From the Library Garden Bench

Winter Reading for K-12th

2012-01-27T13:28:00.000-06:00

Starting January 30, 2012, our second annual Winter Reading Program will begin. The program will be divided into 3 levels: K-3rd Grade, 4th-8th Grade, and 9th-12th Grade. The theme for the K-3rd Grade and 9th-12th Grade sections will again be "Read to a BINGO!" BINGO cards may be downloaded below or picked up in person at the library.

The 4th-8th Grades have the opportunity to be part of something very special. They will have the opportunity to vote for the Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award.
ONLY 4TH-8TH GRADERS IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS GET TO VOTE FOR THIS AWARD!! Their BINGO card is also available for download below or can be picked up in person at the library. We will be having Caudill Book Talks February 2 & Februry 9 at 3:15-4:45 P.M. For summaries and book questions please click here.

As always, this program is also available to Homeschooled Students!

Download your class's Bingo Card below:

January News from the LME Library

2012-01-13T13:38:00.001-06:00

Lots of great things are happening at the Lillie M. EvansLibrary! At the beginning of the year,we launched our updated website at http://lmelibrary.org. These changes make it easier for you tolocate resources and easier for us to keep the site current. We hope youlike the changes and we look forward to adding more resources to our site!

If you are a fan of The Biggest Loser realityshow, now is your chance to compete in our local version. The LME Biggest Loser(season 3!) program runs from January 11-February 29th and can help you to shedpounds and get fit. Weekly weigh-ins started Jan 11 and will be at thelibrary on Wednesdays between 10a-8p. Sign-up at the library and pickup a player packet. More information can be found at: http://librarylill.blogspot.com/2012/01/lme-biggest-loser-season-3.html

When the Lillie M. Evans Library kicked off Food 4 Fines itsFoods-4-Fines program at the Princeville Holiday Homecoming Celebration, we hadno idea what to expect. From November 28th thru December 23rd, the libraryaccepted nonperishable foods items in lieu of fines. For each item donated, thelibrary forgave $1 of fines. 55 library patrons donated articles ranging frompaper towels to canned food. Thesedonations brought in 340 pounds to the local food pantry and erased over $200in fines. There were also some withoutfines who wished to donate, and we gladly accepted those donations. Thank you Princeville community for yourgenerosity!

Tax assistance

2012-01-11T15:25:00.000-06:00

Looking for help with your taxes? Unfortunately, the Lillie M. Evans Library does not have any tax volunteers, but there are several ways to find taxpayer assistance for low-to-middleincome or for people over age 60. Hereare some links to find local resources:

As part of the IRS-sponsored TCE Program, AARP offers the Tax-Aidecounseling program at over 6,000 sites nationwide during the filing season.Trained and certified AARP Tax-Aide volunteer counselors help people oflow-to-middle income with special attention to people age 60 and older. Tolocate the nearest AARP Tax-Aide site, call 1-888-227-7669 or use the Tax-AideLocator on AARP's Internet site at: http://www.aarp.org/applications/VMISLocator/searchTaxAideLocations.action

IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers in IL can be found at:

http://www.irs.gov/localcontacts/article/0,,id=98273,00.html

In addition, the IRS has a listing of nationwide freetax preparation sites by state at:

http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=219171,00.html

IL Legal Aid article has an article on “How do I File a Tax Return?”with some helpful suggestions. It can befound at: http://www.illinoislegalaid.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.dsp_Content&contentID=6854

The IRS recommends bringing the following documents when receiving tax payer assistance:

Proof of identification
Social Security Cards for you, your spouse and dependents and/or a Social Security Number verification letter issued by the Social Security Administration
Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) assignment letter for you, your spouse and dependents
Proof of Foreign status if applying for an ITN
Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return
Wage and earning statement(s) Form W-2, W-2G, 1099-R, from all employers
Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)
A copy of last year’s federal and state returns, if available
Proof of Bank routing numbers and account numbers for Direct Deposit, such as a blank check
Total paid for daycare provider and the daycare provider's tax identifying number (the provider's Social Security Number or the provider's business Employer Identification Number)
To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms.

LME Biggest Loser, Season 3

2012-01-02T17:58:00.001-06:00

If you are a fan of The Biggest Loser reality show, now is your chance to compete in our local version. The LME Biggest Loser (season 3!) program runs from January 11-February 29th and can help you to shed pounds and get fit. Participants compete for prizes during the 8 week program which are on display just inside our Walnut Street entrance. The grand prize will be a $50 gift card!

If you haven't registered yet you can still join. Call or come into the library to register and pickup a player packet. Weekly weigh-ins start Jan 11 and will be at the library on Wednesdays between 10a-8p. There are lots of opportunities to attend programs and workout session.

Don't forget, we have fitness classes FIVE DAYS A WEEK!
Yoga - Monday & Friday @ 9:15am
Zumba - Tuesday & Thursday @ 6:15pm
Workout Wednesday @ 5pm (We start with basic stretching and warm-ups then workout with a fitness DVD. There's a new workout each week and it's a great way to try out a new routine or get some variety to your workouts.)

Start your new year's resolution off right and join us for LME Biggest Loser, Season 3!

Our top reads from 2011

2011-12-28T15:41:00.000-06:00

Well, it’s that time of year where we’re all making ourlists of favorites from 2011. At LME Library, we had a variety of staff submit some of their favoritereads. So without much more ado, herethey are:

Adult Fiction

Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb—from the author, MelanieBenjamin, who wrote Alice I Have Been, comes a wonderful novel based on thelife of Lavinia Warren Bump. Thecharacters are so well sketched that it’s hard to figure out what actuallyhappened in real life and what the author supposed.

Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella—fun summer read that ourbook group just adored.

The last 3 of Janet Evanovich’s books—Janet started a newseries (Lizzy & Diesel) and added 2more to her numbered novels. She neverfails to indulge me with happy goofiness, and 3 in quick succession provided amuch needed respite!

The Help—I had to wait a long time for this one (the waitinglist at one time topped over 350 holds in the system!) but it was well worthit. Things that sound ridiculous to uslike adding a second bathroom so that “the help” didn’t share the same toiletwere deadly serious in the 1960s. Ienjoyed the different points of view, the historical perspective, and thetouches of karma.

Hell’s Corner by David Baldacci—one of Glady’s favoriteauthors hits the mark on this one! Thisthriller has a terrorist plot toward the government in Washington, DC. There are lots of twists, turns, and surprisesin a story that’s to become a movie.

Minding Frankie by Maeve Binchy—a challenging story of arecovering alcoholic who is asked by the terminally ill mother of his child toraise the baby girl after she is born. With his demons tugging at him, he realizes he can’t do it alone, so heturns to his family and friends for help.

Adult Non-Fiction

Devil in the White City by Erik Larson—this non-fiction bookhas it all! It covers the history of theWorld’s Fair in Chicago and the trials and tribulations of putting this mammothproject together--plus--it follows a serial killer cleverly at work and who was getting away with murder. Larson also wrote this year’s popular, In the Garden of the Beasts.

Flour: Spectacular Recipes from Boston’s Flour Bakery + Caféby Joanne Chang—when she say spectacular, she mean spectacular! Beautiful photographs and wonderful recipesfill this inspiring cookbook. Once yousee the cover, you’ll be captivated!

Teen Reads

Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins—yes, they are just as good as youheard. Now with the movie coming out,they will continue to be popular reads.

Leviathan trilogy by Scott Westerfeld mixes history with sciencefiction in this wonderful series about airships, an errant prince, and thefight to end WW I.

The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series byMichael Scott—I’ve gotten hooked on this and continue to work my way throughthe series. I love the way Scottincorporates historical figures and mythology. If you liked Harry Potter or Percy Jackson, you’ll also like this.

Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy by Maggie Stiefvater—willappeal to the fans of Twilight. There’s werewolves,romance, and tensions galore.

Fallen series by Lauren Kate—another series sureto capture Twilight fans. Immortals,outcasts, and love stories make up the series. The next book, a stand-alone is due out in January 2012.

Looking for more picks? The Early Word is streaming "Librarians Favorites from 2011" from Twitter. Maybe you'll find some of your new favorites there!

