaboration and contribution among members & information partners.
Quality customer service.
Honest and open communications among stakeholders.
Respect and integrity in all interactions.
The diversity of our members and their communities.
Fiscal stability and accountability.
The protection of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy.
Innovation and creativity.

Beverly J. Obert, Executive Director Rolling Prairie Library System

Categories: Features Tags:

The November Merger Meeting

November 12th, 2010 No comments

The subcommittees of the Southern Planning Panel met at the Rolling Prairie Library System Headquarters in Decatur. They worked for 2 hours and made significant progress in their committees charge. The panel then moved to the Decatur Public Library for lunch and the full panel meeting.

During the meeting Jan Ison, LTLS, gave an overview of the results of the survey that was sent out. 758 responses to the survey were submitted. The results will inform and guide the planning of the panel. The responses across the four systems were very similar; the top responses were separated by a margin of 1-2 percent. The results will be posted to Cooperation Today in the near future.

Other outcomes from the meeting were:

  • Legal, Governance, and Membership: Proposed a board make up and process for seating the first board and election of succeeding boards. This will be posted to both basecamp for the panel and Cooperation Today for member libraries. Comments are encouraged. It will be voted on in December.
  • Strategic Planning: Offered a draft Mission Statement that will be voted on in December.
  • Delivery: Looking at volume as the base line for delivery frequency. The panel will approve a delivery frequency plan in December. This plan will be implemented in January 2011.

RPLS member libraries please note: I reported that at the Oct. 13th meeting a resolution was adopted by the panel for dissolution of each system and intent to merge. This resolution has been taken back to each board. The RPLS Board will act on this resolution at its Nov. 16 meeting. Below is the text of the resolution.

“We, the Board of the Rolling Prairie Library System, do resolve that the Rolling Prairie Library System will terminate effective June 30, 2011. Furthermore, we resolve to merge into a new single system that includes the Lewis & Clark Library System, Lincoln Trail Libraries System, Rolling Prairie Library System, and Shawnee Library System, effective July 1, 2011.”

If you have any comments, questions, or concerns about this resolution, please email me at bevo@rpls.ws

Beverly J. Obert, Executive Director

Rolling Prairie Library System

Categories: Features Tags:

The Latest Merger Update

October 20th, 2010 2 comments

The Lewis & Clark Library System was the site for the October 13th merger planning meeting. The subcommittees met in the morning and made significant progress that was reported to the entire group during the afternoon meeting which consisted of reports on member concerns, the northern merger process, review of fiscal data, and discussion on outside expertise. The subcommittees then reported on their meetings.

The Strategic Plan subcommittee is sending out a survey to gather information that will be used in the decision making and in the creation of a strategic plan for the new system. We shall be forwarding the link to the survey to you this week. I encourage everyone to respond to the survey and to have other library staff and trustees also respond.

The Legal, Governance & Membership subcommittee reviewed a memo from Anne Craig, Director of the Illinois State Library, that gave a timeline of deadline dates for the merger process. These dates were added to our timeline. The first is that a binding resolution to merge must be passed by the Boards of the Systems by Feb. 1. The committee drafted a resolution that was adopted by the panel and will be taken back to each of the system boards for action.

The Resource Sharing subcommittee reported on their discussions and presented a proposal from the LLSAP managers that affirmed that LLSAP funds would be kept for the specific use of the current LLSAP structures and that the governance of the individual LLSAPs would remain the same until the LLSAPs have a joint platform. This was voted on and passed by the panel.

The Delivery subcommittee has some amazing maps showing the frequency of delivery. They are looking at where delivery hubs could be located and are continuing to work with the drivers and delivery supervisors in their work.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 10th. The subcommittees will convene in the morning at the RPLS headquarters (10:30) and the entire panel will meet at the Decatur Public Library at 1:30 pm. This is an open meeting and any member librarians, staff or trustees are invited to attend.

