Beverly J. Obert

Experience: 2005—present, Executive Director of the Rolling Prairie Library System, Decatur. 1994—2005, Library Development Coordinator at Rolling Prairie. 1987—1994, Director at the Mt. Zion District Library, Mt. Zion. 1982—1987, Head Librarian (3 years) and Assistant Librarian (1 year), Atwood-Hammond Public Library District. Taught one year at the Amboy Junior High School, Dist. 272, as a Vocal and Instrumental Teacher.

Education: M.S. in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (1987). B.A. in Music Education from Western Illinois University, Macomb (1971). Illinois Teachers Certificate in Music K-12.

Professional Activities: Member of ILA for over 20 years; served on the 2003 Conference Committee and on the Nominating and Awards Committees. Member of ALA for over 20 years; with memberships in PLA, AASL and ASCLA. Member of the Illinois School Library Media Association (ISLMA) for over 12 years; served on Conference Committee as Chair of Local Arrangement subcommittee. Reaching Forward South Conference for Support Staff Planning Committee, 1996—2004. Chair of the Illinois State Library Construction Grant Committee, 2006—2009. Member of Steering Committee for the Institute for School and Public Librarians, sponsored by the Illinois State Library and held at Bradley University, 1994 to present. Delegate to OCLC Members Council, 2007—2009. Member of Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Book Award Steering Committee member, 1994—2005. Member of Atwood-Hammond Public Library District Board of Trustees, 1997—2005. Served as President of the Board, 2003—2005. Author of Capturing Readers with Children’s Choice Book Awards: A Directory of State Programs, with Patty Barr. Linworth Publishing, Fall 2004.

Statement of Concern:
ILA’s mission is to “provide leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library services in Illinois and for the library community.” The Association has been successful in this mission. However, libraries in Illinois and in the nation are facing challenges daily on issues of funding, intellectual freedom, technology, and diversity in their communities. To help libraries meet these challenges, ILA must continue to be a strong advocate in Springfield for libraries of all types. The Association must strengthen ties to the other library associations within Illinois: the Illinois School Library Media Association; Academic, College and Research Libraries; Illinois Special Library Association; and others. Illinois libraries have a long history of working together toward common goals. This is the Illinois advantage. ILA must work to bring all types of together to continue providing quality library services to all residents of Illinois.

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