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June 29, 2009

NSLS Prepares for Next Phase of Bin Conversion

NSLS is just about ready to take our “bags-to-bins” project to the next step.  To find out more information on what this project entails, check out an article by delivery assistant, Don Johnson. On Wednesday, June 24^th a meeting was held to introduce the bins and the new process to representatives from public libraries on our delivery route #3.  Libraries on route #4, which have been using the bins since November of 2008, were also invited to this meeting as a refresher and to provide some feedback on their experiences.  NSLS also arranged for representatives from the physical therapy department at Condell Medical to speak to the attendees about the ergonomic differences in handling the new bins versus the canvas bags.

While we were able to handle the first route using one of our existing vans, volume on other routes preventing moving ahead with this project until a larger vehicle could be purchased.  We are currently awaiting delivery of a new 15 foot box truck which will allow us to take this next step.  Actual start-up of this phase will be determined once the truck is in our hands and we get the bins to the affected libraries.

We hope to get at least one more route converted by the end of this year, with the last of the four routes being converted in 2010.  At lease one more of the larger trucks will need to be purchased in order to make the full conversion.

posted by Debbie at 11:41 am | Comments (0)

June 25, 2009

Sharon Ball retirement party

Libraries luminaries from throughout northern Illinois came to NSLS to celebrate the retirement of  library superstar, Sharon Ball.  Since 1998, Sharon has been working side-by-side with NSLS school, public/youth services, and special libraries. That is a LOT of libraries.  In fact, many school librarians noted that they thought Sharon was ONLY a school liaison. Many of the public library youth services folks had thought she belonged only to them. It was one of many laughs we shared at this joyous and bittersweet event.  Check out the smiling faces at the special event.

Below is Sharon with two of her many devoted colleagues (l-r) Sharon, Amy Thale, Stevenson High School, Maureen Malinowksi, Hollister, Inc.

posted by Judy H. at 5:20 pm | Comments (0)

June 24, 2009

Meet the new NSLS Board

The official changing of the NSLS guard took place on this past Monday.  It is always a busy evening, as first the current board holds a meeting, followed by a second meeting of the new board. Check out the swearing-in and the official celebratory cake. Thanks to our outgoing board members:  President Skip Mosshamer, Bruce Ente, Susan Boatman Garland, and Dayle Zelenka.

Welcome to our new members, pictured here with new NSLS President Kathy Caudill. From left-right, Noreen Lake, Des Plaines Public Library, Jeanne Lohfink, Beach Park School District #3, Caudill, Kathleen Pilat, Huntley Public Library District, Jan Polep, Cary Area Public Library District.

posted by Judy H. at 3:27 pm | Comments (0)

June 19, 2009

Springfield Report – Grants and Coffee

I just returned from a trip to Springfield for my first gig as a grant reviewer (LSTA grants). It was a fabulous learning experience, and I look forward to sharing my new found knowledge with NSLS libraries when we all start writing grants again next year. The Illinois State Library staff is amazing – so knowledgeable, and so generous with their time and talents. What a mammoth job they have guiding over 500 grants through the review process (we did 43 yesterday). With only $3.5 million available for requests totaling almost $11 million, this is a particularly challenging year for an always challenging task.

With so many businesses closing, I was pleased to find that my favorite Springfield coffee house was still open. Next time you are in town, be sure to visit Trout Lily Cafe for breakfast or lunch. A casual, groovy vibe. Excellent coffee and a nice selection of light, inexpensive treats.

posted by Judy H. at 10:24 am | Comments (0)

June 4, 2009

Jorge Ledezma, NSLS Rock Star

By day, Jorge Ledezma, is part of the Delivery team that keeps thousands of library items flowing smoothly between NSLS libraries. By night, Jorge is one third of another sizzling team – Allá. They’ve been described as “Mexican-American sound voyagers” – post-psychedelia” – “shades of Tropicalia, Motown, jazz, lounge.”  Get a taste of Allá’s diverse range at www.myspace.com/estiempo. Experience them live at Millennium Park on Monday, June 8, 6:30 p.m. They will be followed by another hot talent, St. Vincent. If you can’t make it downtown, Allá will be playing at Evanston’s James Park, Thursday, July 9, 7:30 p.m. Both concerts are free. Hear more about Allá from Jorge on Chicago Public Radio.

