Words can't express what this amazing partnership with the libraries of the U.S. Department of Defense Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (DoD-MWR) has meant not only to Illinois libraries, but to the thousands of kids and families who participate world…
In a recent survey of 24 libraries in several northern Illinois counties, facility upgrades are the number one ranked spending area. And average expenditures per capita were $118.51. Nearly half of the libraries reported carrying debt with average in…
Tobi Oberman caught Cyndi Robinson by surprise at the Annual Conference Awards Gala on Friday, 23 October. In addition to unveiling her luminary banner, a tiara was placed on Robinson's head--no better place to honor her contributions than at the mos…
A state budget compromise is long overdue. The failure to pass a budget has impacted every person in every corner of the state. From the most basic services government must provide to protecting the most vulnerable citizens, the lack of funding is pu…
The worst state budget crisis in Illinois history continues. While a comprehensive 2016 spending plan has not been adopted, a combination of court orders, executive decisions, and continuing appropriations have essentially obligated 100% of anticipat…
Nearly 90 percent of state spending has now been committed because of recent court rulings and Rauner administration actions, even though there is no state budget in place. The remaining 10.6 percent is broken down in an attached graphic... At the mo…
Gail Bush joins this honor roll of individuals who have made a distinguished contribution to Illinois libraries. Bush's passionate career in Illinois libraries spans five decades of service in academic, corporate, school librarianship, and public lib…
Joyce Saricks joins this honor roll of individuals who have made a distinguished contribution to Illinois libraries. In her twenty-seven years as a readers' advisory librarian at Downers Grove Public Library, Saricks spent her days connecting readers…
Just when you thought your summer reading program was over and you could finally take a breather . . . . Sorry, but we need one more thing from you before you call it a wrap. Please fill out the brief survey about your summer reading program by Septe…
Katherine Applegate will be the featured speaker at the Readers' Choice Awards Breakfast on Saturday, October 24 at the conference. The breakfast celebrates the winners of the Monarch, Bluestem, Abe Lincoln High School, and Rebecca Caudill Young Read…