Mary Marshall, Addison Public Library

Davis Cup and Golden Ticket Awards
The Youth Services Forum announced the winners of the Davis Cup Award and the Golden Ticket Award at the ILA Conference Youth Services Breakfast.  Vince Sovanski, Youth Services Manager of the Glenside Public Library District, was chosen as this year’s recipient of the Davis Cup Award.  The Davis Cup Award honors an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to library services to young people within her/his community and beyond.  To qualify for the Davis Cup Award, nominees must be members of ILA, have a Masters in Library Science, and participate in organizations both within and outside of their communities. ABDO, the sponsor of the award, presented the traditional Davis Cup silver bowl and a cash prize to Vince.

Vince has been Youth Services Manager of the Glenside Public Library District since November 1994. He has been extremely active in the ILA Youth Forum, including serving as chair, and as a member of IREAD for eight years, including chair for two terms.  The Awards Committee chose Vince as the recipient of the Davis Cup because of the time and effort he has expended in his roles in ILA Youth Forum and IREAD, his energy and creativity in serving children in his library, and his commitment to bettering the field of children’s services throughout Illinois.

Elsie Martinez, Youth Services Librarian at the Zion-Benton Public Library, was chosen as this year’s recipient of the Golden Ticket Award. The Golden Ticket is awarded to an individual who works directly with children and has made an outstanding local contribution in library services to young people in his/her community by creating and implementing library programs that promote a love of literature and instill positive feelings about libraries.  Quality Books, the sponsor of the award, presented Elsie with a one-year paid membership to ILA and a cash prize.

Elsie has been a staff member at Zion-Benton Public Library for five years. The Awards Committee chose Elsie as the recipient of the Davis Cup for her project, “Around the World in Books-A Journey Connecting Cultures through Stories,” which was funded through an LSTA grant that she received. The project was to increase the awareness of different cultures of the world for a group of 4th-6th grade students at Shiloh Park Elementary School, a school with a culturally diverse student body.

Members of the Youth Forum Awards Committee include Carol Brockmeyer (Daugherty Public Library District), Angela Green (Alliance Library System), Melissa Henderson (Glencoe Public Library), Pam Kramer (DuPage Library System), Kelly Laszczak (LaGrange Public Library), Portia Latalladi (Chicago Public Library, Garfield Ridge Branch), Jody Long (Barclay Public Library District), Sarah Schroeder (Oak Lawn Public Library), Michele Wyss (Forman Valley Public Library), and Mary Marshall, Chair, (Addison Public Library).

Meet the New Youth Services Forum Manager
Jennifer Bueche, Youth Services Librarian of the Gail Borden Public Library (Elgin) is the 2009-2010 manager of the Youth Services Forum. She has been involved in the Y.S. Forum since 2005.   Jennifer, a U of I graduate, currently serves as the Assistant Director of the Youth Services Department at the Gail Borden Library District in Elgin.   Listed here are five “fun” facts about Jennifer, things to assist you in getting to know her:

1. As a youngster Jennifer loved reading and participating in the “Battle of the Books” program, now she runs the program.
2. After her adventurous life at the information desk of Elgin Community College, providing directions and loaning pool cues, Jennifer longed to become a librarian.
3. Jennifer hopes to become a Citizen of the Crown by consuming lots of Cadbury chocolates.
4. Jennifer loves travelling and tries to find unusual places to visit, including the Loch Ness Monster exhibit in Scotland and the Kremlin during the era of the Soviet Union.
5. Jennifer enjoys getting to know Youth Services librarians from around the state through her involvement with the Y.S. Forum. She would enjoy meeting you at the next Y.S. Forum meeting!  She hopes to see you there.

New Forum and Award Committee Members Needed
Would you like to be more involved in state wide issues for youth services librarians?  The ILA Youth Services Forum needs a few good people to serve on the Forum Board.  The Youth Services Forum meets approximately four times each year: once at the ILA conference, one or two times at a mid-state location, and one or two times through an online program. Youth Forum members make suggestions for ILA conference programs, serve on committees for the ILA conference, plan spring workshops, and work on special projects of interest statewide to youth services librarians.  If you are interested in serving on the forum, contact Jennifer Bueche ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Members are also needed for the ILA Youth Forum Award Committee.  Members of this committee choose the annual recipients of the Davis Cup and the Golden Ticket.  In June, each member receives through email the applications for the award and then votes on the winners.  This is a perfect position for youth services librarians who are unable to attend meetings but would like to be involved in ILA.  If you are interested in serving on this committee, please contact the new chair of this committee Lynne Priest ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).