posted by Judy H. at 3:59 pm | Comments (0)

June 1, 2009

Tamiye Meehan retirement party

Library luminaries from around the Chicago area came to NSLS on May 22 to honor retiring Indian Trails Public Library District Director Tamiye Meehan. Many fine stories were shared about Ms. Meehan’s contributions as a mentor, collaborator, and leader at the local, regional, and state level. Everyone wishes her well in her future endeavors.

posted by Judy H. at 9:02 am | Comments (0)

May 18, 2009

Google Docs

In the last couple of months I started using Google Docs.  I find it is quite useful in many situations.  It is most useful if you need to work in a collaborative environment.  So, if 6 NSLS staffers are working on a spreadsheet, it’s awesome to work on it collaboratively through Google Docs.  Today, I did a little staff demo on google docs and how I’ve used it over the last couple of months.  I’m no expert but it it’s relatively easy to use.   I’m even more excited about the opportunity to use it for Inter-system cooperation or on projects we might be working on with our member libraries.   If you haven’t looked at google docs, check it out!

posted by Debbie at 3:16 pm | Comments (0)

May 13, 2009

Marketing Guru Nancy Dowd

Yea! Nancy Dowd is coming to NSLS! I’m working on the layout for the next Professional Development brochure, and just had to spill the beans about Nancy’s program.

Nancy is the director of marketing for the New Jersey State Library, and she launches one brilliant project after another! Right now she is working on a mobile marketing pilot program to study what works best for library marketing. She’ll be sharing the results with us on December 9. It’s not on the L2 calendar yet, but you’ll hear more about it when registration is available. In the meantime, you can experience Nancy through her fabulous blog: http://themwordblog.blogspot.com/

posted by Judy H. at 10:12 am | Comments (0)

May 6, 2009

Visitors…of a different feather

Last week to remind us all that Spring really is here, we had a small group of visitors from the wilds of Canada. Well, no, probably not really, but we did have a family of Canadian Geese arrive.  Mom and her 5 newly-hatched fuzzy goslings. They’re so cute and fun to watch when they are that young. Staff and those of you here for classes that day got to watch them – very up close – through the windows in the glass hallway by the Learning Center.  From our sleuthing, we found the parents had nested on the roof and then once the babies were all hatched and dry, they got to take a big jump to the ground! I guess that’s one way to stay out of the way of predators like raccoons, coyotoes and foxes, but one big step if you’re that tiny! By the next day the cuteness was gone, from what I understand, they head to water ASAP so after a snack of sweet green grass and a good nap, they were off. We’ve uploaded a selection of photos to our Flickr account but here are a few to tempt you.

We actually get a lot of wildlife here at Headquarters – so be sure to check back for the latest wild visitors!

posted by kay at 2:05 pm | Comments (0)

May 4, 2009

Ukrainian Visitors

The Library of Congress sponsors the Open World Program that “enables emerging Eurasian political and civic leaders to work with their U.S. counterparts and experience American style democracy at the local level.” The Open World Program and the International Cultural Educational Association sponsored the visit of 5 Ukrainian librarians, their facilitator, their sponsor’s representatives, and an interpreter on visits to the Palatine Public Library, NSLS, and some other Chicago area libraries and museums.

These librarians were provided an overview of systems and the type of work we do. They were particularly fascinated by a tour of our delivery staging area, the photographs of past NSLS award winners, and our painting on one of our walls that depicts NSLS’ voyage into technology. They use the postal service for all of their delivery needs and don not have a recognition program like our annual membership awards. Something unique the Ukrainian librarians shared with NSLS staff is their gift of a woven basket in the shape of a hen with two lovely hand painted eggs nestled inside. The baskets symbolize triumphing over the impossible and all parties present agreed that librarians are experts at doing that.

posted by Anna at 3:17 pm | Comments (0)

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