• JAN AGUIRRE, Specialist & Training Coordinator

It’s confusing sometimes to know if you are really logged into Polaris if you have minimized the Polaris Toolbar. We are seeing libraries that have multiple sessions of Polaris running at the same time.

• I think this happens when either the Polaris Shortcut Bar becomes inactive or “grayed out” and you click on the Polaris icon again
   

• OR you think you are no longer logged in because you have minimized the Polaris Shortcut Bar and when trying to open the Find Tool or a Checkout window, you can’t find the Shortcut Bar.

You may think you somehow got kicked out of Polaris and need to log in again. Check the taskbar FIRST.

 

   

• KAREN CREENAN, Executive Director

The Public Libraries Section of NYLA is now accepting applications for the following three awards: 

1.  PLS AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING PUBLIC LIBRARY BUILDING 

One award will be made for a new or remodeled public library building in New York State. Emphasis will be placed upon those projects that demonstrate cost-effective solutions to space challenges as well as innovative usage of space and layout in the new library. The project must have been completed between Jan. 1, 2005 - Dec. 31, 2005. 

PLS will award $1000 plus a plaque to the winning library, and may also name honorable mentions. All entries may have their submissions displayed at the PLS booth at the annual NYLA conference. Previous winners are ineligible. 

Submission requirements include: 

a)   Information about the community: population served; annual budget; name and location of the library; date of space and layout reorganization;

b)   before and after photographs;

c)    before and after floor plans;

d)   goals and objectives;

e)   budget;

f)    narrative explaining need; planning involved; community benefits; public response; press coverage, etc. 

The decision of the judges is final. The award will be presented to the winner at the annual awards ceremony at the 2006 NYLA conference. Please note that this award goes to the library, not the architect.

  

2.  CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIP 

This annual scholarship is offered to encourage public librarians, or students in library school, to participate in conference activities. (Applicants need not be members of NYLA or PLS.)

 Applications should be in letter form, containing the following information:

a)     why you wish to attend the conference;

b)     how you plan to integrate the experience into your work;

c)      how you plan to share your experience with your fellow professionals;

d)     how the award will influence your professional goals. 

Award includes full registration, up to $500 towards expenses and NYLA membership, if required. The winner is expected to attend the full conference, including the awards ceremony.

 

 3.  BEST PRACTICES AWARD 

The Best Practices Award honors a library director who has provided innovative service to a community of 100,000 or fewer.  Nominees are judged on innovative quality of services provided, and initiatives taken to respond to rapidly changing needs.

Nominations may be made by a library board member or by a library staff member.  Each nomination must be accompanied by a letter of support from a board member or a member of the community.  The letter of nomination should be limited to two pages and must include:

a)    information about the library "before," including specific information about circulation, collection size, programs, condition of building, hours open, and budget;

b)   current information about the library "after," related to changes to the areas previously described;

c)    description of how the nominee initiated the changes;

d)   recommendations for other libraries.

The award is $1000, a plaque for the library, and a plaque to be placed in the NYLA office.  Attendance at the NYLA conference is a requirement of acceptance.

   

• MARISA IACOBUCCI, Adult Services Coordinator

 Advocacy, Advocacy, Advocacy!!

To help encourage your patrons to contact their public officials, I am sending each library a display – in an acrylic sign holder - and information sheets for your patrons to take.  Please display them on your circulation desks and encourage your patrons to voice their opinions to the powers that be!

These items should be arriving soon – please keep a watch for them in your delivery.
 

 Video/DVD packing lists 

When you receive a video or DVD deposit collection, you will find a relatively new format packing list. 

On the new list you will see two columns to the left of the title.  One column is for checking the film in and the other to check off when it comes back to FLLS.  There is also a “Problems” column, in case the film isn’t being returned or if you return it ahead due to damage.

Please use this packing list – it will help us to understand what’s going on with the collection and help you to track it as well.

Thanks!
 

• LINDA BEINS, ILL/Reference Coordinator

 ILL

Please be sure to Deny a hold if you are unable to fill it within a few days of Request Manger reports. This will move the request to the next owning library or, if you are the only owning library, update the hold status on the patron’s record. If the hold is for an item in a FLLS collection that you are sure has been returned to FLLS and the patron name is FLLS ILL Dept please Deny it; the ILL Dept. will resolve this. Call me if you have any questions about how you deny holds.

 Reference

Take a look at http://www.epnet.com/. EBSCO Publishing is providing the Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts (LISTA) database as a free resource to anyone interested in libraries and information management. According to EBSCO, this database indexes more than 600 periodicals plus books, research reports, and proceedings relating to librarianship. You can access LISTA directly at http://www.libraryresearch.com. You can then request articles of interest to you through a FLLS Periodical Request form.

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• Directors’ Advisory Council (DAC) members: 

If you have any questions or concerns regarding FLLS library service, you are welcome to contact a DAC member from the list below. 

Beverly Dann, Waverly Free Library
Janet Steiner, TCPL, Ithaca
Judy Barkee, Ulysses Philomathic Library, Trumansburg
Kay Zaharis, Cortland Free Library
Lois Maki, Newfield Public Library
Mary Frank, Peck Memorial Library, Marathon
Sally Otis, Hazard Library, Poplar Ridge
Stephen Erskine, Seymour Library, Auburn
Susan Robey, Groton Public Library