Is this the End . . or just the beginning?

On February 6, the Friends held a general meeting in the library’s board room. Invitations were mailed out to over 100 Friends members the week before, explaining that the purpose of the meeting was to evaluate the past, current and future of the Friends group. The library director, Bob Harris, was also encouraged to invite the heads of various library departments to this meeting.

After reviewing what the Friends have done and are doing, we discussed what Friends should be doing in the future, and how we were going to provide the volunteers to do it. The discussion was thoughtful,passionate, and honest. A special follow-up meeting with these same people and members of the library staff was held the following Monday, and the group’s recommendation to the Friends board was that the Friends should be dissolved and remaining funds be donated to the library for funding summer reading programs.

This may come as a surprise or disappointment to many of you who have been loyal and active members of Friends for many years. But the fact is this: we have not kept evolving as our society has changed. The task of modifying Friends, with its current structure, is overwhelming. Volunteers are few. By ending this Friends organization, we are providing the opportunity for a new and stronger support group, more reflective of our community and the needs of the library, to replace what we are now. As hesitant as many of us were to even discuss this possibility at first, we were excited by what possibilities lie ahead.

written by Friends of the Library President Barb Madigan

Job & Career Search Strategies

Tuesday, June 5, 2012, 7-8:30 pm.
Learn strategic & targeted strategies to help you seek and find the right job or career.
Networking is the #1 strategy for finding your next job or career opportunity. Are you LinkedIn? Learn about employment agencies and recruiters in your search.
Karen Evertsen, a Talent Acquisition Leader for AT&T, Allstate, Motorola, etc. will share her passion and recruiter expertise.
FREE. To register, call Adult Services: 630-627-0316

Click the blue button to be taken to our programs page. We have lots of great offerings for adults of all ages and interests. Check back often because we are always adding new things! Patrons must register for programs unless otherwise noted. Avoid disappointment by registering in advance. Regrettably, we must cancel events with fewer than the minimum number of registrants. Please register for programs by calling the Adult Services Department or stopping by the Helen Plum Library.

Extended Internet Use

The Helen Plum Library is pleased to announce the Adult Services Department now provides extended internet use to HPL cardholders.

Cardholders may use the internet up to four hours per day, unless others are waiting. This extended service was made possible due to our recent expansion to twenty-four internet terminals.

Not sure which electronic devices to choose for your holiday shopping list? The array of gadgets can be mind-boggling! This program will give you the chance to get your hands on e-readers, tablets (think iPad), netbooks and other electronic devices. A PowerPoint presentation will also give an overview of devices and their capabilities.

Using Google Places for your Small Business

Find out how you can use Google Places to publicize your products and services! Come Tuesday, June 26th at 7pm. Please register either in person at Adult Services or by calling 630-627-0316.

May Workshops IL-SBDC/Duman Entrepreneurship Center at JVS Chicago

How Labor & Employment Law Impacts Small Businesses' Bottom Line
Our labor & employment law system is a complex network of state, federal & local laws. It is really difficult for small businesses to understand & relate to the agencies that enforce these laws. By understanding how our labor & employment laws regulate the workplace, a business owner can save a great deal of money on legal expenses and time spent away from operations.
Presented by Charles A. Krugel, Human Resources Attorney & Counselor; Labor & Employment Law on Behalf of Management.
Sponsored by the Small Business Jobs Act.
Thursday, May 17, 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
JVS Chicago, 216 W. Jackson, Chicago, 2nd Floor Training Room.
FREE. Register here.

Starting A Small Business In Illinois
This workshop will acquaint you with the basic procedures for opening a business in Illinois. You will also receive information designed to answer your questions about the legalities, regulations, and requirements of operating a small business.
Sponsored by Citi Community Development.
Thursday, May 24, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Skokie Public Library, First Floor Book Room, 5215 Oakton, Skokie
FREE. Register here.

Advanced Social Media Marketing for Small Business
In this advanced workshop, we'll cover: share buttons, hashtags, branding, event marketing, pay per click & classified ads, coupons, check-ins, deals, and bookmarking & sharing sites. Learn about various free tools to enhance your pages and how to post across multiple platforms. Implement the technology that's available today and make money while you sleep! So bring your laptops or tablets and let's get busy!
Presented by La'Shon Anthony of visuals4u, an independent marketing consultant to small businesses.
Sponsored by Citi Community Development and the Small Business Jobs Act.
Wednesday, May 30, 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
JVS Chicago, 216 W. Jackson, Chicago, 2nd Floor Training Room.
FREE. Register here.

Business Cards

A BUSINESS CARD can be obtained by owning a business within the boundaries of the Library District, which are essentially the same as that of the Village of Lombard. Circulation staff can verify your address (630) 627-0316 or check this map for eligibility. The business owner must present a letter, on company letterhead, stating the desire to have a business library card. The library card will be opened in the business's name with the company's top administrator being responsible for all account activity. The library card is good for three years.

The Business Collection

Helen Plum Library's business collection includes books (print, audio and electronic), periodicals, newspapers (print and online), databases, and web sites.

Searching for books, both print and audio, can be done by title, author or subject (business topic) in the online catalog.
e.g.: Subject terms - management, new business, entrepreneurship, etc.

Reference ebooks can be found in the Gale Virtual Reference PowerSearch. Click "Research" on the library homepage and scroll to "General Reference." Resources include encyclopedias for management and small business, business plan examples, marketing campaigns, e-commerce, and more.

Searching for downloadable ebooks and eAudiobooks? They are found in Overdrive under "Business and Careers" click the Overdrive button below to search the ebook and eaudiobook collection.

Click the Newspaper logo for a full listing of all the Business and Economics Newspapers and Magazines the library carries.

Check out our business book selection!

STAFF TO HELP YOU
Librarians in the Adult Services Department are ready to guide you to the various sources of business information in person or through these other methods:
Telephone: 630-627-0316
Email: