Our Libraries by Sarah Long

Illinois library community's e-mail campaign goes viral

2010-02-07

Something pretty wonderful happened on Jan. 20. The Illinois library community started an e-mail message campaign and it went viral and it worked! Here's how it happened. The Illinois Regional Library Systems have not received allocated state monies and were at the breaking point. Without the systems, a lot of the infrastructure that keeps libraries going would be lost. The bad economy has driven users into libraries in record numbers and the disrupted connections between libraries would impact the public very quickly. Librarians are tech savvy. They use social networking features every day, and no library operates without lots of computers and software and databases, etc. So an e-mail campaign was launched on January 20 via a Web site, saveillinoislibraries.com. It targeted the comptroller and the governor. The needed monies had been allocated by the general assembly, but had not been paid. The comptroller is the gatekeeper and the governor has influence. The effort already had a Facebook page at facebook.com/SaveILLibraries, and all were encouraged to become fans. The e-mail campaign went live shortly after midnight on Jan. 20. By 11 a.m., 3,000 people had sent e-mails, and at 4 p.m. that number was up to 6,000. The number of Facebook fans jumped from 1,700 to over 4,000, and the campaign was all over Twitter. About 2 p.m., a staffer at the Alliance Library System in East Peoria called the comptroller's office and learned that a check had just been released. The other eight systems made calls and got the same good news. By the next day, 10,000 people had sent out over 20,000 e-mails, and something else remarkable was noted. Staff members at Regional Library Systems were getting testimonials. Here's one that came to me: "Before coming to my current position, my professional experience was in working as a team member in large library systems. I showed up on the first day as a solo librarian and realized how much I didn't have a clue about! I'd always worked with talented library staff from many different departments, and here I was without another soul to ask. I found an NSLS magnet my predecessor had left on a filing cabinet, and your staff was so helpful in pointing me to resource sharing information, training opportunities, and more." (Medical Research Librarian) Other Regional Systems got similar affirmations: "The opportunities to interact with other member libraries and participate in continuing education programs are very important. These are the types of service that have the most impact and value for our patrons." (Public Librarian, DuPage Library System) It's not over. Regional Library Systems got the payment in January they were promised in August. More than 60 percent of allocated monies still have not been paid and the news regarding the state budget is not good. Library systems are just one of the groups that have performed contracted work and still have not been paid. But on Jan. 20, 2010, library advocates learned a great lesson. We can speak with one voice and we can get attention. Perhaps there is a cynic out there who would say, "Well you might have gotten the money anyway - it was just a coincidence." I'm not having it. We're claiming victory: the victory of coming together, flexing our advocacy muscle in the Internet age, and the affirmation that our services are valuable and lots of people will help tell our story. Since this is a continuing story, watch our progress and help us with our effort. Visit saveillinoislibraries.com for more information.

