Illinois Library Association
Encyclopedia
The Illinois Library Association (ILA) is the eighth oldest library association in the world and the third largest state association in the United States. Headquartered in Chicago
, the association provides leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library
services to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.
, the profession advocates for a future of free and open access to information. In providing information to legislators and supporting legislation that improves library resources, the association is an advocate for change that will increase opportunities for all citizens. Timely alerts on pending legislation mobilize citizens to contact their representatives. The association also maintains legislative counsel in the state capital during the legislative session and works with the state library and other groups to maximize public benefit from available resources. To find out more information about current Illinois library legislation, please visit CapWiz.
The primary focus of the Illinois Library Association E-news is library-related stories appearing in local Illinois news media. The intent is to alert and inform the ILA membership about issues and events that are considered significant by the general media. The E-news is sent free to the ILA membership and subscribers on a semi-regular weekly basis.
In 2009, the association produced and printed Serving Our Public 2.0: Standards for Illinois Public Libraries. State law requires Illinois public libraries to "provide, as determined by the State Librarian, library services services which either meet or show progress toward meeting Illinois library standards, as most recently adopted by the Illinois Library Association."
. iREAD’s mission is to provide high quality, low-cost resources and products that enable local library staff to motivate children to read. As a coordinated, self-supporting effort between Illinois librarians and the Illinois Library Association, every purchase from iREAD supports library advocacy.
In summer 2008, the ILA successfully partnered with the Australian Library and Information Association
(ALIA) to created their Summer Reading Club. Most public libraries throughout Australia will offer a Summer Reading Club and holiday activities for children aged five years and older and their families over the summer break. For information about the Summer Reading Club, including the official website, press releases, librarian's manual, the competition, ordering materials and more see the ALIA Summer Reading club.
The ALIA Summer Reading Club program draws inspiration from the iREAD program created by the Illinois Library Association. This partnership allows us to share the creativity of library colleagues on two continents.
. We know, however, that the best way to protect children is to teach them to guard their privacy and make wise choices.
. Registration information is available here.
Commemorative License Plate was introduced by the Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles and the Illinois Library Association. The license plate was valid for vehicle use until April 17, 2009, and has now become a popular international collectors' item.
In spring 2007, the Illinois Library Association partnered with MySpace.com to produce the "CyberSafety Bookmark". One million bookmarks were distributed for free to libraries across the country, and were sold for a nominal fee afterward. They are currently sold out, but available for download.
For an archive of the association's annual fiscal and activity reports, please visit: Annual Reports.
established
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, the association provides leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library
Library
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
services to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.
Membership
ILA’s 3,600 members are primarily librarians and library staff, but also trustees, publishers, and other supporters. Membership represents all types of libraries in the state—public, school, government, and special libraries.Organizational structure
The association has three full-time staff members and is governed by a sixteen-member executive board, made up of elected officers. The ILA Handbook of Organization provides names of current officials and committee members; contains key documents, such as the Mission Statement, Bylaws, and Policies; lists current awards available, ILA's current publications, and provides forms and membership applications.Library Advocacy
Throughout the year, the Illinois Library Association monitors legislative activity at the state and national level, preparing for both challenges and opportunities. In countering legislation that restricts intellectual freedomIntellectual freedom
Intellectual freedom is the right to freedom of thought and of expression of thought. As defined by Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it is a human right. Article 19 states:...
, the profession advocates for a future of free and open access to information. In providing information to legislators and supporting legislation that improves library resources, the association is an advocate for change that will increase opportunities for all citizens. Timely alerts on pending legislation mobilize citizens to contact their representatives. The association also maintains legislative counsel in the state capital during the legislative session and works with the state library and other groups to maximize public benefit from available resources. To find out more information about current Illinois library legislation, please visit CapWiz.
Publications
The bimonthly Illinois Library Association Reporter is a forum for those who are improving and reinventing Illinois libraries, with articles that seek to: explore new ideas and practices from all types of libraries and library systems; examine the challenges facing the profession; and inform the library community and its supporters with news and comment about important issues. The ILA Reporter is produced and circulated with the purpose of enhancing and supporting the value of libraries, which provide free and equal access to information. This access is essential for an open democratic society, an informed electorate, and the advancement of knowledge for all people.The primary focus of the Illinois Library Association E-news is library-related stories appearing in local Illinois news media. The intent is to alert and inform the ILA membership about issues and events that are considered significant by the general media. The E-news is sent free to the ILA membership and subscribers on a semi-regular weekly basis.
In 2009, the association produced and printed Serving Our Public 2.0: Standards for Illinois Public Libraries. State law requires Illinois public libraries to "provide, as determined by the State Librarian, library services services which either meet or show progress toward meeting Illinois library standards, as most recently adopted by the Illinois Library Association."
Reading Promotion
Since 1982, ILA has developed successful summer reading programsSummer reading programs
Summer reading can be assigned to students during their summer vacation. This can range from the simple book reports to in depth projects that support the curriculum including Science, Language Arts, Social Sciences, and Math....
. iREAD’s mission is to provide high quality, low-cost resources and products that enable local library staff to motivate children to read. As a coordinated, self-supporting effort between Illinois librarians and the Illinois Library Association, every purchase from iREAD supports library advocacy.
In summer 2008, the ILA successfully partnered with the Australian Library and Information Association
Australian Library and Information Association
The Australian Library and Information Association is the peak professional organisation for the Australian library and information services sector....
(ALIA) to created their Summer Reading Club. Most public libraries throughout Australia will offer a Summer Reading Club and holiday activities for children aged five years and older and their families over the summer break. For information about the Summer Reading Club, including the official website, press releases, librarian's manual, the competition, ordering materials and more see the ALIA Summer Reading club.
The ALIA Summer Reading Club program draws inspiration from the iREAD program created by the Illinois Library Association. This partnership allows us to share the creativity of library colleagues on two continents.
Internet Safety
One of the primary concerns of the Illinois library community is the safety of children. We know there are legitimate concerns about the InternetInternet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
. We know, however, that the best way to protect children is to teach them to guard their privacy and make wise choices.
Conferences and Events
ILA sponsors an annual statewide conference each fall, alternating between Chicago and downstate IllinoisDownstate Illinois
Downstate Illinois refers to all of Illinois outside of the Chicago metropolitan area. This term is flexible, but because it is generally meant to refer to everything outside the Chicago-area, some cities in Northern Illinois, such as Rockford and DeKalb, , are considered to be "downstate".The term...
. Registration information is available here.
Other ILA Activities
In spring 2009, the Barack ObamaBarack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
Commemorative License Plate was introduced by the Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles and the Illinois Library Association. The license plate was valid for vehicle use until April 17, 2009, and has now become a popular international collectors' item.
In spring 2007, the Illinois Library Association partnered with MySpace.com to produce the "CyberSafety Bookmark". One million bookmarks were distributed for free to libraries across the country, and were sold for a nominal fee afterward. They are currently sold out, but available for download.
For an archive of the association's annual fiscal and activity reports, please visit: Annual Reports.
External links
established