News from Illinois Library Association

Vol. 4, Issue: # 5 February 24, 2011

Seventeenth Attempt to Mandate Statewide Filters

On Tuesday, Representative Michelle Mussman (D-56, Schaumburg), introduced House Bill (HB) 2889, which would amend the Illinois Local Library Act and the School Code requiring (i) filtering technology on all library or school computers that blocks Internet materials that are harmful to minors, including without limitation obscene or sexually explicit matter; (ii) disciplinary measures for violators; and (iii) a component of Internet safety to be integrated into a library's or school's technology programming.

The blocked materials in this proposed legislation is very broad since it requires filtering of all sexual material even material legal as to minors.

We are asking the Illinois library community to immediately contact your Representative.

Talking Points
ILA supports local control. Local officials -- library trustees, librarians, and other professional library staff -- are the most qualified to decide how Internet access should be provided to their patrons. House Bill 2889 overrules all local decisions and imposes a "one size fits all" approach. It is especially important that school and public libraries, which have installed filters to call. While this bill would not impact your operations, please state your opposition to the bill and stress the importance of local control!

Filters Hurt Libraries
This legislation is an unfunded mandate that overrides local control.

Filters Don't Work
Study after study has demonstrated that filters consistently block important information on science, health, political, and social issues and regularly allow objectionable material to get through. This creates new liability for libraries.

Filters are Expensive
Paying for filters diverts scarce resources from limited technology budgets -- money that could go to buying more computers, and paying for more reliable and faster Internet access.

Filters are Inflexible
Filters don't know if the person using the computer is 5, 21, or 65. This "one size fits all" approach treats adults, even senior citizens, like elementary school children. The user doesn't even know what they are being prevented from accessing. We can't expect patrons to ask to unblock computers when they don't know what that particular filter has blocked.

Filters are Biased
Private companies and groups with commercial, political, or religious agendas design filters to block what THEY find objectionable, including political candidates, social causes, basic health information, and even information on their own product's faults.

Filters Hurt the Poor
Less-wealthy communities are the most in need of technology because more of their patrons lack these resources at home. This legislation forces less-affluent areas to choose between filling this need or spending money just to block access.

Finally, the Illinois library community has been a leader in promoting Internet safety and supports all efforts particularly funded efforts in promoting Internet safety.

Start calling now.

Stephen Abram's Question of the Day

"My real concern is that the Netflix subscription model where I can have unlimited access to all films on the service for a simple, inexpensive monthly fee. Do you think Apple, Amazon, B&N, Google Books, or whomever could set up a similar model for some or all e-books? What would that mean to libraries if our key readers move to that model which is less than the cost of the gas or parking to visit the library?"

Honor Your Local Authors at the Conference

Michael Cunningham, Photo: Richard Phibbs

The 2011 Illinois Authors' Dinner will be held at the Intercontinental O'Hare Hotel on Tuesday, October 18, as part of the 2011 ILA Annual Conference. Michael Cunningham, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Hours, will be the featured speaker.

The Illinois Authors' Dinner is an opportunity to honor our local authors. Libraries are encouraged to sponsor an author at the event. Authors will receive a complimentary one-day conference registration on Tuesday, October 18, be recognized in the dinner program, and introduced at the event.

Visit the ILA Annual Conference Web site for more information on how your library can sponsor an author.

Sylvia Murphy Williams Inducted as Luminary

Sylvia Murphy Williams

Sylvia Murphy Williams, former ILA President and director of the Dundee Township Public Library, was a visionary leader whose impact on Illinois libraries was profound. Her untimely death in 2003 prompted the formation of the Sylvia Murphy Williams Scholarship Fund that continues to support Illinois recipients of the ALA Spectrum Scholarships. Sylvia graduated from DePaul University in 1983 and received her graduate degree in 1993 from Dominican University's Graduate School of Library and Information Science. She began working at the Dundee Township Public Library District in 1995 and previously worked at the Palatine Public Library District (1990-1995) and DePaul University (1980-1990). She joined ILA in 1993 and was active on both the Membership Committee (1997-1999) and Cultural and Racial Diversity Committees (1999-2000) before being elected Vice-President/President-Elect in 2001. When she assumed the presidency in 2002, she made it a priority to fight against legislation that would constrain intellectual freedom and privacy. She was also a member of the American Library Association and Public Library Association. Sylvia was a special mentor, a colleague, and precious friend to many. She was radiant. She was so full of life and excitement about her family and her profession that she always graciously welcomed and encouraged others. Her vibrant personality, great sense of humor, and stunning sense of style are still sorely missed.

The roster of Illinois Library Luminaries continues to grow with eighteen 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 eighteen honorees or make a contribution to honor any of the following nominated outstanding individuals: Alphonse F. Trezza, John W. Berry, and Nancy R. John. Many thanks to all the generous donors to date!

Register Now!

Registration is open for the 2011 Reaching Forward Conference, which will be held Friday, May 6, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont.

Helene Blowers

The keynote address, The Experience of Play, will be presented by Helene Blowers, Director of Digital Strategy & IT for the Columbus (Ohio) Metropolitan Library. In addition to a full schedule of programming, the conference will also feature a series of author conversations.Confirmed authors include: Terra Brockman, Norm Cowie, Rachel Singer Gordon, Libby Fischer Hellman, Kate Hannigan Issa, James Kennedy, Rita Jean Moran, Robyn Okrant, and Bob Schwartz.

Please visit the Reaching Forward Web site for the full conference schedule and to register.

Support Staff Recognition Awards

Nominations are being accepted for two prestigious support staff awards. Don't miss this opportunity to recognize outstanding performers at your library!

The Doyle Award was established in 1999 in honor of ILA Executive Director Robert P. Doyle, to encourage support staff attendance at the Illinois Library Association Annual Conference. This award is open to all support staff working in all types of libraries. The winning recipient will receive a one year membership in ILA as well as full registration and expenses up to $800 to attend the 2011 ILA Annual Conference.

The Oberman-Rich Award was established in 1995 and is sponsored by the Reaching Forward Conference in honor of Tobi Oberman and Tom Rich, both of whom were instrumental in developing the nationally recognized Reaching Forward Conference. This award recognizes the contributions of a support staff member to the library community and to the role of support staff in libraries. The winning recipient(s) receive free registration to the Reaching Forward Conference, $50.00 for expenses, and a framed certificate.

Click here for more information on the awards and to submit a nomination. Nominations are due March 31.

In the News

If your library has a newspaper story with link, send it to us at doyle@ila.org for possible inclusion in the next ILA E-Newletter. Thanks.

Sincerely,

Robert P. Doyle
Illinois Library Association

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