Lincoln 150th Anniversary & the Princeville Heritage Museum

On November 19, 1863, Lincoln delivered one of his most famous speeches in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.  He had been invited to give a “few appropriate remarks” during the dedication ceremony for a cemetery for Union soldiers killed at the Battle of Gettysburg.  Despite the brevity of the speech and the fact that it earned little attention at the time, the Gettysburg Address has become one of the most celebrated speeches in U.S. history.

As we observe the 150^th anniversary of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, the Lillie M. Evans Library and the Princeville Heritage Museum would like to publicize the upcoming exhibit, Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War which will be on display at the Museum from April 7, 2014 through May 9, 2014.  Organized thematically, the exhibition explores how Lincoln used the Constitution to confront three intertwined crises of the war—the secession of Southern states, slavery, and wartime civil liberties. Visitors will leave the exhibition with a more complete understanding of Abraham Lincoln as president and the Civil War as the nation’s gravest constitutional crisis.

A short video walkthrough (10:25 min.) with Dr. Steve Frank, Chief Interpretive Officer at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, is available online at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hNVUPM5SOg.  Lincoln: the Constitution and the Civil War, a traveling exhibition for libraries, was organized by the National Constitution Center and the American Library Association Public Programs Office. The traveling exhibition has been made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.  Lincoln: the Constitution and the Civil War is based on an exhibition of the same name developed by the National Constitution Center.

There will be several programs offered during the exhibit including a tea with Mrs. Lincoln, Illinois in the Civil War with Tom Emery, and a discussion of the anti-slavery movement in the mid-19^th century.  If you would like to ensure you are on our mailing list, please email phmdirector@frontier.com with your contact information and we’ll keep you informed about the events.  In addition, watch our websites, http://lmelibrary.org and http://www.princevilleheritagemuseum.com/ for additional information on this exhibit and the upcoming programs.

The Lillie M. Evans Library receives Back to Books grant

The Lillie M. Evans Library District recently received a Back to Books grant for $4,500 from the Illinois State Library.  The Back to Books grant is a collection development grant offered to libraries for the acquisition of books and other materials. Grant funds have been used to purchase books, audios, and DVDs in the non-fiction areas of library & information science, education, languages, sciences, applied sciences, and geography & travel. Materials are appropriate for the adult and young adult age groups. 

To introduce these resources, we will have a series of 3 programs focusing on the materials purchased with this grant.  The first program will be an open house highlighting the collection.  Please visit the library on Wednesday, July 31 during our regular hours of 9am-8pm.  Materials selected for this grant will be displayed and available for checkout.

The second program on Wednesday, August 28th will target homeschoolers and resources available from the library through our newly created homeschool resource web page.  As part of the grant, we will be developing a section of our website for our homeschooling parents and students.  This will include links to online resources as well as tips on using the library catalog.  The page will also have information about any local groups that focus on homeschooling activities.

The final program will be a travel program at 6pm on Wednesday, September 25^th.  It will start with a showing of one of our new travel DVDs (we will choose one that meets our public performance license) and will include a book talk of some of our new materials in this area.  Visit our website at http://lmelibrary.org for more information about this grant and these programs.

The funds from this grant will make it possible for us to better meet the needs of our local community.  Materials were purchased through a Library Services and Technology Act grant administered by the Illinois State Library using funds provided by the U.S Institute of Museum and Library Services.

October Events at Lillie M. Evans Library

There’s still time to join our Biggest Loser program to shed pounds and get fit! The LME Biggest Loser, Season 4 will continue until October 24. Weekly weigh-ins are at the library on Wednesdays between 9a-8p. A calendar of events is available online through the library’s website, http://lmelibrary.org

We’ve recently organized “Skeins of Hope” a charity knit and crochet group for ages 6^th grade to adult.  Our first charity project is the Red ScarfProject for Foster Care 2 Success.  Guidelines are available on the LME Library website and scarves will be collected through December 1^st.  Watch for knitting and crocheting days coming up in November.  We are accepting donations of completed scarves, yarn, knitting and crocheting supplies.

The Lillie M. Evans Library will be a location for early voting on Monday, October 22 from 8a-6p.  Voters who live in the County of Peoria, outside of the City of Peoria, can vote at any of the Peoria County Early Voting locations. Voters must present a government issued photo ID.  A sample ballot for Peoria County is available online.

