News from Illinois Library Association

Issue: # 27

August 25, 2009

Dewey Author Vicki Myron to close conference

The Early Bird deadline for the 2009 ILA Annual Conference is Friday, August 28. Don't miss your opportunity to save money by registering early. The Conference Preliminary Program, containing a complete listing of conference events and programs, is available on the ILA Web site.

This year's conference closes with the Illinois Authors' Luncheon, featuring Vicki Myron, author of Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World. Dewey is the heartwarming story of a library cat, as told by Myron, the Spencer, Iowa, library director who found him on a frigid January morning when he was abandoned as a kitten in the book drop slot. It is also the story of a small town suffering the effects of the farm crisis of the 1980s. Dewey was a roguish cat who managed to transform an entire town and inspire people across the globe.

Myron was born on a farm fifteen miles from Spencer, Iowa. At the age of 34, after a divorce, single motherhood, and a stint on welfare, she graduated summa cum laude from Mankato State University, and later earned a master's degree in library studies from Emporia State University. She worked at the Spencer Public Library for 25 years, 20 as director. In her book, Myron captures the essence of libraries and communities as only an insider can. Dewey shot to the top of the New York Times Bestsellers List, and Myron's story is about to be made into a feature film starring Meryl Streep.

A book signing will follow the luncheon, and copies of Dewey will be available for purchase.

The Illinois Authors' Luncheon is also a perfect opportunity to honor your local authors. For more information on sponsoring an author, please contact ILA Conference Manager Cyndi Robinson.

Conference Update
The 2009 ILA Conference Program Committee has announced a program change and program addition for this year's conference in Peoria.

The program "Twenty-Three Things to Go Green" has been replaced with "Energy Efficiency Finance Program: Helping Illinois Libraries Go Green." The program will be held Friday, October 9, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The ILSDO Theme for 2009 has been Libraries Going Green. Much has been said about ways to "go green," however, the costs of making changes to facilities is often far more that the cost of the inefficient use of energy. The Energy Efficiency Finance Program is designed for non-profits, like libraries, to help them finance energy upgrades to realize long-term utility savings. Moderated by Pamela K. Kramer, DuPage Library System, the program will feature speaker Terry Stark, National City (PNC) Bank.

An additional program, "Library System Standards Revision," has been added on Friday, October 9, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The Illinois library system standards are under revision. Libraries and library technology have changed dramatically since the original system standards were developed. What are the key system services that are needed by libraries now? An update on the committee's work will be followed by ample opportunity for discussion. Speakers include David Carlson, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and Anne Craig and Kathleen Bloomberg, of the Illinois State Library.

Please Check the List for Your Free 2010 iREAD Resource Guide

As previously announced, the 2010 iREAD Resource Guide and CD will be distributed free to all Illinois public libraries in October 2009. The Resource Guide will be produced and distributed free with funds from the 2009 Barack Obama Commemorative License Plate sales.

ILA would like to distribute the Resource Guide to the correct person in your library's youth services department. Please check this revised list and submit any corrections to kristy@ila.org, with the subject line item 2010 iREAD. The libraries appear alphabetically in the list.

The 2010 iREAD Catalog will be included in the October 2009 ILA Reporter. In the fall, if you want to order additional copies of the 2010 iREAD Resource Guide, the cost is $25 and orders may be placed on the ILA Web site or by mail or fax.

New Exhibit "Libraries and the First Amendment" Available Exclusively for Libraries

To highlight the important role libraries play in enabling First Amendment freedoms, the McCormick Freedom Museum designed the new exhibit Libraries and the First Amendment exclusively for libraries.

Created in partnership with the ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom, the unique exhibit examines four critical issues where libraries become First Amendment battlegrounds: challenging ideas, access to information, protecting children, and controversial gatherings. The exhibit is built around a framework of posters, labels, feedback boards, and computer interactives.

Libraries and the First Amendment is a free service to libraries and is a low cost method for engaging visitors in discussions about intellectual and personal freedom. For more information about becoming an exhibit host, visit www.FreedomInLibraries.org or e-mail Libraries@FreedomMuseum.US.

Mississippi Valley Library District Selling Magnetic Library Ribbons for Cars, etc.

The magnetic library ribbons measure 8" and say, "Support Illinois Libraries." They sell for $1 each for amounts of 100 or more. $1.25 each for smaller amounts. Shipping will be extra or you can pick them up at the MIssissippi Valley Library District (408 West Main, Collinsville, IL 62234; phone: 618.344.1112 ex. 113; fax: 618.345.6401).

Please contact Barbara Rhodes and send her your name, library (if applicable), address, and phone number. Indicate if you would like the ribbons shipped or if you will pick them up.

The Mississippi Valley Library District will be selling these ribbons to the public for $2.00 each as a fundraiser.

Reaching Forward Report -- September 2009

Sally Schuster, Addison Public Library

Reaching Forward is looking forward to its 20th conference, which will take place on Friday, April 30, 2010, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, 5555 North River Road, Rosemont. The committee is hoping to make this a very special day with a combination of new programs and best-of-the-best speakers from past years.

Because of the variety of programming available throughout the day, Reaching Forward makes a great staff in-service day. Everyone has an opportunity to learn about areas of library service that directly touch their own jobs. If your library is considering this option, there is still plenty of time to suggest program topics that address specific issues your staff would find valuable. Contact Tobi Oberman or Cyndi Robinson to discuss programs and other ways to make Reaching Forward work for your library's in-service option.

The committee had its first meeting in August to begin planning for 2010. The process for selecting programs begins with a general list of topics, many of which were suggested by attendees at the 2009 conference. These suggestions were made on the evaluation form that many of you submitted. In addition, committee members suggest topics. This year the list includes authors, staffing, children's programming, general programs, 'tweens, adult readers' advisory, adult technology, and hot topics.

After that, it is time to narrow in on which of the many suggestions will work and to determine who can speak about that particular topic. This step will take place at the next meeting in September.

One of the goals of the committee is to have two or more programs from each of the general topics. For some library departments, like children's, it is easy to find new and different programs each year. For others that is much more of a challenge. For example, technical services seems to be one of the most difficult program areas for finding new topics and interesting speakers each year.

The committee is always willing to consider suggestions for programs and speakers. To make it as easy as possible, there is a form on the Reaching Forward Web site that you can complete. New ideas make the Reaching Forward Conference what it is.

We also welcome new members to the committee. If you are interested in that, there is a form on our Web site, or come to the next meeting on September 25 at 10 am at the Addison Public Library, 4 Friendship Plaza, Addison.

In the News

Sincerely,

Robert P. Doyle
Illinois Library Association

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