How Americans Value Public Libraries

New information was released today (12/11/13) on the public's view of the importance of libraries by the Pew Internet & American Life Project.  This survey called “How Americans Value Public Libraries in Their Communities” shows that Americans strongly value the role of public libraries in their communities, both for providing access to materials and resources and for promoting literacy and improving the overall quality of life.

Some of the Projects findings include:

• 95% of Americans ages 16 and older agree that the materials and resources available at public libraries play an important role in giving everyone a chance to succeed;
• 94% say that having a public library improves the quality of life in a community;
• 81% say that public libraries provide many services people would have a hard time finding elsewhere.
• 56% of internet users without home access say public libraries’ basic technological resources (such as computers, internet, and printers) are “very important” to them and their family, compared with 33% of all respondents.
• 49% of unemployed and retired respondents say they librarian assistance in finding information to be “very important,” compared with 41% of employed respondents.
• 47% of job seekers say help finding or applying for a job is “very important” to them and their families.
• 94% said that based on their own experiences, they would say that “public libraries are welcoming, friendly place.”

More information can be found at: http://libraries.pewinternet.org/2013/12/11/libraries-in-communities/

Technology Trends from 2013

Libraries are essential to communities all across the U.S.  We use and lot of technology, and we've seen some definite trends in 2013.  One that we use a lot here at the Lillie M. Evans Library is cloud based computing.  Our library staff uses dropbox to share files, and our circulation system vendor has been integrating cloud based computing in our circulation applications and in RSAcat.

We're also seeing a decline in the usage of our public desktop computers.  We seldom have waiting lines anymore and even though we still had over 4,600 checkouts for these computers, the usage declined 21% in FY13.  However, we are seeing an huge increase in mobile devices like smart phones, ipods, and ereaders.

You can read about more technology trends in 2013 year in review from TechSoup.org.

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.

Fiber Arts & Fabric Crafts Show at LME Library Nov 18-Dec 14

The Lillie M. Evans Library will be hosting an exhibit of fiber arts and fabric crafts that will run for approximately 4 weeks through November and December.  This is an exhibition only show—there will be no juried review.  

The exhibition can include – but would not be limited to - quilting, felting, weaving, basketry, knit, crochet, costume, origami, mobiles, dolls and puppets, wool paintings, etc. Items can be displayed in our art case, hung from art boards, or suspended from the ceiling.

Exhibit submissions can be submitted from artists of all ages. While we welcome a diverse selection of submissions, we reserve the right to reject any submission we deem not suitable for public display. This will be determined at the time of submission or during the show.  

Items can be dropped off starting Wednesday, November 13 until Saturday, November 16.  The show will run from Monday, November 18 until Saturday, December 14.  We will be open during Holiday Homecoming so be sure to stop by!  In addition, we will be participating in the Princeville Woman’s Club Home Tour, and we will be hosting a closing night reception on December 14 from 4-7pm.  All artists, the public & the press are invited. Refreshments will be served.

Please contact the Library at 385-4540 or email lill@lmelibrary.org if you are interested in participating in this exhibition, and for more information on exhibiting in this show.

We look forward to a wonderful fiber arts and fabric crafts show from the Princeville community!

Submit Art work on:

Wednesday, November 13 from 9am to 8pm

Thursday, November 14 9am-5pm

Friday November 15 9am-5pm

Saturday, November 16 9am-1pm

No late entries will be accepted. 

Art Show Hours:

The Art Show will be open to the public on Monday, November 18 starting at 3pm until Saturday, December 14. 

 Artwork is expected to be shown during the full duration of the show.            (November 18-December 14)

Closing Night Reception:

PLEASE JOIN US FOR a closing night reception on Saturday, December 14 from 4-7pm. We will be open for the Princeville Woman’s Club Home Tour but all artists, the public & the press are invited. Refreshments will be served.

Pick up Art Work:

Monday, December 16 from 3pm to 8pm

Tuesday, December 17 9am-5pm

Wednesday, December 18 9am-8pm

Parties who drops off artwork must pick it up or sign a release form for a 3^rd party to pick up.