LTLS - Quick Connections

Public Libraries - Bonded Treasurer

Illinois Library Law requires public libraries of all types to have the Treasurer Bonded in an amount not less than 50% of the total funds received by the library in the last fiscal year.   75 ILCS 5/4-9 or 75 ILCS 16/30-45(e)  Some libraries have reported to the ILA Public Policy Committee (PPC) that they are having difficulty in either obtaining a bond from an insurance company or having a treasurer willing to answer the personal finance questions on the application for the bond.  PPC is seeking information to find out if this is a wide spread problem in the Illinois Library Community.  If your library is having either of these issues, please contact Bev Obert, Executive Director, Rolling Prairie Library System.  You can contact Bev by email at bevo@rpls.ws.  In your email, identify your library, librarians name and what your issue is with the surety bond.  Thank you for your help.

2010 Illinois Library Laws

ILA has published its biennial update of Illinois Library Laws.   LTLS did not participate in the pre-publication group buy as we have in the past.   We do recommend that you purchase the item for your library.  For information and to order go to http://www.ila.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=78&Itemid=90.

Celebrate Your Extraordinary Library Trustees

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2010 ILA Trustee of the Year Award.  This annual citation is awarded to a public library trustee for achievement, leadership, and service to libraries.
The nominee must be a member of ILA and have made a significant contribution to his/her local library.  Eligibility includes participation in two of three levels of service (system, state, and national activities) and demonstrated evidence of quality leadership ability.

The award will be presented on Thursday, September 30, during the Trustee Day Luncheon at the 2010 ILA Annual Conference on Navy Pier.

Don't miss this opportunity honor your favorite library trustee!

Alexander J. Skrzypek Award

Do you know anyone who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of library services for the blind or physically disabled in Illinois? The ILA Awards Committee is seeking nominations for the Alexander J. Skrzypek Award which is sponsored by the Illinois State Library Talking Book and Braille Service.   Look around at your colleagues, library boards or consultants and nominate someone who has gone above and beyond to bring services to the blind and physically disabled.
 
Please send nomination letters and supporting documentation to ILA or nominate online at http://www.ila.org/membership/awards.htm  If you have any questions, please contact Sara McCambridge at sara@homerlibrary.org.
 
Give someone who has done an outstanding job get recognized by their peers!

Bills Are Being Introduced in the Illinois General Assembly

The ILA Public Policy Committee (PPC) will be meeting today at noon at various VTEL locations across the state.  ILA's Legislative Consultant Kip Kolkmeier will begin the process of explaining the various bills introduced that might have an impact on the Illinois library community.  Twenty bills have been identified, so far.  Please click here to see that list.   PPC will discuss these bills to determine their recommendations to the ILA Executive Board.  The next ILA Executive Board meeting is Friday, 12 February at the Prairie Area Library System in Shorewood.  On that day, the ILA Executive Board will hear PPC's recommendations and determine the association's positions.  Both the PPC and ILA Executive Board meetings are open and your attendance is encouraged.

Special Services Area Question

ILA needs your help.  ILA has received an urgent request for information on whether we are aware of any Illinois municipality utilizing the Illinois Special Service Area statute to impose a special service area property tax to support a municipal public library.  Under Illinois law, government services can be provided to the public in a specific geographic area and a special property tax can be imposed on property owners in the area because they receive a unique benefit from the delivery of those governmental services.  Special service areas have most often been used for police or fire service, but we need to know if they have been used for library services.
 

Summit Steering Committee Formed

A steering committee has been formed to carry out the charge coming out of the summit meeting held on November 9, 2009, on library cooperation in Illinois.  Co-chairs Dee Brennan, Oak Park Public Library, and Donna Dziedzic, Naperville Public Library, have developed a planning document that has been distributed to all summit participants.  Next steps include formation of task forces early next year to address specific areas of need.
 

White Endorses Campaign to Save Illinois Libraries

In response to the recent cuts to system funding and library grants, the Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White endorsed the campaign to secure the future of Illinois libraries today. 

At the 2009 ILA Annual Conference in Peoria, White noted that libraries are struggling to cope with unprecedented usage while facing budget cuts.  He told the Illinois library community to ask legislators to commit to libraries to take a pledge to oppose any additional cuts to library per capita grants in FY 2010.

Go the ILA Web site send your message to your elected official.

You can keep up with the campaign and find out what you can do to help by visiting us on Facebook or Twitter, or by going to SaveIllinoisLibraries.com. The campaign is just beginning:  be sure to check back regularly for updates!

2010 iRead Update - Scare Up a Good Book!

The 2010 iREAD Product Catalog is now available online at the ILA Web site.  (http://www.ila.org)  Please note the new retro-style poster for adults that highlights  Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, and Horror genres.  The poster is a fitting compliment to the expanded adult section in the iREAD Resource Guide.

The 2010 iREAD Resource Guide and CD will be distributed free to all Illinois public libraries in October 2009.  The Resource Guide is being produced and distributed free with funds from the 2009 Barack Obama Commemorative License Plate sales.  If you want to order additional copies of the 2010 iREAD Resource Guide, the cost is $25 and orders may be placed on the ILA Web site or by mail or fax.

Annual Conference Early Bird Registration Is Monday, 10 August

Register now for the 2009 ILA Annual Conference to receive a substantial early bird discount.  Peoria is the site for the upcoming conference, which will feature keynote speaker Omar Wasow, Youth Services Breakfast speaker Jill Thompson, and Illinois Authors Luncheon speaker Vicki Myron, in addition to dozens of workshops and seminars devoted to the hottest and most critical library issues today.

ILA Members:  Log in to the Members Only site to register now.  Contact kristy@ila.org if you need your log in ID and password.  Non-ILA Members:  Register securely online here.