Briefs: Library stars shine

Eight North and Northwest suburban libraries won awards Friday from the North Suburban Library System -- in recognition of exceptional contributions to library service, library advocacy efforts, and innovative partnerships. Library of the Year: the Lake County Discovery Museum Library, Wauconda; Academic Library Staff Member award: Jane Malik of the Oakton Community College library, Des Plaines; Innovation Award: the Gail Borden Public Library District in Elgin; Library Trustee of the Year: Kathy Caudill of the Ela Area Public Library District, Lake Zurich; School Library Staff Member: Erin Wyatt at Highland Middle School, Libertyville; the Lifetime Achievement Award: Eugenia Bryant, Glenview Public Library, Glenview; Public Library Staff Member of the Year: Vivian Mortensen, Park Ridge Public Library, Park Ridge and Special Library Staff Member: Mary Vogel, Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe. Headquartered in Wheeling, the NSLS is an organization of 650 academic, public, school, and special libraries in parts of Cook, Kane, Lake and McHenry counties.

Harper player sentenced

A 20-year-old Schaumburg man and former football player at Harper College in Palatine was sentenced to boot camp after he pleaded guilty Monday to four armed robberies. Ramond Jacobs, of 2601 Briar Trail, admitted that over the course of five days in August, he robbed four convenience stores in Arlington Heights, Palatine, Rolling Meadows and Schaumburg. In each case, authorities say Jacobs brought a low-priced item up to the cash register and brandished a small, semiautomatic handgun as the clerk opened the till.