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March 29, 2006

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 STAFF MEETING SCHEDULED – Wednesday, April 5 – Thursday, April 6
2. ANNUAL SURVEY – Deadline for Municipal/County libraries is March 31, 2006
3. CHARITABLE/CONSORTIA PURCHASING AGREEMENTS (CPA)
a) Dell computers
b) Supply order of library materials – deadline March 31, 2006
4. COOL - INFORMATION ON NETLIBRARY’S AUDIOBOOKS
5. LIBRARY BOOK RATE INFORMATION
6. FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
a) Ontario Trillium Foundation – Next deadline July 1, 2006
b) Sarah Badgley Literacy Fund for Ontario Rural Children – Deadline: March 31, 2006
c) HRSDC Summer Career Placements 2006 – Deadline: March 31, 2006
d) RBC After-school grants – Deadline: May 1, 2006
7. SOLS TRAINING WORKSHOPS FOR SPRING 2006 – Registration continues
8. TRUSTEE COUNCIL MEETINGS – Scheduled for April – May 2006
9. FIRST NATION PUBLIC LIBRARIES’ SPRING GATHERING 2006
10. LIBRARY COMMITTEE MEETINGS – Spring 2006
11. SOLS RECEIVES GRANT TO SUPPORT FIRST NATION PUBLIC LIBRARIES’ STRATEGIC PLAN (FNPLSP) IMPLEMENTATION
12. TD SUMMER READING PROGRAM 2006
13. EXCEL REGISTRATION – Deadline: May 12, 2006
14. SOLS PUBLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE ON-LINE
15. SOLS BOARD SUMMARY – MARCH 2006
16. MESSAGE FROM LAUREY GILLIES, SOLS CEO - CHANGES IN RESPONSIBILITIES
17. SOLS CEO LISTSERV

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1. SOLS STAFF MEETING SCHEDULED - Wednesday April 5 – Thursday April 6

Being spread across southern Ontario, it is important for our staff to meet as a group periodically. This is especially important this year, as we adapt to the significant organizational changes that had to be made last fall. However, in planning a full staff meeting, we realize that services to libraries will be affected. It is our intention to keep service disruption to a minimum, and to keep libraries informed in advance.

To allow drivers to attend the staff meeting, SOLS delivery routes will be adjusted, but in a manner that ensures that libraries receive as many delivery stops as possible. Many of the routes will be re-arranged with some libraries receiving delivery on different days during the week of April 3. New book deliveries from the Library Services Centre and Library Bound will continue to be made that week. On March 22^nd, a more detailed message with the revised delivery schedule for the week of April 3^rd was sent via e-mail by Mary Jo Lynett, Delivery Services Supervisor, to all Interlibrary Loan staff. Detailed information about the changes is now posted on the SOLS website at http://www.sols.org/resourcesharing/delivery/routes/index.htm . At that page, you can select the link for the summary of delivery changes for the routes, or the link showing the actual SOLS routes for the week of April 3-7, 2006.

The Rideau Video Pool rotation scheduled for March 30^th to April 7^th will now take place from March 23^rd to March 31^st. Lynda Dowdle, the Resource Sharing assistant responsible for Pools, contacted the Rideau Video Pool members directly.

Helpdesk services will not be available from the afternoon of Wednesday, April 5^th through Thursday, April 6^th and will resume on Friday, April 7^th. The general inquiry line, at 1-800-387-5765, extension 0, will be monitored from time to time over this period and urgent calls will be returned.

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2. ANNUAL SURVEY – Deadline for Municipal/County libraries is March 31, 2006

The Heritage and Libraries Branch of the Ministry of Culture maintains statistics on public libraries in Ontario. These statistics are compiled using data from the Annual Survey of Public Libraries. The Annual Survey of Public Libraries provides important data on library services in Ontario. It is one of the requirements for receiving the provincial library operating grant, and must be completed by libraries, and organizations that contract for public library service.

