The 2023 Illinois Library Association’s (ILA) Intellectual Freedom Award is awarded to the Youth Department of the Glen Carbon Centennial Library. This award, presented by the ILA Intellectual Freedom Committee, recognizes the Department, speci…
This week's member spotlight is on Matthew Matkowski. Matthew is the Head of Public Services at the Palos Heights Public Library. He previously served as chair of ILA's Intellectual Freedom Committee and is a member of the Reaching Forward Commi…
This week's member spotlight is on Veronica De Fazio. Veronica served as ILA President in 2020 and is the Deputy Director of the Peoria Public Library. We asked Veronica to tell us a little about herself and answer a few professio…
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…
Noon Network: Intellectual Freedom Trends Monday, April 24, 202312:00 - 1:00 p.m.Online (Zoom) Get the latest on what's happening in Illinois with book challenges, program challenges, and first amendment audits from members of the ILA Intellectual Fr…
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…
Article in Chicago Tribune "Chicagoans of the Year for Books: Librarians and library workers of Illinois fight for dignity during a year of challenges" When Julie Milavec thinks back on the past 12 months, her sigh gets long and heavy, almo…
This week's member spotlight is on Alea Perez. Alea is the Young Adult Services Manager at the Forest Park Public Library. She also serves as the chair of the ILA Best Practices Committee. We asked Alea to tell us a little about herself and…
Charged with addressing issues in diversity, the ILA Diversity Committee works toward developing and recommending purposeful and actionable strategies to increase diversity within ILA. As part of the ILA Strategic Plan, diversity …
Did you know that ILA has an annual conference every October?? (gosh, we hope so! And hope to see you there!) The Conference Planning Committee is a fabulous group of librarians who come together to help ILA staff make the annual conference happ…