Computer buying information

2011-12-21T15:24:00.002-06:00

Someone asked me this week about resources for buying a computer. Here’s some my favorite resources:

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/computers-internet/computers/computer-buying-advice/computer-getting-started/computer-getting-started.htm Consumer Reports always does a great job outlining key areas, highlighting features and providing ratings. I especially like the section on computer feature considerations. If you are in the library, our copy of Computer Reports is with our other magazine subscriptions.
http://techzone.illinoisstate.edu/guide/ My alma mater, Illinois State, has an online computer guide with great advice. Trying to decide to purchase a laptop or desktop or need advice on PC or Mac? There are short articles available. The are also minimum recommended specs and departmental recommendations.
http://www.komando.com/buyguide/index.aspx?id=2856 Kim Komando of the nationally syndicated Kim Komando Show has a website with information on a variety of computer buying topics. Area covered range from buying a budget PC to high-performance desktops.
http://reviews.cnet.com/holiday-gift-guide/laptops-desktops/?tag=featuredStory Finally, the C/net 2011 holiday buying guide has a section for buying desktops, laptops and notebooks. It has a helpful feature that allows consumer to answer some basic questions to receive recommendations on desktop and laptop computer choices.

I hope you find these sites helpful and have a happy and safe holiday season!

Libri Foundation grant for children's books

2011-12-12T14:19:00.003-06:00

Thanks to the generosity of the Libri Foundation and the Friends of the Library, the Lillie M. Evans Library recently added 74 new books to our children's collection. The Libri Foundation is dedicated to donating quality children’s books to rural public libraries and through an additional donation from Hal Berenson and Laura Ackerman, the LME Library received a bonus of $350.00 worth of math & science books. The Friends of the Library supported the grant with a 1-to-2 match on the Libri Foundation funds. Youth Services Librarian, Anita Routh, chose the books from a list of over 700 titles of the best books for ages Pre-K through Young Adult. “There were so many wonderful books, it was difficult to narrow our choices; however, we feel we’ve made some great selections for our community. “

Books were selected from all age groups and categories, but the LME Library staff is particularly excited about the selection of biographies. Biographies are extremely popular with our juvenile readers and the staff has been working to expand this section. The addition of the Math and Science books has been a wonderful bonus to this great program.

Each Libri Foundation book has a bookplate to identify it. A sampling of titles includes: ER Vets: Life in an Animal Emergency Room; Mirror, Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse; Shadow Life: A Portrait of Anne Frank and Her Family; Race Cars Up Close; Space, Stars and the Beginning of Time; Computer Animation; and Ballerina Dreams. The books will be displayed throughout December and January in the new children’s reading area. Funds to purchase the child-sized soft furniture in the reading area were provided by the Friends of the LME Library.

This grant and the assistance from our friends have allowed us to provide some additional children's resources even in these difficult economic times. Thank you to the Libri Foundations and the Friends of the Library for continuing to make the LME Library a great place for children in our community!

Holiday Homecoming Special!!!

2011-11-22T11:28:00.009-06:00

The Lillie M. Evans Library is partnering with LG Fitness 24/7 for our next LME Biggest Loser Season 3. Simply visit LG Fitness 24/7, located next to the Princeville Washtub, on Thrusday, December 1st from 5-8pm during the Holiday Homecoming Celebration and preregister for our next LME Biggest Loser. After you register you will receive a one month fitness pass for FREE! This is a great opportunity to get started on the right track to a healthier you.

Thank you Cindy & Suzie of LG Fitness 24/7 for this wonderful opportunity for all our contestants!

Additional LME Biggest Loser 3 Info:

If your New Years resolution is to lose weight or get healthier in 2012 be sure to join the Lillie M. Evans Library's Biggest Loser 3! The library will be having their first weigh-in day on Wednesday, January 11, 2012. Players can stop in anytime on Wednesdays between 9am - 8pm to confidentially weigh-in. Player weights will be kept private at all times; percentages of weightloss will be posted every Thursday and the weekly winner announced by noon. Players may only weigh-in during library hours on Wednesdays. Registration is free, must be 18 or older. Complete rules available at the library.

Players can earn a 1 lb advantage for attending our health & fitness classes (maximum 2 lbs advantage per week). We will also have yoga, Zumba and Workout Wednesdays to get you moving!

There will be prizes awarded to the weekly winners as well as a $50 Visa giftcard being awarded to the overall Biggest Loser on March 1, 2012!!!

LME Library to participate in the Holiday Homecoming Celebration

2011-11-17T15:51:00.003-06:00

During Princeville’s Holiday Homecoming Celebration, the Lillie M. Evans Library will kick off its Foods-4-Fines program. From November 28^th thru December 23^rd, you may bring in nonperishable foods items. For each item donated, the library will forgive $1 of your fines. Did you find a library item that’s been missing for months? Bring it in and each item will only be a maximum of $5 in fines and eligible for Food-4-Fines amnesty! Don’t have any fines? No problem—we will still be happy to accept your donations! All donations will go to the local food pantry to benefit those in need. Note: Fines will not be removed from unreturned items or items returned damaged.

Santa letters can also be dropped off at LME Library starting on November 28. Santa’s mailbox will be out with our other holiday decorations, and children may drop in their letters to Santa. Letters with return addresses will be answered by Santa, so be sure to include them on your letters!

In addition, the LME Library will also have extended hours (5-8pm) during the late night shopping on December 1^st. Kirby will be in the library for free face painting, and we will host a variety of “Minute-To-Win-It” type games. Chase away the cold by competing in the rabid reindeer game, dancing to the wii, or eating cookies in the cookie face game. The Friends of the Library will also be holding their annual raffle so be sure to stop by the LME Library!

LME Library Computer Classes start Nov 21st!

2011-11-04T14:39:00.004-05:00

Ready to learn how to get on the Internet, open an e-mail account, or explore Facebook? Need help writing a letter in Microsoft Word or curious about the new e-readers? The Lillie M. Evans Library District is hosting a series of free computer classes at the library during November and December. Sign up for a class today by calling the library at 385-4540 or emailing us at lill@lmelibrary.org

Computer Basics Mon, Nov 21^st (For the very beginner—develop some mouse skills and learn some basic vocabulary for computers)
Web Searching, Wed, Nov 30^th (Become familiar with Internet browsers, search engines, and some of the best web sites as well as searching tips)
E-reader basics/e-book sites Mon, Dec 5^th (Try some of the e-readers and learn about sources for e-books—several which are free!)
Word Basics Wed, Dec 14^th (Covers cut, paste, margins, paper orientation, bullets and other basic of MS Word)
E-Mail Basics Mon, Dec 19^th (Set up an email account and learn about e-mail etiquette)
Using Facebook Wed, Dec 28^th (Registering, privacy, friends, and pictures will be discussed)

All classes are from 5:30-6:30pm and will be held in the library meeting room. Registration is required to reserve your spot!

LME Library Trivia Night Champions

2011-10-28T14:52:00.010-05:00

On Thursday, October 27, the second annual P-Town Showdown was hosted at the Lillie M. Evans Library in Princeville. Last year, retired director, Joanne Cox, organized the first contest and its success prompted a repeat of the Showdown.

Sheriff Rich Thole was the master of the evening’s events. The four teams vying for the P-Town Showdown Championship arrived on schedule and the Library Director, Beth Duttlinger, serving as Conductor welcomed the players. Deputy Ruthie Whitledge and Judges Anita Routh and Beauford Potter rounded out the officials. Sheriff Thole reviewed the procedures before quickly launching into round one.

The trivia competition consisted of 5 rounds with 10 questions in each round.Questions were from 10 different categories and each team had 8 minutes to answer the questions.As each round was completed, the answer sheets were collected and graded before the round leaders were announced. The leading team was presented with a balloon bouquet that was passed at each round while the lowest scorer displayed the black rose.

The judges kept us entertained throughout the evening by strutting and dancing to “Here Comes the Judge”. Sheriff Thole and Deputy Ruthie did an amazing job controlling the rowdy crowd which included several notorious “gangs” such as the Titans of Trivia, the Princeville Pistols, the Trebekkies, and Senders Slingers.

After completing all 5 rounds, the Trebekkies emerged as the 2011 P-Town Showdown Champions and received cork trivets from Moonlight Engraving. The certificate for Best Costumes was also awarded to the Trebekkies. The Best Table Decorations certificate went to the Titans of Trivia. This and other library activities can be found on the LME Library website at http://lmelibrary.org.

Lincoln Exhibition coming to Princeville in 2014

2011-10-13T14:13:00.004-05:00

Recently, the Lillie M. Evans Library District and the Princeville Heritage Museum partnered to write a grant for the traveling exhibition “Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War.” We are pleased to announce that Princeville is one of the two hundred sites selected to host the exhibit. However, the exhibit won’t be here until spring 2014, so mark your calendars!

Funding for the exhibition and tour is provided by a major grant from NEH. Each site will receive a $750 grant from NEH to support expenses related to exhibition programming. Participating institutions will present at least two free public programs featuring a lecture or discussion by a qualified scholar on exhibition themes. All showings of the exhibition will be free and open to the public. This grant is provided by American Library Association (ALA), in partnership with the National Constitution Center (NCC) and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

More information can be found through the press release dated 10/11/11: ALA, NEH announce 200 site tour for “Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War” traveling exhibition. Watch for information about the Princeville exhibit and programs in the fall of 2013.