Beverly J. Obert, Executive Director

Rolling Prairie Library System
A Library for Librarians
Helping Libraries Serve Illinois Citizens

Categories: Features Tags:

Strategic Plan Survey

October 15th, 2010 No comments

Library Systems in Illinois are faced with financial challenges that necessitate looking at every service offered by the system. The four Southern Systems (LCLS, LTLS, RPLS, SHLS) are in a collaborative planning process to develop a new structure for library cooperation.  We need your help by completing this survey in order for us to create a Strategic Plan.  The link to the survey is:

http://bit.ly/SouthernSystemPlanning

We are asking you the directors, staff, trustees, and agency administrators for input and direction as we re-envision a new future. This survey provides a key opportunity for the Southern System Planning Panel to learn what is important to you. Your responses to the survey will directly impact the Strategic Plan that is being developed. The survey results will be posted to Cooperation Today (www.cooperationtoday.org) and will inform the Planning Panel members as they develop of a service program.

Please complete this survey by November 1, 2010. Your help and thoughtful comments are invaluable to us.

Please share this survey widely.  We want as many people as possible to complete this.  It will take you approximately 10 minutes of your valuable time but we need your help.  Thank you.

Leslie Bednar, LCLS
Jan Ison, LTLS
Bev Obert, RPLS
Ellen Popit, SHLS

Report of the Planning to SD&P

October 15th, 2010 No comments

On Thursday October 14, 2010, Rosanne Reidner and Jan Ison attended a meeting of the Illinois System Directors and Presidents. One the topics of the meeting was the Planning Process that the Southern Systems are engaged in. The following is a report of that planning from LTLS Board President, Rosanne Reidner:

The Southern System Planning Group is making great progress in the merger process. The committees have been formed: strategic planning, legal governance and membership, delivery and resource sharing.

I am serving on the strategic planning committee. Our subcommittee is charged with writing mission, vision, and value statements as well as goals and strategies. We’ll be reviewing the current plan of the southern systems and getting member input. Each system conducted SWOT analysis in order to provide further information. We have constructed a survey for members to provide the elements to write the mission, vision, and values statements. These surveys are going out immediately. Once the results are tabulated, we’ll have some idea what areas of concern and services are important to the members.

Over the past three months we have overcome our fears and mistrust. We are increasingly working together as one entity. The directors and acting directors are doing a great job of facilitating. They put in many hours of work in order to be able to keep the meetings running smoothly. They are unbiased and helpful. They are a great example of cooperation and they are to be commended for their work. Using the deadlines set forth for us in the October fourth letter from Anne Craig has been helpful in planning for the coming months. We also have set goals for ourselves in our individual committee meetings.

Cooperation Today” is the website for the member libraries to keep up on the work that the panel is doing. We recently reviewed its effectiveness and made suggestions for improvement. We’re using basecamp for working information within the panel. It has been most helpful to meet in person. We resolved to visit all of the system locations. We’ve been to Shawnee and Lewis and Clark. Next month is Rolling Prairie and then Lincoln Trail. It’s very helpful to actually see the system offices and realize how each system operates. It’s been most helpful to be able to work face to face in order to tackle this project. I can’t imagine trying to do so in any other manner.

I want to thank Anne Craig for being present at these meetings. Her presence has given us the confidence to proceed. She has answered questions without interfering in the process in any way. She has been helpful and supportive. It’s very difficult to work towards this goal as we are all invested in our library systems. I hope that we can create a system that will provide the patrons of Illinois with the library services they need in these difficult economic times.

