Dianne Happ

Experience: Youth Services Librarian, Lakeview Branch, Peoria Public Library, 1994- present; Reference Librarian, Bradley University Cullom-Davis Library, 1995-present; Children’s Literature Instructor, Bradley University, 2006-present. Reference Librarian, Alpha Park District Library, 1993-1994. Serials Librarian, Caterpillar Technical Information Center, 1993.

Education: M.S. (GSLIS), University of Illinois, 1994; M.A., Bradley University, 1990; B.A. Bradley University, 1988.

Professional Activities: Memberships: American Library Association; Illinois Library Association; Illinois Reading Council-Illinois Valley Chapter; Beta Phi Mu, Library & Information Science Honor Society. Committees: Steering Committee Member: Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award, 1998-present; Prairie State Award Committee, 2006-present; Illinois Reading Council Board Representative, Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award, 1999-present; Public Relations Committee, Cullom-Davis Library, Bradley University, 2005-present. ILA Conference Presenter: 2000, Peoria, IL, “Innovative Programs;” 2002, Chicago, IL, “Catching Families;” 2005, Peoria, IL, “Recipes for Success;” 2007, Springfield, IL, “Recipes for a Song;” 2008, Chicago, IL, “Recipes You Can Count On.” Presenter: IRC, 2007, Springfield, IL, “Going to the Dogs: Readers and Dogs Meet in a Library-Animal Shelter Reading Program;” NEA, 2007; “Relying on Old Favorites for Your Classroom,” Bloomington, IL.

Statement of Concern:
What better way to begin strengthening the Illinois Library Association than by encouraging colleagues from around the state to attend the annual ILA conference! The ILA Conference provides our greatest opportunity to network, to reconnect, to participate in resource and technology sharing, and, in many instances, to problem solve with colleagues statewide. While the ILA conference offers a starting point, involvement is essential and continually sought within the many facets of the ILA in order to perpetuate the unity of our organization as well as to promote our collective voice and stature in Illinois.

By enlisting a practical approach, my concern is to bring a greater emphasis on the ILA conferences to increase enthusiasm and attendance. Engaging and communicating with our counterparts throughout the state during these venues, we have the ability to create greater momentum when addressing larger, challenging concerns such as advocacy for our profession, our libraries, our communities, our education systems, and our vision for the future of Illinois multi-type libraries.

My second area of concern centers on becoming “fast followers” by developing an awareness of professional organizations sharing parallel interests with ILA, to identify conference strategies and successes. By doing so, we stand to enrich the ILA conference by showcasing a greater number of celebrated authors, creating new programs, and presenting workshops that have been met with success. Make it fun, make it practical; members will follow.

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