P-Town Showdown rescheduled for October 27th

2011-10-06T10:05:00.003-05:00

Join us for a fun night of trivia on October 27th @6:30 pm at
the Lillie M. Evans Library.

Choose your 4-6 player team of friends, family & colleagues, ages 13-113.

Doors open at 6:00 pm. Teams must be ready to go at 6:15; contest begins promptly at 6:30 pm.

Space is limited to only 8 teams so register early! Captains can register their team at the library or online at www.lmelibrary.org! You must have at least 4 team members in order to lock in your registration.

Can you round up the best team to win? We need a minimum of 4 teams to host this event so sign up now!

ebooks for Kindle @ the library!

2011-09-21T15:40:00.005-05:00

Today, it was announced that our ebook vendor has made it possible to use the library's ebooks on the Kindle! Here is a link to the press release: http://overdrive.com/news/OverDrive-and-Amazon-launch-Kindle-compatibility-with-Library-eBooks >

How can you tell if an ebook is available in a Kindle format? When you go to our ebook service at http://alliance.lib.overdrive.com :

1. You can click the blue “library ebooks for Kindle” button on the left to search for everything that is available for Kindle

2. You can do a regular search and if the copy can be checked out by a Kindle, there will be an option in the format section.

Happy reading!

UPDATE 9/23/11

More information from Overdrive on how to use Kindle books at http://overdriveblogs.com/library/2011/09/21/library-ebooks-now-available-for-amazon%C2%AE-kindle/

2nd UPDATE 9/26/11

The Metropolitan Library in Oklahoma has a nice Q&A page on using the Kindle with the library's ebooks. It's available at http://www.metrolibrary.org/kindle/

2011-09-08T11:34:00.001-05:00

The Homeland Security Digital Library (HSDL) is the nation's premier research collection for open-source resources related to homeland security policy, strategy and organizational management. They have been commemorating the 10 year anniversary of 9/11 through a series of blog posts. This week post highlights some of the memorials and observances for the ten year anniversary and it can be found at https://www.hsdl.org/hslog/?q=node/6342

Project Gutenberg eBook titles

2011-08-30T09:34:00.005-05:00

Project Gutenberg is a selection of free eBooks containing more than 30,000 titles that are available in the public domain, allowing free download access to anyone in the United States with an eReader or computer. The library website has a link in the left column to the Gutenberg titles currently being offered. The titles are always available for immediate download and are compatible with any EPUB software.

Most titles in the Gutenberg collection are free of copyrights in the United States, meaning they can not only be downloaded for reading, they can also be used for distribution, recreation and adaptation. Teachers can print and distribute excerpts for their classes; artists can perform the works in front of an audience; and titles can be transferred to audio or other formats. Each title provides licensing information when it is downloaded, so be sure to check the rights prior to utilizing the books for commercial benefit.

Titles include many of the classics by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Jane Austen, Mark Twain, and Charles Dickens as well as the Bible and Aesop's Fables.

RSA Catalog Features

2011-08-26T13:24:00.002-05:00

Are you familiar with the library's online catalog, RSAcat? It’s available through the library’s website and allows you to search for books and other materials not only at the Lillie M. Evans Library, but at over 180 other libraries in our region. You can search by author, title, keyword, and subject but there are lots of additional ways you can find what you need. You can limit materials to item type (i.e. book, DVD, or audio) or location (at LME Library or other libraries).

You can also place items on hold, make lists, and send texts to your cell phone. In addition to placing holds, you can books and check your account. You will need your library card number and PIN—please contact the library (385-4540) if you need this information.

Wondering what’s new at the library? The right column of RSAcat (under Library Information) has links to LME Library’s new books, new videos and more! There’s also links at the bottom of the screen to recommended reading and bestseller lists.

If you want to get started, visit the Library’s website at http://lmelibrary.org and click on the RSAcat icon in the left column. These convenience features let you access information easily right on the computer, but as usual, if you have any questions, feel free to contact us at 385-4540 or lill@lmelibrary.org.

Upcoming Movies with Book tie-ins

2011-08-05T15:54:00.005-05:00

The EarlyWord blog has a nice feature on some of the upcoming fall movies based on books. This includes the first part of Breaking Dawn (Stephanie Meyer), a sequel to Sherlock Holmes (Arthur Conrad Doyle), and I Don't Know How She Does It (Allison Pearson). It's surprising how many blockbusters are based on popular novels!

5 Ways to Use Your Library

2011-07-14T09:00:00.001-05:00

1. Looking for a specific book, movie, magazine or more? You may put an item on “hold”. If we don’t have it, we’ll borrow it from another library and call you when it comes in.

2. Tired of making the same old dinners every night? Planning a party and need recipe ideas? Check out our cookbook collection and see what you can whip up!

3. Are you considering a vacation? Check out our travel section for ideas and start planning that trip?

4. Sign up for our free quarterly newsletter online and keep up with all the programs and information available at your library.

5. Did you know we have more than books? We also have movies, music CDs, magazines, audio books as well as e-books (electronic books), online audio selections, and subscriptions to several databases. Think about stopping in for a movie or a magazine to pass the time. For e-books and downloadable audio books, visit ADML (Alliance Digital Media Library) at http://alliance.lib.overdrive.com. We also offer copy and fax services and free WiFi.

There are lots of ways your LME Library can help make you life easier—stop by or visit us online at http://lmelibrary.org

Laptop & phone batteries

2011-07-07T10:53:00.004-05:00

I just read a great article from TechSoup about "How to Get Long Life of Out of Laptop and Cell Phone Batteries". TechSoup is nonprofit organization that provides other nonprofits and libraries with technology that empowers them to fulfill their missions and serve their communities. There is a clearinghouse for equipment but more importantly, they provide learning resources (including articles, blogs, free webinars, and forums led by expert hosts) to all users.

This article answered the question I've been wondering about for quite some time--how can I maximize the rechargeable battery life on my equipment? This article gives clear advice and techniques everyone can do to get the most use from their batteries.

Wrap up to Long Range Planning

2011-06-28T15:36:00.004-05:00

In the fall of 2010, the Lillie M. Evans Library District began working on a long range plan for the next 3 years. Community members participated in a focus group in November, and we compiled the responses and made them available on this blog http://librarylill.blogspot.com/2011/02/long-range-planning-update.html. During the month of December, we conducted a user survey, and those results have were also posted on this blog.

The Staff and Board of the Lillie M. Evans Library District have analyzed the information collected and have developed a long range plan for FY2012-2014. Three goals have been identified for each year of the plan. In addition, the library’s mission statement has been revised to more accurately reflect the role we play in the community. The goals and mission document is now available online.

Thank you to all who participated. Your input has helped us concentrate on the best materials, programs, and services for our community!

Biggest Loser Results 2011

2011-05-12T13:31:00.000-05:00

The Biggest Loser ended April 26th with Leanna F. taking home top prize by losing 9.23%. Three other participants lost over 8% of their body weight, and over 50% of our participants lost more than 2% during the 8-week period. In addition to the benefit of adopting a healthier lifestyle, our 19 participants lost a total of 121 pounds!

Throughout the Biggest Loser program, we had exercise sessions scheduled at various times on Monday thru Friday and sessions on adult fitness, nutrition and osteoporosis; how to use the Spark People website; and a food talk with Suzy Gill. The library’s resources of fitness, health and diet books as well as our various fitness videos were featured during the program.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Biggest Loser II!

Find-A-Book/2011 iREAD Summer Reading Program

2011-05-06T10:35:00.000-05:00

Today from the Illinois State Library:
"Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White is proud to join Governor Pat Quinn and Christopher Koch, Superintendent of the Illinois State Board of Education, in encouraging parents and librarians to check out an important website aimed at keeping children reading during the upcoming summer months when school is not in session.

The Find-a-Book website, www.lexile.com/findabook, has quick and easy access to a list of books that will match a child’s reading level and interests, as well as the nearest libraries carrying each title.

The Find-a-Book site uses a student’s reading score in Lexiles, a measure of reading ability and text difficulty derived from state standardized tests, including the ISAT. The website also features a search option to access appropriate book choices based on grade level and comfort with typical reading materials at that grade level.

Research has shown the powerful impact of continued reading. One review of the impact of summer reading found that children can lose up to 60 percent of their skills during a two-month vacation. Children who read during the summer months, however, can sustain their reading gains and are better prepared for learning when the school bell rings again in the fall.