Regional libraries have not received a funding increase since 1989

2010-01-10

The frog experiment: Throw a frog into a pot of boiling water. He'll hop right out. The water's too hot and what self-respecting frog wants to boil to death? Place a frog in a pot of tepid water on the stove, he will swim around happily. Turn up the heat gradually until the water boils. Eventually, the unsuspecting frog will die. The moral of the story for frogs: beware of pots of water on stoves, whatever the water temperature. Regional library systems are in a situation similar to that of the second frog - the one that boiled to death. There are 10 regional library systems around the state. One is the Chicago Public Library, but the other nine are made up of libraries of all types (academic, public, school, and special) in a geographic area. For example, the North Suburban Library System serves about 650 library buildings north of the Chicago city limits, including all of Lake County, north, and northwest Cook County, and portions of Kane and McHenry counties. We help libraries do their work. We negotiate agreements among them so that tax payers in one library area can also use the libraries of other areas. We provide a delivery service so that materials from one library can be moved around to serve anyone in the region. We provide education and training to keep library workers cognizant of new developments and competent with new skills. We serve as the research and development arm of your local library. We negotiate and offer discounts ranging from health care to online databases. We build and host electronic "helps" for libraries such as Digital Past (www.digitalpast.org) for local history, and host online forums for sharing knowledge. Now here's where the boiling frog analogy comes in. Regional library systems have not received an increase in funding since l989. But we were managing and still doing good work. Our money comes in the form of an annual grant from the Illinois General Assembly to the Secretary of State's office. Jesse White's other title is State Librarian. This year Secretary White asked for more money for libraries, but like all state grants, ours was cut by 50 percent. Almost worse than that, regional library systems have received no money - nothing - since the start of our fiscal year on July 1, 2009. We've scrimped, saved, used our reserves, haven't paid bills and now we've borrowed money to keep our doors open to continue supporting your library. It's no secret that the state of Illinois is broke, but what's not known is what is happening to all the vendors, small businesses and grant recipients not being paid. The state is acting without conscience, in my view, balancing its budget on the backs of those who have done work in good faith and who did not agree to carry this burden. Who will suffer? The people of Illinois. In the case of regional library systems, if we go away, who will support those people who are using libraries in record numbers to find jobs, help kids with homework, and help parents to do better jobs with their families? Without our delivery service, libraries won't be able to share materials, greatly diminishing the resources of each and every library. Don't let libraries boil to death just because they have tried to work with the system and do the best with the money that was allocated. Contact your elected officials today starting with Governor Quinn, and decry the nonpayment of an obligation entered into with the passage of a state budget for this fiscal year.

Professor explains why it's hard to rest even when your tired

2009-12-06

I am always tired but I have trouble going to bed. I have been this way most of my life. There is always one more little thing to squeeze in for work or for the house or for something before I surrender the day. Sometimes I wait until I am so tired that I am too tired to make the effort to actually go to bed. What a paradox! This past week I had the opportunity to interview Al Gini, professor of business ethics, Graduate School of Business, Loyola University. Gini is in demand as a speaker for a wide variety of interest groups, including librarians. Also, as he can be regularly heard as the Resident Philosopher on National Public Radio's Chicago affiliate, WBEZ-FM, I thought he would make a good podcast interview. I was right, and as a bonus, I got some insight into my own question about why it's hard to rest even when you are tired. It turns out that Gini is a fellow sufferer. In the preface to his book, "My Job, My Self: Work and the Creation of the Modern Individual," Gini offers his own confession: "I am now and always have been a workaholic. Given my fascination with this topic, I am sure you're not surprised. But I am working hard (no pun intended) to control my addiction. Ironically, this project has made me appreciate and love my work even more. Nevertheless, I do not want to die at my desk with my last words being, 'I wish I had put in more time at the office.'" Trained as a classical philosopher, Gini has the background and the skill to research this issue. Happily for the reader, he is a very human and funny man, a lover of words and a good writer. In "My Job, My Self" Gini notes that work in our society is more than a way to earn a living. It establishes one's identity. He also points out that the "earning a living" motivation has somehow gotten twisted into earning more and more and more to feed our consumerism urge. "Emo, ergo sum - I shop therefore I am," he quips. In a subsequent book, "The Importance of Being Lazy: In Praise of Play, Leisure and Vacations," Gini notes that Americans work more hours per week than anyone, even the Japanese. Often our idea of a vacation is to go somewhere else and work really hard at seeing and experiencing all that the new place has to offer. Gini suggests that as a culture we need to embrace the concept of the Sabbath, a real day of rest and reflection. He says leisure time should be not so planned, but reflective - even spiritual - offering one the opportunity to grow as a person and to relate to others. My favorite book on this concept is, "Sabbath: Finding Rest, Renewal, and Delight in Our Busy Lives," by Wayne Muller. Obviously, if I am going to break my habit of doing in favor of rest and reflection, I am going to have to work at it. Sounds like another paradox. Listen to my podcast interview with Al Gini at librarybeat.org/longshots. Hear our discussion about the role of humor in our lives and whether Gini thinks the current recession will help those out of work to learn a new approach to work and leisure.

