REPORT TO LIBRARY BOARDS

From: Vandella Brown, Diversity Program Manager

Illinois State Library

I submit this report for March 21, 2005

General Report from the Illinois State Library:

• Mike Ragen is the acting ISL Director during the search for the vacant position. Mike was the Chief Deputy Director of ISL
• Budget. The ISL budget is expected to be flat funding for grants in 2006. No out of state travel and only 7 librarians will go to ALA this year. Increases are expected only in the area of payroll and retirement costs and general personnel costs. No staff hiring is expected for next yearís budget. New staffer, Mark Schafer, is a transfer from another SOS department, not a new hire.
• Annual Reports from Library Systems: July 11-22, 2005 is scheduled for annual reports from the regional library systems. The annual report will take place in person with the director and board president in attendance. Comments from last yearís reviews have been sent to the system directors.
• NEW SYNERGISTS

2005 Synergy Library Leadership Initiative sponsored by the State Library and the Illinois Library Association. Synergy is the statewide library community's proactive movement to recruit and nurture future Illinois library leaders. First meet will be held April 5-7 at Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center, Utica; August 9-11, Pere Marquette Lodge, Grafton; and November 15-17, Hickory Ridge Marriott Conference Hotel, Lisle.

• Per Capita Grants and School have been and checks should follow within the next 6 to 8 weeks. The grants for $14 millions are provided at $1.29 per capita. School Per Capita have not been processed due to some technological difficulties.

• Illinois Diversity Program workshop, Empowering Library Staff to Meet the Technology Needs of Spanish Speakers will be held April 8 at DuPage Library System and April 28 at Marion Public Library in Shawnee. 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 Illinois Diversity Program is working with the Springfield Jewish Federation and the National Hadassah Office to host the Poster Exhibit 350 Years of Jewish Life in America, March 21-April 6, 2005 and April 4^, 2005, 5:30 p.m. the program, Jewish Women in American Jewish History, guest speaker will be Ms. Ruth Cole, National Chair of Hadassah Magazine, published by Hadassah, Womenís Zionist Organization of America.

Grants: LSTA 4.1 million this year in grants in:

Intent- Due June 1 and proposal June 17, 2005

This year's four categories are:

--CUOL: Creative Use of Libraries-the emphasis here is for applicants to be "creative, new and innovative". The maximum grant award is $150,000.

--Libraries Leading the Way Through Partnerships-applicants must partner with another entity and address a need in one of thee following areas: diversity, emerging populations, training for library staff and administration, strategic planning and demonstration of library services. The maximum award is $75,000.

--Digital Imaging-these grants are awarded for digitization of Illinois related historical and cultural materials, with an emphasis this year on materials related to Native Americans. Grants range from $5,000 to $20,000.

--Weed and Feed-With an emphasis on collection development and resource sharing, recipients could receive a grant of between $400 and $4,000. At least 50 per cent of materials purchased must be in print format. Materials in the Dewey Decimal System and Library of Congress categories that must be targeted are: General Knowledge, Philosophy and Psychology; Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Technology and Medicine and Agriculture (LOC only).

IMPORTANT NOTE: The State Library's website is the official posting of grant offerings, and all applicants will be held accountable to requirements posted on the ISL website. While we understand the desire to post offerings on your own individual sites, if there are errors or omissions in your postings the ISL will not deviate from the requirements and guidelines as they are posted on our website.

Look for a few new and changes:

-Letter of Intent for the grant

- Only one grant per agency, RLS exemptions from some grant categories

- CIPA explanation for computers required

- No page limit

- Minimum amount of grant off most grants

- Can underwrite cost of grant

• LIBRARYU WORKSHOPS AT SYSTEMS

April 8 - Shawnee Library System

April 22 - Rolling Prairie Library System

May 4 - Chicago Public Library

April26- Prairie Area Library System

Meetings, Scholarships and Conferences:

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 12th Annual Deadline March 24, 2005 for applications
• OCLC Copyright workshop April 19 $75 per person

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