Secretary White also encourages parents to talk with children about the fun and importance of summer reading and take them to the local public library. Librarians have information about Lexiles and other programs such as the iREAD program, a summer reading program offered through the Illinois Library Association (ILA)."

The 2011 iREAD Summer Reading Program theme is “A Midsummer Knight's Read.” Check the Lillie M. Evans Library website at http://lmelibrary.org for information on local programs and a calendar of events.

Snapshot Day - April 13th Results

2011-04-28T10:51:00.000-05:00

On Wednesday, April 13, 2011 libraries across Illinois participated in “Snapshot: One Day in the Life of Illinois Libraries” by collecting information, comments, and photographs from events in a typical library day. The results indicate that the Lillie M. Evans Library provides invaluable services to our community.

In Just One Day at the Lillie M. Evans Library District:

• 81 people walked through the doors of the Lillie M. Evans Library District

• 153 books, movies, and more were borrowed from the Lillie M. Evans Library District

• 29 people used computers at the Lillie M. Evans Library District

• 45 children participated in programs at the Lillie M. Evans Library District

• 4 adults participated in programs at the Lillie M. Evans Library District

• 52 people visited the Lillie M. Evans Library District’s web site and blogs

Comments we received on Snapshot Day included:
“I love this library! Staff is great, friendly and helpful. Love to listen to books. Princeville is lucky to have a great library!”

“Today I asked what the inside part of a flower is. They helped me right away and I want to thank them.”

Statewide data was collected on April 13, 2011. Last year, 310 Illinois public, academic, and school libraries participated. Snapshot Day is a project of the Illinois Library Association, www.ila.org/snapshot.

Kindle readers soon to be compatible with ADML

2011-04-27T14:32:00.000-05:00

Wonderful news for ebook readers—Amazon and OverDrive announced the Kindle Library Lending program, which will enable Kindle customers to borrow and enjoy eBooks from library partners in the United States. The program is scheduled for launch later this year, and will significantly increase the value of the investment the LME Library has made in OverDrive. This means that Kindle owner will shortly be able to download ebooks from our Alliance Digital Media Library (ADML)!

We’ll keep readers posted about when this access will be available. More information can be found at
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=176060&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1552678&highlight=

Celebrate National Library Week April 10-16

2011-04-08T12:10:00.000-05:00

Next week is National Library Week. First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. Whether you are getting your first library card, learning new computer skills or planning a trip, the library is the place where your story begins. This National Library Week, join our nation’s libraries and librarians and Create your own story @ your library.

As part of National Library Week, the Lillie M. Evans Library District will be participating in Illinois Snapshot Day on Wednesday, April 13. We hope our loyal patrons will stop by and be a part of this historic day. Libraries around Illinois will be collecting and compiling information, comments, and photographs from events in a typical library day. The results can not only provide indisputable proof that libraries consistently provide invaluable services, but they also can be an important tool in crafting the story of local libraries in the 21st century, and in educating decision makers at the federal, state, and local level of our value to the community.

Enjoy your week, and we hope to see you on Wednesday!

April 2nd-9th is National Money Smart Week

2011-04-02T11:55:00.000-05:00

Money Smart Week began as a coordinated effort of the Money Smart Advisory Council, a diverse group of more than 40 Chicago-area organizations working together to promote personal financial literacy. Today, Money Smart Week is much broader in scope and continues to expand, creating new partnerships, heightened exposure, and substantive events. The Money Smart Week model has grown beyond Chicago with successful campaigns taking place in all five states within the Seventh District (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin) and new cities joining every year.

During Money Smart Week 2011, the Lillie M. Evans library has designed activities to help consumers better manage their personal finances. Stop by the library for programs and resources that will help you be money $mart!

Tuesday, April 5th 11am-noon “Budgeting Basics” Learn more about money and how to manage it.

Wednesday, April 6th 2-3pm for 3rd-12th graders “It’s Not Too Early to be Money $mart” Introduction for kids on developing money $mart habits

Thursday, April 7th 10-11am “Investing for your Future” with Brian Card from the Princeville State Bank Covers the basics of investing your money

In addition, other money $mart resources include:

Financial education resources from the Illinois State Treasurer
http://www.treasurer.il.gov/programs/financial-education/financial-education.aspx

Practical Money Skills for Life has some great financial games for kids at http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/games/trainingcamp/

Federal website dedicated to helping Americans reach their personal financial goals
http://www.mymoney.gov/

SaferProducts.gov - New Government Consumer Product Safety Database

2011-03-24T07:53:00.000-05:00

Information from CPSC Media Release #11-168

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently launched the SaferProducts.gov database. Consumers are encouraged to visit www.SaferProducts.gov to submit Reports of harm or risks of harm, and to search for safety information on products they own or may be considering buying.

Reporting product safety incidents through this new, easy-to-use site will help CPSC identify product hazards quicker and provide consumers with safety information on products in and around the home.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death from thousands of types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed significantly to the decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

Following procedures set up by the law, CPSC will review all online Reports and have five business days to transmit qualifying Reports to the manufacturer, where practicable. Manufacturers then have 10 business days during which they may respond and provide comments and/or claims. At the end of the 10 day period, if all requirements are met, the Report and the manufacturer’s comments will be posted on SaferProducts.gov

It is important that consumers provide CPSC with information that is true and accurate to the best of their knowledge. Reports lacking required information will not be published. Similarly, information in a report of harm determined to be materially inaccurate within the 10 days provided to manufacturers to respond will not be published. Reports that potentially contain confidential information will have such information taken out before the report is posted.

Reports received today will be visible and searchable by consumers around the beginning of April. Until then, only CPSC’s recall information will be searchable within the database. For more information, go to SaferProducts.gov

What’s all this about HarperCollins?

2011-03-17T10:42:00.000-05:00

Under a policy that began Monday, February 28, 2011, libraries can only lease new HarperCollins e-books and loan them no more than 26 times. The number of 26 was chosen because HarperCollins has estimated that a book which circulates for 2 weeks could be checkout 26 times in a year. Essentially HarperCollins has imposed an annual fee on their e-book titles.

Why are librarians protesting?
Popular print titles of HarperCollins books usually circulate for many more that 26 times. If you are wondering what a book looks like if it circulates more than 26 times, Pioneer Library System has done this YouTube video called What 26 Checkouts Look Like. Librarians also have concerns about the work processes associated with the 26 circ limit. Currently, librarians have to search, download or create bibliographic records and then attach item information in the library catalog. If this process has to take place multiple times, it will cost libraries more to manage materials. Finally, libraries already pay yearly leasing fees to vendors like OverDrive to manage and access library e-book collections. If we have to pay yearly fees to publishers also, the cost of e-book collections becomes infeasible for many libraries.

There are several misconceptions that have surfaced lately in regard to this controversy. Here are some of them:
Misconception #1—Libraries get books for free. Libraries do not get books, newspapers, magazines, databases, etc for free; we pay for them. Some book jobbers give libraries a discount because of the volume of materials purchased, but libraries pay of materials just like everyone else.

Misconception #2—electronic items are available for unlimited use. Libraries purchase e-books as individual copies and e-books circulate in a similar way as print books. They are available to one user at a time and circulate from a seven-day to 21-day period. After the designated checkout period, the e-book automatically expires from the borrower’s account and is once again available to be borrowed by another user. Just like print books, e-books can also be returned early and holds can be placed on the available copies (if more than one e-book copy has been purchased by the library or libraries).

Misconception #3—e-books have no downsides for libraries. E-books have some great qualities, but there are downsides as well. E-books can only be read on electronic devices and the majority of library patrons do not own devices in which to read e-books. E-books are still a relatively new format and libraries are struggling to add the e-book format and readers to their collections. Also many libraries dispose of their unread books through used-book sales, a source of revenue that unread e-books can’t provide.

What’s that got to do with our library?
Lillie M. Evans Library District is part of ADML—the Alliance Digital Media Library, a consortium of libraries which provide e-books and digital audio books to their patrons. In early March 2011, the libraries voted to boycott the all publications of HarperCollins and subsidiaries in e-book format. This means that e-books from HarperCollins will no longer be purchased and available in ADML. The majority of these libraries have also stated that they will be boycotting the print editions as well. This will impact the availability of the HarperCollins print titles in the Resource Sharing Alliance Collection as well.

I think that Barbara Fister very eloquently sums up the core issue in her Inside Higher Ed blog: “But what really dismays me is this: publishers believe that libraries are not good for business, that sharing is a bug, that book culture would survive if everyone had to pay for everything they read. This is short-sighted madness….But here's the deal: Without access to books, lots of books, readers can't develop and grow their own canon of taste for books. Without libraries, books would become luxury goods for a small and dwindling minority of readers. Without libraries, writers would have a much harder time reaching readers and developing a following. Libraries are in communities of every size and are located in neighborhoods where there are no bookstores, because librarians know that readers are tenacious and can grow in thin soil. Not only will libraries buy books for every reader, those readers become book buyers. Publishers seem to be ignorant of these facts.”