Further information was delivered directly from the Ministry but, once again, staff from the Southern Ontario Library Service have been assigned to answer any questions or to provide assistance in completing the survey. The deadline for libraries and local services boards to e-file the survey is March 31, 2006 and the staff person working with those libraries is Hélène Golden at 1-877-532-2901 or . The deadline for First Nations libraries is June 30, 2006 and the staff person working with those libraries is Patty Lawlor at 1-800-387-5765, ext. 5107 or 

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3. CHARITABLE/CONSORTIA PURCHASING AGREEMENTS (CPA)

SOLS negotiates charitable/consortia purchasing agreements (CPAs) on behalf of SOLS libraries. CPAs are ‘economies of scale’ pricing for the purchase or lease of a range of goods and services.

a) Dell computers

A new consortium purchase agreement has been negotiated with Dell Computers for computer hardware. The new contract will be run from March 31, 2006 through May 31, 2006. There is no minimum order, and no shipping charges apply. The hardware comes with a three-year on-site parts and labour warranty. In some cases, for particular items, prices have been adjusted to provide additional savings. More details about this offer are posted in the CPA section of the SOLS website at: http://www.sols.org/resourcesharing/coolcpa/cpa/computers.htm 

b) Supply order of library materials – deadline March 31, 2006

The staff at Ontario Library Service–North is coordinating a bulk supply order of library materials, including items such as mailing bags, jacket covers, and labels, and they have agreed to extend this offer to libraries in southern Ontario. More information on the various products and prices has been posted in the CPA section of the SOLS website at http://www.sols.org/resourcesharing/coolcpa/cpa/index.htm  under the heading ‘Bulk Supplies - Library Materials’. The prices are shown in lot sizes (e.g. 1000 spine labels at a price of $11.00 per 1000) and the minimum quantity is marked. The prices quoted on the order form do not include taxes or shipping. Once all of the order forms have been received, the staff at OLS-N will attempt to negotiate greater savings. If you are interested in participating in this CPA, the completed form must be returned to Anne Langevin at OLS-North, no later than March 31, 2006. Orders will be sent out in May, and OLS-North will handle all invoices for products, taxes and shipping. If you have any questions, please contact Anne Langevin at 1-800-461-6348, ext. 204.

Further information on all Charitable/Consortia Purchasing Agreements can be found at http://www.sols.org/resourcesharing/coolcpa/cpa/index.htm  or contact Daryl Novak, Director of Operations, at 1-800-387-5765, ext. 5135.

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4. COOL - INFORMATION ON NETLIBRARY’S AUDIOBOOKS

At the end of January, SOLS hosted an AudioBook Demo Day at the Vaughan Public Library. One of the presenters was Michael Aprieto who made a presentation on digital audio books. A copy of the PowerPoint presentation called “Introducing Digital Audio Books Online” made by NetLibrary is now posted in the COOL/Consortium Purchasing section of the SOLS website at http://www.sols.org/resourcesharing/coolcpa/cooldata/product.aspx?prod=80  Please note that this is a new web address than was given in the February issue of Signal.

Libraries who are interested in testing out these books should read the information provided in the “Audiobooks Trial Program Handout”. This is would involve a paid trial period of four months. If sufficient numbers of libraries agree to participate in the program, it may be possible to achieve a discount rate between 5% and 13%. As an expression of interest, those libraries wishing to participate in the NetLibrary should contact Brenda Lewis at the SOLS Toronto office at 1-800-387-5765, ext. 5130 or by e-mail to  .

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5. LIBRARY BOOK RATE INFORMATION

On March 16, 2006, information was sent to INFO Interlibrary Loan Staff regarding the Canada Post Library Book Rate. On March 5^th, Canada Post announced an extension of the current Library Book Rates to January 15, 2007. A copy of the press release was included with the e-mail message to ILL staff. This decision has a number of implications for public libraries mailing interlibrary loan items using Library Book Rate, as are listed here:

• You will eventually be required to use electronic web-based software (called Library Book Shipping Tool or LBST) to create your shipping and return labels for mailing Interlibrary Loan items. By using the shipping tool, libraries will provide Canada Post with the necessary information to sustain the Library Book Rate program.
• Introduced in November 2005, the shipping tool is a way for eligible libraries to prepare and pay for library book shipments in Canada. Using the LBST, libraries can print bar-coded shipping labels from a standard laser or inkjet printer. The postage cost is automatically calculated and printed on the label, and may be paid online via credit card or using a postage meter or stamps at a Post Office. Sending and receiving libraries will also be able to track shipments online.
• Enhancements are planned for April 2006 for the LBST to also generate a pre-paid return label. For now, until the LBST software can generate a return label, libraries can use the pre-paid return mailing label you have been using all along.
• Effective May 1, 2006, libraries will be required to register for a username and password to use LBST by completing the application form found on the Canadian Library Association (CLA) website at http://www.cla.ca/EOE_SCE_Prod/index.htm . Libraries will have until September 30, 2006 to move to one of the electronic shipping tools in order to access the Library Book Rates, otherwise full tariff rates will apply.
•  SOLS will be updating the Library Book Rate information on our website in April and will provide a tip sheet for using the Library Book Shipping Tool labels in conjunction with the address label and packing slip created with the VDX generated shipping report. The tips will include a suggestion for maintaining a record of your postage costs for claiming reimbursement from SOLS. The information will be posted at http://www.sols.org/resourcesharing/INFO/aboutinterlib/announcements.htm 

