ILA E-Newsletter

Legislative Update -- February 8, 2024
February 8, 2024
The 103rd General Assembly session began on January 16 but we don’t expect a lot to happen before the March 19 primary election. Most of the work of this session will happen in April and May.  The ILA Public Policy Committee (PPC) will be …
Institutional Member Spotlight
February 5, 2024
Introducing the ILA Institutional Member Spotlight! Similar to our member spotlight, this spotlight focuses on our institutional members, which include Illinois libraries and library organizations. It's the same format with questions and some photos …
Homer Township Library Executive Director Retiring After 24 Years
February 5, 2024
After 24 years as head of the much-beloved Homer Township Public Library District, Executive Director Sheree Kozel-La Ha will retire on March 29, 2024.   “Serving my home community, where I raised my family, has been my honor and joy.…
Sign a Witness Slip Supporting Raising Public Library Bidding Thresholds
February 5, 2024
SB 2787 is scheduled for a committee hearing on Wednesday, February 7, at 3:30 p.m. All Illinois library advocates are encouraged to support the bill prior to the hearing by submitting a witness slip by clicking here. The Illinois Local Library Act a…
ALA Council Report
February 1, 2024
The American Library Association (ALA) Council met at the 2024 ALA LibLearnX Conference. ILA Executive Board member Paul Mills, who also serves as a member of the council, summarizes the meeting below. ALA Council Session I Saturday, January 20, 2024…
ILA Executive Board Candidate Slate for 2024 Election
January 24, 2024
The ILA Nominating Committee has announced the 2024 candidates for election in the spring of 2024.VICE-PRESIDENT/PRESIDENT-ELECT CANDIDATES(three-year term beginning July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027)Carolyn Ciesla, Elmhurst UniversityLora…
Member Spotlight - Rene Leyva
January 22, 2024
This week's member spotlight is on Rene Leyva. Rene is the director of the Fossil Ridge Public Library District. He was a member of the 2023 ILA Conference Program Committee and is a current member of the 2024 ILA Conference Program Committ…
Member Spotlight - Sarah McHone-Chase
January 8, 2024
This week's member spotlight is on Sarah McHone-Chase. Sarah is the current president of the Illinois Association of College & Research Libraries Forum (IACRL). She was also a member of the ILA Reporter Advisory Committee.  We asked Sar…
The ILA Reporter Invites Submissions for the Library Buildings Issue!
December 13, 2023
Did your library undergo renovations or new construction this year? Share the news with the library community by submitting the project for the ILA Reporter "Library Buildings 2023" article in the March 2024 issue. Submissions should i…
Member Spotlight - Jim Deiters
December 11, 2023
This week's member spotlight is on Jim Deiters. Jim is the deputy director at the Joliet Public Library and member of the ILA Serving Our Public Committee. Jim has also served on the ILA Advocacy and Public Policy Committees.  We …
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 »