So before dismissing the HarperCollins controversy as an overreaction by a bunch of librarians, think about the big picture. Librarians are concerned with ownership, copyright issues, rising costs of library services and materials, and the right to keep library book selection choices under control of the library. This controversy affects core public library functions which may not be apparent at first glance.

More information can be found through the following news articles:
New York Times Publisher Limits Shelf Life for Library E-Books
USA Today Librarians lunch boycott in battle over e-books

and the following library resources:
American Library Association http://ala.org/ala/newspresscenter/news/pr.cfm?id=6517
Free Range Librarian http://freerangelibrarian.com/2011/02/26/harpercollins-memento-plan/

LME Biggest Loser

2011-03-08T12:03:00.000-06:00

If you are a fan of The Biggest Loser reality show, now is your chance to compete in our local version. The LME Biggest Loser program runs from February 28-April 26th and can help you to shed pounds and get fit. Participants compete for prizes during the 8 week program which are on display just inside our Walnut Street entrance. The grand prize will be a $50 Kohl's card!

If you haven't registered yet you can still join. Simply stop by the library between 10a-8p Mondays for your first weigh-in and pickup a player packet. There are lots of opportunities to attend programs and workout session. The March activities are included on our online printable library calendar.

Don't forget, we have fitness classes FIVE DAYS A WEEK!
Yoga - Monday & Friday @ 9:15am
Zumba - Tuesday & Thursday @ 6:15pm
Workout Wednesday @ 5pm ** (We start with basic stretching and warm-ups then workout with a fitness DVD. There's a new workout each week and it's a great way to try out a new routine or get some variety to your workouts.)

** Get a 1 lb. bonus at your next weigh-in for participating in a Workout Wednesday!

NIH SeniorHealth

2011-02-24T14:10:00.000-06:00

Just heard about this website from the National Institutes of Health and I wanted to share it.

http://nihseniorhealth.gov/

This easy-to-use website features basic health and wellness information for older adults from one of my favorite sources, the National Institutes of Health. It includes a free, easy-to-use toolkit with training materials to help older adults find reliable, up-to-date online health information on their own. But what I really like are the buttons at the top of each page. With the click of a mouse, users can make the text bigger, change text color, or hear the text read aloud. How cool is that!

Cancelled P-Town Showdown 2/24/11

2011-02-22T11:28:00.000-06:00

Unfortunately, we did not have enough team registrations, and we must cancel this event on February 24th. We regret any inconvenience this may cause.

We are considering rescheduling the Showdown on a Friday evening (either March 18th or April 8th). If anyone is interested and would like to register a team, please contact me (lill@lmelibrary.org) with your date preference.

I understand that this event was well received last year, and participants enjoyed the program. I hope that we can still recruit enough teams to continue this entertaining event.

iphone & ipad users - new app v 2.2

2011-02-18T08:41:00.000-06:00

A new version of the app for iphone & ipad is now available to use with ADML, the Alliance Digital Media Library. Users who are reading an EPUB eBook, listening to an MP3 audiobook, or browsing the OverDrive Media Console library, will now have the full iPad screen utilized for their enjoyment. Additionally, the app for iOS devices—including iPhone and iPod touch—now supports landscape and portrait orientation, and a new calendar icon displays the number of days left until the title expires. The free app is available in the App Store, and can be installed on Apple devices running iOS v4.0 (or newer). Users with OverDrive Media Console already installed will be notified that an update is available.

More information can be found at: http://overdrive.com/news/getArticle.aspx?newsArticleID=20110215

Illinois Veterans History Project

2011-02-10T14:53:00.000-06:00

The Illinois State Library is encouraging Illinois war veterans of any conflict to join Secretary of State Jesse White’s Illinois Veterans History Project. The project is designed to create a permanent record of the names and remembrances of war veterans and civilians who served. More than a decade ago, the federal government passed a law authorizing the Library of Congress to collect and preserve the war histories of American veterans and civilians. Secretary White remains strongly committed to furthering the effort to ensure that the contributions of Illinois veterans will not be forgotten.

For more information, please visit the Veterans History Project information on Illinois State Library website at: www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/ilvetproject.html

Long Range Planning Update

2011-02-07T11:59:00.001-06:00

As I mentioned in my November and December posts, community input is essential in our long range planning process. In November, we conducted a focus group and in December, we canvassed our community with an online survey. Thank you to everyone who participated! The data from the focus group and results from the survey are now available online.

The planning process is “on schedule”, and the Board and Staff are reviewing the data. As we seek new and better ways to serve our community, we will continue to share our progress.

Library Open February 3

2011-02-03T09:30:00.000-06:00

The Lillie M. Evans Library is open today, Thursday, February 3rd.

Library closed February 2, 2011

2011-02-01T10:14:00.000-06:00

Due to the approaching storm, the Lillie M. Evans Library will be closed on Wednesday, February 2, 2011. We hope to reopen on Thursday, road conditions permitting. Please check this blog for further updates. Stay safe and warm!

LME book groups

2011-01-24T12:11:00.000-06:00

If you are unfamiliar with the library’s book groups, we currently have two—one for adults and one for teens. The adult group is called “Talk About a Good Book” club and meets the last Monday of the month at 6:30pm. Information about the books we read and links to discussion guides are available on the book group's blog at http://talkaboutagoodbook.blogspot.com/

Next up for “Talk About a Good Book” is the Omnivore’s Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan on Monday, January 31 at 6:30pm. The discussion sheet for Omnivore’s Dilemma is available online or at the library circulation desk.

The teen group is called Book Addicts Anonymous or BAA and meets monthly during the school year. BAA books and dates are usually listed on the teenspace blog at http://lmeteenspace.blogspot.com/.

If you love to read and talk about books, visit the blogs for more information, or better yet, join one of our book groups!

New Year’s Resolutions & Goals

2011-01-14T12:14:00.000-06:00

Like many people, I usually make some New Year’s resolutions as well as set some professional goals every year. If you are still thinking about what goals you would like to set this year¸ here’re some tips to help you succeed:

1. Write your goals down. If you want to be successful at achieving something, write it down and post it somewhere you can see it every day. Your list will help you stay on task and bring your thoughts to action.

2. Reach high—set goals that will make you stretch and grow.

3. Prioritize your goals. What are the most important? This helps you focus your energy.

4. Use a website like 43things.com to get feedback. 43things.com just added a resolution list to make it easy to set your goals for the year!

5. Celebrate your successes. Once you’ve accomplished something, don’t forget to celebrate when you reach your goal!

Winter Reading Programs for all ages

2011-01-06T16:10:00.000-06:00

The winter reading programs started on January 3rd, and we have reading programs for all ages. The theme for adults is “Passport to Reading”. Adult readers can pick up their passports at the library. Readers who complete at least 1 item for each section (fiction, non-fiction, biography, large print, magazines, and audio books) will receive a library tote. Travellers who fill in their entire passport, will receive a $10.00 Borders gift card. The adult reading program runs through February 25th.

The children’s winter reading programs is from January 3rd until January 31st. The theme is “Read to a Bingo” and readers are directed to complete one BINGO (horizontal, vertical or diagonal) by reading the type of book or doing the action that is listed in each box. Bingo cards and rules are available by grade level below:
• Grades K-5th
• Grades 6th-8th
• Grades 9th-12th
Or stop in the library to pick up bingo cards today!

Ebook Readers and more!

2010-12-17T16:29:00.001-06:00

During the holidays, I’ve been inundated with lots of ads for ebook devices. If you are considering purchasing an ebook reader or just wondering what all the hype is about, you can take a short guided tour of ebook devices at http://www.overdrive.com/products/dlr/tour/Topic_PortableDevices.html.

In addition, the Lillie M. Evans Library participates in the Alliance Digital Media Library (ADML). This service, powered by OverDrive, is free with your library card. You can browse the collection, check out with your library card, and download to PC, Mac®, and many mobile devices. Titles will automatically expire at the end of the lending period.

To get started downloading audiobooks and ebooks, visit http://alliance.lib.overdrive.com/. Lillie M. Evans Library users can find best-selling audiobooks and ebooks available 24/7. You also can print off this eBook Devices Cheat Sheet for Library Users or use the complete Supported Audio Devices link on the ADML site.

