Reaching Forward Forum (RF)










Our mission is to provide professional opportunities for library staff
to grow, learn, and connect with new ideas.

The 30th annual Reaching Forward will be held Friday, May 3, 2019, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont, Illinois. 

Reaching Forward Conference Information

News

Reaching Forward: Thirty Years Strong... and Counting!
December 12, 2018
The December 2018 issue of the ILA Reporter features an article on the 30-year history of Reaching Forward, written by Heidi Knuth, Bloomingdale Public Library/Reaching Forward Co-Chair.
Reaching Forward Call for Program Proposals
October 4, 2018
The Reaching Forward Conference Committee is accepting program submissions for the 2019 Conference, which will be held Friday, May 3, at the Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont. Proposals must be submitted using the online proposal form. Incomplet…

More news »

Events

  1. Jun 7 2019

    Reaching Forward Meeting

    Friday, Jun 7, 2019 10:00am–12:00pm

    Mount Prospect Public Library, 10 S. Emerson St., Mount Prospect, IL 60056

More events »

Reaching Forward Awards

The 2018 award winners were recognized at this year’s conference. 

Oberman-Rich Award
Carla Lasky
Indian Trails Public Library District

Robert P. Doyle Award

Teresa Schwenneker

River Valley District Library

 

Submit an Oberman-Rich Award Nomination

Submit a Robert P. Doyle Award Nomination 

Selection Process: The deadline to submit a nomination is March 31, 2020. Nominations will open in January 2020. 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. Supporting reasons for the nomination of a candidate must be provided.

Forum Leadership

  1. Heidi Knuth Heidi Knuth, Co-manager Youth Services Librarian/Preschool Outreach Coordinator at Bloomingdale Public Library
  2. Patrice Johnson Patrice Johnson, Co-manager Chicago Public Library
  3. Megan Millen Megan Millen, Board liaison Library Director at Joliet Public Library
  4. Belinda Husak Belinda Husak, Member Algonquin Area Public Library District
  5. Fallon White Fallon White, Member Chicago Public Library
  6. Georgia Pichinos-Anderson Georgia Pichinos-Anderson, Member Highland Park Public Library
  7. Jane Jenkins Jane Jenkins, Member Director at Green Hills Public Library District
  8. Janet Wigodner Janet Wigodner, Member Highwood Public Library
  9. Jennifer Worrell Jennifer Worrell, Member Illinois Institute of Technology
  10. Kristin Anderson Kristin Anderson, Member Lewis University Library
  11. Louise T. Svehla Louise T. Svehla, Member Adult Services Librarian at Joliet Public Library
  12. Lynn M. Krambeer Lynn M. Krambeer, Member Library Assistant at Lake Forest Library
  13. Melinda Provost Melinda Provost, Member Chicago Ridge Public Library
  14. Samantha M Chiappone Samantha M Chiappone, Member Branch Manager at Algonquin Area Public Library District
  15. Sara Kennedy Sara Kennedy, Member Green Hills Public Library District
  16. Theresa Therens Theresa Therens, Member Algonquin Area Public Library District
  17. Veronica De Fazio Veronica De Fazio, Past Manager Head of Youth Services at Plainfield Public Library District
  18. Zachariah Terrill Zachariah Terrill, Past Manager McHenry Public Library District
  19. Cyndi Robinson Cyndi Robinson, Staff liaison Deputy Director at Illinois Library Association
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