The ILA Executive Board met at the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI) in Champaign with an agenda heavily dominated by legislative matters.  The following is a very brief update:

ILA is tracking 150 library-related bills.  Friday, 15 April was the third reading for all substantive bills in both chambers, i.e., in order for a bill to advance, it must leave (pass) its respective chamber and be sent to the other chamber.

The Two ILA Sponsored Bills Are Progressing on Schedule

House Bill (HB) 177 clarifies that the paper copy of a library card application is not a public record once that information is entered into an electronic format and checked for accuracy.  Currently, these paper copies must be stored for two years.  This legislation will save libraries the cost of collecting, managing, and storing these extra paper copies.  Sponsor:  Representative Joseph M. Lyons (D-19, Chicago).  Status:  HB 177 passed the Illinois House of Representatives on 24 February 2011 by a vote of 108-000-000.  It was referred to Senate Assignments Committee and will be considered after the Illinois General Assembly returns from their recess.

House Bill (HB) 179 makes several changes in library laws requested by ILA members.  It removes an outdated reference in the municipal code that involves the calculation of the reimbursement to libraries in residential tax increment finance districts.  It allows public libraries under the Local Library Act to file their Illinois Public Library Annual Report (IPLAR) within sixty days of the end of the fiscal year like library districts, rather than the current thirty days.  It also provides more flexibility for local libraries, library districts, and systems to secure insurance rather than a personal bond on the treasurer.  This provision doesn't require libraries to change their current practice, but does allow an alternative that could be less costly and provide greater protection from loss of funds.  Sponsor:  Representative Dan Reitz (D-116, Sparta).  Status:  HB 179 passed the Illinois House of Representatives on 24 February 2011 by a vote of 109-001-000.  It was referred to Senate Assignments Committee and will be considered after the Illinois General Assembly returns from their recess.

Other bills discussed concerned intellectual freedom, pensions,  Live and Learn, Workers' Compensation, Open Meetings Act, Freedom of Information Act, Consolidation, Concealed Carry, and Municipal authority.  For the latest information, please click here. 

The Board also took action on the following matters: 

• Reviewed the association's financial statements and reaffirmed its long standing commitment to build and maintain unrestricted assets;

• Followed ILA Fiscal Policy # 6051 by transferring funds into the long-term investment program; and 

• Inducted John W. Berry as an Illinois Library Luminary and approved Hugh C. Atkinson candidacy as an Illinois Library Luminary.  

• Reaching Forward:  Annual Conference for Library Assistants, Friday, 6 May 2011 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont; 
• National Library Legislative Day, Tuesday, 10 May 2011, Washington, D.C.;
• 2011 ILA Annual Conference at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, October 18 - 20, 2011; and
• 2011-2012 Committee Appointment Process.  If you have committee recommendation(s), please click here to send an e-mail to incoming ILA president Lynn Elam.

Twenty-three participants -- including representatives from Illinois library systems, merger teams, Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI), Illinois School Library Media Association (ISLMA), and ILA -- met in Champaign on April 14 to share information and work jointly on the Effective and Efficient Service Models for Delivery project.   

The all-day meeting reviewed current status of materials delivery around the state in the wake of the merging northern and southern systems, Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) and Illinois Heartland Library System.  The diverse group included system directors, trustees, delivery staff, and library directors, all committed to continuing and improving resource-sharing and delivery to benefit library users, while exploring best practices and models from industry and library delivery services in other states.   

The working group is drafting a planning approach to guide transition models in FY2011, FY 2012, and beyond.  Please click here for additional information on the project.  Information will be posted in future ILA E-Newsletters and will also be shared in a session being planned for the ILA Annual Conference, October 18-20, 2011.

Helene Blowers

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

Davis Cup Award

Golden Ticket Award

This annual award is presented to an individual who has made an outstanding local contribution in library services to young people in his/her community by creating and implementing library programs that promote a love of literature and instill positive feelings about libraries.

Nominations for all ILA Awards are due May 15, 2011.  Nominating someone for an ILA Award has never been easier!

Submit your nomination form and all supporting documentation via the ILA Web site.  No service should go unrecognized, so toot your own horn or tell us who you think is the best!

If you have any questions about the ILA Awards, please contact the ILA office at (312) 644-1896, or ila@ila.org.