A lot has changed at North Suburban Library system in 20 years

2009-11-01

I have just celebrated my 20th anniversary as Executive Director of the North Suburban Library System. It was a very different world in October, 1989, when I came to Illinois. Here at NSLS, we did not have a photocopier, but rather used a mimeograph machine to duplicate the many pages of information distributed to members. I had a Dictaphone and recorded memos and letters for typing by my secretary. We were very advanced in that we had four Wang computers in a small room for automating recurring routines and for word processing. Even more impressively, my predecessor had worked with a consultant to create a rudimentary computer program that automated book loans between member libraries. Now, 20 years later, whole weeks go by and I do not sign a letter. It's all e-mail. Not only did we get rid of the mimeograph machine, we're working with some success to get rid of the paper, too, by sending out most information to our members electronically. Those Wang computers are long gone, and every employee is expected to be computer literate not only for producing documents, but also for working collaboratively and filing projects in a shared space. Member libraries share their materials with other libraries literally around the world and it's all handled by a giant mother computer in Columbus, Ohio. Anyone who has been alive in the world these last 20 years has witnessed this revolution. Examples of what has changed are different, but the magnitude of the change is the same. Words like "unbelievable," "unimaginable," "unprecedented," even "unfathomable" come to mind. Who would have guessed, back in 1989? Simply expressed, how we discover, receive, process, store, handle, and share information in this digital age has changed dramatically in the last 20 years. Information is the cornerstone of democracy. When it changes, we need to be concerned about the safety of this democracy we hold dear. The Knight Commission, which grew out of a 2007 partnership between the Aspen Institute and the Knight Foundation, has just released an impressive report on the information needs of communities in a democracy. In the foreword, it was noted that technology was changing attitudes toward information in basic, critically important ways, but that free flow of all sorts of information continued to be as critical as ever to the core of a democracy. The Knight Commission worked from a deceptively simple charge: 1) Articulate the information needs of a community in a democracy. 2) Describe the state of things in the United States, and 3) Propose public policy directions that would help lead us from where we are today to where we ought to be. The report is very readable and focuses on the information people actually need. It suggests ways that the flow of information and its uses may be enhanced. The report suggests a national policy to strengthen the capacity of individuals to engage with information: "Access the beginning; education and training, public engagement and government transparency logically follow." In the end, there are 15 recommendations including: "Fund and support public libraries and other community institutions as centers of digital and media training, especially for adults." View the full report at knightcomm.org.

