SIGNAL online 2005

Archives

Current edition: February 28, 2005

Published by the Southern Ontario Library Service

The introductory page for the Southern Ontario Library Service is www.sols.org.  From that page, you can move to any other pages created by staff at the Southern Ontario Library Service, as well as to links to resources and professional information.

In this issue:
1. SOLS Web Site Redesign
2. Connectivity
3. INFO VDX Update
4. Postage information
5. SOLS DELIVERY SERVICE: Library Closures
6. SOLS Training Workshops
7. Trustee Council Meetings
8. Trustee Training
9. Library Committee Meetings
10. First Nation Public Libraries’ Update
11. SOLS CEO Listserv
12. Support SOLS Program

1. SOLS WEB SITE REDESIGN

SOLS is redesigning its Web site, to mirror the organizational goals and objectives outlined in our new Service Plan for 2004-2007. The new site will also feature a reorganized “Clearinghouse” of information for library professionals. The new www.sols.org will be available in March or April 2005. Announcements will be made to various SOLS listservs with the exact launch date. SOLS Helpdesk staff will be available at that time to answer any questions about the new site, or to help you navigate through new pages and resources.

During the redesign process, there is a possibility that SOLS pages you have bookmarked may change or move. If you cannot find a favourite page, please do not hesitate to e-mail our Web editor at   and ask for assistance in locating any information on our Web site.

2. CONNECTIVITY

Good news for those libraries currently participating in the SOLS-administered connectivity project.  Connectivity funding will be extended until December 2005. This means that your connectivity coverage is extended for the period April 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005.

3. INFO VDX UPDATE 

The long-awaited upgrade to VDX version 2.7.3 may be getting closer for INFO libraries.  It has been on hold due to performance issues discovered by the vendor, Fretwell Downing, when another customer with a similar operating environment to INFO’s upgraded last fall. Upgrades to version 2.7.3 for clients running on Solaris systems had not been affected. The problems discovered in a Windows environment were not anticipated by the vendor and have taken some time to resolve.   

The Wisconsin state libraries (WISCAT) using VDX on a Windows platform upgraded last week. WISCAT is similar to INFO in size and activity. A few problems have been discovered that the vendor is working on. Fretwell Downing and SOLS will be watching the WISCAT implementation closely over the next month for performance issues as we begin the process of scheduling INFO’s upgrade. Once the schedule is established, we will keep INFO libraries apprised of timelines with regular announcements to the e-mail list. 

We would like to thank libraries for their patience. It has been a long wait for this upgrade since ILL staff first heard about it in User Group Clinics last spring. Our current VDX version is running smoothly and we have not been willing to take any risks with the upgrade until we are comfortable that we will have a stable system.  This information was also sent from the SOLS HelpDesk to the interlibrary loan staff on February 3^rd. 

4. Postage Information

a) Library Book Rate Increase

Canada Post and Heritage Canada are still in negotiations with respect to the Library Book Rate structures, so we do not yet know what the pricing and procedures will be for Library Book Rate once the current contract expires at the end of March 2005.  However, please be aware that ALL postage rates increased on January 17, 2005 including the Library Mail Rate.  

A chart on the current pricing has been posted on the SOLS Web site at http://www.sols.org/resourcesharing/INFO/policies/postage/librarybookrate.htm .   This information was also distributed by the SOLS HelpDesk to the interlibrary loan staff in libraries across southern Ontario on February 10, 2005.   

b) ILLO postage reimbursement  

SOLS libraries who are not on regular SOLS courier delivery, or who need to send interlibrary loan materials to non-SOLS courier libraries are eligible for reimbursement of their postage costs. This reimbursement is handled through the SOLS Toronto office.  Last year, we moved to a Web form, and the implementation was generally successful.  All claiming libraries should have received their reimbursement cheques by the end of February.  