Just this month, OverDrive released updates of apps for iPhone and Android, which adds support for eBooks from OverDrive libraries. Patrons will be able to download both EPUB eBooks and MP3 audiobooks directly to their iPhone, iPod touch, or Android phone/tablet. New users can search for “OverDrive Media Console” in the Apple App Store at http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/overdrive-media-console/id366869252?mt=8 and Android Market at http://www.android.com/market/#app=basesign.alltie

With hundreds of popular fiction and non-fiction titles to choose from, the ADML collection is guaranteed to have something for everyone. You can download best-selling novels, well-known classics, self-improvement guides, and much more. Go ahead—try it out!

Online Storytime Resources

2010-12-09T17:47:00.002-06:00

There are some great storytime resources available online. Tumblebooks are accessible from the library's catalog, databases, and electronic resources page. By clicking the TumbleBook Library icon you and your child can view TumbleReadAlongs, TumbleTalking Books and TumbleReadables. TumbleBooks offer various audio and audio/visual books that are fun, interactive and encourage children to love reading. TumbleBooks are ideal for ages K-6th.

Charlotte Mecklenburg Library (NC) has created StoryPlace on online bilingual website where young children can listen to online stories, complete interactive online activities and find reading lists. Stories for pre-school and elementary children are highlighted.

Barnes & Nobles also has an online story library. This month listen to author Chris Van Allsburg reading The Polar Express book. Other stories are available through by visiting http://media.barnesandnoble.com/?fr_chl=d81d787750f41575bb1283d41092fcca2f43fe15&rf=bm and clicking on ONLINE STORYTIME

Library Survey - December 2010

2010-11-30T13:03:00.000-06:00

During the month of December, the LME Library is surveying the members of our library district. This survey will assist us with the development of our next long range plan. We are looking for input from library and non-library users so that we can find out how we can improve our library and services to better meet your needs. Your input is very valuable to us, and all responses will be kept anonymous. If you could take a few minutes to respond to the survey, it would assist in our planning efforts. The online survey is available at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/lmelibrary2010

Thank you very much for participating in our survey!

E-Pay Option

2010-11-19T09:08:00.000-06:00

Have you heard about E-Pay? If not, here's a brief introduction:

Since many people in today's society do not carry cash, there is now an E-Pay option at the Lillie M. Evans Library. E-Pay provides a convenient way for patrons to pay library fines or make donations with a credit card. Payments may be made by Visa, MasterCard, Discover from any Internet computer. To check your library account, please review My Account information in the library catalog. More information on how to use e-pay is available by viewing these instructions or by asking one of our staff members--we would be happy to assist you!

50 Ways to Use Your Library

2010-11-11T10:39:00.000-06:00

Libraries aren't what they used to be—they're even better! Here are just 50 ways your library can enrich your life. Visit the Lillie M. Evans Library, and you'll see the limitless opportunities that await you @ your library.
1. Enjoy a good mystery.
2. Reserve a book.
3. Locate a friend in an online phone book.
4. Prepare for your job interview.
5. Pick up a book on CD and listen to it in your car as you drive home.
6. Read a large-type book without wearing your glasses.
7. Check out a Grammy winning CD.
8. Spruce up the house with the latest books on interior design.
9. Download an ebook or audio book from the Alliance Digital Media Library.
10. Use the computers to research a quote on how a stock did today.
11. Learn how to plan a drought resistant garden.
12. Trek to another planet in a Sci-Fi novel.
13. Find out where to send a consumer complaint.
14. Learn how to clean ink stains from a marble counter.
15. Call the Library to find out who said "To err is human, to forgive divine."
16. Decide which Digital Camera to buy with the help of consumer guides.
17. Borrow a playaway that teaches you how to speak Spanish.
18. Take home Bach, Beethoven and Brahms.
19. Entertain your preschooler with a book and a read-along CDs.
20. Let the children choose an armload of read-aloud stories.
21. Ask for information about how to start a business.
22. Get tax forms and tax filing information.
23. Get a list of materials that help gain reading skills.
24. Post a comment on LME’s facebook page.
25. Make a photocopy.
26. Get an book from a library in another city-it's done quickly by computer.
27. Enroll in a library program—we’ll be making ornaments and boxes soon!
28. Ask a staff member to give a talk to your service organization.
29. For a leaky faucet, you might look up a book on how to do your own plumbing.
30. Read all the latest issues of the popular magazines without spending a dime.
31. Send a fax.
32. Find a recipe for new Christmas cookies!
33. Play a game of chess.
34. Sit in the rocking chair and read to a toddler.
35. Sign your preschooler up for Storytime.
36. Relax in the Turner Room.
37. Learn more about your community and its history.
38. Read the paper.
39. Use the online database, NoveList to find a new author.
40. Join a library book club.
41. Sit on a bench in the garden at twilight.
42. Visit with your neighbors.
43. Learn about a new hobby.
44. Check out the facts about the latest diet craze.
45. Do your homework.
46. Tutor someone.
47. Watch a movie.
48. Find out community news from the bulletin board.
49. Set up an email account and email a friend.
50. Become more knowledgeable about something.

Long-Range Planning for the Library

2010-11-05T10:56:00.001-05:00

As we move toward another new year, the Lillie M. Evans Library District has embarked on developing our next long-range plan. The library last held a long-range planning process in the fall of 2003. Members of many different facets of the district were invited to participate in a community visioning committee, and the process resulted in a presentation to the school board, the village board, and the library board. The Board of Trustees of the Lillie M. Evans Library District took the results of that report and used them to develop the 2005-2008 Long Range Plan.

Three major roles were seen for the library: 1) Providing the community with information on Current Topics and Events, 2) Supporting Life-long Learning for our community, 3) Providing a Commons, an area where the community can gather for information, recreation, and socialization. The goals and objectives that were created have directed many library decisions regarding services and programs, providing current technology resources, and creating an inviting atmosphere that encourages public gathering and interaction. As we move to the future, there are endless possibilities for ways that your library can provide for the needs and desires of the people who live here.

“Excellence must be defined locally—it results when library services match community, needs, interests, and priorities.” (Sandra Nelson, New Planning for Results)

Throughout November and December, the Lillie M. Evans Library District invites you to participate in the long-range planning process for your library. We are looking for input from the community as we evaluate new possibilities and develop a three year plan for our wonderful facility and staff. Some of you have been asked to attend a focus group and others will be asked to complete a survey. Community input is essential in the planning process and we appreciate the support of both our users and non-users. Superior library service doesn’t just happen. To achieve excellence, you need a plan. The Board of Trustees is committed to developing a long-range plan with a series of objectives that support the vision that our community has presented. In the spring, the Board will be sharing this long-range plan with you as we continue to seek new and better ways to serve our community.

Message from the library director

2010-10-29T15:19:00.005-05:00

Welcome to the Library Garden Bench. This blog was originally started by Joanne Cox who recently retired after 28 years at Lillie M. Evans Library. My name is Beth Duttlinger, and I’m the new director. I started at LME on September 1st, and I will be updating the blog regularly. I currently live in the Bradford area with my husband, Jon, and two children, Dell & Joe. My career in libraries began in 1986, and since then, I have had the opportunity to work in a variety of library settings. In addition to possessing a Masters degree in Library & Information Science from the University of Illinois-UC, I also have a Bachelor of Science degree in Library Science Education from Illinois State University. Most recently, I was employed as a Library Development Consultant at the Alliance Library System (ALS) and before that, I was the Learning Resources Center Coordinator at Black Hawk College-East Campus. I feel very fortunate to be at Lillie M. Evans Library District, and I look forward to serving library users in the Princeville area.

Many of you have already stopped by the library to say “hello” but on November 3rd, the Board of Trustees will be hosting an Open House from 3-6pm. Please come by for a visit. I am also available at the library during most weekdays if you would like to speak with me.

My plan with the Garden Bench Blog is to discuss topics and resources relevant to public libraries and our community. I will be posting each week, so I hope that you visit the Garden Bench often…

Preparing for Summer Storms

2010-06-18T14:43:00.002-05:00

The storms last weekend reminded us all of the power and severity our summer weather can bring. Tornado warnings and flash floods can cause serious damage to our homes and businesses. There are some things we can do to be prepared for emergencies. Most of us wait too late to think about preparations we could make. According to AmerenCILCO, here are some items you can gather now to help prepare your family for any emergency, at any time:

Emergency phone numbers-doctors, etc.
Flashlights and fresh batteries
Extra keys for your home and car
Battery powered radio and clock
Supply of bottled water (one gallon per person per day)
Non-perishable foods that don’t require heating
Blankets, bedding or sleeping bags
First-Aid kits and medications
Hand operated can opener
Special items for infants, the elderly or family members with special needs
Hand tools, such as a screwdriver, scissors, duct tape, plastic utensils, paper plates, waterproof matches, and household bleach
Identification and copies of prescriptions and important papers
Extra cash, since an extended electrical storm might prevent you from withdrawing money from automatic teller machines or banks.

