REPORT TO LIBRARY BOARDS

From: Vandella Brown, Diversity Program Manager

Illinois State Library

I have received a copy and reviewed the LTLS FY 2004 Annual Report and I find it very impressive. There appears to have been massive growth in circulation, sparked by patron-initiated loans, delivery, and accomplishments in training and consultation advantages for member libraries. It was exciting reading, marked by colorful charts and icons. I have also met with the new diversity program manager and look forward to working with him on future programs. I send my wishes for Merry Holidays and a Happy New Year.

General Report from the Illinois State Library:

• Jean Wilkins retirement date is officially Dec. 18. Staff and libraries celebrated Dec. 8 in grand style at ISL. About 300 people attended.
• Mike Ragen will become acting ISL Director during the search for the vacant position. Mike is currently the Chief Deputy Director of ISL
• Several staff retires from ISL this month: Amy Kellerstrass, LDG, Sharon McNeil, Administration, and Barbara Alexander, LDG
• Budget. Jean Wilkins and Greg McCormick are scheduled to meet with the General Budget Office to discuss development of 2006 budget. An 8 million shortfall is expected.

• ISL will oversee the management of a new grant called the Pet Friendly Grant. The grant will go to support many pet care shelters.

• SILC publicity material via ILDS to the attention of the system OCLC liaison. Enclosed in each box are copies of the SILC fact sheet for library staff, and the SILC brochure for patrons. Please distribute these to your member libraries. PDFs are available of the brochure and fact sheet from our website: http://www.sos.state.il.us/publications/librarypub.html

• Illinois Diversity Program launches its workshop, Empowering Library Staff to Meet the Technology Needs of Spanish Speakers on Dec. 9^th at Rolling Prairie Library System and Dec. 16 at NSLS. Vandella Brown, Diversity Program Director, Tammy Dobonye, Beardstown Public Library, Elizabeth Crane, Round Lake Area Library, and Hector Marino, Des Plaines Public Library will present 10 workshops throughout the state. Contact Sharon Layne 217-557-0136 to register.

• The Diversity Program is encouraging librarians to recruit applicants for the E. J. Josey Scholarship: The E. J. Josey Scholarships are two (2) unrestricted grants of $2,000 (beginning in 1997) awarded annually to

African American students enrolled in, or accepted by, ALA accredited programs. Applicants are judged on the basis of application essays of 1,000 to 1,200 words discussing issues, problems, or challenges facing library service to minority populations such as African Americans, and other supporting documentation submitted for review by the scholarship committee. Persons Wishing to Apply Must:

* Be an African American Citizen of the United States or Canada. * Be enrolled or accepted by ALA-accredited graduate program leading to a degree in library and information science at

the time of application.* Submit an essay of 1,000 - 1,200 words discussing the theme. Deadline for submissions: December 31, 2004 (postmark date). The recipient of the award will be notified by

February 28, 2005 Special Instructions: * Include a cover letter providing the applicant's name, address, phone number, graduate program, and name of school and anticipated date of graduation.

* The essay must be typed, doubled-spaced. Submit your essay for the award to: E. J. Josey Scholarship Committee

ATTN: Michael Walker

849 W. Wythe Street

Petersburg, VA 23803

Grants:

• LSTA Site Visits will be conducted over the next few months for all libraries that received the 2005 LSTA grants. Visits may be performed in person or by telephone depending on the amount of the grant. Karen Egan will replace the retiring Amy Kellerstrass as LSTA Program Consultant.

Meetings, Scholarships and Conferences:

• ILA Conference Proposals due: Jan. 10, 2005
• ILA Conference October 11-15, 2005 Peoria, IL
• ISL Training Grant for The Master of Library and Information Science due May 1, 2005
• Chicago Chapter of Black Caucus of ALA Charlemae Hill Rollins Scholarship due May 1, 2005
• SPLMI 12 Annual Deadline March 24, 2005 for applications

Reminders:

Join Reaching Forward-South listserve by sending email to rfslist-subscribe@reachingforwardsouth.org