We will use the same form for this year’s claims.  The only change is that the postal code entry was removed from the form.  The SOLS ILL Postage Reimbursement Claim Web Form is posted on the SOLS Web site at http://www.sols.org/resourcesharing/INFO/policies/postage/reimbursement.htm

Helpful hints to all library staff:

• It is advised that you enter your claims onto the form on a regular basis (i.e. weekly or monthly) and not wait until the end of the year to try to enter all of your claims.

• The claims form is on a secure page.  You need a password to get into this section.  However, it is a good idea to review the information you have added to ensure all your entries are listed.  You can search for your library’s records within this form by selecting the link at  http://www.sols.org/resourcesharing/INFO/forms/postageclaimingsearch.aspx and then entering your library name in the appropriate box

5. SOLS DELIVERY SERVICE: Library Closures

To assist us with our Delivery Service, if you know that your library is closing on a specific day, for example, for staff training, and there will be no staff available to open the door for the SOLS drivers, please let us know.  You can leave a note in the delivery bin the week before and also, please contact Mary Jo Lynett, SOLS Delivery Service Supervisor, by e-mail at   or telephone at 1-800-387-5765, ext. 5127.

6. SOLS TRAINING WORKSHOPS - Registration is open

This spring, we are offering sessions on policy-writing, a readers’ advisory on Canadian genre fiction, a session on business information sources, and one on working alone, as well as two information sessions on the TD Summer Reading Club. We also are offering time & stress management, and expertise in gaining municipal support. We hope that you will find this selection helpful, enjoyable and worth your support. 

Training information is available at http://www.sols.org/librarydev/training/index.html . This will take you to electronic registration forms and maps for all training. 

Working Alone – workshop #1

Monday, March 7, 2005 from noon to 4pm, Quinte West Public Library – Trenton branch [this workshop will be preceded by a meeting of the Hastings-Prince Edward-Northumberland area librarians from 10am to 11:30am]

Friday, April 15, 2005 from 10am to 2:30pm, Gravenhurst Public Library

Friday, April 29, 2005 from 10am to 2:30pm, Shelburne Public Library

 Workshop #2 – TD Summer Reading Club information sessions - FREE

Ottawa Public Library - Friday, April 1, 2005 from 9am to noon, at the Stittsville branch

Toronto Public Library –  Tuesday, April 19, 2005 from 2pm to 5pm, at the Agincourt branch [east]; Tuesday, May 3, 2005 from 2pm to 5pm, at the North York Central branch [north]; Thursday, May 5, 2005 from 2pm to 5pm, at the Lillian H. Smith branch [downtown]; Friday, May 6, 2005 from 2pm to 5pm, at the Albion branch, Etobicoke [west]

Workshop #3 – Securing Municipal Support

Tuesday, April 5, 2005 from 10am to 1pm, Kitchener Public Library – Main

Thursday, April 7, 2005 from 1pm to 4pm, Barrie Public Library

Tuesday, April 12, 2005 from 1pm to 4pm, Quinte West Public Library - Trenton

Workshop #4 – Business Information Services in Public Libraries

1 spot left Thursday, May 5, 2005, 10am to 4pm, Beachville Centre – Gates Lab, Oxford County

FULL Friday, May 13, 2005, 10am to 4pm, Ajax Public Library [location changed from Pickering PL]

 Workshop #5 – Jumpstart your Policies * see website for new pricing information

Friday, May 6, 2005 from 10am to 4pm, Innisfil Public Library – Lakeshore branch

Tuesday, May 10, 2005 from 10am to 4pm, Hanover Public Library

hursday, May 12, 2005 from 10am to 4pm, Kingston Frontenac Library – Isabel Turner branch

Wednesday, May 18, 2005 from 10am to 4pm, Pembroke Public Library

Please note: The cost of workshop for first registrant is $64.20 ($60.00 plus GST & this price includes lunch). We have adjusted the pricing for this workshop in order to encourage the participation of Trustees. Libraries registering two people for the workshop will only pay $16.05 ($15.00 plus GST) for the second participant (trustee or staff person). Two people registering from the same library will share a computer. The maximum number of people per computer is two.

