Illinois Library

Association (ILA)
Presented by: Margae Schmidt
Introduction/Background
• Founded in 1896
• Not-for-profit educational organization
• Chapter of American Library Association (ALA)
• 3rd largest state library association (over 3,000 members)
• Leadership is provided by an Executive Director
– reporting to an elected Executive Board

• Small staff
– headquartered in downtown Chicago.
Mission & Goals
• “The Illinois Library Association is the voice for Illinois libraries and
the millions who depend on them. It provides leadership for the
development, promotion, and improvement of library services in
Illinois and for the library community in order to enhance learning
and ensure access to information for all. This access is essential
for an open democratic society, an informed electorate, and
the advancement of knowledge for all people.”
• Goals:
– Advocating for the Public Interest
– Promoting Excellence & Innovation
– Managing the Present to Prepare for the Future
Executive Board
• “The Executive Board shall adopt, implement, and enforce all policies
and budgets for the association and coordinate all activities of the
association.”
• President-Cynthia L. Fuerst (Vernon Area PL)
• Vice President-Molly Beestrum (Northwestern University Libraries)
• Immediate Past President-Melissa Gardner (Palatine PL)
• Treasurer-Brian Shepard (Indian Trails PL)
• 12 Directors-at-Large
• ALA Councilor-Jeannie Dilger (Palatine PL)
• Ex officio-Greg McCormick (Illinois State Library)
Membership Benefits
• Includes discounts on conferences & events
• Participation in continuing education & professional
development
• Opportunities for leadership growth & recognition
• Personal: starting at $40 (based on salary)
– $25 for students!

• Institutional: $85
• Associate: $200
Key Activities
• Annual conference & workshops
• Bi-monthly magazine, the ILA Reporter
• e-newsletter with job postings, links to libraries in the news, legislative alerts, &
association activities
• Publications on library law & trustee training
• iREAD, award-winning summer reading program
• Awards & recognition
• Legislative advocacy in Springfield & Washington, DC
• Group purchasing for libraries
• Developing resources to help libraries innovate
Reaching Forward Conference
• Professional development
conference for Library Support
Staff
• Award
– Open to support staff working in
any library type

• Date: May 3, 2019

• Location: Donald E. Stephens
Convention Center
(Rosemont, IL)
Elevate (Pre-Conference)
• Workshop on discovering why you lead
• Facilitator: Adam J. Goodman, Ph. D.,
Northwestern University
• Cost $75; plus $20 for activity
– Clifton Strengths
– www.gallupstrengthscenter.com
Upcoming ILA Annual Conferences
• October 22-24, 2019 Tinley Park

• October 20-22, 2020 Springfield

• October 12-14, 2021 Peoria

Committees
• Advocacy Committee • Intellectual Freedom
Committee
• Awards Committee
• iREAD Committee
• Conference Program
Committee, 2019 • Nominating Committee
• Diversity Committee • Public Policy Committee (PPC)
• Finance Committee
• Fundraising Committee
• ILA Reporter Advisory
Committee
Staff
• Diane Foote, Executive Director, dfoote@ila.org
• Kendall Harvey, Administrative Coordinator, kharvey@ila.org
• Tamara Jenkins, Communication and Engagement
Manager, tjenkins@ila.org
• Tina Koleva, Member Services Manager, tina@ila.org
• Cynthia M. Robinson, Deputy Director, robinson@ila.org
Conclusion
• I would highly recommend joining ILA!
– Check with your employer for reimbursement (if working at a library)
– Awards
– Various committees
– Great conferences & workshops
Resources & Information
• Website: www.ila.org
• Social Media:
– Facebook
– Twitter
– LinkedIn