As the recipient of Illinois Library Association's 2010 Hugh C. Atkinson Memorial/DEMCO Award, Vandella Brown has been recognized for her outstanding service to libraries and librarians in Illinois.  Brown was instrumental in developing the Illinois State Library's Diversity Program, which presents nearly forty programs each year.  Her work with ILA's Cultural and Racial Diversity Committee has been instrumental in broadening the association's reach, awareness, and membership.  She was one of founding mentors of Synergy:  The Library Leadership Initiative, and has worked with libraries to present cultural heritage events in their communities.  Brown has served as the Illinois State Library's ILLINET-OCLC Services director, director of the East St. Louis Public Library, and on the staff of the Columbus Metropolitan Public Library (Ohio) and the Memphis/Shelby County Public Library (Tennessee).  She received her Master's Degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Iowa.  In 1977 she received recognition for her research contributing to Alex Haley's Roots, the television series.  In 1997 her article, "African American Fiction:  A Slamming Genre," was published by the American Library Association, and she is the author and contributor to several books including Celebrating the Family:  Steps to Planning a Family Reunion and Writing and Publishing:  The Librarian's Handbook.

The roster of Illinois Library Luminaries continues to grow with seventeen illustrious members, all of whom have been honored with at least $1,000 in contributions to the ILA Endowment.  This campaign to honor Illinois library leaders and build the ILA Endowment began in 2008 and has now raised more than $30,000 in contributions.  Please visit the ILA Web site for more information on how to submit a nomination or add your contributions to current fifteen honorees or make a contribution to honor any of the following nominated outstanding individuals:  Alphonse F. Trezza, and Sylvia Murphy Williams.  Many thanks to all the generous donors to date!

2011 ILA Annual Conference

October 18-20, Rosemont

ILA is delighted to announce that Emmy-award winning comedian Paula Poundstone will close the 2011 ILA Annual Conference

on Thursday, October 20, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont.  A strong supporter of libraries, Poundstone serves as national spokesperson for the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations (ALTAFF), a division of American Library Association.

Says Poundstone:  "It's funny that we think of libraries as quiet demure places where we are shushed by dusty, bun-balancing, bespectacled women.  The truth is libraries are raucous clubhouses for free speech, controversy and community.  Librarians have stood up to the Patriot Act, sat down with noisy toddlers, and reached out to illiterate adults.  Libraries can never be shushed. If you haven't been to your library lately, you're overdue."

The 2011 Conference Program Committee asked for great program proposals and you answered!  The committee has received 133 program proposals and will be meeting to review them at the Schaumburg Township Library District on February 3.  Program organizers will be informed of their program's status following that meeting.

The Illinois Library Association (ILA) has received a federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant from the Illinois Secretary of State/Illinois State Library (ISL) to research and recommend effective, efficient service models for cooperative library services.  Focusing on services that are most important to patrons, delivery of library materials will be the first priority to be addressed.  LSTA funds are provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS); IMLS is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 123,000 libraries and 17,500 museums.

ILA will conduct research into best practices, drawing on successful delivery structures in states such as Wisconsin, Colorado, and others.  Over the course of the coming year, ILA will work with the regional library systems, the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois, and others to develop a workable approach to delivery and other priority services identified in the 2010 Future of Illinois Library Cooperation (FILC) report.

"ILA and its members are investing significant time and energy in developing constructive responses to recent state level financial conditions and their impact on library services," said ILA President Gail Bush.  "Making sure that patrons can access materials is key to controlling costs in the long run, and we will work closely with the system restructuring groups and others to ensure both equity and excellence in redesigning statewide cooperation."

"Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White has said that prompt, efficient delivery of library materials to patrons is his foremost priority," said ISL Director Anne Craig.  "This grant will be used to explore delivery service models." 

An advisory group of ILA members will work with ILA staff and consultants on the project, which has a completion date of January 30, 2012.

• All CPL locations will receive at least 2 ADA accessible computers, additional desktop computers and any location which does not currently have laptop computers for public use will receive 4 laptops; 
• A Computer Commons area, comprised of more than 140 computers each, will be created at both the Woodson and Sulzer Regional Libraries to meet the needs of patrons.  This addition will nearly triple the number of computers presently at each regional library.
• YOUmedia, the Library's innovative digital learning space for teens, will be expanded to the Thurgood Marshall (Englewood), Rudy Lozano (Pilsen) and the new Richard M. Daley (West Humboldt Park) branch libraries.  YOUmedia in the neighborhood locations will serve both middle school and high school youth.