Public, school libraries suffer in poor economy

2009-10-04

In hard times, library usage goes up. Nationwide, more people applied for library cards last year than at anytime since 1990, when these statistics started being collected. People are rushing to libraries for a variety of reasons. Libraries are essential if you're job hunting. The library has free, high-speed Internet connections and a wealth of resources to help with resume writing, seeking job openings and the finer details of applying for a job. Conventional wisdom for getting work, especially for consultants, is using networking sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook. Another library advantage for the job seeker is that it's removed from the distractions of home and family; a quieter place to consider the next career move. The library's other big draw is free education, culture and entertainment for all ages. Attendance at preschool story hours is up, as is attendance at almost any library program for any age group. Individuals and families are checking out books, DVDs, CDs and whatever else the library might have available for free. It's all being used double-time. In hard times, ironically, funding for libraries typically decreases. In Illinois, public libraries are primarily funded by local property taxes. Based on fair market value, tax receipts typically lag about two years behind the economic events that caused the downturn. Funding for libraries is going to decline. In Illinois, the hammer came down early. When the Illinois General Assembly adjourned this summer, one of the cuts they made was a reduction of 50 percent to all state grants from general revenue funds, including the per capita grants for public and school libraries and to regional library systems like the North Suburban Library System. For the public libraries and schools, it was a grievous blow. For regional library systems, it was almost a death knell because the majority of the funding comes from this annual per capita grant from the state of Illinois. Enter my new hero, Secretary of State Jesse White. You might not know it, but White has two jobs. Besides presiding over all things related to motor vehicles, he enforces the Illinois Securities Act and administers the Organ Donor Program. White's other job is State Librarian. In this capacity, he administers federal grants to libraries, oversees all library development programs including the Regional Library Systems, and works with the state's literacy programs. White moved quickly to reallocate the portion of the federal money that was to have been used in discretionary grants to shore up state grants to public and school libraries and the regional library systems. The grievous 50 percent cut was reduced by almost half. As a result, libraries are able to keep going and keep serving the people who need services the most in this terrible economic crisis. What will happen in the future? This last-minute reprieve employed by White cannot continue. One can only hope that when times are better, the Illinois General Assembly will restore the lost funding. Library users and advocates all across the state are banding together to send this message to the Illinois General Assembly. Specifically, they are asking lawmakers to make a promise, sort of like an IOU: "Recognizing the importance of libraries and library systems to our communities and to the livelihood of the citizens of the state of Illinois, I (lawmaker) will work to oppose any additional cuts to library per capita grants in FY10. Furthermore, I will work to fully fund library per capita grants when additional state funding becomes available in the future." Do you think libraries are important? Step up and tell your legislator. Visit the saveillinoislibraries.com Web site and make your voice heard.

Check out passport to museum adventures

2009-09-06

Here's an opportunity guaranteed to save money, get you and the family out of the house, and give everybody the opportunity to have a good time and learn new things. It's the Museum Adventure Pass program presented by Macy's. It launched on Sept. 1, and will be available until Aug. 31, 2010. Here's how it works: Take your library card to your local public library (most in our area are participating). Library personnel will issue you a Museum Adventure Pass, thanks to Macy's department store. The Pass provides free admission or a special discount, depending on location, at these Chicago area museums: Arlington Heights Historical Museum, Bronzeville Children's Museum, Brookfield Zoo, Cantigny Park, Chicago Botanic Garden, Cuneo Museum and Gardens, Elgin History Museum, Elgin Public Museum, Graue Mill and Museum, Hellenic Museum, KidsWork Children's Museum, Kohl Children's Museum, Lake County Discovery Museum, Mitchell Museum of the American Indian, Morton Arboretum, Oriental Institute Museum, and St. Charles Heritage Museum. Check this Web site for specifics: www.museumadventure.org. You'll find a complete list of participating libraries and the 17 generous cultural organizations, including links to their Web sites. Most passes admit four or two people, but there are exceptions so check the site for details. One pass may be checked out per person, per seven-day loan period. Participating libraries have a limited number of passes for each participating organization. Passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Passes cannot be reserved or checked out online or on the phone. There are some blackout periods and other restrictions, so check first to see if your library is participating and the details of the passes that interest you. This partnership is the first of its kind in the greater Chicago area. Macy's and the DuPage, Metropolitan, and North Suburban Library Systems, along with 17 local museums and cultural organizations throughout the area, collaborated to make it happen. More than 150 suburban libraries are participating. The program is based on similar programs Macy's sponsored in Detroit and Minneapolis. Staff from the Metropolitan Library System, the North Suburban Library System and the DuPage Library System heard about the successful effort, contacted Macy's, and worked out the details to bring this excellent program to our area. "The Museum Adventure Pass is a truly innovative approach to education that Macy's is thrilled to support," said Brad Poterack, District Vice President for Macy's. "Our hope is that people who may not have access to the wonderful local arts and cultural scene will use this program as a learning tool for themselves and their families, and realize that libraries are a great way to explore and learn something new." In the library world, we have a number of unique holidays, recognized with special events and our own brand of merrymaking. You are probably familiar with National Library Week and Teen Poetry Month, which occur in April. September is Library Card Signup month. The Museum Adventure Pass program is another example of why having a library card is truly something to celebrate. It's the Smartest Card you can have in your wallet, serving as your passport to a world of discovery and inspiration.