Rosanne Reidner

Categories: Consulting, Features Tags:

Merger Work Progresses

September 22nd, 2010 No comments

Tuesday, September 14 RPLS Board, staff and members traveled to Carterville for the meeting of the Merger Planning Panel. Carterville is the location of the headquarters of the Shawnee Library System. The day began at 10:30 with the four subcommittees meeting and working on their particular charge. The Delivery subcommittee looked at routes and statistics from each system. The Resource Sharing subcommittee heard a report from the LLSAP managers of the four systems that detailed the shared values and principles that are guiding their discussions. The Strategic Plan subcommittee reviewed the current plans of each system and determined to survey the membership of all four systems on the services to be provided and values of the new merged system. The Legal, Governance, Membership subcommittee reviewed the legal guidelines and determined that the new board will be large, most likely the 15 member maximum allowed in law, and a majority of the members will be public library trustees. There was discussion of possible membership requirements with further work in the area of public and school criteria. Finally, a list of governance issues was created and will be added to and investigated as the committee moves forward.

After lunch the panel held its regular meeting. Anne Craig, Director of the Illinois State Library and Greg McCormick, Chief Fiscal Officer of the Illinois State Library, attended the meeting and responded to questions from the panel members. Each subcommittee gave a report on the results of the morning meetings. Most importantly, a timeline of committee activities and milestones for the entire panel was created and will be added to the planning process document. The key milestone is that a merger plan is targeted to be submitted to the State Library on or before April 1, 2010.

There is much work to be done. To hear first hand from the RPLS panel members, attend the RPLS Board meeting Tuesday, Sept. 21 at 1 PM at RPLS headquarters. The next meeting of the
Planning Panel
will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2010 at the Lewis and Clark Library System in Edwardsville . The Panel will begin at 10:30 AM with subcommittee meetings, followed by lunch and the formal panel meeting. These are open meetings and anyone may attend.

Beverly J. Obert, Executive Director

Rolling Prairie Library System

Categories: Features Tags:

The Future: The planning has begun

August 20th, 2010 1 comment

On Thursday, August 12, the first official meeting of the Southern Systems Planning Panel met. The group affirmed the process and created four subcommittees to begin work towards a merged system. Those subcommittees are Strategic Planning; Legal, Governance and Membership; Delivery; and Resource Sharing. Each subcommittee met briefly that day to begin their work.

One of the decisions of the panel was to hold each of the next four meetings at a different system headquarters. The September 14th meeting that was originally scheduled to be in Effingham will now be held in Carterville, the location of the Shawnee Library System. The exact dates of the following meetings have not yet been set but the locations have been announced. The October meeting will be held at the Lewis and Clark Library System in Edwardsville, and the November meeting will be at Rolling Prairie Library System here in Decatur. Lincoln Trail Libraries System in Champaign will be the location of the December meeting. As soon as exact dates are known we will post them.

There are many unknowns at this time. The only thing that we know for certain is that support of delivery and LLSAP services must continue in the new entity that is being created. How will these services be provided, from what locations, and by whom? These are all unknowns. This is the work that the panel and current System staff will be undertaking. At this time we do not know when merger documents and application documents for the new system need to be sent to the State Library. What we do know is that the new entity must be in place and ready to operate on July 1, 2011, if there is to be no interruption in services.

What can you do to stay informed about the planning process and decisions?

  • Read the documents found on the Cooperation Today website. You can add comments to any of the documents listed there, and we need to hear what you have to say. Give us your feedback on the current documents. Ask questions or propose solutions.
  • Contact the members of the planning panel directly. Their names and contact information have been added to Cooperation Today. Ask your system director questions on the process.
  • Attend meetings of the System Board where the process is being reported and discussed.
  • If you are an RPLS LLSAP member, plan to attend the October Users’ Group meeting, where the planning process as it relates to the LLSAP will be discussed.
  • Attend the meetings of the planning panel, observe what is happening and talk with the panel members face-to-face.
  • Get involved now, and let your voice be heard.

    Beverly J. Obert, Executive Director, Rolling Prairie Library System

Categories: Features Tags:

The Future: Meetings of the Southern System Planning Panel

August 3rd, 2010 1 comment

Each of the Systems (Lewis and Clark, Lincoln Trail, Shawnee, and Rolling Prairie) have appointed members to the Southern System Planning Panel. The first meeting of the appointed panel will be held on Thursday, August 12 from 1:30 to 4:30 PM. The location is the Knights of Columbus Hall in Effingham at 1501 W. Fayette. Directions are simple: take exit 159 from Interstate 57/70 go east on Fayette; the Hall is on the right with a stop light at the intersection where you turn.

