Thursday’s kick off events include an Illinois Author’s Tea from 2-4:30 and a wine, cheese, and chocolate networking hour immediately after the tea.

On Friday September 21st , the day begins at 8 a.m. with a continental breakfast.  The keynote speaker is Dan Schneider who will present “Fonix of the Future.”  Immediately following are a series of educational breakout sessions.  Breakout session topics include: Programing with Pizzazz, Staff Safety, Library Technology, Art of the Upsell, ebooks, and What .gov can do for You and Your Patrons. After lunch, join featured speaker, Deb DiSandro, with her “slightly off” view on life as she presents  “Take Two Ho-Ho’s and Call Me in the Morning.”  The conference will adjourn by 3 p.m.

Join the conference for both days for a cost of $75.00.  Be sure to check out the Reaching Forward South website for more information about breakout sessions, the nomination form for Support Staff Person of the Year, and the registration form for the conference. Questions can be directed to contact@reachingforwardsouth.org

The Illinois State Library Advisory Committee approved a recommendation for the certification process at its January 12, 2012 meeting. Both the Reaching Across Illinois Library System and Illinois Heartland Library System have approved resolutions adding an annual completion of certification process to the requirements for system membership.

Other changes in the rulemaking include increasing the maximum amount of a Live and Learn Construction Program mini-grant from $25,000 to $35,000 (Section 3035.435 (c)) and incorporating the Illinois State Library Talking Book and Braille Service (23 Ill. Adm. Code 3025) as Subpart F of Part 3035. The full text of the rulemaking can be found on page 5770 of the April 13, 2012 issue of the Illinois Register.

2012 Abraham Lincoln Award winner is:  Maze Runner by James Dashner

2012 Bluestem Award winner is:  Adventures in Cartooning by James Sturm, Andrew Arnold and Alexis Frederick-Frost

2012 Monarch Award winner is:  Shark Vs Train written by Chris Barton and illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld

The LIS endorsement prepares state-certified teachers to take positions in school media centers. To see the Illinois State Board of Education’s (ISBE) Endorsement Schedule for the February 1, 2012 changes, click here.

East Peoria, Ill. — Graduates of the Illinois Central College Library Assistant Program will be eligible for national certification by the American Library Association – Allied Professional Association. That certification is referred to as Library Support Staff Certification. The ALA-APA made this announcement after reviewing ICC’s program and finding the LSSC’s competency requirements are covered in the coursework.

The LSSC, which is becoming a standard for library professionals, shows employers in Illinois, as well as nationwide, that the graduates are serious about their work and future in the profession, says Lorelle Swader, ALA-APA director. “ICC graduates will be recognized for their skills and knowledge with this national certification,” she said.

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Although she dropped out of high school, this 59-year-old adult learner always intended to obtain her GED. In fact, when she was in her 20’s, she attended a GED class in another state. The woman overheard her tutor saying that she was a “low-level reader,” which hurt her feelings so much that she quit the class.

Recently, the woman moved to Quincy to care for her ailing mother. She was able to transfer from the Indiana pharmacy she worked at to one in Quincy; however, the company now required all employees to have a high school diploma or GED. She worried that she wouldn’t be able to pass the GED test at age 59. She visited the literacy program at John Wood Community College, and was matched with an experienced tutor. She studied hard and successfully obtained her GED.

She is now studying for her pharmacy tech certificate and says her life would be quite different if she hadn’t been part of the John Wood literacy program.

The newsletter discusses Public Act 97-597, which was signed into law by Governor Pat Quinn on August 29, 2011. The new law amends the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), alleviating demands placed on public bodies.

Ms. Bednar brings a diversity of experience to this position, including posts at the National Council of Teachers of English, the Champaign Public Library and Southwestern Illinois College.  Her work at the Lewis and Clark Library System included positions as a cataloger, database coordinator, GateNet Manager and Executive Director.

IHLS Board President, Karen Bounds, remarked: “Those of us who have worked with her have come to know and appreciate all that Leslie brings to systems.  Please join me in wishing her all the best in her new role!”

The State Library, our Talking Book and Braille Service and the Illinois Center for the Book thank the following organizations for partnering with us on The Big Read in Central Illinois:  Charles E. Becker Library of Benedictine University; Chatham Area Public Library; Jacksonville Public Library; Lincoln Library, the Public Library of Springfield; Prairie Skies Public Library District of Pleasant Plains and Ashland; Quiddity International Library Journal and Public Radio Program; Rochester Public Library; Sherman Public Library District; Brookens Library of the University of Illinois Springfield; and Williamsville Public Library.

You may still find photos from various Big Read in Central Illinois events and other information at http://icftb.org/bigread/.

“I am extremely proud of the outstanding service Illinois’ public libraries provide to our communities,” White said. “Our public libraries have never be more important to the patrons they serve.  They have helped citizens enormously during recent difficult economic times by providing free Internet access, e- mail, books, CDs, DVDs and other materials. Offering such service reinforces my belief that libraries are truly cornerstones of our communities.”

Per Capita Grant funding is authorized under Illinois library law and helps ensure that public libraries have some of the most important resources they need to address the needs of their patrons. Libraries count on Per Capita Grants for expenses such as paying for materials, personnel, equipment, electronic access, telecommunications and technology. Equalization Aid Grants are important because they help public libraries that have a low library tax base, and help ensure a minimum level of funding for library services.