True Southern gentleman was a great mentor

2009-08-09

Robert Whitefield Bullen was the North Suburban Library System assistant director when I arrived some 20 years ago. With his years of experience, he served as my guide to the rather complex Illinois library scene. His wife, Ida Bullen, was the assistant director at the neighboring DuPage Library System. Both taught library science courses in many venues and had worked as consultants on a variety of library projects. Their two children, Anne and Andrew, had become librarians. In summary, they were a considerable force in Illinois libraries. They knew everything and everybody, and how and why things were as they were. But to say that Mr. Bullen, as I always called him, served as a knowledgeable and trusted guide, minimizes our relationship. Significantly, we were both born in the South: he in Mississippi and I in Georgia. I had not lived in the South for many years, and had forgotten Southern expressions, sensibilities and that peculiar Southern view of the world. Working with him on a daily basis was a delightful reconnection with my past. Mr. Bullen was always a courtly gentleman and he knew how to use his good manners and geniality to smooth the way. For example, after I was on the job, he told me it was obvious at my interview that I was the winning candidate. He said, "Sarah, you remember I followed you out into the parking lot to talk with you after the interview. You were the best. I didn't follow anyone else out into the parking lot." This little bit of soft flattery was so sweet. Don't we all need as much affirmation as we can get? I had moved to Illinois from Portland, Ore., where beautiful Mt. Hood is visible if it's a clear day. On one occasion in those early days at NSLS, there was some sort of crisis and I was upset and anxious. Trying to calm me, Mr. Bullen said, "Now Sarah, just look out the window. In a little while the clouds will clear and you will see beautiful Mt. Hood right over there. The sun will shine and everything will be all right." This optimism and gentle concern for my distress was so personally helpful to me in those early days. Mr. Bullen and Ida held on to the mores of the South, today truly gone with the wind. A reception in my honor when I arrived at NSLS featured the Bullens' silver serving trays, cut glass, and starched and ironed linens. Later, I was invited for a meal at the Bullen home and was treated to authentic Cajun gumbo and a dessert featuring peeled and sugared grapes. As the assistant director, Mr. Bullen had many jobs and responsibilities. He especially relished "placing" people, as he called it. If you were a librarian who had been in a class taught either by Ida or himself, he felt an obligation to make sure you had a good job. Even if you were not a former student, you could appeal to Mr. Bullen to "place" you. He would call up his many friends in high places and promote your talents. He also encouraged librarians to apply for higher jobs. He served as a sort of shaman, directing the grand scheme of librarianship in this part of the world. Mr. Bullen died last month and I will miss him terribly. He was one of a kind and, in many ways, his passing symbolizes the end of an era. Read his obituary, as well as other reminiscences of this larger-than-life Southern gentleman at bullremembered.org.