The agenda for this meeting is being developed and will be posted on the Cooperation Today website (http://www.cooperation2day.org) before the meeting. If you have any questions or comments on the agenda, please leave them on the website or contact one of the RPLS panel representatives.

The Rolling Prairie Library System Board will be meeting on Tuesday August 17 at 1 PM at the RPLS Headquarters. A section of the agenda for this meeting will be dedicated to questions and discussion with member librarians about the planning process.

Looking ahead, you can also mark your calendars for Tuesday September 14th for the second meeting of the Southern System Planning Panel. It will be held at the same place and time as the Aug. 12th meeting. These are open meetings and anyone may attend.

The entire RPLS Board and staff encourages you to read and add comments to the documents on the Cooperation Today website, to attend meetings, and to ask questions. The future of library systems and libraries is in our hands. Everyone can and should help to shape the new entity that is being created.

Beverly J. Obert, Executive Director

Rolling Prairie Library System
A Library for Librarians
Helping Libraries Serve Illinois Citizens

Categories: Features Tags:

Cooperation in Transition by Jan Ison

July 23rd, 2010 No comments

The past two years have seen a lot of change in library organizations in the United States, and most of those changes seem to be related to funding. That, of course, is a sign of the economy. For libraries and other public institutions money problems are likely to continue for one to two years after the rest of the economy comes back. That is certainly what Keith Fiels, Executive Director of the American Library Association, Read more…

Categories: Features Tags:

The Future – Part 2

July 23rd, 2010 No comments

The steps to a new future have begun. There have been two meetings of the four southern systems (Lewis and Clark, Lincoln Trail, Shawnee, and Rolling Prairie). The first was June 22 and was held at the Kaskaskia Community College Center in Vandalia. At this meeting the word merger was not brought up. It was a meeting of getting to know the others, voicing issues and concerns of the members, and asking for additional information. The outcome was that another meeting was scheduled with the agreement that there could be a recommendation that would go to each system board on moving forward towards merger of the four southern systems.

That second meeting was held on July 14 at the same Vandalia location. Prior to that meeting the Directors and interim directors of the southern systems met to create an agenda and a draft planning process document. The four directors each acted as either facilitators or recorders for sections of the agenda. The meeting lasted for just over three hours and progress was made. At the end of the meeting there was agreement that each group of board members present would take back to their system board the recommendation to approve the Goal/Outcome and the Planning Process as developed at the meeting. Additionally each Board would appoint four (4) board members to be on the merger planning panel and one alternate that could be either a board member or a member librarian.

Each of the system boards have met and each have approved the documents and appointed their representatives to the Planning Panel. The RPLS representatives are:

  • Val Green, President RPLS Board, member of the Barclay PLD Board, csvert@yahoo.com
  • Richard Helton, Treasurer RPLS Board, member of the Weldon PLD Board, dhelton@rpls.lib.il.us
  • Nina Wunderlich, RPLS Board, member of Taylorville PL Board, ninawun@consolidated.net
  • Amy Ihnen, RPLS Board, Librarian at Chatham Area PLD, amyi@rpls.lib.il.us
  • Alternate – Mary Ann Pohl, Librarian at Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, maryann.pohl@illinois.gov

    How can you be a part of this process? There are several ways. The first is that you can attend the planning meetings. These are open meetings and everyone is welcomed to attend. There will be public comment time at each of the meetings. The date, location, and time of the next meeting of the merger Planning Panel has not been set. However, as soon as we have that information it will be shared with the membership.