In the Children’s area, Tales for Tots, a  new storytime option (with stories, songs and rhymes but no crafts) will be held from 10:30-10:50 on October 3 & 17^th.  There is no session on October 10^th.  Tales of Tots is especially for children 18 months up to 36 months and an accompanying adult. No registration necessary! Drop-ins welcome!

In addition, Mag Mondays have started up again this school year.  Mag Mondays are Gaming Day for 6th-12th graders.  Teens can play Wii Sports, Mario Kart, Just Dance 1&2 or just hang out.  Laptops will also be available for online gaming for teens with signed computer agreements.  October’s Mag Mondays are on October 15 and October 29 from 3:30-4:50pm.  

Watch for details on the upcoming K-5^th movie day on October 18^th.  There is an early out that day and the movie starts at 2:15.  The movie title and details will be available soon on the library’s web page http://lmelibrary.org.

Novel Resources at LME!

Looking for help with writing a novel?  There are some materials in the Lillie M. Evans Library that can help!  We have books by several famous authors that give some insights on their writing styles.  One of my favorites, Janet Evanovich, has one called How I Write: Secrets of a Bestselling Author.  Anne Lamott has written Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life and Stephen King’s book is simply called On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft.  In addition to these, we also have Writer’s Market, MLA Handbook and Modern Library’s Writer’s Workshop.   For other titles in our collection, click on the link below:

Search RSAcat for authorship

Also, below are links to some helpful websites:

100 Useful Web Tools for Writers	http://www.collegedegrees.com/blog/2008/06/11/100-useful-web-tools-for-writers/
Amazon’s Self Publishing	http://www.amazon.com/gp/seller-account/mm-summary-page.html?ie=UTF8&ld=AZFooterSelfPublish&topic=200260520
Barnes & Noble’s Self Publishing	https://help.barnesandnoble.com/app/publisher_author/list
CrimeSpace: A place for Readers and Writers of Crime Fiction to Meet	http://crimespace.ning.com/
Grammar Girl: Quick & Dirty Tips for Better Writing	http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/
Merriam-Webster Dictionary	http://www.merriam-webster.com/
National Novel Writing Month	http://www.nanowrimo.org/
Writers Write: Your One-Stop Resource for Information about Books, Writing & Publishing	http://www.writerswrite.com/
Writing.com	http://www.writing.com/

Mom's Night Out at LME Library - May 18

Join us on Friday May 18, 2012 for a Mom’s Night Out at the Lillie M. Evans Library. In addition to the relief of letting down your hair (without someone pulling it!), getting out with your girlfriends is a wonderful way relax and enjoy a break from your Mommy role. Mom’s Night Out starts at 6pm and continues until 9pm. We’ll be using the Nintendo wii to “Just Dance” before settling down for a chick flick and munching on snacks (of course, there will be chocolate!) What better time to celebrate a well deserved night out than during a time when motherhood is recognized on a national level. Feel free to bring a friend!
• No Kids 
• No Spouses
• Just Fun! 
This is a free program, but sign-up is requested. Those interested should reserve a seat by calling the library at 309-385-4540 or by registering online through the library’s webpage.

Free Books in Princeville on April 23

The Lillie M. Evans Library District is proud to be a community partner for the first World Book Night in the U.S.  World Book Night U.S. is an ambitious campaign to give away half a million free, specially printed books across America. On April 23, 2012, volunteer book lovers will help promote reading by going into their communities and handing out free copies of a book they enjoy to new or light readers. The volunteers will be picking up their books at a local bookstore or library in order to share them in locations as diverse as VA hospitals, nursing homes, prisons, ballparks, mass transit, diners, and more.

On April 23^rd, our library director, Beth Duttlinger, will be distributing 20 copies the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins at the Princeville HS softball and baseball games.  She’s hoping to find new readers for the book that has inspired the current #1 movie in America. 

Another Princeville resident, Jennifer Jacobsen-Wood, will be distributing Bel Canto by Anne Patchett.  Jennifer is planning on distributing her copies at the Princeville Park Gazebo from 5-8pm on April 23^rd.  Bel Canto won both the PEN/Faulkner Award and the Orange Prize in 2002 and was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award.

Join us at these locations to take home a free book and to help us celebrate World Book Night.  We are especially interested in sharing our love of reading and connecting new or light readers with books.  For more information, please go to www.worldbooknight.org

5 Ways to Use Your Library

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

Wrap up to Long Range Planning

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!

Snapshot Day - April 13th Results

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.

Long Range Planning Update

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.

Sorry State of Affairs

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!

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!

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.

Go Green @ Your Library!

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!

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!

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!