Fierce defender of First Amendment will be deeply missed

2009-07-05

Judith Krug died in April and it's still difficult for librarians who knew her to comprehend it. "It's hard to find words that adequately describe Judith," said one of her colleagues. "Perhaps force of nature comes closest." Krug was the longtime director of the American Library Association's Office for Intellectual Freedom and executive director of the Freedom to Read Foundation. She fought censorship on behalf of libraries for more than 40 years. When I first came to librarianship about 40 years ago, the professional culture was committed to each person's right to read the books of his or her choice. But the deep commitment to First Amendment rights or to intellectual freedom was not very overtly expressed. Krug changed all of that by her work. Robert P. Doyle, executive director of the Illinois Library Association, expressed it this way: "It wasn't that Judith just generated media attention, which she did. Rather she set about the arduous task of coalition building. She reached out to publishers, booksellers, authors, school administrators, teachers, journalists and lawyers both individually and through their associations. She built coalitions based on a common belief in free expression and commitment to intellectual freedom. At ALA, she worked tirelessly with members to fight censorship efforts. Krug evolved a sort of 'case law' of precedents and policies and set up structures of support for libraries and individuals who were involved in censorship incidents." Many librarians around the country can testify to Krug's practical hands-on support. Here's a comment from James Perkins, library media specialist in Baldwin, Wis.: "Judith Krug personally assisted me with a censorship case in my former school district. It was the first challenge to materials in my career and her assistance in the matter was critical to overcoming the challenge. I will be eternally grateful for her help." Krug was equally at home on the loftiest of stages. She testified before the U.S. Congress and in the courts. In fact, she participated in almost every Supreme Court case of the past 40 years related to libraries and free access to information. She was comfortable with the media and was a sought-after speaker for crowds of any size or description. Krug was smart in every sense of the word. She heard librarians express their concern that a commitment to freedom of information was usually only seen when library materials were challenged. So in 1982, she created Banned Books Week to celebrate the freedom to express one's opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular. Like other Krug-led initiatives, BBW is sponsored by a coalition including the American Booksellers Association, American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression, American Society of Journalists and Authors, Association of American Publishers, National Association of College Stores and the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. BBW is celebrated the last week of September. Personally, Krug was extremely charismatic and was always stylishly dressed. She had a gorgeous smile that she flashed generously and a wicked sense of humor. I can't imagine her ever being at a loss for words. Krug once said: "We do have our work cut out for us. The world we live in leads me to believe that librarians and trustees must strongly and often reaffirm their role in the 21st century. We must continue to strive to provide to all of our users in the multitude of communities we serve the information they need and want regardless of format. Bringing people together with information is our reason for being." Listen to my podcast with longtime associate of Judith Krug, Robert Doyle, at librarybeat.org.

Summer reading: Feeds your soul, sparks a laugh, or maybe tears

2009-06-07

Just the words "summer reading" take me to a relaxing other world where I am warm and comfortable with hours of unstructured time, mine for the taking. In today's world, such escape is becoming increasingly elusive. But I urge you to fit in some summer reading that feeds your soul or at least gives you a laugh, an escape or a view of another world. The book I have most enjoyed recently is "The Spellman Files: A Novel" by Lisa Lutz. The Spellmans are a family of private investigators: father, mother, son, and two daughters. The book is written in the voice of Isabel "Izzy" Spellman, age 28, who is quite the wit. Being the middle child, Izzy has issues with her older brother, who has actually escaped the family business to become a successful attorney. He is perfect in every way - looks, manners, brains, etc. - and eschews the other family members' penchant for investigating everything, especially each other. You might say he aspires to be normal and middle class. Izzy feels protective of her younger sister, Rae, age 14. But Rae is a force to contend with because of her proclivity for "recreational tailing" or following people just for kicks. This book is laugh-out-loud funny and best of all, it's the first of four with another one on the way early in 2010. If you liked, "Harriet the Spy" as a kid, you'll love Izzy Spellman. I asked other librarians of my acquaintance about their reading. Stephanie Sarnoff, executive director of the Schaumburg Township District Library said she had recently enjoyed "The Sunday Philosophy Club" by Alexander McCall-Smith. "It's the first of several novels set in contemporary Edinburgh, featuring philosopher Isabel Dalhousie," she said. "I found it to be a charming departure from the author of "The #1 Ladies Detective Agency' series." Cynthia Fuerst, executive director of the Vernon Area Public Library District, said, "I just finished reading 'Angelica' by Arthur Phillips. He will be speaking at the Vernon Area Library on Sunday, June 7. He's also scheduled to speak at the Printers Row Book Fair on June 6. 'Angelica' is billed as a 'Victorian Ghost Story' but it is more of a psychological tale. It's well written, a little on the long side, but lots of twists and turns which made it interesting. Next will be something lighter, a 'chick-lit' title by Jennifer Weiner who will be visiting here on July 20. She's probably best known for 'Best Friends Forever' and has a new book, 'Good in Bed' coming out later this summer. She's pretty popular here, so I'll read whatever is left on the shelf!" Ben Schapiro, executive director of the Morton Grove Public Library is a more serious reader. "Just finished 'An Army at Dawn, The War in North Africa, 1942-1943' by Rick Atkinson," he said. "The best work I've read on the North African campaign. Atkinson does an excellent job of threading together the strategic, political, tactical and logistical issues of bringing an army that only had a minimal role in WWI into the realm of mobile warfare. This book would make a very good intro to the work of Carlo D'Este, the distinguished American military historian. Currently, I am reading, 'The Adventures of Arthur Conan Doyle.' It's a biography by Russell Miller." Listen to my podcast with noted librarian readers' adviser Nancy Pearl atlibrarybeat.org for her picks on the best summer reads. Visit nsls.info/SummerReadingPrograms for information on summer reading programs with prizes for readers of all ages. Let the library not only help you with your summer reading, but motivate you, too.

