Thank you for your support and encouragement of PALS over the years. All of us at PALS are grateful for the opportunity to serve you, and we cherish all the great memories. On this last day of operations for PALS, you may be wondering: What happens tomorrow, when RAILS launches?

Throughout the past twelve months, as representatives from ALS, DLS, MLS, NSLS and PALS have worked on the merger, maintaining member services has been a top priority. So on RAILS’ first day of operations tomorrow, we will strive to provide the same level of service to which you are accustomed.

Congratulations to the Davenport Public Library. DPL’s Eastern Branch Library received an Honorable Mention in Library Journal’s “Landmark Libraries” list. LJ's top ranking went to the Poplar Creek Public Library in Streamwood, a Chicago suburb.

This week, the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (ALTAFF), a division of the American Library Association (ALA) honored two Chicagoland library trustees for their distinguished service.

Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White has approved the merger of five northern and central Illinois library systems. The new Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) is slated to begin on July 1, 2011. The merging Illinois library systems are: Alliance Library System (ALS), DuPage Library System (DLS), Metropolitan Library System (MLS), North Suburban Library System (NSLS), and the Prairie Area Library System (PALS).

The slate of nominees for the RAILS Board is now available. Please join me in thanking those who have stepped up to run for the RAILS Board. Wish you had been included? There is still time get your name on the ballot. Starting tomorrow, Petitions for Inclusion will be available at the merger Web site. Voting will take place online May 27 - June 10.

PALS and the other systems have received a second fiscal year 2011 payment. Combined with our earlier $793,406 reimbursement, this $269,827 payment means PALS has now received 47 percent of our total state allocation for FY 2011. About three-quarters of the way into FY 2011, systems are getting closer to where we need to be, in terms of state reimbursements. Many thanks to all of our PALS members and supporters for your effective advocacy!

Librarians across the US face unprecedented client demands. At the same time, they are also coping with the recession, which has led to deep budget cuts for libraries nationwide. As librarians address these challenges, it is inspiring to see articles that affirm the value and impact of librarians and their continuing role in improving the quality of life for people of all ages.

Last Tuesday, the PALS Board passed a motion in support of continuing delivery for Iowa PrairieCat participants. Thanks to efforts by Board member Charlet Key from Black Hawk Community College, the Merger Transition Board passed a similar motion last night. This measure affirms the new merged system’s intention to continue support for PrairieCat in the future, including cost-recovery delivery to Iowa PrairieCat participants. For more, please see the systemsmerger Web site.

Looking for new ways to demonstrate your public library’s value? Scope out “A Gift Worth Its Weight in Gold,” a free report from ICMA, the International City/County Management Association. See the review at the “M-Word” blog for more.

As we proceed with the merger, writing the new system’s Area Per-Capita (APC) grant application will be a key project. The APC will outline the merged system’s fiscal year 2012 budget. It is due on 1 June 2011.

Last week, the Illinois State Library issued the FY 2012 APC application packet. Since the APC instructions cover points of concern to our members, I’m attaching a copy, along with these comments:

1) System membership. Current ALS, DLS, MLS, NSLS and PALS members will automatically become members of the new system. During FY 2012, ISL and the systems will write a single set of membership criteria for use across Illinois.