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6. FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

There are a number of valuable links to “Funding Development Resources” that can be found at http://www.sols.org/links/clearinghouse/fundingdev/index.htm#Grants . The following grants might be of interest to libraries in Ontario.

a) Ontario Trillium Foundation –Next deadline July 1, 2006

Public libraries became eligible for the OTF community program two years ago. Applications for grants for municipal libraries serving small communities (populations of 20,000 or less) must be submitted through the municipality. Applications for grants for county libraries serving small municipalities (populations of 20,000 or less) must be submitted through the County Library Board. Applications for grants for First Nation libraries must be submitted through the First Nation's Band Council. A copy of the application process is posted on the Foundation’s website at http://www.trilliumfoundation.org/OTF-English/new/index.htm . There is also a link to the Trillium website from the main SOLS page at www.sols.org. The remaining deadlines for the 2006 round of applications are July 1 and November 1 – at 5:00 pm on the deadline date.

b) Sarah Badgley Literacy Fund for Ontario Rural Children – Deadline: March 31, 2006

The Rural Learning Association (RLA) is responsible for a funding program for Ontario rural libraries. The fund is named in honour of Sarah Rosalind Badgley, who was tragically killed in an automobile accident on 21 July, 2001. A grant of up to $200 per year is available to a number of rural public libraries in Ontario, and to non-rural public libraries that serve a rural clientele. The grant can be used for a variety of purposes in aid of children's literacy initiatives, including (but not restricted to the following) Book Purchases, Literacy Programs (story hours, guest readers, etc.), Equipment Purchases (furniture, computer software, etc.), Renovations to Children's Areas in the Library, or Seed Money to Obtain Matching Grants. Over thirty libraries have received grants since the Fund's establishment in 2002.

The deadline for applications is Friday, March 31, 2006. Successful recipients will be notified by August 1, 2006. For additional information, please contact Kerry Badgley at (613) 225-2342, ext. 4247 (e-mail badgleyk@inspection.gc.ca ). Further information is also posted on the SOLS website at http://www.sols.org/links/clearinghouse/fundingdev/resources/grantapplications/sarahbadgleyliteracyfund2006.htm

c) HRSDC Summer Career Placements 2006 – Deadline: March 31, 2006

This Initiative provides career-related work experience to students through the provision of wage subsidies to public, private and not-for-profit employers to create summer employment opportunities for students from 15 to 30 years of age (inclusively). More information is posted on the HRSDC website at http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/epb/yi/yep/programs/scpp.shtml . The application deadline is Friday, March 31, 2006.

d) RBC After-school grants – Deadline: May 1, 2006

RBC Financial Group is inviting community-based providers of after-school programs to apply for grants for the 2006-07 school year. In order to qualify for a grant, after-school programs should offer structured, supervised activities in an environment that provides what RBC has termed the 3Ss: safety, social skills, and self-esteem. Programs should also offer activities such as computer instruction, sports, literacy tutoring, music and art lessons, nutrition guidance, and homework-help. Each of the community-based programs selected will receive between $25,000 and $40,000. The deadline for submissions is May 1. For more information, visit: www.rbc.com/community/donations 

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7. SOLS TRAINING WORKSHOPS FOR SPRING 2006 – Registration continues

Registration for the spring workshops is underway. The complete list of spring workshop topics is:

