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November 25, 2009

NSLS staff take to the yoga mat

Six years ago NSLS initiated annual health screenings for staff at NSLS and staff at member libraries.  It has proven to be a consistently popular service, and has served as a launching pad for positive lifestyle changes for many participants.

Around the lunchroom, a number of NSLS staff noted that they wanted to exercise more, but had trouble fitting it in to their week. After hearing this more than once, NSLS Assistant Director Jan Hayes took action.  She found a yoga instructor that was willing lead a class at NSLS the hour before the start of the workday. Interested staff agreed to cover the costs themselves, and since so many ended up participating, it has been very affordable.  So if the NSLS staff seems especially mellow, it could be due to the yoga.

posted by Judy H. at 3:49 pm | Comments (1)

November 19, 2009

Thanksgiving Request From Save Illinois Libraries

Thanks to the outreach of Illinois library trustees and staff, and other Illinois library supporters, we’ve gotten over a dozen Illinois legislators — as well as the Secretary of State — to pledge to stand with libraries in the face of Illinois’ budget crisis. We couldn’t have reached this point without you!

Save Illinois Libraries will be taking a break from our advocacy outreach during the holidays, as we rest up and prepare for the new session of the Illinois General Assembly that will convene in January. Before that, though, we have one last request of the year for you: in this week leading up to Thanksgiving, head over to www.saveillinoislibraries.com/pledge and review the list of pledged officials. Take a second to contact those who have pledged their support and say thanks to them for being a friend of libraries. And if your legislators still haven’t pledged, call or stop by their local offices to ask for their support.

Thanksgiving is a time of community, and it’s this community that continues to make our libraries a vital resource in Illinois. Thank you for all your support!

posted by Judy H. at 6:24 pm | Comments (0)

November 17, 2009

Congratulations To Our Star Libraries

Library Journal‘s latest national rating of public libraries, the LJ Index of Public Library Service 2009, Round 2,  identifies 258 star libraries. The stars are determined by 2007 data from the IMLS. The top libraries in each group receive five, four, or three stars. This year several NSLS libraries are listed among the stars!

Five Stars
Arlington Heights Memorial Library
Schaumburg Township District Library

Four Stars
Ela Area Public Library District
Skokie Public Library

Three Stars
Barrington Public Library District

Ela Area Public Library District is also featured in the spotlight on nine of the star libraries. For more about the LJ Index of Public Library Service 2009, Round 2,  visit Library Journal’s site.

posted by Christina at 11:01 am | Comments (0)

November 9, 2009

A Special edition of Sound Opinions

NSLS Program Manager Donna Tieberg has very eclectic musical tastes – from Chopin to the Cramps with a whole lot inbetween. Check her out on Chicago Public Radio’s Sound Opinions (billed as the “world’s only rock and roll talk show”).  It’s their annual Halloween show, and Donna shows up around the 37 minute mark talking about a particularly scary Cramps song.

posted by Judy H. at 5:53 pm | Comments (0)

November 2, 2009

Bridge construction is in full swing.

Construction to replace the bridge between NSLS property and Hawthorne School, our neighbor across Buffalo Creek, is underway.

We’ve been uploading photos of the construction site on Flickr. You can also read about the latest construction update on our website.

During the construction phase, we want to remind our members to park in our primary lot and not use the Hawthorne School lot. This is for your safety as this will keep pedestrian traffic through the work zone to a minimum. In addition, some spaces in our lot may be cordoned off at times to facilitate the construction equipment.

posted by Christina at 1:07 pm | Comments (0)