Illinois Library Association
Vol. 8, Issue:  24| September 2, 2015
State Budget Crisis Continues
The worst state budget crisis in Illinois history continues.  While a comprehensive 2016 spending plan has not been adopted, a combination of court orders, executive decisions and continuing appropriations have essentially already obligated 100% of anticipated state 2016 revenues.  The effect of this spending trajectory is that the state will simply run out of money early next year.  More specifically, library grant programs are not currently funded, and it is therefore very possible that the state will not have the funds to make any grant payments for fiscal 2016.

In an attempt to prevent a state government shutdown, the democrats in the Illinois General Assembly attempted to pass Senate Bill 1229; a bill that would require arbitration if Governor Rauner and state workers reached an impasse in contract negotiations.  Governor Rauner vetoed the bill arguing that it weakened his ability to get concessions from union workers.  While the Illinois Senate voted to override the governor's veto, the Illinois House of Representatives failed to get the supermajority required to override.  One democratic legislator, Rep. Ken Dunkin (D-5, Chicago) was absent.  The Speaker of the House, Mike Madigan, stated that if Rep. Dunkin had attended, the override of the Governor's veto would have succeeded.  The democrats' failure to override the veto on Senate Bill 1229 is a victory for the Governor.  If contract negotiations eventually result in a State worker strike or lockout and State government shuts down, however, it is likely the democrats will feel vindicated for trying to push this legislation.

It now seems clear that the Governor lacks legislative support for his agenda, and the democrats lack the ability to enact significant legislation over the Governor's veto.  No negotiations are scheduled between the opposing parties and both sides seem content to allow the impasse to go on indefinitely.  The Senate is scheduled to be in session one day next week, but the House will not return until September 24. 
Make Space for Failure
Beck Tench @ A Library State of Mind

Beck Tench is a simplifier, illustrator, storyteller, and technologist.  Formally trained as a designer and journalist, she has spent her career helping people and organizations of all types to embrace risk-taking, creativity, and change.  Beck has learned that small things add up to big things over time, especially change.
 
Beck will headline the Friday General Session, October 23 at 4:00 p.m., with her keynote "Librarians in Space:  How to make space, find courage, and take risks in your life and library."
 
What would you do, if on the first day your job your director told you that if you didn't fail, she or he would be disappointed in you?  How would you fail on purpose?  Fail productively?  Fail without shame?  Beck will share her experience of being told exactly that on July 7, 2008 and what she did before, during, and after to come to a place where failure, risk, and change - while still scary - are possible in her life and work.  Whether or not your director encourages failure as a goal, it is a reality for the change that libraries need to make.  Learn how to make space for it, use it, and be changed by it.
 
Before her keynote, Beck will present "How to Write Morning Pages" at 1:30 p.m. This session is a hands-on and participatory practice session on reflective writing and how to develop a morning ritual where you incorporate writing into your everyday work/life.  Attendees should bring a notebook or paper and a pen or pencil.
 
Janice Sherman Named Illinois Library Luminary
During her thirty-six-year career, Janice Sherman's mission was to raise people's expectations of what libraries can do and be; and then, to exceed those expectations.  As the director of the Morton Public Library, Sherman spent her career building not only a better library for her community, but inspiring her staff and colleagues.  One of her signal accomplishments was designating the library as a collection point for lost documents scattered by the 2013 tornadoes in Illinois.  For full bio and more information on Illinois Library Luminaries, click here.
Job Opportunities
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.  
Book Ban in Venice Ignites a Gay Rights Battle
To read this article, please click here.

Furor Over Raunchy Book: "Comedy of Errors"
To read this article, please click here.

Wheaton Council Hears Library Plan to Update Existing Space
To read this article, please click here.

Obama Foundation Begins Search for Chicago Library Architect
To read this article, please click here.

Piano, Jahn Among Architects Vying for Obama Library
To read this article, 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

Libraries of Illinois Risk Agency (LIRA) is a group insurance pool for ILA institutional members that offers potential savings for property, casualty, and workers compensation coverage for libraries. Click here to learn more.


The Fund for Illinois Libraries was created in 1990 to help Illinois libraries in their fundraising efforts.  

 

The purpose of the fund is to enable libraries to receive gifts from individuals or organizations that can only make donations to 501(c)(3) charitable organizations. 

 

For more information, please click here.



Got A Job?  Advertise on ILA's Jobline 
Check out the latest jobs on Jobline.

As the employment picture improves, competition by employers for the best candidates is increasing.  Since 1981, the Library Jobline of Illinois has been used by hundreds of employers and job-seekers throughout the state, helping match needs and skills in the library community.  It is designed to help you locate qualified staff to fill current positions by announcing your job openings to a wide audience of library and information professionals and support staff. 
  • Individual posts are only $100
  • All posts appear on the ILA website for 30 days
  • New posts are listed within 48 hours of receipt of your listing
  • Job posts are advertised in the ILA E-Newsletter
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CALENDAR
ILA Calendar Events

October 20, 2015 
Deadline for December 2015 issue of the ILA Reporter.

Guidelines for Submissions to the ILA Reporter.

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