Workshop 1 - The Next Generation in Public Access Computing
Workshop 2 - Who’s on first? Making sense of fundraising roles and responsibilities
Workshop 3 - Know where you are: Understanding your library’s current reality by means of a Situational Analysis
Workshop 4 - Science Fiction and Fantasy: Explore the genre that expands the mind
Workshop 5 - The Other Official Collection: “yes, you can buy that in French!
Workshop 6 - Community Development – Public Libraries at the table
Workshop 7 - Choosing and Using Books for Boys (and Girls)
Workshop 8 - TD Summer Reading Program Orientation

Please note the following change: The SOLS workshop “Choosing and Using Books for Boys [and Girls]”, previously scheduled for London-Masonville on Tuesday, May 30, 2006, has been changed because of a scheduling conflict for the presenter. The new date will be Tuesday, May 23, 2006. Because of the new location at the London-Westmount Branch, we can accommodate additional people. Registration has been re-opened.

Several people have asked for more details on our community development workshop entitled Community Development: Public Libraries at the Table. In 2003, the concept of the library as a partner in community development was the key theme at the Ontario Library Association’s Leadership forum. At the forum, the role of the library staff and board as advocates for community problem solving was articulated. But what does it look like to be a community development partner? Obviously, staff and board need to be present and active with community groups, but what is the nature of community development? In our workshop, Lorna Heidenheim, Executive Director of the Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition, will discuss principles, values and process. There are various types of community development strategies, and partners can contribute through different types of collaborative roles. Providing opportunities to enhance community development will favour libraries whose management and trustees understand the principles and process.

A number of ESAO workshops called “Dealing with a Difficult or Angry Person” have also been arranged in eastern Ontario – in French and English. There is a fee to cover the cost of the workbook ($10 plus GST). If you plan to attend these workshops, to ensure that there are enough workbooks, please register with . The remaining dates and places are as follows.

• Thursday, March 30th - Bonnechere Union Library at Eganville - from 10 am to 2 pm (in English)
• Monday, April 10th - Bibliothèque publique du canton d'Alfred Plantagenet, Succursale Lefaivre - from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (in French).

Further information about all SOLS workshops is posted on the SOLS website at http://www.sols.org/librarydev/training/clinicsworkshops/index.htm 

To register, please use the specific registration form for each workshop as provided on the SOLS Training page, at http://www.sols.org/librarydev/training/clinicsworkshops/index.htm. Maps for each of the training venues will also be available, by a web link, within the registration forms.

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8. TRUSTEE COUNCIL MEETINGS – Scheduled for April – May 2006

Trustee Councils meet twice a year 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, in chronological order, are as follows. Further information is posted under “Networking Opportunities” at http://www.sols.org/librarydev/networking/trusteecouncils/index.htm 

Trustee Council 6 – Saturday, April 22, 2006 from 10am to 1pm, - Tyendinaga Township

Trustee Council 7 – Saturday, April 22, 2006 from 10am to 1pm - Pembroke Public Library (This meeting will be followed by one offering of Workshop #2, entitled “Who’s on First? Making Sense of Fundraising Roles and Responsibilities” that is being run at Pembroke from 1:30pm to 4:30pm. Registration for that workshop is being handled separately at  )

Trustee Council 3 – Monday, April 24, 2006 from 6pm to 9pm - Shelburne Public Library

Trustee Council 1 – Saturday, April 29, 2006 from 10am to 1pm – Norfolk County – Simcoe Branch

TC #2 (Escarpment) – Saturday, April 29, 2006 from 9am to noon (new time) - Oakville Public Library, Central Branch (This meeting will be followed by one offering of Workshop #2, entitled “Who’s on First? Making Sense of Fundraising Roles and Responsibilities” that is being run at Oakville from 1:30pm to 4:30pm. Registration for that workshop is being handled separately at  )

Trustee Council 8 - Saturday, April 29, 2006 from 10am to 1pm - North Grenville Public Library- South Gower Branch

Trustee Council 5 – Saturday, May 6, 2006 from 10am to 1pm – Kawartha Lakes – Lindsay Branch

Trustee Council 4 – Tuesday, May 16, 2006 from 6pm to 9pm - Barrie (with an OLBA teleconference)

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9. FIRST NATION PUBLIC LIBRARIES’ SPRING GATHERING 2006

The southern Ontario First Nation public libraries’ Spring Gathering, traditionally held in southern Ontario in late April, is incorporated, for 2006, into a First Nations Public Libraries’ conference being held in North Bay from May 9-12. The conference program includes:

• the Ministry of Culture’s second Dialogue day with Ontario’s First Nations public library community (the first day took place in Fall 2005);
• an information and training program developed by a planning committee of First Nation librarians from across Ontario;
• meetings of both the southern Ontario First Nation Public Libraries’ Committee and the northern Ontario First Nation Libraries’ Advisory Committee.