    The second way is to contact the RPLS members of the Planning Panel and share with them any of your questions or concerns. Time is being set aside for merger discussions at each RPLS Board meeting. The planning panel members will update the board and members on the status of the process and then the floor will be open for questions, concerns, discussion. The next meeting of the RPLS Board is 1 PM August 17, at the RPLS Headquarters. As RPLS Director, I also look forward to hearing from our members about the merger process and will share your concerns with the Board.

    The third avenue for participation is to read and comment on the documents that are developed during the process and to review agendas or meeting minutes. All of these will be posted on the CooperationToday website. Just look under the Southern System Planning tab. You can go directly to CooperationToday or link to it from the RPLS website.

    The next few months will be very important to the future of library systems and the services they provide to the many libraries in Illinois. It is critical that every member keep abreast of the developments, attend meetings, and give input or feedback to the Planning Panel. Your voices must be heard.

    Beverly J. Obert, Executive Director

    Rolling Prairie Library System

    A Library for Librarians

    Helping Libraries Serve Illinois Citizens

Categories: Features Tags: , ,

The Future

July 22nd, 2010 No comments

Have you ever wanted to have the ability to see into the future? I think every one at sometime in their life would like to be able to do just that. Fortunately, or unfortunately, we do not have that ability. I have people asking, “What is the future of RPLS? What is the future of the LLSAP? What is the future of libraries?” My answer is that I do not know the answers to these questions.

However, this is what I do know. Things will be different in the future. By July 1, 2011, Rolling Prairie will most likely not be in existence. What will take its place is not yet in existence. Much work will take place over the next 6-12 months to create an entity to serve the libraries in RPLS and the other systems. The services will be different. The only two services that I can guarantee will remain are delivery and the LLSAP.

The LLSAP? Yes, the LLSAP will continue in some form. The who, what, where, and how will be worked out over the next 12 months. Jo has been in discussions with LLSAP personnel in other systems about how to collaborate and consolidate services. At some point, and with input from member libraries, the database software and how it is implemented will be changing. But we are all committed to ensuring that both local library automation services and statewide resource sharing will continue.

The input of all our members is vitally important. There will be surveys, questions, meetings, phone calls, emails, and other communications with you as we move forward. I ask that you respond as fully and quickly as possible to these communications. The new system that RPLS will become a part of, whatever it is, will be your system. Your voices must be heard now during its creation. Your voices will be just as important in the future so that libraries in Illinois continue to receive the services they need to thrive.

Beverly J. Obert, Executive Director

Rolling Prairie Library System

A Library for Librarians

Helping Libraries Serve Illinois Citizens

From the Director’s Desk for June 17, 2010.

Categories: Features Tags:

Change/Transition/The Future

July 21st, 2010 No comments

Change is all around us. This is especially true in spring as flowers grow and bloom and the corn in the fields goes from peeking through the ground to knee high in a few weeks. Some changes are easy; a new car or painting a room. Some are much more difficult; a child going off to college or the loss of a parent. But as the saying goes, “The only constant is change.” We are finding this is the truth more and more each day.

Transition is a word that is often used interchangeably with the word Change. However, transition is a larger concept. Change is an action that happens, while transition is a process. The transition process* has 3 distinct phases

  • Letting go
  • An in-between uncertain time
  • A new beginning.

Library Systems have changed during their 45 years of existence. Some changes were small and others very large. We are in a time of extreme change. We must work together through this transition. First we must let go of what we currently know as library systems. Traveling through the in-between time means we shall travel many paths with sharp turns, steep hills, and maybe a few dead ends. The result will be a new beginning for library systems.

The future appears uncertain. However, I believe that the commitment, knowledge, and spirit of collaboration found in the Illinois Library Community can and will transform library systems into a new organization that is a strong, vital, and sustainable partner in providing library services to the people of Illinois.

Beverly J. Obert, Executive Director

Rolling Prairie Library System

A Library for Librarians Helping Libraries Serve Illinois Citizens

* Taken from Managing Transitions: Making the Most of Change, 3rd ed. by William Bridges, PhD

From the Director’s Desk, May 19, 2010.

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