 Workshop #6 – The Eh List of Canadian Genre Fiction

 Tuesday, May 17, 2005 from 1pm to 4pm, Brantford Public Library – Main

Thursday, May 19, 2005 from 1pm to 4pm, St. Catharines Public Library – Main

Wednesday, May 25, 2005 from 12:30pm to 3:30pm, Cobourg Public Library

Extra session arranged: Monday, June 13, 2005 from 1pm to 4pm, Barrie Public Library

Workshop #7 – Managing Time and Managing Stress

Wednesday, May 18, 2005 from 1pm to 4pm, Ramara Centre – Auditorium, Orillia

Monday, May 30, 2005 from 1pm to 4pm, Petawawa Public Library

Wednesday, June 1, 2005 from 1pm to 4pm, Trent Hills Public Library – Campbellford branch

7. TRUSTEE COUNCIL MEETINGS – Scheduled for April-May 2005

The purpose of the SOLS Trustee Councils is to provide:

- A communication link between SOLS and boards regarding SOLS' services

- A forum for sharing information

- An opportunity to hear how other boards deal with similar issues

- Suggestions and support for trustee training

- To elect members to the SOLS' board according to the terms established in the by-laws 

Trustee Councils meet twice a year in eight locations and all public library boards may send a representative.  While all appointed trustee council representatives will receive a print mailing of the agenda, the dates of the upcoming meetings have been included below for your information.  Further information is posted at http://www.sols.org/librarydev/networking/trusteecouncils/index.htm  For Spring 2005, the dates and locations will be as follows.

Trustee Council meeting, area 1, Saturday, April 23, 2005 from 10am to 1pm, Oxford County Library – Ingersoll branch

Escarpment Trustee Council meeting, Saturday, April 23, 2005 from 10am to 3:30pm, Niagara-on-the-Lake Public Library – includes trustee training session from 1:30pm to 3:30pm

Trustee Council meeting, area 3, Monday, April 18, 2005, from 6pm to 9pm, Hanover Public Library (new date)

Trustee Council meeting, area 4, Tuesday, May 3, 2005 from 6pm to 9pm, Innisfil Public Library – Lakeshore branch

Trustee Council meeting, area 5, Saturday, April 30, 2005 from 10am to 3:30pm, Markham Public Library – new Angus Glen branch - includes trustee training session from 1:30pm to 3:30pm

Trustee Council meeting, area 6, Saturday, April 23, 2005 from 10am to 3:30pm, Belleville Public Library – includes trustee training session from 1:30pm to 3:30pm

Trustee Council meeting, area 7, Saturday, April 30, 2005 from 10am to 3:30pm, Renfrew Town Hall – includes trustee training session from 1:30pm to 3:30pm (new location)

Trustee Council meeting, area 8, Saturday, April 23, 2005 from 10am to 3:30pm, Brockville Public Library – includes trustee training session from 1:30pm to 3:30pm 

8. TRUSTEE TRAINING

At five Trustee Council meetings, there will be a training event held after the Trustee council meeting.  This training event will be in conjunction with OLBA.  The five meetings are #2 (Escarpment at Niagara-on-the-Lake), #5 (Markham), #6 (Belleville), #7 (Renfrew), and #8 (Brockville). At each of these meetings, there will be a teleconference presentation from 1:30 to 2:30 pm, followed by a facilitated discussion which should last about 45 minutes. The day should finish by 3:30pm.  The topic will be “Strategic Planning”.  More information on these sessions will be posted by mid-March along with the Trustee Council agendas on the SOLS Web site at http://www.sols.org/librarydev/networking/trusteecouncils/index.htm

9. LIBRARY COMMITTEE MEETINGS

SOLS provides an opportunity for library staff members to meet and discuss issues of common interest.  Committee meetings of area libraries often involve a special clinic on a particular area of interest.  This spring, the clinic will revolve around collection development information.  Information about the meetings, including an agenda for each meeting, is posted on the SOLS Web site at www.sols.org/librarydev/networking/librarycommittee/index.htm. This winter, four of the committees will also meet in conjunction with either the ESAO “Working Alone” workshop, or a special presentation.

