May/June 2000

Once you have determined that the book or article is not owned by Parkland Library - first always search the Library’s computer catalog, check the Library’s periodicals holdings list, or see if the article is available full-text online - you can then fill out one of the Library’s Interlibrary Loan Request forms. It is also advisable to consult with one of our reference librarians to see if you’ve overlooked something. And if you have a fast-approaching deadline, a librarian may be able to help you find alternative information to avoid the delay of waiting for interlibrary loan material to arrive.

Fill out the ILL forms completely, accurately, and legibly. Inaccurate information or illegible handwriting can delay the ILL process. Give the form to a librarian who will use a variety of electronic databases to determine what library to send the request to. We first try to request interlibrary loan items from Illinois libraries, but if they’re not available within state, we’ll send the requests to out-of-state libraries as well. ILL requests are transmitted electronically, through fax, and sometimes even the old-fashioned way - via the U.S. mail. Allow seven to ten (sometimes longer) business days for processing. You will then be notified when your item has been received by Parkland Library, and it will be placed on hold for you to pick up at the Circulation Desk.

There is no cost to you for interlibrary loan service. ILL costs are paid with Parkland Library funds. However, keep in mind that ILL is not "free." National studies show that on average interlibrary loan costs $29 per request with the costs split between the borrowing and lending libraries. These costs include staff time of both the libraries, postage/shipping, ILL fees that some lending libraries charge, materials used to ship the items, copying costs, etc.

Parkland Library’s interlibrary loan service is available for our students, faculty, and staff. Community Borrowers are not eligible, and they should obtain these materials through their public libraries. Parkland Library will request materials related to coursework, research and Parkland job-related information needs. Parkland Library reciprocates by lending our materials to other libraries throughout the country.

So the next time you think a book or an article is out of your reach, talk to one of our reference librarians and see if interlibrary loan might be a service that will benefit you.

 Technical Services Librarian since 1983, Ken has labored with an excellent and hard-working staff to automate and digitize all the Library’s records allowing the creation of the computer catalog and the circulation system, a process that began as long ago as 1976. The end result? Parkland’s library holdings are now available over the Internet and catalog cards are history.

Following study at Florida State University, the University of Paris, and the University of Illinois, Ken became one of the "founding faculty" of Parkland College, beginning his teaching career in September 1967 as French Instructor, then Co-ordinator of Foreign Languages. He remembers well the early, enthusiastic days when the College was a fledgling institution housed in a former grocery store, downtown churches, and other assorted buildings. "It was an exciting time being part of a brand new college. We all felt we were part of an extraordinary event in the life of our community," he remembers.

Ken was attracted to foreign language study as a result of having lived abroad as a child. In fact he once lived in Cuba ... before Castro. His work in French took him to France on a Fulbright Grant where he spent an academic year teaching in a French lycee on the Riviera, improving his fluency in French, serving as organist in the local "temple protestant," and becoming an accomplished oenophile.

After thirty-four years of service to Parkland, Ken is retiring in May and plans on trying an "experiment in country living." He is purchasing a home and acreage in Washington County, New York, not far from Bennington, Vermont, a neighborhood he knows well from having spent vacations there for some thirty years. He enjoys travel (a legacy of foreign language study and growing up in a Navy family), gardening, reading, playing the piano and organ (he’s been the organist of the Ogden Christian Church for 30+ years--until the tornado leveled it), cooking (he worked as barman, waiter, and manager in a French restaurant in Bordeaux for several summers), and staying fit--at Gold’s Gym! Come summer, Gold’s Gym will give way to mountain hikes at the Merck Farmland Center (Vermont) and long walks in the country around his new home.

§§  Janet Wilkinson and Nancy Bode attended the Illinois State Library’s "On the Front Lines" conference, March 13 and 14, in Springfield. Nancy also participated in an interlibrary loan workshop at Lincoln Trail Libraries System later that month.  
§§  Cliff Bishop and Anna Maria Watkin attended the Illinois Association of College and Research Libraries (IACRL) annual conference in Matteson. Rich Blazier, Chair of Parkland’s Natural Sciences Department, was a member of the panel discussion during the pre-conference.
§§  Ray Bial’s book, The Pueblo, was selected by Western Writers of America as a finalist in the category of Best Western Juvenile Nonfiction.  
§§  Megan Lotts’ art exhibit, "Figurative Illusions," was featured at the Illini Union Art Gallery during the month of March.  
§§ Anna Maria Watkin, a member of Amasong, announced that the women's chorus received two Gay/Lesbian American Music Awards (GLAMA) for their new CD Amai.

The first meeting of the Library Advisory Team was held in April. Membership of the Team consists of a representative from each of the College’s academic departments, student services, student government, and the library director. Topics discussed included: support for distance learners, collection development, and library improvements. The Team shall meet once a semester and as needed.

May 3 & 4 - Ray Bial is scheduled to present workshops entitled "Copyright and Intellectual Property." The workshops are through Parkland’s Center for Virtual Learning, and more information may be obtained through their office, 351-2287.

May 8 - Retirement Reception for Ken Strickler, 1-3 p.m., Gallery Lounge.

May 8-12 - Free coffee available in the Library during Finals Week.

May 11 - Anna Maria Watkin and Julia Hough are scheduled to present "Using Parkland Library's Webpage" at the Lifelong Learning Institute’s "Lunch Break" program at Robeson Hall. This program is free and open to all - no registration necessary. More information on this talk may be obtained through the Institute at 351-2544.

May 15 - Beginning mid-month, Cliff Bishop, currently a reference librarian, will be adjunct Technical Services/Electronic Resources Librarian for the next academic year. He may be contacted after that date in R210, 351-2272.