May 11, 2010

The Chicks are hatching!

Visit our Webcam @ Homer Library!

Homer Township Library would like to announce our exciting live hatch program Chick-it-Out @ Homer Library. The chicks are hatching - two so far and we have two dozen eggs in the incubator!

We have a webcam to view the chicks' progress in the incubator - take a look here. Full program information is on the library's website. Pictures are posted to the library's flickr photo site. This is a very fun and exciting program for both customers and staff!

May 06, 2010

Starting our 5th Year of Bookmobile Service

Happy Birthday, Bookmobile!

We are celebrating our bookmobile service which brings library outreach, services and materials directly into our extensive Homer community.

Come visit the bookmobile at Dellwood Park on Friday, June 11 from 10:30-2:30 along with many other awesome vehicles at the TOUCH A TRUCK DAY.

The bookmobile is a fine example of an innovative service that without grant support could not have been undertaken. Our bus is simply amazing and I hope you will see (and enjoy!) it first-hand. Several years ago, Homer Library received a $150,000 grant award and the process of building a new state-of-the-art bookmobile began. Grant funding is a high priority and successful grants fund new services, collections and programs for our fast-growing community. This is especially important as your Homer Library continues to operate at the original tax rate established 25-years ago, without any tax increase, ever.

What's new on the bus?
Bookmobile Manager Jody Olivieri and library staff have done an outstanding job to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Rolling Library usage continues to rise thanks to all of YOU. This summer the bookmobile will be undertaking new stops at Saddlewood Estates, Woodbine West and Pebble Creek. We will also be featuring Stories in the Park and a Summer Reading Club as well as other Summer Fun events!

Come aboard to see what we can do for you.
And always feel free to tell me what's on your mind. I'd love to hear from you!

April 28, 2010

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April 05, 2010

I am a Candidate for Vice President/President-Elect

I am honored to be nominated for the position of Vice President/President-Elect of the Illinois Library Association (ILA). In 2009, I was elected as an ILA Director-at-Large to serve a 3-year term. This experience has been both rewarding and educational. I look forward to continuing my service, perhaps in a new role, with ILA.

On April 1st, ILA opened the 2010 Election Polls, which run the entire month. Candidates are posted for the Vice President/President-Elect, ALA Councilor, and Board of Directors. View the President-Elect candidate statements and biographies here (mine is listed 2nd with a familiar picture). Other candidate statements can be found here.

ILA is a not-for-profit educational organization that provides effective leadership to the Illinois Library community and is 3,700+ members strong. This membership includes public, academic, school, and special libraries and librarians, and is comprised of trustees, library staff, students, and vendors. It would be an honor to represent IL librarians and the interests of the library communities we serve.

My Personal Statement
This is a challenging time for today's libraries. Proper funding, fiscal constraints, system changes, technology shifts, and other issues are each of great concern. The vibrancy of our services and value to the community we each serve must continue to be advocated front and center. We need to spotlight how relevant and essential libraries are in supporting Illinois residents at every stage - and age - in their lives. We need to mentor library colleagues and communicate with both our community of users and elected leaders to promote effective library advocates and - even more so - library champions. ILA provides strong leadership and addresses the many challenges today's libraries face.

If elected as the ILA Vice-President/President-Elect, I would listen thoughtfully, work hard, and strive to provide a positive voice to encourage leadership, relevancy and support. As a proud member of our profession I would be honored to serve in a new role as part of ILA's partnership with Illinois libraries. Our collective vision can make a true difference.

Check out my other blog, The Synergistic Librarian.

March 31, 2010

New for You - Macy's Museum Adventure Pass!

We are proud and pleased to be able to now offer the "Museum Adventure Pass, presented by Macy's." Beginning April 1st Homer Township Public Library card holders can receive free admission to 19 exciting museums and cultural institutions throughout the Chicago area. Brookfield Zoo, the Chicago Botanic Garden, the Oriental Institute, Bronzeville Children’s Museum and Morton Arboretum are among those included. This special opportunity is made possible by a generous contribution from Macy's.

Visit the library to pick up a one week pass for the museum of your choice. They are available on a first come, first served basis.

Background
The Museum Adventure Pass Program launched September 1st, 2009, and is a first of its kind partnership in the greater Chicago area for Macy’s, the DuPage, Metropolitan, North Suburban, ten libraries in Prairie Area Library Systems, 19 local arts and cultural organizations, and more than 160 suburban area public libraries. Since the program launch, library patrons have checked out over 23,000 passes to participating institutions.

So many adventures await – some you might never have expected! All you need to take part in these learning adventures is a valid Homer library card.

The Museum Adventure Pass program is designed to enhance the learning experience for people of all ages through books and other library materials, and to provide access to arts and cultural organizations. For a full listing of participating institutions and for check-out guidelines, go to www.museumadventure.org, or ask the next time you visit the library.

"The Museum Adventure Pass is a truly innovate approach to education that Macy's is thrilled to support," said Brad Poterack, District Vice President, 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."

Participating organizations include:
Air Classics Museum of Air and Space
Arlington Heights Historical Museum
Bronzeville Children's Museum
Brookfield Zoo
Cantigny Park
Chicago Botanic Garden
Children's Museum of Oak Lawn
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
St. Charles Heritage Museum

About Macy's
Macy's, the largest retail brand of Macy's, Inc., is known for epic events like Macy's 4th of July Fireworks® and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade®, as well as spectacular fashion shows, culinary events, flower shows and celebrity appearances. Building on a 150-year tradition, Macy's helps strengthen communities by supporting local and national charities that make a difference in the lives of their customers.