Libraries lend free hand to those struggling in bad economy

2009-04-26

It's a familiar story: When times are tough, library usage goes up. The media has been full of variations on this theme for the past year. Here's the back story: Library staffs love to serve and be busy. It's that missionary spirit that calls certain people to work in libraries in the first place. Rather than trying to contain the busyness, library staff work hard to keep it going and to keep the crowds coming. Here's a sampling of what libraries in the North Suburban Library System area are doing to reach out in these tough economic times. Paula Moore, executive director of the Arlington Heights Memorial Library reported, "Our focus has been on people who have lost their jobs. We created a 'Start Your Job Search Here' service with several components. "The first is staffing a separate 'Jobs Desk' in the middle of the library on weekday afternoons. A reference librarian suggests job Web sites and other career information and talks about the classes and programs we are offering. In the first week, with no advertising, we served over 80 people. Several had tears in their eyes. "The second component is a checklist for people who have lost their jobs, created by our business specialist Barb Vlk. It outlines six positive actions for job seekers, including how to apply for unemployment, which is a first-time experience for many people in this economic climate. "The third component is an array of special programs and computer classes. These include support groups, networking opportunities and computer instruction on how to set up a free e-mail account. A class on using LinkedIn for 70 people filled up in three hours. "To make the library more accessible, staff has volunteered to park in a nearby church parking lot to free up spaces for our customers. Making it a librarywide effort helps both our staff and public see the value of their public library in action." Linda Weiss, executive director of the Niles Public Library said, "In March, we began a series of 14 workshops and programs called 'How to Survive a Troubled Economy.' This series includes programs and seminars on a variety of topics, including help in finding a job, money-saving and financial issues. "We have partnered with community businesses, agencies and organizations, and most of this series is being provided at no charge. The response has been very good and we have had a number of calls from other agencies and organizations who would like to present something as part of the series. We will continue this effort through this year." Many area libraries have partnered with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago for Money Smart Week, a series of free classes and activities designed to help consumers better manage their personal finances. For a list of participating North suburban organizations and events, visit chicagofed.org. Several libraries have had a Food for Fines program, donating collected food to local food pantries. The Algonquin Area Public Library had a fines amnesty. "The amnesty allowed individuals and families that have incurred fines to clear their records and once again have access to our great collection of books and audio/visual products," Executive Director Randall Vlcek said. Woman's Day magazine is soliciting testimonials from library users around the nation regarding how the library helped them in hard times. Four winners will be chosen and featured in Woman's Day next March. Read all about it at womansday.com/Articles/Family-Lifestyle/ALA-Contest-Info-Rules.html. Listen to my interview with Jane Chesnutt, editor-in-chief of Woman's Day, and hear her describe the program at librarybeat.org/longshots.