Carole Medal

Experience: Executive Director, Gail Borden Public Library District, 2004 – Present; Division Chief, Chicago Public Library, 1999 – 2004; Executive Director, Rolling Meadows Library, 1984 – 1999; Director of Adult Services & Circulation, Rolling Meadows Library, 1980 – 1984; Reference Librarian, Barrington Area Library, 1979 – 1980; Technology Supervisor, Schaumburg Twp. District Library, 1979; Assistant Director of Children’s Services, Elk Grove Village Public Library, 1976 – 1977.

Education: Master of Library and Information Science, Indiana University; Certificate of Business Administration, University of Illinois (UIC); Master of Music, University of Illinois (UIUC); Bachelor of Music Education, Millikin University.

Professional Activities: ILA member, 1979 – present; ALA member, 1978 – present; PLA member, 1994 – present. ILA Best Practices Committee, 2004-2006; ILA Public Policy Committee, 2000-2003; ILA Conference Committee, 2002; ILA Advocacy Day Task Force, 2001-2002; ILA Illinois Information Advantage Task Force, 2001-2002; ILA Conference Presenter, 2000 “Creating a Popular Library” and 2006 “The Library As A Destination.” ALA Election Committee, 2000-2003; ALA Conference Local Arrangements Committee, 2000; ALA Library Tours Chair, 2000; PLA Business Council, 1994-1998. North Suburban Library System Director’s Advisory Council, 1993-1997; NSLS Regional Library Advisory Council Executive Board, 1985-1988; NSLS Reference Librarians Association Executive Board, 1982-1984. Cooperative Computer Service Executive Board, 1988-1991; President, 1989-1990. Night Owl Reference Service, Inc. Executive Board, 1995-1999. Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations Board of Directors, 1998. Suburban Libraries United for Regional Planning President, 1995-1996. Library Administrators Conference of Northern Illinois (LACONI) Vice-President and President 1996-1998; LACONI program presenter, 2005 “Community Partnerships” and 2007 “Innovative Services.” American Association for Women in Community Colleges Presenter, 2007 “Leadership and Risk.” Library Journal Design Institute Panelist, 2007.

Statement of Concern:
There are many challenges facing the 21st century library today. But one thing is for certain – a library must be relevant to people’s lives if it is to be successful and, more importantly, if it is to survive. Every library in this state has issues it must work through whether it be lack of proper funding, technology “catch-up”, pesky censorship issues that would attempt to divert attention from the real work at hand, and the most dangerous of all, apathy. Overcoming these problems that would attempt to erode service, causing libraries to become irrelevant, is not an easy task. But with the help of our Association, we can gather strength, knowledge, and energy. Advocacy is absolutely key to the success of our libraries and our Association takes the leadership role. Illinois is a strong library state and this is due to a strong Illinois Library Association. Our members have worked tirelessly to achieve this goal but the work is far from over. We need to continue to have a powerful and diverse membership, an attentive and active voice in Springfield, a vehicle for continuing education, a forum for sharing our ideas and practices, and the leadership to achieve outstanding success. Yes, the challenges facing our libraries are great, but I don’t believe they are insurmountable. Working together in a strong association, carrying a unified message and helping each other realize the goal of quality library service throughout Illinois, we will experience positive results.

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