Reaching Forward Forum (RF)

Reaching Forward

The Reaching Forward Forum provides professional opportunities for library staff to grow, learn, and connect with new ideas. Forum leaders organize the nation’s largest one-day conference for library staff. 



News

Member Spotlight - William Pleas
April 24, 2023
This week's member spotlight is on William Pleas. William is the page and volunteer coordinator at the Highland Park Public Library. He is a member of the Reaching Forward Forum and served on the ILA Conference Program Committee in 2020 and…
Literacy Focus: Welcoming Places, Safe Spaces
January 17, 2023
ILA member Rosie Camargo, Reaching Forward Forum Manager-Elect, spoke to Publisher's Weekly about the importance of libraries being welcoming and safe spaces. "Camargo is also a speaker and trainer of teachers/librarians across the country, encouragi…
Forum Spotlight - Reaching Forward Forum
September 22, 2022
Education and lifelong learning are at the heart of library services, and it is important to support library staff in this same regard so that they can professionally grow, learn, and connect with new ideas. Each year, the Reaching Forward …

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Events

  1. Jun 2 2023

    Reaching Forward Forum Meeting

    Friday, Jun 2, 2023 11:00am–12:30pm

More events »

 

Fill out the form below if you're interested in joining an ILA Forum.

ILA Forum Interest Form

  

Reaching Forward Forum Reports

 

2022 Reaching Forward Award Winners

Robert P. Doyle
ILA Annual Conference Grant

Annette DeLunaAlsip-Merrionette Park Public Library District 

Oberman and Rich

Reaching Forward Conference Grant

Joshua Wirth

Downers Grove Public Library

 

Oberman and Rich Reaching Forward Conference Grant

Selection Process: The deadline to submit a 2023 nomination is March 31, 2023. Nominations will open in January for 2024 nominations. You may submit nominations for yourself or for a colleague. A panel of judges from the Reaching Forward Committee will be responsible for choosing the recipients. 


Forum Leadership

  1. Sara Horn Sara Horn, Manager Deputy Director at Green Hills Public Library District
    Term ends 06/30/2023
  2. Esther Curry Esther Curry, Board liaison C.E. Brehm Memorial Public Library District
    Term ends 06/30/2023
  3. Rosie M Camargo Rosie M Camargo, Manager-Elect Cultural Literacy Specialist at South Holland Public Library
    Term ends 06/30/2023
  4. Annette Maguire Annette Maguire, Member Adult & Teen Services Resource Coordinator at New Lenox Public Library District
    Term ends 06/30/2023
  5. Diana Wence Diana Wence, Member Librarian at Highwood Public Library
    Term ends 06/30/2023
  6. Fallon White Fallon White, Member Chicago Public Library
    Term ends 06/30/2024
  7. Georgia Pichinos-Anderson Georgia Pichinos-Anderson, Member Patron Services Assistant Supervisor at Niles-Maine District Library
    Term ends 06/30/2024
  8. Jennifer Hovanec Jennifer Hovanec, Member La Grange Public Library
    Term ends 06/30/2024
  9. Jessica Rodrigues Jessica Rodrigues, Member Head of Information Services at Steger-South Chicago Heights Public Library District
    Term ends 06/30/2023
  10. Kathy L Dejnowski Kathy L Dejnowski, Member Thornton Public Library
    Term ends 06/30/2023
  11. Liz Poppenhouse Liz Poppenhouse, Member Indian Trails Public Library District
    Term ends 06/30/2023
  12. Lynn M Krambeer Lynn M Krambeer, Member Lake Forest Library
    Term ends 06/30/2023
  13. Lynne Schick Lynne Schick, Member Kids Landing Coordinator at Geneva Public Library District
    Term ends 06/30/2023
  14. Maurice Thomas Jr. Maurice Thomas Jr., Member Librarian IV at Chicago Public Library
    Term ends 06/30/2024
  15. Shawn R Erens Shawn R Erens, Member Palatine Public Library District
    Term ends 06/30/2024
  16. Van McGary Van McGary, Member Adult & Teen Services Assistant Manager at Downers Grove Public Library
    Term ends 06/30/2023
  17. Wendy Roe-Chapman Wendy Roe-Chapman, Member Alsip-Merrionette Park Public Library District
    Term ends 06/30/2023
  18. William Pleas William Pleas, Member Page and Volunteer Coordinator at Highland Park Public Library
    Term ends 06/30/2024
  19. Joy Lang Joy Lang, Past Manager Adult Services Associate at Joliet Public Library
    Term ends 06/30/2023
  20. Kristin Pekoll Kristin Pekoll, Staff liaison Conference and Continuing Education Manager at Illinois Library Association
    Term ends 06/30/2025

iREAD Summer Reading Programs

Since 1981, iREAD provides high quality, low-cost resources and products that enable local library staff to motivate children, young adults, and adults to read.

Visit the iREAD website »