Program and registration information for this conference organized by Ontario Library Service-North and SOLS, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture is available at: http://www.olsn.ca/conferences-first-nations.php  or contact: Patty Lawlor, First Nations Consultant, at 1-800-387-5765, Ext. 5107 or .

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10. LIBRARY COMMITTEE MEETINGS – Spring 2006

SOLS provides an opportunity for library staff members to meet and discuss issues of common interest. This spring, the clinic connected to the Library Committee meetings will revolve around book-based programming. Meeting agendas will be posted in early April on the SOLS website at http://www.sols.org/librarydev/networking/librarycommittee/index.htm .

The next round of Library Committees will be held as follows:

Monday, May 15^th – Collection Assessment Clinic for the Prescott-Russell area libraries (Comité des services en français) at the Russell Public Library
Monday, May 29^th - Saugeen area libraries at the Meaford Public Library
Monday, May 29^th - Peterborough area libraries at the Keene Branch of the Otonobee-South Monaghan Public Library
Wednesday, May 31^st - Simcoe-Muskoka area libraries at the Ramara Public Library
Wednesday, May 31^st - Leeds and Grenville area libraries at the Prescott Public Library
Thursday, June 1^st - Renfrew area libraries at the Greater Madawaska Public Library (Calabogie)
Monday, June 5^th – Hastings-Northumberland-Prince Edward area libraries at the Tweed Public Library
Tuesday, June 6^th - Lanark area libraries at the Carleton Place Public Library
Monday, June 12^th – Regular meeting of the Prescott-Russell area libraries (Comité des services en français) at the Clarence-Rockland Public Library

In addition, there are two networking opportunities in April for library staff working with children and youth.

• The Rideau Children’s and Youth Services Special Interest Group will meet at the Petawawa Public Library on Thursday, April 6, 2006 in the morning. There will be a time of sharing of summer program ideas and interesting books recently read.
   
• Children's Services Staff in the Orillia area are invited to attend the “Beyond the Eensy Weensy Spider - A Networking/Sharing Day” on Friday, March 31, 2006 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Orillia Public Library is hosting a day for Children's Services staff to get together and share their programming secrets. Each attendee is asked to bring their five favourite books, songs, fingerplays or other programming successes to share. Coffee and tea will be available, and a light lunch will be served at a cost of $5.00 per person. To reserve a place, call Kelly Smith at 705 325-2559 or e-mail childrens@orilliapubliclibrary.ca .
  

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11. SOLS RECEIVES GRANT TO SUPPORT FIRST NATION PUBLIC LIBRARIES’ STRATEGIC PLAN (FNPLSP) IMPLEMENTATION

SOLS has received a grant of $35,000 from the Ministry of Culture’s Library Strategic Development Fund 2005/2006. The grant proposal was developed in consultation with and submitted on behalf of the FNPLSP Implementation Committee. The funding will support the training and resources needed to empower all librarians working in Ontario’s First Nation public libraries to participate in the presentation of a strong, consistent advocacy campaign to their Chiefs, locally, and First Nation leaders, potential funders, and other stakeholders regionally, provincially and nationally. More information about the project will be available following the FNPLSP Implementation Committee’s meeting in April.

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12. TD SUMMER READING PROGRAM 2006

The 2006 TD Summer Reading program theme is "Quest for Heroes", which includes community heroes, family heroes, heroes in myths and legends, modern heroes - the whole works!! The illustrator for the 2006 TD Summer Reading program will be Martha Newbigging. Martha Newbigging has illustrated six children’s books, including Research Ate My Brain: The Panic-Proof Guide to Surviving Homework, written by the Toronto Public Library (Annick 2005), Attack of the Killer Video Book: Tips and Tricks for Young Directors, written by Mark Shulman and Hazlitt Krog (Annick 2004) and Archers, Alchemists and 98 Other Medieval Jobs You Might Have Loved or Loathed, written by Priscilla Galloway (Annick 2003).