The dates and locations are as follows:

Escarpment – Tuesday, April 26, 2005 at the Wainfleet Public Library.  Meeting 10am to noon and Collection Evaluation Clinic from 1pm to 3pm

Lanark - Tuesday, April 19, 2005 at the Carleton Place Public Library. Collection Evaluation Clinic from 10am to 12:30pm and Meeting 1:30pm to 3:30pm

Leeds and Grenville - Wednesday, March 9, 2005 at the Elgin branch of the Rideau Lakes Public Library. Presentation: L&G Local History 10 am to noon and Special Meeting: 1pm to 3pm

AND  Wednesday, May 11, 2005 (location to be determined). Meeting from 10am to 12:30 and Collection Evaluation Clinic from 1:30pm to 3:30pm

Peterborough - Monday, May 2, 2005 at the Campbellford branch of the Trent Hills Public Library.  Meeting from 10am to 12:30 and Collection Evaluation Clinic from 1:30pm to 3:30pm

Prescott-Russell (Comité des services en français) - Monday, April 11, 2005 at the Russell Township Public Library/Bibliothèque publique du canton du Russell - succursale d'Embrun. Atelier : 9h30 Lignes directrices

AND  Monday, June 13, 2004 at the Champlain Township Public Library/Bibliothèque publique de Champlain - succursale de Vankleek Hill. Atelier : 9h30 à 1200h Service à la clientele. Réunion 13h30 à 15h30

Renfrew County - Thursday, April 28, 2005 at the Arnprior Public Library. Collection Evaluation Clinic from 10am to 12:30pm and Meeting 1:30pm to 3:30pm

Saugeen - Monday, April 18, 2005 at the Grand Valley Public Library. Meeting: 10am to noon and Collection Evaluation Clinic from 1pm to 3pm

Simcoe/Muskoka District – Wednesday, April 27, 2005 at the Beaverton branch of the Brock Township Public Library. Meeting: 10am to noon and Collection Evaluation Clinic from 1pm to 3pm

Tri-County (Hastings-Prince Edward-Northumberland) - Monday, March 7, 2005 at the Trenton branch of the Quinte West Public Library.  Special Meeting from 10am to 11:30am and Working Alone (ESAO) workshop from noon to 4pm

AND Monday, May 9, 2005at the Tyendinaga Township Public Library.   Meeting from 10am to 12:30 and Collection Evaluation Clinic from 1:30pm to 3:30pm

10. First Nation Public Libraries’ Update

a) First Nation Public Libraries Recognize “Friends” with New Honour Program

Ontario’s First Nation public libraries launched a new program during First Nations Public Library Week. The Friends of Ontario’s First Nation Public Libraries Honour Program recognizes and conveys respect and appreciation to individuals who and organizations that have actively demonstrated significant understanding of and support for the establishment and ongoing development of public libraries in First Nation communities. The recipients of the program’s first two awards are The Honourable James K. Bartleman, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Randall Phillips, Chief of the Oneida of the Thames. Both recipients attended the Launch event at Bkejwanong First Nation Public Library on Walpole Island on February 14. More information about the award itself and its significance is available at http://www.sols.org/marketing/fnpubliclibraryweek/index.htm.  Photographs of the award, as well as photographs and brief statements about the recipients, will be posted on the SOLS Web site in March.

b) CBC Salutes Ontario’s First Nation Public Libraries’ Programs with an 11+ Minute Radio Segment