If bad weather is on the way, you can take these additional steps:

Turn off and unplug any unnecessary electrical equipment-especially sensitive electronics
Turn you refrigerator to its coldest setting and leave the door closed (don’t forget to turn the setting back when the storm is over!)
Place those important documents in a waterproof storage container.
Fill your vehicle’s gas tank
Bring lawn furniture or other lightweight objects inside
Don’t forget your pet! Have clean food, water, collar and leash and a pet carrier handy.

Sorry State of Affairs

2010-06-04T14:19:00.003-05:00

By Joanne Cox

The library systems have been a vital part of our library programs and services in Illinois. We were famous for our great library systems. That all changed on Friday, May 28, 2010 when the majority of services that we received from the Alliance Library System were discontinued due to the lack of funding caused by the Illinois financial situation. Many of you have questioned what that will mean to the Lillie M. Evans Library District.

First, what it doesn’t mean:

We will not stop delivering the very best service we can give you.
We will continue to supply books, DVDs, audio books, databases, programs, and our great website that provides day or night connection to our library. Our libraries will still cooperate with each other to provide materials to you.
Delivery and our automated catalog are not affected at this time.
Our current staff will remain to serve you.

What we will no longer have access to without the system:

Consulting services available when we need it, blogs, notices, the system’s excellent consulting staff.
The opportunities for getting together and partnering with other libraries in an organized setting to work on grants and other projects.
Continuing Education opportunities. The library resources and the needs of the community are constantly changing. The library system provided countless opportunities for improved skills through workshops, seminars, webinars, and training classes. Most of them were offered at no cost to either participants or to their library.
Group purchases. The system gave us cost breaks by negotiating better prices for the group. There are price breaks that can be very significant to our budget.

The library was one of the founding libraries of our system when Princeville joined with six other libraries to form the Illinois Valley Film Cooperative. That later became the basis for the Illinois Valley Library System when the legislature passed the Illinois Library System Act in 1964. In 1994, four systems combined to create the Alliance Library System which served over 250 libraries in west central Illinois.

It is a very sad day to see a successful method of supporting local libraries that took over 40 years to establish come to such an end.

WE’VE SOMETHING SPECIAL TO SHOW YOU!

2010-05-14T11:16:00.002-05:00

Check out our displays! They highlight our collection and change frequently. Our “Recommended” display features books that our staff has read and enjoyed and want to share with you. Our “How To…” display currently presents gardening books, growing vegetables, choosing flowers for your beds, preparing the soil and even landscaping books and techniques. We even have books for children who would like to develop a “green thumb”. Getting into shape this summer is our “Featuring” display. It coincides with our adult summer program of “LME BIGGEST LOSER”. There are books, videos and DVD’s to help you achieve your goal. Our “Up to the Minute” display features monthly specials. Our “May, May” offering celebrates Cinco de Mayo, Moms, Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day. It is a month of remembering! Our “Seasonal” presentation has items for brides and grooms! Planning a wedding and honeymoon and even how to get along with the in laws. The videos and DVD’s on our “Walt Disney” display are constantly being refilled! You just can’t beat those Walt Disney family movies! Check those out as well as the additional ever expanding collection that we carry. Learn about the Dewey Decimal System from our other display. We are featuring sections of our non-fiction collection. Currently we are featuring the 200’s, Religion and Social Services.
Our displays change frequently so you can see something new featured very often. We measure the success of our displays by how many books are checked out from our displays. We love having to add books! Come in today and check out something to “check out”!

Get Fit & Stay Active @ Your Library!

2010-03-29T15:47:00.012-05:00

Did you know the library an exercise group that meet on a weekly basis?

Every Monday & Friday morning at 9:15 am we have an adult yoga class. Participants stretch and workout to "Yoga for the Rest of Us."

In addition to our exercise class the library also offers several yoga, aerobic, cardio and fitness VHS and DVDs to checkout for free. If you are looking for something specific, simply ask one of our staff members and we will see if we can borrow it from another library for you.

Are you in the mood to try a new diet? We have a wide variety of diet books including diets for specific health conditions such as diabetes, pregnancy and heart disease. Eat your way to a better you!

Our staff is here to help you. If you need a book, video or movie on fitness, dieting or general health let us help you find the perfect item for you. The library can be an invaluable resource when it comes to your health and fitness.

P-TOWN SHOWDOWN TRIVIA NIGHT A SUCCESS

2010-02-26T14:16:00.003-06:00

Trivia nights are very popular in other areas but we had never tried having one in the library. Last night was our first attempt. It took several months of planning and consulting with others who are experienced in the events but we think it was a success. Our thanks to Rich Thole for being the "sheriff" and to all of the participants. Five teams battled it out and the competition was fierce! The Titans of Trivia were successful in holding off the WigWam Warriors and emerged as the champions. However the Warriors exhibited a ferocious will fueled, no doubt, by their great costumes and yummy treats! Judging from the groans and the cheers, everyone was having fun and that was the purpose of the evening. See more of the action in the event photos section on the homepage.

Go Green @ Your Library!

2010-02-09T14:57:00.003-06:00

Our library is trying to keep up with technology and to be as green as possible. You can go green and get information from us faster by providing us with your email address. Your privacy is very important to us. We will only use your email to send you overdue notices and notice of hold items available. As an added bonus, you may request to be notified a few days before your checked out materials are due (also sent via email) so you can either renew them or return your items and avoid those dreaded late fees!

Providing the library with your email can also be very helpful if you have children. Upon your request, we can add your email to your minor children's accounts as well. All notices will have the patron's name on it so you will know which family member it is regarding.

To get your email address added to your library account, or those of your children, please fill out the registration form on our website lmelibrary.org (choose "Go Green @ Your Library" from the Event section), call us at 309-385-4540 or talk to someone at our service desk during your next visit. Please do not post your email in a comment to our blog for your privacy & security.

*Note: If you sign up for email alerts, you will no longer receive overdue notices by United States Postal Service mail. Please be sure that you only sign up for this service if you check your email regularly.

Digital Books have Arrived!

2010-01-22T16:03:00.003-06:00

Word is spreading about the digital collection available to our patrons. Those who have used the service find it convenient and easy to use. The collection continues to grow each month and we appreciate it when you suggest titles that you would like to see added. Send us an email at lill@lmelibrary.org with the title, author and format (audio book, eBook) and we will send it on to the selection committee. There is also an online submission form available on the Alliance Digital Media Library site once you are logged in.

Alliance Digital Media Library (ADML) is a consortium of more than 40 public libraries in Central Illinois. These libraries have joined together to provide materials to patrons that are accessible from home. You can browse the collection anytime but your library card number and pin will give you access to the download function.

Check Out Audio & More 24 Hours a Day!

2010-01-04T10:44:00.007-06:00

The Lillie M. Evans Library District and the Alliance Library System are proud to announce its new online audio book and eBook service. Simply visit our website and click on the Alliance Digital Media Library (ADML) logo 24 hours a day; 7 days a week and download items for free using their library card number and pin. If you don’t know your pin number, please call us and we will be happy to provide it to you. Once you are logged in you simply browse for a item, add the item to your cart, select checkout, and download. It works just like an online store…without costing you any money.

There are tons of great selections available. Items can be played on a computer, transferred an iPod or other MP3 player, or a Sony E-Reader. Some titles can even be burned to a CD.

For those who may need help using this service there is an easy to use help section. Our staff has also been trained to use this service and will do their best to answer any questions you may have.

All items are free and are downloaded for a specified “checkout” period. After the “due date” items will be automatically returned to the ADML. There are never any late fees! If you can’t find a specific title you are encouraged to contact us with your request. Simply email us at lill@lmelibrary.org with the title, author and format you would like (audio, eBook, etc.) us to consider for addition to the collection.

You never know when the craving to hear the new James Patterson novel is going to hit!

Cold vs. Flu

2009-10-29T16:42:00.001-05:00

As a library, we are a center for providing our patrons with accurate information. We felt the need to write a blog about H1N1, seasonal flu and colds to try to debunk some of the myths, misinformation, hype and panic-inducing emails that are out there. The following information was gathered from reputable sources and there are links to the referenced information throughout the blog. Please feel free to leave any comments you may have. Thank you.