Sample clip art for this program has now been posted on the SOLS website at http://www.sols.org/marketing/summerreading/clipart/index.htm 

Distribution of the materials is still scheduled for the week of April 10th. The packages of support materials should be ready about the same time.

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13. EXCEL REGISTRATION – Deadline: May 12, 2006

EXCEL is a training program in managing a small public library or a community branch library, specifically designed for public library staff or volunteers who have little or no formal library training. It also provides an opportunity to upgrade library skills and management techniques, within a flexible and practical program. It is offered, in both English and French, through the Southern Ontario Library Service and Ontario Library Service-North, as a correspondence program with telephone tutors.

For the Summer 2006 semester, we are offering these courses in English:

• Introduction to Public Libraries
• Information Services (revised)
• Collection Development for Children
• Professional Development

For the Summer 2006 semester, we are offering these courses in French:

• Introduction aux bibliothèques publiques
• Développement des collections pour enfants (2006) - révisé

The registration deadline is Friday, May 12th. The course material will be shipped to students beginning on Tuesday, May 23rd , with the semester commencing during the week of June 5th. Information about the EXCEL program, as well as a registration form, is posted at http://www.sols.org/librarydev/training/excel/registrationinformation.htm.

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14. SOLS PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS NOW AVAILABLE ON-LINE

In 2003, SOLS staff produced two informative publications. These publications are part of the “Library Development Guide” series of information items. One copy of each of these publications was distributed to every public library in southern Ontario. We are pleased to announce that these two Library Development Guides are now available on-line and are posted in the publications section of the SOLS website at http://www.sols.org/publications/index.htm .

The first guide, Strategic Hiring: A Guide to Staff Recruitment, while written primarily for the CEO's of small and medium sized libraries, is intended to be used by staff in all sizes and types of libraries as they deal with the staff recruitment process. The intent of the guide is to coach staff through the process, not to provide a template. The guide links recruitment for any library position to the library's overall strategic plan, and encourages strategic thinking about staff recruitment and how it relates to overall library. This publication is posted at http://www.sols.org/publications/strategichiringrecruitmentguideseptember2003.pdf ,

The second guide, Coaching for Service and Success: A Guide to Performance Feedback, is intended to coach CEOs and library supervisors through the performance appraisal process. Again, it is not meant to be a template, but describes and outlines an approach to performance appraisal. It introduces best practices and manageable strategies for improving employee performance, and fostering a strong service commitment. This publication is posted at http://www.sols.org/publications/coachingforserviceandsuccessseptember2003.pdf

In addition to the posting of those two publications, presentations have been added to the “SOLS Authored presentations” of the “Publications” section of the SOLS website at: http://www.sols.org/publications/index.htm .

• Building Philanthropy: fundraising programs any library can do that will create donors. (ppt) Presented by Rob Lavery CFRE, Resource Development Consultant, SOLS, at the OLA Superconference 2006 (session 1017)
• Please Mr. Postman: starting a direct mail program for your library.  (ppt) Presented by Ann Andrusyszn, Development Officer, Barrie Public Library and Rob Lavery CFRE, Resource Development Consultant, SOLS, at OLA Superconference 2006 (session 1709)
• Charting New Territory: the Library Board’s Role in Planning and Budgeting for a Successful Future (OLA Superconference 2006)  Presentation by Anne Marie Madziak, SOLS Consultant .(ppt) and Presentation by Debra Jackson, CEO Haldimand County Public Library .(ppt)

For the first two presentations, a link has also been added to the “Funding Development Resources” page of the “Joint OLS-North/SOLS Clearinghouse” at http://www.sols.org/links/clearinghouse/fundingdev/index.htm 

For the third presentation, a link has also been added to the “Strategic Planning Resources” page of the “Joint OLS-North/SOLS Clearinghouse” at http://www.library.on.ca/links/clearinghouse/strategicdev/index.htm 

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15. SOLS BOARD SUMMARY – MARCH 2006

Financial Review of the Ontario Library Services Agencies -Ministry of Culture engaged Grant Thornton to conduct a financial review of SOLS and OLS-North this fall. Findings and recommendations were submitted to the ministry and the final report was released in confidence to the Board in February. Ministry staff attended SOLS’ March Board meeting to review the recommendations and the Ministry’s response to each. The Deputy Minister also provided a brief overview of the key recommendations at the OLA conference which include:

• Recognition of resource pressures
• Interlibrary loan capital and operational needs
• Regular review of interlibrary loan delivery
• Enhanced ministry/agencies communications
• Meeting agency requirements for delivering First Nation consulting needs.