On February 22, Alan Neal and Cathy Alex of CBC Radio’s Ontario Today program chatted about the 2005 First Nation Communities Read and First Nations Public Library Week programs to an audience of 528,000 listeners. Bkejwanong First Nation Public Library, Chippewas of Georgina Public Library and the Keswick Branch of Georgina Public Library received mentions. The segment is available for 30 days to listeners through the Ontario Today Story Archives at http://www.cbc.ca/ontariotoday/story_archive.html Scroll down to February 22 and at the heading First Nations Reads, you can click on “Listen to the Item.”

c) First Nation Communities Read Program Runs Year-Round and Participation Reports are Welcome from All Libraries

Although the First Communities Read program launches during First Nations Public Library Week, promotion and readings of SkySisters, the 2005 title selection, are welcome year-round. If your library did not program a reading during First Nations Public Library Week, please consider scheduling a reading for National Aboriginal Day (June 21). SkySisters is also a great book for older story time groups and class visit programming. You can help encourage Canadian Heritage’s ongoing support of the program by holding readings and sending in the Participation Report form. Links to information on First Nation Communities Read and the Participation Report form are available from the First Nations Public Library Week web page at http://www.sols.org/marketing/fnpubliclibraryweek/index.htm.  If your library would like to receive a free copy of the First Nation Communities Read 2005 poster (11 X 17), please let Patty Lawlor know.

d) Mariposa In The Schools (MITS) Partners with SOLS and First Nation Public Libraries to “Pilot Project” Cross-cultural Arts Programming

During First Nations Public Library Week, five First Nation public libraries across Ontario hosted free cross-cultural arts programming in their communities, courtesy of MITS and SOLS, with generous funding support from the Ontario Art Council’s Touring Office. The pilot was a new addition to First Nations Public Library Week programming and the programs were a big hit in all five communities. Information about the programs held and performers involved is available at http://www.sols.org/marketing/fnpubliclibraryweek/index.htm

For more information about First Nations Public Library Week, or about the 2005 First Nation Communities Read Program, contact Patty Lawlor, First Nations Consultant, SOLS, by telephone at 1-800-387-5765, ext. 5107 or e-mail at .

11. SOLS CEO LISTSERV

SOLS maintains a list of all the e-mail addresses for SOLS CEOs.  It is this list that is used to distribute Signal.  Several times through the month, you may also receive other messages from SOLS.  

• At various times through the month, Laurey Gillies posted a list of the library boards who have voted to support (or not to support) the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries (FOPL), as well as information about the voting procedures for the first annual general meeting of FOPL.

• Laurey Gillies was invited to the Minister of Finance’s Pre-Budget Consultations. Four sessions were held over two days with approximately 65 participants in each session. We were each allocated two minutes to give our advice to Minister Sorbara. Sam Coghlan was invited on behalf of OPLA. On February 23^rd, Laurey sent a copy of her comments out to all SOLS CEOs and Sam Coghlan’s remarks were included in that e-mail but as an attachment.

If you did not receive these messages, and would like further information, please contact the SOLS HelpDesk at 1-800-387-5765, ext. 4, or by e-mail to .

12. SUPPORT SOLS PROGRAM 

A new section of the SOLS Web site is called “Support SOLS”.  You can reach this section from the main SOLS page or directly at http://www.sols.org/aboutsols/support/index.htm .

The purpose of this page is to provide a mechanism through which organizations and individuals can support SOLS financially.  To set the context, the section provides detailed information about current SOLS priorities and services, in particular, a link to a brochure called A Brief Listing of SOLS Services and to our current Annual Report.

If you would like to support our work financially, this Web site provides links to a printable donation form and also to an online donation form.  If you have any further questions about making donations to SOLS, you can contact Rob Lavery, our Resource Development Consultant at 1-800-387-5765 ext. 5137 or by e-mail at .

All issues of SIGNAL, including the French version of SIGNAL, can be viewed online at www.sols.org/librarydev/publications/signal/index.htm.  However, if anyone would like to receive the e-mail version of this newsletter, please send a message to .  You can reach the editor of SIGNAL, Peggy Malcolm: