Illinois Library Association
Vol. 6, Issue:  9| February 21, 2013
ILA's Quick Response Team Determines Positions on New Key Bills

 

When new bills are introduced during the legislative session that need an immediate official position by the association, the ILA Quick Response Team consisting of the ILA president, ILA past president, ILA president-elect, chair of the Public Policy Committee, and the ILA executive director provides that guidance to our legislative consultant.  The Quick Response Team reviewed the bills listed below and made the following determinations: 


Senate Bill (SB) 1614 
Senate Sponsor: 
Sen. Ira I. Silverstein (D-8, Chicago)
ILA opposes this legislation because of the substantial chilling effect it would have on the exercise of First Amendment free speech rights.  The legislation would essentially prohibit anonymous Internet posting of comments.  It is a violation of the First Amendment to require detailed disclosure of personal information in order to join a public debate.  The bill also imposes a burdensome obligation on all website administrators to handle requests to take down posts, police all comments, and follow the direction of a requester to remove the post regardless of whether such a request is reasonable or not.  

Senate Sponsor:   Sen. Ira I. Silverstein (D-8, Chicago)
ILA opposes this legislation because of intellectual freedom concerns.  It is certainly appropriate for a judge to exercise discretion in prohibiting a particular convicted felon from accessing the Internet.  SB 1619 takes away that judicial discretion and imposes a statewide blanket prohibition on an entire class of persons accessing social networking sites on the Internet. The definition of social networking is so broad that it encompasses sites which might appropriately be blocked by a judge, but also sites which should be accessible including those that might assist in finding work or for educational advancement.  

and Keith Farnham (D-43, Elgin)
ILA opposes this legislation because it would impose the public body duty to comply with Freedom of Information requests on private not-for-profit and charitable organizations simply because some members of the private group are public bodies.  These bills infringe on the right of private groups to freely associate, and would be a tremendous administrative burden and cost for private associations such as ILA to comply.

Senate Sponsors:  Sen. Daniel Biss (D-9, Skokie) and Sen. Pamela J. Althoff (R-32, McHenry) 
ILA supports this legislation because it increases access to public university and community college research.  The sponsor has committed to work with public higher education institutions and ILA to craft final legislation which provides for the most cost efficient and least burdensome method of achieving greater access to the fruits of public university research.  This legislation fits well with the mission of public universities, community colleges, and ILA to promote public access to information.

ILA in cooperation with Chicago Association of Law Libraries (CALL), a chapter of American Association of Law Libraries (AALL), endorses the introduction of the Uniform Electronic Legal Material Act (UELMA, SB 1941). As more official government information is made available in an electronic format, that information must be authentic, reliable, and consistent.  This legislation provides the framework for ensuring that the transition to electronic formats maintains the traditional expectation that the information is genuine and can be relied upon.

ILA supports this legislation because it provides additional flexibility to all local public bodies to invest in municipal bonds.  Currently only counties and municipalities have this flexibility, and the legislation would expand the authority to all other units of local government including public libraries. Municipal bonds are safer and provide a better taxpayer return for the investment than other already permitted investment options.

ILA is seeking Illinois School Library Media Association's  (ISLMA) recommendation regarding this bill.  ILA will follow ISLMA's decision, but is likely to oppose the legislation because it could result in a direct reduction in school library funding.

The deadline date for the introduction of Senate bills was February 15.
The deadline date for the introduction of House bills is February 26.

ILA will continue to monitor, determine positions on any new bills, and issue a call for your action when appropriate.
Lynn M. Hammerlund Is the Newest Illinois Library Luminary

As a longtime Algonquin Area Public Library District (AAPLD) trustee and board president, Lynn M. Hammerlund has had an enormous impact on her community.  A library professional as well as volunteer, Hammerlund is an associate professor and member of the library staff at Judson University. From passing referenda to construct Algonquin's main library and renovate a branch to eight successful annexations, she earns high praise from AAPLD Director Lynn Elam.  "Selfless in the pursuit of excellence, Lynn is a role model for library workers and volunteers," says Elam.  "She has and continues to play a key role in the greatness of Illinois libraries.  Lynn is truly one of those library people who are often overlooked, but who has accomplished much for her university and for her community."

  

Illinois Library Luminaries honor those who have made a significant contribution to Illinois libraries and whose supporters make a contribution of at least $1,000 to the Illinois Library Association Endowment on their behalf. This honor roll for Illinois libraries serves the dual purpose of recognizing outstanding voices in the library community, while creating a legacy through the ILA Endowment to continue their important work.  Please click here to see all twenty-six current luminaries.

Reference Services Forum Seeking Speakers for Adult Reading Program Panel

If you are interested in speaking on a panel about what you are doing with your adult summer reading program at your library at the ILA Annual Conference in October, please click to get in touch with Maggie Thomann by Feb 27 via e-mail, by phone at (847) 825-3123, or on Facebook at http://bit.ly/fbRSFila.  This is a great way to get involved professionally by speaking on a subject you are knowledgeable or passionate about, and we welcome your participation.
Submit Your 2014 iREAD Ideas!
The theme for the iREAD 2014 program is Paws to Read.

Work has already begun on the 2014 Resource Guide, and we need all of your great ideas to share with other librarians around the world who use the iREAD theme.  Each idea submitted helps strengthen the resource guide for everyone.  Please click here to submit the form with your theme related ideas, or e-mail us at [email protected].  The deadline for submissions is February 28, 2013.   

In the News 
Library-related stories appearing in local news media are reflected in this section of the ILA E-Newsletter.  The intent is to alert and inform the Illinois library community about issues and events that are considered significant by the general media. 

Aurora Library Taking Action to Halt DVD Thefts
To read this story, please click here
 
Challenging Chapter for Yorkville Library

To read this story, please click here.
 

Suburban Libraries Go Digital, Add Services
To read this story, please
click here.     

 

New Database to Improve Lincoln Library Offerings     

To read this story, please click here.

Palatine Library Ready for Upgrades to Begin     

To read this story, please click here. 
 

Strategic Plan Provides Guide to Improve Services at Quincy Public Library    

To read this story, please click here. 
 

Longtime Edwardsville Library Director Retiring   

To read this story, please click here. 
 

Is Carol Stream Library Board on Verge of Selling Kuhn Property?    

To read this story, please click here. 
 

Vernon Area Library to Close for Renovations    

To read this story, please click here.

Waukegan Library Literacy Suite Reopens After Expansion Project
To read this story, please click here.

If your library has a newspaper story with link, send it to us at [email protected] for possible inclusion in the next ILA E-Newsletter.  Thanks
Sincerely,
 

Robert P. Doyle
Illinois Library Association
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CALENDAR
April 20, 2013
Deadline for June issue of the ILA Reporter.

Guidelines for Submissions to the ILA Reporter.

March 23, 2013
Trustee Workshop, Springfield, Ill.

April 26, 2013
ILA Executive Board, 10:00 a.m., CARLI, Champaign, Ill.

May 8, 2013

2013 National Library Legislative Day
Hotel Reservation Deadline March 29, 2013

June 14, 2013
ILA Executive Board Meeting, 10:00 a.m., ILA, Chicago

ILA Calendar Events
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