Ministry staff were optimistic that the report would be released to the community in the next few weeks.

SOLS’ Board Size - At the September Board meeting, the Board initiated a review of its size and composition with a goal of reducing expenses. While the Board has already reduced frequency of meetings to three (saving $5,000 per year), it is also considering a proposal to reduce Board size to thirteen (effective 2008) which would save a further $5,000 per year. Such a reduction would mean that most Trustee Councils would have only one elected representative on SOLS Board where they currently have two. As part of its consideration of this question, the Board decided that the matter should be discussed with the Trustee Councils themselves. It will be added to the agendas for the spring meetings.

Assurance of Funding – Fundraising - SOLS’ Board launched its 2006 campaign to solicit individual donations for SOLS’ Innovation Fund. The campaign will run throughout the spring and will build on the success of last year’s campaign through which we raised over $14,000 for the Innovation Fund. The intent of this fund is to allow us to take advantage of new products and services that can be offered to our libraries. Last year, we were able to provide subsidies for library participation in the shared ebook collection. Our plan this year is to continue this subsidy for libraries under 15,000 population and First Nations libraries. We encourage individuals and libraries to make a donation by clicking “Support SOLS” on our website.

Patricia Waters-Holst Resigns

Patricia Waters-Holst tendered her resignation after a short tenure on SOLS Board. Her resignation leaves a vacancy for the two years remaining in this Board term. An election will be held at the Trustee Council 7 meeting in April to fill this vacancy.

Operations Planning Quarterly Update

An update on SOLS’ services is available at http://www.sols.org/aboutsols/reports/index.htm.

Next Board Meeting

The next meeting of SOLS’ Board is scheduled for Saturday June 3, 2006 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at SOLS’ office in Toronto.

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16. MESSAGE FROM LAUREY GILLIES, SOLS CEO - CHANGES IN RESPONSIBILITIES FOR LOUISE GODBOUT-LEGAULT & CLAIRE-MARIE PAQUETTE-FINLAY

As you know, this year SOLS was faced with a budget cut that resulted in significant downsizing and organizational changes. Some of these changes included the reduction of resources committed to French translation. Further to suggestions made by staff members who were directly affected, I am pleased to announce additional changes that should streamline and improve SOLS French Language Services.

Effective immediately, Louise Godbout-Legault will assume the role of French Language Services co-ordinator. Louise will take on responsibility for consulting with the seven francophone libraries in Prescott Russell, and the fourteen libraries serving francophone clients across southern Ontario. This will allow for greater flexibility in service provision by eliminating a set time allocation for translation and another for consulting. Louise will be up to date on all issues affecting francophone libraries and all libraries serving francophone clients.

Claire-Marie Paquette-Finlay will take on responsibility for the Anglophone clients formerly handled by Louise (libraries in Lanark and Renfrew counties), including co-ordinating library committees and trustee councils in those areas. Claire-Marie will continue to be responsible for updating the French version of the EXCEL course, Electronic Information Resources, and will serve as back-up to Louise during absences.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Daryl Novak at 1-800 387-5765, ext. 5135 (or by email ) or Barbara Franchetto at 1-800-387-5765, ext. 5104 (or by email  ).

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17. 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. This month, the following messages were sent:

• On March 3rd, Sue Walls sent a message regarding a bulk supply order of library materials, such as mailing bags, jacket covers, labels, etc. which is being coordinated by OLS-North for libraries across Ontario. Further information is posted in the CPA (Consortium Purchasing Agreement) section of the SOLS website at http://www.sols.org/resourcesharing/coolcpa/cpa/index.htm  
   
• On March 15th, Daryl Novak sent a message about a SOLS Staff meeting being held on April 5^th and 6^th. Details on service adjustments for that period are included in this newsletter.
   
• On March 16th, Daryl Novak sent a message regarding the appointment of Brenda Lewis, one of SOLS' Resource Sharing Assistants, who will be devoting some of her time and energies to assist with the CPA program including working on the renewal of expiring CPAs and handling the Sagebrush maintenance renewal for participating libraries.

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

All issues of SIGNAL can be viewed online at http://www.sols.org/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 at:  or by telephone at 1-866-380-9767.