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West Chicago Public Library District Prepares for Summer Reading
Submitted by Shelley Campbell on Fri, 05/24/2013 - 4:50pmReading gives us a place to go even when we have to stay where we are! This summer, as a partner in the Illinois Library Association’s iRead program, the Library will be featuring a series of programs and events for all ages that invite patrons to book a trip, travel around the world, and be transported through time to magical places with their summer reading program theme, “Have Books – Will Travel!”
As always, one of the main components of the program will be independent reading. Adults may register and log their reading on line and select the grand prize basket they would like to win with their entries. Teens may also register their reading on line, and those completing their reading goal will each receive a free book and a chance to win the teen grand prize of a Wii U game system. And children of all ages who register in person will receive prizes for three separate tiers of reading, as well as a free book of their choice for completing their reading goals. All program finishers will be invited to a free “Movie Under the Stars” on the Library lawn starting at dusk on Saturday, July 27.
Research shows that summer reading is one of the keys to preventing summer slide and improving school performance. So, in cooperation with West Chicago School District 33, the Library will be visiting all six elementary schools before summer break begins to promote the program directly to the kids. In addition, two special programs will be offered in August – “Welcome to Kindergarten” on August 22 to ease new students into their first day of school, and “Camp Fun-to-Read” from August 12-15 specifically designed to help new readers brush up their skills in preparation for the start of another school year.
“The public library is a valuable community resource that is often overlooked. We invite our patrons to join the fun this summer as we offer them some wonderful ‘travel adventures’ right here in West Chicago,” says Administrative Librarian Melody E. Coleman. So pack your bags and join us at the Library for “Have Book – Will Travel!” General registration begins May 28.
New Fast Facts Survey: Board Packet Distribution
Submitted by Karin Nelson on Fri, 05/24/2013 - 4:00pmI have posted a new Fast Facts survey that I'm inviting the people on this list to answer:
Board Packet Distribution
"How do you send Board packet files to Library Board members? Is it strictly through email of pdf attachments or do you have a website in which the members use a login/password? Do you use Wordpress or an outsourced site or product? Thanks, in advance, for any responses. "
Please respond to my questions by visiting the list of Fast Facts surveys on the RAILS website, at http://www.railslibraries.info/fast-facts/list (Login required.)
Thank you.
Karin Nelson
knelson [at] frvpld [dot] info
Fox River Valley Public Library District - Dundee Library
Free-Statistical Abstract
Submitted by Andi Seifrid on Fri, 05/24/2013 - 9:28amPlayaways
Submitted by Cynthia Blietz on Fri, 05/10/2013 - 4:46pmNiles Public Library Food for Fines Drive, June 1-15, 2013
Submitted by Sasha Vasilic on Thu, 05/23/2013 - 2:18pmExchange canned and packaged food for library overdue fines to help the Village of Niles Food Pantry during the Niles Public Library Food for Fines drive from June 1-15, 2013.
Library members will get $1 in current fines* waived for each can or package of food donated during the drive for a maximum of $50 per household.
Items especially needed include: peanut butter, canned meats (tuna, fish, beef stew), canned vegetables and fruit, macaroni and cheese, rice and pasta.
Bring canned goods or items in boxes, plastic bags or plastic jars to the Circulation desk at the Niles Public Library. Don't forget to bring your library card! We cannot accept glass, homemade food, cans that are past their expiration date or are dented or damaged, or cans with bar codes that have been lined or scratched through.
*Replacement fees for lost or damaged materials, fees for losses that are in billing or collection stages, lost card fees, or late fees on materials from other libraries are not included in the food drive. To clear all the accounts in the household, please bring in all the library cards at the same time.
Summer Courtyard Concerts to Begin at Waukegan Public Library
Submitted by Rena Morrow on Thu, 05/23/2013 - 1:25pmStarting in June, many Waukegan residents and employees will continue their longstanding tradition of lunching outdoors every Friday during the summer months while listening to free concerts held in the Waukegan Public Library courtyard.
Every Friday from June 7 to August 30, musicians will perform a wide range of musical styles including jazz, rock, folk, and bluegrass from noon to 1 p.m. in front of the library on Clayton and County Streets. If it rains, concerts will move indoors to the Bradbury Room in the library’s lower level. Listeners can bring their own lunch or pick up lunch available for sale onsite from Jerry’s Tacos. Drinks and baked goods are also available for purchase by the Friends of the Waukegan Public Library.
On June 7, the concert series will kick off with a statue dedication of the library’s new courtyard statues. Concertgoers are invited to the dedication, which will take place at 11:50 a.m. in the courtyard, right before Jim Green takes the stage.
The Courtyard Concerts are generously sponsored each year by the Friends of the Waukegan Public Library. This year the concert series is sponsored in memory of Elinor Leech, a longtime friend of the library.
June 7: Jim Green
June 14: The Hollands
June 21: Kraig Kenning
June 28: Jim Jacobs Trio
July 5: The Bruce Williams Band
July 12: Sipos & Young
July 19: Loko Amor
July 26: Banna Irish Duo
Aug. 2: Patchouli
Aug. 9: Montana Skies
Aug. 16: Mike Basa
Aug. 23: The Thomas Brothers Band
Aug. 30: Tony Bernard & The Boppers
To listen to a clip of featured bands, visit www.waukeganpl.org. For questions about the Courtyard Concert series, call Rena Morrow, Marketing, Programming, and Exhibits Manager, at (847) 623-2041, ext. 231.
Playaway case opener
Submitted by Teri Herchenbach on Thu, 05/23/2013 - 12:15pmSchaumburg Township Library Trustee Retires after 44 Years
Submitted by Susan Miura on Thu, 05/23/2013 - 11:54amAfter 44 years as a trustee on the Schaumburg Township District Library (STDL) Board, Robert (Bob) Lyons retired in May, saying he was leaving the library “in good hands.” Bob has made countless contributions to the development of the Library, helping it grow into the second largest public library in Illinois and making it a welcome place for all ages, ethnicities and interests.
When Bob got elected to the board in 1969, he became the library’s representative to the North Suburban Library System (NSLS). He soon learned that NSLS wanted to establish reciprocal borrowing between libraries, and was asked to head a committee entrusted with making that happen. Bob and his committee accomplished that goal, paving the way for library users to borrow books from other libraries in the system if their own didn’t carry the titles they wanted.
Additionally, Bob was instrumental in helping keep a balanced budget, developing a diverse collection, and facilitating the inclusion of state-of-the-art technology. His many notable efforts led him to be named NSLS Library Advocate in 1999; Illinois Library Association Trustee of the Year in 2002; and American Library Association Trustee of the Year in 2005.
Bob served three terms as NSLS president and eleven as president of the STDL Board. He was often the “point person” when the library was expanding, moving and adding branches. Bob said he is “proud of what the Library has become, and happy to be part of it.”