Know the Difference between Cold and H1N1 Flu Symptoms – (printable PDF)

Symptom	Cold	H1N1 Flu (Swine Flu)
Fever	Fever is rare with a cold.	Fever is usually present with the flu in up to 80% of all flu cases. A temperature of 100°F or higher for 3 to 4 days is associated with the flu.
Coughing	A hacking, mucus producing cough is often present with a cold.	A non-mucus producing cough (dry cough) is usually present with the flu.
Aches	Slight body aches and pains can be part of a cold.	Severe aches and pains are common with the flu.
Stuffy Nose	Stuffy nose is commonly present with a cold and typically resolves spontaneously within a week.	Stuffy nose is not commonly present with the flu.
Chills	Chills are uncommon with a cold.	60% of people who have the flu experience chills.
Tiredness	Tiredness is fairly mild with a cold.	Tiredness is moderate to severe with the flu.
Sneezing	Sneezing is commonly present with a cold.	Sneezing is not common with the flu.
Sudden Symptoms	Cold symptoms tend to develop over a few days.	The flu has a rapid onset within 3-6 hours. The flu hits hard and includes sudden symptoms like high fever, aches and pains.
Headache	A headache is fairly uncommon with a cold.	A headache is very common with the flu, present in 80% of flu cases.
Sore Throat	Sore throat is commonly present with a cold.	Sore throat is not commonly present with the flu.
Chest Discomfort	Chest discomfort is mild to moderate with a cold.	Chest discomfort is often severe with the flu.

~ Information provided courtesy of the Alliance Library System (ALS).

The only way to stop the spread of the epidemic is to spread the awareness.

Rear Admiral Anne Schuchat of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) was on "The Dr.s" television show, October 26, 2009. She said that one of the biggest warning signs that you need to speak about with a physician is when a person is sick with flulike symptoms, gets better, then gets sick again. They could have pneumonia following the flu and that is what seems to be causing the most complications. Furthermore, she discussed the effectiveness and safety of the H1N1 vaccine. According to Schuchat, the vaccine is just as safe and effective as the annual flu vaccine. She also added that if we'd have known about the H1N1 strain sooner it would have been incorporated into the current seasonal flu vaccine and there would not have been all the misinformation floating around about it.

Pregnant Mothers:
It is very important for pregnant women to get the H1N1 and Seasonal Flu vaccines. During pregnancy a mother's immune system is weakened so the body doesn't reject the fetus, plus the body is under added stress working to support two lives. According to the CDC, the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines are safe for pregnant mothers and their unborn babies.

Breastfeeding While Sick:
According to the CDC's website, it is ok to give your baby breast milk while you are sick. The antibodies your body is producing to fight illness are passed on to your baby. It is recommended that you express your milk and have someone who is not sick do the actual feeding. If you cannot do this, you should put a blanket over your arm (which you have been told to cough/sneeze into) and wash your hands thoroughly or use an alcohol based hand rub before each feeding. Also, try not to cough or sneeze into the babies face.

Since this is a new virus, we don't know yet about specific protection against it. Mothers pass on protective antibodies to their baby during breastfeeding. Antibodies are a type of protein made by the immune system in the body. Antibodies help fight off infection.

Where to find the FACTS!
There are so many panic inducing emails and forwards flying around. Ignore all the "he said he heard she read" and go directly to the facts!

www.cdc.gov/H1N1FLU/ - Visit the CDC's 2009 H1N1 Flu page for the most up-to-date information on the H1N1/Swine Flu.
www.flu.gov also has lots of information on when to visit your doctor.
www.medlineplus.com – MedlinePlus is a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. You can search their site for information on flu or other illnesses and health conditions.
http://blogs.webmd.com/focus-on-flu/?ecd=ban_cdc1_cdc_cdc-flu-cb – The CDC and WebMD team up to answer questions about the flu season.

What should you know about flu antiviral drugs? At this time there are no studies suggesting harm to pregnant women or their unborn babies if she takes antiviral medicines.

Your "Virtual Library"

2009-08-27T12:30:00.000-05:00

Did you know your library is also online? Through our website, http://www.lmelibrary.org/, you can access an abundance of information! From what's going on at the library to entertaining your kids to browsing newspaper articles you can find it through our website.

By clicking the RSACat logo you can browse our catalogue, view holdings in other libraries, place items on hold, renew materials, see what you currently have checked out, material due dates and fines owed.

If you visit our "Calendar" link you can find information on upcoming programs and events that may be of interest to you and your family.

Not sure what's new on the library shelves? Check out our "New Arrivals" section. We have our newest materials broken down into 9 different categories, including fiction and DVDs, to make searching easier for you.

Our "Reference Center" is another great resource for our patrons. Are you doing genealogy research? The HeritageQuest database will assist you in finding ancestors, all you need is your library card number. Want to find an old newspaper article? America's Newspapers has editorials, articles, obituaries, announcements and more, including a direct link to the Journal Star. If you have children, Tumblebooks is great educational entertainment! We even have databases to help you choose books based on your favorite authors or genres. There are many more great databases for you through the library's website.

Going Green with Your Library!

2009-08-05T13:47:00.000-05:00

Today, everyone is trying harder to “go green.” Our library is trying to be as green as possible as well. Currently, we participate in the Princeville recycling program, have a yearly book sale, have live plants in and around our building. We have florescent lighting, have tinted window film, and whenever possible we use both sides of paper before recycling it.

You can help the library go green by providing us your email address. No, we won’t send you a bunch of junk mail! We will use your email to send you overdue notices and hold available notices. As an added bonus you may request to be notified a few days before your materials are due (also via email) so you can either renew or return your items and avoid dreaded late fees!

To get your email address added to your library account, or those of your children, please send us an email at lill@lmelibrary.org, call us at 309-385-4540 or talk to someone at the service desk during your next visit (you may add the same email address to multiple library accounts). Please do not post your email in a comment to our blog for your security.

*Note: If you sign up for email alerts, you will no longer receive overdue notices by United States Postal Service mail. Please ensure that you only sign up for this service if you check your email regularly.

Loving the small library

2009-06-05T11:26:00.005-05:00

I love working in a small library. Our library is small by any standard: small population, located in a small town, and in a small building; I love it. I love the fact that I know the people I serve. My office looks out at the interior of the library and when I see someone tucked into a corner engrossed in a book or magazine, I love it. I know the families, sometimes three and four generations of them. I love that they like just dropping in to say hello or to see what's new. Having the technology to get the information for my patrons, just like a big library, means I can usually find information that they might need quickly and efficiently.

Last evening just reminded me of all of these things as we were one of a number of locations used in the filming of a community DVD. There was a hum of excitement and lots of chuckles as we local residents served as film stars for the night. We try hard to meet the needs of the community, it's our home.

Techno Bingo!

2009-06-02T10:28:00.011-05:00

The Lillie M. Evans Library wants to encourage adults and teens to try something new and have fun learning about technology. Play Techno Bingo and learn about MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, the library’s databases, Wikipedia, Hulu and more!

You can print your board here and get started right away! If you have any trouble completing any of the squares, there is an online tutorial and a printable tutorial available on our website to help you complete the tasks. For an additional challenge, try completing the entire board! The Lillie M. Evans Library is also proud to announce a new service called “Book a Librarian” where you can schedule one-on-one time with a library staff member to get help completing a square or for other research and training needs. You can sign up to Book a Librarian here on our website or schedule an appointment by phone 309-385-4540.

We would love to hear your feedback on this. Please feel free to comment here or send us an e-mail at lill@lmelibrary.org.

Summer Reading signups underway now!

2009-05-28T13:55:00.002-05:00

Hi, all!

Summer Reading has begun for grades K-7th! If you have not signed up yet, now is the time to do so! The theme for this year is "Read on the Wild Side," and do we ever have some wild things lined up. Two interesting aspects of the summer program:

READING CHALLENGE
If all the kids signed up for summer reading read a total of 1,500 books before closing on July 1, Mrs. Routh will kiss a live snake at the "Snake Man" program at the library on July 2.

BOOK DONATIONS
Every time 5 books are read for the summer program, a book will be donated to the Children's Home of Illinois. Our goal is to donate 300 books to this organization by the end of the summer program.

Happy Reading,
Library Lill

Welcome from the garden bench

2009-05-21T15:36:00.006-05:00

Welcome to the library's blog, "From the Garden bench." Funny name for a library blog, you say? Well, the idea of sitting in the garden thinking and dreaming or talking with your best friend was very appealing to us and we hope it is to you too. That's what this blog is about, just sharing ideas and thoughts about library things together. You are welcome to add your ideas and comments here too. Some of you will be doing just that as a part of our adult summer program, TECHNO BINGO. If you want to join us, there is more information on the homepage. Sharing ideas, telling you about favorite movies and books, telling you about new programs, asking your advice and listening to your suggestions is what this is all about. This time of year, the garden is especially beautiful so spend a while sitting on one of the garden benches and then share your thought with us here. We, the staff, will all be contributing to the blog. We will all be using the "Library Lill" as a signature.